Changes

==Session==

==Session==

===Opening===

===Opening===

MUSIC: Elena on Piano: “[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesu,_Joy_of_Man%27s_Desiring Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring]” ([http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Sebastian_Bach Bach])

MUSIC: Elena on Piano: “[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesu,_Joy_of_Man%27s_Desiring Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring]” ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Sebastian_Bach Bach])

PRAYER: Willie: Let us place ourselves in the [[presence]] of [[Jesus]], the Christ.

PRAYER: Willie: Let us place ourselves in the [[presence]] of [[Jesus]], the Christ.

Master Teacher, We come to you today with [[open heart]]s and [[minds]], to hear the message once again, and it can be proclaimed, wherever and whenever, like the [[song]], “[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_Tell_It_on_the_Mountain_%28song%29 Go Tell it On the Mountain],” anytime is good news, and as if it were heard for the first time.

Master Teacher, We come to you today with [[open heart]]s and [[minds]], to hear the message once again, and it can be proclaimed, wherever and whenever, like the [[song]], “[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_Tell_It_on_the_Mountain_%28song%29 Go Tell it On the Mountain],” anytime is good news, and as if it were heard for the first time.

As [[Advent]] progresses, as we had heard today, to [[prepare]] the way for the coming of the King, we do so again this time in [[remembrance]] of the formality of that program, but in [[reality]] everyday, as we [[hope]] and [[expect]] to meet you in person as we prepare the way for you with us every day of our lives.

As [[Advent]] progresses, as we had heard today, to [[prepare]] the way for the coming of the King, we do so again this time in [[remembrance]] of the formality of that program, but in [[reality]] everyday, as we [[hope]] and [[expect]] to meet you in person as we prepare the way for you with us every day of our lives.

All are welcome and [[encouraged]] to continue to learn some of the precepts and [[principles]] that prevail here within this land of never-ending [[mystery]] and [[charm]].

All are welcome and [[encouraged]] to continue to learn some of the precepts and [[principles]] that prevail here within this land of never-ending [[mystery]] and [[charm]].

I usually make a reference to the [[physical]] environs here in this place that you call [[home]], primarily because of its sometimes blank, [[austere]] and nevertheless awesome surroundings, which reminds me of the pervasiveness of the [[mystery]] that surrounds physical life and its [[beauty]]. There are other places where it may be as or more dramatically impressed, such as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serengeti Serengeti in Africa], or other places where [[predator]] and prey play the dramatic role.

I usually make a reference to the [[physical]] environs here in this place that you call [[home]], primarily because of its sometimes blank, [[austere]] and nevertheless awesome surroundings, which reminds me of the pervasiveness of the [[mystery]] that surrounds physical life and its [[beauty]]. There are other places where it may be as or more dramatically impressed, such as the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serengeti Serengeti in Africa], or other places where [[predator]] and prey play the dramatic role.

This need not be the [[focus]] of our [[discussion]] today, in terms of a predatory principle active here in [[your world]], but to let you know that this is part of the [[evolutionary]] principle and [[cycle]], for where you find yourselves in this land of [[mystery]] and [[beauty]] that can be stark and rob a person of life as you know it, to be [[exposed]] to the elements without protection, or to be provided the [[necessary]] life-carrying elements such as water, or clothing, or the like, you begin to [[appreciate]] that just the land and its environment itself is a [[life]] and [[death]] reminder, surrounded by [[beauty]] that is part of that threat to life, limb and [[happiness]].

This need not be the [[focus]] of our [[discussion]] today, in terms of a predatory principle active here in [[your world]], but to let you know that this is part of the [[evolutionary]] principle and [[cycle]], for where you find yourselves in this land of [[mystery]] and [[beauty]] that can be stark and rob a person of life as you know it, to be [[exposed]] to the elements without protection, or to be provided the [[necessary]] life-carrying elements such as water, or clothing, or the like, you begin to [[appreciate]] that just the land and its environment itself is a [[life]] and [[death]] reminder, surrounded by [[beauty]] that is part of that threat to life, limb and [[happiness]].

Group:          Thank you, Anatolia.

Group:          Thank you, Anatolia.

TOMAS:        In the spirit then of [[relaxation]], this being our [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Hour Happy Hour], let us revel in the [[intoxication]] of one another’s company. What [[joy]] do you bring to our gathering, or what trouble prevails? Do you have [[questions]]?

