Changes

They talked for the solid hour it takes me to drive to Madison and, I swear, it seemed like ten minutes. I was [[concentrating]] so on [[listening]] to them that I do not [[remember]] the drive at all. I can recall only a couple of things they said. There was a lesson on [[beauty]] and [[goodness]] and the [[relationship]] between them. I remember the specific [[statement]] at the beginning: "When [[mortals]] think of [[beauty]], they think of a sunset, a [[mountain]], or the [[face]] of someone who meets a particular set of specifications that define what is generally accepted as beauty. In the [[spiritual]] realm, the concept of beauty is not confined to the [[appreciation]] of [[physical]] shapes or the combination of [[colors]] or [[sounds]]. It is also the observable result of [[goodness]] which is of [[behavior]]. More crudely put, [[beauty]] can be the aroma or [[atmosphere]] created by the [[actions]] of [[goodness]]."

They talked for the solid hour it takes me to drive to Madison and, I swear, it seemed like ten minutes. I was [[concentrating]] so on [[listening]] to them that I do not [[remember]] the drive at all. I can recall only a couple of things they said. There was a lesson on [[beauty]] and [[goodness]] and the [[relationship]] between them. I remember the specific [[statement]] at the beginning: "When [[mortals]] think of [[beauty]], they think of a sunset, a [[mountain]], or the [[face]] of someone who meets a particular set of specifications that define what is generally accepted as beauty. In the [[spiritual]] realm, the concept of beauty is not confined to the [[appreciation]] of [[physical]] shapes or the combination of [[colors]] or [[sounds]]. It is also the observable result of [[goodness]] which is of [[behavior]]. More crudely put, [[beauty]] can be the aroma or [[atmosphere]] created by the [[actions]] of [[goodness]]."

They said much more about this subject, but that is all I can [[remember]]. I have since looked up [[beauty]] in [http://openlibrary.org/books/OL2537607M/Concordex_of_the_Urantia_book the Concordex] and can find nothing in the [[Urantia Book]] that described [[beauty]] in these terms. It is a totally new [[concept]] to me. There is one other [[statement]] from that morning that I can remember clearly: "Even a wrong [[moral]] [[choice]] has [[positive]] [[value]] if it is later acknowledged as such and [[rejected]]." The rest of the presentation is lost to me. I can recall so little of what was said early in the week because I did not start [[writing]] things down until Wednesday, after Melissa suggested that I get a notebook and start doing so. Before that I was so astonished and so [[intent]] on receiving the teachings, that I had not even [[thought]] of it. Coming home from Madison that night, I felt like there was an attempt to [[communicate]], but I was so tired that I was unable to [[concentrate]] well enough to [[receive]] anything.

They said much more about this subject, but that is all I can [[remember]]. I have since looked up [[beauty]] in [https://openlibrary.org/books/OL2537607M/Concordex_of_the_Urantia_book the Concordex] and can find nothing in the [[Urantia Book]] that described [[beauty]] in these terms. It is a totally new [[concept]] to me. There is one other [[statement]] from that morning that I can remember clearly: "Even a wrong [[moral]] [[choice]] has [[positive]] [[value]] if it is later acknowledged as such and [[rejected]]." The rest of the presentation is lost to me. I can recall so little of what was said early in the week because I did not start [[writing]] things down until Wednesday, after Melissa suggested that I get a notebook and start doing so. Before that I was so astonished and so [[intent]] on receiving the teachings, that I had not even [[thought]] of it. Coming home from Madison that night, I felt like there was an attempt to [[communicate]], but I was so tired that I was unable to [[concentrate]] well enough to [[receive]] anything.

Some of this gets rather [[embarrassing]] to me but since this is what is going on and this is what was said, I will read it. Previously that afternoon Melissa asked Will about what I told her at breakfast. The following is from her notebook:

Some of this gets rather [[embarrassing]] to me but since this is what is going on and this is what was said, I will read it. Previously that afternoon Melissa asked Will about what I told her at breakfast. The following is from her notebook:

When I got [[home]] Monday night and read that, I was [[intrigued]] but incredulous. I am, by [[nature]], somewhat [[skeptical]] and all of this was just a bit much for me to [[accept]] so suddenly. Tuesday morning in the den I received instructions for a solid hour from 6:00 to 7:00, twice as long as the day before. I cannot recall any specific [[statements]] made or even the subjects [[discussed]], perhaps because a few minutes after it began they said, "And now we would like to introduce [[Machiventa]] [[Melchizedek]]" and then a new lesson subject was begun, just like that. No big introduction or [[preparation]] or anything.

