Difference between revisions of "2003-10-05-Nature of Free Will"
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| − | + | [[Image:lighterstill.jpg]] [[File:Teaching_buddha_small.jpg|right|frame]] | |
| − | Group: Nashville, | + | ==Heading== |
| + | ===Topic: ''Nature of Free Will''=== | ||
| + | ===Group: [[Nashville TeaM]]=== | ||
| + | ==Facilitators== | ||
| + | ===Teacher: [[Ham]]=== | ||
| + | ===TR: [[Rebecca]]=== | ||
| + | ==Session== | ||
| + | ===Opening=== | ||
| + | Ham: Greetings, children, I am Ham and I am [[happy]] that you have come this evening. Tonight, let us [[discuss]] [[understanding]], [[free will]], and appreciating this gift. My friends, each human being is [[blessed]] with free will within limits. And, as your [[spirituality]], your [[morontia soul]], grows so does your [[freedom]]. | ||
| + | ===Lesson=== | ||
| + | ===='''''[[Free will]]'''''==== | ||
| + | The immature human has [[freedom]] within a very limited sphere and with your growing [[maturity]] your freedom begins to enlarge. Then, as you advance in [[the universe]] during your [[morontia life]], your freedom enlarges still more. It is a seeming [[paradox]] to the immature soul who may see the following of God’s will as a narrowing of freedom. Actually, the reverse is true. Opening up to God’s will enlarges your sphere of [[action]] and [[choice]]. And the more one concedes to [[doing the Father’s will]], the more freedom one experiences. Great is the realm of choice given to one following the Father’s will. | ||
| − | + | [[The Father]] constantly seeks to expand your [[freedom]], to give more to those who already follow his will in freedom. [[The universe]] is created in order to give as much freedom to each level of being as possible. The more your [[value]] increases in the universe, the freer you [[become]]. | |
| − | + | [[The Father]] [[desires]] that you should [[love]] him. But, if that love were not given freely would not that love be of lesser [[value]]? Love freely given and freely [[received]] is of ever increasing [[value]]. The more you value someone, the more you love them, and the more you love them, the more you value them. The Father’s love is ever expanding. It is not something that remains on a static level. Rather, his love is ever expanding as your [[ability]] to [[receive]] it expands. | |
| − | + | The more [[your soul]] expands in receiving his love, the more love you are able to [[bestow]] on others and on him. And these things are precious to God. The highest thing you can give God is your love and your love of others as well. Both of these gifts are a great [[treasure]] and this precious treasure is ever expanding. [[Love]] is not confined. Love is ever [[flowing]], giving and receiving, never static. It is not imprisoned, it is free. | |
| − | + | Likewise, your [[spiritual progress]] is one of increasingly throwing off the old [[shackles]], the old [[traditions]] and thought processes, the old cultural and religious imprisonments of [[faith]]. Spiritual growth involves expansion and [[change]]. The old can no longer contain your spirit, for you have expanded beyond its confines and now operate on a higher and freer level of life [[experience]]. | |
| − | + | You are all having varying experiences, but all of you are experiencing a new [[freedom]], a new way of seeing yourselves and of experiencing your lives. There is nothing so exhilarating, so [[exciting]], so freeing as living in the [[spirit]]. [[Freedom]] of your will is expanded as you [[consecrate]] this will to [[the Father]]. The Father so [[values]] [[your soul]] that he confers upon you as much [[freedom]] as you can handle. | |
| − | + | A life of [[faith]] is a life of [[change]] and experiencing change very often creates [[fear]] and fear is a pulling back from [[freedom]]. Fear creates the [[desire]] for the [[safety]] of the old. But a life of faith requires that you continually strike out into the new and use the great freedom the Father bestows. The Father’s plan requires this striking out for to follow him means also to leave behind that which was and its safety and to strike out into what is new and [[unknown]] where there can be fear. | |
| − | + | My friends, [[courage]] lies very much with your willingness to be led into the new and to be [[excited]] by the freedom and the [[challenges]] which come with it. Many [[human being]]s come up to the edge of spiritual [[adventure]] and then pull back in [[fear]] because the old way of being, the old way of seeing yourself, has safety. | |
