Changes

And now I will leave you with this [[thought]]. There is a certain tree which [[grows]] in the [[wind]]. It is gnarled and bent and small but hearty. On the [[crag]] of the cliff, it looks down at the [[ocean]] and receives the mist from the [[tide]]. It looks up at the [[sun]] and receives the warmth of her [[light]]. It clings steadily to the rock's [[face]] and is secure in its place there. Having grown amid so much [[wind]], there is not a wind which can bring it down. [[Shalom]].

And now I will leave you with this [[thought]]. There is a certain tree which [[grows]] in the [[wind]]. It is gnarled and bent and small but hearty. On the [[crag]] of the cliff, it looks down at the [[ocean]] and receives the mist from the [[tide]]. It looks up at the [[sun]] and receives the warmth of her [[light]]. It clings steadily to the rock's [[face]] and is secure in its place there. Having grown amid so much [[wind]], there is not a wind which can bring it down. [[Shalom]].

==THE STILLNESS==

==Session 20==

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

My lesson is concerning that point or focus of enlightenment referred to in ancient teachings. There is much truth to be gained in studying some parts of these ancient religious systems, especially concerning the practice of meditation. Abraham has requested that you retire alone and seek the stillness. This refers to first, stillness in body. It is very difficult without much practice to attain heightened spiritual awareness during physical activity. The second is stillness of mind. This step is considerably more difficult because the mind ever tends toward activity. Yes, these teachings are found from many sources generally. I wish this evening to clarify this practice. This is all.

My lesson is concerning that [[point]] or [[focus]] of [[enlightenment]] referred to in [[ancient]] teachings. There is much [[truth]] to be gained in [[studying]] some parts of these ancient religious systems, especially concerning the [[practice]] of [[meditation]]. [[Abraham]] has requested that you [[retire]] [[alone]] and seek the [[stillness]]. This refers to first, stillness in [[body]]. It is very [[difficult]] without much practice to [[attain]] heightened [[spiritual]] [[awareness]] during physical [[activity]]. The second is stillness of [[mind]]. This step is considerably more [[difficult]] because the mind ever tends toward [[activity]]. Yes, these teachings are found from many sources generally. I [[wish]] this evening to clarify this [[practice]]. This is all.

The goal of stillness seeking is different. I request not the seeking of blissful ease experience, but rather the supreme exercise of true faith, the true faith of the child reaching out with courage toward the Father and the reciprocal downward reaching of the Father towards His child. This is the sublime experience in life, and much guidance, inspiration, foresight, and spiritual insight may be thus obtained as the reward of the sincere faith-seeking child.

The goal of [[stillness]] seeking is [[different]]. I request not the seeking of blissful ease [[experience]], but rather the [[supreme]] [[exercise]] of true [[faith]], the true faith of the child reaching out with [[courage]] toward [[the Father]] and the [[reciprocal]] downward reaching of the Father towards His child. This is the [[sublime]] [[experience]] in life, and much [[guidance]], [[inspiration]], [[foresight]], and spiritual [[insight]] may be thus obtained as the reward of the [[sincere]] [[faith]]-seeking child.

I do not enjoin you to covet this practice for long periods of time. However, frequent repetition of this stillness, prayerful attitude, is very helpful and enlightening, and I would suggest that we should attempt to seek the stillness everyday for a few minutes. It is, or can be, the most fruitful experience of your 24-hour day. It is often the practice of men to be so busy with their day to day thinking activity so as to simply forget the higher realms of thinking, reacting, feeling, experiencing, which are possible by the simple practice of: one, aloneness; two, stillness of the body; and three, stillness of the mind. I wish to elaborate on three stillness of the mind.

I do not enjoin you to [[covet]] this [[practice]] for long periods of [[time]]. However, frequent [[repetition]] of this [[stillness]], prayerful [[attitude]], is very helpful and [[enlightening]], and I would suggest that we should attempt to seek the [[stillness]] everyday for a few minutes. It is, or can be, the most fruitful experience of your 24-hour day. It is often the [[practice]] of men to be so [[busy]] with their day to day [[thinking]] activity so as to simply [[forget]] the higher realms of thinking, reacting, [[feeling]], experiencing, which are possible by the simple practice of: 1) [[Solitude|aloneness]]; 2) stillness of the [[body]]; and 3) stillness of the [[mind]]. I wish to elaborate on 3) stillness of the mind.

