Changes

January 17, 1993

January 17, 1993

===Opening===

===Opening===

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

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

Good evening. I'm your teacher, Will, who loves you. Based upon the thoughts and opinions expressed here tonight I can see that the members of this group are growing in their mature and reasoned appreciation of the pace and progress of this ministry.

Good evening. I'm your [[teacher]], Will, who loves you. Based upon the [[thoughts]] and [[opinions]] [[expressed]] here tonight I can see that the members of this [[group]] are growing in their [[mature]] and reasoned [[appreciation]] of the [[pace]] and [[progress]] of this ministry.

===Lesson===

===Lesson===

On the celestial side of the equation, my side of this ministry, we are gratified to see that you are seriously devoted to rendering assistance to other seekers with a less secure footing or a more narrow foundation for the interpretation of this type of communication. It was forecast a short while ago that this group would apply its inherent staying power to this effort. Compared with the original contact group, in which the availability of personal communication caused the near splintering along lines of individual spiritual growth - paths, this group has managed to maintain its balance and to sit firmly upon its keel, with or without communication. We thank you for entertaining this call to service. There are not many who would so perform. It is the lesson in the importance of the finish rather than the beginning of things.

On the [[celestial]] side of the [[equation]], my side of this ministry, we are [[gratified]] to see that you are seriously [[devoted]] to rendering [[assistance]] to other [[seekers]] with a less [[secure]] footing or a more narrow [[foundation]] for the [[interpretation]] of this type of [[communication]]. It was [[forecast]] a short while ago that this group would apply its [[inherent]] staying [[power]] to this [[effort]]. [[Compared]] with the original [[contact]] group, in which the availability of [[personal]] [[communication]] caused the near splintering along lines of [[individual]] [[spiritual growth]] - paths, this [[group]] has managed to maintain its [[balance]] and to sit firmly upon its keel, with or without [[communication]]. We thank you for entertaining this call to [[service]]. There are not many who would so [[perform]]. It is the lesson in the importance of the finish rather than the beginning of things.

As word spreads, many will be attracted to the promise implied in this type of communication. A good percentage will be disappointed. We are not in the business of providing entertainment for that segment of the spiritual searching community which seeks immediate answers. Speaking for the teacher group, I think I can safely say that we can rely upon you to accurately represent the occasions of frustration, miscommunication and inapplicability of human expectations to this ministry.

As [[word]] spreads, many will be [[attracted]] to the [[promise]] implied in this type of [[communication]]. A good percentage will be [[disappointed]]. We are not in the [[business]] of providing [[entertainment]] for that segment of the [[spiritual]] searching [[community]] which seeks [[immediate]] answers. Speaking for the [[Teacher Corps|teacher group]], I think I can [[safely]] say that we can rely upon you to [[accurately]] [[represent]] the occasions of [[frustration]], miscommunication and inapplicability of human [[expectations]] to this ministry.

In spite of its shortcomings on both sides of the fence I think that all will agree that there is something of value, indefinite and unshaped though it may be, which is leading us all to a greater appreciation and providing the impetus and encouragement necessary to attempt, from time to time, to place our inner understandings of what is right into practice rather than to enshrine those same notions as mere aspirational, but unattainable, goals of conduct and thought. We see sweeping changes in your lives and, while we are not complacent with the results, that is reason enough for us to feel great happiness in the progress that we have made thus far. For any movement to take root, it is necessary that a stable base which is likely to endure is first formed. We think that this group is such a base. You know not what you provide.

In spite of its shortcomings on both sides of the fence I [[think]] that all will [[agree]] that there is something of [[value]], indefinite and unshaped though it may be, which is [[leading]] us all to a greater [[appreciation]] and providing the [[impetus]] and [[encouragement]] [[necessary]] to attempt, from time to time, to place our inner [[understandings]] of what is right into [[practice]] rather than to enshrine those same notions as mere aspirational, but unattainable, [[goals]] of [[conduct]] and [[thought]]. We see sweeping [[changes]] in your lives and, while we are not complacent with the results, that is reason enough for us to feel great [[happiness]] in the [[progress]] that we have made thus far. For any [[Social movement|movement]] to take [[root]], it is [[necessary]] that a stable base which is likely to [[endure]] is first formed. We [[think]] that this [[group]] is such a base. You know not what you provide.

