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The Teaching Mission: Dialogues (view source)
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Each of us is likely to have a different description and emphasis as to the
Each of us is likely to have a different description and emphasis as to the
nature of this world-wide Teaching Mission. In general, it is an avenue of
nature of this world-wide Teaching Mission. In general, it is an avenue of
personal religious experience. Individuals, in their private devotions,
personal religious [[experience]]. [[Individual]]s, in their private devotions,
may experience contact with supermortal guides, or "teachers." We believe
may experience contact with supermortal guides, or "teachers." We believe
that there are a host of intelligent, loving, celestial, agencies
that there are a host of intelligent, loving, celestial, agencies
ministering to our world. One such group of celestial beings who work
ministering to our world. One such group of celestial beings who work
together for humanity's spiritual progress call themselves teachers of the
together for humanity's spiritual progress call themselves teachers of the
"Teaching Mission" or the "Correcting Time." The Correcting Time is said
"Teaching Mission" or the "[[Correcting Time]]." The Correcting Time is said
to encompass roughly the next millennium of human history, a time of
to encompass roughly the next millennium of [[human]] [[history]], a time of
correcting the consequences of certain calamities and deprivations of the
correcting the consequences of certain calamities and deprivations of the
past, and a time of fostering an era of heightened spiritual progress in
past, and a time of fostering an era of heightened [[spiritual]] progress in
the future--the era of "light and life" on Earth.
the future--the era of "[[light and life]]" on Earth.
===Who are the teachers?===
===Who are the teachers?===
Many contemporary people are discovering contact with spiritual guides.
Many contemporary people are discovering contact with spiritual guides.
The tremendous upsurgence in reported contact with angels and other
The tremendous upsurge in reported contact with [[angel]]s and other
heavenly beings is indicative of new openings for communion with angelic
heavenly beings is indicative of new openings for [[communion]] with angelic
types of ministry to our world. The particular contacts from on High whom
types of ministry to our world. The particular contacts from on High whom
we call "teachers" are non-material spiritual beings, friends from heaven.
we call "teachers" are non-material spiritual [[being]]s, friends from heaven.
They are advanced enough in their own spiritual growth and cosmic evolution
They are advanced enough in their own spiritual growth and [[cosmic]] [[evolution]]
to be a lofty inspiration to us; and yet, they remain greatly empathetic
to be a lofty inspiration to us; and yet, they remain greatly empathetic
and supportive of our personal struggles with soul growth. These teachers
and supportive of our [[personal]] struggles with [[soul]] growth. These teachers
present and amplify the revelations and truths discussed in The Urantia
present and amplify the revelations and truths discussed in [[Urantia Text|The Urantia
Book. This book teaches that each and every human mortal is a potentially
Book]]. This book teaches that each and every human mortal is a potentially
immortal faith-son or faith-daughter of God. We are each an honored member
immortal [[faith]]-son or faith-daughter of God. We are each an honored member
of a well-nigh limitless cosmic family. We are spiritual brothers and
of a well-nigh limitless cosmic family. We are spiritual brothers and
sisters held in the infinite love of one Divine Cosmic Parent, Mother and
sisters held in the [[infinite]] love of one Divine Cosmic Parent, Mother and
Father combined.
Father combined.
We who participate on the human side of the Teaching Mission are ordinary
We who participate on the human side of the Teaching Mission are ordinary
human beings who simply aspire to bring more of truth, beauty, and goodness
human beings who simply aspire to bring more of [[truth]], [[beauty]], and [[goodness]]
into our world. We hail from diverse walks of life and various locations
into our world. We hail from diverse walks of life and various locations
in and out of the continental USA. We vary widely in our backgrounds and
in and out of the continental USA. We vary widely in our backgrounds and
cultural, political, and philosophical views; but, we are united in our
[[culture|cultural]], [[politics|political]], and [[philosophy|philosophical]] views; but, we are united in our
spiritual quest for more of God's love and more opportunities to share this
spiritual quest for more of God's love and more opportunities to share this
love and friendship with our fellows. Many of us attend informal groups
love and friendship with our fellows. Many of us attend informal groups
where teacher communications are shared and discussed.
where teacher [[communication]]s are shared and discussed.
===Who is able to make contact with celestial teachers?===
===Who is able to make contact with celestial teachers?===
Anyone. Any adult or child who sincerely desires teacher contact will have
Anyone. Any adult or child who sincerely desires teacher contact will have
that opportunity, regardless of race or gender, educational background,
that opportunity, regardless of [[race]] or [[gender]], educational background,
social or economic status, national origin, or religious beliefs. We are
social or economic status, national origin, or religious [[belief]]s. We are
told that if every one of the over five billion inhabitants of our planet
told that if every one of the over five billion inhabitants of our planet
sought a personal teacher, one would certainly be provided for each seeker.
sought a personal teacher, one would certainly be provided for each seeker.
