Changes

TOMAS: It is [[good]] to be with you once again. I have been [[busy]] meandering around and planting [[seeds]], as have you … and as many of you are today who are not in attendance. The work of the realm is consuming for many reasons.

TOMAS: It is [[good]] to be with you once again. I have been [[busy]] meandering around and planting [[seeds]], as have you … and as many of you are today who are not in attendance. The work of the realm is consuming for many reasons.

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

I would like today to discuss with you to some extent the word "[[illusion]]" for illusion consumes most of your lives. Let me define for you what I mean when I use the word illusion, so that we [[understand]] each other in this [[discourse]].

I would like today to discuss with you to some extent the word "[[illusion]]" for illusion consumes most of your lives. Let me define for you what I mean when I use the word illusion, so that we [[understand]] each other in this [[discourse]].

Be [[patient]] with yourself as you [[grow]], as you go through your [[cycles]] of [[growth]], and always [[reflect]] your growth to your brothers and sisters that they, too, shall come to this point of seeking reality and they will begin their [[ascent]] into the spirit realms, your siblings in truth. Be [[tolerant]] of one another as you waver back and forth between the realms of [[reality]] and [[illusion]], for as you know, ultimate [[perfection]] is a long way off. Rather, try to enjoy one another, savor the [[creative]] [[expressions]] of understanding in your peers, and be [[merciful]] on those who fear the spirit, who clutch the [[illusion]].

Be [[patient]] with yourself as you [[grow]], as you go through your [[cycles]] of [[growth]], and always [[reflect]] your growth to your brothers and sisters that they, too, shall come to this point of seeking reality and they will begin their [[ascent]] into the spirit realms, your siblings in truth. Be [[tolerant]] of one another as you waver back and forth between the realms of [[reality]] and [[illusion]], for as you know, ultimate [[perfection]] is a long way off. Rather, try to enjoy one another, savor the [[creative]] [[expressions]] of understanding in your peers, and be [[merciful]] on those who fear the spirit, who clutch the [[illusion]].

===Dialogue===

===Dialogue===

I am glad to be back with you.

I am glad to be back with you.

TOMAS: Yes, your lights are flickering. I am not [[perceiving]] them to be blinding lights today, but they are on, certainly.

TOMAS: Yes, your lights are flickering. I am not [[perceiving]] them to be blinding lights today, but they are on, certainly.

 

Mrs. M: Well, I was trying to tell some people at my mother-in-law's [[funeral]] about the [[fruits of the spirit]]. I don't think I was too successful. I think that one of my young nephews -- and I always think of him as quite [[spiritual]], but I wasn't quite getting through -- but I'm not going to give up yet.

Mrs. M: Well, I was trying to tell some people at my mother-in-law's [[funeral]] about the [[fruits of the spirit]]. I don't think I was too successful. I think that one of my young nephews -- and I always think of him as quite [[spiritual]], but I wasn't quite getting through -- but I'm not going to give up yet.

Mrs. M: That's good.

Mrs. M: That's good.

TOMAS: You are being true to yourself and you are not being artifical with them,

TOMAS: You are being true to yourself and you are not being artificial with them,

Mrs. M: I'll be seeing some of them again in January and I can certainly [[prepare]] my [[mind]] a little bit.

Mrs. M: I'll be seeing some of them again in January and I can certainly [[prepare]] my [[mind]] a little bit.

TOMAS: I would like to say something about that, and that is that I am glad you have [[reflected]] on that having been a possible [[opportunity]] to [[enlighten]] or expand her grievance against life. Do not beat yourself up for not having all the answers and in being able to act on the spot, but as Mrs. M is [[preparing]] to approach her young people, you, since you spend so much time on the highway of [[life]] and encounter more than an average of unusual sets of circumstances with strangers, develop a [[method]] of connecting with them as perhaps in telling [[stories]].

TOMAS: I would like to say something about that, and that is that I am glad you have [[reflected]] on that having been a possible [[opportunity]] to [[enlighten]] or expand her grievance against life. Do not beat yourself up for not having all the answers and in being able to act on the spot, but as Mrs. M is [[preparing]] to approach her young people, you, since you spend so much time on the highway of [[life]] and encounter more than an average of unusual sets of circumstances with strangers, develop a [[method]] of connecting with them as perhaps in telling [[stories]].

