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160:1 Rodan's Greek Philosophy (view source)
Revision as of 22:35, 11 July 2011
, 22:35, 11 July 2011Created page with 'File:lighterstill.jpgright|frame 160:1.1 Early Monday morning, Rodan began a series of ten addresses to Nathaniel, [[Thomas, the Apo...'
[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:The_eye_of_all_ur60.jpg|right|frame]]
160:1.1 Early Monday morning, Rodan began a [[series]] of ten addresses to [[Nathaniel]], [[Thomas, the Apostle|Thomas]], and a [[group]] of some two dozen [[believers]] who chanced to be at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magdala Magadan]. These talks, condensed, combined, and restated in [[modern]] phraseology, present the following [[thoughts]] for [[consideration]]:
160:1.2 [[Human]] life consists in [[three]] great drives—[[urges]], [[desires]], and [[lures]]. [[Strong]] [[character]], commanding [[personality]], is only acquired by [[converting]] the [[natural]] urge of life into the [[social]] [[art of living]], by [[transforming]] present [[desires]] into those higher [[longings]] which are capable of lasting [[attainment]], while the commonplace lure of [[existence]] must be [[transferred]] from one's [[conventional]] and [[established]] [[ideas]] to the higher realms of unexplored [[ideas]] and undiscovered [[ideals]].
160:1.3 The more [[complex]] [[civilization]] becomes, the more [[difficult]] will become the [[art of living]]. The more rapid the [[changes]] in [[social]] usage, the more complicated will become the task of [[character]] [[development]]. Every ten [[generations]] [[mankind]] must [[learn]] anew the [[art of living]] if [[progress]] is to continue. And if man becomes so ingenious that he more rapidly adds to the [[complexities]] of [[society]], the [[art of living]] will need to be remastered in less time, perhaps every single [[generation]]. If the [[evolution]] of the [[art of living]] fails to keep [[pace]] with the [[technique]] of [[existence]], [[humanity]] will quickly revert to the [[simple]] [[urge]] of living—the [[attainment]] of the [[satisfaction]] of present [[desires]]. Thus will [[humanity]] remain immature; [[society]] will fail in growing up to full [[maturity]].
160:1.4 Social [[maturity]] is equivalent to the [[degree]] to which man is willing to [[surrender]] the [[gratification]] of mere [[transient]] and present [[desires]] for the entertainment of those superior longings the striving for whose [[attainment]] affords the more [[abundant]] [[satisfactions]] of [[progressive]] advancement toward permanent goals. But the true badge of social [[maturity]] is the willingness of a people to [[surrender]] the right to live peaceably and contentedly under the ease-promoting [[standards]] of the [[lure]] of [[established]] [[beliefs]] and [[conventional]] [[ideas]] for the disquieting and [[energy]]-requiring lure of the pursuit of the [[Unknown|unexplored]] [[possibilities]] of the [[attainment]] of undiscovered goals of [[idealistic]] [[spiritual]] [[realities]].
160:1.5 [[Animals]] [[respond]] nobly to the [[urge]] of life, but only [[man]] can [[attain]] the [[art of living]], albeit the [[majority]] of mankind only [[experience]] the [[animal]] [[urge]] to live. Animals know only this blind and [[instinctive]] urge; man is capable of [[transcending]] this urge to [[natural]] [[function]]. Man may [[elect]] to live upon the high [[plane]] of [[intelligent]] [[art]], even that of [[celestial]] [[joy]] and [[spiritual]] [[ecstasy]]. Animals make no [[inquiry]] into the [[purposes]] of life; therefore they never [[worry]], neither do they commit [[suicide]]. Suicide among men [[testifies]] that such [[beings]] have emerged from the [[purely]] [[animal]] [[stage]] of [[existence]], and to the further [[fact]] that the exploratory [[efforts]] of such [[human being]]s have failed to [[attain]] the artistic [[levels]] of [[mortal]] [[experience]]. [[Animals]] know not the [[meaning]] of life; man not only [[possesses]] [[capacity]] for the [[recognition]] of [[values]] and the [[comprehension]] of [[meanings]], but he also is [[conscious]] of the meaning of meanings—he is [[self-conscious]] of [[insight]].
