POCATELLO, IDAHO

VOLUME II, Part 3 of 6

September 9, 1994 - February 17, 1995

C O N T E N T S

DATE:  September 16, 1994
TEACHERS: DANIEL, TOMAS
TOPIC:  Fragmentation

DANIEL:   Good afternoon my friends, I am Daniel, your guide and teacher.  It is my pleasure to be with you this evening in our spiritual quest to seek out the truth, to know beauty and to abide in goodness.  And the work of Christ Michael, these three aspects, is constantly being woven of the fabric of your lives.  Progressively you are moving in higher directions in day to day living.  Those questions of importance, those decisions of importance are now being decided and given correct consultation before action.  The action is more and more being based upon the aspect of what is correct, what is in line with Father's will.

As part of a greater whole, we of the Teaching Mission are thankful for the opportunity to serve in a teaching capacity and to glean from this teaching greater insight for our own progression.  Indeed do all benefit who serve the Father.  This evening Tomas and I will jointly address this group regarding the aspect of fragmentation.  It is our awareness that often times in your lives you are not of an understanding of the total picture and therefore your functioning capacity becomes fragmented and often seems disjointed or in disarray.  The aspect that we wish to speak about tonight is not this negative part, but to ask you to do what is positive in order to allay fragmentation.  This can be done in various ways.

First and foremost one must be in understanding, have knowledge of, and have a background foundation in the area at hand.  And so in your physical realm it would behoove you not to make grand decisions that are based on incomplete knowledge.  You need to research and gather all understandings together thereby having as your frame of reference a foundation from which you can make decisions.  So education is prime in the human aspect.

Prime in the spiritual aspect is to take the time in silence, in prayer, and meditation, that the tools and the necessary information that is needed upon which to base a decision been given to you.  In this type of asking and desiring you must realize that the working of the First Source and Center is not to give you the answer on a silver platter, but rather to provide many keys with which you can make a decision.  There will always be support from the celestials in helping to provide clues for decision making.  And so in order that your life can run as smoothly as possible, rely on all aspects of your being.  Do not take for granted that one area can be the key to an answer, but rather incorporate your human potential as well as your spiritual potential in order to make decisions. 

This can be looked at in another aspect, if you will.  This aspect I will present will give you an analogy from my previous words.  Often in your life you have completely segregated the spiritual nature and aspect of your being and that of science.  It is through the integration of both the spiritual and the scientific that real gains are made, real understanding can be brought forth.  Indeed, is there mystery in both.  And, indeed, is the mystery of integration that which can bring forth great progress.  And so as you continue to make decisions to grow and to fulfill your human and divine potential do not rely solely on one aspect but on the integration of all areas so that fragmentation is not the end result.  Following these words Tomas will now begin his talk.

TOMAS:   Thank you and good evening.  Yes, I would add to this discourse on fragmentation that your own path may be clear and your own divinity and grace may be intact, however situations arising wherein you are encountering other individuals will always diffract unless and until spirit is the focus of all involved.  Therefore when you set out on your path in any given day you may expect to encounter many fragmented instances.  And in this case I am speaking of that which brings harmony, that which coalesces the fragmentation that being a meeting of spirits, if not minds, in your intercourse with your world.  In seeking to teach and thereby bring harmony and alignment to a fragmented situation it is necessary that you have some definition, some purpose, some defining and determination.  And then when you have engaged in this manner of asking for help, and the help is forthcoming and has been graciously received, you may uphold the spiritual value of the moment by not giving overmuch credit to having identified a point of reality, but rather standing with your associate shoulder to shoulder and thereby bridging the two entities into one, thus alleviating fragmentation.  One moment of this eye to eye contact is sufficient to plant a seed of reality, to allow that instance of harmony and divinity to reign, thereby affecting not just you and the individual you have encountered and met, but from this there is strengthened energy to go forward in that rippling effect we speak of.  It is Kingdom building, indeed.

Fragmentation is not an illness.  It is an imperfection.  It is where we engage the assistance of architects, not only in the physical sense but in the spiritual sense.  Perceive how a correct or well thought out blueprint can mean the difference between an award winning structure and a less than desirable structure.  You have at your disposal, as your frame of reference, as your basic truth the highest material possible, that which emanates from the First Source and Center.  The expansion of Kingdom building involves more than meets the eye.  This is why we encourage you to work in the field.  It does require determination with love and a master plan to evolve perfection.  Daniel?

DANIEL:   Our words are for your benefit and we are certain that within each of your lives there will always be a certain amount of fragmentation for that is part of being mortal/human.  However it has been asked by Michael that throughout the course of your life on this planet and throughout the ascension that you continually evolve and strive to be perfect as the Father.  And so this week we have again brought to your attention another aspect of being and another aspect to which you can rise to greater heights.   Are there questions for Tomas or myself?  [Silence]

Well, Tomas, it appears we are either very eloquent tonight or we have not been.  At either rate we can assume that our students are digesting material.  And we will take our leave on this evening in the knowledge and full understanding that as the ascension career continues to unfold there are times when one must question, there are times when one must observe, there are times when one must contemplate.  We ask you now to take a few minutes and go into silence that the calling you all feel will become more and more the foundation on which you live your lives.  In silence you will gain wisdom.  [Several minutes of meditation and silence.] 

I now bring this meeting to an end.  Let me remind you that in all progress there is joy, there is pain, and yet it is the struggle to continue to move forward that is a formidable part of the human spirit.  All benefits of growth are not without the struggles to overcome.  And so in your personal lives, in your emotional lives, in your social lives, your spiritual lives, and your planetary government life realize that in time of change and growth there will be times where struggle is necessary in order for the overall objective to be met. 

As we have entered into the dawn of the third millennium of Christ Michael's bestowal there will continue to be times when struggle is necessary for there to be this explosion and growth into greater consciousness and Light and Life.  Go this week in the knowledge that the First Source and Center holds within His grasp all; and that you and all of your brothers and sisters are being called forward to meet at that time in the future with the Source.  Our love to you this evening.  Good night.

*****

DATE:  September 23, 1994
TEACHERS:  DANIEL, TOMAS
TOPIC:  Public Ministry

DANIEL:   Good evening my friends.  I am Daniel, your teacher, your guide and your colleague in this mission.  Your faithful teachers are in abundant attendance this evening and your discourse has provoked marvelous discourse among us as well.  Your enthusiasm and awareness of the upstepping process overview is shared by all of us who nurture your acceptance of higher perceptions.  My friends, I am here and partaking of your communal gathering.  However, I am going to allow Tomas to carry on in my stead inasmuch as he is more familiar with this transmitter/receiver and she feels more at ease.  Even so, we are united in our effort to comfort you and be companions with you in your ascent.

TOMAS:   I am Tomas.  Greetings loyal students, my friends and co-workers in the work.  We have, as Daniel indicated, been activated by your probing minds this evening, your gregariousness in terms of other movements which are part of the solution, part of the correcting of Urantia.  My friends there are, indeed, many here this evening.  I am, as is often the case when left to my devices, much like a kid in a candy store in terms of how to carry on our marvelous association. 

I am always impressed and influenced by your united atmosphere, your group's attitude.  Your group's attitude this evening has been expressed in your culminating conversations about groups, other individuals, other movements which are part or seem to be part of this advancement in Spirit reality and correction for your world.  It gives rise to an aspect of discourse as we perceive it, that being one of responsibility. 

You surely must know that we are all progressing, that this experience of transmitting/receiving, of working with mortals, of being members of this Teaching Corps has brought about myriad experiences for us as well as for you and as you grow, we grow.  We have, yes, advanced wisdom and experience.  We have, yes, extensive training.  And we have many teachers of our own to whom we answer, report, and share.  We are becoming more homogenated with you in that we are now truly beginning to work together in living circuitry.  No longer are we on elementary concepts, but are actually beginning to work together. 

Your observance of other associations and your wonderment at your own stance in this forward moving progression is occasion to remind you of your teaching skills.  Always must the student and teacher interchange their knowledge and their ignorance?  Your ability to now teach, to think of yourselves as teachers is bringing you into circuitry wherein you are being sought out, much as you have sought out the teachers that have taught you, including the textbook. 

You wonder why it is that all fish do not swim into the net, but you see they are swimming in schools in the same direction.  This forward moving process of life, swimming upstream in the river of living waters is so far advanced of where your planet was such a short time ago.  You must not, dear ones, lament their relative understanding as they are connected to your work.  You can see, indeed, that they are working on their assignment to the extent that they are committed to their belief. 

Review the paper on the Reserve Corps of Destiny and see that those who are devoted to a cause may be included among the likes of you and that there devotion is not necessarily the same devotion that you hold for Michael and for this revelation.  There is truth in this: that you may never capture all minds, souls, energies, but that they are advancing is to be a joy for you rather than a frustration.  Rather remind yourselves of those who sit in darkness, who have no direction, who are lost in fear, who hunger for love and acceptance and your sense of harmony and delight in life. 

My colleague has prompted me to indicate that the churches which were, not long ago and in some cases even now, so antagonistic and antithetical, are even now dissolving their barriers.  This rapid forward moving spectacle of upstepping is affecting all those who seek growth.  My friend whose voice you hear has interjected her own thought and I am curtailed, one moment. (pause)  My friends, we are eager to supply your mind and stimulate your imagination in many regards and it is a constant effort, if you will, to, forgive me, downstep in order to present my concepts through mortal minds and through your vocabulary. 

How is it that this forward moving spectacle can be, as a result of the open circuits, the new age; and on the other hand, there are still those who sit in darkness and fear?  Why is that those who sit in fear are not also being drawn forward?  The answer I allow is that they who sit in fear are stuck as you all get stuck, as we have discussed on previous occasions and are only to be shown, only to be offered hope, only to be offered the opportunity to make those decisions which will activate their growth.  For once spiritual reality has been tasted it is progressively yearned for. 

Last week we spoke to you of fragmentation, and as ascension aspires to happen the flow is often derailed/halted in order that connection can be made that will then bring the surge forward.  It is the waiting for that connection which results in the surge forward that causes your frustration; the growth of others is a curtailment to your own continued growth.  It is therefore incumbent upon you to love those who hold you back from further growth, for only by embracing them with love will they be led forward, allowing them/you to march forward also.  When you, and as you, learn love by appreciating your life and the gifts you have been given, the unity, the harmony, the companionship, as this solidifies in your reality, rest, then, in that reality until you are again motivated by love to embrace your younger siblings in the Spirit and raise them up as we lovingly and determinedly raise you.

Yes, it is true, my son, that a pint cannot hold a quart.  But bless the pint.  Be grateful for your quart.  We are encouraged by your strength in yourself resultant from your involvement in our work and each other.  Your conversations reflect your level of attainment.  It is pleasing to our eyes and our ears.   Truly we are responsive to your soul needs and you have caused me to become distracted from one of my thoughts earlier that you were in line now to be subjected to a quiz.  There are no tests in this class but those which you experience in the trials and tribulations of life itself.  Yet quizzes are a way of keeping your minds alert to the topic.  Alas, your involvement and acuity has caused me to change my mind and I would rather engage in further dialogue with you through your probing questions, particularly inasmuch as you were reluctant last week to voice your questions.  Perhaps if you were to consider your teachers as colleagues and discuss with us as you do among yourselves, our working together could take on new dimensions.  At any rate I offer you the floor and am anxious to hear from you.

Leetah: Because I didn't want to be first last week, Tomas, I missed out on asking questions.  So that's why I'm here.  Your discourse brought up several questions plus the one I was going to ask last week.  First of all none of us mentioned the fact that the invasion of Haiti didn't happen.  And as Isaac and I speculated on the role that ex-president Carter has played in peacekeeping, as in Korea and now in Haiti, your discourse reminded me of the fact that we thought in terms of him being a member of the Corps of Destiny, even though, as we know, we don't necessarily know that or are aware of that; but it is just such a wonderful role!  I am wondering if you would want to comment on that?

TOMAS:   Blessed are the peacemakers!  Your former president has been a key instrument in many healing adventures in planetary government which certainly qualifies him for Reserve Corps status.  He is one of those individuals who experiences the rare opportunity of serving two masters effectively.  He is perhaps not regarded as a successful man by your human government in some regards, for he is a humble man and a peanut farmer.  He has with the humility of a carpenter been able to touch chords in the spirit of men of reason, and he has been most useful to two worlds.  I mean the world of Spirit and human, and not two nations.  He has enjoyed a marvelous career and in eternity his wisdom will be more respected than is lauded today in your media. Yes.

Leetah: Thank you, Tomas.  I guess I wanted you to say that. [Laughter] So that was wonderful.

The other thing is -- the chain of thought was interrupted by you saying that there might have been some transmitter thoughts in it and the squirrels that I was chasing around (Ed note:  There were red squirrels on the deck outside making a racket and disturbing our meeting) but I was trying to follow that people are pursuing growth, and that all of these organizations where people are pursuing growth, even though they don't realize it, are being Spirit led, led by their Inner Guide -- and I know you didn't use those words.  Could you just explain what you were saying there.  I was really mixed up because of my being in and out of hearing.

TOMAS:   Dear, you are no more remiss than any other mortal mind which is not always able to garner every facet of every inflection, particularly from a fallible source such as is known in this process of transmitting/receiving through words.  Yes, I am keenly eager to clarify that thought.  

Your planet is, of course, evolving and evolving more rapidly as a result of many things.  Your technology has accelerated communication and your natural evolutionary status contributes by itself to great growth on Urantia at this time.  If you were not a student of the Fifth Epochal Revelation you, yourself, would be advancing in one way or another by your own place in time, your intelligence, your sensitivity to global needs, your own social awareness.  The forward moving momentum of reality growth is inherent in the times.  Your materialistic age is past.  You are entering the age of thinking and feeling.  You have begun to know leisure.  You are no longer burdened by restrictions which were necessary even fifty years ago.  So you see with these conditions you experience growth.

This is true at least for those of normal minds who have even a passing interest in mankind, who are also fortunate enough to have evolved beyond such basic primal needs and fears as some on your world still experience.  So far are we communicating?

Leetah: Yes.  Thank you.  The question I was going to ask last week and then I will let this go -- I have been reading the paper on the mansion worlds.  It says that all deprivations will be made up on the first mansion world and I couldn't help but think in terms of mortals that wake up on the first mansion world.  Is the fact of God believed, or is that something that people can continue to deny beyond the first mansion world, even after their personal resurrection?

TOMAS:   My initial instinct, if you will, is to say that you first wake up in the resurrection hall.  And this experience, in and of itself, is rather like the effects of a sudden cold shower.  You are awakened to an alertness which you had not previously known.  In this alertness it is, yes, possible for a reluctant mind to resist the reality of the experience of resurrection.  The soul is poignantly aware of its survival but, as you well know, many minds refuse to allow the soul its own existence and expression. 

Let us take the example of a belligerent, abused, defeated and frightened mortal who is unaccustomed to acceptance and ignorant of love.   This soul is risen and proceeds there, where he left off here.  These handicaps of time, of mortal existence, remain part of his identity, part of his conditioning.  It is then the first mansion world that will attempt to reveal to this individual those realities which will adjust his reactions and responses favorable to ascension.  There is no way to "save" a soul which is not permitted to ascend, not 'permitted' by the free will of the mortal who is assigned and blessed with the opportunity to develop that spark of immortality.

My friends you realize that many of you are today in process of learning those lessons which you would and will encounter on the first mansion world.  Your fortune to be part of this Correcting Time Mission, that is, your willingness to accept your humble piece of potential divinity and your responsibility in your acceptance, puts you in an enviable position.  This tremendous opportunity and responsibility gives you some advantage.  Yet you must still make all those decisions which any of us have to make on our path home to our eternal Father in Paradise. It is for you to love that individual that they will then learn to accept love and to ascend in their own right.  Has that been clear?

Leetah : Yes, Tomas.  Thank you very much.

Isaac:  I want to begin by thanking you, Tomas, for addressing some of the conversation that we had, and specifically the commentary I made to the group that I feel you discussed with us relative to the wise answer that Luke already gave me.  It has been elaborated on before that a pint can't hold a quart.  Our job is seed planting, not worrying about why it is that others can't see our perspective.  It's not that I didn't understand that intellectually, it is just -- I don't know it is something I am working on -- letting go of that, anyway.

I would like to ask a question that I didn't ask last week and that is off the subject in a way, but, yet, it is on the subject.  We did a little exploration, as you know, into this group of brothers and sisters in Boise that meet with another Daniel, however he is to be understood.  It brings up that question of how we should interact with a group of this nature, and some of us philosophers wonder how such radically different cosmologies are transmitted through what appears to be a similar process, channeling, probably; and whether this is due to the mind set of the channeler that they present teachings that are in disagreement with the Fifth Epochal Revelation.  I kind of said several things there at once.  I would welcome an interaction around any of those topics if you desire.

TOMAS:  Thank you, Isaac.  I am glad you asked the question.  I will begin my response with an analogy of a concert pianist who cannot understand rock and roll.  And, yet, for the conditioning and training and/or lack of same, each, the youth and the pianist, have their own frame of reference which makes sense to them. 

I will now chat a moment about relative reality and the actuality of the channel being open.  Your own experience in this process of working with teachers has been fortuitous inasmuch as you have been involved in studying the text which the teachers are ideally acting upon and from.  Even so, there are [other] eager minds and active individuals with electro-chemical systems and metaphysical tendencies which leaves them wide open to marvelous experiences of investigation into cosmology and discourse with spirit reality. 

You well know that even you who are "under the auspices of the Teacher Corps" are subject to human error.  My own regular TR is loyal to a fault.  And she interjects her defense of me into my responses on occasion.  I upbraid her in private but you see the effects of that quality of hers in your transcripts.  Other vehicles similarly have their own characters which they bring to this process.  You have been already well advised on gleaning the truth of the lesson from the transcripts and accepting the relative clarity because of the coloration of the individual.

In like way you are seeing coloration of well meaning individuals hearing and sensing and being impressed by spirit reality.  And this is being formulated and manifested in ways such as you have learned of in Boise.  This group is only unique in that the teacher's name is Daniel and they have made the papers!  Normally matters having to do with "the occult" or "spirituality" are not particularly newsworthy.  We have already discussed what your populace finds newsworthy.

It is also true that this -- I will use the word phenomenon, is occurring throughout Urantia, throughout Nebadon.  This actuation of spirit energy is not in your imagination.  It is happening.  And you will find that soon all sorts of bizarre, creative, incredible, valuable, ridiculous, etc. movements will spring up.   These are all mushrooming as a result of your current standing in evolution, as I discussed earlier with Leetah, your evolutionary status coupled with and accented by the opening of the channel.  And, again, I reiterate to you the unique responsibility and privilege that you hold as being a student of the actual Fifth Epochal Revelation. 

These rock and roll bands that play loudly in the face of your pianissimo are to be appreciated, for they serve the purpose of creating the groundwork of a new evolutionary understanding of spirituality as an advanced reality from that which I mentioned earlier, the regimentation and division of organized religion that your planet has known during this last age.  Was that clear?

Isaac:    That was wonderful! [Laughter]  I am very much aware of the privilege that I and the rest of us have in being in touch and a part of this Fifth Epochal Revelation.  Well I am not exactly a fan of rock and roll maybe you used that analogy as a result of knowing me personally, I would prefer to play Mozart or Beethoven or Bach.  I recognize the place that rock and roll has and that it is a relative truth (to use the purpose of the analogy).  That was a most interesting commentary.

Just one more question and I will let others speak if they desire.  Do I understand you to say that this 'phenomenon', as you said, is the result of the circuitry opening up and there is distortion, of course, because the TR or channeler, whichever we are talking about here, has their personality involved even as Gerdean has her personality involved with the words you speak and I have when I transmit, so there will be some degree of error.  I understand all that.  Are you saying that there is a real teacher like yourself and Daniel behind this phenomenon in Boise?   Or are you not permitted to answer that?

TOMAS:   I am permitted to say, yes, there are spirit personalities behind this activity, specifically, and myriad others generally.  The future of your world involves the incorporation of ready relating with your spirit advisors.  These mortals who are experiencing this upsurge are sometimes visited by teachers in the Teaching Corps and observed for their spirit potential in terms of being utilizable in this mission work capacity. 

In using the word, phenomenon, I do want to say that it is soon to be a common phenomenon, and therefore no longer a 'phenomenon'.  The new age energy generates this kind of activity.  Many individuals are investigating various truths in search of the one truth.  The many truths which have been evolved, some of which have been here for centuries and are being reactivated such as meditation, contributes to dredging up of memory and therefore imagination in terms of previous life experiences and all manner of diverse colorations.  It is an evolutionary step forward despite your chagrin, and I and we urge you to be aware of how many ways you, if you have love, tact, tolerance, determination and presence of mind to follow the prompts of your Indwelling Adjuster and the guidance of your teachers, can contribute to the evolution of these active, impish, minds which are only taking advantage of the stimuli of spirit.  They are more helpful than you would allow.

Isaac:  So what would you think of sharing some transcripts with this Boise group?  Would it be arrogance on our part?  Or would that be the way to do what you just said?  What do you think of that idea?

TOMAS:   One moment.

DANIEL:   I am Daniel.  My colleague and I are consulting on that matter and are not surprised that it has come up; for we have anticipated that this day would come when you would want to begin to proliferate our teachings into the area at large. 

You are thus far following your own best instincts fairly well.  We have observed each of you as you have been invited to divulge what is transpiring in your spiritual life and how you have respectfully and with some humility deferred to your teachers or your personal teacher for clarification.  I am thus far confident of your own good judgment and am not going to forbid your dissemination of our teachings in any way. 

I am concerned that you might be meddling in a group who is now in a position to attract attention.  You might want to wait until the furor subsides and then as an elder brother offer what your teacher, Daniel, has provided as a comparison, but in love.  It is not advisable that you compete with other movements or other teachers for there shall be many. Your own community of participants is flourishing.  You will notice that people are being attracted to this teacher base without your having to advertise.  We will have more discourse on this subject of promulgating our teaching at a later time.  Suffice it for now to say that we are happy to be at this juncture in our growth for it now brings us as a teacher base community to the brink of public ministry.  We will discuss that at a later time.  I am returning you to Tomas.

Isaac:  Thank you, Daniel.  That was very clear.  And I have said my piece.  I will make room for someone else, if there are others.

TOMAS:  My friends I honor your presence and encourage your expression, for in expressing yourselves you come to know yourself as do your peers. 

I understood you to be coming on line soon, Sharon.   I would encourage you to assume the assignment of coming on line with your spiritual circuitry as parallel with your computer circuitry, for you will find that although the initial mechanics of learning a new system is frightful and complicated, when you once begin tapping those keys you will have a new adventure which gives you tremendous delight and leads to even further communication and understanding. 

Have we any lingering questions?

Norm:   Yes, Tomas.  I have a curiosity question.  Since I have long been fascinated with the subject of languages, I have in reading the Urantia Book -- one question is, are many of the words, names, and places from the language of Nebadon?  And the second question is, is the human vocal apparatus capable of voicing the language of Nebadon?

TOMAS:   One moment.  The second part of your question is 'no'.  And I regret that my vehicle of language was daydreaming during the first part of your question.  Therefore I didn't hear it.  If you would ask again to address me I will try to focus her on your question.

Norm:   The first part of my question was, in reading the Urantia Book, many of the names and places and even some words are not of our earthly language, I'm certain.  My question is, are these, in fact, are those words, in fact, the language of Nebadon?

TOMAS:   Actually, yes.  And yet many of them are taken from places higher, for instance St. Petersburg is inspired by St. Peter.  Eden is inspired by Edentia, and so forth.  Therefore although your words of the universe language, the local language are unique to this sphere they are frequently derived from places higher in the spectrum.  Your career will allow you to see the etiology of many of these words which to are now mere words in a book.  In time you will see the origin of these words much as you have now come to understand the word, the concept, the reality of Nebadonia.  Your vocal chords are not adapted to the universal language, or shall I say the universal language is not adapted to your vocal chords, which is why it is necessary for us to translate into a language which is comprehensible by you, that is, through you.

One further note in terms of language.  You will notice the 'ia' ending on so many of the words you have learned in your text, ee ah.  Ee ah is a very guttural translation of the universe sound which is more of a sigh or a song, eehhh aahhh, which certainly is more expressive and harmonious than ia, yet your language must begin somewhere.  It is your concept that we are more concerned about, and your comprehension of concepts.

Norm:   Well, thank you.  I was just curious about the vocalization of language.  The Urantia Book says there was an anthem sung at Jesus' birth.  Perhaps one day we could learn the words to that.

TOMAS:   It is our hope, too, that you will one day learn the morontial expression which gives rise to anthems of praise and celebration.  It is anticipated, however, that it will be some time before those attitudes of soul are recognized and then expressed and then rehearsed and then perfected to an accolade in a language transcending that of animal origin.

I see my friend here is growing weary and I am respectful of human limitation.  Therefore even though we have energy to spare your status is to be respected.  I am, as always, grateful and honored by this opportunity to work with you and know you better and am grateful also to be affiliated with this forum in Pocatello.  I am giving you to Daniel for his final remarks.

DANIEL:   My friends I am also going to be brief.  I am not going to assign you anything for now except to consider my words earlier regarding public ministry and to ask yourselves in the recesses of your own mind your understanding, your comprehension of what, indeed, that might mean to you.  Your humble teachers love you, bless you, watch you, watch over you and embrace you in your effort and in your rest.  Good night.

*****

DATE:  September 30, 1994
TEACHERS:  DANIEL, TOMAS
TOPIC:  Desire, Willingness and Commitment

DANIEL:   Greetings my friends, I am Daniel, your guide and teacher.  Always is it a pleasure to serve Christ Michael and to be able to walk on that path to greater understanding.  In the universe of universes it is always a progressive movement to allow oneself to be willing to follow the pathway that leads to the First Source and Center.  And through one's willingness to serve despite all inconvenience, hardship, or the like, shows the greater part of one's desire to totally hone in on that will of the Father.  And so each of you are looking at your lives and seeing that, indeed, are you giving over to the better causes above and beyond what may be your desire at any given point by serving one another.  By allowing goodness to be your guide are you not only helping in any given situation, but through this service are you giving forth an avenue that others can see that which distinguishes you from the normal.

Tomas and I are elated that the students that we love so dearly are taking to heart the words that we have presented to you.  Even on occasions as this when the stresses of life are upon you, you have banded together despite your human weariness, that through communication and brotherly/sisterly support you will gain greater understanding and wisdom regarding the purpose of your individual lives and pathways.  This evening I wish to say a few words regarding your ability to create a set of circumstances which will help you to greater fulfillment.  The first step in this process is desire.  The desire to grow, to know and to become will be the mainstay, the foundation upon which your future growth occurs. 

Once desire has been consciously realized then the second step is that of willingness.  It is easy to be desirous, to want what is right, to want that which is a step beyond your present situation.  But obtaining that which is desired requires much more.  Through willingness and the conscious knowledge of your desire you help to therefore lay the second step of the hierarchy which we are speaking of. 

Desire, willingness, and next would be commitment.  Willingness helps you to organize and to set guidelines for that which you are capable.  The third step of commitment is much more difficult, for in this step you are committing yourself to some course of action.  You are taking that step which will be the salt to the wound, so to speak, for those who are serious in commitment will feel the salt on the wound when commitment is not met.  Commitment comes in increments and fortunately for all it is not something that must be followed all at once, but through various degrees of capability, time commitment, and the general unfolding of life.  And so it is unwise to harbor feelings of guilt if commitment cannot always be met.  What is wise is to remain committed and feel that one is not being the responsible individual they desire to be, in which case one is asked to re-evaluate the commitment and to begin at a level that one is capable of; and from that level to begin to stretch and call upon greater resources to meet higher levels of commitment.

Following commitment is its partner, action.  Once one makes a commitment then the commitment cannot be fulfilled unless one is motivated into action.  This often is the point of no return for many.  Tonight as you were speaking during your sharing it was noted by several individuals that public ministry is part of their agenda.  And, indeed, the point upon action in this area can be very scary.  However one must realize that fear can only be real to the degree that you allow it to be.  If your commitment and desire is to know the First Source and Center and to be in that alignment and partnership with the Father, then fear will dissipate and not hold you in its clutches.  And so action then can proceed even if it is cautious.  Progress is not asked of you in leaps and bounds but step by step.

Action always is followed by a sense of knowingness, a sense that, indeed, the commitment, the desire, and the action you have taken is surely a part of the agenda for your lifetime.  When you consciously, willingly, with desire and commitment, turn over your self to the Father's will through prayer and meditation, guidance is given. 

This sense of security does, indeed, form a cocoon, so to speak, around your being.  Sure, as has been brought up, you may feel sadness, you may feel the burden of illness, and you may feel the burden of loss, the sense of pain.  However, all of these adverse situations are cushioned in the understanding that in life the overall purpose and objective is to move toward that part of your being which is less material and more spiritual.  Hence you are able to decipher or to draw a line in regard to that which is material/earthly pain and through spiritual nourishment not be so caught up in the moment.  You begin to develop a sense of eternity, of looking down the road in all of your doings.  The immediate is not the most important.  It is just one part of the long experience of becoming spirit.  And being able to understand your life in these terms is sure to lessen the pain of any individual moment.

And so my words this evening are to help you to come to a sense of longing and desire to continue the commitment you have made to finding God's will in each of your lives.  Truly are the ways of God mysterious.  Truly do you unravel one aspect only to find that it is, indeed, interwoven and entwined in ways that you are unable to comprehend.  The faith that you have will help you to always reach out and grasp that unknown, knowing full well and with full surety that those who grasp in the darkness in the faith of God's all pervasiveness can be assured that they will find guidance, will not be led astray. 

And so my dear friends we teachers come to you week after week knowing that many a time have you had to grope in the darkness, but knowing that with the darkness is the time when that which has been darkness is suddenly brought to light much like the night turning into day.  And so realize that while you are not always in the full light of a situation, through faith, trust, and dedication you will again be brought back into the light.  As you continue to strengthen your foundation your own personal lights are helping others walk from darkness into the dawn of a new experience.  And so Tomas and I congratulate you on the steps you have taken.  We challenge you and encourage you to continue reaching and growing, re-evaluating, recommitting and stepping from commitment into action.  Tomas has a few words for you this evening.

TOMAS:   Indeed.  I am Tomas.  I have been rapt and cannot improve upon Daniel's words.  I would add my thought, however, that Michael is an example you have individually identified with and aspired to.  And yet, as you well know, you are not to live His life but your life; and therein is the adventure and the challenge and the stuff for which Daniel's lessons this evening are made.  For many moons you have revered your Master, our Creator Son, and elevated Him to great heights, even to adoration, adulation and worship.  His wish for you is that you regard Him rather as a coworker; that you, indeed, forge your own way having the desire to serve, to spread the gospel, to bring the light of truth to the awareness of those who pass you by; to commit and act in those ways which will reveal to your own beings those truths and those gifts which are your heritage and your destiny by right of being created in the pattern specifically for you. 

Indeed, we are pleased with your acceptance, your willingness and your efforts.  They are giving forth fruit abundantly in your lives.  And the effects are being made manifest.  The urgency, however, is still underlining our work with you, for this world has still far to go.  While we work there are those who wait in darkness.  I conclude my words.

