Changes

Opening prayer

Opening prayer

Daniel: "Greetings my friends. I am Daniel, your [[guide]] and teacher. Welcome my dear ones to our ongoing [[adventure]] of [[seeking]] the [[First Source and Center]] and in the spiritual [[quest]] of expanding [[knowledge]], [[wisdom]], and in pursuit of [[righteousness]]. Tomas and I are on board as usual to bring you some [[thought]] from our [[perspective]] that will cause you to think, to perhaps strive a little harder, to [[prepare]] you for the [[unfolding]] of [[life]]. The unfoldings of this [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_bombing past week] have been personally for each of you a time of stretching. Nationally it has been a time of stretching and globally likewise for [[life]] is never [[static]]. There is always flux, always the waves of movement and [[progress]].

Daniel: "Greetings my friends. I am Daniel, your [[guide]] and teacher. Welcome my dear ones to our ongoing [[adventure]] of [[seeking]] the [[First Source and Center]] and in the spiritual [[quest]] of expanding [[knowledge]], [[wisdom]], and in pursuit of [[righteousness]]. Tomas and I are on board as usual to bring you some [[thought]] from our [[perspective]] that will cause you to think, to perhaps strive a little harder, to [[prepare]] you for the [[unfolding]] of [[life]]. The unfoldings of this [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_bombing past week] have been personally for each of you a time of stretching. Nationally it has been a time of stretching and globally likewise for [[life]] is never [[static]]. There is always flux, always the waves of movement and [[progress]].

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

===='''''[[Cycles]]''''', '''''[[Experience]]'''''====

===='''''[[Cycles]]''''', '''''[[Experience]]'''''====

The surfer paddles out on the great [[ocean]], waits and watches for just the right [[wave]] and then begins to ride the top of it, the curl of that wave. You, my friends, are like surfers in a [[spiritual]] [[quest]], always paddling out into the vast [[unknown]] relying on [[faith]] that the wave on which you are about to embark will be the one that will bring you to a higher and more [[gratifying]] [[perception]] of the [[purpose]] of [[life]], of the [[grandeur]] of [[God]] and a greater [[understanding]] of all that [[encompasses]] living.

The surfer paddles out on the great [[ocean]], waits and watches for just the right [[wave]] and then begins to ride the top of it, the curl of that wave. You, my friends, are like surfers in a [[spiritual]] [[quest]], always paddling out into the vast [[unknown]] relying on [[faith]] that the wave on which you are about to embark will be the one that will bring you to a higher and more [[gratifying]] [[perception]] of the [[purpose]] of [[life]], of the [[grandeur]] of [[God]] and a greater [[understanding]] of all that [[encompasses]] living.

===='''''[[Crisis]]''''', '''''[[Preparation]]'''''====

===='''''[[Crisis]]''''', '''''[[Preparation]]'''''====

From Romans it is said, "let us pursue peace and upbuilding"[Ed. note: [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Letter_of_Paul_to_the_Romans#The_Letter_of_Paul_to_the_Romans.2C_XIV Romans 14:19]] In times of [[crisis]], in times of [[chaos]], and in times of disharmony it is important to seek and find [[peace]] and to pursue that which can be upbuilding. My friends, it is not possible to come away from [[crises]] on top of the [[wave]] if there has not been some [[manner]] of [[preparation]] along the way. Those who prepare daily will meet crisis with a firmer surfboard to ride the waves. It is an unwise surfer who goes out on a bellyboard in waves of tremendous height. It is the unwise surfer who handles these waves without [[experiences]] on the smaller waves of [[life]].

From Romans it is said, "let us pursue peace and upbuilding"[Ed. note: [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Letter_of_Paul_to_the_Romans#The_Letter_of_Paul_to_the_Romans.2C_XIV Romans 14:19]] In times of [[crisis]], in times of [[chaos]], and in times of disharmony it is important to seek and find [[peace]] and to pursue that which can be upbuilding. My friends, it is not possible to come away from [[crises]] on top of the [[wave]] if there has not been some [[manner]] of [[preparation]] along the way. Those who prepare daily will meet crisis with a firmer surfboard to ride the waves. It is an unwise surfer who goes out on a bellyboard in waves of tremendous height. It is the unwise surfer who handles these waves without [[experiences]] on the smaller waves of [[life]].

