Changes

Mark: I've been grappling recently with how to implement this training process you speak of. I find myself contrasted with those alarmed by current social examples. I seek ideals over current principles and to align on the side of spiritual idealism for our world. My conflict is that in manifesting these higher properties I may be seen as disconnected from my surroundings, in a world of my own, sticking my head in the sand. To ponder excessively and emotionally about apparent error breathes life into that error I want to be removed from. I want to stake new ground, often alone in my perspective of these events. Please shed some light on my removing myself from the details of the political and social structure and attaching to the spiritual ideals.

Mark: I've been grappling recently with how to implement this training process you speak of. I find myself contrasted with those alarmed by current social examples. I seek ideals over current principles and to align on the side of spiritual idealism for our world. My conflict is that in manifesting these higher properties I may be seen as disconnected from my surroundings, in a world of my own, sticking my head in the sand. To ponder excessively and emotionally about apparent error breathes life into that error I want to be removed from. I want to stake new ground, often alone in my perspective of these events. Please shed some light on my removing myself from the details of the political and social structure and attaching to the spiritual ideals.

Machiventa: I will first address your comment regarding the metaphorical image of sticking your head in the sand. Let me assure you that the terrestrially bound, spiritually detached, materially oriented ideologies of this world are the ones with the heads in the sand. You, my fellow servant of Michael, are amphibious, if I may shift our orientation. You are developing the ability to change mediums, to fly in the air, to swim in the sea. It is as you transition from fins to feet, from feet to wings that you will feel uncertainty regarding how well you are going about this process and whether or not you are taking the proper direction. Every fish will tell you that to stick your head above the water is certain suffocation. Every land mammal will also tell you the sea is a certain drowning experience. But as you grow more comfortable with traversing each level you will be better assured of the appropriateness of your actions and the loftiness of your ideal.

Machiventa: I will first address your comment regarding the [[metaphor|metaphorical]] image of sticking your head in the sand. Let me assure you that the terrestrially bound, spiritually detached, materially oriented [[ideology|ideologies]] of this world are the ones with the heads in the sand. You, my fellow servant of [[Michael]], are amphibious, if I may shift our orientation. You are developing the ability to change mediums, to fly in the air, to swim in the sea. It is as you transition from fins to feet, from feet to wings that you will feel uncertainty regarding how well you are going about this process and whether or not you are taking the proper direction. Every fish will tell you that to stick your head above the water is certain suffocation. Every land mammal will also tell you the sea is a certain drowning experience. But as you grow more comfortable with traversing each level you will be better assured of the appropriateness of your actions and the loftiness of your [[ideal]].

The commonplace problems of this world are not solved with commonplace solutions. They are solved with the overlay of cosmic understanding. This is not found by only running in the marketplace. You do have to pause; you do have to remove yourself to the mountain top so you may see the entire marketplace and gain an overview. But I admonish you not to leave your fellows behind.

''The commonplace problems of this world are not solved with commonplace solutions. They are solved with the overlay of [[cosmic]] understanding''. This is not found by only running in the marketplace. You do have to pause; you do have to remove yourself to the mountain top so you may see the entire marketplace and gain an overview. But I admonish you not to leave your fellows behind.

Do take that mountain back down to the marketplace; do jump into that stream; swim with the others; you will affect them. It may not cause a change in behavior regarding the structures of society that you speak of, but it will begin the transformation of that individual. This is the increment of progress only that I care about, for it is cumulative. Soon many more will pull their heads out of the sand and reach for that higher view. They too will actually question whether they are putting their heads in the sand and hiding from their worldly problems. Assure them this is not the case, that it is true in reverse. At no time does the expansion of soul awareness limit you or inhibit you.

Do take that mountain back down to the marketplace; do jump into that stream; swim with the others; you will affect them. It may not cause a change in behavior regarding the [[structure]]s of society that you speak of, but it will begin the transformation of that [[individual]]. This is the increment of progress only that I care about, for it is cumulative. Soon many more will pull their heads out of the sand and reach for that higher view. They too will actually question whether they are putting their heads in the sand and hiding from their worldly problems. Assure them this is not the case, that it is true in reverse. At no time does the expansion of soul awareness limit you or inhibit you.

Structures require support, and when these structures are invested in by individuals, there is a great desire to maintain support. You have been told that a house built upon sand cannot stand. It is an act of compassion for you to point out to any builder the frailty of that soil so that they may not waste their time building and supporting a structure that will fail. To those who are so deeply entrenched that they cannot see you need not spend your time. Find those who are breaking ground. Reveal to them the ideal foundations upon which the new structures may be built. It is only through example and illustration that another may break free from a narrow focus. It is difficult when attention is keen upon events and processes immediately before one. When you step back, when you rise from the table and look about the room, you better understand the work you are undertaking and its significance to a greater whole.