Emalissa: Daniel or Tomas, we have been trying to think about our ministry and how to go public with it, so to speak.  Daniel, you maintain we will get over our fear of talking and I have a long ways to go there.  But in the mean time I feel like my actions will be the only way that I can do it.  In talking with several groups of people lately we seem to get on the topic of what's wrong with the world and how to fix it and what is it we can go out and do.  It seems to me like a lot of it is to try to get people to assume responsibility for themselves and their actions.  One, is can you comment on this, as to whether we are way off; and two, if this is the case, how do you go about trying to encourage people to do this without -- you can't bully them, you can't coerce them -- somehow it has to be through actions.  One person said getting them to love themselves.  Can you give me any direction or comment on that?

DANIEL:   This question is a multitude of many questions and I will attempt to provide some guidelines.  Indeed are there ills that plague this planet.  Indeed are the actions of many the cause of the evil which appears to have taken over.  Indeed is there this correction time which is imminent in bringing about change.  Change happens when people are at that point where it becomes a necessity.  Part of being human is this tendency to procrastinate until that point in time when change must come about or destruction is imminent, whether it be in any of the physical requirements of the body: food, exercise, whether it be in a relationship, whether it be an economic situation, political, environmental, and the list can go on. 

Indeed when one understands that the underlying cause of most evil is not necessarily based on one fact but on a multitude of facts then one must also realize that changing one aspect will not bring about total and progressive change but that there must be changes made in many areas, system-wide, so to speak.  Indeed one must look to the individual and one must look to the institutions of society. 

Individually people will not likely change unless there is some motivating factor that will benefit them, through change.  When the individual is able to consciously become aware that change is necessary then that individual can work through the guidelines that I have laid out today that can bring about the action that will bring about change.  Self knowledge, self understanding are necessary in order for one to know what needs to be changed and how to go about doing so.  An example is the drug addict who suddenly faces death through drug addiction.  At that point a choice must be made.  At that point this individual must take the steps necessary to continue with life.  And so the self knowledge that there is a problem that something needs to be done will be the first step.

Indeed, it cannot be any other individual that can take the step for this person.  And so self responsibility is prime.  It is only the individual himself who can bring about change for himself.  There can be many areas of support for the individual that will make the situation easier, but ultimately the decision for change, that choice rests on the individual.  And so the individual on one hand is key.  Society and institutions, on the other hand, are also key. 

Society needs to begin to understand the value of education, of teaching principles of responsibility from the time a child is an infant.  As teacher and parents, caretakers, churches and the like assume this role of truly bringing education to its peak, of truly helping the individual to be the individual he/she is capable of being, of reaching potential, then you will begin to see a more rapid, fundamental and overall change within society.  It rests on the individual to be the one who chooses, but society must provide the various areas of support that can help bring about this change.  Education is a key element.

Another key element is the ability to rise beyond personal glorification, personal greed, personal fulfillment in hopes of bringing about overall change.  I am not saying that one should neglect their own dreams and aspirations.   But one must [temporarily] forgo their desire for an overall good; putting off, delaying their own personal satisfaction for the growth and progress of the whole. 

Anyone who is in a relationship or family will understand this immediately.  Many times do parents forego their own wishes to bring the child into better understanding?  Those who are in education at this time are finding that it is more than the children in your care whom you need to educate, but often the parents as well.  And so those chances and opportunities where the understanding and concept of teaching responsibility can be laid out, organized, and given full meaning to not only the students, but the parents as well, will certainly help in bringing forth overall change.

To those of you in your own personal ministry, it is not necessary that you teach from a pulpit or from a school podium.  What is essential is that in your own life you be an example to others of what it means to be responsible, to be loving, to be tolerant, to be caring, to generally be about the Father's business.  You are not all going to be called upon to speak publicly.  That is not the agenda.  Each individual has their own pathway.  It is through your being able to present to the world the truth of the Father's love by your loving and giving and your presence, will you help in the Correcting Time. 

My dear friend, you are doing very well.  You have grown in many ways.  And as you confidence continues do not be surprised when out of your mouth flow words of wisdom and you say -- where did that come from?  It comes, my friends, all of you, from that wellspring of the foundation that you are building.  Guidance will be there for you.  Has this helped?

Emalissa:   I think so, Daniel.  It sounds like... basically keep trying to do the Father's will and be the best that can that way, and that will do it.  It just seems like there is -- sometimes you get in a position and you think, gee, there really ought to be something else I can do!  It sounds like maybe we are being impatient there.

DANIEL:   Indeed, prayer for any given situation will surely be answered in the time frame of the First Source and Center.  And, indeed, are there many things that are happening that you are not aware of.  However, being able to project a positive sense of overall knowledge of God's presence will be nourishment to those who are in the dark, those who are ready to give up, those who see no end in sight.  If there is no end in sight then there is no need for God's work to be made known. 

God is, indeed, upholding all universes and each individual inhabited world.  And so while the momentary appearance is that of lack, knowledge that in time all ills are and will be corrected, is your strength.  Putting forth a greater sense of well being is not necessarily being a 'Pollyanna' but is showing your trust and faith in the love, goodness, and the truth regarding the Creator of us all.  Continue to put forth your own goodness that others can benefit from it. 

Continue to seek personal guidance.  Always is this a necessity, for without the time spent in prayer, meditation, and worship is there a lack in your lives.  These times are necessary in order for you to be in that alignment, of understanding what your purpose is in your journey. And with that let go and trust.

Emalissa:  Thank you Daniel.

Leetah: Daniel, I have a couple, three questions.  I think they can be answered easily and quickly.  We are talking about public ministry and going public and we all agree it is our lives.  But I also was wondering if you are making the distinction between the book and the Teaching Mission, or are these together to be made public as we are doing mouth to mouth, as we run into people?  Did you have one or the other or both in mind?

DANIEL:   This question cannot be answered generically for each individual you encounter is unique.  Each individual must be dealt with in terms of their acceptance, knowledge, and understanding.  As you are finding out, those who are ready for another step are able to provide you with clues for your extended invitation to them.  And so my words are not for either/or or both, but for all.  You must in your own judgment know the status of the individual and go from there.

Leetah: Thank you, Daniel, I thought that's what we meant by going public.  Going public is not carrying a sign saying, "Yoo Hoo!" and I appreciate that. I want to move on because I know it is getting late.  There are two things I read about in the paper on the mansion worlds.  One is, they say there are hosts of visitors allowed on all inhabited planets, even those in isolation.  This is a curiosity question, but I would assume there must be a lot of students from the mansion worlds that come and observe what is going on here, the good things that are going on as well as the bad.

DANIEL:   This planet is a virtual classroom for many, indeed; and it is a place where the observers are netting better insights into their own past and are gleaning a sense of the cohesiveness through which God works.

Leetah: Thank you Daniel.  The other thing is, with the circuits being opened and the healing hands that we are putting on one another, in a sense it is changing our very structure, our mental structure and our spiritual structure.  I couldn't help but think in terms of that being similar to the 'rekeying' that is done on the mansion worlds so that we are ready to the next step.  With all this happening here, are we being moved along to the place where -- again I have to think of the fifth mansion world where you voluntarily study and worship is spontaneous and service is natural -- is this a matter of the ‘rekeying’ of human beings, mortals, so that, indeed, things are happening on this plane, though not expected?  Am I making sense?   I'm not sure I am.

DANIEL:   My words to you are this, that of course there is progress continually being made.  One cannot go from an embryo into a knowledgeable walking adult.  One must go through the various stages of development.  And so, too, each of you are going through the stages of spiritual development that is bringing you into greater and more meaningful awarenesses and offering you opportunities for further growth and greater enrichment and enhancement of your spiritual progress.  Indeed are those who work to bring about spiritual growth the ones that are dedicated.  One who has no knowledge, desire, or interest in the Spirit is not progressing. 

You see, progress in many instances must be conscious.  However, there is a great amount of learning that is unconscious for a long period of time.  Many people are still in the area of unconscious spiritual learning that in time will go to the conscious level at which point, then, choice of whether or not to continue on a more conscious level is up to the individual.  The analogy of the human infant applies here in that in child development the first three years of development is generally unconscious learning with the individual.  But at age three to three and a half there is a change as conscious learning becomes the norm.  And so while the spiritually unconscious appear to be dormant, do not be misled, for recall that the infant learned language almost spontaneously because of the unconscious ability to learn.  And so spiritual learning is taking place in many, many ways.  Indeed, are all being prodded to progress to the next level.  Does this help?

Leetah: Yes Daniel, it really does.  And that is just a hopeful, helpful thing to think about.  Thank you.

DANIEL:   Due to the fatigue experienced by my 'voice' tonight I am going to call this meeting to a close.  Both Tomas and I send you our love and our commitment to you as a teacher.  We will continue to work to serve that you may continue to grow and become the lights that will provide nourishment to many.  Go the next couple of weeks in the knowledge that despite outward appearances there is much help and much support that is being generated and brought to this planet that through the next time correction and advancement will progress rapidly.  Our love to you.  Good evening.

*****

DATE:  October 14, 1994
TEACHERS:  DANIEL, TOMAS
TOPIC:  First the Foundation, then Action

DANIEL:   Greetings my friends, I am Daniel, your guide/teacher.  Welcome to this ongoing gathering of like-minded truth searchers and those who strive to move beyond the status quo, not only in earthly terms but also in spiritual.  It is always our pleasure as teachers to be able to communicate with those who are so willing to listen and those who strive to practice the necessary steps for enlightenment.  Truly the time that you devote to your personal search with the Father is the time that will strengthen the pathway of life's unfoldings.  And so it is to your merit that you continue to find that portion of your day to allow the bonding that is so necessary for there to be the alignment with the First Source and Center as top priority.

Today, as with all of our gatherings, there are numerous celestials that are in attendance whose love and support of you is overwhelming.  We are sad that you on this planet are not able to fully appreciate the bounty that is around you.  However, let my words regarding this comfort you in times of doubt, strengthen you in times when courage is necessary, and support you in your ministry of living the life that is willed by the First Source and Center.  Always is there help to those who ask.  Always will you be fortified if you but open yourselves to Spirit. 

The times we have had together have brought forth many lessons and many questions have been given answers.  The times we have had, have given you a timeframe for foundation building.  And now that this foundation is supporting you the lessons of the past will be those which can be reread for further understanding and depth.

We will continue our work with you for the time being.  It has been brought to our attention through your conversations that you worry that our presence may cease.  This is not what is now planned, so, my dear students, know that your teachers are still with you.  The classroom is still open and the lessons will continue.  As with all studies it is important, however, that the student does more than absorb but begins to utilize that which is given into a format that sees action.  Remember that you are human beings and 'beings', if you look at this word, signifies action and doing. [Ed. note: In Webster's New Universal Dictionary the fifth meaning of 'being' is, 'fulfillment of possibilities; essential completeness.']  And so be about the Father's business in your daily lives.

At this point of our togetherness I, today, wish to give a brief talk and discussion regarding this area, of doing, of being.  First and foremost we teachers have been asking that you, the individual, prepare the way, cement a foundation that can readily support your beliefs as time unfolds.  This has been a time of action building, foundation cementing, of learning, of seeing, of bringing together the materials necessary to help you in your perception of your life's purpose and the calling that you have.  And so it is with pleasure that Tomas and I can say to you that the foundations are well placed, are firm, and that the action that has been primarily on an individual basis will be able now to support a more open and global action.

We are pleased that as a group you are united in helping to work in many areas to bring about the concept of God's love and the concept of the brotherhood/sisterhood of this planet and of the universes.  We are pleased that you are stepping now into the open arena to bring those who seek into greater awarenesses.  Action is now going to be a more open and broader concept than the past of personal foundation building.  As you are beginning to witness in your own lives there is transition, there is growth.  You are seeing that because of your own personal strength that others seek you out; that somehow the spirit of which you are generates energy into the open where others are attracted to you.  And so do not be surprised when time and again that you will, indeed, be able easily and confidently to plant these ideas of the Fifth Epochal Revelation into the outer world and into the hearts of those who hunger and thirst for knowledge.

My words in this regard are: do not become hermits or those who cloister themselves, imprison themselves behind a wall.  Rather tear down any of those barriers that you now have and be the tower of strength, that the inquiries and the hopes that others see in you, you will able to be that guide and teacher for them.  The action of the past, of foundation building, will always continue.  However, realize that now you are at another level and that you will become more actively involved in working with your fellow brothers and sisters.  Do not shy from this; rather seek the time daily for nourishment, that you can then nourish others.  I will end my words here.  Tomas is waiting his turn patiently and lovingly.

TOMAS:   Greetings, group.  I have been, indeed, engaged in absorbing your response to Daniel's words and have found them to fall on responsive souls.  I am not in line to offer a lesson this evening nor have I any words of wisdom to espouse at length, although I am always grateful for the ears which opt to hear truth wherever it might be found.  And I, being an opportunist, am inclined to speak on occasion, as you well know.  My blessings on this group of loyal followers of truth.  I am finished.

DANIEL:   Thank you Tomas.  And with these words let there be a time now for questions, and/or comments.

Isaac:    Greetings, Daniel and Tomas, this is Isaac.  I would introduce our guests tonight.  We have with us Tim who is visiting us for the first time and I would introduce him.  And Aren whom you have met before but I think this is the first time in the group.  These two, young and older brothers, are with us tonight."

DANIEL:   Indeed do we have a full house, and, indeed, do your words regarding age indicate that there is no timeframe or set time in one's life for the Spirit of Truth to evoke the curiosity of the sojourner in life.  Truly does God work through the Father Fragment in each individual.  Truly does the encouragement of this great Adjuster and the angels that surround individuals provoke and entice the members of life to seek the higher truth, to know that which is the Source.  I say welcome to you both.

Aren, you are a new traveler to Urantia, yet your curiosity and your willingness to be open to Spirit will continue to strengthen and grow and serve you in many ways and in many capacities as your years unfold.  Continue to always keep your options open.  Continue to know that in the workings of the First Source and Center there is truly mystery, that one cannot always or ever totally unravel the whole picture.  But rather it is like the happy child who finds another puzzle piece that you lay down that helps you to see a little bit better.  You are on the start of your puzzle.  You have made your outside frame.  This is a big accomplishment for one so young!  Now that your frame has its outside borders, you will now begin to lay the inner pieces.  Remember, my friend, that the inner pieces are laid more readily, are more available when you seek the inner soul, the inner life of knowing the Father through silence and prayer.

To you, Tim, your life adventure has been one of always looking for those pieces of truth.  Your puzzle pieces have been laid with much vigor and with much joy and enthusiasm over the years.  Indeed have you been blessed with an inquiring and inquisitive mind that matches that of the Spirit.  In the quest that you have made over your lifetime you can look back and see many times when, indeed, Spirit has led and strengthened you.  I welcome you to this group, knowing that in your desire to know, that you will continue to search and answers will continually be revealed to you.  Welcome.

PamElla: Good evening, Daniel.  I would like clarification on the lesson tonight, if you could.  I guess I hear myself perhaps wanting to limit what you were saying, or there is another part of me that is very frightened of evangelism, that's not in alignment with God's will and guided.  So I would desire to interpret what you said for myself that I think I see in my own life what you were describing occurring, in that in many ways my foundation is fairly solid.  Life continues to be life, but I do handle situations somewhat better, as some of us commented tonight, that we were experiencing that.  So I do realize that my foundation is there as compared to a couple of years ago.  And as a result I feel myself comfortable talking about the Urantia Book or aspects of the Teaching Mission with people when it seems to be guided and led into.  Is that what you are talking about in terms of action?  I would be very uncomfortable in going out on a mission, so to speak!  And I don't believe that's what you were saying.  Would you address that, please?

DANIEL:   You are not ready for television? [Laughter]
PamElla: Well, maybe. [More laughter] But, but… no!

DANIEL:   Of course my words were not to ask you to join this type of evangelism but rather to be ready and willing to pick up on those clues given to you by your fellow brothers and sisters, to have an ear open to those who inquire, to be able to identify a hungry soul, one that is ready to grow in the concepts presented in the Fifth Epochal Revelation. And this is my word:  you are not asked to go door to door, but rather to be willing to lay your beliefs and your values on the line when called upon, to be able to validate another's yearning to know truth.  It is this action in regard to proclaiming the good news that I ask you to be open to.  Of further action, you will recall in past lessons, we have asked that you walk in the spirit of following the Father's will in your daily lives, that by your actions, through your words, that you are the epitome of what Christ Michael would have been had He walked in your shoes at that time.  You are asked to take notice of the way you approach others, the words you use, the message you are sending.  This action is, of course, an ongoing struggle.  Never will you meet perfection in this regard on this plane.  But by being able to recognize instantly those times when error occurs you shorten the timeframe from which you sever the ties between the First Source and Center and yourselves.  Whenever you err, whenever you feel guilt you, yourself, tend to pull away and draw back from that Source that nurtures you.  If you can recognize error immediately the tendency to draw away is not great and lessens.  You are then able to receive nourishment necessary to help you correct and rectify error.  Are you understanding my words?

PamElla: Yes, Daniel.  That was very beautiful.  Thank you.

Leetah: Good evening Daniel.  Since you said comments were all right, when you were telling in this last response that you were not expecting us to go door to door but rather, and the phrase that came into my mind at that point was, but rather heart to heart.  And then you went on to say exactly that, that we have to just be ready when that person is open to questioning and inquiry.  That was just a very beautiful answer.  And I thank you very much because I, too, shudder at the thought of the word proselytizing because I have been so grateful for the Thought Adjuster that is within each and every human being, and that God is working.  I can rest in that.  I really appreciate your words.

DANIEL:   It is by far the action of any one human being that teaches better than any lecture, than any sermon, than any chapter that can be read in a book.  Live by the rule that to love one another despite behavior will help you in reaching that individual, will help you in being an example wherein you can rise above the moment, wherein you do not react but you act out of a foundation built on love, tolerance, understanding, mercy, and forgiveness.  Actions do, indeed, speak louder than any words.

Leetah: Thank you very much, Daniel.

Isaac:  So to complete the trio that generally starts out the questioning I will add my two cents and ask you this simply.  I thought I detected that you were placing a new emphasis on our mission, however.  PamElla alluded to the fact that she has already been doing this sort of thing all the way along.  And I think that I have been doing this sort of thing all the way along.  So I am a little bit puzzled.  If we have already been doing this, if nothing more than continuing the same thing we've been doing is what you are suggesting, then I am a little confused.  Or did I misunderstand that there was a new phase here?  I guess -- my interpretation of what you said was that we have some barriers, we are afraid of people, we have fear, and we have been holding back, and maybe there is more that we can be doing along the lines of sharing what's going on in this Mission, in the book, etc.  That's how I thought I heard what you said.  Can you respond to that, please?

DANIEL:   Indeed, that is also what I had in mind.  You see, I had distinguished PamElla's question from yours in the fact that she was worrisome about going totally public and going door to door, so to speak. Indeed, all of you have been willing to bring forth your ideas, your beliefs to those who inquire.  My words to you are this.

There are times when you do hold back, when you do allow fear or the like to keep you from being more open regarding the Urantia Book.  As your foundations, however, have become stronger you have noticed that these fears are lessening.  My words were to encourage you to let go of those lingering doubts, those lingering thorns that prevent you from speaking more openly.  Indeed, you are asked to fine tune your senses to be more open to the conversations of others that you can become more sensitive to pleas that speak of thirst and hunger for truth.  And so in this regard there is a new level of commitment, a new level of operation that you will be moving into, or will be moving into with a greater sense of confidence.  And as you fine tune your senses, as you open yourself up, then truly spirit to spirit, there will be much communication that can be consciously brought into human understanding and you will be able to speak with more and more people.  This is the higher level of commitment that I have spoken about this evening.  Are you in compliance with this?

Isaac:  Yes, that is exactly what I though you were saying so thank you for clarifying that.

Gerdean:   This is Gerdean.  I get caught up in listening to you, Daniel, and I ignore Tomas.  But as you have said, he is patient.  But while you were speaking and I was listening I was envisioning the words in the Foreward where it talks about this as a conspiracy, and thinking in terms of our reading group, and thinking about the channels, the circuits, rather, and thinking about the circuits that you talked about, that are developing between us, these strong spiritual circuitry kinds of things.  And I can see in a situation like our study group, those of us who have built this circuitry and have pretty keen sensitivity to one another are in a position to notice, more or less, those who are not connected.  And I am wondering in this more public ministry that you speak of, where does one draw the line between this 'divine conspiracy' and control?  I wouldn't want to be at loggerheads or have an ego battle or anything like that.  That's what comes to mind when I think of that delicate balance between control and the conspiracy.  If I am aware of where someone is and I want to address that; and there are others there who also want to address that, I guess what I am saying is I don't know how to do that.  Do you know what I am talking about?

DANIEL:   Whenever humans gather together there is always the likelihood that there can be miscommunication, there can be the involvement of ego, there can be the problem of not fully understanding or becoming overbearing.  This is not something that is unique to a physical plane, for as you have read in your book, the tribunals of justice are very extant in all of the universes.  My words to you are this:  If you daily commune with the Father, if you daily put in that time necessary for your own nurture of the soul, of the spirit, of the human/mindal understanding, then you are doing all that can be asked of you in regard to following guidance.  If you approach this quiet time in the true frame of doing the Father's will, then guidance and understanding will be forthcoming.  If, however, you approach the quiet time with an ego center saying, 'thy will be done, but let it be mine' then you're defeating the purpose and the guidance that you get will be led by your own ego.  There is always this danger.  It is everyone’s own personal path.  And so my only words can be that you temper your quiet time in a genuine willingness, wantingness, and commitment to searching out the purpose of your life, not the purpose of a human ego, but the purpose of spirit.  Once this is done then you will find the answers are out there for you.  Does this help?

Gerdean: No, that is very painful. (Laughter)  I am sure that once I have pondered it and meditated on it, it will help a great deal.  Thank you.

DANIEL:   Indeed, it is much easier in all levels of human relationships and understandings to allow the status quo to continue or to allow someone else to make decisions, to be led.  However, the true pathway and true course in life is a personal quest of the Father Fragment within to make contact with the soul of each individual.  So while you're feeling human pain and resistance know that despite this there is always that inner urging and prompting that will continue to propel you into being willing to take the risk.  It is painful in human terms.  Change and willingness, are not easy.  However it is not easy to languish in doubt or in fear either.  The choice is up to you... to be clouded in fear, or to be courageous and risk in confidence and the joy of the Spirit.  My friends it is fortuitous that all of you here, and that many others, are risking and understanding that despite the pain, the joy of freedom, of knowing, of understanding, is greater than that of fear.

Isaac:  This is Isaac.  Daniel, your reference to some conversations you have heard about some of us talking about the teachers leaving made me wonder if you were referring to a conversation that B.S. and I had the other day at his house where we were interpreting some of the messages we had received in Wednesday meetings regarding our relationship to the teachers.  And I know you may have been present at that time.  And if that was your reference I was wondering if you would elaborate on that.  Or perhaps you had something else in mind?

DANIEL:   "There are many thoughts that are received by us, and many have been clouded in doubt, worrying about our presence among you.  Suffice it to say that it is through many of these thoughts received that my words were spoken.

Isaac:  OK.  So B.S. and I are not the only ones that have talked about this apparently.  Um, that's interesting.  Well personally I am really glad to have you say that, because that's been my hope and certainly my understanding, that you people were here to help us in the long haul.  The other big issue of doubt and concern has revolved around the Melchizedek schools [universities].  I am wondering if you have anything you want to address to that issue.  Despite the clear statements by various transmitters there still remains some feeling that this is ego on the human part.  So I was wondering if you would say anything about that?

DANIEL:   Indeed, are you essentially in a Melchizedek school currently.  This is our way now of being able to have class attendance.  And so my words are this: Take your studies seriously.  Bring forth action and not just absorption.  When the time for material verification, material happenings is to occur you will be ready to serve.  Machiventa is working now through the teachers to help those willing and ready to commit to a higher ideal, to prepare themselves for active service and a greater calling.  And so as our weeks continue on, so will our lessons call upon you to solidify, grow, and be all that the Father wills.  And beyond that extent I will not further elaborate.

Isaac:  Thank you.

PamElla: Daniel, I have one more question.  I certainly understand you not responding to this.  I was thinking as Dad referred to how you must have been responding to his conversation to Bob and here I am trying to think of your lesson in terms of my own life, it's very egocentric!  My question is this.  In your timing of this particular lesson, I am still feeling a little bit stumped because I feel like generally I have tried to be very God-led.  And I have thought about the times when I felt I was being very cautious.  I felt like I was being cautious not because I was so much in fear as the time didn't seem right and pieces need to be put in place first or that I needed greater information.  Now I am thinking... was I in fear when I was thinking that in fact I was in alignment and I was listening to what piece at what time?  And with some people I feel like telling them all in twenty minutes over the backyard fence, you know.  My question is this, this is where it sounds ego centered -- is the timing of this particular lecture tonight at all related to the fact that I am going to be on the trip with my boss with whom I have been having a lot of conversations that I have felt were somewhat preparatory, and I have been thinking that at some point in time it would be time to talk about the teaching and the healing.  I thought I was being cautious before.  Was I just being fearful?  Is it time to talk about such things with him?  Or should I continue to wait?

DANIEL:   In your case I will say this, that fear was not a factor, but rather that you are being prudent and relying on the proper timing and opening.  On this trip, if circumstances are correct, you will know and understand, provided you come to the conversation with your boss in the true desire to bring forth greater truth in his life, which has been a real desire of yours.

In regard to our lessons, Tomas and I would like to make this comment.  Indeed are our lessons given for specifics, sometimes catered to a specific individual.  However, because this is a group, generally the lessons would be considered generic.   Each person takes the words given and must understand them in their own relationship and in their own reality.  And in this regard it is important that you can personalize the lessons.  It is not being strictly ego-centric, but rather it is being realistic for your own reality and your own beingness.  And so often we have found that our lessons are taken at various levels depending on experience, understanding, attitude, mindal capacity for absorption at any given time, etc.  So everyone walks away with a different understanding, a different message for their own life.  It is generally considered by the teachers [appropriate] to request individual private sessions when necessary for certain individuals.  Has this helped?

PamElla: Yes, Daniel.  Both parts helped very much.  I appreciate the earlier validation that I do seem to be in tune and that I can probably trust myself as long as I remain in that space.  And that is nice to know because I heard your words earlier as an alarm, that I wasn't doing it right.  And so thank you for both parts of your response.

DANIEL:  You are most welcome.

Gerdean:   You do realize I am sure, Daniel, that it is our prayer that we be pleasing in His eyes.  When we encounter these things in these lessons we are reminded of how mortal we are, how far we have to go!

DANIEL:   Yes, this is our understanding.  It is also the path through which Tomas and I have previously walked and we continue to walk/float, regardless [Laughter].  And let this lightness end this meeting.  For you see it is good to contemplate and to realize your mortal status.  But it is error to condemn yourself, to stay at any given level through guilt, shame, or the feeling of inadequacy.  It is more progressive, more uplifting, more rewarding, and more growth fulfilling to realize that because of your mortal status you have the opportunity to rise above what you were five minutes before. 

Go in peace now, my friends, knowing that with each minute, each token and thought of love that you generate, each nuance of openness, each challenge that you face, with each decision you make, you are opening the door for further growth, for further discovery, for greater love.  The Father is willing and does freely disperse His many gifts to all.  Love and peace.  Good day.

Group:   Good night, Daniel and Tomas.

*****

DATE:  October 21, 1994
TEACHERS:  TOMAS, AVALON
TOPIC:  Life is an Adventure!

TOMAS:    Greetings, I am Tomas.  Daniel is away this evening and I will be opening this meeting of my Urantian brothers and sisters whose faith and desire to progress in universal truth is evident not only by your intellectual yearnings, but also by your desire to serve on other levels in the material realm.  We have a visiting teacher here this evening.  One moment.

AVALON:   Hello, my friends, I am Avalon.  I am Grant's teacher.  I will take this opportunity given to me to relay some words to those who have by their actions and their willingness to look beyond error, [desired] to open their hearts and lives and provide love to one of their fellow sojourners on this plane.

Indeed have the teachers already conveyed to you that Grant's status can be looked upon on various levels.  It is my request to you to continue to support and uphold your understanding of universal truths in regard to this untimely death.  There is a difference between failure on a human electro-chemical level, between this level and that of the potential and growth of the soul.  Grant understood fully and accepted wholeheartedly the aspect of a loving, forgiving, and all encompassing First Source and Center.  Grant embraced the universal concepts of brotherly and sisterly family ties throughout all of the universes.  Grant had made the desire/commitment to continue and to serve the Father into the aeons of time. 

What is not understood and termed as failure in earthly/material terms cannot be judged by any; for it is known that no one can walk in another shoes.  No one can understand what motivates another.  No one can know totally the physical, environmental and social condition of any one being.  My words to you are to continue to embrace Grant in your love and to continue to support his family and friends on this plane, that through your continual prayers and thought patterning you will help to make those connections with those who are needing help in understanding what has transpired. 

I shall miss the adventure of working with an individual on this plane.  However, as time continues Grant and I will be working together in other areas given the enhancement of experience and understanding that he will derive in his ascension.  I am blessed to have been on this plane, to have seen first hand and to have experienced in a broad sense the trials and tribulations as well as the joys, etc., of those who still walk a material pathway.  Please do not, any of you, feel that your relationship with Grant could have fostered a difference in outcome.  Rather understand that given free choice and the ability to choose one is not able to take responsibility for another's action.  Know that you have all been willing partners in support and love and know that Grant had appreciated that from you all.  Many a time has the openness and love of this group supported him in times of doubt and sorrow, in times when pain and anguish encircled his vision, his perception.  Many a time had the words of the teachers been a source of comfort for him and had given him a reason to continue another day. 

It is not my position to elaborate any further, but rather to encourage each of you to not close down your ties with those who are in need; and to remember always that in the fuller and broader picture soul growth and its potential are not [fully] realized on this plane.  This is but one part of that which adds to the total education and experience for the soul.

I am thankful to Grant for the experience he afforded me in understanding various aspects of a material existence.  Being a mortal myself on a sphere much different than this it has benefited me to understand what a darkened world is about.  I wish to thank all of you for allowing me to be a part of your group.  I will, likewise, be leaving this plane.  However, I will be allowed to make return trips, so on occasion you may hear from me.  I am Avalon.  I am bringing love to you from Grant, and thanks.  I am extending my own personal love and gratitude to all of you.  Good day.

TOMAS:   I am Tomas.  It is with the words from my colleague and friend Avalon that I will now make a few remarks.

The human mind is very complex.  The human mind has many avenues in which one can digress one's thoughts.  One can choose to move in higher realms or one can become clouded, fearful, and ridden with guilt.  In a normal mind all these various levels are experienced by every one.  You will move from one to another freely, and this is part of the aspect of living life, of experiencing that which is material.  It is through the ability of the human to process and make choices that you are able to bring about a life that is ongoing, that is alive. 

And so I ask that each of you during this timeframe consider your own mind/thought patterns and be ever thankful and grateful for the avenues that help you to utilize that higher positive perspective.  Do not feel guilt when you have erred, rather rectify what you can and continue on knowing that it is all part of experience.  The effort of correcting error and the challenge of keeping that error at bay is the adventure of life.  It can be looked upon as drudgery.  It can be looked upon in negative terms.  Those who refuse, however, to give in to this side of negative thinking are those who, despite their errors, continue to progress and who in the long run are able to take away the drudgery of living. 

Life is an adventure!  Life has many questions!  Many times will you be called upon to make decisions.  If a decision is particularly hard for you on a given day it is better if you can allow some time so that you can make the decision with greater perspective.  Often it is not possible physically for the human to make decisions correctly when electro-chemical imbalances or physical fatigue are dominant.  It is important to recall the Master's example, that the physical/material body needs rest, needs a time of retreat.  During this time one is able to become nourished physically, mentally, and spiritually. So that you can have total integration of the body, mind, and spirit in making decisions. 