When I got [[home]] Monday night and read that, I was [[intrigued]] but incredulous. I am, by [[nature]], somewhat [[skeptical]] and all of this was just a bit much for me to [[accept]] so suddenly. Tuesday morning in the den I received instructions for a solid hour from 6:00 to 7:00, twice as long as the day before. I cannot recall any specific [[statements]] made or even the subjects [[discussed]], perhaps because a few minutes after it began they said, "And now we would like to introduce [[Machiventa]] [[Melchizedek]]" and then a new lesson subject was begun, just like that. No big introduction or [[preparation]] or anything.

I [[remember]] the message being direct and uncomplicated, plainly [[spoken]], and very [[conversational]] in [[quality]]. At this point I began to really have some [[problems]]. Even though I was trying to pay [[attention]] to the lesson, I found myself [[thinking]], "Next I am going to be hearing from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon Napoleon] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Caesar Julius Caesar]." As [[doubt]] and [[skepticism]] became stronger and stronger, I began having [[difficulty]] in [[receiving]] the [[words]] and the [[communication]] started breaking up. Finally there was nothing at all. I just couldn't [[accept]] that such a thing could be happening. I sat there for a few minutes trying to regain my [[composure]] and see if I could pick it up again. Soon they were back and finished up the [[time]] instructing me.

I [[remember]] the message being direct and uncomplicated, plainly [[spoken]], and very [[conversational]] in [[quality]]. At this point I began to really have some [[problems]]. Even though I was trying to pay [[attention]] to the lesson, I found myself [[thinking]], "Next I am going to be hearing from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleon Napoleon] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Caesar Julius Caesar]." As [[doubt]] and [[skepticism]] became stronger and stronger, I began having [[difficulty]] in [[receiving]] the [[words]] and the [[communication]] started breaking up. Finally there was nothing at all. I just couldn't [[accept]] that such a thing could be happening. I sat there for a few minutes trying to regain my [[composure]] and see if I could pick it up again. Soon they were back and finished up the [[time]] instructing me.

I was obviously more [[comfortable]] with [[unknown]] [[beings]] than with [[famous]] personages.

I was obviously more [[comfortable]] with [[unknown]] [[beings]] than with [[famous]] personages.

As we continued on Tuesday morning, they gave me a lesson on [[truth]]. I remember it being very much like the teachings of [[Ham]] to the [[Woods Cross TeaM|Utah group]] on the same subject. While I can't recall anything else specific from the teachings of that hour, I remember a very strong sense of [[fatigue]] as I neared the exit of Madison. I [[realized]] that I had been concentrating intently on [[receiving]] their [[words]], starting straight ahead and could hardly keep my eye open. I had not [[realized]] that I had been expending so much energy [[listening]] to them.

As we continued on Tuesday morning, they gave me a lesson on [[truth]]. I remember it being very much like the teachings of [[Ham]] to the [[Woods Cross TeaM|Utah group]] on the same subject. While I can't recall anything else specific from the teachings of that hour, I remember a very strong sense of [[fatigue]] as I neared the exit of Madison. I [[realized]] that I had been concentrating intently on [[receiving]] their [[words]], starting straight ahead and could hardly keep my eye open. I had not [[realized]] that I had been expending so much energy [[listening]] to them.

As soon as I started my deliveries I felt fine, however. The ride back home to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tallahassee,_FL Tallahassee] that night was much more memorable. My workload had been much lighter than the day before and I was ready to try to [[listen]] again. As soon as I indicated my readiness, they began. After a few minutes, they said, "And now we would like to introduce you to 'Man Touch.'" I was having trouble catching the [[name]] because it was not familiar to me. I finally got it to be [[Mantutia]] [[Melchizedek]].

As soon as I started my deliveries I felt fine, however. The ride back home to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tallahassee,_FL Tallahassee] that night was much more memorable. My workload had been much lighter than the day before and I was ready to try to [[listen]] again. As soon as I indicated my readiness, they began. After a few minutes, they said, "And now we would like to introduce you to 'Man Touch.'" I was having trouble catching the [[name]] because it was not familiar to me. I finally got it to be [[Mantutia]] [[Melchizedek]].

