Changes

==Session 5==

==Session 5==

===Opening===

===Opening===

Good evening, this is Andrew. Our lesson tonight is on visiting the silence, on holding in our thoughts the presence of God, fastening our minds on his sharing our lives with us, his indwelling of our very minds, his seeking to lead us to him.

Good evening, this is Andrew. Our lesson tonight is on [[visiting]] the [[silence]], on holding in our [[thoughts]] the [[presence]] of [[God]], fastening our [[minds]] on his [[sharing]] our lives with us, [[Thought Adjuster|his indwelling]] of our very minds, his seeking to lead us to him.

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

That which mortals call thought is hardly more than a stream of electro-chemical energy, ripples on the surface of a lake. And we are blown hither and thither by our thoughts and their attendant emotions, much like the wind-tossed waters of a lake. But beneath the surface, the Thought Adjuster dwells in the deep and hidden currents, ever sending forth his light and his truth, watchful for any opportunity to bring your consciousness more closely in connection with his. In fact, it is the same consciousness; mortals just tend to focus on the material, or surface, level. If you were riding in a boat and the waves were splashing about you, it would not be possible for you to see beneath the surface of the waters. If, however, you were in a boat on a calm, clear lake, you would be able to see beneath the surface. What we need for you to do, then, is to make of your mind a calm, clear surface, unruffled by the concerns of your everyday activities, relationships, and plans. That is why we ask you to enter the stillness, to calm yourselves, so that you may more clearly perceive what lies beneath the surface of your lives.

That which [[mortals]] call [[thought]] is hardly more than a [[stream]] of [[electro]]-[[chemical]] [[energy]], ripples on the [[surface]] of a lake. And we are blown hither and thither by our [[thoughts]] and their attendant [[emotions]], much like the [[wind]]-tossed waters of a [[lake]]. But beneath the [[surface]], the [[Thought Adjuster]] dwells in the deep and hidden currents, ever sending forth his [[light]] and his [[truth]], watchful for any [[opportunity]] to bring your [[consciousness]] more closely in [[connection]] with his. In [[fact]], it is the same [[consciousness]]; [[mortals]] just tend to [[focus]] on the [[material]], or [[surface]], level. If you were riding in a boat and the [[waves]] were splashing about you, it would not be possible for you to see beneath the [[surface]] of the waters. If, however, you were in a boat on a calm, clear [[lake]], you would be able to see beneath the [[surface]]. What we need for you to do, then, is to make of your [[mind]] a calm, clear [[surface]], unruffled by the concerns of your everyday [[activities]], [[relationships]], and [[plans]]. That is why we ask you to enter the [[stillness]], to [[calm]] yourselves, so that you may more clearly [[perceive]] what lies beneath the [[surface]] of your lives.

[[Calmness]], [[stillness]], is [[attained]] by [[practice]]. Hold an [[image]] in your [[mind]]. Perhaps the [[Norlatiadek|three concentric circles of Michael's banner]], perhaps a [[flame]] of [[truth]]. Or hold a [[sound]] in mind. Not a sound so much, as the [[silence]] that lies beneath all sounds. You can hear the [[silence]]. Between each sound you [[perceive]] it is there, much as a blackboard is there, beneath the white letters that we mark upon it, or as a page is there, beneath the [[print]]. Perhaps you will best find the [[stillness]] through [[concentrating]] on a [[feeling]]--a feeling of [[warmth]], centering in your [[heart]], a [[feeling]] of [[love]]. [[Choose]] one of these [[modalities]] and [[focus]] on it. When you find that your [[attention]] has been led away from the [[image]] on which you set out to [[focus]], simply let go of the [[thought]] or the [[emotion]], and return once again to the [[image]]. [[Practice]] this. Try a period of ten, fifteen, or twenty minutes in the [[morning]] if you can, or in the evening. You may [[choose]] to precede this practice of [[stillness]], of [[worship]], with [[prayer]], in which you bring your [[personal]] [[petitions]] to [[Michael]]. Then bring your [[praises]], and enter from there into the [[worshipful]] [[stillness]].

Calmness, stillness, is attained by practice. Hold an image in your mind. Perhaps the three concentric circles of Michael's banner, perhaps a flame of truth. Or hold a sound in mind. Not a sound so much, as the silence that lies beneath all sounds. You can hear the silence. Between each sound you perceive it is there, much as a blackboard is there, beneath the white letters that we mark upon it, or as a page is there, beneath the print. Perhaps you will best find the stillness through concentrating on a feeling--a feeling of warmth, centering in your heart, a feeling of love. Choose one of these modalities and focus on it. When you find that your attention has been led away from the image on which you set out to focus, simply let go of the thought or the emotion, and return once again to the image. Practice this. Try a period of ten, fifteen, or twenty minutes in the morning if you can, or in the evening. You may choose to precede this practice of stillness, of worship, with prayer, in which you bring your personal petitions to Michael. Then bring your praises, and enter from there into the worshipful stillness.

It is [[difficult]] for your [[Thought Adjusters]] to [[speak]] with you, to [[contact]] your [[consciousness]] when your [[mind]] is racing, when it is cluttered with [[material]] ''thoughts'', when your [[emotions]] are stirred or troubled. Through-out your day, take [[time]], a [[moment]], to pause, [[breath]] deeply, and [[realize]] that you are in the [[heart]] of [[God]] as surely as he is in your [[heart]] and in your [[mind]].

It is difficult for your Thought Adjusters to speak with you, to contact your consciousness when your mind is racing, when it is cluttered with material thoughts, when your emotions are stirred or troubled. Through-out your day, take time, a moment, to pause, breath deeply, and realize that you are in the heart of God as surely as he is in your heart and in your mind.

This ends our lesson for this evening. Good night, and [[Peace]] to you.

==Session 6==

==Session 6==

===Opening===

===Opening===