| − | + | But my friends, the Father’s [[freedom]] awaits and all things [[become]] new and this is the great [[adventure]] of living. Can you leave behind the old and [[embrace]] the new? Can you allow yourselves to grow, to expand, and to be exhilarated by the [[unknown]]? Can you cast off in your little boat of [[faith]] out on to the high seas of spiritual adventure? Of course you can. | |
| − | + | [[Embrace]] your new found [[freedom]]. Embrace the [[adventures]] that lie before you. Have complete [[faith]] that the Father himself will [[guide]] your [[footsteps]] and [[whisper]] in your ear, this is the way. Don’t pull back and cheat yourselves of this great adventure. It awaits each one of you. | |
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| − | Embrace your new found freedom. Embrace the adventures that lie before you. Have complete faith that the Father himself will guide your footsteps and whisper in your ear, this is the way. Don’t pull back and cheat yourselves of this great adventure. It awaits each one of you. | ||
Are there questions at this time? | Are there questions at this time? | ||
| + | ===Dialogue=== | ||
| + | ===='''''[[Freedom]]''''', '''''[[Creativity]]'''''==== | ||
| + | Q: Am I correct in [[understanding]] that it is [[the Father]]'s will that we are [[free]] to choose. In some situations, is there a single [[option]] of choice that is the Father’s will and in other situations the Father’s will is that we choose from among several acceptable options? Are you also saying that the more we [[progress]] in our [[spiritual growth]], the more we are allowed to choose from among different [[paths]] or options? Are these the time we are allowed to be [[creative]]? | ||
| − | + | Ham: First, there is one great [[decision]] to be made, the decision to know God and to become increasingly like him. This is the decision to follow [[the Father]]’s will. This decision then allows within it many [[decisions]] and you are free to make these choices and to follow what may seem to be many [[paths]] but which are really only one path. Yes, freedom is the freedom to be [[creative]]. True freedom is that true creativity, that original [[thinking]], and individual [[expression]] of God. You are the only one who holds your [[potential]] and that potential is only released in freedom. It is very saddening for us to [[observe]] many a great potential be squashed by religious or cultural restraint or [[convention]]. The [[Ten Commandments|law of Moses]] prohibiting the creation of graven [[images]], or [[idols]], stifled artistic creation over centuries upon centuries. This is unfortunate and very sad for there were many artistic [[geniuses]] who were held within the confines of their [[religion]] and [[culture]] and prohibited from self-[[expression]]. The Master said, you will know the [[truth]] and it will make you free. The [[truth]] is the Father’s love for who you are and his love for your great [[potential]] in expression. In the Father’s Kingdom there is freedom. In the Kingdoms of the world, unfortunately, there is not. Is this helping? | |
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| − | Ham: First, there is one great decision to be made, the decision to know God and to become increasingly like him. This is the decision to follow the | ||
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| − | + | Q: Yes, and I will [[read]] it over and think about it too. I think it will help a great deal. | |
| − | Q: I know that you have addressed this many times, but since this lesson is about this in particular. Does one actively seek to do God’s will and thus desire or gain freedom or is one better off to relax into have this freedom or choice of God’s will open on you somehow? That is about the best I can do with it. | + | Ham: [[Religion]] as you have know it has been a great stifling force of human [[creativity]]. But, [[Part 4|the Master’s life and teachings]] are changing this and his words continue to free the spiritual [[captives]], even to this day. Be free, be yourself. This was his message. [[Reflect]] God in your own way rather than [[conforming]] and to a set of societal or religious [[proscriptions]]. And, even further, break out of the old [[shackles]] you have put on yourself, who you see yourself to be and [[embrace]] the greater [[vision]] of how God sees you. |
| + | ===='''''[[Receptivity]]'''''==== | ||
| + | Q: I know that you have addressed this many times, but since this lesson is about this in particular. Does one actively seek to [[do God’s will]] and thus [[desire]] or gain [[freedom]] or is one better off to [[relax]] into have this freedom or [[choice]] of God’s will open on you somehow? That is about the best I can do with it. | ||
