Changes

===Dialogue===

===Dialogue===

Student:  Thank you once again, Father Michael, for all your support and love and understanding and patience with all of us.  

Student:  Thank you once again, Father [[Michael]], for all your [[support]] and [[love]] and [[understanding]] and [[patience]] with all of us.  

   

   

MICHAEL:  You are very welcome, C.  You and J were talking earlier about personality and individuality, so I thought I’d talk a little about these this evening myself.  Did this help clarify the difference between the God-given reality you are, and what you develop as you grow toward maturity?

MICHAEL:  You are very [[welcome]], C.  You and J were talking earlier about [[personality]] and [[individuality]], so I thought I’d talk a little about these this evening myself.  Did this help clarify the [[difference]] between the [[God]]-given [[reality]] you are, and what you [[develop]] as you [[grow]] toward [[maturity]]?

   

   

Student:  It almost seems to me we have two personalities: one being our material bodies and minds made up of chemical and electrical energies, and the other is what God gave us as spiritual beings.  One is based in this world and will in time fade into the past, while the God-given one will emerge.  I don’t know if that is corrector not.

Student:  It almost seems to me we have two [[personalities]]: one [[being]] our [[material]] [[bodies]] and [[minds]] made up of [[chemical]] and [[electrical]] [[energies]], and the other is what [[God]] gave us as [[spiritual]] [[beings]].  One is based in this world and will in time fade into the [[past]], while the [[God]]-given one will emerge.  I don’t know if that is corrector not.

===='''''[[Personality]]'''''====

===='''''[[Personality]]'''''====

*(Social permissiveness of individuality)

*(Social permissiveness of individuality)

   

   

MICHAEL:  Yes and no--(Michael laughs).  You are correct that the personality you are, just staring out here, starts from scratch but with a physical heredity from your parents and grandparents.  Then you acquire the culture into which you were born.  These are just given to you, and so, true enough, your personality has to emerge out of this more or less chance circumstance to earn your individuality and character, both for yourself and others.  This is what Mother Spirit called somewhat whimsically, a “conglomeration of circumstances” from the standpoint of your personality.  

MICHAEL:  Yes and no--(Michael laughs).  You are correct that the [[personality]] you are, just staring out here, starts from scratch but with a [[physical]] [[heredity]] from your [[parents]] and grandparents.  Then you acquire the [[culture]] into which you were born.  These are just given to you, and so, true enough, your [[personality]] has to [[emerge]] out of this more or less [[chance]] circumstance to earn your [[individuality]] and [[character]], both for yourself and others.  This is what [[Mother Spirit]] called somewhat whimsically, a “conglomeration of circumstances” from the [[standpoint]] of your [[personality]].  

   

   

You had no previous existence from which you chose your particular world situation of your parents and so forth.  So yes, you have to slowly find ways to express yourself out through all this stuff that was just put upon you, that both gives your life meaning and yet also threatens to stifle your unique expressions.  In the more primitive societies great individual expression is simply not permitted.  Due to the oppressive necessities of economic survival and constant warfare, it cannot be afforded.  Rather, each individual seeks--quite unconsciously--not to stand out but to copy and be like everyone else for security.  The chief and leaders of the tribe are just as much enslaved in their own way to the taboos and mores as are the least members in this truly organic unit.  As the living human energies needed for economic survival and self defense lessen there is a complimentary adjustment towards a more liberal attitude regarding self expression and individual choice in all aspects of behavior.  This is the growth of individual recognition and freedom in the ways I mentioned earlier.  

You had no previous [[existence]] from which you [[chose]] your particular world situation of your [[parents]] and so forth.  So yes, you have to slowly find ways to [[express]] yourself out through all this stuff that was just put upon you, that both gives your life [[meaning]] and yet also threatens to stifle your [[unique]] [[expressions]].  In the more [[primitive]] [[societies]] great [[individual]] [[expression]] is simply not permitted.  Due to the oppressive [[necessities]] of [[economic]] [[survival]] and constant [[warfare]], it cannot be afforded.  Rather, each [[individual]] seeks--quite unconsciously--not to stand out but to copy and be like everyone else for [[security]].  The chief and [[leaders]] of the tribe are just as much [[enslaved]] in their own way to the [[taboos]] and mores as are the least members in this truly [[organic]] [[unit]].  As the living [[human]] [[energies]] needed for [[economic]] [[survival]] and [[self]] [[defense]] lessen there is a [[complimentary]] [[adjustment]] towards a more [[liberal]] [[attitude]] regarding [[self]] [[expression]] and [[individual]] [[choice]] in all aspects of [[behavior]].  This is the [[growth]] of [[individual]] [[recognition]] and [[freedom]] in the ways I mentioned earlier.  

