Changes

S: It helps a great deal. (02/28/93)

S: It helps a great deal. (02/28/93)

===TRUTH===

===='''''[[Truth]]'''''====

Today's lesson will be the first part of a discourse on the subject of truth. You will notice that our lessons tend to go from very basic principles, progressing up through more complex topics and then back again to basics. And certain basic topics will be handled on numerous occasions as they are of great importance in laying the foundation of future work to be done on Urantia by you and your celestial assistants, such as myself. Truth is on a par with beauty and goodness insofar as spiritual importances, spiritual weight, are concerned. None of these three - truth beauty or goodness - are to be worshiped, for it is only the Father that is worthy of worship. But these three qualities, these three goals, are to be reverenced, to be sought after, to be held in the highest regard, to be in the forefront of your efforts at self mastery and spirit attunement. What is truth not? Truth is not knowledge. Knowledge is based on fact, on science, and is limited by the level of development of your science. Truth is eternal. It stands the test of time. It stand the challenge of question. It is far beyond fact or a set of facts. Truth is also dynamic and growing. It is not static, as are facts. If you would know living truth on Urantia, you could do no better than to study the life of Jesus, for He lived the truth as he knew it. Truth is not always experienced without pain. It is not necessarily painful to countenance truth, but to expect the experience of truth to always and ever be one of pleasure is to not be realistic. There is some consolation to be drawn from knowing that for most, if not all of you present here today, the pain sometimes experienced with truth will probably be most severe in your present material state, and will diminish as you progress Paradise-ward. Like so many higher values, truth can be recognized in part by what it is not, in part by the manner in which it resists attempts at invalidation, and the manner in which it persists over time. It has been said that the argument required is inversely proportional to the amount of truth contained in a given statement.

[[Truth]] is on a par with [[beauty]] and [[goodness]] insofar as [[spiritual]] importances, spiritual weight, are concerned. None of these three - [[truth, beauty, or goodness]] - are to be [[worshiped]], for it is only [[the Father]] that is [[worthy]] of worship. But these three [[qualities]], these three [[goals]], are to be [[reverenced]], to be sought after, to be held in the highest regard, to be in the forefront of your [[efforts]] at [[self mastery]] and spirit [[attunement]].  

Truth is recognized by all mortal beings at some level of their conscious or unconscious awareness. Each of you, as you search your own past experience, may remark upon occasions upon which a simple and profound truth was thrust before you, amazing in its grace, and how easy it was to behold and accept. Truth is experienced by each being as an individual, and because of enormous variations in individual perceptions, the truth that one individual understands must be relative and is not identical to the truth perceived by another individual. You cannot force truth upon another being. However, as Jesus did, you can whet the appetite of others for truth. This is the basis of the council against offering unsolicited advice. As with goodness, and beauty, and love, and the other brilliant aspects of our Father, your capacity to perceive truth grows as does your fledgling spirit. You can help by nurturing within yourself a hunger for truth. Become an avid seeker after truth in all that you do and you will find that your appreciation of truth in all that presents to you will be enhanced. Be patient.

What is [[truth]] not? Truth is not [[knowledge]]. Knowledge is based on [[fact]], on [[science]], and is limited by the level of [[development]] of your [[science]]. [[Truth]] is [[eternal]]. It stands the test of [[time]]. It stand the [[challenge]] of [[question]]. It is far beyond fact or a set of facts. [[Truth]] is also [[dynamic]] and growing. It is not [[static]], as are facts. If you would know living [[truth]] on [[Urantia]], you could do no better than to [[study]] the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=UB#Part_IV._The_Life_and_Teachings_of_Jesus life of Jesus], for He lived the truth as he knew it. Truth is not always [[experienced]] without [[pain]]. It is not necessarily painful to countenance truth, but to [[expect]] the [[experience]] of [[truth]] to always and ever be one of [[pleasure]] is to not be realistic. There is some [[consolation]] to be drawn from knowing that for most, if not all of you present here today, the [[pain]] sometimes experienced with truth will probably be most severe in your present [[material]] state, and will diminish as you [[progress]] [[Paradise]]-ward. Like so many higher [[values]], truth can be [[recognized]] in part by what it is not, in part by the [[manner]] in which it [[resists]] attempts at invalidation, and the manner in which it [[persists]] over [[time]]. It has been said that the [[argument]] required is [[inversely]] [[proportional]] to the amount of [[truth]] contained in a given [[statement]].

