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There are a variety of instruments available to you in this workout realm, and each of you filters in and assumes your workout schedule with the implement of your [[choice]]. In so doing, through the act of [[repetition]], you are building mass to your spiritual muscle; you are increasing your capacity to use this muscle. At times you may not realize that you are actually in [[training]] for anything but involved in the activity of the moment because it [[feels]] [[good]]. But I tell you that every trip to this spiritual gym that you make and participate in you build strength, spiritual strength.

There are a variety of instruments available to you in this workout realm, and each of you filters in and assumes your workout schedule with the implement of your [[choice]]. In so doing, through the act of [[repetition]], you are building mass to your spiritual muscle; you are increasing your capacity to use this muscle. At times you may not realize that you are actually in [[training]] for anything but involved in the activity of the moment because it [[feels]] [[good]]. But I tell you that every trip to this spiritual gym that you make and participate in you build strength, spiritual strength.

Now it is that you would gaze over and see one of your fellows engaged in skillfully executing an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rings_%28gymnastics%29 iron cross], seemingly effortlessly. You know logically that, to execute a move so demanding as this requires great [[skill]] and great [[strength]], and yet you [[perceive]] another successfully execute this move with [[beauty]] and with [[grace]]. It does not appear to be a great [[struggle]], for this individual has been [[training]] for quite some time. But this feat that he is accomplishing is impossible without the time he has spent in training and in building up his muscles to accommodate such demands. So, on the outside it may seem as though it does not require the great deal of [[effort]] that you know that it does, rather it comes with ease to the one who has practiced for this [[purpose]].

Now it is that you would gaze over and see one of your fellows engaged in skillfully executing an [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rings_%28gymnastics%29 iron cross], seemingly effortlessly. You know logically that, to execute a move so demanding as this requires great [[skill]] and great [[strength]], and yet you [[perceive]] another successfully execute this move with [[beauty]] and with [[grace]]. It does not appear to be a great [[struggle]], for this individual has been [[training]] for quite some time. But this feat that he is accomplishing is impossible without the time he has spent in training and in building up his muscles to accommodate such demands. So, on the outside it may seem as though it does not require the great deal of [[effort]] that you know that it does, rather it comes with ease to the one who has practiced for this [[purpose]].

This is the [[analogy]] to use with yourselves when you are in [[doubt]] as to your ability to triumph over the [[exercise]] of [[stillness]]. It is exceedingly difficult for one who has not entered the [[gym]], who has not [[prepared]] in advance to execute a move so demanding. But you, my friends, are regulars to your workout and cannot help but see the rewards of your labor and the toning of your [[spirit]] muscles to the point that you should be able to execute these moves of your [[choosing]] with far greater ease than one who has not [[prepared]]. This does not imply that performing a difficult move such as an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rings_%28gymnastics%29 iron cross] is not difficult, for it is. It will always be [[difficult]]. What makes the difference is your [[preparation]] and your familiarity with the [[technique]] that enables you to perform such a move.

This is the [[analogy]] to use with yourselves when you are in [[doubt]] as to your ability to triumph over the [[exercise]] of [[stillness]]. It is exceedingly difficult for one who has not entered the [[gym]], who has not [[prepared]] in advance to execute a move so demanding. But you, my friends, are regulars to your workout and cannot help but see the rewards of your labor and the toning of your [[spirit]] muscles to the point that you should be able to execute these moves of your [[choosing]] with far greater ease than one who has not [[prepared]]. This does not imply that performing a difficult move such as an [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rings_%28gymnastics%29 iron cross] is not difficult, for it is. It will always be [[difficult]]. What makes the difference is your [[preparation]] and your familiarity with the [[technique]] that enables you to perform such a move.

It is sometimes [[difficult]] to see over the short term or at any one glance just how your spirit muscles have been affected by this [[routine]] workout. But given a longer [[perspective]] and a more challenging routine, it is obvious to you that you have done some [[preparation]], that you have [[strengthened]] your stance so as to be able to grasp fully the undertaking before you and execute these moves, even with [[grace]].

It is sometimes [[difficult]] to see over the short term or at any one glance just how your spirit muscles have been affected by this [[routine]] workout. But given a longer [[perspective]] and a more challenging routine, it is obvious to you that you have done some [[preparation]], that you have [[strengthened]] your stance so as to be able to grasp fully the undertaking before you and execute these moves, even with [[grace]].

