Tomas Vol VI 2006 - Rio Rancho, NM -January 15 thru December 03, 2006 - Part 1 of 1

In these sessions, Merium draws out the students to reveal their concerns about death, their ideas about worship, their learning experiences from youth, and admissions of their fears. Fortunately, Tomas was not gone long before he came back to check on us, directing our discussions of politics and leadership. Although Tomas contributed to our sessions throughout the year, it was Merium who invested herself most heavily in the Rio Rancho TeaM, cultivating us as a group, while acting as hostess for the many visitors who came our way, including representations of such entities as the Divine Minister, a Magisterial Son and a Most High Observer.

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Out of respect for the transmitting/receiving process and in defense of the integrity of the co-created product, as well as to encourage professional courtesies toward the accreditation of reference materials and sources, this T/R'd material is copyrighted.

DATE: January 15, 2006

LOCATION: Rio Rancho, USA

T/R: Gerdean

Elena on Piano: "I Will Arise And Go To Jesus"

Renault: Someday we will be able to put these on CD so people will be able to hear the lesson as well as the music that goes with it! Will wonders never cease?

Men-O-Pah's Prayer: Father, we come to you this afternoon, leaning on your promise, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there shall I be," and so, Lord, come and sit with us and guide our thinking. Amen.

Group: Amen.

MERIUM: I’m coming, too, if that’s okay!

Group: Oh, welcome!

MERIUM: I have been holding on to the Master’s hand, enjoying my daughterly affections, and I am glad to lure him into this circle of friends – my charges. How wonderful to see you again, children. How great it is to have you as friends and companions on these Sunday sessions we enjoy. Always it feels like an age goes by between visits but every time we come together, it feels as if we have not been apart. I know this has something to do with the dimension of love, which cuts across all barriers and dissolves all time restrictions. This is what it will be like when you wake up in the Resurrection Hall after you have recovered from your transition; you will take up over there where you leave off down here, as if nothing had interfered with the trek toward destiny.

Renault: Question.

MERIUM: Certainly!

Renault: Are we not just a wee bit wiser, however, at that point?

MERIUM: No.

Group: (Laughter) No?

MERIUM: Only you will have experienced the transition.

Renault: No miraculous knowing?

MERIUM: Well, this will depend on the individual, of course, for some individuals feel they are in heaven already and so they will hardly bat an eyelash except to recognize that they were right all along. And yet those who are not so sure about this afterlife business will certainly be surprised and they will have perhaps more adjusting to do, but wiser? No. Just more experienced. In time, however, you will realize that you have made a hurdle into another realm of being and you will embrace your new life and your morontia existence as fervently if not more than this one you enjoy now in the flesh.

Renault: So not that much different.

MERIUM: Not so much different except for the knowledge of having survived. And that is something you experience here. You see a driver cut across in front of you by two lanes and you feel you have missed him by a hair’s breadth, yet you survived. That is not something you normally lose sleep over. These kinds of things happen all the time on a world such as this where disorder, chaos and impulse are behind many actions.

It is to some, dangerous to go outside their front door in the morning, and most mortals spend much of their lives attempting to surround themselves with as much security as possible so that these mishaps do not occur. And while the effort to stay secure and remain safe takes up huge amounts of time and energy, the fact is, accidents still happen, disasters still take place, illness still befalls humanity and life goes on.

It is in the knowledge of the continuity of life itself that security is truly found. Security in the dimension that is outside the finite reality you recognize as your world, your life, your home, your friends, your things, your vehicles, your stuff. There is so much more to life than this dimension. Even as you live here, there is much more to living that simply staying safe and providing for your creature comforts.

In our visits lately, we have spent some time enjoying the culture of the mortal realms, at least a culture that has been presented as appropriate for you, you who like to read and stimulate your minds with one thing or another, be it correspondence, philosophy, science, or whatever, you are people who appreciate stories, and so we have told stories in a manner of speaking, in order to become more acquainted.

This is an element of socialization among civilized people that is a reflection of the brotherhood of man. We can get along and exchange thoughts and ideas because we are sharing ourselves and our interests with others. In other, words, as much of you all enjoyed, as youngsters, reading "Little Women," it is also true that as you develop, your personal tastes and preferences led you into fields of interest in your reading. Some of you have found the Urantia Papers, some of you have found the encyclopedia, some of you have found literature, some of you have found e-zines. But all of you have found something that interests you that you enjoy and would like to share with others. Again, a dimension of brotherhood and filiality.

You know how to comport yourself as civilized people in this dimension. In future lives … in the future as ascending morontia beings … you will not have the environment you have here, nor will you have the customs. There will not be a stately dinner table, nor will there be fashion, such as you are familiar with, and thus your discourses will perforce be on other matters. But this is not to say that enjoying the life you have here now is not quality experience. It is only to say that this is a beginning of the many experiences there are to come.

I had thought today to address you a little bit about the other reason we come together, besides the fact that we enjoy each other’s company and we know how to conduct ourselves in our cultural base, and that is because we all are drawn to the spirit dimension in one way or another, and in our case, it is a dimension that leads into the possibilities of worship. I would like to hear from you all today. I would like to hear what you think worship is. Any volunteers?

Men-O-Pah: Yes, it’s putting aside all the cares of this world and problems that you’re facing, and trying to let your mind go blank, and pray to God that He will speak to you, that you will hear His voice, perhaps in the wind, but it’s emptying yourself so that your mind center is upon God, nothing else. We have the admonition from the scripture, "Be still and know that I am God." Being still is very difficult for us. It takes a lot of practice to push out all the little problems that we are thinking about that don’t really matter.

Esmeralda: You know, this is a subject matter that I give thought to, and in prayers I always think I do worship, I do love Father, and Michael and Mother Spirit, but I am always sure that they know that I do, too, and in my prayers it seems that I always start off by thinking that, and I am grateful, but on the other hand, looking at the ideal prayer that Jesus gave us in the New Testament of the "hallowed" name, I think that maybe there are several ways to do that. Maybe out daily lives and the way we live them, and whether we are kind and helpful and loving to the people around us – I think that in a way is sort of worshipping father, too, because I think if we didn’t have the love of Father, we might not do it. And I may not be making sense right now, either. [The clock struck three.]

Thoroah: The seal of approval.

Renault: Could worship also be when I gaze out on an incredibly beautiful landscape and just feel totally filled with the beauty and the awe of – that’s when I talk to God and tell him thank you for all this beautiful, beautiful bounty and creation.

Esmeralda: Like the beautiful full moon we’ve had for the last few nights and the clouds that obscured it last night, but that’s awe and worship, too, in what He’s given.

Renault: Well, worship, too, can be putting out that helping hand, to help the less fortunate or the more needy or the person who needs help. That way our paths cross in our daily work.

MERIUM: Service is a result of worship. It is cause and effect. You receive divine love in your worshipful relationship with Deity and it fills you with a desire to bestow that same love on others. Thus, when you see service being performed, you are seeing effects of the First Cause. Beauty, nature, certainly, are reflections of the perfection of the Perfect One, and the perfect world that is created, even while many times it is difficult to see the relative perfection of chaos or difficulty.

Knowing the son and the moon are in the course of the sky contributes to a sense of appreciation and safety in that security that only God can provide. There is no way to tag a mortgage on the moon. It is a gift for all, as is God’s love, a gift available to everyone. How the many children of God perceive that divine affection, if at all, is what makes life so interesting and challenging.

But yes, worship is a personal communion that occurs with divinity that closes out all things extraneous and allows the definition of separation to dissolve in the oneness of being. In time, we will discover worship is such a compelling activity, our guides and mentors will perforce urge us to let go of the worshipful state, for that is where we will want to be all the time – in this blissful presence, without a care, knowing that all is well and that all will be forthcoming.

It is in the experiential task of living that we extend our reach into the chaos and the difficulty. This is our task as we serve. Some take this very seriously and very academically, as if they had a ruler and a pencil and a chart and a graph. Some take this quite differently, as if they were children skipping rope and playing marbles in the sandlot. But no matter what your propensity or your preference, you who worship will be enriched by the experience and your life will be enriched as well.

Worship is not going through prescribed motions. That is ritual. Ritual is wonderful. Everyone enjoys a degree of ritual, for it represents order and continuity and teamwork, even security, but it is not worship. Worship is the relationship between the created and the Creator -- living, loving, laughing, and dancing in the light.

When we come together, we take time to lift up. We reach up into the realms of the divine and seek to touch that perfection which is our goal, our aim, and our adoration. And having experienced this worship with others, we come back refreshed, renewed and invigorated, to serve, to respond in kind to those around us as we pass by. It is the breath of life that keeps us alive, breathing in God, breathing out God.

I liked your selection, Elena. It fit in perfectly with what I wanted to talk about today because indeed we must rise up. God will certainly reach down, but if we don’t reach up, it becomes difficult for the twain to meet. When we consciously direct our will toward the divine, we have given our consciousness permission to focus on that which is greater than we are, and in faith we are able to perceive that which comes to us through our own indwelling adjusters – that aspect of God which resides with us and speaks to us and comforts us and assures us that we know more than we realize and that we will experience more than we know.

Rejoice in the fact of your relationship with something you can worship that will give you the sense of divine affection, that will infuse you and us with the desire to do good to others. It was the mark of worship that we choose to do good. Good little boys and girls, how are you? How have you been? And what would you like to talk about today, if anything?

Men-O-Pah: I thought it was interesting in your early remarks about the transition of our lives from this one to the next, that it wasn't really such a quantum leap as we had imagined. I've always looked forward -- especially when I was younger -- with great anxiety about that transition, but our language has something to do with conditioning the way we view that, I think.

Some wise fellow has said that the hardest word in all the English language to say is "good-bye" and we find that word in a lot of languages, especially those of European countries, but in the Native American language, there is no such word. We never say "good-bye." It's always (in Cherokee) "until we meet again."

MERIUM: Indeed. Many of your perceptions of the afterlife are based on old patterns of thinking, coupled with fear -- fear of the unknown, and projections of the undead, or "evil spirits" -- even hell. These have given horrible implications about a natural process of leaving this realm to partake of the next one. Far better for you to think in terms of the moth, that builds himself a cocoon and sleeps in the cocoon until it's time to awaken as a butterfly, for this is far more in keeping with truth.

Your transition will be one of which you will be conscious, in part, because there is great light and there are accompanying seraphim, and so, once you have passed over that threshold, you will be met immediately by the next dimension. Even, sometimes, mortals waver back and forth between this one and the next one until they are ready to take that final step. It is in this transitioning that people come to grips with their fate. They forgive old wounds. And others are drawn to seek forgiveness of the one leaving, so that their life can be lived without regret at the passing.

Yes, one of the difficulties is because you do not know what to expect, but if you can remember that transitioning from this life to the next is a process, as much an event, you will be able to stay with the process and appreciate the process as you transition. Knowing you have nothing to fear should give you all a great deal of encouragement about not only the next life, but this one as well, for you need not fear reprisal or punishment from that which lies ahead.

Your most pressing concern will be your vehicle, your material vehicle, which is shutting down. One way or another, it cannot go with you, so you need to be able to be aware of your vehicle and make sure its comfort is tended to, but remember that you are not your body. You are above and beyond your mere material vehicle. And so, that which is you genuinely -- your personality … that aspect of yourself that has thought in advance to worship the Creator in order to reinforce your selfhood -- will continue to ascend to the Source, and you will retain your consciousness of your life, your friends, your memories and all that you have had of value.

Thus, you do not leave empty-handed nor do you arrive on the shores of Mansonia without all you need to begin a full and replete life on the other side. You will be met by friends and guides. You will enjoy a reunion with friends and family who preceded you. You will have an opportunity to recover from the stress of the transition and to orient yourself to your new environment, your new morontia body.

The less you fret over the process, the more you will be in awe of it, for it is yet another miracle in the course of your long and eternal career. There will be other sleeps, but this first sleep is the one that catches you up because you have not done a long sleep before. In truth, you may not even notice that you have been asleep because, as I said earlier, you may waiver back and forth between this life and the next in the process of the transition, but that will depend upon you, your condition, your experience, your faith, your character, and many other elements. In the end, of course, it depends upon your relationship with the Divine, as to what there is to resurrect. And so I encourage you to reach up and take the hand of Jesus and let him lead you into the presence of God so that therein you may find yourself, your joy, your contentment, your rejoicing forevermore. Anything else?

Renault: You know, that's a beautiful passage that I think, with your permission, maybe we could use it. That's sort of the kinds of things we try to pass on to families during that time when the patient is put on hospice and helping them to transition. I think those are-- that's a beautiful little segment. Thank you.

MERIUM: And thank you. Yes, these are valuable pieces of information to convey to those who would benefit from learning about the process of transitioning. This, of course, is what the Teacher Corps is here for, to help you incorporate these things into your own consciousness so that you can minister to others as you pass by, and what a great service you would provide for those who have no idea of what is coming, and who may still be blocking their transition experience and resisting their destiny calling because of residue fears from the old wives' tales, rumor mills or late night movie depictions of zombies and vampires and whatnot, not to mention the way fear has a way of depicting Hell and the fire licking gaily at your ankles. These are horrors, dreadful horrors of ignorance that lodge in the compartments of the mind of those who do not know, and so they need to be eviscerated from the consciousness by supplanting that dreadful fear of death into an appreciation and anticipation of the glory of God that awaits.

Learn to encourage others to run to the arms of the Divine, as a child runs to the embrace of his parent, where he is safe, looked over, cared for, comforted, strengthened and encouraged.

Renault: And yet, when they try, a lot of times their families grab them back, and as such as in the case of Mr. Blank, who seems to be having a lot of trouble with his transition, and it's not totally due to his family. I think a lot of it is his own fears, apparently.

MERIUM: Ask Mr. Blank, then, to face his demons, and slay them.

Renault: Um-hum. I think it's the fear and the guilt that people carry with them, that they're taught in their childhood religions, on the hereafter, that they carry these fears and guilts…

MERIUM: And they wait until the last minute to deal with these things, instead of dealing with them as they are able in the bloom of life.

Renault: Um-hum. And then we find ourselves in the reality of dealing with, here we are, "poor Mr. Blank is having trouble making his transition." So.

MERIUM: Ask Mr. Blank also to look for that divine fragment [of God] within him that will help him make the transition. If he understands the concept of faith as a living experience, God will catch him up and comfort him on the spot. Most folk get caught up in the mortal frame of reference to the exclusion of the spiritual; they feel that emotion and intellect is all there is, when there is another dimension of reality: that which you see when you look out across a field of perfect waving grain, blue skies and puffy clouds. That is something every mortal has seen and enjoyed. Every mortal has seen a flower or a tear on the cheek of a child that has touched some part in him. Help him find that place within him that will lead him into an appreciation of that which is Divine in him, so that he can -- even for a moment -- allow himself to believe, for in that moment is when God will reach out and grab his child and assure them. Even if the mortal, in fear, draws back, it will have been at least an impression that God had a chance to convey and this is all it takes, just a little introduction to the Light and soon the Path will be well lit, whereupon they may walk.

This is ministry. To help people across is ministry. And sometimes this involves helping the family let go, helping them come to grips with their foibles and failings, that involves forgiveness of the mortal estate and an appreciation of what flesh is heir to. It requires compassion for that which we cannot do anything about except heal from.

Elena: Merium, I have a question. As you shed the body, do you shed fear? Or is there any fear that goes into the next world or do we leave that all behind?

MERIUM: Fear is left behind.

Elena: Wow! Great!

MERIUM: Fear is a part of your animal heritage. It is part of that which has kept you alive. It is a part of your survival instinct as an animal of the realm.

Elena: But that's not part of the next world then?

MERIUM: No.

Elena: Wow, that's --

MERIUM: When you sit in stillness with the Father as you worship, you will not find fear there. There is nothing to fear. Even as you are released from his embrace to go serve in dire circumstances, as the scripture says, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of death I will fear no evil, for Thou are with me." You can transcend your fear, even here, as an animal-origin being by walking with your hand in the hand of Jesus.

There are some that must have fear; they cannot seem to function without it, and so they amass it and collect it around them; they create things to fear so that they are comfortable in this zone. But this is not a zone of truth, beauty and goodness; it is one of darkness.

Elena: And then just one other question. It was intriguing me that you said about there are one of a number of sleeps. I don't quite understand that, and maybe now this lesson doesn't have enough time for that, but if not now, maybe talk about that at another time. I mean, do you get tired? Or … it's not that kind of sleep.

MERIUM: When you leave the morontia estate and become a full-fledged spirit, you go through another sleep, but by then you are so well imbued with the reality of God, you are not subjected to the same fears and anxieties you have here as you face the sleep from this life to the morontia life.

Elena: Is that just the process of going, leaving the physical body and you sleep while that happens? I think it says someplace about three days or something like that. Is that what we're talking about? …

MERIUM: Yes.

Elena: … or is it something in addition to that?

MERIUM: No, it must shut down in order to pick up. You must open the door in order to step through and close it on the other side. It is that transitioning period we call the transition sleep because, for the most part, you are not aware that it is happening, even though you sleep and are unaware of what is happening. You wake up and it feels as if you were just on the other side because there is no consciousness during that period of "sleep."

Elena: So each time you progress to a different stage, then there is that process where you have to kind of shed that skin to gain another one, or something.

MERIUM: Well, there are different modifications you will undergo in the morontia life, but they are not as dramatic as this transition from mortal to morontial and the one later, from morontial to spiritual, is not fearsome at all, except as you might understand awe and excitement.

Elena: Thanks.

MERIUM: This is the big hurdle, but if you know what's going on, it doesn't have to be that big of a hurdle. It can be a natural process. I would encourage you to become familiar with the process such that it is not frightful, so that it is a part of your waking consciousness and you can become aware of the steps you are taking to make the transition, and as it comes closer, begin to give yourself permission to look forward to the Resurrection Hall and the reunion with loved ones and the myriad benefits that will be yours as a result of having made the transition, such as many more senses and a full range of new companions, where the heavenly music is thousands of times more than you know here. Even as wonderful as your music is, it will sound like banging on a tin cup when you get to the morontia worlds and hear what music truly can be. The pageantry that are put on for your entertainment and education, the relationships you will establish with the seraphim, your guardian angel, and others in the celestial realms as you begin to help them serve other creatures of time in their ascension.

All this that you have to look forward to should help you overcome your fear of letting go of this, which has served you well. There is no "good-bye" indeed, not to that which is important. If you have had more than one car in your life, you know that you recover from saying goodbye to that old Ford because the new Chevy is so snazzy you soon forget the old Ford. (Group chuckles) And so we can soon forget the old body that served us on this sphere, as we rejoice in the perennially youthful body that we're given on Mansonia with which to function.

Renault: And then there's the other side, of the people that keep saying, "Well, can't I die? Why am I still here? Why can't I go?" They go, "I'm waiting! It's okay!" and yet still they wake up the next day and …

MERIUM: Just tell them the train is on its way. (Group laughter)

Esmeralda: I think this lesson has been really helpful to all of us, but not only in our own transition, but I think that it would be very helpful for such as those of us who are closing to living out our days on this earth, I think it should be helpful to our children, to be comforted and know that there is nothing to worry about and that life will go on for them and that we're in a better place and they can be happy and celebrate.

MERIUM: That indeed is another topic, and it has to do with dependency of children upon their parents. And this is a natural and normal estate, as well. Just as you depend upon your Father in Heaven, you depend upon your parents on earth, not only as a truly dependant child, but even throughout your lives. You know that your parents provide unconditional love. They know recipes. They know shortcuts. They know stories that help assure you who you are and that you have a right to be here. They give you a sense of belonging and continuity that no one else can provide.

When a parent dies, the child now feels they have no one to turn to. They miss their parents. Many, many years after the parents are gone, you always miss your mother; you always miss your father, when they precede you. And in unfortunate cases when the child goes first, the good news is you will have an occasion to meet up again with your children, your child, those who have gone before you. But if all of these participants in the experience of life have been duly mindful of worship, they will also understand the wonder and joy and opportunity everyone is given to make that move one step closer to being with Father in Paradise.

This is why death on normal worlds is regarded as a celebration, where fusion is a matter of course, and temples are created where people can travel to the place where they can fuse without destroying the environment, and there is a party. There are angels singing. There is music playing. There is a feast of gratitude for the life lived and the love enjoyed. That is how it's done on normal, healthy worlds.

And this is one of the things that we hope to correct as we work with you in this Correcting Time -- and that is your approach to life as it is lived as you transition through the door of death into new worlds beyond … and rejoicing in the process, knowing, as you say, there is no "good-bye".

Renault: Only "Go with God."

Esmeralda: "'Til we meet again."

MERIUM: "'Til we meet again."

Paula: You know, I was brought up practically in the church. Ever since I can remember, I went to church, and I believed all these things and then when I was a grown woman and I saw my father die and then I saw my mother die, I wondered, "Is there another place that we go to? I don't know." I hesitated and wondered, you know. It bothered me a great deal because I had been brought up to believe that and all of a sudden I was wondering what was the truth. And I guess I probably told you about the night that George died? My former husband? Or did I? I don't know.

MERIUM: I haven't heard the story.

Paula: But anyway, he was in a hospital bed downstairs and just beyond our dining room was this nice little room that he used for an office. It had seven windows going all the way around the room, and so we put his hospital bed in there and I just shoved his desk to one side, so he was very comfortable there. And this one particular night I made sure he was all right. He had clean pajamas and everything was all set, so I said, "Well, I'm going to go on up to bed," and I had to go upstairs to go to sleep in our bedroom, and we had an intercom worked out so that if he had any trouble in the night, he could, you know, call me.

About 2:00 in the morning, the intercom rang and I quick grabbed it. I said, "What's the matter?" and he said, "Help me," and that's all. Just "Help me." So I went downstairs with my robe on and then I remembered what this girlfriend of mine had told me. She's a nurse at the hospital that we had in our little town, and she said, "Just remember, if you need me, no matter whether it's day or night, I want you to call me and tell me." And I thought, "Well, I guess maybe this is it." So I called her and she had a phone right beside the bed and she said, "Okay, I know what you mean." And she said, "We'll be right over. Just get the door unlocked."

And she and her husband whipped into their clothes and came over and she looked at him and listened to his heart and so forth and she said, "I think this is going to be it." And I knew what she meant, that he was going to die. So we just stayed there and stayed with him and he had been very, very weak, and the last, oh, maybe three days before he died, he couldn't even get up on one elbow. He just lay there on the pillows. So, anyhow, we were there, and long about, oh, just towards morning, he made a funny noise and then he talked a little and all of a sudden, when she and I were sitting there beside him on the bed, all of a sudden he was up on one elbow … and he hadn't been able to do that, get off the flat of his back, for days.

And he started to look out the window at something that we couldn't see, but he was absolutely intent on what he saw, and where he got the strength to get up on that elbow I don't know, because he hadn't been able to, and then, that was it. And so he just fell back and she came over and listened and looked and so forth and she said, "He's gone." And that was it! But what he saw, I don't know. And I have always found it very hard to believe that after we die, there really, really is something for us, a heaven of some type, but I … I believed it since then, because I don't know what he saw, but it was there.

Renault: His seraphim.

MERIUM: He greeted those who were coming for him, to take him to the next plane. He heard them coming, saw them coming, and went to greet them. That is where he got the strength. He derived the strength from his inner resources that were ready and eager to join with those who would take him home to his new plane of existence. Yes, your faith was born that night, it would seem, for before you believed there was life after death, but after that experience, you had faith that there was, since he met it, and you have no reason to doubt him.

These stories of people's transition can be so powerfully moving. The stories of those who have been sick, flat on their back for weeks, who suddenly sit bolt upright with a beatific smile on their face, or those who open their eyes and say, "Mildred, I'm coming!" or whatever it is that reflects that individual's inner life, that is alive and well and ongoing, even in the process of this transition from being a creature of time and space to a morontia being.

Well, this has been a great afternoon. I feel I have done my duty and you have been most charming, as usual. You are such a lovely bunch of children. How did I get so fortunate (group giggles) to have such good kids.

Esmeralda: Thank you, Merium.

Elena: We're pretty lucky, too.

Esmeralda: We're very lucky.

Renault: It's just a cover. We're really very rebellious.

Elena: Speak for yourself! (Group laughter)

MERIUM: Well, what goes on outside of these circles is in the purview of others. I can only speak for my experience here with you in these soirees we enjoy in the realm of spirit consciousness. And so I will leave you here in anticipation that you will return, in the privacy of your own personal lives, to enjoy again and again and again, these precious moments of reflection, of what is truly important, who you really are, and what it means to be a faith child.

I know. We didn't talk about the party. But we will meet again, perhaps, before the party so that we can polish up our shoes and spit curl our hair. I'll look forward to that time. I've got to go now. Bye-bye!

Group: Bye, Merium. You're beautiful! Thank you.

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DATE: February 12, 2006

LOCATION: Rio Rancho, NM, USA

T/R: Gerdean

Elena on Piano: "Sleepers Awake" by Bach

Stories/lessons we learned from our youth

Appreciating the perspective of experience

Enjoying our cosmic childhood with others

Canossian admonitions and sneak previews

TOMAS: Good afternoon, my friends. This is Tomas…

Group: Tomas! Welcome!

TOMAS: … Tomas the Opportunist. I will take the opportunity, now that you are all assembled together, to acknowledge my appreciation for the opportunity to serve in this Teacher Corps. This week marks my 13th calendar year, by your calendar, of active participation in your upliftingment.

I am glad to see you have been getting on so well with my younger sister Merium who has been like a niece to me for many years … a younger sister indeed … and her messages to you, while not on the same plane as mine, inasmuch as we have two entirely different styles, I am assured she serves in her capacity and gets the teachings across in her own inimitable way.

It is all anyone can ask of one who has something to give, is that they give it with gusto. And the gusto, of course, is a gift of the spirit. In the alternative, there is bluster, and while we have both, as evolving beings, we ought to know the difference between them so as to appreciate them for what they are.

A teacher teaches. It is a compulsion, for those of you who have anything akin to gratitude, to want to give back what you have received. Those of you who feel you have received much, may feel compelled to give more or make a more visible showing of what you would give, for this is your interpretation of personal expression, be it bluster or gusto.

It is so good to see you "in person" as it were. I am glad to see you all looking so well and adapting to life’s changes so graciously. You are of a caliber to provide a wonderful expression of and for teaching, if for no other reason than because of your experience, and anyone who has lived as long as you have lived, has certainly something to say for the years.

But even as you are learning to be teachers, by the way you express who you are, and what you have to offer, my counterpart, your babysitter, has another means of delivery altogether. She opts to see you as children. And in this way, you can learn to play and enjoy yourselves as a break from being experientially responsible. It is a good idea, those of you who give it all you’ve got, to let things slide sometimes so that you can see things in the perspective of a child that knows that even when things may not appear to be going right, that is your limited perspective and not the all-seeing, all-knowing perspective of those who are so much older and wiser. And so balances comes, as you respect your experiential wisdom and appreciate your childish ways, your childlike faith. I will visit again, and I’ll see you later. Farewell.

Group: Thanks for coming, Tomas! Happy Valentine’s Day.

Merium: All right, children, this is Merium, and I will first fluff up the pillows for immediately Uncle Tomas’ stodgy ways have gotten in the way of your toes curling properly.

Elena: We brought a few balloons, too.

Merium: Yes, I enjoy the balloons. Nice touch. I’m quite the party animal. Not the same kind of party animal as Lester, but party animal nonetheless. Just as Tomas was talking about there being different kinds of teachers, there are different ways of having fun. And this afternoon I’d like to talk a bit about how it is that we have fun, but before I go there, I would like to exercise you all in a game of show and tell, that being, show us a picture from your experience that tells us something that we can incorporate into a value lesson, for this is what I do as a babysitter, and what Tomas does as a teacher, and what you may do as a mentor for humanity, by your telling of parabolic sagas of the life and teachings of yourself.

What I would like to do is ask you to go back into your memory bank as a young person, find for me an experience that you had that you felt was the nth degree of reality, only to find out through more time that that was but one episode in a long series of experiential learnings that ultimately allowed you a glimpse of wisdom. But without analyzing it to death, as I just did.

