Changes

==Session 1==

==Session 1==

===Opening===

===Opening===

TEACHER SESSION: TOMAS Good evening, my friends, I am Tomas your teacher. I am here this evening with an array of associates and assistants in spirit reality. We are going to be the recipients this evening of a few visitors, if you are up to it. I am always glad to afford these associates an opportunity to introduce themselves to you and you to them.

TEACHER SESSION: TOMAS Good evening, my [[friends]], I am Tomas your teacher. I am here this evening with an [[array]] of associates and assistants in [[spirit]] [[reality]]. We are going to be the recipients this evening of a few [[visitors]], if you are up to it. I am always glad to afford these associates an [[opportunity]] to introduce themselves to you and you to them.

In order to make our visits effective, I will emcee the situation. It is an arrangement which works well for my T/R and our process. Thus, my first guest to speak will be an old friend of many, an island maiden named Veronica. One moment, please.

In order to make our [[visits]] effective, I will [[emcee]] the situation. It is an arrangement which works well for my [[T/R]] and our [[process]]. Thus, my first guest to speak will be an old friend of many, an island maiden named Veronica. One moment, please.

VERONICA Pacific predicators of progress, peace be with you. I am your associate in the morontia realms, eager to enter into your consciousness, enter your zone, so that you may become more aware of my and others' very eager and earnest attentions in uplifting and enabling an energetic increase in inspiration and intrusting.

VERONICA Pacific predicators of [[progress]], peace be with you. I am your associate in the [[morontia]] realms, [[eager]] to enter into your [[consciousness]], enter your zone, so that you may become more aware of my and others' very eager and [[earnest]] attentions in uplifting and enabling an energetic increase in [[inspiration]] and intrusting.

LEAH Welcome. VERONICA Thank you, Ahleah.

LEAH Welcome. VERONICA Thank you, Ahleah.

It is a different mind I enter here than I am accustomed to. I thank you, Gerdean, for availing your mechanics. I can see that you are quite accustomed to another pattern/conditioning of thought. I must constantly curtail you from wanting to express words which are not mine but which you would like to have me say. Thank you for your cooperation, daughter.

It is a [[different]] mind I enter here than I am accustomed to. I thank you, Gerdean, for availing your [[mechanics]]. I can see that you are quite accustomed to another pattern/conditioning of [[thought]]. I must constantly curtail you from wanting to [[express]] [[words]] which are not mine but which you would like to have me say. Thank you for your [[cooperation]], daughter.

You seem to want me to talk about the beach, or the sand, because you know I have taught in the Hawaii group, and I have no objection to making my identification with them spread abroad, but I AM, as you know, available t o you as well.

You seem to want me to talk about the beach, or the sand, because you know I have taught in the [[Kona TeaM|Hawaii group]], and I have no objection to making my identification with them spread abroad, but I AM, as you know, available to you as well.

I will, however, make use of a conch shell, and enable you in your minds eye to embrace the sound of the spirit which has its trumpet call unending, pounding upon the shores of eternity. Always is this sound of the surf in evidence if you but listen, and so take this conch shell, this gift I give you by way of imagining and hold it close to your ear and hear the sound of eternity. Listen in the stillness of the pounding surf for the voice of the Father, the Mother, the constancy, the energy, the endurance, the lastingness of the sea, the ocean of joy. I leave you with this gift. Aloha.

I will, however, make use of a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conch_shell conch shell], and enable you in your [[minds eye]] to [[embrace]] the sound of the [[spirit]] which has its trumpet call unending, pounding upon the shores of [[eternity]]. Always is this sound of the [[surf]] in [[evidence]] if you but [[listen]], and so take this conch shell, this gift I give you by way of [[imagining]] and hold it close to your ear and hear the sound of eternity. [[Listen]] in the [[stillness]] of the pounding surf for the [[voice]] of [[the Father]], [[the Mother]], the constancy, the energy, the [[endurance]], the lastingness of the [[sea]], the ocean of [[joy]]. I leave you with this gift. [[Aloha]].

LEAH Thank you.