There are people who always have to tell a joke. You could become a [[storyteller]] and always have to tell this story of those who are in your [[debt]], and then as you tell your tale, you may capture them, entertain them and open up an avenue for their [[understanding]] in the [[process]]. It is an affectation, yes, but it is also a conscious contact with someone who has crossed your [[path]]. If you have a [[desire]] to serve, if you wish to be able to affect people, if you regret after the [[fact]] that you were not able to do more, you might develop such a [[technique]] as telling a [[story]].

There are people who always have to tell a [[joke]]. You could become a [[storyteller]] and always have to tell this story of those who are in your [[debt]], and then as you tell your tale, you may capture them, entertain them and open up an avenue for their [[understanding]] in the [[process]]. It is an affectation, yes, but it is also a conscious contact with someone who has crossed your [[path]]. If you have a [[desire]] to serve, if you wish to be able to affect people, if you regret after the [[fact]] that you were not able to do more, you might develop such a [[technique]] as telling a [[story]].

Mrs. M: Well, I had an experience on the plane that was wonderful, and it made me feel as if God the Father was very close, and that is that we had to take the last two seats, the last three seats on the way to Chicago, and I just knew that I was going to meet somebody wonderful. I took the first seat that I saw and I sat next to the most magnificent Afro-American woman named Vicki and she and I talked all the way about our ideas about God and it was a wonderful encounter. It was a really wonderful moment in my life, and I thought she too was feeling that way. And she told me, "Thank you for talking with me, because otherwise I was just going to review my work, which I already reviewed three or four times, because I'm nervous about a presentation, and I'm so glad I didn't do it and talked to you instead," so it was an absolutely wonderful moment of closeness.

Mrs. M: Well, I had an [[experience]] on the plane that was [[wonderful]], and it made me feel as if God [[the Father]] was very close, and that is that we had to take the last two seats, the last three seats on the way to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago,_Illinois Chicago], and I just knew that I was going to meet somebody wonderful. I took the first seat that I saw and I sat next to the most [[magnificent]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African-American Afro-American] woman named Vicki and she and I talked all the way about our [[ideas]] about God and it was a wonderful encounter. It was a really wonderful [[moment]] in my life, and I thought she too was [[feeling]] that way. And she told me, "Thank you for talking with me, because otherwise I was just going to review my [[work]], which I already reviewed three or four times, because I'm nervous about a presentation, and I'm so glad I didn't do it and talked to you instead," so it was an absolutely wonderful moment of closeness.

TOMAS: I am glad of the experience for both of you. I reflect back on a lesson of not long ago having to do with merciful ministry and yet I perceive this situation was not so much a ministry as a comfort and a sharing of peers.

TOMAS: I am glad of the [[experience]] for both of you. I [[reflect]] back on a lesson of not long ago having to do with [[merciful]] ministry and yet I [[perceive]] this situation was not so much a ministry as a [[comfort]] and a [[sharing]] of [[peers]].

Mrs. M: And maybe was it confiding trust, because I confided in her and she confided in me so many very deeply felt things.

Mrs. M: And maybe was it confiding [[trust]], because I confided in her and she confided in me so many very deeply felt things.

TOMAS: Yes, indeed, and it is odd but many of you find it easier to share with a congenial stranger than with your own immediate friends and family, that somehow if you can confide your deep dark feelings to someone you'll never see again, they are safe, and yet you have deprived yourself and your immediate family, loved ones, of that same closeness, that same opportunity to bond and unite in the spirit and in the heart.

TOMAS: Yes, indeed, and it is odd but many of you find it easier to [[share]] with a congenial [[stranger]] than with your own immediate [[friends]] and [[family]], that somehow if you can confide your deep [[dark]] feelings to someone you'll never see again, they are [[safe]], and yet you have deprived yourself and your immediate [[family]], loved ones, of that same closeness, that same [[opportunity]] to bond and unite in the [[spirit]] and in the [[heart]].

Mrs. M: Well, I'm going to work on that first week-end in January. In my heart and in my mind.

Mrs. M: Well, I'm going to work on that first week-end in January. In my [[heart]] and in my [[mind]].

TOMAS: I take it then that you are anticipating a busy season.

TOMAS: I take it then that you are [[anticipating]] a [[busy]] [[season]].

Mrs. M: Yes, very much so. But a good one, because my husband's family has a kindness that -- they will be together and try to decide some very contentious problems that most families can't seem to let go of, and so I see this family as trying to be different.

Mrs. M: Yes, very much so. But a [[good]] one, because my [[husband]]'s family has a [[kindness]] that -- they will be together and try to [[decide]] some very contentious problems that most families can't seem to let go of, and so I see this family as trying to be different.

