Changes

It feels like a long time since we’ve had a friendly fireside chat.  It is not as though everything is at a standstill or in [[stasis]] but the configuration has changed, the [[energies]] have shifted, and adaptations must be made.  I [[hope]] you don’t conclude that we don’t need these [[conversations]] anymore, that you are grown up now and don’t need the props of [[creativity]] such as we are in the minds of many, or therapists as some see us, or even figments of the [[imagination]] – magic carpets upon which [[writers]] may ride.  While some of/all of this may be true, we are still a venue through which to convey [[relative]] [[reality]], whatever you may think that is or isn’t, and while we can hardly profess to be the be-all and end-all of your [[education]], we remain [[teachers]] anyway and as such that is what we do.  

It feels like a long time since we’ve had a friendly fireside chat.  It is not as though everything is at a standstill or in [[stasis]] but the configuration has changed, the [[energies]] have shifted, and adaptations must be made.  I [[hope]] you don’t conclude that we don’t need these [[conversations]] anymore, that you are grown up now and don’t need the props of [[creativity]] such as we are in the minds of many, or therapists as some see us, or even figments of the [[imagination]] – magic carpets upon which [[writers]] may ride.  While some of/all of this may be true, we are still a venue through which to convey [[relative]] [[reality]], whatever you may think that is or isn’t, and while we can hardly profess to be the be-all and end-all of your [[education]], we remain [[teachers]] anyway and as such that is what we do.  

   

   

This is part of our assignment, after all, to help you to become teachers.  There is no talk at this point of your having become so proficient at what we have been teaching you that you no longer need our [[guidance]].  That would not be true.  We always need to learn from those who go before us, who reach back and tell the others what they have [[discovered]].  In this way you all become a [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_and_Clark Lewis and Clark], heading out through the [[cosmic]] [[wilderness]].  What [[wondrous]] land you will discover, what [[amazing]] [[creatures]], and what rigorous and heartfelt lessons you will learn as you make your way.  And from our [[perspective]], we are at least as [[entertaining]] as most of what you will find on [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television TV].  

This is part of our assignment, after all, to help you to become teachers.  There is no talk at this point of your having become so proficient at what we have been teaching you that you no longer need our [[guidance]].  That would not be true.  We always need to learn from those who go before us, who reach back and tell the others what they have [[discovered]].  In this way you all become a [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_and_Clark Lewis and Clark], heading out through the [[cosmic]] [[wilderness]].  What [[wondrous]] land you will discover, what [[amazing]] [[creatures]], and what rigorous and heartfelt lessons you will learn as you make your way.  And from our [[perspective]], we are at least as [[entertaining]] as most of what you will find on [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television TV].  

   

   

Where shall we begin?  What shall we talk about?  Shall we talk about the [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weather weather]?  Gerdean, what questions did you have in [[mind]] to ask about?

Where shall we begin?  What shall we talk about?  Shall we talk about the [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weather weather]?  Gerdean, what questions did you have in [[mind]] to ask about?

===Dialogue===

===Dialogue===

Gerdean:  While you are there, Athena, I could ask another question, then, and that is: should I add another segment after Part III, to recap or summarize or opine or promise or conclude or … anything at the end?

Gerdean:  While you are there, Athena, I could ask another question, then, and that is: should I add another segment after Part III, to recap or summarize or opine or promise or conclude or … anything at the end?

   

   

ATHENA:  I would suggest you do add some [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appendices appendices] or a [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary glossary] or footnotes to add [[information]] or definitions as needed. There aren’t too many but you would do well to let your [[readers]] know, for example, what “[[Morontia Mota|mota]]” means or who “[[Nebadonia]]” is or what “[[Urantia]]” or [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurvedic Ayurvedic] mean.  These are [[words]] that will help you with your [[audience]].  They would be able to get the gist of it without those details but it would behoove you to have those details for those who want to know those [[things]].  Be accommodating where possible.  All right?

ATHENA:  I would suggest you do add some [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appendices appendices] or a [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary glossary] or footnotes to add [[information]] or definitions as needed. There aren’t too many but you would do well to let your [[readers]] know, for example, what “[[Morontia Mota|mota]]” means or who “[[Nebadonia]]” is or what “[[Urantia]]” or [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurvedic Ayurvedic] mean.  These are [[words]] that will help you with your [[audience]].  They would be able to get the gist of it without those details but it would behoove you to have those details for those who want to know those [[things]].  Be accommodating where possible.  All right?