LEAH Thank you.

TOMAS Thank you, Veronica. One moment, please.

TOMAS Thank you, Veronica. One moment, please.

LINEL This is Lin-El. Again, I am a new visitor to your arena but I am not new to the efforts which are upon us all. It is good to be in Tomas' teacher base, to touch base with his flock, our flock also. I am on an errand of neighborliness in my visit this evening. Many of you perceive that your primary loyalty is to your group teacher (after the Master, of course), bu t this is mere familiarity. The greater loyalty is indeed to the work at hand, and we are interested in contacting at will, and visiting at large, in teaching and preaching ad lib.

LINEL This is Lin-El. Again, I am a new [[visitor]] to your arena but I am not new to the [[efforts]] which are upon us all. It is [[good]] to be in Tomas' [[teacher base]], to touch base with his flock, our flock also. I am on an errand of neighborliness in my visit this evening. Many of you [[perceive]] that your primary [[loyalty]] is to your group teacher (after [[the Master]], of course), but this is mere familiarity. The greater [[loyalty]] is indeed to the work at hand, and we are interested in contacting at will, and visiting at large, in teaching and [[preaching]] [[ad lib]].

It is an interesting environment here. It is very typical of Urantia, yet it has its own distinct flavor. Your lesson from me this evening, then, will have to do with your environment, for what is more important than your environment and the work of your realm?

It is an interesting [[environment]] here. It is very typical of [[Urantia]], yet it has its own distinct flavor. Your lesson from me this evening, then, will have to do with your environment, for what is more important than your environment and the [[work]] of your realm?

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

You are aware of the unfolding of new life and light and are a part of its unfolding because of your belief, your consecration to truth, beauty and goodness. But you are a threat to those who fear the reality you represent. I speak not as a warrior here, no, but as a mediator. Remember, if you can, that many of you mortals manage to confuse your perceptions of what love is, based upon what you are shown by outside influences. If you are showing an influence unfamiliar to your beholder, you will throw them off base. You will startle them, and they will react to your very being. Herein is the wisdom of the words to be as wise as serpents and as peaceful as doves. Perhaps you will ponder that when you remember your environment and your being therein .

You are aware of the [[unfolding]] of new [[life]] and [[light]] and are a part of its unfolding because of your [[belief]], your [[consecration]] to [[truth, beauty, and goodness]]. But you are a threat to those who [[fear]] the [[reality]] you [[represent]]. I speak not as a [[warrior]] here, no, but as a mediator. Remember, if you can, that many of you [[mortals]] manage to [[confuse]] your [[perceptions]] of what [[love]] is, based upon what you are shown by outside [[influences]]. If you are showing an influence unfamiliar to your beholder, you will throw them off base. You will startle them, and they will [[react]] to your very being. Herein is the [[wisdom]] of the words to be as [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_matthew#Chapter_10 wise as serpents and as peaceful as doves]. Perhaps you will ponder that when you remember your environment and your being therein .

===Dialogue===

===Dialogue===

Good of you to have me. Thank you, Gerdean. And thank you, Tomas and gracious Merium, for your local hospitality. Good evening.

Good of you to have me. Thank you, Gerdean. And thank you, Tomas and gracious Merium, for your local [[hospitality]]. Good evening.

GROUP Thank you.

GROUP Thank you.

TOMAS This is Tomas. We have another personage, a gentle woman, approaching the podium. One moment, please.

TOMAS This is Tomas. We have another personage, a [[gentle]] woman, approaching the podium. One moment, please.

PEARL Good evening, my lovely friends. I am Pearl. You haven't heard from me in a few weeks, but I am very much alive and well and with you in your on- going adventures in life's unfolding.

PEARL Good evening, my lovely friends. I am Pearl. You haven't heard from me in a few weeks, but I am very much alive and well and with you in your on- going [[adventures]] in life's [[unfolding]].

GROUP Welcome.

GROUP Welcome.