Renault: Do you mean, if we had a premonition, or a dream and it came true?

MERIUM: No.

Renault: Be a little more…

MERIUM: I will give you an example that would be of my nature as an 18-year-old girl, which is young enough, I suppose, to consider that we all shared – that being that at 18 I thought I had learned it all. I thought I knew as much as there was to know, and that was certainly infinitely more than the many children in the neighborhood that I watched after. Many of them were filled with questions. They were a continual question mark, as happens in a certain age, and I was able to answer their questions glibly and creatively, whether accurate or not, and they believed every word I said. I thus felt rather empowered. I came to found out I was not that invincible or powerful, for I still had many things I did not know.

That’s the idea. Did you have any such experience as a child that you learned … as you mastered one level, that you learned later, again? [Silence] I know my lovely Paula had such an experience for she has told it to us, when she thought she would take up smoking, and how impressed she was with her Daddy who allowed her to learn the lesson herself, and thus she did learn that in order to capture the attention of a gentleman she liked, and his admiration, she would do well to forego the earlier indulgence for later, better gain. So she learned. This is what I’m looking for. Learning experiences from your youth. [No response] Did none of you learn anything as a child!?!?!

Paula: Heaven’s yes!

Elena: I have something that comes to mind. It’s not necessarily the child, but it’s a thing I’ve had several experiences with, but the example that came to my mind was in my college years. Everything was going really great. I was operating at absolutely maximum and optimum, and then right in the middle of that, wham! Deborah was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and that just brought everything to an absolutely, screeching halt. Just totally, reality shattered. Then things went on.

And there have been several other things that happened at subsequent times. But I didn’t learn it then. I mean, I had the experience and it was really awful, but it took other experiences, multiple times, to actually learn from it something. I can go back and have examples from my childhood that were maybe the same thing, because I didn’t learn at that point. I seem to need to be hit between the eyes with something significant multiple times before it gets to me.

So what I derive from that is that you can go through some really bad experiences… or ones that you feel are at the time, but again, it’s just a sequence into something else at a later point, and it goes on, and it’s not necessarily the shattering, screeching halt kind of situation.

MERIUM: Well said. Good story. A good contribution, yes. Thank you.

Men-O-Pah: When I was just a young boy, I had just learned to swim, and we swam in a huge big creek that the hole had been made by this stream running under this large culvert, and a railroad laying on top of that bridge, and we walked down there. It was a couple of miles from my home, and my grandmother, "Yeah, you can go down there and swim, but I don’t want you hopping the local freight train when it comes up the hill so you can ride back to town." Okay. But, of course, we did just exactly that.

I’d get off the – this was a large hill and the trains really struggled to get over that hill. That was back in the days of the old steam trains, and in fact they kept two spare engines down at the bottom of that hill to – if they had a big load to go over, they had two spare engines down there that they kept warm all the time, to throw those trains over. So the train was just going three or four miles an hour and it was easy to get on the flat car and just sit down and drive up the hill. But I always got off of that thing early and walked the rest of the way to get to town.

But my grandmother’s sister ran a hotel. It was just a big ol’, big ol’ house, but I remember there was 15 rooms in that house, and she catered to the railroad men. They stayed overnight there and then go on their way the next day, and it just so happens she saw me get off the train. She told my grandmother, of course, and my grandmother asked me. She said, "You been riding that train back up to town?" "Oh, no." Well, she said, "I know that you have because your Aunt saw you get off." And in the corner of the room there was a bundle of canes that we used to stake up the beans and she broke every one of them on me. And, you know, it didn’t really hurt me. The beating didn’t really hurt me. What really hurt me … she caught me lying. I have had a strong prohibition towards lying ever since then.

I had this lawyer friend who said, "If you must lie, do it convincingly," but I know it sounded better just to tell the truth because the truth will come out anyway. We think sometimes it won’t, but it will. It will. I believe that.

MERIUM: A wonderful value lesson, indeed, and one which didn’t take too many times to learn. But that’s the way it is when a life lesson is well fixed through a memorable event, even though many times character is forged over time by repeated yet undramatic ways, such that over time the lesson is learned.

Esmeralda: You know, Elena mentioning a story, and the one Men-O-Pah told and the one you told about when you were 19, Merium--

But before I tell you this one, my other daughter, whose spiritual name is Miriam -- the same as yours, Merium -- said she had just finished reading your lesson from our last get-together and thought it was absolutely wonderful. She said she was going to keep it on her nightstand and read it frequently, it was such a wonderful lesson

She and her husband are going through kind of a traumatic thing right now. Their cat, who I believe is about 15 or so years old, recently had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from her forehead, or from the front part of her head, and … it’s likely she might recover from it and still live a long time, but then they may … they have to face losing her, too. But she wanted me to tell you that your lesson from our last get-together was simply wonderful. She’s a member of Abraham and Mary Magdalene’s group, the Woods Cross group.

But now, my experience … and Elena has already heard this, but … I was 18, as you mentioned, or maybe 19, somewhere between 18 and 19, and I had begun to smoke, but I had moved back home. I had lived away from home for about a year, but I moved back, but I still kept on smoking and Daddy let me use the family car since I didn’t have one, and I would go meet a girlfriend or something and we would smoke in the car. And so, after awhile, Daddy one day just out of the blue said, "Esmeralda, I’m glad for you to use that car but I don’t want you to let your friends drive the car. Just you. That’s fine, but nobody else, because of the liability." And I said, "Why, Daddy, I wouldn’t let anybody drive your car but me. There’s no way," and he said, "Well, I just wondered because whoever’s been driving the car has been smoking so I guess it was you." (Group laughter)

So I thought he was very clever the way he handled that. But I also heard that you don’t really fool your parents, and I suppose that … well, I know, that we can apply that to our Father in Paradise. I am sure there is no way that we can fool him. So that was a good lesson to learn.

MERIUM: Wonderful story and pertinent point, dear, yes. Well done.

Paula: You know, when you talked about smoking, I’ll never forget. Of course I was always the shrimp. No matter where I went, I was always the smallest one, and I wanted so much in my teen years to look older and grown up, you know, so I belonged to this sorority and we’d get to the meeting and all the girls would quick get their cigarettes out and sit around smoking, you know, so I thought, "Well, that looks pretty good. I think I’ll try it." So I had an allowance, because I wasn’t working then. Dad would give me just so much and we didn’t have very much money and I’d save up my money and I’d go and buy a pack of cigarettes so that I would look grown up and bigger, like the other ones. And I kept that up for a while and finally I decided it wasn’t worth the money it cost.

I wasn’t enjoying the cigarettes that much, and there was a big dance at school and so I was dancing with one of the boys on the football team and I was hoping I would impress him no end and finally he said to me, "I like dancing with you," and I thought, "Gee, I must be a pretty good dancer!" and he said, "Well, you know, most of the girls when I dance with them, they smell of cigarette smoke, and you smell of perfume, and I like that better," and I thought "Hot darn! That does it!" (Group chortles). "Forget those cigarettes. As long as that’s what the boys like, they like perfume, so I took that."

And my father wondered how come all of a sudden I wasn’t smoking any more and he didn’t have to keep at me and tell me to quit, and I never did tell him what caused it. I just let him think I was being a real grown up. Funny how you learn things.

MERIUM: Are there any stories from Thoroah or Renault?

Renault: I can’t think of any.

Thoroah: Well, I’ve told this one before, but at my age I can’t remember if it was to this group or not, so I can tell it again. I had always been read the story of "The boy who cried wolf" and it was a nice story and I figured I knew what it meant and we spent a lot of time out at my grandparents’ farm and I entertained myself out there. I was pretty much alone, sometimes with my sisters, but I remember one time my mom and my great grandma were doing something in the house and I was in the yard and, anyway, I came running up the yard and I was either crying real loud (and I was faking it) or else I was yelling "help" – something that sounded like it was an emergency -- and both of those women showed up with the look on their face, caring about my safety, and I had horrified them. Scared the heck out of them!

And I was playing a game. Ah! Now I knew what they meant by crying wolf. I mean, I learned about it in a way … about how false alarms can affect people who care, and that if you keep 'false alarming' people, pretty soon people will probably stop caring because, you know, you aren’t being honest with them that way, and I learned so many things about the principle of that. It’s very vivid in my mind.

Esmeralda: You were very imaginative, to have read the story and then decided to try it.

Elena: It was a good story.

Esmeralda: It was a good story.

MERIUM: And a good value lesson. Why worry people needlessly. And I know Gerdean has something to relate.

Gerdean: I was thinking about … I think I must have been 15 when I had my first serious crush on a boy and I thought, this was it! This is love! This will be forever! And then I fell in love again, perhaps at 16, and there was nothing like this … ever before … nor ever would there be since …and this was the star that I would follow. And when I was 24… (Group laughter)

So eventually you come to recognize that every love relationship is special, but it’s not the last end-all be-all of existence. Not to say that there is anything insignificant or common or ordinary about love, because each instance of love is a cameo performance and a memory of its own, but when you fall in love and "This is it; this is the true love" … well, I have had so many "true loves" I decided to just not bother with all that. Just love. That’s the main thing.

And it took the Teachers some haranguing to get me to realize that, too, because I always wanted to take love captive, hang curtains on it, mold it, form it, dress it up, whatever, you know. And that doesn’t mean I’m disinterested now in how my loved ones comport themselves, but it’s not something I have to spend my life fretting about. So, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Group: That was a good story, too.

MERIUM: I liked it because I didn’t ever get to experience a "crush," and while I don’t feel sorry for myself, I find it fascinating. And that’s my story. I’m sticking to it, too.

But the reason I wanted to talk about these instances to you is to bring to your mind that from the perspective of someone who is experienced in life, who has caliber, wisdom, understanding, who has some patience and some perspective, you can look at things as they were for you as a child and know that it had a way of working itself out, that what was brought to your attention and was so vital and memorable at the time was, perhaps, just a passing episode in the panorama of the whole picture.

I bring this to your attention to help you relax in your maturity and, even though I respect your sense of responsibility, they have not sent me in here to companion you for any reason other than that. To companion you, and this is what we are looking forward to in our pending party with the guests coming to the Canossian Spirituality Center in celebration of being – just to BE with each other.

I point out who you are in terms of the upcoming event because I encourage you to play, as I am encouraging you to allow your guests also to play. And when I say "play" I don’t mean to encourage them and thus yourselves to be irresponsible or immature, but to allow yourselves the understanding that while you may think you have learned everything you need to learn, there are still many lessons ahead.

And that while you may think that something going on is a travesty or an affront to your values, it well may be just a passing phase, and so it does not behoove you, in the spirit of the gathering, to be overly officious as to how children of God conduct themselves, comport themselves, convey themselves when they are invited to come and BE themselves.

When you say, "come to my house and we’ll play," certainly you have customs and conventions in your house that you abide by, but when you have company you know that the idea is to make them feel at home, and to allow them to have a good time in your good graces. It would not do then to invite friends over to tell them you don’t approve of how they think or how they worship or what they believe anymore than you would like it if you were to visit someone else’s house and they told you that you were all wrong, all wet, or stupid.

This is something children do, yes, all the time, but as you are aware of how it leaks out in less than subtle ways, you will see by looking at yourself, as Thoroah looked at his concerned elders and saw on their face, the realization of the truth of how we try to run the show and direct the play … not in a way so as to make your guests feel more at home, but rather to control the experience. And my task this afternoon is to remind you that this is an experience that you will all enjoy because of the good graces of Our Parents whose party it is, and whose House we are all going to, in order to enjoy our childhood together with others in this grand family.

I almost feel as if someone should come in and fluff up the pillows! I feel I have spoken enough about how I see us comporting ourselves and "Let the good times roll!" What’s going on with you in your lives that you want to tell us about?

Renault: Well, first of all, Merium, thank you for reminding us about our comportment. Sometimes you feel irritated or … just little things, you know, when people all get together, so I think it helps to understand, "Be nice. Be welcoming. Act like a hostess." Because I feel comfortable and …

MERIUM: Well, you know, as you all told in your stories, you can see from this perspective that sooner or later it all works out, so what difference does it make how children are amusing themselves? (Yes) I call this to Gerdean’s attention in terms of her dis-ease about the "movement." She has reservations about the emphasis being placed on certain elements, such as Monjoronson as a name for the Magisterial Son, and as a skeptic of some of the transmissions being introduced into the TeaM community that discuss unrevealed types of life that are among you, since she has long held a prejudice against anything living in the ethers but elves, fairies, spirits, gnomes and midwayers. Whatever else there are -- such as the Grays, Sordoms, and the like -- are not welcome in her consciousness.

Elena: I don’t even know what the unrevealed types are!

MERIUM: They are part of the culture of the TeaM movement of which she is an active participant. If you don’t immerse yourself in the elements, you will not be apprised. It is not required that you concern yourself. Our concern, of course, is your personal relationship with your Indwelling Adjuster, your soul growth, but a side effect of this soul growth is the culture that develops around the practices and beliefs of the many who believe they are speaking with supernals and celestials, such as myself.

When no one can see us, it is speculated that we perhaps don’t even exist, but are only a figment of the imagination of the T/R and the groups themselves are wrapped up in some kind of group hysteria, manifesting as a séance on certain afternoons or evenings throughout the country and not only is this part of the movement of the Teaching Mission but is a part and parcel of the New Age movement at large since there is quite a fashion these days to believe in celestials.

Look what we’ve started! "Conversations With God" is a prime example of how many millions of people are in support of the idea, and if you notice, the trend in publishing is that this practice of talking to the spirits is best seller material. We are hot stuff on the market! And so there is a lot of focus and there are a lot of people who are as interested in this metaphysical arena as there are those interested in the political arena, and the peace movement; in fact, both those major areas of interest are often highly compatible, and so there are values that overlap.

This is all in preparation for future ages, but it is also true that the future age does not wait until tomorrow to begin; it began yesterday, and we are adding to the evolution of light and life on Urantia. And this is all part of it! -- the many belief systems that are coming into the light, coming together, that are merging and conflicting as if a new symphony were coming into being, and while sometimes it sounds like all the instruments are a cacophony of noise, they are cueing up for the next composition by the Master Composer on high.

Renault: Isn’t this because the circuits are now open? All of this is coming in? We are receiving all this? There’s more and more people "talking to celestials" etc.

MERIUM: Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. And let me add that this, in some regards, is a decision you make, and in some regards it will happen whether or not you will participate. In other words, Is Your Channel Open? Is your circuit open? Are you plugged into the universe? Are you receiving cosmic communications? Or are you listening to the radio and hearing what other people hear? And/or ultimately, have you just turned the radio off and said, "I’m not interested." All of these are choices.

These movements are loosely working together, even though they sometimes seem to be far apart in their manifestation -- ideology, beliefs, and all of that. Whether they are called Star Seeds, Children of the Light, Sons and Daughters of the Living God, Light Workers, God's Kids, energy fields, cosmic personalities, whatever. It's all the same thing. And this is my advice to Gerdean who is on one hand thoroughly enchanted by such creatures as the supposed Sordoms, the other part of her mind is appalled and outraged that they are coming in as if to steal the show from those who have been doing it well -- "so far so good" -- so what do we need them for?

Well, it's just the same as all of us in this advancing army of consciousness, Gerdean. What do you need your personal teacher for? What do you need midwayers for? What do you need your seraphim for? What do you need angelic overseers for? Since you have the Divine Indweller? That should suffice you. That is, I realize, the bottom line for many people. But for those of us who are consciously stepping out into speculation and possibilities of greater cosmic consciousness and galactic awareness, not limited to the physical universe, but the spiritual universe as well … we say, "Open up the windows and let the fresh air float through the stodgy minds of yesteryear."

Just as your childish illusions from your childhood have shown, over time, the real truth will prevail; that which is a lie will be exposed and truth may as well be the order of the day. Character will unfold and be revealed as genuine and more satisfying than affectation or illusion, and so eventually character will win out and we will all benefit as you realize that as you adore one person, you can also adore many others.

There is no limit on affection in this universe. There is no limit upon creative possibilities or expressions of divine reality. There are millions, billions or personalities in the universe. How can we attempt -- how can we even think about limiting the program that the gods designed because, perhaps, they don't fit on our dance card or suit our paradigm of reality.

Now is the time to become childlike and play with your fellows as children in the sandbox of time, taking comfort in your childlikeness together, playing like good kids and working out your differences without throwing sand in each other's face. And also like children can become irritable one moment, they are lovey-dovey the next. Give yourself the option to adapt and adjust as readily as do little ones, living in the now and loving the experience of living now and with one another.

I am talking too much, but I wanted to get in a few comments before the Retreat occurs: Onomonolonton, who, perhaps you will recognize from the Urantia Book as being one of the 24 Councilors on the panel of Jerusem, who was once a religious leader of the red man of some stature, will be assisting our festivities in a prayer circle that will take place Thursday on the agenda of pre-retreat spiritual focus, so those of you who come, if you know in advance, we'll be having a prayer circle, may bring your prayerful attitudes.

TOMAS: Friday evening, my new adopted host and hostess, R.S. and L.S. will be talking about how we operate in Andover. They will share with you about the merkaba and other teaching techniques we have been delving into in the land of lakes.

MERUM: The point is we have players at the party. We will focus on peace. There will be lots of show and tell. Saturday night we have the musical agenda brought to you by Elena and her friend -- What is your friend's name?

Elena: Nancy K.

MERIUM: -- who is a vocalist?

Elena: Yes.

MERIUM: And so you will be doing a program of what?

Elena: Well, it's kind of-- It's 20's through 40's music. Ballads.

MERIUM: Classics. Standards.

Elena: Yeah. Early 1900 music. These are from the--

MERIUM: Some memory lane.

Elena: Yeah

MERIUM: And beyond! Wonderful. There is a lot of heart in that music, a lot of soul.

Elena: We'll also be doing "Name that Tune" kind of stuff on that and I've gotten a few little prizes to get and I'm going to get other people to bring stuff, too, to kind of make it a little bit more interactive and fun.

MERIUM: So we have games!

Elena: Um-hum.

MERIUM: Fun and games afoot. Other speakers, other visitors, other dimensions, other realities. We will have fun. And don't exclude us from your agenda! We like to interact with you regularly, not to curtail your actions but to participate in them with you. We like parties, too, you know, and when you come across into the mansion world existence, you will enjoy some of the entertainment we enjoy here, to prove to you, to underscore the comment that we do like to have a good time.

I know you, too, like to have a good time, so I will get off my soapbox here. I appreciate your help, Gerdean, in setting forth some of the academics of the event, for there are those who will say 'it is a transcription by Gerdean organizing the party' and I therefore want to take responsibility for the fact that I, Merium, transmitted that stuff and Gerdean is simply my loyal mouthpiece. Such a life on such a planet! It is not possible to let someone get away with anything for fairness is such an issue, particularly for children. So, has everyone gotten their cookie?

Group: (Chortles) Yes.

MERIUM: Is everybody happy?

Group: Um-hum. Everybody's happy.

MERIUM: I am, too. I am made happier by your company. I look forward to seeing you at the party and at our next gathering afterward, so that we can have this experience together as a bonding exercise in community living. Is there anyone who feels prompted to gather us together in a prayerful attitude as we close our session for the day?

Esmeralda: Father, we are thankful today that Tomas dropped in to visit with us because we knew he had not forgotten us and we certainly have not forgotten him. Thank you for his being here. Thank you also for Merium and the lessons that she brings us and her good cheer and her wisdom and her partaking of the responsibility of helping us to learn more. We do thank you for her. We thank you for all the members of our group and for the affection and caring about each other that we share. Be with us, Father, until we meet again … which will be soon. Amen.

Group: Amen.

DATE: March 12, 2006

LOCATION: Central New Mexico, USA

T/R: Gerdean

Music: Elena on piano: "(Softly and Tenderly) Jesus is Calling" [Group singing: Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling to you and to me. Watching and waiting; waiting for you and for me. Come home. Come home. Why from the sunshine of love would'st thou roam? Further and further away.]

MERIUM: Good afternoon, my friends . .. my little friends. How fun it has been, observing your interchange and your devotions to your animals -- your pets. You have been talking about the parental relationship and that of the good steward. It is also noteworthy that you have touched upon the sentimental shrine where your pets are kept (what's left of them). This sentimental shrine is something we expect will take place on Urantia because of the fact that He lived here, and thus there will always be that preciousness about this place . .. so much affection and interest have been invested in Him on this world.

Well, so much has transpired since we last met, it is hard for me to know how to keep up. I am so glad to see you here, Miriam. I understand you had some nice things to say about one of my recent messages. I think it had to do with the transition to Mansonia.

Miriam: Yes. It was powerful and very helpful and as you all know, I'm kind of tender to that spot with my mother and she's been helping me with that my whole life, so … it was wonderful.

MERIUM: How fortunate you are to have a mother who is a believer in the afterlife! This is a tremendous help in your anticipation of a long and fruitful -- dare I say 'eternal' association. Imagine the sense of loss that those who have no faith experience. That is a presumed loss indeed! But because you have a knowledge of what transpires when you leave here, your doors and windows are wide open.

I was overhearing a conversation between one of the Teachers and a student recently, wherein the woman had recently lost her mother and was going through the grieving process and wondered if her mother on the other side was also experiencing such longing. And the response was effective, evidently, for the woman was filled with appreciation for the food served to her in the message that On High, the mother has a perspective now that would preclude her from that same deep grieving as the daughter, who has not yet made the transition.

This is one of the effects of the transition, that you have this greater perspective, and when you have a greater perspective, everything changes. And also interesting was that the teacher conveyed once they have gone through the portal to Mansonia, their relationship will change because the mortal family is a function of the mortal worlds, but the eternal family is a function of the spirit, and so when they both find themselves in Mansonia, even though they were once mother and daughter, they will henceforth be sisters, and they will both look to Nebadonia as their mother, or the Infinite Spirit.

And this, again, adds another dimension to relationship, which is a wondrous part of the ascension plan. Just trust that it is a natural part of the overall experience and you are going through this for a reason -- this metamorphosis from material to morontial.

Of course, it is not uncommon for you to fear the unknown. And this is why we don't mind spending time with you as a group and individually to help you look at your fears, to help you realize you do have them, for it is a part of your nature to have them. It's how you deal with them (or don't deal with them) that can be problematic and interfere with your own growth. And since I am here to help stimulate your growth and encourage your growth, it behooves me to help you face your fears and go beyond them.

I'll come back to the subject of fears in a minute, but I wanted to comment about how much we enjoyed the Retreat -- we Teachers. It was such a slice of divine life. You really did bring joy to us, and the light that communally was given off could be seen far and wide. We were very pleased.

Just as some of you who have reached a ripe old age have a birthday cake with many candles that illuminate the room, so did your group illuminate your cosmic neighborhood, based on the maturity of your spiritual content. And so even while of those in attendance were relatively new, the combined energies of your spirits was far more than the sum of its parts.

I also particularly enjoyed Onamonalonton's helping in the prayer circle. It was a good way to wade into some social practices that can be developed in your sociology. The feather . .. prayer feather . .. that was passed around is so indicative of that symbol of honor and respect that we give to that which is sacred or holy, and every religion has some kind of icon or other that depicts this kind of adoration of the magi. He who holds the sacred symbol, holds the power.

I would like very much to adapt the format of the prayer circle into your sharing practice. Now, I am not going to interfere with the natural outworking of your socializing as mortals of the realm, for as you have observed, we always appreciate your sharing and always there is something to glean from your sharing upon which we can build a lesson. But it is somewhat arbitrary and capricious, as compared to focused and intentional.

In other words, I like to think we can take this process one step further in developing your spiritual relationship with yourself and others, thus turning up the wattage on your group and any group who reads these words may consider them also as a modification or adaptation of the principle of the merkaba or other ways of connecting through the spirit that enhances the energy of the group of believers who come together for the purpose of enhancing their understanding of spirit truth, beauty and goodness.

So perhaps if you remember, next time you meet, after you have finished with your chatter, and when you take up the baton of discipline -- prior to or after the music, it doesn't matter -- let us attempt to employ the method of the prayer feather, to go around to each individual so that you each have an opportunity to hold the chalice and be the focus of the groups' attentions as you reveal to the group and to the gods that which is most meaningful to you at the time.

What have you been pondering? What have you been working on? What have you been experiencing? What have you been engaging yourself in, particularly in terms of your thoughts and your emotions, even though physical activity is sometimes a representation of what you are thinking. So it is simply a matter of disciplining each of you to honor that which the other has to say, in a rather formal fashion. Are there questions about that?

Elena: I don't think so. I like that idea. I like the idea of having … bringing into … rather than just chatter and, you know socializing like you were saying, of saying something that is actually meaningful for what is either what we've been pondering or working with that particular week, so that we share that personal spiritual thing with one another. I like that idea a lot, actually.

Miriam: I like it, too, because if it's equal, if the baton goes around to every person in the group, then everyone gets to share and everyone gets to honor where each person is, where sometimes, like in our group, people share where they are but then sometimes people don't, and so if it was even, then everyone would know where everyone was, and be, you know -- that would be cool. I mean, I'm not part of this group, but . .. I mean, I am today, but … it's a neat idea. It might take some practice to make people feel comfortable to really share spiritually where they are, instead of … "Oh, I'm fine. I had breakfast, eggs and bacon this morning." You know what I'm saying? So…

MERIUM: Yes, I know what you're saying. I am engaged in the process of drawing you out. Not to hear your recipe, but to hear your soul. I don't mind listening to your recitation about your recipe, but is it really going to augment your spiritual reality? There are those, of course, who would say it does, and I won't argue the point, but I do that like a group of elementary school children, there is tremendous potential in each of you. I don't care how old or how young you are, there is much more ahead for you, and so we might as well grasp that opportunity with both hands and make hay while the sun shines.

Now let me get back to what I was saying earlier about fear, for this has a lot to do with why people do not share more meaningfully. They fear judgment. They fear ridicule. They fear being ignored. And so this will help to strengthen you and enable you to hear your own voice, hear your own authority. Sometimes when we hear our own authority, we hear how "full of it" we are, and so it's good to hear oneself because it presents you with an opportunity to clarify your own thinking.

Another thing about fear is that everyone has rational fears as well as irrational fears, and when you keep them to yourself, it is impossible to tell the difference. Only by putting them on the table, to look at in the light of day, can it be ascertained whether the fear is rational or irrational. Some of it is mere superstition! And while there are those who clutch their fears like holy icons, there are those who would as well be rid of them. And so this is a way of trusting the process of sharing, to help you see where your fears are running away with you and where you are being sensible to represent caution in your actions -- not only in your actions but in your thinking, because that leads to actions.

In light of all these preliminaries, are there questions or would someone like to take up the feather?

Esmeralda: Merium, I'm afraid I dozed a little right there. I've had kind of a stressful, tiring week, and I apologize for dozing.

MERIUM: Well, you needn't apologize for dozing, for if you've had a stressful week, rest is the quintessential cure. The only problem as I see it is that you've missed a portion of our discourse which can be picked up on the transcript or by and through conversation with others afterwards, so nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Miriam: Or we could, maybe, get the hang of it. I'll start! I'll take up the feather and then you'll catch what she was saying that we should do, maybe. I don't know if I'm doing it right.

MERIUM: Remember: no cross talk. Nor are we sharing to garner advice from others. It is so that you yourself can hear your concerns. Okay?

Group: Okay.

Miriam: I am tired. I am weary. And I need to find strength from all that is good and not from this material world. I'm at a crossroads where I want to find my voice … find my voice and grow it. And we know that Father will show me know and … but I'm really tired right now, and need to find the strength to do these things. And need to listen to what's good for me instead of things that … in speaking of fear-- to not be afraid of new, and find identity in ways perhaps I don't know about yet. So, that's my holding of the feather.

MERIUM: Well done. Exemplary.

