Changes

==Session==

==Session==

===Opening===

===Opening===

Elyon (Jonathan TR): Greetings to you, my friends. This is Elyon once again. I am going to continue our discussion from last week by picking up the topic “conviction”.

Elyon (Jonathan TR): Greetings to you, my friends. This is Elyon once again. I am going to continue our [[2003-03-23-Spring Cleaning On Spiritual Levels|discussion from last week]] by picking up the topic “[[conviction]]”.

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

We spoke about spring cleaning, and that naturally implies removal of unwanted items and the necessity to reevaluate worth or merit of a possession, in this context we were addressing conceptions that bear upon your spiritual being. There is also another side, and that is the choice to retain a condition in yourself because you have reevaluated it and deem it worthwhile that you will continue to possess it. Your word “conviction” is interesting, for it in one regard describes loyalty and yet in another regard indicates a judgment, a form of condemnation. So, I will use these two to fill the lesson.

We spoke about spring cleaning, and that naturally implies removal of unwanted items and the [[necessity]] to reevaluate [[worth]] or merit of a possession, in this [[context]] we were addressing conceptions that bear upon your spiritual being. There is also another side, and that is the [[choice]] to retain a condition in yourself because you have reevaluated it and deem it worthwhile that you will continue to possess it. Your word “[[conviction]]” is interesting, for it in one regard describes [[loyalty]] and yet in another regard indicates a [[judgment]], a form of [[condemnation]]. So, I will use these two to fill the lesson.

As I address you I am aware that many of you have over your years throughout your spiritual growth boldly altered your concepts of spirituality and religion, your life philosophy, that it may be updated to fit with your inner contact and to adjust these viewpoints to better mesh with reality as you have been experiencing it. In so doing you have bravely discarded concepts that have been -- and many that still are -- held by a majority of people. You have taken the path of the scout who looks for new opportunity, who is willing to leave the beaten path to discover what lies beyond in the unknown. It is therefore unnecessary to alert you to the peril of arriving at a conviction because it is demanded from you by an outside authority or even the pressure of peers. This is more of a conviction like the convict who must now live life according to the dictates of others. True conviction is self possessed. It is so held that it is part of you, not something you simply wear or possess, but it has become you.

As I address you I am aware that many of you have over your years throughout your [[spiritual growth]] boldly altered your concepts of [[spirituality]] and religion, your life [[philosophy]], that it may be updated to fit with your inner contact and to adjust these [[viewpoints]] to better mesh with reality as you have been experiencing it. In so doing you have bravely discarded concepts that have been -- and many that still are -- held by a [[majority]] of people. You have taken the [[path]] of the [[scout]] who looks for new [[opportunity]], who is willing to leave the beaten path to [[discover]] what lies beyond in the [[unknown]]. It is therefore unnecessary to alert you to the peril of arriving at a [[conviction]] because it is demanded from you by an outside [[authority]] or even the pressure of [[peers]]. This is more of a conviction like the convict who must now live life according to the [[dictates]] of others. True conviction is self possessed. It is so held that it is part of you, not something you simply wear or possess, but it has [[become]] you.

When differing opinions clash and argument ensues, the tack taken by either side is to convince the other of the value of the position. When each side sees the same, one side is often convinced. That conviction changes the viewpoint, and both parties now argue the same perspective. Party Two, they changed opinion and no longer require Party One to support their opinion; it is their conviction held by themselves. So, as I return to spring cleaning, ask yourself as you look about your inner house what items you have that are yours and what items you have borrowed and truly do not possess, that are possessions of others that have remained in your domicile. I do not ask you to set aside your busy schedules to pursue this activity with exclusive attention, rather, to be alert and note when you may perhaps be acting under a condition of conviction that is not fully your possession but is bearing upon you by others’ intentions and desires. For clarity I must state that these other opinions are not necessarily wrong simply because they come from another. What I ask you to note and settle in yourself is the degree to which you truly believe on your own for yourself, whether it be originally created within you or borrowed from another.

When differing [[opinions]] clash and argument ensues, the tack taken by either side is to convince the other of the [[value]] of the position. When each side sees the same, one side is often convinced. That [[conviction]] changes the viewpoint, and both parties now argue the same [[perspective]]. Party Two, they changed opinion and no longer require Party One to support their opinion; it is their conviction held by themselves. So, as I return to spring cleaning, ask yourself as you look about your inner house what items you have that are yours and what items you have borrowed and truly do not possess, that are [[possessions]] of others that have remained in your domicile. I do not ask you to set aside your [[busy]] schedules to pursue this activity with exclusive [[attention]], rather, to be alert and note when you may perhaps be acting under a condition of conviction that is not fully your possession but is bearing upon you by others’ [[intentions]] and [[desires]]. For [[clarity]] I must state that these other opinions are not necessarily wrong simply because they come from another. What I ask you to note and settle in yourself is the [[degree]] to which you truly believe on your own for yourself, whether it be originally created within you or borrowed from another.