He began [[simply]] enough, "You have many [[beautiful]] and [[inspiring]] [[words]] of [[Jesus]] [[recorded]], but I will now give you a teaching of his which is not the [[Urantia Book]]." As he began, I got a very distinct visual [[impression]] of sitting next to [[Jesus]] at night with some other men, their [[faces]] [[illuminated]] by a flickering campfire. It came and went in a flash but it was very vivid. It gave me a sense of [[warmth]] and [[companionship]]. He said, "When attempting to impart advanced [[truth]], pay [[attention]] to how others see you, not that their [[assessment]] is necessarily correct, but as the means of [[measuring]] your [[technique]] for getting across what you wish to impart."

He began [[simply]] enough, "You have many [[beautiful]] and [[inspiring]] [[words]] of [[Jesus]] [[recorded]], but I will now give you a teaching of his which is not the [[Urantia Book]]." As he began, I got a very distinct visual [[impression]] of sitting next to [[Jesus]] at night with some other men, their [[faces]] [[illuminated]] by a flickering campfire. It came and went in a flash but it was very vivid. It gave me a sense of [[warmth]] and [[companionship]]. He said, "When attempting to impart advanced [[truth]], pay [[attention]] to how others see you, not that their [[assessment]] is necessarily correct, but as the means of [[measuring]] your [[technique]] for getting across what you wish to impart."

That is as close as I can [[remember]] how he began. As he continued on, it was obvious that he was [[talking]] about [[personal]] [[ministry]] of one-on-one or one-on-two; not speaking to [[groups]]. He expanded and [[clarified]] the [[concept]] for a few minutes. I got the [[impression]] of a very [[warm]], [[friendly]] person [[speaking]] to me. I [[interrupted]] him suddenly by asking, "Are you always this open and friendly and approachable?" And his one word rely was, "Yes." And then he went right on with what he was talking about. After he left, the [[seraphim]] told me they had asked for a [[Mantutia]] to come and talk with me so I could get used to a [[Melchizedek]] instructing me, one whose [[name]] was not so [[emotionally]] loaded for me to see if I was capable of [[receiving]] anything from him.

That is as close as I can [[remember]] how he began. As he continued on, it was obvious that he was [[talking]] about [[personal]] [[ministry]] of one-on-one or one-on-two; not speaking to [[groups]]. He expanded and [[clarified]] the [[concept]] for a few minutes. I got the [[impression]] of a very [[warm]], [[friendly]] person [[speaking]] to me. I [[interrupted]] him suddenly by asking, "Are you always this open and friendly and approachable?" And his one word rely was, "Yes." And then he went right on with what he was talking about. After he left, the [[seraphim]] told me they had asked for a [[Mantutia]] to come and talk with me so I could get used to a [[Melchizedek]] instructing me, one whose [[name]] was not so [[emotionally]] loaded for me to see if I was capable of [[receiving]] anything from him.

As to my [[doubts]] about hearing [[Machiventa]] and [[receiving]] instructions from him, "Don't [[forget]] that he was a [[teacher]] before, who had many, many [[students]]. He does not have to serve as an [[administrator]] all the time." When I got [[home]], I looked in the chapter on [[Machiventa Melchizedek]] and found the following: "[[Melchizedek]] taught his followers all they had the [[capacity]] to [[receive]] and assimilate,([http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Machiventa_Melchizedek#93:3._MELCHIZEDEK.27S_TEACHINGS 93:3.6]) and to the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rank_and_file rank and file] of his followers, he made no [[effort]] to present teaching beyond the [[fact]] that the rulership of the [[Most Highs]] of [[Edentia]], the Gods of [[Urantia]]. But to some, Melchizedek taught advanced [[truth]], [[embracing]] the conduct and [[organization]] of the [[local universe]], and to his [[brilliant]] [[pupil]], [[Nordan]] the Kenite, and his band of earnest [[students]], he taught the truths of the [[superuniverse]] and even of [[Havona]]."[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Machiventa_Melchizedek#93:3._MELCHIZEDEK.27S_TEACHINGS (93:3.4)]

