Changes

==Session 2==

==Session 2==

SEPTEMBER 5, 1992

*September 5, 1992

===Opening===

===Opening===

WILL: The love of God surrounds us. The love of God enfolds us. The power of God supports us all. Wherever we gather, He is.

WILL: The [[love]] of [[God]] [[surrounds]] us. The love of God enfolds us. The [[power]] of God [[supports]] us all. Wherever we gather, He is.

Good evening. I am your teacher, Will, who loves you. I was just musing that for you to hear the good news requires so much preparation. Yet, we thank you for your kind attention. It is always a pleasure to meet with this group. We greet our visitors who have traveled far to join our family, if only for a few days. You are welcome here.

Good evening. I am your [[teacher]], Will, who [[loves]] you. I was just musing that for you to hear the good news requires so much [[preparation]]. Yet, we thank you for your kind [[attention]]. It is always a [[pleasure]] to meet with this [[group]]. We greet our [[visitors]] who have traveled far to join our [[family]], if only for a few days. You are [[welcome]] here.

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

We have recently returned in our teaching messages to the theme of faith. A theme which we find inspiring and peculiarly applicable to your varied situations, so for some weeks into the future we will be offering our view on the topic of the life of faith.

We have recently returned in our teaching [[messages]] to the [[theme]] of [[faith]]. A theme which we find [[inspiring]] and peculiarly applicable to your varied situations, so for some weeks into the [[future]] we will be offering our view on the [[topic]] of the life of [[faith]].

It is inescapable that life has its ups and downs. The grand variety of the universe is expressed on the disorganized planets largely in the guise of chance. We realize that this is a source of frequent frustration for you who are attempting validly to organize your lives and grapple with the circumstances of life and in an attempt to hammer out a viable form of spiritual understanding and progress. Yet, I think I can assure you that, in many respects, if you were to be transported to one of the more advanced planets, you would find it to be a chafing experience. True, things are more organized, more reliable, as certain as things on the material planets can be, and it is a consistently better situation for the people as a whole as regards their personal spiritual developments, but I think I can safely say that you would be bored there. For, though those planets are well ordered and productive, there is a vitality to a planet like yours that is largely lost through the very process of settlement. This is not to diminish the rewards consequent upon such developments, but when we look upon the product of those planets compared with the product of, say, a backward and brutal planet such as is this, we find that the people who have graduated from those systems are not as hardy, not as tough minded, not as reliable as you people are proving yourselves to be. Therefore we say, you are the lucky ones. If it were possible to reproduce the personality qualities which you people carry forward into eternity, then people like you would be in demand throughout the universe. You are the lucky ones.

It is inescapable that life has its ups and downs. The grand [[variety]] of [[the universe]] is [[expressed]] on the disorganized [[planets]] largely in the [[guise]] of [[chance]]. We [[realize]] that this is a [[source]] of frequent [[frustration]] for you who are attempting validly to [[organize]] your lives and grapple with the [[circumstances]] of life and in an attempt to hammer out a viable [[form]] of [[spiritual]] [[understanding]] and [[progress]]. Yet, I think I can [[assure]] you that, in many respects, if you were to be [[transported]] to one of the more [[Light and Life|advanced]] planets, you would find it to be a chafing [[experience]]. True, things are more [[organized]], more reliable, as certain as things on the [[material planets]] can be, and it is a [[consistently]] better situation for the people as a whole as regards their [[personal]] [[spiritual developments]], but I think I can safely say that you would be bored there. For, though those planets are well ordered and productive, there is a [[vitality]] to a planet like yours that is largely lost through the very [[process]] of settlement. This is not to diminish the rewards consequent upon such [[developments]], but when we look upon the [[product]] of those planets compared with the product of, say, a backward and [[brutal]] planet such as is this, we find that the people who have [[graduated]] from those [[the System|systems]] are not as hardy, not as tough minded, not as reliable as you people are proving yourselves to be. Therefore we say, you are the lucky ones. If it were possible to reproduce the [[personality]] [[qualities]] which you people carry forward into [[eternity]], then people like you would be in demand throughout [[the universe]]. You are the lucky ones.

This is not the case now that your enviable qualities lend themselves to merging with the other positive qualities of people who have arrived at a similar point by way of different experiences, so I expect that you will not be able to fully comprehend my complement to you, but it is nevertheless sincere. You people arrive on the Mansion Worlds with plenty of sharp edges and a lot of hard bark upon you. That is good. That is good. It gives you a certain kind of advantage. I am forbidden to reveal the consequence. It will suffice to say that it gives you a kind of advantage [dog howls loudly] [laughter] Here is a fine example of what I am talking about. A peculiar spark of tenacity and disrespect has, as we have described in the past, its upside and the positive side of the qualities which you find so troublesome in your lives are the very qualities that will serve you so well in your transit across eternity. You are the lucky ones.

