Difference between revisions of "1998-01-23-Seriousness of This Business"

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==Heading==
 
==Heading==
 
===Topic: ''Seriousness of This Business''===
 
===Topic: ''Seriousness of This Business''===
===Group: [[SE Idaho TeaM]]
+
===Group: [[SE Idaho TeaM]]===
  
 
==Facilitators==
 
==Facilitators==
===Teacher: [[Aaon]]===
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===Teacher: [[Aaron]], [[Minearsia|Minearisa]], [[Tomas]], [[Daniel]], [[Lorenzo]], [[Klarixiska]]===
===TR: [[Bill K.]]===
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 +
===TR: [[Isaac]], [[Bob S.]], [[Simeon]], [[Virginia]]===
 
==Session==
 
==Session==
 
===Opening===
 
===Opening===
 
Aaron: Friends, this is Aaron.  
 
Aaron: Friends, this is Aaron.  
 
===Lesson===
 
===Lesson===
It is my turn to address your wonderful gathering this evening. We have been eagerly listening to your conversations, to your supportive, loving energies, expressed through words to each other. You are becoming as a finely tuned instrument. Your harmonics are pure. The overtones are ringing clearly. The octaves are in harmony. Therefore your music is beginning to echo the songs of the spheres. My friends, do not be put off by my apparently flowery language for this is a morontial school and your awareness transcends the material realm. Even though we are based on Urantia you are in the Melchizedek University. That is why your progress is quite astounding to you at times. This is serious business that we are about. We are not playing egocentric games with money passing under the table. This is the rest of your life we are dealing with.
+
===='''''[[Dialogue]]'''''====
 +
It is my turn to address your [[wonderful]] gathering this evening. We have been [[eagerly]] [[listening]] to your [[conversations]], to your supportive, loving energies, [[expressed]] through [[words]] to each other. You are [[becoming]] as a finely tuned instrument. Your harmonics are [[pure]]. The overtones are ringing [[clearly]]. The octaves are in harmony. Therefore your music is beginning to [[echo]] the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_of_the_spheres songs of the spheres]. My friends, do not be put off by my apparently flowery language for this is a [[morontial]] school and your awareness [[transcends]] the material realm. Even though we are based on [[Urantia]] you are in the [[Melchizedek University]]. That is why your [[progress]] is quite astounding to you at times. This is serious business that we are about. We are not playing [[egocentric]] [[games]] with money passing under the table. This is the rest of your [[life]] we are dealing with.
  
At the same time, that is serious, it is also joyful. I have not come this evening to impose another exercise upon you for your have of your own freewill engaged in a promising, deliberate, and effective program of spiritual calisthenics of personal interaction which has overtones of eternal value and worth. Lest you think that I have given you the stamp of approval that states that you have arrived at perfection, be assured, of course, that this is not the case as we have not reached the portals of Paradise yet. But I am speaking for myself and the others in our Teaching Corps when I say that this group and others likewise have exceeded our expectations. The progress is greater than we expected even though we were appraised that this was very experimental. The pessimists among us, if that is the proper way to state it, were of the opinion that things would move much more slowly, whereas some of us, who are perceived as on the wild side, were not quite as taken back by the enthusiasm which as been displayed. I have no lesson tonight to give.
+
At the same time, that is serious, it is also [[joyful]]. I have not come this evening to impose another [[exercise]] upon you for your have of your own [[freewill]] engaged in a promising, deliberate, and effective program of spiritual calisthenics of personal [[interaction]] which has overtones of eternal [[value]] and worth. Lest you think that I have given you the stamp of approval that states that you have arrived at [[perfection]], be [[assured]], of course, that this is not the case as we have not reached the [[portals]] of [[Paradise]] yet. But I am speaking for myself and the others in our [[Teaching Corps]] when I say that this group and others likewise have exceeded our [[expectations]]. The [[progress]] is greater than we expected even though we were appraised that this was very [[experimental]]. The [[pessimists]] among us, if that is the proper way to state it, were of the [[opinion]] that things would move much more slowly, whereas some of us, who are [[perceived]] as on the wild side, were not quite as taken back by the [[enthusiasm]] which as been displayed. I have no lesson tonight to give.
  
 
Ken: That was a lesson tonight, my friend.
 
Ken: That was a lesson tonight, my friend.
  
Aaron: Thank you, Ken. I appreciate your comments. By saying I have no lesson to give, I was about to complete the thought... which is that we feel that you have reached the point where often you generate your own lessons, as it were, from your interactions, from your sharing. You are, like the original apostles, moving past the point of mere receptivity to that place where you are each teachers to each other. I am wanting, however, your input at this point and feel that it is our turn to interact with your agenda rather that require you to interact with our agenda. Do you understand what I am leading up to? I would like to open this to you tonight in terms of whether there was a concern or question in anyone's mind, not of the pure curiosity sort, but having to do with your life in service to Michael, in love, with each other. Is there a question or concern that you wish to address to us teachers? Present tonight are Daniel, Ham, Tomas, and your personal teachers as well as Minearisa. Other teachers are on call as they always are and can possibly be reached. This ends my part of this evening's interaction. I await your input. I am Aaron. Another will follow and take my place. Good evening.
+
Aaron: Thank you, Ken. I [[appreciate]] your comments. By saying I have no lesson to give, I was about to complete the [[thought]]... which is that we [[feel]] that you have reached the [[point]] where often you generate your own lessons, as it were, from your [[interactions]], from your [[sharing]]. You are, like the original [[apostles]], moving past the point of mere [[receptivity]] to that place where you are each [[teachers]] to each other. I am wanting, however, your input at this point and [[feel]] that it is our turn to [[interact]] with your agenda rather that require you to interact with our agenda. Do you [[understand]] what I am leading up to? I would like to open this to you tonight in terms of whether there was a concern or question in anyone's [[mind]], not of the pure [[curiosity]] sort, but having to do with your life in [[service]] to [[Michael]], in [[love]], with each other. Is there a question or concern that you wish to address to us teachers? Present tonight are Daniel, Ham, Tomas, and your personal teachers as well as Minearisa. Other teachers are on call as they always are and can possibly be reached. This ends my part of this evening's [[interaction]]. I await your input. I am Aaron. Another will follow and take my place. Good evening.
  