Structures require support, and when these structures are invested in by individuals, there is a great desire to maintain support. You have been told that a house built upon sand cannot stand. It is an act of compassion for you to point out to any builder the frailty of that soil so that they may not waste their time building and supporting a structure that will fail. To those who are so deeply entrenched that they cannot see you need not spend your time. Find those who are breaking ground. Reveal to them the ideal [[foundation]]s upon which the new structures may be built. It is only through example and illustration that another may break free from a narrow [[focus]]. It is difficult when attention is keen upon events and processes immediately before one. When you step back, when you rise from the table and look about the room, you better understand the work you are undertaking and its significance to a greater whole.

If you receive a criticism that you are apparently attempting to withdraw and are therefore part of the problem, not the solution, make every effort to assure one that your withdrawal is not a removal but an elevation to a higher vantage, and it's not exclusively yours, that it is to be had by all, freely received when rigorously sought.

If you receive a criticism that you are apparently attempting to withdraw and are therefore part of the problem, not the solution, make every effort to assure one that your withdrawal is not a removal but an elevation to a higher vantage, and it's not exclusively yours, that it is to be had by all, freely received when rigorously sought.

Harold: Is it a common trait among all mortals to seek the path of least resistance? Or is that something characteristic of this, a decimal planet? It seems a design flaw that people want to take the easy way out.

Harold: Is it a common trait among all mortals to seek the path of least resistance? Or is that something characteristic of this, a decimal planet? It seems a design flaw that people want to take the easy way out.

Machiventa: This tendency, while it does have an adverse effect of ease seeking, also is significant in contributing to development on this world. Every innovation, every new application of knowledge, is often motivated by the desire to make things easier. Once you dug for roots with your fingers, then with shovels, and soon with giant machinery. The ease of the harvest increased. Yet in the interim vast amounts of energy, capital, and thinking were applied to attain the new ease. This propels mankind forward. It is good for the whole. Therefore it is a tendency within all the races.

Machiventa: This tendency, while it does have an adverse effect of ease seeking, also is significant in contributing to development on this world. Every innovation, every new application of [[knowledge]], is often motivated by the desire to make things easier. Once you dug for roots with your fingers, then with shovels, and soon with giant machinery. The ease of the harvest increased. Yet in the interim vast amounts of energy, capital, and thinking were applied to attain the new ease. This propels mankind forward. It is good for the whole. Therefore it is a tendency within all the [[race]]s.

I will speak now to the individual, for herein is where the difficulty lies that you address. Rather than applying the desire for ease in the form of improving one's quality of life, the mistake is made that draws stagnation, and that is the desire to not make an effort at all. Unfortunately this impulse remains to improve, and when there is no ideal to lure the individual to improvement, substitutes are adopted which thwart the desire to grow. Herein enters substance abuse problems, family conflicts, even wars. So I conclude by saying that the desire for an easier life is good if it is coupled with the desire to improve and advance upon the way of life and not destroyed through impulse gratification and not numbed by ignoring lofty goals and ideals.

I will speak now to the [[individual]], for herein is where the difficulty lies that you address. Rather than applying the desire for ease in the form of improving one's quality of life, the mistake is made that draws stagnation, and that is the desire to not make an effort at all. Unfortunately this impulse remains to improve, and when there is no ideal to lure the individual to improvement, substitutes are adopted which thwart the desire to grow. Herein enters substance abuse problems, family conflicts, even wars. So I conclude by saying that the desire for an easier life is good if it is coupled with the desire to improve and advance upon the way of life and not destroyed through impulse gratification and not numbed by ignoring lofty goals and ideals.

Has this helped?

Has this helped?

Harold: Yes. Could you comment on the relationship to spiritual growth? People are inclined to follow someone because it is easier. They don't have to think about what they believe; it's handed to them on a platter. What would motivate people to take a harder path, their own path in spiritual progress?

Harold: Yes. Could you comment on the relationship to spiritual growth? People are inclined to follow someone because it is easier. They don't have to think about what they believe; it's handed to them on a platter. What would motivate people to take a harder path, their own path in spiritual progress?

Machiventa: You mention this being a decimal world. While this has significance upon the manner of life forms, their behavior and tendencies, what you speak of now points more to the absence of a planetary headquarters and the Adamic regime wherein representatives of high spiritual standing dwell upon a world. These representatives of spirit on high fulfill that function of providing on a platter the nourishment that the races seek. This world does not have these functions in place physically and tangibly to human beings. So, you as a whole have compensated; you have substituted canon and doctrine and ecclesiastical hierarchy to provide that need, the need being the desire for assurance that what you grasp for spiritually is true and valid. Adam and Eve and the planetary staff would not make it easier for you; they would provide continual challenges to your experiential unfoldment, and this does lack in your religious traditions, but for a few.