Be thankful for your mind, the ability to process and the ability to make choices.  Respect that ability by finding balance in these areas so that continual positive and progressive decisions can be made.  These are all the words that I have for you this evening.  Gerdean will be on line next week as the transmitter/receiver.  And with these words I will open the floor to questions.

Leetah: I don't have questions as such, Tomas, but I just want to thank you and Avalon for coming tonight and for sharing those words of comfort.  We certainly would send our love to Grant, if, indeed, Avalon can share that.  That would be wonderful.  Thank you very much.

TOMAS:   Thank you for your words.

PamElla: Yes, thank you both, Avalon and Tomas.  I will take to heart Tomas' words about balance.  I have been noticing how important they are in my life and how when I am fatigued I really know I can't make decisions and am trying much harder to honor the sleep part.  I haven't been honoring the food part. 

I do have a question.  I don't know that this is our business or my business in asking it but this whole thing with suicide is still very confusing to me.  I'm wondering if Grant has been resurrected?

TOMAS:    It is not for you to worry.  Grant has already chosen ascension and through this understanding has the love and forgiveness of the First Source and Center been recognized.  During the next while Grant will be at peace.  In time there will be resumption of his ongoing ascension career.  It is our understanding that this is what is taking place.

PamElla: Thank you Tomas.  Part of my concern was for Avalon.  I didn't want him to have to wait a long time until the next dispensation.  But maybe it's coming soon anyway.  I'll have hope for that.  Again, I thank both of you.

TOMAS:   To you who are time bound creatures time is an important aspect.  To those of us who are not as tied in to this structure it is not as important.  Avalon has many areas to pursue.  Avalon will not be idly twirling his thumbs. [Chuckling in the background]

PamElla: Thank you for that.  I have a question completely off the topic but it is something that has been bothering me for a while and now I am bothered again.  My keys disappeared from my glove compartment a couple months ago now.  It was my understanding that the midwayers had something to do with that disappearance and I have been waiting for them to reappear like wallets had in the past.  When I first had a private meeting with Daniel I asked about disappearances and reappearances that had occurred to me.  The answer that I remember receiving was that he didn't know exactly what the reason was for, but it was his understanding that it would make me more open to experiences, and I thought, such as this.  And now I am having a very difficult time understanding why my keys would disappear.  And now I haven't had my glasses for a week!  I can find them nowhere.  I was wondering if this is something that could be addressed? [Very long pause]

TOMAS:   Your glasses are where you last left them.  And no comment on the keys.  [Laughter]

PamElla: I will continue to look for my glasses, thank you.  I won't consider it a search in vain.  But I'm feeling kind of frustrated about the key thing.  Thank you. [Much laughter]

Kent:  Greetings my friend.
TOMAS:   Hello Kent.

Kent:    In the closing prayer at the funeral services there was asked for nourishment and understanding and comfort.   This evening it has been supplied.  My love, thank you.

TOMAS:   Thank you my friend for your growing awareness of others and your growing conviction that the Father's love, despite outward appearances is still a fact, is reality, and can be felt despite the human experience at any given time.  As all of you continue to become more and more conscious of the spiritual aspects of your natures you will be able to feel that supporting and nurturing love, even at the height of your most emotional flare-ups.  The only time when this love will be dimmed is possibly in anger.  However, when you have been able to bring under control the electrical/chemical makeup of your being, in retrospect you will see that even in your emotional tirade there was love.  I would add on to this not to say that Kent had any anger in his thought processes but only to add to a broader understanding for all of you and for your information, so to speak.

Kent:    Thank you.

Isaac:  This is Isaac.  I would also add my thanks to both you, Tomas, and to Avalon for your very gracious words tonight.  I knew this topic would be addressed by you teachers.  I supposed that Daniel would be involved and I, of course, miss him being here but I know he has his reasons; so my best wishes to him as well.  But again, I thought that you met our needs both intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally.  Thank you.

TOMAS:   So taken, thank you.  Avalon and I will take our leave now this evening.  To you all we send our most sincere love and ask our loving Father and our Brother and Father/Teacher, Christ Michael, to be with each of you and to the extended families of all, especially to Brent's family, that during the next time span there can be comfort in the knowledge of ascension and the God of Love.  Good evening.

Group:  Good evening Tomas and Avalon.

*****

DATE:   October 28, 1994
TEACHERS:  DANIEL
TOPIC:  Familiarity Breeds Contempt

DANIEL:  Good evening assembled group of involved and vibrant members of this ongoing spiritizing process we are communally engaged upon. I am Daniel. I am your teacher, your guide and your companion in these mighty and incredible days of growth and unfolding.

My friends, would that you could see from the vantage point of those who hover in your midst this evening, for we literally delight to see that your sharing time this evening has, indeed, confirmed and elucidated our lesson plan for this evening. My friends, I am going to work with Tomas in delivering two sides to a similar coin and I would ask that before I engage in delivering my words that we take this opportunity to experience this unique focus of attention on our First Source and Center which we deem stillness. (Daniel leads in guided stillness.)

As you enter this place inward and upward of your normal mortal daily reality, recognize the inherent intimacy of the experience and feel the sublime devotion of our Upholder, (long pause) Feeling this peace, this acceptance and knowing that you are individually smiled upon I will ask my colleague Tomas to begin, and I will follow up in a moment.

TOMAS:  I am Tomas. I am glad to be here. My friends, I fear our brother Daniel has given me a difficult assignment in delivering, only because he has selected the rosier side of the coin for himself. My subject is that phrase which is familiar to you and which, indeed, is made reference to in your text (U. Book: Page 919, paragraph 2, line 7), that being ‘familiarity breeds contempt’.

As we observe your group in its sharing, in its harmony and laughter and joy, it is not suspected that there is much growth to be learned in this area. We are discussing public ministry, and we are public in this intimate family of man; for your personalities, as diverse as they are (and which is readily acknowledged and testified to you, by you, joyously) are in a similar situation to that experienced by the Apostles in company with the Master. And in your text also I will refer you to spiritual unity which transcends that irksome mental condition brought about by conflict in the mind as to peculiar personality characteristics.

When you realize how much of your life is lived by rote, how many of your reactions are automatic, and how much of your energy is devoted to ruminating in your consciousness and subconsciousness those matters which you defend yourselves against, you will realize that you have engaged in a lifelong practice of taking up energy that could be better directed. It is truly remarkable that this mortal condition provides so much of an avenue for error! And when your mind is freed of these patterns by your awareness, by your selective consciousness to alter your approach to life and to your fellows, your entire existence has the opportunity to free itself. You will have more time, more energy to engage in prayer and meditation.

I am not saying that this propensity is unique to mortals. Nor am I limiting this to the earthly existence for I have seen, and, indeed, been recipient of mortal anger and resentment. And it is impressive how many individuals feel contempt for our Father because they feel familiar with Him as well. Let me now give you back to Daniel who will polish this coin.

DANIEL:  Cherish one another. Cherish each new moment as it is revealed by assuming your birthright. You are in a position to rather sense the true worth and value of your fellows and, as we have said myriad times, direct your love toward the Spirit which indwells that individual before you. Each mortal is intimately loved by our Father. In intimacy you are soul to soul appreciating one another. My… [Long pause] One moment. This transmitter/receiver has been prompted for several days on our lesson material. Your sharing prior to the activation of our lesson was confirming of those prompts. And yet this vehicle is anxious that she is selecting our words. I am holding this lesson in abeyance to reassure this servant of our cooperation in this work [Pause].

Therefore, my fellow workers, when you see affects of your fellows that you do not understand or you do not enjoy, bifurcate that from the person who is becoming. Leave behind those faults and failures which mortal man and mortal woman are heir to. It is important that you ponder these words, for we are needful of your undiluted energies and your focused attention on purpose. The importance of stillness, the importance of making personal regular contact with your Thought Adjuster, your divine nature, is that which flavors your lives individually and whose immediate effect is to flavor your environment as this wellspring of love radiates around you.

I am glad to see, indeed, feel the presence of so many entities here this evening. It is a light which grows in intensity and illuminates far and wide. This divine intimacy of Spirit reality is powerful and merciful. Have mercy on your brethren. Overlook that which has become familiar to you and see with new eyes each day, each moment, the new individual who is growing, who is becoming, and see your own budding morontial personality reflected back to you in their eyes. I am now willing to hear questions or comments. I and Tomas are your trusted friends.

PamElla: Good evening, Daniel and Tomas. Daniel I have a question for you that doesn't have to do with tonight's lesson but relates back to my visit with you Monday night. I have been thinking about what you said to me. I haven't transcribed it yet so probably a lot of what was said is fuzzy. But I have been thinking about the idea of hope. How does one separate hope from expectation? This is the question I want to ask at the moment.

DANIEL:  Greetings, child. Yes, another two sided coin we have before us here in terms of expectation as compared to hope, for one does not apply oneself to hope. Hope is born of the Spirit. It is a natural outpouring, a natural side effect of knowing love in the highest sense. Expectations are born of human perceptions, of need and behavior and culture. Hope is undying because it is of the eternal Father/Mother whereas expectations may adapt with the flip of a coin. The fine line of understanding is in the comprehension that we are expected to be loved. Indeed, we are. Indeed, the love which is held out for you, for all, is that which can be eagerly sought and claimed. It is divine in nature. It is of the First Source and Center. It transcends matter and emotion but is elevated to transcendent realms of reality. When mortal expectations are not met it is not uncommon to become angry with that Divine Parent Whom we have every reason to believe will provide our needs. We, indeed, expect our needs to be met; and as you are not unfamiliar, those things a parent withholds from a child are not to distress the child but rather to open the path for that which is best for the child. This Eternal Parent is seeking for you what you have not dared to seek for yourself. And His will, will prevail and with your cooperation will meet every expectation and every hope. Have my words been helpful?

PamElla:  Yes, Daniel, they have been helpful in that your words are the sort of philosophy that I have thought that I was following intellectually, very much the model from Heidi when her prayers and expectations are not met. And what she learns about God is that the reason is because God has a greater plan. But I am partially confused because I had felt like I should not have hope in circumstances but more in the experience of, not in the specifics, but in general what I was wanting. And I got the impression from you Monday night, that I may have misunderstood, that you were telling me to have hope in the specifics as well as the general concepts, desires, and expectations. And so I guess that is where I am feeling confusion. Is that question clear?

DANIEL:  I believe I hear you and I say, yes, it is in fact fine to lay out your specifics. I will augment that by reminding you that we encourage you in your prayers to be specific for that, then, gives the midwayers and other helpers opportunity to act upon your specific requests, rather than a mere generic prayer or hope. And so, yes, it is expected that you would elucidate your hopes, dreams, plans, aspirations.  Always remember that you are connected to the mortal race, that you are not alone in your relationship with God, that there are as many individual relationships with God as there are individuals, and that each child has developed his or her own approach to destiny, correct or incorrect, as is allowable by that individual's experiential status at that time. I am saying that free will is paramount and that when you develop your hopes in the specifics you will eventually encounter free will of others who have other things in mind. And lest your hopes be dashed it is hoped that you would allow your loving guides to alter that course in ways that more completely fulfill your emotional satisfactions and your growth needs.

In all things, trust, trust in yourself. When life's experiences have washed you ashore do not denounce the ocean or the boat but seek stillness on the beach of life. Be glad and carry on, for there are new hopes ahead as there are new vistas on the horizon.

PamElla: Thank you Daniel. I think I would like to talk more about this with you at another time. I know I can count on you to be there.

DANIEL:  I would also recommend that you have a private session through a mediator as well as our personal chats, for sometimes the balance brought about by hearing yourself in a triad of like minds is beneficial.

PamElla: Thank you Daniel.  I will see if I can arrange that.

Rutha: Good evening Daniel and Tomas. I don't care which one answers this, if you both want to, or whatever. I have a question. It seems when we go through life trying to figure out what is really real, what is reality, it's very easy sometimes to see the negative side, the downside of things. My goal has been to see it in a different light, to try to get a different perspective on it. I was wondering, can we go too much to the other extreme and be Pollyannas? What is the danger of becoming a Pollyanna as opposed to someone who is very negative? And are there some guidelines that either of you could give that would help to be more balanced in seeing reality?

DANIEL:   One moment.

TOMAS:  I am Tomas. Your question is sound. And you recall the words in the book that refer to single-eyed mystics. We are not in the market in these lessons in this mission to make you into saints or Pollyannas. No, we are very much concerned about your ability to function with a well unified personality. It is the natural thing for a God seeking individual to do, to seek unification, for in this wholeness is reality, is truth, is peace of mind. In those situations where one is led or leans too far a field, aberrations will occur. Through seeking spiritual guidance one will be brought back to balance.

Daniel has spoken at length on this before. It is not unfamiliar to you. It is additionally a habit that the human mind develops to focus on the negative as a way of showing that he or she is in tune with the facts of the matter, the traumas of existence in sympathy with difficult situations worldwide. Focusing on these negative situations overmuch is rather like focusing on the disagreeable aspects of your contemporaries. It is only filling your mind with thoughts of justifiable anger and superiority. It is entirely possible and, yes, eminently desirable that intelligent God seeking creative and productive human beings be aware of their world and the problems inherent at that time, indeed, at any given time, for times do change and we are moving into Light and Life. Your perspective falters on occasion, but it is not going to hinder you from grasping that which makes you whole, which makes you feel good, which is your reality, which justifies your joy, that which you seek, that which you find, that which gives meaning to your life. There is much joy in life even apart from spirituality. There are many pleasures. There are many beauties. Be assured that you who have committed yourselves to knowing God will be brought forward into Godlikeness as you are capable and willing in time. I say to you also, have trust and have faith. Your environment is not negative. Your soul is not negative. Your coworkers are not negative. You have much to draw upon and much to keep you balanced. Yes.

Rutha: Yes, Tomas, thanks very much for that answer. And I do appreciate all the balance that I do have around me. And I thank you also for giving me permission at least to have a reality check that there are things that are not totally right with this world, but that we don't need to just dwell on those. I appreciate that. And I want at this time to give my love to you and to Daniel and to all the other help that we have available. Thank you.

TOMAS:  I also love you and Daniel is obviously biased, but I am confident that his love for you has no restrictions.

Rutha: Thank you.

Isaac:   Daniel and Tomas, but Tomas mostly. Hello, this is Isaac. I felt like you guys were being parental tonight and gently chiding us and gently reminding us of some things that are no doubt true but that sometimes are hard to admit, familiarity breeds contempt. I thought I heard you say be careful about getting too familiar with your brothers and sisters in this group or other places where you get annoyed with their behavior and etc. I thought I heard you say, Tomas, that you have experienced mortal anger, probably from some of us; and that even it is surprising how angry we can get at God. Am I correct in that the purpose of this lesson tonight was to provide us with a little gentle chastisement? Or did I miss something and that was not your intention?

TOMAS:  I am not chastising, no. And neither are any of those present this evening. It is not that we are suggesting that you not become familiar with your fellows. And if that was the impression you received, I assume my part of responsibility for error. I am saying, and this you understand is a difficult lesson to express due to the implied criticism inherent in that phrase, it is our consensus that the fine line between familiarity and intimacy ought to be reviewed by each of you to ascertain how familiarity can belittle your relationship with your loved ones, whereas intimacy holds no limitations.

The fact is all of creation is in a state of growth. The changes that you are going through are astounding! And yet much of you is still relying upon that which is familiar, and often times in reverting to the familiar you do yourself and your fellows a disservice because the growth that has taken place has no frame of reference anymore for that which once was familiar. It is an exercise in affirming your connection to love, to Spirit, to that soul which is developing within you and within your peers. This lesson is not intended to chastise anyone. As is sometimes the case, 'if the shoe fits, wear it'. However, it is one of those generic lessons which contains a piece of truth which is usable by anyone caring to investigate its truth.

You have rather all evolved beyond the more negative and belittling facets of familiarity. Your women's liberation has certainly cleaned that act somewhat and your evolution in terms of political correctness has eliminated some of these familiar jokes and assumptions about personalities or races or nations, etc. This group here, as any group anywhere that meets regularly, that shares intimately and deeply in personal growth issues as well as spiritual issues, which truly are the same, is going to encounter that unity in diversity issue. Our true purpose in discussing this, this evening was to answer your individual soul enquiries and to bond you again together as a group. For this family of believers has attained a unique plateau of togetherness which is rare and is extremely satisfying. It is our purpose rather to enable it to develop even greater depths of intimacy and fealty without that meddlesome problem of breeding contempt. Has this clarified, Isaac?

Isaac:   Yes, that was very clarifying. I am a little regretful I used the term 'chastise' because I wasn't personally feeling picked on, [Laughter] or that I felt either of you were really chastising us. But the term came to my mind from the Bible where it says that God chastises his children in order to make them better people. Really, truly that's where the word came from. I really had in mind that you were trying to present us with sort of a touchy subject that does pertain to us, just as you have clearly stated, for the purpose of moving us past to some degree of intimacy so that we don't get hung up on the familiarity part. And yes, Tomas, that was most excellent. Thank you very much.

TOMAS:   Thank you my son.

Leetah: I am another one who is not sure I heard things clearly. I really thank you for that because I felt like intimacy was the step that you would like us to go to so that familiarity with one's spouse doesn't cause contempt or something. [Group breaks up in laughter] I have been in a rare mood all day! But what I think I meant is that there is one thing that did need clarifying. Thank you Isaac for that question. But what I am thinking about is what did I miss about the two sided coin? I understand that hope and expectancy are two sides of a coin. That was made clear. Are you saying that intimacy and familiarity are two sides of a coin also? Or was there something there that I missed prior. Did my mind drift off?

TOMAS:  Your mind is quite clear, Leetah. Your understanding of the reference to two side of a coin was well meant for there are subtle differences, one of which has lasting value, one of which has current value. And the current value sometimes confuses the issue to the point that the lasting value side of the coin is turned face down. I do not mean to overwork that 'flipping the coin' thing but it is such a peculiar custom for you mortals to willy-nilly throw up your hands and say, 'Oh, well, whatever!'

Leetah: "Well Tomas if we are going to continue this I think it is funny that you said that sometimes the lasting side of the coin was heads down. In this case (referring to an earlier coin flipping in the group over at what time to pick up trash) it was heads up for 1:00p.m. So perhaps that means we are going to continue on toward intimacy. And thank you very much. I will get off of this thing. [Group bantering and laughing continues.]

DANIEL:  I am Daniel. I am pleased at the overall reception of our somewhat delicate and/or testy lesson for this evening. It is, as Tomas has said, a subtle point but one which is well taken under advisement. For, indeed, the mortal condition is often times humorous and the more you can find value and worth and enjoyment in your peers the less irksome they become. And we are utterly selfish in this regard for we want your undivided attention and focus on higher realities, and we need your minds on our mission purpose. It is, as always, a joy to spend time with you. I am glad to have returned from one of those outside ventures which was necessary and, indeed, productive of soul development. And yet it is, as you say, always good to come home. I trust you will not bear me ill will if I make reference to that endearment of familiarity.

I am going to take Tomas and myself out for a cup of tea. And I am releasing you from our onerous lesson to rather find delight among yourselves and in your studies. I believe you are perusing the Lucifer Rebellion. Laugh, children, and be glad that we today celebrate freedom from this debilitating claim that was laid upon your world for so long. In that context I will again give you, offer you, expose to you my intimate love and say, farewell.

*****

DATE:  November, 4, 1994
TEACHERS:  DANIEL, TOMAS
TOPIC:  Organizing the Mind for Service

DANIEL (TR #2):  I am Daniel.  Good evening my friends.  I am pleased to be here with you, as always.  As usual it is my honor to be involved in your growth processes, in your search for meaning in your lives, for truth as it relates to you in your social environment, with your peers and in your mind. 

Peace of mind is a fleeting experience.  In the blink of an eye a conviction can alter, can waver.  And yet assuredly when this wavering subsides, like a leaf floating to the ground, it will find substance on which to rest thereby bringing about your fragile peace of mind once again.

My friends, your mind is a magnificent article loaned to you for your experience, for your decision making process, for your enjoyment, and for your delight in wasting time as well.  For your mind, this magnificent gift, is capable of all manner of creative and destructive, orderly and chaotic, and productive [ideas].   Many, many and various things can the mind do!  Your 'saving grace' is to give your mind the freedom to find its most gracious space, that being that state of surrender and cooperation as a result of having given your entire being over to the guidance of our supernal guides and our Ultimate Source and Center.  When your mind is firmly fixed on true reality the variations are more easily discernible and, indeed, become less significant, for in the face of your being, your potential, the mind is then an adjunct to be used at the service of the Creator. 

Indeed, it is possible to put yourself into a mindset of happiness or sadness, anger or joy by the use of your decision making abilities.  Your mind is capable of many wondrous things in conjunction with the Universal Mind; and in cooperation with like minds great things can be accomplished.  The mind is given to you to make decisions.  You have made the ultimate decision to follow your destiny career into eternity in service of our Father and His creation.  Your mind has garnered the truth of the joy of service to one another. 

Having now made that primary decision all subsequent decisions are, yes, subject to your free will and you can find value in daydreaming, in musing, in worrying, in concentrated effort, focalized effort, or you can allow your mind to float from one place to another like the leaf on the air current without direction and without effect.  We have spoken to you many times regarding your focused attention and we come now to the focal point that being a mind well fixed, well centered on your spirit reality and where your combined intelligence can lead, not just you, but your group, your family, and your planet.

DANIEL: (TR #1)   Your intelligence and your ability to garnish the fruits of the mind given to you must rely on your ability to put forth another effort, and this effort is that of trust.  Often does your mind serve to play games in this arena.  Often do you vacillate between what is inwardly, emotionally, and spiritually known, to that which is surface or what appears to be more logical. 

In the realm of the ability to serve one must be able to integrate all areas of their lives, to focalize their energies more potently.  As you strengthen your ability to become more conscious of life's purpose your ability to serve grows as well.  It is through the arena of faith and trust that this growth of service receives its greatest input.  Dear friends, we teachers have solicited your attention on many occasions to witness the experience of the realities of your life, that through these experiences you can realize, you begin to see with more wisdom and greater perspective.  The mind thus follows dutifully the inward knowing and thereby supports the whole system of allowing you to be of true and genuine service.  Our continued support for you in this area will remain. 

While there are certainly times in your individual lives where the total understanding is negligent, this does not support [the idea] that there is not continued growth, continued progress and the reaching of potential.  As you approach your quiet time daily give that thanks for your mind and your faith and your trust, that through these combined efforts there can be the call to serve one another in many and varied capacities.  Know that service is so diverse that in some instances it can be easily given.  In other it will require much personal stake and ability to give more than normal. 

Realize that your call to the Father and Mother is to understand that the purpose of life exceeds that of a material realm.  The good for all is not always known.  The call to serve is not always understood in its entirety.  What is important is that the willingness and the desire to serve be a foundation on which service can be provided. 

As your teachers, Tomas and I are extremely fortunate that we are able to serve in this capacity.  All of your personal teachers likewise are extremely grateful for their ability to be of the mindset of service toward the creatures of the universes.  We are but a step ahead, yet we see in your individual lives great potential and willingness, a great desire to be about the Father's business, a great desire to support and love one another.  We see in you great mindal ability and the utilization of that which has been given to you being used in fruitful and productive arenas.  We are grateful for your willingness to allow that which you are experiencing to play a role in your lives.  Faith and the inward knowing, trust and the outward doing are on the same wavelength.  Each supports one another. 

Tomas is with us this evening but has elected to give his love and his thanks.  I am now open for questions.

Isaac:  Good evening Daniel and Tomas, this is Isaac.  I wish to express my gratitude to you for this particular lesson.  I'm sure it is generic but it certainly applied and does apply to me and my concerns.  I thank you for your encouragement and pep talk and elucidating the many things that I look forward to in typing the transcript to better remember.  But I know there is a great deal of meat for me to chew on.  And I am very grateful.  That's all.

DANIEL: (TR #1)   Thank you for your words.  It is a service you perform very lovingly in providing these transcripts for the many.  We give you our thanks.

PamElla: Good evening Daniel.  I, too, thank you for the lesson. Part of me feels somewhat resistant to the lesson because I don't want to take responsibility for my feelings.  I don't really know that when I recognize that I have the power to change how I feel, then I have to own up to, perhaps, that I am feeling how I am feeling because I want to.  And I really don't want to examine that.  So I think I have been drifting in and out of your lesson rather than paying rapt attention.  I also will look forward to reading the transcript and seeing all that is there.

But one question that did come to my mind during the lesson concerned trust.  About a year ago I had decided that I really learned that all I had to do was ask and receive.  It seemed like I used to be able to ask for trust and I got trust and ask for faith and I got faith and ask for patience and I got patience.  I thought it was really miraculous.  I feel like lately when I ask for trust, I don't get it.  When I ask for faith, I don't get it.  And I figure that has to be me blocking it rather than God; or me not having proper perception to see it.  I was wondering if you could address that for me.

DANIEL: (TR #1)   Indeed are all people's minds capable of choosing the perception and the outlook on any given situation.  Often times when you have prayed the prayers were formed in such a way that it is not possible at this point for there to be total understanding of the gifts that are given. 

The love of the First Source and Center is so powerful and so inclusive but this love cannot nor would not ever invade any free will creature's ability to choose.  And it is often this very point of choosing that brings forth the knowledge that gifts are bestowed.  Often in requests is there a greater need that is not fully cognizant to you the individual, that only the soul and the Indwelling Spirit are in liaison communication with.  Hence your ability to understand gifts bestowed is limited.  This is often the case. 

Another case is that of motive, of truly wanting faith but not wanting it at the same time because of facing responsibility.  In anyone's life there are times when responsibility is easy to accept and then there are those times when it is more difficult.  And there are times when it is seemingly impossible.  However, it is also decreed that one is not given more than one can handle.  One must allow in handling any situation to turn over and let go and that God will, indeed, provide support and answers.  Often this is the neglected key to solving one's dilemma.  If one has doubt about God truly being there then the witnessing of gifts is not seen. One can begin to comprehend the ability to trust, to love, to have faith and etc., if one can begin to see beyond the immediate boundaries. 

In times of crisis allow instinct to take over.  This time of year we see this in nature.  The earth is now shutting down and preparing for the winter.  The animals are gathering food.  Others, like the birds, are instinctively heading south.  Inwardly you can rely on instinct.  This is knowledge and trust that, yes, after the barrenness of winter that spring and new life abounds.  Nature trusts instinctively. 

In your mechanism you have built in instincts as well.  Truly must you realize that trust is a factor in this for if it were not so you could not make it through the next minute!  You rely on your body to function and your organs to function in synchronicity together. You instinctively breathe in and out.  This is a matter of trust.  You turn over and allow the body to do that which it is supposed to do.

In your own affairs, then, trust and ask that God be genuinely a part of your day.  When the stress and trials and relationships of the day interfere it is often easy to shut off oneself from that great Source of strength.  Hence when one turns from that Source one begins to feel the inability to trust, to love, etc. 

In concluding this statement let me again ask you to not allow the pride and ego of self to take away from the inward and higher sense of what you are.  Always will there be this struggle of what one truly deems his highest value and what the ego wants materially on this plane. However, you, my friends, are all rising more and more above that aspect.  Truly are you seeking and are more desirous of higher purpose.  And so while there are times when you feel lost and incapable of knowing the fruits of God's love, take rest as does the earth.  Seek a time of quiet and solitude that the barrenness of what you feel can, again, bring forth life; and the waters of eternal grace can nourish and provide you with the rebirth and the renewal of your opening back up to God's love. Has this helped?

PamElla: Yes, Daniel, you have certainly said a lot.  Instinctually I guess I have felt like hibernating and turning in and waiting it out.  Your earlier lesson had me feeling guilty like I should be doing it better, that I should just flip the switch and be on with things, I guess.  So I found that very comforting and very helpful because right now I really do doubt -- I don't remember how you put it but I do doubt God and it feels like a real catch 22.  I know that that is the problem but because I am doubting I can't receive the trust and the faith so that I then can't experience God.  So I feel in a real downspin and therefore the idea of just doing what seems instinctual for right now and waiting it out sounds very good.  So thank you very much for your extended words.  I appreciate them.

DANIEL: (TR #1)   In all of your lives there are the peaks, the valleys, and the plateaus.  Always are you on one of these levels.  And it is your knowledge and understanding that this is a process of growth and experience; to realize that you cannot always remain on the peak, that there is also time when you must crawl from the valley to reach the peak, you must take those steps, you must work to gain those heights.  And also is there the time when you can take rest on the plateau.  It is not possible for those of material status to remain in stasis.  Rather is your life constantly in a state of flux/movement, of growing and receding, growing and receding, each time processing and learning inwardly.  That inward learning and strength building does in the long run support your outer life.  There is much joy, but there is also struggle and pain in reaching the peak. 

And so to all of you, enjoy even the valley, the low times in your life.  Enjoy them because through this struggle you are gaining added universal insight, even if it is not understood at this moment.  Life is a process and a time to experience.  And so even in the most difficult of experiences there can also be a ray of hope, a shining symbol of greater things to come, of understanding garnished.

PamElla: Thank you Daniel.  Those are beautiful words.

Leetah: Daniel and Tomas, I really don't have a question.  I am just so grateful for the lessons of the last three years, and the support and the experience of my own personal life.  I am just grateful for Christ Michael and for you people who volunteered to come down or come over.  But I am glad for your presence and very grateful for all the elements of the Teaching Mission that have, I know, helped me.  I am just very grateful.  Thank you.

DANIEL: (TR #1)    And, of course, we all thank all of you.

DANIEL: (TR #2)   I add that our experience and our former mortal existences were in service to our fellows much as your lives are in service to your peers.  And this theme is consistent throughout our career, that we are well trained and well pleased to serve in this capacity as teachers.  It is something that comes more naturally as time goes by.  You, in your ascension, will attain those levels of understanding which will, also, induce you to want to go into the wilderness and serve your underlings, your children in truth. 

My friends, my celestial comrades and I have begun to ascertain a deal of peace of mind in your group.  And since we started this discussion on that note it is thus fruitful to conclude on a similar note.  My dear ones this, as we have discussed, is ongoing and time consuming and thought provoking.  Growth is not accomplished in the blinking of an eye, but that you consistently return for further guidance and depend on our overcare for your spiritual nurturance, [to this] we are devoted.  In your comings and goings this week, in your private musings, in whatever emotional or mindal condition allow your mind to rest in the arms of our beloved Mother/Father and be at peace in your entire being.  Whether you sorrow or whether you rejoice, allow you mind to rest with our First Source and Center and experience true peace of mind.  It is like the snowball rolling downhill.  It gains momentum.  And you are more adept at finding that place of mental alertness and harmony at the same time, thereby finding life's experiences enjoyable through a full spectrum of feelings.  Peace and farewell.

Group:   Good night Daniel.

*****

DATE:  November 11, 1994
TEACHERS:  DANIEL, TOMAS
TOPIC:  More About Faith

DANIEL:   Greetings, I am Daniel, your friend, your teacher and your guide.  As in the past I am delighted to be here as a servant and as one who has, like yourselves, walked the material pathway.  In this regard I am in understanding of your humanness, your joys, and your struggles.  And as Tomas and I listened to your dialogue this evening we concurred that, indeed, the experience of a material life is one that will and does generate a great amount of wisdom that in the future will serve you.  We understand the aspect of faith, for even those who traverse the morontia worlds and beyond live through faith.  And so it is befitting tonight that I address this issue.

