Changes

Created page with 'File:lighterstill.jpgright|frame 48:4.1 Joyful mirth and the smile-equivalent are as universal as music. There is a [[morontial]...'
[[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:The_eye_of_all_ur60.jpg|right|frame]]

48:4.1 [[Joyful]] mirth and the smile-equivalent are as [[universal]] as [[music]]. There is a [[morontial]] and a [[spiritual]] [[equivalent]] of mirth and [[laughter]]. The [[ascendant]] life is about equally divided between [[work]] and [[play]]—[[freedom]] from assignment.

48:4.2 [[Celestial]] [[relaxation]] and [[superhuman]] [[humor]] are quite [[different]] from their [[human]] analogues, but we all [[actually]] indulge in a [[form]] of both; and they really accomplish for us, in our [[state]], just about what [[ideal]] [[humor]] is able to do for you on [[Urantia]]. The [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_48#48:3._MORONTIA_COMPANIONS Morontia Companions] are [[skillful]] [[play]] sponsors, and they are most ably [[supported]] by the ''reversion directors''.

48:4.3 You would [[probably]] best [[understand]] the [[work]] of the ''reversion directors'' if they were likened to the higher [[types]] of [[humorists]] on [[Urantia]], though that would be an exceedingly crude and somewhat unfortunate way in which to try to convey an [[idea]] of the [[function]] of these directors of [[change]] and [[relaxation]], these ministers of the exalted [[humor]] of the [[morontia]] and [[spirit]] realms.

48:4.4 In discussing [[spirit]] [[humor]], first let me tell you what it is not. [[Spirit]] jest is never tinged with the accentuation of the misfortunes of the weak and erring. Neither is it ever [[blasphemous]] of the [[righteousness]] and [[glory]] of [[divinity]]. Our [[humor]] [[embraces]] three general [[levels]] of [[appreciation]]:

48:4.5 1. ''Reminiscent jests''. Quips [[growing]] out of the [[memories]] of [[past]] [[episodes]] in one's [[experience]] of combat, [[struggle]], and sometimes [[fearfulness]], and ofttimes foolish and childish [[anxiety]]. To us, this [[phase]] of humor derives from the deep-seated and abiding [[ability]] to draw upon the [[past]] for [[memory]] [[material]] with which [[pleasantly]] to flavor and otherwise lighten the heavy loads of the [[present]].

48:4.6 2. ''Current humor''. The senselessness of much that so often causes us serious concern, the [[joy]] at [[discovering]] the unimportance of much of our serious [[personal]] [[anxiety]]. We are most [[appreciative]] of this phase of humor when we are best able to discount the anxieties of the [[present]] in favor of the [[certainties]] of the [[future]].

48:4.7 3. ''Prophetic joy''. t will perhaps be [[difficult]] for [[mortals]] to envisage this [[phase]] of humor, but we do get a peculiar [[satisfaction]] out of the [[assurance]] "that all things work together for good"[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Letter_of_Paul_to_the_Romans#The_Letter_of_Paul_to_the_Romans.2C_VIII]—for [[spirits]] and [[morontia]]ns as well as for [[mortals]]. This aspect of [[celestial]] humor grows out of our [[faith]] in the [[loving]] overcare of our superiors and in the [[divine]] [[stability]] of our [[Supreme Directors]].

48:4.8 But the ''reversion directors'' of the realms are not concerned exclusively with depicting the high [[humor]] of the various [[orders]] of [[intelligent]] [[beings]]; they are also occupied with the [[leadership]] of diversion, [[spiritual]] recreation and [[morontia]] [[entertainment]]. And in this [[connection]] they have the hearty [[co-operation]] of the [[celestial artisans]].

48:4.9 The ''reversion directors'' themselves are not a [[created]] [[group]]; they are a recruited corps [[embracing]] [[beings]] ranging from the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_31_-_The_Corps_of_the_Finality#31:1._THE_HAVONA_NATIVES Havona natives] down through the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_25 messenger hosts of space] and the [[ministering spirits of time]] to the [[morontia]] [[progressors]] from the [[evolutionary worlds]]. All are [[volunteers]], giving themselves to the [[work]] of [[assisting]] their fellows in the [[achievement]] of [[thought]] [[change]] and [[mind]] [[rest]], for such [[attitudes]] are most helpful in recuperating depleted [[energies]].