I understand that there are questions for which you need answers. Let us proceed.

I [[understand]] that there are questions for which you need answers. Let us [[proceed]].

===Dialogue===

===Dialogue===

JUDY: Good evening Will, this is Judy. I have realized lately that we as humans have had a very vague notion of the Father. During stillness it is oftentimes helpful for me to have an image of the Father. When I began the stillness practice I began with a notion of someone that was awesome and powerful and I was humble and in the posture of receiving a blessing. With the reading of some of the Welmek papers it led me to think of the Father as more of a friend who had some unconditional love and was very comfortable to be with.

JUDY: Good evening Will, this is Judy. I have realized lately that we as humans have had a very [[vague]] notion of [[the Father]]. During [[stillness]] it is oftentimes helpful for me to have an [[image]] of [[the Father]]. When I began the [[stillness]] practice I began with a notion of someone that was [[awesome]] and [[powerful]] and I was [[humble]] and in the [[posture]] of [[receiving]] a [[blessing]]. With the [[reading]] of some of the Welmek papers it led me to think of [[the Father]] as more of a [[friend]] who had some unconditional [[love]] and was very [[comfortable]] to be with.

My question is: Would you please comment on the use of visualizing the Father during stillness and which image might be more accurate, that of a power source or that of a comfortable friend?

My question is: Would you please comment on the use of [[visualizing]] [[the Father]] during [[stillness]] and which [[image]] might be more accurate, that of a [[power]] [[source]] or that of a [[comfortable]] [[friend]]?

WILL: There is no place that you can go that you are not in the palm of His hand. Our Father has gone to great effort to provide a stage upon which we play out the necessary acts of our individual spiritual growth. He has provided incentives and opportunities for us to demonstrate our growth. He has provided respite and companionship, encouragement and chastisement. He has provided guidance on every level imaginable by the human mind. He has apparently done all this so that every person, no matter their inherent capabilities, will have an equal chance of finding their way.

WILL: There is no place that you can go that you are not in the palm of His hand. [[Our Father]] has gone to great [[effort]] to provide a [[stage]] upon which we play out the [[necessary]] [[acts]] of our [[individual]] [[spiritual growth]]. He has provided [[incentives]] and [[opportunities]] for us to [[demonstrate]] our [[growth]]. He has provided respite and [[companionship]], [[encouragement]] and [[chastisement]]. He has provided [[guidance]] on every level imaginable by the [[human mind]]. He has apparently done all this so that every [[person]], no matter their [[inherent]] capabilities, will have an [[equal]] [[chance]] of finding their way.

It's not possible to answer your question to the extent that there should be some prescribed method of reflection on the characteristics of the Heavenly Father. Ideally, with the Adjuster's lead, you should grow in that appreciation which is immediately necessary to your personal growth on that day, at that hour, at that moment, under those circumstances. If you say, "today I shall think of Him as a father figure," it is akin to saying, "today I shall wear the green glasses." But if you say, "I am your daughter or I am your son, come what may," then the door stands open. For the great God is powerless to resist the sincere call of His child. When God enters our lives, He cannot be limited by any human concept. He will express Himself in your life in accord with whatever is appropriate to your relationship with Him. Opening the door is the thing. Any technique that has that effect will work fine. Does that answer?

It's not possible to answer your [[question]] to the extent that there should be some [[prescribed]] [[method]] of [[reflection]] on the characteristics of the [[Heavenly Father]]. Ideally, with the [[Adjuster]]'s [[lead]], you should [[grow]] in that [[appreciation]] which is immediately [[necessary]] to your personal [[growth]] on that day, at that hour, at that [[moment]], under those circumstances. If you say, "today I shall think of Him as a [[father]] figure," it is akin to saying, "today I shall wear the green glasses." But if you say, "I am your daughter or I am your son, come what may," then the door stands open. For the great [[God]] is powerless to [[resist]] the [[sincere]] call of His child. When [[God]] enters our lives, He cannot be [[limited]] by any [[human]] [[concept]]. He will [[express]] Himself in your life in [[accord]] with whatever is appropriate to your [[relationship]] with Him. Opening the door is the thing. Any [[technique]] that has that [[effect]] will work fine. Does that answer?

JUDY: Yes. I guess I was really asking the question about the relationship between myself and the Father and you answered that question. Can I ask another question?

