2002-02-24. Freedom
Nashville #142
Topic: Freedom
Group: Nashville TeaM
Teacher: Ham
TR: Rebecca
Opening
Ham: Greetings, children, I am Ham and I welcome you here this evening. Tonight, let us discuss freedom.
Lesson
Freedom, Maturity
There are among mortals various conceptions of personal freedom usually connected with some measure of self-indulgence. There are many false illusions of freedom, illusions that create chains and restrictions much more severely than any physical jails. Self-indulgence is a form of self-shackling under the guise of freedom.
True freedom is found in self-restraint and healthy boundaries. The maturity of the person is measured by one’s ability to exhibit self-restraint, restraint in word, and restraint in action. You cannot grow in the spirit without recognizing the difference between true and false freedoms. Self-control creates the boundaries in which happiness can be nurtured.
When you carelessly throw away your self-restraint and embrace self-indulgence, it is a tragedy for your selves, your angels, and all those who love you. Maturity must be progressive. You must strive to build mature boundaries of conduct which lead to advancement in the world and respect from your peers. Self-indulgence leads to loss of self-respect and loss of the respect of your peers. Liberty to make spiritual progress is found in the mature actions of the growing sons and daughters of the Father, not in reverting to adolescence or childish selfishness.
Maturity comes with self-negation, it comes with selfless service of others, thinking of their happiness and contentment rather than your own. The child is entirely self-focused. The maturing adult is partially self-focused. Jesus of Nazareth was entirely other focused. His concern was never for himself. His comfort was always the least of his worries. He showed the world what a truly mature person should be like. The self-indulgence exhibited by his followers is seen especially in the apostle Judas who thought solely of himself, though solely of his own concerns and was thus led rapidly to complete ruin.
You cannot climb the heights required of you by following the Master when you engage in acts of self-indulgence and actions that lead to a type of morbid self-focus. These types of actions will lead to a rapid undoing. I know it is fashionable in your society to experience various degrees of mid life crises, to want to recapture some type of youthful abandon. But, you can only look around you to see the ruined lives and wrecked marriages that are caused by this type of self-indulgence. It is a wise person who knows when to put away the things of youth and to move on with life.
You are all of you passing into new stages of your lives and this acceptance of new responsibilities as well as new boundaries must be achieved. Each of you will carry as much responsibility in the mission as you can hold. Take these responsibilities with grace and ease rather than rebellion and strife. You all have great spiritual gifts and those gifts carry the responsibility of spiritual growth and maturity. This has been a stern warning and it is up to each of you to nurture your own happiness by setting boundaries of self-restraint. It is up to you to accept the responsibilities of your years and to be open to new and greater challenges that will stimulate your growth rather than stifle it. Follow the Master’s example in turning your concerns outward. Don’t worry about yourselves so much.
Are there any questions at this time?
Personal Counsel
Q: Ham, may I have a personal message please?
Ham: Certainly, my son, you have seen how quickly and surely one can fall. You have experienced the joy of self-forgetfulness and the depression and despair of self-obsession. Continue to find your balance and be open and thankful for the great bounty in your life rather than concerned about the little shortages. Go in peace my son, for you do well.
Q: Yes, I would like a personal message please Ham.
Ham: Certainly, my dear. You are doing better than you think you are. This period of depression will lift as you find ways to express yourself with joy. You have, over the years, suppressed a lot. You suppressed the joy and the anger. You have suppressed happiness along with your fear and you are going through a period where that suppression is breaking up and the fear and anger are coming out. But, my daughter, behind this is a greater joy and this will follow as day follows night. You will experience life more fully. For often times you have seen yourself and the world through the critical gaze of your father and his paranoia. His passing is allowing you to let him go in many ways and this is good. You will be much happier and more fulfilled in the years to come. Is this helping?
Q: Yes, it sure is thank you.
Transmitting
Q: Ham, you let me know that I should be open to the possibility of channeling and I want to let you know that I feel closer to doing that. I recently found a book written by a couple of people that have been teaching channeling and they set out the processes and ways they teach people to do that. I am wondering if this is something that I should do or if you have any counsel for me in that regard?
Ham: Yes, my daughter, these techniques can be helpful in preparing you emotionally and mentally to become a receiver/transmitter. This will help you to stabilize your feelings and consecrate your will toward this. Each receiver is different. Each of you requires something a little different and this is known and so we will make sure that you have the assurances you need to begin this process. Already I perceive that you receive quite readily and will be someone very easy to work with. Let me assure you that it is very much like the job of a translator. Your mental integrity is never compromised and it does take time to build up trust between the teacher and receiver and this trust building is entirely at your pace. We would very much desire for you to be ready to transmit for me for this group. This would be a process rather than an immediate jumping in, something like transmitting for a short period of time during the meeting and then building up to longer periods, if this would be acceptable to you.
Q: Yes, thank you Ham.
Ham: Wonderful. We can begin next week.
Q: Ham, do you have anything for Rebecca?
Ham: Certainly, my daughter, you are doing well and are finding that boundaries are a comfort. You do not do well in to much pressure or constriction. You must find a balance and greater self-tolerance than you have. You have a tendency toward workaholicism that can be an excuse to avoid self-reflection and a facing of problems. So be careful to give yourself space so that stress doesn’t become a problem. Over all, you do well and are making progress even when you feel you are not.
Q: Jarad?
Ham: Certainly, my son, you have a tendency in the opposite direction, toward avoiding productivity and rebelling against some necessities. You must find a pace you are comfortable with setting aside some time for creative endeavors for this gives you the satisfaction not found anywhere else for you. Healthy productivity along with healthy periods of relaxation must be balanced. New tasks are coming and you must be prepared to begin them.
Q: I understand.
Ham: Very well, you do well.
Q: Do you have a personal message for Marije?
Ham: Certainly, daughter, your life is very full and very challenging. This is as it should be. You have a great gift for finding your reward in your daily life and yet you also long to share this life with an equal partner. You will find that this will come in time. So let go of this concern, trust in the Father’s guidance, and it shall be so.
Q: Do you have a personal message for Norbert?
Ham: Certainly, I understand that you continue to have some minor health problems and that these are worrying. It is true that you have some restrictions in your life as a result of these things, but do not allow yourself to become resentful and self-absorbed. Follow the way of the Master and you will find peace.
Q: Do you have a personal message for Elena?
Ham: Certainly, we are very happy with your happiness my dear. You are finding a greater sense of self and balance than you have known before. This is wonderful. Be at peace, for you do well.
Q: Do you have a personal message for Esmirelda?
Ham: Certainly, daughter, you do very well. You have a great gift for resiliency. The problems of today will be passing. Your health will eventually improve though you may have some set backs in the meantime. Above all, don’t worry for you are doing very well.
Q: Do you have a personal message for Charlie B?
Ham: Certainly, my son, you do well. Be on guard for your tendency toward self-indulgence and self-focus. You have much to give in this world, but you have trouble persuading yourself that this will be received and so you hold back your gifts. In other words, don’t think so much, simply be and your happiness will increase.
Q: Do you have any feedback for me this week?
Ham: Of course. Certainly my son, over all you are continuing to achieve a better and better balance in your life. Your stress levels are manageable and you are learning to set boundaries and find a comfort and a peace in doing so. Be very much at peace for you do well.
Closing
Are there any further questions at this time? Wonderful, you are all doing well, better than you realize. Admit that you are human, admit that you are powerless, and then proceed to find your happiness. You all do well, my prayers and my love go with you, farewell.