Gerdean: Well, thank you, Merium. I found my voice. I feel I have found my voice and have been exercising it and I owe a great debt of gratitude to the Teachers who have helped me open my mouth and speak, and to help me hear some of the things that emit from my mouth when I'm not on-line that are representative of my need for growth. I don't think that make the terrible faux pas and gaffs that I used to. I think I'm a better person than I used to be but if I were to even say that, I understand that's a judgment … or perhaps not. Perhaps it's an evaluation of my growth. But anyway …

What I'm experiencing and it's both material and spiritual, is that I've been grappling with this physical condition and I finally have succumbed to the advisement of everybody and put in my notice at work and so on May Day I will be free, so to speak, of the constraints of the 8-to-5 existence. That is… that is in itself very thrilling and very terrifying. I am sure it has been my fear that got me the job in the first place and that has kept me there and so now the fear of leaving just is all overwhelming sometimes.

Living in the material world and subscribing to its values in order to have an HMO and pay the mortgage, puts one in a position of believing it and depending upon it and subscribing to its requirements. And at the same time, it has not been good for me. It has been hard for me. I have not felt any spiritual fulfillment; I don't I've done any good service work. I've certainly had no fun, and now I'm now so ingrained in the lifestyle, I'm afraid I'll lose it all by changing my pattern.

So I have a lot of fear. And it's probably all unreasonable. Really. It's probably all unreasonable fear except … it still hangs on. I mean, even just saying it out loud -- that it's probably unreasonable fear -- feels good. I don't think a month ago it would have been unreasonable, but that that's because I was still in the fear, but having finally made the decision, I'm starting to recognize that it's a process and you make a decision and then you reinforce that decision and then you reinforce it again.

So it's giving me a different understanding of what it means to make decisions. Because you know how women are. We make our mind up four or five times a day if we feel like it. (Chuckles) But I'm tired! I grew very tired of trying to keep one foot in this world and one foot in the other world when I know that when you've got both feet on the divine path, it's a lot easier. At least it was when I was a little bit younger.

So, I don't know what's to come of me, but I expect my creativity will start to reassert itself, and the energy that I have invested in the lifestyle, in the workforce, will be re-patterned and reprogrammed into something that will enable me to feel some joy in living and like I'm being fruitful somehow, so I need something to do. I need something to replace what I'm letting go of. Not something just to provide me with new shackles and chains, but because I'm going to have a space in my life where that is no more, and as is said, when you close one door another one opens, so I'm looking forward to seeing what that new one will be. And thank you for the opportunity to say this. And honor it.

Paula: You know it may be that … the next thing that you undertake will be something that will be a lot more fulfilling and that you'll really enjoy. So I wouldn't be discouraged. You've evidently made the right decision. Decisions are hard to make, but once you get over that, Bingo! You've got it.

You know what my big fault is? I tend to be judgmental, and I shouldn't be. Usually I like everybody. Last night we were at a gathering and I decided I definitely did not like this man -- at all! And that wasn't very kind. I know that. My husband was telling me that I shouldn't feel that way. I just don't like him. Period. But that doesn't mean that he's as bad as I think he is. In fact, maybe he's got a bunch of good qualities I don't know anything about. So I know, I tend to be judgmental, and I shouldn't be. It isn't a good quality, but then … I'm no angel. Believe me! I have lots and lots of faults, so everybody can judge me. And they should.

Esmeralda: Judge not.

Miriam: No cross talking.

Group: Thanks, Paula.

Men-O-Pah: Great Spirit, I feel your presence very close. This has been a special day. The snow falling on this thirsty earth and the music this morning from the bell choir, "La Peace Gracioso," and from our own choir, "Beneath the Shadow of Your Wings I'll Hide," and our sister, the beautiful old hymn, "Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling … for you and for me." We know oftentimes we're afraid but we know also that your presence is always with us and that we are not alone.

We hear your voice singing in the wind, and we know that wind is the breath of life to all the earth and all the living things on it. And we stand in awe of the setting sun. Make our hands respect those things that we've made. And make our ears sharp so we will hear you, and make us always ready to come to Thee for life surely fades, as does the setting sun, so may we come to Thee with clean hands and straight eyes.

Paula: You can see why he's a heck of a lot better person than I am.

Men-O-Pah: Oh, well, I don't know about that.

Paula: I do!

Gerdean: That's more of your judgment there, girl.

Elena: Now, this isn't to judge. It's just to share what we each have to say. Okay. I'll take the feather. One of the things that I've been doing this week … and there've been things throughout my life, that I've known what a decision is and I've held off from making it, or haven't done it, and have been afraid to make it, and kept from a decision because of some reason that came up, so being true to yourself, there are many times when I have been dissuaded and so anyway, this one … this week I've been waffling and wavering between going to this trip on Peru, and I'll decide and then I'll say, "Yeah, but well, maybe I'd better wait until I do this" or "Maybe I'd better wait until I do that," or until I make sure that this is all right, until that's all right. Well, I'm going, and that's that.

Paula: Where are you going?

Elena: Peru.

Paula: Peru!?!

Men-O-Pah: Yes, and you're going to climb the holy mountain, aren't you?

Elena: At sunrise.

Men-O-Pah: Machu Picchu.

Elena: At sunrise, I will rise at Machu Picchu.

Gerdean: Really. That's exciting.

Elena: I'm going!

Paula: Well! When?

Elena: September.

Paula: Gosh. That's an adventure, isn't it!

Elena: Yeah, it is. It is, and I have to make a commitment, too. Oh, Mother's got something to say.

Esmeralda: Do you know, strangely enough, I don't have that many fears … because, I think, the people around me are in good shape. My daughters are wonderful, strong daughters and I know that they can survive and I know that their belief is good and true, and mine, I think, is too … so … the things that are material, like-- as I said, I've had a stressful week with this nosebleed and all that -- an uncomfortable week, but not a fearful one. There was nothing to fear from it … to be irritated by it, certainly Gerdean knows what it's like to have a problem breathing, but that's not a fear. That's just a material, physical, temporary thing.

And I really don't have that many fears because I know that I'm going to be happy. I may … I know that I'm going to have to really work when I get to Mansonia, because they say we need to -- we continue growing. Well, I hope that I really have big spurts of growth at that point. I think I'm kind of shallow now, and don't have that much depth of feeling or knowledge, and I'm lazy about learning, but I do believe and consequently I don't really have fears.

MERIUM: And how did I get so fortunate as to be sent to this group? What a lovely bunch of people you are. Every one of your sharings was genuine and true and appropriate for you; therefore, I commend you and encourage us to carry on. I am not going to give you any advice based on what you shared, because I am one of you. That is to say I don't mean to come in with all the answers or to have advice when it has not been asked for. The point was to learn to share your inner life, your own unique perspective on the universe -- your universe -- the one you are living … the one with which you are familiar. And the very expressing of those thoughts will help you clarify your path.

This is the heart of the fruit of the spirit "confiding trust." If you can confide your innermost thoughts and feelings to another human being, in the presence of the Divine, you are living the gospel. You are acknowledging the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man simply by being -- being yourself and expressing yourself where you are and as you are. And thus we have been fruitful. Are there questions?

Esmeralda: Merium, I said, in my sharing that I did not have fears, and I don't … for myself, or for my daughters, or my good friends who are here, because I think we're all aware that we are in the Father's hands and we will be all right. I do have a concern that our world and our country is maybe not going in the right direction, and so I am concerned about that, but here again, Father is all-powerful, and his bestowal son, Jesus, did such a wonderful job of making our universe possible that I am sure that they have a plan and that it will work. But I am concerned about that.

MERIUM: That was quite a pronouncement for someone who is a self-professed shallow thinker. (Group laughter)

Esmeralda: Well, maybe I should have said 'not too intelligent' a one, but shallow, also, I have always thought applied. Maybe that came from having a brother who I always thought was much more intellectual and smarter than I.

MERIUM: Intellectual is highly overrated. (Laughter)

Miriam: What you said -- and what Merium started out with -- just mirrored what she said, to me, because she said that everyone had a perspective of the Master on this planet and what he did, and so how everyone reveres him on this planet. That, coupled with the comment that Merium shared that people who don't have a say, you know-- fear is such a-- and back before I had a faith, when I had fear, it was so raw and huge, and when you do have a faith and you do know about the Master, and what he did here, I think your comments just kind of mirrored that, what Merium started out with … the perspective.

Elena: And you don't think Merium's shallow.

Esmeralda: No, I know she isn't.

Elena: So …

Miriam: Which Miriam are you talking about? (Laughter)

Esmeralda: Maybe both.

Elena: Either one!

MERIUM: Well, I will divert for a moment on the two Miriams. You will notice our names are not spelled the same. I focus on that simply to indicate that we have our own signature, and that while we may fall together in the Order of Miriam, we are even so colored according to our own design. How do you spell your name?

Miriam: Well, I know you're "um." I'm M-i-r-i-a-m."

MERIUM:" … I-A-M. I AM. Look at that. That is a designation if I ever saw one. Whereas mine seems to be a composite of merry (as in Merry Christmas or Ye Merry Gentlemen") and "ium" which is from an ancient language. So my coloration is altogether different. Even as I am quite reinforced by our sisterhood, I regard both Miriams present today as co-workers in the field. "Comrades at arms," to coin a phrase.

But getting back to this perspective thing -- about the world condition -- it is only by and through your transcendent and eternal perspective that you can walk without fear in these times in which you live. And as you said, Esmeralda, you fear not for yourself, or your daughters, for you know whereof you speak, but the country may be on a collision course or there may be some kind of dubious destiny coming down.

Those whose destiny is wrapped up in the material world will indeed feel fearful -- may even be blinded by their material concerns -- but those of you who have been able to lift yourselves up out of the density of the material kingdom to see the light of the Kingdom of God are able to see with great illumination that women and men of the world are not in charge; the Most Highs rule in the kingdoms of men.

And like a good steward or an adequate babysitter, the considerations of the moment must be factored in, as well as the overall responsibility to which we are assigned. This, too, we share with all creatures great and small. We have our area of influence. And so how do we handle our area of influence? Do we maintain the short-range view, such as the heathen do when they rage, or do we expand our perspective to include the far-reaching eternal perspective of divinity? Not to make light of the material condition, by any means, but to simply add perspective.

When you begin to get caught up in the anxiety of the material world and its growth throes, even in observing the destruction of that which no longer serves, lift up your eyes to the hills from whence cometh your help, and remember the light that can be generated by shared faith with others, and know too that you can live within that radiant light. (Pause) Love is. (Pause) Let's open the windows and let in the fresh air. Stretch and play. Enjoy your day and this beautiful taste of winter. See how the sun has shone on the earth with tears of joy. See you next time, darlings.

Group: Thank you.

MERIUM: Bye-bye.

*****

DATE: April 2, 2006

LOCATION: Central NM, USA

T/R: Gerdean

MERIUM: May I come in? I am Merium. It's so soft and gentle in here, I feel I am going to wake the baby. What a lovely repose you have mastered. Speaking of the Master, he is here with us, and I'll tell you that he said it pleased him that you remembered to stop at the well on the way to gather your eggs ~ he who is the well. It gives him a chance to bless you in your comings and goings, to plant a kiss upon your brow, to encourage you on your way. On your way where? Wherever it is he sends you out to play, or wherever you by your own devising find adventurous.

I have my own feelings of adventurousness, as I am sure you all do as well. For each of us are temperamentally different, and what frightens one may not frighten another. What thrills and intrigues some may be dull to others. But like colors, don't you think, there are a lot of colors that can share the same canvas and not compete or conflict with each other. They don't have to vie for attention. But before I fluff up your pillows, which hardly yet need fluffing, I have a friend and visitor here who would like to say Hello.

TOMAS: I am Tomas.

Group: Hello, Tomas.

TOMAS: Hello, Renault. How good to see you.

Renault: Likewise.

TOMAS: And my chary couple, Thoroah and Gerdean. Blessings be upon you. I have been engaged in learning some new things, and have been enjoying the effects Merium has had on you and on the group here. I am going to come back and spend some time in this base again and keep Merium company as we have before worked together in the Butler camp and the Pittsburgh post.

We'll talk today about LIFE. Life is entirely too big to be defined. Every creature has some understanding of life, dependent on its own consciousness of being, and even those who are not conscious of consciousness are still aware of life. Life is mechanical as well as spiritual. It is inclusive of a gamut of realities. It may be personal; it may remain impersonal. It may be instructional; it may be institutional. Life is divine and life is carnal, as well.

You may recognize the mechanics of life in your electro-chemical system, and you may recognize the divinity of life by observation of supreme reality reflected in some form of deity. Life, once you have it, can be yours for the taking. Until you have it, or have a consciousness of it, it is more likely to take you. This being a paradigm -- experiential paradigm that allows for experimentation. You will assuredly find variations of life that are unique and unfathomable. It is therefore not possible for mere mortals to intimately associate with and identify with every level and layer of life there is, may not have time or opportunity to understand, agree with, or support ~ except to appreciate that there are forms of life, including social pockets, cultural customs, aboriginal aberrations low and high ~ are all part of the grandeur of this thing called life that is so far above and beyond each of its individual parts. And no matter how all-consuming you may feel the life you live is, it is none-the-less and still only a part of the whole, which is beyond your comprehension.

The part that you are, the life that you are, is thus even more precious in its uniqueness. And no one can live your life as effectively as you can. Know thyself. And know thyself in terms of the fused consciousness. Capital T-h-y. Capital S-e-l-f. Know Thy Self. Know your quirks, your aspirations, your skills, your purpose, and then be it. So be it! In so doing, you bring the canvas alive. You inspire the colors around you. And the canvas becomes a living reality -- just as when a writer writes, they point their pen toward the purpose at hand and the words around them dance, in such a way as to fall into place in order to convey the message, thereby bringing the point alive, thereby creating art in living. Living art. Along with living books.

Gerdean has interfered, asking about what I just said having to do with art, living art, as well as living books being depictions of life. Trying to contribute something having to do with one being truth and one being beauty -- allowing room for something to be representative of goodness. That might be a good lesson, or analogy, but I wasn't going there. Let's go back to where I was going.

Yes, there is life that is mechanistic and life that is inspired. And the life that combines the two of them is truly beyond being self-conscious about itself, and so in a way, Gerdean, yes you are right. If one represents truth and the other represents beauty, then goodness can harmonize them, pulling together the one-dimensional two points into a three-dimensional three-point configuration relationship, yes. Just remember that you don't always see the relationships of life but you will always appreciate that they are all connected. Even if they are not immediately related, they are all part of the oversoul.

You were talking earlier about politics -- Republican; middle of the road, or labor party; Democrat or Progressive, etc. That conversation was a local demonstration of this lesson about life and that it happens on many levels. And that certain patterns are repeated, either from Paradise or from the natural path. And on an evolving world, the natural path is not always the most efficient or effective path. In other words, in the universe there is generally always room for improvement -- if not, at least a consistent program of maintenance that allows all the many, many parts to remain a part of the whole, functioning, bumbling, succeeding on every level at once -- sometimes harmoniously and sometimes not, depending upon the crux of the project at hand.

I don't mind, Merium. Here.

MERIUM: Are you asleep? Shall we open the windows? I hear the influence of nature around you and sense the climate influences (and other influences as well), so I would suggest we lighten up and fluff the pillows, perhaps allowing our consciousness to enliven in such a way as to either respond to Tomas' lesson or engage in some other repartee that would allow us to say we had a pleasant time instead of one of those dull lectures for which Tomas is so famous.

Thoroah: It wasn't hard. It wasn't dull.

MERIUM: Well, I'm certainly glad to hear you say so.

Renault: I'll speak up. Let you know I'm here.

MERIUM: Okay. What do you want to talk about, while you are speaking up?

Renault: You started to say something about politics. What was it you were going to say?

MERIUM: Oh, that was Tomas. Do you want to talk to Tomas again?

Renault: Well, just, did he complete his … what he was going to tell us about politics?

TOMAS: Yes, I did, actually. I was only using it as an example of a part of the whole, as if it were a civilization inside a civilization, or a system within a system.

Renault: Um-hum. Sub-culture.

TOMAS: Sub-culture, yes.

Renault: Politics is something we think about some of the time. It is not necessarily all-consuming in all of our lives. It does affect all our lives, but I don't think we actually -- we talk about it sometimes but then we move on.

TOMAS: What is politics to you? What does that mean when you say "we talk politics"?

Renault: Probably having to do with the situation of the world and what we hear about in the news, about happenings in the world, some sort of political news rather than any other category.

TOMAS: Based on government? Based on--

Renault: Yeah.

TOMAS: -- nation life.

Renault: Yeah.

TOMAS: Or political parties. Political --

Renault: Ideas.

TOMAS: Ideologies.

Renault: Gleanings. What's important. What they do with our money, our funds.

TOMAS: Money. Civilization.

Renault: Where the attention is prepped. Where it needs to be prepped.

TOMAS: Yes, well, I will plug your conversation then, having to do with Rabbi Lerner, who visited Santa Fe last evening and who you went to see and with whom you all here are familiar as a god-promoting progressive with political orientations. You have to be politic in order to effect cultural or social changes. Any of you who opt to influence the way another thinks, in order to promote the cause you believe most worthy, is a politician. You don't need a party to have politics. "Parties" is such a misnomer anyway, because, well, "parties" is a misnomer in itself, perhaps based on human gregariousness … that any time people get together they are having a good time.

Renault: What strikes you funny?

Gerdean: His playing with definitions.

Renault: Party?

Gerdean: Yeah. As if to say, "they don't sound like they're having that much fun!"

Renault: Yeah. Really.

TOMAS: You really are talking about blocs. And perhaps 20 or 30 blocs might represent a limited local power, like a province or something.

Renault: Representation, yeah. One representative for so many thousand people.

TOMAS: Well that's certainly a system. That's the system you live with.

Renault: We all agree to it.

TOMAS: Well, someone agreed to it originally and others are following suit. Not everyone is overtly engaged in upholding the system. (No) Some are trying to tear it down. Some are trying to cement it. And some are trying to forge ahead to a greater stronghold. But the end goal is not clear. So far, you aren't all looking out for the best interests of the whole, you are still interested in the parts. (Yes) But "such is life!" Yes, you were talking also about leadership. How certain blocs can effect the necessary clout, particularly when economics has had all the clout all along and this likely goes back to the days of Dalamatia, and the disruption of the civilization that was intended, that was established but went awry.

It's just out of balance, that's all. It can be brought into balance if the other essential areas are able to stand up in their own right and be who they are. Know ThySelf. Stand for ThySelf and what ThySelf represents. You need not cow tow to the dominant reality, you who think, you who are conscious of consciousness, you who pray as a personal experience and not as a power play or manipulation. I feel myself becoming impassioned. I feel myself becoming political. I can take off my shoe and bang it on the podium here to indicate how strongly I feel about what I feel. When I have remembered to stop by the well on the way to gather the eggs, I am going out with the right attitude. What else? Any questions?

Thoroah: I thought of the idea three-party system. You have the Beauty party, the Truth party, and the Goodness party.

TOMAS: That sounds like a plan. Can you be a party to all the parties at once?

Thoroah: You certain can! That's the whole deal! Hopefully they'd all fit together well.

TOMAS: They might even come alive! I feel better now. Shall I give you back to Merium?

Renault: Thank you, Tomas.

Thoroah: Thanks a lot.

Renault: Love having you.

MERIUM: I've always enjoyed working with Uncle Tomas. He's very easy to work with, you know. Most of us are! (Um-hum) It interests me how it is that some of you actually grow from this experience, while some fall out and away. It is interesting to me to see that happen, and yet I suppose it is part of what Tomas was talking about that what may be interesting for some is dull for others.

When you know you don't have to make everyone think the way you do, act the way you do, or believe the way you do, you have such a sense of freedom, of not having to worry about that anymore. You can just be yourself! So be it! (Pause) It certainly would eliminate a lot of judgment, wouldn't it?

Group: Yes.

MERIUM: And "control issues"? Authority issues.

Renault: Be who you want to be. Your highest and best.

MERIUM: Be who you are. Oh, I saw a question come up. What if you are gay?

Renault: Be who you are.

MERIUM: Well, that word "gay" is about as peculiar as the word "party."

Group: (Chuckles)

MERIUM: Only as you are engaged in the machinations of gayness or partydom do you experience the party, the joy of it, the gay, the happiness of it. You have to be in it to know whether it's you or not. And once you find out whether it is or not, it's too late, because by then you know who you are. There are, of course, a lot of people who aren't who they are, or who don't behave as they are but how they should.

Renault: Some people are confused about how to behave. They think they're behaving.

MERIUM: Well, it comes back to that thing about how people judge.

Renault: Um-hum. One another.

MERIUM: Instead of just being who they are. They worry about what other people are doing, and how they are manifesting. It's totally unnecessary.

Thoroah: Isn't that mostly inspired by a lack of self-confidence or a lack of knowing thyself, in the long run, though?

MERIUM: Well, certainly. It's a limitation on all the things that you could know, given more exposure to other values. And a greater appreciation of the fact that each one is unique, instead of each one is the same. But as "What About Bob" was saying, when you don't think for yourself, you think the way everyone else does, or the way somebody else wants you to think. And thus most people are walking around doing most of their thinking unconsciously.

Thoroah: So there is a subliminal level of thinking going on, so that if we're inspirational enough in our daily living that we can like tap their senses a little bit into that subliminal thinking level, so that….

MERIUM: Oh, of course. And the subtler and more natural the better. Not to say subtle as in "devious" or "underhanded" but it does not have to be blunt or objectionable.

Renault: I.e., planting the seed.

MERIUM: Or even fertilizing or aerating seeds that you know are there because they were just revealed to you in the course of natural living. Encouraging the positive is as viable a method of behavior modification as condemning.

Renault: Um-hum. Better. Better.

MERIUM: Yes, even better. Now, you know what they say about those who "love 'em and leave 'em" … who will say they love you and turn around tomorrow and break your heart. Those of you who know something about love, about true love, about divine love, ought to have a solid base from which to operate, ought to have a real conviction in your soul as to the love you know, and one of the ways that the door opens between you and humanity is, one at a time, to have an instant in which your divine love, your genuine ThySelf love shines upon your fellow and they see it. They respond to it. You can see it in the light in their eyes that they reverberated to the truth, beauty and/or goodness that you showed them. This is no mere seduction. This is the development of cosmic consciousness. Sometimes called Christ Consciousness.

I think I'm losing the connection here. Perhaps it is time to sign off for the afternoon.

Renault: It's been some pretty powerful stuff.

Thoroah: Thank you.

MERIUM: Well, it has certainly been our pleasure, you know.

Renault: And we appreciate the fact that even though we were late, you kept the appointment. Thank you.

MERIUM: We certainly had it on our calendar.

Renault: And we didn't want to disappoint you.

MERIUM: Well, we amuse ourselves in other ways when you are distracted, but it's always nice to follow through with plans when we can, understanding that the best laid plans --

Renault: sometimes go astray.

MERIUM: -- go astray, yes. Bye-bye!

Renault: Bye! Thanks you very much.

Thoroah: Next time!

*****

DATE: May 28, 2006 - Memorial Day

LOCATION: Rio Rancho, NM, USA

T/R: Gerdean

MUSIC: "Sweet Hour of Prayer"

PRAYER: Men-O-Pah:

"Father, we come to Thee in joy and gladness, remembering the words that you spoke, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there shall I be," and so, Jesus, come sit with us. You are surely welcome. We remember our comrades in arms this day. And we pray that we might be like the old black warrior who said, "I'm gonna lay down my sword down by the riverside and study war no more." We pray for peace. We pray for the leaders, our leader. Give him wisdom that he might do the right thing and say the right things. We ask all these things in your name, Lord Jesus. Amen."

MERIUM: Good afternoon, my precious friends and visitors -- new friends. This is Merium. I am pleased to be your co-host today. Tomas will be back with us and sharing some of the things he learned while he was away, and I was "in charge." How funny that phrase is to me, that I could be in charge if I wanted to be. I will talk another time, perhaps, about being "in charge."

I would like first to welcome our dear Ann back to the fold, as it were, and enfold her in our affections. Welcome, too, new daughter [Marilyn] to these environs and this format. There is always some trepidation when you open your soul to that which is most precious and dear, to discover the vulnerable crevices of your deepest self being assaulted by those concepts which are anathema to the sense of spiritual well-being, and so it is my prayer that when and as we share the festivities and activities and the lessons of this afternoon, that my words fall on fertile soil and that they not be received as barbs or assault. Rather, that together we can be as one in the spirit -- that spirit which transcends all theological differences, that oneness of soul, which is a part of divinity that we pray about, for, and to and that, indeed, we worship.

The idea of a relationship with God, a personal God, is what I'd like to bring to your focus today because Tomas is going to fall up with an element of "impersonal God" to compare. So I ask you each in this study portion of the session to look within yourself to discern the God self within, the divine fragment of God that is in the secret place; the citadel of the spirit within, wherein you seek to hear the sound of the still Voice which can tell you, guide you, which way to go -- that which gives you a sense of oneness and which brings you the peace that passes all understanding.

Naturally, this is not the same self as your physical self or your emotional self or your social portrayal of your self, nor is it broken into factions of political self, financial self, artistic self and so forth, but is indeed the self that is a part of the divine … the embodiment of the statement "I AM a child of I AM" and so, with all that preamble, having a sense of your Self in the Spirit, allow for a moment that that be the presence of God within you, and own it, as a fragment of God, and feel a part of the universe as a result of that connection. [pause] Tomas and I are debating now how to proceed. He is eager to make contact, so I will perhaps come back. But Tomas, now, would like to pick up here and tell you about what he has learned while he was away.

TOMAS: Good afternoon, my friends. This is Tomas, your teacher and friend, co-worker and companion in the ascent to greater reality. How wonderful it is to be here at this festive reunion of old souls in spirits young and gay. The beauty of the day, the chimes, the breeze, the pastoral loveliness of your environment makes me know that all is right with you, all is well in God's world … as far as you are concerned.

I am excited to share with you some things I learned from my friends and associates in Andover where I have been with another group, another classroom, and where I have learned from them what they have learned from me. This is an extension of the truth of the fact that while with you I have learned from you, that which I have taught you. And so we eventually teach each other, which is infinitely better than the blind leading the blind! And so let us talk about this impersonal God that Merium mentioned. I will think of it rather, as energy, for God, as the Creator, is certainly the creator of everything, including energy, and if God is everywhere -- omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent -- then he is certainly in energy. Just as that divine fragment within you is a particle of divine energy, so does divine energy permeate the universe. I am going to talk about merkaba.

Think in terms of play. We are going to play here for a bit, and I am going to try to keep my focus so that my message is not garbled by the process. The merkaba is a grid work, is the name for or a denotation of the grid work that underscores all of life. If you think of a city that has infrastructure, you will have an idea of what I mean when I talk about spiritual grid work, and its term merkaba. It is about the energy inherent in the universe -- much of which is untrained, undirected, uncurtailed -- but as that energy can be roped in, hog-tied, and put to good use, you then have access to much more creative power than you would have thought possible. You are harnessing the energy of the universe to work for you. No longer do you drift on life's currents, buffeted about by the energy of the collective consciousness, but you have plugged into the energy of the cosmic universe, a far greater power and influence than that which flesh is heir to.

If you would, plant your feet firmly on the ground and see yourself as a receiver -- as if you had antenna, and as if your feet grounded you into the earth. There is pattern to be experienced in this exercise. The idea is that your heart is the focal point, and the seat of the soul, such that you want to have your radio station connecting to higher broadcasts while your feet remain firmly grounded on the world where you live. In this way, you can serve both God and man most effectively.

If you allow your mind's eye to see the energy of the universe traveling in circuits, one which comes up through the floor and into your right foot, if you will allow the experience of this energy to come up through your right leg and touch your heart, then turn around and go down and out through the left leg into the floor and oversee its progress as it then enters into the right foot of the person to your left, and up into their heart, down their left leg, into the floor and into the right foot of the person on their left. Do you see the pattern of energy I am unfolding to you?

Group: Yes.