| − | Ham: Yes my daughter, there is time for both things. In each life, there are periods. Sometimes it is best to relax, as you say, to wait upon the Father’s call so to speak. It is hard for the Father to call you if you are too busy to hear him and many people rush from one thing to the next with no period of reflection. It is best to have these things alternate. The Master used this pattern with the apostles, a period of activity, then a period of rest and reflection. Both are needed for a balanced life and both are needed to carry out the Father’s bidding. Is this helping? | + | Ham: Yes my daughter, there is time for both things. In each life, there are periods. Sometimes it is best to [[relax]], as you say, to wait upon the Father’s call so to speak. It is hard for the Father to call you if you are too [[busy]] to hear him and many people rush from one thing to the next with no period of [[reflection]]. It is best to have these things alternate. [[The Master]] used this [[pattern]] with [[the apostles]], a period of activity, then a period of [[rest]] and [[reflection]]. Both are needed for a [[balanced]] life and both are needed to carry out the Father’s bidding. Is this helping? |
Q: Yes, I can’t hear it enough. | Q: Yes, I can’t hear it enough. | ||
| − | + | ===Personal Counsel=== | |
Q: Yes Ham, I would like to know if you have a message for me? | Q: Yes Ham, I would like to know if you have a message for me? | ||
| − | Ham: Certainly my son. You do very well and are making very good progress in your life. You have a great deal of love within you and you area always willing to bestow this love very freely. This is a great gift. Do not become discouraged, for your faith is very strong. You have more faith than you think you do and you may draw upon this faith freely. Your way will have many twists and turns, but your consecration to the Father’s will and to knowing God is very strong and it will carry you through all the little ups and downs of life ahead. It is always true to the God knowing, Kingdom believer what does it matter if the things of this world should fall. The spirit always beckons forward and the way is made in all circumstances. Have peace and joy and laughter. | + | Ham: Certainly my son. You do very well and are making very good [[progress]] in your life. You have a great deal of love within you and you area always willing to [[bestow]] this [[love]] very freely. This is a great gift. Do not become [[discouraged]], for your [[faith]] is very strong. You have more faith than you think you do and you may draw upon this faith freely. Your way will have many twists and turns, but your [[consecration]] to the Father’s will and to knowing God is very strong and it will carry you through all the little ups and downs of life ahead. It is always true to the God knowing, Kingdom believer what does it matter if the things of this world should fall. The [[spirit]] always beckons forward and the way is made in all circumstances. Have [[peace]] and [[joy]] and [[laughter]]. |
Q: May I ask for a message for Jim, please. | Q: May I ask for a message for Jim, please. | ||
| − | Ham: Certainly. My son, you do well. Think about this lesson and the many shackles you have removed and the many shackles you still wear. Give yourself permission to evaluate these things. Think about what freedom is and where it is found and be at peace. All is well. | + | Ham: Certainly. My son, you do well. Think about this lesson and the many [[shackles]] you have removed and the many shackles you still wear. Give yourself [[permission]] to [[evaluate]] these things. Think about what [[freedom]] is and where it is found and be at [[peace]]. All is well. |
Q: Do you have anything for Rebecca? | Q: Do you have anything for Rebecca? | ||
| − | Ham: Yes, my daughter, you are breaking out of your old fear traps, the traps you set for yourself to keep you from shining too brightly or going too far, the old traps of feeling unworthy and so making changes difficult. But, now, my daughter, you are going through some change and leaving behind these old patterns that no longer serve you, that you now see have not served you. Go forth with courage and tenacity making bold strides rather than tentative ones. The Master will be with you at every step. | + | Ham: Yes, my daughter, you are breaking out of your old [[fear]] [[traps]], the traps you set for yourself to keep you from shining too brightly or going too far, the old traps of feeling unworthy and so making [[changes]] difficult. But, now, my daughter, you are going through some change and leaving behind these old [[patterns]] that no longer serve you, that you now see have not served you. Go forth with [[courage]] and tenacity making bold strides rather than tentative ones. [[The Master]] will be with you at every [[step]]. |
