Difference between revisions of "2003-08-24-Being Grateful For Our Weaknesses"

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==Heading==
 
==Heading==
 
===Topic: ''Being Grateful For Our Weaknesses''===
 
===Topic: ''Being Grateful For Our Weaknesses''===
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==Session==
 
==Session==
 
===Opening===
 
===Opening===
Ham: Greetings, my children, I am Ham and I welcome each of you here this evening. This evening, we shall discuss the slow and steady process of understanding yourselves more completely. No human being is born or presently lives in perfection. All individuals carry many different obstacles to growth. Most of these obstacles are borne unaware. It takes time for human beings to be unafraid of themselves in order to examine their imperfections. But this very process is the engine of spiritual growth. Without imperfection to overcome, human beings would not have the foothold to propel themselves forward in growth.
+
Ham: Greetings, my children, I am Ham and I welcome each of you here this evening. This evening, we shall [[discuss]] the slow and steady [[process]] of [[understanding]] yourselves more completely. No human being is born or presently lives in [[perfection]]. All individuals carry many different [[obstacles]] to growth. Most of these obstacles are borne unaware. It takes [[time]] for human beings to be unafraid of themselves in order to [[examine]] their imperfections. But this very process is the engine of [[spiritual growth]]. Without imperfection to overcome, human beings would not have the foothold to propel themselves forward in [[growth]].
 
===Lesson===
 
===Lesson===
Each human being has personal weakness which manifests perhaps in vanity or pride, envy, things which have traditionally know as venial sins. These are the handholds and footholds of growth. They are the rungs of the ladder you climb. As you step closer toward God, you must step over these personal weaknesses recognizing and overcoming them in some sense.
+
===='''''[[Weakness]]'''''====
 +
Each human being has personal [[weakness]] which [[manifests]] perhaps in [[vanity]] or [[pride]], [[envy]], things which have traditionally know as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venial_sins venial sins]. These are the handholds and footholds of [[growth]]. They are the rungs of the ladder you climb. As you step closer toward God, you must [[step]] over these personal [[weaknesses]] recognizing and overcoming them in some sense.
  
Life is designed in order that seeming obstacles can become footholds once they are recognized and acknowledged. Each person must, over the course of a lifetime, recognize these little weaknesses within themselves and once recognized, once accepted, they are transformed into the propellant for growth.
+
[[Life]] is designed in order that seeming [[obstacles]] can become footholds once they are [[recognized]] and acknowledged. Each person must, over the [[course]] of a [[lifetime]], recognize these little weaknesses within themselves and once recognized, once [[accepted]], they are [[transformed]] into the [[propellant]] for [[growth]].
  
The Master always encouraged living life fully in full social contact, full engagement with the arena of life for this is the only way imperfection can be seen. His later followers who cloister themselves and isolate from the world actually have great difficulty with growth and can live an entire life like a struggling seedling in need of nourishment and light, barely growing at all. And so their usefulness in the world is very limited. Outer piety cannot take the place of the rough and tumble existence life affords.
+
[[The Master]] always encouraged living life fully in full [[social]] contact, full [[engagement]] with the arena of life for this is the only way imperfection can be seen. His later followers who [[cloister]] themselves and [[isolate]] from the world actually have great [[difficulty]] with [[growth]] and can live an entire life like a struggling seedling in need of nourishment and [[light]], barely growing at all. And so their usefulness in the world is very [[limited]]. Outer [[piety]] cannot take the place of the rough and tumble [[existence]] [[life]] affords.
  