   

   

Gerdean:  Yes.  There is also talk about cover art, whether it should be in [[color]] or in black and white.  Do you have any opinion on that?

Gerdean:  Yes.  There is also talk about cover art, whether it should be in [[color]] or in black and white.  Do you have any opinion on that?

   

   

ATHENA:      I have no suggestions.  I have observed the influx of opinions and suggestions from others and find them all interesting and convenient.  For you to decide, perhaps you need to play with it some more.  And you will need to get prices.  You are “[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_171#171:2._ON_COUNTING_THE_COST counting the cost]” here, both in terms of whether you want to [[endure]] the [[persecution]]s that will come at you and do you want to afford the expenses that it will take.  You are up against a task and you want to approach it with due consideration -- knowing that this is not going to be an instant success and nor is anyone going to pay for it for you.  

ATHENA:      I have no suggestions.  I have observed the influx of opinions and suggestions from others and find them all interesting and convenient.  For you to decide, perhaps you need to play with it some more.  And you will need to get prices.  You are “[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_171#171:2._ON_COUNTING_THE_COST counting the cost]” here, both in terms of whether you want to [[endure]] the [[persecution]]s that will come at you and do you want to afford the expenses that it will take.  You are up against a task and you want to approach it with due consideration -- knowing that this is not going to be an instant success and nor is anyone going to pay for it for you.  

   

   

Gerdean:  Thank you, Athena.  

Gerdean:  Thank you, Athena.  

ATHENA:  You are welcome.  It is always a pleasure to work with you.  Here is Merium, your hostess.

ATHENA:  You are welcome.  It is always a pleasure to work with you.  Here is Merium, your hostess.

   

   

MERIUM:  I would like to let Tomas come visit you now for he has asked to join with you in a celebration of your [[relationship]] … in [[fact]], his commencement of his teaching [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenure tenure] here in this cosmic classroom.  I’ll be back.

MERIUM:  I would like to let Tomas come visit you now for he has asked to join with you in a celebration of your [[relationship]] … in [[fact]], his commencement of his teaching [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenure tenure] here in this cosmic classroom.  I’ll be back.

===='''''[[Mind]]'''''====

===='''''[[Mind]]'''''====

TOMAS:        Good afternoon, dear friends.  I am Tomas, your Teacher. I am pleased to be in your [[presence]] once again and to enjoy the [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambiance ambiance] of your [[environment]].  As we know, your environment begins within you, in the [[soul]] self coming forth from that [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_112#112:3._THE_PHENOMENON_OF_DEATH citadel of the spirit] and entering the external environment by the [[ministry]] of [[mind]].  

TOMAS:        Good afternoon, dear friends.  I am Tomas, your Teacher. I am pleased to be in your [[presence]] once again and to enjoy the [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambiance ambiance] of your [[environment]].  As we know, your environment begins within you, in the [[soul]] self coming forth from that [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_112#112:3._THE_PHENOMENON_OF_DEATH citadel of the spirit] and entering the external environment by the [[ministry]] of [[mind]].  

   

   

Mind is more than [[machine]].  Although it is [[mechanism]], mind is also [[consciousness]], be it [[Collective Unconscious|sub]] or [[Superconsciousness|super]].  It is [[energy]].  And it is infinitely vast in its portrayal.  Many [[perceive]] mind as something “out there” – a spatial sense of consciousness that goes to [[infinity]], or operates between [[electrons]] and protons, and there are those who think of mind as a [[Computational|calculator]] -- [[logic]], [[reason]] and [[linear]] [[thinking]] -- as a [[science]]; and there are those who think of mind as a workplace for [[artists]] where they rise and fall in the arms of the mind and [[dance]] across the pages and canvasses and stages of [[history]].  The mind is far beyond your [[comprehension]].

Mind is more than [[machine]].  Although it is [[mechanism]], mind is also [[consciousness]], be it [[Collective Unconscious|sub]] or [[Superconsciousness|super]].  It is [[energy]].  And it is infinitely vast in its portrayal.  Many [[perceive]] mind as something “out there” – a spatial sense of consciousness that goes to [[infinity]], or operates between [[electrons]] and protons, and there are those who think of mind as a [[Computational|calculator]] -- [[logic]], [[reason]] and [[linear]] [[thinking]] -- as a [[science]]; and there are those who think of mind as a workplace for [[artists]] where they rise and fall in the arms of the mind and [[dance]] across the pages and canvasses and stages of [[history]].  The mind is far beyond your [[comprehension]].