   

   

So yes, my son, it is a kind of emergence of the personality, yet not so much beyond the body and mind--leaving these behind, but actually using these as a means of expression.  You will always have an energy-form expressive of your personality which is analogous to your present physical bodies, only more accurately/spiritually so--inside to outside--as time goes on and you advance from one sphere to the next.  Does this seem to be in accord with what you understand?

So yes, my son, it is a kind of [[emergence]] of the [[personality]], yet not so much beyond the [[body]] and [[mind]]--leaving these behind, but [[actually]] using these as a means of [[expression]].  You will always have an [[energy]]-[[form]] [[expressive]] of your [[personality]] which is [[analogous]] to your present [[physical]] [[bodies]], only more accurately/[[spiritually]] so--inside to outside--as [[time]] goes on and you [[advance]] from one [[sphere]] to the next.  Does this seem to be in [[accord]] with what you [[understand]]?

   

   

Student:  Yes and no...  Let me put it this way.  Does the human-evolved personality we have, does this disappear when we get into the next life with a whole different body, and a whole different set of circumstances?  It seems the God-given personality would be there all the time.

Student:  Yes and no...  Let me put it this way.  Does the [[human]]-evolved [[personality]] we have, does this disappear when we get into the next life with a whole [[different]] [[body]], and a whole [[different]] set of [[circumstances]]?  It seems the [[God]]-given [[personality]] would be there all the time.

   

   

MICHAEL:  Exactly.  You, as a changeless personality, will find yourself with a more spiritually sensitive Morontia body and mind.  The bio-chemical determinism you know now--your physical body and strictly material mind that do inhibit your spiritual sensitivity in this life--will be transformed into what you can only think of as a more soulful reality, both within as an enormously expanded consciousness, and externally in what you can perceive.  In this sense the words--Morontia--and--soul--are nearly equivalent.  With respect to other human survivors, their souls and character will be so much more perceptible; you will be able to recognize former family and friends with an utter delight in the enhancement.  Each unchanging personality, with a whole human lifetime and now a genuine rebirth as a soul-possession, can immediately know such a greater maturity and self-security.  Then here come some of the lower angelic orders you will be able to visualize and fraternize with.  (Michael laughs)

MICHAEL:  Exactly.  You, as a changeless [[personality]], will find yourself with a more [[spiritually]] [[sensitive]] [[morontia]] [[body]] and [[mind]].  The bio-[[chemical]] [[determinism]] you know now--your [[physical]] [[body]] and strictly [[material]] [[mind]] that do inhibit your [[spiritual]] [[sensitivity]] in this life--will be [[transformed]] into what you can only [[think]] of as a more [[soulful]] [[reality]], both within as an enormously expanded [[consciousness]], and externally in what you can [[perceive]].  In this sense the [[words]]--[[morontia]]--and--[[soul]]--are nearly [[equivalent]].  With [[respect]] to other [[human]] [[survivors]], their [[souls]] and [[character]] will be so much more [[perceptible]]; you will be able to [[recognize]] [[former]] [[family]] and [[friends]] with an utter [[delight]] in the enhancement.  Each unchanging [[personality]], with a whole [[human]] lifetime and now a genuine rebirth as a [[soul]]-[[possession]], can [[immediately]] know such a greater [[maturity]] and [[self]]-[[security]].  Then here come some of the lower [[angelic]] orders you will be able to [[visualize]] and [[fraternize]] with.  (Michael laughs)

   

   

Student:  It does indeed sound exciting.

Student:  It does indeed [[sound]] exciting.

   

   

Michael:  Well, it’s quite an adventure--believe me.  You’ll never forget those first few minutes of walking out of the Resurrection Hall and looking around and seeing that sky, and the plant and animal life, and each other.  There’ll be no hiding, no dissembling your surprise and wonder.  

Michael:  Well, it’s quite an [[adventure]]--believe me.  You’ll never [[forget]] those first few minutes of walking out of the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_47#47:3_THE_FIRST_MANSION_WORLD Resurrection Hall] and looking around and seeing that [[sky]], and the [[plant]] and [[animal]] life, and each other.  There’ll be no hiding, no dissembling your [[surprise]] and [[wonder]].  