Many times people who live a sheltered existence become completely dominated by weakness. Those who are shown their weaknesses through failure and defeat learn to take hold and keep going, they learn to change and grow. In the unforgiving arena of commercial life, any weakness can easily create failure, and I am speaking of things like pride, vanity, things that can project self- satisfaction but hide a lack of self- awareness.
+
Many times people who live a [[sheltered]] existence become completely [[dominated]] by [[weakness]]. Those who are shown their weaknesses through [[failure]] and [[defeat]] learn to take hold and keep going, they learn to [[change]] and [[grow]]. In the unforgiving arena of [[commercial]] life, any weakness can easily create failure, and I am speaking of things like [[pride]], [[vanity]], things that can project self- [[satisfaction]] but hide a lack of self- [[awareness]].
  
For each human being, there is not one Achilles heal, one overwhelming tendency that bespeaks immaturity. No, for most human beings a combination of things working in tandem creates those obstacles and also opportunities. It is therefore incumbent upon the faithful to feel overwhelming gratitude for these human failings. Without them, you would have nothing to overcome, nothing to get a foot hold on.
+
For each [[human being]], there is not one [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achilles_heal Achilles heal], one overwhelming tendency that bespeaks immaturity. No, for most human beings a combination of things working in [[tandem]] creates those [[obstacles]] and also [[opportunities]]. It is therefore incumbent upon the [[faithful]] to feel overwhelming [[gratitude]] for these human failings. Without them, you would have nothing to overcome, nothing to get a foot hold on.
  
It is exactly the little failings which can lead to great spiritual success. Also I don ’ t want you to magnify your supposed failings in your own minds. These are small things. These are part of your path and the way in which you overcome these things can lead to great moral victories and set you upon greater paths than you have known before.
+
It is exactly the little [[failings]] which can lead to great spiritual [[success]]. Also I don ’ t want you to [[magnify]] your supposed failings in your own [[minds]]. These are small things. These are part of your [[path]] and the way in which you overcome these things can lead to great [[moral]] [[victories]] and set you upon greater paths than you have known before.
  
Be unafraid of who you are right now, this moment. Be unafraid to admit your failings honestly and openly for this is all part of the way and a very important part of the way. Be grateful for your imperfections, but be ever more grateful for the Father ’ s plan of perfecting.
+
Be unafraid of who you are right now, this [[moment]]. Be unafraid to admit your [[failings]] [[honestly]] and openly for this is all part of the way and a very important part of the way. Be [[grateful]] for your imperfections, but be ever more grateful for the Father ’ s plan of perfecting.
 +
===Dialogue===
 +
===='''''[[Delusion]]'''''====
 +
Q: Would you say that you are still engaged in this [[process]] of uncovering your own [[perfections]]?
  
Would you say that you are still engaged in this process of uncovering your own perfections.
+
Yes, all [[ascending sons]] are likewise engaged. I would say that over time these things grow more [[subtle]] and more insidious. As you know they are even found among such highly created beings as [[Lucifer]] was.
  
Yes, all ascending sons are likewise engaged. I would say that over time these things grow more subtle and more insidious. As you know they are even found among such highly created beings as Lucifer was.
+
Student: But they weren’t [[ascendant beings]].
===Dialogue===
 
But they weren ’ t ascendent beings.
 
  
 
Ham: Yes, that ’ s my point.
 
Ham: Yes, that ’ s my point.
  
Q: It is hard to understand how we act like we are more when we feel we are less. It seems like a high created being like that, pride is always a lie.
+
Q: It is hard to understand how we [[act]] like we are more when we feel we are less. It seems like a high created being like that, [[pride]] is always a [[lie]].
  
Ham: The sons of that order you must remember are created to function in the realm of the ascending sons. Therefore, they are not created in perfection as on the higher worlds, created directly from the Father of from the eternal son.
+
Ham: The [[Lanonandek Sons|sons of that order]] you must remember are created to [[function]] in the realm of the [[ascending sons]]. Therefore, they are not created in [[perfection]] as on the higher worlds, created directly from [[the Father]] of from the Eternal Son.
  
Q: The point I have always puzzled me, I understand how people, pride in people, overcompensation for low self esteem, but those other, do you see what I am saying.
+
Q: The point I have always puzzled me, I understand how people, [[pride]] in people, overcompensation for low [[self esteem]], but those other, do you see what I am saying.
  
