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<DIV>Ho!--here is finally the complete Lightline teleconference of September
19th. Thanks to those who checked in and participated. And of course, thanks to
Michael and Mother Spirit for their continuing presence among and within
us. Jerry. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"
align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Michael Lightline - September 19, 2013.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Michael—T/R-JL<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>(Meditation and will power) <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>(Mystery and reality) <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>(Individual initiative) <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>(Starting, continuing) <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>(Spending time together)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>(Christ Consciousness)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>(The purpose of meditation)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>(The mystery of genius)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>(Meaning and value)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>(Hope, anticipation, creativity) <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Dear Michael and Mother Spirit, we thank you for coming to us again this
particular way. Strange as it may seem, or just illogical, some of the members
of the Teaching Mission actually seem to denigrate this practice as leading
to--somehow or another--folks being dependant upon someone else t/r-ing for
them. But we would definitely follow your lead in suggesting that everybody give
this a try. They can sit down and write it out or, if they’re good enough, they
can sit at their computer and type it out; or get one of the little recording
devices and record their own attempts at this. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>So definitely, we’re all encouraged to try this process of t/r-ing, and
give you and Mother Spirit a voice, an objective/physical, written-out or
recorded version of what’s coming through. It should help our meditations all
that much more, and remind everybody that your presence is right within them.
All they have to do is learn how to tap into it, and then either write it down
or record it for their own benefit. Hopefully, someday, they’ll start t/r-ing
for the rest of us. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Tonight I would like to ask you to give us a lesson, if you would, on
both the mystery and the reality of free will. You’ve mentioned so many times,
that’s what makes a human being what they are: we’re a creature of free will
dignity. So if you could speak to, like I say, both the mystery and the reality
of our will power, we would appreciate that. Thank you very much. Amen.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Michael: Good evening, this is Michael. I welcome everybody here, and all
those who will come to hear or read what I have to say in the days to come.
Mother Spirit and I are glad to have this means of addressing you, and we will
definitely back up that invitation for anyone who’s even slightly interested to
give it a try--this transmitting-receiving. We’ll do the transmitting, if you’re
happy and obliged to do the receiving end of it.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>(Meditation and will power) <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>As the introduction went, in your mediations take some time to ask us to
come on through. Or you can even invite another celestial being, as a kind of
teacher, to instruct you how to do this. That too depends upon your will-power,
doesn’t it? It’s your desire and then your actually carrying it out, sitting
down in your meditation and receiving us, and giving us voice. So tonight I will
address this mystery and reality of will power. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>I’d like to tell a story that many of you may have heard before, so
please bear with me. I guess some of you would call it a joke, but it’s about a
young book salesman who travels the back country roads, looking to sell his
rather encyclopedic version of modern farming. Of course he spots an old farmer
plowing his fields, so he pulls off the road and walks over to the fence and
waves at the old guy. The farmer sees this and turns off his tractor, climbs
down, and comes on over. They shake hands and get to know each other a little
bit, and the old farmer does patiently listen to the youngster selling his wares
for about ten minutes or so. Finally he holds up his hand and says, just to keep
the youngster from wasting his time, that he really doesn’t want to buy the
book, and so the young man might as well give up. The young man says, “Sir, you
don’t understand. This book would really, really help you be a better farmer.”
