Changes

== Session==

== Session==

===Opening===

===Opening===

NORSON: Good evening brothers and sisters. This is NORSON. As Welmek instructed you last week, I and some visitors will be providing the lesson for this evening. Tonight we will first provide a lesson on the nature of love; following that I will entertain questions. And after that there are some visitors who would like to share a few words with you.

NORSON: Good evening [[brothers and sisters]]. This is NORSON. As [[Welmek]] instructed you last week, I and some [[visitors]] will be providing the lesson for this evening. Tonight we will first provide a lesson on the [[nature]] of [[love]]; following that I will entertain [[questions]]. And after that there are some [[visitors]] who would like to share a few [[words]] with you.

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

Love is a word in your language that has as many meanings as there are individuals on your planet. Like all words such as faith, your understanding of love grows as you grow. If there were one "definition" for the word, it is the definition that was given in your previous lessons and is from your text. That is, "Love is the desire to do good to others." Your text also emphasizes the importance of a parent-child relationship. The reason is that parental love is a different aspect, a somewhat different manifestation of love than the love you have for your spouse that is also associated with affection. The love that a parent has for a child comes closest to the love that the Father has for each of you; for in truth, you are all sons and daughters of the Father, your heavenly parent. It is also important to try to come to an understanding of the distinction between this parental or fatherly love and brotherly love, the love you have for your sisters and brothers. As you go about your daily routine, you have been instructed to look at each of your brothers and sisters and to try to envision either the Father fragment within them or Michael within them. It really does not matter, whatever you feel most comfortable with is fine. You have been instructed to treat that person in the way you would if you truly sensed that the Father or Michael were within that person. Stop for just a moment and look at one of your brothers and sisters in this room. Gaze into their eyes, and envision that the love of the Father or of Michael is there within them, wanting to be released, wanting to flow outward. Stop and do this for a moment. (pause) I realize that this may seem a little difficult, may seem a little awkward, since many of you may not know each other well. But this is exactly the point. No matter who you meet in your daily life, strangers that you pass upon the street walking by, you must begin to realize that they have this same potential within them. You may look at someone and you may see that physically they may not be attractive to you. You may feel that they are not particularly bright intellectually, and you might even sense that spiritually they seem asleep. Yet I wish to attest and confirm to you that this Father fragment dwells within each and every one. As you learn to love your brothers and sisters, you are learning to say to yourself "What can I do that would be good for this person?" Oftentimes, you want to sit down with them and have them sit at your feet so to speak, and let yourself expound upon all that you have learned and all that you know. Yet this may be too much. You must start in small ways, a smile, a kind word, helping them in a troubling situation, doing small favors for them. You should not underestimate the importance of these things. While it might seem small to you, again you must realize that the Father fragment is within them waiting to adjust their minds. When something positive happens to them, this is, in a sense, spiritual food for their own spirit, their own Thought Adjuster, to utilize in helping to adjust their mind.