Ham: Well, yes, but pride has dimensions you have not explored.
+
Ham: Well, yes, but pride has dimensions you have not [[explored]].
  
 
Q: It is kind of pretending.
 
Q: It is kind of pretending.
  
Ham: Yes, it is a kind of delusion. All human beings have their delusions, it is safe to say that none are without them. When personality and mind interact, there is then a personal aspect of mind that is individual and within this realm are many different delusions which are personal colorations of perception. Character is the willingness to let go of delusion. Human beings are under a delusion in general that the morontia and spiritual realms are peopled with perfect beings. But this is untrue. Perfect beings are found in Havona and scattered throughout the universes one finds them. They are perfect, but they are also incomplete. They are limited in their experience. Only the Father can be said to be complete, absolute, as well as perfect. His creation must be fragmentary in some way. Even your indwelling adjusters are sub- absolute. Though they partake of the Father ’ s absolute nature, they themselves are a fragment of him. Their experience gives them greater and greater completion over time. And this is the Father ’ s plan, this is creation. This is existence. And this is the Father ’ s great love for his creation, that he would personally indwell the lowliest will creatures and partake of their experience in time and space. No, the universe is not perfect immediately upon leaving this world. You will find imperfection all the way to paradise. But remember, the universes are perfecting and the Father ’ s command is "Be you perfect, even as I am perfect".
+
Ham: Yes, it is a kind of [[delusion]]. All human beings have their delusions, it is safe to say that none are without them. When [[personality]] and [[mind]] [[interact]], there is then a personal aspect of mind that is [[individual]] and within this realm are many different delusions which are personal colorations of [[perception]]. [[Character]] is the willingness to let go of delusion. Human beings are under a delusion in general that the [[morontia]] and [[spiritual]] realms are peopled with [[perfect]] beings. But this is untrue. Perfect beings are found in [[Havona]] and scattered throughout [[the universe]]s one finds them. They are perfect, but they are also incomplete. They are [[limited]] in their [[experience]]. Only the Father can be said to be complete, [[absolute]], as well as perfect. His creation must be [[fragmentary]] in some way. Even your indwelling [[adjusters]] are sub-absolute. Though they partake of [[the Father]]’s absolute nature, they themselves are a fragment of him. Their [[experience]] gives them greater and greater completion over time. And this is the Father’s plan, this is [[creation]]. This is [[existence]]. And this is the Father’s great [[love]] for his creation, that he would personally indwell the lowliest will [[creatures]] and partake of their [[experience]] in [[time and space]]. No, the universe is not perfect immediately upon leaving [[this world]]. You will find imperfection all the way to [[Paradise]]. But remember, the universes are perfecting and the Father’s command is "Be you perfect, even as I am perfect".
 
+
===='''''[[Listening]]'''''====
Q: Is it ever our business to discuss with someone else their shortcomings as we perceive them and if it is, how do we go about that, how do we do it if it is ever our business?
+
Q: Is it ever our business to discuss with someone else their shortcomings as we [[perceive]] them and if it is, how do we go about that, how do we do it if it is ever our business?
 
 
Ham: Yes, of course, it is fine to discuss spiritual struggles. Remember the Master could teach through questions as well as providing answers. Human beings are engaged and open when asked a question but often are closed when receiving an answer.
 
  
Q: The awful ordeal of listening.
+
Ham: Yes, of course, it is fine to [[discuss]] spiritual [[struggles]]. Remember [[the Master]] could teach through [[questions]] as well as providing answers. [[Human being]]s are [[engaged]] and open when asked a question but often are closed when receiving an answer.
  
