Changes

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

===='''''[[Humor]]'''''====

===='''''[[Humor]]'''''====

Heclechora: The [[gravity]] of the [[problems]] in the world requires the [[balance]] of [[humor]]. It is absolutely essential for your [[health]] to laugh. The laugh mechanism was well described by Elyon as an evolutionary [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ safety valve] to exit [[aggression]], [[stress]], and [[worry]]. It is no wonder that one of your [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Cousins#Illness_and_recovery prominent citizens laughed himself out of fatal cancer]. So, I am glad you enjoyed our little joke. I will not [[lecture]] you on the virtues of humor except to say, "[[Practice]] it more and more". Allow yourself the [[freedom]] to laugh and heartily, as you have just done, from the diaphragm, the belly laugh, which is nature's way of coping with [[stress]], and letting go of aggression.

Heclechora: The [[gravity]] of the [[problems]] in the world requires the [[balance]] of [[humor]]. It is absolutely essential for your [[health]] to laugh. The laugh mechanism was well described by Elyon as an evolutionary [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ safety valve] to exit [[aggression]], [[stress]], and [[worry]]. It is no wonder that one of your [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Cousins#Illness_and_recovery prominent citizens laughed himself out of fatal cancer]. So, I am glad you enjoyed our little joke. I will not [[lecture]] you on the virtues of humor except to say, "[[Practice]] it more and more". Allow yourself the [[freedom]] to laugh and heartily, as you have just done, from the diaphragm, the belly laugh, which is nature's way of coping with [[stress]], and letting go of aggression.

One of the aspects of a good [[joke]] is the [[contrast]] between [[truth]] and [[falsehood]], which requires the exercise of the ability to distinguish between truth and error. Sometimes people who are not as evolved intellectually are definitely left in the dust when a clever joke is presented, for they don't have the mental [[ability]] to make the connection with truth and get fooled by that side of humor. That's also why there are so many enjoyable [[stories]] of children who do not understand the [[English]] language, but who sincerely respond to their misunderstandings. We all laugh at their difficulties without [[feeling]] critical of them in any way.

One of the aspects of a good [[joke]] is the [[contrast]] between [[truth]] and [[falsehood]], which requires the exercise of the ability to distinguish between truth and error. Sometimes people who are not as evolved intellectually are definitely left in the dust when a clever joke is presented, for they don't have the mental [[ability]] to make the connection with truth and get fooled by that side of humor. That's also why there are so many enjoyable [[stories]] of children who do not understand the [[English]] language, but who sincerely respond to their misunderstandings. We all laugh at their difficulties without [[feeling]] critical of them in any way.

Let's think a moment about this whole [[business]] of [[truth]]. We have made it clear in our past lessons that all truth is [[relative]], short of [[Paradise]], and that it is specific to a given situation. This does not mean that there is no [[ultimate]] [[Truth]], for God is, after all, Ultimate Truth. We have also talked about the requirement that every thinking and morally capable individual is responsible for their own [[discernment]] of [[truth]]. Then, there has also been the suggestion that the [[mature]] person can distinguish between relative levels of truth and can choose, among many options, that which is the highest from those that are lessor.

Let's think a moment about this whole [[business]] of [[truth]]. We have made it clear in our past lessons that all truth is [[relative]], short of [[Paradise]], and that it is specific to a given situation. This does not mean that there is no [[ultimate]] [[Truth]], for God is, after all, Ultimate Truth. We have also talked about the requirement that every thinking and morally capable individual is responsible for their own [[discernment]] of [[truth]]. Then, there has also been the suggestion that the [[mature]] person can distinguish between relative levels of truth and can choose, among many options, that which is the highest from those that are lessor.

When I first said, "This is Lester, the Jester", most of you believed me. You may have thought in that instant, "Of course it's Lester. It is [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Fool's_Day April Fool's Day] and he is the perfect one to be present at our [[meeting]] because he is a known comic and a party boy in the [[Teaching Mission]] history". However, you were very pleased to discover that I pulled an April Fool on you, and you acted just like children that get caught on April Fool's day. You were laughing at your inability to [[anticipate]] my little trick, and your laughter was like that of little children, full of [[pleasure]].