This is the most difficult aspect of this practice, and sometimes requires considerable amount of practice in order to have the ability to sustain mental stillness for a time length. This should, however, be practiced with diligence, and reward will follow. I say to you with surety that this simple practice will surely help to increase the mental peace and well-being, the emotional happiness and feeling of well-being, and also the physical health and well-being, for this process of allowing of the contact of the Thought Adjuster through the superconsciousness is, in itself, a very healing process.

This is the most [[difficult]] aspect of this [[practice]], and sometimes requires considerable amount of [[practice]] in order to have the [[ability]] to sustain mental [[stillness]] for a time length. This should, however, be practiced with [[diligence]], and reward will follow. I say to you with surety that this [[simple]] [[practice]] will surely help to increase the mental [[peace]] and well-being, the emotional [[happiness]] and [[feeling]] of well-being, and also the [[physical]] [[health]] and well-being, for this [[process]] of allowing of the contact of the [[Thought Adjuster]] through the [[superconsciousness]] is, in itself, a very [[healing]] process.

The great spiritual power inherent in the presence of the Thought Adjuster is never ever realized in mortal consciousness. You can expand this consciousness of God awareness by diligent practice, conscious thought, consciously centering the thought process on Him, and also on Christ Michael, but the full consciousness of such extremely powerful spiritual beings cannot be realized during the physical life. So powerful is He that for even a momentary full consciousness, that is, His being filling your consciousness completely, which is not to say complete conscious of Him, but complete consciousness possible of Him, would result in translation. That is also the Deity embrace.

The great [[spiritual]] [[power]] [[inherent]] in the [[presence]] of the [[Thought Adjuster]] is never ever [[realized]] in mortal [[consciousness]]. You can expand this consciousness of [[God]] awareness by [[diligent]] [[practice]], conscious [[thought]], consciously centering the thought [[process]] on Him, and also on [[Christ]] [[Michael]], but the full consciousness of such extremely [[powerful]] spiritual [[beings]] cannot be [[realized]] during the [[physical]] life. So powerful is He that for even a momentary full consciousness, that is, His being filling your consciousness completely, which is not to say complete conscious of Him, but complete consciousness possible of Him, would result in [[translation]]. That is also the [[Deity]] [[embrace]].

His supreme desire, of course, is to reach you more fully day by day, to impart His guidance, some of His awareness and His teaching directly to your mind. What a change of life results from the sincere effort to listen and to receive Him, His guidance, His instruction, and His presence. What a supreme experience! What a supreme delight! What a supreme advancement in your own personal spiritual development!

This conscious [[awareness]] of [[God]] directly results in the [[immediate]] [[transcription]] of this consciousness to the [[soul]]. This soul consciousness is immediately upstepped and made more [[perfect]] and [[Divine]], and thus more like Him. These soul [[transcriptions]] are permanent [[parts]] of the [[Morontia|ascendent]] self which is never lost, is a permanent [[reality]], and this permanent reality is made by your conscious [[decision]] to make it.

This conscious awareness of God directly results in the immediate transcription of this consciousness to the soul. This soul consciousness is immediately upstepped and made more perfect and Divine, and thus more like Him. These soul transcriptions are permanent parts of the ascendent self which is never lost, is a permanent reality, and this permanent reality is made by your conscious decision to make it.

A [[supreme]] [[responsibility]] thus lies with each [[person]] to, in [[partnership]] with [[God]], become conscious increasingly of His [[awareness]], being, [[presence]], and this, in turn, creates a new awareness, being, [[presence]] in the [[morontia soul]], which is your true [[self]]. This [[truth]] is ever present from then on; is at that beginning moment a never-ending true [[being]].