PEARL And welcome also to you. I am glad to be in your presence once a gain in your consciousness. I would like to speak in terms of your ability to grapple with and overcome fear. When we last spoke together, we spoke about fear. Terror. Severe angst. Personal emotional crucifixion. It is easy enough indeed for sensitive mortals to sense this persecution. Your predecessors, who the Master taught in his sojourn here in the flesh, were not strangers to such troubles, as you know. They met untimely and cruel deaths, many of them. Down through the ages indeed many believers have been made martyrs to the truths they exalted.

PEARL And welcome also to you. I am glad to be in your [[presence]] once a gain in your [[consciousness]]. I would like to speak in terms of your [[ability]] to grapple with and overcome [[fear]]. When we last spoke together, we spoke about fear. [[Terror]]. Severe angst. Personal emotional [[crucifixion]]. It is easy enough indeed for [[sensitive]] mortals to sense this [[persecution]]. Your predecessors, who [[the Master]] taught in [[Part 4|his sojourn here in the flesh]], were not strangers to such troubles, as you know. They met untimely and [[cruel]] [[deaths]], many of them. Down through the ages indeed many believers have been made [[martyrs]] to the [[truths]] they exalted.

I would like to remind you, who courageously push forward in the face of your profound fears, without compromising your ideals, it is necessary for you to live and to be effective. It serves no purpose for you to be a martyr. It does not serve the Master. It is necessary that you stay alive in the spirit and even in the flesh in strength of Him who sent us, who sends us even now into our arenas in order to find and salvage his lost sheep.

I would like to remind you, who [[courageously]] push forward in the face of your profound [[fears]], without [[compromising]] your [[ideals]], it is necessary for you to live and to be effective. It serves no [[purpose]] for you to be a [[martyr]]. It does not serve [[the Master]]. It is necessary that you stay alive in the [[spirit]] and even in the flesh in [[strength]] of Him who sent us, who sends us even now into our arenas in order to find and salvage his lost sheep.

In order to go there and find the sheep, you must perforce encounter many wolves in sheep’s clothing. Do not succumb to the animal legacy of fear. Rise above your instinct to run and hide, but do not be so foolish as to throw caution to the wind and get yourself eaten alive by the lions in the arena. There are trained lions in the ring who are fed royally because they have entertained the masses by bringing (the spectacle of) blood and destruction to those who would destroy the truth and torchbearers of truth.

In order to go there and find the sheep, you must perforce encounter many wolves in sheep’s clothing. Do not succumb to the [[animal]] [[legacy]] of [[fear]]. Rise above your [[instinct]] to run and hide, but do not be so [[foolish]] as to throw caution to the wind and get yourself eaten alive by the lions in the arena. There are [[trained]] lions in the ring who are fed royally because they have [[entertained]] [[the masses]] by bringing (the [[spectacle]] of blood and destruction to those who would destroy the [[truth]] and [[torchbearers]] of truth.

I AM not a bearer of bad news but a staff of strength for you, my children . Stand upright and carry this staff with you and lean upon it as you go about the Father' s business. Good evening.

I AM not a bearer of bad news but a staff of [[strength]] for you, my children . Stand upright and carry this staff with you and lean upon it as you go about [[the Father]]' s business. Good evening.

GROUP Good evening.

GROUP Good evening.

MERIUM I am Merium. It is good to be here with you, my little girls. Let me not just fluff the pillows but let me sweep the floor and open the windows because you feel as if you have been cooped up in a concept for too long. Perhaps Pearl's many words of fear and persecution have brought you down, but I will not let you stay in this serious note my sister has come to give you. It is indeed a pearl of great price. Let us then look upon the luminosity of the pearl and the rarity of its being. Now we have a pearl and a conch shell.

MERIUM I am Merium. It is good to be here with you, my little girls. Let me not just fluff the pillows but let me sweep the floor and open the windows because you [[feel]] as if you have been cooped up in a [[concept]] for too long. Perhaps Pearl's many words of [[fear]] and [[persecution]] have brought you down, but I will not let you stay in this serious note my sister has come to give you. It is indeed a pearl of great price. Let us then look upon the [[luminosity]] of the pearl and the rarity of its [[being]]. Now we have a pearl and a conch shell.