Then the old farmer reaches over and pats him on the shoulder and says, “Well,
son, I don’t doubt that. But you don’t understand: I already know how to farm
better than I’m farming.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Now I like that story because it comes at the human situation from many
different angles. Of course it points out the difference in age, the young man
with his head full of all the latest scientific, idealistic, you might say,
theoretical ways. And then there’s the old farmer with his whole lifetime of
real experience working the land. It also points up the open-mindedness of the
old fellow--for a while anyway—as he listens patiently and considers what the
young man is telling him about his big encyclopedic book there on how to farm.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>I think more than anything else it points up what I think most of you can
identify with, when the old farmer says he actually knows a better way to go
about things than what he’s actually doing. That’s why, I think, it leads right
into this critical thing of will-power—what it is to be a creature of free will
dignity, and just how much of your dignity is dependent upon that free will; or
whether you have become an automaton, perhaps maybe a slave to convention, or
someone else’s authority, or habit. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Let me point out this too about the old farmer. Here is a kind of triumph
of spirit in that he realizes the difference and is willing to admit this to
himself, and to the young man, that he actually knows within himself--he’s
conscious of--the difference between, shall we say, a better way of going about
what he’s doing, and what he’s settled into doing in spite of that.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>I think this is where most folks identify with this story. You all have
this same situation: that is, if you are equally open-minded and not into what
your psychologists refer to as denial, where you are really split within
yourself but identify totally with what you’re capable of doing, or simply what
you have been doing. Because it takes a degree of open-mindedness just to
entertain, and keep in your mind, that there might be a better way to go about
things.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>(Mystery and reality) <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>And yet if you’re not in denial, if you do identify with the old boy, it
raises this question: why aren’t you actually doing what you know within
yourself is a better way of living? Because free will—will-power--only has
meaning in the reality of it. True enough, you can ponder the mystery of it
indefinitely; spend your whole life just wondering why you can’t do what another
part of you tells you, you should do. Also in this there’s that question of
morality which your Urantia Book says is a function of your personality, or at
least a potential ability of your personality--the question of morality, of the
better way of doing things, of living. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>You can get lost in what we say is mystery-monitoring, making a mystery
out of everything. You’ll be saying, “It’s just beyond me. It’s some kind of
ultimate mystery I can’t begin to solve.” Yet the instant you start doing
something, especially that better thing, the mystery evaporates and you’re in
motion. It’s happening. It’s real. So it’s that first step.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>I think Shakespeare wrote a whole play about this, called Hamlet. Hamlet
knows from the very first few moments of the play that something has gone wrong,
and the only way to remedy it is to take care of the uncle who actually killed
his father. As somebody has pointed out, you wouldn’t have a play that way if it
was all over in the first few moments, if Hamlet came in, and drew his sword,
and killed his uncle. But the play does capture those who are caught up in the
mystery of free will. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>So how do you take that first step? How do you begin to do what you know
within yourself might be a better way of life? <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Towards this end I’d like to address just the physical part of your
being, your body and your health, for I think this is where the crux of this
situation is most apparent for those who do know that the way they are living is
not the optimal way by any means. Mother Spirit and I have not denigrated your
habits just to call them bad; we call them unhealthy. What you’re doing is
unhealthy, and most folks with even somewhat of an open mind can admit within
themselves that definitely this habit of theirs--whatever it is--is definitely
unhealthy. And yet, and yet… <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>This is where your mediation comes in. This is where your contact with
the spiritual presences within you--my own Spirit of Truth, Mother Spirit’s
Adjutants of knowledge and wisdom, and courage; and then our Father’s presence
within you--can actually help you keep ideal thoughts in your mind of a better
way to live. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Here’s where meditation can be that essential break in your activities
where you will intensify this wondering, this curiosity, about a better life.