===='''''[[Love]]'''''====

[[Love]] is a [[word]] in your [[language]] that has as many [[meanings]] as there are [[individuals]] on [[your planet]]. Like all [[words]] such as [[faith]], your [[understanding]] of [[love]] grows as you grow. If there were one "[[definition]]" for the word, it is the definition that was given in your previous lessons and is from [[your text]]. That is, "[[Love]] is the [[desire]] to do [[good]] to others."([[56:10 Truth, Beauty, and Goodness|56:10.21]]) [[Your text]] also emphasizes the importance of a [[parent]]-[[child]] [[relationship]]. The reason is that [[parental]] [[love]] is a [[different]] aspect, a somewhat different [[manifestation]] of love than the [[love]] you have for your [[spouse]] that is also associated with [[affection]]. The love that a [[parent]] has for a child comes closest to the love that [[the Father]] has for each of you; for in [[truth]], you are all sons and daughters of [[the Father]], your heavenly [[parent]]. It is also important to try to come to an [[understanding]] of the distinction between this [[parental]] or fatherly love and [[brotherly]] love, the [[love]] you have for your sisters and brothers. As you go about your daily [[routine]], you have been instructed to look at each of your [[brothers and sisters]] and to try to envision either the [[Father fragment]] within them or [[Michael]] within them. It really does not matter, whatever you [[feel]] most comfortable with is fine. You have been instructed to treat that person in the way you would if you truly sensed that [[the Father]] or [[Michael]] were within that [[person]]. Stop for just a [[moment]] and look at one of your [[brothers and sisters]] in this room. Gaze into their eyes, and [[envision]] that the [[love]] of [[the Father]] or of [[Michael]] is there within them, wanting to be released, wanting to [[flow]] outward. Stop and do this for a [[moment]]. (pause) I [[realize]] that this may seem a little [[difficult]], may seem a little awkward, since many of you may not know each other well. But this is exactly the [[point]]. No matter who you meet in your daily life, [[strangers]] that you pass upon the street walking by, you must begin to [[realize]] that they have this same [[potential]] within them. You may look at someone and you may see that [[physically]] they may not be [[attractive]] to you. You may [[feel]] that they are not particularly bright [[intellectually]], and you might even sense that [[spiritually]] they seem [[asleep]]. Yet I wish to attest and [[confirm]] to you that this [[Father fragment]] dwells within each and every one. As you [[learn]] to [[love]] your [[brothers and sisters]], you are learning to say to yourself "What can I do that would be [[good]] for this [[person]]?" Oftentimes, you want to sit down with them and have them sit at your feet so to [[speak]], and let yourself expound upon all that you have [[learned]] and all that you know. Yet this may be too much. You must start in small ways, a [[smile]], a [[kind]] [[word]], helping them in a troubling situation, doing small [[favors]] for them. You should not underestimate the importance of these [[things]]. While it might seem small to you, again you must [[realize]] that the [[Father fragment]] is within them waiting to [[adjust]] their [[minds]]. When something [[positive]] happens to them, this is, in a sense, [[spiritual]] [[food]] for their own spirit, their own [[Thought Adjuster]], to utilize in helping to [[adjust]] their [[mind]].

Suppose for example that a person was having a difficult day and had many bad experiences, and you give a warm smile or kind word. As you know from your text, a little bit of good can overcome a lot of bad. Their Adjuster might be able to impress upon their mind or adjust their thinking to realize that no matter how many bad or difficult things happen in their day, that there are still good people in the world and that despite all of the problems, love still dominates. This can make them have the courage and the strength and the faith to face many more difficulties, many more challenges in their life. Does it seem somewhat remarkable to you that such a small thing could become so important to someone else? I say to you now that this is absolutely true. You cannot underestimate the importance of such things in your life. Is this so difficult for you to do? Do you have to really go out of your way or be burdened by performing such small acts for your brothers and sisters? Some of you think you must do great things, but we are here to say it is often the small things that can be the most important. This is what is meant by doing good for others. Of course if you get to know them and you have an opportunity to share God's love with them, this is also something that you most certainly want to do. But it is pointed out only to make a distinction that not all situations will be so opportune, that you must look for the little things and try to do them as best you can. You would be surprised at how many opportunities you pass up every day in your life to do these small things because you are more concerned or think it is more important to do the greater things. Do not make this judgment. Allow yourself to allow God's love to flow through you in small things as well as bigger things. Look for these opportunities each day. Do not be the judge. Let God be the judge of what this person needs and how much they can absorb at a particular time. As you know, if you are able to do this, and circumstances would allow that this person would come to know you better, then they might open up to you and ask the kinds of questions that you want so badly to provide the answer for. This is the nature of brotherly concern, of brotherly love. Parental, fatherly love, is somewhat different. It goes beyond this step of brotherly love. It adds new dimensions to it. One of the differences is that as a parent, you are more responsible for guiding your children than you are your brothers and sisters. This is a large responsibility. All of you who have had the experience of parenting know how difficult this can be at times. What is the right thing to do, how to guide your child in a way that allows their freedom and their spirit to grow, but yet would not put them into harmful situations. These are difficult assessments, difficult judgments. The Father indwells each of you, and the Father is your parent, your guide. He provides that function for you. While you do not always understand that at the time, and while you sometimes move in directions that you rebel against, you must learn to follow His wisdom. You must learn to follow His way. You must learn to trust His guidance and His judgment, just as you wish your own child would trust your guidance. You must admit that having a perfect guide inside you is somewhat easier to trust than your own children trusting you with your limited human judgment. But yet, what is your desire with your children? Your desire is to love them, to see them grow healthy, to see them be happy and to guide them in a way that they will reach their full potential. This is exactly the same guidance, the same goals that the Adjuster has for each of you. This is, again, why your text emphasizes the importance of the parental experience, because love associated with the wisdom necessary for this guidance is part of that experience and will help you understand what the Adjuster is trying to do for each of you. I will stop now, and I will entertain questions about this lesson or about other topics concerned with your spiritual growth.