Faith is, as you well know from previous lessons, that quality, that gift which consumes the life of an individual.  It is that which is often seemingly fleeting; however for those who at some point in their existence have turned over in faith is there then ingrained in their ongoing potential, in their soul growth, that seed.  It has been planted.  Faith is that which you hold on to not knowing.  This is the part that is difficult, that brings you to question, the 'not knowing'.  However, you must raise your consciousness regarding that aspect.

Faith is not so much 'not knowing' but is in reality the ability to commit in the spectrum of what you already know and have experienced.  Your past helps to bolster and bring you into higher and higher modes of faith.  There are in your lives those times when this gift seems out of reach, appears distant; yet if you are truly knowledgeable regarding the First Source and Center, if you have accepted your personal relationship with God, then this gift of faith you must know is certainly there, regardless of the present perception. 

It is our concern that you all work to provide spiritual waters so that the fruits of the faith that you know can continue to ripen; that the storms of your everyday living do not break the fruits from the tree that they do not dry up and wither away.  The secret to providing the protective barrier for faith resides in the daily communication, prayer, worship and thanksgiving with the Indwelling Spirit.  In stillness is there given nutrients, the essential minerals necessary to carry on.  Have you not witnessed in your life guidance and understanding from a source deeper than your own intellect?  This is verification for you that, indeed, God is working in your lives. 

And so during the time when storms abound take shelter in the sturdy limbs, the strong trunk, and the bounteous fruit that your faith has developed. Tomas would like to say a few words this evening as well.

TOMAS:   Yes, I am Tomas and I am pleased as well to be among you in the Spirit and in faith.  Your walk through life in faith is much like that nebulous and ethereal ideal of being able to waft through time and space without overmuch bumping into doors or stumbling awkwardly on experiential stones.  Faith is able to carry you in spite of your fears and misgivings into new realms of experiential comprehension. 

Your efforts in this life are overworked greatly.  This is habitual behavior.  Your text speaks of faith that you do not live up to the faith that you truly have.  This is not a negative comment, no, but a challenge and an invitation to grasp that idea that your faith is great and that you can walk through storms, trials, tribulations, aggressions, abuses and sorrows without faltering.  And then having taken note that your path has taken you along these many extraordinary life experiences without mishap, without critical error, without downfall, without distress you now see, indeed, your great faith is in the hands of your Indwelling Strength.  And on this you know you can rely. 

It is not presumptuous, my friends, to depend on your faith.  It is not prideful to acknowledge your faith, your acceptance of your deep and abiding faith which is alive and growing within you as you traverse your path.  It is that strength that will lead you into your eternal destiny as Daniel and I, and myriad others, are also following that thread of faith as a pulley that will pull us up, often even blindly, yet ever forward.  Begin to assume that confidence born of this feeling of faith which you see flickering in your lives individually and in others, but grasp it as actual and literal and true.  I return it to Daniel.

DANIEL:   Thank you Tomas for your assuring and wise words.  Have faith, my friends, not only in the spiritual aspect of your ascension, but ground your faith also in your material lives, acknowledging daily that through God all things are possible, through God all things are handled.  This total commitment of knowing from the aspect of body, mind, and spirit will assist you greatly in understanding and in living life.  Have faith that, indeed, the First Source and Center is working in individuals and throughout the universes.  That which is on an individual basis transforms and grows proportionally into groups, communities, nations, continents, planets, local universes, and universes.  All are working and striving for the same goal.  Have faith in one another.  Are there questions?

PamElla: Daniel, those were lovely words and they were very satisfying to me.  Somehow every time I hear you say to remember that all things are possible with the First Source and Center it feels like I have just received a shot or something.  I forget that often.

I do have a question that doesn't pertain to our discussion and I was going to hold it off, but then I was afraid that no one was going to ask a question and you would sign off.  I would like to ask about a thought I had today.  I was talking to a young friend of mine about how we had all this help that kind of sets up circumstances for us to either grow from or gain faith from or whatever, and I was thinking about time and about how you have said that you ascending beings are not in time as we are.  And I saw our lives laid out linearly like on the table in front of us where if we were looking at a number line there we are at one period of time and time is moving as we move across this table.  And that you and other beings certainly higher beings that are out of time could reach into time and intercede at any point.  This gave me a very strange thought that perhaps you speak to me in what I perceive as the future as well as what I perceive in the past, only you are perceiving it more as at once in your time frame.  Is that true?  Or are you right in time with us moving linearly along?

DANIEL:   Question understood.  Let me assist you in understanding that even Tomas and I are, indeed bound in time, for we are still in the ascension mode of gaining the status of spirit.  Our perception of time, however, is not so scheduled, so limited as that which you understand.  It is necessary for your day to day living for there to be organization and ongoing life.  So, indeed, are we bound in time, but we can see it from a different vantage point.  And the passage of time as you speak is not as important in our context as is the purpose of that which we do.  That which we do is very concentrated, so that through the work, service, study, etc., we gain the optimum or provide the optimum of that experience.  And with this being the objective or goal, time becomes elusive or not important.

In dealing with you mortals on this plane, indeed, has the focus of linear time become more conscious in our thoughts in order that we can work with you.  We cannot know your futures nor can we move to and from in that regard.  We understand your desire, your commitment, your longing to know truth, your longing to fulfill potential, your longing to be faithful and of faith.  In this regard, then, do we work through your time span to help clarify and heighten your perceptions.  Has this helped?

PamElla: Yes, Daniel.  I think I understand that.  Would my description apply to God then, rather than you, about being outside of time in that way.  And is that why all things are possible?

DANIEL:   God, the First Source and Center, is not time bound as you have so stated.  God, the evolving Supreme, is the God of time-reference experience in our ascension careers.

PamElla: Thank you, Daniel.
TOMAS:   May I remark?
PamElla: Of course.

TOMAS:   Your words that 'with God all things are possible' is certainly true, providing, of course, that they are His will.  It is a common fallacy among ascendant beings to project their highest values upon the First Source and Center and presume that their highest value is the will of God.  You will recall that this is not necessarily so.  It is therefore a consideration that when you ponder the truth that 'with God all things are possible' it is His outworking that is infinitely possible, and often this outworking result is not the same as that which might have been ideally perceived as 'His will' by the fledgling soul of the mortal.  That is all.

PamElla:   Yes, Tomas, I would agree in that caution.  But also when I have sought answers to what it is that is God's will and wanted specifics.  I have always been told that God's will is such things as peace and love and harmony. This I have come to understand.   And I am wondering now if you are contradicting -- that if one desires such things, say, in relationships, that this would be in alignment with God's will?  And, yes, we would have to question.  I wasn't talking about winning the sweepstakes or something like, but the sorts of things that one could perceive as within the realm of God's will.  I asked about this idea of exact details, if God had a will for exact details and I have been told, or my understanding of that was, no, that God wished goodness, beauty, truth, harmony, that sort of thing.

TOMAS:   Truly.  I am prompted to make reference now to the Most Highs who rule in the kingdoms of men and this rather falls in line with your national political season discussion as well.  But although the will of the First Source and Center may be perceived in relative perfection in your soul's satisfaction, your comprehension through your relationship with your First Source and Center, there are also those aspects of government and subsequent and actual and even linear activities which are not necessarily absolute but which are also reality and which are also His will.  The time comprehension of ideology is fragmented as life becomes more finite and thus denser.  And yet it is in keeping with that will of the Universal Upholder which maintains order over all things.  I fear I have been too broad in my response and will happily bail myself out and allow your beloved Daniel to prevail.

PamElla: Thank you, Tomas.

Leetah: Daniel and Tomas, I have been reading in 'Spheres of Light and Life', and in the golden ages section of the book I read this, and so I would just like you to comment on if, indeed, because of this can we say we have a lot of teachers from advanced light and life?  It says, 'when a settled world progresses beyond the third stage of Light and Life all ascenders are destined before attaining the minor sector to receive some sort of transient assignment on a planet passing through the earlier stages of evolution'.  And needless to say, Urantia qualifies as one of the earlier stages.  So I am just wondering if many of the teachers are from planets that are beyond the third stage of Light and Life?

DANIEL:   Of course there are many that are.  But there is a broad spectrum of teachers necessary for the ascension of teachers themselves as well as for the variations in humans, those receiving teachers.  There is to a certain degree some sort of compatibility that benefits the human that is to be matched with a teacher who is suited mindally or spiritually or physically or a varied degree of these three.  Are you understanding?"

Leetah; Yes, Daniel, I am.  Thank you.  I can certainly see why that would apply.  I was just curious when I read that.  I appreciate so much the teachers and would certainly thank you all again.  And give my regards to Klarixiska.

DANIEL:   Klarixiska asks that you give your regards personally. [Outburst of laughter]  She enjoys the camaraderie.  She is most thankful for your willingness to allow her to speak so frequently, so boldly, so lovingly to you.

In parting this evening let it be known that Howard no longer is chained by the physical apparatus and constraints, but is on to the next phase.  And be assured that ascension is in place.  This man has great love.  Cherish that which was as the reminder that love only grows when it comes from deep within.  Upon leaving this plane there is a greater understanding of this concept. 

Tomas and I give you our love and peace, asking that this week you take time to consider the fortune that you do have, that the understanding that you have is a great contributing factor to your faith.  Ask in the name of doing the will of God that [your] faith is not deceptive but is real.  Good evening.

Group:   Good evening.

*****

DATE:  November 18, 1994
TEACHERS:  DANIEL
TOPIC:  Human and Divine Comportment

DANIEL:   Hello my friends.  I am Daniel.  I am happy again to be with you in this gathering.  I am struggling with a weak circuit.  I am nonetheless convinced we can focus and proceed this evening without undue interference.

My beloved family, we are united in purpose and ideals.  Your progress over the course of these many months has been dramatic; even if it is not known by you, it is manifest in your growing.  You are not idle as you sit in these sessions and absorb attitudes, words, and concepts.  No, but rather you are fertile soil receiving these seeds into your deep recesses.  And like seeds planted deeply after a period of dormancy, perhaps even after a season of frozen earth, the seed begins to struggle into existence; for it is the nature of that life in that seed to emerge into full flower, as you avail yourselves of the sun and the water of our words as sanctioned by our Father/Brother Michael.  You garner that nourishment that allows your seed to unfurl.  I am amazed at the fertility which we find in these souls who avail themselves for spirit guidance! 

It is also amazing that so many individuals come for curiosity and intellectual bantering!  It is not an intellectual process which we are engaged in.  Indeed, we in this Teaching Corps and you in this Teaching Mission are well acquainted with the methods used, the values promoted in our program.  The fruits of a righteous life, the fruits of the Spirit are personal and meaningful in ways which will never satisfy the intellect or excite the curiosity of those who come for other than soul growth.  It is that which you will teach when you proceed into your arenas as seniors, if not graduate students of the Melchizedek schools. 

It is not an academic course that we teach.  Many of you here and beyond are educated; and this is, indeed, the age of the educator.  It is wise, yes, to have knowledge and expertise in order to facilitate service in your arenas, in your fields in the kingdom of men and even in the work of spreading your seeds of truth, beauty, and goodness in your temporal and imperfect environment.  And yet the true worth, the true substance of your being, your contribution, is in how you live the gospel in your life and with you fellows.  That is what you will be noticed for and remembered for.  Indeed, children do not learn from their parents what the parents tell them but how the parents behave.  And so we ask you to observe how you behave in your relationship with yourself and subsequently with your world.

TOMAS:   I am Tomas.  I am also here and glad to perceive your presences.  We are all aware of your turbulence, your inner growth.  Be not surprised at these uprisings.  Ride them out.  (pause)

 It is a difficult connection this evening for which we make no apology but do make reference.  It is unfortunate that humans are subject to frailties which make clearer contact difficult.  And yet it is also a blessing and noteworthy that contact can be made at all, considering your condition at large. 

In the matter of carrying yourself into your world with equanimity and confidence, dare we say faith in your convictions of your beingness, your lack of fear in the long run will help turn the tide.  For, as you know, love is more catching than hate.  Do not allow the vagaries of your planetary condition to undermine your growing strengths.  You are the light of the world, not because you mean to be, but because you are willing to follow spiritual guidance by way of the Spirit of Truth, with the assistance of your supernal guides and in the company of your intimate peers. 

My friends, many convoluted chaotic energies abound.  Recall the moon is full and this does affect animal beings.  Since we have no worry that you will turn into werewolves, we, Daniel and I, open this parlance to your involvement.

Isaac:  Daniel and Tomas, on behalf of the group, I would like to introduce to you A.D. He is a member of our other group that studies the book and he is here with us for the first time.

DANIEL:   My pleasure.  I am Daniel and as primary host of this Pocatello fellowship it befalls me to verbalize my greetings.  And I do so gladly.  It is front running of you to seek us out here.  And this is beneficial for your growth and pleasing to your fellows.  We are aware that fellow religionists need each other and we welcome you as a reader of the Fifth Epochal Revelation and as a peer in the ministry of Michael.  Welcome, Allen, and we look forward to a continued fellowship with you in time to come.

Leetah: Hello, Daniel and Tomas.  This week when I was proof reading the transcript from last Friday I noticed a wonderful change in the visualization of the lesson that you gave us.  One of your early lessons, Daniel, had us as a tree, being careful that we bent with the wind so that our trunk would not break and that our roots would be firm.  This week as I was reading it I realized that you had put fruit on the tree.  We were to be careful that the wind didn't knock them down before they were mature.  I thought that was a wonderful visual picture of the growth that you see in us even though we don't see it in ourselves.  I thank you for the very words that you give to us because it is encouraging.

DANIEL:   You are also encouraging to us, for your delight at your own growth reflected back to you causes you such joy.  You are our children and as parents do we look for your growth and your acknowledgement of your own growth.  Thus you develop maturity.  For have we not been admonished to grow as children into spiritual adulthood?  This is a process and the fact that you acknowledge your own fruit is our delight. It is also noteworthy that fruit ripens, yes.

Leetah: Thank you.

PamElla: Good evening Daniel and Tomas.  You have both said things I would like to respond to.  Daniel, I don't remember exactly how or what you said, oh, you told us to look at our behavior.  And I have been, and I don't like my behavior! [Laughing] And then Tomas you came along with I suppose, reassurance.  That has helped somewhat, the words of 'riding it out'.  And then telling us we are the light of the world, not because we choose to be.  But I am having a tough time riding it out right now. I was thinking as I was driving up here tonight that I feel like just quitting. I just feel -- well not really!  It's temporary.  Long term, of course, I don't feel like quitting but superficially I do.  It is really frustrating to me to look at my behavior and feel my emotional flares against people, and kind of enjoy it even!  Like someone take the right of me and call them a name in my mind. [Laughing]  It's just -- I don't know.  I'm just hoping that I have heard you, Daniel, correctly that this is just emotional stuff that is being cleansed, and it, too, will pass because I'm not liking my behavior and I'm not feeling very motivated to change it.  I don't know if you want to respond to that or not.

DANIEL:   Certainly, I do!  I am Daniel and for your awareness I am smiling, for nowhere is it written that we have come to make you saints. We have come to help you learn to be real.  Real is not only spiritual.  You are also mortal.  You are not asked to be Jesus but to be yourself.  And sometimes your self loses patience.  Sometimes your self grows weary.  Recall even the Master grew impatient with his apostles and asked how long must He bear with them.  And yet they stayed.

You, of course, can stay home.  But we know that you are that cantankerous kind of a child who will not miss out on anything interesting, even if you disagree. [Group laughter]  It is interesting to note that so many of you mortals are so trapped in a Christian mindset of what behavior should be.  Godlikeness includes truth.  And sometimes truth is not particularly pretty.  And yet how often do we couch truth in saccharine words and flattering poses all of which serve only to put off that growth for that individual.  Look to your motives, child.  Look deep into your being, for you are, indeed, a soul of perfection striving.  And you are led by your God Fragment which is truly perfect.  Your behaviors cannot be so terribly far off base that you would have cause to berate yourself for having feelings. 

Lord knows, there are circumstances running rampant on your world and in your immediate environment that need calling attention to!  As you grow wiser, you will, perhaps, learn different ways of letting your thoughts and feelings, your reactions and your responses be known.  But also remember that the denseness of mortal mind is such that often a barb is what is required to awake that person from a lethargy of their own non-action, and therefore their own stifled evolution, and I remind you, your own delayed evolution, since we are all in this together.  You are working, child.  Give yourself a pat on the back for being real.

PamElla: Thank you very much, Daniel.  I guess I hear you in addition to everything else telling me I don't always have to be nice. [Laughter and comments from the group]

DANIEL:   This gives rise to an earlier lesson we have discussed having to do with conditioning.  And, indeed, 'little girls are sugar, spice, everything nice'.  And heaven forbid that they should smell bad or sound vulgar!  And yet little girls and little boys are human beings with feelings and aspirations and a need to be acknowledged.  If we cannot get our souls acknowledged, which is the true font of appreciation of our being, then, perhaps an occasional snit is in order.

Leetah: Daniel and Tomas, I'm not even sure why I want to comment on this except that it was such a wonderful relief and insight for me.  I was reading in the paper on the Universal Unity.  There is a verse in the Bible that has always just driven me nuts because I felt like it was so unjust, 'to him who has shall more be given; and to him that has not,  shall be taken away even that which he has'.  That just used to drive me up a wall because I felt like it was so unjust, so unfair!  I was reading in 'universal evolutionary repercussions' and I was so encouraged to realize that this was referring to living up to spiritual insight that has been given to us, that as we live up to that spiritual insight more is given.  And if we don't live up to that then it has to be taken away because it is regression rather than growth.  And I was just really pleased to have a permanent explanation of that verse that used to just uh -- I didn't understand how God could say that because it was in terms of material things, I thought.

DANIEL:   Unfortunately it has always been a problem with mankind interpreting Jesus' words in the literal sense.  His kingdom is not of the material world, but a spiritual kingdom.  The truth of the scripture lies not with material plentitude, but with capacity.  For as you develop the ability to handle certain insights and subsequent responsibilities you are given more.  It is along the lines of the pint and the quart.  It is not quantity but quality.  Your conditioning, again, is referenced, for so much of your understanding of how the kingdom prevails is colored by biblical reference, cultural reference, DNA, mores.  So much of what you are, and I mean 'you' in the plural is not you at all, but that which you have taken upon yourself in order to survive, in order to fend, in order to find some identity with which you could relate to your society.  The ultimate identification with one another is that Spiritual Core which through humility and through love accepts each unique individual as a very precious expression of its own Beingness, not that which has been perpetrated on it.  This is an ongoing eternal process, to become who you are destined to be, and to be who you are destined to become.  What a supernal adventure!

Leetah: Thank you.

Rutha:  Hello, Daniel and Tomas.  I would be remiss if I did not take advantage of being able to ask questions.  I have had some problems with control issues lately and my question isn't dealing with what's going on now because I understand that now.  My question is, when we get to the morontia worlds are we still going to have a lot of control issues that we have to work through?  That is a curiosity question.

DANIEL:   Whose control is it that you are concerned about?  Is it your control of others, or others control over you?

Rutha:   My control over others.  I am a parent, trying to control kids you know. [Laughter]

DANIEL:   Your 'control issues' will be significantly lessened when you have no one to have control over.  It will be an adaptation of behavior which you in your willingness will quickly learn.  For, as you well know, the role of parent/supervisor/administrator can be stressful and energy draining when your word is the final say. When you attain morontial levels either here or there you will recognize the difference between those areas over which you needn't worry yourself, for they are not your domain, and those areas which are your domain by right of your motherhood.  Your skills are not less in any regard.  Be good to yourself and to your charge.  Remember that in time you will be sisters more than parent and child.  So, for now, enjoy the child.  Be a child with your child and learn together about adult responsibilities and control issues, and limitations.

Rutha:  Thank you Daniel.  There is hope in the aspect that you said that when we reach morontial levels that we will have broader perspectives of knowing what is control and what isn't.  It would be nice if there were a few guidelines that were given in the Fifth Epochal Revelation concerning that.  It appears to me that a lot of the things that are said about parenting were written in a day and an age when it was maybe looked at from a different angle.  There was more respect given to authority, more respect in what adults had to say and what it appears that the young of today have.  I intend fully to resolve a lot of these issues and I do strive, as you well know, to be the child again, and to realize from that perspective.  I guess my question was more will we still be working on these kinds of problems when we reach the morontial worlds.  I think you have answered that. Thank you.

DANIEL:   Yes, and as you well know that you take up there where you leave off here.  It is always and forever the relationship of the parent and the child, however, that is the guiding factor in your relationships with all your dealings, whether they be your children, your students, your parents, your enemy, your spouse or your God.  You can aspire to have love, not unconditional, no, for your desire to instill value and behavior patterns is noble.  Reflect that your value patterns are largely the imprint of that which was taught to you and therefore, again, you are speaking to some extent of a position of your conditioning.  It is true that in the good old days children obeyed their parents more readily than they do in this situation/generation today, but they also feared more and laughed less, and cried less together.  The barriers of rigid behavior structures are modifying.  We, of course, do not want them to collapse completely.  But there are necessary modifications in order for young people to be in their own right, as is true with each new upcoming generation.  Do you agree?

Rutha:  Yes, Daniel, thank you.  I was thinking while you were talking that even though this may be a trying time for parents now it's part of our evolutionary growth in order for us to break down the barriers of religions that are very dominant and tell a person exactly how to live; that maybe when children can be more outspoken they can be freethinkers and be able to realize a more personal relationship with God, rather than based on what comes from any pulpit or whatever.  I thank you for your words.  You helped me, as usual, to come around.

DANIEL:   Remember that authoritarianism has done much to turn man away from God, Who is perceived as the ultimate authority.  It is a rebellious nature on this rebellious planet!  Do not be surprised at the aberrated behaviors humans delight in.  It is a natural consequence of default and isolation.  Look always beyond the obvious to see that which is embedded in the soul of the individual, in your soul, and that of your fellows.

I have now extended this vehicle far enough for one session.  I am always happy to be here and always somewhat saddened to end our sessions.  And yet the soul satisfaction which is garnered makes me, like you, eager to climb that bloody hill next week to see how this seed can be further fertilized toward fruition.  Farewell.

*****

DATE:  November 25 1994
TEACHERS:  DANIEL, TOMAS
TOPIC:  Is the Glass Half Full or Half Empty?

DANIEL:   Young friends, I am Daniel, your teacher, your guide and your companion.  My profound blessings upon this group this evening in the wake of your honorary holiday of Thanksgiving.  The spirit realms do not set aside a day particularly to give thanks, but rather each moment is an opportunity to rejoice and appreciate the plenty and the companionship of those whom we regard as our family in the spirit. 

Your sharing time and your parable regarding the glass being half full or empty is in some ways a manner of enlarging this thanksgiving message in terms of family, for your individual understanding of emotional content and well being are resultant from your relationship with your earth family.  The nurturing and value implanting which has gone on from your conception, the values which you have known and cherished as viable loving reality has formed your characters and set in motion those realities of earthly existence which better your path and those with whom you share.

The sad truth is that these family foundations are all relatively outlined for review inasmuch as there are millions whose concept of family is utterly different, is more extended and is made to include ancestors and generations as a living legacy; many of whom are incorporated into the family gatherings, and thus generations share this longitude of tradition and filiality. 

On the other side of the spectrum there are those who perceive they are without family.  And, indeed, many are without connection to earth people.  They have been uprooted or alienated or severed or have wandered away in search of that depth of value which is the calling of the soul for the embrace of belonging and acceptance by your own kind. To be welcomed at meat and acknowledged as kin is one of the most primal and primary needs of mortal men and women. In view of the variations of existing family life on your dear world it is probably our hope to enlarge the need which emerges in individuals to feel that bonding, that kinship, that fraternity so as to include all aspects of an extended family.  And herein we see that the cup is, at this point, half full, half empty, half there. 

In fulfilling your need of belonging in this realm and in this aspect, your kinship is in need of nurturing and expansion to invite your fellows to the feast of life, to the family gatherings of sons and daughters of the living God, the gathering together of all nations and faiths.  We have a large order in front of us, my children!  And we seek your assistance in our efforts.  It is, of course, not a perfection that will be accomplished before next year or next century, but the scope of our pitchers are such that you may pour your living waters freely to [fill the glasses of] your sisters and brothers, children all, and know that your 'cup runneth over'.

The ultimate embrace of brothers and sisters is that embrace of the Paradise Father of all.  That is the source, indeed, of all yearning, to return to the bosom and loving arms of Parent and Hearth.  The sense of connection and assurance of affection is bestowed equally upon all of God's children.  In your work in the field reflect and consider that our Divine Parent indwells each mortal, the ruffian as well as the model citizen, the ragamuffin and the princess, all of unlovely mankind is your workplace.  Truly once you begin to identify and see your commonality with mankind, from that vantage point of understanding the feast of plenty provided by the Parent of us all, you surely can begin to perceive sufferance and the hope of all these children of promise.  Compassion and forbearance are required in dealing with your mortal siblings.  Many of these foundling souls will not be awakened in this life, but be kind and yield to them the understanding that they are a part of the living family, that they are each treasured in truth."

TOMAS:   Greetings, I am Tomas.  I thank you my brothers and sisters of this world for the many opportunities you have given me and the other teachers in understanding, comprehending, and growing in broader perspective of brotherhood/sisterhood.

During this time we would ask that you carry in your heart not just on a given day, but throughout your life a grateful manner/attitude.  Only those who are understanding what it means to be grateful are able to truly appreciate the struggles and the depths involved in growth.  Those who are of grateful hearts are those who instinctively reach out with more sincerity and love to others.  For in understanding your fortune, your bounty, you are able to increase the gifts of Spirit as well as return them back to your brothers and sisters of the realms.

And so Daniel and I on this day give you our thanks and our appreciation for your endeavors and your striving.  Continue to find truth, search out your own personal destinies and purpose.  Be even thankful for each step no matter how difficult that step may be.  It is only in the time of real struggle and willingness to risk that the light at the end of the tunnel shines the brightest, is more welcomed and appreciated, is more embraced.  And with that this forum is now open for questions. (Long pause]  Is it possible that you are all still full of turkey? [Laughter and comment, 'yes'!]

Isaac:  Hello, Daniel and Tomas. This is Isaac, and I'm not sure I actually have a question, but I just want to thank you both for your remarks tonight.  The one thing that did go through my mind that has always puzzled me is the propensity that it seems many people have or I guess all of us at times, to emphasize our differences, to resist the idea that we are brothers and sisters, to need an enemy, somebody to discriminate against.  Is this because of -- does this go back to the Lucifer rebellion and Adamic default and just a lack of knowledge and teaching?  Some people propose that there is some innate need to have enemies.  Or is there a third explanation?  I guess I don't want us to take a lot of time on this, but that did occur to me.  If you care to address that, either of you, that would be interesting to me.

DANIEL:   I will say that you would do well to recall that this is a decimal planet; and there are many facets of your life here which have evolved experimentally in addition to your having been subjected to various setbacks in terms of universe administration.  It is not all unfortunate, although from a mortal vantage point it may seem most unfair that your circumstances are so fraught with disease and disaster and animal urgings above and beyond the more natural instincts. 

Indeed, your question has variations of response and, yes, as an animal you are inherently designed to survive and to struggle to the top of the heap in order to push forward that evolution which has brought you to where you stand today.  The remnants of this instinct coupled with the mandate to ignore God and become powerful instead has complicated that evolutionary drive to dire effect.  In some situations that instinct has been transcended, but largely it is still available to your free will choice.  It is therein, too, that we have work to do, for who is to set the example of how those urgings to move forward and to know abundance can be known in the altruistic sense unless a battalion of followers march forward carrying banners of justice and nobility of the human spirit? 

Fortunately your planet is also the site of great forward strides, tremendous progress, vibrant rejoicing and youthful enthusiasm for the new millennia.  Many of these negative 'built in' aspects of humankind will evaporate in time.  Their evaporation is hastened by your free will choice to grasp the greater good.  For you all know that love is contagious and soon that positive force for good and light and joy will pervade.  Watch for those indications of advanced evolution and acknowledge their existence for this moves forward the destiny of your world.  Is this edifying in some ways?

Isaac:    Yes.  It is intellectually edifying and it's spiritually encouraging, Daniel.  I presume that you are Daniel, (Yes) and thank you. Yes, that is very good because I have been thinking about this at times and you have come up with concepts and welded them together in a way that I haven't thought of before.  So I'm very appreciative.

DANIEL:   You would do well to emulate our young friend who openly acknowledges the full range of choices available; for although in some regards your choices become more narrow, the spectrum of possibilities is unlimited whereas your path may find itself fairly well defined as a result of your intellectual, emotional, financial, economic, sociologic, and historical factors.  The panorama of alternate routes is also there.  And in viewing those various possibilities and allowing them to have free rein in your imagination it is possible to create not only concepts for your own understanding, but precepts for your creation, yes.

TOMAS:   And to this discourse there needs to be added that given the state of mortal existence and the ability to choose there is now the greatest barrier of all, that being fear.  The fear of allowing change, of allowing another's differences to prevail in your life can bring a negative influence into this ability of being able to accept.  And while one can intellectually see, it is important that one be able to integrate the intellect with the emotions and with the act of opening up together.  When one can allow fear to subside then the integration of these three will then bring forth great change in mortal existence.

Isaac:    Thank you both for your helpful commentary.

PamElla: I have a question stimulated by Isaac's question.  I had a situation with a person at work who seems to need to have an enemy.  Fortunately until this point in time I have been able to avoid that.  Now recently, I think because she feels in competition with me, I have become the focus of her gossip, and I am uncomfortable with it.  I believe I am understanding where it is coming from.  And I know I need to spend time in the quiet with the First Source and Center to sort out what to do, if anything, or to let it blow over.  But I was wondering if either of you have any comment about that in this personal situation?

DANIEL:   I am Daniel.  Indeed is it more difficult to bring forth ideals into practice.  However, do not think that because it is difficult that you, my dear, are incapable, for your potential is far reaching and your ability to overcome is readily available.  If you will be mindful of this lady's need to behold some enemy at all times, this will help you in depersonalizing all aspects of her attack.  In the mean time pray that through your ability to not react negatively this woman will, in turn, be able to grow, that you will in some manner plant some seed.  While the ground is hardened and claylike do not underestimate the nurturing waters of the Indwelling Spirit when there is love abounding.  And as you transform your thought pattern this individual will soon realize that it not you who is the enemy.  This may not appear on the surface but inwardly there is far more growth than any can realize.  Do not react, but act in love and understanding and provide this woman with a cause to see beyond what is her reference point at this time. 

Personal relationships require that one be able to often put out more than is received.  Please recall always that it is not the material treasures that you accumulate during this lifetime that become a measure of who you are or what you have accomplished.  The real treasures of life are the friendships and relationships that you have. Even in difficult relationships if there can be genuine love of the Indwelling of the brotherhood and sisterhood of that individual then you have, indeed, mounted treasures beyond this world.  Recall that the electrical/magnetic composition which you are and the characteristics of an individual at any given time do not necessarily bespeak who that person is either, but rather is only a surface indication of underlying environmental, cultural, and lifelong experience.  Recall that within each individual the Indwelling Spirit resides.  Love generated toward that aspect will bring forth even greater gains spiritually but will also generate healing materially.  Does this help?

PamElla: Yes, Daniel.  That, of course, helps very much.  I have been torn between wanting to confront the situation head on using the excuse of being more real, but knowing that although I may see what is going on she may not be able to acknowledge to her own self what is going on and it would therefore be an attack from me.  And I didn't want to attack.  And yet I am feeling unfairly attacked! [Laughing] I am kind of the victim in the whole situation of attentions turned toward me that I didn't want in the first place, and now having her jealousy which I don't want in the second place.  So to be reminded, I think, that love is always all powerful, and although I may not see the effects of that immediately, that if I practice and turn to my resources I will be guided through this as well, although it certainly feels like a mine field at the moment.