Ham: Yes. It is wise, as much as possible, to follow the Master ’ s model and to help others through the asking of questions before you dive in to here ’ s what I think your problem is mode which always causes the other person to throw up barriers and not to listen. Take your time, don’t be in a hurry to change someone over night, and you will grow ever more skillful in planting seeds of thought. Coming at someone with too much harsh truth can also be a manifestation of vanity, I know and you don ’ t kind of thinking, and usually it falls on deaf ears. But, guiding someone into self- realization can be a very rewarding experience, one where both of you will learn a lot.
+
Q: The awful [[ordeal]] of [[listening]].
  
Q: Do you have any counsel for me this evening?
+
Ham: Yes. It is [[wise]], as much as possible, to follow [[the Master]]’s model and to help others through the asking of [[questions]] before you dive in to here’s what I think your [[problem]] is mode which always causes the other person to throw up [[barriers]] and not to [[listen]]. Take your time, don’t be in a hurry to [[change]] someone over night, and you will grow ever more skillful in planting [[seeds]] of thought. Coming at someone with too much harsh [[truth]] can also be a [[manifestation]] of [[vanity]], I know and you don’t kind of [[thinking]], and usually it falls on deaf ears. But, guiding someone into [[self-realization]] can be a very rewarding experience, one where both of you will learn a lot.
 +
===Personal Counsel===
 +
===='''''[[Crisis]]'''''====
 +
Q: Do you have any [[counsel]] for me this evening?
  
Ham: Certainly, my son. You are doing very well. Be at peace with yourself. Give each day and each job before you your honest full effort. Be careful not to bite off more than you can chew, in other words be increasingly honest in your self- assessment. Pray for those around you who need spiritual comfort and pray that they find spiritual comfort rather than material comfort which masks and postpones the need and the search for spiritual comfort. Remember that the human beings who search in the material world for something that can only be found in the spirit must eventually come to and end of that search, a crisis point. This is an immutable law of the universe, it cannot be changed. Remember that their own indwelling spirit is seeking that crisis point, that time of turning when the person will turn to the spirit rather than the world. Cooperate then with their adjuster and their angels rather than being sucked into their material search which will only lead to increasing pain before the crisis.
+
Ham: Certainly, my son. You are doing very well. Be at [[peace]] with yourself. Give each day and each job before you your [[honest]] full [[effort]]. Be [[careful]] not to bite off more than you can chew, in other words be increasingly honest in your [[self-assessment]]. Pray for those around you who need spiritual [[comfort]] and pray that they find spiritual comfort rather than [[material]] comfort which masks and postpones the need and the search for spiritual comfort. Remember that the human beings who search in the material world for something that can only be found in the spirit must [[eventually]] come to and end of that search, a [[crisis]] point. This is an immutable [[law]] of [[the universe]], it cannot be changed. Remember that their own [[indwelling spirit]] is seeking that crisis point, that time of turning when the person will turn to the spirit rather than the world. [[Cooperate]] then with their [[adjuster]] and their [[angels]] rather than being sucked into their material search which will only lead to increasing [[pain]] before the crisis.
  
 
Q: May I ask for a message for Jim please?
 
Q: May I ask for a message for Jim please?
  
Ham: Certainly. Be at ease my son, you are well. Remember that you can serve only one master for some times the things of the world, the material world, can be a seductive lure. Every time you have a conflict, remember the simple words the Master repeatedly spoke, "It is my will that your will be done". This is a psychological method of freeing yourself from ego involvement and of allowing yourself to be lead and releasing the burden which you keep picking back up, the burden of figuring things out, being in charge of your life. It ’ s OK sometimes not to be "in charge" of your life. It ’ s OK to drift with the Master ’ s leading. Be at ease my son, that is all.
+
Ham: Certainly. Be at ease my son, you are well. [[Remember]] that you can serve only one master for some times the things of the world, the material world, can be a [[seductive]] [[lure]]. Every time you have a [[conflict]], remember the simple words [[the Master]] repeatedly spoke, "It is my will that your will be done". This is a [[psychological]] [[method]] of freeing yourself from [[ego]] involvement and of allowing yourself to be lead and releasing the [[burden]] which you keep picking back up, the burden of figuring things out, being in charge of your life. It ’ s OK sometimes not to be "in charge" of your life. It ’ s OK to drift with the Master’s leading. Be at ease my son, that is all.
  
