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==160:1. RODAN'S GREEK PHILOSOPHY==

==160:1. RODAN'S GREEK PHILOSOPHY==

160:1.1 Early Monday morning, Rodan began a series of ten addresses to Nathaniel, Thomas, and a group of some two dozen believers who chanced to be at Magadan. These talks, condensed, combined, and restated in modern phraseology, present the following thoughts for consideration:

160:1.1 Early Monday morning, Rodan began a [[series]] of ten addresses to [[Nathaniel]], [[Thomas, the Apostle|Thomas]], and a [[group]] of some two dozen [[believers]] who chanced to be at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magdala Magadan]. These talks, condensed, combined, and restated in [[modern]] phraseology, present the following [[thoughts]] for [[consideration]]:

160:1.2 Human life consists in three great drives—urges, desires, and lures. Strong character, commanding personality, is only acquired by converting the natural urge of life into the social art of living, by transforming present desires into those higher longings which are capable of lasting attainment, while the commonplace lure of existence must be transferred from one's conventional and established ideas to the higher realms of unexplored ideas and undiscovered ideals.

160:1.2 [[Human]] life consists in [[three]] great drives—[[urges]], [[desires]], and [[lures]]. [[Strong]] [[character]], commanding [[personality]], is only acquired by [[converting]] the [[natural]] urge of life into the [[social]] [[art of living]], by [[transforming]] present [[desires]] into those higher [[longings]] which are capable of lasting [[attainment]], while the commonplace lure of [[existence]] must be [[transferred]] from one's [[conventional]] and [[established]] [[ideas]] to the higher realms of unexplored [[ideas]] and undiscovered [[ideals]].

160:1.3 The more complex civilization becomes, the more difficult will become the art of living. The more rapid the changes in social usage, the more complicated will become the task of character development. Every ten generations mankind must learn anew the art of living if progress is to continue. And if man becomes so ingenious that he more rapidly adds to the complexities of society, the art of living will need to be remastered in less time, perhaps every single generation. If the evolution of the art of living fails to keep pace with the technique of existence, humanity will quickly revert to the simple urge of living—the attainment of the satisfaction of present desires. Thus will humanity remain immature; society will fail in growing up to full maturity

160:1.3 The more [[complex]] [[civilization]] becomes, the more [[difficult]] will become the [[art of living]]. The more rapid the [[changes]] in [[social]] usage, the more complicated will become the task of [[character]] [[development]]. Every ten [[generations]] [[mankind]] must [[learn]] anew the [[art of living]] if [[progress]] is to continue. And if man becomes so ingenious that he more rapidly adds to the [[complexities]] of [[society]], the [[art of living]] will need to be remastered in less time, perhaps every single [[generation]]. If the [[evolution]] of the [[art of living]] fails to keep [[pace]] with the [[technique]] of [[existence]], [[humanity]] will quickly revert to the [[simple]] [[urge]] of living—the [[attainment]] of the [[satisfaction]] of present [[desires]]. Thus will [[humanity]] remain immature; [[society]] will fail in growing up to full [[maturity]].

160:1.4 Social maturity is equivalent to the degree to which man is willing to surrender the gratification of mere transient and present desires for the entertainment of those superior longings the striving for whose attainment affords the more abundant satisfactions of progressive advancement toward permanent goals. But the true badge of social maturity is the willingness of a people to surrender the right to live peaceably and contentedly under the ease-promoting standards of the lure of established beliefs and conventional ideas for the disquieting and energy-requiring lure of the pursuit of the unexplored possibilities of the attainment of undiscovered goals of idealistic spiritual realities.

160:1.4 Social [[maturity]] is equivalent to the [[degree]] to which man is willing to [[surrender]] the [[gratification]] of mere [[transient]] and present [[desires]] for the entertainment of those superior longings the striving for whose [[attainment]] affords the more [[abundant]] [[satisfactions]] of [[progressive]] advancement toward permanent goals. But the true badge of social [[maturity]] is the willingness of a people to [[surrender]] the right to live peaceably and contentedly under the ease-promoting [[standards]] of the [[lure]] of [[established]] [[beliefs]] and [[conventional]] [[ideas]] for the disquieting and [[energy]]-requiring lure of the pursuit of the [[Unknown|unexplored]] [[possibilities]] of the [[attainment]] of undiscovered goals of [[idealistic]] [[spiritual]] [[realities]].