DANIEL:   Indeed.  And my words were not to say that you may not have communication with this individual.  For when the time is right and if the relationship on your part has been conditioned with love and a sincere desire to bring resolution, you will be so guided.  Even in guidance, however, there can be brought about a situation which appears to have backfired.  Recall that out of struggle growth occurs.  Out of reality is truth learned.  And so given the proper time words may be necessary.  However at present, understanding and love are what is necessary.

PamElla: Thank you Daniel for those words as well.  Yes, I certainly have experienced the feeling of guidance backfiring and I will continue to try and have faith; and really mean, 'I will that Thy will be done', not 'I will that it be done if it is easy'.  Thank you.

DANIEL:   Your struggles are not in vain.  Your desire to follow that path of highest values is admired.  Indeed, my friends, all of you are striving in your pathways to readily know that which is correct.  And you are realizing that guidance is available when you are willing to listen and allow God to be a part of your life.  It is a fairy tale myth that life can always be lived 'happily ever after' in terms of there not being struggle in the on-goings of life.  Life can be lived happily ever after in spiritual terms of understanding the joy of ascension, the joy of the love of the Father, the Mother Spirit, the joy of knowing that there is, indeed, a purpose for the universe, that, indeed, the universe is a loving universe.  Do you see?

PamElla: Yes, Daniel.  I do see. I just find it hard to see that emotionally sometimes.  I guess you just partially answered this for me, but where I often get stuck is believing that I am following guidance and yet things appear to blow up.  And I have difficulty with faith in the short run that, indeed, I was following guidance and to hang in there.  I seem to need results to show up pretty soon that are more fairy tale like in order to believe that I am following guidance.  That's a real struggle for me and I suppose it is for other people as well.  I know that you have partly addressed that already.  Is there more that you could say along those lines?

DANIEL:   Indeed you are not alone in this regard.  My words to you are this.  Imagine you are climbing a rock, as a rock climber, and you have in mind the total concept of this climb, the size, the distance, and the contour of this mountain.  And let us say that you have managed to traverse half way up this sheer cliff.  In the struggle of climbing this cliff you have had to overcome many barriers and have had to rely on sheer strength to hang on.  Yet at this halfway point it seems as if you cannot go on.  However, as a rock climber, as a person of faith, you have seen the whole mountain and therefore this little place on the mountain is but another area of having to feel your way, inch by inch, up a little bit higher.  Knowing the mountain will keep you going. Having that faith will secure your overall ability to continue despite the individual hardships in between. 

You and all of you here this evening, have by and large seen the whole mountain in terms of your capacity to see at this time.  Therefore your faith will carry you through; given the time you spend daily to provide the strength needed to take that next step.  Are you seeing?

PamElla: Yes, Daniel.  And thank you for using the rock climbing analogy, since you used that often with me in our personal sessions and that is very validating to me to hear you use the same analogy through Rutha.  Thank you. [Long pause]

DANIEL:   Tomas and I will now take our leave giving to each and every one of you our love and our peace, and again our thankfulness.  May you go this week with the attitude of enlarging your capacity for including all in the family of humankind; to be able to allow the numbers of mortals who populate this earth to somehow touch your being in a way that helps you to become aware of this magnificent and wonderful family. Even though there are many atrocities, and even misgivings and errors of the human family, there is also love; there is also the divine part.  Love and peace.  Good evening.

*****

DATE:  December 2, 1994
TEACHERS:  DANIEL, TOMAS
TOPIC:  Unwillingness Creates Illusion

TOMAS:  Greetings, I am Tomas. I would like to greet you this evening and say a few words in response to your sharing before Daniel speaks, Your sharing this evening is noteworthy! As you have said, your fellowship in intimacy has taken a giant step forward from your sharing if even last week.

Please do not misconstrue my words. We are proud of you in your fellowship efforts no matter how they are revealed. And yet your sincere discourse this evening from not only your heart and mind, but truly from your souls, has been a feast for us in your spiritual midst, we have, indeed, called others to observe the new camaraderie which is merging as a direct result of your commitment to your soul's development by, with, and through this Teaching Mission.

When it is sung in the celestial choirs such anthems as 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing' recall to your own mind the analogy of 'hark, the hallowed mortals sing'.  For your expression of your soul growth, your faith, your courage, your commitment is such testimony as is music to the ears of the hosts of space and the King of Kings.  When we, and as we, proceed even further into this new platform of development, this new stage of growth, as we proceed in our mission, your sincerity and grace will find itself blossoming in spite of you.  For all this while, as we have said, you have been growing!  So do not be surprised when you find yourselves being fragrant and radiant as we have found you today. I have concluded my introductory remarks and await Daniel's greeting to you now.

DANIEL:  Greetings, my friends, I am Daniel. As Tomas has stated we are overjoyed by the growth and the willingness on your part to continue despite the rigors of the mortal life. All life can be viewed with an attitude of openness or that of closure, indeed have your paths more often allowed for the door to remain open, the willingness to take a step, or as was spoken of earlier, the willingness to break loose and to flow with the current.

The discourse tonight is not a lesson. It is but brief, for you have been teachers of one another here this evening. It is by your willingness to open up, show vulnerability and the like that not only do you grow but those around you do as well. Only by the ability to formulate communicatively with others can there be true progress.

The word 'illusion' has been brought up this evening. The greatest illusion for mankind is his own unwillingness, for this unwillingness creates a veil through which one is unable to see reality as it is. Those who choose to live in the clarity of knowingness choose this route by their willingness to ask God to make His/Her presence known, those who cannot see God at work are, indeed, in an illusion. Life becomes an illusion for them in every aspect. As you sit in your prayer, meditation and worship, as you turn over and give thanks you are lifting the illusions of your lives.

We of the Teaching Mission cannot change your world, nor does God choose to change your world. Through His overcare and deeming of free agency are you able to make those changes. As you know, it is the individual himself/herself that brings about the initial spark. What one knows, what one harbors, what one joyously embraces as truth, as beauty, as goodness is spread through your efforts of living.

It was brought up this evening that, indeed, you are in a Melchizedek school. It was brought up that you could conceive of having institutes in which to teach Melchizedek lessons. This, in a sense, is an illusion, in the fact that you do not need formal institutions to instruct from. Rather as you walk the path as that apostle, disciple, follower of Christ Michael's teaching, as you walk that path of seeking the Father's will, so are you not only learning but teaching. Do not feel that what you, the individual, does matters [not] for the whole, for it does. Your manner of being bespeaks more than you can understand or know. Do not let the illusion of fear and doubt which you have spoken about veil you in a state of confusion. Rather seek to allow that which is perplexing you at any given time be the impetus for further enlightenment. My friends you are to be congratulated for the many times you have chosen that route.

The evening grows long. You have much to ingest from your discourse together. Tomas and I will take our leave at this point giving you our love and our peace, asking you to not see through a mirror darkly but to embrace the light of the reflection of beings like yourselves, like the teachers, and like the greatest Teacher of all. Reflect and know that as you begin this season of what you have called the Waiting Period (Advent) that to wait is an illusion. Rather wait with an understanding of a greater and brighter tomorrow; and wait with the understanding that through daily quiet time there is instant nurturing and guidance given.

Do not wait on the sidelines but become a part of the 'now' and what is occurring. In the quiet communication with the Indwelling Spirit are you subject to the 'now'. Go in peace. Our love. Good evening.

*****

DATE:  December 9, 1994
TEACHERS:  DANIEL, TOMAS
TOPIC:  Spiritual and Emotional Gifts

DANIEL:   Greetings, my friends.   I am Daniel, your guide, your teacher and your friend.  I and Tomas, as always, are most pleased and joyous to be amongst you during these gatherings.  The time-span during your week provides you with many opportunities to realize the lessons of the Teaching Mission.  Through experience and through walking the pathway of life you are able to ponder and be a part of many trials, many situations and occasions that afford all realms of emotion and reactions.

Through the course of our gatherings we have impressed upon you the aspect of self responsibility and the necessity for turning within to seek guidance.  As you have witnessed by your willingness to do these acts, you have seen a change in your being.  Certainly the universe does not change to fit your whims.  Rather through your ability to understand on a deeper level you have thus changed your attitude and your perception.  And therefore your life, even though it has struggles, is seen from a more positive and light bearing perspective.  [You are] truly those who understand that God is not upstairs, as some say, writing down your errors.  It is not wise for you to think that you must earn credits.  It is wise for you to go inside and understand the love of the First Source and Center.

During this time of the year the aspect of love is mentioned many times in many contexts.  When you consider the Christmas story, when you consider the bestowal on this planet you can readily recognize the aspect of love as being at the heart of this story.  Indeed was Michael's bestowal to this planet predicated on setting forth the understanding of the true nature of the First Source and Center.  During Christ Michael's sojourn on this globe He did put forth and did live this ideal of unconditional and true love.  As mortals and material beings your complete understanding and comprehension of love cannot be fully understood.  Through many aeons of ascension will this wonderful gift become also a part of your being, far greater than you can understand at this time.

It is asked of you on your walk upon this earth that you look to your brothers and sisters with the eyes of one who can see the aspect of divinity above and beyond that of the human and the behavior of that human.  Indeed, my friends, as you allow your humanity to unfold, your divinity, if you so choose, can be better understood if you but seek that quiet time.  In that time of reverence is there given to you a place where understanding, compassion, tolerance, and intellectual strengthening is brought into greater awareness.  There is preserved in you this aspect of love, of godliness.  Tomas has a message as well.

TOMAS:   Good evening my children, my friends.  It is, indeed, a joy to be here with you this evening and to share in this magnificent platform of communication and spiritual striving.  My message to you this evening includes a large gift.  It is, as I perceive it, a large package wrapped in shiny foil and bedecked in a vibrant bow.  In this gift, beloved friends, you will find a gift of love to you which is imparted in the words, 'superhuman', 'superemotional'.  Your depth of feeling and range of emotions are great and enable you to bear witness to your fellow men and women in the experiential halls of life.  Well you know how exhausting emotions can be and yet who would care to do without those feelings of appreciation, anticipation and closeness of sharing which are part and parcel of your birthright?

Your practice of entering into stillness and allowing your physical body, your emotions, and your minds to rest, to wait in abeyance while your soul seeks communion with its source presents you with the key to superhuman experience.  This is a prelude to your morontial life which is rich in perception and depth of feeling but at the same time maintaining a strength of character and height of honor and, yes, humility that enables you to walk through the emotional experiences replete in the actual experience, and yet in self contained appreciation of the Giver of personality and the Orchestrator of your human experience as well as your unfoldingment.

The grand gift of your higher nature, your greater self, your evolving spiritual identity is a gift from Michael and His Parent which we share with you when and as you share with us and with each other.  It is also, my children, a gift which allows you to feel whole and good about yourself, not in an egoistic and superior manner, but in a way that identifies you as a shard of Light and Life.  Be therefore gentle with yourself and enjoy this gift which is given freely and with love.  That is all.

DANIEL:   Questions?

PamElla: Good evening, Daniel and Tomas.  I, of course, have a question, a question I had last week and then we didn't have time for questions or perhaps needed to process stuff some more.  Daniel, I was really disappointed to not have question and answer time last week because I had thought that I had heard you tell me not to be concerned about a transmission of mine that was questioned the Monday before that; that it would be answered last Friday.  I think we have talked again since then.  But when that wasn't answered last Friday I felt either betrayed or like I was really in trouble with my transmitting/receiving.  I would really like to have some response through another TR at this point, please.

PamElla: Certainly, my dear friend and student.  It is always the plight of mortals, and I speak from the experience of my past as well, that immediacy in answers, immediacy in desiring what one anticipates often is not met when expected.  And thereby one is brought to levels of doubt and despair, to levels of confusion.  In our lessons of the past patience has been a recurring theme; and while I apologize for your confusion and doubts, know that in the course of the total picture all is well and all is in the circuitry of happenings.  The unfolding of life, one must always remember, is just that, unfolding.  There can be no sure and clear cut time frame or circumstances and events, given the actual experience on any given plane.  Indeed there is in the total framework of God's understanding a certain pattern.  The details of any pattern, however, are not written in granite, not so defined that there cannot be free agency and the like.  And that discourse is to give to you the understanding that you have not been forsaken.

The question regarding transmission will now be considered.  In the realm of healing there are many avenues and many ways that the individual recipient is able to allow the healing energies of the First Source and Center, of the Life Carriers, and of universal energy to be accepted into his or her experience, into his or her life.  And so to say that healing can only be done in one way is to miss the understanding of the First Source and Center.  To allow that healing can be given in many ways and at different levels is to open up and to allow that to happen.  Does this answer your question?

PamElla: I believe it does but it is still indirect.  In other words you are confirming that what I transmitted from the Life Carrier is accurate or aren't you?  I guess I want to be more specific.  Was it a life carrier that I was transmitting?  And did I have the message correct?

DANIEL:   One moment. (pause)  The transmission you received is valid.  The source is through a teacher that was assigned for a Life Carrier transmission to you.

PamElla: Thank you, Daniel.  That helps a lot.  That does bring me to one further question.  So is it physically possible for us to transmit Life Carriers, then, or do messages from Life Carriers come via teachers?

DANIEL:   At this moment in circuitry it is being transmitted through teachers.

PamElla: Thank you. (Long pause)  Since no one is leaping for the microphone I will continue.  Daniel, the issue that you began with certainly addressed what has been going on for me that I am really struggling with which is patience, and not being satisfied at all with the idea that in the unfoldment of time all works out.  For some reason I am feeling really stuck; that that doesn't satisfy the details of life, somehow, and it allows for, in some cases, so many years of pain.  And yet I understand that in my life things are being answered fairly rapidly even though they feel very long at the time like Ani being gone for less than twenty-four hours and yet that felt like such a long time. Are there any words you can give me about this other than to spend time in the quiet and to ask for patience and understanding of this?

DANIEL:   To all of you let me address this question.  When Christ Michael was bestowed upon this planet He came as a babe.  As a human mortal babe He had to, just as each of you have had to, grow, experience, learn, feel, understand, have doubts, have pain, and have fear.  And even though this babe was in a sense different he was very much the same.  He was a mortal.  It was not in His understanding from birth about His divinity, about such high ranking.  The understanding of His purpose on this planet came through hard work, through many hours of contemplation, of questioning, of struggling, of living a life in which he was torn between what he inwardly felt and what was outwardly expected from family, religion, and the culture of the time.  Indeed even Christ Michael knew those times of impatience.  Indeed even Christ Michael needed to work through those struggles. 

Because one has intellectual knowledge or one understands inwardly does not take away from the fact that you are living, you are experiencing and walking through life.  Therefore life will bring to you many experiences whereby you can choose your attitude, your reaction, and your willingness to uncover or discover something more about a situation.

Because you are a reader of the Urantia Book and have been given some greater understanding, because you are open to the words of teachers does not set aside that fact that you will still walk the mortal existence.  And so patience is a virtue that cannot be won easily.  It is one that is gained inch by inch over many experiences and therefore one needs to keep in their perspective that there will be times when impatience is there.  But your willingness to go inside, turn over and seek guidance will aid in displacing impatience with a greater understanding of allowing time its proper moment. Are you seeing?

PamElla: Yes, Daniel.  That was a lovely answer.  Thank you.
Luke:   Hello, Daniel. This is Luke here.  What would happen if I give an SER?
DANIEL:   Would you further explain?
Luke:  An SER is a somata emotional release.
DANIEL:   And you would give this to me?
Luke:   No.  It would be impossible.
DANIEL:   "Indeed!

Luke:   It would be impossible.  However, I could try. But it might be good for PamElla.  That's what it is.

DANIEL:   The willingness on your part to help others is magnanimous, is overflowing.  The willingness to give this to me is also a sign of your strength.  To offer this to your sister is a matter between you two.  I will say this.  PamElla: and you would work well together, that, indeed, there can be a channel for healing.

Luke:   Thank you. [Long pause]  Well Daniel, this is Luke again.  Nobody else wants to talk to you.  You open yourself up to another question.  Are you willing to have a somata emotional release?  Do you want to work together on this base?

DANIEL:   There can be some, indeed, working together and there would need to be further discussion privately regarding this.

Luke:   Thank you very much about that one and if you want to do this please let me know.

DANIEL:   Indeed.
Luke:   Thank you. [Long pause]

DANIEL:   At this time Tomas and I will take our leave.  During this week hold in your mindset the concept of love.  While it has many forms and many levels strive to reach your fellow brothers and sisters of the realm in a higher esteem than you have in the past.  That means working individually with those with whom you have conflict and those with whom you don't, and in so working that you stretch yourselves to a higher and greater purpose.  Go this week loving, serving, and knowing of God's love.  Good evening.

*****

DATE:  December 17, 1994
TEACHERS:  DANIEL, TOMAS
TOPIC:  The Reason for the Season

DANIEL:  Greetings my friends, I am Daniel your guide and teacher. It is a joyous occasion, not only in the material realm of those who seek to know the true meaning of the season, but it is ever a growing and expanding joyousness that beckons the soul on its eternal mission. The time that you set aside for remembering the birth of the bestowal of Christ Michael is a time of great diversity on your plane. Despite the busyness and the commercial aspect there is in the soul of humankind a desire to understand and personalize the meaning of Christ Michael's sojourn on this planet.

This planet in many ways is in a literal sense a planet of opposing contradictions in that while you have been deprived so long of spiritual input you have, by the same token, been blessed with the greatest spiritual input of all, the sojourn of Michael here. As you begin another week and as the nearness of the Christmas day approaches we teachers ask that in the quiet time of your day, the time set aside for the nurturing and allowing the love from the universe to enshroud you, that during this time you also ask for understanding and guidance directed from the understanding and utilizing of the example of Christ Michael.

The pathway of life is and can be exciting and glorious. It will naturally be paved with the ups and downs of a material existence. The message of this season is one of love and hope. It is a time to again contemplate the great teachings that Michael brought that the First Source and Center is, indeed, an all loving and merciful God, that there are no souls that can be greater than the one who is open, who is allowing the guidance to be about him.  In the phrase that God is no respecter of persons is the hope given to you that ascension and the forgiveness and the love of the Creator is all encompassing. At this point Tomas would like to speak."

TOMAS:  Indeed. Greetings, group of faithful followers of truth and joy. It is with great gladness that we teachers enfold you in our embrace this afternoon and welcome you all who present-yourself to the Father for His great gift of love, the gift of sonship. The gift of love which indwells you and is ever responsive to your soul's calling is a mysterious and wondrous gift, indeed, one which is opened and unwrapped slowly for the brilliance of this gift is powerful1

The power of spiritual love is often only seen in reflection, as when you open a present on your holiday, and in the quiet of your mind see the motive for the feeling wrapped within that material gift; and your heart warms to the thought which was there when the gift was wrapped. And your response is to that gift of giving that came from your friend, the giver.

And so it is in this life that the thought behind your very existence is the care and concern of the Infinite for your joy and delight. The embodiment of these gifts as is represented in your gathering here today gives visible credence to your acknowledgement of your own gift of being in that divine family of Spirit reality which comes from our Original I AM, the great Upholder of this Grand Universe. Children, it is a magnificent, far reaching adventure upon which we have embarked!  My friend Daniel informs me we are available for discourse, for questions and therefore I and he avail ourselves to you in that context at this time.

PamElla: Daniel and Tomas, we have one person here today that we've not introduced to you before. It is my pleasure to introduce Jane to both Daniel and Tomas.

DANIEL:  Thank you. And to you, Jane, let me and Tomas, the celestials above, and the angels who surround this group, extend to you our love and welcome. Indeed is the spiritual path of one's sojourn one that takes many turns. Indeed is there patterning and understanding that begins at a very early age. Indeed does the pathway through life offer many exciting, rewarding, and challenging events. My dear, your challenge and exciting pathway is well blessed, has abundant fruit as well as seeds yet to be planted, avenues yet to be explored. Truth is found many ways, and to your credit has there been great enlightenment through your willingness to be open. As you continue to nurture your divine nature so, too, will the human nature continue to blossom. We welcome you with openness. We are thankful for the contributions you have made in the lives of many. Welcome.

Jane:    Thank you.

Emalissa:  Daniel and Tomas, in talking to Brenda a couple of weeks ago she wanted me to send her love and ask you a question if I could. She's wondering about a changing of teachers. She has not been able to reach Sonora for two or three weeks at least and feels she has been in touch with another teacher. Of course this is kind of bothering her as to what's happening here and can't really find out where Sonora has gone and what's happening. Can you give me the information to take back to her?

DANIEL:  To our dear Brenda please give our love and acknowledge our watching of her continual effort to understand and to gain footing on the pathways of life. Sonora is still with Brenda as well as an accompanying teacher. More stillness, more ability to not fear will aid Brenda in understanding, in knowing guidance. Often, and this is for all mortals, often is there given guidance that is beyond the conscious level. Indeed do you mortals receive and make choices regarding guidance on many levels at many times. It is not always necessary to consciously hear a teacher. It is more important that you continue to support your spiritual and mortal natures through quiet, through prayer, through a willingness to search and seek out the purpose of life. This is the motive that you should all embrace, that you can know love and serve. For those with that true motive will there be guidance and comfort. Assure Brenda of Sonora's presence. And to you, Emalissa, is there also the assurance of your beloved teacher.

Emalissa: Thank you Daniel. As far as the other teacher there, Brenda wanted to know if you could verify his name?

DANIEL:   At this point it is not deemed appropriate.
Emalissa Thank you Daniel.

TOMAS:  You may, however, convey to your daughter that Jeremiah conveys his highest regards.
Isaac:  That's Tonya's teacher.

PamElla: Then are you saying that Jeremiah is the other teacher that has been visiting with Brenda as well as Tonya or is it just that Tonya's teacher is saying hello?

TOMAS:  The interconnection between the teachers is quite voluminous and active. There are, as you recall from your studies in the text, various celestial personalities assigned to various segments of mortals at similar stages of growth. And in this context the association between the teachers, personal guides of these young people, is a viable connection. I concur with Daniel and still convey Jeremiah's regards.

PamElla: OK, thank you. [Much extended laughter]
 
Isaac:  Daniel and Tomas, this is Isaac. We have been speculating off and on about various events that are occurring out in the world such as there seems a renewal of interest in religion and various other things that we have discussed. I have assumed that some of this is the effect of the opening of the circuits and the work of the Correcting Time. Is there anything you could tell us or would want to tell us in regards to this issue at this time to raise our hope and our joy? That's a real general question I realize. We are trying to look on the bright side and we've seen some bright things.

DANIEL:  Indeed there is much undercurrent and healthy happenings. The most important, the imperative is that you, the individual, strengthen and build your understanding, your connectedness to the divine and to your brothers and sisters. Just as spiritual circuitry is becoming stronger do not discount that you each are circuits to one another. Harboring unproductive, unhealthy, negative thoughts does not support the ongoing understanding of universal love; therefore mind your thoughts. Tend to the home base of your own thinking in order that you can help in the overall strengthening of spiritual pressure.

Isaac:  Thank you for that confirmation and also that reminder. I want to ask another question and this has to do with interaction between guidance and free will. I am of the opinion that guidance is available to us, if we are willing to hear it, in order for us to make a choice between some different alternatives, let's say. And at times that course of action is not going to be given to us, just some general parameters about the kind of choices that we should make. So the responsibility still lies upon us for the major decisions we do. Is my thinking correct in this regard?

DANIEL:  Most certainly the teachers, the guidance of universal delivery is one that allows at all times and in all places for free agency. If ever you are in a mindset that you must follow some guidelines then be wise, step back, consider your own personal motive, understand that the Correcting Time teachers are not here to be an authoritarian or parental figure. Understand that in the universe the First Source and Center regards free agency as the pathway toward ascension. Does this help?

Isaac:  Yes, thank you very much Daniel.

TOMAS:  I would add to the commentary regarding guidance and free will. This is in the context, again of your text which speaks of those moments when the Spirit will say, 'This is the way'. It is not always a hard and fast intellectual decision which is required. It is a willingness to go in the direction in which you have been guided. The advanced pilgrim senses, through a confident faith in the Spirit, the path, which way to go. It is like the water that flows through the river bed. It will follow freely and willingly the path chosen, the destiny ordained without struggle. It is in the early struggles with Spirit against growth, it is in the resistance through fear and animal inertia which presents difficulties for the mortal being, for he has not yet learned to trust that the way of the Spirit is the way of her true happiness. This is a lesson which only experience provides.

Isaac:  Yes Tomas, thank you. I have experienced what you just described. Years ago the idea of doing the will of God, while desirable, seemed to be presented as a painful, joyless, sacrificial, unpleasant business. And now, except for those moments of fear, it is just what you said, joyful and pleasant, and what you really want to do. It is a trust thing and I am learning that, so thank you for your comments on this.

PamElla: On the subject of guidance and fear I sure have been struggling in this area now for three weeks to a month. My problem doesn't seem to be in following guidance initially. I am usually fairly confident, well not always, but at times fairly confident of the guidance. But it seems that later I experience major doubt and fear and am frightened that I wasn't being guided at all, that I have made terrible mistakes. And I struggle in that as I think you have been aware. I have gone through that several times here recently. Is that because I am still in these early stages that you, Tomas, commented on, and as I become more mature it will happen less? To what extent does the role of biochemistry enter in? Can either of you address that for me?

TOMAS:  You have touched upon more than one matter here and I thank you for your approach to clarification. I have only a short paragraph of response at this point and yet I allow for an additional response from Daniel.

My commentary to you, child, is to learn to surrender, to dive deeply into the pool of spiritual reality without fear of consequence. The Father/Mother/Spirit is your Parent in the highest sense, and your concern regarding trust is a matter for your consideration as it is for all mortals on Urantia. I encourage you to become an avid diver into this pool for when you are accustomed to the sharp slap of the brisk cold of the water and the subsequent whole immersion and surge/thrust forward and upward, your being will become accustomed to this process. I am attempting to present a picture of my message to you as I spoke earlier in reference to the gift of love. Please accept my gift in the spirit in which I offer it.

PamElla: Thank you, Tomas.

DANIEL:  To further elaborate: The vicissitudes of life, the ongoings of life are such that there is always the necessity to place one foot in front of the other. And in placing that foot there is always the chance that a toe may be stubbed, a rock may be met, and a wall may be encountered. As you can see life has its way of bringing you into question, into the context of choosing, of accepting, of letting go, of being able to continue forward momentum. Life in this forward momentum, however, does have the pebble, the rock, and the wall. Even those who are following correct guidance will find that life still must be led, still unfolds, and still allows that choices and decisions are made.

And so to all of you when doubt and fear grip your being, when the nature of your being cries out in fear, it is the wise choice to look to the life of Michael to realize that even this bestowal Son who had exceptional guidance walked a mortal plane, lived a life with many of the same questions asked of you. Quiet time, prayer, and the desire to truly allow God's will to prevail for you means that, yes, that the flow of the stream will know a joyous destiny. But, remember, in every stream there are currents and in every streams you must make the choice of how you will ride through the current. Do you see?

PamElla: Yes, Daniel, I think so.  Thank you.

TOMAS:  It is a day of rejoicing. Look up to the throng of celestial hosts who sing anthems of praise for your being, for you have been called upon to be born of the Spirit. And this is radiant in you this day, and your communal life is a beacon of truth. Your individual lives are steady flames. Look to your heavenly helpers as you are not alone on your path. In the effort required to more forward the spiritual renaissance upon us, your gift, as you bestow it upon your realm in your daily work, is, indeed, part of the process of bestowing the love of the Father, the Eternal Son, and the Infinite Spirit upon your world, upon you fellows. It is alive and well.

DANIEL:  Indeed as we draw this meeting to a close and our final public format for this time frame let Tomas and I convey to you our joy in the Teaching Mission, in the work that we and you continue to seek out and follow; that of bringing the sons of this local universe, of the planet, of your individual lives into greater enlightenment understanding, and love. Allow the joy of the season spiritually and materially to be upon you! Let us be glad and rejoice for this plane has been blessed with the bestowal of Christ Michael Whose example and life and message of love and sonship reign for all eternity and for all peoples.

Our love and peace be with you.  Good day.

*****

DATE:   January 6, 1995
LOCATION: Pocatello, Idaho, USA
TRs:   Rutha and Gerdean
TEACHERS:      DANIEL AND TOMAS
TOPIC: Great Expectations

DANIEL: Greetings my friends, I am Daniel, your guide and teacher. Welcome to this group of seekers of truth, followers of the highest Source, soul searchers in the quest for knowledge and understanding. I am a teacher from the source known as the schools formed by Machiventa Melchizedek to bring forth greater understanding and knowledge to those willing to allow God's will/presence to be their life's desire.

It is, and has been, a great honor for me to serve not only Christ Michael and, through Him, serve the First Source and Center, but it has been thoroughly rewarding to serve you, my friends, in this capacity as a teacher. Anyone who has ever been a teacher in any form understands that in teaching more is learned by the teacher than the student. Therefore at this point in our relationship I thank you for the understanding you have afforded me in this Teaching Mission.

In your time span this day does, indeed, mark a time of a new beginning from the past and so it is appropriate not only from the standpoint of your year time but also from the standpoint of the formation of this Teaching Mission group.  New beginnings are times when there is great expectation, great hope, and great joy. This is the upside, the side which all wish to join in new beginnings. However, in reality there is also the down sides of new beginnings, a time when the normal reaction by individuals is that of fear, that of not knowing, that of a desire to run away and seek the security of that which is already known.

As you witnessed in your own life, these reactions, the positive and the negative, have been your companions with new beginnings. It is hoped that as you continue to seek the silence, to pray to and worship the First Source and Center you will increasingly become aware of the fact that new beginnings are times when the ominous dread of the unexpected, the unknown, does not seize you, but rather calls you into action, into a mode that you can serve and be about His will.

Through the quiet you are nurtured and your temperament is stabilized so that the rapid changes of the outside are not able to affect this ability and the steadfastness thereof in the inner. Those who continually seek for God-consciousness become less aware of temporal restrictions. At this time, in your careers you are at a threshold of beginning to comprehend and understand the support that the inner life gives through the realization that in true worship and the after silence you are afforded the luxury of understanding God talk. As you well know it is not in thunderous booming but rather that small quiet urging, that small, quiet, comforting knowing that fills your being.

And so at this point I would challenge each of you and ask each of you to accept any new commitment, any new start or beginning with great expectation, with the desire that through this new beginning you will be able to serve, you will be able to understand, you will be able to know that which is necessary to move forward. I ask that you seek to put at bay fear or the lack of faith. Rather take up the adventure and seek it with a joyous and expectant heart. Our friend Tomas is here and has some words for you this evening also.

TOMAS:  Good evening, I am Tomas, and indeed I am pleased to also greet you and add my welcome words. Your New Year is always an opportunity to review your goals and accomplishments and it affords us the opportunity, then, to take advantage of the point in time where you look upon your lives with perspective and anticipation.

This occasion of a clean slate, so to speak, is akin to the lesson regarding potential and actualizing, for in greeting tomorrow with the mind frame of seeking your potential and augmenting the potential of others, you step into the actualizing process of bringing your faith to fruition and also to the furtherance of spiritual evolution.