It has been on your minds lately the degree to which media affect your individual lives, the state of mind it creates in many from the information so readily available. This is not a new phenomenon in the human culture. It is merely change in technology of what has been for eons social pressure or peer pressure, cultural confinements; all these group conditions play upon the thinking of the individual. So it is important to develop the ability to recognize what your true conviction is in any given situation. Take a second to stand back and ask yourself when presented with information. If perchance you are unable to resolve the degree of your conviction, then it must be set aside for future study, further experience.

It has been on your [[minds]] lately the degree to which [[media]] affect your [[individual]] lives, the state of mind it creates in many from the information so readily available. This is not a new [[phenomenon]] in the human culture. It is merely [[change]] in [[technology]] of what has been for [[eons]] social pressure or [[peer pressure]], cultural confinements; all these group conditions play upon the [[thinking]] of the individual. So it is important to develop the ability to recognize what your true conviction is in any given situation. Take a second to stand back and ask yourself when presented with [[information]]. If perchance you are unable to resolve the degree of your [[conviction]], then it must be set aside for [[future]] [[study]], further experience.

I am aware of an expression on your world that goes, “drawing a line in the sand”. It is a curious expression for, while it illustrates the taking of sides, it also demonstrates the easy removal of barrier between sides, for sand can easily be changed, and the line disappears. Likewise you have this same flexibility with your convictions. With some reflection you can note that a belief you held in the past you do not hold today. Your convictions shifted. But without convictions uncertainty grows, insecurity grows, inability to act definitely sets in. Conviction brings motivation to action.

I am aware of an [[expression]] on your world that goes, “drawing a line in the sand”. It is a curious [[expression]] for, while it illustrates the taking of sides, it also demonstrates the easy removal of [[barrier]] between sides, for sand can easily be changed, and the line disappears. Likewise you have this same [[flexibility]] with your convictions. With some [[reflection]] you can note that a [[belief]] you held in the past you do not hold today. Your convictions shifted. But without convictions [[uncertainty]] grows, insecurity grows, inability to act definitely sets in. [[Conviction]] brings [[motivation]] to [[action]].

Michael’s parting words were, “Go forth and proclaim the gospel of the kingdom to all the world”. That is done through conviction.

Michael’s parting words were, “Go forth and [[proclaim]] [[the gospel]] of [[the kingdom]] to all the world”. That is done through conviction.

I desire now to receive your input.

I [[desire]] now to receive your input.

===Dialogue===

===Dialogue===

Ginny: Sometimes it’s hard to give yourself some breathing room to consider another side. We cling so stubbornly to what we believe in, we don’t put ourselves in another’s place to understand why they believe the way they do.

Ginny: Sometimes it’s hard to give yourself some [[breathing]] room to consider another side. We cling so stubbornly to what we [[believe]] in, we don’t put ourselves in another’s place to understand why they believe the way they do.

Elyon: Pride is an issue in this respect, for there is great weight in conviction, much investment. To begin to adopt another’s viewpoint implies that your prior viewpoint was possibly wrong, that you are viewed as convicted of error. This fear, pride, response causes one to avoid the struggle required to refine your beliefs. Strong personalities are able to try on the garments of another’s opinion and from that perspective better perceive the thought patterns that make up the viewpoint and choose whether to discard those garments as unfitting to their situation or adopt those items that do fit well. Also, the reluctance to entertain contrary viewpoints often touches the sensitive nerve of a deep down feeling that perhaps your convictions aren’t sound or truly believed by yourself. In reality, reflecting upon varied viewpoints strengthens your understanding and allows you to maintain a rooted connection to truth even while your mind is shifting in the winds of viewpoint.

Elyon: [[Pride]] is an issue in this respect, for there is great weight in [[conviction]], much investment. To begin to adopt another’s [[viewpoint]] implies that your prior viewpoint was possibly wrong, that you are viewed as convicted of [[error]]. This [[fear]], pride, response causes one to avoid the struggle required to refine your [[beliefs]]. Strong [[personalities]] are able to try on the garments of another’s [[opinion]] and from that perspective better perceive the [[thought pattern]]s that make up the viewpoint and choose whether to discard those garments as unfitting to their situation or adopt those items that do fit well. Also, the reluctance to entertain contrary viewpoints often touches the sensitive nerve of a deep down feeling that perhaps your convictions aren’t sound or truly believed by yourself. In reality, reflecting upon varied viewpoints strengthens your understanding and allows you to maintain a rooted connection to truth even while your mind is shifting in the winds of viewpoint.

My final comment to your statement is that love creates curiosity and the desire to understand another’s convictions. Love of oneself allows you to remain firm in your viewpoint even while another believes differently. Love for that other individual allows them to continue their investigation into truth even if it does not align with your perspective.

My final comment to your statement is that love creates curiosity and the desire to understand another’s convictions. Love of oneself allows you to remain firm in your viewpoint even while another believes differently. Love for that other individual allows them to continue their investigation into truth even if it does not align with your perspective.