As to my [[doubts]] about hearing [[Machiventa]] and [[receiving]] instructions from him, "Don't [[forget]] that he was a [[teacher]] before, who had many, many [[students]]. He does not have to serve as an [[administrator]] all the time." When I got [[home]], I looked in the chapter on [[Machiventa Melchizedek]] and found the following: "[[Melchizedek]] taught his followers all they had the [[capacity]] to [[receive]] and assimilate,([https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Machiventa_Melchizedek#93:3._MELCHIZEDEK.27S_TEACHINGS 93:3.6]) and to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rank_and_file rank and file] of his followers, he made no [[effort]] to present teaching beyond the [[fact]] that the rulership of the [[Most Highs]] of [[Edentia]], the Gods of [[Urantia]]. But to some, Melchizedek taught advanced [[truth]], [[embracing]] the conduct and [[organization]] of the [[local universe]], and to his [[brilliant]] [[pupil]], [[Nordan]] the Kenite, and his band of earnest [[students]], he taught the truths of the [[superuniverse]] and even of [[Havona]]."[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Machiventa_Melchizedek#93:3._MELCHIZEDEK.27S_TEACHINGS (93:3.4)]

Also that night I looked at the list of the [[The Urantia Text - Contents|titles of the papers]] and [http://books.google.com/books?id=54zYruKki0EC&printsec=frontcover&dq=the+urantia+book&hl=en&ei=t9uETr-TBMu1tgegxqRD&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CE4Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false their authors] to see if a [[Mantutia]] [[Melchizedek]] was in there. There were two papers in Part II, the local universe, by named Melchizedek, but they were [[Malavatia]] and [[Manovandet]]. In Part III, there were many papers by [[Melchizedek]], but none had a [[personal]] name. The [[disappointment]] was beginning to rise up within me because I knew the last section, the Life and Teachings of Jesus, was put together by a [[midwayer]] commission. But then I saw the first paper of Part IV, entitled [[Bestowal of Michael On Urantia]], and the author's name, [[Mantutia]] Melchizedek.

Also that night I looked at the list of the [[The Urantia Text - Contents|titles of the papers]] and [https://books.google.com/books?id=54zYruKki0EC&printsec=frontcover&dq=the+urantia+book&hl=en&ei=t9uETr-TBMu1tgegxqRD&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CE4Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false their authors] to see if a [[Mantutia]] [[Melchizedek]] was in there. There were two papers in Part II, the local universe, by named Melchizedek, but they were [[Malavatia]] and [[Manovandet]]. In Part III, there were many papers by [[Melchizedek]], but none had a [[personal]] name. The [[disappointment]] was beginning to rise up within me because I knew the last section, the Life and Teachings of Jesus, was put together by a [[midwayer]] commission. But then I saw the first paper of Part IV, entitled [[Bestowal of Michael On Urantia]], and the author's name, [[Mantutia]] Melchizedek.

Also that night I read what [[Will]] had said to Melissa that same afternoon concerning what was going on:

Also that night I read what [[Will]] had said to Melissa that same afternoon concerning what was going on:

I then began to [[wonder]] what the [[Urantia Book]] says about [[seraphim]] as [[teachers]]. I had never thought of them as such before. I found the following paragraph on Page 1245: "Mortal [[man]], subject to [[Adjuster]] leading, is also amenable to [[seraphic]] [[guidance]]. The Adjuster is the [[essence]] of man's eternal [[nature]]; the [[seraphim]] is the teacher of man's [[evolving]] nature, in this life the [[mortal mind]], in the next the [[morontia soul]]. On the [[mansion worlds]], you will be [[conscious]] and [[aware]] of seraphic instructors, but in the first life men are usually unaware of them."[[113:4 Seraphic Domains of Action|113:4.2]] I went to bed that night a very [[happy]], [[thankful]] man. I told my [[Thought Adjuster]] and my [[seraphim]] how much I [[appreciated]] all they had done for me without my even knowing about it and I thanked my Father in heaven for allowing me to [[experience]] such a wonderful day. even as a [[mortal]] man.

I then began to [[wonder]] what the [[Urantia Book]] says about [[seraphim]] as [[teachers]]. I had never thought of them as such before. I found the following paragraph on Page 1245: "Mortal [[man]], subject to [[Adjuster]] leading, is also amenable to [[seraphic]] [[guidance]]. The Adjuster is the [[essence]] of man's eternal [[nature]]; the [[seraphim]] is the teacher of man's [[evolving]] nature, in this life the [[mortal mind]], in the next the [[morontia soul]]. On the [[mansion worlds]], you will be [[conscious]] and [[aware]] of seraphic instructors, but in the first life men are usually unaware of them."[[113:4 Seraphic Domains of Action|113:4.2]] I went to bed that night a very [[happy]], [[thankful]] man. I told my [[Thought Adjuster]] and my [[seraphim]] how much I [[appreciated]] all they had done for me without my even knowing about it and I thanked my Father in heaven for allowing me to [[experience]] such a wonderful day. even as a [[mortal]] man.

