Changes

== Session==

== Session==

===Opening===

===Opening===

WELMEK: Greetings. This is Welmek. I am pleased to see so many gathered this evening. We look forward to a most interesting evening. Donna has [[prepared]] and I [[expect]] this to be of great interest to all. This group has come a long way. We are most pleased with your [[progress]] and look forward to the [[future]]. We have tried to impress upon you the importance of this mission and ask that you work hard to discipline yourself with the tools we have given you. I cannot emphasize this enough for this is what you need do to prepare for what is asked of you in the future. You must each, individually, grow in these aspects of your own spiritual life. The better you become, the stronger you will be and the more resource you will have when the demands increase. Additionally, your strength as a group is of paramount importance. I wish for you to think about the overall picture. Step back and look, as we do, at what this mission means. It is not specifically for Indianapolis or for a portion of your group or for your group alone. It is truly a mission for your entire world. If you keep this in [[mind]], and regard your own place in [[the universe]], it will be easy for you to overcome whatever [[obstacles]] need be overcome to [[maintain]] your group and work effectively as a [[support]] system for each other. With this said, I wish to turn this over to Donna.  

WELMEK: Greetings. This is Welmek. I am pleased to see so many gathered this evening. We look forward to a most interesting evening. Donna has [[prepared]] and I [[expect]] this to be of great interest to all. This group has come a long way. We are most pleased with your [[progress]] and look forward to the [[future]]. We have tried to impress upon you the importance of this mission and ask that you work hard to discipline yourself with the tools we have given you. I cannot emphasize this enough for this is what you need do to prepare for what is asked of you in the [[future]]. You must each, individually, grow in these aspects of your own spiritual life. The better you become, the stronger you will be and the more [[resource]] you will have when the demands increase. Additionally, your [[strength]] as a group is of [[paramount]] importance. I wish for you to think about the overall picture. Step back and look, as we do, at what [[this mission]] means. It is not specifically for [Indianapolis TeaM|Indianapolis]] or for a portion of your group or for your group alone. It is truly a mission for your entire world. If you keep this in [[mind]], and regard your own place in [[the universe]], it will be easy for you to overcome whatever [[obstacles]] need be overcome to [[maintain]] your group and work effectively as a [[support]] system for each other. With this said, I wish to turn this over to Donna.  

===Dialogue===

===Dialogue===

===='''''[[Service]]'''''====

===='''''[[Service]]'''''====

W: It certainly is a step in [[understanding]] your [[brothers and sisters]]. There is a [[recognition]] there that is very [[personal]] between [[individuals]].  

W: It certainly is a step in [[understanding]] your [[brothers and sisters]]. There is a [[recognition]] there that is very [[personal]] between [[individuals]].  

G: I think also that, to me, I don't call it a service, but just being there for someone when they need you. My youngest son lost a friend the week before last; they were good friends since they were in the 5th grade. He questioned that. And then another friend of ours, I used to baby-sit with her children, he committed suicide. But going there, I hadn't seen these people for years, but it made them feel better. And it makes you feel good. You know that you haven't forgotten these people; and we should always give our love to people. If it's only a phone call. Today I called my cousin. I lost one last March. He's 83 years old; but I could tell that after talking with me he felt better. It makes you feel better. People lose their families; and especially when they get old, they don't have as many people to call. So never forget our people, even an in-law, they're still a relative, even a brother or sister. Reach out to all those. To me, that's a service. I've always been a family person. I love smiling at people, and I love it when people smile back.  

G: I [[think]] also that, to me, I don't call it a [[service]], but just being there for someone when they need you. My youngest son lost a [[friend]] the week before last; they were good friends since they were in the 5th grade. He questioned that. And then another friend of ours, I used to baby-sit with her children, he committed [[suicide]]. But going there, I hadn't seen these people for years, but it made them feel better. And it makes you feel [[good]]. You know that you haven't forgotten these people; and we should always give our [[love]] to people. If it's only a phone call. Today I called my cousin. I lost one last March. He's 83 years old; but I could tell that after talking with me he felt better. It makes you feel better. People lose their [[families]]; and especially when they get old, they don't have as many people to call. So never forget our people, even an in-law, they're still a relative, even a brother or sister. Reach out to all those. To me, that's a [[service]]. I've always been a [[family]] person. I love [[smiling]] at people, and I love it when people smile back.  