48:4.10 When partially [[exhausted]] by the [[efforts]] of [[attainment]], and while awaiting the [[reception]] of new [[energy]] charges, there is agreeable [[pleasure]] in living over again the enactments of [[Past|other days and ages]]. The early [[experiences]] of the [[race]] or the order are restful to [[reminisce]]. And that is exactly why these artists are called [[reversion directors]]—they [[assist]] in reverting the [[memory]] to a former [[state]] of [[development]] or to a less [[experienced]] [[status]] of [[being]].

48:4.11 All [[beings]] [[enjoy]] this sort of reversion except those who are [[inherent]] [[Creators]], hence [[automatic]] self-rejuvenators, and certain highly specialized [[types]] of [[creatures]], such as the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_29#29:3._THE_DOMAIN_OF_POWER_CENTERS power centers] and the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_29#29:4._THE_MASTER_PHYSICAL_CONTROLLERS physical controllers], who are always and [[eternally]] thoroughly [[business]]like in all their [[reactions]]. These [[periodic]] releases from the [[tension]] of [[functional]] [[duty]] are a regular part of life on all worlds throughout the [[universe of universes]] but not on the [[Isle of Paradise]]. [[Beings]] [[indigenous]] to the [[Paradise|central abode]] are incapable of [[Exhaustion|depletion]] and are not, therefore, subject to re-energizing. And with such [[beings]] of [[eternal]] [[Paradise]] [[perfection]] there can be no such reversion to [[evolutionary]] [[experiences]].

48:4.12 Most of us have come up through lower [[stages]] of [[existence]] or through [[progressive]] [[levels]] of our orders, and it is refreshing and in a [[measure]] amusing to look back upon certain [[episodes]] of our [[Past|early]] [[experience]]. There is a restfulness in the [[contemplation]] of that which is old to one's order, and which lingers as a [[memory]] [[possession]] of the [[mind]]. The [[future]] signifies [[struggle]] and advancement; it bespeaks [[work]], [[effort]], and [[achievement]]; but the [[past]] savors of [[things]] already mastered and achieved; [[contemplation]] of the [[past]] permits of [[relaxation]] and such a carefree review as to provoke [[spirit]] mirth and a [[morontia]] [[state]] of [[mind]] verging on merriment.

48:4.13 Even [[mortal]] [[humor]] becomes most hearty when it depicts [[episodes]] affecting those just a little beneath one's [[present]] [[developmental]] [[state]], or when it portrays one's supposed superiors falling [[victim]] to the [[experiences]] which are commonly [[associated]] with supposed inferiors. You of [[Urantia]] have allowed much that is at once [[vulgar]] and unkind to become [[confused]] with your [[humor]], but on the whole, you are to be congratulated on a [[comparatively]] keen sense of [[humor]]. Some of your [[races]] have a rich vein of it and are greatly helped in their [[earthly]] [[careers]] thereby. Apparently you received much in the way of [[humor]] from your [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_78 Adamic inheritance], much more than was secured of either [[music]] or [[art]].

48:4.14 All [[Satania]], during times of [[play]], those times when its [[inhabitants]] refreshingly [[resurrect]] the [[memories]] of a lower [[stage]] of [[existence]], is edified by the [[pleasant]] [[humor]] of a corps of [[reversion directors]] from [[Urantia]]. The sense of [[celestial]] [[humor]] we have with us always, even when engaged in the most [[difficult]] of assignments. It helps to avoid an overdevelopment of the notion of one's self-importance. But we do not give rein to it freely, as you might say, "have fun," except when we are in recess from the serious assignments of our respective [[orders]].

48:4.15 When we are [[tempted]] to [[Aggrandizement|magnify]] our self-importance, if we stop to [[contemplate]] the [[infinity]] of the greatness and grandeur of [[the Gods|our Makers]], our own [[self]]-glorification becomes [[sublime]]ly ridiculous, even verging on the [[humorous]]. One of the [[functions]] of [[humor]] is to help all of us take ourselves less seriously. [[Humor]] is the [[divine]] [[antidote]] for exaltation of [[ego]].