The next day, Thursday, was an entirely [[different]] story. I had a [[difficult]] time getting the subject of the lessons they were trying to give me. After awhile, I finally got it as ''Nearness To God''. They told me to [[relax]], don't tense up when they start to give me the subject they are going to [[talk]] about. They wanted to remind me that the [[Adjuster]] is [[God]]. He is as near to me as He could possibly be. No way off somewhere looking down on the [[action]] from afar. They suggested that I [[consciously]] acknowledge the [[reality]] of [[the Father]]'s [[presence]] and get used to talking to Him as much as possible. They said to keep up the 1,2,3 assignment throughout the day because it was a very good [[practice]]. I asked them why more people do not make greater [[progress]] during their mortal lifetime. They replied, "Most do not have a [[good]] enough road map. While much [[progress]] is made almost made [[unconsciously]], it helps to entertain specific [[ideas]] and [[thoughts]] which will [[facilitate]] [[spiritual]] [[progress]]." They said my early [[training]] in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_science Christian Science], and the [[Urantia Book]] now, had helped me greatly in forming the proper [[context]] in which to [[work]] out my [[salvation]] for spiritual [[progress]]. They said they were delighted with the progress I had made and looked forward to a rewarding [[relationship]] in the [[future]]. They said, "You are no longer [[ashamed]] to be in our [[presence]]. That is a great step forward and a [[wonderful]] [[development]]."

The next day, Thursday, was an entirely [[different]] story. I had a [[difficult]] time getting the subject of the lessons they were trying to give me. After awhile, I finally got it as ''Nearness To God''. They told me to [[relax]], don't tense up when they start to give me the subject they are going to [[talk]] about. They wanted to remind me that the [[Adjuster]] is [[God]]. He is as near to me as He could possibly be. No way off somewhere looking down on the [[action]] from afar. They suggested that I [[consciously]] acknowledge the [[reality]] of [[the Father]]'s [[presence]] and get used to talking to Him as much as possible. They said to keep up the 1,2,3 assignment throughout the day because it was a very good [[practice]]. I asked them why more people do not make greater [[progress]] during their mortal lifetime. They replied, "Most do not have a [[good]] enough road map. While much [[progress]] is made almost made [[unconsciously]], it helps to entertain specific [[ideas]] and [[thoughts]] which will [[facilitate]] [[spiritual]] [[progress]]." They said my early [[training]] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_science Christian Science], and the [[Urantia Book]] now, had helped me greatly in forming the proper [[context]] in which to [[work]] out my [[salvation]] for spiritual [[progress]]. They said they were delighted with the progress I had made and looked forward to a rewarding [[relationship]] in the [[future]]. They said, "You are no longer [[ashamed]] to be in our [[presence]]. That is a great step forward and a [[wonderful]] [[development]]."

When I first read the [[Woods Cross TeaM|Utah papers]] and heard Vincent's tape of one of their [[meetings]], the real possibility of actual [[contact]] with [[spiritual]] [[beings]] was presented to me, I found myself [[feeling]] like someone who had been caught asleep at the switch, someone who had been negligent in the [[performance]] of his [[duties]], and I was quite uncomfortable about it. It was only after [[reading]] one of the [[Woods Cross TeaM|Utah papers]] for the second time, where we are instructed to give up [[feelings]] of un[[worthiness]] because of not living up to an [[ideal]] [[standard]] that we have set for ourselves, that I began to feel more comfortable with the [[idea]] of actually facing [[spiritual]] [[beings]].

When I first read the [[Woods Cross TeaM|Utah papers]] and heard Vincent's tape of one of their [[meetings]], the real possibility of actual [[contact]] with [[spiritual]] [[beings]] was presented to me, I found myself [[feeling]] like someone who had been caught asleep at the switch, someone who had been negligent in the [[performance]] of his [[duties]], and I was quite uncomfortable about it. It was only after [[reading]] one of the [[Woods Cross TeaM|Utah papers]] for the second time, where we are instructed to give up [[feelings]] of un[[worthiness]] because of not living up to an [[ideal]] [[standard]] that we have set for ourselves, that I began to feel more comfortable with the [[idea]] of actually facing [[spiritual]] [[beings]].