A supreme responsibility thus lies with each person to, in partnership with God, become conscious increasingly of His awareness, being, presence, and this, in turn, creates a new awareness, being, presence in the morontia soul, which is your true self. This truth is ever present from then on; is at that beginning moment a never-ending true being.

I have [[spoken]] in the past about the [[unconscious]] [[growth]] of the [[soul]], and so, tonight, I take you one step further into the [[conscious]] growth of the same soul by your own [[efforts]]. Although these efforts and the fruits thereof may be very [[satisfying]], and even thrilling, do not be disheartened or discouraged if you are not comfortable with this. All true [[desire]] of the son is rewarded by [[the Father]] when that desire is to be like Him, to be more of Him, and to [[express]] His reality within your [[uniqueness]]. This [[expression]] of God is most often not a conscious effort, but the [[simple]] [[revelation]] of [[grace]] that the ever growing and expanding soul [[reveals]] to the world even without the full consciousness of such growing [[grace]] by the [[person]].

You are all growing in [[grace]], in [[truth]], in [[light]], in [[beauty]], in [[goodness]], very slowly, sometimes faster. Do not become discouraged, for this [[growth]] [[proceeds]] unabated by your [[awareness]] or not. Spiritual growth is [[transforming]], and this transformation is never sudden. The [[seed]] does not become the tree overnight. All [[growth]], [[physical]], [[morontial]], [[spiritual]] growth, takes time for completion. Yet, as this growth is accomplished and certain levels are [[attained]], consciousness, even sudden consciousness, of this growth may happen, and this increased [[awareness]] thus augments this growth, and thus allows further growth and [[development]] to occur unconsciously.

 

You are all growing in grace, in truth, in light, in beauty, in goodness, very slowly, sometimes faster. Do not become discouraged, for this growth proceeds unabated by your awareness or not. Spiritual growth is transforming, and this transformation is never sudden. The seed does not become the tree overnight. All growth, physical, morontial, spiritual growth, takes time for completion. Yet, as this growth is accomplished and certain levels are attained, consciousness, even sudden consciousness, of this growth may happen, and this increased awareness thus augments this growth, and thus allows further growth and development to occur unconsciously.

===Dialogue===

===Dialogue===

Q: You mentioned a goal, and it was not clear to me in your instructions this evening about meditation.

Q: You mentioned a goal, and it was not clear to me in your instructions this evening about [[meditation]].

 

A: Yes. I meant this goal to be vigorous soul growth and transformation. The goal in many teachings is retreat from society and blissful solitude experience. This, I wished to distinguish from.

Q: Thank you, this is a help for me. Can you explain what part marriage plays in our ascending careers?

Q: Thank you, this is a help for me. Can you [[explain]] what part [[marriage]] plays in our [[ascending careers]]?

A: Yes. Intimate association with another person enables us to achieve that thoroughgoing understanding of another person which is excelled, of course, by God, but by few others, and in few other situations. Children are known thoroughly in their infancy, of course, and early childhood, but as they mature and begin to lead their own lives, this intimacy is no longer there, and understanding may be incomplete. In the ideal of true marriage, this is the situation: there is complete forgiveness and understanding with both parties so that minor misunderstandings are trivial. There is the most sublime spiritual association between two people that is ever achieved in the mortal life, and this spiritual intimacy and supreme confidence borne by understanding is extremely comforting and helpful to both people. Further, with an equal spiritual level between the two, there is the joy of spiritual discovery together, and growth. This intimacy on the spiritual level is growth promoting because of the understanding between the two. On such intimate levels of understanding, such tender emotions may be evinced but allow the tender shoots of one's subtle person to grow in shelter. Yes, there are intimate aspects of life which cannot and should not be shown to the world, but are nurtured in the comfort of sharing with another sympathetic soul. This, I believe, is greatly desirable in the general conquest of the circles which requires the entire personality to be uplifted. Many parts of the soul and personality are extremely intimate, and their blossoming and growth requires time in an un-judgmental and comforting atmosphere such as between husband and wife.