When I first said, "This is Lester, the Jester", most of you believed me. You may have thought in that instant, "Of course it's Lester. It is [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Fool's_Day April Fool's Day] and he is the perfect one to be present at our [[meeting]] because he is a known comic and a party boy in the [[Teaching Mission]] history". However, you were very pleased to discover that I pulled an April Fool on you, and you acted just like children that get caught on April Fool's day. You were laughing at your inability to [[anticipate]] my little trick, and your laughter was like that of little children, full of [[pleasure]].

So, let us begin this discussion of truth [[discernment]] by agreeing there are levels of discernment [[ability]]. Levels of discernment of truth do relate to inherent [[ability]]. There is a [[connection]] between [[intellectual]] [[ability]] and [[spiritual]] [[discernment]]. In most ways that is a given that you must accept.

So, let us begin this discussion of truth [[discernment]] by agreeing there are levels of discernment [[ability]]. Levels of discernment of truth do relate to inherent [[ability]]. There is a [[connection]] between [[intellectual]] [[ability]] and [[spiritual]] [[discernment]]. In most ways that is a given that you must accept.

However, the most important [[consideration]] in this [[discussion]] of truth [[discernment]] has to do with [[motivation]]. For despite levels of discernment [[ability]] that are correlated with [[intelligence]], intelligence alone is not sufficient. Motivation is a bigger key to unlock the door of truth. [[Jesus]] described this when he said, "Ask and you shall [[receive]]; knock and the door shall be opened to you". The motivation to search and seek after truth is the most important aspect.

However, the most important [[consideration]] in this [[discussion]] of truth [[discernment]] has to do with [[motivation]]. For despite levels of discernment [[ability]] that are correlated with [[intelligence]], intelligence alone is not sufficient. Motivation is a bigger key to unlock the door of truth. [[Jesus]] described this when he said, "Ask and you shall [[receive]]; knock and the door shall be opened to you". The motivation to search and seek after truth is the most important aspect.

To be a truth [[seeker]] is hard work. It requires one to cast off from the safe shores of one's native and familiar [[land]] to engage the raging seas of [[uncertainty]] in the quest of a new and greater destination. The seas of uncertainty harbor [[dangers]]. There are the sharks of [[doubt]] circling the ship. There are the winds of [[adversity]] which batter its sails. There are the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_night_of_the_soul dark nights of the soul] which submerge the fountain of [[joy]] in [[darker]] muddy waters. There is the laughter of derision from your [[peers]] as you ready your vessel to enter the uncharted waters of your [[quest]]. But he who has the willingness to search, will find. He who will turn the nob on the door will find that it opens. He who has the [[humility]] to ask and to admit their need of help, will [[receive]] that help.

To be a truth [[seeker]] is hard work. It requires one to cast off from the safe shores of one's native and familiar [[land]] to engage the raging seas of [[uncertainty]] in the quest of a new and greater destination. The seas of uncertainty harbor [[dangers]]. There are the sharks of [[doubt]] circling the ship. There are the winds of [[adversity]] which batter its sails. There are the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_night_of_the_soul dark nights of the soul] which submerge the fountain of [[joy]] in [[darker]] muddy waters. There is the laughter of derision from your [[peers]] as you ready your vessel to enter the uncharted waters of your [[quest]]. But he who has the willingness to search, will find. He who will turn the nob on the door will find that it opens. He who has the [[humility]] to ask and to admit their need of help, will [[receive]] that help.

For you see, once you seek that truth, you have a [[comforter]]. You have a [[companion]]. You are in possession of the well spring within you of the Spirit of Truth, Michael's spiritual presence. You will remember that He told his apostles on their last night together at supper, "I am the way, the truth, and the light". So, Michael, the truth Himself, is within you to shine His light upon His way.

For you see, once you seek that truth, you have a [[comforter]]. You have a [[companion]]. You are in possession of the well spring within you of the Spirit of Truth, Michael's spiritual presence. You will remember that He told his apostles on their last night together at supper, "I am the way, the truth, and the light". So, Michael, the truth Himself, is within you to shine His light upon His way.