JONIEL And a staff!

JONIEL And a staff!

MERIUM And a staff. We are gathering up all kinds of accouterments. Teaching tools. I will talk to you a moment about teaching tools and props and parables. My partner Tomas talked on Sunday to Elyssia about her Sunday School class and indicated that whatever was on hand would be a good thing to use to teach a truth. I am going to give you an assignment this week. Let me see if I can find a starting point.

MERIUM And a staff. We are gathering up all kinds of accouterments. Teaching [[tools]]. I will talk to you a moment about teaching tools and props and [[parables]]. My partner Tomas talked on Sunday to Elyssia about her Sunday School class and indicated that whatever was on hand would be a good thing to use to teach a [[truth]]. I am going to give you an assignment this week. Let me see if I can find a starting point.

Ah yes, it shall be this. Are you paying attention?

Ah yes, it shall be this. Are you paying [[attention]]?

GROUP Yes!

GROUP Yes!

MERIUM This week, any time you see a pearl, a conch shell, or a staff, – Let's make that broader. A bead, a fossel, or a stick! - exercise your ability to focus on a spirit gem of truth by creating for yourself a little story around that which is immediately apparent.

MERIUM This week, any time you see a pearl, a conch shell, or a staff, – Let's make that broader. A bead, a fossel, or a stick! - [[exercise]] your [[ability]] to [[focus]] on a spirit gem of [[truth]] by creating for yourself a little [[story]] around that which is immediately apparent.

You have heard the story that in some cultures, in some tribes, a baby is named according to what it is that the mother first sees after the birth. Then use that same concept and let's say you are going to the store and you look down and find a leaf - well, a leaf is a bit of a fossel, isn't it? - or a stone, a stick. Look around. What doe s it relate to? What is the first thing your eye sees? Perhaps your eye will discard some of the things that it comes upon, but what is the first thing your eye sees? The spirit will let you SEE something, based on this exercise.

You have heard the story that in some [[cultures]], in some [[tribes]], a baby is named according to what it is that the [[mother]] first sees after the [[birth]]. Then use that same concept and let's say you are going to the store and you look down and find a leaf - well, a leaf is a bit of a fossel, isn't it? - or a stone, a stick. Look around. What does it relate to? What is the first thing your eye sees? Perhaps your eye will discard some of the things that it comes upon, but what is the first thing your eye sees? The spirit will let you SEE something, based on this [[exercise]].

Maybe it will be the sweater that that blonde woman is wearing which will lead you to see the blonde woman, which will lead you to see an attitude that she is wearing, and the attitude itself will give to you an impression of a value lesson, which - if she were to present herself to you - you would be able to weave into a pearl of great price to give to her as a gift. A seed, planted, for the Master's garden. Now that I have given you something to think about and something to do, I will give you back to Tomas.

Maybe it will be the sweater that that blonde woman is wearing which will lead you to see the blonde woman, which will lead you to see an [[attitude]] that she is wearing, and the attitude itself will give to you an impression of a [[value]] lesson, which - if she were to present herself to you - you would be able to [[weave]] into a pearl of great price to give to her as a gift. A [[seed]], planted, for [[the Master]]'s garden. Now that I have given you something to think about and something to do, I will give you back to Tomas.

GROUP Thank you, Merium.

GROUP Thank you, Merium.

TOMAS Thank you, Merium, and other visitors. I am glad to be here with you, my daughters. Glad to conjoin with you once again in our customary configuration of student-teacher relationship. Next week, if we are able, let's turn the tables and you can teach me by your efforts and your results in following the instruction of Merium and bring back to me these lessons you have garnered and I will be your student.

TOMAS Thank you, Merium, and other [[visitors]]. I am glad to be here with you, my daughters. Glad to conjoin with you once again in our customary [[configuration]] of student-teacher [[relationship]]. Next week, if we are able, let's turn the tables and you can teach me by your [[efforts]] and your results in following the instruction of Merium and bring back to me these lessons you have garnered and I will be your student.