TOMAS: Perhaps the passing of the grandmother will open a door to heal some of these contentions. These are emotional denials, in effect. We were discussing this recently in the Butler group, that many times these defenses go up and it may take generations or centuries before they dissolve. It falls under the heading "enlightened honesty." If these things could be approached and worked through from a spiritual point of view, a spiritual standpoint with enlightened honesty and confiding trust and merciful ministry, these would heal. This is an opportunity also for you, Mrs. M., to serve, and I will pray for your successes and the successes and growths of the various members of that family as well as the greater family that they belong to.

TOMAS: Perhaps the passing of the grandmother will open a door to [[heal]] some of these contentions. These are [[emotional]] denials, in effect. We were discussing this recently in the [[Butler TeaM|Butler group]], that many times these [[defenses]] go up and it may take [[generations]] or centuries before they dissolve. It falls under the heading "enlightened [[honesty]]." If these things could be approached and worked through from a [[spiritual]] [[point of view]], a spiritual standpoint with [[enlightened]] [[honesty]] and confiding [[trust]] and [[merciful]] ministry, these would heal. This is an [[opportunity]] also for you, Mrs. M., to serve, and I will pray for your successes and the successes and [[growths]] of the various members of that [[family]] as well as the greater family that they belong to.

Mrs. M: Thank you very much because they have all the possibilities in the world of tremendous growth through this experience because this is a very beloved person and some of them haven't had the joy of faith too much but this might be an occasion that might prompt them to think about these things.

Mrs. M: Thank you very much because they have all the [[possibilities]] in the world of tremendous [[growth]] through this [[experience]] because this is a very beloved person and some of them haven't had the [[joy]] of [[faith]] too much but this might be an occasion that might prompt them to [[think]] about these things.

TOMAS: Yes. Radiate your joy in the resurrection and do not overmuch apply that adage of "misery loves company."

TOMAS: Yes. [[Radiate]] your [[joy]] in the [[resurrection]] and do not overmuch apply that adage of "misery loves company."

Mrs. M: Right. I thank you. I can do that.

Mrs. M: Right. I thank you. I can do that.

TOMAS: Have we accomplished anything of substance this afternoon in our discourse?

TOMAS: Have we accomplished anything of substance this afternoon in our [[discourse]]?

Mrs. M: I feel pretty good about my projected effort and your help about it is good.

Mrs. M: I feel pretty good about my projected [[effort]] and your help about it is good.

TOMAS: I am happy to serve. If I am not able to serve, I am not necessary and will find another arena in which to serve. It therefore is gratifying that you have found our time together beneficial. I am glad of it, but I tell you I have the added advantage of seeing, from my vantage point, how much you have grown and so even if you did find me replaceable, I would know in my heart that I have done some good. I have served, for I have seen your growths.

TOMAS: I am [[happy]] to serve. If I am not able to serve, I am not [[necessary]] and will find another arena in which to serve. It therefore is [[gratifying]] that you have found our time together beneficial. I am glad of it, but I tell you I have the added [[advantage]] of seeing, from my [[vantage point]], how much you have grown and so even if you did find me replaceable, I would know in my [[heart]] that I have done some [[good]]. I have served, for I have seen your growths.

It is a testimony to you, dear children, and your willingness to allow spirit guidance, and for you to take the time to ponder in your heart some of these concepts. Although the soul develops and grows a life of its own and in its own time, it is of benefit when you nurture that growth and when you associate with those who also encourage the nurturance and growth, and so I say to you I am grateful and thankful to you, Pittsburgh Pumpkins, for your platform, for the ability for me to be your Teacher here.

It is a [[testimony]] to you, dear children, and your willingness to allow [[spirit]] [[guidance]], and for you to take the [[time]] to [[ponder]] in your [[heart]] some of these concepts. Although the [[soul]] develops and [[Soul Growth|grows]] a life of its own and in its own time, it is of benefit when you nurture that growth and when you associate with those who also [[encourage]] the nurturance and growth, and so I say to you I am [[grateful]] and thankful to you, Pittsburgh Pumpkins, for your [[platform]], for the [[ability]] for me to be your Teacher here.

I am thankful for you, not only as students, but as associates. Our first year together was dynamic and progressive and effective and I have no reason not to believe that this year will also be fruitful, particularly since we have already established some good foundation, we have produced some good work, we have spread many seeds, and in unity, anticipate that the Father will water the seeds we have planted.