48:4.16 The need for the [[relaxation]] and diversion of [[humor]] is greatest in those [[orders]] of [[ascendant beings]] who are subjected to [[sustained]] [[stress]] in their upward [[struggles]]. The two extremes of life have little need for humorous diversions. [[Primitive]] men have no [[capacity]] therefor, and [[beings]] of [[Paradise]] [[perfection]] have no need thereof. The [[hosts]] of [[Havona]] are [[naturally]] a [[joyous]] and exhilarating assemblage of supremely [[happy]] [[personalities]]. On [[Paradise]] the [[quality]] of [[worship]] obviates the [[necessity]] for reversion activities. But among those who start their [[careers]] far below the goal of [[Paradise]] [[perfection]], there is a large place for the [[ministry]] of the [[reversion directors]].

48:4.17 The higher the [[mortal]] [[species]], the greater the [[stress]] and the greater the [[capacity]] for [[humor]] as well as the [[necessity]] for it. In the [[spirit]] world the [[opposite]] is true: The higher we [[ascend]], the less the need for the diversions of reversion [[experiences]]. But proceeding down the [[scale]] of [[spirit]] life from [[Paradise]] to the [[seraphic hosts]], there is an increasing need for the mission of mirth and the [[ministry]] of merriment. Those [[beings]] who most need the refreshment of [[periodic]] reversion to the [[intellectual]] [[status]] of previous [[experiences]] are the higher [[types]] of the [[human]] [[species]], the [[morontian]]s, [[angels]], and the [[Material Sons]], [[together]] with all similar [[types]] of [[personality]].

48:4.18 [[Humor]] should [[function]] as an [[automatic]] safety valve to prevent the building up of excessive [[pressures]] due to the monotony of [[sustained]] and serious [[self]]-[[contemplation]] in [[association]] with the [[intense]] [[struggle]] for [[developmental]] [[progress]] and [[noble]] [[achievement]]. [[Humor]] also [[functions]] to lessen the shock of the unexpected [[impact]] of [[fact]] or of [[truth]], rigid unyielding [[fact]] and [[flexible]] ever-living [[truth]]. The [[mortal]] [[personality]], never sure as to which will next be encountered, through [[humor]] swiftly grasps—sees the point and achieves [[insight]]—the unexpected [[nature]] of the situation be it [[fact]] or be it [[truth]].

48:4.19 While the [[humor]] of [[Urantia]] is exceedingly [[Primitive|crude]] and most inartistic, it does serve a valuable [[purpose]] both as a [[health]] insurance and as a [[liberator]] of [[emotional]] [[pressure]], thus preventing injurious [[nervous]] [[tension]] and overserious [[self]]-[[contemplation]]. [[Humor]] and [[play]]—[[relaxation]]—are never [[reactions]] of [[progressive]] exertion; always are they the [[echoes]] of a backward glance, a [[reminiscence]] of the [[past]]. Even on [[Urantia]] and as you now are, you always find it rejuvenating when for a short time you can suspend the exertions of the newer and higher [[intellectual]] [[efforts]] and revert to the more simple engagements of your [[ancestors]].

48:4.20 The principles of [[Urantia]]n [[play]] life are [[philosophically]] [[sound]] and continue to apply on up through your [[ascending]] life, through the [[circuits]] of [[Havona]] to the [[eternal]] shores of [[Paradise]]. As [[ascendant]] [[beings]] you are in [[possession]] of [[personal]] [[memories]] of all [[Past|former]] and lower [[existences]], and without such [[identity]] [[memories]] of the [[past]] there would be no basis for the [[humor]] of the [[present]], either [[mortal]] [[laughter]] or morontia mirth. It is this recalling of [[past]] [[experiences]] that provides the basis for present diversion and amusement. And so you will enjoy the [[celestial]] equivalents of your [[earthly]] [[humor]] all the way up through your long [[morontia]], and then increasingly [[spiritual]], [[careers]]. And that part of [[God]] (the [[Adjuster]]) which becomes an [[eternal]] part of the [[personality]] of an [[ascendant mortal]] [[contributes]] the overtones of [[divinity]] to the [[joyous]] [[expressions]], even [[spiritual]] [[laughter]], of the [[ascending creatures]] of [[time and space]].

<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_48 Go to Paper 48]</center>
<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>

[[Category:Paper 48 - The Morontia Life]]