TOMAS: All right. Good. Then let us get that thing moving now, and see how that feels. Just the bottom half. Let it come up through the right, touch your core, and go out the left. Take a moment to experience this without my interference so that you have a full consciousness of this energy coming in and leaving, at the same time coming in from the person on your right, so that it is a full and earnest circle of energy. Proceed. [pause]

In the ideal, you will feel settled, established, grounded, as if you had put yourself in the driver's seat and fastened your seatbelt. You are now free and we are now able to activate the upper half of this merkaba. Even as the energy on the bottom half continues its traversal from right to left, we will now operate with the circuitry that goes from left to right in the upper portion of the receiver, and this time the energy will come into your left ear, down to your heart, up to your right ear, out and directly into the person next to you. [pause]

Lest you feel you are bouncing around, but without spinning your top, allow the energy to come in and immediately out again. In the left ear, out the right ear. This is a much faster paced circuit than the one that keeps you grounded. Is there anyone who does not feel some kind of energy circuit?

Paula: Me. I don't feel anything.

TOMAS: Do you have your feet flat on the floor.

Paula: Yep.

TOMAS: Your legs are not crossed?

Paula: Nope.

TOMAS: All right then, let me walk you through it. Feel everything. Focus on your right foot. Sense the life that is in your right foot. Feel the tingle of its very existence. Imagine therein the muscles, the tendons, the blood vessels, the bone, the skin, the nerves, everything that is life and the life that flows through it, through the blood, carrying the oxygen as a part of your physical vessel. Do you have an idea of that foot in your mind. Can you see your foot, in your mind's eye?

Paula: Um-hum.

TOMAS: Can you feel its warmth or perhaps the breeze on your foot that gives rise to a sense of it having its own awareness?

Paula: I'm supposed to, huh?

TOMAS: It is possible. This is not something that you are "supposed to" do. This is an exercise. It is not a required course.

Paula: Oh.

TOMAS: It's for fun. So we want you to have fun with the energy that is possible to come up your leg. Let your consciousness come up to your knee. After you get past the calf and the muscles there, allow your energy to focus on your right knee. Feel the warmth of your right knee. Feel the blood and the bone and the life of your right knee. Appreciate that. Move on up through your thigh. Feel the work of your thigh, the muscles, the heat, the value, the life, the necessity, the appreciation, the love of that leg, all that it does for you. Can you feel the energy coming up through your leg? Can you feel it settling in your sacroiliac, touching base with your lowest chakra, the life force that runs up and down your spine? Can you feel life within you? Can you feel life within you as something separate from that which you call Paula?

Paula: No, I guess there's probably something wrong with me.

TOMAS: I doubt that. I don't think there is anything wrong with you. It may be a perception that is difficult to grasp, but it does not reflect poorly on your intellect or your sensitivity. I would suggest you not worry about it. Just take part in this merry-go-round and allow your elder brothers and sisters to hold your hand and carry you around laughing until we all fall down. Just enjoy the energy of the group.

Actually, this is what the whole thing is about. It is to become sensitive to energy, and the energy specifically that exists in this group. The merkaba has, as its reason for being, the ability to connect you, through this impersonal energy grid, one with the other. Many times when you leave this meeting, you go about your business and lose the connection with those of us who are tying you into divine reality. You return to your standard relationships and energy connections, which may be on the order of a working relationship, a marital relationship, a parental relationship.

The choir here has a connecting factor. There is an energy that exists even with you, Paula, as to your association with others in the choir. It carries energy with it. This is a merkaba. The energy that you share together creates a reality. That's the entire point of this exercise, to point out to you that there is energy in associations and as you understand the energy of a configuration, you can rely on that energy and draw upon that energy as well as the relationships you have paternally, fraternally, or maritally. It is an introduction to another dimension of association.

Thoroah: In a lot of ways, it's like Men-O-Pah mentioned in his prayer, that "where two or more are gathered together, there I am."

TOMAS: Yes, it is, but this goes back to Merium's part of the discussion, for Jesus is personal.

Thoroah: But there is an impersonal connection …

TOMAS: Absolutely.

Thoroah: … there that is also the Father.

TOMAS: Yes. That is true. That energy connection is a viable reality. And that is exactly what is meant by Jesus saying "when two or more are together, there am I in your midst." This is, incidentally, true not just in one's physical presence, but in one's connection. If two of you are joined together in faith, he is there in your midst there also. So if your mind is reaching out and your energy is focusing on prayer to someone across town, their Adjuster ~ their indwelling God Fragment ~ their spiritual antenna is aware of this, because it operates on a far higher frequency than the grounded and much denser energy connection of the material realm.

So as you allow yourself to lift up into the merkaba, the higher merkaba, your Adjuster, your God fragment, your divine spark, connects simultaneously with that friend who is thinking of you. You humanly may not be cognizant of this connection. You remember it only as that you like this person, that you enjoy their company. When you are away from one another, you think of each other occasionally and you have good energy to project in their direction and you receive good energy from that direction.

That is precisely right, Thoroah, it is an example of Jesus being there in their midst. He is in their midst. He is between them and connecting them. This is the God energy that creates a merkaba of reality that extends beyond the material and finite dimension. It is my pleasure to introduce this concept to you and tell you how much I have enjoyed working with the Andover group who learned this as a teaching tool for you.

It is such an interesting thing, being part of the Teacher Corps here on this world at this time in its development, for you know, we get to learn about you and your ways as you, hopefully, are coming to see some things from our perspective. Any good teacher learns from the students …if nothing else, how to be a better teacher! And so I have brought this trick back as "show and tell" for you, my flock, and hope that my excursion into experiential realities of this movement, this planetary awakening, can bear fruit. I give you back now to Merium.

Group: Thank you, Tomas. It's good to have you back.

MERIUM: I'll soon be opening up the windows, but let me first go back to what I set aside in order for Tomas to talk about the physicality of energy. And that is, again referring to that indwelling fragment of God and the personal aspect of it. Now, the Adjuster is pre-personal. It is your personality that provides the personal touch to this God fragment.

Therefore, when you reach into your God as you understand God, in many ways you are looking into yourself. You are looking at your own reflection of divinity, for that is all you have experientially acquired. The rest is faith, and while I am not belittling faith in the least, for faith is what keeps you going, which is your own carrot held out before you to follow into greater religious experiences, it is also true that as you love yourself more, you love God more. As you love God more, you are able to love yourself better.

And the upshot of all this is that the love cannot stay within you. It must come out. And it will come out, through these energy circuits. Therefore, prepare yourself to impact your world by a conscious utilization of these energy grids and circuits that are available to you by and through your own cosmic consciousness.

So what does this all mean? It means that you can affect the world you live on, its destiny, and the immediate environment where you hold forth, "in charge" of your own consciousness. So you see how silly it is to imply that I was "in charge" of anything, when that is your singular responsibility, privilege and duty to your own self's relationship to deity. From there, all things come.

Well, we have made up for lost time, haven't we, today? What now can we do to lighten up the vibes, to get out of this cerebral modality, and into something that is more toward your experiential comfort zone? How are you advancing in your own spirit life, your own love life with the Source of love? How are you?

Elena: I wanted to share something. My sister and I were talking the other day and we were recalling back to a summer that had been really cool. There had been lots of nice things in it and lots of memories and just one thing seemed to go to another, and so I just decided that I am going to have that kind of summer again, and I'm starting that. I got a pond yesterday. Mother and I went to get that and it's something that's easy; you don't have to dig; it's not $7,000; it's $200. You plug it in and it's a water pond! So …

Paula: That you can sit in?

Elena: I hadn't thought about that.

Renault: Before she puts the fish in.

Elena: No fish. It's not a big one. It's just a small one.

Paula: Oh, just a little one.

Elena: Yeah. Yeah, so you guys will all share in this, no doubt, too, but it may not be a lazy, hazy summer. It may not be lazy at all, but it's going to be a good summer. So that's how, Merium, I'll kind of help you fluff things up and add a water pond and plug it in, so that's what I intend to do with this summer.

Men-O-Pah: Well, Barney [the dog] will drink the water.

Elena: Yeah, that's right. He may sit in it. I don't know.

MERIUM: The trickle of water is always refreshing, and the trickle of water is also a reminder, if you choose, of the living water, which is also real, and which also refreshes. The determination to have a good season to up-step your view to include more cheer and laughter is a worthy investment of mental energy, particularly in light of the many things that would draw you down and back into the worry and care of the material dimension. Not to say that they are not worthy concerns, but that they need not consume you. In fact, drawing more energy from the higher merkaba grid is an exercise that all worriers would do well to learn. It helps to balance out the spirit and the flesh and bring more joyousness into the human experience.

Elena: So that, when we're by ourselves, we could do this exercise anyway.

MERIUM: Certainly. Yes, you can do this alone. In fact, it is, yes, recommended that you draw upon higher energies as compared to the lower energies, which, yes, serve to keep you grounded, but they also serve to keep you down. This, if you will remember the configuration Tomas introduced -- the bottom half of you being connected to the material plane, into the earth, giving your energies into your material existence, allowing you to remain grounded and stable, even as your upper self, as a tree holding its arms / branches high into the sky to praise and wave and be free, keeping that nest of robins in your hair, provides the birdsong and the lilting melodies of the cosmos as a counter-balance for the down-pull.

So we have the up-draft of the spirit to balance the down-pull of the material existence. Yes, of course you can draw upon the positive as well as on the negative, the spiritual as well as the physical, the infinite as much as the finite. It is our hope only to introduce you to the viable reality of the spiritual plane so as to provide some diversion and relief from the incessant enclosure in the exclusively material existence.

You who sing and enjoy the choir certainly have an advantage over those who do not know the joy of lifting your voice in discipline and praise to creation itself, to the artistry of creation. And you are fortunate, in that you sing for a house of God, to attach those images of worship and praise that allow your heart and mind to soar. Many creative people soar in their application of their creative energy as well, and no doubt find tremendous satisfaction therein, but they may not always be consciously aware of the divine aspect of their endeavors.

The more consciousness that can be directed toward divine reality, one way or another, the more we will help tilt the scale of the down-pull of the negative of the physical, material existence, eventually, to be lifted up as a global condition, and that will be the attainment of light and life on your world, where all men revere the creator and love one another, even as Jesus loves us. Amen.

Group: Amen.

MERIUM: Are there other questions or comments?

Renault: My visualization of merkaba was like a crochet, or picking up a stitch, where the bottom comes up and loops around the heart and goes down and the top comes in, comes down, loops around the heart and goes out. It's like picking up a stitch, you know, in your heart. So that it's the top and bottom being held together through the heart.

MERIUM: That's very good. It also brings to mind the fact that you are building a tapestry, you are building a magic carpet on which to ride. You are building a cable stitch that reaches out, that grows, that you can wear and use as a testimony to the fact of creation. That was good imaging, I'd say. Get someone on your magic carpet with you; take them for a ride.

Renault: When we were all in a circle, we're all stitched together in the tubular aspect of our situation, you know, all stitched and tied together in some link to the heart.

MERIUM: Here's another exercise we can do for fun. The God fragment that I talked to you about, that part of you which is divine and eternal, that which has God energy and potential, that which some would call your immortal soul that lives beyond this life, let that lift up into the room -- not that it is leaving you, but that it extends out from you and into the room. I always enjoy the exercise when the students are encouraged to allow their God fragment to venture into the room and consciously greet the God fragment of others, for it invariably allows for some very "warm fuzzies." If you would like to take a few minutes to do that, we could set up a game plan that would allow you to pair off into twos and/or threes and even wander around aimlessly, embracing the spirit of each other.

Let me, for example, demonstrate the Thought Adjuster of Gerdean walking into the room and holding out her arms to the Adjuster of Marilyn, and Marilyn's Adjuster enfolding the spirit of Gerdean in a cosmic embrace. This is perhaps what is meant in Corinthians when it talks about greeting your brother with a holy kiss. And at the same time, Elena can merge her Adjuster with that of Renault. Esmeralda, allow your God Fragment to run out and embrace the God Fragment of Men-O-Pah. And Myra, come join the fun. We'll have all our Adjusters out in the middle of the room creating such a burning light of spirit luminosity, the angels will be coming by to say, "What's that bonfire you've got going there in the parlor?"

The one thing you can trust -- the one thing in the world you can trust -- is that God fragment within, for even though the mortal may be fallible and not yet completely trustworthy, the citadel of the spirit, the indwelling adjuster, the divine fragment of God that lives within you each and is, indeed your destiny, can be trusted implicitly, for it is Love. It may not be personalized as love until it is manifested through your energy, but its Source is divine, and God is love, so trust it, even as human love may be fickle, divine love is eternal. There is no reason why all of us cannot, in the fullest sense of the word, live happily ever after.

Paula: You know, I wish I was as good a person as the rest of you, but I'm not.

MERIUM: It has nothing to do with goodness.

Paula: No, no. It does! In a lot of ways, because years ago, when I was 20, Mom and Dad were coming home from their vacation up in New England. They got as far as Batavia, which is about 20 miles from Buffalo, when the town bums came out of the side road with a car that sort of didn't have any brakes, or if they did, they just didn't work. And they went slam bang into the car. My father was thrown through the front window as it broke and landed on the road ahead. My mother was frantic, and they took him to the hospital. He lived one day. And when I found out what happened and who did it, I never forgave that woman who was driving because my father was a very special man, and he did a lot of work for the church and was superintendent of Sunday School, he did all kinds of things and he was always doing a favor for somebody and these were Depression Days. We didn't have much, but he gave of what we had always. Even if it was just his time to help somebody. And mother called me from the hospital and you know how mothers are. She said, "We had a little accident." She didn't say that our car was ruined and Daddy was dying. And she said, "Do you think somebody from church would give you a ride out here to the Batavia, we've got him in the hospital." And when I found out what had happened, I knew that I could never forgive the people who caused my father's death. And to this day, I have never forgiven them. I have no use for them. They took the life of a fine man. He was only in his 50s. He could have had 30-40 more years, and she robbed him of those that day, and she never even said to my mother, "I'm sorry," never one word of apology. And I've often thought of how my father would have enjoyed his children, his grandchildren, his great-children, and he missed all that. So you see I'm not a very nice person because all my life that has bothered me just terribly and I still can't find it in my heart to forgive her when she was so crass about it and said to mother, "Oh, I guess my car is shot. I'll have to buy another one" and mother was crying and it didn't bother her one bit. And when I found out about that, I felt it even more deeply, and it can never change for me, so you see I'm not as good a person as the rest of you.

MERIUM: Let me suggest, Little One, that you forgive yourself for your anger. What you cannot forget now, you will forget in eternity. If it comforts you to maintain anger, then keep it and let it work for you. Anger is sometimes a great motivator. But whether or not you can forgive that person that caused the death of your beloved daddy, forgive yourself your attitude and give yourself a break. You are only human. Some sins are unforgivable, and that is only a determination that you can make. But for you to condemn yourself as well as others is adding insult to injury.

Paula: Well, I know I'm not supposed to feel that way and I've gone to church all my life and been active in it all my life and ordinarily I'm not that kind of person, but that will never change.

MERIUM: You say, "I'm not supposed to." Who says you're not supposed to? Where do you derive that standard?

Paula: Oh, out of the Bible. You're supposed to forgive everybody, and all that. And I never did forgive them. Or her. She was driving.

MERIUM: Then the scripture is moot. Don’t condemn yourself this way. If you felt like forgiving, you would forgive. You can hold out forever if you want to. It's only your self you are cheating. But you are entitled to cheat yourself; it's your will. You can respect yourself for your decisions, even if they are dumb decisions. That's your right to do so.

None of us -- none of us even in the spirit realms -- the morontial realms -- are perfect yet. All of us have work to do, otherwise we'd all be fused and gone on to some higher plane of consciousness that we can't even imagine today. Everyone here has a pet evil that they just cannot give up, just will not let go of yet. But that does not mean that each one here is not precious and rare and beloved, even though flawed. You need not separate yourself from humanity because you bear a grudge. You are not that unique. Everyone has imperfection. It's the nature of such a life on such a planet.

What you do right, partially makes up for it, and when people have a piece of your apple pie, they adore you, so what difference does it make if you are still angry at someone who hurt you those many years ago. It was unforgivable to take your daddy, so have at it. That's my opinion in the context of your concern. I'm not commending self will. I do believe that forgiveness is an invaluable quality to entertain, but I'm not here, you see, to pass judgment on you, nor are you here to pass judgment on one another, and you are not qualified to pass judgment on yourselves, for you haven't got enough perspective, even with all those years under your belts, you still do not have adequate perspective. Let the Ancients of Days assess your worth and in the meantime, take it from me: I think you're swell.

I'm going to sign off and let you play the rest of the day and enjoy the weekend. Both Tomas and I have thoroughly enjoyed our time with you this afternoon, and when we can get together again, we will have yet another adventure in attempting to understand the nature of God and how that enriches our lives. Farewell. Bye-bye!

*****

DATE: June 25, 2006

LOCATION: Rio Rancho, NM, USA

T/R: Gerdean

TOPICS: One Size Does Not Fit All

Music: Elena on Piano: "Blue Skies"

MERIUM: That was a prayer! This is Merium. I am so glad to see so many of you here today. We have a full house. You enjoy the homecoming as well, I perceive, for your joy reflects in your greetings to one another. Uncle Tomas, today, would like to talk straight, and I'll be here to open the windows when he is finished. (Group chuckle)

TOMAS: How long must I bear with you, child? This is Tomas, your friend and counselor and guide and companion in these years of association, with the best interests of all at heart. We in the Teacher Corps are assigned to fulfill a certain conscription. And within that conscription, we have tremendous latitude to teach what will most impact your own spirit growth. That is a huge assignment, since all of you are at a different place in your spiritual awakening, and so you find most of our lessons generic and unspecific so as to reach the greatest number of hearers with truth, realizing full well that the truth will fall on each ear as a unique tone, even as all of you are privy to our orchestration.

In the Teaching Mission, as it has come to be called, one size does not fit all. If you will, for instance, observe your Teachers, they modify, they adapt to new people. They incorporate the whole. Many times my meandering and long-distance running sentences are the only way I know how to rope in such a wide variety of minds as are here, even in this configuration of fairly like-minded individuals.

It may be easier for a Teacher to address a group who has one common interest, as compared to a group that has many common interests, but I believe teaching has its own degrees of challenges regardless of the socio-economic or socio-political or socio-religious construct of the classroom -- although size does have bearing. And this is why the personal teachers have been encouraged to be utilized by you who enjoy these group lessons, for personal teachers can and do go into more intimate detail with you in your daily life than do the group teachers.

There is expansion in the living universe. It is not stagnant; it is not fixed, even while there are certain truths that are immovable. And so you will never have firm footing as to what's going on because what's going on is constantly changing. You can, however, have confidence and assurance that whatever it is you are an integral part of it. You have your contribution to make according to your commitment and your capacities, which you perform loyally, even as do those who wear their banners on their sleeve and wave the flag and toot the horn more vigorously.

We are not all the same. We are not all at the same level of growth and development. And there are those who feel that the appropriate thing to do at such a point as you find yourselves on occasion, to break off one from another and allow the advanced students to forge ahead or convene as an advanced group as compared to the remedial work of those whose capacities are not inclined or able to pursue advanced studies and attainments with the same gusto as the advanced group. This is good in terms of administration, but in terms of association, it is improbable that it will do anything but offend and divide.

Thus, we continue -- we in the Teacher Corps -- continue to address the group as generically as possible, even as understanding the uniqueness of each student in our class, hope to provide some gem of truth which you can chew upon, some seed of truth-beauty-or-goodness that takes root in your soil that the Father himself may stimulate the growth of that seed in your consciousness and in his kingdom. This is no doubt the desire of all God's kids. In that, one size does fit all. All of you seek to do His will. And all of you do it to the best of your understanding. In that there lies a blanket of grace over you and all of us.

I want to also make note of the fact that although I may be teaching and addressing a group here or there or otherwise, I always have to remember that the universe is listening. These lessons don't apply only to your group, but to people across the world and even other worlds take interest in these developments. I say this not in order to make you feel self-conscious, but to allow you to see once more how it is that you are a part of the avant-garde of those who are league with the heavenly helpers, in order to reopen the circuits between your world, which has been in isolation, and the greater universe of which you are a part.

In time, the broadcasts will be more public, more acceptable, more visible, and humanity will be more inclined to recognize they are a part of the universe and not singularly a citizen of this planet. And such knowledge also always leads the individual to an appreciation of the vastness of creation and in the recognition of such vast reality, the normal sense of smallness and awe is a part of your comprehension of ultimate truth, beauty and goodness. For even as you are of God and accept his qualities as your own, you do clearly see how infinitesimal and finite your reality is in this moment, and so humbly we advance in each other's company and in search of the path that will open before us as children of faith. That is all I wish to say this afternoon. Thank you for bearing with me.

Esmeralda: Thank you for coming to see us, Tomas.

Elena: We appreciate your coming, Tomas.

MERIUM: Merium, back here again, under "Blue Skies" on a balmy summer day with friends and associates in the spirit interest. Have you, along the lines of Tomas' words, wondered why I call myself a babysitter? In the vast cosmology of things, with so many roles being filled, the Magisterial Son, the Creator Son, the ascended masters and associate teachers: angels, orders of seraphim, and on and on infinitum, why am I content to be called a babysitter?

Does that mean I am here to supervise you until your parents get back? Am I here to keep you from getting into trouble, without One High in Authority being over you? Am I just here until you grow up and can take care of yourself? I call myself a babysitter just so you know I am only a little beyond you on the totem pole of ascending sons and daughters. All of us have something we can teach those who are just a little younger. I learn as much from you, I suspect, as you do from me.

Where have you been, Maria? How wonderful it is to see you back in our company!

Maria: Learning other things. Going other places.

MERIUM: Indeed, child, the world is a university. It does not all take place in these classrooms. Healing is a field of interest that took off a long time ago, in terms of alternative medicine. And science is accommodating. Many times we become circumscribed in our viewpoint, and neglect to appreciate how vast an enterprise this Teaching Mission is -- this "mission" to teach you that you may teach others. There is an attitude about teachers that is evidently important enough to emphasize.

Myra, tell us the difference between a teacher and an administrator.

Myra: [who is a schoolteacher] (Chortles)

Thoroah: Keep it clean now.

Myra: (Laughing) It depends on the teacher and it depends on the administrator, really, but actually the teacher works with children and the administrators supposedly work for parents and teachers. That's what I've been told. And I think it's true.

MERIUM: Teachers associate with learners. They may or may not be children. Children are the assumed students, but adults also enjoy learning. Many times the teacher is younger than the students, so I'll argue with you about the students being children.

Myra: I'll let you argue with me on that one. I only use my common language in my own small little atmosphere, I guess.

MERIUM: This is natural and appropriate. I only make the remark to point out to a larger audience that has been quibbling about word usage, that it matters who is speaking, for everyone has their own frame of reference for how words work and how they convey information, just as do those of you who listen hear something unique, depending upon how you hear.

Teachers, as a rule, according to what I am instructed to be, is one who allows whatever is in you to be enlarged. It is not to superimpose information upon you, but to allow your own self to be revealed. The teaching I do, and Tomas does, is not factual. It is therefore not administrative, and I will not be promoted, depending upon how I do my job, so I am not interested in--

Renault: How many students pass the test.

MERIUM: Correct. I'm not interested in a raise or tenure.

Myra: Or leaving any of us behind.

MERIUM: -- not interested in leaving anyone behind. That's correct. Like Jesus, who suffered the little children and would stop in the middle of an important lecture to tend to their needs, we do the same. And those who want to forge ahead quicker and explore the universe trails, it is their right, duty and responsibility to themselves to do so. There are so many classes in this University. There are so many avenues to investigate. There are so many personalities with so many variations on the basic theme of personality that the options and opportunities are truly endless.

Paula: Well, you know the old cliché, that life itself is a constant learning experience. And it's true! You learn all the time. From the time you're born until you die.

MERIUM: Yes, indeed. You go to the head of the class.

Paula: Good!

MERIUM: Everyone likes to be a star student. Everyone likes to learn. Everyone likes to be acknowledged for what a bright little star they are. It is a part of the development of a healthy self-identity that allows you to know that what you do is good. There are new dimensions opening up in the Teaching Mission that incorporate the idea of the immanent arrival of a Magisterial Son on this world. This emerging ideology is disruptive to some and enthralling to others. Just as we were a new phase of interest and growth for so many of you, so is this concept of the Magisterial Son stimuli for growth and creativity for yet more and other students of cosmology and universe design.

There are many religions and religionists who look to the heavens for solutions and wait for that day when the clouds open, the trumpets sound, and a savior will appear. It has happened before; it could happen again; and so it is not unfeasible that it could happen even within your lifetimes, but I would be remiss if I were to neglect to gauge the temperature of the water before I threw you in and expected you to swim.

There is no intent to frighten anyone, even when others are impatient for new material. And so this business of enjoying and cultivating the depth of character and divine duty reaches fulfillment and curiosity sets in. We can only go with what your Spirit of Truth will allow. There will be no ram-rodding in this classroom.

Our joy in coming together is to know that we are part of a spiritual family, that family who loves one another as Jesus loves us, and besides enjoying one another's company, we might find ways to support this greater reality that lies either within or without the conventional methods of teaching the fact of God and the reality of His love. That said, let's open the windows. Are there questions?

Elena: Well, I'm kind of curious. I think it was really interesting that Tomas' lesson talked about what it did because I have been thinking a little bit in the last week or so that I had used to be more focused or concerned or worried about my obvious working with a personal teacher, or wanting to and not being aware of, or trying to and not being perceptive of who that was, and not getting anywhere, seemingly. And basically I just decided not to worry about it.

And so when Tomas was talking about general comments and general messages, and that each one of us picked up what we wanted to, then that had meaning to me, so that meant a fair amount, but now we mention about the Magisterial Son and I'm … I don't know. I'm curious about that. What does that mean? I don't know what that means. I guess I'd kind of like some more information about it, but it… I don't think I'm afraid of that but it seems to be kind of thrown out there without very much information. Or that's what it feels like to me, so that's the end of my comment and whatever you want to say in reply.

T/R: (One moment)

MONJORONSON: I am Monjoronson.

Thoroah: Greetings.

Elena: Wow! Well, thanks for coming!

MONJORONSON: It pleases me to be welcomed into your midst. I cannot come where I am not invited. This is the case with all helpers. You cannot just stand by and assume you will be taken care of when it comes to those matters that necessitate your conscious involvement. My visit with you today is preliminary to more action in the future, in the consciousness of those who are engaged in actively activating, accentuating, enlivening and expanding universe reality. There is much afoot, but most of it cannot be conveyed because it depends upon you as much as us.

If you think in terms of the evolving Supreme, you might have a better understanding of how I will be assisting in the work of Christ Michael, that of uplifting your world. I will also be assisting Abraham by utilizing his army and battalions of workers, units of workers, to accomplish these things. And they will depend, to a great extent, upon who participates and to what extent they seek to commit their superconsciousness to these deeds that will enliven the reality in the universe that you have access to and that you can learn to manipulate and manage to help bring about the greater good.

If you think in terms of the future, wherein you may create universes, think about how to begin learning to create -- in a cosmic sense, as compared to a finite sense. Our mission is not necessarily to create organizations or associations as they are known on your world, but rather as they are known in heaven. I do have a staff of helpers I call upon and there are mortal associates signing up. Be advised it is not essential but to some it is inevitable. Many, too, are occupied in other efforts and need not devote themselves to our task. Be advised we are all workers in the field of the Universal Father, citizens of the friendly universe you inhabit.

Your Teacher talked to you before about manipulating energy, about connecting with each other in a merkaba, a gridwork that connects you. It is that energy and potential power that we will utilize in creating our administration and infrastructure that will recreate the lost infrastructure that was once your legacy before it was devolved by Lucifer. Never will it be as it was initially intended; however, creative administration can take what was meant to be and enhance it such that it becomes even better than was originally intended, and this is what we are embarking upon -- to recreate your world, beginning at the beginning.

