1992-12-23-Future Of This Mission

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Topic: Future of This Mission

Group: Unknown

Facilitators

Teacher: Welmek, Ham

TR: Unknown

Session

Opening

WELMEK: Greetings to all of you. I am happy to see so many of you here this evening. Some of you have traveled long distances. It is a wonderful time on your planet to share time with your families. I would ask that you also remember the nature of the celebration and think of our Master Michael during these few days of celebration. Tonight, as I said last week, we have the teacher Ham who will present tonight's session. At this time, I will turn the meeting over to Ham.

HAM: Greetings to you my friends. This is Ham. I am very pleased and honored to be with you this evening. As many of you know, I had the privilege of being the teacher for the group in Woods Cross for over a year. It was my honor and my privilege to have been their teacher. Recently, I was given a new assignment. Almost all of the members of that group now have their individual teachers, and so it was determined that my function as a group teacher was not necessary; and I have taken on new assignments.

Lesson

Practice, Stillness, Worship

Tonight I wish to speak with you about the future of this mission. We envision much work ahead. Already the mission has grown more quickly than even we anticipated. On the one hand, this is very positive and very encouraging. On the other hand, as Welmek expressed to the Indianapolis group last week, it also presents certain concerns to us. We have presented many teachings and while we can continue with this, we are concerned that the most important step in the process, which is the daily practice, is not being followed by all. We do not say this in any negative way, but only as a matter of fact. We believe that it is important for the group to move forward in unity, in unity of spirit, in unity of purpose. While we recognize that some will come to these meetings and not return, we would hope that those who make a commitment to this mission would do their best to practice what we have tried to teach.

The future presents endless opportunity of service. As you have been told, you may not know who you may meet. You may not know what situations you might find yourselves in. In order to be a teacher, you must have learned your lessons. The greater your ability to feel the love and the presence of our Father, the greater will your ability be to allow this love to flow through you to those with whom you come in contact. This is perhaps the most important element in our teaching, the practice of daily worship, thanking our Father, learning to feel His love and grow in your contact with the Father.

Teaching, Pedagogy

But there are other things that we hope that you have been learning as you attend these meetings. As we attempt to do our best to teach you a deeper understanding of concepts like love and faith and character, we also hope that you are learning from the actual process, learning to observe our technique. How is it that we go about our teaching? Do we lecture? Do we ask questions? All of these things are important because they are techniques that have been tried and proven over time beyond your imaginations.

And so we wonder how well all of these lessons have been learned. Again, we do not say this to chastise you in any way. We do not say it to pressure you in any way. We simply feel we must say this because we want you to be as well-prepared as you can. Again, you will not be put into situations that are beyond your ability. We are talking about initially small assignments, coming in contact with others, attempting to introduce the Father to them. But even so, this may seem like a small assignment, but it is really not, because it is the most important thing that you can do in service to your brothers and sisters. Each of you know to what extent this mission, these teachings, your text, your worship and prayer, each of you know how much these have brought you closer to the Father. And each of you in your own lives can sense areas where you have progress.

What greater gift can you offer to your brothers and sisters than to offer them this same opportunity? What greater wealth can you offer them? What greater peace? What greater love?

And so, we teach these lessons and we observe your actions. Again, we want you to be well-prepared and we would hope that you would want to be as well-prepared as you possibly can to help your brothers and sisters. There is no one in this room who does not feel God's love to some degree. There is no one in this room who could not show God's love to his or her brothers and sisters. But yet, at the same time, is there any of you who feel that you are adequately prepared to do this? Is there any of you who feels that you truly have mastered this to point where you do not need to grow more? I hear a collective "no".

Materialization

We have mentioned to you in the past about the possibility of future events. Particularly you are aware of the possibility of the Melchizedeks materializing in April. This does not necessarily require physical changes within you, no more so than Jesus' morontia appearances to the apostles required special preparation for the apostles. We can do this, we have done such materializations in the past. This is not a concern. The concern is how will this affect you? How prepared will you be to see something like this? Will it change your life? Will it make you more dedicated? Think back to the story in your text about the miracle of the loaves and the fishes.

There were approximately 5,000 individuals who witnessed this, and yet how many pursued the Master the following day to continue to hear his message? I believe your text states about 500.