Q: Jarad? | Q: Jarad? | ||
| − | Ham: Of course, my son. You are likewise going through some change. You are beginning to be able to see yourself through the Master’s eyes and so you are coming to value yourself and to understand yourself. You are growing in balance, in faith, and in judgement, and in perspective. Be at ease as you go forward in the new life. Have peace in your heart. Open increasingly to love. Allow the way to be shown. Don’t be in a hurry to force anything, but be at ease. | + | Ham: Of course, my son. You are likewise going through some [[change]]. You are beginning to be able to see yourself through the Master’s eyes and so you are coming to [[value]] yourself and to understand yourself. You are growing in [[balance]], in [[faith]], and in [[judgement]], and in [[perspective]]. Be at ease as you go forward in the new life. Have peace in your [[heart]]. Open increasingly to love. Allow the way to be shown. Don’t be in a hurry to [[force]] anything, but be at ease. |
Q: Do you have anything for PZ? | Q: Do you have anything for PZ? | ||
| − | Ham: Certainly. Be at ease for you are growing in faith and trust in God. Allow the difficulties of life to help you move forward in faith. The way will be shown toward greater love, greater acceptance, and greater joy as you go. Have no fear, you do very well. | + | Ham: Certainly. Be at ease for you are growing in [[faith]] and [[trust]] in God. Allow the [[difficulties]] of life to help you move forward in faith. The way will be shown toward greater [[love]], greater [[acceptance]], and greater [[joy]] as you go. Have no [[fear]], you do very well. |
Q: Do you have a personal message for Charlie B? | Q: Do you have a personal message for Charlie B? | ||
| − | Ham: Certainly, my son. You do very well. Your path continues to be difficult and so it should be. Difficulties only spur on the God-knowing, Kingdom-believer. And so it is. Be unafraid for all the experiences the Father has for you will be valuable. Have faith and confidence. That is all. | + | Ham: Certainly, my son. You do very well. Your [[path]] continues to be [[difficult]] and so it should be. Difficulties only spur on the God-knowing, Kingdom-believer. And so it is. Be unafraid for all the [[experiences]] [[the Father]] has for you will be valuable. Have faith and [[confidence]]. That is all. |
| − | Q: Do you have any feedback for me this week Ham? | + | Q: Do you have any [[feedback]] for me this week Ham? |
| − | Ham: Yes my son. You are doing very well. The way of the spirit continues to open and you continue to follow, little by little, day by day. Have complete peace in your heart for you are doing very well in all things. Continue to expand your love of others. Have peace as you move forward. | + | Ham: Yes my son. You are doing very well. The way of the [[spirit]] continues to open and you continue to follow, little by little, day by day. Have complete [[peace]] in your [[heart]] for you are doing very well in all things. Continue to expand your love of others. Have peace as you move forward. |
| + | ===Closing=== | ||
| + | Are there any further [[questions]] at this time? Very well then, my friends, you do well. Have [[peace]] as you move forth, have [[courage]] as you test your wings, have [[trust]] in [[the Father]] completely and rest in complete assur[[Link title]]ance that your lives increasingly [[reflect]] the Father’s love. | ||
| − | |||
| − | + | [[Category: The Teaching Mission: Dialogues]] | |
| + | [[Category: Nashville TeaM]] | ||
| + | [[Category: Ham]] | ||
| + | [[Category: Rebecca]] | ||
| + | [[Category: Free will]] | ||
| + | [[Category: Freedom]] | ||
| + | [[Category: Creativity]] | ||
| + | [[Category: Receptivity]] | ||
| + | [[Category: 2003]] | ||
Latest revision as of 16:05, 30 December 2013
Heading
Topic: Nature of Free Will
Group: Nashville TeaM
Facilitators
Teacher: Ham
TR: Rebecca
Session
Opening
Ham: Greetings, children, I am Ham and I am happy that you have come this evening. Tonight, let us discuss understanding, free will, and appreciating this gift. My friends, each human being is blessed with free will within limits. And, as your spirituality, your morontia soul, grows so does your freedom.