Minearisa: Greetings to all of you, my dear group. This is Minearisa, your instructor in residence, with a brief comment before opening the floor to your questions and comments. One of the best ways to worship the Father is to determine what it is that makes you exude joyfulness in your life for in this is a celebration of life itself, and therefore, the Father. The floor is now open and this TR has been request that Bob S., if he is willing, to TR what he receives.
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Minearisa: Greetings to all of you, my dear group. This is Minearisa, your instructor in residence, with a brief comment before opening the floor to your [[questions]] and comments. One of the best ways to [[worship]] [[the Father]] is to determine what it is that makes you exude [[joyfulness]] in your [[life]] for in this is a [[celebration]] of life itself, and therefore, [[the Father]]. The floor is now open and this TR has been request that Bob S., if he is willing, to [[TR]] what he receives.
 
===Dialogue===
 
===Dialogue===
Tomas: Greetings friends. We do take delight in your humorous banter. Yet it belies the seriousness of our work together. Doubt not that your humor offends any of us. We take great enjoyment. It encourages us when you feel comfortable enough with us to allow your true feelings to come out. Therefore, do not put yourselves down or keep your light under a bushel, so to speak. It is of importance that you allow the true range of your emotions to show forth, for that is the aspect of your personality which is the one which we hope to assist you in development the most. I will now pause in my discussions to allow questions to come forward. Yes, I did not tell you my name. I am Tomas. I am delighted to return to the environment where I had so many wonderful memories.
+
Tomas: Greetings friends. We do take delight in your [[humorous]] banter. Yet it belies the seriousness of our [[work]] together. [[Doubt]] not that your humor [[offends]] any of us. We take great enjoyment. It [[encourages]] us when you feel [[comfortable]] enough with us to allow your true [[feelings]] to come out. Therefore, do not put yourselves down or keep your [[light]] under a bushel, so to speak. It is of importance that you allow the true range of your [[emotions]] to show forth, for that is the aspect of your [[personality]] which is the one which we [[hope]] to assist you in development the most. I will now pause in my [[discussions]] to allow questions to come forward. Yes, I did not tell you my name. I am Tomas. I am delighted to return to the [[environment]] where I had so many wonderful [[memories]].
 
 
Virginia: Good evening teachers. I am wondering if one of you would given a refresher course on the relationship between body, mind and spirit. It doesn't have to be long, a course, a comment.
 
  
Daniel: I am Daniel. I will restrain myself as much as possible to avoid being overly loquacious, my dear Letah. However I can not fully promise that this will be terribly brief. Body, mind and spirit, or physical, mindal and spiritual, are the three universe levels of reality as perceived from a qualitative point of view. That is to say, there is a sharp difference between any of the levels, physical, mindal and spiritual. Each level is as real as the next although beings who dwell in any particular level are more included (inclined) to think that their level is the most real. For a being who is spiritual, morontial and physical are less real. But mindal levels are a part of spiritual existence and sometimes are part of physical existence. You as a mortal who live on the finite plane experience all three of these levels in an integrated fashion, for you are made up of the physical body, a material mind, the gift of the Mother Spirit, and host to the Indwelling Spirit of God, the Father. Mind is intermediary between body and spirit. It is in the realm of mind that decisions are made, but spirit seeks over control of mind even as mind seeks the over control of the physical. It is not necessarily true that the spiritual will control the mindal, for that is the minds prerequisite, to choose whether or not to submit to the guidance of spirit. But mind and body are inseparably connected. They are two different realities, but they are unified in human experience. It is error to say that mind is the product of the physical. It is not. It is closer to reality to say that physical is a product of mind, but that is not correct either, exactly. I apologize for my tendency to lecture. Letah, has this helped you in any way?
+
Virginia: Good evening teachers. I am [[wondering]] if one of you would given a refresher course on the [[relationship]] between [[body]], [[mind]], and [[spirit]]. It doesn't have to be long, a course, a comment.
 +
===='''''[[Health]]'''''====
 +
Daniel: I am Daniel. I will restrain myself as much as possible to avoid being overly [[loquacious]], my dear Letah. However I can not fully [[promise]] that this will be terribly brief. Body, mind and spirit, or [[physical]], [[mindal]] and [[spiritual]], are the three universe levels of [[reality]] as perceived from a [[qualitative]] point of view. That is to say, there is a sharp [[difference]] between any of the levels, physical, mindal and spiritual. Each level is as real as the next although beings who dwell in any particular level are more included (inclined) to think that their level is the most real. For a being who is [[spiritual]], [[morontial]] and [[physical]] are less real. But [[mindal]] levels are a part of spiritual [[existence]] and sometimes are part of physical existence. You as a mortal who live on the [[finite]] plane [[experience]] all three of these levels in an [[integrated]] fashion, for you are made up of the physical body, a material mind, the gift of the [[Mother Spirit]], and host to the [[Indwelling Spirit]] of God, the Father. Mind is [[intermediary]] between body and spirit. It is in the realm of [[mind]] that [[decisions]] are made, but [[spirit]] seeks [[overcontrol]] of mind even as mind seeks the over [[control]] of the physical. It is not necessarily true that the spiritual will control the mindal, for that is the minds prerequisite, to choose whether or not to [[submit]] to the [[guidance]] of spirit. But mind and body are inseparably [[connected]]. They are two [[different]] realities, but they are [[unified]] in human [[experience]]. It is [[error]] to say that mind is the [[product]] of the physical. It is not. It is closer to [[reality]] to say that physical is a product of mind, but that is not correct either, exactly. I apologize for my tendency to [[lecture]]. Letah, has this helped you in any way?
  