160:1.6 When men [[dare]] to [[forsake]] a life of [[natural]] craving for one of [[adventurous]] [[art]] and [[uncertain]] [[logic]], they must [[expect]] to [[suffer]] the consequent hazards of [[emotional]] casualties—[[conflicts]], unhappiness, and uncertainties—at least until the time of their [[attainment]] of some [[degree]] of [[intellectual]] and [[emotional]] [[maturity]]. Discouragement, [[worry]], and [[indolence]] are [[positive]] [[evidence]] of [[moral]] immaturity. Human [[society]] is confronted with two [[problems]]: [[attainment]] of the [[maturity]] of the [[individual]] and attainment of the maturity of the [[race]]. The [[mature]] human being soon begins to look upon all other [[mortals]] with [[feelings]] of [[tenderness]] and with [[emotions]] of [[tolerance]]. [[Mature]] men view immature folks with the [[love]] and [[consideration]] that [[parents]] bear their [[children]].
160:1.7 Successful living is nothing more or less than the [[art]] of the mastery of dependable [[techniques]] for solving common [[problems]]. The first step in the solution of any [[problem]] is to locate the [[difficulty]], to isolate the problem, and frankly to [[recognize]] its [[nature]] and [[gravity]]. The great mistake is that, when life [[problems]] excite our [[profound]] [[fears]], we refuse to [[recognize]] them. Likewise, when the acknowledgment of our [[difficulties]] entails the reduction of our long-cherished [[conceit]], the admission of [[envy]], or the abandonment of deep-seated [[prejudices]], the [[average]] [[person]] prefers to cling to the old [[illusions]] of safety and to the long-cherished [[false]] [[feelings]] of [[security]]. Only a [[brave]] person is willing [[honestly]] to admit, and fearlessly to face, what a [[sincere]] and [[logical]] [[mind]] [[discovers]].
160:1.8 The [[wise]] and [[effective]] solution of any [[problem]] demands that the [[mind]] shall be [[free]] from bias, [[passion]], and all other purely [[personal]] [[prejudices]] which might [[interfere]] with the disinterested [[survey]] of the [[actual]] [[factors]] that go to make up the [[problem]] presenting itself for solution. The solution of life [[problems]] requires [[courage]] and [[sincerity]]. Only [[honest]] and [[brave]] [[individuals]] are able to follow valiantly through the perplexing and [[confusing]] [[maze]] of living to where the [[logic]] of a fearless [[mind]] may [[lead]]. And this [[emancipation]] of the [[mind]] and [[soul]] can never be effected without the driving [[power]] of an [[intelligent]] [[enthusiasm]] which borders on religious zeal. It requires the lure of a great [[ideal]] to drive man on in the pursuit of a goal which is beset with [[difficult]] [[material]] [[problems]] and manifold [[intellectual]] [[Danger|hazards]].
160:1.9 Even though you are effectively armed to meet the [[difficult]] situations of life, you can hardly [[expect]] success unless you are equipped with that [[wisdom]] of [[mind]] and [[charm]] of [[personality]] which enable you to win the hearty [[support]] and [[co-operation]] of your fellows. You cannot [[hope]] for a large measure of success in either [[secular]] or [[religious]] work unless you can learn how to [[persuade]] your fellows, to prevail with men. You [[simply]] must have [[tact]] and [[tolerance]].
160:1.10 But the greatest of all [[methods]] of [[problem]] solving I have learned from [[Jesus]], your Master. I refer to that which he so [[consistently]] [[practices]], and which he has so [[faithfully]] taught you, the [[Solitude|isolation]] of [[worship]]ful [[meditation]]. In this [[habit]] of Jesus' going off so frequently by himself to [[commune]] with [[the Father]] in heaven is to be found the [[technique]], not only of gathering [[strength]] and [[wisdom]] for the ordinary [[conflicts]] of living, but also of appropriating the [[energy]] for the solution of the higher [[problems]] of a [[moral]] and [[spiritual]] [[nature]]. But even correct [[methods]] of solving [[problems]] will not [[compensate]] for [[inherent]] [[defects]] of [[personality]] or [[atone]] for the [[absence]] of the [[hunger]] and [[thirst]] for true [[righteousness]].