But for this evening, little ones, are there any questions? Or do you have concerns or commentary?

But for this evening, little ones, are there any [[questions]]? Or do you have concerns or [[commentary]]?

GROUP (Silence)

GROUP ([[Silence]])

TOMAS Your lights are quiet this evening. You are tired. It is enough then that we have companioned one another. We have had visits and stories and gifts . It is befitting this time of year that we should celebrate and give thanks and honor the seasons and the continuity and the comfort of friendship. Be on your way, then, and be of good cheer. Farewell.

TOMAS Your [[lights]] are [[quiet]] this evening. You are [[tired]]. It is enough then that we have [[companion]]ed one another. We have had visits and stories and gifts . It is befitting this time of year that we should [[celebrate]] and give thanks and honor the [[seasons]] and the continuity and the comfort of [[friendship]]. Be on your way, then, and be of good cheer. Farewell.

GROUP Thank you, Tomas.

GROUP Thank you, Tomas.

===ADDENDUM===

===ADDENDUM===

December 2, 1998

December 2, 1998

GORMAN I am going to introduce myself to you. My name is Gorman. I am a midwayer and I am going to be with you for a while, my friends.

My - I want to say predecessors with you, but that is not the correct word . The preceding era, the preceding [[epochs]] -- epics not of such a [[proportion]] as the [[Urantia Book]] or the others, but epochal as far as important. - the preceding eras, shall we say, have been embarked upon by those who would set aside the [[status quo]] and deign to live within a spirit of shall we say "assignment" within the assumption of something to do, something of importance.

My - I want to say predecessors with you, but that is not the correct word . The preceding era, the preceding epochs -- epics not of such a proportion as the Urantia Book or the others, but epochal as far as important. - the preceding eras, shall we say, have been embarked upon by those who would set aside the status quo and deign to live within a spirit of shall we say "assignment" within the assumption of something to do, something of importance.

[http://www.urantia.org/urantia-foundation/history The forum], as you call it, was a group of such individuals - a good sized group, actually - but that gives you a common [[framework]] for what I'm talking about, but even so, in the [[course]] of time there have been smaller groups of people, intimate groups of people, let's say [[monks]] or other [[scholars]] who have gone ahead and gambled with their gut [[feeling]], gone ahead and gotten entrenched in a [[project]], if you will, which was to affect the course of [[history]]. Perhaps not in a major way, or a noticeable way, but in a way, none- the-less which was [[providential]] and [[progressive]].

The forum, as you call it, was a group of such individuals - a good sized group, actually - but that gives you a common framework for what I'm talking about, but even so, in the course of time there have been smaller groups o f people, intimate groups of people, let's say monks or other scholars who have gone ahead and gambled with their gut feeling, gone ahead and gotten entrenched in a project, if you will, which was to affect the course of history. Perhaps not in a major way, or a noticeable way, but in a way, none- the-less which was providential and progressive.

Maybe you could think in terms of those who [[translated]] the [[scriptures]] into a different edition. Up-grading the [[appreciation]] and [[understanding]] of what these scriptures meant based upon a greater [[ability]] to comprehend what was meant, perhaps an evolutionary forward [[step]] in spiritual [[understanding]] was then made, perhaps not.

Maybe you could think in terms of those who translated the scriptures into a different edition. Up-grading the appreciation and understanding of what these scriptures meant based upon a greater ability to comprehend what was meant, perhaps an evolutionary forward step in spiritual understanding was then made, perhaps not.

But I've come to plant the [[seed]] in your mind about that because you have been taught and taught repeatedly about the [[necessity]] for going among the people, for shedding your [[light]] abroad, not hiding it under a bushel. And in your human minds, your mortal minds, you will say, "Oh? If I become involved in a scholastic or a [[contemplative]] project, a [[commitment]] of such nature, I will not be making my light available." Nonsense! You are just broadcasting in a different fashion.