How, then, do you [[prepare]] to meet [[crisis]]? Crisis cannot be met totally from an outer [[perspective]] for that which you come away from often, then, are not lessons that can nurture your [[growth]] but are more like a hollow shell. It is more productive to meet [[crisis]] on the premise of being [[prepared]], for by that means the [[experience]] garnished will be more fulfilling. To pursue [[peace]] and upbuilding requires knowing an inner peace. Inner peace and [[harmony]] [[transforms]] the [[individual]]. There is [[courage]], there is [[confidence]], and there is a general [[knowledge]] that that which [[surrounds]], that which is on the outer life can be managed, can be worked through. There is [[hope]]. There is [[faith]].

How, then, do you [[prepare]] to meet [[crisis]]? Crisis cannot be met totally from an outer [[perspective]] for that which you come away from often, then, are not lessons that can nurture your [[growth]] but are more like a hollow shell. It is more productive to meet [[crisis]] on the premise of being [[prepared]], for by that means the [[experience]] garnished will be more fulfilling. To pursue [[peace]] and upbuilding requires knowing an inner peace. Inner peace and [[harmony]] [[transforms]] the [[individual]]. There is [[courage]], there is [[confidence]], and there is a general [[knowledge]] that that which [[surrounds]], that which is on the outer life can be managed, can be worked through. There is [[hope]]. There is [[faith]].

You have all heard the [[analogy]] of the [[symphony]], that in the swelling of the musical [[notes]] many [[emotional]] crescendos are met on the way to the [[conclusion]]. The [[wave]] of [[oppression]] which has flooded over much of your [[nation]] has been the kind of wave which I refer to in some respects, for so many people have tapped into their [[feelings]] of [[outrage]] and sadness that the content is viable, is almost [[physically]] noticeable in your [[atmosphere]]. Others are affected [[consciously]] and [[unconsciously]] by the grave concerns [[focused]] on one devastating [[incident]]. The human is a highly sophisticated instrument. That is all."

You have all heard the [[analogy]] of the [[symphony]], that in the swelling of the musical [[notes]] many [[emotional]] crescendos are met on the way to the [[conclusion]]. The [[wave]] of [[oppression]] which has flooded over much of your [[nation]] has been the kind of wave which I refer to in some respects, for so many people have tapped into their [[feelings]] of [[outrage]] and sadness that the content is viable, is almost [[physically]] noticeable in your [[atmosphere]]. Others are affected [[consciously]] and [[unconsciously]] by the grave concerns [[focused]] on one devastating [[incident]]. The human is a highly sophisticated instrument. That is all."

===='''''[[Attunement]]'''''====

===='''''[[Attunement]]'''''====

Nancy: "Tomas, as I was [[listening]] to your [[story]] the [[conclusion]] that I came to, or these were my [[thoughts]], is that you talked about people being tapped into their [[outrage]] and whatever the other thing you said, and I really manage to keep myself fairly [[insulated]] from other events. And so I really don't know what [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_bombing happened in Oklahoma City]. And I am seeing [[shocked]] looks on everyone's faces! But I have been feeling stuff this week. And I guess my [[understanding]] of part of what you want from us as members of the [[Teaching Mission]] is to maintain that sense of [[peace]], to maintain that sense of [[love]], to not allow ourselves to drown in those [[waves]] or to become a part of those waves, but rather to be bearers of [[light]] and be spreading a different wave to counteract the waves of [[outrage]] and whatever else it is. In a minute I will ask you if that is a correct [[understanding]].