   

   

Student:  Yes.  Thank you, Father Michael.  

Student:  Yes.  Thank you, Father [[Michael]].  

   

   

MICHAEL:  Incidentally, my son, you will feel my peace and Mother Spirit’s love immediately.  This is what we mean by your increased spiritual sensitivity.  You’ll be that much more alive to our presence, and our Father’s presence.  We’ll be that much more palpable within you.  But for now: be in my peace.

MICHAEL:  Incidentally, my son, you will feel my [[peace]] and [[Mother Spirit]]’s [[love]] [[immediately]].  This is what we mean by your increased [[spiritual]] [[sensitivity]].  You’ll be that much more alive to our [[presence]], and [[our Father]]’s [[presence]].  We’ll be that much more palpable within you.  But for now: be in my [[peace]].

   

   

Student:  That sounds best of all.

Student:  That sounds best of all.

MICHAEL:  We look forward to it.

MICHAEL:  We look forward to it.

   

   

Student:  Yes, Michael.  I’ve been reading the Course in Miracles because I wanted a blend of Buddhist teachings and…well, something I felt wasn’t being met.  The teachings are beautiful and enlightening, and opened for me a whole new paradigm of man’s nature in the here and now.  But something was nagging me, maybe my own resistance or ambivalence; but the experience was very profound with the teachings and the meetings, and the healing exercises too.  Then the Course in Miracles--which are supposedly the teachings of Jesus--gave me the same open and expansive feelings as when I was participating in the other groups.  It was like manna from heaven, like: Yes, this is what I was looking for in the meetings, and meditating on, and wondering about.  It’s very similar to the Teachings of the Masters, and the Great Freedom workshops.  It opens up new visions of what really is.

Student:  Yes, Michael.  I’ve been reading the [[Course in Miracles]] because I wanted a blend of [[Buddhist]] teachings and…well, something I felt wasn’t being met.  The teachings are [[beautiful]] and [[enlightening]], and opened for me a whole new [[paradigm]] of man’s [[nature]] in the here and now.  But something was nagging me, maybe my own [[resistance]] or [[ambivalence]]; but the [[experience]] was very [[profound]] with the teachings and the meetings, and the [[healing]] exercises too.  Then the [[Course in Miracles]]--which are supposedly the teachings of [[Jesus]]--gave me the same open and expansive [[feelings]] as when I was [[participating]] in the other [[groups]].  It was like manna from [[heaven]], like: Yes, this is what I was looking for in the meetings, and meditating on, and wondering about.  It’s very similar to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascended_Master_Teachings Teachings of the Masters], and the ''Great Freedom'' workshops.  It opens up new [[visions]] of what really is.

   

   

They say that as you mature then you are more open to broader meanings in what these teachings have always expressed, but you weren’t ready for yet.  So that’s where I’m at.  I’m understanding things I first encountered in 1976.  I had to pay attention to this feeling nagging at me that I was still missing the point, even though I might have heard it before.

They say that as you [[mature]] then you are more open to broader [[meanings]] in what these teachings have always [[expressed]], but you weren’t ready for yet.  So that’s where I’m at.  I’m [[understanding]] things I first encountered in 1976.  I had to pay [[attention]] to this feeling nagging at me that I was still missing the point, even though I might have heard it before.

   

   

MICHAEL:  Yes, my son, I think you are in accord with what I talked about this evening.  You notice that, after a few years when you go back and read the same thing--be it a philosophical or religious text, or a work of literature--a great novel or play--even, or especially, the Urantia book with its complexity--you can see it in a whole new light.  A book is a physical thing; it hasn’t changed: the new reading is giving you a sense of how you have changed and grown in the meanwhile.  And this is not only what we call material mind, physical brain and nervous system changes; this is your soul.  This is the meaning and value of life itself that you’ve acquired, being reflected in everything you perceive, especially a great work of art or something like the Course in Miracles.

MICHAEL:  Yes, my son, I [[think]] you are in accord with what I talked about this evening.  You notice that, after a few years when you go back and read the same thing--be it a [[philosophical]] or [[religious]] [[text]], or a work of [[literature]]--a great [[novel]] or [[play]]--even, or especially, the [[Urantia book]] with its [[complexity]]--you can see it in a whole new [[light]].  A book is a [[physical]] [[thing]]; it hasn’t changed: the new [[reading]] is giving you a sense of how you have changed and [[grown]] in the meanwhile.  And this is not only what we call [[material]] [[mind]], [[physical]] [[brain]] and [[nervous system]] changes; this is your [[soul]].  This is the [[meaning]] and [[value]] of life itself that you’ve acquired, being [[reflected]] in [[everything]] you [[perceive]], especially a great work of art or something like the [[Course in Miracles]].