 
Q: Do you have anything for Rebecca?
 
Q: Do you have anything for Rebecca?
  
Ham: Yes, my daughter. Your way right now is turning, changing and you are also feeling that drift, that not being in charge which is a help for you right now in your desire to let go of control. You are finding a way to move forward and a new and unique way to use your wisdom and skills. Place your hand firmly in the Masters and he will show you all that you need and give you guidance at each step. You are growing with the inner strength you will need rather than the outer strength you have heretofore relied upon. Abandon one for the other and your way is clear.
+
Ham: Yes, my daughter. Your way right now is turning, changing and you are also [[feeling]] that drift, that not being in charge which is a help for you right now in your [[desire]] to let go of [[control]]. You are finding a way to move forward and a new and unique way to use your [[wisdom]] and [[skills]]. Place your hand firmly in the Masters and he will show you all that you need and give you [[guidance]] at each step. You are growing with the inner [[strength]] you will need rather than the outer strength you have heretofore relied upon. [[Abandon]] one for the other and your way is clear.
  
 
Q: Jarad?
 
Q: Jarad?
  
Ham: Yes my son, you too are going through some inner change relying less and less on the old props and finding greater and greater inner truth. This truth will blossom and your inner strength of character continue to solidify around it. Your way is also clear as your reliance on the Master ’ s hand grows more complete. Trust in that relationship and allow him to provide those things necessary for the journey. Be at peace, you do well.
+
Ham: Yes my son, you too are going through some inner [[change]] relying less and less on the old props and finding greater and greater inner [[truth]]. This truth will blossom and your inner [[strength]] of [[character]] continue to solidify around it. Your way is also clear as your [[reliance]] on [[the Master]]’s hand grows more complete. [[Trust]] in that [[relationship]] and allow him to provide those things [[necessary]] for the [[journey]]. Be at peace, you do well.
  
 
Q: Do you have a message for Joan?
 
Q: Do you have a message for Joan?
  
Ham: Yes, of course. My daughter, you do very well. You are continuing to grow and to find your way in the spirit. Remember that the Master ’ s spirit is always with you. He is an ever present friend and a willing helper in your life. Be at ease, you will find the way is easier than you think.
+
Ham: Yes, of course. My daughter, you do very well. You are continuing to [[grow]] and to find your way in the [[spirit]]. Remember that [[Sot|the Master’s spirit]] is always with you. He is an ever present friend and a willing helper in your [[life]]. Be at ease, you will find the way is easier than you think.
  
 
Q: Do you have a message for Norbert?
 
Q: Do you have a message for Norbert?
  
Ham: Certainly. My son, you do well. Have patience with yourself. Do not try to move too far too fast. Do not be distressed as you go through the inevitable difficulties of life for you will have everything you need at every step of your journey. Have courage and confidence for all is well.
+
Ham: Certainly. My son, you do well. Have [[patience]] with yourself. Do not try to move too far too fast. Do not be distressed as you go through the [[inevitable]] [[difficulties]] of life for you will have [[everything]] you need at every [[step]] of your [[journey]]. Have [[courage]] and [[confidence]] for all is well.
  
 
Q: Do you have a message for Charlie B?
 
Q: Do you have a message for Charlie B?
  