Nancy: "Tomas, as I was [[listening]] to your [[story]] the [[conclusion]] that I came to, or these were my [[thoughts]], is that you talked about people being tapped into their [[outrage]] and whatever the other thing you said, and I really manage to keep myself fairly [[insulated]] from other events. And so I really don't know what [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City_bombing happened in Oklahoma City]. And I am seeing [[shocked]] looks on everyone's faces! But I have been feeling stuff this week. And I guess my [[understanding]] of part of what you want from us as members of the [[Teaching Mission]] is to maintain that sense of [[peace]], to maintain that sense of [[love]], to not allow ourselves to drown in those [[waves]] or to become a part of those waves, but rather to be bearers of [[light]] and be spreading a different wave to counteract the waves of [[outrage]] and whatever else it is. In a minute I will ask you if that is a correct [[understanding]].

And then I want to speak a little bit further about some [[thoughts]] I was having this week which is that in order to do that I have had to [[insulate]] myself from the news and from the situations. Otherwise I tended to get sucked right into and tended to become [[part]] of those [[waves]]. I was thinking to myself just this week that maybe I was ready to become [[aware]] of what was going on again without becoming [[immersed]] in that. I have been considering allowing myself to know more about what's going on, but I don't really want to tap into the news because I don't like the [[negativism]] of it. I guess I would like you to comment on my first [[statement]]. Is that a correct assessment about a part of what this [[Teaching Mission]] is and what you have been asking us to do? And then if you have comments on my personal [[thoughts]] this week that would be great also. Thank you."

And then I want to speak a little bit further about some [[thoughts]] I was having this week which is that in order to do that I have had to [[insulate]] myself from the news and from the situations. Otherwise I tended to get sucked right into and tended to become [[part]] of those [[waves]]. I was thinking to myself just this week that maybe I was ready to become [[aware]] of what was going on again without becoming [[immersed]] in that. I have been considering allowing myself to know more about what's going on, but I don't really want to tap into the news because I don't like the [[negativism]] of it. I guess I would like you to comment on my first [[statement]]. Is that a correct assessment about a part of what this [[Teaching Mission]] is and what you have been asking us to do? And then if you have comments on my personal [[thoughts]] this week that would be great also. Thank you."

Daniel: "Indeed is [[Urantia]] heavily laden in many backward [[modes]]. Many characteristics of [[this planet]] could be seen as those of a dying [[race]], a dying planet. However, one must remember that the [[First Source and Center]] is well [[aware]] of this far flung planet. The [[Mother]] and [[Father]] of [[this universe]], [[Michael]] and [[Nebadonia]], are [[Parents]] of great [[wisdom]]. Wise parents allow that which is [[necessary]] for there to be [[experience]] upon which [[growth]] can occur. During times such as you are now [[feeling]] these [[fears]] of gloom and [[doom]] tend to rise. One of the [[goals]] of the [[Teaching Mission]] is to [[stress]] to all [[students]] far and wide the [[necessity]] for [[foundation]] building that will be [[strong]] enough, big enough, to [[support]] your human [[life]] in times when [[Turbulence|disharmony]] abide upon [[your planet]] or within your [[individual]] life. Certainly the [[electro-chemical]] makeup and your [[body]] will feel the effects [[emotionally]] and wearily but as each day brings forth a new [[dawn]] so, too, does the body [[change]] and rejuvenate and clearer [[thinking]] will bring you to understand that, again, [[faith]] has carried you through.