[[Suppose]] for [[example]] that a [[person]] was having a [[difficult]] day and had many bad [[experiences]], and you give a warm [[smile]] or [[kind]] [[word]]. As you know from [[your text]], a little bit of [[good]] can overcome a lot of bad. Their [[Adjuster]] might be able to [[impress]] upon their [[mind]] or [[adjust]] their [[thinking]] to [[realize]] that no matter how many bad or [[difficult]] things happen in their day, that there are still [[good]] people in the world and that despite all of the [[problems]], [[love]] still [[dominates]]. This can make them have the [[courage]] and the [[strength]] and the [[faith]] to face many more [[difficulties]], many more [[challenges]] in their life. Does it seem somewhat remarkable to you that such a small thing could become so important to someone else? I say to you now that this is [[absolutely]] true. You cannot underestimate the importance of such [[things]] in your life. Is this so [[difficult]] for you to do? Do you have to really go out of your way or be burdened by [[performing]] such small [[acts]] for your [[brothers and sisters]]? Some of you [[think]] you must do great [[things]], but we are here to say it is often the small [[things]] that can be the most important. This is what is meant by doing [[good]] for others. Of course if you get to know them and you have an [[opportunity]] to [[share]] [[God]]'s [[love]] with them, this is also something that you most certainly want to do. But it is pointed out only to make a [[distinction]] that not all situations will be so opportune, that you must look for the little [[things]] and try to do them as best you can. You would be [[surprised]] at how many [[opportunities]] you pass up every day in your life to do these small things because you are more concerned or [[think]] it is more important to do the greater things. Do not make this [[judgment]]. Allow yourself to allow [[God]]'s [[love]] to [[flow]] through you in small things as well as bigger [[things]]. Look for these [[opportunities]] each day. Do not be the [[judge]]. Let [[God]] be the judge of what this person needs and how much they can absorb at a particular [[time]]. As you know, if you are able to do this, and [[circumstances]] would allow that this person would come to know you better, then they might open up to you and ask the kinds of [[questions]] that you want so badly to provide the answer for. This is the [[nature]] of brotherly concern, of [[brotherly]] [[love]]. [[Parental]], fatherly [[love]], is somewhat [[different]]. It goes beyond this step of brotherly love. It adds new [[dimensions]] to it. One of the differences is that as a [[parent]], you are more [[responsible]] for guiding your [[children]] than you are your [[brothers and sisters]]. This is a large [[responsibility]]. All of you who have had the [[experience]] of [[parenting]] know how [[difficult]] this can be at times. What is the right thing to do, how to [[guide]] your child in a way that allows their [[freedom]] and their [[spirit]] to [[grow]], but yet would not put them into harmful situations. These are [[difficult]] assessments, difficult [[judgments]]. [[The Father]] indwells each of you, and the Father is your [[parent]], your guide. He [[provides]] that [[function]] for you. While you do not always [[understand]] that at the time, and while you sometimes move in [[directions]] that you rebel against, you must [[learn]] to follow His [[wisdom]]. You must learn to follow His way. You must learn to [[trust]] His [[guidance]] and His [[judgment]], just as you wish your own child would trust your [[guidance]]. You must admit that having a [[perfect]] guide inside you is somewhat easier to [[trust]] than your own children trusting you with your [[limited]] [[human]] [[judgment]]. But yet, what is your [[desire]] with your [[children]]? Your desire is to [[love]] them, to see them grow [[healthy]], to see them be [[happy]] and to guide them in a way that they will reach their full [[potential]]. This is exactly the same [[guidance]], the same goals that the [[Adjuster]] has for each of you. This is, again, why [[your text]] emphasizes the importance of the [[parental]] [[experience]], because [[love]] associated with the [[wisdom]] [[necessary]] for this [[guidance]] is part of that experience and will help you [[understand]] what the [[Adjuster]] is trying to do for each of you.  

 

I will stop now, and I will entertain [[questions]] about this lesson or about other [[topics]] concerned with your [[spiritual growth]].