The Teachers have been working with you to recreate you, that you might help recreate others. And now we in the Monjoronson Mission will take those graduated soldiers of the circles into the field for righteous service. We are the administration as compared to the teachers, getting back to that earlier question that was posed about what's the difference. Naturally we will all continue to learn; that is one of the benefits of experience.

I come with Teacher Sons who will augment the role of the Teacher Corps that has done much preparatory work to this new development. Nothing is being phased out. All is being added to. As is the case with you each individually -- there will be nothing taken away from you; but much will be added unto you, if you but pay attention. Thank you for hearing me.

Elena: Thank you for coming and for giving us some information. I appreciate that.

Thoroah: Yes.

MERIUM: Are there other questions?

Paula: Well, you know, it's funny. You always do learn new things, except in my case, I guess the good Lord forgot to put that in my make-up. I hate to sew. And I had to learn it in school. They made you take Home Economics, and the teacher just used to shake her head because I couldn't catch on -- mostly because I didn't like it! And what I don't like to do, I do very badly.

And one time, I was back east with the family, and one of my little great-granddaughters had something she had crocheted. I forgot what it was, but I said, "Oh, isn't that nice! I never learned how to do that." And she just looked at me and she said, "But you're so old!" she said, "You should've learned how to do this!" (Group laughter) And I said, "Well, yeah I guess I should've, but what you don't like to do, you do very badly."

And in school, somehow you had to take cooking and sewing. I did all right with cooking, but with sewing, the teacher used to just look at me and she'd shake her head, say, "You know, I thought you were a smart little kid, but I guess you aren't." She said, "You really haven't learned much in my class." And I said, "No! Because I don't like it." And she said, "Yeah, but you got to take it so you might as well learn how to do it." But I never did. And she just finally passed me with some kind of a mark so that I didn't exactly flunk it but … you don't learn things that you don't want to learn. At least I don't. The rest of you are probably a whole lot better at that sort of thing.

Group: (Guffaws and denials.)

Thoroah: We learn things reluctantly that we might not have chosen to learn, but unless you want to, there is only one way to learn and that is reluctantly.

Esmeralda: Or through necessity. I know when I was younger, I said, "I'd rather scrub floors than do bookkeeping, and then spent most of my life keeping books. And I loved it!

Thoroah: At least compared to scrubbing floors!

Elena: And it paid better.

Esmeralda: I've done some of that, too!

Paula: You know when my kids were little, all the other mothers were sewing little dresses, little shorts (group laughter) so finally I was so embarrassed because my son said, "Well, she doesn't make anything for me." So I thought, "Well, I'm going to do something." So I thought, "It can't be too hard to make pajamas." So I got a pattern and I struggled through it and when I got it all done he just looked at it and said, "Do I have to wear them?" I said, "No, dear." So we used them for scrub rags. Never did wear them. And after that I just gave up on it. I thought, why should I learn something that I don't like?

Thoroah: I had the same experience with woodworking. It's not an unusual experience.

MERIUM: Learning is something that most children want to do, particularly if it is appealing to them, and this is the real challenge for teachers -- to make life interesting, so that the student wants to learn. For as you say, it is very difficult to get a mind to open up to something it does not want to assimilate, and many times the teacher is the one to be held responsible, for they do not make learning fun.

Teachers who make their students feel like they can't learn, will never get them to learn. That rebelliousness is not there just to make you difficult. It is a part of the first adjutant mind spirit that seeks to live in its own right, that has a right to pursue its own course -- the one that has been naturally embedded in its personality pattern, given to it at birth, and so when teachers or elders or parents attempt to formulate a child in the ways that are anathema to it, it will inherent resist and rebel the guidance and direction of those who would propel you otherwise.

Unfortunately, children are not heard. Their objections are regarded as whining, or disobedience, and when they grow up to do that, they are accused of having sass or insubordination. This goes to show that everyone is not the same, and they should not be forced to be like everyone else. Perhaps, Paula, you did not learn to sew, but you certainly passed the course with flying colors as far as apple pie is concerned, (agreement and cheers in the group) and if that's all you managed to learn in that class, that's enough.

Paula: I'm not the world's greatest cook, by any means, but I like to make apple pie.

Thoroah: And it shows.

Paula: Everybody seems to like it all right.

MERIUM: So take what you do well and run with it.

Thoroah: Absolutely.

MERIUM: Isn't there a song to that effect, to "accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative and don't mess with Mr. In Between" and when it becomes alluring, a healthy child will be the first one to say, "I wasn't interested then but I am now!" and pursue its interest with enthusiasm. And I will allow you to pursue your interests with enthusiasm now in company with one another. I have been glad to facilitate this gathering today and am so pleased that so many of you came out to enjoy one another and the adventures that spirit living brings. Bye-bye!

Group: Bye, Merium. Thank you.

*****

DATE: July 23, 2006

LOCATION: Rio Rancho, NM, USA

T/R: Gerdean

Music: Elena on Piano: "Take Time to Be Holy"

A greeting from JESUS

TOMAS: "Take Time to be Holy"

Repercussions of Unholy Behavior; Do Not Wait for Leadership

Count Your Blessings; Character Sketch of Esmeralda

JESUS: I am Jesus … or the symbol of Jesus, as you realize Me. I just came by to make My presence known to you, as one who sanctions and governs our curriculum here. I want My children to come together, to know Me, and with Me reveal their relationship to Our Father by their words and works, that you might find joy and comfort in knowing Me. My Teachers are instructed under Melchizedek Machiventa. And we have a curriculum we operate with and through. I am glad to make the acquaintance of the visitors in this forum, however you well know we are not strangers to one another. I will leave you to My able workers and smile upon your gathering in joy, in peace. Farewell.

Group: Thanks for coming.

TOMAS: This is Tomas.

Elena: Welcome, Tomas.

TOMAS: Welcome, indeed. We have a good group today. I want to welcome everyone in the material realm as well as in the unseen realm. Be advised you have an audience this afternoon of angels and seraphim, as well as other students and visitors who always enjoy seeing the light shine.

I enjoyed the musical piece, which spoke again of the presence of God, for what is holy, after all, if not being conscious of divine reality? And so the song/ the piece speaks to the idea of stopping to remember your place in the Kingdom, to make the connection with Divinity, as a moment of Stillness can do, or in a moment of appreciation for a myriad of events, circumstances, things and beings that call to your mind the wonder of God.

A birthday is a time to be holy, to give thanks for life and its abundance: its experiences. Having visitors is a time to stop and be holy for the remembrance of friends, the memories of friendships long in the making. There are flowers that bloom and life that lives to bring about a series of holy moments. To take time to be holy is to take time to remember the Divine aspects of life.

There are those who have and will attest to the reality that "everything is holy now" for we live within the constant conscious awareness of Divine reality … not something we visit on Sunday or on holidays, but something quiet and steadfast that is a part of us as we pass by. As I pass by this afternoon in joyous company with you, I am reminded of the presence of God that would live within each of us, that would stretch Itself forth and connect with its fellows. The Divine in me reaches for the Divine in you and They embrace. Our exercise with you is to compel the mortal being to follow the lead of the Divine Within, and also fully embrace the countenance of one another. And this is a difficult challenge, but it is our task, even so.

I will subside and release the platform to Merium, who is eager to come in and say hello. One moment.

Elena: Thanks for coming, Tomas. It was good to have you here. It's always great.

Merium: Merium here, and I also enjoy hearing from Uncle Tomas. How fun to have guests! How fun to have a party! And how wonderful that the honeymooners are able to be with us this afternoon. How we love lovers! How we enjoy those who love one another freely, openly and without care, for they are so like children. Such delightful and charming children as you are a joy to care for, look over, and yes, baby-sit. Not that I think you are babies, or that you need overseeing, but because you are truly companionable when you are given a chance to be the delightful beings you are. It is when you get ornery with one another that you become difficult, sometimes even need to be made to stand in the corner in order to ponder your behavior and your attitudes.

I am perceiving that this kind of tactic, while temporarily effective, may have long range effects and repercussions, as well, for while one ponders in the corner, when one feels he is being punished, there arises within him or her a pebble that can irritate the relationship that started this punishment, even years down the line. Far better to take the offending party aside and ask for an emotional explanation of what transpired so that the lesson is allowed to be made here on the spot and face-to-face.

Remember when Jesus was fathering his brothers and sisters, his younger brother, Jude, was given to troublesome behavior. And while Jude was indeed punished for some of his unseemly actions, he was always consulted as to why he was being punished and indeed Jude would in advance agree to the punishment, thereby indicating he understood the wayward nature of his way and this pause in his liberty afforded him the time to allow the message to sink in.

He took time to be holy ~ to find out how it is that the value lesson is meaningful not only for this moment in this paradigm or this social situation, but a value lesson for eternity. In this way, when those instances arise in future, instead of resentment being recalled, a warm fuzzy can be generated by realizing the wisdom of having worked through that difficulty at the moment of its inception instead of the alternative.

I love this group, so mature and serious, and yet so childlike, so young. I have such good feelings for you, and only wish that we had more time together. Perhaps we could get into some games or activities, but as it is, I understand: life is compelling. And as long as we are all engaged in taking time to be holy and enjoying these precious moments as they unfold, then we do well. We do well, indeed. Are there questions from anyone this afternoon or any requests or comments?

Elena: Well, I always do but I would like to give somebody else a chance first.

Merium: Get the ball rolling.

Elena: Okay, all right.

Merium: After you get your tongues loosened up, we won't be able to quiet you.

Elena: Okay. All right.

Well, I just loved the comments that you said about -- as you probably know, in my job, the management challenges have been pretty significant. And to a certain extent they're coming … they're reaching a calm period, but at any moment it could rear its head again. And your lesson about how to deal with people reinforces, actually, but … a good way for … a general approach, certainly, but I can think of specific instances where it really reinforces the best way to go so thank you for that, because God knows how much trouble I face in that so I really appreciated that lesson that you gave, so thank you.

MERIUM: I am glad to be of service. I will tell you, even as I was discussing the issue or delivering the parable, if you will, that both Gerdean and I were wondering where this story came from and why were we telling it, but we decided to let it go and let the curriculum unfold as it is designed, and thus in faith we walk, and thus in faith we find out what we were doing.

Elena: Well, it just seems like in today's world there is so much … I mean, the way I look at it is that the troubles that you have in an individual situation are just reflected on a much greater scale throughout the world, so if you do have honorable and valued leadership, and if I can learn how to do that, then it reinforces the possibility that we might be able to do that on a greater scale. So I'm just trying to do it in my own little window of opportunity and hope that if I can do it, then maybe the same thing can be accomplished on another greater scale.

MERIUM: The point of your narrative, Elena, is that if you are true to yourself, you will shine your light, and if every individual were to take time to be holy, to take time to embrace the Divine Within and allow the spirit reality of him or herself to prevail, the spirits that prevail therein, in that state, would be able to bring peace. It is not possible to be in that peace which passes all understanding and want to harm your fellow. It is just not possible.

It is also very difficult for this old paradigm of embedded behavior to change, but we must encourage and in fact bring about this change. It is true that leadership has much to do with it, but when leadership is not doing it, you need to be certain that you are. This is the heart of democracy: that freedom to believe … that freedom to worship … that freedom to allow yourself to stand on holy ground, to be in a sacred place.

Wherever it is ~ be it the mall, on the freeway, in the office, in your home or wherever. Your space has a right to be holy and sacred because you are in the presence of God. You have brought Him there by your commitment, by your acknowledgement of Its reality. It does not need to become embroiled in creedal or theological differences.

It is the living of it that penetrates the consciousness sufficient to bring about a state of light and life for the individual, for the relationship, for the group, for the clan, for the tribe, for the nation, for the globe, for the universe. And so, indeed, take time. Take all the time necessary. For nothing will be accomplished of any lasting value without that Core Reality that is our Source and our Destiny and that accounts for every living human being.

I am glad to offer counsel to my charges. However, I am reluctant to get too ponderous, as I am the one who is reputed to be light and airy! Tee Hee. Not to be confused with a blonde airhead! I tease you thus because I myself have given you the vision of me as a blonde teenager with a pony tail so as to help you be comfortable with me. There is much to be said for childlikeness. It simplifies things. It puts us all on an even playing field. It removes us from power and politics and puts us in the same gentle playground where we may learn to exercise our social skills as well as develop tact and tolerance for others. This is just another classroom you are in this afternoon … just another experiential classroom / lecture hall. What else?

Paula: Well, now if we could just get all the heads of state to get together in one little place and say "I am going to try and understand your way of thinking" then maybe there wouldn't be so much murder in the troops and all the boys losing their lives over there for nothing.

MERIUM: Well, I can certainly appreciate the need for leadership to come together on a workable plan. We can pray that day will come when all opposing parties set aside their many differences and come together in an appreciation that they are all in the same boat, in that they all live on the same planet, and in the interest of the planet itself and its people, never mind the varying separate cultures, nations, languages and so forth, if they could begin to think in terms of the earth as their home, it would be a beginning.

These are things that you can broadcast whether you are white or black, red or yellow, brown or pink, whether you are Peruvian or Alaskan, whether you are male or female, old folk, young folk or whatever. You can promote earth as your home, and everyone around the world can promote the fact this is where we live and breathe and have our being. Add a little holiness to that and you have a pretty powerful bloc of people, a rather large collective consciousness that could turn the tide.

It is imperative that you continue to remember the good that you do by your conscious good thoughts toward resolution and peace for all. It is going to be difficult, especially in some places which have never known peace and have no desire for it, but it will be eventually overpowered by those of you who know the advantages of peaceful living, not to mention the affluence that comes when you are not spending all your resources on a destructive agenda. For no matter how you look at it, war is destructive; it is the nature of the beast.

A lot of work is required here. There is no true simple solution to global problems such as you experience and witness on earth here, but the truth is that you in your own private orb of light and life live in a paradise. You live in the Kingdom of God. You have abundance in every corner. You have the understanding that a simple life is precious; you know you do not need to have a bigger house and a bigger car. You know that your needs are truly simple and you need not overpower or overtake others in order to allow yourself to be replete in yourself.

I feel myself being drawn into your emotional current having to do with your concern about the war and other global conditions that strike fear in your hearts … not to mention your pocketbooks. But I am not going to allow us to stay there. I am acknowledging it in fullness. I understand there is tragedy occurring as we speak, and I want to assure you that in these areas where we are not, there are those who are -- angels and cherubim and midwayers -- actively engaged in ministering to the victims of these tragedies, and the Adjusters who are consciously working with every mortal on the face of the earth to bring their thoughts around godward. The Spirit of Truth is in the land and the Father's will will prevail.

Be positive about what is going on, about the peace you do know, about the civilization you have created, about the languages and cultures, and foods and dress and ways of life that you have created. Consider how far advanced you are as compared to your early ancestors and rejoice in the fact of your growth and in the growth of your world. It does not begin here; it does not stop here. As we cross over this life experience, we will see many things - some fearsome and some inspiring, and let us be on our way.

Elena: You know, Merium, the only other thing that comes to my mind… Do you remember last year when you kind of went around and had a little comment about each one of us? Being as selfish and self-absorbed as I am, I've been kind of wanting to … I thought that was a very helpful thing, to have a little bit of feedback about how we were doing individually. You don't have to do it this time, but maybe next time, or sometime.

MERIUM: You would like to have a little assessment as to your …?

Elena: Yeah! A little feedback as to how we're doing.

MERIUM: Let me … before we do that. I'd like to focus for a moment on Esmeralda, since she is having a birthday tomorrow. Birthdays are celebrations! And how can I go by without acknowledging a party. We must celebrate your life! I thought I would spend that moment with you, Esmeralda, as I spent with the others one time when you were not in attendance.

Elena: Perfect!

MERIUM: I had given them all a bit of a character sketch as I saw you, my charges, and you missed it, so let me see if I can convey something to you today of how I see you.

Esmeralda: I'm braced.

MERIUM: As well you should, for it is personal, and yet you need not defend yourself, for there is nothing in my approach to you that could be construed as an attack in any way. I am a most gentle friend. I see you as a girl of about 12, although I often see you trying to look 14. You have had the responsibilities of an adult thrust upon you and so you act often as if you were 24; and there are days when you feel like you are 70. But you are really, to me, a 12-year-old delight.

Since you have had so many responsibilities, and handled them so admirably, you have great strength. You are very self-sufficient. Anyone could feel reassured in your company for you would never allow them to be without. You always cater to the needs of others. It's a part of your nature, as well as a deep part of your cultural conditioning. Your ability to take care of yourself and others has given you a great deal of appropriate self-esteem, but you still carry with you the mantle of responsibilities too great for any child to bear. It is, even so, virtually impossible for you to shuck them off, allowing yourself to be that golden ear of fresh sweet corn that you are, and that's too bad because you are a radiant child.

It is the mantle of responsibility that you wear that sets you apart from your fellows, as if you are always on guard for what you will be required to do. You have to do nothing for and to me. We are friends. Happy birthday, dear friend.

Esmeralda: Thank you, Merium. Thank you very much.

MERIUM: For your birthday party, I am going to take your cloak. An update? You want an update?

Elena: No. Actually, I just wanted to kind of promote getting Mother … I was kind of trying to facilitate Mother's getting her picture from you and you did beautifully. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

MERIUM: Consider me manipulated.

Elena: Okay! (Laughter)

Paula: And she is marvelous at crossword puzzles. She is good!

MERIUM: Well of course she is. She is a mental person. She has had to use her mind, her quick mind, to survive and find her way in and out of many critical instances and situations. And her mind loves the challenge, and so it is appropriate that she would find challenges like Crossword enjoyable. It is to some word play indeed, and not a chore at all to work puzzles or undertake challenges, even challenges such as establishing a new business or organizing a community project and planning the menu for a dinner party. These are fun activities. They are play, grown up.

Just never allow yourself to forget that you are still children. Not ornery little brats that need supervised, but delightful, charming, imaginative children who love to play, who don't want to fight, and who do like making up new games and drawing new friends together. These new friends we have drawn together with today are lovely people. Let me run out and say hello to you personally. Andy and Carol?

Andy: Yes.

MERIUM: Welcome into this soiree, our tea party with celestials in attendance.

Andy: Thank you, Merium.

MERIUM: Any questions from your corner while we are all together? Or from any corner, before we say good-bye?

Renault: Well, while you're speaking of parties and birthdays, Merium, I want to invite you to Michael's birthday party at my house next month.

MERIUM: Oh, goodie.

Renault: August 20^th -- on a Sunday.

MERIUM: I'll be there.

Renault: Good. And other friends will be there.

MERIUM: Is it okay for me to bring my friends, too?

Renault: Absolutely! That's why I'm telling you.

Thoroah: Get seating arrangements.

Renault: I got a new couch, too, so we'll have comfortable seating.

MERIUM: I'll sit in the mezzanine. In the interest then of good will and good times, I will leave you now in company with your own good selves. Good day. Bye-bye.

Group: Bye Merium. Thank you.

*****

DATE: September 10, 2006

LOCATION: Rio Rancho, NM, USA

T/R: Gerdean

Music: Elena on Piano: "I Need Thee Every Hour"

Joy: I like what she plays. I love that, getting the transcripts and hearing what she played and what everybody said. It's so neat to be with the people that we read about in the transcripts.

JESUS: I AM the Son of I AM. You know me as Jesus, your Creator Son. In other worlds I am known as Michael, Master Son. Under any circumstances, I am your friend and elder brother, and one with God, as is your potential also.

In our oneness, as fellows -- as fellows in His great and mysterious universe -- let us bow before Him together in gratitude of His gift of life and the creativity that springs forth from His generous and ever-abundant essence into us as His creations, in order that we may convey to all we see, the wonder of His love and the glory of His creation.

Thanksgiving is our pastime as we take the consciousness of our divine Father and the infinite Mother into ourselves and see it reflected in those we meet. Let us who serve Him commingle in adoration and in obedience to His divine Way.

I look upon you here faithful students of truth, friends of beauty, family of goodness and it swells my heart to overflowing with love for you, as is my pleasure.

Let us hear from your Teachers and engage consciously with them in furtherance of divine understanding and infinite joy. I am with you always.

TOMAS: Greetings, friends. This is Tomas. I am honored to be again in your midst, to greet you from near and far, and to be given this platform of broadcasting good news throughout the realm. Welcome home, Men-O-Pah and Paula. Welcome W.B. and Joy from Arizona. It pleases me no less than it pleases you to enjoy this marvelous camaraderie in the spirit.

I would like to spend some time today talking about the Art of Living. I could not help but observe, through the music and through dance, how the balance of opposing sides are able to come together to create harmony when and as effort is applied in the creating of the Art of Living.

The left and right hands of the pianist each carrying on its own independent melody or harmony or chords, are somehow interwoven in and through the efforts of the pianist to follow the guidance of the composer. The same [holds true] in dance, [with] the male and female as a pas de deux, each gliding and stepping according to the dictates of the movement, the feet and the feeling imposed through the music, through the orchestration provided by the composer/conductor of the music.

These simple exercises involving duality represent a similar pattern to you each when you engage in finding a balance between your divine nature and your material needs, the spirit and the flesh, as it were. And while many struggle in an attempt to avoid the one in order to embrace completely the other, it is he or she who has the wit and stamina to engage in both at once that create the art of living.

Adjutants, the mind spirits circuits of the Mother, are infused into your being, enabling you to perceive sensitivities that will enable you to play your instrument or do your dance within yourself, bringing balance to your system and harmony to your soul. And when you are sensitive to these circuits, you can hear the divine guidance overtaking the lure of the physical life and harmonizing it with the spiritual life that is brought to you by and through the spirit of truth, the gift of the Son. You cannot escape this duality, this harmony.

And when you become family, when each of you as a whole becomes part of a greater whole, you then as a group need to learn how to upstep the art of living to incorporate those others.

When a pianist plays in a concert or a recital with none other there, each note is highlighted and the performance is critically observed. When a piano plays with an orchestra, it is still critical that it plays on key and in tempo, but it has now become a part of a larger organism. And each one must play accordingly their parts in order for each individual instrument to become a harmonious part of the whole.

The same with dancing. One couple on the ballroom floor is able to take your breath away with their swooping and swirling, but when there are other couples on the floor, it is essential that the couples modify their comportment such as to allow for those swirling energies of other couples in their midst lest there be mayhem on the floor.

And the same thing holds true within yourself as an individual when you try to be too many people or try to do too many things at once, you stumble all over your own feet and as you as individuals attempt to work in harmony with others, you often struggle for position and vie for attention such that it makes it very difficult for the rest of the people involved in the group to function harmoniously as a working group.

And yet, civilization is a working group. And so, the art of living must be learned each day in each new configuration, and each configuration impacts on the whole and such is the way of evolution. It advances or regresses or hovers in a status quo position until such time as the divine Way is found and the participants, being sensitive to the direction of the Conductor, the Composer, the Creator, allow that Higher Power to instigate the energy in the instant it needs in order for order to return to the situation, alleviating the chaos and entering into a mutually beneficial organism with movement.

Yes, Gerdean. She wants me to say, "Like a Zooid." (Group chuckles) Precisely like a zooid colony yes, that can do things after it learns how to work with the other component parts. But until such time as the component parts are able to work compatibly with each other, there is simply a bunch of independent cells bumping into one another without the consciousness to appropriately grasp the configuration that would bring about the most effective results for all concerned.

It is at this point we are in our growth -- in our growth as a group, as a movement, as a planetary progression -- learning to work effectively as a group in God-consciousness. Only as we can learn to work effectively together will anything of substance be accomplished for the new dispensation.

It is natural that in your ambitions to advance, you bring with you what you know has worked for you in the past. Each of you bring your strengths and your solutions, but remember they have been the strengths and solutions that have worked for you as an individual, and they will need to be modified to accommodate the burgeoning reality of community.

Along with this consciousness will come a need for you to rewrite your programs. Not to erase the one that works for you as an individual, but to modify yours as individuals in order to accommodate the whole. The challenges inherent are overwhelming to many of you. Like going into a new job or attending a new school can be exciting and frightening, such is entering into a new epochal plane of reality, in terms of the art of living.

Right now everyone has collapsed on the dance floor in chaos, having stumbled over the feet of even your own partners, even your own self. Some people are doing a tango while some are doing the waltz. Some are playing ragtime and some are playing gospel. It will take some time to hear the Voice of the Conductor that knows the Score, that will help you find your place in the Choir, that will set you aright into your Field of Dreams, that will allow you to feel the Art of Living in Yourself and in synch with Others.

And that's when the Fun begins. That's when the real effects of our teachings can take hold. That's when you can learn to trust one another because you can see how things click, not this incessant view of how things don't. And then eventually and soon comes the delight, the frivolity of the dance and the doing of it, the Joy in Living. This is our aim and it is within our reach.

If you remember to take your instructions from the Highest Source, all will become clear. You will find out who serves whom and in what capacity, who has experiential wisdom worth watching, who has something to teach and who has something to learn.

All of this is enwrapped in the art of living -- in the art of living with God-consciousness, not as a sanctimonious or self-righteous reality, but as a well-grounded and practical approach to living the life here, now, on your world, and in your time, in company with your peers, both human and divine. There is no hurry to go somewhere else. We are here for the duration. Let us make the best of it. Let us infuse our spirits into every moment, into "every hour," and create this reality as a result of the art of living…love.

MERIUM: This is Merium. I am here also. Just wanted to let you know you have a full house this afternoon in both arenas. We are looking in. A number of visitors are here and we are enthralled as always with your efforts to step up to the plate and play ball. Put me in coach, I'm ready to play. I haven't got a story for you today, but I'm sure you have some for us, so let's hear it.

Joy: Can I speak?

MERIUM: Yes!

Joy: Well, first of all, (weeping) I really want to thank Tomas because I never knew until today how much being involved all these years in dancing … it's like all of a sudden I see I've been in training to be a part of this working together. You know? Like, all your life you want to be a part of it. You want to be a part of all of this that's happening. And all of a sudden I realize, just with the dancing, we've been in training on just how to work with one another, how to learn.

We all arrive there; we don't know what in the world's going to happen to us. And I see this. I see God working with the Teachers to create these beautiful pieces of music and dance art and they just keep getting harder and harder, so everybody is arriving there like apprehensively, almost like, "What are they going to do to us this time?" And you just hope you make it, but we've had enough training -- miraculously -- we always make it. It keeps getting harder and we somehow make it through.

And when Tomas was talking I could just hug him and kiss him because I see this training we've been in to be able to work with one another. We're all this big group, 100 couples and all dancing and coming together and learning, and some are going this way and some are going that way, and it's like it is with the Urantia and the TeaM and some are going this way and some are going that way, and you think "Is this going to come together and is it going to work?"

And darn it, today I could just relate it to the dancing. At the end, there we were, they put it on one more time and we were all floating around and we were all doing it. And that's going to happen with all this stuff. All this stuff with the church and all this stuff with the TeaM. I'm just so graced out. I know this is going to work. This is just all gonna work. I just know it's going to work. And I'm so happy! Hello, Merium, too.

MERIUM: I wanted to tell you, Child, that Jesus is sitting here nodding his head. He is so pleased that you got it. Like Helen Keller putting together the gesture with the word, the object: water, chair, grass, dress. It is all a symbol of a concept and the Teachers' lessons are the concepts put to words. Tomas is moved to hear your praise, but more so to hear that you got it.

Joy: I did! I got it. Whew!

MERIUM: Anatolia would call that "a French fry moment." (Group chuckles)

Joy: I'm so happy! So happy.

MERIUM: We are thrilled. It is typical that you, all of you, are given a piece of information and it registers and it becomes a part of your belief system and you express it and even live by it, but that does not mean you have had that "Aha!" moment that connects it to a cosmic dimension of reality such as has happened here today with you, Child. The material world is a symbol of the spiritual world, and so you have put together the symbol and the concept to see the bigger Reality. It is dizzying, is it not? It is the morontia dimension. That is our aim.

