Changes

A: Yes. By this I meant to allow one's higher nature [[control]] and not to allow the [[fearing]], [[doubting]], [[anxious]] part of mind a [[dominant]] place. [[Security]], [[clarity]], in mental [[thinking]] and form are found in the higher realms of [[thought]], wherein there is no fear nor [[anxiety]].

A: Yes. By this I meant to allow one's higher nature [[control]] and not to allow the [[fearing]], [[doubting]], [[anxious]] part of mind a [[dominant]] place. [[Security]], [[clarity]], in mental [[thinking]] and form are found in the higher realms of [[thought]], wherein there is no fear nor [[anxiety]].

==GREED==

==Session 38==

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

There are many forms of this human characteristic trait of greed. Most of the time we think of greed as concerning monetary related values. This is not always so, for greed is a deep-seated human emotion characteristic. It is manifested in many other ways also, such as selfish desire for attention from others and the lack of consideration for their needs. It is important to recognize greed in its many manifestations. It is not a mortal sin, however. No, it is rather a left over from primitive times when self-preservation was more necessary. Now in your modern day it is seen as childlike. The mature person is grown beyond the mere innate instinctive passion for self. The mature person is seeing himself in broader context. He understands his dependence and devotion to others and to God. This understanding of one's self within a community network, all dependent on our Father, frees the individual from instinctive fear for self, and one can begin to root out the weeds of greed and other self-serving motivations, for it is through understanding of reality that one can become fearlessly unselfish.

There are many forms of this human characteristic [[trait]] of [[greed]]. Most of the time we think of greed as concerning [[monetary]] related [[values]]. This is not always so, for greed is a deep-seated human [[emotion]] characteristic. It is [[manifested]] in many other ways also, such as [[selfish]] [[desire]] for [[attention]] from others and the lack of [[consideration]] for their needs. It is important to recognize greed in its many [[manifestations]]. It is not a mortal [[sin]], however. No, it is rather a left over from [[52:1 Primitive Man|primitive]] times when [[self]]-[[preservation]] was more [[necessary]]. Now in your [[modern]] day it is seen as childlike. The [[mature]] person is grown beyond the mere innate [[instinctive]] [[passion]] for self. The mature person is seeing himself in broader [[context]]. He [[understands]] his dependence and devotion to others and to [[God]]. This [[understanding]] of one's self within a [[community]] network, all dependent on [[our Father]], frees the [[individual]] from instinctive fear for [[self]], and one can begin to root out the weeds of [[greed]] and other self-serving [[motivations]], for it is through [[understanding]] of [[reality]] that one can become fearlessly [[unselfish]].

===Dialogue===

===Dialogue===

Q: On your lesson, when you were referring to greed having origin with the primitives, the early races, does that mean that eventually the advancing races can eliminate this from the gene pool, or does that mean that no matter how advanced the races are, greed and other undesirable animalistic traits are always present, its just us mortals, we have to learn how to transcend them?

Q: On your lesson, when you were referring to [[greed]] having [[origin]] with the [[primitives]], the [[Paper 62 - The Dawn Races of Early Man|early races]], does that mean that [[eventually]] the advancing races can eliminate this from the [[gene]] pool, or does that mean that no matter how advanced the races are, [[greed]] and other undesirable animalistic traits are always present, its just us [[mortals]], we have to learn how to [[transcend]] them?

A: The latter. In advanced cultures, greed is not as sharp a pain. It is dulled, softened, and in general lessened, even among children. It is the fruit of advancing culture.

A: The latter. In advanced [[cultures]], [[greed]] is not as sharp a [[pain]]. It is dulled, softened, and in general lessened, even among [[children]]. It is the fruit of advancing [[culture]].

Q: Regarding your lesson, perhaps in a world that's settled in light and life, it would be much easier to be unselfish and think only of other people because you would expect other people to be thinking of you, and in an economic sense, there may not be that fear of deprivation, economic deprivation. But in today's world, on Urantia, we seem to be dominated by selfishness and greed, and I think many of us feel fearful that if we really attempt to be unselfish, we will be taken advantage of, and this will cause us suffering in many different ways, particularly economic suffering. Do you have any words to address this?

Q: Regarding your lesson, perhaps in a world that's settled in [[light and life]], it would be much easier to be [[unselfish]] and [[think]] only of other people because you would [[expect]] other people to be [[thinking]] of you, and in an [[economic]] sense, there may not be that [[fear]] of deprivation, [[economic]] deprivation. But in today's world, on [[Urantia]], we seem to be [[dominated]] by [[selfishness]] and [[greed]], and I think many of us feel fearful that if we really attempt to be [[unselfish]], we will be taken [[advantage]] of, and this will cause us [[suffering]] in many different ways, particularly [[economic]] suffering. Do you have any words to address this?

A: Yes. Unselfishness does not mean recklessness, over-generosity, or encompass foolhardy actions. Fairness in fellow feelings does not risk yourself. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This does not involve reckless or unwise opening of yourself to economic vulnerability. It is rather a person to person, day by day, living as in God's sight and showing His noble character through yourself. Walking in light will not require stumbling in darkness. One foot before the other on firm ground is all that is asked. You nor any of you are asked or required to risk your security, be assured that your ultimate security is in God, and He who loves you, protects you, and cherishes you will not put you in harm's way.