TOMAS:        In the spirit then of [[relaxation]], this being our [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Hour Happy Hour], let us revel in the [[intoxication]] of one another’s company. What [[joy]] do you bring to our gathering, or what trouble prevails? Do you have [[questions]]?

===Dialogue===

===Dialogue===

Elena:            I don’t know about anybody else, but I feel that Anatolia’s words were directed directly to me and I am very [[grateful]] for them. Thank you! That kind of took care of my questions, Tomas.

Elena:            I don’t know about anybody else, but I feel that Anatolia’s words were directed directly to me and I am very [[grateful]] for them. Thank you! That kind of took care of my questions, Tomas.

Elena:            That’s too bad.

Elena:            That’s too bad.

TOMAS:        Not to infer [[disdain]], I have in the past made many positive [[references]] to the holiday and its [[value]] for you, including comparing [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus Santa Clause] to God himself, but I have subsequently lost [[enthusiasm]] for repeating those same lessons annually as you seem prone to want to [[experience]]. This needs to be because of your being so tied into the [[time-space]] [[paradigm]]. For you it is a cultural [[reality]], whereas for us it is not. And in my [[opinion]], it happens much more quickly than to your mind and, frankly, I find most mortal holidays to be a tremendous [[distraction]] from reality rather than a contribution to the reality that we would [[support]] and [[encourage]].

TOMAS:        Not to infer [[disdain]], I have in the past made many positive [[references]] to the holiday and its [[value]] for you, including comparing [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus Santa Clause] to God himself, but I have subsequently lost [[enthusiasm]] for repeating those same lessons annually as you seem prone to want to [[experience]]. This needs to be because of your being so tied into the [[time-space]] [[paradigm]]. For you it is a cultural [[reality]], whereas for us it is not. And in my [[opinion]], it happens much more quickly than to your mind and, frankly, I find most mortal holidays to be a tremendous [[distraction]] from reality rather than a contribution to the reality that we would [[support]] and [[encourage]].

So much of mortal life is merely [[pomp]] and circumstance, [[ritual]], and [[paradigms]] of a [[reality]], which seems designed to keep you occupied with as little of substance as possible, in order to [[control]] your [[behaviors]]. This is not [[liberating]], but it is understood why the [[pattern]] is in place. Yet, to sit around and [[encourage]] these patterns is not in keeping with our [[purpose]] in being here with you. If that makes me a “[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrooge Scrooge],” that’s the [[chance]] I take.

So much of mortal life is merely [[pomp]] and circumstance, [[ritual]], and [[paradigms]] of a [[reality]], which seems designed to keep you occupied with as little of substance as possible, in order to [[control]] your [[behaviors]]. This is not [[liberating]], but it is understood why the [[pattern]] is in place. Yet, to sit around and [[encourage]] these patterns is not in keeping with our [[purpose]] in being here with you. If that makes me a “[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrooge Scrooge],” that’s the [[chance]] I take.

Janet:            Well, I just love it. I have more fun at this time of the year than I do the whole yearlong.

Janet:            Well, I just love it. I have more fun at this time of the year than I do the whole yearlong.

TOMAS:        Indeed, [[happiness]] is reflected differently from different [[perspectives]]. There are some who carry their [[joy]] deep within them and theirs is not so demonstrable as others. This is not to say that your effervescent joy is not also a deep joy. And yet there are many [[factors]] that are a part of the human [[composition]] that may not [[reveal]] their joy in the same way as you do.

TOMAS:        Indeed, [[happiness]] is reflected differently from different [[perspectives]]. There are some who carry their [[joy]] deep within them and theirs is not so demonstrable as others. This is not to say that your effervescent joy is not also a deep joy. And yet there are many [[factors]] that are a part of the human [[composition]] that may not [[reveal]] their joy in the same way as you do.

How God [[reveals]] his [[joy]] is in giving you the [[opportunity]] to [[become]] real, like the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velveteen_Rabbit Velveteen Rabbit] story, wherein the stuffed animal feels the craving to become live. He wants to know how to become “real” and the rocking horse [[counsels]] him, he must be loved, even to the point of having his whiskers rubbed off from hugs and kisses and handling.