Lesson
Free will
The immature human has freedom within a very limited sphere and with your growing maturity your freedom begins to enlarge. Then, as you advance in the universe during your morontia life, your freedom enlarges still more. It is a seeming paradox to the immature soul who may see the following of God’s will as a narrowing of freedom. Actually, the reverse is true. Opening up to God’s will enlarges your sphere of action and choice. And the more one concedes to doing the Father’s will, the more freedom one experiences. Great is the realm of choice given to one following the Father’s will.
The Father constantly seeks to expand your freedom, to give more to those who already follow his will in freedom. The universe is created in order to give as much freedom to each level of being as possible. The more your value increases in the universe, the freer you become.
The Father desires that you should love him. But, if that love were not given freely would not that love be of lesser value? Love freely given and freely received is of ever increasing value. The more you value someone, the more you love them, and the more you love them, the more you value them. The Father’s love is ever expanding. It is not something that remains on a static level. Rather, his love is ever expanding as your ability to receive it expands.
The more your soul expands in receiving his love, the more love you are able to bestow on others and on him. And these things are precious to God. The highest thing you can give God is your love and your love of others as well. Both of these gifts are a great treasure and this precious treasure is ever expanding. Love is not confined. Love is ever flowing, giving and receiving, never static. It is not imprisoned, it is free.
Likewise, your spiritual progress is one of increasingly throwing off the old shackles, the old traditions and thought processes, the old cultural and religious imprisonments of faith. Spiritual growth involves expansion and change. The old can no longer contain your spirit, for you have expanded beyond its confines and now operate on a higher and freer level of life experience.
You are all having varying experiences, but all of you are experiencing a new freedom, a new way of seeing yourselves and of experiencing your lives. There is nothing so exhilarating, so exciting, so freeing as living in the spirit. Freedom of your will is expanded as you consecrate this will to the Father. The Father so values your soul that he confers upon you as much freedom as you can handle.
A life of faith is a life of change and experiencing change very often creates fear and fear is a pulling back from freedom. Fear creates the desire for the safety of the old. But a life of faith requires that you continually strike out into the new and use the great freedom the Father bestows. The Father’s plan requires this striking out for to follow him means also to leave behind that which was and its safety and to strike out into what is new and unknown where there can be fear.
My friends, courage lies very much with your willingness to be led into the new and to be excited by the freedom and the challenges which come with it. Many human beings come up to the edge of spiritual adventure and then pull back in fear because the old way of being, the old way of seeing yourself, has safety.
But my friends, the Father’s freedom awaits and all things become new and this is the great adventure of living. Can you leave behind the old and embrace the new? Can you allow yourselves to grow, to expand, and to be exhilarated by the unknown? Can you cast off in your little boat of faith out on to the high seas of spiritual adventure? Of course you can.
Embrace your new found freedom. Embrace the adventures that lie before you. Have complete faith that the Father himself will guide your footsteps and whisper in your ear, this is the way. Don’t pull back and cheat yourselves of this great adventure. It awaits each one of you.
Are there questions at this time?
Dialogue
Freedom, Creativity
Q: Am I correct in understanding that it is the Father's will that we are free to choose. In some situations, is there a single option of choice that is the Father’s will and in other situations the Father’s will is that we choose from among several acceptable options? Are you also saying that the more we progress in our spiritual growth, the more we are allowed to choose from among different paths or options? Are these the time we are allowed to be creative?
Ham: First, there is one great decision to be made, the decision to know God and to become increasingly like him. This is the decision to follow the Father’s will. This decision then allows within it many decisions and you are free to make these choices and to follow what may seem to be many paths but which are really only one path. Yes, freedom is the freedom to be creative. True freedom is that true creativity, that original thinking, and individual expression of God. You are the only one who holds your potential and that potential is only released in freedom. It is very saddening for us to observe many a great potential be squashed by religious or cultural restraint or convention. The law of Moses prohibiting the creation of graven images, or idols, stifled artistic creation over centuries upon centuries. This is unfortunate and very sad for there were many artistic geniuses who were held within the confines of their religion and culture and prohibited from self-expression. The Master said, you will know the truth and it will make you free. The truth is the Father’s love for who you are and his love for your great potential in expression. In the Father’s Kingdom there is freedom. In the Kingdoms of the world, unfortunately, there is not. Is this helping?