160:1.11 I am deeply impressed with the [[custom]] of [[Jesus]] in going apart by himself to [[engage]] in these seasons of [[solitary]] survey of the [[problems]] of living; to seek for new stores of [[wisdom]] and [[energy]] for meeting the manifold demands of [[social]] [[service]]; to quicken and deepen the [[supreme]] [[purpose]] of living by actually subjecting the total [[personality]] to the [[consciousness]] of contacting with [[divinity]]; to grasp for [[possession]] of new and better [[methods]] of [[adjusting]] oneself to the ever-changing situations of living [[existence]]; to effect those [[vital]] reconstructions and readjustments of one's [[personal]] [[attitudes]] which are so [[essential]] to enhanced [[insight]] into everything worth while and real; and to do all of this with an eye single to the [[glory]] of [[God]]—to [[breathe]] in [[sincerity]] your Master's favorite [[prayer]], " Not my will, but yours, be done. "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Luke#Chapter_22]
160:1.12 This [[worshipful]] [[practice]] of your [[the Master|Master]] brings that [[relaxation]] which renews the [[mind]]; that [[illumination]] which [[inspires]] the [[soul]]; that [[courage]] which enables one bravely to face one's [[problems]]; that [[self]]-[[understanding]] which obliterates debilitating [[fear]]; and that [[consciousness]] of [[union]] with [[divinity]] which equips man with the [[assurance]] that enables him to dare to be Godlike. The [[relaxation]] of [[worship]], or spiritual [[communion]] as [[practiced]] by [[the Master]], relieves [[tension]], removes [[conflicts]], and mightily augments the total [[resources]] of the [[personality]]. And all this [[philosophy]], plus the [[gospel]] of [[the kingdom]], constitutes the new religion as I [[understand]] it.
160:1.13 [[Prejudice]] blinds the [[soul]] to the [[recognition]] of [[truth]], and prejudice can be removed only by the [[sincere]] [[devotion]] of the [[soul]] to the [[adoration]] of a [[cause]] that is all-[[embracing]] and all-inclusive of one's fellow men. [[Prejudice]] is inseparably linked to [[selfishness]]. Prejudice can be eliminated only by the [[abandonment]] of [[self]]-seeking and by substituting therefor the quest of the satisfaction of the service of a cause that is not only greater than self, but one that is even greater than all humanity—the search for [[God]], the [[attainment]] of [[divinity]]. The [[evidence]] of [[maturity]] of [[personality]] consists in the [[transformation]] of human [[desire]] so that it constantly seeks for the [[realization]] of those [[values]] which are highest and most divinely [[real]].
160:1.14 In a continually changing world, in the midst of an [[evolving]] [[social]] order, it is impossible to maintain settled and established goals of [[destiny]]. [[Stability]] of [[personality]] can be [[experienced]] only by those who have [[discovered]] and [[embraced]] the living [[God]] as the [[eternal]] goal of infinite [[attainment]]. And thus to [[transfer]] one's goal from [[time]] to [[eternity]], from [[earth]] to [[Paradise]], from the [[human]] to the [[divine]], requires that man shall become regenerated, [[converted]], be born again; that he shall become the re-created child of the [[Thought Adjuster|divine spirit]]; that he shall gain entrance into the brotherhood of [[the kingdom]] of heaven. All [[philosophies]] and [[religions]] which fall short of these [[ideals]] are immature. The [[philosophy]] which I teach, linked with the [[gospel]] which you [[preach]], represents the new religion of [[maturity]], the [[ideal]] of all [[future]] [[generations]]. And this is true because our ideal is final, [[infallible]], [[eternal]], [[universal]], [[absolute]], and [[infinite]].
160:1.15 My [[philosophy]] gave me the urge to search for the [[realities]] of true [[attainment]], the goal of [[maturity]]. But my urge was impotent; my search lacked driving [[power]]; my [[quest]] suffered from the [[absence]] of certainty of directionization. And these deficiencies have been [[abundantly]] supplied by this new [[gospel]] of [[Jesus]], with its enhancement of [[insights]], elevation of [[ideals]], and settledness of goals. Without [[doubts]] and misgivings I can now wholeheartedly enter upon the [[eternal]] venture.