Imagine all of these people on the dance floor operating in a morontia sense of reality, how thrilling it would be, each one in complete faith of each step they take and each partner they engage with and each neighboring couple on the floor. Such a tremendous peace, such an effusion of confidence and trust! Such sublime security. It gives me pleasure to extend your appreciation into the ethers, that it might serve to provide yet another springboard of comprehension to someone somewhere that helps portray our goal with you as members of the Teacher Corps.

Naturally we expect you to pass the test and teach others when our course has finished, but that shan't be today. (Good! Thank God.) So let's carry on. As if I had access to "The Red Shoes" what else shall we discuss?

Joy: I had a question when he was speaking and it was as I was getting it. I was going "Wow. This is so great. I got it." Then I thought, "How do I relate what I got with the dancing relating to 'this is all going to work' 'we're all going to get it' 'it's going to take a little time, just like it does; can't do it in a weekend.' How do I apply it to everything else, everything else in my life?" That was my question, but now I have the answer.

It's the same with Marty and Gerdean and all this. It's perfect! I have a part and I keep meeting with the other people that have the parts and it keeps going together. It's really -- It's going to work and everything, if you get it.

MERIUM: It is also true that you must have and recognize and follow up with your responsibility. You are not going to be carried. (No.) You need to discipline yourself and maintain your health. You have to have the stamina and the will to perform and to meet these challenges. It is not done for you. You are thus rewarded by the development of your own soul's reality. This is the exciting thing about the ascension plan. It is not like it is all handed to you. And this is, of course, what many are lamenting! They like the idea of the pearly gates and the eternal bliss.

But those of you who are rugged individualists, who have an appreciation for the challenge of learning new things and mastering yourselves and circumstances, really do find merit/value in the ascension plan as it is set forth by our Creator that allows you to be constantly striving in order to know constant accomplishment. This is co-creation. It does take some fancy footwork, however, to lure the wallflowers onto the dance floor.

Only by your ability to show them how much fun you're having and radiate your good cheer are you able to manifest the contagious element that they might want to join in. And when you perceive that someone wants to join in, play the game, learn the dance, take up an instrument … here is your challenge and opportunity also … to become a teacher, a coach and a mentor to those who come behind you.

And this is a universe law. You must pass it on. You don't just throw it over your shoulder glibly, but actually plant the seed, nurture it, foster it, encourage it, water it, and allow it the confidence that it can grow up to be excellent. It is this encouragement that we hope to provide, that is so invigorating for all life. All life needs sunshine and water and good growing conditions. You who have grown know something about good growing conditions and you can teach these things to those who would follow after you. They may not want to follow you in your pursuit of excellence, but the lessons, nonetheless, are the same. The values are there -- the principles, the concepts -- as we discussed, as you pointed out, Joy, the standard is spiritual. The actualizing is physical. The standard can hold for any venture, thus you can teach any student.

Yes, this does open up your avenues of opportunity. It would be silly to think that all you can offer someone is what you have physically mastered, when now you see it is in the comprehension of what it takes to master and how that mastery is reflected in the greater reality that gives food for thought for all mankind, for it is from the Father's table, from the great Creator Himself. [Tape ended.] It would seem we are on cue. What else?

Elena: Well, I have a question. What if you want to sit out a few dances?

MERIUM: You don't have to dance at all!

Elena: Well, I'm not saying that.

Joy: It's not allowed. Your partner won't let you. You know, we are partnered with God! That's so way cool. He is very-- If you want to sit out, He says, "Okay!" and when you want to dance again, He's ready to go dance again. It's just hitting me so powerfully why this can't not work! If everybody is partnered with God -- everybody, everywhere, whether they know it or not -- and He's letting some of them sit it out. Sit out the dance. But He's just waiting 'til you partner in. And how can it not all work when He's really partnered with everybody? You know? It's so incredibly awesome! The whole idea. Why did it take me so long to figure this out? It was Tomas. Thank you, Tomas.

You know what's … what I said to Gerdean earlier about the perfection of it. Here I am coming off the weekend -- it's not just a coincidence -- so that I would have this and realize when he says something like, "Well, you're not going to have it handed…" Thirty years we've been chunking this out! Nothing got handed to us, not one step! And I've said this -- How many times have I said this? -- every darned step I learned it took me twice as hard as everybody else, because I don't learn easily. So now that I have it, and I'm at this place, I worked darn hard for it, but now when I relate it to everything that's ahead, I can do it because I already did this. I already mastered something that was really tough. And I took 30 years of stick-tuitiveness so if the next 30 years is 30 more years to get to wherever we're going to go, I know I can do it! I don't have a minute's doubt that I can't do it now. And it all came together in this.

And yet, I had to get here, since I heard about it and the possibility that it was on the same weekend as the dance, there was a part of me that said, "You have to be there!" I knew something was going to connect. I knew it. And I knew it was now. The student was ready for the connection. I'm so darned happy. I feel like we can fly home; we don't need to buy gas (Group laughter) for our car. Just get in and go. And he knows this, too. He said, "Don't worry about the trip, honey. Just keep me awake." He's got eight hours non-stop. This woman's going to go "blither-blither-blither-blither" all the way home. Eight hours home, right? You don't care, right? No, he doesn't care. Oh, I'm so happy.

MERIUM: What did you have in mind to do, Elena, that you would opt not to participate?

Joy: She doesn't want to dance.

MERIUM: I think you might be misunderstanding my point. If we equate it otherwise and say all of us are in the Melchizedek University, some students haven't registered yet, but eventually they will end up going to school, some are in higher education, and all of the students are in one class or another learning something. Some are learning dance; some are learning piano. And this, too, is part of the art of living because there is divine order.

When you say you want to sit one out, I can equate that to your saying, "I'm getting out of music for a couple semesters. I want to try psychology, or physics, or public speaking," but you cannot just quit living. Something will go on, whether you are enrolled in a class or not. And there is always summer. There are always built-in periods of time when you are not striving, which are an essential part of the curriculum as well. Rest is something that is almost unheard of in this culture. It is required almost that when you rest you still be doing something. And so to "sit one out" may be a wise idea, but that is not the same as quitting. It is taking another elective in the course.

Elena: I'm just tired.

Esmeralda: Elena has a very full plate. I don't think she means that she's quitting anything. She just needs a little more rest.

MERIUM: She has always maintained overdrive. (Group chortles) It stands to reason that a day would come when a spark plug would go on the fritz and she would stall out. I have every confidence that she is not done driving. But perhaps a little time in the garage (Yeah!) or parked along side of the road where you can throw breadcrumbs to the ducks or listen to the birds, read a book or listen to salsa music at the neighbor's would be a good idea. This type of reflectivity and "down time" is invaluable and I think you'll find it is a required course as well, for no one can continue to forge uphill incessantly without taking a break. It is not expected of anyone, only in the eternal sense. And always there are plateaus upon which you can rest and encamp until such time as you are invigorated to renew the ascent.

I commend the idea of taking some time off for you to reevaluate your life plan for yourself, where you are today, where you've been, what you've done, and what you still would like to do in the perspective of life as you understand it. That is not what I call "sitting one out," it is simply turning the page.

Elena: Yeah. What I'm feeling right now is that there is a lot of kind of negative feelings inside me because I feel totally frustrated with the inability to keep up with the demands I put on myself, etc., and I feel the need to take a break and "sit one out" is the phrase that kind of came with the dancing theme. You know? I'm tired of dancing for awhile.

MERIUM: Yes.

Elena: I really am tired of dancing. I've been going at it. I mean, we're not talking about a low tempo. Okay, let's do a slow dance and then let's-- It's just been rock and roll for … I mean not just one dance! It's been continual. And I'm feeling frustrated because there is a lot of negative stuff/feelings inside of me and then I feel like this is projecting into-- Okay, my thoughts create my world and my future and they're negative thoughts right now. And these little tapes that I play against people, I mean my emotions are kind of in a bad place, so I think it really is just that I'm tired. I am unable right now to deal with anything. I need to cool my jets. Basically "park it for awhile" is an excellent phrase, I think. But that's a little difficult to do, but that's how I need to work out.

That's why Tomas' lesson to me, too, was very helpful, because his lesson in how to deal with the art of living right now actually spoke very much to how I was going to be able to do that, so in a different sense, it kind of clicked to me, so yeah, I still have to work with other people and keep going. And I agree with you, very much, that you don't just sit one out because it keeps on going; you can't do that. So, how I'm choreographed, this down town is going to be a little tricky, but I think it's doable.

MERIUM: I have only one remark and then Tomas would like to speak with you. My remark is that you have been doing a polka marathon.

Elena: Right. That's true! It actually is! (Chuckles)

Joy: We've done that, too. I go through a marathon every year! And how I come is like, "Wow, I worked for 30 years and here I am (blah blah blah)." I never thought about taking time out, skipping a dance or two, but I'd like to have a nickel for the times that I quit dancing and wasn't coming back, no way was I ever going to do that again. No way was I ever going to put myself through that again, and then how many times I've had to eat my words and go back and do it because I found the alternative was kind of boring.

So when I sat a dance out for a little bit, when I got on overload, which happened many times, I found out I didn't like sitting it out that much. So I took it, and I took it by quitting. "I'm outta here! I quit!" And then I'd come back and I'd come back and each time I came back, I feel strengthened. So if you would sit out a dance or two, you would find out you would come back to more of probably the same thing you are doing now that got you to this place, which sounds insane. That's how we are! You'll come back more focused, more able to do more than you did before you took time out. But why we do that, I don't know. I haven't figured it out. There's something in us; I can't figure it. It's insane.

TOMAS: There are two different themes going here. That is not unusual, but it requires two responses. I find what you are saying, Elena, to be a result of another conductor than the Master Conductor. I feel you are suffering the effects of an artificial environment. And to some extent the one Joy is talking about is an artificial environment, but it is driven for different reasons. Your environment, in the main, Elena, is the working world and it is on overdrive for sure. And it seems to pick up its pace each fiscal year, and each new generation coming in burns out their carburetor attaining maximum function, and the corporate reality of today will take every piston pump it can get.

You have reached an age, a point in your life, perhaps, where you are not interested in racing the NASCAR track but would rather enjoy a third-gear cruise, and you have a right to pick and choose your pace. That is the thing about "the fast lane" -- if you don't keep up with the fast lane, you get pushed off the road and run over. It is fortunate that there are other highways and byways than the fast lane for those who love to drive and for those who want to go somewhere. For eventually we all like to see a different scene.

The ambition, however, that you speak of, Joy, reminds me more of the challenges inherent in the ascent which are imposed on evolving mortals and which Jesus demonstrated through his apostles time and again. He would lift them up and they would feel exalted, only to be brought down to base reality, whereupon they would feel they had landed splat. And once they gathered their resources, they stood up ready to go again, again to be lifted up and then go splat and then stand up and trudge some more.

This is a part of the growth process that you might understand as "the anvil of experience." You think that only when you are exalted you are in the art of living but this is not the case, for learning how to fail graciously and get up and continue on in faith of a perpetually advancing and revealing outcome is also a part of the fortitude and steadfastness that will be your reward for sticking to it. And naturally the joy of the dance itself is its own reward, as is the spirit life you life, the purpose-driven life in the spirit. It is it's own reward.

Not to say that sitting along side the lake on a lazy afternoon doing nothing isn't also a reward, particularly for someone like you, Elena, who has worked so hard, so fervently for so long. Just redefine "perfectionism."

Paula: Can I say something? I admire so much people who can do the things that I can't. Music or dancing. Those are talents that are just wonderful and I admire them. I guess the only thing that I could say I had a talent for was youngsters, and when they were growing up our house was always home to a flock of kids. And when my son was growing up and was in his teens, the difficult teens, the Boy Scouts that he belonged to lost their place where they could meet and they finally came and met at our house in the dining room because you could shut the door.

And he'd say ahead of time, "Now, you know, Mom, the girls are going to watch what we're doing and mess around." I said, "Never mind. The door will be shut and you'll be very private to have your meeting." Well, that was all very well and good but my daughter was a smart little cookie so she decided that that was the time to bake cookies (group twittering) and the smell went under the door, and afterwards Bill said, "She did that on purpose!" And I said, "Well, that could be," but anyway the boys managed to all grow up and everything was fine.

And the one boy who was my special pet was Bob Krebbs and during his time in the Army (he was in Korea) and he met a girl that he really fell in love with and he told her that when the war was over he was coming back to get her, and of course she didn't really believe this because that was the line that all the boys were telling the girls if they just wanted to sleep with them for awhile, you know, and that was all well and good; they were a long way from home and … other women … but Bob really meant it!

And when the war was over, darned if he didn't go back and he found Yung Cha again and he married her over there and they came back and, of course, one of the places they came to was our house, and Yung Cha and I became very close and she said, years later, she said, "You know, you were the first person who meant anything to me because I knew that you liked me right away." And I said, "Yung Cha, I just loved you," and she was so far from home. And we have stayed friends over the years and I was lucky enough to see her when we were back home on our vacation. Bob made the trip to my son's house in New Jersey along with Yung Cha and I got to see her again. And so, I don’t have any talents like you girls.

Thoroah: She keeps forgetting the apple pie.

TOMAS: You are the backbone of civilization. Without you and women and men like you, there would be no dancing and playing music. We must have civilization to foster these cultural activities. Otherwise, we are barbarians.

A remark about the girl making cookies when the Boy Scouts were in the other room, to say that you have an adage that "boys will be boys." I tell you that "girls will be girls!" (Group laughter) They know that they can lure a fellow by food.

Joy: The way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

TOMAS: And this is an appropriate use of your adjutants, so you are living in the Mother's presence and there is no more blessed place than that. It is the nurturing that provides for the world. There is a lot to be said for "Mom and Apple Pie."

I think it is time for us to call it a day. I know that you all have independent agendas and it has been a full repast for us. I am glad to have been here and glad for your being here, too, because without you who would I teach?

Elena: We're so grateful for everybody who came. Thank you so much. And for the wonderful information and lessons you provided.

Joy: Tomas is my favorite teacher. I had to say it. I just love him to pieces.

TOMAS: I will consider that a shiny red apple.

Joy: Oh, I just mean that. I love them all, don't get me wrong. The other guys, if they're listening. But I just love him to pieces. I just grow. He has fantastic one-liners that just leap out at me.

TOMAS: This one will be routine but it is also heartfelt. I love you truly, each and every one of you. Amen and farewell.

*****

DATE: October 1, 2006

LOCATION: Central New Mexico, USA

T/R: Gerdean

Music: Elena on Piano: "Here I Am" and "'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus"

JESUS: I am here with you, you may be sure. I am He of whom you sing. I delight in your devotion and your childlike joy, My Daughters. I will not keep you from your lessons, but did wish to make My presence known. I will be with you throughout the day and all the days of your lives. Proceed

Group: Thank you!

MERIUM: I am Merium, your babysitter, sitting with you as if you were Mother Nebadonia's little ones. It is my pleasure to oversee your care in those areas where I am able to bestow my care upon you. Your gathering today reminds me very much of our lessons past wherein we were discussing the merits of Louisa May Alcott and the "Little Women" book that has affected so many, for here we have now with us Meg and Jo and Beth and Amy.

Group: (Chortling with delight.)

MERIUM: Listen to your laughter sing. How charming you are. I have a surprise guest today. In fact a number of guests, and I will let them vie for the microphone.

Group: Thank you! Thank you for being with us, Merium.

NEBADONIA: Nebadonia, at your side now -- your Mother, as you know me. The reason for my visit today, my darling Daughters, is to express how much I love you each and how much I love you all. And while I am here talking to you in this cluster of femininity, I am also being broadcast far and wide to women and daughters throughout the world, and indeed, throughout my universe. And so what I have to say to you is that which I would also say to all my girls.

This precious platform that we have constructed enables you to develop an appreciation for our presence in your lives, for most assuredly Michael and I are present with you and overseeing your growth and development as surely as your earthly parents have overseen your education and enculturation in the physical domain. And even more so, since we are Creators of you and your parents and their parents and their parents' parents and will also be overseeing the growth and development of your children, your children's children, and your children's children's children, even into eternity.

Under the circumstances of these broadcasts, what I say to you in the intimate company of our association here in this room and you in your clothing and music and environment and customs, is for your ears, and so you are my broadcasting system. I speak to the world through you. As I address you here in this room, my voice carries beyond, echoing throughout the realms to those who would also hear me speak. And so whatever I say to you is that which I would say to all my children, even as I speak to you -- personally and intimately.

We have observed the development of this new epoch wherein your communications with the celestials has become of paramount importance to you and a supreme delight to us all. And we see the directions it takes and the influences involved in your comprehension(s), based on so many, many factors.

And while we have concerns about your squabbles, as any parent would be concerned about the associations - fruitful and otherwise - of their children, we know that you have been born of the spirit, you desire to grow in the spirit, you look to us for guidance and we provide that guidance in accordance with your capacities -- you as individuals and you as a whole.

And so I ask you to be patient with one another, be patient with yourself, and be patient with us, your Parents, as we allow some of these concerns and disagreements to work themselves out as natural learning experiences for you, and in this way, you will test your own mettle and that of your fellows. You will see what will be swayed by what influence and what will not be moved.

When there is growth in you and in a group, there must be adjustments for that growth. And it takes time for those adjustments to take place. Some movement is not growth at all but mere change for change sake; some of this is required in order for genuine progress to be made, but don't confuse progress with change.

Thus we all must wait and allow time to sift through these times and your many attitudes and the changing circumstances of your growth. Again, as individuals and as a whole. And the more that are involved, the more patience you must have for those to adapt and to bring their light of truth also into the configuration that you are in this grand Family of ascending Sons and Daughters into the new world that will be created as the result of Our divine affection.

No amount of planning or cajoling, pleading, pushing, coercing or whining will make any difference. Those noises are simply, to me, the sound of children at play. Raucous and chirrupy as the birds, it is music to my ears. I do not regard your differences as negative or hostile, hateful or inhibiting. You are My children. What is not to love?

Esmeralda: Amen.

NEBADONIA: I regard your response, Esmeralda, as that of a Mother.

Esmeralda: That's right, Nebadonia.

NEBADONIA: You and I understand this parental perspective in terms of our dearly beloved children in whom we have such hope and faith.

What a delightful time I have had here with you this afternoon. I release you now to your other mentors and teachers and your own indwelling Piece of Our Father, that we may all be moved by Him who moves us all.

Group: Thank you so much for visiting with us today. Thank you, Mother Nebadonia. That was wonderful. What a gift! Thank you.

SERENA: This is Serena.

Gerdean: This is an unexpected guest.

Esmeralda: Welcome!

Merium: What a beautiful name.

SERENA: I am the associate of Monjoronson, and I recognize within the mental construct of this transmitter/receiver the certain resistance to my broadcast, for much of her mind revolts against the emphasis on the Magisterial Mission, specifically on Monjoronson and his "alleged staff" which includes myself. But I have words I would like to say in clarification, if they can be received, for I know how it is. When you have your mind set for or against something, you will not be easily swayed by rhetoric or emotional appeals to the contrary.

If you had any idea how long we have waited for you to have the capacity to have such convictions, you would rejoice with us in this new and thrilling episode in planetary development, for there was a time not long ago when you did not think in terms of another dimension, but lived completely within the confines of this world, as if it were the only planet in existence and this life the only one you would ever know.

However, the last century has brought about much enlightenment, much discovery, much revelation and much speculation as to what yet can and will transpire. And so while we will not let go of that base of understanding which is necessary to hold your feet firmly fixed in a foundation of faith, we will work with you through whatever means possible to enhance and advance your thinking process, that it may feel free to liberally apply its intelligence to the myriad possibilities ahead.

And in this release of limitation, you will discover how many possibilities there are for you - individually and as a group - to develop new dimensions of thought, belief, feeling, reality, even morontial reality for this planet. And thus you will have contributed not only to your own immortal soul but also to the advancement of this world in the development of its place in the universe.

All that is, is advancing toward ultimate perfection. All your thoughts and decisions contribute to the work at hand. You are not being asked to do anything you are not ready, willing and able to do. Nor are you being asked to assume other people's beliefs. But simply to allow your own spirit to soar and your intelligence to seek that which can be found through spirit counsel and guidance.

I will give you over to Tomas, with whom you are familiar, for this next piece of news, for it may be even more difficult for you to chew. Thank you for your ears.

Group: Thank you, Serena.

Merium: What you said wasn't too radical from my point of view.

Elena: No.

Merium: But I haven't heard the scoop yet, either!

Elena: So should we fasten our seatbelts, or what?

TOMAS: Tomas here, as you have always known me to be -- a friend of yours and of truth, beauty and goodness. Fear not. But I will lead you in an exercise, an exercise in comprehension and one in particular that may help you be at peace with some of these expanding concepts, notably that of Monjoronson; however, it also reflects on me, the Teacher Corps and the myriad personalities that you have come to know and love because of your engagement in this Teaching Mission and the Correcting Time.

Some of you have been students of the teachings of George Barnard, who taught "the Construct." (Oh, dear.) For those of you who are unfamiliar with the construct, it is a psychological term that discusses how the human mind creates a reality and believes it such that it impacts in many ways, not excluding faith. I am a construct. I, Tomas, am a construct of your mind, as much as I am an ascending son like you, en route to Paradise by means of learning certain experiential lessons and teaching certain attained truths.

Machiventa is not a construct. He is one of the original offspring of our Creative Parents. Our Creative Parents are real. Our Michael Son and his divine consort, whom you refer to affectionately as Nebadonia in honor of her world, Nebadon, are real. And they will continue to be real throughout eternity as you yourselves will continue to be real throughout eternity if you continue to grasp hold of the saving truths that are delivered to you, one morsel at a time for your experiential chewing.

Monjoronson is a construct. The Magisterial Son is real. There are descending sons and ascending sons throughout the universes of time and space and they do indeed have certain work they do, certain roles they fulfill. There is order in the universe, and the order is initiated by and brought about by our Universal Father and His Eternal Son and the Infinite Spirit that comprise Paradise Trinity. They are not a construct; they are reality.

Everything that has been created in this new dimension is a construct except your living faith. The construct is created to stimulate and make real your potential, so as to bring about your own actualization. This is all part of the plan to actualize your potential. We are like an architectural sphere that has been created for this purpose at this time in your growth.

We, therefore, can manifest at any time and through anyone willing to assume the responsibility of bringing us into existence. As a construct, you recognize me as a personality because you are practicing the newfound recognition of myriad heavenly helpers, personalities throughout the universe that you heard of, believe in, and now experience because of this construct.

We are creating the scaffolding of the next epoch through this effort. This effort is created by your minds in conjunction with the sanction of divinity in order to nurture your souls forward and advance the state of evolution on your world. Does it make me less real to you or more real to you that I am an averred construct, a virtual hologram? It should not, since it rather will give you an appreciation of truth that will enable you to see what all is involved in the creation of this next epoch, given the material we have all had to work with under the circumstances of your isolation and the almost insuperable difficulties of Urantia, which we are battling against and winning for the light day by day.

Just as you are unreal in many regards, we too are unreal. What is real, is emerging as a result of our genuine, viable reality that is eternal. Your construct and mine will fall away when it is no longer necessary, but as a result of the efforts and the experience we are enjoying together in our odd company in these meetings through the transcripts and in the minds of those who are willing to believe and stretch the limits of yesterday's truths to find tomorrow's answers, Father's will will prevail.

Trust Our Father and His overseers. Filter all these things through your own Spirit of Truth. When your faith falters in terms of your fellows or even your celestial mentors, you always have Our Father on whom you can depend.

In light of these words, it is hoped that you will be able to take us and each other and yourselves with a grain of salt, as you might say -- with a little more latitude -- for there is nothing hard and fast or fixed about any of this experiential journeying. It is all in a state of flux, and if you can remember that change is not always growth, but if you have patience, we will see the ultimate results and will be able to look at Father's will having prevailed and rejoice in our contribution. Even though much of it may have occurred unwittingly, unknowingly, and/or through our own blind faith or dumb luck, enjoy the ride. Rejoice in life itself. Hold fast to your Source. Amen.

Esmeralda: Thank you, Tomas, for coming today. You are always welcome.

MERIUM: And this is Merium. I have come to stir up the air and fluff your pillows. It seems it is time to turn the tape, so let's stretch and relax and when we resume, we can resume in faith of our voyage into tomorrow with joy and laughter.

MERIUM: (Clapping hands)

Group: (Clapping also)

MERIUM: I did not mean that as applause. I meant that as getting your attention.

Group: Oh! (Laughter) We were just following your lead.

MERIUM: But we can applaud if you feel like it. Let's applaud. Go ahead. Applaud!

Group: (Applauding)

MERIUM: It's always a good idea to applaud yourself, for your good humor, your appreciation of yourself and others, and the camaraderie you share. There are many, many things about which to applaud, and I applaud your intermission discussions. I applaud your questions. And my clapping to bring order was simply a result of all of you talking at once, as if to say, "What did they say?" So let's see what it was they said that we might all resume our comportment and good faith without fretting about what is real and what isn't. You are real as far as I'm concerned. I am real as far as you are concerned, and let's begin with that.

Esmeralda: That's a good beginning.

Elena: Okay. Good.

MERIUM: Tomas got rather heady today, but his evaluation was appropriate for some minds who cannot grasp that there is any substance to this movement whatsoever. There are also other movements that have teachers and divine mentors that make no sense to you and yet they do because of the interpretation that was presented. You cannot say "my belief is true and his is not." It's just not fraternal. This is one of the old paradigms that we are trying to get away from. The idea that religion separates believers is being made a thing of the past by discerning that it is the spirit that unites; but it is the constructs that separate. And so let's talk a little bit about what was discussed earlier.

I understand, first off, you don't like the word "construct." Well, it was perhaps an unfortunate choice of words but it was one that many of you can identify with as something that your mind creates. And I don't mean to say that we are a creation of your mind in that we are a result of your creative imaginations. No, it is not the same as a creative mind that sits down and creates characters and a plot and tells a story. That is a different kind of imagination than this dimensional creation that has come about as a result of your faith and the guidance (you call them "prompts") from On High, as a result of the circuits being reopened.

We will not deny that the spirit is pummeling the planet and the Adjusters of earth's inhabitants are piqued because of the revelatory nature of the last 100 years or so. And now that the effects of these efforts and these tumultuous ("quivering on the brink") is well underway, there is a kaleidoscope of interpretations as to what spirit is, what reality is, and what relationship we can have, if any, with the unseen realm.

Heretofore, your relationship with the unseen realm has been (for those of you here, at least) one from scripture, where there are angels who sing and guardian angels who help keep you out of trouble. Now we know the universe is filled with energy and personalities that are somehow conspiring to lift us up and bring us into a new dimension. How do we get this into your consciousness and allow it to become a reality sufficient for you to grasp, in order for that to take hold?

You mentioned earlier, Miriam, about the energy that tapped you on the head before our session started, and you recognized that as a reality. Indeed, it is. It is from another dimension. And yet, as it enters into you, into your consciousness, it becomes a part of your frame of reference. You know the difference between that kind of an impression and when, let's say, the sun shines on your head, giving off a different kind of energy, heat energy, and/or if a bird should render droppings (group laughter) on your head which is another altogether different kind of energy. (Wow!)

And so you know the difference between energies and their sources, and the Source of energy that visited you when you anticipated -- when your Spirit anticipated the approach of the Master -- you were in fact readying yourself to hear His voice. And this is the kind of energy that we like to stimulate and reinforce in you. That is the kind of energy that you can draw upon in your private time and review as something that is personal to you and infinite, real in an eternal sense.

So these words today about reality were referencing your eternal sense. Much of you is finite and material and will not survive the death experience. Neither will we survive your death experience, except that which is eternal.

You live in what you know to be a real world, and it is indeed reality. But it is a finite reality. That which goes on in your soul is a morontial reality. It touches upon Spirit as well upon the finite, and lives in a dimension of reality that is separate from the finite reality. It is this morontial reality, the soul's reality, that we attempt to stimulate and invigorate, and we use any and all tools at our disposal, with the permission of the Master Son, to bring about this morontial reality within you and in such a way, as often as possible, in as healthy a means as possible, you can share your morontial reality with others.