It’s where both the ideas and ideals can come to you. You can entertain them and
build up some kind of weight, then, that can get you to take that first small
step. Towards this end we’ve encouraged you to take notes while you are
meditating--to help you keep that open mind, to jot down those things that will
occur to you when you are, as much as you can, opening yourself to everything
that can occur to you. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Let those ideas happen. Be like the old farmer and at least entertain
what’s being suggested. That can be a positive activity, just to write these
things down to give them physical reality outside of you. That can be that first
step. You can put them in some convenient place where you will see them and
remind yourself, because all of these messages are to you in the future, this
future you that you want to be healthier, stronger, more alert, more alive.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Then there’s another small step with respect to some unhealthy habit--to
put it off even for half a day. Set aside some very special spiritual devotional
time because this is a positive activity, my dear ones. This
not-doing-the-wrong-thing can seem like a very weak, almost terrible kind of
thing: to give yourself credit for <U>not</U> doing something. But if this is
where you are, have the courage to accept it. Embrace it.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Take that first small step, for again, you all are familiar with stopping
some bad habit for a few weeks--going cold turkey, as you say--then it all
collapses again. It’s better take a first few small steps that hold, that hold
and keep holding until you can add another little step to
it.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>(Individual initiative) <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Sometimes Mother Spirit and I feel that you wish we would speak more to
your political or social or even world situation. Yet we keep coming back to the
fact that even the world situation, for all of its physical attributes—say,
whether or not a large section of the world might not have enough food to
eat--in terms of actually going towards that better world, in order to have
everyone evolve, it all comes back to each and every single individual. It all
comes back to you, to improving your life, to you evolving.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>This is what takes will power. This is why your freedom is so dependant
upon that. That’s why we call it free will. You actually have to exercise it,
first spiritually in embracing and being open to the greatest totality that can
occur to you. And then mentally, giving it thought, giving it reason, giving it
structure and organization. And then, finally, physically actually doing it,
whatever it is. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>That’s how it starts. It starts with an embrace, an openness to embrace
whatever can occur to you. And that takes courage when you are, you might say,
down and out and thoroughly depressed with your lack of will power. It takes so
much courage just to take that first small step and then hold it, and continue
to hold it, and have that be a little more firm ground under you with which to
take the next small step. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>This is your dignity as a human being that no higher spiritual being will
interfere with. We do all we can. Even the presence of God within you does all
he can to encourage you to take that first small step to transform your will
from some vague mystery into reality for you. So be like the old farmer in one
way--of being open to the fact you may already know how to live a little better
life than what you’re actually living. But then too, allow that young person’s
idealism of a better way to fill your soul, and step off. We’ll be right there
with you, saluting that courage. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Now if you have any questions or comments this evening, let’s do
that.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Student: Good evening, Michael and friends, J. I got here during the
prayer and enjoyed the story you told about the farmer, but I missed the punch
line. I still have as much as I could from the dissertation, but I really just
wanted to say I have been counseled by my spiritual mentors for many years on
making better choices with my free will, and have done some significant
re-choosing, and would have done some of them sooner. But I’ve never really been
berated or browbeat for what I didn’t do. It’s been really more encouragement
and accolades about what I did finally manage to do. I really appreciate that
about Father God and the spiritual hierarchy--that so much of our relationship
is encouraging rather than demoralizing. We are good enough at demoralizing
ourselves.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Michael: Well, yes, my daughter. You might say the punch line to the joke
is when the old farmer responds to the young, idealistic book salesman, with his
book of how to be a better farmer, “Young man, I already know how to farm better
than I am.”<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Student: Yes. Yes. Thank you.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Michael: I was trying to address the whole question of will power, so I’m
sure many of you can identify with the old farmer and think of those things in
your life that you would rather not be doing or, shall we say, rather <U>be</U>
doing. There they are. It takes a certain amount of courage just to be open to
that, to know you are within this broad realm depending on your will power--your
ability or inability to do the better thing, and yet not be drowning in guilt,
or simply taking all your time denying that what you are doing is ruining your
health, or losing all your friends, or all those various things that do happen
to folks who get into denial.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>(Starting, continuing) <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Tonight I wanted to give you a way--for those who may not have any
comprehension of: How do I start? You start by being open, maybe by making notes
to yourself in the future. It even helps to get one of those calendars that has
space to write in each day, and make little notes to yourself there on the
calendar so the whole dimension of time comes in. Again, you’re doing all of
this to help yourself in the future look back and have some continuity of what
you’re trying to do. That helps a lot. So congratulations, my daughter, on what
you were able to do.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Student: Thank you. I did it with your help.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Michael: That’s the teamwork. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Student: Right. I couldn’t have done it by