Virginia: It certainly is a description of those three areas. I was much more thinking in terms of the physical being in control of mind, kind of mind over matter sort of thing, in controlling the immune system, etc. Daniel: Do you mean the mind controlling the physical? You stated the physical controlling the mind.
+
Virginia: It certainly is a [[description]] of those three areas. I was much more [[thinking]] in terms of the [[physical]] being in control of [[mind]], kind of mind over matter sort of thing, in controlling the [[immune]] system, etc. Daniel: Do you mean the mind controlling the physical? You stated the physical controlling the mind.
  
 
Virginia: I mean the mind controlling the physical, mind over matter. Is that what I said? That is what I meant.
 
Virginia: I mean the mind controlling the physical, mind over matter. Is that what I said? That is what I meant.
  
Daniel: Well, it is true that mind does strive to control matter, as I said earlier. And your science is aware that there is a physical connection between the areas of the brain which are associated with the areas of emotion and the areas where there are connections with the immune system. There is this point of contact. It is not a spooky affair in which the mind in some magical way controls the body. It is through the functioning of the brain that this occurs. Actually, though, in reality the body does influence the mind in the sense that through the connection in the brain problems that are basically physical result in mental manifestations. Again, you are understanding more as your science discovers that mental illness is truly biochemical, an electrochemical phenomenon at least at one level. While stress, which is a mental aspect in part, causes much mental and physical illness, the key factor remains mindal in nature, for even with stress the key to control is to change the mental interpretation of the meaning of events in one's life.
+
Daniel: Well, it is true that [[mind]] does strive to [[control]] [[matter]], as I said earlier. And your [[science]] is aware that there is a physical [[connection]] between the areas of the [[brain]] which are associated with the areas of [[emotion]] and the areas where there are [[connections]] with the [[immune]] system. There is this point of [[contact]]. It is not a spooky affair in which the mind in some [[magical]] way controls the body. It is through the [[functioning]] of the [[brain]] that this occurs. Actually, though, in [[reality]] the body does [[influence]] the mind in the sense that through the connection in the brain problems that are basically [[physical]] result in [[mental]] [[manifestations]]. Again, you are [[understanding]] more as your [[science]] discovers that mental illness is truly [[biochemical]], an [[electrochemical]] [[phenomenon]] at least at one level. While [[stress]], which is a mental aspect in part, causes much mental and physical [[illness]], the key [[factor]] remains [[mindal]] in nature, for even with stress the key to [[control]] is to [[change]] the mental [[interpretation]] of the [[meaning]] of [[events]] in one's life.
  
Take, for example, the stress of the loss of a loved one to death. To the degree that a person exercises their faith that this life is only the vestibule of eternal life, to that degree does one interprets the loss of a loved one differently than does one who's perspective is only limited to this life. In other words, if a person believes that this life is all there is, then death is a terror, for it ends the opportunity to experience love. Death is a mockery to one who believes that this life is all there is. But to one who believes that they shall see their loved one again, while grief is not eliminated, it has a different flavor. There is no need, for example, for guilt. For whatever business is unfinished will be given opportunity for completion. There is no reason for anger for this is not the punishment of an unjust God, this experience of death, it is a doorway to endless life. All of this sort of understanding occurs in the mindal aspect of ones existence. It is not a small thing to talk about the importance of faith. It is a huge thing. That is why our Master Son said to his apostles, "To a God knowing believer what does it matter that kingdoms fall and the earth vanishes? One is safe in the hands of the Father of all". I am not quoting exactly but this is part of his meaning. Do you following my reasoning here?
+
Take, for example, the [[stress]] of the loss of a loved one to [[death]]. To the degree that a person [[exercises]] their [[faith]] that this [[life]] is only the [[vestibule]] of [[eternal]] life, to that degree does one interprets the loss of a loved one differently than does one who's [[perspective]] is only limited to this life. In other [[words]], if a person [[believes]] that this life is all there is, then [[death]] is a [[terror]], for it ends the [[opportunity]] to experience [[love]]. Death is a [[mockery]] to one who believes that this [[life]] is all there is. But to one who believes that they shall see their loved one again, while [[grief]] is not eliminated, it has a [[different]] flavor. There is no need, for example, for [[guilt]]. For whatever business is unfinished will be given [[opportunity]] for completion. There is no reason for [[anger]] for this is not the punishment of an unjust God, this [[experience]] of [[death]], it is a doorway to endless life. All of this sort of [[understanding]] occurs in the [[mindal]] aspect of ones [[existence]]. It is not a small thing to talk about the importance of [[faith]]. It is a huge thing. That is why our [[Master Son]] said to his [[apostles]], "To a God knowing believer what does it matter that kingdoms fall and the earth vanishes? One is safe in the hands of [[the Father]] of all". ([[100:2|100:2.7]])I am not quoting exactly but this is part of his [[meaning]]. Do you following my reasoning here?
  
 
Virginia: Yes Daniel. I think I do.
 
Virginia: Yes Daniel. I think I do.
  
Daniel: Do you wish me to say more about your question?
+
Daniel: Do you wish me to say more about your [[question]]?
  
Virginia: No. I think the course has been spent. Thank you.
+
Virginia: No. I think the [[course]] has been spent. Thank you.
  