By creating the Teaching Mission, by understanding the Melchizedek Receivers, and by anticipating the Magisterial Mission, you can develop the eternal aspects of our growing reality, even though much of the scaffolding that we use will not be necessary when the reality itself comes to pass and can sustain you. (Pause) I can feel that there are still clouds in your mind as to what was offered today. Are there questions that we can apply ourselves to for clarification?

Miriam: Well, Merium, thank you for being with us today, and you know -- it's been a wonderful afternoon with the Master, and Mother, and Serena … She sounded… she didn't ruffle my feathers. She sounded okay. I'm oblivious to a lot of this Monjoronson hoopla, and so I do think I kind of have an open mind because I don't … I'm ignorant. But I -- I don't take it for granted, but I'm realizing now in a way that I do. The reality of how you come to us today, Merium.

I mean, I have been around this Teaching Mission block for ten years and it is a real part of my life. I mean, I was almost feeling like coming to blows with Tomas when he was saying-- If he was going to say Abraham wasn't real, I was going to say, "Okay, Tomas. Let's step outside." Because Abraham is real to me. He's my mentor, my teacher. I love him. He is dear to me. The Master is real to me. He helps me through the day, and you know, all these things that you guys have kind of spoon-fed me on, as Mother or someone said earlier, "as we are capable of learning it and receiving it" that you guys have made sure that I get what I need as I go along, so I know that this is part of it.

But I take for granted that-- because I can't see midwayers, and I know there's midwayers here right now, helping you be here, and it is unseen helpers, and so I do know that like a lot of people, if you said that to, it would freak them out and they would say, "What do you mean 'unseen helpers?' so for the very fact that I'm maybe still not capable of seeing midwayers and doing all those things, what I know is real, I am grateful to have learned that it is real. You know what I'm saying?

So I lots of times think, as I'm thinking and communing and talking to Father and doing what I do everyday, and to Mother and with Michael, I think, "One of these days, like when I'm in the next place, this is going to all look so different." And I am aware of the fact that it is a finite thing, and the reality of like how Abraham sees us when he comes every week, we'll be able to see Abraham some day, and it's going to be like totally different, and at that point, looking back to what I am now, I will probably see all the limitations and all the … I don't know. I'm not going to use that "construct" word, but … your … scaffolding! You know? I get the scaffolding part, to the effect that I know there is scaffolding, but I don't know what it is. I'm just grateful that you guys shore me up and show me what to do. And so your words are comforting and I'd like to apologize to Tomas for getting a little flared, for … anyway. I'm taking up the whole thing, but that's what I had to share. I hope that's okay with you.

MERIUM: It's more than okay, it is encouraged, and we applaud your comments and your faith, for you are "right on." You know what you need and you use it, and what you don't need, you have no use for, without disdaining that it may be useful to someone else.

Esmeralda: Merium, I don't get perturbed about those things. Like I said, I didn't understand what Tomas was saying, and I wasn't sleepy yet I dropped off, but it's all real. What I need, I suppose, is real to me. Merium, you are real to me. Tomas is real to me. SO is Abraham, Ham. Celene! And I have not been aware of Celene very long but she is very real to me. In fact, I don't think about her enough but I also find myself saying something to Celene during the day like she was a contemporary or something and I'm talking to her, and I also tell her that I'm very sorry that I can't hear her speaking directly to me, though she says she can.

But all these are real to me. And it was brought about by Miriam's husband's accident and since then I have had no reason to doubt any of it. It's real. How could anyone have known the things that we we're told? It had to be spiritual, and I also believe that there are seraphim. They are real to me, and the guardian angels. And I am very grateful for having all of them. It may be that I am … I think I am sort of a shallow person. And so I don't … maybe sometimes I am so shallow I just don't require depth of thinking. It's just there.

MERIUM: It could be, too, my dear, that all humans are shallow, and we create ways of reaching you which will charm you even in your limitation.

Another picture has been presented to me by Van El, the communications expert here. He suggests I talk about it in terms of television, or the motion picture industry. The characters on television are not real, except as you become familiar with them over the years. Everyone now knows who Hawkeye Pierce is, even though he is really Alan Alda playing the role of Hawkeye Pierce, and yet through that performance in the setting of the 4077 M.A.S.H. unit, and the other characters involved in that series, an entire generation and more of people have been able to garner a sense of what it is like to be in the position of war bearing down on you month after month and not being able to get outside that paradigm except perhaps for R&R in Seoul once in a while.

The reality that it presents, that show as well as others -- the Waltons, Law & Order, and so forth -- is a reflection of values which may or may not educate or entertain everyone, but they speak to a certain portion of the population and answer a need. These "people" become real and your very lives become entwined. In the case of this T/R, for example, Gerdean watched MASH every night for a long period of time in the days prior to the opening of the Teaching Mission, when she was having certain human feelings and emotional responses to life itself. And the experience of watching MASH allowed her to transform her days and nights into a paradigm of the MASH unit such that it was able to sustain her and encourage her in the war zone of her human experience, far away from loved ones and in a unit of workers that did "meatball justice" (instead of "meatball surgery").

And so it is real to her in more ways that one, but it still is a television show, and this which you are enjoying today in this new dimension of reality is in some ways the Heavenly Helpers Presents (like MGM Presents) certain characters and certain values with personalities such that you as a movement, even as a global movement, are able to watch, listen to and take to heart, stirring within you those sparks of spirit consciousness that will grow into a morontial reality for you, in vesting your own soul into greater reality as a result of your involvement and association and loyalty to that reality which is presented.

And through it all, even as it is effective, the real reality is enduring and eternal, and in the course of time that which you know to be genuine for you, regardless of its presentation, is that which will sustain you forever, that which has become a part of your immortal soul.

I fear someone needs to come in and fluff my pillows today, (laughter) and we started out with such auspicious beginnings (laughter), with four lovely girls, sitting here ready to play games and pour tea. Well, perhaps after we leave you can do that, but before I go, I want to ask if there are questions unrelated to our discourse today, as I don't want to alienate anyone's affections by being too speculative or spiritually politic (if there is such a phrase). Any questions as to your own lives and your own concerns?

Esmeralda: I don't have any today, Merium.

Elena: Well, I just have a comment on-- I'm having a… Actually, I'm in a good place today, and that's been for a lot of help. A session with Gerdean, a number of things that have gone… a lot of people loving me and a lot of wonderful things happening. I mean, I'm in a very wonderful, blessed place. But I am having a hard time on what to keep in my life and what to maybe release, so any guidance you might have in that area would be helpful.

MERIUM: Well, not to reiterate all of the above, but basically the same lesson applies. If it has been scaffolding and remains good scaffolding for you to use to develop that which is real and lasting and eternal for you, then keep it up. But if it is mere roughage, then let it go. Only you can discern what has lasting value for you, that which is meaningful to your soul. Think in terms of who you are, Elena, and foster and nurture that which you are. I know that you have many perceptions of who you are, and that may well be part of the difficulty, trying to decide how many of myself can I keep. And if you were to take that diamond, with all those facets, and polish it up one more time, you might find one or two angles that truly shine with superhuman brilliance, and I would suggest that is the angle to strive for. There will always be that setting in which your diamond is placed, but how your light best shines forth is that which I would encourage you to nurture.

Elena: Thank you. That is very helpful.

MERIUM: Your light is certainly worth showing off in whatever fashion that you find appropriate. Comfort may not enter into it. It may feel in fact uncomfortable for you to shine so brightly, but set aside your sense of self-effacement and modesty in order to allow yourself to be all that you can be. Not to satisfy someone else's sense of who you are but to satisfy your own recognition of your own Inner Light. Go for it.

Elena: Thank you. Thank you very much.

MERIUM: It has been a wonderful time. Celene is happy to be here, as is Demetrius.

Miriam: Ooh! Ooh! Am I interrupting? Can I say something?

MERIUM: Always.

Miriam: I, um, I-- It's an honor to address Mother's personal teacher and part of why I'm here for two weeks this time is to spend time with my Mother as I understand she has a new project and I… as a matter of fact, Mother and I will ask maybe Gerdean if maybe Celene could meet with us in a personal session while I'm here but my Mother has always done so much to help me and anything I can do to help her with this project, it would be my heartfelt desire to do so.

Esmeralda: She is talking about a project Celene mentioned in our private session, and so I think I know what the project is and I think I understand it…

Miriam: But if Celene is here, I'd just like to say, "Hello, Celene" and "thank you for being my mother's teacher" and, you know, when I heard that she had been with her all her life and watched her through her childhood and all, I don't know. I just say, "Hello," and I greet you with honor and respect.

MERIUM: And in the face of such heartfelt viability for these mentors, how can anyone come along and say they are not real?

Group: Yeah! Right!

MERIUM: Well, the love is real. That's why. Love is always real. And as you learn to love one another, seen or unseen, whole or in part, your love is reinforced and the relationship itself is made more real. Love is.

Miriam: I'll say amen to that.

Elena: Um-hum.

Esmeralda: Along with truth, beauty and goodness.

Elena: And appreciation for our helpers, too. I mean, we really appreciate them and love them, and that is a real part in our life, so thank you, thank you.

MERIUM: Well, know that this has been instituted -- this forum has been created and is sanctioned by our Universe Parents in order to help lift you up into the destiny which is yours, to enjoy the spiritual heritage which is yours, and to help create the reality which is the destiny of your world - light and life. And so it is sanctioned, approved, blessed, and anything that is blessed from On High is good enough for me, and that includes me as well, and so I am glad of it.

I did indeed have a life, and I am indeed young at heart. Fact is, I don't have a ponytail and I'm not 18, but it's easier for you to see me that way, and so that is what that lesson was all about. My reality is that I am here to help you. Your teachers are here to help you and grow with you. And that is what matters. The idea that was expressed above was to help you understand that there are differences in beliefs, but in the main, you are all smiled upon by the powers that be, because you are worth the effort that it takes, in whatever form possible, to evolve into the radiant souls that is your destiny and our pleasure.

Yes, I am certain Gerdean would be pleased to meet with you privately for a meeting with Celene and any of these other characters on the Cast of Characters you know and love. We will look forward to our continued association, not fretting about that which we cannot understand, but embracing that which we can and rejoicing therein. One more time, it was wonderful to see you with us today, Miriam, and how I have enjoyed our tea party.

Miriam: Merium, would you offer Tomas my apology for getting a little torqued?

MERIUM: I will. Do you want to hear from him?

Miriam: Yeah, it would be kind of nice. If Gerdean is not getting too tired. Or anyone.

TOMAS: Tomas here, in my easy chair. I am not offended by your ire or your defiance. I am in admiration of your spunk. I love it when my children, friends and associates have a mind of their own and are not afraid to use it. I would far rather have you speak up about what bothers you than to believe everything that comes down the pike, for what will that do to help you create a sense of Self that will serve you and your Adjuster throughout time and eternity?

Your personality is God's gift. That cannot be mistaken or taken away. There is so much about you, and all of you, that is precious and dear. Again, if you could see yourselves as we see you, you would see from a perspective that borders on that which Nebadonia enjoys. You are all truly so precious. We are often amazed and astounded by the tenacity you have to that about which you care and in that which you have faith. This genuine hold on what you regard as real and meaningful for yourself and others is a part of your substance. That substance is a part of your morontial reality -- growing reality, not simply changing.

And that is what we have been commissioned to do: help you in your spiritual growth. There are others who have the authority to administer planetary affairs, such as the Most Highs. Our task is to work developing your reality, your soul reality, and that's enough for today. We all join together in wishing you a happy day, a productive week and an endless tomorrow. Farewell.

Group: Farewell!

*****

DATE: November 12, 2006

LOCATION: Rio Rancho, NM, USA

T/R: Gerdean

The Music: Elena on Piano: "The Doll's Complaint" by Cesar Franck

"Jesus, thank you for being with us this afternoon. Thank you for being a part of us always, for introducing us to each other that we might share our joy together of knowing you and of knowing each other as siblings in the Family of God.

"Siblings sometimes run into problems, communication problems, just a natural part of growing up. Bear with us and be with us in our learning to love one another as you love us. Show us what that means and manifest your Father through us. Well, of course you would let us, if we knew what to do.

"Anyway, thank you for being here and for provoking our thoughts toward these topics that will make us more aware of our cosmic connection. From that perspective we ought to be able to learn to be more companionable and abide with each other better, as we abide with you. Amen."

MERIUM: I am Merium and I run out to greet you joyously on this vibrant autumn afternoon. It is exciting to feel the energy in the air in this your architectural sphere. It pleases me to share your life with you in these instances when we are invited into your lives.

I very much enjoyed the music, "The Doll's Complaint." It is my complaint, assuredly, for there is a sense of innocence and sadness that reflects in the mercy ministry of God-knowing people. We want everyone to share the joy of sonship, of knowing Our Father, and of rejoicing in that knowledge and sharing it without strife -- even assisting one another in lifting ourselves up to greater satisfaction and infinite delight -- to the extent that we have not been able to reach our goal or attain our ideal.

To that extent there is a certain sadness. To that extent there is a certain justifiable lament which might be construed as "complaint." And yet the substance, the heart of the truth of our being allows us to know the quiet joy, the inner peace which passes all understanding and allows us to live within that state of grace that embraces all the lost sheep, all the confused and maladjusted, all the angry, even the hostile, for there are no enemies in the Kingdom. I am the doll, as you are the dolls. And like our compatriots, the little wooden soldiers, we find our place in Toyland, in the finite world of flesh and blood and material composition.

I was thinking today about daydreaming. Daydreaming is a practice that is often discouraged in you finite children. "Pay attention!" "Sit up and pay attention!" "Stop your wool-gathering and bring your mind back to the business at hand," whatever that may be. These kinds of instructions come at you when you begin your formal education. "Don't be staring out the window." "Stop lollygagging." "Face facts." "Let's not dawdle." These admonitions are the adult voice alerting the youngster to be mindful of what one needs to be mindful of, but such admonitions tend to discourage a vital practice, which is in many ways a Stillness exercise.

It is necessary to have a degree of leisure in order to allow the spirit to impact your super-conscious realm, your super-conscious mind, in order for you to daydream properly. Leisure is a rare commodity in this fast culture of USA 2006. You must take time to daydream. Set aside time for your own mind to float adrift from the shackles and chains that bind you to the finite existence. The discipline of Stillness is an opportunity to spiritually justify your time away from the constraints of the material life.

Industry and ambition, discipline and structure are indeed essential elements to a happy life, for it provides boundaries and direction, even those which you establish for yourselves as areas in which you best flourish. But I encourage you that as you establish your orderly existence, you set aside time to daydream, time to allow your soul to soar. If you find your daydreaming is in the habit of returning to the list of things you have to do, then you are not daydreaming. You are working. This is a discipline.

There is another element to consider, that you may encounter when you allow yourself the luxury of daydreaming, and that is to have "memory bubbles" rise up to frighten you. A lot of people don't want to schedule leisure time or daydream or do stillness because they are going to face "memory bubbles" they don't want to deal with.

It is the avoidance of these "tiny bubbles" that gives your lives the effect of being a hamster on a wheel. "Tiny bubbles" are will what reveal the path to the "happily ever after" end of the story. They are like the stones or breadcrumbs laid down by Hansel in his search for Gretel. [Come back, Gerdean. (pause) Never mind the story. I'm trying to make a point here.] What we have here is a classic example of a daydream.

There are times for discipline. There are times to ponder and reflect on what comes to the mind, what bubbles up. And as these are cleared away, the resolution is revealed, the sun comes out in the clearing in the woods; the fairy Godmother is allowed to make an appearance or the moral of the fable is revealed. The presence of God surrounds you. You are wrapped in the white light, comforted in the divine embrace.

It is the greatest fairy tale there is to trudge the adventure of life experience to find the holy grail, the prince, the princess, the castle, the kingdom, the happily ever after that all children enjoy, that all souls long for.

There is much to be said for the conscious mind, and for the tools of the trade, for the reasoning and effort involved in constructing civilization, organizations, institutions, values and relationships. But there is also great value in this release into another dimension, as valuable as any world you opt to entertain yourself with such as music, or movies, or plays or novels. Just for fun, let's take a minute and daydream. [long pause] How many of you are working?

Paula: Three people.

Group: What?

Paula: Three people in our group are still working, still have jobs.

Group: Working in the mind, not in the job market

Esmeralda: Merium, this has been great. I had forgotten about daydreaming. I spent probably the first ten years of my life daydreaming. Whether I was swinging in a swing or working in the fields or whatever I was doing, I was always daydreaming. And I really didn't have exposure to antebellum structures and the like. I don't know how, but I always daydreamed about being the … oh, later as I read more and heard more … the Scarlett O'Hara floating down the stairs in my beautiful gown, and I think I was more of a Cinderella, with a dismal surroundings. There was really nothing for entertainment, other than Mother would sometimes read to us or listening to grandparents and parents talk about as we call it "the olden days" and that was always fascinating to me but I spent an awful lot of time daydreaming.However, I was just thinking, when I start to practice, or try to practice Stillness now, I have those … what did you call them? Bubbles?

MERIUM: Memory bubbles.

Esmeralda: Memory bubbles, that I would just as soon not have -- really a lot of them. But that's probably helpful, in its own way.

MERIUM: Memory bubbles are simply indication of healing that is unresolved, from wounds that have not been forgiven or healed. And naturally they are not pleasant places to go.

It might be asked: Why do I recommend you cut off your mind if it comes to your "to do" list, but not when it comes to a "memory bubble"? I urge you to set aside your "to do" list because it will always be there. And no matter how much you work to get everything done, it only opens up space then for more room to do more things.

Whereas if you deal with a memory bubble, and it becomes healed, it never returns. It does not fill up with yet another wound. It fills up with "the sunlight of the spirit," and so it is a part of a healing process, a living reality, rather than an inert and mechanical reality such as your accomplishments in terms of things to do, places to go, people to see as a rudimentary or obligatory activity.

Esmeralda: I have to say, though, Merium, my memory bubbles change and as I get older, especially in connection with my parents, my memory bubble -- and maybe this is a sign of healing, if there were wounds -- now the things that bubble often more often are the good things and I think, as I get older, much older, that I understand my parents a lot better than I used to and when I am experiencing some of the things that they experienced in their latter years, not that my years are "latter" necessarily but one never knows that. But I'm pleased that I have less of the memory bubbles of things that are not as desirable and I have more desirable memory bubbles now. I don't know if that's a good sign or not.

MERIUM: Well, it certainly is, and it certainly is an indication of your own growth, your own soul growth, for you have acquired experiential wisdom that sees why they were the way they were, why they did what they did, why you experienced what you experienced, because now you are older and can see how you may have acted similarly under the same circumstances. This is the value of experience, and "many truths are not felt except in adversity." That is from an illustration of high intellectual thought approaching mota.

Thus your soul's capacity to understand the human condition has been enlarged and the divine light of love is allowed to pour forth, obliterating, literally removing from your consciousness those unfortunate episodes of the experiential path. Those who disallow such enlightenment cannot grow; they become fixated at certain stages. This interferes with their attainment of the psychic circles. And while it may not in the long run impede your personality survival, it may well impede your joy in living. It certainly impedes the Adjuster's ability to work with you when you refuse to work with the material that is presented to your mind to deal with. This is "The Doll's Complaint."

Allow yourself the experience of dealing with the dragon, of confronting the wicked witch, of following the path through the haunted forest to arrive at the clearing on the other side where all the fairies of love live.

Any other daydreamers who would like to share where your mind wandered?

Elena : I was just swinging. I was swinging in a nice cool breeze on a place overlooking the ocean and it was just a big, big swing and I was just going through the air, back and forth, and just not having to do anything.

MERIUM: Let me ask. Was it a rope swing with a board seat?

Elena: Yeah! And it wasn't attached to anything. (Group laughter) There wasn't a tree there. It must have been attached to something, but … I was just there. I was just there. No strings attached.

MERIUM: Were you being pushed?

Elena: I thought about that, actually, about, you know, having a push. And then I started trying, you know, pumping myself a little bit, but then it was just really cool. No, I was thinking, okay, no. Just let myself go through the air and as long as I just let that happen, that was what I was doing. It was really neat.

MERIUM: As long as your battery was operable, you were on automatic pilot.

Elena: That's right. (Group chuckles)

MERIUM: What a wonderful experience.

Elena: Yeah.

MERIUM: What a wonderful testimony of faith.

Paula: I had a swing like that when I was a little girl, at Grandma's house, in the country. And the railroad came by, oh, maybe 50 feet away, and you could see it, and when it came, why the men in the front that were running the thing would wave to me when I was little, and of course then I had to show off and swing real high, you know, like I was a big girl. I wanted them to think that I was because all my life, ever since I can remember, I wanted to be tall and willowy and gorgeous, but I never have been! I tried. I would try different clothes that would make me look taller, anything at all, and I still wear heels like this so that I get up a little higher.

Thoroah: You're just right.

Paula: Oh, yeah. Not even quite five feet.

MERIUM: You have somewhere confused physical stature with character stature. You are only a little person if you see yourself as a little person. We see you as quite tall, often off the ground completely.

Paula: That's for sure! That happens to me.

MERIUM: Have you considered modifying what you always what you always wanted to be with what you are as the ideal? In other words, instead of wishing you had been willowy, have you ever considered what a wonderful life you have had precisely because you are in fact adorable?

Paula: (Snickering) That'll be the day.

Thoroah: Count your blessings!

Men-O-Pah: That is the day!

Paula: Oh, thank you, Sweetheart.

MERIUM: I have no doubt that the world has assessed you as adorable and treated you accordingly. Every story you have ever told affirms that truth. You Daddy adored you. And the marriage that worked afforded you that dotage. People do dote on you, and it is because of the fact that you are not tall, lanky, willowy and apparently capable of doing everything for yourself. The fact that you are petite allows others to be magnanimous, when they, in fact, may feel little themselves … not especially in stature but "poor in spirit" and you give them the opportunity to give of themselves in ways that they would like to be given to. You serve a vital function in the cosmology of this universe, just as everyone does. If you were to delight in who you are, and let go of that infernal bubble that tells you are less than others because of feet and inches, you would perhaps be a brighter bauble and a less complaining doll.

Think of yourself this week as adorable and not short.

Group: (Affirming the exercise)

Esmeralda: And Paula, do you know, there are so many people who-- their thoughts of what they really would like to be, are more like what you are.

Renault: Adorable?

Esmeralda: Adorable and petite. She considers this a real bane that she is short and a lot of us would think that being short is just adorable and would have loved to have been.

Paula: I guess it's because when I was growing up, the other kids teased me constantly because all my friends added stature. They were tall and they looked older and they called me a baby, and I hated that.

Thoroah: They were thoughtless.

Paula: Well, I suppose so.

Thoroah: They didn't know that…

Paula: But they teased me when I was in school because I was always the smallest one.

Renault: You were so adorable.

Thoroah: They were jealous because you were adorable.

Paula: Oh, yeah.

Esmeralda: Paula, all of us as kids get teased.

Thoroah: I'm telling you the truth.

Paula: Oh, yeah. I suppose all kids. They're nasty about it. You know. They don't even think that it might hurt somebody, but they tease.

Thoroah: Sometimes even become President. Sorry.

MERIUM: Teasing is a very unfortunate pastime. It is really a despicable practice. It is cruel to tease, and that includes tickling. There are some very real misconceptions about what constitutes a display of affection. Because love is such an unknown quality on your world, it is often conveyed in ways that bespeak irony or cruelty more than affection, as if to manifest affection was somehow weak or "sissy."

It's the same thing as tall and short. Tall people are not better people. That is completely an illusion based on a false perception of reality. Thin people are not better than fat people. These are vain imaginings that people have adopted in order to make themselves feel better. Feeling better at other people's expense is heartless. Unfortunately so many of you -- in fact all of you -- are so conditioned by your society, by this culture … not just in America but globally because you are handicapped, as you know, as a result of the Lucifer Rebellion and the Adamic Default. Therefore, there is much work to be done in this Correcting Time and it is my pleasure today to introduce to you the idea of allowing your minds freedom to soar into the air, into the illogical and surreal arena of the super-consciousness, as it may be perceived by your imagination and/or through your own daydreaming.

Gerdean: I notice you separate imagination and daydreaming. What's the message there? Are they not one and the same?

MERIUM: Not entirely, no, because the imagination is like co-creation. You are participating in the process; whereas, daydreaming is on a plateau that your conscious mind is not party to.

In daydreaming, your mind just leaves the conscious realm completely, but in imagination, you are able to mold your thoughts and nurture them according to your wants and needs, as many people are able to control their dream life.

Thoroah: Can I ask for a little clarification on that? For instance, I have to admit, Merium, before you gave me permission, I was already daydreaming. (Chortles) That happens often when I'm listening to the transmissions, because some of the things that you say or that other celestials say are quite catalytic and they hit something within me and I start daydreaming about whatever that might be, and I don't feel bad about that because I understand that's part of the whole process of assimilating things here, but for instance.

I was day-dreaming about what I would like to see as our world changes and one of the things I thought of is we are always building things in our society today on the basis of "sustainability." We want to sustain everything -- sustain supplies, sustain demand, sustain profit -- sustainability! -- when we should be building and looking things as far as their "adaptability" is concerned because things are always going to be changing. They never stay the same. So sustaining, in a sense, is counter productive and we should be geared more towards adaptability.

That's just a thought that came to me out of the middle of nowhere. Now was that a daydream or was I imagining something?

MERIUM: I would suggest you were imagining things, only because you have focused on your thoughts sufficiently to stimulate my imagination. I did not daydream during your discourse; I was thinking about what you were saying, and I was thinking about the sustainability/adaptability feature of a skyscraper and a tree.

A tree, which is a living thing, has sustainability and adaptability. A young sapling can bend, even as its roots are firmly planted in the ground and its trunk is steadfastly growing there in its space, branches reaching out, leaves absorbing energy and the adaptability of its being able to sway in the breeze, house the birds, provide branches for the swing, and so forth, is one side of the coin. The other is the skyscraper that represents a certain material sustainability that also is given adaptability, in that it can sway should an earthquake hit, but it is not a living thing such as a tree.

And so perhaps the interpretation I derive from your sharing is that the skyscraper as a part of the material reality is imaginative, whereas the tree, a living thing, is more likely to prompt daydreams, for its increased adaptability and flexibility. The wind can blow through the branches and the leaves of a tree, but not through a skyscraper. The spirit can soar through a daydream, where it might become irrelevant or iconic in imagination.

This is why spirit is superior to the material, why the material, in spite of its solidarity and seemingly firm foundation, is actually the shadow of the greater reality which is invisible … from here. Indeed, daydreaming provides maximum adaptability; and imagination requires sustainability. Otherwise imagination will waft off into daydreaming and become more spirit-imbued, less grounded perhaps.

Thoroah: So in other words I imagined that I daydreamed.

MERIUM: It's very likely. (Group chuckles)

Thoroah: Okay.

MERIUM: I give you credit for daydreaming. It is me who was imagining things. I was working, you see. I'm on the clock. And speaking of being "on the clock," I am aware of time constraints in your material world. I don't want to cut us off earlier than you are ready for. I am here and so are you. I like to take advantage of these occasions; that is to say, "we" like to take advantage of these opportunities and so I ask, "Are there questions?"

Paula: Well, why do you suppose, when I was a kid, that they all teased me. I was always smaller than any of my friends, and the other girls would say, "Well, I weigh such-and-such now" and "I'm a couple inches taller" and all this, and they didn't realize at all that they were hurting me. They just were making conversation, I guess. But I used to go home and think about it and I'd think, "Well, they don't like me because I'm little, and the rest of them are regular kids that are the way they should be -- growing."

MERIUM: Let me take you back there for your thinking is distorted. They are the ones who were "little" and they wanted you to think you were little, so that they did not have to look at how little they were. This adolescent behavior, this childish behavior, is not atypical for those who are in a process of comparing themselves to others so that they know how to fit within the social paradigm in which they are thrust. They may have felt you had many advantages they didn't have, and so they picked the most obvious affect to use to deliberately cause you pain. And you felt the pain they intended to inflict.