A: Yes. [[Intimate]] [[association]] with another [[person]] enables us to achieve that thoroughgoing [[understanding]] of another person which is excelled, of course, by [[God]], but by few others, and in few other situations. [[Children]] are known thoroughly in their [[infancy]], of course, and early [[childhood]], but as they [[mature]] and begin to lead their own lives, this [[intimacy]] is no longer there, and understanding may be incomplete. In the [[ideal]] of true [[marriage]], this is the situation: there is complete [[forgiveness]] and [[understanding]] with both parties so that minor misunderstandings are [[trivial]]. There is the most [[sublime]] spiritual association between two people that is ever achieved in the [[mortal]] life, and this [[spiritual]] [[intimacy]] and supreme [[confidence]] borne by [[understanding]] is extremely comforting and helpful to both people. Further, with an [[equal]] spiritual level between the two, there is the [[joy]] of [[spiritual]] [[discovery]] together, and growth. This [[intimacy]] on the spiritual level is [[growth]] promoting because of the [[understanding]] between the two. On such intimate levels of understanding, such [[tender]] [[emotions]] may be evinced but allow the tender shoots of one's subtle [[person]] to grow in [[shelter]]. Yes, there are intimate aspects of life which cannot and should not be shown to the world, but are nurtured in the [[comfort]] of [[sharing]] with another [[sympathetic]] [[soul]]. This, I believe, is greatly desirable in the general [[conquest]] of [[Seven Psychic Circles|the circles]] which requires the entire [[personality]] to be uplifted. Many parts of the [[soul]] and [[personality]] are extremely [[intimate]], and their blossoming and growth requires time in an un-judgmental and comforting [[atmosphere]] such as between [[husband]] and [[wife]].

Q: In regard to meditation and being quiet and alone, should we try and limit our thoughts to the idea or name of God? Or mantra?

Q: In regard to [[meditation]] and being [[quiet]] and [[alone]], should we try and limit our [[thoughts]] to the [[idea]] or name of [[God]]? Or [[mantra]]?

A: No. Mantras seem to be helpful at times in stilling the mind, but continuous concentration on the mantra is also a distraction.

A: No. [[Mantras]] seem to be helpful at times in stilling the [[mind]], but continuous [[concentration]] on the mantra is also a [[distraction]].

Q: Teacher, with regard to the stilling of the mind, is it appropriate to try to keep our mind thoughtless or shall we allow spiritual thoughts to come into our mind and dwell on those?

Q: Teacher, with regard to the stilling of the [[mind]], is it appropriate to try to keep our mind thoughtless or shall we allow spiritual [[thoughts]] to come into our mind and dwell on those?

A: Yes, this is difficult. At the point of thoughtlessness, complete thoughtlessness, this allows the Indwelling Spirit a moment to communicate to you. So thoughtlessness is desired. Focus, however, is different. Focus the mind on the highest thought God and allow thoughtlessness to receive Him. Does this answer?

A: Yes, this is difficult. At the [[point]] of thoughtlessness, complete thoughtlessness, this allows the [[Indwelling Spirit]] a moment to [[communicate]] to you. So thoughtlessness is [[desired]]. [[Focus]], however, is different. Focus the mind on the highest [[thought]] [[God]] and allow thoughtlessness to [[receive]] Him. Does this answer?

Q: It helps. When we put the thought of God into our mind, then, should it be a thought in the intellectual sense or should it be an attempt to feel His presence?

Q: It helps. When we put the thought of [[God]] into our mind, then, should it be a thought in the [[intellectual]] sense or should it be an attempt to [[feel]] His [[presence]]?

A: An attempt to focus upon His presence.

A: An attempt to [[focus]] upon His [[presence]].

===Closing===

===Closing===

I wish to leave you with the following: The light of truth shines and is easily followed. Truth is that light which banishes all darkness. Where there is truth and light, so is there love. Where there is love, there is no deception. Farewell for this evening.

I wish to leave you with the following: The [[light]] of [[truth]] shines and is easily followed. Truth is that light which banishes all [[darkness]]. Where there is truth and light, so is there [[love]]. Where there is love, there is no [[deception]]. [[Farewell]] for this evening.

==PRAYER==

==PRAYER==