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<p>August 15, 2004</p>
<p>Ham: Greetings, children, I am Ham and I am very happy having this
time with you tonight. Let us discuss further the art of receiving
God’s word and God’s guidance. We use the term spiritual guidance to
denote the input from your indwelling monitor or from the Spirit of
Truth or even occasionally from your guardian seraphim because this
guidance is unified in your experience and you will not necessarily
understand from whom your spiritual communication originates nor is it
necessary to do so. </p>
<p>Experience of the spirit is always in accordance with the Father’s
will. You will never have conflicts or errors to be concerned with.
Your indwelling spirit is simply concerned with spiritualizing your
thinking. He is concerned with opening your mind always to greater
options, greater perspective and deeper insight. Your indwelling spirit
unifies all your spiritual experience. Ever will this unified
experience lead into levels of expanded moral choice, deeper insight
into your human heart, and elevated vision concerning your place in the
world and the path which lies ahead. </p>
<p>The Master often took little breaks apart from his friends so that
he might ask for the Father’s guidance, wisdom, expansion, and
deepening insight. The Master continually demonstrated how human beings
might spiritually recharge through prayer and meditation after the
depletion from long periods of social intercourse. </p>
<p>It is important for you to use your human understanding all the way
to its limits, but then to recognize those limits and begin utilizing
the Master’s technique in expanding the mind levels. Each of you
functions routinely on about three levels of mind comprising normal
consciousness. The lowest conscious level impinges on the unconscious
and is the source of impulsive and compulsive behavior doing things
which are not the product of the fully conscious mind but also the
product of repressed unconscious desires or fears, things of that
nature. The main level of consciousness is also multi-leveled, but for
our purposes it involves everything of which the conscious mind is
aware, both sensory and mindal. The levels of consciousness which
impinge upon the superconscious mind is that level where your
indwelling spirit organizes streams of consciousness. By the time
thoughts are fully formed at the conscious level, they have undergone a
sorting and organizational process which is the function of the
superconsciousness. When you speak your thoughts are not fully formed
and organized consciously before hand, they are formed and organized
superconsciously beforehand. </p>
<p>Part of the functioning of the indwelling spirit is to expand your
thinking by pulling together knowledge, insight, meaning, and values in
such a way that the conscious mind seems to be continuously harmonious
and streams of consciousness are unified on a high level. As you begin
to consciously cooperate more and more with the indwelling spirit, you
are also allowing him to expand, deepen, and broaden his powers of
thought organization. </p>
<p>The indwelling spirit is constantly introducing slightly higher and
more profound concepts to the mind in very small increments. But as you
come to trust this good spirit ever more deeply, and as you come to
increasingly banish fear from the mind, this good spirit can introduce
higher concepts in larger doses or more completely unified pieces. </p>
<p>Always, the spirit is subordinate to your own human will and so it
is very useful to consciously request guidance and insight. It is very
important that you signal your receptivity to the spirit’s suggestions
and options. Thus, the Master would excuse himself from meetings, from
discussions, in order that he might pray for the Father’s guidance for
his own human mind. The Master was always conscious that his human will
acted like a gate keeper and that the Father’s spirit, even for him, be
asked to enter. </p>
<p>There is no coercion of the mind, no coercion of the spirit at any
level of this process. All spiritual progress is entirely voluntary.
The Father in heaven – with all his vast power, all his vast wisdom,
all his infinite awareness – does not for an instant trespass upon the
prerogatives of his creatures. The Father’s plan has never included the
concept of forced love or involuntary servitude. The Father’s plan is
one of allowing. He allows all his creatures the greatest freedom
possible and for his ascending sons and daughters, there is increasing
freedom at each level of advancement. </p>
<p>Free will is central to the Father’s plan and when the Father allows
free will to have reign, even over the limited material sphere, there
is bound to be a lot of chaos, a lot of sin, a lot or error, even among
the well meaning. But this is a temporary condition. Always is humanity
moving slowly forward in the acceptance of human responsibility and
human freedom. </p>
<p>Each of you has been called into greater spiritual service and thus
each of you has increased responsibility to always seek for higher
guidance and more profound wisdom than you are capable of on your own.