Daniel: Then if you wish me not to I won't proceed too much further, but I feel that I have not satisfied your initial concern. You said earlier that it is not mental, that illness is not caused by ones mental state completely and that one should not feel totally guilty or responsible for having physical illness occur. With these words I concur fully for there is more than your science understands going on. Your body is an incredible machine that fights off constant attacks from very real physical entities, viruses, bacteria and some other things that you don't yet know about. When stress adds to the pressure the immune system sometimes cannot cope. But many things determine this, including heredity, life style habits, and things that we ourselves, who are morontial beings, don't fully understand. We have not been apprised of all the details that the Life Carriers have planned for this experimental planet, and ever they are surprised at some of the evolutionary outcomes to the genetic engineering. Things are not entirely under their control either. And so I can tell you that, as it says in the Urantia Book, when praying for help first you should do all you know how to do to address the problem, and then ask for help when there has been the necessary homework done. And now I will cease my commentary.
+
Daniel: Then if you wish me not to I won't [[proceed]] too much further, but I feel that I have not [[satisfied]] your initial concern. You said earlier that it is not [[mental]], that illness is not caused by ones mental state completely and that one should not feel totally [[guilty]] or [[responsible]] for having physical illness occur. With these words I concur fully for there is more than your [[science]] [[understands]] going on. Your body is an incredible [[machine]] that fights off constant [[attacks]] from very real physical [[entities]], [[viruses]], [[bacteria]] and some other things that you don't yet know about. When stress adds to the [[pressure]] the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immune_system immune system] sometimes cannot cope. But many things determine this, including [[heredity]], [[lifestyle]] [[habits]], and things that we ourselves, who are [[morontial]] beings, don't fully understand. We have not been apprised of all the details that the [[Life Carriers]] have planned for this [[experimental planet]], and ever they are [[surprised]] at some of the evolutionary outcomes to the [[genetic engineering]]. Things are not entirely under their [[control]] either. And so I can tell you that, as it says in the [[Urantia Book]], when praying for help first you should do all you know how to do to address the [[problem]], and then ask for help when there has been the [[necessary]] homework done. And now I will cease my [[commentary]].
  
 
Virginia: Thank you, Daniel.
 
Virginia: Thank you, Daniel.
  
Bob S.: Daniel, I have a follow up question about something I thought you said when you were talking about body, mind, spirit, and you were characterizing mind as material. Did I hear that right? Did you mean to say Morontial, or something else?
+
Bob S.: Daniel, I have a follow up [[question]] about something I thought you said when you were talking about [[body]], [[mind]], [[spirit]], and you were characterizing mind as [[material]]. Did I hear that right? Did you mean to say [[Morontial]], or something else?
  
Daniel: Finite mind that you experience, while coming from the source of mind, the Infinite Spirit, is down stepped through the local universe Mother Spirit and then down stepped again through the adjutant spirits. It is received through the functioning of the brain as a FM receiver operates to receive the incoming signals which are transmitted from another source. The analogy in this case would be that the Mother Spirit is the transmitter and the signals move through the adjutant spirits. And so mind as mortals experience it has a material component, but mind in its pure state is not material. It is of the Third Person of Deity. It integrates spirit and material outside of Paradise and the Central Universe. It is an intermediary between the two. Have I clarified for you, Jonderoch?
+
Daniel: [[Finite mind]] that you [[experience]], while coming from the source of mind, the [[Infinite Spirit]], is down stepped through the [[local universe]] [[Mother Spirit]] and then down stepped again through the [[adjutant spirits]]. It is received through the functioning of the [[brain]] as a FM receiver operates to receive the incoming [[signals]] which are [[transmitted]] from another source. The [[analogy]] in this case would be that the [[Mother Spirit]] is the [[transmitter]] and the [[signals]] move through the [[adjutant spirits]]. And so mind as [[mortals]] experience it has a [[material]] component, but mind in its [[pure]] state is not material. It is of the Third Person of Deity. It [[integrates]] spirit and material outside of [[Paradise]] and the [[Central Universe]]. It is an [[intermediary]] between the two. Have I clarified for you, Jonderoch?
  
 
Bob S.: Yes. Thank you.
 
Bob S.: Yes. Thank you.
  
Daniel: My friends...there is another question. Proceed, please.
+
Daniel: My [[friends]]...there is another question. Proceed, please.
 
+
===='''''[[Joy]]''''', '''''[[Worship]]'''''====
Ken: Before I get to my question, a comment to Aaron on the fine tuning. I don't feel that I am in tune yet, but I'm working on it. (Laughter) Thank you for your words of encouragement, my friend. Tomas, I also would like to say thank you to you for your transcripts and the beautiful lessons. The lessons are taken to heart. Thank you. Lorenzo, I would like to say "thank you" for being there for me when I have my doubts. You are guiding me and directing me. My love, Minearisa, you made a statement about humor or joy in worship. You, of course, were tuned in to our sharing time when I was discussing the points of worship. I appreciate that. This business of humor and joy was mentioned sometime back in one of our other lessons that this would be the next phase we would be entering into in our lessons. Joyfulness was not presented, that I remember in paper 5 on worship of God. Can you expand this a little bit on joy and how it applies to worship?
+
Ken: Before I get to my [[question]], a comment to Aaron on the fine [[tuning]]. I don't feel that I am in tune yet, but I'm working on it. ([[Laughter]]) Thank you for your words of [[encouragement]], my friend. Tomas, I also would like to say thank you to you for your [[transcripts]] and the [[beautiful]] lessons. The lessons are taken to [[heart]]. Thank you. Lorenzo, I would like to say "thank you" for being there for me when I have my [[doubts]]. You are [[guiding]] me and directing me. My love, Minearisa, you made a [[statement]] about [[humor]] or [[joy]] in [[worship]]. You, of course, were [[tuned]] in to our [[sharing]] time when I was discussing the points of worship. I appreciate that. This business of [[humor]] and [[joy]] was mentioned sometime back in one of our other lessons that this would be the next [[phase]] we would be entering into in our lessons. [[Joyfulness]] was not presented, that I remember in [[paper 5]] on [[worship]] of God. Can you expand this a little bit on joy and how it applies to worship?
  
Minearisa: This is Minearisa. Finding those situations which bring you joy, which make you feel joyful, enhances your feeling of connection and your feeling of connectivity to that which is spiritual in nature, and also allows you to shine like a beacon to those around you exuding this joyfulness, for when you feel this lightness of being you are indeed in touch with the Father, and drawing a connection which further strengthens your bond with Him as well as with your fellow mortals. Does this help?
+
Minearisa: This is Minearisa. Finding those situations which bring you [[joy]], which make you feel joyful, enhances your [[feeling]] of [[connection]] and your feeling of connectivity to that which is [[spiritual]] in [[nature]], and also allows you to shine like a beacon to those around you exuding this [[joyfulness]], for when you feel this lightness of [[being]] you are indeed in [[touch]] with [[the Father]], and drawing a [[connection]] which further [[strengthens]] your [[bond]] with Him as well as with your fellow [[mortals]]. Does this help?
  