Ham: Certainly. My son, take heed of this lesson. Do not be hard on yourself or rather let go of your need for self- punishment and criticism. You are a person with a complex mixture of these little sins we talked about. Like all people, you will not be able to sort everything out at once. Be careful to be a student as well as the teacher. Become the child as well as the father.
+
Ham: Certainly. My son, take heed of this lesson. Do not be hard on yourself or rather let go of your need for self-punishment and [[criticism]]. You are a person with a [[complex]] mixture of these little [[sins]] we talked about. Like all people, you will not be able to sort everything out at once. Be [[careful]] to be a [[student]] as well as the [[teacher]]. Become the child as well as the father.
  
Q: Do you have any feedback for me this week?
+
Q: Do you have any [[feedback]] for me this week?
  
Ham: Yes, my son. Also take heed of this lesson. There are parts of your personal nature which are quite fragile and have been protected for a long time but which can use and honest airing and open examination. In many ways you are stronger than you think you are weaker than you think you are in other ways, just like all people. See how the strengths can be weaknesses and weaknesses strengths. Be unafraid of yourself. Be unafraid to be a human being with human failings and human problems. Being a teacher has forced you to project a persona of confidence and assurance. Examine this, how it is a help and a hindrance, in your spiritual life. You do very well.
+
Ham: Yes, my son. Also take heed of this lesson. There are parts of your [[personal]] nature which are quite [[fragile]] and have been [[protected]] for a long time but which can use and [[honest]] airing and open [[examination]]. In many ways you are [[stronger]] than you think you are [[weaker]] than you think you are in other ways, just like all people. See how the strengths can be weaknesses and weaknesses strengths. Be unafraid of yourself. Be unafraid to be a [[human being]] with human [[failings]] and human [[problems]]. Being a teacher has forced you to [[project]] a [[persona]] of [[confidence]] and [[assurance]]. [[Examine]] this, how it is a help and a hindrance, in your [[spiritual life]]. You do very well.
 
===Closing===
 
===Closing===
Is there anything further at this time? Very well then, until next week my love and my prayers are with you each. Farewell.
+
Is there anything further at this [[time]]? Very well then, until next week my [[love]] and my [[prayers]] are with you each. Farewell.
  
  
Line 91: Line 94:
 
[[Category: Ham]]
 
[[Category: Ham]]
 
[[Category: Rebecca]]
 
[[Category: Rebecca]]
 +
[[Category: Weakness]]
 +
[[Category: Delusion]]
 +
[[Category: Listening]]
 +
[[Category: Crisis]]
 
[[Category: 2003]]
 
[[Category: 2003]]

Latest revision as of 23:35, 12 December 2020

Lighterstill.jpg

Teaching buddha small.jpg

Heading

Topic: Being Grateful For Our Weaknesses

Group: Nashville TeaM

Facilitators

Teacher: Ham

TR: Rebecca

Session

Opening

Ham: Greetings, my children, I am Ham and I welcome each of you here this evening. This evening, we shall discuss the slow and steady process of understanding yourselves more completely. No human being is born or presently lives in perfection. All individuals carry many different obstacles to growth. Most of these obstacles are borne unaware. It takes time for human beings to be unafraid of themselves in order to examine their imperfections. But this very process is the engine of spiritual growth. Without imperfection to overcome, human beings would not have the foothold to propel themselves forward in growth.

Lesson

Weakness

Each human being has personal weakness which manifests perhaps in vanity or pride, envy, things which have traditionally know as venial sins. These are the handholds and footholds of growth. They are the rungs of the ladder you climb. As you step closer toward God, you must step over these personal weaknesses recognizing and overcoming them in some sense.

Life is designed in order that seeming obstacles can become footholds once they are recognized and acknowledged. Each person must, over the course of a lifetime, recognize these little weaknesses within themselves and once recognized, once accepted, they are transformed into the propellant for growth.

The Master always encouraged living life fully in full social contact, full engagement with the arena of life for this is the only way imperfection can be seen. His later followers who cloister themselves and isolate from the world actually have great difficulty with growth and can live an entire life like a struggling seedling in need of nourishment and light, barely growing at all. And so their usefulness in the world is very limited. Outer piety cannot take the place of the rough and tumble existence life affords.