Of course I did not get to read the [[message]] until that evening, when he brought it over to show it to me, and said that his [[doubts]] had been resolved. That [[morning]], as I started the long drive to Madison, I began to [[receive]] them again. At that [[point]], I was rather rude and told them--either them or my [[subconscious]]- that I felt like they had blindsided me the day before. I was tired of playing [[games]]. They said, "You must [[believe]] we are here for us to be able to help you." So I [[decided]] to go [[alone]] with them. Then they said, "Yesterday was not our fault." That was very emphatically stated. They said, "You became upset with our request to [[share]] with the [[group]], and your [[emotional]] [[agitation]] made it very [[difficult]] to continue, which upset you even more until it was totally impossible for us to [[communicate]] with you at all. Your [[doubts]] and [[emotions]] then fed themselves until you completely lost your [[balance]] and fell off the beam." Somehow the [[picture]] of me trying to walk on a [[balance]] beam struck, me as so improbable for me to ever make up that I was suddenly convinced again that they were really there after all.

Of course I did not get to read the [[message]] until that evening, when he brought it over to show it to me, and said that his [[doubts]] had been resolved. That [[morning]], as I started the long drive to Madison, I began to [[receive]] them again. At that [[point]], I was rather rude and told them--either them or my [[subconscious]]- that I felt like they had blindsided me the day before. I was tired of playing [[games]]. They said, "You must [[believe]] we are here for us to be able to help you." So I [[decided]] to go [[alone]] with them. Then they said, "Yesterday was not our fault." That was very emphatically stated. They said, "You became upset with our request to [[share]] with the [[group]], and your [[emotional]] [[agitation]] made it very [[difficult]] to continue, which upset you even more until it was totally impossible for us to [[communicate]] with you at all. Your [[doubts]] and [[emotions]] then fed themselves until you completely lost your [[balance]] and fell off the beam." Somehow the [[picture]] of me trying to walk on a [[balance]] beam struck, me as so improbable for me to ever make up that I was suddenly convinced again that they were really there after all.

They said, "We would now like to talk about 'arrow'." I was once again having trouble getting the subject [[word]]. "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerobics Aerobics]". I asked again just to make sure that I had it right. Yes, they wanted to [[discuss]] [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerobics aerobics]. They went on, "As you know, an aerobic [[exercise]] in itself is a difficult thing to do. It is the many [[repetitions]] that build systemic [[strength]]. It is the same for spiritual aerobics. Many [[repetitions]] of a small [[action]] are far more valuable for growing spiritually than attempting one gigantic feat all at once. If, for instance, you hop up one step at a time, you will [[eventually]] reach the top of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_State_Building Empire State Building]. It would, however, be impossible to leap from the sidewalk to the top of the building all at once." "The quickest way to reach the [[kingdom of heaven]] is to start walking in that direction. Not the [[geographical]] sense, but in taking the [[behavioral]] steps that will get you where you want to go."

They said, "We would now like to talk about 'arrow'." I was once again having trouble getting the subject [[word]]. "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerobics Aerobics]". I asked again just to make sure that I had it right. Yes, they wanted to [[discuss]] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerobics aerobics]. They went on, "As you know, an aerobic [[exercise]] in itself is a difficult thing to do. It is the many [[repetitions]] that build systemic [[strength]]. It is the same for spiritual aerobics. Many [[repetitions]] of a small [[action]] are far more valuable for growing spiritually than attempting one gigantic feat all at once. If, for instance, you hop up one step at a time, you will [[eventually]] reach the top of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_State_Building Empire State Building]. It would, however, be impossible to leap from the sidewalk to the top of the building all at once." "The quickest way to reach the [[kingdom of heaven]] is to start walking in that direction. Not the [[geographical]] sense, but in taking the [[behavioral]] steps that will get you where you want to go."