 
Ken: Yes. Thank you.
 
Ken: Yes. Thank you.
Line 63: Line 65:
  
 
Ken: Greetings, my friend.
 
Ken: Greetings, my friend.
 
+
===='''''[[Service]]'''''====
Lorenzo: I am pleased to be able to comment briefly to you regarding your questions during the sharing time as to how worship can be expressed and shared. Those were not your exact words, but I would like to say that it is important that worship be expressed through service, that worship and service are, perhaps you could say, two sides of one coin, for he who worships the Father falls more and more in love with his brother and sister. How can it be otherwise? The gratitude you experience in worship includes the fact that you are created in a family and this gratitude is expressed to family members. Those were my thoughts which I have now shared with you, my friend.
+
Lorenzo: I am pleased to be able to comment briefly to you regarding your [[questions]] during the [[sharing]] time as to how [[worship]] can be [[expressed]] and [[shared]]. Those were not your exact words, but I would like to say that it is important that [[worship]] be expressed through [[service]], that worship and service are, perhaps you could say, two sides of one coin, for he who worships [[the Father]] falls more and more in [[love]] with his brother and sister. How can it be otherwise? The [[gratitude]] you [[experience]] in [[worship]] includes the [[fact]] that you are created in a [[family]] and this gratitude is expressed to family members. Those were my [[thoughts]] which I have now shared with you, my friend.
  
 
Ken: I believe you have shared them before with me. Thank you.
 
Ken: I believe you have shared them before with me. Thank you.
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Lorenzo: This is true Ken, many times.
 
Lorenzo: This is true Ken, many times.
  
Lorenzo: It was not for want of understanding that I shared these, but there has been a distortion in regards to this teaching at times in the history of religion on this planet. I speak of advanced religion on this planet, where service and worship have been seen as antagonistic, where the person who spends too much time in worship is regarded as other worldly, fascinated with pie in the sky, and not willing to get their hands dirty in the everyday work of the world, and the person who has exulted service as the most important thing has therefore at times put too little value on worship. So that's why, for the record, I desired to have these thoughts stated. That is it, thank you.
+
Lorenzo: It was not for want of understanding that I shared these, but there has been a [[distortion]] in regards to this teaching at times in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_religion history of religion] on [[this planet]]. I speak of advanced religion on this planet, where [[service]] and [[worship]] have been seen as [[antagonistic]], where the person who spends too much time in worship is regarded as other worldly, [[fascinated]] with pie in the sky, and not willing to get their hands dirty in the everyday work of the world, and the person who has exulted [[service]] as the most important thing has therefore at times put too little [[value]] on [[worship]]. So that's why, for the record, I [[desired]] to have these thoughts stated. That is it, thank you.
  
Ken: Not yet. (Much group laughter.) You stated worship and service and two items. Generally there are three. Is there a third? I'm not playing the numbers game. Sorry, but there is a close relationship.
+
Ken: Not yet. (Much group [[laughter]].) You stated [[worship]] and [[service]] and two items. Generally there are three. Is there a third? I'm not playing the numbers game. Sorry, but there is a close [[relationship]].
  
Lorenzo: Are you referring to aspects of spiritual growth, or are you referring to previous conversations that we have had? You are arousing anxiety in this TR.
+
Lorenzo: Are you referring to aspects of [[spiritual growth]], or are you referring to previous [[conversations]] that we have had? You are arousing anxiety in this TR.
  
 
Ken: I apologize.
 
Ken: I apologize.
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Lorenzo: And he is confused.
 
Lorenzo: And he is confused.
  
Ken: I don't know really what I meant by that. We talk service; worship and I guess gratitude would be the third.
+
Ken: I don't know really what I meant by that. We talk [[service]]; [[worship]] and I guess [[gratitude]] would be the third.
  
Lorenzo: Certainly gratitude is the connection between worship and service. That was my intent earlier, Ken, to say that gratitude over the fact that of ones sibling hood, ones brotherhood, sisterhood, comes out of the worship of God who created us, the mother and father of all, and this gratitude is expressed in service to others. Prayer is another that could be joined with service and worship, and you know the meaning of prayer. In a sense though, prayer is more like service that worship for it allied with the need to help another person which is the essence of service. How does that set with you?
+
Lorenzo: Certainly gratitude is the [[connection]] between [[worship]] and [[service]]. That was my [[intent]] earlier, Ken, to say that gratitude over the [[fact]] that of ones sibling hood, ones [[brotherhood]], sisterhood, comes out of the [[worship]] of God who created us, the mother and father of all, and this gratitude is [[expressed]] in [[service]] to others. [[Prayer]] is another that could be joined with service and worship, and you know the [[meaning]] of prayer. In a sense though, prayer is more like [[service]] than worship for it allied with the need to help another person which is the [[essence]] of [[service]]. How does that set with you?
  
 
Ken: Very well, thank you. Thank you very much, my friend.
 
Ken: Very well, thank you. Thank you very much, my friend.
  
Lorenzo: Remember everyone that TR’ing is a blending of the minds of the teacher and the TR, and Isaac apologies for his anxiety but I make no such apology. (Much laughter)
+
Lorenzo: Remember everyone that [[TR]]’ing is a blending of the [[minds]] of the teacher and the [[TR]], and Isaac apologies for his [[anxiety]] but I make no such apology. (Much laughter)
  
 
Ken: I apologize for putting Isaac on the spot.
 
Ken: I apologize for putting Isaac on the spot.
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Lorenzo: My dear friends...
 
Lorenzo: My dear friends...
  
Minearisa: This is Minearisa with a brief comment on the previous topic. I recognize the hour is late, but I believe it is important the grasp the concept that if you give yourself permission to discover that which brings you joy, then service and worship become the same thing. Are there further questions?
+
Minearisa: This is Minearisa with a brief comment on the previous [[topic]]. I recognize the hour is late, but I believe it is important the grasp the [[concept]] that if you give yourself permission to [[discover]] that which brings you [[joy]], then [[service]] and [[worship]] become the same thing. Are there further questions?
  