Q: Yes, and I will read it over and think about it too. I think it will help a great deal.
Ham: Religion as you have know it has been a great stifling force of human creativity. But, the Master’s life and teachings are changing this and his words continue to free the spiritual captives, even to this day. Be free, be yourself. This was his message. Reflect God in your own way rather than conforming and to a set of societal or religious proscriptions. And, even further, break out of the old shackles you have put on yourself, who you see yourself to be and embrace the greater vision of how God sees you.
Receptivity
Q: I know that you have addressed this many times, but since this lesson is about this in particular. Does one actively seek to do God’s will and thus desire or gain freedom or is one better off to relax into have this freedom or choice of God’s will open on you somehow? That is about the best I can do with it.
Ham: Yes my daughter, there is time for both things. In each life, there are periods. Sometimes it is best to relax, as you say, to wait upon the Father’s call so to speak. It is hard for the Father to call you if you are too busy to hear him and many people rush from one thing to the next with no period of reflection. It is best to have these things alternate. The Master used this pattern with the apostles, a period of activity, then a period of rest and reflection. Both are needed for a balanced life and both are needed to carry out the Father’s bidding. Is this helping?
Q: Yes, I can’t hear it enough.
Personal Counsel
Q: Yes Ham, I would like to know if you have a message for me?
Ham: Certainly my son. You do very well and are making very good progress in your life. You have a great deal of love within you and you area always willing to bestow this love very freely. This is a great gift. Do not become discouraged, for your faith is very strong. You have more faith than you think you do and you may draw upon this faith freely. Your way will have many twists and turns, but your consecration to the Father’s will and to knowing God is very strong and it will carry you through all the little ups and downs of life ahead. It is always true to the God knowing, Kingdom believer what does it matter if the things of this world should fall. The spirit always beckons forward and the way is made in all circumstances. Have peace and joy and laughter.
Q: May I ask for a message for Jim, please.
Ham: Certainly. My son, you do well. Think about this lesson and the many shackles you have removed and the many shackles you still wear. Give yourself permission to evaluate these things. Think about what freedom is and where it is found and be at peace. All is well.
Q: Do you have anything for Rebecca?
Ham: Yes, my daughter, you are breaking out of your old fear traps, the traps you set for yourself to keep you from shining too brightly or going too far, the old traps of feeling unworthy and so making changes difficult. But, now, my daughter, you are going through some change and leaving behind these old patterns that no longer serve you, that you now see have not served you. Go forth with courage and tenacity making bold strides rather than tentative ones. The Master will be with you at every step.
Q: Jarad?
Ham: Of course, my son. You are likewise going through some change. You are beginning to be able to see yourself through the Master’s eyes and so you are coming to value yourself and to understand yourself. You are growing in balance, in faith, and in judgement, and in perspective. Be at ease as you go forward in the new life. Have peace in your heart. Open increasingly to love. Allow the way to be shown. Don’t be in a hurry to force anything, but be at ease.
Q: Do you have anything for PZ?
Ham: Certainly. Be at ease for you are growing in faith and trust in God. Allow the difficulties of life to help you move forward in faith. The way will be shown toward greater love, greater acceptance, and greater joy as you go. Have no fear, you do very well.
Q: Do you have a personal message for Charlie B?
Ham: Certainly, my son. You do very well. Your path continues to be difficult and so it should be. Difficulties only spur on the God-knowing, Kingdom-believer. And so it is. Be unafraid for all the experiences the Father has for you will be valuable. Have faith and confidence. That is all.
Q: Do you have any feedback for me this week Ham?
Ham: Yes my son. You are doing very well. The way of the spirit continues to open and you continue to follow, little by little, day by day. Have complete peace in your heart for you are doing very well in all things. Continue to expand your love of others. Have peace as you move forward.
Closing
Are there any further questions at this time? Very well then, my friends, you do well. Have peace as you move forth, have courage as you test your wings, have trust in the Father completely and rest in complete assurLink titleance that your lives increasingly reflect the Father’s love.
