Changes

*November 22, 1992

*November 22, 1992

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

WILL: The love of God surrounds us. The love of God enfolds us. The love of God upholds us. Wherever we gather, He is. Hello and good evening to you all once again. I am your teacher, Will, who loves you.

WILL: The [[love]] of [[God]] [[surrounds]] us. The love of God enfolds us. The love of God upholds us. Wherever we gather, He is. Hello and good evening to you all once again. I am your [[teacher]], Will, who [[loves]] you.

Where does the web of [[human]] [[relations]] begin and end? For each of you [[individually]] and for this [[group]] [[collectively]] it is your [[history]] and it is your [[future]], but most importantly, it is your [[eternal]] [[present]]. I compliment you on your daily [[interactions]] with people. Do not let the results of those interactions fall below the [[threshold]] of your [[awareness]]. I think you will find if you [[examine]] your [[past]] [[experiences]] that [[spontaneous]] [[enlightenment]] frequently comes from the [[exploration]] of those [[chance]] encounters with those to whom you are a [[stranger]] or merely an acquaintance and are not [[limited]] to [[conversations]] with people whom you know well. Over this coming week pay closer [[attention]] to the people you [[chance]] to encounter. The bank teller, the waitress, the clerical staff in your offices, the people you meet or whose [[paths]] you cross on the street, your [[colleagues]] with whom you would scarcely [[exchange]] a glance or a [[word]]. Each person whom you meet is an [[opportunity]] for the [[Heavenly Father]] to flex His muscles, to [[develop]] Himself and yourself in the world in which we live more richly and more deeply and more completely. By making the [[human]] [[connection]] you begin to build that network of human [[relationships]] which is the [[foundation]] for the ages of [[light and life]]. Light and life is not imposed upon a [[planet]] from above. It is not a [[program]] which begins with [[administrative]] [[coordination]]. [[Light and life]] begins with you and already has. It cannot exist except with the knowing acknowledgment of [[brotherhood and sisterhood]] of all [[persons]].

Where does the web of human relations begin and end? For each of you individually and for this group collectively it is your history and it is your future, but most importantly, it is your eternal present. I complement you on your daily interactions with people. Do not let the results of those interactions fall below the threshold of your awareness. I think you will find if you examine your past experiences that spontaneous enlightenment frequently comes from the exploration of those chance encounters with those to whom you are a stranger or merely an acquaintance and are not limited to conversations with people whom you know well. Over this coming week pay closer attention to the people you chance to encounter. The bank teller, the waitress, the clerical staff in your offices, the people you meet or whose paths you cross on the street, your colleagues with whom you would scarcely exchange a glance or a word. Each person whom you meet is an opportunity for the Heavenly Father to flex His muscles, to develop Himself and yourself in the world in which we live more richly and more deeply and more completely. By making the human connection you begin to build that network of human relationships which is the foundation for the ages of light and life. Light and life is not imposed upon a planet from above. It is not a program which begins with administrative coordination. Light and life begins with you and already has. It cannot exist except with the knowing acknowledgment of brotherhood and sisterhood of all persons.

In order for this to become more than [[potential]], in order for it to become [[actual]], you must become more than [[passive]]. When you avert your eyes upon encountering a new person or encountering a known [[person]] in the same old way, you are exerting the many leveled [[denial]]. You are denying yourself the [[human]] [[connection]] with that other [[person]]. You are denying the [[Thought Adjuster]] [[connection]] between you and that other person. You are denying that [[person]] full [[participation]] in the [[brotherhood]] in [[humanity]] which is the [[necessary]] first step toward [[progress]] among [[nations]]. It takes no special [[expertise]] for me to point out that following this [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1992 recent political change] that there appears to be substantial [[desire]] for betterment of [[things]] between peoples, yet it cannot be [[achieved]] by means of [[elected]] officials. It is up to you all to do the [[work]] or else there is no [[structure]] for the [[leadership]] on which to operate.

