Changes

'''Jerry Lane wrote on tml May 28, 2013 at 1:47 PM'''

'''Jerry Lane wrote on tml May 28, 2013 at 1:47 PM'''

Dear Folks, here is, finally, the lesson that occasioned many conversations on TML. It's one in which I could feel Michael doing his best to express himself around all the preconceived opinions I had on the subjects, all the "it's either this or that other" that I and others thought were only logical or necessary, but, being spiritual reality, was rather "both this and the other." Gerdean asked why he spent so much time on the "coming back" of reincarnation notions, but I think this was in answer as to the "why" of things being as they are--that she asked--and that we too nonchalantly assume we know all about how the Morontia life affects people before we have experienced the enormity of surviving death ourselves.

Dear Folks, here is, finally, the lesson that occasioned many conversations on TML. It's one in which I could feel Michael doing his best to express himself around all the preconceived opinions I had on the subjects, all the "it's either this or that other" that I and others thought were only logical or necessary, but, being spiritual reality, was rather "both this and the other." Gerdean asked why he spent so much time on the "coming back" of reincarnation notions, but I think this was in answer as to the "why" of things being as they are--that she asked--and that we too nonchalantly assume we know all about how the Morontia life affects people before we have experienced the enormity of surviving death ourselves.

   

   

More importantly, I think, is his addressing, as did Mother Spirit last time, the insulting and dismissive rhetorical devices used on TML to belittle the spiritual experiences of others as if they too had to be either this or that in the critic's notions of spiritual reality. Ironically, it seems to me, we are told that we can at least approach being more objective by being aware of our own limited subjective viewpoint, and by opening ourselves in empathy to another's inner life as well, humbly accepting that neither is absolute--however they may appear so to us in the moment. As we are not, in the TML, debating physical facts, but rather sharing spiritual experiences, let us welcome the intrinsic personal variety of that very thing. Then perhaps the TML will blossom once again with the joy of sharing our inner lives with each other, glorying--as Michael invites us to--in our very God-given uniqueness beyond comparison or argument.  For while--as Gerdean points out--this may be chaotic at times, who among us is qualified to act as censor or policeman to another's spiritual expression? How can we welcome newcomers to the Urantia Book's revelations if we keep hitting them over the head with our own claimed expertise in contrast to their supposed ignorance? Rather let us trust in another's abilities to glean whatever spiritual truth resonates within their soul, and invite them to share in our cherished, light-hearted fun. Jerry.

More importantly, I think, is his addressing, as did Mother Spirit last time, the insulting and dismissive rhetorical devices used on TML to belittle the spiritual experiences of others as if they too had to be either this or that in the critic's notions of spiritual reality. Ironically, it seems to me, we are told that we can at least approach being more objective by being aware of our own limited subjective viewpoint, and by opening ourselves in empathy to another's inner life as well, humbly accepting that neither is absolute--however they may appear so to us in the moment. As we are not, in the TML, debating physical facts, but rather sharing spiritual experiences, let us welcome the intrinsic personal variety of that very thing. Then perhaps the TML will blossom once again with the joy of sharing our inner lives with each other, glorying--as Michael invites us to--in our very God-given uniqueness beyond comparison or argument.  For while--as Gerdean points out--this may be chaotic at times, who among us is qualified to act as censor or policeman to another's spiritual expression? How can we welcome newcomers to the Urantia Book's revelations if we keep hitting them over the head with our own claimed expertise in contrast to their supposed ignorance? Rather let us trust in another's abilities to glean whatever spiritual truth resonates within their soul, and invite them to share in our cherished, light-hearted fun. Jerry.--rdavis 23:26, 28 May 2013 (UTC)

'''Gerdean wrote on tml May 28, 2013 at 5:23 PM'''

'''Gerdean wrote on tml May 28, 2013 at 5:23 PM'''

I did not presume to sit in judgment on my peers, only on their faulty perceptions as revealed in their transcripts, as I have often had my faulty perceptions as revealed in my transcripts clarified by my kindred spirits.  To question transmissions is my responsibility, if I feel they are antithetical to a greater understanding of truth on Urantia.  Hypothesis does not necessarily equate to truth.  

I did not presume to sit in judgment on my peers, only on their faulty perceptions as revealed in their transcripts, as I have often had my faulty perceptions as revealed in my transcripts clarified by my kindred spirits.  To question transmissions is my responsibility, if I feel they are antithetical to a greater understanding of truth on Urantia.  Hypothesis does not necessarily equate to truth.  

   

   

[[133:4|133:4.7]] To the Roman judge he said: “As you judge men, remember that you yourself will also some day come to judgment before the bar of the Rulers of a universe. Judge justly, even mercifully, even as you shall some day thus crave merciful consideration at the hands of the Supreme Arbiter. Judge as you would be judged under similar circumstances, thus being guided by the spirit of the law as well as by its letter. And even as you accord justice dominated by fairness in the light of the need of those who are brought before you, so shall you have the right to expect justice tempered by mercy when you sometime stand before the Judge of all the earth.”

[[133:4|133:4.7]] To the Roman judge he said: “As you judge men, remember that you yourself will also some day come to judgment before the bar of the Rulers of a universe. Judge justly, even mercifully, even as you shall some day thus crave merciful consideration at the hands of the Supreme Arbiter. Judge as you would be judged under similar circumstances, thus being guided by the spirit of the law as well as by its letter. And even as you accord justice dominated by fairness in the light of the need of those who are brought before you, so shall you have the right to expect justice tempered by mercy when you sometime stand before the Judge of all the earth.”--rdavis 23:26, 28 May 2013 (UTC)