===Dialogue===

===Dialogue===

Q. NORSON, it seems to me that it is not human nature to love. It seems as though our animal instincts are just quite the opposite. When we resurrect and have morontial form or morontial nature, is it easier, is it more automatic to love than it is for us here now?

Q. Norson, it seems to me that it is not [[human]] [[nature]] to [[love]]. It seems as though our [[animal]] [[instincts]] are just quite the [[opposite]]. When we [[resurrect]] and have [[morontial]] form or morontial nature, is it easier, is it more [[automatic]] to [[love]] than it is for us here now?

A. First, I will answer your assumption about it is not human nature to love. This is not correct. The difficulty on your world and on primitive-type worlds is that you are largely dominated by your animal fear. It is not that it is not in your nature to love, it is not that you do not want to love, but the fear surrounding the everyday existence clouds this love and makes it, makes the person, distrustful. When someone is distrustful they hold back their love. Concerning reaching the mansion worlds, it is not that the love within you is different, but it would be fair to say that it is more easy to release, simply because you are with other people who are more loving and more willing to release that love. The love is there, the love is within you. It is truly a matter of being willing to trust enough to allow that love to flow out to others.

A. First, I will answer your [[assumption]] about it is not [[human]] [[nature]] to [[love]]. This is not correct. The [[difficulty]] on [[your world]] and on [[primitive]]-type worlds is that you are largely [[dominated]] by your animal [[fear]]. It is not that it is not in your [[nature]] to [[love]], it is not that you do not want to love, but the [[fear]] [[surrounding]] the everyday [[existence]] clouds this [[love]] and makes it, makes the [[person]], distrustful. When someone is distrustful they hold back their [[love]].  

Q. NORSON, one of the things that you said about the difference between the love of the Father and brotherly love makes me wonder, as teachers, is your approach more brotherly or fatherly towards us? Is your attitude more brotherly or fatherly?

Concerning reaching the [[mansion worlds]], it is not that the [[love]] within you is [[different]], but it would be fair to say that it is more easy to release, [[simply]] because you are with other people who are more loving and more willing to release that [[love]]. The love is there, the love is within you. It is truly a matter of [[being]] willing to [[trust]] enough to allow that love to [[flow]] out to others.

A. As NORSON, I feel brotherly love towards you; while I, along with Welmek and other teachers who have spoken to you are more advanced in our understanding, in our spiritual awareness than you are, still, we are more on the level of brothers and sisters. When I perform the particular function of serving as a teacher or a guide for you, I am attempting to act in a more fatherly way. Therefore, by nature our relationship is more brother and sister; but by virtue of when I am acting in this function of teacher, I am trying to utilize more of the aspects of the fatherly love for you.

Q. Norson, one of the things that you said about the [[difference]] between the [[love]] of [[the Father]] and brotherly love makes me [[wonder]], as [[teachers]], is your approach more brotherly or fatherly towards us? Is your [[attitude]] more brotherly or fatherly?

Q. As a teacher, in what way are those aspects fatherly, or in what ways, I guess?

A. As Norson, I [[feel]] brotherly [[love]] towards you; while I, along with [[Welmek]] and other [[teachers]] who have spoken to you are more advanced in our [[understanding]], in our [[spiritual]] [[awareness]] than you are, still, we are more on the level of [[brothers and sisters]]. When I [[perform]] the particular [[function]] of serving as a [[teacher]] or a guide for you, I am attempting to [[act]] in a more [[fatherly]] way. Therefore, by [[nature]] our [[relationship]] is more brother and sister; but by [[virtue]] of when I am acting in this [[function]] of [[teacher]], I am trying to utilize more of the [[aspects]] of the [[fatherly]] [[love]] for you.

A. Because my role is to help guide you in your spiritual growth, therefore, just as you are when a child comes to you and requests certain things, do you not deny the child certain of their requests? And why would you do this?

Q. As a [[teacher]], in what way are those [[aspects]] fatherly, or in what ways, I guess?

Q. Sometimes it's not appropriate, at that time, for that child to have what they want.

A. Because my role is to help guide you in your [[spiritual growth]], therefore, just as you are when a child comes to you and requests certain [[things]], do you not deny the child certain of their requests? And why would you do this?