Daniel: "Indeed is [[Urantia]] heavily laden in many backward [[modes]]. Many characteristics of [[this planet]] could be seen as those of a dying [[race]], a dying planet. However, one must remember that the [[First Source and Center]] is well [[aware]] of this far flung planet. The [[Mother]] and [[Father]] of [[this universe]], [[Michael]] and [[Nebadonia]], are [[Parents]] of great [[wisdom]]. Wise parents allow that which is [[necessary]] for there to be [[experience]] upon which [[growth]] can occur. During times such as you are now [[feeling]] these [[fears]] of gloom and [[doom]] tend to rise. One of the [[goals]] of the [[Teaching Mission]] is to [[stress]] to all [[students]] far and wide the [[necessity]] for [[foundation]] building that will be [[strong]] enough, big enough, to [[support]] your human [[life]] in times when [[Turbulence|disharmony]] abide upon [[your planet]] or within your [[individual]] life. Certainly the [[electro-chemical]] makeup and your [[body]] will feel the effects [[emotionally]] and wearily but as each day brings forth a new [[dawn]] so, too, does the body [[change]] and rejuvenate and clearer [[thinking]] will bring you to understand that, again, [[faith]] has carried you through.

There is no easy [[answer]]. There are no [[magic]] [[wands]]. There is the day in and day out of living, of [[experiencing]], of [[growing]]. Those who build a [[spiritual]] [[foundation]] will find that the [[vicissitudes]] of life are manageable, not likeable at all times, but manageable! Spiritually you [[understand]] [[joy]] and you will understand, also, the [[necessity]] for working through [[challenges]] of day to day living. Be [[assured]], all of you, that work is being done on this side and on [[Urantia]] by many [[humans]] who are called, who heed [[the call]], who are working to bring about [[change]]. Recall [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=1995-04-14-Key_To_A_New_Life#Closing Abraham's words of last week]. Fear not, you are not [[alone]]!"

There is no easy [[answer]]. There are no [[magic]] [[wands]]. There is the day in and day out of living, of [[experiencing]], of [[growing]]. Those who build a [[spiritual]] [[foundation]] will find that the [[vicissitudes]] of life are manageable, not likeable at all times, but manageable! Spiritually you [[understand]] [[joy]] and you will understand, also, the [[necessity]] for working through [[challenges]] of day to day living. Be [[assured]], all of you, that work is being done on this side and on [[Urantia]] by many [[humans]] who are called, who heed [[the call]], who are working to bring about [[change]]. Recall [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=1995-04-14-Key_To_A_New_Life#Closing Abraham's words of last week]. Fear not, you are not [[alone]]!"

Bill: "Thank you very much. Just one last question on this. Does that mean I give no [[thought]] to the [[fact]] that there seems to be a [[problem]] with [[birth]] [[rate]] in this country right now, and that it isn't the more [[intelligent]] or able people who are having the most kids, it is the other way around. Shouldn't that be something that people become [[aware]] of before we can do anything about [[changing]] it? I thought that this was a [[fair]] thing to point out just because it is a [[reality]] that isn't [[promising]]. Should I not worry about that or what?"([[110:4110:4.6]])

Bill: "Thank you very much. Just one last question on this. Does that mean I give no [[thought]] to the [[fact]] that there seems to be a [[problem]] with [[birth]] [[rate]] in this country right now, and that it isn't the more [[intelligent]] or able people who are having the most kids, it is the other way around. Shouldn't that be something that people become [[aware]] of before we can do anything about [[changing]] it? I thought that this was a [[fair]] thing to point out just because it is a [[reality]] that isn't [[promising]]. Should I not worry about that or what?"([[110:4|110:4.6]])

Daniel: "Are you going to live in a [[monastery]]?"

Daniel: "Are you going to live in a [[monastery]]?"

Bill: "Well, I will certainly not try to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders. So...[[everything]] you said I fully agree with. Thank you for [[reiterating]] that. I am sure we all [[share]] this [[Darkness|gloomy]] [[mood]] this week. It is certainly true of my [[friends]] at the [[school]] where I work. So thanks for your [[encouragement]], Daniel. I [[appreciate]] it."

Bill: "Well, I will certainly not try to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders. So...[[everything]] you said I fully agree with. Thank you for [[reiterating]] that. I am sure we all [[share]] this [[Darkness|gloomy]] [[mood]] this week. It is certainly true of my [[friends]] at the [[school]] where I work. So thanks for your [[encouragement]], Daniel. I [[appreciate]] it."