W: By relating to an individual as a brother or a sister, you acknowledge them in a way that is very meaningful. So many in your world do not have the relationships with others to draw from or to understand the Father's love. Through your contact in these ways is truly a ray of light and love to these individuals. It is good to remember those whose ties are lessening due to aging or other circumstances. In your world there are many who are not within their extended families. Your world is one where many move from place to place. This increases the need for your friendships and your reaching out even more than it might at other times is your history.  

W: By relating to an [[individual]] as a [[brother or a sister]], you acknowledge them in a way that is very [[meaningful]]. So many in your world do not have the [[relationships]] with others to draw from or to [[understand]] [[the Father]]'s love. Through your [[contact]] in these ways is truly a [[ray]] of [[light]] and [[love]] to these [[individuals]]. It is good to remember those whose ties are lessening due to aging or other circumstances. In your world there are many who are not within their extended [[families]]. Your world is one where many move from place to place. This increases the need for your [[friendships]] and your reaching out even more than it might at other times is your [[history]].  

M: I don't think I can really add anything as far as definition of service. I think it's been very well stated. It's been very thorough. Although I have sat here and realized something as I listened to all of you speak your definitions of service. It seems that service is that over-riding act or component that gives purpose to our existence. If we think about existence without service, then it seems to be very empty, very meaningless. Just after listening to everyone, it seems to me that's the most important part of our existence is to be of service. W: I would agree with that statement. That in conjunction with your own development in knowing the Father.  

M: I don't think I can really add anything as far as [[definition]] of [[service]]. I think it's been very well stated. It's been very thorough. Although I have sat here and realized something as I [[listened]] to all of you speak your definitions of [[service]]. It seems that service is that over-riding act or component that gives [[purpose]] to our [[existence]]. If we think about existence without [[service]], then it seems to be very empty, very [[meaningless]]. Just after [[listening]] to everyone, it seems to me that's the most important part of our [[existence]] is to be of [[service]].  

D: Well, from the discussion of the definition, we can see that there are many components of service and to really kind of encapsulate it what a definition is, I think what Michael said really said it succinctly, is that love is the act of doing good to others. We can see that coming out of that act, there are many gifts that we receive. We feel good about ourselves. We share love. Our love grows. We feel that we are privileged to serve. It builds relationships. Our connections with people grow. There are so many different components that come out of this. Does anyone else have anything else to add about what components they would see to service?

W: I would [[agree]] with that [[statement]]. That in conjunction with your own [[development]] in knowing [[the Father]].  

L: I have Mary's definition. I'm speaking for two of us tonight. She can't be here, but she'll try to be here next week, we hope. She wrote this down: "Real service is devotion to the person being served, not the task at hand." It's apparently a very personal thing, love or devotion for the person, not what you're doing for them that is the service.

D: Well, from the [[discussion]] of the [[definition]], we can see that there are many components of [[service]] and to really kind of encapsulate it what a definition is, I think what Michael said really said it succinctly, is that [[love]] is the act of doing good to others. We can see that coming out of that [[act]], there are many gifts that we [[receive]]. We feel good about ourselves. We [[share]] love. Our [[love]] grows. We feel that we are [[privileged]] to serve. It builds [[relationships]]. Our connections with people grow. There are so many different components that come out of this. Does anyone else have anything else to add about what components they would see to service?

K: You can also expand that into love of the Father as well. It is what is important rather than the act itself.  

L: I have Mary's definition. I'm speaking for two of us tonight. She can't be here, but she'll try to be here next week, we [[hope]]. She wrote this down: "Real [[service]] is devotion to the [[person]] being served, not the task at hand." It's apparently a very [[personal]] thing, love or devotion for the person, not what you're doing for them that is the [[service]].  