The pathway to Paradise is very long, practically eternal from you
earthly standpoint. Each level of growth contains new freedom, but also
new responsibility as well. Therefore, as you grow in your spiritual
capacity, so also must you grow in wisdom and wisdom is found in the
seeking after the Father’s will, seeking after the highest spiritual
choice. </p>
<p>Your lives are made up of choice. You have, stretching before you, a
well night unlimited array of choices. Each one has the ability to
bring you closer to God or further from him. You may accept or reject
each choice the Father lays before you. Your path may be all kinds of
different combinations of all the various choices you have made and all
the choices you will make. So, always my friends, it is wise to imitate
the Master and to seek spiritual input at each juncture no matter how
seemingly small. The small choices are sometimes the most profound: the
choice to be gentle where you once may have been harsh, the choice to
be loving and considerate where once you may have been indifferent, the
choice to be open and responsive where once you may have been closed
and set upon a certain path. All these choices are part of finding the
Father’s will which is always hovering above and guiding your will. The
immature human being thinks of doing God’s will in great heroic terms,
spectacular acts of wonder and amazement will be undertaken it is
thought. But my friends, the Father’s path is all of your life and all
of your mind. The Father’s path is small decisions as well as great
life changing moves. </p>
<p>The Master’s profound, intelligent, and kind character was not
created full blown, but was rather the result of many years of prayer,
many years of talking things over with God until the best attitude was
arrived at. The Master always had time for children, for animals, for
the neglected in society, the people who had given up hope. He had time
for the laborers. He had time for prostitutes. He had time for all. His
love for each human being was so profound and complete that each human
being who came into his presence could not help but be profoundly
changed and moved by that love. The Father knew of the Master’s
difficult path and the Father’s good spirit ministered to his human
mind at every juncture. But still the human mind of Jesus, just as your
human minds must do, opened the door to the Father’s spirit continually
and constantly. </p>
<p>Think of it, the creator of the Universe, millions of worlds under
his direct management and control, untold legions of angels ready and
waiting to carry out his wishes, and yet the Master followed the human
pathway, the pathway of admitting his human mind did not know the
answer, the pathway of asking for divine guidance. And you, my
children, how much more in need are you for divine help? How much more
must you acknowledge that need and open that door? </p>
<p>The Master certainly fought through temptations of the ego self
which said, "I know enough, I am enough, I can do all things on my
own". The ego temptation is always present, always wanting to assert
independence and claim independent victory. You my children must also
fight the temptation to revert toward self-assertion and
self-aggrandizement just as the Master did and you must rely instead
upon greater spiritual wisdom, greater spiritual guidance that sees
into the eternal past and the eternal future. Certainly you can propose
what would be most advantageous to you now for the immediate future,
but you cannot know what lies in the far future, or what the far future
will require. Thus, the Master subordinated his human longings and
human desires for the Father’s far-seeing plan. The Master, in
subordinating his will to the will of man demonstrated the eternal
truth that the Father will always allow human will to play out. He will
always suggest but never will he force. </p>
<p>Yes my friends, you are indeed growing in the spirit, you are indeed
accepting the responsibilities of the spirit and you are indeed
demonstrating through your own lives the power of the spirit. Learn as
you do how to allow guidance, how to seek after the higher way so that
your will is glorified by expressing the Father’s will. Resist ego
temptations for self glorification and focus instead upon glorifying
the Father who has sent his spirit to dwell within you. Allow the
purpose of your lives to be part of the greater purpose of the Father,
just as the Master did so must you also go through the same process,
the same decisions. Gradually then you will come to rely upon the
Father’s good spirit and you will rest your concerns and all your
problems in the Father’s hands. You cannot do this without
acknowledging that you need it. Therefore, freely acknowledge your need
for guidance, freely seek it. Be uninhibited in your prayers. Be open
to all that is coming into your mind through the Father’s spiritual
auspices. But above all, love God with all your heart, all your soul,
and all your mind. Then, will you come to know him and as you come to
know him you will come to increasingly rely on him. This is the
ultimate aim of your spiritual path, complete dependence and yet my
friends in that dependence you will also find unparalleled levels of
freedom and the thrill of ever greater spiritual discovery even while
your heart is comforted by ever greater levels of love experience. </p>
<p>Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Trust
all levels of the mind into the Father’s hands and you will be rewarded
with that peace which passes all understanding and you will see no
longer as through a glass darkly but with spiritual clarity and
certainty of insight. </p>
<p>What are your questions?</p>
<p>Q: Ham, may I have a personal message please?</p>
<p>Ham: Yes of course. My son, you are doing very well. Do not avoid
pain for pain is part of healing, pain is part of growth. You are
gradually coming into increased levels of self-awareness and are
verging on increasing self-acceptance. You must past through many
levels of self-acceptance before you will truly find levels of love for
yourself. You won’t be able to skip steps, you won’t be able to avoid
the pain which is part of growth and part of self-realization. Give
yourself time for simple relaxed contemplation without pressure. Your
physical healing is progressing slowly but surely just as your
spiritual healing progresses. You are doing ever better. Do not worry
that you will lose spiritual progress, for you cannot. Personality
unification is always a permanent feature once it is completed. Levels
cannot be lost, but you may have realizations about not being as far as
long as you might have thought. This is human and part of the process.