===='''''[[Potential]]'''''====

===='''''[[Potential]]'''''====

*(Nagging feelings of unfulfilled potential)

*(Nagging feelings of unfulfilled potential)

   

   

I might suggest, my son, that the nagging feeling you expressed is a kind of reverse intimation of your own potential, that there is more you can do and learn.  In some this leads to a severe dissatisfaction with anything new because they have a notion firmly fixed in their mind from erroneous teachings that there is a kind of ultimate enlightenment experience after which, from then on, life is all downhill.  They will have this huge experience and they will know everything there is to know, and from then on their life will be all settled and done with and they can kick back and coast the rest of eternity.  Whereas we say that, in spite of all that is--the completeness of reality at each moment--the realization of which is a huge human experience--there also exists the potential for eternal growth in the infinity of spontaneous creativity, both your own and God’s in His presentation to you of a growing, changing universe.

I might suggest, my son, that the nagging [[feeling]] you [[expressed]] is a kind of reverse intimation of your own [[potential]], that there is more you can do and [[learn]].  In some this leads to a severe dissatisfaction with anything new because they have a notion firmly fixed in their [[mind]] from erroneous teachings that there is a kind of [[ultimate]] [[enlightenment]] [[experience]] after which, from then on, life is all downhill.  They will have this huge [[experience]] and they will know [[everything]] there is to know, and from then on their life will be all settled and done with and they can kick back and coast the rest of [[eternity]].  Whereas we say that, in spite of all that is--the completeness of [[reality]] at each [[moment]]--the [[realization]] of which is a huge [[human]] [[experience]]--there also exists the [[potential]] for [[eternal]] [[growth]] in the [[infinity]] of [[spontaneous]] [[creativity]], both your own and [[God]]’s in His presentation to you of a [[growing]], [[changing]] [[universe]].

   

   

The creativity of spirit, this lively dance that is going on, is so spontaneous in its essential nature it need never stop.  The creative spirit of God’s will present itself to each personal being--even Mother Spirit and I--as an endless universe adventure, and we define adventure as not knowing, and with no way of knowing, exactly what’s going to happen next.  (Michael laughs)  That can be all the way from not knowing if your car is going to start because the battery might be run down, to clinging with your fingernails to some cliff-face over a three hundred foot drop; from a minor inconvenience to a major risk.  As I talked about this evening, in the future you’ll be awakening on a different new world with a different kind of body and mind, to look around and see a wholly different organization of physical energies and material in the life forms of the plants and animals; yet you’ll still be you.

The [[creativity]] of [[spirit]], this lively [[dance]] that is going on, is so [[spontaneous]] in its [[essential]] [[nature]] it need never stop.  The [[creative]] [[spirit]] of [[God]]’s will present itself to each [[personal]] [[being]]--even [[Mother Spirit]] and I--as an endless [[universe]] [[adventure]], and we define [[adventure]] as [[Uncertainty|not knowing]], and with no way of knowing, exactly what’s going to happen next.  (Michael laughs)  That can be all the way from not knowing if your car is going to start because the battery might be run down, to clinging with your fingernails to some cliff-face over a three hundred foot drop; from a minor inconvenience to a major [[risk]].  As I talked about this evening, in the [[future]] you’ll be [[awakening]] on a [[different]] new world with a [[different]] kind of [[body]] and [[mind]], to look around and see a wholly [[different]] [[organization]] of [[physical]] [[energies]] and [[material]] in the life forms of the [[plants]] and [[animals]]; yet you’ll still be you.

   

   

So part of your feelings of a nagging incompleteness is your wisdom letting you know: it ain’t over yet!  There will always be another step to take.  One of your poets expressed the acceptance of this fact by writing: Dear Lord, let me continue to be unsatisfied.  It means you realize there is more to come and you need to avoid being smugly self-satisfied in order to embrace it.

So part of your [[feelings]] of a nagging incompleteness is your [[wisdom]] letting you know: it ain’t over yet!  There will always be another step to take.  One of your [[poets]] [[expressed]] the [[acceptance]] of this [[fact]] by writing: Dear Lord, let me continue to be unsatisfied.  It means you [[realize]] there is more to come and you need to avoid being smugly self-satisfied in order to [[embrace]] it.