Many times people who live a sheltered existence become completely dominated by weakness. Those who are shown their weaknesses through failure and defeat learn to take hold and keep going, they learn to change and grow. In the unforgiving arena of commercial life, any weakness can easily create failure, and I am speaking of things like pride, vanity, things that can project self- satisfaction but hide a lack of self- awareness.

For each human being, there is not one Achilles heal, one overwhelming tendency that bespeaks immaturity. No, for most human beings a combination of things working in tandem creates those obstacles and also opportunities. It is therefore incumbent upon the faithful to feel overwhelming gratitude for these human failings. Without them, you would have nothing to overcome, nothing to get a foot hold on.

It is exactly the little failings which can lead to great spiritual success. Also I don ’ t want you to magnify your supposed failings in your own minds. These are small things. These are part of your path and the way in which you overcome these things can lead to great moral victories and set you upon greater paths than you have known before.

Be unafraid of who you are right now, this moment. Be unafraid to admit your failings honestly and openly for this is all part of the way and a very important part of the way. Be grateful for your imperfections, but be ever more grateful for the Father ’ s plan of perfecting.

Dialogue

Delusion

Q: Would you say that you are still engaged in this process of uncovering your own perfections?

Yes, all ascending sons are likewise engaged. I would say that over time these things grow more subtle and more insidious. As you know they are even found among such highly created beings as Lucifer was.

Student: But they weren’t ascendant beings.

Ham: Yes, that ’ s my point.

Q: It is hard to understand how we act like we are more when we feel we are less. It seems like a high created being like that, pride is always a lie.

Ham: The sons of that order you must remember are created to function in the realm of the ascending sons. Therefore, they are not created in perfection as on the higher worlds, created directly from the Father of from the Eternal Son.

Q: The point I have always puzzled me, I understand how people, pride in people, overcompensation for low self esteem, but those other, do you see what I am saying.

Ham: Well, yes, but pride has dimensions you have not explored.

Q: It is kind of pretending.

Ham: Yes, it is a kind of delusion. All human beings have their delusions, it is safe to say that none are without them. When personality and mind interact, there is then a personal aspect of mind that is individual and within this realm are many different delusions which are personal colorations of perception. Character is the willingness to let go of delusion. Human beings are under a delusion in general that the morontia and spiritual realms are peopled with perfect beings. But this is untrue. Perfect beings are found in Havona and scattered throughout the universes one finds them. They are perfect, but they are also incomplete. They are limited in their experience. Only the Father can be said to be complete, absolute, as well as perfect. His creation must be fragmentary in some way. Even your indwelling adjusters are sub-absolute. Though they partake of the Father’s absolute nature, they themselves are a fragment of him. Their experience gives them greater and greater completion over time. And this is the Father’s plan, this is creation. This is existence. And this is the Father’s great love for his creation, that he would personally indwell the lowliest will creatures and partake of their experience in time and space. No, the universe is not perfect immediately upon leaving this world. You will find imperfection all the way to Paradise. But remember, the universes are perfecting and the Father’s command is "Be you perfect, even as I am perfect".

Listening

Q: Is it ever our business to discuss with someone else their shortcomings as we perceive them and if it is, how do we go about that, how do we do it if it is ever our business?

Ham: Yes, of course, it is fine to discuss spiritual struggles. Remember the Master could teach through questions as well as providing answers. Human beings are engaged and open when asked a question but often are closed when receiving an answer.

Q: The awful ordeal of listening.

Ham: Yes. It is wise, as much as possible, to follow the Master’s model and to help others through the asking of questions before you dive in to here’s what I think your problem is mode which always causes the other person to throw up barriers and not to listen. Take your time, don’t be in a hurry to change someone over night, and you will grow ever more skillful in planting seeds of thought. Coming at someone with too much harsh truth can also be a manifestation of vanity, I know and you don’t kind of thinking, and usually it falls on deaf ears. But, guiding someone into self-realization can be a very rewarding experience, one where both of you will learn a lot.