 
Minearisa: Isaac I apologize for stepping on your toes. Please continue.
 
Minearisa: Isaac I apologize for stepping on your toes. Please continue.
  
Lorenzo: This is Lorenzo. I am satisfied with our partnership as to coordination. As you are the senior member of this Teaching Corps it is my experience that your words are always profoundly appreciated. I personally, especially liked the statement that you concluded with, that worship and service mean the same thing. Yes...one moment.
+
Lorenzo: This is Lorenzo. I am [[satisfied]] with our [[partnership]] as to [[coordination]]. As you are the senior member of this [[Teaching Corps]] it is my experience that your words are always [[profoundly]] appreciated. I personally, especially liked the [[statement]] that you concluded with, that [[worship]] and [[service]] mean the same thing. Yes...one moment.
 
===Closing===
 
===Closing===
Klarixiska: I have been asked to conclude our meeting this evening. It is a joy to be allowed time to speak in this setting. I am always eager to have the opportunity to address more than one person, although I cherish greatly our relationship and publicly commend Letah on her faithful devotion to our time together. Do you realize, my friends, how exciting this is to us, your teachers, because we have never had this opportunity before? We have, of course, spend eons of time, as it were, many thousands of years in educational endeavors, but never have we had an opportunity to react with our mortal brothers and sisters. We absolutely love it, just as you enjoy playing with young children. This is not to say that we are looking down upon you, but just to let you know how much fun this is for us. We know that you enjoy our contact. I wanted you to know we enjoy it just as much. No, even more. Now my speech is over and I will retire. It is my privilege to close the meeting with=97our love be with you all as we reflect the love of our Universal Parents, and as they reflect the love of the blessed, holy, righteous, beautiful, perfect, Paradise Trinity, the Father, Son and Spirit. Thanks be to God for our lives, for this great adventure, for everything. Good evening.
+
Klarixiska: I have been asked to conclude our meeting this evening. It is a [[joy]] to be allowed time to speak in this setting. I am always [[eager]] to have the [[opportunity]] to address more than one person, although I cherish greatly our [[relationship]] and publicly commend Letah on her [[faithful]] [[devotion]] to our time together. Do you realize, my friends, how exciting this is to us, your teachers, because we have never had this [[opportunity]] before? We have, of course, spend [[eons]] of time, as it were, many thousands of years in [[educational]] endeavors, but never have we had an opportunity to [[react]] with our mortal brothers and sisters. We absolutely love it, just as you enjoy playing with young [[children]]. This is not to say that we are looking down upon you, but just to let you know how much fun this is for us. We know that you [[enjoy]] our [[contact]]. I wanted you to know we enjoy it just as much. No, even more. Now my [[speech]] is over and I will retire. It is my [[privilege]] to close the meeting with our love be with you all as we [[reflect]] the love of our Universal Parents, and as they reflect the love of the [[blessed]], [[holy]], [[righteous]], [[beautiful]], [[perfect]], [[Paradise Trinity]], the Father, Son and Spirit. Thanks be to God for our lives, for this great [[adventure]], for everything. Good evening.
  
 
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[[Category: The Teaching Mission: Dialogues]]
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[[Category: Lorenzo]]
 
[[Category: Klarixiska]]
 
[[Category: Klarixiska]]
[[Category: Bill K.]]
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[[Category: Isaac]]
 
[[Category: Bob S.]]
 
[[Category: Bob S.]]
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[[Category: Simeon]]
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[[Category: Virginia]]
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[[Category: Dialogue]]
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[[Category: Health/TeaM]]
 
[[Category: Joy]]
 
[[Category: Joy]]
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[[Category: 1998]]

Revision as of 15:51, 28 January 2013

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Topic: Seriousness of This Business

Group: SE Idaho TeaM

Facilitators

Teacher: Aaron, Minearisa, Tomas, Daniel, Lorenzo, Klarixiska

TR: Isaac, Bob S., Simeon, Virginia

Session

Opening

Aaron: Friends, this is Aaron.

Lesson

Dialogue

It is my turn to address your wonderful gathering this evening. We have been eagerly listening to your conversations, to your supportive, loving energies, expressed through words to each other. You are becoming as a finely tuned instrument. Your harmonics are pure. The overtones are ringing clearly. The octaves are in harmony. Therefore your music is beginning to echo the songs of the spheres. My friends, do not be put off by my apparently flowery language for this is a morontial school and your awareness transcends the material realm. Even though we are based on Urantia you are in the Melchizedek University. That is why your progress is quite astounding to you at times. This is serious business that we are about. We are not playing egocentric games with money passing under the table. This is the rest of your life we are dealing with.

At the same time, that is serious, it is also joyful. I have not come this evening to impose another exercise upon you for your have of your own freewill engaged in a promising, deliberate, and effective program of spiritual calisthenics of personal interaction which has overtones of eternal value and worth. Lest you think that I have given you the stamp of approval that states that you have arrived at perfection, be assured, of course, that this is not the case as we have not reached the portals of Paradise yet. But I am speaking for myself and the others in our Teaching Corps when I say that this group and others likewise have exceeded our expectations. The progress is greater than we expected even though we were appraised that this was very experimental. The pessimists among us, if that is the proper way to state it, were of the opinion that things would move much more slowly, whereas some of us, who are perceived as on the wild side, were not quite as taken back by the enthusiasm which as been displayed. I have no lesson tonight to give.

Ken: That was a lesson tonight, my friend.

Aaron: Thank you, Ken. I appreciate your comments. By saying I have no lesson to give, I was about to complete the thought... which is that we feel that you have reached the point where often you generate your own lessons, as it were, from your interactions, from your sharing. You are, like the original apostles, moving past the point of mere receptivity to that place where you are each teachers to each other. I am wanting, however, your input at this point and feel that it is our turn to interact with your agenda rather that require you to interact with our agenda. Do you understand what I am leading up to? I would like to open this to you tonight in terms of whether there was a concern or question in anyone's mind, not of the pure curiosity sort, but having to do with your life in service to Michael, in love, with each other. Is there a question or concern that you wish to address to us teachers? Present tonight are Daniel, Ham, Tomas, and your personal teachers as well as Minearisa. Other teachers are on call as they always are and can possibly be reached. This ends my part of this evening's interaction. I await your input. I am Aaron. Another will follow and take my place. Good evening.