   

   

Student:  Yes.  There are those times where, after I participate in these profound teachings, I feel so full of love and so moved, and so open, that when I leave, it’s: now what!  What can I do?  What am I going to do with this energy?  There is that feeling that there is nothing in the world that can approach what I’m experiencing.  But what the lesson is: OK, I’m still in this space, and I still have things to do.  I can meet every person with love and respect--real and genuine.  I can enjoy whatever I need to do.  

Student:  Yes.  There are those times where, after I [[participate]] in these [[profound]] teachings, I feel so full of [[love]] and so moved, and so open, that when I leave, it’s: now what!  What can I do?  What am I going to do with this [[energy]]?  There is that [[feeling]] that there is nothing in the world that can approach what I’m [[experiencing]].  But what the lesson is: OK, I’m still in this [[space]], and I still have [[things]] to do.  I can meet every [[person]] with [[love]] and [[respect]]--real and genuine.  I can [[enjoy]] whatever I need to do.  

   

   

I think what happens is people have grandiose ideas of what enlightenment is, and they think life will be all bells and whistles, and they don’t realize they will still have to live on the earth with day to day things to do.  Maybe they see it as some kind of escape from things, but enlightenment is really supposed to enhance them.  What it really takes is faith to be open to the adventure.  

I think what happens is people have grandiose [[ideas]] of what [[enlightenment]] is, and they think life will be all bells and whistles, and they don’t [[realize]] they will still have to live on the [[earth]] with day to day [[things]] to do.  Maybe they see it as some kind of [[escape]] from [[things]], but [[enlightenment]] is really supposed to enhance them.  What it really takes is [[faith]] to be open to the [[adventure]].  

   

   

After some great meetings there seems to be a feeling of a void, and what do I need to do to fill the void?  Or do I need to fill the void with anything?  Maybe I just need to experience it and go from there.  It’s just interesting watching it.  So…thank you.

After some great meetings there seems to be a [[feeling]] of a void, and what do I need to do to fill the [[Absence|void]]?  Or do I need to fill the void with anything?  Maybe I just need to [[experience]] it and go from there.  It’s just interesting watching it.  So…thank you.

===='''''[[Survival]]'''''====

===='''''[[Survival]]'''''====

*(Apprehensions of survival)

*(Apprehensions of survival)

   

   

MICHAEL:  There definitely is a kind of anxiety at times that grows up in a living being such as yourself, just in being hyper-aware you are alive and susceptible to so many things to stay alive.  Yet right in the midst of these, shall we say, apprehensions of what it takes to survive, you can have an equal realization of the positive completeness of your whole being.  You exist.  You’re happening.  And that is enough.  (Michael laughs)  Compared to the anxiety, it’s more than enough.  And so you glow for a while, until, as you note, the day-to-day things make themselves known and once again there arises a feeling of anxiety to meet them.  

MICHAEL:  There definitely is a kind of [[anxiety]] at times that [[grows]] up in a living being such as yourself, just in being hyper-[[aware]] you are alive and susceptible to so many [[things]] to stay alive.  Yet right in the midst of these, shall we say, [[apprehensions]] of what it takes to ''survive'', you can have an equal [[realization]] of the positive completeness of your whole [[being]].  You [[exist]].  You’re happening.  And that is enough.  (Michael laughs)  [[Compared]] to the [[anxiety]], it’s more than enough.  And so you [[glow]] for a while, until, as you note, the day-to-day [[things]] make themselves known and once again there arises a [[feeling]] of [[anxiety]] to meet them.  

   

   

Here is where wisdom from long experience can lead you to trust this feeling is only--if profoundly--your animal nature’s instinctual way of revving you up to meet the challenge.  Your heart starts pounding and you feel yourself coming awake, anxious and alert, like a little animal inside you is pricking up its ears to scan for a threat.  To feel this as a positive thing, to trust this--and trust yourself--that even this fearfully anticipating part of you is trying to help you survive and succeed; this does take wisdom and understanding as well as determination.  All those who have succeeded in intense competition have learned how to trust and use this upwelling surge of anxious energy.