Personal Counsel

Crisis

Q: Do you have any counsel for me this evening?

Ham: Certainly, my son. You are doing very well. Be at peace with yourself. Give each day and each job before you your honest full effort. Be careful not to bite off more than you can chew, in other words be increasingly honest in your self-assessment. Pray for those around you who need spiritual comfort and pray that they find spiritual comfort rather than material comfort which masks and postpones the need and the search for spiritual comfort. Remember that the human beings who search in the material world for something that can only be found in the spirit must eventually come to and end of that search, a crisis point. This is an immutable law of the universe, it cannot be changed. Remember that their own indwelling spirit is seeking that crisis point, that time of turning when the person will turn to the spirit rather than the world. Cooperate then with their adjuster and their angels rather than being sucked into their material search which will only lead to increasing pain before the crisis.

Q: May I ask for a message for Jim please?

Ham: Certainly. Be at ease my son, you are well. Remember that you can serve only one master for some times the things of the world, the material world, can be a seductive lure. Every time you have a conflict, remember the simple words the Master repeatedly spoke, "It is my will that your will be done". This is a psychological method of freeing yourself from ego involvement and of allowing yourself to be lead and releasing the burden which you keep picking back up, the burden of figuring things out, being in charge of your life. It ’ s OK sometimes not to be "in charge" of your life. It ’ s OK to drift with the Master’s leading. Be at ease my son, that is all.

Q: Do you have anything for Rebecca?

Ham: Yes, my daughter. Your way right now is turning, changing and you are also feeling that drift, that not being in charge which is a help for you right now in your desire to let go of control. You are finding a way to move forward and a new and unique way to use your wisdom and skills. Place your hand firmly in the Masters and he will show you all that you need and give you guidance at each step. You are growing with the inner strength you will need rather than the outer strength you have heretofore relied upon. Abandon one for the other and your way is clear.

Q: Jarad?

Ham: Yes my son, you too are going through some inner change relying less and less on the old props and finding greater and greater inner truth. This truth will blossom and your inner strength of character continue to solidify around it. Your way is also clear as your reliance on the Master’s hand grows more complete. Trust in that relationship and allow him to provide those things necessary for the journey. Be at peace, you do well.

Q: Do you have a message for Joan?

Ham: Yes, of course. My daughter, you do very well. You are continuing to grow and to find your way in the spirit. Remember that the Master’s spirit is always with you. He is an ever present friend and a willing helper in your life. Be at ease, you will find the way is easier than you think.

Q: Do you have a message for Norbert?

Ham: Certainly. My son, you do well. Have patience with yourself. Do not try to move too far too fast. Do not be distressed as you go through the inevitable difficulties of life for you will have everything you need at every step of your journey. Have courage and confidence for all is well.

Q: Do you have a message for Charlie B?

Ham: Certainly. My son, take heed of this lesson. Do not be hard on yourself or rather let go of your need for self-punishment and criticism. You are a person with a complex mixture of these little sins we talked about. Like all people, you will not be able to sort everything out at once. Be careful to be a student as well as the teacher. Become the child as well as the father.

Q: Do you have any feedback for me this week?

Ham: Yes, my son. Also take heed of this lesson. There are parts of your personal nature which are quite fragile and have been protected for a long time but which can use and honest airing and open examination. In many ways you are stronger than you think you are weaker than you think you are in other ways, just like all people. See how the strengths can be weaknesses and weaknesses strengths. Be unafraid of yourself. Be unafraid to be a human being with human failings and human problems. Being a teacher has forced you to project a persona of confidence and assurance. Examine this, how it is a help and a hindrance, in your spiritual life. You do very well.

Closing

Is there anything further at this time? Very well then, until next week my love and my prayers are with you each. Farewell.