D: Does anyone feel that if their love for the Father grows, the feeling of God's love, that the desire for service will be increased? B: I've said often that if everyone truly believed that God loved them, what a different world we would have. If you're filled with the Father's love to the point where it overflows, then that reaches out to people and it manifests itself in service to others.  

K: You can also expand that into [[love]] of [[the Father]] as well. It is what is important rather than the act itself.  

K: And also you're not in such a hurry all the time. There's a calmness that comes over your mind that helps you to facilitate more a service-motivated life rather than always being in a hurry to get your stuff done.

D: Does anyone feel that if their [[love]] for [[the Father]] [[grows]], the [[feeling]] of God's love, that the [[desire]] for service will be increased?

B: I think it's spontaneous when you know that God loves you. I think it just happens.  

B: I've said often that if everyone truly believed that [[God]] loved them, what a [[different]] world we would have. If you're filled with the Father's love to the point where it overflows, then that reaches out to people and it [[manifests]] itself in [[service]] to others.  

S: Well, I can envision that once we can get beyond the mansion worlds that service would be the prime objective, that that would be the thing that we would crave the most is service.  

K: And also you're not in such a hurry all the time. There's a [[calmness]] that comes over your [[mind]] that helps you to [[facilitate]] more a [[service]]-[[motivated]] life rather than always being in a hurry to get your stuff done.  

D: Does anyone get the sense that they're beginning to feel that craving now as they practice their stillness and start feeling the Father's love flow through them? M: I think the difficult part becomes how to express it to certain individuals, how you can be of service to them. Obviously your goal is to benefit them even though in return you benefit yourself. Many people are not as open and do not recognize your effort to give them service, so it becomes somewhat a challenge to find a way to serve certain people. Of course, I'm not around as pleasant a group as this all day. (laughter) But that seems to be a challenge. How can you specifically serve individuals in a way that makes them acknowledge or be aware that you're making an effort in that regard?

B: I think it's [[spontaneous]] when you know that [[God]] loves you. I think it just happens.  

D: That kind of gets down to part 2 of this outline. The second component of this discussion is what does service mean to you; and if we could perhaps share experiences we've had of service, something that's had a lot of meaning and fulfillment in our lives and then how to apply service in daily living. It doesn't have to be on a grand scale. We're not all missionaries, or doctors performing wondrous feats of healing; but it is a small deed. If we could just take a few minutes to share some of the experiences that we've had where we were providing service that had a lot of depth of meaning.  

S: Well, I can envision that once we can get beyond the [[mansion worlds]] that [[service]] would be the prime objective, that that would be the thing that we would crave the most is service.  

S: It's not so much an experience, but more to the point of the consequences of the service. One of the things I heard as a kind of side to that. When you do service, sometimes it's better to keep it between you and the Lord. Like why go out and seek the great recognition for service in something minor, or not jumping out and taking that recognition. The consequences of service too...like if you give a beggar five dollars that he's begging for, is that actually going to help him? Is he going to go out and spend it on some more booze? Or is he going to go out and spend it on food? Or would not giving him money on the other hand, encourage him to find a job? That's something that worries me sometimes. It's like when you give service, and you give it with love in your heart as an extension of the Father's will, when you give it with the right attitude, you shouldn't have to worry about the consequences because the consequences, as I think we discussed before, are God's.

D: Does anyone get the sense that they're beginning to feel that craving now as they [[practice]] their [[stillness]] and start [[feeling]] [[the Father]]'s love [[flow]] through them?

D: That's right. That's one of our mota.

M: I think the difficult part becomes how to [[express]] it to certain [[individuals]], how you can be of service to them. Obviously your goal is to benefit them even though in return you benefit yourself. Many people are not as open and do not [[recognize]] your [[effort]] to give them service, so it becomes somewhat a [[challenge]] to find a way to serve certain people. Of course, I'm not around as pleasant a group as this all day. ([[laughter]]) But that seems to be a [[challenge]]. How can you specifically serve [[individuals]] in a way that makes them acknowledge or be [[aware]] that you're making an [[effort]] in that regard?