Be easy with yourself.</p>
<p>Q: Do you have anything for Rebecca?</p>
<p>Ham: Certainly my dear. You must grow in the habit of continually
turning over responsibility. You are a person who take on
responsibility readily and you must understand there comes a point when
you must relinquish that responsibility and trust instead that the
Father’s good spirit will guide you and give you everything needful.
Grow in the habit of turning to him, not simply now and then, not
simply during times of pressure, but continually. Lean not upon your
own understanding, but rather lean upon the Master’s arm and allow him
to enlighten your mind and allow him to organize those thought
processes and ideas which he desires to be brought forward. You are
beginning to utilize the power of prayer ever more effectively. Work
toward expanding this but most of all go in peace and allow the Master
to give you courage. Lean on him and all will be well. </p>
<p>Q: Jarad?</p>
<p>Ham: Yes my son, you must also place your trust and confidence in
ever greater measure in the Father’s gentle spirit. You must release
everything else, all things human which you have held onto all your
life. The claim the Father makes upon his children is total.
Transformation is not half way. The Father’s spirit must guide and
inform everything. Each old thought pattern, each outworn attitude that
is relinquished is replaced immediately by that which is greater, that
which is more real. Have courage then in your letting go as well as in
your grasping of the spirit and all that is new. Pray that you might
withhold nothing even you might actively pray for helplessness,
actively pray for the realization of your human helplessness so that
the Father might fill your soul completely and create anew your life
continually. Do not be in any way concerned. For you will fulfill all
that is required one step at a time just as you have done. Always
remember in each new circumstance to claim your sonship first and
foremost, all else will be added. </p>
<p>Q: Can I have a message please Ham?</p>
<p>Ham: Certainly my son. My son, as each day goes by slowly you are
strengthening your spiritual legs and your faith muscles. Faith is not
something that can be acquired without being used. Faith must be used
to be acquired. Therefore my son, reach out in faith and be aware that
each time you do, you strengthen your faith and you grow in spiritual
purpose and direction. Do not doubt that your life, your mind, your
personality and all that you are is firmly in the Master’s arms. Slowly
it is dawning upon you that you are indeed a son of God and the
implications of all that this realization entails is coming slowly but
surely into your consciousness. My son, this world was created for you.
You belong here. You are not some outsider looking for a place to
belong. You are in the midst of belonging profoundly and completely
where you are as you are. When you are tempted to be pulled by the ego
into anxiety or uncertainty, banish those thoughts by remembering who
you are in this world and who you are in the next. Remember, your place
as the Father’s son in the Father’s universe is secure. You have a
place on earth as you have a place in heaven. Relax in this knowledge.
Allow this knowledge to give you perspective as to the ups and downs of
your earthly life. Seek only to understand those lessons the Father
gives you. See you life from this perspective and the victories and
defeats of living will be easier to take. Love your fellows but be
understanding with their weaknesses. Remember all human beings are
children. You are all taking your first steps so you must be gentle
with each other and understanding. Let this knowledge temper the
disappointments with people you may face. Live each day to its full.
Don’t try to live in the future and release the past as well. For what
does the Father require of you but that you should grow in love? Seek
this and all else will be added unto you. You are doing just fine. </p>
<p>Q: I love you Ham.</p>
<p>Ham: My son, I have a great and abiding love for you as well. You
may always rely on that love for my devotion to you is equal to my
devotion to the Father. Doubt not the truth of this. </p>
<p>Q; Can I have a message Ham?</p>
<p>Ham: Of course my son. Your spiritual progress has been steady and
quite consistent throughout your life. Your early disappointments and
disillusionments have been part of your steady grounding in the spirit.