160:1.5 Animals respond nobly to the urge of life, but only man can attain the art of living, albeit the majority of mankind only experience the animal urge to live. Animals know only this blind and instinctive urge; man is capable of transcending this urge to natural function. Man may elect to live upon the high plane of intelligent art, even that of celestial joy and spiritual ecstasy. Animals make no inquiry into the purposes of life; therefore they never worry, neither do they commit suicide. Suicide among men testifies that such beings have emerged from the purely animal stage of existence, and to the further fact that the exploratory efforts of such human beings have failed to attain the artistic levels of mortal experience. Animals know not the meaning of life; man not only possesses capacity for the recognition of values and the comprehension of meanings, but he also is conscious of the meaning of meanings—he is self-conscious of insight.

160:1.5 [[Animals]] [[respond]] nobly to the [[urge]] of life, but only [[man]] can [[attain]] the [[art of living]], albeit the [[majority]] of mankind only [[experience]] the [[animal]] [[urge]] to live. Animals know only this blind and [[instinctive]] urge; man is capable of [[transcending]] this urge to [[natural]] [[function]]. Man may [[elect]] to live upon the high [[plane]] of [[intelligent]] [[art]], even that of [[celestial]] [[joy]] and [[spiritual]] [[ecstasy]]. Animals make no [[inquiry]] into the [[purposes]] of life; therefore they never [[worry]], neither do they commit [[suicide]]. Suicide among men [[testifies]] that such [[beings]] have emerged from the [[purely]] [[animal]] [[stage]] of [[existence]], and to the further [[fact]] that the exploratory [[efforts]] of such [[human being]]s have failed to [[attain]] the artistic [[levels]] of [[mortal]] [[experience]]. [[Animals]] know not the [[meaning]] of life; man not only [[possesses]] [[capacity]] for the [[recognition]] of [[values]] and the [[comprehension]] of [[meanings]], but he also is [[conscious]] of the meaning of meanings—he is [[self-conscious]] of [[insight]].

160:1.6 When men dare to forsake a life of natural craving for one of adventurous art and uncertain logic, they must expect to suffer the consequent hazards of emotional casualties—conflicts, unhappiness, and uncertainties—at least until the time of their attainment of some degree of intellectual and emotional maturity. Discouragement, worry, and indolence are positive evidence of moral immaturity. Human society is confronted with two problems: attainment of the maturity of the individual and attainment of the maturity of the race. The mature human being soon begins to look upon all other mortals with feelings of tenderness and with emotions of tolerance. Mature men view immature folks with the love and consideration that parents bear their children.

160:1.6 When men [[dare]] to [[forsake]] a life of [[natural]] craving for one of [[adventurous]] [[art]] and [[uncertain]] [[logic]], they must [[expect]] to [[suffer]] the consequent hazards of [[emotional]] casualties—[[conflicts]], unhappiness, and uncertainties—at least until the time of their [[attainment]] of some [[degree]] of [[intellectual]] and [[emotional]] [[maturity]]. Discouragement, [[worry]], and [[indolence]] are [[positive]] [[evidence]] of [[moral]] immaturity. Human [[society]] is confronted with two [[problems]]: [[attainment]] of the [[maturity]] of the [[individual]] and attainment of the maturity of the [[race]]. The [[mature]] human being soon begins to look upon all other [[mortals]] with [[feelings]] of [[tenderness]] and with [[emotions]] of [[tolerance]]. [[Mature]] men view immature folks with the [[love]] and [[consideration]] that [[parents]] bear their [[children]].