   

   

And so the [[mystery monitor]] monitors your mind for what passes through it, and with the help of the [[seraphim]] to [[juggle]] the balls that bounce around in your mind like in a [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinball Machine pinball machine], such that you have certain [[experiences]] and certain [[challenges]] on your way from being shot out of the cannon of life and attaining the goal of disappearing down the hole at the end of the game with as high a score as possible.  Where do you watch for your score?  What gives you the sense of being a winner?  What have you configured into your mind, your consciousness, what it means to win?  What it means to [[exercise]] yourself and be at your best or to reach your capacities?  

And so the [[mystery monitor]] monitors your mind for what passes through it, and with the help of the [[seraphim]] to [[juggle]] the balls that bounce around in your mind like in a [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinball Machine pinball machine], such that you have certain [[experiences]] and certain [[challenges]] on your way from being shot out of the cannon of life and attaining the goal of disappearing down the hole at the end of the game with as high a score as possible.  Where do you watch for your score?  What gives you the sense of being a winner?  What have you configured into your mind, your consciousness, what it means to win?  What it means to [[exercise]] yourself and be at your best or to reach your capacities?  

   

   

When you are [[Work|working]] at your capacities, what do your energies/ what does your mind do to the environment?  Are you like the stone that is tossed into the pool that causes ripples? Or the kind of rock that splashes water and loses it to [[density]] and destruction? Or are you the pebble that barely makes a mark on the surface of the water when it plops and hardly a ripple is noted?  All of this is an aspect of the mind -- your mind -- your [[mind]] in conjunction with “[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_3#3:3._GOD.27S_UNIVERSAL_KNOWLEDGE divine mind].”  Where and when and how you are empowered will depend upon the kind of [[effect]] you [[cause]] with your [[actions]], with your [[thought]].

When you are [[Work|working]] at your capacities, what do your energies/ what does your mind do to the environment?  Are you like the stone that is tossed into the pool that causes ripples? Or the kind of rock that splashes water and loses it to [[density]] and destruction? Or are you the pebble that barely makes a mark on the surface of the water when it plops and hardly a ripple is noted?  All of this is an aspect of the mind -- your mind -- your [[mind]] in conjunction with “[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_3#3:3._GOD.27S_UNIVERSAL_KNOWLEDGE divine mind].”  Where and when and how you are empowered will depend upon the kind of [[effect]] you [[cause]] with your [[actions]], with your [[thought]].

   

   

We [[judge]] not what approach you have. We observe the outcome.  We [[reflect]] what we see.  We use that, then, as a base for the next [[plateau]] of [[development]].  Whether it recedes or inclines is your [[choice]].  Whether you stalemate is your decision.  How fast and how slowly you move is also your decision.  You are all [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_12#12:7._THE_PART_AND_THE_WHOLE part of the whole], and as you move, so moves the whole.  If you do not move, the whole cannot move forward either. But you will be glad to see that there is much advancement being made in [[energetic]] living.  Even though, quite frankly, much of it is erroneous, it is nonetheless [[educational]] and [[experiential]]. And so we [[progress]] two steps forward, one step back.  

We [[judge]] not what approach you have. We observe the outcome.  We [[reflect]] what we see.  We use that, then, as a base for the next [[plateau]] of [[development]].  Whether it recedes or inclines is your [[choice]].  Whether you stalemate is your decision.  How fast and how slowly you move is also your decision.  You are all [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_12#12:7._THE_PART_AND_THE_WHOLE part of the whole], and as you move, so moves the whole.  If you do not move, the whole cannot move forward either. But you will be glad to see that there is much advancement being made in [[energetic]] living.  Even though, quite frankly, much of it is erroneous, it is nonetheless [[educational]] and [[experiential]]. And so we [[progress]] two steps forward, one step back.  

   

   

How have you been, my [[children]]?  How can I help you this afternoon?

How have you been, my [[children]]?  How can I help you this afternoon?

I see there are some things that are dependable.  

I see there are some things that are dependable.  