And so here was the Master himself. People listened to the Master's words. They even witnessed what was, to their minds, a miracle. And yet, what effect did that really have? The realization of the Father's love and the reality of this mission is really within your own hearts and minds. While we recognize such a materialization will add something to your understanding, we also realize that even the witnessing of such events, if you do not practice what we have tried to teach you, will not last. When the experience of the phenomenon fades away, there will be those who will say "Well, I saw it once, but I really need to see something else." And so, what will we do?

Will we need a materialization every year? Every month? Every week? Where do we draw that line? We understand and we truly respect your ability to accept so much on faith; and it is partially our compassion for this that we have petitioned the materialization. There are, of course, other reasons relating to this teaching mission, which I am not at liberty to share at this time. But these have to do with the over-all plans and strategies of how the mission will proceed. But my lesson this evening is to ask each of you to think about this materialization, to think about your own efforts. It would be our hope that you would walk away from such a materialization thinking what a neat and wonderful experience. But in fact, your commitment and your dedication and your trust in the Father are already so great that it would not necessarily add much to your faith.

We know that many of you have been discussing among yourselves this past week what was discussed at the end of the last session; and as Welmek advised you, next week we will present to you what we believe is the best course of action. I come tonight to present this sobering lesson, and I will repeat myself for the third time, not to chastise you, not to pressure you, but to ask you to reflect upon what you have learned, upon your experience and upon your own readiness to serve your brothers and sisters.

Each within their own heart must decide if they feel they are making an honest effort. We understand how busy your lives are. We understand how limited your time is. We are not asking you to separate from your families, to separate from your jobs. We are not asking any of these things. What we are asking is that you spend some time each day practicing the things that we have asked. As you do this, you will find that all areas of your life improve, your understanding of situations you find yourself in, your wisdom, your compassion, your love. All of these areas will grow. The more they grow, the more others will be able to see these in you and that is what will draw them to you and to the Father. I would like to pause for a few moments, and I would like each of you to seek the stillness within you and to think about what I have just said and in a few moments, we will reconvene.

  • (PAUSE)

My point in doing that was probably interpreted by many as a sense of feeling guilty within themselves. That is not the point. What I was trying to do was to let you experience a few quiet moments of reflection.

Thought Adjusters

It is important each day to try to spend some quiet time in reflection upon the things that you are learning, upon your experiences with others. You are each indwelt by a Thought Adjuster, and I would suggest that you think carefully about this name, for a more accurate description of one of the primary functions of your indwelling spirit could not be found. But in order to help you adjust your thoughts, you need to think. You need to reflect upon your experience, and this takes some time. If you do this, you will find that in fact your thinking becomes clarified. You are allowing the Adjuster to help you. You will receive clearer thinking, better understanding and more insight into your own life and the situations that you experience.

I will stop now. I wish I knew a good joke (laughter) so I could lighten your mood. Again, please understand that we are only trying to help you realize that you must take some time to think about what you have been learning and experiencing. Our decision concerns how much time should we allow for this at these meetings and within the group and how much time could be saved if you would do this on your own. We will discuss this again at the next meeting; but I would encourage you to think about my words during this coming week and come prepared next week to again share some thoughts on this issue.

I will now entertain any questions that you may have. They may be about anything that you have learned, anything about this mission; but most of you already know the things that I won't talk about.

Dialogue

Preparation, Reflection

Q: Ham, I have a question regarding the message from Michael to this group that came through a week ago Friday. He made some references in here that are a little puzzling, and I thought maybe you could clarify. He made two references: first of all, he talked about us preparing ourselves, and I would like clarification on that. Also, he referred to it being particularly important, and he used the term "immediate future" and in another place "particularly in the next few months". From our frame of reference in the use of the English language, that would seem closer than the end of April. Could you clarify what he meant by that statement?

A: I believe he meant what we discussed tonight, and I do not think that April is so far away. It is only a few months.

Q: Ham, is this going on all over different groups or is it just our group here in Indianapolis?

A: Is what going on?

Q: Well, the possibility of us taking...reflect on what we have done rather than having the teacher with us like Welmek said last week.

A: I would say that all humans who have participated in this mission share the same experience that those in this group do. It is up to the individual teacher of a particular group to make an assessment of the group and to decide what is most important concerning whether to continue to proceed or whether to take some time to allow for more understanding and assimilation. I cannot say because I do not know if this has been said to each and every group; but I do not really understand perhaps your intent. Are you suggesting that we are saying that this group is somehow not doing as well as other groups?