160:1.7 Successful living is nothing more or less than the art of the mastery of dependable techniques for solving common problems. The first step in the solution of any problem is to locate the difficulty, to isolate the problem, and frankly to recognize its nature and gravity. The great mistake is that, when life problems excite our profound fears, we refuse to recognize them. Likewise, when the acknowledgment of our difficulties entails the reduction of our long-cherished conceit, the admission of envy, or the abandonment of deep-seated prejudices, the average person prefers to cling to the old illusions of safety and to the long-cherished false feelings of security. Only a brave person is willing honestly to admit, and fearlessly to face, what a sincere and logical mind discovers.

160:1.7 Successful living is nothing more or less than the [[art]] of the mastery of dependable [[techniques]] for solving common [[problems]]. The first step in the solution of any [[problem]] is to locate the [[difficulty]], to isolate the problem, and frankly to [[recognize]] its [[nature]] and [[gravity]]. The great mistake is that, when life [[problems]] excite our [[profound]] [[fears]], we refuse to [[recognize]] them. Likewise, when the acknowledgment of our [[difficulties]] entails the reduction of our long-cherished [[conceit]], the admission of [[envy]], or the abandonment of deep-seated [[prejudices]], the [[average]] [[person]] prefers to cling to the old [[illusions]] of safety and to the long-cherished [[false]] [[feelings]] of [[security]]. Only a [[brave]] person is willing [[honestly]] to admit, and fearlessly to face, what a [[sincere]] and [[logical]] [[mind]] [[discovers]].

160:1.8 The wise and effective solution of any problem demands that the mind shall be free from bias, passion, and all other purely personal prejudices which might interfere with the disinterested survey of the actual factors that go to make up the problem presenting itself for solution. The solution of life problems requires courage and sincerity. Only honest and brave individuals are able to follow valiantly through the perplexing and confusing maze of living to where the logic of a fearless mind may lead. And this emancipation of the mind and soul can never be effected without the driving power of an intelligent enthusiasm which borders on religious zeal. It requires the lure of a great ideal to drive man on in the pursuit of a goal which is beset with difficult material problems and manifold intellectual hazards.

160:1.8 The [[wise]] and [[effective]] solution of any [[problem]] demands that the [[mind]] shall be [[free]] from bias, [[passion]], and all other purely [[personal]] [[prejudices]] which might [[interfere]] with the disinterested [[survey]] of the [[actual]] [[factors]] that go to make up the [[problem]] presenting itself for solution. The solution of life [[problems]] requires [[courage]] and [[sincerity]]. Only [[honest]] and [[brave]] [[individuals]] are able to follow valiantly through the perplexing and [[confusing]] [[maze]] of living to where the [[logic]] of a fearless [[mind]] may [[lead]]. And this [[emancipation]] of the [[mind]] and [[soul]] can never be effected without the driving [[power]] of an [[intelligent]] [[enthusiasm]] which borders on religious zeal. It requires the lure of a great [[ideal]] to drive man on in the pursuit of a goal which is beset with [[difficult]] [[material]] [[problems]] and manifold [[intellectual]] [[Danger|hazards]].

160:1.9 Even though you are effectively armed to meet the difficult situations of life, you can hardly expect success unless you are equipped with that wisdom of mind and charm of personality which enable you to win the hearty support and co-operation of your fellows. You cannot hope for a large measure of success in either secular or religious work unless you can learn how to persuade your fellows, to prevail with men. You simply must have tact and tolerance.

160:1.9 Even though you are effectively armed to meet the [[difficult]] situations of life, you can hardly [[expect]] success unless you are equipped with that [[wisdom]] of [[mind]] and [[charm]] of [[personality]] which enable you to win the hearty [[support]] and [[co-operation]] of your fellows. You cannot [[hope]] for a large measure of success in either [[secular]] or [[religious]] work unless you can learn how to [[persuade]] your fellows, to prevail with men. You [[simply]] must have [[tact]] and [[tolerance]].

160:1.10 But the greatest of all methods of problem solving I have learned from Jesus, your Master. I refer to that which he so consistently practices, and which he has so faithfully taught you, the isolation of worshipful meditation. In this habit of Jesus' going off so frequently by himself to commune with the Father in heaven is to be found the technique, not only of gathering strength and wisdom for the ordinary conflicts of living, but also of appropriating the energy for the solution of the higher problems of a moral and spiritual nature. But even correct methods of solving problems will not compensate for inherent defects of personality or atone for the absence of the hunger and thirst for true righteousness.