In order for this to become more than potential, in order for it to become actual, you must become more than passive. When you avert your eyes upon encountering a new person or encountering a known person in the same old way, you are exerting the many leveled denial. You are denying yourself the human connection with that other person. You are denying the Thought Adjuster connection between you and that other person. You are denying that person full participation in the brotherhood in humanity which is the necessary first step toward progress among nations. It takes no special expertise for me to point out that following this recent political change that there appears to be substantial desire for betterment of things between peoples, yet it cannot be achieved by means of elected officials. It is up to you all to do the work or else there is no structure for the leadership on which to operate.

It is the old situation of openings and closings. Open yourself to people. You don't need to become mushy. You don't need to become chummy with them. But it is [[necessary]] that you acknowledge them, for we are all in this [[together]] and until every [[person]] is fully allowed into the [[brotherhood]] of man, the brotherhood remains incomplete. We [[think]] you will be pleasantly [[surprised]] if you will just exert yourself just a little bit. Open the door and let [[God]] pass through. This is the [[meaning]] of [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=1-2-3_exercise step two in our three step exercise]. The [[brotherhood]] that [[Michael]] has in [[mind]] [[embraces]] all. No one is left outside.

It is the old situation of openings and closings. Open yourself to people. You don't need to become mushy. You don't need to become chummy with them. But it is necessary that you acknowledge them, for we are all in this together and until every person is fully allowed into the brotherhood of man, the brotherhood remains incomplete. We think you will be pleasantly surprised if you will just exert yourself just a little bit. Open the door and let God pass through. This is the meaning of step two in our three step exercise. The brotherhood that Michael has in mind embraces all. No one is left outside.

So make an extra [[effort]] this week to [[respect]] the [[strangers]]. Mend the [[relationships]] with those with whom you [[work]] and [[play]]. Be alert to the [[stresses]] and strains of [[home]] life, with the [[children]] and [[elders]]. Their membership and full [[participation]] is just as desirable. No one is to be left out. This is my [[message]] for you tonight.

So make an extra effort this week to respect the strangers. Mend the relationships with those with whom you work and play. Be alert to the stresses and strains of home life, with the children and elders. Their membership and full participation is just as desirable. No one is to be left out. This is my message for you tonight.

Well, according to our slightly [[interrupted]] [[schedule]], this would be the close of [[question]] and answer sessions, temporarily. Are there questions among the group members.

JUDY: I have one that I want to ask. If the [[stillness]] practice is so important in our [[establishment]] of our [[relationship]] with [[the Father]], why was it not addressed in the [[Urantia Book]]?

Well, according to our slightly interrupted schedule, this would be the close of question and answer sessions, temporarily. Are there questions among the group members.

WILL: I think I can answer that based upon my own [[knowledge]]. The [[Urantia Book]] is a [[revelatory]] [[text]]. It both implicitly and explicitly [[counsels]] direct [[personal]] [[relationship]] with [[the Father]], yet it was [[thought]] that the [[prescription]] of [[mechanisms]] already widely known by several [[cultures]] on [[your planet]] would cause [[the book]] to be received and [[analyzed]] as a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_guide manual] and not a [[text]]. The [[Urantia Book]] is for all people. Many [[readers]] approach and utilize [[the book]] from an [[intellectual]] [[perspective]] only. Others find its lessons too [[profound]] and disturbing. Others find that it is just right. Everyone finds [[God]], it is just a [[question]] of when.

JUDY: I have one that I want to ask. If the stillness practice is so important in our establishment of our relationship with the Father, why was it not addressed in the Urantia Book?

At the time [[the book]] was compiled and published, [[this planet]] was [[isolated]]. Under a special [[dispensation]] the work continued on [[the book]]. It was [[decided]] ultimately to go to publication in the [[hopes]] of providing the [[cornerstone]] which would be a valuable [[reference]] point for all [[persons]] and all [[cultures]], therefore no [[mechanisms]] other than the [[recitation]] of the [[techniques]] utilized by [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]] were included in the [[text]]. [[Individual]] instruction of [[humans]] on [[the planet]] has always gone forward on a [[Individual|case by case]] basis and [[the Father]]'s [[Adjuster]] ministry has continued unimpeded for all [[time]]. But it was [[thought]] and is still [[accurate]] that many [[techniques]] exist among the several [[religions]] of [[your planet]] which are very close to the [[stillness]] [[practice]] and it was believed that people would, in a natural fashion, discover those [[techniques]] and begin to apply them.