===How do I receive the gift of a personal teacher?===
===How do I receive the gift of a personal teacher?===
This is a very intimate matter between you and your Deity. In your
This is a very intimate matter between you and your [[Deity]]. In your
personal prayer time or meditation, simply ask your heavenly Father-Mother
personal prayer time or [[meditation]], simply ask your heavenly Father-Mother
for a personal teacher, and trust that even though you may not readily
for a personal teacher, and trust that even though you may not readily
sense a teacher's presence, one will surely be there for you. Many of us
sense a teacher's [[presence]], one will surely be there for you. Many of us
suffer, consciously or unconsciously, from a sense of perceived shame and
suffer, consciously or unconsciously, from a sense of perceived shame and
unworthiness. In truth, there is no mortal on Earth who is unworthy of the
unworthiness. In [[truth]], there is no mortal on Earth who is unworthy of
divine affection. Our teachers view us with great respect and see it as an
honor to work with us. Some of us have to swallow hard to accept the
honor to work with us. Some of us have to swallow hard to accept the
enormity of this gift and not fear this loving contact. Time and daily
enormity of this gift and not fear this loving contact. [[Time]] and daily
"stillness practice," a term used by the teachers to refer to quiet
"[[meditation|stillness]] practice," a term used by the teachers to refer to quiet
meditation, provide the reconciliation between how we tend to value
meditation, provide the reconciliation between how we tend to value
ourselves, and how the teachers value us, and hope we will eventually value
ourselves, and how the teachers [[value]] us, and hope we will eventually value
ourselves also.
ourselves also.
paramount purpose of the teachers is to aid us in getting in touch with the
paramount purpose of the teachers is to aid us in getting in touch with the
Spark of Deity within each person, the "still small voice of God" that
Spark of Deity within each person, the "still small voice of God" that
indwells the human heart-mind. Teachers are also heavenly friends who love
indwells the human heart-[[mind]]. Teachers are also heavenly friends who love
us dearly and often accompany us on our life adventures. They encourage us
us dearly and often accompany us on our life adventures. They encourage us
and inspire us. They remind us of spiritual truths we cherish; they help
and inspire us. They remind us of spiritual truths we cherish; they help
keep us spiritually focused. Teachers offer faith reassurances of the
keep us spiritually focused. Teachers offer faith reassurances of the
unswerving love of our divine Parent for each individual, regardless of his
unswerving love of our divine Parent for each [[individual]], regardless of his
or her worldly status. Teachers elevate and accelerate our hopes for a
or her worldly status. Teachers elevate and accelerate our hopes for a
better world and augment God-consciousness among all peoples.
better world and augment [[God-consciousness]] among all peoples.
===What teachers do not do.===
===What teachers do not do.===
conclusions:
conclusions:
1. Teachers DO NOT violate human free-will. They never violate the
1. Teachers '''do not''' violate human free-will. They never violate the
sanctity of our minds, our souls, our earthly opportunities, or our life
sanctity of our minds, our souls, our earthly opportunities, or our life
choices. Their action in relation to any human is always subject to that
choices. Their action in relation to any human is always subject to that
3. Teachers are not in the business of miracle-working, empirical proofs,
3. Teachers are not in the business of miracle-working, empirical proofs,
power-brokering, sparking fads, encouraging extraordinary sensory
[[power]]-brokering, sparking fads, encouraging extraordinary sensory
experiences, dictating how we should live, shaming us, or otherwise acting
experiences, dictating how we should live, shaming us, or otherwise acting
or communicating in a manner that would in any way deprive any human being
or communicating in a manner that would in any way deprive any human being
of the step-by-step faith adventure each of us must freely choose to climb
of the step-by-step [[faith]] adventure each of us must freely choose to climb
the mountains of spiritual attainment.
the mountains of spiritual attainment.
4. Teachers are not intermediaries to God. We do not pray to our teachers
4. Teachers are not intermediaries to [[God]]. We do not pray to our teachers
nor do we worship them. They are not our rulers or overlords. They do not
nor do we [[worship]] them. They are not our rulers or overlords. They do not
judge us. They help us to avoid many distractions from our goals of wisely
judge us. They help us to avoid many distractions from our goals of wisely
loving and selflessly serving. They keep us on track to pursue stillness
loving and selflessly serving. They keep us on track to pursue stillness
:a) Does the communication come with respect for my free-will dignity?