Q: No. I'm not saying that at all. Is this sort of like S.O.P., Standard Operating Procedure, where say, when you reach a certain point, you have to stand back and re-evaluate?

A: Is not that how most of life's experience is?

Q: Well, in my experience it has been. It's been a lot of times standing back and re-evaluating.

A: And so there is value in this. Would you agree?

Q: Oh yes.

A: The question is whether it is necessary and when it is necessary?

Q: Ham, when you taught in Woods Cross, did you find this a problem, having to stop and go back and re-evaluate or give them some time to go back and re-evaluate or did you keep going forward with everything?

A: I encouraged the group as individuals to do this. But we did not utilize group time, as is now being suggested, for this.

Q: So is this a first, or are there other groups trying the same process out?

A: I sense that some may be reading too much into what we are trying to suggest. First, a decision has not been made yet, as to how the group will proceed. But whether or not we asked that the group take some time at these meetings for this, or whether or not it is decided to move forward, really is important to this group. Each group is somewhat different. Groups are in different stages of their development. Some may not yet have reached a point where we believe that this question needs to be addressed. I do not see whether or not it has been done in each and every group to be important. I only see that we make the best decision for this group.

Q: Ham, do you get the sense that perhaps we don't have a greater or a true comprehension of the magnitude of what we're dealing with or that seriousness of the level of study that we need to have in order to have the kind of spiritual growth that we need to have in order for people to be drawn to us or that we need to minister to others? Is that what I'm understanding or trying to convey to us, that we don't really have a full grasp of what it is that you're trying to help us accomplish?

A: We do not expect that in such a short time you would be equivalent to the Master's ability; and you may not find this in such a short lifetime on this planet. However, there is no one in this group who cannot improve. If you were to send anyone on any assignment, would you not want them to be as well-prepared as possible? We are simply suggesting that everyone here needs more preparation. We are asking that you reflect upon this within yourselves, and ask yourselves if you are practicing what we have tried to teach. Because if this truly is your desire to help your brothers and sisters, the better you become at feeling the presence of our Father's love, the better you will be able to carry out this task of serving your brothers and sisters. This is an evolutionary process. You will continue to do it all of your life. I and my associates continue to do it. We are not perfect either. Again, we are only asking that you pause for a moment to reflect and decide in your own mind if you feel you are doing the best that you can and if there might be areas of what we are trying to teach that you can improve on.

Q: Ham, can I ask a question here, kind of change the subject? I know that I know very little about you and that after reading the Woods Cross papers a while back and listening to some of the tapes, I really don't know what kind of personality you are. I feel a little awkward talking with you. Can you tell me a little bit about yourself so that I feel more at ease?

A: I would think that the best way for us to feel more at ease with each other is to continue with this dialogue.

Q: Well, I don't, but go ahead.

Materialization

Q: Ham, you indicated that for us to witness the materialization of the Melchizedeks would really not add much to our faith. Could you elaborate on that please?

A: It is a matter of degree. It will add to your faith; but what I am trying to say is that witnessing such a materialization is not, in and of itself, going to increase your awareness and feeling of the Father's love on a daily basis. It will, in and of itself, on a one-time basis, not increase your understanding and insight and compassion for your brothers and sisters. These are the things that are most important and these are the things that will come from the lessons we have taught. Such a materialization will increase your belief in this mission and in the reality of the Melchizedeks, but our mission is to help you grow closer to the Father so that you in turn can go out and spread this virus of love to your brothers and sisters. You tell me what will seeing a materialization of a Melchizedek do for you?

Q: Well, for me personally, it will, to a certain extent, validate the faith that I have in you as well as the other teachers. It will enhance my awareness of other personality presences in the universe. Given human nature as I understand it, while I agree and understand as far as the multiplication of the bread and the fish and how that impacted people, we in this group have been reasonably dedicated to this mission for some time during this past year; and I would more equate our experience of seeing a Melchizedek materialize as perhaps the apostles or some of the women who saw the appearance of Jesus after his death. In other words, the confirmation of what Jesus said to them would be the equivalent of the confirmation of what you are saying to us. As a result of that, I feel that for myself, it will substantially enhance my relationship with the Father from a not so much a faith point of view, but from a personal experience point of view. Obviously I believe that's your purpose, or part of your purpose in petitioning this materialization to begin with.