WILL: I think I can answer that based upon my own knowledge. The Urantia Book is a revelatory text. It both implicitly and explicitly counsels direct personal relationship with the Father, yet it was thought that the prescription of mechanisms already widely known by several cultures on your planet would cause the Book to be received and analyzed as a manual and not a text. The Urantia Book is for all people. Many readers approach and utilize the Book from an intellectual perspective only. Others find its lessons too profound and disturbing. Others find that it is just right. Everyone finds God, it is just a question of when.

This has not happened to the extent we [[desired]], but then, what has? And so when [[Teaching Mission|this ministry]] begin it was felt that rather than offering [[personal]] [[guidance]], the correct thing to do, the most productive thing to do, would be to emphasize [[stillness]] as a [[technique]] for finding [[the Father]] [[individually]] and in group settings and we have met with some success with this. But we must admit that [[humans]] are creatures of [[habit]] and [[resistance]] to regular [[stillness]] practice still meets with [[resistance]] and the apparent human typical intransigence. Those who are sincerely interested in [[stillness]] [[practice]] manage to muddle through somehow whether or not their [[questions]] are answered. It is not important to [[understand]] how and why [[stillness]] works. It is only important to do it. It does not even matter what the mental [[attitude]] of the practitioner happens to be. It can be no more sophisticated than the burning of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incense incense].

At the time the Book was compiled and published, this planet was isolated. Under a special dispensation the work continued on the Book. It was decided ultimately to go to publication in the hopes of providing the cornerstone which would be a valuable reference point for all persons and all cultures, therefore no mechanisms other than the recitation of the techniques utilized by Jesus of Nazareth were included in the text. Individual instruction of humans on the planet has always gone forward on a case by case basis and the Father's Adjuster ministry has continued unimpeded for all time. But it was thought and is still accurate that many techniques exist among the several religions of your planet which are very close to the stillness practice and it was believed that people would, in a natural fashion, discover those techniques and begin to apply them.

[[Stillness]] is about making yourself available to [[God]]. He is always available to you. It is not too much in turn to offer Him a few minutes. Even if it rises to nothing more than a [[gesture]] of [[respect]], it still works. It is all that is requested. You need do nothing more. But, of course, life can be much more [[rich]] and the [[participation]] of the living [[spirit]] brings its own rewards. Therefor we daily, weekly, from within and without, hammer and chisel and [[lever]] and sandbag people with suggestions [[designed]] to [[reveal]] to them the [[feeling]] that comes from greater [[participation]] in [[the Father]]'s [[creation]] and in the life [[experience]] on the [[material planets]] and the [[feeling]] of [[love]] that [[flows]] [[vertically]] from [[the Father]] above and [[horizontally]] among the [[humans]] alive. It can be a grand [[experience]]. It is not all wailing and [[suffering]].

This has not happened to the extent we desired, but then, what has? And so when this ministry begin it was felt that rather than offering personal guidance, the correct thing to do, the most productive thing to do, would be to emphasize stillness as a technique for finding the Father individually and in group settings and we have met with some success with this. But we must admit that humans are creatures of habit and resistance to regular stillness practice still meets with resistance and the apparent human typical intransigence. Those who are sincerely interested in stillness practice manage to muddle through somehow whether or not their questions are answered. It is not important to understand how and why stillness works. It is only important to do it. It does not even matter what the mental attitude of the practitioner happens to be. It can be no more sophisticated than the burning of incense.