160:1.10 But the greatest of all [[methods]] of [[problem]] solving I have learned from [[Jesus]], your Master. I refer to that which he so [[consistently]] [[practices]], and which he has so [[faithfully]] taught you, the [[Solitude|isolation]] of [[worship]]ful [[meditation]]. In this [[habit]] of Jesus' going off so frequently by himself to [[commune]] with [[the Father]] in heaven is to be found the [[technique]], not only of gathering [[strength]] and [[wisdom]] for the ordinary [[conflicts]] of living, but also of appropriating the [[energy]] for the solution of the higher [[problems]] of a [[moral]] and [[spiritual]] [[nature]]. But even correct [[methods]] of solving [[problems]] will not [[compensate]] for [[inherent]] [[defects]] of [[personality]] or [[atone]] for the [[absence]] of the [[hunger]] and [[thirst]] for true [[righteousness]].

160:1.11 I am deeply impressed with the custom of Jesus in going apart by himself to engage in these seasons of solitary survey of the problems of living; to seek for new stores of wisdom and energy for meeting the manifold demands of social service; to quicken and deepen the supreme purpose of living by actually subjecting the total personality to the consciousness of contacting with divinity; to grasp for possession of new and better methods of adjusting oneself to the ever-changing situations of living existence; to effect those vital reconstructions and readjustments of one's personal attitudes which are so essential to enhanced insight into everything worth while and real; and to do all of this with an eye single to the glory of God—to breathe in sincerity your Master's favorite prayer, " Not my will, but yours, be done. "

160:1.11 I am deeply impressed with the [[custom]] of [[Jesus]] in going apart by himself to [[engage]] in these seasons of [[solitary]] survey of the [[problems]] of living; to seek for new stores of [[wisdom]] and [[energy]] for meeting the manifold demands of [[social]] [[service]]; to quicken and deepen the [[supreme]] [[purpose]] of living by actually subjecting the total [[personality]] to the [[consciousness]] of contacting with [[divinity]]; to grasp for [[possession]] of new and better [[methods]] of [[adjusting]] oneself to the ever-changing situations of living [[existence]]; to effect those [[vital]] reconstructions and readjustments of one's [[personal]] [[attitudes]] which are so [[essential]] to enhanced [[insight]] into everything worth while and real; and to do all of this with an eye single to the [[glory]] of [[God]]—to [[breathe]] in [[sincerity]] your Master's favorite [[prayer]], " Not my will, but yours, be done. "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Luke#Chapter_22]

160:1.12 This worshipful practice of your Master brings that relaxation which renews the mind; that illumination which inspires the soul; that courage which enables one bravely to face one's problems; that self-understanding which obliterates debilitating fear; and that consciousness of union with divinity which equips man with the assurance that enables him to dare to be Godlike. The relaxation of worship, or spiritual communion as practiced by the Master, relieves tension, removes conflicts, and mightily augments the total resources of the personality. And all this philosophy, plus the gospel of the kingdom, constitutes the new religion as I understand it.

160:1.12 This [[worshipful]] [[practice]] of your [[the Master|Master]] brings that [[relaxation]] which renews the [[mind]]; that [[illumination]] which [[inspires]] the [[soul]]; that [[courage]] which enables one bravely to face one's [[problems]]; that [[self]]-[[understanding]] which obliterates debilitating [[fear]]; and that [[consciousness]] of [[union]] with [[divinity]] which equips man with the [[assurance]] that enables him to dare to be Godlike. The [[relaxation]] of [[worship]], or spiritual [[communion]] as [[practiced]] by [[the Master]], relieves [[tension]], removes [[conflicts]], and mightily augments the total [[resources]] of the [[personality]]. And all this [[philosophy]], plus the [[gospel]] of [[the kingdom]], constitutes the new religion as I [[understand]] it.