<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_160 Go to Paper 160]</center>
<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>
[[Category:Paper 160 - Rodan of Alexandria]]
160:1.1 Early Monday morning, Rodan began a [[series]] of ten addresses to [[Nathaniel]], [[Thomas, the Apostle|Thomas]], and a [[group]] of some two dozen [[believers]] who chanced to be at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magdala Magadan]. These talks, condensed, combined, and restated in [[modern]] phraseology, present the following [[thoughts]] for [[consideration]]:
160:1.2 [[Human]] life consists in [[three]] great drives—[[urges]], [[desires]], and [[lures]]. [[Strong]] [[character]], commanding [[personality]], is only acquired by [[converting]] the [[natural]] urge of life into the [[social]] [[art of living]], by [[transforming]] present [[desires]] into those higher [[longings]] which are capable of lasting [[attainment]], while the commonplace lure of [[existence]] must be [[transferred]] from one's [[conventional]] and [[established]] [[ideas]] to the higher realms of unexplored [[ideas]] and undiscovered [[ideals]].
160:1.3 The more [[complex]] [[civilization]] becomes, the more [[difficult]] will become the [[art of living]]. The more rapid the [[changes]] in [[social]] usage, the more complicated will become the task of [[character]] [[development]]. Every ten [[generations]] [[mankind]] must [[learn]] anew the [[art of living]] if [[progress]] is to continue. And if man becomes so ingenious that he more rapidly adds to the [[complexities]] of [[society]], the [[art of living]] will need to be remastered in less time, perhaps every single [[generation]]. If the [[evolution]] of the [[art of living]] fails to keep [[pace]] with the [[technique]] of [[existence]], [[humanity]] will quickly revert to the [[simple]] [[urge]] of living—the [[attainment]] of the [[satisfaction]] of present [[desires]]. Thus will [[humanity]] remain immature; [[society]] will fail in growing up to full [[maturity]].
160:1.4 Social [[maturity]] is equivalent to the [[degree]] to which man is willing to [[surrender]] the [[gratification]] of mere [[transient]] and present [[desires]] for the entertainment of those superior longings the striving for whose [[attainment]] affords the more [[abundant]] [[satisfactions]] of [[progressive]] advancement toward permanent goals. But the true badge of social [[maturity]] is the willingness of a people to [[surrender]] the right to live peaceably and contentedly under the ease-promoting [[standards]] of the [[lure]] of [[established]] [[beliefs]] and [[conventional]] [[ideas]] for the disquieting and [[energy]]-requiring lure of the pursuit of the [[Unknown|unexplored]] [[possibilities]] of the [[attainment]] of undiscovered goals of [[idealistic]] [[spiritual]] [[realities]].
160:1.5 [[Animals]] [[respond]] nobly to the [[urge]] of life, but only [[man]] can [[attain]] the [[art of living]], albeit the [[majority]] of mankind only [[experience]] the [[animal]] [[urge]] to live. Animals know only this blind and [[instinctive]] urge; man is capable of [[transcending]] this urge to [[natural]] [[function]]. Man may [[elect]] to live upon the high [[plane]] of [[intelligent]] [[art]], even that of [[celestial]] [[joy]] and [[spiritual]] [[ecstasy]]. Animals make no [[inquiry]] into the [[purposes]] of life; therefore they never [[worry]], neither do they commit [[suicide]]. Suicide among men [[testifies]] that such [[beings]] have emerged from the [[purely]] [[animal]] [[stage]] of [[existence]], and to the further [[fact]] that the exploratory [[efforts]] of such [[human being]]s have failed to [[attain]] the artistic [[levels]] of [[mortal]] [[experience]]. [[Animals]] know not the [[meaning]] of life; man not only [[possesses]] [[capacity]] for the [[recognition]] of [[values]] and the [[comprehension]] of [[meanings]], but he also is [[conscious]] of the meaning of meanings—he is [[self-conscious]] of [[insight]].