This is not the case now that your [[enviable]] [[qualities]] lend themselves to merging with the other [[positive]] qualities of people who have arrived at a similar [[point]] by way of [[different]] [[experiences]], so I [[expect]] that you will not be able to fully [[comprehend]] my compliment to you, but it is nevertheless [[sincere]]. You people arrive on the [[Mansion Worlds]] with plenty of sharp edges and a lot of hard bark upon you. That is [[good]]. That is good. It gives you a certain kind of [[advantage]]. I am [[forbidden]] to [[reveal]] the [[consequence]]. It will suffice to say that it gives you a kind of [[advantage]] [dog howls loudly] [[[laughter]]] Here is a fine example of what I am talking about. A peculiar [[spark]] of [[tenacity]] and disrespect has, as we have [[described]] in the [[past]], its upside and the [[positive]] side of the [[qualities]] which you find so troublesome in your lives are the very [[qualities]] that will serve you so well in your [[transit]] across [[eternity]]. You are the lucky ones.

Therefore we can say to you, as a general instruction, have faith, walk forward boldly. You are far more capable than you give yourselves credit for. You spend far too much time agonizing over mistakes and the possibility of mistakes. As it says in the Urantia Book, what is a mistake in the service of God? Each of you must be in full the person whom you were born to be. If you but have faith in the Father above, the Adjuster within and your fellows without then you will achieve the full measure which the Heavenly Father intended before you even came into existence. Have faith, you will not go wrong so long as you listen and think and observe the respectful opinions of your brothers and sisters. You will not go wrong. It matters not whether the world showers you with gold and jewels or reviles you as a meddlesome troublemaker and a gadfly to all things which they consider important. True, it is seen that the middle road is the preferred in all but one area - the middle will never serve you as the path to spiritual progress. We exhort you. Always choose the higher path, the rarified path, the path with no marks upon it, the path with heart. Your faith will guide you. That is all I have to say.

Therefore we can say to you, as a general instruction, have [[faith]], walk forward [[boldly]]. You are far more capable than you give yourselves credit for. You spend far too much time [[agonizing]] over mistakes and the [[possibility]] of mistakes. As it says in the [[Urantia Book]], what is a mistake in the [[service]] of [[God]]? Each of you must be in full the [[person]] whom you were [[born]] to be. If you but have [[faith]] in [[the Father]] above, the [[Adjuster]] within and your [[Siblings|fellows]] without then you will [[achieve]] the full [[measure]] which the [[Heavenly Father]] intended before you even came into [[existence]]. Have [[faith]], you will not go wrong so long as you [[listen]] and [[think]] and [[observe]] the respectful [[opinions]] of your [[brothers and sisters]]. You will not go wrong. It matters not whether the world showers you with gold and [[jewels]] or reviles you as a meddlesome troublemaker and a [[gadfly]] to all things which they consider important. True, it is seen that the middle road is the preferred in all but one area - the middle will never serve you as the [[path]] to [[spiritual progress]]. We exhort you. Always [[choose]] the higher [[path]], the rarified path, the path with no marks upon it, the path with [[heart]]. Your [[faith]] will guide you. That is all I have to say.

===Dialogue===

===Dialogue===

CHICK: Will, are you willing to entertain questions about your lesson tonight?

CHICK: Will, are you willing to entertain [[questions]] about your lesson tonight?

WILL: Yes, state your question.

WILL: Yes, state your question.

CHICK: In choosing the higher path, the path with heart, the path untrodden, are there additional signposts you can provide to help us discern when that path is right? And when that path may be a dangerous path or an ego path?

WILL: In the [[oceans]] of [[your planet]], until just a few years ago your [[scientists]] thought that there were a handful of deep [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_currents ocean currents] which [[flowed]] in a regular fashion. For example, the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_stream Gulf stream] current which circulates the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_of_Mexico Gulf of Mexico] in a clockwise fashion and then turns back upon itself to [[flow]] northward along the North American coastline thence across south of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenland Greenland] past [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iceland Iceland] and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Isles British Isles]. However, recent advances in both [[thinking]] and measuring equipment have proved that this [[model]] was overly [[simplistic]]. While the [[original]] [[idea]] was correct, the [[ocean]] is not a homogeneous place. This [[discovery]] was principally logged by the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submarine submarine] services of your [[military]] organizations who noted [[temperature]] oriented strata called [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoclines thermoclines] which were bodies of [[water]] at a certain temperature which [[flowed]] in a certain [[direction]] and were identifiable discrete [[units]] of water movement within the greater [[ocean]]. I use this detail to [[illustrate]] my answer to your [[question]]. Certain [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoclines thermoclines] travel in one [[direction]]; the one [[immediately]] [[adjacent]] to it, the one below or above may travel in a complete other [[direction]]. Now, when you are walking forward in [[faith]], you are traveling in the right [[direction]] by [[definition]]. It is as if you are traveling as part of a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermocline thermocline]. There are boundaries of your [[latitude]] and when you pass through the boundary you will begin to encounter [[resistance]]. You are able to [[feel]] that suddenly the [[flow]] is no longer with you. Does that help?