A. Excellent response. So it is with us as teachers in guiding you and so it is with your spirit fragment in guiding you.

Q. Sometimes it's not appropriate, at that [[time]], for that [[child]] to have what they want.

Q. NORSON, are you saying that human beings neither create nor store love but are merely transmitters of God's love?

A. Excellent [[response]]. So it is with us as [[teachers]] in guiding you and so it is with your [[spirit fragment]] in guiding you.

A. Love exists all around you and throughout the universe. It is there, it flows through you, it is within you, it is all around you. The more you give, the more you receive. There is a sensing within you that the more you try to love your brothers and sisters, your children, your spouse, anyone that you meet, the more you give out this love, it is a sense in which there creates a larger opening, a larger vessel within you to allow love to flow in and fill this. The experience or the sensing that you have is when you give out this love you experience perhaps briefly, a sort of emptiness; but very quickly you are filled. And when you experience this flow, this ebb and flow of love outward, and then being filled, you sense yourself being more filled with love inside you.

Q. Norson, are you saying that [[human being]]s neither create nor store love but are merely [[transmitters]] of [[God]]'s [[love]]?

Q. Is it the attempt to love one another which is important, or is it the act of loving one another which is important?

Q. Is it the attempt to love one another which is important, or is it the act of loving one another which is important?

A. How would you distinguish between the two?

A. How would you [[distinguish]] between the two?

Q. There's a writer on Urantia who has a quote which says something to the effect that if you see somebody coming to do you good, take off running. That the attempt to other people good may not be interpreted by them as an attempt to do them good. I'm saying I suppose that the motivation that we have subjectively sometimes turns out objectively different.

Q. There's a [[writer]] on [[Urantia]] who has a quote which says something to the [[effect]] that if you see somebody coming to do you [[good]], take off running. That the attempt to other people good may not be [[interpreted]] by them as an attempt to do them [[good]]. I'm saying I [[suppose]] that the [[motivation]] that we have [[subjectively]] sometimes turns out [[objectively]] [[different]].

A. I understand. First of all, it is your motivation which is most important concerning your own spiritual welfare. However, there is an important question which you have raised concerning what truly is good for another person. Here again you must ask the question, who will decide? Will you, in your limited experience and with your limited minds, make the judgment of what is good for your brother and sister? Or will you seek guidance, will you still your mind and will you ask the spirit guide within you "What can I do that would be good for my brother or sister?" I would say, that if you do this, if you ask for inner guidance as to what is good for your brother and sister, then the motive and the objective reality of what is good will coincide. If you desire to do good but you interpret what that means by some dogma or creed or other body of rules that have been made by man or by your own intellect, then it is less likely that your intent and the reality of what is good for that other person will coincide.

A. I [[understand]]. First of all, it is your [[motivation]] which is most important concerning your own spiritual welfare. However, there is an important question which you have raised concerning what truly is good for another person. Here again you must ask the question, who will decide? Will you, in your limited experience and with your limited minds, make the judgment of what is good for your brother and sister? Or will you seek guidance, will you still your mind and will you ask the spirit guide within you "What can I do that would be good for my brother or sister?" I would say, that if you do this, if you ask for inner [[guidance]] as to what is good for your [[brother and sister]], then the [[motive]] and the objective [[reality]] of what is [[good]] will [[coincide]]. If you [[desire]] to do good but you [[interpret]] what that means by some [[dogma]] or [[creed]] or other body of rules that have been made by man or by your own [[intellect]], then it is less likely that your [[intent]] and the [[reality]] of what is good for that other person will [[coincide]].

Q. NORSON, as I understand what you're saying, the inability of human beings to permit God's love to flow through them is because human beings are dominated by animal fear; and that because of that animal fear, there is a distrust of others and also of the experience of love. Am I correct in understanding you to suggest that in order for us to be more trusting and for others to trust us that we should take more risks in revealing ourselves to others?

A. Yes, I [[think]] as a general [[statement]], that would be correct. However, you must also remember the statement that was made by [[Jesus]] "Do not cast pearls before swine."([[140:3 The Ordination Sermon|140:3.18]]) It is always [[judgment]]. You must always use inner [[guidance]] and your [[wisdom]] to [[discern]] the best way to handle situations. But I would say that with most of your [[brothers and sisters]], unless you [[perceive]] some [[immediate]] harm or unless you perceive some immediate [[difficulty]] by making such attempts, that it is always better to take the [[risk]]. If you see that it is not [[received]], then you can simply, [[politely]], withdraw and move about your business. But if you are not sure, first seek your own inner guidance. Unless you sense a real [[danger]] and if your inner [[guidance]] does not seem as clear as you might like it, why not take the [[risk]]? What do you have to lose?