160:1.6 When men [[dare]] to [[forsake]] a life of [[natural]] craving for one of [[adventurous]] [[art]] and [[uncertain]] [[logic]], they must [[expect]] to [[suffer]] the consequent hazards of [[emotional]] casualties—[[conflicts]], unhappiness, and uncertainties—at least until the time of their [[attainment]] of some [[degree]] of [[intellectual]] and [[emotional]] [[maturity]]. Discouragement, [[worry]], and [[indolence]] are [[positive]] [[evidence]] of [[moral]] immaturity. Human [[society]] is confronted with two [[problems]]: [[attainment]] of the [[maturity]] of the [[individual]] and attainment of the maturity of the [[race]]. The [[mature]] human being soon begins to look upon all other [[mortals]] with [[feelings]] of [[tenderness]] and with [[emotions]] of [[tolerance]]. [[Mature]] men view immature folks with the [[love]] and [[consideration]] that [[parents]] bear their [[children]].
160:1.7 Successful living is nothing more or less than the [[art]] of the mastery of dependable [[techniques]] for solving common [[problems]]. The first step in the solution of any [[problem]] is to locate the [[difficulty]], to isolate the problem, and frankly to [[recognize]] its [[nature]] and [[gravity]]. The great mistake is that, when life [[problems]] excite our [[profound]] [[fears]], we refuse to [[recognize]] them. Likewise, when the acknowledgment of our [[difficulties]] entails the reduction of our long-cherished [[conceit]], the admission of [[envy]], or the abandonment of deep-seated [[prejudices]], the [[average]] [[person]] prefers to cling to the old [[illusions]] of safety and to the long-cherished [[false]] [[feelings]] of [[security]]. Only a [[brave]] person is willing [[honestly]] to admit, and fearlessly to face, what a [[sincere]] and [[logical]] [[mind]] [[discovers]].
160:1.8 The [[wise]] and [[effective]] solution of any [[problem]] demands that the [[mind]] shall be [[free]] from bias, [[passion]], and all other purely [[personal]] [[prejudices]] which might [[interfere]] with the disinterested [[survey]] of the [[actual]] [[factors]] that go to make up the [[problem]] presenting itself for solution. The solution of life [[problems]] requires [[courage]] and [[sincerity]]. Only [[honest]] and [[brave]] [[individuals]] are able to follow valiantly through the perplexing and [[confusing]] [[maze]] of living to where the [[logic]] of a fearless [[mind]] may [[lead]]. And this [[emancipation]] of the [[mind]] and [[soul]] can never be effected without the driving [[power]] of an [[intelligent]] [[enthusiasm]] which borders on religious zeal. It requires the lure of a great [[ideal]] to drive man on in the pursuit of a goal which is beset with [[difficult]] [[material]] [[problems]] and manifold [[intellectual]] [[Danger|hazards]].
160:1.9 Even though you are effectively armed to meet the [[difficult]] situations of life, you can hardly [[expect]] success unless you are equipped with that [[wisdom]] of [[mind]] and [[charm]] of [[personality]] which enable you to win the hearty [[support]] and [[co-operation]] of your fellows. You cannot [[hope]] for a large measure of success in either [[secular]] or [[religious]] work unless you can learn how to [[persuade]] your fellows, to prevail with men. You [[simply]] must have [[tact]] and [[tolerance]].
160:1.10 But the greatest of all [[methods]] of [[problem]] solving I have learned from [[Jesus]], your Master. I refer to that which he so [[consistently]] [[practices]], and which he has so [[faithfully]] taught you, the [[Solitude|isolation]] of [[worship]]ful [[meditation]]. In this [[habit]] of Jesus' going off so frequently by himself to [[commune]] with [[the Father]] in heaven is to be found the [[technique]], not only of gathering [[strength]] and [[wisdom]] for the ordinary [[conflicts]] of living, but also of appropriating the [[energy]] for the solution of the higher [[problems]] of a [[moral]] and [[spiritual]] [[nature]]. But even correct [[methods]] of solving [[problems]] will not [[compensate]] for [[inherent]] [[defects]] of [[personality]] or [[atone]] for the [[absence]] of the [[hunger]] and [[thirst]] for true [[righteousness]].