===='''''[[Politics]]'''''====

===='''''[[Politics]]'''''====

Tomas: "I would add that earlier in the evening's [[discussions]] [[reference]] was made to the powerful [[energies]] which were resident and [[emanating]] from your political [[capital]], your [[government]] center. And that political power is captivating and [[intriguing]]. Many have succumbed to its power and you are in some sense [[feeling]] a strong [[alignment]] with that aspect of yourself which seeks [[action]] and [[resolution]]. This is an innate part of the [[politics]] of the human animal.

Tomas: "I would add that earlier in the evening's [[discussions]] [[reference]] was made to the powerful [[energies]] which were resident and [[emanating]] from your political [[capital]], your [[government]] center. And that political power is captivating and [[intriguing]]. Many have succumbed to its power and you are in some sense [[feeling]] a strong [[alignment]] with that aspect of yourself which seeks [[action]] and [[resolution]]. This is an innate part of the [[politics]] of the human animal.

The way I [[interpreted]] that was in my own framework of [[thinking]] (which may totally have perverted what you were communicating) which is that the [[masculine]]/[[feminine]] [[balances]] of [[this planet]] have been way, way out of balance toward the masculine, and that our [[economic]] system as it exists today reflects this imbalance.

The way I [[interpreted]] that was in my own framework of [[thinking]] (which may totally have perverted what you were communicating) which is that the [[masculine]]/[[feminine]] [[balances]] of [[this planet]] have been way, way out of balance toward the masculine, and that our [[economic]] system as it exists today reflects this imbalance.

In fact it was [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Marx Karl Marx] that taught that the rise of the use of [[money]] hides our [[interdependence]] while it makes us more and more dependent. For as we work for wages instead of our own livelihoods we become very [[interdependent]] because every aspect of the [[economy]] has to function; for if there is a [[breakdown]] we get unemployment and [[crisis]] and it spreads. We truly are very [[interdependent]] in our current economic system but the [[nature]] of [[money]] hides our [[interdependence]]. Because we think of ourselves as being very independent and [[separate]] from one another we have our whole independent [[ideology]].

In fact it was [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Marx Karl Marx] that taught that the rise of the use of [[money]] hides our [[interdependence]] while it makes us more and more dependent. For as we work for wages instead of our own livelihoods we become very [[interdependent]] because every aspect of the [[economy]] has to function; for if there is a [[breakdown]] we get unemployment and [[crisis]] and it spreads. We truly are very [[interdependent]] in our current economic system but the [[nature]] of [[money]] hides our [[interdependence]]. Because we think of ourselves as being very independent and [[separate]] from one another we have our whole independent [[ideology]].

So what you said really struck me. And it strikes me, of course, because you know my [[background]] in [[economics]]. Some of my [[apathy]] is because I am not working in an area where I see anything useful to do other than earn a paycheck. And I often [[think]] about what kind of an economic system would work as I find our economic system severely [[flawed]] because of some of what I just said about the breakdowns and also the [[power]] relations. There are so many, many things that I find it almost...well anyway, I'll stop there. Were you suggesting that as [[masculine]]/[[feminine]] comes into greater [[balance]] our economic system will [[change]] and that perhaps our patterns of trade and [[commerce]] that rely on [[power]] and a lot of other things will [[change]] also? What were you saying there?"

So what you said really struck me. And it strikes me, of course, because you know my [[background]] in [[economics]]. Some of my [[apathy]] is because I am not working in an area where I see anything useful to do other than earn a paycheck. And I often [[think]] about what kind of an economic system would work as I find our economic system severely [[flawed]] because of some of what I just said about the breakdowns and also the [[power]] relations. There are so many, many things that I find it almost...well anyway, I'll stop there. Were you suggesting that as [[masculine]]/[[feminine]] comes into greater [[balance]] our economic system will [[change]] and that perhaps our patterns of trade and [[commerce]] that rely on [[power]] and a lot of other things will [[change]] also? What were you saying there?"