I am thankful for you, not only as [[students]], but as associates. Our first year together was dynamic and [[progressive]] and effective and I have no reason not to [[believe]] that this year will also be fruitful, particularly since we have already established some good [[foundation]], we have produced some good [[work]], we have spread many [[seeds]], and in [[unity]], [[anticipate]] that [[the Father]] will water the seeds we have planted.

Leah: I would like to thank you for acknowledging to us that you notice our spiritual growth because we're glad for our Teachers to give us a little gold star every once in awhile.

Leah: I would like to thank you for acknowledging to us that you notice our [[spiritual growth]] because we're glad for our Teachers to give us a little gold star every once in awhile.

TOMAS: Yes, Leah, that is understood and it was and is my purpose in discussing, as an overview, our growth of this past year that you have earned high marks. Your personal development has been dramatic and your growth as a group has been even more noteworthy. The brotherhood/sisterhood has taken deep hold here. Indeed, it is good for it now can support others, for as others come in they will sense and feel the solidarity of purpose, the unity of faith among you. Even though there remain remnants of contention among individual personalities and other human weaknesses, the strength that is generated by your appreciation of each other and the Teaching Mission and the spirit gods and goddesses of Paradise, make this experience real and thrilling and worthwhile. Not just for you but for all of the above. Consider yourselves A students.

TOMAS: Yes, Leah, that is [[understood]] and it was and is my [[purpose]] in [[discussing]], as an overview, our [[growth]] of this [[past]] year that you have earned high marks. Your [[personal development]] has been [[dramatic]] and your growth as a group has been even more noteworthy. The brotherhood/sisterhood has taken deep hold here. Indeed, it is good for it now can [[support]] others, for as others come in they will sense and feel the [[solidarity]] of [[purpose]], the [[unity]] of [[faith]] among you. Even though there remain remnants of contention among individual [[personalities]] and other human [[weaknesses]], the [[strength]] that is generated by your [[appreciation]] of each other and the [[Teaching Mission]] and the spirit gods and goddesses of [[Paradise]], make this [[experience]] real and thrilling and worthwhile. Not just for you but for all of the above. Consider yourselves A [[students]].

Mrs. M: Oh, that's a Christmas present.

Mrs. M: Oh, that's a [[Christmas]] present.

TOMAS: In your understanding you may certainly to construe it thus. I had not intended to gift wrap it, but to convey my appreciation of you, dear child of God and dear student.

TOMAS: In your [[understanding]] you may certainly to construe it thus. I had not intended to gift wrap it, but to convey my [[appreciation]] of you, dear child of God and dear [[student]].

I have given some thought to our up-coming year study plan, but it will be some while in the developing stages. I have rather concluded my lectures having to do with the fruits of the spirit but I will constantly refer to them as part of our actuality here.

I have given some thought to our up-coming year [[study]] [[plan]], but it will be some while in the developing [[stages]]. I have rather concluded my [[lectures]] having to do with the [[fruits of the spirit]] but I will constantly refer to them as part of our [[actuality]] here.

Mrs. M: That's a good idea.

Mrs. M: That's a good idea.

TOMAS: There is some rumor that they will be published.

TOMAS: There is some [[rumor]] that they will be published.

Mrs. M: Oh. That's good.

Mrs. M: Oh. That's good.

TOMAS: But throughout the holidays, it is expected that there will be emotional diversions and social outbursts which may preclude a serious study or in-depth discussion, so I am prepared to evolve the lessons of the following year to due course.

TOMAS: But throughout the holidays, it is [[expected]] that there will be [[emotional]] diversions and [[social]] outbursts which may preclude a serious [[study]] or in-depth discussion, so I am prepared to evolve the lessons of the following year to due course.

===Closing===

===Closing===

Having now expounded to some extent on a lot of professorial junque, I am going to prepare to take my leave that you may continue to enjoy each other and to enjoy this young and lovely day and to carry your lights into your arenas to commingle with the Christmas lights and the candle lights of the season.

Having now expounded to some extent on a lot of professorial junque, I am going to [[prepare]] to take my leave that you may continue to [[enjoy]] each other and to enjoy this young and lovely day and to carry your lights into your arenas to commingle with the [[Christmas]] [[lights]] and the candle lights of the [[season]].

Go in peace. Farewell.

Go in [[peace]]. Farewell.

Group: Thank you, Tomas. Farewell.

Group: Thank you, Tomas. Farewell.

[[Category: Tomas]]

[[Category: Tomas]]

[[Category: Gerdean]]

[[Category: Gerdean]]

[[Category: 1996]]

[[Category: 1996]]