A: Yes, it is; and we understand this. And as I said before, we understand that it will be helpful in this process. But let me ask you, if someone comes to witness this materialization and they have not been part of this mission, of these teachings, they do not practice worship and prayer, seeking the stillness, forgiveness of others, seeing the presence of God in others, will the mere fact of witnessing this materialization make them better able, in and of itself, to go out and make others feel God's love?

Q: I cannot speak for them, I can only speak for myself and perhaps some of the other members of this group.

Sensationalism

Q: Ham, what David said brought another thought to mind. When Jesus resurrected himself and made all the morontia appearances throughout Jerusalem and Galilee, one thing that the book points out is that the religion of Jesus subsequently became of religion about Jesus; and a lot of emphasis was, and still is, placed upon his resurrection. It seems a lot of times that less emphasis in regular Christianity is placed upon the messages of Jesus. I get a sense that what you're wanting us to do is not lose out on the things you're trying to teach us about the Father's love in the process of seeing the Melchizedeks appear or any other of the phenomena that occur that can be so overwhelming emotionally and even intellectually, I guess, to a lot of us because we're not used to them. Is that pretty much what you're saying here?

A: Thank you for your insight. Let me ask a question. Let's say that you have witnessed such a materialization and you meet a new brother or sister whom you feel has some desire for truth, what will you tell them about this mission? Will your first comment be "You should have been with me last week. We saw a spiritual being materialize."? Or will it be, "If you search for the Father, if you search for truth and peace within your soul, come and share in the teachings; for they have truly helped me grow closer to the Father and to love my brothers and sisters more. And if this is what you desire, come and join us."

Q: So in other words, you're wanting us to look for where we're going to place the emphasis of our experiences over the last year or throughout the next year or so, where the emphasis is going to be and what is going to have the most effect on our lives to practice prayer and interaction with one another instead of what we see and experience on a temporary or an occasional basis.

A: Yes. My hope is that after our discussion this evening, you will think about what is most important. It does not mean you will not benefit. It does not mean it will not be part of your experience, a very significant part of your personal religious experience to see such a materialization; but if you then invite people to join this group, what is the basis of your invitation? Do you promise another materialization? And what if that does not happen? What truly is the message we are giving you? What truly is the heart of what we have taught? As you so rightly point out, Christianity became a religion about Jesus. It seemed easier to talk about the miracle, the phenomena of the resurrection than to talk about the heart and soul of Jesus' teachings. Would we not do well to learn from this previous experience and not to make this same mistake again?

Q: I also think it goes along with what Welmek and the other teachers have said to us, and that is that the source of these messages is not as important as the messages themselves. When we're talking with others, we don't even necessarily need to stress where the message is coming from but what is the message and the truth that is there. I think there are some people who are closing themselves to the message, the truths that you have been giving us because of the source. I think that all ties in with what you're saying.

Q: I think also that makes me wonder how much, I mean I can see where it would seem that we are, if you want to look at it in an analogous way with the possibility that we would look at the morontia appearances, or any other appearances, or even the fact that we can come here once a week and talk to you through someone else, as something like spiritual candy, and we would not partake of the meat and the vegetables and bread that you're trying to get us to eat at the meetings. And maybe that's what you're . ."Eat your vegetables. Maybe that's what you're trying to get across. (laughter)

Q: Ham, when talked about this, my reaction was I was thinking about that learning takes place on many levels for us, that to just hear and think about these spiritual truths in our minds is far different than being able to incorporate them in our lives. It seems like there's things that we know from teaching our children and how adults learn that it takes repetition with a particular piece of information. It takes moving it from our minds and processing it in a way that we can verbalize that amongst our peers or small group or something. It takes practicing it actively, whether that be to bring a physical aspect to it or fitting it into another framework and to verbalize it with people who haven't learned it with us and then to teach it to another. I see those levels as maybe something that we all haven't had an opportunity to do because of our lives or the structure of our meetings. I've kind of heard it more as do we need to take an opportunity to build that part of it into our group more and to support one another with all those steps as opposed to a criticism of how we are learning what you've taught.