I do not know to what [[degree]] this was all [[planned]]. I [[suspect]] that it unfolds somehow similar to a great work of [[music]]. What is not corrected here is corrected on some other level. We all [[labor]] under restrictions. Complete [[latitude]] is not thought best for [[creatures]] at our level. Stubborn willful [[expression]] seems to be as much as we can handle. I could go on at some length, as I have, but I [[think]] that answers. Other [[questions]]?

HAL: I have a question. Before you talked about how we can allow [[Thought Adjuster]] [[communication]] to take place in our [[social]] encounters and I was just [[wondering]] if you could give some suggestions or [[impressions]] on how in the [[hustle and bustle]] and [[distraction]] of those encounters we can allow that [[process]] to take place.

Stillness is about making yourself available to God. He is always available to you. It is not too much in turn to offer Him a few minutes. Even if it rises to nothing more than a gesture of respect, it still works. It is all that is requested. You need do nothing more. But, of course, life can be much more rich and the participation of the living spirit brings its own rewards. Therefor we daily, weekly, from within and without, hammer and chisel and lever and sandbag people with suggestions designed to reveal to them the feeling that comes from greater participation in the Father's creation and in the life experience on the material planets and the feeling of love that flows vertically from the Father above and horizontally among the humans alive. It can be a grand experience. It is not all wailing and suffering.

WILL: It has been asked as part of your standing [[Command|charge]] that you serve as a [[channel]] or a conduit for the [[celestial]] [[love]] to [[flow]]. Love is the [[currency]] of [[the universe]]. It spends everywhere. Not everyone is equally interested in [[receiving]] the benefits of heavenly [[love]] or even [[human]] love. We all know this from our [[experiences]]. But a [[kind]] word, a thoughtful [[gesture]], a genuine [[expression]] of interest were rugged [[techniques]] relied upon by [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]] to open the doorway between people. I recommend these to you. There is something irresistibly [[seductive]] about the company of a [[person]] who actually [[cares]] about you. It is hard to [[resist]]. I [[think]] that every [[person]] in this group is experienced enough to deal with this in a [[mature]] fashion. Not glom it on or come across too syrupy. [[Subtlety]] is [[appreciated]]. It is a many [[faceted]] [[connection]] between people.

I do not know to what degree this was all planned. I suspect that it unfolds somehow similar to a great work of music. What is not corrected here is corrected on some other level. We all labor under restrictions. Complete latitude is not thought best for creatures at our level. Stubborn willful expression seems to be as much as we can handle. I could go on at some length, as I have, but I think that answers. Other questions?

I often [[think]] of it in the way your [[culture]] represents [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairy_tales fairy tales]. The fairy with the [[magic]] [[wand]] and the [[touch]] of the wand leaves the recipient [[glowing]]; that glow to be passed on and on to the other people who the recipient [[sequentially]] [[contacts]]. [[The Father]] [[connection]], a [[gesture]] connection, the [[human]] connection. That's the course [[outline]].

HAL: I have a question. Before you talked about how we can allow Thought Adjuster communication to take place in our social encounters and I was just wondering if you could give some suggestions or impressions on how in the hustle and bustle and distraction of those encounters we can allow that process to take place.

It runs in all [[directions]], like [[water]] seeking an outlet. [[Love]] is always willing to [[travel]]. Its bags are always packed. It's a useful [[practice]] to talk with [[strangers]]. You will be called upon to utilize this [[technique]] all through your [[universe career]]. Opening the [[human]] [[connection]] with [[strangers]] and with acquaintances. It is not as tricky as it seems. You can get [[good]] at it. Once they [[respond]], then you know that the door is open. That is when the [[Adjuster]] can begin. He relies on you getting the ball rolling, then He takes over. He can't do much with [[inertia]]. Besides, I'm rather [[surprised]] to hear a [[question]] like that from someone in a pack of [[jokers]] like this group. [[Humor]] breaks down many [[barriers]]. It is admired. I should of said jokesters, not jokers.