S: On the same token, when you have a choice like that, how can you decide which is the better, which is the worse? Which consequences, which would be better service to that person that you're helping? W: And that is where the wisdom comes in. I would like to just comment on what Scott and Mark have said. It is important to consider service from the perspective of the one being served. If you look at it from your perspective, you may not identify the important act for that person. The more you understand and get to know your brothers and sisters, and their circumstances, the better you will understand what I say. L: I have a comment. Does anyone remember the night Norsen was here and he commented on what would you think if someone burst into a room and ran up to you and said "I love you, I love you" and started hugging you and grabbing your arms and dancing around the room with you? He said you would start looking at this probably as rather odd. He said it would be a bit overwhelming. And so you do, in your expression of love to people, you do have to temper this with some restraint or wisdom on occasion. One of my main problems with understanding service has always been motive behind it. There is only one statement in the Urantia Book, it's under the Sanctities of Service, interestingly enough, that Stan mentioned, that at some stage we are judged for our motives of service. And so last night Mary and I got into this big discussion. How often have you said "Well, he meant well." You know the person's motive was all right. Somehow, sometimes, you do wonder whether the motive is ego or not. It's like Mark said, you can give service to someone, and often they don't recognize that you're trying to be helpful to them, from their point of view. It's happened to me. I know someone is trying to help me, but I just don't want that service at that time in that way. They're quite insistent about it, and it's uncomfortable. So you've got two things. You've got motive and then you've kind of got delivery of service. We got into the section on page l874 in which the word service is never mentioned in this entire section, "As Jesus Passed By" but it is the single best, most concise definition of service in the book. I know a lot of you are familiar with that.  

 

 

 

S: On the same token, when you have a [[choice]] like that, how can you [[decide]] which is the better, which is the worse? Which [[consequences]], which would be better [[service]] to that person that you're helping? W: And that is where the [[wisdom]] comes in. I would like to just comment on what Scott and Mark have said. It is important to consider service from the [[perspective]] of the one being served. If you look at it from your perspective, you may not identify the important act for that person. The more you [[understand]] and get to know your [[brothers and sisters]], and their circumstances, the better you will understand what I say.  

 

L: I have a comment. Does anyone remember the night Norsen was here and he commented on what would you think if someone burst into a room and ran up to you and said "I love you, I love you" and started [[hugging]] you and grabbing your arms and [[dancing]] around the room with you? He said you would start looking at this probably as rather odd. He said it would be a bit overwhelming. And so you do, in your [[expression]] of [[love]] to people, you do have to temper this with some restraint or [[wisdom]] on occasion. One of my main [[problems]] with understanding service has always been [[motive]] behind it. There is only one [[statement]] in the [[Urantia Book]], it's under the Sanctities of Service, ([[28:6 The Tertiary Seconaphim|28:6.16]]) interestingly enough, that Stan mentioned, that at some [[stage]] we are judged for our [[motives]] of [[service]]. And so last night Mary and I got into this big [[discussion]]. How often have you said "Well, he meant well." You know the person's motive was all right. Somehow, sometimes, you do [[wonder]] whether the motive is ego or not. It's like Mark said, you can give service to someone, and often they don't recognize that you're trying to be helpful to them, from their point of view. It's happened to me. I know someone is trying to help me, but I just don't want that service at that time in that way. They're quite insistent about it, and it's uncomfortable. So you've got two things. You've got motive and then you've kind of got delivery of service. We got into the section on page l874 in which the word service is never mentioned in this entire section, "As Jesus Passed By" but it is the single best, most concise definition of service in the book. I know a lot of you are familiar with that.  

K: I'd like to comment on that a little bit because it almost seems as if your service to the person would be to let them do that service for you. (laughter) L: You would wish that instead of trying to serve you the way they are that they would serve you by kind of leaving. (laughter) Haven't all of us had that experience?  

K: I'd like to comment on that a little bit because it almost seems as if your service to the person would be to let them do that service for you. (laughter) L: You would wish that instead of trying to serve you the way they are that they would serve you by kind of leaving. (laughter) Haven't all of us had that experience?