A: I agree with much of what you say, but we have little time together. It is similar to teaching a class in a classroom. If you give homework assignments and the goal is that everyone has studied their lessons so that when you come together you may discuss and share mutual insights, then much is derived from the group session. But what happens when the individuals come and have not done their homework? What do you do? Do you stop and take the class time to allow each individual to do their homework within the class time? Or do you move on and encourage them to do the homework on their own?

Q: Or perhaps there's some different techniques we could develop within the group to help us be focused in that way. I think there's a lot of approaches to learning that are used in our society now that cause people to network with one another away from a main meeting time. But I wonder if that might help, be another step that might be considered.

A: We have encouraged this all along. Has Welmek on many occasions not encouraged you to contact and share insights and understandings and experiences with each other?

Q: Sure he has. I think though that in my experience with other groups that sometimes just making that suggestion versus creating a decision to exchange names and numbers with different people each time as different people come in and out of a group causes us to be better at enlarging our network and really discussing those kinds of in-depth things with each individual. I also think it's a piece of group unity and bringing new people into a group might benefit us.

Focus

A: There are many such techniques that are valuable. What is important is that there is mutual sharing to increase each other's understanding and insight. Let me ask another question. Think about your conversations over the last 2 or 3 weeks with the other members of this group. How much of the conversations focus on the materialization of Melchizedek and how much focused upon the lesson that have been presented and trying to understand them more deeply? (tape turned, words lost)

Q: I'll probably have to say the lessons rather than the materialization, on my part at least, in my experience.

A: And do you see that that is more important?

Q: Yes.

A: Again, I recognize that this will be quite a phenomenon for you. But I again want you to think about what will truly draw people to this mission and what will hold them.

Q: Ham, I was wondering, in our daily practice of the worship and prayer and praying, our attempts to feel the Father's love, are our attempts assured of success as far as eventually?

A: Without question. Seek and you shall receive. The Father loves you as His child. If your child came to you and wanted to be with you, to share your love, how could you not respond? I recognize that communication with the Father does take more time, does take more effort, but I can assure you that if you continue to practice, you will increasingly grow in the feeling of the Father's love within you. As you move and progress through the circles, if you arrive at the first circle in this lifetime, you may even begin to experience some level of direct communication with your Adjuster.

Materialization

Q: Ham, do you have any feeling for how many humans will attend the Warrenville meeting in April, and do you have any comments to us as to the organization of that meeting?

A: There is still much discussion on our part about this meeting. One moment...it might be helpful if some contact began between Warrenville and this group concerning this event. We will help provide some direction as we proceed, but preliminary thinking and discussion on your part would be helpful.

Q: Ham, when I talked to Debbie out in Pocatello, Idaho, Woods Cross seems to think that the materialization is going to be there, and we think it's going to be in Chicago. Is there going to be three of them? Simultaneously, is that what you're saying? Can you clarify that for me?

Q: Also, do we know the specific dates for sure?

A: Final decisions about certain aspects of the materialization have not yet been made, but the idea of perhaps up to three materializations in different locations has been under discussion and has been shared to some extent so that we might receive feedback from the human point of view about this. But a final decision has not yet been made.

Q: Whenever you say a final decision has not yet been made, is that on the petition that you served for this. Is that what this is referring to, or is it just how it will be done? If not, then have you received an answer to your petition?

A: The petition for materialization has been approved. As to whether it will be in one or more locations is still under discussion.

Q: It seems like that more than one would be better because then you wouldn't have a 3-ring circus in Chicago. And people wouldn't have to drive so far.

A: So are you suggesting we have 3 circuses instead of one? (laughter)

Q: Maybe four or five would be better. Well, wouldn't it be because look how many people already know about it from Welmek's papers being distributed and I don't know about Ham's. And then if you get maybe 5,000 people, which is maybe an exaggeration of numbers, coming to Chicago all at one time. That would be a lot of people to try and deal with and get up in motels, and it would really be a task and a half.

A: I daresay we will not get 5,000 people; but I understand your point and logistical problems will be worked out.

Q: I would like to say that your words tonight I don't take in criticism. I feel like there are certain things that I'm better at and certain things that I need to work at more and certain things that I let fall by the wayside. I think most of it's here if we look at ourselves honestly and say that there are certain areas that we need to work harder and maybe redevote ourselves. That's how I feel about the words that you've expressed this evening. I in no way feel angry or take it as a personal attack on me. As a matter of fact, I take it more as a kick in the behind to get me going again in the areas that I know, that I've known for quite a while, that I need to redevote myself to.