The phrase, 'spiritual evolution', is only adequate here, for the reality is that you are revealing spiritual reality by your acceptance of your sonship/daughtership and putting into your arena with faith and confidence of your worth and value an extension of the living, loving Parent. Indeed, these occasions of new beginnings are eagerly sought and anticipated, for life in its routine can become dreary and worn. Therefore these respites, these holidays do renew your strength and enthusiasm for yet a new beginning.

It is a privilege to acknowledge one year of association with this teacher base; and I am amazed at how much can be accomplished in your timeframe, even though it seems to me more like a millennium. Indeed, the wisdom which you have collectively and individually secured over the course of these several months has and does carry the weight of many, many years of growth; again a testimony to the accelerated merits of revelation as compared to its fellow, evolution. We are, as a Teacher Corps, honored indeed to participate in this process of spiritual enlightenment and development for you individually and for your world. That is all.

DANIEL: The floor is open to questions.

Kent:    Greetings my friends, Daniel and Tomas, it is, indeed, nice to be back. It is good. You do us honor this evening and we are grateful. Perhaps when I am in your position and I can look back on this I can realize how great this is. My love to both of you and all present.  This evening we have two guests here, one of whom I will introduce. Brian has joined us and is, as you know, a long time reader [of the Urantia Book]. Will you please greet him?

DANIEL: Brian, it is with great respect and admiration for you that I, Daniel, and Tomas welcome you to this group. In the course of one's lifetime there are many steps, many levels of knowing, of realizing, of intuiting. There are many ways in which the First Source and Center affords His love to bestow gifts in one's life. Often when one is given a gift it is misunderstood until a time later when it is actualized and understood. To you, my friend, may I say that there have been such gifts in your life. And to those, such as yourself, who are willing to allow and to be open to Spirit, truth does prevail. The alignment with the First Source and Center does make connection. Welcome, Brian.

Brian:  Thank you.

Leetah: Good evening, Daniel and Tomas. I would like to introduce our second guest, Beverly, who is with us. Jane was the first one who put Beverly in contact with this book we have been reading and so she is a new reader as far as the Urantia revelation is concerned. But I think what is true of all of us is that 'when the student is ready a teacher will be provided.' That's why we are all here and I am sure that is why Beverly is here; and I am glad to introduce her to you tonight.

DANIEL: And to Beverly, my friend Tomas and I extend our welcome. To you also can be said that God's will is that all His children, all of His creation can find that source, that place where the reality of truth can bring forth great joy. And to those such as yourself who continue to seek and search is the answer on the horizon. Indeed does there need to be foundations and the layers cemented in place in order for the student of truth to understand and know when the greatest of truths is revealed. Your willingness to lay that foundation has not been unnoticed and will continue to shower you with the comfort of the knowledge of the eternal and lasting love from the First Source and Center. To you is extended our welcome.

Leetah:  Daniel and Tomas, I just want to say 'thank you very much' for being a part of our lives these three years, and to you, Tomas, this last year. I can't believe it has been a year since Tomas has joined us to be our teacher. We just thank you both for the words that hopeful, as you keep saying, we are unconsciously growing spiritually. And that is certainly consistent with our book. I just appreciate very much the words that you continue to give us that encourage us. Thank you.

DANIEL: Thank you for your words, Leetah.

PamElla:  Daniel and Tomas, I too would like to thank you. As I'm sure you are aware I have been transcribing all the old material from April through August and I'm just really struck, again, by the help that has been there for me. And I want to thank you both for that.

And then also I have a question from the lesson tonight. My original question, Tomas, you answered in your part, so this second question remains. Many people say that they desire not to have any expectations because they don't want to be let down, they don't want to be hurt. Daniel, you are asking us to face the newness with expectation and anticipation.  What do we say to those people who are frightened of having a positive outlook because that could lead to disappointment? And can't it, in fact, lead to disappointment?

DANIEL: Indeed your question is welcome. In this aspect of desiring to want a positive outlook you are coming strictly from a human standpoint. And if all of your endeavors came strictly from the human side then, indeed, fear of the unknown is natural and undoubtedly would be a correct stance, for in any endeavor one never knows the outcome. Indeed even the greatest of motives can backfire in terms of human accomplishment or the achievement of goals.

My friends, in this statement of being expectant I ask you to approach this from not just the human side but rather from the divine and spiritual nature of your being. For if motive is placed in that stance of being willing, desiring, and wanting to follow His will then the expectation is always going to be in the realm of progress, in the realm of righteousness despite the outcome in human/material terms.

And so be expectant, be jubilant, be hopeful in terms of your spiritual side, but know that even if there is an undesired ending on the human side that because of your lack of understanding, of perception, of knowing, that in some vein some good has been redeemed and is forever saved, is forever a part of the evolving Supreme. Are you seeing?

PamElla:   Yes, Daniel, I am.  Thank you.

Brian:  This is Brian, Daniel. I have asked a few times about what my heavenly name is [Ed: spiritual name], the name I will receive after fusion. I wonder if I might be permitted to know what that name is at this time?

DANIEL:   This name is forthcoming and will be revealed in the near future. It is asked that you work to perceive this name in the silence. However, it is not far from your understanding of previous perceptions. Whenever possible, it is desirous that individuals grasp these personal aspects during their own prayer, meditation, and worship time. You are very close.

Brian:  Thank you.

Isaac:  Daniel and Tomas, this is Isaac. And I also, want to just reiterate my gratitude personally for your patient, effective, persistent willingness to teach us and be our guides and friends. Perhaps you say you have learned more than we have. I know that is the teacher's experience. But I also understand that we have been accelerated in our learning. And at times the pace has been almost such as to take your breath away, so to speak. But I'm glad that we have all had a rest, we are back here, and we are looking forward to the next timeframe of this coming year.

I also want to say that I am honored to be permitted to have the job of transcriber because I get to ingest your teaching personally in a very meaningful way. I consider that a real honor. So, thank you both. That is all.

DANIEL:   Acknowledged.  Thank you, Isaac, for your kind words.

TOMAS: It is important to realize how much you have to do with this process. It is fine for you to acknowledge the presence and guidance of your teachers and spirit helpers but do not overlook your own role in this ongoing spiritizing process. I do not mean this vaguely but in specific instances it would do you well to accept and acknowledge those fruits of the Spirit which you have manifested on a daily basis or in a trying situation when you have manifested loving kindness to children or the aged, and in many and myriad ways have you contributed to your own upstepping and upstepping of your peers.

It is truly critical that you accept your own role in this spiritizing process and for those contributions that you make individually on a fairly consistent basis. We thank you sincerely, for your efforts contribute to the success of Michael's mission and therefore to our success as well. It is truly a society of mutual admiration. And lest we run the risk of being called overly sentimental let us all now acknowledge the overcare of our higher-ups and communally thank those essences of love and light which have afforded us all these radiant and promising experiences.

DANIEL: During the next timeframe, a time when you will encounter new horizons and new beginnings, seek first the silence. Turn over and allow God, the First Source and Center, allow Michael, the Creator Son, allow Nebadonia, the Mother Spirit to be a part of that new beginning. Our love and peace go with you this evening. Good night.

Group: Good night.

*****

DATE:    January 13, 1995
TEACHERS:  DANIEL, TOMAS, ABRAHAM, A MELCHIZEDEK, ESTHER
TOPIC: A Tale of Twins

DANIEL:  Greetings my friends. I am Daniel, your guide and teacher. It is our pleasure to be here this evening to commemorate our time together and to be able to speak with you in this format. As you have all ascertained there are, indeed, many in attendance here this evening. As a token of appreciation and encouragement there will be a number of guest speakers.

HAM:  I am Ham. In the pages of time there are numerous instances whereby planets take great steps in faith or where revelation has made an impact. On Urantia the bestowal of Christ Michael was such a step in bringing forth revealed truth regarding the presence of a First Source, regarding universe brotherhood and sisterhood, regarding the aspect of ascension and of love.
Urantia has through many dark ages held together and has evolved to that point where greater and more inclusive revelation was warranted and thus given. While this revelation of the cosmos, the Urantia Book, has seemed like a long time coming it is comparatively short, given the decimal attitude/condition of this planet. There is in this Fifth Epochal Revelation great sources of food and nourishment for the human condition, from the physical to the spiritual. By incorporating philosophy, religion, science, and metaphysics is there given to the mortals of this plane a better understanding in order for there to be greater integration of the human condition, that the physical and the spiritual can become more meshed and entwined.
We of the Teaching Mission are pleased that there are many groups seeking to upgrade and uplift their own lives as well as that of the planet and credits of the local system. As this Teaching Mission progresses there will be more and more people opening to the call of their Indwelling Spirit and heeding the messages felt from within. The spiritual pressure that is being applied knows many pathways and avenues that are necessary to meet the diversity of peoples and of cultural and intellectual capabilities.
To this group I send special thanks and give you my love as a core group in this mission. It behooves you to work together to continue the bonding and the interrelationship in order for the Teaching Mission to continue. While you are celebrating an anniversary hold in your hearts the fact that each day is a new day with opportunities to put forth love in its many aspects. I will now relinquish this to Tomas.
TOMAS:  I am Tomas, good evening and greetings to you all, far and wide. We are pleased to be here with you this evening as you as you are pleased to be here with us. We are, yes, many and has been noted in the sharing earlier we accept your commemoration in good faith with open heart and full appreciation of your mortal reference for time passing. Yet we are keenly aware of the celebration of life on a daily basis as you live it and portray it as you have learned in your process of realizing and spiritizing your relationship with your God Fragment.
It is a privilege for me also, and I have said this many times, to be part of your community, to be in a position to teach in tandem with Daniel who by way of your time frame has more experience in this technique. And yet it is true that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. For any of you who is called to transmit/receive words and messages and essences from a teacher will be gleaned and prepared for such service. Indeed, any and all of you are capable of tapping in to your own spiritual sources of support and guidance. Yes, the bounties of this mission are apparent to those who appreciate its impact in their personal lives.
And I would say a word regarding the haste or detainment of time. It has been mentioned that we teachers speak slowly. It is also, parenthetically, been mentioned that we talk a lot. However, it is a facet of our attempt to communicate to your soul and through your mind concepts which first must be broken down into words and concepts which can pass through the understanding and mechanisms of the transmitter/receiver. There is an entirely complex process involved in this transmitting/receiving of teacher messages. The channels are open, yes, but there is an amount of connecting which must take place. And with each new connection there is an actual adaptation of cosmic energies in conjunction with mortal energies, i.e., the electro-chemical system, etc., which must be adjusted. Combined with this is the actual acceptance of the concept and the words by the TR who has free will in the face of these proceedings and can and may halt the proceedings at any point in which their mind is troubled.
Trust, too, that these vehicles of our words are sorely aware of the impact which these words have on your spiritual development; and consequently their sensitivity to each word chosen is keen and is conveyed with the emotional impact which we also try to convey by way of our inflections.
If you were speaking to your own teachers in your own minds, yes, often the process is quicker. Indeed, insights from the First Source and Center are so quick as to be blinding. Part of our intercourse with you is having to do with your actually experiencing each word coming from a teacher and through your minds into your soul, which is where we intend the words and lessons to go, not into your mind, which is quicker, but into your heart and soul where it can learn to live and breathe as a seed planted in your essence to be fed and watered by your own Thought Adjuster, our all powerful First Source and Center. I have concluded my remarks for this evening having to do with this process and the anniversary.
Yet I seek to convey to you once more my heartfelt appreciation of your acceptance of these teachers, of this entire process; for it was never intended that you be left intellectually replete with the Fifth Epochal Revelation. It was, assuredly, always the intention of Uversa to bring to you further truths as you were ready to receive them. And you see, you are receiving further truths, and they are falling upon fertile soil which has been, indeed, supported by your work with the text. And now we begin the field work, the actual practice, the actualizing of the living love of the living, loving Father and Michael on Urantia Farewell.
ABRAHAM:   I am Abraham. As a former mortal on this plane, I understand fully the electro-chemical makeup of your beings, hence the emotional upheavals of your daily lives are not foreign to me.
Let me, however, assure you that the mind of man has over the many, many, many generations since my time expanded in knowledge and technology. And yet there has remained a part of humankind which has only plodded along steadily with no significant leaps and bounds as you have experienced in the last one hundred years of mindal knowledge.
What I speak of is your spiritual life. Yet while there is even steadiness over the human population there is, however, within the individual, many times over, revealed truth and personal expansion. As a part of this glorious Teaching Mission from my home planet I am now able to see and understand what it is meant when spiritual pressure is applied, for despite the negative tension that abounds there is a swelling and upheaval with the souls of Urantia mortals crying out and seeking and asking that guidance be forthcoming! And so while we are at the beginning, so to speak, there is a swelling and a surge rightly moving forward. Take heed and trust.
I thank each of you for your support. Time is not important! Commitment and a sense and desire to know will help transport this planet. There will be movement forward and the spiritual backwardness will move as the mindal and technological expansion of the past. Continue on your pathway. Shalom.
A MELCHIZEDEK:  My friends and precious co-workers, we greet you as beloved participants, for this is your work which we have called you forth to perform in preparation and readiness for Light and Life on Urantia. Your presences are known throughout the universe as children of the Most Highs and as diligent workers in the field. We of the order of Melchizedek keenly observe your progress. You look to the teachers for guidance and companionship as well you ought, for we are here to serve you in the process of bringing love into existence in higher and yet higher realms of understanding for mortal men and women. Your community here, your Bethlehem has birthed new sons of promise.
You will be called to go forth to plant your seeds in your individual missions as part of the gospel spreading. Go in confidence knowing your homeland, your birthplace, your family is secure in the loving arms and care of your teacher Daniel and teacher Tomas and those other teachers who come to spend time here and mortals who learn from this teacher base and go out as was done in the days of Eden. Your anchor of knowledge and wisdom is well founded. We honor you for your growth in these brief days of your lives. In this blinking of an eye your reality is clear and a joy to our hearts. Peace. Farewell.
DANIEL:  My friends, I am Daniel. It is an honor for Tomas and I to have such guests this evening. As was mentioned, now is the time to begin the work of bringing forth greater enlightenment. I have for you a tale of twins.
Into a loving and understanding family twins were born. As these twins developed and went through childhood the ideals of family life were passed on. The ideals of great love, of great hope and promise were always a part of the family life. And the twins grew happy and very boisterous, enthusiastic, and wanting to put forth the ideals which were instilled in them. Time passed. The twins grew into their preadolescent years always boasting, always talking ideals, and always being ready to support a cause.
Somehow at some point in the lives of the twins there seemed to be a break. The one continued to be aggressive but the other became silent and passive. Years went on. The aggressive one continued to be at every rally, continued to support every righteous cause. The silent passive one continued to be more introspective, seemed to read more deeply, seemed to sit more quietly.
But in time they had families and life continued. And suddenly one day the aggressive twin realized that the quiet, passive double was successful, was bringing forth all the things that he had understood as the ideal. And when they got together the aggressive twin asked, 'How is it that I who was always out there on the front line, always there for the cause have only spun my wheels and you who were quiet and passive have done and met the objective? All along I had thought that our visions were not the same.
The quiet, passive twin said, 'Oh, yes, we have always had the same vision. We have always had the same wantings, the same cravings, and the same desires.' 'How is it then,' asked the aggressive twin, 'that you can produce and all I have are empty words?' And the quiet twin said, 'Because for many years I have listened. I went inside and I found guidance. I found what was necessary in order to produce.'
As we begin yet another time frame together let your lives emanate a sense of contemplation. Those who listen inwardly know how to do outwardly. We have time for questions or comments.
Leetah:  I wish to thank everyone that was here tonight to speak to us and to celebrate our anniversary with us. Some of the things that were said brought up wonderful images. I do have a question about the electro-chemical process that Tomas was explaining. I know there has been reference to that before, about the deep mind work. And yet I think it was being said that what the work is that the Teaching Mission is trying to do is to work on the soul and the spirit so that the seeds might grow. I am just wondering if you would comment on sleep and whether or not this has anything to do with the process of the work that is being done within us, if we choose and allow you to do that, allow the Indwelling Thought adjuster or allow the teachers. I am not just sure what works on us to help us to grow more quickly spiritually.
TOMAS:  Sleep is necessary but it is not a substitute for contemplation. Your neurological well being, your electro-chemical stabilization is benefited from rest, from diet, from serenity within yourself, and ideally your surroundings. The connection between deep sleep and deep mind is negligible, for the deep mind is deep within your superconsciousness, your cosmic consciousness, your ultimate God-consciousness, different from the relative unconsciousness of rest. Has that clarified?
Leetah:  I think that was very clear. I guess my question comes out of such deep sleep that I have experienced this week, and I just couldn't understand it as it is such a different pattern than I have had in the past. So I was just trying to ask whether or not that had anything to do with spiritual growth and experience.
TOMAS:  Certainly your Thought Adjuster will take advantage of any ideal opportunity and no one knows you better or more intimately than your own Indwelling God Fragment. If you are experiencing some unconscious growth, some germination of seeds which have been planted previously, these being unconscious, this could result in a different context of sleep pattern for you and your deep mind may be eventually affected by the growth ongoing. There is still a difference between deep mind and deep sleep.
Leetah:  Thank you, Tomas The other thing, perhaps I missed this, but I did not hear the name of the second speaker that was here through Gerdean. It was Melchizedek?
TOMAS:  Of the Order of Melchizedeks. The other specific, shall we say, Christian name was not specified.
Leetah:  Thank you.
TOMAS:  Incidentally, Leetah, the question you asked about electro-chemical systems is one which would do you all well to consider for you have tremendous influence over your electro-chemical system. And you can establish the atmosphere which is most conducive to the fertile and certain growth of your deep mind and soul. This is, to perhaps oversimplify, brought about by following the example of the quiet twin and experiencing stillness, for the stillness calms that current which impacts largely on your ability to follow the guidance of those higher energies which you all testify to want to follow and serve.
Leetah:  Thank you.
PamElla:  My words are words of gratitude to the entire staff for all the help that has been known for the past three years and for all the help preceding that time and the conscious awareness of it. In particular tonight I would like to thank you, Daniel for that beautiful parable at the end. That really touched me. I remembered reading the power of parables and that Jesus taught in parables, and how we discussed the power of parables at the conference this summer [Chaney, WA]. That parable certainly had me sitting on the edge of my chair and my interest caught. It was beautiful to me because it was very validating for the direction my path has taken in the last couple of years and some of the frictions that I have found with other people on that path who wanted me to remain the aggressive twin. So I send my thanks for all those aspects.
DANIEL:  So noted. It is definitely the gift of the bestowal Son, Michael, to this planet to speak in parables. For, as you all know, parables can and do shed light, validate and support people on various levels. And so the example of Christ Michael still permeates and generates throughout all of Nebadon.
PamElla:  I have a question about faith that has been developing for some time. As I become more and more aware of the different roles and the hierarchy I have found that in some ways my belief in God's ability to get certain things done falters because now I am aware of the layers and layers of free will creatures, sometimes, that stand between my wish/desire/prayer and the outcome of that. I was wondering if there was someone who can address that. It was so much easier for me to believe...and I know this seems just opposite of how it should be but...it was easier for me to believe that God could make miracles happen when I just thought there was God and there was my little existence. And, well I guess I have already stated my question. I am aware of all the different layers of beings, the role of the midwayers, the role of the ascending teachers, the role of the Melchizedeks and all sorts of other beings that we don't even know of, and that they are subject to free will. I tend to see so many places where the system could break down that I'm just having problems with that recently.
DANIEL:  In reply I ask you to suppose or to imagine what life would be like without free agency, without the need to develop perfection, to already be perfected to the potential of your beingness. No being, descending or ascending can fathom the completeness of the First Source and Center. One only has to revere and honor the wisdom through which the First Source and Center has granted free agency. For in this granting of such awe inspiring understanding you see that by doing so the First Source and Center has given that, of course, there can be this breakdown. However, considering that there are seven superuniverses continually expanding and ongoing it would behoove you to realize that the system is in very capable hands, that the support system that is generated downward from the descending beings and the struggle and the experience of learning that is generated from the ascending beings creates a balance and a tension that does, in fact, support the necessity for free agency.
Take, for example, your own body. It is like a great, vast universe or many universes if you break it down according to organ systems down to the cellular level. One cell may go haywire, but does the whole body fail because of one cell? In the overall picture there may be some cellular breakdown but in the end God's will is that of tremendous love for all His creatures.
This love, while you or even I am unable at this point to understand it totally, is all pervasive. It is true that there may be some planets, there may be individuals who default, who are yet not aware of the whole picture, but given time and given the chance there will be a growing number that will, indeed, move on. They may take a longer time to reach Paradise Isle, but time is not important. The finally coming together, the understanding and the decision to move forward is important. You will find on your sojourn that you may take many, many side trips, you may forego your own advancement for a time in order to experience or to serve in some other capacity, for time is not important. But the ability to have free choice, the ability to progress is a great, great gift.
Do not allow thoughts of endangerment because of descending beings' capabilities prevent you from trusting or moving forward. It is like saying you are afraid to go outside for it might rain. You are afraid to get out of bed for it might be cold. You cannot run your life on what might happen.  Each of you every day take leaps of faith when you get out of bed, when you go out your door, when you go in your car. Allow that leap of faith to expand throughout the universes. You are in very capable hands. Does this help?
PamElla:  Yes, Daniel, that does help a lot. And I decided for the first time that maybe I don't want to be perfected yet. I guess what it is like for me goes back to our conversation from last week which is I am afraid to have expectations because they might not be met. So, anyway, I'll think about that further. Thank you.
ESTHER:  I am Esther. I have been afforded the privilege of closing this meeting. To all of you who are unaware of me let me introduce myself as Francyl's teacher. It is a privilege to work through this mortal, Francyl, and her gracious spirit and openness. It is an honor to get to know each of you in this capacity as a teacher. The portals of time, while they are important to you, are not overly considered in the advancement of your souls. However, because of your time/space reference let me say this to you.
The time in the flesh is a time of great experience, a time when great wealth can be worked through. It is a time to be willing to go forward even if expectations are not met. The experience gleaned from that situation or any situation is experience that broadens your cosmic perception. Earthly human perception is dull compared to the grand overall picture. And so to you all I invite you to enjoy this earthly existence, this experience of walking a material plane, of not knowing except through faith. May your faith continue to progress, all of you. From all the teachers, from Christ Michael from Nebadonia I send and give my love. Good evening.

*****

DATE:    January 20, 1995
TEACHERS:    DANIEL, TOMAS
TOPIC:  Thought Adjusters

DANIEL:  Greetings. I am Daniel, your guide and teacher. It is our pleasure that we can come here weekly to be a part of the ongoing progress of Urantian mortals. Through the overcare of the First Source and Center is Christ Michael given to bring forth at this time an influx of spiritual pressure to help bring the darkness of this decimal planet into greater light and understanding. As you continue to bring forth your own personalization of the First Source and Center you add to the greater care of this planet. It is part of our mission to help you in this endeavor through encouragement, through teachings, and through the weekly communication such as this. Our friend and co-teacher Tomas is here and will be giving the spiritual message/lesson for this week.  Tomas?

TOMAS:  Good evening. I am Tomas and, indeed, I have prepared some words for your benefit and enjoyment. It is pleasure to greet you and welcome these sons and daughters of the Living God into broadened communication with Spirit reality. We in our efforts to bring you into closer contact with your own Indwelling Spirit observe your relationship as it is with your God Fragment and pay close attention to the stamina with which you reveal yourself to your own God identification.

We and you recently read in your text about the loneliness of Thought Adjusters and you have voiced your lack of comprehension as to how a Fragment of God can know loneliness. I call upon you to look to yourself and to look deep within yourself to that existential place of aloneness which can only be transcended or dissolved through close interaction with other truth reality, which transcends time, material, space, and even personality. That element of you which is in process of becoming is identified as the bride or betrothal partner of this Indwelling Fragment of God. And to the extent that you know the need to interrelate with your companion, to the extent that you yearn for understanding from your fellows, to the extent that you perceive yourself as misunderstood and alone, is the extent to which you are bereft of your own God-consciousness; for in companionship with God in you is the companionship of eternity, the hope of your destiny career, the enlivenment of all secondary and subsequent personality manifestations.

The Thought Adjuster is, as you know, able to communicate with other Thought Adjusters. But how can they truly flourish unless they are communicating with their intended, with their mortal partner/comrade, yes, in this process of merging the aspect of humanity and divinity? The earlier lessons that you were given, the early lesson of opening doors and breaking down barriers and creating bridges of communication between yourselves, acts of kindness, simple communication and eye contact have been practiced and established. We urge you now in your dealings with your peers to go even deeper and to touch the essence of God within the soul of your sisters and brothers. For that is the reality which is becoming, which hungers for acknowledgment, which longs to fellowship in soulful satisfaction and radiant joy of the family of God, in and through one another, in service, and companionship with God.

It is to be borne in mind, of course, that many individuals bear tremendous fear of the power of God and the rumor of judgement or wrath. But the love of our First Cause is not limited by prejudicial belief or regimental behaviors; rather is it the effects of a love saturated soul pouring itself out upon humankind without restrictions or conditions.

In order for the budding mortal to emote such potential greatness it is vital and necessary to recognize your relationship with your Indwelling God fragment as loving and good, true and beautiful for you, and therefore, to radiate such qualities. These are your qualities, children and students. These are your gifts inherent through your intimate association with that Fragment of God which dwells within you. Identify personally and closely with that Essence of life and endear yourself to It and it will endear Itself to you, the better to further your resolve to become one and bestow the gifts of our Father and Mother upon the earth.

It is a pleasure to have this opportunity to speak words as seeds of growth and comprehension for you. Do not be dismayed if you can only plant one smile or get in one word of good cheer. But in time your efforts will be made manifest and in time the need for spirit reality will deepen in your peers, strangers, and passersby. You need to prepare yourself in your soul for those days so that you will be ready for the hungry to learn as you learn now from the teachers who serve you. Thank you for your attention.

DANIEL:  Tomas' words ring true through the universes! Indeed is the Fragment of the Eternal and Universal Father/Mother the special gift to the mortals of this local universe as the many other universes. In your individual lives the loneliness of human understanding can, indeed, be circumvented with the understanding of spiritual togetherness, of the Inner Spirit. Never alone are you! Those who continually are able to integrate the human/mindal understanding with spiritual understanding have the security and comfort of always feeling the presence of a greater Source. The time is now available for questions.

Leetah: Good evening, Daniel and Tomas. Thank you very much for those words. I would like to introduce a guest we have tonight. Sandra is here with us.

DANIEL: Thank you, Leetah.  And to Sandra, may I give you our love and appreciation of your desire to search and appreciate truth. The pathway of life affords one many opportunities. And it is those who are aware of these opportunities who continue to grow and seek deeper and higher levels of meaning within the framework or truth.  Sandra, your presence is not new to the teachers. Your struggles have been noted and your continual search is part of the experience of life. Your willingness to risk is a step that will bring forth greater understanding as time unfolds. It is our hope that through the workings of your Indwelling Spirit and your teacher and angels that you will continue to find the answer, you will be able to move into higher circuitry of understanding. You are most welcome and your presence will always be a part of a growing and enlarging company of mortals upon Urantia. Welcome, my friend. I have been with you on many occasions. Welcome to this group setting.

Sandra: Thank you, Daniel.

Isaac:   Good evening, Tomas and Daniel. Thank you, Tomas, for your lesson. And I have a question that has occurred to me in the past. It has to do with prayer and praying for the Thought Adjuster of another person. I have found myself praying that another person's Thought Adjuster would be effective in working in the mind of other individuals. And then I catch myself embarrassed by that kind of prayer, as though I should have to be praying for the effectiveness of a 'piece of God' is almost absurd, it seems. So I guess since I don't know if that is the right way to pray I am asking your counsel.

TOMAS: Good evening, my son. Indeed, I appreciate the folly of your prayer and truly the sincerity of your motives in your prayer as well. For as you well know the Adjusters never fail. The mortal recipient of the stimuli of the Indwelling Adjuster is that being which is in need of prayer. And yet it is difficult to know what one ought to pray for regarding that individual, with the exception of their willingness to be open to the guidance and presence of their own Indwelling God Fragment. The Adjuster is, assuredly, always eager to approach and sooth and spur the mortal on.

Your prayers may be specific if you aware of the underlying nature of the human being. You may put yourself in his or her position lovingly and make a determination for yourself as to what is needed by this individual and ask, then, that the individual see that which you have seen. It is an effective method of prayer and yet it is limited by your understanding of the true picture and problems of that individual. For as I said earlier, we do not truly know each other except through the Spirit which transcends much of the difficulty of decision-making processing of the mortal ascension.

It is always effective to pray for the increased faith of the mortal. It is always effective to elicit the assistance of the United Midwayers. It is always effective to seek the healing ministrations of the Mother Spirit and the protection and presence of the Universal Father. Indeed, your frustration is shared by all who have love and concern for their fellow sojourners.

DANIEL:  It would behoove this group to collectively read in the book about prayer. The concerns of prayer are not the sole concern of one individual but of all. Even the Apostles asked many questions concerning prayer. The book [Urantia Book] in the section will help you. One moment. The TR is having difficulty.  … to the section on Jopatata, 1616--  Too much interference.  You can find it yourself. The section to read this evening is a good one for new beginnings, is a good one for all your prayer concerns and thoughts.

Isaac:   Daniel are you referring to page 1616, Jesus' teaching on prayer and worship?

DANIEL:  That section, as well as Jopatata. TR is misunderstanding [Ed. note: Group discussion of various pages and mention to Daniel of page 1638] Indeed.

Isaac:  So you are suggesting we do that tonight for our reading, Daniel?
DANIEL:  Indeed.
PamElla Which one should we start with?
DANIEL:  No difference.
Isaac:  Thank you very much, both of you.

Leetah: I do have a question about the section that was read a couple of weeks ago in our Wednesday night study group. It is right along with the lesson that Tomas taught us tonight about the Thought Adjuster. One of my greatest problems is fear. In one of these Papers it says that the Thought Adjuster could do a lot more if we mortals were less fearful. I know that the thing that you always tell us to do is spend more time in the silence and recognize the presence of God within. Is it just so simple? Or is there something else that we need to know?

DANIEL:  Fear, as you know, is a primary characteristic that is necessary for survival, but can be overly aggressive when it comes to allowing for spiritual growth and soul survival. Often the mortal becomes trapped in the material plane of understanding and becomes unable to get beyond that which is apparent or seemingly apparent at any given moment. If one can continually affirm the fact that the First Source and Center is real then fear has no way of strangling the individual. It is the struggle of the human animal/material/being that circumvents the understanding of what 'real' reality is.

Going into the stillness and quiet does, in fact, allow for the spiritual reality, which is the true reality which you are evolving toward, to take, again, precedence in your life, to help you become centered and focused again so that in living the unfolding of the material life you can let go and allow the overcare of God to flow through you and around you. Even though there may be material cause for fear, in the broader scope and picture there is not cause for fear. Fear is a crippler to the spiritual progress as well as to the enhancement of a material existence. Those who live in constant fear tend to surround themselves with many barriers. Those who can turn over and allow God to work have fewer barriers. Thus the path that they walk is less hectic and stressful. One is not taxed by having to walk a maze in order to circumvent running into walls one has built.

And so, seeking silence and allowing the words and comfort of the First Source and Center to uphold you will alleviate fear. Those with less fear have an Adjuster who is able to urge and spur, as Tomas said, into higher realms of righteousness. Indeed it is not easy living in a material existence to alleviate fear. But it is not impossible. It is a choice that is made. There is help available to those willing to allow it.

Leetah: Thank you Daniel.