How God [[reveals]] his [[joy]] is in giving you the [[opportunity]] to [[become]] real, like the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velveteen_Rabbit Velveteen Rabbit] story, wherein the stuffed animal feels the craving to become live. He wants to know how to become “real” and the rocking horse [[counsels]] him, he must be loved, even to the point of having his whiskers rubbed off from hugs and kisses and handling.

When a stuffed animal has been handled, manhandled, mauled, pulled around by the hair or by the foot, left out in the rain and thrown in a corner in a heap, their [[joy]] is not as evident as that toy which has been preserved on a shelf and wound up for special occasions. But the [[promise]] remains within the [[heart]] of that stuffed animal, that when it is met with [[love]], it will be made more than it is, and this is the joy that can be equated to the joy found in the EveryReady Rabbit. It keeps on giving, and giving, and giving delight in its [[being]].

When a stuffed animal has been handled, manhandled, mauled, pulled around by the hair or by the foot, left out in the rain and thrown in a corner in a heap, their [[joy]] is not as evident as that toy which has been preserved on a shelf and wound up for special occasions. But the [[promise]] remains within the [[heart]] of that stuffed animal, that when it is met with [[love]], it will be made more than it is, and this is the joy that can be equated to the joy found in the EveryReady Rabbit. It keeps on giving, and giving, and giving delight in its [[being]].

This tale has been brought to you by (Group laughter) my associate, [[Merium]], who enjoys such antics and can think of nothing more pleasurable than playing on the floor with her children but I’ve been [[trained]] culturally differently, and so my [[manner]] is – perhaps [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._McGregor Mr. McGregor] is the point of reference I need. I will ask Gerdean to [[read]] it, and that way I will know for sure.

This tale has been brought to you by (Group laughter) my associate, [[Merium]], who enjoys such antics and can think of nothing more pleasurable than playing on the floor with her children but I’ve been [[trained]] culturally differently, and so my [[manner]] is – perhaps [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._McGregor Mr. McGregor] is the point of reference I need. I will ask Gerdean to [[read]] it, and that way I will know for sure.

When I talk about stuffed animals, I am not necessarily [[thinking]] of you here, but there are days when you do resemble stuffed animals, today being rather one of them. (Group giggles) But look how [[happy]] you are, even though you have been – as you say, “Pulled through a knothole and dragged by the foot.” (Group giggles.)

When I talk about stuffed animals, I am not necessarily [[thinking]] of you here, but there are days when you do resemble stuffed animals, today being rather one of them. (Group giggles) But look how [[happy]] you are, even though you have been – as you say, “Pulled through a knothole and dragged by the foot.” (Group giggles.)

Let every day be [[Christmas]], then. [[Wake]] every morning with the delight of a child, knowing that within your very [[being]] you carry the priceless gift of [[God within]] you, the [[presence]] of your own [[reality]], the spark of the Divine that lifts you above the mere stuffed animal and elevates you into that child of God which is [[eternal]].

Let every day be [[Christmas]], then. [[Wake]] every morning with the delight of a child, knowing that within your very [[being]] you carry the priceless gift of [[God within]] you, the [[presence]] of your own [[reality]], the spark of the Divine that lifts you above the mere stuffed animal and elevates you into that child of God which is [[eternal]].

Now, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinkerbell Tinkerbell] has had her say.

Now, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinkerbell Tinkerbell] has had her say.

===Closing===

===Closing===

It is an amusing gathering. I [[hope]] you have all had as much fun as I have. It would seem however that there is a certain amount of [[self-consciousness]] and [[reluctance]] to [[investigate]] the [[potential]] of the [[paradigm]] we [[share]], and so we will advance you into the [[social]] portion of your gathering so that we might enjoy your festivities and your [[reflections]] on what we have shared, how we have engaged ourselves in childlike glee of our own sonship and the gift we are and the gifts we [[share]] with others.

It is an amusing gathering. I [[hope]] you have all had as much fun as I have. It would seem however that there is a certain amount of [[self-consciousness]] and [[reluctance]] to [[investigate]] the [[potential]] of the [[paradigm]] we [[share]], and so we will advance you into the [[social]] portion of your gathering so that we might enjoy your festivities and your [[reflections]] on what we have shared, how we have engaged ourselves in childlike glee of our own sonship and the gift we are and the gifts we [[share]] with others.