A: I appreciate your comment. I must say I somewhat reluctantly accepted this assignment. (Laughter)

Q: They pushed it off on you.

Criticism

A: But you must understand at our level we have differences of viewpoints and opinions; and we are not perfect. When a brother and sister comes to us in a loving manner and indicates to us an area of our behavior that they feel may need some improvement, we thank them for that because we appreciate the feedback from other people. How can you grow if you become so closed that you cannot accept constructive criticism? You should not hide from it, you should welcome it. You should seek assessment from your brothers and sisters. You are truly fortunate that you have a group of other humans who can help you grow in a loving way. There are so few on this planet who have that. And so part of our lesson tonight is exactly what you experienced. Think about your experience. Think about the words that Karla said. How did you receive my words? Did you grow defensive? Did you take them as chastisement? Or did you welcome them with an open mind and accept them as they were intended as simply a loving criticism, a loving stimulus to ask you to think about what we have accomplished and what you are accomplishing in this mission. Do not be afraid to reach out to others and ask for their feedback. But at the same time, do not grow defensive when they give it to you. If you receive criticism as it is wrapped in anger or resentment or other such emotions, then I would suggest that you not be too concerned about it for it is not likely that it is very objective. However, if you ask others openly and honestly for their opinions about certain aspects of your behavior and they give it to you in a loving manner, it does not necessarily mean that they are totally objective. But if you receive similar feedback from several people and it is done in a loving manner, then I'm only suggesting that that should indicate to you to take some time and reflect upon your behavior. Allow the Adjuster to adjust your perceptions about yourself and your behavior. Do not think of this as negative, for in truth, this is what I and my associates do. In time, this is what you will learn to do. Your biggest problem is finding those who can give this in a loving manner and being open and trusting enough in the Father yourself to allow this to come into you and not let it be harmful to you. Others opinions are just that. They are opinions. Evaluate them. Reflect upon them. Think about them. Pray about them. And then, if you feel there is merit, try to adjust your behavior. If you do not feel there is merit, then dismiss these views and continue on your way.

Acceleration

Q: Ham, Welmek I believe said earlier that each one of your students received their own personal teacher. Is that correct?

A: I would not say each one. I would say most. And when I say most, I do not mean those who might have come to one or two meetings. I mean most of those who made a commitment over the course of time that our meetings occurred.

Q: Is there an idea that you could give us on the average amount of time and devotion that it takes for the average person before they start receiving their teacher?

A: No, I would prefer not to do this, because that sets barriers in your mind. If I say one year, then you say "Oh well, I'll wait until a month before that time and then I'll work hard." Understand I am not singling you out, I am speaking about human behavior in general. If I say it takes two weeks and you do not achieve it in two weeks, then you feel anxious and disappointed and feel you are not worthy somehow. Do not be concerned about time. Only be concerned about doing your best each day to practice what we have taught. Does your text not say the best way to become a frog is to be a better tadpole each day?

Q: Ham, in your opinion, has the Woods Cross group grown since most of them have individual teachers?

A: I am not sure exactly what you mean. Do you mean do they continue to grow as individuals?

Q: No. I'm wondering what the advantage is of having an individual teacher. I know that I've been contacted, but I haven't really pursued it because I don't see an advantage to it. I mean, it's a neat experience, but can you tell me why it's important that we have individual teachers? And if so, how would the group grow from having individual teachers?

A: Do you feel you have benefited from attending these meetings?

Q: Yes, tremendously.

A: Have you benefited from anything that the teachers of these groups have said?

Q: Yes.

A: Then if you had an individual teacher, could not that teacher help you continue to grow?

Q: I don't know. I think I'd be half-afraid that it would be my own mind instead of somebody else.

A: I understand that concern and it is something that takes time and practice to discern the teacher from your own mind. But in time it can be done. The other advantage is that if you are in situations where you are attempting to be helpful to your brothers and sisters and you find that your own mind cannot find the best solution to a particular situation, would you not find it advantageous to stop and ask the teacher if they have some advice for you?

Q: Yes, I think that would help a lot.