myself.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Michael: Ah yes!--and we do appreciate the part you played. Be in my
peace.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Student: Thank you.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I was
just thinking that so much of this has to do with a low self-esteem. I look
around at some of the new generations, some of the attitudes of young people,
and they’re just so discouraged. They have no opinion, no worthy notion
sometimes. It really is, well, it is a challenge to know how to counsel these
people who don’t think they’ve any worth, who don’t believe they have anything
to offer, or will have to offer. It’s really very discouraging. One of the first
things, when you look back to those who have lost their self-worth, I swear some
of these people have never had it in the first
place.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>(Spending time together)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Michael: This is where there is almost no substitute for setting a good
example. Some young people unfortunately do not have the good mother or the
father. As ironic as it may appear to parents, by taking care of themselves and
living a good life, that does more good than being overly concerned for their
youngsters and trying to live their lives <U>through</U> their children. It’s
not a very good example to set.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>The best is spending time, the parent’s time with the children,
especially in all the daily activities, all the household chores, getting the
children involved in these as much as they might want to go out and play with
their friends. It’s having them share the work that shows them this is what a
family does, that there’s so much work to do every day, and having the
youngsters take part in that. It’s spending time with them because as much,
sometimes, as they would rather be out playing, these are actually the things
that in the years to come, they will credit so much--the amount of time they
were able to spend with their mother and father. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Sometimes there’s a disconnect between the generations where the old
folks are put off in a home somewhere. The breakup of the family among the
generations this way is also an enormous loss, especially in some of the more
so-called developed countries where the sheer amount of wealth makes this
possible. It’s ironic that in some of the so-called poorer countries, where you
have several generations living together, the youngsters actually have some real
contact with people of different ages and different life experiences. That’s
where the young, idealistic bookseller can learn from the old gentleman farmer.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>But it takes this human-to-human contact. Mother Spirit and I are
concerned sometimes too about the endless, endless hours your youngsters spend
with their electronic devices rather than learning how to relate with others
face-to-face. That’s because of their valuing something so electronic, which is
such a tiny part of another living human being. You need to get in personal
contact to have your youngsters appreciate and give value to that exchange.
That’s why the Urantia Book mentions so many times the basis of civilization—the
family--falls apart when the youngsters don’t have all that contact with someone
older: there is so much lost. So you are definitely right to be concerned, yet
each person can only do what they can to help the youngsters
along.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Student: Thank you. (long pause)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Michael: Were there any other questions or comments this evening, about
anything? Let me practice what I preach here and be open to whatever you wish to
suggest.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Student: Hi, this is L. I came in late. I’m sorry. I wanted to ask you
about…<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I’ve been reading a lot
about this “Christ Consciousness” that has been on YouTube, and going around on
papers. That’s one question. Can you explain that a little for me? And number
two, there are so many people out there that believe that we are incarnated. But
I don’t understand why they tend to believe that. Can you explain that,
too?<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Michael: Well, yes, my dear. About that second question: it’s largely a
matter of wishful thinking, I’m afraid. Folks sometimes do feel helpless, and so
they look to some kind of savior and hope. They look towards a second coming--of
my coming physically to be with you and solve things. I do have the power to
wave my hand and make everything good, but that’s not our way. This whole life
of yours is an experiential one. It’s your experience, and the only way out of
wishful dreaming is to value your experience--as I was just talking
about--especially your experience with each other, for this is what fills your
soul--these other folks. Now what was your first
question?<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Student: It was about this thing called Christ Consciousness. And it’s
basically… I mean, I think it’s got a lot of nice aspects to it from what I’ve
been reading. But…<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>(Christ Consciousness)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Michael: Yes. That expression, by the way, has been around for a long,
long time within Christianity; and every major religion has the same thing, like
to have the mind of the Buddha or of Mohammed. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Student: Oh. Okay.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Michael: It’s merely an invitation for you to think and act, as much as
you can, as these ideal lives that are being presented to you, either of
Mohammed, or Buddha, or myself. The only way that this goes astray is where you
are told is simply copy what someone else’s life is, even that of the Buddha, or
Jesus, or Mohammed. The more correct way of looking at this is to live your life
as much as you can, in your whole situation, with their consciousness. Here is
where your Urantia Book--with respect to my life--your Urantia Book points out
so much of the way I lived my life day to day--with all the things I was
confronted with--was by staying as close as I could to my Father. He is also
your Father, and he indwells you just as much as he did me.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>I don’t know how many times I had to tell this to my followers, to
introduce them to mediation and prayer. And again, I set the example myself and
very freely admitted that sometimes I needed to go off by myself, to be with
myself and my Father alone, so I could really tune into his presence within me.