A. Yes, I think as a general statement, that would be correct. However, you must also remember the statement that was made by Jesus "Do not cast pearls before swine." It is always judgment. You must always use inner guidance and your wisdom to discern the best way to handle situations. But I would say that with most of your brothers and sisters, unless you perceive some immediate harm or unless you perceive some immediate difficulty by making such attempts, that it is always better to take the risk. If you see that it is not received, then you can simply, politely, withdraw and move about your business. But if you are not sure, first seek your own inner guidance. Unless you sense a real danger and if your inner guidance does not seem as clear as you might like it, why not take the risk? What do you have to lose?

Q. Norson, in the [[Urantia Book]], it says that [[God]] is [[love]], but love is not God. Would you [[explain]] that?

Q. NORSON, in the Urantia Book, it says that God is love, but love is not God. Would you explain that?

A. God is [[all things]]. Therefore, whatever you can [[think]] of as [[good]] and as [[positive]] is an [[attribute]] of [[God]]. However, the attribute itself cannot be the [[thing]] of which it is an attribute. Therefore, [[love]] is a [[part]] of God; love is an [[aspect]] of God. But love, itself, is not [[God]]. God is even more than [[love]].

Q. Norson, I have a question that's kind of a [[curiosity]]. As a [[parent]] I know I get [[frustrated]] at times with my child, and I [[wonder]] if [[the Father]] gets frustrated with us.

A. God is all things. Therefore, whatever you can think of as good and as positive is an attribute of God. However, the attribute itself cannot be the thing of which it is an attribute. Therefore, love is a part of God; love is an aspect of God. But love, itself, is not God. God is even more than love.

A. Frustrated is an interesting [[word]]. Why would you say that you [[experience]] [[frustration]] with your child?

Q. NORSON, I have a question that's kind of a curiosity. As a parent I know I get frustrated at times with my child, and I wonder if the Father gets frustrated with us.

Q. When he vents [[anger]] at me. And I think sometimes we vent anger at [[the Father]] too.

A. When your child was very young, and it said something [[negative]] to you because the child not get what it wanted, did you sense that the child truly did not [[love]] you? Or did you ever [[feel]] that you truly did not [[love]] your child?

 

 

A. When your child was very young, and it said something negative to you because the child not get what it wanted, did you sense that the child truly did not love you? Or did you ever feel that you truly did not love your child?

Q. No.

Q. No.

A. Then so it is with the Father. You must understand that you are still truly very young children; and you simply do not understand many things. Therefore, the Father has infinite love and infinite patience. I do not think that frustration would be an accurate word as an expression of a feeling of your spirit fragment.

A. Then so it is with [[the Father]]. You must [[understand]] that you are still truly very young [[children]]; and you simply do not [[understand]] many things. Therefore, [[the Father]] has [[infinite]] love and infinite [[patience]]. I do not [[think]] that [[frustration]] would be an accurate word as an [[expression]] of a [[feeling]] of your [[spirit fragment]].

 

Q. NORSON, does love have the same meaning as spiritual energy, the way you've described the flow of it; or does spiritual energy have other qualities as well?

Q. Norson, does [[love]] have the same [[meaning]] as [[spiritual]] [[energy]], the way you've [[described]] the [[flow]] of it; or does spiritual energy have other [[qualities]] as well?

 

Q. NORSON, will the Father be a visual experience for us, or will it be more like an internal experiencing of Him within us?

A. All life in a certain sense is [[energy]]. There are [[physical]] energies that relate to the [[material]] world. [[Love]], in a sense, is a [[spiritual]] energy; but it is an [[energy]] that is [[different]] from just physical energies because it contains within it a [[qualitative]] difference [[reflecting]] the inter[[relationships]] between [[personalities]]. Whereas, merely [[physical]] energies would not have such a [[quality]] associated with them. So, yes, you could say that [[love]] is a form of spiritual energy. It is somewhat more [[complicated]] than that, but for now that is sufficient and an [[accurate]] [[description]].