160:1.11 I am deeply impressed with the [[custom]] of [[Jesus]] in going apart by himself to [[engage]] in these seasons of [[solitary]] survey of the [[problems]] of living; to seek for new stores of [[wisdom]] and [[energy]] for meeting the manifold demands of [[social]] [[service]]; to quicken and deepen the [[supreme]] [[purpose]] of living by actually subjecting the total [[personality]] to the [[consciousness]] of contacting with [[divinity]]; to grasp for [[possession]] of new and better [[methods]] of [[adjusting]] oneself to the ever-changing situations of living [[existence]]; to effect those [[vital]] reconstructions and readjustments of one's [[personal]] [[attitudes]] which are so [[essential]] to enhanced [[insight]] into everything worth while and real; and to do all of this with an eye single to the [[glory]] of [[God]]—to [[breathe]] in [[sincerity]] your Master's favorite [[prayer]], " Not my will, but yours, be done. "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Luke#Chapter_22]
160:1.12 This [[worshipful]] [[practice]] of your [[the Master|Master]] brings that [[relaxation]] which renews the [[mind]]; that [[illumination]] which [[inspires]] the [[soul]]; that [[courage]] which enables one bravely to face one's [[problems]]; that [[self]]-[[understanding]] which obliterates debilitating [[fear]]; and that [[consciousness]] of [[union]] with [[divinity]] which equips man with the [[assurance]] that enables him to dare to be Godlike. The [[relaxation]] of [[worship]], or spiritual [[communion]] as [[practiced]] by [[the Master]], relieves [[tension]], removes [[conflicts]], and mightily augments the total [[resources]] of the [[personality]]. And all this [[philosophy]], plus the [[gospel]] of [[the kingdom]], constitutes the new religion as I [[understand]] it.
160:1.13 [[Prejudice]] blinds the [[soul]] to the [[recognition]] of [[truth]], and prejudice can be removed only by the [[sincere]] [[devotion]] of the [[soul]] to the [[adoration]] of a [[cause]] that is all-[[embracing]] and all-inclusive of one's fellow men. [[Prejudice]] is inseparably linked to [[selfishness]]. Prejudice can be eliminated only by the [[abandonment]] of [[self]]-seeking and by substituting therefor the quest of the satisfaction of the service of a cause that is not only greater than self, but one that is even greater than all humanity—the search for [[God]], the [[attainment]] of [[divinity]]. The [[evidence]] of [[maturity]] of [[personality]] consists in the [[transformation]] of human [[desire]] so that it constantly seeks for the [[realization]] of those [[values]] which are highest and most divinely [[real]].
160:1.14 In a continually changing world, in the midst of an [[evolving]] [[social]] order, it is impossible to maintain settled and established goals of [[destiny]]. [[Stability]] of [[personality]] can be [[experienced]] only by those who have [[discovered]] and [[embraced]] the living [[God]] as the [[eternal]] goal of infinite [[attainment]]. And thus to [[transfer]] one's goal from [[time]] to [[eternity]], from [[earth]] to [[Paradise]], from the [[human]] to the [[divine]], requires that man shall become regenerated, [[converted]], be born again; that he shall become the re-created child of the [[Thought Adjuster|divine spirit]]; that he shall gain entrance into the brotherhood of [[the kingdom]] of heaven. All [[philosophies]] and [[religions]] which fall short of these [[ideals]] are immature. The [[philosophy]] which I teach, linked with the [[gospel]] which you [[preach]], represents the new religion of [[maturity]], the [[ideal]] of all [[future]] [[generations]]. And this is true because our ideal is final, [[infallible]], [[eternal]], [[universal]], [[absolute]], and [[infinite]].
160:1.15 My [[philosophy]] gave me the urge to search for the [[realities]] of true [[attainment]], the goal of [[maturity]]. But my urge was impotent; my search lacked driving [[power]]; my [[quest]] suffered from the [[absence]] of certainty of directionization. And these deficiencies have been [[abundantly]] supplied by this new [[gospel]] of [[Jesus]], with its enhancement of [[insights]], elevation of [[ideals]], and settledness of goals. Without [[doubts]] and misgivings I can now wholeheartedly enter upon the [[eternal]] venture.
<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_160 Go to Paper 160]</center>
<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>
[[Category:Paper 160 - Rodan of Alexandria]]