Here is where [[wisdom]] from long [[experience]] can lead you to [[trust]] this [[feeling]] is only--if [[profoundly]]--your [[animal]] nature’s [[instinctual]] way of revving you up to meet the [[challenge]].  Your [[heart]] starts pounding and you [[feel]] yourself coming [[awake]], anxious and alert, like a little [[animal]] inside you is pricking up its ears to scan for a threat.  To feel this as a positive [[thing]], to [[trust]] this--and trust yourself--that even this fearfully [[anticipating]] part of you is trying to help you [[survive]] and succeed; this does take [[wisdom]] and [[understanding]] as well as [[determination]].  All those who have succeeded in [[intense]] [[competition]] have learned how to [[trust]] and use this upwelling surge of [[anxious]] [[energy]].

   

   

Student:  Some of the times though, like yesterday, where even though I feel at peace, and at one, and connected with everyone, there’s also a feeling of acute aloneness.  I’m having this great experience, but there’s no one to share it with.  It’s only a momentary feeling, just noticing that it would be nice to share this with someone.  But I realize it’s only filling the void with some preconceived notion, some distraction.  

Student:  Some of the times though, like yesterday, where even though I [[feel]] at [[peace]], and at one, and [[connected]] with everyone, there’s also a [[feeling]] of acute [[Solitude|aloneness]].  I’m having this great [[experience]], but there’s no one to [[share]] it with.  It’s only a momentary [[feeling]], just noticing that it would be nice to [[share]] this with someone.  But I [[realize]] it’s only filling the void with some preconceived notion, some distraction.  

   

   

MICHAEL:  Consider too, my son, that in these moments when you feel this intense aloneness, it can be very distinct from being lonely.  

MICHAEL:  Consider too, my son, that in these [[moments]] when you feel this [[intense]] aloneness, it can be very distinct from being lonely.  

   

   

Student:  Yes!--that’s why I said that.

Student:  Yes!--that’s why I said that.

   

   

MICHAEL:  This can be a deep intuition of whom and what you are as a unique, God-created personality.  Again, it’s nothing you can get a hold of concretely, but it is something you can be aware of, and that you can share it only--completely--with God, whatever your longing to share it with someone else.

MICHAEL:  This can be a deep [[intuition]] of whom and what you are as a [[unique]], [[God]]-[[created]] [[personality]].  Again, it’s nothing you can get a hold of concretely, but it is something you can be aware of, and that you can share it only--completely--with [[God]], whatever your longing to [[share]] it with someone else.

   

   

Student, laughing:  Yes!  Sometimes I get so overwhelmed with love that it’s hard to contain it.  (Michael chuckles along)  I think that scares people sometimes, like: well--OK.  But that is true what you said about aloneness.  Sometimes I feel it is just me and God.  And then I realize: that’s OK.

Student, laughing:  Yes!  Sometimes I get so overwhelmed with [[love]] that it’s hard to contain it.  (Michael chuckles along)  I think that scares people sometimes, like: well--OK.  But that is true what you said about aloneness.  Sometimes I feel it is just me and God.  And then I realize: that’s OK.

   

   

MICHAEL:  Yes.  You are touching upon a real dimension where it is just you and God.  That’s a very transcendent dimension indeed.  

MICHAEL:  Yes.  You are [[touching]] upon a real [[dimension]] where it is just you and [[God]].  That’s a very [[transcendent]] [[dimension]] indeed.  

   

   

Student:  One last thing.  A person I met years ago had a tragic, life-altering experience when her husband shot her and then killed himself.  This was back in 2003.  Anyway, I kind-of lost touch with her, but she was always in the back of my mind--a beautiful woman with beautiful kids.  Then last Sunday, on Mother’s Day, I saw a picture of her for a fundraiser.  Apparently she survived, but she’s a quadriplegic, and she needs assistance; but she’s very determined.  Since I always had her in my mind, I’m asking: would it be wise for me to see her and connect with her somehow?--maybe be of assistance or just to talk with her about things.  I think she always admired me because I always seemed so happy, you know, doing her landscaping.  I would see her and would feel something wasn’t right in her relationship with her husband.  But she would see me and comment on how happy I seemed--stuff like that.  So anyway, I was just wondering if it would be wise for me to communicate with her--if I’m able to do that.