TOMAS: I will draw for you a picture of a classroom of young children who are unfocused and full of energy and curiosity, and without discipline, who tax their elders' patience. Yet give this group of children a task and it will occupy them for a time. Give these children a candy and their focus is immediately upon the pleasure of this reward.

The gift of the Thought Adjuster is like this candy for the pleasure in absorbing the essence of God is sweet. It is not to be feared. The emotions of reverence and awe are often a part of your communication with divinity, however, the somber aspects of religion are not required as a basis of communication. You well know the bliss, harmony and joy inherent also in spiritual moments or instances. It is requested that you, indeed, ask yourself if you truly comprehend the existence of God dwelling within you, working tirelessly to enfold you and guide you into your spiritual awakening and being. How in even mortal logical sense would one fear the evolving reality which is yours and yours uniquely? I conclude my picture.

Leetah: Thank you, Tomas.

DANIEL:  Friends, as we conclude this time together this week Tomas and I ask that you take time this week to further understand the nature of prayer and worship, that in the time put aside daily for this and through the integration of these two you will understand the beauty of silence, the time of communication with that Father Fragment within, the gift that is truly yours and yours alone. For each Indwelling Spirit specifically brings the Father into your own life on an individual basis that cannot be duplicated or cloned or replicated in any other way. It is unique to you. And thus the Father can be made know in your life.

The personalization of the Parent of us all is one of the greatest understandings you can take from this life. When true comprehension and understanding of this evolves within, the physical, mental, and spiritual self that you are, then there is a great transformation on all levels and a continuous heightening of spirituality.

Go this week with the understanding of the Father Fragment within as that aspect of your being which is, in a phrase stated earlier by yourselves, like the umbilical cord from Paradise. Good evening
*****

DATE:    January 27, 1995
TEACHERS:  DANIEL, TOMAS
TOPIC:  Humanity Seeks Progress

DANIEL:  Greetings, my friends. I am Daniel, your guide and teacher. To you faithful students and to our extended family, welcome, and may you hold now a sense of quiet peace within your beings. It is our purpose tonight to instill a time of quiet, a time of peace, and a time for reflection.

Often in your very busy lives do you strangle yourselves rather than allowing for that reprieve which will make sense of the outer world. It is important that the integration of your whole being be in alignment. And so for this meeting, for a time, we would ask that each of you come into that world where the busyness, the tension and stress of your mortal lives can find rest and can enjoin with the Indwelling Spirit.

My colleague, Tomas, spoke last week regarding the Indwelling Spirit and a sense of loneliness experienced by your Inner Guide. This week I will expand on the words of Tomas. The world holds many diverse people, many diverse cultures, many diverse religions, many diverse thought patterns and reasoning. The world holds both the young and old alike, the rich, the poor. It is a world which mingles and interweaves all variations of life known on this planet into a humanity that strives to move forward despite the hardships of a mortal existence. Progress is a part of your inner characteristic. It is through the Indwelling Guide of mortals that progress continues and puts forth seeds for each following generation.

My words to you this evening are metaphoric in content. While it is not a new idea by any means, these words are given that you can visualize and encapsulate an idea to strengthen your own relationship with the Indwelling Spirit, your tie and link to the First Source and Center. Your world, your planet in this solar system is unique because of the aspect of water. And so, my friends visualize the diversity of humanity all feeding and drinking from the many rivers, lakes, and water sources upon this planet. The water can be seen as a flowing river that passes by each individual as they drink from it. Diversity in nature means nothing to this water, for it bathes and provides nourishment for all.

If you will look at this water as the source through which God sees all then you can understand why the Indwelling Spirit not only connects you to the First Source and Center but also connects you to your brothers and sisters upon this plane, for the banks are lined with humanity but the Source touches all, feeds all, nourishes all, gives all. Those who maintain daily communication with the Indwelling Source are far more likely to connect with the rest of humanity.

Those who are seeking to know the Source are fed in many, many ways. Those who truly begin to sense the presence of this Source will find that the barriers that keep diverse people from unity fall away. Intolerance, misunderstanding, unforgiveness, anger, hatred, greed, Judgement, unreal expectations, jealousies; these kinds of things are not fed by the Source! Those who drink daily from the Source cannot serve only that which is nourishing to them. And so it is the lesson of stillness which is again presented to you today.

It is joyous; it is beyond your comprehension to truly appreciate what this planet would be like if all could truly drink from that river! Many fool themselves. Many only partially understand the real resource and the real source of that river. It is unfortunate when the river is dammed up, where it is limited and restricted. The Source cannot be limited; the Source flows through for all of humanity. Individually and collectively there can be error in damming the river. In silence seek to let down those things which dam up the Source for yourselves. At this time Tomas has a few words.

TOMAS:  Good evening, dear friends. It is a pleasure to be in your midst, to acknowledge your recognition of our reality for you and your spiritual development.  The river which has flowed through this room has wet you all. And you know, too, that some people stand knee deep in water and are parched and dry out of fear for this abundance. You are sometimes called upon to help enable your neighbor to thirst.

The words which I would like to stress this evening are that although this font of refreshment is available for all mankind it is sometimes necessary for you to fill your pail and carry it to your neighbor in order for them to be sustained. And you might ask, as you have today, why must I carry water when it is all around us? The truth is that you have asked to be of service. And you know whereof we speak in this living water. When, therefore, you are called out, away from your customary place on the bank of the river to trudge into barren places of sand and stone, it is only a short walk and you may return to again refresh yourselves on the living waters. This lesson ... (my transmitter/ receiver is having a good time on this play on words and wants to say things which I am not voicing. It slows down the process - and lacks her humor).

I was interested in your socializing earlier, for you have all been being about the Father's business. You have all carried your pail of water. And yet you have all stopped and wondered, 'what is this bucket for'? Now you know; for often your experiences are not for your own enlightenment and edification but for those with whom you have contact. Again, you have asked to serve and serve you will regardless of whether you understand why or where you are going.
Have faith, for in your moments of clarity you full well know in your heart your own competence as a transmitter of truth. You need only recognize that you are the vessel and that your job is to stay in touch with the water that is provided for the thirsty. Those are my additional remarks for this evening. It is now time to inquire if you have questions.

Leetah: Good evening, Daniel and Tomas. Thank you so much for that very visual lesson. A couple of things that I saw, and maybe I want clarification for, when Daniel was talking about the river flowing and should not be dammed up I thought in terms of me imposing my own thoughts or my own beliefs or my own whatever. And then when Tomas talked about the bucket I thought to myself, it is the kind word. It is very difficult to go beyond giving what someone asks for and know that you are not damming up the water. I hope you understand my thoughts as I say these things.

DANIEL:  Your words are understood. Indeed, it does seem almost paradoxical in nature but is not this part of the whole mystery of life, seeing one aspect and finding another way to look at it, seeing incongruities in the way either side is viewed? It is wise to remember Christ Michael's walk on this planet. By His very life, His manner, His beingness has there been a more dramatic change in the course of human history. Advice was given when asked. Often lessons were taught at the enquiry of those seeking to know truth. And so, indeed, is your life likely to follow in these same footprints of giving lessons when called upon, but living the lesson is the true teacher of truth.

Dams and walls are formed out of one's own Judgement, one's own anger, one's own fear, one's own intolerance, individually, which can spread to groups, to various ways of thinking and patterning which become ingrained down into each generation. These barriers block the free flowing of the spiritual waters. All dams have spillways and so life still progresses because water can trickle down through the spillways. There is still nourishment being provided. But those individuals who can completely take away the dam flow freely in the Spirit. Christ Michael flowed freely in that Spirit. Does this help answer your question?

Leetah: Yes, I think it does, Daniel, and it did clarify the images that I had. Thank you.

TOMAS:  I am eager to call to your recollection the tale of 'the boy who was afraid' [Ed. note: Urantia Book, page 1437] as an example of Michael's methods of making contact with the Inner Life of those with whom you come in contact. For it was not through overt messages that He approached this young man but it was to longing looks and the pleading of his soul that Michael responded. It is as Daniel says, the willing seeing of the soul's needs of the individual rather than what is said, what is on the surface. And do not allow that exterior to block your connection with that soul of the individual. That is all.

Leetah:  Thank you, Tomas.

DANIEL:  At this time we ask that each of you now take some time to make that connection with your Indwelling Spirit, and thus to the Source, and vicariously to your brothers and a sisters who also are partaking of the Source. Please prepare yourself now to sit quietly and tune your thoughts to that inner place where there is peace, quiet, tranquility, where you find solace, where you find love. Quiet and still those images. Visualize if necessary a lake stilled, of ripples reflecting back the light of the Source. [Long period of silence]

DANIEL:  'Be still and know that I am the Source.' Listen that you might hear. Listen that you may understand and know truth, beauty and goodness. Listen that you may understand that which is necessary for your outer life. Tomas and I will now take our leave. Peace and love. Good evening.

*****

DATE:     February 3, 1995
TEACHERS:  DANIEL, TOMAS, HAM
TOPIC:  Forgiveness

DANIEL:    Welcome once again loyal students to this arena wherein we come together in minds focused on peace, harmony, tranquility and justice. I am Daniel, your teacher, your friend, and companion in these proceedings. I am with you this evening in appreciation of your sustained attendance and willingness to gather to pursue your eternal destiny in companionship with other mortals and your spirit helpers. Tomas is in attendance as well. He has equated this gathering this evening to me as you would understand the energies prior to a symphony wherein the individuals settle in their seats and make social contact with their friends and neighbors and the instruments make their preliminary warming up noises. Microphones are adjusted and chairs shuffle until at last the hall is ready for the performance of the symphony or the play.

I shared that with you to enlighten your understanding of how we perceive you sometimes when you assemble at the hall. There is a large crowd in attendance this evening outside your seeing, yet they are filling the mezzanine and it is standing room only.  The lesson this evening is on forgiveness and you have been well addressed in this matter previously. And yet you recall we have some elementary focus points and one of these is forgiveness. I will address this matter of forgiveness of others and abstain in addressing forgiveness of self until another time.

Your perceptions of forgiveness are curtailed by your sense of offense for your lives are circumscribed; and the occasion for forgiveness is usually short range and is often accomplished by a courtesy as in 'excuse me or pardon me, I offended you'. The forgiveness forthcoming is fairly resilient and responsive. Yet the realm of forgiveness extends into arenas and fields far beyond your immediate awareness and sensibility.

Most of you have become accustomed to offenses from your fellow men and women. We are aware of the relative imperfection, the lack of perception of mankind at large. The offenses which we observe taking place consistently have become second nature, have evolved up from far more barbaric behaviors, yet have still far to go in evolution. When sensibilities and sensitivities toward your fellows, toward one another have upstepped the realm of freedom your personalities will be greatly extended.

Matters of forgiveness involve matters of cultural conditioning. Overlooking ignorance is not the same as forgiving, for overlooking does not require God-consciousness. Forgiveness requires a sense of understanding of human frailty based upon an understanding of the antecedent causation and potential. To forgive is divine. To observe the pain of suffering in your fellow men and women from offenses against them, individually or collectively, is to see the.... (one moment). I am having difficulty with this TR. I have asked Tomas to take over this lesson in anticipation of her comfort and he has obliged.

TOMAS:  Good evening, I am Tomas. I am your teacher, one of many teachers. It gives me great pleasure to be here with you in this great hall of learning. I fear that the analogy of the performance has affected my TR and she has become smitten with stage fright!
 
The lesson on forgiveness is one of rudimentary value, for the levels of understanding regarding forgiveness are many and cannot be accomplished in one short lesson. Your/our focus this evening was and is on the aspects of forgiveness on a grand scale.  We have had to forgive Lucifer for his default, for the devastation wrought upon your world; and we are assimilating that value lesson into our teaching ministry, for the effects of your evolutionary status are fraught with offenses. Forgiveness is a necessary aspect of correction. It is not forward thinking or behaving to withhold forgiveness when confusion is so rampant. Addressing a forgiveness is gracious and requires graciousness. The courageous soul will, in fact, focus on, point out, and elucidate the point of forgiveness from the point of view of the integrity of the individual. That is to say, this is a sharing process.

To assume someone has offended is a perception. Therefore the resolution, the opening of the door for free flow of love and communication, is brought about through communion with the value at question. [Long silence] My friend is unfortunately overmuch involved in these transmission this evening. I and Daniel are postponing further discourse until reinforcements are resumed. You may trust we will resume. And in explanation I ask you to recognize that this process is developmental and has developed along certain lines. The channel which has existed between these two servants has become viable and dependable. Allow, forgive the moment. I and we are willing to attempt answering a question or inducing discourse at this time.

Rutha:  Good evening, Tomas and Daniel. I will say that I am sorry that I was not part of this tonight [didn't TR] but sometimes the human aspect interferes too.  I do have a question. It is a question that has been on my mind all week and so I was thrilled when I heard you say forgiveness tonight. I have been wondering how one knows if one needs to forgive? As people are in relationships there are times when things are said and things are done because we are people. Often things are said only because of the state of being that the person is in at the time and their level of understanding and level of maturity, and all that kind of stuff. And so I guess what I am saying is there are times when there is hurt in a relationship. Does that hurt have to be forgiven or is there anything that needs to be forgiven? You, in fact, understand where the other person is coming from. You don't really personalize what is being said, but yet there is still hurt. And so I was wondering, do you need to forgive then? And then I guess in thinking further about that I thought that, well, maybe the hurt comes from you knowing where the person is and you hurt for them because of the place that they are in. And that this is mainly where the hurt is -- I don't know. Are you understanding my question? And can you give me some kind of input on that?

DANIEL:  I am hearing your inquiry, but it is two or three things. Forgiveness is a state of being wherein you are immune to the offenses of others for your being is so firmly connected to your spirit reality that nothing can cause offense, for it is all human error. Your challenge is to sustain that place of being so spiritized that the communication which might cause hurt is seen for what is actually emitting from that individual's point of distress. This requires great love, great understanding, and is made more available by reclaiming your spirit identity through stillness. The realm of operation from within this God-knowingness allows the offenses to become roadblocks and signs for your decision to help heal the rift or communication block or most specifically to the distress of the other individual. Much of forgiveness is service, service to yourself and to your fellows, and, indeed, to God. For you are then in a position to work for the issue with perspective.

Hurts happen between people. It is a quandary often as to whether the hurt was intentionally afflicted. Yet you know that at the heart of that individual is a God Fragment (Who would not hurt anyone), which is love. The same holds true for you. Therefore, who with eyes to see and ears to hear would not seek to assuage or salve the wounds which occurred, the offenses which caused the rift or the need for further communication or understanding? The realm of forgiveness is vast. Have I, Daniel, approached your inquiry sufficiently for that question?

Rutha:  Yes, Daniel. It has given me a lot to think about. I know the question was not stated clearly but you, being tied to me as closely as you are, understood and the answer was very good. I think that reinforcements are on the way now so, we'll see.

DANIEL:  You are most welcome, my friend. I also thank you for your support. For without your involvement how could I be? All of your involvement is allowing these growth efforts to bring about truth and light in your lives and in the lives of those who watch not only Urantia but all of Nebadon with fond and avid interest. Growth in spiritual terms, and therefore in subsequent material terms, is our work.

Rutha: Thank you, Daniel, for those words of -- Symbiotic relationships do nurture both. Thank you very much.

PamElla:  Daniel and Tomas, I am amazed at the choice of a lesson. It seems like it has been a long time since one hit home so closely to what I needed to hear. Perhaps, I don't know. As I am sure you are aware, perhaps from communication with Linda earlier today or obviously from sharing time earlier this evening, I am finding myself very, very upset about a social condition. You have talked about the need for global forgiveness and I really did want to hear more about that. But particularly in my case I am at a loss to know what to forgive, who to forgive. I realize that feeling the pain that I am feeling, feeling the upset and the emotion that I am feeling, there is obviously a need for forgiveness. But I don't even know where to begin. And I'm wondering if you could address that, please.

HAM:   This is Ham. I am in attendance as well and am greatly interested in this most serious and important topic, not only for Urantians, not only for this group, not only for you as individuals, but because this lesson continues to unfold beyond the mortal career. Before I attempt an answer specifically, my dear daughter PamElla, I would like to comment further in view of what has been said by my brothers Daniel and Tomas in response to Rutha's question.
The First Source and Center as He views the imperfections of mortal life, (and the Second and Third Centers as well), as God in His Deity and in His perfection views mortal life, there is no sense of an offense to forgive, for His perception is so all encompassing that, 'He understands', as your Scripture says, 'our weakness. He knows that we are dust'. He knows our limitations. He knows the pitfalls of mortal life. And so He is not subject to your experience as a mortal, the struggle to overcome outrage and anger, the hatred, the flaring toward the offender/perpetrator, the wrongdoer. But He understands.

As any parent knows, a child has much to learn and much to gain only through experience. And so, as you have intimated, the broader perspective of God, the Trinity Deity, does not have to struggle to forgive, but understands in an understanding which, in a sense, transcends forgiveness. Therefore as you begin to perceive another's level you are in God-consciousness. You are above a merely mortal plane of understanding. And you share, it is my supposition, you share that pain of the other vicariously, even as you have questioned, for you remember how it was for you perhaps at that stage when you would have thought and acted in such a manner.

In response to PamElla my thoughts are that you are sharing the empathy of one who has known the hurt of disappointment, betrayal, as nearly all mortals have that experience. And your compassion, grief, and concern for these others is an indication of your spiritual growth. Even Christ Michael fully experienced this grief over the injustice of this world. He grieved mightily over the fact that His own Sons were the perpetrators of this rebellion. And yet He loved them, offered them forgiveness, offered them renewal, and wept bitterly when they refused His final offer. It is part of human experience, it is part of Deity experience to know grief and to feel those confused feelings. Have my comments helped either of you?

PamElla: Yes. That is helpful. I have a further question. God has no need to forgive. My question is, is offense simply in the eye of the beholder? Is it simply a perception? Or does it, in fact, exist, have reality? I guess I realize that if the perception were proper I suppose one could recognize the offense without responding to it emotionally. Does it not remain an offense?

DANIEL: It remains an ignorant perception and Urantia is filled with those. They constitute much of your lives. Inherent are they on a planet prior to Light and Life. The offense, if any, indeed is in the eye of the beholder except for matters entailing justice/community approach to forgiveness. They are perceptions, yes, relative to that situation, that individual, that culture, that nation; these are common. They are not necessarily something to become alarmed about. But it benefits the overall perspective of individuals when they are aware of them because then they are free to act or not act rather than react. And in acting you have the added advantage of the hosts of space rather than the limited perspective of a semi-civilized animal of the realm.

Greetings, Ham. We are honored and pleased by your presence with us and most particularly with your manifestation of wisdom. We are glad to incorporate you in our platform whenever you opt to do so.

HAM:  Thank you, Daniel and Tomas, for your graciousness in allowing me to share in this manner. I would question you, my daughter, to make sure that I understand your question. For if I understand it correctly, you are asking if there is real sin and iniquity in the universe of universes as opposed to merely error?

PamElla:  Yes, I suppose I was. I had in mind, say, the actions of Hitler toward the Jews and the acts of our government with its past policies of genocide toward the indigenous people of this continent. And I was wondering if the problem was in my perceptions of these events or if the problem is in the events themselves and I thought that I might need to adjust my perceptions. But I wanted to know, if, in fact, there is something real for me to be upset about, realizing that being upset does no good and that I need to learn forgiveness.

HAM:  Your text is clear in regard to the distinction between error or evil, sin, and iniquity, and I would not labor on those topics as Daniel has very fittingly addressed that subject matter in past lessons. Of course iniquity and sin are real in a temporary sense. They are destructive of personality status. They result in ultimate extinction. You know this. The relative matters of wars, of abuses of one human being of another vary from a cultural relativism to a very serious betrayal of one's brotherhood and sisterhood, a denial of one's common unity in the family of our Creator Parents. This has to be judged contextually within the situations that are being addressed, but I am sure we all agree that right and wrong is not merely a matter of convention. There is such a thing as breaking the laws of God, the spiritual laws of God. Beyond those comments I would not care to further elaborate. Is this helpful?

PamElla:  That was very helpful. Somehow I was hearing, and I know this must be old past thinking, was hearing that God didn't see all of that and that we should have the same perception. Thank you. You have addressed it.

HAM:  You are welcome. At this time I, Ham, would bid you all farewell and return to my observation position. I love you all and I am most pleased to see your continued spiritual progress. Please call upon me as you need to for it is my joy in my supervisory capacity to assist groups wherever I can be of help. Good night.

DANIEL: Trust might have been an appropriate topic for this evening, for you may trust the overcare of Michael and His Mission and His loyal workers inclusively. But we have launched upon deeper understanding of forgiveness and in due course we will begin to see instances of forgiveness in new light as you and we ascend in understanding of our ultimate aspect. These occasions are opportunities for service rather than occasions of grief and sadness.

Do not misunderstand for we have experienced mortal life. We have been aware of your pains and the incredible injustices which have scarred and deeply affected your world. Indeed, your cries and the mercy of our Creator Father have evinced these meetings which we now enjoy and which will bring about that corrective healing, and yes, forgiveness of others, ourselves, and circumstances to the end that we will rejoice victorious. If there is one further question we have time. [long pause]

I, Daniel, my beloved associate, and my peers are all impressed with this evolutionary step, and with your courage and stamina. Go this week and observe the instances wherein your perception of offenses is altered to include compassion and humor. For there is much lightness also which comes from understanding. In graciousness, then, we reside. Farewell.

*****

DATE:   February 10, 1995
TEACHERS:   DANIEL, TOMAS
TOPIC:  More on Forgiveness

DANIEL: Good evening, my friends. I am Daniel, your guide and teacher. It is our pleasure, Tomas and I, to be amongst you again this week. As the weeks continue to pass by so do the experiences you incur throughout the week pass through the trials, the struggles and the joys that are part of your human adventure, which on a different scale is a part of your divine adventure of soul growth. If you will recall from your reading of the book Christ Michael's admonishment to His apostles, disciples, and followers was that even though they had discovered truth, even though they had understood on a greater level than any up to that time, and given that the experiences of life can be understood from a different perspective, that a person is not cursed with illness, poverty, or the like because of wrongdoing or the revenge of a god. But rather that their understanding was to know that even though truth is known so does the unfolding of temporal life include all emotions, all actions, and all ramifications of living on a material plane. Therefore is experience, then, essential to your understanding, essential to your growth, essential to your character building. Understanding truth affords you great tools with which to view the unfoldings of life in order that you can handle these unfoldings with richer and greater Judgement, richer and greater understanding, richer and greater action.

This week our lesson will again focus on forgiveness. It is through this very act that you as a mortal rise further above mortal existence into a plane of spiritual understanding. The discussion this week will continue to address the issue of forgiving one another, individually and collectively. When you conceive of forgiveness, there occurs in your innermost being, in your core, a barrier, a wall, a dividing post. This understanding that there is a need for forgiveness has brought you up from a lower state of not wanting to forgive or not knowing that you should forgive. We will not focus on that at the moment. Rather we will focus on looking at this wall or barrier that becomes erected when you consider the act of forgiving.

The nature of this wall, this barrier, consists mostly of fear, consists of hostility or anger, consists of lack of knowledge and understanding, and consists of lack of a desire to forgive. Forgiveness, then, must be viewed as a part of emotion. Once you have identified the need to forgive then these emotions or lack of knowledge are those things which build the wall, create that division between you and your fellow brothers or sisters, or between you and the other one. This lack of forgiveness also divides and separates you greatly from the Source through which all forgiveness can readily be rectified.  In this discourse this evening let us look at these various roadblocks, in order that you can begin to consciously practice and question your own self and your motive when it comes to your own ability to forgive.

First, one must consider that the greatest error in forgiving is to not comprehend that this lack of forgiving separates you from God. More often than you all can realize you have, and your fellow mankind/womenkind have separated yourselves from the Source. There is within the mind and emotions a sense of emptiness, often not understood by the individual. They cannot understand why this emptiness has manifested itself. It is because they have not only cut themselves off from their relationships with another, but most importantly from their relationship with God, often unconsciously. And so, my friends, whenever you understand that there is a need to forgive, know that the act of forgiveness is extremely important in order to break down that separation between you and the Source, between you and God.

Once you have understood this, you are more willing to go into the stillness to seek nurturing, that the other barriers that separate you in this relationship to your fellow brothers and sisters are dissolved. You are thereby given in this stillness divine direction, a sense of security, and the ability to forgive.  The emotion of fear arises in forgiveness from the fact that by forgiving you are placing yourself in a vulnerable situation. It is he/she who is fortified with inner guidance that can withstand this vulnerability and let go of the fear that prevents you from taking steps towards forgiveness.

In consideration of forgiveness one is forced to look at the situation in which hostilities, anger, and misunderstanding have arisen. It is painful to re-experience that which has transpired but it is a necessary step in order for you to understand that forgiveness is possible. Whenever you can understand the 'why' of any situation you are better able to accept, better able to implement action, and better able to place in motion those things necessary in order for forgiveness to evolve. The ability to recognize these characteristics becomes easier the more you place yourself in the situation of wanting to forgive. It is important that even though you can understand what has transpired, even though you can see the motive of the person you need to forgive, even with this understanding, there is another step you must take. And that is to begin again to love that person for himself/herself as a member of the family of the First Source and Center.

All mortals, all individuals with free will are capable of error, are capable of inflicting pain and hurt on one another. It is he/she who is driven and led by the Inner Guide that sees beyond the perpetration into a grander perspective, a divine perspective; and in this divine perspective are love and mercy overshadowing any atrocities committed. It is, of course, part of a group function to forgive individually and collectively while at the same time administering fairly the consequences of an act. The ability to put aside your hurt transforms you, strengthens you, and allows for the forgiveness procedure to begin and work through its stages to completion.

It is not always possible for you the mortal to forgive immediately the first time around, especially when the hurt is deep. Through successive 'mind-storming' and heartfelt desire to forgive the inability to let go of the past will be overcome and you will be able to move on. Forgiveness requires work. Real forgiveness cannot just be off the cuff flippant language. Real forgiveness is felt through the whole of your being, mindally, physically, emotionally and even spiritually. It is part of working through this forgiveness in all of these areas that the forgiveness truly becomes integrated, effective, and eventually there is complete forgiveness.If one part of your being is hesitant then forgiveness cannot be totally complete at this time. Spiritual forgiveness is, of course, one of the first areas that forgives most readily and easily for it is a greater perspective than is mindal, emotional, or physical.

At this point I will conclude my remarks and allow Tomas a chance to communicate with you.

TOMAS:   Greetings friends. It is a pleasure to greet you thus. I have been savoring Daniel's lesson and the solidarity and fluidity of this evening's session. I have a remark or two to contribute to Daniel's lesson on forgiveness. These words are merely to reiterate some of the things he has discussed. The intellect is clever at hiding the emotions. Often your angers, resentments and hurt feelings are submerged under an intellectual facade that nothing is the matter, that there is nothing to forgive. Indeed if you seek not to find further love depth with that individual or situation there is little reason for your intellect to be denied. However, your spirit will, to that extent, suffer the paucity of not knowing that individual or situation as a reality in your life.

You might begin to discern areas where forgiveness could be a viable exercise of a God seeking soul such as yourself if you hear your remarks and intonations in discourse when that person or that subject comes up. Is there an edge of hostility unaware even to yourself? Is there rather an intellectual acknowledgement of emotional pain perceived in your own social intercourse, how you bear ill will which you are not aware of?  The exercise is for you alone and for your personal development, for the gains which will be made for you, for your society, and for our mission. As you learn and put into practice these laws they become part and parcel of your environment, for your seed has been planted and will grow. I have no additional remarks at this time. I return the platform to teacher Daniel.

DANIEL:   Tomas' words have helped to solidify and create a vision that will benefit you in this exercise of forgiving. There has been stated some important ideas that we ask you to consider, to contemplate and to put into action. It is important for you to realize that forgiving is not a one time shot. It is an ongoing process, for you will find that throughout life you are afforded many, many opportunities to step forward and follow Father's will. Those who daily commit and dedicate themselves to understanding and desiring to follow are more aware and more sensitive to the need to forgive. Therefore to all of you, you undoubtedly will find yourselves forgiving seventy times seven.

An analogy to this would be the student in the classroom who is a good student, who is a curious student, who always has the homework, who always sees there is more to do. But the less motivated and less adept student is not aware of what needs to be done. And so you will find yourselves seeing instances where forgiveness is important, forgiveness is necessary. This lesson this evening is now concluded. The floor is open for questions.

PamElla:   Good evening, Daniel and Tomas. I have no questions at this time. I just wanted to tell you I felt that was a remarkable lesson tonight. I am looking forward to contemplating your words this weekend. I am beginning to examine the need for forgiveness in my life again. That is something I have put on a back burner more recently. So thank you.

DANIEL:   Your words are noted. Our presence will be with you all this week during your attempts, your exercising of forgiveness. It is truly a study. It is and does behoove you all to acknowledge the many facets and areas involved in the simple act of forgiveness. This simple act becomes a very powerful act upon its completion.

Beverly:   This is a question that Gerdean wanted asked. The infrequent incidents of deaths reported as spontaneous combustion like the lady in Hagerman in the 1960s that burned in her bed without the bed or the house burning, are they instances of fusion?

DANIEL:   Fusion has occurred on this planet and throughout the ages. Its frequency, of course, is rare in comparison to the population. However, this does not negate the fact that many mortals on this plane have, throughout the ages, attained their circles and are continuing to achieve this act even more so in this present day. And so while fusion has not been completed in this lifetime, the ability to achieve the first circle does show that this planet will be seeing and witnessing more fusion in the future.  We have been asked not to comment specifically or in great detail regarding certain instances, for the importance of our mission is to support you and provide you with the tools that will further your own spiritual and soul growth. It is a part of the curiosity of human nature to wonder and to want to know about these seemingly extraordinary events. Understand that, indeed, fusion occurs and will grow in proportion as the evolution of humanity progresses and spirituality becomes more integrated into the material framework, thought work and emotions. That is all.

Isaac:    Daniel and Tomas, this is Isaac. And I would agree with the assessment made by PamElla that this is a profound lesson. And since it started a few moments ago I have been thinking about one of the aspects that you mentioned, Daniel, which is the aspect of understanding. I have noticed this in myself and I have heard it said by others. There seems to be a correlation, some connection between an understanding of motivation and a willingness to forgive. When people recite the acts of atrocity of others and make comments as, 'I could never forgive that' I get the sense that it is because they can't understand how another human person could do such a thing. On the other hand, merely understanding the motivation does not necessarily result in forgiveness, for some people may understand why they do something but not forgive themselves for it. So those are some thoughts that I had running through my mind as I was contemplating your topic. I would like you to comment on those if you would desire to.

DANIEL:   Thank you, Isaac, for that question. It brings up another important aspect of the act of forgiving. In my lesson this evening I said that there are various areas that are involved in being able to let go and forgive. It is often necessary that an individual work through all of those areas in order for them to come full circle and be able to let go and forgive.

Through the understanding that forgiveness is necessary a first step has been made. Going into stillness, asking for help and guidance in this matter, reinforces the individual so that further steps may be taken in forgiving: understanding the motivation and working through the anger, the hostility, working through the pain and hurt that is inflicted and felt, working through one's own fear and vulnerability, working through one's own inability to let go. In some instances the act of forgiveness must go through many phases, many stages. Other times the act of forgiveness can be almost spontaneous and readily able to be given. Does this further your understanding of forgiveness?