:a) Does the communication come with respect for my free-will dignity?
:b) Is it compatible with the teachings of The Urantia Book?
:b) Is it compatible with the teachings of [[Urantia Text|The Urantia Book]]?
:c) Will heeding a message result in my bearing "spiritual fruit"?
:c) Will heeding a message result in my bearing "spiritual fruit"?
:d) Does the transmission come with God's love?
:d) Does the transmission come with God's love?
:e) Does it have the ring of Truth?
:e) Does it have the ring of [[truth]]?
===How do teachers communicate with humans?===
===How do teachers communicate with humans?===
and utterly respectful manner. The teachers' respect for our free-will
and utterly respectful manner. The teachers' respect for our free-will
dignity is awe-inspiring. Since we do not really know the mechanism of
dignity is awe-inspiring. Since we do not really know the mechanism of
communication, we can hypothesize a kind of celestial internet of minds.
communication, we can hypothesize a kind of [[celestial]] internet of minds.
Imagine our World Wide Web carried to the utmost limits of virtual
Imagine our [[World Wide Web]] carried to the utmost limits of virtual
advancement and refinement on a universal and cosmic scale. Teachers seem
advancement and refinement on a universal and [[cosmic]] scale. Teachers seem
to be able to project their presences and communications from nearby or
to be able to project their [[presence]]s and [[communication]]s from nearby or
over astronomic distances without delay or glitches. They know when we do
over astronomic distances without delay or glitches. They know when we do
and do not desire contact.
and do not desire contact.
Certain constitutionally-favored individuals may, by luck of the draw, have
Certain constitutionally-favored individuals may, by luck of the draw, have
a natural capacity to discern and communicate teacher messages. Typically,
a natural capacity to discern and communicate teacher messages. Typically,
a human transmitter (T/R) speaks the teacher's message more or less
a human transmitter ([[T/R]]) speaks the teacher's message more or less
concurrently with its reception in the transmitter's mind. There are many
concurrently with its reception in the transmitter's mind. There are many
ways a transmitter might receive a message--as words, concepts, images,
ways a transmitter might receive a message--as words, concepts, images,
teachers are no doubt able to communicate more directly or unequivocally,
teachers are no doubt able to communicate more directly or unequivocally,
they prefer to employ the ever-so-flawed human conduit, a partnership in
they prefer to employ the ever-so-flawed human conduit, a partnership in
communication and faith. This leaves the understanding, interpretation,
[[communication]] and [[faith]]. This leaves the understanding, interpretation,
and veracity of any transmission entirely up to the faith discernment of
and veracity of any transmission entirely up to the faith discernment of
each human involved. It is the responsibility of each person to decide if
each [[human]] involved. It is the responsibility of each person to decide if
a communication resonates with the spirit of truth in one's own heart.
a communication resonates with the [[Spirit of Truth|spirit of truth]] in one's own heart.
Teachers may even allow themselves to be misquoted by a fallible T/R rather
Teachers may even allow themselves to be misquoted by a fallible T/R rather
than interfere with the vital faith-grasp each of us must acquire in our
than interfere with the vital faith-grasp each of us must acquire in our
physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual selves. They tell us that God's
physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual selves. They tell us that God's
spiritual healing energy is available to anyone sincerely searching and
spiritual healing energy is available to anyone sincerely searching and
receptive. To limit the modalities (e.g., touch, music, nature,
receptive. To limit the modalities (e.g., touch, [[music]], nature,
substances, visualizations, etc.) of this healing would be presumptuous.
substances, visualizations, etc.) of this healing would be presumptuous.
Again, it is up to the individual's discernment on a very personal level.
Again, it is up to the individual's discernment on a very personal level.
===What of caution and skepticism?===
===What of caution and skepticism?===
We generally regard respectful skepticism as a healthy approach to becoming
We generally regard respectful [[skepticism]] as a healthy approach to becoming
familiar with the Teaching Mission. We aspire to unity, not uniformity.
familiar with the Teaching Mission. We aspire to unity, not uniformity.
We do not all think alike. Each of us may hold a different, even opposite,
We do not all think alike. Each of us may hold a different, even opposite,
opinion regarding this Mission in the whole or in any particular.
opinion regarding this Mission in the whole or in any particular.
Experiential religion means that truth is individually and personally
Experiential [[religion]] means that [[truth]] is individually and personally
discovered via a process of inner-seeking. Many of us have surmounted
discovered via a process of inner-seeking. Many of us have surmounted
hills of doubt and continue to climb out of valleys of uncertainty and
hills of doubt and continue to climb out of valleys of uncertainty and