A. When you fuse with your Father fragment, no other personalities are able to distinguish the difference between you and the Adjuster. Therefore, as you can see, you would not really be able to see the Adjuster as outside of or different from yourself. It is part of you, it is within you, all around you; it is part of your very being.

Q. Norson, will [[the Father]] be a [[visual]] [[experience]] for us, or will it be more like an internal [[experiencing]] of Him within us?

Q. In the morning when I get up I try to devote time to meditating and to trying to communicate with the spirit fragment, but I find that my mind constantly..it's like it's trying to fight me, and I have trouble concentrating. I'm wondering if this is just a lack of discipline or I'm beginning to question my faith somewhat. How do I determine that, number one, and what can I do?

Q. In the [[morning]] when I get up I try to [[devote]] time to [[meditating]] and to trying to [[communicate]] with the [[spirit fragment]], but I find that my [[mind]] constantly..it's like it's trying to fight me, and I have trouble [[concentrating]]. I'm [[wondering]] if this is just a lack of [[discipline]] or I'm beginning to question my [[faith]] somewhat. How do I determine that, number one, and what can I do?

A. It is truly a matter of practice. If you desire to seek the stillness, to worship the Father, there is nothing that can stand in your way. And as you practice, you will find that it becomes much easier to do. Welmek has discussed this process with you in previous instruction. I would encourage you to go back and read earlier transcripts relating to this question. But in brief, I will say, focus on the Father as the most wonderful, the most loving, the most wise being you can possibly imagine. And picture yourself standing or sitting next to this being. How could you want to divert your attention away from this being? He is there, He surrounds you with love, He is there to answer all of your questions, to take your sorrows away. How could you not want to spend all day in the presence of such a being? How can you let thoughts of daily routine and activities flood your mind? You must focus on this image. You must thank the Father. You must have a conversation with the Father; and as you learn to concentrate and to revel being for a brief time in your busy day in the presence of such a being, you will begin to look forward every day to this time, to the point where you will cherish it above everything else. And if you were to miss it on any day, you would truly feel a sense of loss. I realize that many of you are trying and many of you may not yet have reached this point, but I can assure you that if you continue to seek this stillness daily, continue to seek the presence of the Father, there will truly come a time when what I have just said will be more real to you than anything else you see around you.

A. It is truly a matter of [[practice]]. If you [[desire]] to seek the [[stillness]], to [[worship]] [[the Father]], there is nothing that can stand in your way. And as you [[practice]], you will find that it becomes much easier to do. [[Welmek]] has [[discussed]] this [[process]] with you in previous instruction. I would [[encourage]] you to go back and read earlier [[transcripts]] relating to this question. But in brief, I will say, [[focus]] on [[the Father]] as the most [[wonderful]], the most loving, the most [[wise]] being you can possibly [[imagine]]. And picture yourself standing or sitting next to this [[being]]. How could you want to divert your [[attention]] away from this [[being]]? He is there, He [[surrounds]] you with [[love]], He is there to answer all of your [[questions]], to take your [[sorrows]] away. How could you not want to spend all day in the [[presence]] of such a [[being]]? How can you let [[thoughts]] of daily [[routine]] and [[activities]] flood your [[mind]]? You must [[focus]] on this [[image]]. You must thank [[the Father]]. You must have a [[conversation]] with [[the Father]]; and as you learn to [[concentrate]] and to revel being for a brief time in your busy day in the [[presence]] of such a [[being]], you will begin to look forward every day to this time, to the [[point]] where you will cherish it above [[everything]] else. And if you were to miss it on any day, you would truly [[feel]] a sense of loss. I [[realize]] that many of you are trying and many of you may not yet have reached this [[point]], but I can [[assure]] you that if you continue to seek this [[stillness]] daily, continue to seek the [[presence]] of [[the Father]], there will truly come a time when what I have just said will be more real to you than anything else you see around you.

Q. NORSON, we speak of giving love; and I think the other side of the same coin is we also must learn to receive love. Do you have any comments as to how we can better receive love that is (?) to us?

Q. Norson, we speak of giving [[love]]; and I think the other side of the same coin is we also must [[learn]] to [[receive]] love. Do you have any comments as to how we can better [[receive]] love that is (?) to us?