Minearisa: Greetings to all of you, my dear group. This is Minearisa, your instructor in residence, with a brief comment before opening the floor to your questions and comments. One of the best ways to worship the Father is to determine what it is that makes you exude joyfulness in your life for in this is a celebration of life itself, and therefore, the Father. The floor is now open and this TR has been request that Bob S., if he is willing, to TR what he receives.

Dialogue

Tomas: Greetings friends. We do take delight in your humorous banter. Yet it belies the seriousness of our work together. Doubt not that your humor offends any of us. We take great enjoyment. It encourages us when you feel comfortable enough with us to allow your true feelings to come out. Therefore, do not put yourselves down or keep your light under a bushel, so to speak. It is of importance that you allow the true range of your emotions to show forth, for that is the aspect of your personality which is the one which we hope to assist you in development the most. I will now pause in my discussions to allow questions to come forward. Yes, I did not tell you my name. I am Tomas. I am delighted to return to the environment where I had so many wonderful memories.

Virginia: Good evening teachers. I am wondering if one of you would given a refresher course on the relationship between body, mind, and spirit. It doesn't have to be long, a course, a comment.

Health

Daniel: I am Daniel. I will restrain myself as much as possible to avoid being overly loquacious, my dear Letah. However I can not fully promise that this will be terribly brief. Body, mind and spirit, or physical, mindal and spiritual, are the three universe levels of reality as perceived from a qualitative point of view. That is to say, there is a sharp difference between any of the levels, physical, mindal and spiritual. Each level is as real as the next although beings who dwell in any particular level are more included (inclined) to think that their level is the most real. For a being who is spiritual, morontial and physical are less real. But mindal levels are a part of spiritual existence and sometimes are part of physical existence. You as a mortal who live on the finite plane experience all three of these levels in an integrated fashion, for you are made up of the physical body, a material mind, the gift of the Mother Spirit, and host to the Indwelling Spirit of God, the Father. Mind is intermediary between body and spirit. It is in the realm of mind that decisions are made, but spirit seeks overcontrol of mind even as mind seeks the over control of the physical. It is not necessarily true that the spiritual will control the mindal, for that is the minds prerequisite, to choose whether or not to submit to the guidance of spirit. But mind and body are inseparably connected. They are two different realities, but they are unified in human experience. It is error to say that mind is the product of the physical. It is not. It is closer to reality to say that physical is a product of mind, but that is not correct either, exactly. I apologize for my tendency to lecture. Letah, has this helped you in any way?

Virginia: It certainly is a description of those three areas. I was much more thinking in terms of the physical being in control of mind, kind of mind over matter sort of thing, in controlling the immune system, etc. Daniel: Do you mean the mind controlling the physical? You stated the physical controlling the mind.

Virginia: I mean the mind controlling the physical, mind over matter. Is that what I said? That is what I meant.

Daniel: Well, it is true that mind does strive to control matter, as I said earlier. And your science is aware that there is a physical connection between the areas of the brain which are associated with the areas of emotion and the areas where there are connections with the immune system. There is this point of contact. It is not a spooky affair in which the mind in some magical way controls the body. It is through the functioning of the brain that this occurs. Actually, though, in reality the body does influence the mind in the sense that through the connection in the brain problems that are basically physical result in mental manifestations. Again, you are understanding more as your science discovers that mental illness is truly biochemical, an electrochemical phenomenon at least at one level. While stress, which is a mental aspect in part, causes much mental and physical illness, the key factor remains mindal in nature, for even with stress the key to control is to change the mental interpretation of the meaning of events in one's life.

Take, for example, the stress of the loss of a loved one to death. To the degree that a person exercises their faith that this life is only the vestibule of eternal life, to that degree does one interprets the loss of a loved one differently than does one who's perspective is only limited to this life. In other words, if a person believes that this life is all there is, then death is a terror, for it ends the opportunity to experience love. Death is a mockery to one who believes that this life is all there is. But to one who believes that they shall see their loved one again, while grief is not eliminated, it has a different flavor. There is no need, for example, for guilt. For whatever business is unfinished will be given opportunity for completion. There is no reason for anger for this is not the punishment of an unjust God, this experience of death, it is a doorway to endless life. All of this sort of understanding occurs in the mindal aspect of ones existence. It is not a small thing to talk about the importance of faith. It is a huge thing. That is why our Master Son said to his apostles, "To a God knowing believer what does it matter that kingdoms fall and the earth vanishes? One is safe in the hands of the Father of all". (100:2.7)I am not quoting exactly but this is part of his meaning. Do you following my reasoning here?

Virginia: Yes Daniel. I think I do.

Daniel: Do you wish me to say more about your question?

Virginia: No. I think the course has been spent. Thank you.

Daniel: Then if you wish me not to I won't proceed too much further, but I feel that I have not satisfied your initial concern. You said earlier that it is not mental, that illness is not caused by ones mental state completely and that one should not feel totally guilty or responsible for having physical illness occur. With these words I concur fully for there is more than your science understands going on. Your body is an incredible machine that fights off constant attacks from very real physical entities, viruses, bacteria and some other things that you don't yet know about. When stress adds to the pressure the immune system sometimes cannot cope. But many things determine this, including heredity, lifestyle habits, and things that we ourselves, who are morontial beings, don't fully understand. We have not been apprised of all the details that the Life Carriers have planned for this experimental planet, and ever they are surprised at some of the evolutionary outcomes to the genetic engineering. Things are not entirely under their control either. And so I can tell you that, as it says in the Urantia Book, when praying for help first you should do all you know how to do to address the problem, and then ask for help when there has been the necessary homework done. And now I will cease my commentary.

Virginia: Thank you, Daniel.

Bob S.: Daniel, I have a follow up question about something I thought you said when you were talking about body, mind, spirit, and you were characterizing mind as material. Did I hear that right? Did you mean to say Morontial, or something else?