It was what he had to offer me so I could get through the next day, so I could
do my best to do what I felt was the right thing to do. It’s what I talked on
this evening, if you came in late. It was all about how to tune in to
spirit--the greater picture, if you will. Then do it.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>So this is what it means by having Christ Consciousness; try to do your
best to have in your mind this consciousness of a spiritual surrounding. Also,
you actually have spiritual presences right within you that you can appeal to in
prayer, and then do your best to try their
suggestions.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Student: A lot is that--you know--that I would be able to hear some of a
midwayer, or someone that I could actually listen to; or even my own little
spark of God fragment in me. Yet I’ve been mediating every day, and it just
doesn’t seem to happen for me. I’m not quite sure
why.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>(The purpose of meditation)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Michael: This is where it takes a lot of courage to accept what is
happening, ever more fully. In other words, part of good meditation and prayer
is getting beyond notions of what it should be, in order to accept what is. Here
again it helps to have an actual inner conversation because in your prayers, as
we’ve taught so many times, the more you can articulate yourself, the better.
This is your work. This is what you’re bringing to the moment. Your part is to
articulate as much as you can, as precisely as you can, as detailed as you can,
what you would like to hear, what you need to hear. For this determines to a
large degree how you are opening yourself to what you feel you need, or what you
would like to know. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>It’s why I encourage everybody in these (Lightline) sessions to come to
me with these questions, like you have now, of what you really don’t know.
Rather than trying to play some game to test me, make full use of this time; and
do so in your meditations. That’s why it really helps, especially when you’re
starting out, to take notes. Actually formulate a question in your mind and then
write down what comes to you. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>After a while this can get into something where you don’t have to ask the
questions so much as that your mediations can be a way of reviewing what your
life is all about. And so it’s a matter of trusting what does come to you. If it
seems like it’s too dull and you’re getting bored just sitting there, wonder
about that. It’s about being wondrous and open to whatever is happening. This is
practice for your daily living, being wondrous and open to whatever it
is.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Student: Okay. Thank you.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Michael: Right. This is how you can do your
part.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Student: Right.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Michael: Approach your mediations with this curiosity. And if it seems
like nothing’s happening, well then: stir it up. Start asking questions that you
really don’t know but you would love to find out. That itself can be a great
thing to do. What don’t you know, but would really love to?<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And be in my
peace.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Student: Thank you.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Student: Michael, I have a question, or I have a question that we can
discuss privately. It’s perhaps a curiosity question, but it’s one that has
burned in me for a long time and I’ve longed to be able to ask it of someone who
would have been there at the time. You spoke of Hamlet, the play written by
William Shakespeare. Was indeed that play, and that entire canon of
work--there’s thirty-five plays--written by one William Shakespeare, a glover’s
son?<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>(The mystery of genius)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Michael: Well, my son, you have to realize that part of the genius of
Shakespeare was, as you know, with a lot of his plays, the plot and some of the
characters appeared in many plays before him. And so some of his genius was in
picking and utilizing everything of his age. This does not in any way detract
from the final version in the latest folios. Also, as you know, as he put on his
plays, a lot of times the audiences and even the actors of those days would make
up lines; or, why don’t you do this? I mean, a lot of the times the audiences
would get involved and definitely Shakespeare was brilliant enough to keep all
the good lines no matter where they came from. I don’t think you need to get
into the composition of where all these things came from,
but…<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Student: No, no, no. My question was just, you know, there are so many
theories… Oh, it was…<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Well, I can’t
think of who now, but, you know, there were many--Mark Twain, William
James?--Henry James? It might have been Harry James, the trumpet player, who
