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<P>DATE:</B> July 18, 1996<BR><B>LOCATION:</B> Pittsburgh, PA,
USA<BR><B>T/Rs:</B> Gerdean O'Dell and Bob Devine</P><B>
<P>TEXTUAL STUDY</B>: Urantia Paper 33<BR>Administration of the Local Universe
</P>
<OL>
<LI>Michael of Nebadon</LI>
<LI>The Sovereign of Nebadon</LI>
<LI>The Universe Son and Spirit</LI>
<LI>Gabriel - The Chief Executive</LI></OL><B>
<P>TEACHER SESSION<BR>TOMAS AND RANTARASON</B><BR>Embarking into
Character</P><B>
<P>TOMAS:</B> Good evening, my friends. I am Tomas, your delighted supernal host
this evening in joyous appreciation of your sharing and your fellowship. Your
vibrational levels are indicative of one who has been well met and I am proud to
be your friend.</P>
<P>It is wonderful this evening to have the added energy and association of our
co-worker and your fellow apostle [Bob Devine] here, as well as Bob's entourage.
As many of you realize, you are not islands of identity but rather an assemblage
of co-ordinate and harmonious energies and personalities as we all accompany one
another in the ascent, in the sojourn. I have been personally enjoying the
association today of Rantarason, and perhaps we can prevail upon him to join in
on our sharing this evening.</P>
<P>I am somewhat concerned on your behalf regarding your time frame. I am not in
a worried frame of mind because your time has been well spent thus far. And many
times, when your evenings are so ripe with the fruits of the spirit, I am
disinclined to carry on any further, for you see how well you can uphold and
sustain and stimulate each other in your efforts without me. But I am assigned
here and I am part of your group and so it behooves me to also share myself and
my personality for we are all in this together, as you know.</P>
<P>I will not carry on at great length, but I did want to conform somewhat to
our earlier discussions, our discussions of last week, which have led up to our
discussion for this evening which, indeed, will begin to embark upon the realm
of character, although the subject of human character is broad and can occupy us
for literally years, I do not feel we can accomplish that purpose in one topical
evening; Mrs. M., but we can indeed begin to perceive what we are meaning when
we discuss character.</P>
<P>1 would like for you this week to ponder in your hearts your understanding of
character. It is an emotional response to your environment, to the personalities
in your environment. In order to have a well-balanced personality, the balance
then is involving your divine understandings as well as your mortal
understandings.</P>
<P>In mastering the ego to the extent that your character manifests morals and
ethics, it is necessary to understand that the balance is in the clear mind. In
a mind that has not developed, it is difficult to find the human framework
necessary to exhibit appropriate human character. And so as we begin a study of
character, we are considering the divine aspects and the human aspects.</P>
<P>And whereas the divine aspects would constitute such things as the beatitudes
or "turning the other cheek" or those more readily understood spiritual
character traits, the human being is not always so readily amenable to high
character, and the imbalance then results in weak character, in immature
personality.</P>
<P>In understanding the human being it is possible to understand the human
character. In understanding the human character, that is to say, your own
reactions to your environment, to other personalities, to situations in your
life, you may look at your reaction and compare it to a reaction of the spirit,
a spiritual reaction, and find a harmonious understanding and balance within
yourself that will thus represent you and that you will then represent in your
comings and goings as part of your character.</P>
<P>The undertaking then, you see, of character is an organic part of life, part
of your spiritual evolution. Character, as you understand, is not built as an
external discipline, but is grown, i born of your desire to carry the spirit and
the flesh in a unified personality.</P>
<P>As time goes by and as you are willing, we will broach facets of character
and I look forward to the vignettes and anecdotes and affectionate personality
responses that will provide you with a glimpse and an understanding of your
character and the character of your peers. Ponder your understanding, then, of
character for this next period of time, (so) that we might embark upon another
facet of understanding character when next we meet.</P>
<P>I am finished with my remarks this evening. I know there was a lesson there;
it was not all an assignment, but I am eager to share my platform with
Rantarason, if he will say hello to us.</P><B>
<P>RANTARASON:</B> Hello. Dearest friends, it is my pleasure to be a part of
this fabulous and exciting group of enthusiastic fellows. I am Rantarason,
Melchizedek Aide and friend.</P>
<P>Your efforts to understand character are well synthesized in the life of your
Master Son. Your understanding of his nature will guarantee increased insight
into what constitutes well-balanced character: however, your Book delineates
attributes quite well, so I will not be redundant, just emphasizing.</P>
<P>One area I would like to share with you is in the arena of relationship, and