===='''''[[Sensitivity]]'''''====

===='''''[[Sensitivity]]'''''====

I also am reminded of the handicap of [[sensitivity]].  I would like to spend a [[moment]] with you on that if I may.  There are those who feel that sensitivity is a [http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handicap handicap] and thus are inclined to be hurt or bruised in the [[process]] of going through life, just because others are not as sensitive and [[think]] nothing of such jostling of [[egos]] and [[agendas]].  But sensitivity is a feature that is attributed to certain [[personalities]] that constitute a [[necessary]] part of [[humanity]].  

I also am reminded of the handicap of [[sensitivity]].  I would like to spend a [[moment]] with you on that if I may.  There are those who feel that sensitivity is a [https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Handicap handicap] and thus are inclined to be hurt or bruised in the [[process]] of going through life, just because others are not as sensitive and [[think]] nothing of such jostling of [[egos]] and [[agendas]].  But sensitivity is a feature that is attributed to certain [[personalities]] that constitute a [[necessary]] part of [[humanity]].  

   

   

To forfeit sensitivity is to forfeit much of what makes you [[happy]], and what is required of you to make it such that you can be [[creative]], or be innovative.  It is necessary for you to be sensitive to what would help you meet your [[potential]].  

To forfeit sensitivity is to forfeit much of what makes you [[happy]], and what is required of you to make it such that you can be [[creative]], or be innovative.  It is necessary for you to be sensitive to what would help you meet your [[potential]].  

When they say you must “toughen up,” that is coming from the perspective of one who has toughened.  It is the [[advice]] of someone who has the impression they have “been there, done that” and know what’s good for you, know what’s best and what is possible. And while there is a great deal of [[truth]] to the fact that we are always refining and modifying ourselves to adapt to truer [[perfection]], it is also true that certain [[counsel]] can be disregarded as it encroaches, intimidates, invalidates -- anything in [[opposition]] to your [[destiny]] calling… to your right to experiential living.  

When they say you must “toughen up,” that is coming from the perspective of one who has toughened.  It is the [[advice]] of someone who has the impression they have “been there, done that” and know what’s good for you, know what’s best and what is possible. And while there is a great deal of [[truth]] to the fact that we are always refining and modifying ourselves to adapt to truer [[perfection]], it is also true that certain [[counsel]] can be disregarded as it encroaches, intimidates, invalidates -- anything in [[opposition]] to your [[destiny]] calling… to your right to experiential living.  

   

   

But you must count the cost of advancing or not advancing, depending upon your own [[spirit of truth]].  In the end it will always say “[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_34#34:7._THE_SPIRIT_AND_THE_FLESH This is the Way]” and that is the way you will follow if you are following your true path.  “[http://www.enotes.com/shakespeare-quotes/thine-own-self-true To thine own self be true]” gives you the option.  It provides you the [[opportunities]] and the [[risks]] that you will take in [[discovering]] yourself in [[relationship]] with that which is [[eternal]], that which will be a part of you forever, that which will serve you for the next leg of the [[journey]], that which will bring you home, to that which you maintain your highest [[loyalty]] and your undying [[hope]].

But you must count the cost of advancing or not advancing, depending upon your own [[spirit of truth]].  In the end it will always say “[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_34#34:7._THE_SPIRIT_AND_THE_FLESH This is the Way]” and that is the way you will follow if you are following your true path.  “[https://www.enotes.com/shakespeare-quotes/thine-own-self-true To thine own self be true]” gives you the option.  It provides you the [[opportunities]] and the [[risks]] that you will take in [[discovering]] yourself in [[relationship]] with that which is [[eternal]], that which will be a part of you forever, that which will serve you for the next leg of the [[journey]], that which will bring you home, to that which you maintain your highest [[loyalty]] and your undying [[hope]].

===Closing===

===Closing===

Thank you for gathering this afternoon in order that we were able to call these [[things]] to your [[attention]] and consider them in [[light]] of where we are today in the [[Teaching Mission]] and in the [[perspective]] of our mutual [[observations]]. Yes, I have been “having fun” where I have been in other places, but I will not dwell on that now.  I will return you to Merium.  I’ll talk to you another time.  Good afternoon.

Thank you for gathering this afternoon in order that we were able to call these [[things]] to your [[attention]] and consider them in [[light]] of where we are today in the [[Teaching Mission]] and in the [[perspective]] of our mutual [[observations]]. Yes, I have been “having fun” where I have been in other places, but I will not dwell on that now.  I will return you to Merium.  I’ll talk to you another time.  Good afternoon.