Growth

A: This is really all that is intended. Ultimately, your best teacher is the Father. Our goal is to help you grow spiritually, feel the Father's love more and to help you grow and progress through the circles so that someday you may receive communication from your own indwelling spirit. In the meantime, we have a job to do. We know that it takes time to accomplish this communication with your indwelling spirit. All we are trying to do is to help you grow somewhat more quickly and to help you help your brothers and sisters so that your planet can heal more quickly.

Q: (Words lost)..I started to receive communication was that I think we all have things that are very private, that we would even feel uncomfortable talking about in a private session because the T/R obviously hears that, and that helps me get guidance in areas where I just didn't feel I could speak about to anyone. So that really has been beneficial to me.

Q: Okay. You know it was, I mean I hear it, I haven't asked who it is because I'm half afraid of it. And then I talked with someone and she said ask anyway. Fine. But I couldn't see the advantage of having a personal teacher for each one of us in here and still have Welmek or Ham or anybody else in here. There would be so many different opinions and that...

Q: The truth is all the truth..and it's all the same. The basic truth is the same and the basic motivation and direction is the same.

Q: Do you want to comment on that Ham?

A: I do not think that if each of you had an individual teacher you would find the teachers arguing amongst themselves.

Q: I didn't think it was the teacher. That didn't cross my mind. (laughter) It was our own opinions that would bother me. I kind of figured that his staff and Welmek's staff and the rest of us all basically are being taught the same thing and teaching the same thing. It would be our interpretation of what they said that would bother me.

Q: Well, we could still have that even with one teacher.

Q: That's true. Then we'd have one teacher and 56 people on the list? And then we wouldn't have 56 teachers, 56 people plus Welmek and whoever else is here. And that just kind of mind-boggled me for a while.

Q: And what happened in Woods Cross, as most individuals received their teachers, what happened to the group meeting?

Q: I don't know. I wasn't involved in that one. I only went to Pocatello, and I didn't get to attend a meeting there. I only got to meet the people that were in the group.

A: But my point is that I no longer teach in the group meeting.

Q: That's kind of sad.

A: Why?

Q: Why is it sad? After talking with Debbie and hearing her opinion on it, a lot of the people were very saddened because you left. And I think that if Welmek left us, even though all of us had a teacher, I'd feel a great loss.

A: I understand there is some human sentiment and even we might feel this somewhat ourselves, but is there a reason that as you grow and that as many in this group have individual teachers that you could not continue to associate with each other to learn from each other and even have a group meeting with each other if that was your desire?

Q: I don't see any reason why we can't do it. You know..

Q: But we can't become too dependent on Welmek, either.

Q: I realize that too, but it's depending on, how can I say this? Because I'm dyslexic, for me to try to sit down and look at this all at one time I think it's real confusing for me. I guess I'm asking for clarification. I wish I had this insight on the other side. Then I would be happy. I would be able to handle all this. But unfortunately I don't. So I'm asking for some sort of help to get around what I'm feeling. I'm feeling a real blockage.

A: If you practice the things that we have taught you will grow, you will increase your understanding and your insight into yourself and into others and into these group situations and dynamics. The more you grow, the more you will understand and there will be less of these blockages.

Q: Once we get our personal teachers, will we keep our spiritual teachers or will they eventually leave us also?

A: It would depend on many things. For example, if you grow to the point where you have contact with your own Adjuster, would you need a teacher?

Q: No.

A: If you lost interest in this mission, and you do not have the desire to serve your brothers and sisters and to have individuals led to you, what would you decide about whether individuals should retain their teachers?

Q: Well, I don't think they should. I can't imagine someone getting a teacher and then losing their desire to continue, but I guess it's possible.

A: Many things are possible. Each situation would be looked at individually. I really cannot comment more than that.

Q: Does each time that we worship the Father literally bring us closer to Him, enhance Adjuster communication and develop us further along the circles?

A: Yes. The problem is that you do not always sense this or have a way of measuring it. There are times that when you practice something, do you not feel that you are not making progress sometimes. And in fact sometimes you even wonder if you have backslid some. But if you persist, and if you remain true to your goal, is there not usually some response when you suddenly make a break-through? What is important is that you continue. I can assure you that your efforts are helping, even if you cannot measure this incremental increase. As you look back, do you not already see or feel an increase in your sense of the Father's love and your sense of His presence?

Q: I know I do.

A: And so, does that not answer your question?

Q: Yes.