Daniel: Finite mind that you experience, while coming from the source of mind, the Infinite Spirit, is down stepped through the local universe Mother Spirit and then down stepped again through the adjutant spirits. It is received through the functioning of the brain as a FM receiver operates to receive the incoming signals which are transmitted from another source. The analogy in this case would be that the Mother Spirit is the transmitter and the signals move through the adjutant spirits. And so mind as mortals experience it has a material component, but mind in its pure state is not material. It is of the Third Person of Deity. It integrates spirit and material outside of Paradise and the Central Universe. It is an intermediary between the two. Have I clarified for you, Jonderoch?

Bob S.: Yes. Thank you.

Daniel: My friends...there is another question. Proceed, please.

Joy, Worship

Ken: Before I get to my question, a comment to Aaron on the fine tuning. I don't feel that I am in tune yet, but I'm working on it. (Laughter) Thank you for your words of encouragement, my friend. Tomas, I also would like to say thank you to you for your transcripts and the beautiful lessons. The lessons are taken to heart. Thank you. Lorenzo, I would like to say "thank you" for being there for me when I have my doubts. You are guiding me and directing me. My love, Minearisa, you made a statement about humor or joy in worship. You, of course, were tuned in to our sharing time when I was discussing the points of worship. I appreciate that. This business of humor and joy was mentioned sometime back in one of our other lessons that this would be the next phase we would be entering into in our lessons. Joyfulness was not presented, that I remember in paper 5 on worship of God. Can you expand this a little bit on joy and how it applies to worship?

Minearisa: This is Minearisa. Finding those situations which bring you joy, which make you feel joyful, enhances your feeling of connection and your feeling of connectivity to that which is spiritual in nature, and also allows you to shine like a beacon to those around you exuding this joyfulness, for when you feel this lightness of being you are indeed in touch with the Father, and drawing a connection which further strengthens your bond with Him as well as with your fellow mortals. Does this help?

Ken: Yes. Thank you.

Lorenzo: Kenneth, this is Lorenzo.

Ken: Greetings, my friend.

Service

Lorenzo: I am pleased to be able to comment briefly to you regarding your questions during the sharing time as to how worship can be expressed and shared. Those were not your exact words, but I would like to say that it is important that worship be expressed through service, that worship and service are, perhaps you could say, two sides of one coin, for he who worships the Father falls more and more in love with his brother and sister. How can it be otherwise? The gratitude you experience in worship includes the fact that you are created in a family and this gratitude is expressed to family members. Those were my thoughts which I have now shared with you, my friend.

Ken: I believe you have shared them before with me. Thank you.

Lorenzo: This is true Ken, many times.

Lorenzo: It was not for want of understanding that I shared these, but there has been a distortion in regards to this teaching at times in the history of religion on this planet. I speak of advanced religion on this planet, where service and worship have been seen as antagonistic, where the person who spends too much time in worship is regarded as other worldly, fascinated with pie in the sky, and not willing to get their hands dirty in the everyday work of the world, and the person who has exulted service as the most important thing has therefore at times put too little value on worship. So that's why, for the record, I desired to have these thoughts stated. That is it, thank you.

Ken: Not yet. (Much group laughter.) You stated worship and service and two items. Generally there are three. Is there a third? I'm not playing the numbers game. Sorry, but there is a close relationship.

Lorenzo: Are you referring to aspects of spiritual growth, or are you referring to previous conversations that we have had? You are arousing anxiety in this TR.

Ken: I apologize.

Lorenzo: And he is confused.

Ken: I don't know really what I meant by that. We talk service; worship and I guess gratitude would be the third.

Lorenzo: Certainly gratitude is the connection between worship and service. That was my intent earlier, Ken, to say that gratitude over the fact that of ones sibling hood, ones brotherhood, sisterhood, comes out of the worship of God who created us, the mother and father of all, and this gratitude is expressed in service to others. Prayer is another that could be joined with service and worship, and you know the meaning of prayer. In a sense though, prayer is more like service than worship for it allied with the need to help another person which is the essence of service. How does that set with you?

Ken: Very well, thank you. Thank you very much, my friend.

Lorenzo: Remember everyone that TR’ing is a blending of the minds of the teacher and the TR, and Isaac apologies for his anxiety but I make no such apology. (Much laughter)

Ken: I apologize for putting Isaac on the spot.

Lorenzo: Well he needs to get used to it. (Laughter)

Lorenzo: My dear friends...

Minearisa: This is Minearisa with a brief comment on the previous topic. I recognize the hour is late, but I believe it is important the grasp the concept that if you give yourself permission to discover that which brings you joy, then service and worship become the same thing. Are there further questions?

Minearisa: Isaac I apologize for stepping on your toes. Please continue.

Lorenzo: This is Lorenzo. I am satisfied with our partnership as to coordination. As you are the senior member of this Teaching Corps it is my experience that your words are always profoundly appreciated. I personally, especially liked the statement that you concluded with, that worship and service mean the same thing. Yes...one moment.

Closing

Klarixiska: I have been asked to conclude our meeting this evening. It is a joy to be allowed time to speak in this setting. I am always eager to have the opportunity to address more than one person, although I cherish greatly our relationship and publicly commend Letah on her faithful devotion to our time together. Do you realize, my friends, how exciting this is to us, your teachers, because we have never had this opportunity before? We have, of course, spend eons of time, as it were, many thousands of years in educational endeavors, but never have we had an opportunity to react with our mortal brothers and sisters. We absolutely love it, just as you enjoy playing with young children. This is not to say that we are looking down upon you, but just to let you know how much fun this is for us. We know that you enjoy our contact. I wanted you to know we enjoy it just as much. No, even more. Now my speech is over and I will retire. It is my privilege to close the meeting with our love be with you all as we reflect the love of our Universal Parents, and as they reflect the love of the blessed, holy, righteous, beautiful, perfect, Paradise Trinity, the Father, Son and Spirit. Thanks be to God for our lives, for this great adventure, for everything. Good evening.