Isaac:   Yes, I certainly agree with all you have said. I was thinking of an example of one of the points I was interested in. And the example is a person named Virginia Sutin who is no longer on a mortal plane but was a great social worker and well known in her field. She gave a workshop at ISU that I attended and said that in order for someone to do counseling with somebody else you had to be able to understand how that person could do whatever it was that required the counseling. She said the most difficult client she ever had was a woman who had taken her infant baby and put her in a furnace to be consumed. She said before she could counsel that woman she had to come to the place where she could understand that she, Virginia Sutin, could have done such a thing. And when she related this at the time it was pretty impressive and moving. I am assuming that when she said she could do counseling she meant she could be in a state of forgiveness toward this woman in regards to this act. And that was part of what I was thinking about.

DANIEL:   Indeed your perception in this instance is correct. All individuals must realize that until you have reached perfection and are pure spirit there is always chance of error. Consider your own planet and the two defaults on this planet and you will begin to further see that, indeed, all are capable of all aspects of good, all aspects of evil. One must remember, 'Judge not'. For you most certainly have only walked in your shoes.

Isaac:   Thank you very much, Daniel. I guess, then, that leads to the idea that if we believe we can't do such an atrocity then we can't forgive such an atrocity and that's a roadblock to forgiveness.

DANIEL:   It becomes very difficult, if almost impossible, for forgiveness requires one to not be in a position of judging and executing to the degree that one cannot see hope. Is this understood?

Isaac:   Yes.

TOMAS:   Let me jump in and say that you have spoken of atrocities and these have great dynamics. And yet in the realm of forgiveness perhaps the greater danger lies in those simple human instances of being unforgiving of general mortality, regular human frailties and even those things about which no one can do anything. How deep is your sense of outrage at someone who is poor or ugly or rich or fat or etc.? These simple things comprise a huge cloud of darkness on Urantia. The atrocities of alienation are real in everyone's lives. The ignorant and deformed and lost, and those of other races, other genders, other sexual orientations, other nationalities are all human beings, all part of your family. And how great is the realm of unforgiving of your own fellows! This is so acceptable in so much of your society that it is glossed over and condoned. But this unbending, unyielding, unloving attitude of one human toward another is unacceptable for progress and Light and Life. So although the most obvious areas of forgiveness are usually the more dramatic bear in mind the full spectrum of forgiveness. For the simple elements of your relationship with your neighbors and their dog is what creates Paradise here in time and space. Thank you.

Isaac:   I just have to say, that was absolutely fabulous, Tomas. And thank you for broadening the perspective to include what we would so easily gloss over. I'll stop talking and let somebody else talk.

PamElla:   That was a fabulous response. But I have a question from the earlier discussion. I can understand forgiveness spiritually, emotionally, and mentally, but I am not sure what it means to forgive physically. My mind has been searching and what I have come up with is the idea that memories remain in our muscles and perhaps they must be released. Is that what you have in mind? Or, anyway, would you address what it means to forgive physically?

DANIEL:   Indeed many of the offenses inflicted upon a person are of a physical nature. And these offenses are a violation to the total integrated mortal. And those things which are felt in the body are likewise recorded in the subconscious. Therefore forgiveness in completion must encompass the body's willingness to desensitize and allow forgiveness so that in that healing there is also healing within the subconscious and vice versa. The mortal being is capable of great feats and great defeats. As Tomas has stated earlier, do not be fooled by the intellect regarding forgiveness. Realize there are other things besides the intellect involved in forgiving.

PamElla:   Thank you, Daniel. I am thinking about how one goes about this. As I have been thinking about it these thoughts have occurred to me: that one forgives emotionally by allowing oneself to experience the feelings and then let them go; that one forgives intellectually by coming into understanding as Isaac pointed out; I'm not really sure how one forgives spiritually, I think that occurs by turning over one's willingness and sitting in the quiet; but I am not sure about how one goes about forgiving physically other than, perhaps, such techniques as Luke has been working with me which are 'cranials'. Is my understanding of these approaches to forgiveness at all valid? Or am I way off base?

DANIEL:   Most certainly have you, in your logical and understanding mind, categorized these very neatly into packages. And the aspect of healing physically can come about through that of which you speak: cranials. However one must realize not all people are afforded such luxury! Therefore there are other ways of healing physically.

First and foremost is through the other areas that we have spoken of. In these areas coming to completion is there fed through the electro-chemical mechanism of the body a freeing feeling that encourages and affords the body the ability to release and let go. It is very much tied in with the emotions, with the ability to release anger and hostility, to the ability to not be fearful or vulnerable, and, of course, through the ability of understanding. In this area one can visualize and speak to the body about healing, about forgiving and letting go. In the majority of cases of forgiving, however, the body has not been so wounded. And so it remains intact and part of the integration of the whole. Does this help?

PamElla:   That was very helpful. Thank you very much for the entire evening.

Norman:   Daniel, this is Norman. This is one of my rare questions. It seems to me that as you have been speaking one of the barriers that we put up ourselves in many cases involving forgiveness is a fervent desire for the one who did the wrong, (we'll call that person 'the unforgiven'), to come to us and ask for forgiveness. Then it clears the path for us to give it. And it implies another thing, that if we can overcome that barrier, that the other aspect of it is, having overcome that barrier we have no constraints to ask for forgiveness if we are the wrongdoer. And is not this a natural consequence and almost a given, that this would occur?

DANIEL:   Understood. Indeed, one who has the experience of forgiving is much more readily able to ask for forgiveness when they have erred. One who has gone through the experience of forgiving understands full well the beautiful act of already being forgiven by the First Source and Center for their actions. This also reinforces, then, their ability to seek forgiveness in their material life, in their relationships with their brothers and sisters. It is always hardest to forgive deeply the first time, but becomes easier as you repeat the experience of forgiving. One aspect, however, that I will address regarding your statement is this.

Often times when you find you must forgive you are not sought by the unforgiven, as you stated, and it becomes then an individual chore where you must forgive even when forgiveness has not been sought. Sometimes those who inflict the pain are not even aware or are not able to grasp what they have done. They are not capable at this point to ask for forgiveness. But in order for you to grow and carry on you must forgive despite that which is coming to you from the other person. Are you seeing?

Norman:   Yes, I am seeing. And another aspect that occurred to me is if the lack of forgiveness can be a barrier to the true seeking of the quietness and the stillness and the growing together with the First Source or the internal Adjuster, then would it not also be a barrier if, then, a need to seek forgiveness is undone? Even if we are possibly aware that the person who might be considering us a wrongdoer is not aware or even thinking of it any longer. Is it a barrier for us not to go and ask for forgiveness as well?

DANIEL:   Certainly. For in asking for forgiveness you are allowing for your own growth and healing to take place. It is a barrier when one fails to attempt to seek forgiveness when it is not asked or sought or the offense possibly forgiven. Each of you in your own personal lives have known those times when you have erred and have had to decide how to handle the situation; to face it and ask forgiveness or to avoid it, to pretend it does not exist, to run away. The latter two are barriers. Facing the situation helps to break that barrier down.

Another point which I would like to make is this. Often when one has erred there is guilt and shame. The presence and the feelings of guilt and shame cause a person who is so conditioned by the past to tend to want to hide because they fear the reprisals and the consequences of their actions. The act of hiding, feeling guilty and harboring this fear is, indeed, a double error in the act of forgiving for it is this double act that causes one to shut themselves off from divine guidance and nurturing. Understand that God is a loving and merciful God, that error is part of the human experience, that willful and continual error leads to sin and iniquity (which is not a part of what we are discussing at the moment, we are regarding now the act of forgiving) and so it is necessary for all to understand that there will be errors made by you, the imperfect mortal; that this error is not a reason for fear or guilt or shame to the degree that it shuts you off from the First Source and Center.

If there is a time when this occurs for you, you will find it is most difficult for you to even approach or feel you can approach conversation with the First Source and Center. If this becomes the case do not try to seek silence for any length of time, but rather ask in a short prayer frequently for many days that you can resolve your shame and guilt and that in that resolving you can come to the place where stillness can be again a welcome part of your day. In asking for this to happen you in no wise change God, but rather you are slowly changing your own attitude and perspective so that you are not jeopardizing your own soul growth by cutting yourself off from the Source.This has gone beyond the scope of your question but a necessary understanding, I felt, was needed. Has your question been answered suitably?

Norman:   Yes it has. And I thank you for your extra clarification. And I look forward to also reading it in the transcript. Thank you all.

DANIEL:   You are most welcome, my friend.

Isaac:   I know we are overtime, Daniel, but I have been requested by others on the internet that are posting to the Teaching Mission list and to Urantial that a lesson from Daniel could be … what was the term they used? 'Hot off the press'. And I am asking your permission or your opinion about whether this lesson merits distribution through that medium.

DANIEL:   As intelligent and clear thinking individuals, most days, (laughter) I will leave this to your discretion. Our lessons are given that the brothers and sisters below us in time and space can be supported and guided in the mystery and wonderment of the seven superuniverses and the glorious aspect of Paradise, but most importantly in the personal relationship to the First Source and Center. If you feel these proceedings tonight would bring an individual closer to that personal relationship, then I have no objection. Tomas?

TOMAS:   I have no objection either except for the fact that Daniel spoke more than I did!! (Chuckling) Even so, I am pleased to be part of this marvelous process and in fact this gives me an opportunity to add my two cents which have to do with humility, for forgiveness requires humility. And from this process of forgiving through humility you gain strength of character. And it is with a certain amount of strength of character that I allow a witticism now and then. So, certainly, plant the seeds; spread the gospel of Michael.

DANIEL:   It has been a long evening and with tongue in cheek, again, I will allow Tomas to close this meeting.

TOMAS:   My gracious friends, it is an honor, as always, to be one with you and to investigate the realms of growth in the deep mind. We are all so pleased with the entire process which is evolving and unfolding. Trust our affirmation that the spiritual circuitry is abounding far and near. Your efforts are all recorded on high and are a testimony to your own developing souls. I humbly bid you farewell.

*****

DATE:      February 17, 1995
TEACHERS:  DANIEL, TOMAS
TOPIC:  Forgiveness and Tolerance

TOMAS: Greetings friends, I am Tomas. I am pleased to be with you this evening and to share this platform with your teacher, Daniel, who is available, and other celestial hosts who conjoin with us in our teaching ministry, in our sharing process in this evolving, loving community of believers.

Yes the effect of our continuing lesson on forgiveness has taken its toll. And yet has anyone undertaken an exercise regime that did not experience tender muscles in the process of building strength? For this exercise of acknowledging the role of acceptance, of mortal imperfection, is all consuming. One may look to each other for confirmation of imperfection but we would have you go beyond this 'misery loves company' to higher and less stressful realms of functioning.

The fruit of the Spirit, forgiving tolerance, is what you have been practicing this week in your notice of the work necessary in the realm of human communication or lack of the same. In the tolerance of your brother and sister, both in the flesh and in the spirit, you have opportunity to reflect on your own case. The exhaustion does prevail when you see the situation as hopeless or when you find you have no power to heal the situation, when you realize your feet are of clay and your methods are not necessarily universal in application.

We have watched you this week as we promised. Assuredly your work has been deep and effective not only for you personally but for all of life since these in-depth awarenesses, these soul cognizances have become part of the evolving process of God. The effect of your efforts will leak into the mainstream of thought for all mankind.

The efforts that you expend on maintaining your love for your fellows is mortar in the foundation of Kingdom building. Remember in coming and going, in your daily life to take time to gather spirit strength from God, from that divine power which will implement your going forward with your service work. My eager friend and co-teacher Daniel is delighted to portray through PamElla, if she is willing, some remarks at this time.

DANIEL:  Greetings friends, I am Daniel. It is, indeed, my very great pleasure to speak with you this evening. I have been most pleased with your attention to our lessons of the past two weeks. Your growth has, indeed, been broad based. You have truly grabbed the bit, as it were, taking this lesson between your teeth and pushed forward with it. As your teacher, one of your teachers, I could not ask for anything more by way of commitment, by way of homework, by way of personal study. I am pleased.

Tonight, my friends, we will continue our study of forgiveness by looking at self forgiveness. I realize that this topic is most likely not a surprise to many of you, but, indeed, you have broached the issue and several of you have that knowledge that self forgiveness is yet to come and is absolutely crucial in the processes of forgiveness.

But first we asked you to look to the outer world, to look to the situations, the individuals, the institutions, and the history so that you would become aware of your lack of forgiveness, so that you wouldn't brush aside this lesson by saying, 'Oh, this I have already done. I have already done this many times. This must be for my comrades, my fellow brothers and sisters. They are the ones that Daniel is speaking to tonight'. No friends, I am speaking to each of you.

This is an ongoing thing as I believe you are coming to understand. Forgiveness is something that must be done daily, hourly, sometimes by the minute, and sometimes second by second. And so now that our past two lessons have grabbed your attention and you are coming to realize that need for forgiveness in your life you are coming to realize your separation from your brothers and sisters, from our grand Parent, and, my friends, I hope you are beginning to realize the separation you have from yourself. That is what I would like to talk to you about tonight, forgiveness of self and understanding who you are.

You are a child of the First Source and Center, our divine Parent, our Mother/Father/God, our infinite Creator/First Source. You, as children of this God, are an extension of our God. You are part of the I Am. And, my friends, you are also a material being and are a product of your enculturation. Correction, you are a child of God, however, you have a false sense of who you are. One might call it 'false consciousness' that is the product of your enculturation.

You are a child of culture as well. You are a child of your upbringing, your backgrounds, your family situations, your nationality, your ethnic background. And these are layers of muddying. They are layers that do not allow you to perceive that true essence that God created and you become often confused between your true identity and your identity within your culture. In order to begin to know who God created you must -- correction, PamElla objects to the word 'must' and feels that that is her language. But I say in order to know who you are you must forgive those layers of culture.

You must understand yourself by understanding the cultural 'you', the person you are in your society, the person that your brothers and sisters see, who you think of as 'yourself'. For, you see, it is your understanding of yourself as that 'cultural identity' that separates you from your brothers and your sisters; for are not those the areas in which you are quick to judge one another when they don't fit with your cultural upbringing or your understanding of proper morality or your understanding of dress or if they are a different age? Is that not where your feel the isolation and the separation?

In your essences as children of the First Source and Center there is no separation but it is your Judgements upon one another that come from your cultural identity that are your blockages. And so now, tonight, I would invite you to spend the next week forgiving from this perspective.

I would ask you to look inward this week and as you find yourselves reacting to your brothers and sisters instead of forgiving them for their offenses as you see them, their differences, or their actions as irritants upon you, I would ask you to look at yourself and begin the process of questioning and saying why is it that I react to that? Why is it that I am intolerant of that? Why is it that that particular behavior really sets me on edge? And as you begin to ask those questions you will begin to find answers.

And as those answers surface you will find there is forgiveness that you need to do in two realms: the external realm in your past, in the realm of the institutions, in the realm of your upbringing; but also you will find that you will want to forgive yourself for your understandings, for your learnings, for experiencing the situations in the way you have.

My friends, this is an ongoing process. Do not expect that you should be complete in this or free of your reactions by next week, no. This will go on. We still find ourselves forgiving. And, yes, the heavy past work in forgiveness for most of us is fairly complete but forgiveness is ongoing, self examination is ongoing, self understanding is ongoing; and the beauty is that as this process unfolds you discover within yourself, within your being, who it is that God created. You are very beautiful and unique. You each are a unique expression of the First Source, the God of us all, the I AM. My friends I would invite you to relish your own uniqueness and relish the uniqueness of your brothers and sisters.

I believe that you will discover as you continue that rather than being exhausted you will find new strength. For as Tomas has stated, this is a new exercise and right now your muscles are tender and you aware that you have not used them for a while; you are sore and it is tiring. As with any exercise routine as you practice, as you maintain that commitment, as you work on a regular schedule, you become fit. Your muscles become hardened. You know that strength and that confidence and that inner sense of self worth that comes from such a discipline.

So, yes, you are sore and tired and exhausted now but you can look forward to renewed strength, increased strength. At some point you will feel stronger and more centered than at any time in your life. And, my friends, the good news is that unlike physical stamina you are never past your peak. Spiritual strength only continues to develop and to grow. Welcome to this new endeavor of exercise; welcome to spiritual exercise. And now Tomas and I are open to questions and comments.

Paula:   Daniel, this is Paula. I appreciate very much the way you have addressed the issue of forgiveness. I have been working with the issue of forgiveness all week, not just because it is here but because in my discipline for preaching the lectionary is talking about loving enemies and praying for those who abuse you, and essentially about forgiveness.

The phrase 'forgive and forget' doesn't seem to hold much meaning for me and probably is not very practical for a lot of people. And the fact that they can't forget is cause to continue to berate themselves. But I was particularly interested in the cultural layer as regards memory in terms of forgetting. I have come to the conclusion, certainly not on my own, but with others, that when we forget, that to forget means to lose the transformation that happens to us when we forgive, as well as to lose the importance of whatever the injury was, to help us do better next time or to help us to enable others to be different at falling in that realm of understanding. So I really do thank you for that particular dimension of self.

DANIEL:   Yes, Paula, your comments are appreciated. Please wait one moment...the fear returned for this blossoming TR. She was busy trying to listen because she was afraid that if she did not understand, that I could not, and she was somewhat confused. I understood and I think she is letting me take the reins back. So I would like to say a few words about forgiving and forgetting and letting go.

Often people are very afraid that if they forgive they will forget and the result will be that the situation is repeated, the offense reoccurs. And they believe that in order to protect themselves from ever having to experience that again they must not forget it; and this doesn't allow for forgiveness. And it doesn't protect them from ever experiencing it again because they experience it daily over and over and over and over and over and over again!! Every time they remember what it was that happened they relive it! And so their fear and their desire for protection have just the opposite effect. They experience the trauma, the indignation, the pain, the betrayal, the hurt repeatedly.

To forgive does not mean to forget and yet this is often the outcome. Because what one forgets is not the occurrence. One forgets the pain. One is relieved of much baggage. One does not have to relive the same trauma over and over and over and over again. My friends, to forgive does not mean to forget in the sense that I have forgiven it and now I have stuffed it away and I will not think about it any more. Forgive means to decide that you no longer want to carry the pain; you no longer want to be burdened; you no longer want to be separated from your brothers and sisters and from God; you no longer can tolerate the way you are living, your judgements, etc., and you take that burden and you give it to God. You say, 'Take it from me. I no longer want it. You can have it! Please, God, give me a different perspective. Please, God, give me freedom! Please God, let me experience the love of my brothers and sisters. Please, God, let me experience your love.' And in doing so the pain dissipates. And to the extent that we are fully willing to turn it over to God, it is gone.

Often, of course, it is difficult not to take it back, to be frightened, to say, 'Oh, I don't know what it is like to exist without this burden. I am unsure, I feel uncomfortable. At least with this burden I know what existence is like'. And so we take it back. And then we turn it over again. And this goes on; it is a process. But what happens as we evolve is we learn to let God have it much more of the time than we ask to hold it.

And so, friends, forgive. For in the forgiving you will forget the pain but not the occurrence; and in the forgiving you are given the connection to our Source to help avoid those situations where you allow yourself to be a victim. Forgiving does not mean setting yourself up to be victimized again. Forgiving means one stops the pattern of victimization. One says I am done being a victim of myself, God. Here you go, you may take it; and I will trust You to be my guide and to show me the way that I may steer clear of future instances. To forgive means to have that self esteem to know that one does not need to be a victim. Is this of any help, Paula?

Paula:   Yes, very helpful, because it affirms where I was thinking I needed to go with regards to explaining and expanding on those thoughts. But also as you have been talking and I have been listening to what my brothers and sisters have been sharing, as you know, a couple of years ago and until a year ago I really was in the midst of great turmoil and trouble; and I didn't realize how strong a 'beating' I had taken with regards to conflict. When I went off on my sabbatical this fall I did realize how much stress there was; although at that time and by God's grace and a lot of support I really was, in that time that you described, more fully whole than any other time in my life. I had forgiven those folks. So I have been just sitting here thinking that if I had forgiven those folks how come I was so tired? And of course forgiving is hard work. So I think my weariness and need to recover was because I really did work very, very hard at forgiving those persons that I felt were my enemies or whom I felt abused me or whom I had in the process wronged as well. Thanks for just continuing to talk about that because it is a very helpful realization for me to look at that. I did work hard and no wonder I was tired. Thank you.

DANIEL:   And I would remind you that as you continue you will continue to be strengthened. That is all.

TOMAS:   [I have] one additional remark having to do with the work of forgiveness and this aspect of forgetting. Your efforts in forgiveness are much like a creation of your own. For as you whittle and mold and toil in the process of perfecting forgiveness you have created something real and whole which is now a part of your evolving soul, which is your own personal jewel of wisdom which may shine brightly in the darkness where others may see your light. That experiential value is yours, well earned as a result of having borne the burden of the experience which gives rise to wisdom and compassion. Questions?

Isaac:   Hello, Tomas and Daniel, this is Isaac. I want to add a commentary briefly on this business of the weariness of forgiveness work and see what you think of this idea. It occurred to me as you were talking about this that possibly some of the weariness of our relationships with other people is the effort it takes to stand in judgement upon them and upon ourselves. Having witnessed the tremendous effort it took to go through a lawsuit with the Urantia Foundation and Kristen Maaherra as to who is right and who is wrong it occurs to me, at least from my experience, that I expend a great deal of effort when I am in a judgmental mode toward other people or toward myself. So that is a wearisome effort. And perhaps that is part of this picture you were describing, Daniel, when we appropriate this forgiveness, letting go of the pain, letting go of the victimization mode. And I would add letting go of being the judge we will experience a lot less work. What do you think of this idea?

DANIEL:  Yes, Isaac, my son, of course. Judging others takes enormous energy for judging others is a barrier that keeps us separate from one another and keeps us separate from our Source. To maintain such a barrier does require energy and it is very wearisome, yes. It is wearisome in a different way than forgiveness because the weariness and the tiredness that comes from maintaining a barrier of that sort goes on day after day, after day. One never becomes strengthened. One's muscles never become toned. One becomes more and more depleted.

The weariness that comes from forgiveness is of a different sort although it is related. This weariness comes from recognizing all of the barriers, all of the judging, and all of the energy that is being expended. And the weariness is a recognition of the weariness that is already there.  But it also comes, then, from learning to relinquish, learning to take down those barriers. And often this is finding muscles that have never been used before. For you all are good at maintaining those barriers. That you have done for years. You know how to do that. You know those muscles. Forgiving in the sense that we have been discussing requires you to use muscles with which you are less familiar.

An analogy that comes to mind is that of trying to learn to wiggle your ears. There are, indeed, muscles and some people have discovered those muscles and can wiggle their ears. But it took much time, practice, and development to develop and tone those muscles. And so this week the weariness that many of you are experiencing is the weariness of hunting for those ear wiggling muscles. The tenderness you are feeling is from wiggling which is something that you have not done as much of as you are now attempting to do, although, of course, you have done some in the past. My friend, does this answer your question?
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saac:   Yes. I feel like saying, 'Well said, teacher'. That was very well done, very clear to me, Daniel. We are all chuckling at your analogy of ear wiggling. So thank you for connecting my thoughts to the rest of this whole thing. And I'll return the mike to the next speaker.

DANIEL:   You are most welcome.

Brenda:   Hi, Daniel and Tomas, this is Brenda. I want to, and I am not exactly sure how to phrase it or what exactly I am asking so bear with me. Kind of on the idea of judging that Isaac brought up. I guess from the basis of being at school there is a very large variety of uniqueness and a lot of discussion about the uniqueness of others, of people around them of people who aren't, and along with that comes a lot of judging: 'this is right, this is wrong, maybe we should change this', and a lot of ethnocentric attitudes, a lot of egocentric attitudes. It was really good for the verification and validation that you gave about that we are all coming from different cultural levels or layers, family layers, backgrounds, histories, race, all that combined. I guess I really like the idea of looking at those and really learning that your way is not necessarily the best way. You need to look at where they are coming from and see that your way is just a product of that upbringing. I guess my question is, 'where do you draw the line or is there one of accepting that which is different from the way you see it and where you say, .no, that is wrong...I need to do something to change this because I see this is wrong. Does that make any sense?

DANIEL:  Question understood. My friend, several weeks ago I told a story about two twins. And I will retell that story in brief.  There were two twins that were born into a loving family. They were given high ideals. They were raised with love and understanding. And at some point the two twins took separate paths. One twin became more quiet and introspective, spent more time in stillness. The other twin stayed very active working for causes, working against what the twin perceived as wrong. And as time went on the second more activist twin realized that the quiet twin was producing the fruits that the active twin desired.

I would say to you, my friend, always turn inward to your Inner Guide. Much of what is thought of as 'wrong' on this planet is simply a difference in cultural values. They are moral issues, they are not breaking God's laws. I would ask you to spend time contemplating the true nature of God. I would ask you to sit in quiet asking that you will be given guidance, that you will know when and how to act in a situation, when to listen, when to speak, when to pick up a picket.
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 realize this does not address your question directly for I cannot tell you when something is wrong. That you must discern and that will take practice. I would ask you to have that awareness that much of what is thought of as 'wrong' is cultural. God smiles upon God's children. God sees the beauty in His/Her children, but delights in their play. And God sees God's children as what they are, children, and not perfected beings. So I would also suggest that as you look at your brothers and sisters (this is you inclusive) that you understand yourselves as but children and do not expect and require so much of yourselves and one another. Have the tolerance you would have for an infant or for a toddler or perhaps the tolerance you would now have for an infant or a toddler with the understanding that that they are developmentally where they are and need to be in order to progress. Brenda, my friend, is this at all helpful to you?

Brenda:  Yes, thanks. I guess just kind of reiterating that whether it is wrong or right none of us can say for absolute sure, that we have to look at ourselves from where we are and not see that as above or advanced from where others are in their own path.

DANIEL:  Yes, my friend. Know that as you advance further along your path you will be less likely to look at hierarchy. But on the other hand, my friend, facts are facts. Some of you are further along the path than are others. And this is perfectly acceptable. It is how it should be. What becomes a problem is when one judges one another based on where we are on the path. That is the problem, not in noting difference but in judging for the difference. Is that helpful?

Brenda:   Very. Well said. Thank you.
DANIEL:   You are welcome.

Aren:    Daniel, this is Aren. I have a question about forgiving oneself from old feelings. A lot of old feelings have been surfacing, a lot of which I feel are unhealthy for me. It is from my past, which I can't do much about. I would like to go a little bit into there. Could you answer anything?

DANIEL:   My friend, I would be glad to address this topic. My first words to you are, Aren, be at peace with your feelings as they surface for that is part of the process. Do not judge yourself as being bad or wrong for having these feelings. Do you not have understanding of where these feelings came? Would you not if you were counseling your brother or sister and they were experiencing such feelings, would you not have understanding of where their feelings came from? (nods) Be as gentle and loving with yourself as you would be with your friends. Extend to yourself the same understanding, the same tenderness. See that child that you were. Have compassion for that child. Love that child. Give to that child what that child had not at that time. It is OK to have those feelings. It is understandable and if those feelings are not felt fully at the time and released, if the adult support and nurturance which is so vital in a child's life was not there then there is not that avenue. Part of the adult process is to release and forgive.

But one cannot forgive when one is sitting in Judgement on where one is at the time. So the first step, my friend, Aren, is to be tolerant with where you are and be at peace. That, then, will give you the room to take the next step and the next. I will be glad to speak with you further in depth at a later time as you become ready to take the next step. This week I would ask you to work on the first step, that being accepting your feelings, accepting yourself, accepting the place where you are now. Is this helpful to you, Aren?

Aren:    Yeah. I find a lot of aid there. I think I will be quiet.

TOMAS:   I think I will not! I only have a fine point here and that has to do with your being able to distinguish your reality from illusion. Your teacher Daniel elaborated and stressed how it is that you and we all are sons and daughters of the living God, that that is our true identity. It is that which we are becoming. The experiences of this existence, your temporal existence, your cultural experiences and various behavioral out-workings are matters one encounters in the arena of the experiential life. The experience is not the end product. The stumbling block of emotions and feelings are tied up in the temporal existence and the belief that you are exclusively belonging to the realm of mortality. Wherein it is profoundly different, for your true reality is from a core of perfection and attains perfection of purpose. It is by identifying with that Fragment of divinity within your own identity that will steer you clear of the shoals of feelings. That's all.

Leetah:   Tomas, that brings up a question for me which when we talk about feelings that are based in reality and feelings that are based on illusion we come back to the levels of culture that have been given to us depending on our own private personal backgrounds, and how difficult it is to remove those feelings, whether it is judging ourselves as a result of being in a particular culture or in a particular church or family or whatever. Your concluding remark was that it would keep you from the shoals of feelings. I guess my question is, the feelings are there, how do we know if the shoals are illusion or reality?

TOMAS:   I want to quickly say that 'shipwrecked' was part of that sentence; to be shipwrecked in feelings is a disaster. But feelings themselves are part of the richness of your experience. I also wish to clarify that in my early remark I did not mean to say that feelings were not real, for they are, or that this life is all illusion for it obviously is quite real for you in your experiencing of it. I have muddled the entire process. Please forgive me. Have you now a question, now that I have clarified my grammar?

Leetah:    Tomas, I am not sure I was as confused as you thought I was. I am not sure what is happening in this conversation (laughing) now. I guess I was just thinking that so many of our feelings, whether we are shipwrecked or not, are based on culture; that the feelings we get of judging ourselves is the result of the particular culture we are in, and sometimes that is not reality, whether the culture is real or not! It is not the reality that God judges us with. God's forgiveness is there. And I guess that is where I am trying to get rid of, my culture and feelings, so that I can accept God's forgiveness and God's love without the Judgement.

TOMAS:   You are in error to try to get rid of your feelings. Your feelings are your treasure trove of responses to life. You do not acquire your feelings through cultural methods but through your own unique response to life itself. Your feelings are your own and although various cultures accept expression of feelings differently, some more acceptable than others, your feelings are genuine and personal. They entail the soul's response to life's outpourings. These feelings are not the same particularly as emotions which involve your cultural and social dealings with other people. This is entirely another lesson, getting into emotions as compared to or verses feelings, and I will not pursue that. But it is my intent to stress that feelings are real and can be borne on lighter air than is normally the case.

Leetah:    Thank you, Tomas. I'm not sure what I have communicated. I was thinking in terms of feelings of guilt that we carry with us so easily. And the things we feel guilty about are mores rather than transgressions or mistakes or sins. I am just thinking of the first time I put on lipstick or the first time I wore pants. I thought I was going to be struck by lightening! And that was a real feeling of guilt. But I don't think it was from God. That's what I am saying.

TOMAS:   Indeed, these internal reactions to life's experiences are complex, guilt at the condemnation or authority of someone who has not accepted you as a spiritual daughter. They have usurped your right to be and experience life by their judgement and behavioral standards. The error is in judgement, for who wants to stand outside of one's society? It is easier to conform and compromise one's reality than to boldly be original unto your own self with your own feelings and responses to life without weighing or comparing how they will be received or perceived by your peers.

The incident of Brenda's reference as I overheard was similar, that in not identifying the self as a precious and vital being of God, a offspring of divinity in process of becoming, the accusatory and inflammatory social [context] takes over. The judgements are great and feelings are assailed by the judgements. This causes havoc and damage to budding tender personalities with feelings. Therefore restraint in any kind of judgement which would induce guilt or shame is best.

Leetah:   Thank you, Tomas.

DANIEL:   Are there further questions? In that case, my friends, I will draw this meeting to a close asking each of you to examine your reactions this week, asking for understanding of yourselves, of why and how that you react in the way that you do, that you may forgive, and in the forgiving begin to heal the cultural layers. Go in peace.

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[End of Volume II, Part 3 of 6]