the character trait I would point out which enhances all relationship is the
quality of listening and comprehending and desiring to understand one's
fellows.</P>
<P>It is common in communication to cross over in thought while communicating
with another. It is difficult in the initial stages of discipline to truly
listen without judgment or without developing response, yet if you look to those
in your life that you most appreciate and find most timely and supportive, you
might recognize that these individuals are those who listen well to your words
and desires.</P>
<P>There is an atmosphere of friendliness that was developed by the desire in
another to know you and to care about you specifically. If people can carry this
out further to themselves and understand the appreciation of these connections,
it can also create a desire in the individual recipient of kindly affection to
develop the skill, the character trait which is in its truest basic form a
desire to know and care in interest in the lives of one's fellows.</P>
<P>I enjoyed this opportunity to share on one aspect of character. I hope you
will grow as the time unfolds to understand much, very much, of true character
and its relationship to the entirety of the self and to the relationship to
others. Is there anything else? I have enjoyed this evening.</P><B>
<P>Group:</B> Thank you, Rantarason. Thank you for coming.</P><B>
<P>TOMAS:</B> Thank you, brother and Teacher, for your presence and your words
to us all this evening. God grant that we have listened to these words with ears
to hear, with hungry hearts, with thirst, for truth, for this opens the door
indeed for understanding and for closer relationship also to one's and others'
God.</P>
<P>It is a privilege to be embarked upon this journey with you, dear fellows. As
I hear with my perceptions, I hear also that when we yearn to be heard, when we
yearn to express ourselves and be acknowledged, we do this not only from a
position of authority, but also from a position of supplication and prayer,
indeed, the friendship, the communication with God in each other that fosters
the reality of true character and personality expression.</P>
<P>It is late. It is also unthinkable that I should not allow your questions or
commentary, but we will not go into tomorrow. The floor is yours.</P><B>
<P>Ruth: </B>Tomas, I'm not sure you heard what I'm going to be doing this
weekend [Ed: Student is a massage therapist, assigned to minister" to the KISS
musical group this coming weekend] and I would welcome any help that you could
give me when I deal with these people -- on any level -- because they are vastly
out of my experience and I am sure it would be very beneficial to me. Do you
think that would be possible?</P><B>
<P>TOMAS:</B> My child, I will share with you my observation that you who would
serve Him, must serve one another without regard for recognition. It is to their
benefit that you bring your gift and you will certainly infuse them with divine
grace and healing power by your ministrations. It is possible they will not
realize what you bring.</P>
<P>I will not discourage the experience, but remember, you are dealing with
superstars who will eagerly absorb what you have to offer, that they might then
take their energies to give what they have to offer. Delight in the experience,
in the exposure, in the exchange of energies. Be creative and adaptable in your
approach and hurry back to tell us how much fun you had.</P><B>
<P>Ruth:</B> Don't you want to come along and sprawl in a chair'?</P><B>
<P>TOMAS:</B> It is very difficult to sprawl when you are tapping your toe.
</P><B>
<P>Student: </B>I would like to ask you if you could possibly send some healing
to my cousin who is (indistinguishable).</P><B>
<P>TOMAS:</B> My friend, I can do that, as can you. Our Father is no respecter
of persons and your sincere prayer is as powerful as mine. I am not shirking the
request.</P><B>
<P>Student:</B> I understand.</P><B>
<P>TOMAS:</B> I am only saying that, do not look to me for that which you are
capable of doing yourself. You are as great as you allow yourself to be in
faith.</P>
<P>I appreciate that we have prayed together before and we will pray together
again. I do not refuse to pray with you ever. Indeed, be aware that the angels
pray with you. As you r sincere prayer is sent out, the angelic hosts hear your
song and respond thereto. When we pray as a group, many of us will kneel to be
in the prayerful attitude with you, for it contributes to the aspect of prayer.
When you pray as a group, I bow in honor of your prayers.</P>
<P>No one prays alone, and so we indeed pray together for your friend and
relation who hurts, who feels pain and feels fear. As anyone who prays knows, it
is an intimate act, for if we didn't care, we wouldn't bother to pray, and so a
sincere prayer touches upon the distress, the confusion, the anger, the
resentment, the despair, the fear of that person who is prayed for. It is
through a sincere desire to serve that the sincere prayer is offered, and you,
daughter, in your ministry, are a humble, eager servant, desirous of pleasing
your Lord and your peers. Fear not, for you are smiled upon and your prayers are
responded to.</P><B>
<P>Student:</B> Thank you.</P><B>
<P>Mrs. M:</B> Well, Tomas, I was going to ask you if you might zoom down to St.