A: Sometimes events are difficult. There might be a day in which you do not practice. You must look at the over-all picture. But I would say, if you look back upon your week and you found that there was only one day in which you managed to find time to practice that which we are teaching, then I would suggest it is time to think and reflect upon your time and your usage of time and your values and what you feel is most important.

Worship

Q: Would it be accurate to say that worship is the most important?

A: Worship is the first of the four techniques that we teach. Your drawing closer to the Father and feeling His love is the most important component of your spiritual growth. Concerning your progress through the circles, learning to see the presence of God in others, learning to forgive others, these would be important in these areas. All four contribute to your spiritual growth. It is difficult to separate them out.

Q: I would think that prayer and brotherly love and forgiveness are natural outgrowths of sincere, honest communication with the Father. I agree with you that it's difficult to take one from the other. But if we find in our lives that we simply struggle with trying to do all four as you suggest we may be, would it not be best for us, throughout the course of a week to at least find time each day to worship the Father?

A: I understand your intent, but I am somewhat reluctant to give an unqualified yes. Worship is the cornerstone of our teachings, but how in the course of a day when you come into contact with other people, could you not make an attempt to look at them in a more loving way? Or how in the course of a day, with contact with other humans, could you not find a way to take an unkind comment and forgive that person and try to look at them in a more understanding and compassionate light? And how in the course of a day could you not find at least one person or one situation that needs help, that you could not in your mind, say a brief prayer to contribute to helping that situation? In some ways, those are easier to do because you do come into contact with others. The problem is that you must focus on them enough so that they become habits. Perhaps in some ways the easiest thing to do is not to worship the Father each day because that takes setting aside some time to be alone with the Father. So as far as scheduling your time, I would say worship is the one that you must work with the most to schedule your time. As far as the others, you have plenty of interaction every day with others to practice these other three. You must simply bring them into your consciousness more so that again, they become part of you. They become a habitual way of looking at others.

Thinking

Q: In addition to prayer, worship, forgiveness and finding, looking for God in others, you mentioned that it was important that we reflect on this each day and that assisted the Adjuster in adjusting our thoughts. That's something that I hadn't considered previously. Can you expound upon that?

A: It is related and tied to the other things. For example, if you have an encounter with one of your brothers and sisters and you find yourself growing angry or resentful, it would be helpful if you found time at some point during the day to go back and review in your mind that situation and to review your reaction and to think about what might have been their motivation. What could have caused them to react in such a negative way? Might there have been a kinder way for you to respond? I suggest this because if you do this, it brings it again, more into your consciousness; and as a result, in new situations, you are more likely to begin to think about that situation as it occurs instead of reflecting upon it later.

Names

Q: I have a question, Ham. We've had a request for a teacher for Dallas from Nancy Johnson. Do you have a teacher assigned; and if so, could we have a name please?

A: There is a teacher assigned. I understand that there has been some confusion and we are working on ways to make names more clear to you. I would suggest when there is confusion that you confirm it with others, or that you do as you are now doing and present this question in a group meeting. The teacher's name is Anastacia, A-N- A-S-T-A-C-I-A.

Q: Thank you.

A: I know that if you still feel there is some need for clarification, I would suggest that you confirm it with Oren, since Oren is not part or a teacher of this group.

Closing

HAM: I sense this was somewhat difficult for you and I assure you it was somewhat difficult for me, but I hope it has been helpful and instructive. Always I want to reassure you that we love you deeply. We want only the best for you. We simply ask of you what we ask of each other, that sometimes we pause and think about our progress and where we might need improvement. Over all, we are very pleased with the progress of this mission; and we are very pleased with the progress of this group. But as always, as teachers, part of our task is to continue to help you do better, and we felt that we needed a session like this to help you focus, to help you, to encourage you, to stop and think about your progress up to this point. There is much progress that will be made. There is much joy, much opportunity for service as this mission grows.

There are some who wish to speak. I do not believe we will have time for that this evening, but since we have visitors from Buffalo, I promised that I would at least extend greetings from Andrea to your group. Enjoy your holiday season. Reflect upon our Master's life sometime during this season. Reflect upon what we have talked about tonight. Share your thoughts and ideas with each other.

Next week, Welmek will be your teacher again. I appreciate this opportunity to speak with you. I love you deeply, and I assure you that together we will accomplish Michael's mission. Go in peace and may our Father bless you each day.