160:1.13 Prejudice blinds the soul to the recognition of truth, and prejudice can be removed only by the sincere devotion of the soul to the adoration of a cause that is all-embracing and all-inclusive of one's fellow men. Prejudice is inseparably linked to selfishness. Prejudice can be eliminated only by the abandonment of self-seeking and by substituting therefor the quest of the satisfaction of the service of a cause that is not only greater than self, but one that is even greater than all humanity—the search for God, the attainment of divinity. The evidence of maturity of personality consists in the transformation of human desire so that it constantly seeks for the realization of those values which are highest and most divinely real.

160:1.13 [[Prejudice]] blinds the [[soul]] to the [[recognition]] of [[truth]], and prejudice can be removed only by the [[sincere]] [[devotion]] of the [[soul]] to the [[adoration]] of a [[cause]] that is all-[[embracing]] and all-inclusive of one's fellow men. [[Prejudice]] is inseparably linked to [[selfishness]]. Prejudice can be eliminated only by the [[abandonment]] of [[self]]-seeking and by substituting therefor the quest of the satisfaction of the service of a cause that is not only greater than self, but one that is even greater than all humanity—the search for [[God]], the [[attainment]] of [[divinity]]. The [[evidence]] of [[maturity]] of [[personality]] consists in the [[transformation]] of human [[desire]] so that it constantly seeks for the [[realization]] of those [[values]] which are highest and most divinely [[real]].

160:1.14 In a continually changing world, in the midst of an evolving social order, it is impossible to maintain settled and established goals of destiny. Stability of personality can be experienced only by those who have discovered and embraced the living God as the eternal goal of infinite attainment. And thus to transfer one's goal from time to eternity, from earth to Paradise, from the human to the divine, requires that man shall become regenerated, converted, be born again; that he shall become the re-created child of the divine spirit; that he shall gain entrance into the brotherhood of the kingdom of heaven. All philosophies and religions which fall short of these ideals are immature. The philosophy which I teach, linked with the gospel which you preach, represents the new religion of maturity, the ideal of all future generations. And this is true because our ideal is final, infallible, eternal, universal, absolute, and infinite.

160:1.14 In a continually changing world, in the midst of an [[evolving]] [[social]] order, it is impossible to maintain settled and established goals of [[destiny]]. [[Stability]] of [[personality]] can be [[experienced]] only by those who have [[discovered]] and [[embraced]] the living [[God]] as the [[eternal]] goal of infinite [[attainment]]. And thus to [[transfer]] one's goal from [[time]] to [[eternity]], from [[earth]] to [[Paradise]], from the [[human]] to the [[divine]], requires that man shall become regenerated, [[converted]], be born again; that he shall become the re-created child of the [[Thought Adjuster|divine spirit]]; that he shall gain entrance into the brotherhood of [[the kingdom]] of heaven. All [[philosophies]] and [[religions]] which fall short of these [[ideals]] are immature. The [[philosophy]] which I teach, linked with the [[gospel]] which you [[preach]], represents the new religion of [[maturity]], the [[ideal]] of all [[future]] [[generations]]. And this is true because our ideal is final, [[infallible]], [[eternal]], [[universal]], [[absolute]], and [[infinite]].

160:1.15 My philosophy gave me the urge to search for the realities of true attainment, the goal of maturity. But my urge was impotent; my search lacked driving power; my quest suffered from the absence of certainty of directionization. And these deficiencies have been abundantly supplied by this new gospel of Jesus, with its enhancement of insights, elevation of ideals, and settledness of goals. Without doubts and misgivings I can now wholeheartedly enter upon the eternal venture.

160:1.15 My [[philosophy]] gave me the urge to search for the [[realities]] of true [[attainment]], the goal of [[maturity]]. But my urge was impotent; my search lacked driving [[power]]; my [[quest]] suffered from the [[absence]] of certainty of directionization. And these deficiencies have been [[abundantly]] supplied by this new [[gospel]] of [[Jesus]], with its enhancement of [[insights]], elevation of [[ideals]], and settledness of goals. Without [[doubts]] and misgivings I can now wholeheartedly enter upon the [[eternal]] venture.

==160:2. THE ART OF LIVING==

==160:2. THE ART OF LIVING==