WILL: It has been asked as part of your standing charge that you serve as a channel or a conduit for the celestial love to flow. Love is the currency of the universe. It spends everywhere. Not everyone is equally interested in receiving the benefits of heavenly love or even human love. We all know this from our experiences. But a kind word, a thoughtful gesture, a genuine expression of interest were rugged techniques relied upon by Jesus of Nazareth to open the doorway between people. I recommend these to you. There is something irresistibly seductive about the company of a person who actually cares about you. It is hard to resist. I think that every person in this group is experienced enough to deal with this in a mature fashion. Not glom it on or come across too syrupy. Subtlety is appreciated. It is a many faceted connection between people.

I passed up an [[opportunity]] to say earlier, these acknowledgements and these [[connections]] between people are the primary vehicle for spreading [[peace]] among people. It is the peace of [[eternity]] that finds its [[fulfillment]]. It is the peace of eternity that finds its [[expression]] in the ever widening network of [[relationships]]. That is the result of the [[touch]] of the [[wand]]. That [[peace]] is [[contagious]]. This world cannot [[progress]] without it. And [[peace]] among all the people is the [[foundation]] for greater [[intellectual]], [[scientific]] and [[social]] achievements which cannot move forward while [[rivalry]] and defensiveness are rampant. If [[fear]] is the greatest [[impediment]] to [[progress]], then [[peace]] is the greatest [[facilitator]]. That is all I have to say. Is there one more [[question]]?

I often think of it in the way your culture represents fairy tales. The fairy with the magic wand and the touch of the wand leaves the recipient glowing; that glow to be passed on and on to the other people who the recipient sequentially contacts. The Father connection, a gesture connection, the human connection. That's the course outline.

LOREN: Yes, Will, this is Loren, I [[perceive]] at [[work]] as I gain and [[radiate]] [[the Father]]'s [[good]] will and [[presence]] that [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_american black people] seem to [[recognize]] this far more than [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_American white people] and the [[response]] is much greater. Is this because they are [[attuned]] with [[the Father]] more or just [[perceptive]]?

It runs in all directions, like water seeking an outlet. Love is always willing to travel. Its bags are always packed. It's a useful practice to talk with strangers. You will be called upon to utilize this technique all through your universe career. Opening the human connection with strangers and with acquaintances. It is not as tricky as it seems. You can get good at it. Once they respond, then you know that the door is open. That is when the Adjuster can begin. He relies on you getting the ball rolling, then He takes over. He can't do much with inertia. Besides, I'm rather surprised to hear a question like that from someone in a pack of jokers like this group. Humor breaks down many barriers. It is admired. I should of said jokesters, not jokers.

WILL: They have something special. Everyone knows this. Their [[time]] in the sunshine has not yet come, but it will. And the very [[qualities]] that you detect in them will be their [[strengths]], given new rein, new [[expression]]. They have great [[vitality]] and an ability at [[immediacy]] that many others [[envy]]. I won't say more except to [[encourage]] you and all of you to [[develop]] the [[relationships]] that you have begun, to the extent possible. All there is is the people and the [[potential]] for [[growth]] that they [[represent]]. [[Growth]] for you and for them.

I passed up an opportunity to say earlier, these acknowledgements and these connections between people are the primary vehicle for spreading peace among people. It is the peace of eternity that finds its fulfillment. It is the peace of eternity that finds its expression in the ever widening network of relationships. That is the result of the touch of the wand. That peace is contagious. This world cannot progress without it. And peace among all the people is the foundation for greater intellectual, scientific and social achievements which cannot move forward while rivalry and defensiveness are rampant. If fear is the greatest impediment to progress, then peace is the greatest facilitator. That is all I have to say. Is there one more question?

The hour grows late. I have [[enjoyed]] this interchange. We will do it again soon. For the coming week, pay closer [[attention]] to those [[opportunities]] that you might have passed by. Don't sluff off the people that you always see. They are all [[family]].

LOREN: Yes, Will, this is Loren, I perceive at work as I gain and radiate the Father's good will and presence that black people seem to recognize this far more than white people and the response is much greater. Is this because they are attuned with the Father more or just perceptive?

[[Shalom]].

==Session 4==

==Session 4==

*November 29, 1992

*November 29, 1992