But I've come to plant the seed in your mind about that because you have been taught and taught repeatedly about the necessity for going among the people, for shedding your light abroad, not hiding it under a bushel. And in your human minds, your mortal minds, you will say, "Oh? If I become involved in a scholastic or a contemplative project, a commitment of such nature, I will not be making my light available." Nonsense! You are just broadcasting in a different fashion.

You have gone, in a sense, from personal ministry to [[public]] ministry, for now your ministry is more across the board, approaching the [[epochal]] level, much like a [[wave]] that comes in, crashing on the beach. Pounding. Permit your self, people, to [[become]] part of this great wave, this pounding [[surf]]....

You have gone, in a sense, from personal ministry to public ministry, for now your ministry is more across the board, approaching the epochal level, much like a wave that comes in, crashing on the beach. Pounding. Permit your self, people, to become part of this great wave, this pounding surf....

My sister Pearl, your friend who spoke with you last evening, spoke to you about the conch. (I am not upbraiding you for not doing your assignment.) I am rather, pulling in the [[idea]] of hearing the perpetual sound of the [[surf]], the siren call of [[spiritual evolution]]. It is steady. It is steady as you are steady. In a conch shell, you do not hear the crashing of the wave. Not the [[individual]] crash of the individual wave, no, but the steady [[actuality]] of the eternal roar. This is the sound of [[evolution]], slowly, steadily advancing.

My sister Pearl, your friend who spoke with you last evening, spoke to you about the conch. (I am not upbraiding you for not doing your assignment.) I am rather, pulling in the idea of hearing the perpetual sound of the surf, the siren call of spiritual evolution. It is steady. It is steady as you are steady. In a conch shell, you do not hear the crashing of the wave. Not the individual crash of the individual wave, no, but the steady actuality of the eternal roar. This is the sound of evolution, slowly, steadily advancing.

But the movement I am addressing is more on the order of one [[wave]], one very large wave, one wave of movement. Your [[Teaching Mission]] is a movement. I t is a matter of a number of [[individuals]] devoting themselves in part or in full to one thing with such [[devotion]], [[dedication]], [[intensity]] that it carries forward the tide of [[history]].

But the movement I am addressing is more on the order of one wave, one very large wave, one wave of movement. Your Teaching Mission is a movement. I t is a matter of a number of individuals devoting themselves in part or in full to one thing with such devotion, dedication, intensity that it carries forward the tide of history.

I am even here speaking of the more poignant, more select, more succinct, more specialized factions of people who make up this great [[wave]]. The [[conclaves]] , the individual classrooms, the cosmic committees. These who accomplish things. Things of the [[spirit]] and for the spirit. In your [[vernacular]] you might call it the movers and the shakers. Even the politicians. But these, too, are workers in the field.

I am even here speaking of the more poignant, more select, more succinct, more specialized factions of people who make up this great wave. The conclaves , the individual classrooms, the cosmic committees. These who accomplish things. Things of the spirit and for the spirit. In your vernacular you might call it the movers and the shakers. Even the politicians. But these, too, are workers in the field.

I come today to remind you of the many [[possibilities]]. One on one ministry is, of course, invaluable. You are not to replace your personal ministry with something else, but to add to your personal ministry a [[dimension]] of availability. It is like [[the Master]] when he taught [[the multitudes]]. He could present himself in such a way, through his [[parables]], that everyone present heard something that meant something personal to him, to her. But it was never the same, exactly, as that which was heard by the next person who was also personally [[touched]] by the words he [[bestowed]], he gave. You are urged to think now in broader terms. Yes.

I come today to remind you of the many possibilities. One on one ministry is, of course, invaluable. You are not to replace your personal ministry with something else, but to add to your personal ministry a dimension of availability. It is like the Master when he taught the multitudes. He could present himself in such a way, through his parables, that everyone present heard something that meant something personal to him, to her. But it was never the same, exactly, as that which was heard by the next person who was also personally touched by the words he bestowed, he gave. You are urged to think now in broader terms. Yes.

I am Gorman. Thank you.

==Session 2==

==Session 2==

Date Sun, 6 Dec 1998 21 30 07 EST                                     

Date Sun, 6 Dec 1998 21 30 07 EST