said this man, this William Shakespeare, could not possibly have written these
plays. It had to be someone of the noble caste. And it’s a theory that has gone
on for hundreds of years. They say that someone, brought up as William
Shakespeare, the actor who has been to whom the plays have been attributed; many
people say they could not have been written by this one person. It had to
be--some say Francis Beacon wrote those plays. I’m asking: did William
Shakespeare write those plays?<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Michael: Oh, certainly. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Student: Okay. Good. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Michael: My son, this again is part of the perplexity of the mystery of
genius. This is something where, with other folks--whether it be Mark Twain, or
whoever is facing the enormity of his work--look at all his sonnets and things
like that--it’s inexplicable even in your modern day. Yet here too, now, you
have writers who have singlehandedly created whole entire universes of folks,
some of it realistic, and some of it definitely mystical or magical.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>So there’s no accounting for genius--as someone put it one time. But most
everything that is attributed to Shakespeare was, like I say, not always of
origin in his mind, but he made that critical editorial decision of what to keep
and what to throw away. And as with his plays, even now somebody writes a play
and before they introduce it to Broadway, they put it out on the road for a
while. They introduce it in other small theatres before it goes on Broadway.
Similarly, Shakespeare was constantly--as you look through his folios--was
constantly improving his plays. But, you know, that’s just the same mystery of
genius, of creativity, that you experience in your own
mind.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Student: Yes. Great. Thank you very much for taking that tangent with
me.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>(Meaning and value)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Michael: Certainly. Well, my children, now that this question has been
raised, let me bring up the point that your own creativity is also somewhat of a
mystery to you. It’s because you are a creative being. It’s what distinguishes
you as a human being, your co-creativity. And it’s so total for you. We’ve given
so many lessons on: half of what you perceive, even though it looks right out
there--the chair you’re sitting on, the room surrounding you as you listen to me
or read these later--the fact is that you are co-creating all of that. Not the
physical reality of it. Not even the physical reality of your own body, but the
<U>meaning</U> of it, the <U>value</U> of it: this is your doing.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>And this is why there can be what I gave a lesson on last time--suicide,
where all of a sudden--for various reasons, all of a sudden the meaning and
value can seem to drain out of a person’s reality. Their life becomes so bereft
of anything of importance that it’s almost unbearable, and actually is
unbearable for some.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>(Hope, anticipation, creativity) <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>It’s hard to get a hold, then, on how much your own hope is giving
motivation to your life because it is, for most of you, it is so seamless. And
because it is so strong--your own hope, your own anticipation, your own
creativity--it’s hard to convince folks what they themselves are doing! Just by
being a personal being, they’re endowed by God with this creative ability. It
only becomes enormously apparent, sometimes, when, rather inexplicably, you have
a single individual--whether it’s in the realm of the plastic arts of painting
or sculpting, or whether it’s in the mental realm of writing, creating endless
characters--they themselves wonder: where’s it coming from?
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>Ask the writers themselves who are handling a situation of a dozen people
moving around in some room and talking and interacting: where’s all that coming
from? They’re not even certain. It just happens, and it’s a matter of, as I
taught tonight, how to go along with this, and how to initiate it. How to take
that first step, especially a difficult step in doing the right thing that you
know well of, but have, as yet, been incapable of initiating.
<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>One small step at a time. One small step that holds is so much greater
than the most grandiose notions that start only to fail. So: have courage. Know
that the Holy Spirit of Mother Spirit, her very being, is in you giving you life
and augmenting your courage to step off and at least try something. I’ll be
there with you too, with every step you take. <o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt"><FONT
size=3>So be in my love, and be in my peace, my dear ones. We’re here for you
and we’re here with you. You are so much a part of our lives, I thank you. Good
evening.<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p><FONT
size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>