I know that this is difficult, but it is important for you to exercise your patience while nurturing your hunger. You have all of eternity, you see, and no endeavor goes as well as it might when undertaken in haste. As you improve your ability to detect truth, you will find that many of the bothersome aspects of your material existence will seem far less annoying, even amusing, for as your ability as a truth-seeker improves, so will you gain wisdom. And the wise man - above all - is able to see the absurdity of small things, to make light of what others fear, to not divert time toward the pursuit of anxiety, but rather to engage more fully in spiritual growth and in enjoyment of the fruits of the Spirit. One great truth that can be of much comfort in times of difficulty is the truth of your own existence. That you cannot doubt. There is no arguing it. Once you become a survivor, you will have a second great truth, namely the truth of your survival-ship, and that will be a wonderful thing indeed for you.

[[Truth]] is [[recognized]] by all [[mortal]] beings at some level of their [[conscious]] or [[unconscious]] [[awareness]]. Each of you, as you search your own past [[experience]], may remark upon occasions upon which a [[simple]] and [[profound]] [[truth]] was thrust before you, amazing in its [[grace]], and how easy it was to behold and [[accept]]. Truth is experienced by each being as an [[individual]], and because of enormous variations in [[individual]] [[perceptions]], the truth that one individual [[understands]] must be [[relative]] and is not [[identical]] to the truth perceived by another individual. You cannot [[force]] [[truth]] upon another [[being]]. However, as [[Jesus]] did, you can whet the [[appetite]] of others for truth. This is the basis of the [[counsel]] against offering unsolicited advice. As with [[goodness]], and [[beauty]], and [[love]], and the other brilliant aspects of [[our Father]], your capacity to [[perceive]] [[truth]] [[grows]] as does your fledgling spirit. You can help by nurturing within yourself a [[hunger]] for [[truth]]. Become an avid [[seeker]] after truth in all that you do and you will find that your [[appreciation]] of truth in all that presents to you will be enhanced. Be [[patient]].

This first small lesson on truth is meant to be more in the nature of an introduction. I wish you to - each of you - undertake some study of truth before our next lesson. You will find many passages in The Urantia Book to be most helpful. In particular there is a section on truth and faith that will be quite instructive and will provide much material for discussion. Therefore, I conclude this lesson now, and am available for comments and questions. (04/18/93)

I know that this is [[difficult]], but it is important for you to [[exercise]] your [[patience]] while nurturing your [[hunger]]. You have all of [[eternity]], you see, and no endeavor goes as well as it might when undertaken in [[haste]]. As you improve your ability to detect [[truth]], you will find that many of the bothersome aspects of your [[material]] [[existence]] will seem far less annoying, even amusing, for as your [[ability]] as a truth-[[seeker]] improves, so will you gain [[wisdom]]. And the wise man - above all - is able to see the [[absurdity]] of small things, to make [[light]] of what others [[fear]], to not divert time toward the pursuit of [[anxiety]], but rather to [[engage]] more fully in [[spiritual growth]] and in enjoyment of the [[fruits of the Spirit]]. One great [[truth]] that can be of much [[comfort]] in times of [[difficulty]] is the truth of your own [[existence]]. That you cannot [[doubt]]. There is no [[arguing]] it. Once you become a [[survivor]], you will have a second great [[truth]], namely the truth of your survival-ship, and that will be a [[wonderful]] thing indeed for you.