A. When you offer love to your brothers and sisters or to your children, you know what a wonderful feeling inside it is to allow this love to flow through you and to sense yourself being filled with even more love. Why would you ever refuse such love from one of your brothers and sisters? Why would you ever deny them the opportunity to experience this true joy?

A. When you offer [[love]] to your [[brothers and sisters]] or to your [[children]], you know what a [[wonderful]] [[feeling]] inside it is to allow this [[love]] to [[flow]] through you and to sense yourself being filled with even more love. Why would you ever refuse such [[love]] from one of your brothers and sisters? Why would you ever deny them the [[opportunity]] to [[experience]] this true [[joy]]?

Q. Me personally, I do my best not to. However, there are people who, as Jeff mentioned earlier, that turn and run or by the same token don't recognize or are afraid to receive love for some reason or another. What can be said to those people; or if you're one of those people, how do you deal with it?

Q. Me personally, I do my best not to. However, there are people who, as Jeff mentioned earlier, that turn and run or by the same token don't [[recognize]] or are [[afraid]] to receive love for some reason or another. What can be said to those people; or if you're one of those people, how do you deal with it?

A. If you were to walk into a room and a stranger that you did not know ran up to you and threw his arms around you and jumped all over the room with you, hugging you, and telling you how much he loved you, do you think that you might turn and run away?

A. If you were to walk into a room and a [[stranger]] that you did not know ran up to you and threw his arms around you and jumped all over the room with you, hugging you, and telling you how much he [[loved]] you, do you [[think]] that you might turn and run away?

Q. It depends. (group laughter)

Q. It depends. (group [[laughter]])

A. You must learn to make wise judgments and you must learn to assess what is appropriate for this person. You can overteach the child; you can "overlove" the person in a sense that what you are trying to offer, the way you are trying to manifest this love may be too uncomfortable, may be more than what this person can understand at any given time. So you must learn to listen. You must learn to watch. You must learn to detect the little things about this person. Look for small openings to do small things. Do not rush in and try to overteach or overlove. Accept people where they are. Do not throw your own expectations around them. Look at them, listen to them, try to understand them; and try to give them the spiritual food that is appropriate for them at the time. If you do this, and if your relationship with them continues over time, there will come a time when you may sit with them and you may feast upon the full vision of love, as you understand it. But do not expect everyone to be able to understand this, at first.

A. You must learn to make [[wise]] [[judgments]] and you must learn to [[assess]] what is appropriate for this [[person]]. You can overteach the child; you can "overlove" the [[person]] in a sense that what you are trying to offer, the way you are trying to [[manifest]] this [[love]] may be too uncomfortable, may be more than what this person can [[understand]] at any given time. So you must [[learn]] to [[listen]]. You must learn to watch. You must learn to detect the little [[things]] about this [[person]]. Look for small openings to do small things. Do not rush in and try to overteach or overlove. [[Accept]] people where they are. Do not throw your own [[expectations]] around them. Look at them, [[listen]] to them, try to [[understand]] them; and try to give them the [[spiritual]] [[food]] that is appropriate for them at the time. If you do this, and if your [[relationship]] with them continues over time, there will come a time when you may sit with them and you may feast upon the full [[vision]] of [[love]], as you [[understand]] it. But do not [[expect]] everyone to be able to [[understand]] this, at first.

Q. NORSON, as probably know, we are a curious lot. Are you willing to share with us what is your background, and what made you seek this mission?

Q. Norson, as probably know, we are a curious lot. Are you willing to share with us what is your background, and what made you seek this mission?

A. I am of the Melchizidek order of beings. Our order is described in your text. We basically perform in the universe as teachers and philosophers. My brother, Machiventa Melchizidek, is your planetary prince. Before his appointment, I served temporarily in this role, and was in charge of the receivership of your planet. As a Melchizidek, we are in charge of this mission, this teaching mission, and so it is my nature and it is my true desire to want to be part of this mission.

A. I am of the Melchizidek order of beings. Our order is described in your text. We basically perform in the universe as teachers and philosophers. My brother, Machiventa Melchizidek, is your planetary prince. Before his appointment, I served temporarily in this role, and was in charge of the receivership of your planet. As a Melchizidek, we are in charge of this mission, this teaching mission, and so it is my nature and it is my true desire to want to be part of this mission.