WILL: In the oceans of your planet, until just a few years ago your scientists thought that there were a handful of deep ocean currents which flowed in a regular fashion. For example, the Gulf stream current which circulates the Gulf of Mexico in a clockwise fashion and then turns back upon itself to flow northward along the North American coastline thence across south of Greenland past Iceland and the British Isles. However, recent advances in both thinking and measuring equipment have proved that this model was overly simplistic. While the original idea was correct, the ocean is not a homogeneous place. This discovery was principally logged by the submarine services of your military organizations who noted temperature oriented strata called thermoclines which were bodies of water at a certain temperature which flowed in a certain direction and were identifiable discreet units of water movement within the greater ocean. I use this detail to illustrate my answer to your question. Certain thermoclines travel in one direction; the one immediately adjacent to it, the one below or above may travel in a complete other direction. Now, when you are walking forward in faith, you are traveling in the right direction by definition. It is as if you are traveling as part of a thermocline. There are boundaries of your latitude and when you pass through the boundary you will begin to encounter resistance. You are able to feel that suddenly the flow is no longer with you. Does that help?

CHICK: That is a [[beautiful]] [[analogy]]. Can we move from one [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermocline thermocline] to a more elevated one and find a different [[direction]] that is apparently in [[conflict]] with our previous [[flow]] which is, in [[fact]], the higher will of [[God]]?

CHICK: That is a beautiful analogy. Can we move from one thermocline to a more elevated one and find a different direction that is apparently in conflict with our previous flow which is, in fact, the higher will of God?

WILL: The general answer is yes. I will have to [[reflect]] before I can answer more specifically. [pause] We will say that, as a general rule, encountering [[spiritual]] [[resistance]], most particularly a sudden [[evacuation]] of [[faith]] [[assuredness]], is a definite [[warning]] sign that you have transgressed the border. What you [[choose]] to do at that time is within the realm of [[human]] will. You might, for example, in the [[simplest]] scenario elect to return or you might [[adapt]] yourself to the new situation. That is an area within the [[individual]]'s discretion. So long as you are conducting yourself with proper [[mind]], you are [[relatively]] safe. Each of you already knows this. Next question.

WILL: The general answer is yes. I will have to reflect before I can answer more specifically. [pause] We will say that, as a general rule, encountering spiritual resistance, most particularly a sudden evacuation of faith assuredness, is a definite warning sign that you have transgressed the border. What you choose to do at that time is within the realm of human will. You might, for example, in the simplest scenario elect to return or you might adapt yourself to the new situation. That is an area within the individual's discretion. So long as you are conducting yourself with proper mind, you are relatively safe. Each of you already knows this. Next question.

CHICK: Thank you, Will, you have answered my [[question]]. [pause - no further questions]

WILL: It is always somewhat an [[unusual]] occasion for us to have a question and answer period. I apparently time it so that whenever I [[accept]] questions, no one can recall any. I'm not sure how I do this. Other [[teachers]] have asked me for my recipe. I suppose the reason is that there is something about me or the way I conduct my teaching that [[discourages]] people from asking me questions. It is true that I think that [[faith]] is a much more productive [[method]] than question and answer. That [[action]] and [[risk]] taking is much more productive of [[progress]] than [[question]] and answer. In short, I would say that the [[fact]] of questions and answers seems to induce people to [[manufacture]] further questions in the [[hope]] of answers which then, in turn, [[manufacture]] more questions and it is an endless [[cycle]]. I am particularly pleased and take some [[pride]] in the fact that this group, upon the merest suggestion, goes out into the street to have a go at it. So much so that my superiors have often [[cautioned]] me about making helpful suggestions in that regard.

 

WILL: It is always somewhat an unusual occasion for us to have a question and answer period. I apparently time it so that whenever I accept questions, no one can recall any. I'm not sure how I do this. Other teachers have asked me for my recipe. I suppose the reason is that there is something about me or the way I conduct my teaching that discourages people from asking me questions. It is true that I think that faith is a much more productive method than question and answer. That action and risk taking is much more productive of progress than question and answer. In short, I would say that the fact of questions and answers seems to induce people to manufacture further questions in the hope of answers which then, in turn, manufacture more questions and it is an endless cycle. I am particularly pleased and take some pride in the fact that this group, upon the merest suggestion, goes out into the street to have a go at it. So much so that my superiors have often cautioned me about making helpful suggestions in that regard.

===Closing===

===Closing===

Well, then, I have enjoyed our meeting tonight. I thank you for your respectful attention and your concentration on my humble attempts at illumination and I will meet with you all again tomorrow evening.

Well, then, I have [[enjoyed]] our meeting tonight. I thank you for your [[respectful]] [[attention]] and your [[concentration]] on my [[humble]] attempts at [[illumination]] and I will meet with you all again tomorrow evening.

Shalom.

Shalom.