There are several other [[statements]] that they made in the [[course]] of further [[discussions]]. Here they are as I can best remember them, not in any [[context]], just the statements themselves I remember. The first was, "[[Doubt]] creates a convenient path from spiritual [[responsibilities]]." And another, "[[Mortal ascenders]] are so valuable as [[teachers]] because they possess [[experiential]] [[empathy]]." And finally, "You must get accustomed to a new [[reality]]." They stopped about half way to Madison, and I was too tired Friday night to [[receive]] anything coming back. I did not do any [[communicating]] Saturday morning. I [[slept]] late, and puttered around the house, and then spent the afternoon working on this notebook, trying to recall the week. Saturday night, last night, I had a terrible time after going to bed. I kept [[waking]] up. I was getting cold feet. I was having an [[anxiety]] attack until my stomach was in knots. I finally got up at 2:30 this [[morning]] and they asked for some help.

There are several other [[statements]] that they made in the [[course]] of further [[discussions]]. Here they are as I can best remember them, not in any [[context]], just the statements themselves I remember. The first was, "[[Doubt]] creates a convenient path from spiritual [[responsibilities]]." And another, "[[Mortal ascenders]] are so valuable as [[teachers]] because they possess [[experiential]] [[empathy]]." And finally, "You must get accustomed to a new [[reality]]." They stopped about half way to Madison, and I was too tired Friday night to [[receive]] anything coming back. I did not do any [[communicating]] Saturday morning. I [[slept]] late, and puttered around the house, and then spent the afternoon working on this notebook, trying to recall the week. Saturday night, last night, I had a terrible time after going to bed. I kept [[waking]] up. I was getting cold feet. I was having an [[anxiety]] attack until my stomach was in knots. I finally got up at 2:30 this [[morning]] and they asked for some help.

I came to the [[conclusion]], with a number of things all rushing on me at once, that I was "presenting my own unguided [[thoughts]] and falsely attributing them as the [[guidance]] of another, higher spiritual teacher." So I stayed up Thursday night [[writing]] this letter composing it, took it to David on Friday morning at the crack of dawn. He [[read]] it. I [[suppose]] the only solace was that David felt worse than I did. But we [[discussed]] it all, and we came to the [[conclusion]] that if we are going to do this, we cannot be held personally [[responsible]] for the [[message]]. There is just no way for us to personally vouch for the [[accuracy]] of everything in this. I felt much better.

I came to the [[conclusion]], with a number of things all rushing on me at once, that I was "presenting my own unguided [[thoughts]] and falsely attributing them as the [[guidance]] of another, higher spiritual teacher." So I stayed up Thursday night [[writing]] this letter composing it, took it to David on Friday morning at the crack of dawn. He [[read]] it. I [[suppose]] the only solace was that David felt worse than I did. But we [[discussed]] it all, and we came to the [[conclusion]] that if we are going to do this, we cannot be held personally [[responsible]] for the [[message]]. There is just no way for us to personally vouch for the [[accuracy]] of everything in this. I felt much better.

I did not know whether David felt better or not, the but as I left, I wrote a couple of [[questions]] on my notepad on the pickup seat. My first question was a great [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawyer lawyer] question. I said, "What parts of our last-Sunday [[group]] [[meeting]] answers did I properly convey?" I thought this was pretty tricky because it would shift the burden onto [[Will]] to point out exactly the things that were accurately conveyed. But after [[thinking]] about it for a while, I wrote an additional question on my pad. This is hard to read because my writing is all over the page. "What [[explanation]] is there for the [[existence]] of [[error]] in the transmission of these contact products? And, how can we [[root]] out error and stay on the true [[path]]?" In response to these questions, later Friday morning, December 6th, I got this [[material]]. I will read only the part that David has not previously covered. [transcript of Dec. 6 then read]

I did not know whether David felt better or not, the but as I left, I wrote a couple of [[questions]] on my notepad on the pickup seat. My first question was a great [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawyer lawyer] question. I said, "What parts of our last-Sunday [[group]] [[meeting]] answers did I properly convey?" I thought this was pretty tricky because it would shift the burden onto [[Will]] to point out exactly the things that were accurately conveyed. But after [[thinking]] about it for a while, I wrote an additional question on my pad. This is hard to read because my writing is all over the page. "What [[explanation]] is there for the [[existence]] of [[error]] in the transmission of these contact products? And, how can we [[root]] out error and stay on the true [[path]]?" In response to these questions, later Friday morning, December 6th, I got this [[material]]. I will read only the part that David has not previously covered. [transcript of Dec. 6 then read]