It is also quite possible that in being [[disciplined]] about your [[exercise]] routine you can lose [[sight]] of [[training]] for anything in particular. The routine itself is fulfilling and rewarding, and many times that is enough. But we must all realize that we are in [[training]] constantly for our [[growth]], for our [[future]] [[potential]], and we must look towards our training as preparation for the [[actualization]] of these potentials and [[discern]] where our training might help us master the [[skills]] before us. I say that each one of you here is capable of performing a demanding exercise if even for a brief moment. You may not be able to sustain an [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rings_%28gymnastics%29 iron cross] indefinitely, but each of you has developed your [[strength]] to the point of being able to attempt such a maneuver. Through your future [[diligence]] you will indeed gain the strength and ability to master the most [[complex]] maneuvers.

It is also quite possible that in being [[disciplined]] about your [[exercise]] routine you can lose [[sight]] of [[training]] for anything in particular. The routine itself is fulfilling and rewarding, and many times that is enough. But we must all realize that we are in [[training]] constantly for our [[growth]], for our [[future]] [[potential]], and we must look towards our training as preparation for the [[actualization]] of these potentials and [[discern]] where our training might help us master the [[skills]] before us. I say that each one of you here is capable of performing a demanding exercise if even for a brief moment. You may not be able to sustain an [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rings_%28gymnastics%29 iron cross] indefinitely, but each of you has developed your [[strength]] to the point of being able to attempt such a maneuver. Through your future [[diligence]] you will indeed gain the strength and ability to master the most [[complex]] maneuvers.

So, it may take great amounts of [[rehearsal]] before the maneuver of [[stillness]] may seem to come with great ease and great [[comfort]]. But you may be [[assured]] that with each attempt, with each [[practice]], with each workout, you will come closer to that [[goal]]. You will learn the routine so well that you will be able to forget it and [[focus]] then on the [[communion]] with [[the Father]] in this time as well as the [[discipline]] of [[focus]] during stillness.

So, it may take great amounts of [[rehearsal]] before the maneuver of [[stillness]] may seem to come with great ease and great [[comfort]]. But you may be [[assured]] that with each attempt, with each [[practice]], with each workout, you will come closer to that [[goal]]. You will learn the routine so well that you will be able to forget it and [[focus]] then on the [[communion]] with [[the Father]] in this time as well as the [[discipline]] of [[focus]] during stillness.

Jonathan: We first heard of you through Jared, who is [[famous]] for [[encouraging]] us to seek [[stillness]] and practice [[random]] acts of [[kindness]]. I would append that we should engage in incredible lightness of [[being]].

Jonathan: We first heard of you through Jared, who is [[famous]] for [[encouraging]] us to seek [[stillness]] and practice [[random]] acts of [[kindness]]. I would append that we should engage in incredible lightness of [[being]].

Lester: You stole my words. "[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Unbearable_Lightness_of_Being The unbearable lightness of being]" is what I was [[thinking]] of.

Lester: You stole my words. "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Unbearable_Lightness_of_Being The unbearable lightness of being]" is what I was [[thinking]] of.

Mark: I get this image that we are in this class and, as [[mortals]], we have some capability to rise beyond our class to reach [[the Father]]. We are nevertheless subject to our [[physical]] being and our [[maturity]]. I get the feeling that maybe as first graders we have showed up and done as well as [[expected]]. [[The teachers]] may find it hard to present us materials much above what we are familiar with because we are immature, still in first grade. Can we continue to operate at or slightly above grade level but we never can go to the next level up, maybe a [[morontia]] experience, because we are still here in this class?

Mark: I get this image that we are in this class and, as [[mortals]], we have some capability to rise beyond our class to reach [[the Father]]. We are nevertheless subject to our [[physical]] being and our [[maturity]]. I get the feeling that maybe as first graders we have showed up and done as well as [[expected]]. [[The teachers]] may find it hard to present us materials much above what we are familiar with because we are immature, still in first grade. Can we continue to operate at or slightly above grade level but we never can go to the next level up, maybe a [[morontia]] experience, because we are still here in this class?