You have been consistent in your truth seeking, not one to run here and
there after this or that new spiritual fad or changing cultural devices
of the spirit. No, rather you have kept the Master’s love alive in your
heart from early childhood and you have measured spiritual wisdom of
the world by that measure. Thus, you have been quietly about your
search and this search has brought you now here to me this evening. It
is my profound gratitude to your seraphim now that must be expressed
for I have been aware of your search many years and have been watching
your progress unbeknownst to you. Don’t worry for you are finding your
way as you should and your decisions from this point will always be
respected. Understand, however, that by virtue of truth seeking you
bring yourself into spheres of consciousness and spheres of influence
that your seraphim desire to direct. Trust then that your inner truth
will bear witness to the truth that is brought to you. Trust your own
truth guidance and really search your heart for your deepest
understandings at this time. Do not be afraid of the path of
self-honesty, the path of complete openness for this is part of the
path of truth. Trust yourself my son, for the Father in heaven, the
Universal Father of all things and being calls you his son. He has no
requirements but that you grow in his love and grow in your reflection
of his goodness. Trust that you can do this. Have outrageous faith for
you will find all that is necessary on your journey. Be at peace for
you are doing just fine. </p>
<p>Q: Yes, Ham I would like to know if you have a message for me please?</p>
<p>Ham: Of course my son. Your life is continuing to open and you are
finding new realms of understanding along with spiritual growth. Do not
be concerned about second guessing yourself or your feelings. Trust
your own spiritual guidance. Trust your developing wisdom as you make
progress and embrace greater levels of spiritual action and choice. Do
not worry that you are doing enough or that your efforts are stalled or
anything like that for spiritual progress is largely in the realm of
the unconscious mind. It cannot be limited by the conscious mind but
must only be accepted by the conscious mind. Therefore be at ease for
all things are becoming new. Rejoice that you can experience ever
greater levels of love, ever deeper knowledge of truth and ever greater
levels of beauty appreciation. Rejoice for all is well. </p>
<p>Q: I feel all of this happening to me know, slowly but surely.
Thanks. </p>
<p>Ham: You are welcome my son, go in peace.</p>
<p>Q: Zura: Do you have a message for me Ham? </p>
<p>Ham: Yes my daughter. Your spiritual progress is unimpeded by the
health difficulties of the body. The spirit continues to grow and
expand and as this occurs, your loving nature will also expand and your
loving acceptance of others will deepen. The little irritations of life
should not be allowed to throw you off your spiritual bearings.
Remember to always see your life in its broader context of eternal life
and have complete faith that everything that happens in this life is
preparing you for your greater life ahead. Rejoice in the Father’s
love. Rejoice that you are his daughter. Rejoice and be glad for
expanding levels of love and the loving awareness of the Father’s
presence within you awaits. You are doing very well. Be at peace my
dear. </p>
<p>Q: Julia: personal message</p>
<p>Ham: Yes my dear, this adventure has been very expanding in the
spirit for you. You are truly growing in the spirit and you are
radiating the Father’s love and his joy. Certainly, you have come
through a major spiritual awakening and this will continue to grow and
to expand. Trust in yourself, my dear. You have the ability to be
yourself. You have the ability to love yourself as you are. You have
the ability to accept the Father’s love for you and you have the
ability to allow this love to run over into the rest of your life as
you love others as you are loved. Rejoice my dear. Be happy, joyful,
and always mindful of the Father’s great love. </p>
<p>Q: Do you have a personal message for Charlie B?</p>
<p>Ham: My son, be at peace. Seek after spiritual guidance with renewed
energy. Do not be content, at any level, with your own decisions,
attitudes, and knowledge. Seek always the Father’s higher calling, the
Father’s greater option and all will be well. </p>
<p>Q: Do you have any feedback for me this week Ham?</p>
<p>Ham: Of course my son. My son, you are doing very well. You are also
coming to realize that you can actually claim your sonship. For much of
your life the concept of sonship was clear but its experiential
realization was incomplete. Gradually now you are unifying the
conceptual world with the experiential world and this unifying process
will continue on ever deeper and higher levels of your soul. Each day
that goes by, you become increasingly comfortable with who you are as
you are in the now. And this comfort in your life will only increase,
giving you increased self-assurance and grounding in a balanced
confidence as you move forward. Have complete assurance my son of the
Father’s eternal and infinite love for you, not eternal and infinite
love in the abstract, but love for you. Accept this and be at peace. </p>
<p>Very well then may I express once more my gratitude for your
service. Your efforts in all areas do not go unnoticed. Let it be known
that Melchizedek himself sends his commendation. Until the week after
next week when we shall meet again. My love and prayers go with you
farewell. </p>
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<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72"><font
face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" size="+1">--
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
David G. Schlundt, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology
Department of Psychology
Vanderbilt University
301 Wilson Hall
Nashville, TN 37203
Phone: (615)322-7800
Fax: (615) 343-8449
Email: <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:David.Schlundt@Vanderbilt.edu">David.Schlundt@Vanderbilt.edu</a>
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
To science God is a possibility, to psychology
a desirability, to philosopy a probability, to
religion a certainty, an actuality of religious
experience
The Urantia Book, page 1125
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
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