Machiventa: You mention this being a decimal world. While this has significance upon the manner of life forms, their behavior and tendencies, what you speak of now points more to the absence of a planetary headquarters and the Adamic regime wherein representatives of high spiritual standing dwell upon a world. These representatives of [[spirit]] on high fulfill that function of providing on a platter the nourishment that the races seek. This world does not have these functions in place physically and tangibly to human beings. So, you as a whole have compensated; you have substituted [[canon]] and doctrine and ecclesiastical hierarchy to provide that need, the need being the desire for assurance that what you grasp for spiritually is true and valid. Adam and Eve and the planetary staff would not make it easier for you; they would provide continual challenges to your experiential unfoldment, and this does lack in your religious traditions, but for a few.

What will motivate individuals to take the uncharted course of personal attainment of God may require a disillusionment with those traditional authorities. Some abandon these structures; others take it upon themselves to transform themselves within the structure in hopes of elevating that structure to a new level of presentation. The apostles early on attempted this in their own native religion. What the world needs now are brave souls, people who will stand and say, "I am a child of the Father of All. My doctrine is truth," not that my truth is doctrine; that "my divine Parent is good", and that "I am assured of my sonship, daughtership", and that "I am willing to adopt wholesome religious concepts if they provide a stepping stone towards closer association with the Father. I am willing to discard those that will retard my progress or stall me." This will be unnerving to many who do wish for a say-all and end-all for their conflicts of life. Your example will be encouraging even if unnerving. It is the very trait that is admired in the master. While he worked within a social, religious, paradigm his message broke through to effect an entire world. What needs to be done is the redefinition of faith from one that passively accepts the guidance of another to one that depends solely on the presence of the divine within and the recognition of the divine in others. This is the certainty one seeks by the adoption of a religious teaching.

What will motivate individuals to take the uncharted course of [[personal]] attainment of God may require a disillusionment with those [[tradition]]al authorities. Some abandon these structures; others take it upon themselves to transform themselves within the structure in hopes of elevating that structure to a new level of presentation. The apostles early on attempted this in their own native [[religion]]. What the world needs now are brave souls, people who will stand and say, "I am a child of the Father of All. My doctrine is truth," not that my truth is doctrine; that "my divine Parent is good", and that "I am assured of my sonship, daughtership", and that "I am willing to adopt wholesome religious concepts if they provide a stepping stone towards closer association with the Father. I am willing to discard those that will retard my progress or stall me." This will be unnerving to many who do wish for a say-all and end-all for their conflicts of life. Your example will be encouraging even if unnerving. It is the very trait that is admired in the master. While he worked within a social, religious, paradigm his message broke through to effect an entire world. What needs to be done is the redefinition of [[faith]] from one that passively accepts the guidance of another to one that depends solely on the [[presence]] of the [[divine]] within and the recognition of the divine in others. This is the certainty one seeks by the adoption of a religious teaching.

I might caution each of you here and those who will read the transcript of this session not to rely upon myself or any of your other teachers for any ease in your spiritual life. We endeavor to be kind and compassionate, but we will not allow you to flounder or stagnate. That is, unless you demand that. But we will be creative in unsettling such demands and rekindling your desire to progress. I wish your response.

I might caution each of you here and those who will read the transcript of this session not to rely upon myself or any of your other teachers for any ease in your spiritual life. We endeavor to be kind and compassionate, but we will not allow you to flounder or stagnate. That is, unless you demand that. But we will be creative in unsettling such demands and rekindling your desire to progress. I wish your response.

Mark: You mentioned that at some far distant point we will barely remember this encounter with you. I can't imagine such a time because I cherish these relationships and these lessons so much. I appreciate your words and thank you for them.

Mark: You mentioned that at some far distant point we will barely remember this encounter with you. I can't imagine such a time because I cherish these relationships and these lessons so much. I appreciate your words and thank you for them.

===Closing===

===Closing===

Machiventa: I assure you that we, being personalities, will never forget one another. We who acquire spiritual wisdom will never forget our lessons. But the events that provided the context will become less significant than the acquirements of friendship and enlightenment. So, yes, our love will remain forever. The Father being one of mercy and love has actually bestowed upon you a narrow time frame in which to function. So, within this small context you this day may cherish forever these engagements of ours. When that time spectrum enlarges, you will gain a different perspective. Our love remains, our learning remains, but the incident will shrink in proportion to the vastness of the new view. I will make my second attempt to withdraw. Elyon is still on winter break and will be back with you at a subsequent time. Let love be your guiding force. Be assured of Michael's approval of your efforts. Be ever willing to receive his guidance and correction. Farewell.

Machiventa: I assure you that we, being personalities, will never forget one another. We who acquire spiritual wisdom will never forget our lessons. But the events that provided the context will become less significant than the acquirements of friendship and enlightenment. So, yes, our love will remain forever. The Father being one of mercy and love has actually bestowed upon you a narrow time frame in which to function. So, within this small context you this day may cherish forever these engagements of ours. When that time spectrum enlarges, you will gain a different perspective. Our love remains, our learning remains, but the incident will shrink in proportion to the vastness of the new view. I will make my second attempt to withdraw. Elyon is still on winter break and will be back with you at a subsequent time. Let love be your guiding force. Be assured of Michael's approval of your efforts. Be ever willing to receive his guidance and correction. Farewell.