A: Yes. [[Unselfishness]] does not mean recklessness, over-[[generosity]], or [[encompass]] foolhardy actions. [[Fairness]] in fellow feelings does not [[risk]] yourself. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This does not involve reckless or unwise opening of yourself to [[economic]] vulnerability. It is rather a [[person]] to person, day by day, living as in [[God]]'s [[sight]] and showing His [[noble]] [[character]] through yourself. Walking in [[light]] will not require stumbling in [[darkness]]. One foot before the other on firm ground is all that is asked. You nor any of you are asked or required to [[risk]] your [[security]], be assured that your ultimate security is in [[God]], and He who [[loves]] you, protects you, and [[cherishes]] you will not put you in harm's way.

Q: In my readings of this last week, many of our will creature difficulties come from following the ego, and using the ego as a guide as opposed to turning to Indwelling Spirit guidance. In regard to the idea of greed, it is based primarily on the illusion of scarcity. We produce our own scarcity by paying attention to it, and we produce our abundance by paying attention to the abundance in the world that God has given us. Is this a higher law than the one of security, and is it true that the ego is producing the illusion of scarcity, and therefore greed?

Q: In my [[readings]] of this last week, many of our [[Free will|will [[creature]] difficulties come from following the [[ego]], and using the ego as a guide as opposed to turning to [[Indwelling Spirit]] guidance. In regard to the [[idea]] of [[greed]], it is based primarily on the [[illusion]] of [[scarcity]]. We produce our own scarcity by paying [[attention]] to it, and we produce our [[abundance]] by paying attention to the abundance in the world that [[God]] has given us. Is this a higher law than the one of [[security]], and is it true that the [[ego]] is producing the [[illusion]] of scarcity, and therefore [[greed]]?

A: Yes, your understanding is correct. Yes.

A: Yes, your [[understanding]] is correct. Yes.

Q: Then in our evolution into Light and Life, it seems as if our requirement in the stillness, when we have security matters that we are dealing with in regard to material well-being, that if we pay attention to the Indwelling Spirit's leadings and guidance, it will take us to abundance. Is that correct?

Q: Then in our [[evolution]] into [[Light and Life]], it seems as if our requirement in the [[stillness]], when we have [[security]] matters that we are dealing with in regard to [[material]] well-being, that if we pay [[attention]] to the [[Indwelling Spirit]]'s leadings and [[guidance]], it will take us to [[abundance]]. Is that correct?

A: This is a more personal question and is in the main correct. Also, the guidance of your Indwelling Spirit seeks to teach you through life's schoolroom the important matters beyond the material. In apparent material failure are gems of immense treasure you will keep with you always. Where your treasure lies, there will you heart be also. This treasure cannot be plundered. It is impregnable. Always understand His higher aims and be not overly concerned with temporary material failure, for all your needs will be fulfilled by His wisdom.

A: This is a more personal question and is in the main correct. Also, the [[guidance]] of your [[Indwelling Spirit]] seeks to teach you through life's schoolroom the important matters beyond the [[material]]. In apparent material [[failure]] are gems of immense [[treasure]] you will keep with you always. Where your [[treasure]] lies, there will you [[heart]] be also. This treasure cannot be plundered. It is impregnable. Always [[understand]] His higher aims and be not overly concerned with temporary [[material]] [[failure]], for all your needs will be fulfilled by His [[wisdom]].

Q: Is it well, then, to pray for an attitude change and an attitude of non-attachment to material greed as well as the greed that you spoke of in regard to attentional greed for one's self, and other attitudinal ego errors, for lack of a better term.

Q: Is it well, then, to [[pray]] for an [[attitude]] change and an attitude of non-attachment to [[material]] [[greed]] as well as the greed that you spoke of in regard to attentional greed for one's self, and other attitudinal [[ego]] errors, for lack of a better term.

A: Yes. It is well to know where your true treasure lies. Matter is temporal changing dust. Even great wealth is only temporary. It is not the means by which you build your true security in heaven. Always look beyond this life and realize that this fleeting existence will soon be over and you will be a citizen of the Mansion Worlds where greater gifts than these words of instruction are given. You will still be living life and facing difficulties, yes, but you will have a longer viewpoint. Have this understanding with you now. Look toward the ultimate goal rather than temporal ones.

A: Yes. It is well to know where your true treasure lies. [[Matter]] is temporal changing dust. Even great [[wealth]] is only temporary. It is not the means by which you build your true [[security]] in heaven. Always look beyond this life and [[realize]] that this fleeting [[existence]] will soon be over and you will be a [[citizen]] of the [[Mansion Worlds]] where greater gifts than these [[words]] of instruction are given. You will still be living life and facing [[difficulties]], yes, but you will have a longer [[viewpoint]]. Have this [[understanding]] with you now. Look toward the [[ultimate]] goal rather than temporal ones.

Q: What if a large entity financially in this world picks on a little financial entity and unjustly forces them out of their competitive market simply by low tactics. Should one stand up and fight fire with fire or take a mild stand and be subject to defeat simply because of morality?

Q: What if a large [[entity]] financially in this world picks on a little [[financial]] [[entity]] and unjustly forces them out of their [[competitive]] market simply by low [[tactics]]. Should one stand up and fight fire with fire or take a mild stand and be subject to [[defeat]] simply because of [[morality]]?

A: The God-knowing man always takes the high road. He is subject to the storms and trials of life. All the same, he remains in a superior attitude and position in all respects. Be not concerned, for the evil and injustice which besets you is always vanquished with light, truth and justice.

A: The God-knowing man always takes the high road. He is subject to the storms and [[trials]] of life. All the same, he remains in a superior [[attitude]] and position in all respects. Be not concerned, for the [[evil]] and injustice which besets you is always [[Defeat|vanquished]] with [[light]], [[truth]] and [[justice]].

==TRUTH==

==TRUTH==