Student:  One last thing.  A [[person]] I met years ago had a [[tragic]], life-altering [[experience]] when her husband shot her and then killed himself.  This was back in 2003.  Anyway, I kind-of lost [[touch]] with her, but she was always in the back of my [[mind]]--a [[beautiful]] [[woman]] with beautiful kids.  Then last Sunday, on Mother’s Day, I saw a picture of her for a fundraiser.  Apparently she [[survived]], but she’s a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadraplegic quadriplegic], and she needs [[assistance]]; but she’s very [[determined]].  Since I always had her in my [[mind]], I’m asking: would it be [[wise]] for me to see her and [[connect]] with her somehow?--maybe be of [[assistance]] or just to talk with her about [[things]].  I think she always admired me because I always seemed so [[happy]], you know, doing her landscaping.  I would see her and would feel something wasn’t right in her [[relationship]] with her [[husband]].  But she would see me and comment on how happy I seemed--stuff like that.  So anyway, I was just [[wondering]] if it would be [[wise]] for me to [[communicate]] with her--if I’m able to do that.

   

   

MICHAEL:  My son, I have two words for you.  Can you guess what they are?

MICHAEL:  My son, I have two [[words]] for you.  Can you guess what they are?

   

   

Student:  I don’t know: go for it?

Student:  I don’t know: go for it?

   

   

MICHAEL:  That would be three words, but you’re close: why not?  In a very literal sense: why not?

MICHAEL:  That would be [[three]] [[words]], but you’re close: why not?  In a very [[literal]] sense: why not?

   

   

Student, after a long pause:  I guess I would like to be of service to her--if it’s possible.  

Student, after a long pause:  I guess I would like to be of [[service]] to her--if it’s possible.  

   

   

MICHAEL:  It may be something you can’t know until you get there.  But if she’s been in your mind all these years, someone with whom you shared a bit of soul there for a while, you needn’t put any label on it except for that: something shared.  So: why not?                                                 

MICHAEL:  It may be something you can’t know until you get there.  But if she’s been in your [[mind]] all these years, someone with whom you [[shared]] a bit of [[soul]] there for a while, you needn’t put any label on it except for that: something shared.  So: why not?                                                 

   

   

Student:  Yes.  OK.  I’ll go for that.  Thank you very much.

Student:  Yes.  OK.  I’ll go for that.  Thank you very much.

   

   

MICHAEL:  Be in my peace.

MICHAEL:  Be in my [[peace]].

===='''''[[Growth]]'''''====

===='''''[[Growth]]'''''====

(Stages of personal civilization)  

(Stages of personal civilization)  

   

   

We’ve had some wonderful discussions this evening.  I did want to give you a sense of the development, not only of the way each individual recapitulates evolution as an embryo, but also recapitulates the evolution of culture as they grow up through childhood and adolescence, all the way from the constantly warring primitive tribal level--think of your little two- and three-year-olds squabbling out in the sandbox with, fortunately, the inability to do one another in--all the way up through your Machiavellian plotting of high school gangs; to, hopefully, each person continuing to grow beyond their parents’ generation’s understanding.  Each individual’s maturity adds to the society’s maturity as well--ever more free; ever more allowing of each individual’s freedom because it is accompanied with responsibility--deeply caring for each other, wanting to be able to respond to another.  

We’ve had some [[wonderful]] [[discussions]] this evening.  I did want to give you a sense of the [[development]], not only of the way each [[individual]] recapitulates [[evolution]] as an [[embryo]], but also recapitulates the [[evolution]] of [[culture]] as they grow up through [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childhood childhood] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolescence adolescence], all the way from the constantly warring [[primitive]] [[tribal]] level--[[think]] of your little two- and three-year-olds squabbling out in the sandbox with, fortunately, the inability to do one another in--all the way up through your [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machiavellian Machiavellian] plotting of high school gangs; to, hopefully, each [[person]] continuing to [[grow]] beyond their [[parents]]’ [[generation]]’s [[understanding]].  Each [[individual]]’s [[maturity]] adds to the [[society]]’s [[maturity]] as well--ever more [[free]]; ever more allowing of each [[individual]]’s [[freedom]] because it is accompanied with [[responsibility]]--deeply caring for each other, wanting to be able to [[respond]] to another.

 

===Closing===

===Closing===

So keep that in mind.  It’s part of the orientation of my Spirit of Truth.  Ask yourself: what about this lesson is true in your own life?  Hopefully, you’ve been able to recognize something all along.  Be in my peace, dear ones.  Good evening.  

So keep that in mind.  It’s part of the orientation of my Spirit of Truth.  Ask yourself: what about this lesson is true in your own life?  Hopefully, you’ve been able to recognize something all along.  Be in my peace, dear ones.  Good evening.