MELISSA: Most of what I have down, David has already gone over, so I will just continue. I had some questions that I had asked her. There were some [[personal]] [[things]] that she gave me and then some questions that I asked. I asked Will where she was from. I did this on Tuesday and she answered,

MELISSA: Most of what I have down, David has already gone over, so I will just continue. I had some questions that I had asked her. There were some [[personal]] [[things]] that she gave me and then some questions that I asked. I asked Will where she was from. I did this on Tuesday and she answered,

WILL: A world much like your own. I had a [[Husband|mate]] and a [[family]] just as Eric told the [[group]]. I enjoyed the [[association]] of others and [[friendship]] and was a worker who helped my family [[economically]] just as you do. On my world, all people work who are able, unless they are ill. In that case, the [[government]] made provision for them. Our government was very much kinder to its [[citizens]], and we had reached the point where we didn't have any more [[wars]]. It had taken our world [[eons]] to reach that point. [[Disease]] was almost nonexistent because so much of our [[tax]] dollars had gone to [[medical]] [[research]]. We had long since eliminated [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plague_%28disease%29 plagues] that your world still struggles with. We had learned through many years of hardship to [[focus]] our [[attention]] back onto the [[family]]. Gone are the days of [[materialism]]. We, too, had gone through [[difficult]] days before we came to the [[realization]] that the family [[structure]] is the most important unit [[necessary]] for [[survival]] of all [[mankind]]. We weep when we see so many families falling apart on your world. If only humans would work harder, trying to preserve the most precious [[commodities]] that they will ever truly [[possess]]. So many let it slide by. Too many people become involved in other [[activities]] which take their energies away from the most valuable [[source]] of [[strength]] they will ever have, their [[family]].

WILL: A world much like your own. I had a [[Husband|mate]] and a [[family]] just as Eric told the [[group]]. I enjoyed the [[association]] of others and [[friendship]] and was a worker who helped my family [[economically]] just as you do. On my world, all people work who are able, unless they are ill. In that case, the [[government]] made provision for them. Our government was very much kinder to its [[citizens]], and we had reached the point where we didn't have any more [[wars]]. It had taken our world [[eons]] to reach that point. [[Disease]] was almost nonexistent because so much of our [[tax]] dollars had gone to [[medical]] [[research]]. We had long since eliminated [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plague_%28disease%29 plagues] that your world still struggles with. We had learned through many years of hardship to [[focus]] our [[attention]] back onto the [[family]]. Gone are the days of [[materialism]]. We, too, had gone through [[difficult]] days before we came to the [[realization]] that the family [[structure]] is the most important unit [[necessary]] for [[survival]] of all [[mankind]]. We weep when we see so many families falling apart on your world. If only humans would work harder, trying to preserve the most precious [[commodities]] that they will ever truly [[possess]]. So many let it slide by. Too many people become involved in other [[activities]] which take their energies away from the most valuable [[source]] of [[strength]] they will ever have, their [[family]].

MELISSA: Then I asked, "How did you die on your world?. I do not mean to be morbid." Will said she died of [[natural]] causes. "We all lived a very long time because we had so few [[diseases]] and it was not unusual for many people to live to be over 100 years of age. We lived [[happy]], full lives and stayed [[active]] until the end." And I asked, "Do you keep in [[touch]] with your [[Husband|mate]] and [[children]] from your human days?" Will said, "My mate still [[Sleeping Survivors|sleeps]]. He was not at the point when he died that he could [[awaken]] in three days. I was very fortunate. My [[children]] also are sleeping.

MELISSA: Then I asked, "How did you die on your world?. I do not mean to be morbid." Will said she died of [[natural]] causes. "We all lived a very long time because we had so few [[diseases]] and it was not unusual for many people to live to be over 100 years of age. We lived [[happy]], full lives and stayed [[active]] until the end." And I asked, "Do you keep in [[touch]] with your [[Husband|mate]] and [[children]] from your human days?" Will said, "My mate still [[Sleeping Survivors|sleeps]]. He was not at the point when he died that he could [[awaken]] in three days. I was very fortunate. My [[children]] also are sleeping.

[[Category: Tallahassee TeaM]]

[[Category: Tallahassee TeaM]]

[[Category: Will]]

[[Category: Will]]

[[Category: David]]

[[Category: Unknown]]

[[Category: Eric]]

[[Category: Eric]]

[[Category: Transmitting]]

[[Category: Transmitting]]