Now I say "intended" as if they had consciously thought this up. I don't believe it's a conscious practice, but an unconscious practice that all of you humans use to defend yourself against the vulnerability that you all surely must feel as essentially children in need of supervision, and I am talking about divine supervision more than anything else. But these causes trickle down into the material realm and have effects.

They may have been jealous of your happy home life. They may have been jealous of your Daddy's standing in the community. They may have been jealous of your adorable nature and in their jealousy attempted to destroy your esteem. It is a despicable practice like teasing, but it is a practice nonetheless that is often engaged in, especially in those who are trying to understand where they fit.

The advantage to having a rebirth of the spirit is that you are reborn into another dimension. You have the opportunity to develop a new perspective. And as a child of God, there are no short people. There are no tall people. There are only people, and each one is sensitive. Each one is caring. Each one is filled by the love of the Creator, and if not filled, then at least aware of the potential. Those who are not aware of the potential of the divine satisfaction inherent in the relationship between God and his children, through living faith, are out in the cold. They are without understanding. They are afraid. And they don't know how to be good, without some degree of assurance that will reflect in character.

Their character was mean and little. This is not the case for everyone. There are degrees. There are some kids who would not do such a thing, who would find that behavior catty or tacky or mean-spirited. Those are not the ones who have the effect of causing you pain so they drift by your consciousness as a part of the general well being all of you have about being alive. It is the ones who cause you pain that create the wound that can eventuate in a memory bubble.

This is a seed that was planted in you by adolescent children. And yet it has fixated you as an adolescent child yourself, in your thinking. The task now, in terms of Correcting Time, is to look at it from the perspective of the adult, the experienced person, and see them all -- including yourself at that time -- as children, and re-configure your psyche by forgiving those foolish children their error and allowing yourself to rise up to the stature you know you have, you know you are, and quit giving them power. Quit giving those adolescent girls such power over you. You are a bigger woman than that.

Rise up and lord it over the land how big you are. How big in the spirit you know how to be. You are a grand woman, forgiving and magnanimous of all these, your children who misbehave because they hurt, wounded, and only know how to lash out and destroy others. Be bigger than that. You and all my students, be the fairy godmother here and wave your magic wand, forgiving the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, putting a song in your heart and a smile on your lips.

Esmeralda: Also, Merium, don't you think this is: "When I was a child, I spake as a child" but Paula, you're an adult now, and look around. What do the adults think about you? We don't think about your being short.

Paula: No. Nobody teases.

Esmeralda: Or anything like that. We think you are adorable, so you should see that, too. Think about the present, rather than back when you were a child. That was a few years ago.

Paula: Yeah, it was, quite a few.

Thoroah: Twenty, thirty.

Paula: Seventy or eighty, yeah.

Esmeralda: Think about all the people who really see you as dynamic and adorable, and we all love you, and not just this group, but the church people, your friends, your children, all of these -- none of us think of you as being short. We only think about you as being wonderful.

Elena: That's true.

Paula: But you know, kids are cruel.

Elena: But it's time to let go of that, don't you think?

Esmeralda: We're not children anymore.

Paula: No. I think it's because it hurt so when I was little that I never quite got over the fact that I'm always shorter than everybody else.

Thoroah: But you're not just like everybody else, either, and some people wish they weren't just like everybody else; they want to be different. There's nothing worse than being average.

Paula: There was this little Italian girl that I went all through school with until I got to sixth grade, and then they decided -- for some reason I never knew -- that I should skip seventh and jump from sixth to eighth. So that meant that when I graduated from eighth grade and was ready to go to high school, I was only twelve. All the other girls were teenagers. You don't know what that does to a little kid.

Esmeralda: You know, I went through that same thing, Paula. But I thought it was just fine!

Paula: Well, you know the crazy thing is, this kid that didn't like me at all, she said, "Well, what do you know!" -- right in front of everybody, she said -- "the baby is going to high school." And I was ready to shrink. I just felt so terrible because she said in front of everybody and called me a baby. And everybody else that graduated with me was 13 or 14. I was the only one that was 12, and that just hurt like everything.

Renault: And you were just as smart as they were!

Esmeralda: And does that kind of mean that you might have been smarter than they?

Paula: I was no genius.

Renault: No, but you skipped a grade!

Paula: Yeah, I skipped a grade.

Thoroah: Evidently you weren't short on brains.

Paula: Well, for some reason, they did it. I never knew and they asked my father and mother if it was all right, you know, I should skip and my father said, "Well, if she wants to, all right," and he was hesitating, because he knew they teased me.

Renault: Did they ask you if you wanted to skip a grade?

Paula: Yeah, they asked me and of course I thought it would be lots of fun to go to high school. I thought that was a big deal! So I said, "Okay!" That was fine. And I didn't have trouble after I got into high school. That nasty girl went someplace else and she didn't go to high school with me. But she had made my life miserable for the last seven years.

Esmeralda: She doesn't live in Albuquerque, does she?

Paula: Oh, heaven's no.

Esmeralda: So you don't have to worry about her.

Paula: No. She was a little son of a pup, though and I didn't like her any better than she liked me, so…. But anyway, I got into high school.

Renault: Well, when you meet in the morontia worlds, you can become friends.

Paula: What?!?!

Esmeralda: Oh, don't tell her that.

Renault: When you meet in the morontia worlds.

Paula: Oh.

MERIUM: But it's true. You will have to deal with this issue and forgive that girl one way or another sooner or later before you can go too far. If not, you will have to return to it again and again and again and again and again until you get it. That's just the way it is.

Paula: Oh, well. She's probably dead by now … because she was as old as I was.

MERIUM: But Paula, you are not hearing me. I'm talking about eternal life. I'm not talking about a little girl in school. The principle is eternal. You must learn to forgive those who have inflicted pain upon you. It's just a fact of life.

Paula: Yeah.

MERIUM: Eternal life. So if you don't do it in this life, you will have to do it later and we are only asking you to consider absolving yourself of the pain that you re-experience every time you remember that affront when you were a child and let the pain go. It's easy for me to say, I hear you say. It is not easy to erase painful memories, particularly those that have distorted our personality responses throughout our lives, but it is never too late to forgive, even though you may not be able to forget.

The most important thing here is that you begin to perceive yourself not as the lowly creature you have been accused of being, but to be yourself, which has nothing to do with being short. You limit yourself by believing what the person said. That's the problem that we are focusing on, and it's your responsibility to rise above that.

Paula: Gee, I must have, because Men-O-Pah decided he liked me, even if I was little.

Esmeralda: Yep. I think he did.

Paula: Yep.

MERIUM: And you are indeed adorable.

Men-O-Pah: Say. Say.

Elena: But the thing is for you to believe it as much as we do.

Esmeralda: And accept the fact that, hey if all these wonderful, brilliant people think this, they must be right!

Elena: Right!

Paula: Gee. Well, I guess I'll live through it.

Men-O-Pah: No doubt. No doubt. You let that baggage go. You don't need it.

MERIUM: But it is evidence of her precociousness, you see.

Paula: I didn't know I was precocious.

MERIUM: And evidently very bright. Let us proceed now into the day, all in good cheer, happy children.

Renault: Thank you.

Elena: Merium, this has been an absolutely wonderful lesson. I just thought it was masterful. Thank you.

Men-O-Pah: Thank you.

Esmeralda: We wish you were here and could partake of Men-O-Pah's good soup that he has made for us.

MERIUM: I shall! I shall enjoy it immensely.

Esmeralda: Be with us all as we enjoy Men-O-Pah's soup.

MERIUM: We will linger and bask in the afterglow of our communion this afternoon. Be of good cheer. See you next time. Bye-bye.

*****

DATE: December 3, 2006

LOCATION: Rio Rancho, NM, CA

T/R: Gerdean

TEACHERS: MERIUM: Cultivating the Group; PAULO: Cultivating Self-Worth in/for the Community; Using the analogy of "The Princess and the Pea"; ANDROMADEUS: Cultivating Divisions of Labor

MUSIC: A cappella solos by Elena: "Oh, Loving Founder of the Stars"; "Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel"

MERIUM: This is Merium.

Group: Hi, Merium.

MERIUM: I hear my student chattering in the corner and I am quick to come in to greet you so as to help you focus on our united purpose. The moments we spend in silence are for a reason. It is called "the Stillness." The Stillness is a discipline that leads to intimacy with the Divine. It is a forerunner to worship.

In light of the season of Advent and the configuration before me in my precious flock of chickadees, I will be brief. We have guests today. When there are so many topics at large and so many minds to stimulate, as well as appease, it is sometimes a bigger bite than I can chew. And so I've brought in some helpers. Paulo is here. If you have not met Paulo, he is a rather feisty fellow, a participant in the reclamation that we represent. His specialty is rebellion. Without further ado, here is Paulo.

Group: Welcome, Paulo.

PAULO: A welcome to you, to the arena that oversees your doings. I have been abroad. The rebellion on-going on "foreign shores" is very time-consuming. And there are days when we frankly feel there is no light at the end of the tunnel. Thus it is like recess for me to come here and visit with you docile children, but even here I recognize within you deep pockets of rebellion that you harbor and nurture. I am not the one to chide you for your aggravations, but to encourage your recognition of them, for they do indeed represent the pea buried under the many mattresses that disturb your rest and subsequently the rest of everyone around you.

Naturally, I am referencing the fairy tale about "The Princess and the Pea" because I am aware that Merium's purported function with you is as a baby-sitter and she enjoys keeping you in that childlike state of mind and being that will foster your imaginations such that your mind feels free of its constraints, those constraints which piled upon you layer upon layer -- and for some of you, for nearly a century. Thus, it is necessary that we find a common denominator, and the fact is you have all been children. One way or another, you have all been young at heart, and so I will respect Merium's work and use the fairy tale as an allegory for your own rebelliousness.

Before we go further, I will borrow upon Brother Aaron's technique. For those of you who do not know Aaron, another Teacher in the Teacher Corps, he is one who elicits response from the classroom. He is not one to lecture, as some of us are inclined. He is very much interactive with the students, and so this classroom being configured the way it is, I will engage you in one of Aaron's techniques of drawing you out, and that is I would like - for your amusement, but not necessarily being flippant about your concerns - you to express to us here today a pet peeve, a disgruntlement, an irritation, that you harbor and even foster as something that stimulates you to action -- your pea under the mattress. Do we have any volunteers to come forth with your acknowledged pet peeve?

Esmeralda: I can't think of one right now, Paulo.

Elena: Well, one thing I can think of is that a lot of times - and I'm not talking about this situation necessarily, but it seems - but the request was to have something that kind of annoyed you toward action. And I guess one of mine is that when nobody else does something, I feel compelled to say something. So it's not necessarily a pet peeve, but I do kind of sometimes get annoyed at other people not saying something and then I feel compelled to do something about it. I don't know. That's something that comes to mind.

PAULO: Thank you. I'd like to hear from others, before I offer any further remarks. I know you have all got at least a dozen peas buried in there somewhere but perhaps they have become so embedded in your mattress, you've forgotten they exist.

Esmeralda: One of my -- I suppose peeves seem to me like a minor thing. I have some big things that bother me, but they are either national or global -- but one of my peeves is the misuse of grammar, and especially on people who are on TV who should, if they are going to have a speaking part, should know the proper … things like ending sentences in prepositions or one of the big ones is like "between you and I." The improper use of the nominative case when it should be the objective case. Now that's a pet peeve. Is that the kind of peeve you were talking about?

PAULO: It will suffice, although I hardly see it causing you to lose sleep.

Esmeralda: No, it doesn't.

Elena: Oh, mine didn't either, actually. Well, there is one that does make me lose sleep and it has to do with a person at work. I'm in a managerial position and she is kind of a passive-aggressive person and she just either will … when I'm saying something that I'm trying to relate to the group, she'll just totally … I mean … walk away or not look at me or in some way totally blow me off.

PAULO: Yes, that is a major legume. Everyone knows Gerdean has a few peas in her pod (group laughter). The transcript issue has been haggled On High.

Elena: Nothing from the couch over there, you guys?

Renault: Well, I was trying to think. I had a flash of a pet peeve, but…

PAULO: Dig deep.

Renault: Yeah.

PAULO: Reveal yourself.

Renault: … I've got two things that just don't seem significant enough. They don't move me, you know? They just peeve me. (Group laughter)

PAULO: How about rush hour traffic?

Renault: Ah! Well… Yeah. God, absolutely. All the time, in my job, up and down Cerillos Road, St. Francis, oh, God. Santa Fe is so awful to get around in.

PAULO: And the demands of employers?

Renault: Yeah. Um-hum. They want you to just drop everything and do what they say. But, we work through those. Um, I think it would help I think if I wouldn't … not grumble -- What do I want to say? -- when I do get a little peeved. Like short-tempered? Not that I ever let loose with a temper or anything, but I'm sure I get disagreeable, and that probably doesn't help.

PAULO: I won't put words in the mouth of the honeymooners, but show me one married couple that does not have a couple of irritations tucked away…

Paula: Oh, yeah!

PAULO: … that they keep under wraps in order to salvage domestic bliss.

Renault: Keep the peace.

PAULO: This smattering of issues and irritations hardly rise to the level of what I am accustomed to…

Renault: We're a little bit better adjusted, maybe.

PAULO: No, you are in a cultured environment and you are comporting yourself with poise and dignity. These peas that irritate are not revealed under such circumstances, which of course is one of the reasons for civilization to assure and encourage civilized behaviors. Even, however, in civilization there are raw edges.

I bring this up because of the idea of acknowledgement of the value of the human condition. When you put yourself in a position of thinking you are not acting in a spiritual manner, you say to yourself, "I am a child of God; I should not think this way, I should not feel this way," and so you judge your own behavior. Granted, the thought may not lubricate social intercourse, but it will inspire you to act.

The thing to do is not deny your human reactions and responses but to study them, to recognize them, and ascertain if you are merely being picky or if there is genuine and lasting harm. Naturally, to you who are temporal, finite beings, all these could represent lasting harm because your perspective is so short-term. But it behooves you to think in terms of the long-range repercussions of such things as, well, let's take grammar, for example.

Generally, educated people have worked hard to master the language. They respect its usage, and when they find it being used sloppily or without regard to clear communications, when folks resort to jargon or slang, or have no care as to how language is constructed, it reflects on the advances civilization has made from the time they communicated through grunts and growls.

Renault: We still do. (Laughter)

Men-O-Pah: We understand those better.

PAULO: Naturally, this is why it is a point their mind makes, because they are fully cognizant of the antithesis of those who care about communications, those who don't care, and that is the long-range concern. The same holds true for those who are diligent and industrious, who look at those who are in need of prodding as lazy or "dead wood," and it represents the irritation that is inherent in the striving for perfection.

If you can see the long-range view of why you are experiencing your irritation, you will be more inclined to spend time similarly on the irritations of others. You get irritated by rush-hour traffic. Obviously others do as well. While you may see these people as merely being in your way and keeping you from your tasks, they may be seeing the same of you. This kind of snarl is a reflection on too much all happening at once. The solution (other than a more temperate attitude) is staggered traffic.

The inherent antagonism in marriage is probably the more intimate of all these situations and so closer to home for there are inherent differences between men and women and the way they think and the way they approach their sundry tasks and without an appreciation for the strengths and weaknesses of the other and a willingness to work in harmony with those strengths and those weaknesses, there will not be the desired result of marital bliss.

These are all behavioral difficulties. Oh, yes. All right. Gerdean's issue. The same holds for her issue. Taking the farther view. The material that may have been prepared for the intimate converse of personal groupings such as ours, being broadcast to the world at large, is, to her, an invasion of privacy of those persons who may or may not be ready, willing and able to have their names and idiosyncrasies used as a "cosmic guinea pig" while there are others who run to raise their hand to be used as an example of learning and teaching.

The bottom-line being, in all of these cases, how the human being is reacting and responding to the vagaries of life. When you gloss over these things and find your solution in passive acquiescence, it does not solve the issue. Giving it to God does not work if it keeps coming back. And so it gives rise to action. It stimulates action and in truth it is rebellion against that which irritates. And while on one hand your responses to that which irritates must remain to some extent within the bounds of your civility, they must also be honored for what they represent.

You are not your Thought Adjusters. You are not spirit. Your spiritual existence is aeons away from where you are now. Your soul is in the making. And your soul, which is your immortal self -- not your Adjuster -- is being carved day by day through your human contribution as well as your Adjuster's contribution to this liaison that is creating your immortal soul. You cannot have one without the other. It's a package deal.

If you don't respect the finite, the material, and the human, and deal with it accordingly, and with the benefit of spirit guidance and the constant and ever-present point of Stillness to help temper you in these efforts, you will simply return again and again and again to the irritation and not solve the problem.

Elena: Well, Paulo, can we get just a little bit more specific than that? I think mother's example is the easier one to ask about because, okay, so when she hears something that annoys her, like she said "between you and I" and I just want to know -- what irritates you about whatever, each time then is she supposed to go into Stillness and say, "Okay, what about that annoys me? Or why am I getting annoyed about that?" Is that kind of what you are saying?

PAULO: Yes.

Elena: Okay, or using my example. (That was kind of cruddy to shoot the focus on mother's but okay) so every time I feel compelled to say something just to kind of take a deep breath and breathe in spiritually balancing energy and then kind of wait a minute?

PAULO: Yes. I am suggesting you function from the soul level rather than from either extreme of the spirit or the raw animal. That is having your feet on the ground and your faith aloft. If someone is irritating you with grammar, do you really have to listen? If you do have to listen, you might consider educating them. (But if you choose to point out their ignorance, you'd best do it with some affection and diplomacy or you will miss the mark and simply be regarded as "critical.")

Factor in also the "mitigating circumstances." Is this person ignorant in every way? If so, perhaps they need to be regarded as you would "be kind to dumb animals." If it is that you don't like the person and you are looking at them critically and when they make such an error you use that to underscore why you don't like them, that may be a reflection on your own sense of superiority that you apply in order to feel secure in your own thoughts, beliefs and perspectives in the face of someone else having a different value system or approach.

When you deal with other personalities, you are dealing with the work of the realm. It is not a matter of manners, for manners will allow injustice, will gloss over injustice for the sake of peace or the status quo. But if these things that you have tucked in your mattress continue to aggravate you, deal with them. And that does not necessarily mean blaming yourself for having it, but finding out what kind of positive action you can take to resolve the situation, whether it is an actual situation or an imagined situation.

Jesus said you must have tact and tolerance, but nowhere is it said that you need to be walked on or over. The Christian principle of turning the other cheek is grossly misunderstood in that regard. It does not mean you need to take abuse. You need to learn how to establish boundaries so that you are not abused, and if it requires you rising up from the conditioning of oppression, cultural conditioning, racial conditioning, gender conditioning, et cetera, et cetera, then listen to your rebelliousness and show it some respect. If it is irritating you and has been for some time, sit down and find out what the deal is and then deal with it.

It was not dealt with in Palestine and look what we have going now. It was not dealt with in Jerusalem. It was not dealt with in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia. It has not been dealt with in Washington, D.C. And these affect … oh yes, Africa! … these affect all of you. It affects evolution. And ultimately, it affects civilization.

Esmeralda: Paulo, you just mentioned Palestine and the problems there. I was just … earlier, very shortly before we came over to this meeting, listening to President Carter, who has just written a book about Palestine, Peace and Not Apartheid, and there was one thing that I was amazed, and I don't think very many people know this, but Israel has built a wall around the West Bank, which is the Palestinian property, and it is a huge wall, and they have built it to where the Palestinians can't get to Jerusalem, as you just mentioned Jerusalem, to worship. The wall goes through like -- between -- they can't -- they have a hard time even getting to work. And it has cut off their garden from their house and that wall is huge! And I didn't even know that existed.

PAULO: And how do you suppose this situation has come about? It has come about by someone's pea being buried in the mattress thousands and thousands of years ago.

Esmeralda: Yes.

PAULO: They have not yet resolved those old issues. This is why I urge you to resolve them on the spot. Dig up those old dried up peas that cause your mattress to be lumpy. Iron them out so as to not cause havoc in the future. We are at the beginning of a new dispensation. New information is coming in, new energies are being realized, old things are passing away. But as we embark upon the next step of the journey toward Light and Life, let us be mindful of those seeds we plant now, those seeds we hold close to us, nurture and foster, and ascertain the effects they will have in the long range, in the long run.

Elena: So what you are saying is actually one way that we can deal with things is every time we get annoyed at something, to look very carefully at the reason why we are annoyed and deal with it in ourselves, not within somebody else but what actually is supplying the burr under our own skin. Right?

PAULO: Yes. This is the starting point. This is where it begins, for it is the personal correction that must be done before you have can -- before you have any right -- any authority to strike out at those who have caused the irritation. Look at your self first and once you have thoroughly examined your motives and the effects of your causes, look for mitigating factors. Observe the source, the external source of irritation. If it is rush-hour traffic, if it is an overbearing employer, if it is someone who is unwilling to compromise, someone who chooses to disdain your authority, these are the issues that when allowed to fester give rise to situations such as the world is now experiencing. It creates war. When you have war within yourself, you are a breeding ground for war around you. They must be quelled. And so I say don't bury those little irritations; bring them out and deal with them. Personally, conscientiously, and without undue judgment of yourself or others.

You know that analogy of the cave man that is seen with his club raised, looking like an uncivilized brute, willing to take you down if you get too close. But if you expand the picture and see what the savage is defending and if and when it is something that you yourself can identify with as having value, then you can see them not as a stranger, but as a fellow mortal being with the same concerns and emotional packaging. Every one of you has concerns about how you spend your time, about your genes, your contributions, your handicaps, your flaws, your skills. Every human being on the face of the planet has these concerns. Being a religionist does not set you above other human beings. It only affords you an opportunity to step outside of the rancor and the chaos to partake of that moment of Stillness that will help you (and your blood pressure, and your adrenaline) all return to a level of function that you can act to improve the situation rather than fostering and nurturing the hardness in your heart.

Trust is the factor here. And so we all see you with walls built around you. Some of them are built on other people's turf, telling other people what they can and cannot do, where they can and cannot go, what they can and cannot have or what they cannot use. Respect is a huge issue when you are dealing with fellow human beings.

Quitting the judgment game is like quitting a very bad habit. If you have to stop every four seconds to remind yourself "You don't need it. You don't need it. You don't need it," then stop every four seconds, because eventually if you really want to work on this, if you put your rebellious nature to constructive use, you can overcome these irritations to good end, such that you can muddle along without losing it every few seconds and gradually you will be able to overcome it completely.

I don't say that as a blanket excuse for people to misconstrue that these are only a personal problem and for you to "get over it" because they are not just a personal problem. They are a social problem. And if you want to create light and life, or even small pockets of light and life, you absolutely must take the time necessary to develop trust, to develop respect, and to respect the boundaries that you mutually establish in your efforts to work harmoniously together. Even if your work together is unrelated, as long as you are taking up space on the same planet, in the same architectural sphere, it is essential that you be responsible for how you affect others.

This is obviously why we Teachers (not me so much as some of your regulars) have spent countless hours introducing you to the benign virus, the joy of loving, the actuality of the divine embrace, for that reality is the lure. It is the prize. It is the living water on which we float our boats.

I would like to get past this incessant warring. Until we get past this incessant warring, we will not play host to a Magisterial Son or any other high beings who cannot act without a greater degree of peaceful community and greater unity of purpose -- that purpose not being especially the short-term goals that you have created for yourselves but the long-term goals that have been created On High that await your cooperation. That is all I have for you today.

Group: Thank you, Paulo.

Renault: Thanks for your hard work, Paulo. I know that you are working hard and it's hard work [inaudible] in a country where so many people get along with each other, despite our differences, it is hard for us to comprehend how people that all seem the same could hate each other so badly. Maybe you could help us nationally with that understanding.

PAULO: You can help nationally with that understanding. You can, by and through your own efforts. There is another visitor. I must go.

Group: Okay. Bye, Paulo.

ANDROMADEUS: I am Andromadeus, the Most High Observer of your world. I do not intend to pontificate, but I do want to remind you that it is an organized universe. There are divisions of labor. There are avenues of service, even channels where money flows. The angelic orders are arranged in order to save time and effort. It is in the interest of "spiritual economy" that certain divisions are established. They are not established to segregate or alienate but to compliment and cooperate.

Using the example of the married couple to which Paulo referred, there are certain realms of responsibility that fall under the purview of each party in the partnership, and when it is harmonious, it is effective. The same is true with groups. You have been encouraged from the beginning to develop groups and to foster certain loyalties that are inherent within like-minded individuals, for there is strength in numbers. You can do more when you work together than you can as individuals.

I encourage you again to seek and find your group. Create one if you can. It takes three to constitute a group. Three finite beings, if you will, since you are finite creatures working in a finite environment. As you gather yourselves together in community and unity of purpose, depending upon your stated purpose and your goals, you will be given augmentation of energy - not only from yourselves but also from the universe, which will work to support your efforts.

Eventually these groupings may or will fall into alignment with others that can create a new gridwork of the follow-through to all these efforts, which is a literal showing of light and life on your world, in the material sense. On earth as it is in heaven. That is all.

Group: Thank you.

MERIUM: And this is Merium coming around again to shake the pillows and stir you up from our two guests who were typically weighty. The problem with their being here today rather discourages me from reaching my own capacities as a Teacher, for I know you have limitations on what you can and will absorb in any one sitting. This is, incidentally, why we repeat ourselves over the months and over the years, because you need reminded, because you forget, and because you think you already learned the lesson when in fact each new situation presents the same dilemmas and puzzles to be faced again and again and again.

Elena: Merium, what do you think Andromadeus meant about seeking new groups. What's your interpretation on that? What was he driving at?

MERIUM: Invite friends over for tea and create bonding. Find like-minded individuals and cultivate them. Nurture a society of peers. Do with your friends like I do with you. Feed them - physically, socially, spiritually - and invite them to return for more. If you want friends, you must be friendly. When you realize that what everyone really wants is alliance, you will encourage a productive alliance.

Elena: Okay.

MERIUM: We here have something in common - that being the efforts to bridge the gap between the finite and the infinite, the material and the spiritual, our attempts to develop morontia reality in that area to which you are being introduced and where I live, that area where you will live when you depart from the material existence, when you transfer to Mansonia. We have that in common. Actually everyone has it in common, but they don't know it yet.

Nurture their reality. Nurture their eternal reality, in whatever ways you can. It does not mean you have to introduce them to the Urantia Book or the Teaching Mission. It does not mean you have to speak philosophically or intellectually. It is simply reflecting your friendship with God and the God that dwells within them. Draw people out. Find out about them. Accentuate the positive. Help and counsel if you are asked to on those areas where they may have their peas tucked into their mattress. Seek peace, joy and understanding. Everyone enjoys this kind of feeling.

If you will notice, the world is crazy. It is in a break neck speed heading God knows where. Those of you who have mastered Stillness, who enjoy the silence, and who hear the whispers of the Divine, know the peace which passes all understanding. It is not a dull place by any means! It is rich with impressions and abundant with security. How many people do you know who are running around helter-skelter looking for the Kingdom outside of themselves, when indeed it is within. Help people go within.

Nurture this calm - the calm in the eye of the hurricane. I realize you all get caught up in the maelstrom, in the mayhem that the hurricane causes, but take a moment to lapse into Stillness and find that eye once more, for then you are a part of the solution. You are out of the chaos, no longer a part of the problem. It is a discipline. It is a practice. But the rewards are infinite and the goal is indeed eternal. So have patience with your self and with others. Cease your useless judging, each and every one of you, for it is a part of the human condition that you judge. It is how you deal with that judgment, how that affects your society with your others that will determine whether we proceed or whether we run aground. Are there questions?

Elena: No, that was pretty helpful, thank you.

Esmeralda: I think this whole session has been very helpful today.

MERIUM: Then let's play. I'll see you next time we gather together.

Group: Thank you, Merium!

MERIUM: Love and kisses, bye-bye.

*****

[End of Vol. VI, 2006]