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| *October 4, 1992 | | *October 4, 1992 |
| ===Lesson=== | | ===Lesson=== |
− | WILL: The love of God surrounds us. The love of God enfolds us. The love of God supports | + | WILL: The [[love]] of [[God]] [[surrounds]] us. The love of God enfolds us. The love of God [[supports]] |
− | us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. | + | us. [[Blessed]] is he who comes in the name of the Lord. |
− | Good evening, my friends. Thank you for your company tonight. I am your teacher, Will, | + | |
− | who loves you. | + | Good evening, my [[friends]]. Thank you for your company tonight. I am your [[teacher]], Will, |
− | We are approaching our anniversary passage. We used this long stillness exercise to attempt | + | who [[loves]] you. |
− | to examine your practice. I think that this would be a good point to exchange questions and | + | ===='''''[[Stillness]]'''''==== |
− | answers about individual stillness practice since that is the key to our entire effort. If every person | + | We are approaching our anniversary passage. We used this long [[stillness]] exercise to attempt |
− | chooses to participate, it will take at least two Sunday meetings. So during this coming week | + | to [[examine]] your [[practice]]. I think that this would be a good [[point]] to exchange questions and |
− | please make an extra effort to attempt the stillness and compose a question relating to your own | + | answers about [[individual]] [[stillness]] practice since that is the key to our entire [[effort]]. If every person |
| + | [[chooses]] to [[participate]], it will take at least two Sunday meetings. So during this coming week |
| + | please make an extra [[effort]] to attempt the [[stillness]] and [[compose]] a [[question]] relating to your own |
| practice. We will begin next week. | | practice. We will begin next week. |
− | Its not always comfortable being alone with God. The experience is usually full of intrusive | + | |
− | thoughts. You wonder where to put your feet, how you should hold your mouth, if you should | + | Its not always comfortable being [[alone]] with [[God]]. The [[experience]] is usually full of intrusive |
− | think some certain thing or not think some certain things. It is difficult to instruct people in what | + | [[thoughts]]. You wonder where to put your feet, how you should hold your mouth, if you should |
− | they should do. We have had almost a year of discovery. I think it is a good start although I will | + | [[think]] some certain thing or not think some certain things. It is [[difficult]] to instruct people in what |
− | tell you frankly that regularity is more important than success. It is never time to sleep on your | + | they should do. We have had almost a year of [[discovery]]. I think it is a [[good]] start although I will |
| + | tell you frankly that regularity is more important than [[success]]. It is never time to [[sleep]] on your |
| awards. | | awards. |
− | The stillness practice, in one way, is going into the quiet place in yourself. Many people find | + | |
− | this place to be theoretical. They agree that it must be somewhere but all the doors look the | + | The [[stillness]] [[practice]], in one way, is going into the [[quiet]] place in yourself. Many people find |
− | same. For most people, successful stillness practice means marking the door. Once you move | + | this place to be [[theoretical]]. They [[agree]] that it must be somewhere but all the doors look the |
− | away from the door you are subject to all of the other factors of life. The times that you are | + | same. For most people, successful [[stillness]] [[practice]] means marking the door. Once you move |
− | excited, the times that you are relaxed, the times that the pressures of daily life catch up, the times | + | away from the door you are subject to all of the other [[factors]] of life. The times that you are |
− | that they are discharged. The times that you worry about the things that have yet to pass and | + | [[excited]], the times that you are [[relaxed]], the times that the [[pressures]] of daily life catch up, the times |
| + | that they are discharged. The times that you [[worry]] about the things that have yet to pass and |
| those that already have. When you find the door with the mark on it, straighten your back and | | those that already have. When you find the door with the mark on it, straighten your back and |
− | open it. You see nothing. This is frustrating to most people. | + | open it. You see nothing. This is [[frustrating]] to most people. |
− | I think the best description of it is standing on the bow of a large ship so far above the water | + | |
− | and so far projected forward that even the ship's prow, cutting through the waves makes no sound | + | I think the best [[description]] of it is standing on the bow of a large ship so far above the [[water]] |
− | that reaches the listener. You look out into the fog, all your senses keen and there is simply no | + | and so far [[projected]] forward that even the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prow ship's prow], cutting through the [[waves]] makes no [[sound]] |
− | information. No thoughts, no vision, no smells, no sounds, no feelings. And yet, you are | + | that reaches the [[listener]]. You look out into the [[fog]], all your [[senses]] keen and there is [[simply]] no |
− | surrounded with concern and love and guidance. We are prohibited from interfering with the time | + | [[information]]. No [[thoughts]], no [[vision]], no smells, no sounds, no [[feelings]]. And yet, you are |
− | you have with the Father. | + | [[surrounded]] with concern and [[love]] and [[guidance]]. We are [[prohibited]] from [[interfering]] with the time |
− | Communication, when it develops, is not at all like this experience. True stillness identification | + | you have with [[the Father]]. |
− | and soul connection with the Heavenly Father. Communication with one of us is a busy affair. | + | |
− | It's full of mistakes, suggestions, ineptly phrased remarks and information that generally leads the | + | [[Communication]], when it [[develops]], is not at all like this [[experience]]. True [[stillness]] identification |
− | human immediately off upon unproductive tangents. Stillness is pure. Communication is like a | + | and [[soul]] [[connection]] with the [[Heavenly Father]]. [[Communication]] with one of us is a [[busy]] affair. |
− | library in a foreign country and it is not quiet. It is a messy business. Stillness is asked. | + | It's full of [[mistakes]], suggestions, ineptly phrased remarks and [[information]] that generally leads the |
− | Communication is offered. They are not the same. In fact, they have virtually nothing to do with | + | [[human]] immediately off upon unproductive [[tangents]]. [[Stillness]] is [[pure]]. [[Communication]] is like a |
− | one another. Stillness will prepare you for communication. It doesn't work the other way around. | + | [[library]] in a foreign country and it is not [[quiet]]. It is a messy business. [[Stillness]] is asked. |
| + | [[Communication]] is offered. They are not the same. In [[fact]], they have [[virtually]] nothing to do with |
| + | one another. [[Stillness]] will [[prepare]] you for [[communication]]. It doesn't work the other way around. |
| + | |
| So, we approach an anniversary. It is time to get serious. That doesn't mean we won't have | | So, we approach an anniversary. It is time to get serious. That doesn't mean we won't have |
− | jokes. It doesn't mean we won't make mistakes. It is time to get serious about stillness practice. | + | [[jokes]]. It doesn't mean we won't make [[mistakes]]. It is time to get serious about [[stillness]] [[practice]]. |
− | Next week we will begin discussions. This week try to get a mark on the door that will last so | + | Next week we will begin [[discussions]]. This week try to get a mark on the door that will last so |
− | that you can come and go as you please. Finding your way back is always a problem. Until next | + | that you can come and go as you please. Finding your way back is always a [[problem]]. |
− | week, Shalom. | + | |
| + | Until next week, [[Shalom]]. |
| + | |
| ==Session 3== | | ==Session 3== |
| *October 11, 1992 | | *October 11, 1992 |