Steven's on the 27th and hang out for at least the sacred music, and if don't
want to stay for the rest, that's fine. And I was also going to ask you, do you
think you'll be at IC '96? Because you did say, I believe this summer, that you
were going to go. Was I right about that?</P><B>
<P>TOMAS:</B> I believe my comment was that my itinerary was <I>well planned
<U>for me</I></U>. And, I will be there. I will also attend the wedding
ceremony, in part. I wouldn't miss it. I enjoy these jubilees. I do not think I
will stick around for the dancing, however, unless it is required of me. Thank
you for your gracious invitation.</P><B>
<P>Mrs. M:</B> You often talk about dancing as a kind of an analogy for other
kinds of participation, which I have enjoyed tremendously over the last few
months.</P><B>
<P>TOMAS:</B> I have learned it from you mortals. There is a phrase to the
effect that if you dance you must pay the fiddler. (Group laughter)</P><B>
<P>Mrs. M:</B> And we were talking about Eric Johnson, and having written "Lord
of the Dance" which we have all enjoyed in this study group.</P>
<P><B>TOMAS:</B> Are you on a comma? (Group laughter)</P><B>
<P>Mrs. M:</B> Period. That was a period.</P><B>
<P>TOMAS:</B> We have also enjoyed your harmonious recitation of the song.
Indeed, the Lord of the Dance has many pas de deux and so forth outlined. It is
a dance. It is a symphony. You recall our session, Rantarason, [Ed. at the Boise
conference] when we met in the garden with our wide-eyed mortal associates and
waltzed around the ballroom of life selecting various partners and kicking up
our heels in joyous spiritual revelry together. It is an analogy that delights
the entire cosmic scheme of things, yes.</P><B>
<P>Bob:</B> Hi, Tomas. This is Bob. I'm glad to be able to ask you a question.
I've heard you before but I haven't had the time to interact with you. I guess
my only question -- it has to do with this trip -- is asking for any insight in
things that I can look forward to or participate in or be a part of as I'm out
on the road this summer. I feel that I'm just following the leading of my Father
in where I may end up, and also give me any insights or any gems of knowledge
that the teachers can offer. Is there something out there that I should touch on
this summer?</P><B>
<P>TOMAS:</B> My co-worker in the kingdom, you have espoused to me what you have
already been about. You have sought to do His will and follow His leading. You
have sought to interact with fellow believers and to plant seeds. You have
sought to be pleasing in the eye of the Master. You have succeeded thus far;
your journey has only begun. As you venture out, even now, you merely follow the
path that you have been on. As has been said by Michael, by Jesus, "Follow me,"
and as you hold out your hand in company with the Great Friend, you are
following His lead and you will not be led astray.</P>
<P>The adventures of life unfold naturally and normally to one who lives in the
framework of an understanding of his or her intimate relationship with a
personal God. Any seeker, any sojourner who has walked with the Master for even
a step or two knows how it feels, and will return to that divine grace for more
practice, for more exposure, for more faith growth, for the path is not so
narrow. The path widens, ever broadens, as you twirl down the highway of life.
You have not disappointed nor will you be disappointed as you follow your
destiny path, as you well know, my son.</P><B>
<P>Bob:</B> Thank you, Tomas.</P><B>
<P>Student: </B>Tomas, when you gave that answer, is that not something that you
could say about any of us here as we venture forth?</P><B>
<P>TOMAS:</B> Of course.</P>
<P>I believe, my friend, that you yourself have made testimony to that precise
truth, that as I speak to you, it is in your willingness to hear the message,
the words, the concept, that is being conveyed that allows the truth to
resonate. If we were getting into really specific matters, very personal issues,
</P>
<P>I would edit for publication, but as I am "trained" to teach the multitudes,
I am mindful that my words must reach across many divergencies. It is simple and
yet it is a challenge for each of you has an individual personality and each of
you is addressed personally, even though truth is impersonal and is spread
broadly.</P>
<P>My beloved friends, I am reluctant to leave you. You well know how I enjoy
our brief time together. I anticipate the next few weeks will bring some
turbulence. Not necessarily negative turbulence, but a bumpy ride here and
there, for there are many miles to go before we will all convene again together.
I look forward to the diversity of your various and sundry adventures for I will
be with you and I look forward to our return to our fundamental base here when
our autumn session begins.</P>
<P>Beloved friends and honored guest, good
evening.</P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>