JUDY: Yes. I guess I was really asking the question about the [[relationship]] between myself and [[the Father]] and you answered that question. Can I ask another question?

WILL: Please.

WILL: Please.

JUDY: I'm still struggling with the notion of ego and I'm beginning to understand how it affects our thinking and our lives. But I still don't understand where ego comes from. Is this a wholly human phenomenon and is this something that leaves us with death?

WILL: Without [[intending]] to [[dispute]] present [[Urantia]] notions and [[scientific]] [[theories]] regarding [[ego]], I'll suggest that ego is an [[adaptive]] [[mechanism]]; a [[tool]] of [[expression]] which is geared most suitably for the situations which typically recur in the [[material life]]. [[Ego]] is the [[soldier]] and [[advocate]] of the [[mysterious]] [[personality]]. Ego [[organizes]] and directs. Makes deals. [[Projects]] into the [[future]] based upon [[past]] [[experience]]. Ego pretends, [[negotiates]], blusters and [[aspires]]. Ego provides all these [[services]] as a method of [[protecting]], preserving and cultivating [[personality]].

WILL: Without intending to dispute present Urantia notions and scientific theories regarding ego, I'll suggest that ego is an adaptive mechanism; a tool of expression which is geared most suitably for the situations which typically recur in the material life. Ego is the soldier and advocate of the mysterious personality. Ego organizes and directs. Makes deals. Projects into the future based upon past experience. Ego pretends, negotiates, blusters and aspires. Ego provides all these services as a method of protecting, preserving and cultivating personality.

The [[irony]] is, a [[personality]] is perfectly capable on its own of dealing one to one or one to one thousand with all of the [[forces]] loosed upon the world and in [[confrontation]] and [[collision]] with the human [[self]]. A spirit-led [[interpretation]] or true [[spiritual]] grappling that the [[forces]], [[events]], and other [[personalities]] that are a [[necessary]] part of [[material life]] is perfectly within the [[capabilities]] of the [[personality]].

The irony is, a personality is perfectly capable on its own of dealing one to one or one to one thousand with all of the forces loosed upon the world and in confrontation and collision with the human self. A spirit-led interpretation or true spiritual grappling that the forces, events, and other personalities that are a necessary part of material life is perfectly within the capabilities of the personality.

But the [[ego]] [[mechanism]] is expedient. Ego normally shows results within a short period of [[time]] and does not require laborious searching [[consideration]]. Because humans are mostly [[animal]] and only partly [[spiritual]], the [[attraction]] to proceeding through life based on [[ego]] [[strength]] and [[application]] is strong, beguiling and pervasive, yet anyone in this room knows the [[exhilaration]] of dealing with life based upon the [[personality]] resources rather than the same tired tricks of [[ego]] [[domination]].

But the ego mechanism is expedient. Ego normally shows results within a short period of time and does not require laborious searching consideration. Because humans are mostly animal and only partly spiritual, the attraction to proceeding through life based on ego strength and application is strong, beguiling and pervasive, yet anyone in this room knows the exhilaration of dealing with life based upon the personality resources rather than the same tired tricks of ego domination.

So in the parlance of your [[society]] you could say that the [[ego]] method is the "quick and dirty" of traversing all the [[challenges]] presented in life. But by dealing openly and genuinely, [[personality]] grows in [[spirit]] [[power]] and the chief benefit which is presented by [[personality]] dealings is an [[opportunity]] for [[Adjuster]] contact which we have, in the past, [[discussed]].

Enough for tonight. Let us continue with your line of questioning next week. Our [[Melchizedek]] says he is most pleased with our [[group]] and [[happy]] to see the steady [[growth]] and [[progress]] displayed and the continuing [[expression]] of [[dedication]] [[demonstrated]] by your regular attendance and thoughtful [[consideration]] of the remarks and [[humble]] [[guidance]] presented here. That is all I have to say. Until we meet again next week, [[God]] go with you and [[embrace]] each of you.

[[Shalom]].

Enough for tonight. Let us continue with your line of questioning next week. Our Melchizedek says he is most pleased with our group and happy to see the steady growth and progress displayed and the continuing expression of dedication demonstrated by your regular attendance and thoughtful consideration of the remarks and humble guidance presented here. That is all I have to say. Until we meet again next week, God go with you and embrace each of you.

==Session 3==

==Session 3==

January 30, 1993

January 30, 1993