Today we shall continue with discussion of truth that was begun some weeks ago. Understanding truth is a major important goal of your ongoing efforts at spiritual growth - spirit attainment. What you gain in understanding of truth during this material life is only the beginning of an eternal learning experience. Each step of your journey toward the Father in paradise will bring increasing discernment of truth. This is because truth is intertwined with a number of other spiritual capabilities, especially faith and goodness - also the attainment of wisdom and a number of other aspects of God consciousness. The greatest truth that ever existed on Urantia was the human life of Michael of Nebadon. His life was all about truth, for you see truth is a dynamic entity. Truth is to be had through action, unlike wisdom, unlike so many other portions of your soul growth. To experience truth, and indeed to grow in truth, requires that one be active, active among the community of one's fellows. In fact it could be said that truth and real fellowship do go hand in hand.

This first small lesson on truth is meant to be more in the [[nature]] of an introduction. I wish you to - each of you - undertake some [[study]] of [[truth]] before our next lesson. You will find many passages in The [[Urantia Book]] to be most helpful. In particular there is a [[132:3 Truth and Faith|section on truth and faith]] that will be quite instructive and will provide much [[material]] for [[discussion]]. Therefore, I conclude this lesson now, and am available for comments and [[questions]]. (04/18/93)

All of you know truth. Each of you has experienced it. Your personal recognition of truth is related to your own level of personal spirit growth. Each of you has experienced the excitement, the incomparable thrill, of truth in your own personal lives. Think back, explore your own memory bank and you shall find such experiences. It is worthwhile to study them for their unique qualities. And as you each, individually, grow you shall find it increasingly easy to recognize truth in your own actions and in the actions and words of others whom you encounter. This can also apply to situations involving many people, such as actions of political bodies or countries or other human organizations. You will find as you gain faith and become more adept at discerning truth that the recognition of truth in the world will become - yes, yes - an increasingly easy job for you.

----

If you feel frustrated in your discernment of truth it may be due to a tendency to rely on dogmatization of truth rather than looking inward and relying on the promptings of your Thought Adjuster, your Indwelling Spirit of Truth. There are benefits which accrue to the one who would seek and live truth. These are not rewards, but rather the natural results of participating in, and going along with, the design of the universe rather than resisting it. The greatest such benefit is that of health improvement. And indeed, the healing mission that is joined to this teaching mission is no accident for that very reason. Each and every one of you may take note of improved physical health, robustness, ability to withstand infection, and so on, as you participate in the search for truth, growth of faith, enactment of mota, enhancement and growth of wisdom. Brothers and sisters, each of you present here today came here through no accident. You came because you were earnestly, hopefully and honestly seeking truth. There are no accidents in the universe, and you are much loved for your courageous and forthright search - much loved, much appreciated, more than you can possibly know.

Today we shall continue with [[discussion]] of [[truth]] that was begun some weeks ago. [[Understanding]] truth is a major important [[goal]] of your ongoing efforts at [[spiritual growth]] - spirit [[attainment]]. What you gain in understanding of [[truth]] during this [[material]] life is only the beginning of an [[eternal]] learning [[experience]]. Each step of your [[journey]] toward [[the Father]] in [[Paradise]] will bring increasing [[discernment]] of [[truth]]. This is because truth is intertwined with a number of other spiritual capabilities, especially [[faith]] and [[goodness]] - also the attainment of [[wisdom]] and a [[number]] of other [[aspects]] of [[God consciousness]]. The greatest truth that ever existed on [[Urantia]] was the human life of [[Michael]] of [[Nebadon]]. His life was all about [[truth]], for you see truth is a [[dynamic]] entity. Truth is to be had through [[action]], unlike [[wisdom]], unlike so many other portions of your [[soul growth]]. To [[experience]] [[truth]], and indeed to [[grow]] in truth, requires that one be [[active]], active among the [[community]] of one's [[fellows]]. In [[fact]] it could be said that truth and real fellowship do go hand in hand.

All of those present today affirm this great love that we have for you that we send from our Father above. The things that you seek - truth, beauty, goodness, love - the workings of the Father, himself, abound, even on Urantia with all of its problems. They are there for the taking. And you - each of you - knows within yourselves how to go about doing that. It is the most joyous work that you ever shall undertake, the most thrilling, the most freeing. For as you seek after, entertain, truth the fetters of your animal origins will slowly but surely fall away, and you shall have less of fear, less of anger, less of pride, less of enslavement to cultural teachings - recent and past - that would hold you back from personal growth and spirit attainment. As these burdens fall away one by one, you will experience an incomparable sense of lightness that will fill your hearts with joy, a joy which will be perceived by your fellows - a true light within - and this, my much beloved children, is one of the first steps from here toward the final attainment of light and life on Urantia. Your personal courage, steadfastness, and love, and faith, will help to take not only your living fellows today, but the unborn children of generations hence, out of the present darkness towards the bright future that awaits. Work on the attainment of truth, the acting out of the will of the Father. Be of good faith. Be of good cheer. Working on the stillness will help. For those of you who have difficulty with the stillness it may be instructive to study the life of Jesus of Nazareth as a living example of truth. Truth is contagious in a most wonderful way, as are all of your spiritual assets. A small contagion at first, but as it grows the infection spreads. I leave you, then, with this thought: that the outworking of truth is ever and always reliant upon the faith of the individual. You have been offered many exercises that are conducive of faith growth, spirit growth, and truthful living. Avail yourselves of these exercises, my children. And be assured that you are much loved, very much loved, and have many, many to assist you. That is the end of this lesson. (05/15/93)

 

 

All of those present today affirm this great [[love]] that we have for you that we send from [[our Father]] above. The things that you seek - [[truth, beauty, goodness]], [[love]] - the workings of [[the Father]], himself, abound, even on [[Urantia]] with all of its [[problems]]. They are there for the taking. And you - each of you - knows within yourselves how to go about doing that. It is the most [[joyous]] [[work]] that you ever shall undertake, the most thrilling, the most freeing. For as you seek after, entertain, [[truth]] the fetters of your [[animal]] origins will slowly but surely fall away, and you shall have less of [[fear]], less of [[anger]], less of [[pride]], less of [[enslavement]] to cultural teachings - recent and [[past]] - that would hold you back from [[personal growth]] and spirit [[attainment]]. As these burdens fall away one by one, you will [[experience]] an incomparable sense of lightness that will fill your [[hearts]] with [[joy]], a joy which will be [[perceived]] by your fellows - a true [[light]] within - and this, my much beloved children, is one of the first steps from here toward the final [[attainment]] of [[light and life]] on [[Urantia]]. Your personal [[courage]], [[steadfastness]], and [[love]], and [[faith]], will help to take not only your living fellows today, but the unborn [[children]] of [[generations]] hence, out of the present [[darkness]] towards the bright [[future]] that awaits.  

 

Work on the [[attainment]] of [[truth]], the acting out of the will of [[the Father]]. Be of good [[faith]]. Be of good [[cheer]]. Working on the stillness will help. For those of you who have [[difficulty]] with the [[stillness]] it may be instructive to [[study]] the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=UB#Part_IV._The_Life_and_Teachings_of_Jesus life of Jesus of Nazareth] as a living [[example]] of [[truth]]. Truth is [[contagious]] in a most [[wonderful]] way, as are all of your spiritual [[assets]]. A small contagion at first, but as it grows the [[infection]] spreads.  

 

I leave you, then, with this [[thought]]: that the outworking of [[truth]] is ever and always reliant upon the [[faith]] of the [[individual]]. You have been offered many [[exercises]] that are conducive of faith [[growth]], [[spirit growth]], and truthful living. Avail yourselves of these [[exercises]], my children. And be [[assured]] that you are much loved, very much loved, and have many, many to [[assist]] you. That is the end of this lesson. (05/15/93)

===INTERACTION OF TRUTH, GOODNESS, AND KINDNESS===

===INTERACTION OF TRUTH, GOODNESS, AND KINDNESS===