2001-06-04. Growth & Change
Woods Cross #321
Topic: Growth & Change
Group: Woods Cross TeaM
Teacher: Abraham
TR: Nina
Opening
ABRAHAM: I am ABRAHAM. Greetings. I am always looking forward to seeing you each week because your new spiritual discoveries, and enthusiasm about them, help me to view Father’s works firsthand. As I have known you over these years you have become very different people than when we had first started. The human mind is usually in a constant evolving state, albeit seems slow, it is still changing and moving.
Lesson
Assumptions, Growth
We have been discussing common obstacles within the Brotherhood that seem to separate us. One of those obstacles we will speak of tonight is on the allowance of growth and change in yourselves and your fellows. Individuals who have known one another for many years become used to the same behavior and habit patterns. Upon meeting and becoming acquainted with individuals you are likely to form an opinion of who they are. You treat them according to your beliefs of how they are.
If a man is selfish, you are not likely to believe he can change and grow; so you treat him with limitations and are not likely to help him to move forward. You can see a person in the public eye, and from news reporters, accept their opinions about the celebrity. You have no firsthand knowledge of how this individual really is, but still you are easy to form an opinion.
How ease seeking, so to speak, to form a simple opinion of other individuals. You either like them, want to change them or leave them alone. Many want the support of their fellows as they grow and change, but are not so understanding when others do the same growing and changing.
A parent who has a child, who is a bit slow in learning, forms an opinion and plan that accommodates the child. The child then believes they are slow to learn and they are limited to changing and growing. The wise parent may see the slowness in a child but always be highly aware of new possibilities or avenues in which to guide the child.
Unfortunately, how you look in others eyes is important to you and your growth as a person. We tend to keep individuals in a mold or with a label that keeps them limited to new growth and changes. If you have known an individual who was perhaps alcoholic, and knew them as an awful person but see them ten years later in recovery, would you treat that person as if they were that same alcoholic or would you perhaps be open to their newness and encouraging in their upliftment?
Some people do not change, some do not evolve positively and do well with new growth, some will stay in their same habit patterns, their same self-pity, energy stealing, personality portrayals that is miserable, but certainly acceptable in this mortal journey. You need not however be closed off to them and limit them in where they may find new growth or new avenues. Certainly have you learned to become inspiring and showing a new and better way to all things, yes. You may never know how you touch people’s lives by a show that you believe in them, you have faith in them, you are not saddled with the same opinion of them.
I also say that you need not put these growth limitations upon yourselves either. You need not continue with the negative self-banter, “here I go again” or “I can’t do anything right.” Do not close off growth. Do not limit your possibilities. A close relationship with Father will aid you in allowing yourselves and others to be open to new changes.
You need not ever let the opinions of anyone keep you stuck repeating a same habit pattern. They will always have their opinions of you and it matters not so much what they think of you, but what you believe about yourself, what you believe about your status as an equal child of God. Close communion with Father is a shield against the negativity that may keep you limited. Know that Father wants you to experience this mortal life to its fullest and have abundance in all ways.
This week instead of forming opinions, or treating individuals as if they are stuck in the same behavioral rut, find encouraging and inspiring ways to guide them to a more positive light. Do not limit yourselves either by your small self-perceptions or becoming overwhelmed with what you believe to be self-inadequacy. You, my friends, are children of God and we need to honor that with open, growing and changing minds, yes. Have you questions?
Dialogue
Response
CALVIN: Abraham, is there a balance–I call it the dance, in the middle of speaking up and just letting things go? I am sure you know what I am talking about.
ABRAHAM: It is difficult when feelings are so painful and the wounds are fresh. I know it is difficult, but to allow some time to pass is a good guideline for knowing how to speak up rationally. Sometimes the hurt feelings are magnified by unknowingness and assuming things are worse than they really are. At this time it is good to ask questions, get clarification of what the individual is really saying. Your true pain though comes from your fear of what other individuals are saying about you is reality. It is closing off in ego and shutting out possibilities for new understanding, divine communion, growth and change. There are appropriate times in which to speak up, such as times of injustice, but a calm and clear voice will be heard much more than irrational screaming. It is also good to go back in your memory to see if there are other causes that have made present events so painful, and perhaps you are overreacting, yes. Time is difficult because you feel you dwell in pain alone, but you know all too well that you have the spiritual tools to survive, yes. Is this answering, my son? (Yes. Thank you.) You’re welcome. Another questions?
Witnessing
SIMON: Yes Abraham. I was wondering if you knew who the couple were in the purple robes I met a week ago last Thursday, and what was their message about?
ABRAHAM: One moment. I am told they are only fellow believers, and it was you that delivered a message to them, not them to you. Your show of faith and willingness to learn was a wonderful example to them. They are coming up against lessons that are aiding them in acquiring a more stable foundation i n spiritual realness. You are somewhat perplexed by the event because you were open to direct communication with your own Thought Adjuster. You were without any fear and more open to learn than to teach. Is this helping?
Simon: Yes. Thank you. I wonder if I can ask another question about how I might be introduced to my personal teacher and if you might have a name, and if you would coordinate that introduction?
ABRAHAM: I can look into this for you. I will get back with you on the details, yes.
Receptivity, Commitment
TECTRA: Abraham, as we go about our days how do we stay more open to direct communication with our Thought Adjuster?
ABRAHAM: There is so much outside stimulation that draws your attention away from the Spirit. When you do not exercise certain muscles they are prone to atrophy–even spiritual muscles. Study, stillness and fellowship are wonderful antidotes to overwhelming mortal daily realness. It takes commitment though to the Spirit–either you are in or out, committed or not. The half-way commitment is too difficult. You have promised your life to divine ways, and then knowingly go about doing the opposite, then certainly are you going to be closed off to the Father. You become disappointed in self and also believe Father is thinking the same way, and your feelings of unworthiness pull you farther away. Everyone makes mistakes–certainly. Yes, there are moments of weakness, no doubt, but in the realization of your true intentions, you know if you have knowingly gone against the Spirit or not. You are not then prone to feel closed off and away from God if you believe you have only made a simple mistake. Yes, commitment to a life to the Spirit, live what you believe, mistakes, yes, certainly acceptable. Knowingly to go against that divine promise is closing off. Good question, my son.
Tradition, Revelation
VIRGINIA: I want to know if having expectations of having an eternal family are right or is that my ego that wants that
ABRAHAM: I am altogether not too sure of your meaning, but I can say this much. From the religion you learned as a child has put various beliefs into your thinking that are sometimes difficult to be free from as an adult, but with your new found spiritual adventure you are becoming more clear in reality. There is a lot of confusion in the churches today, and the only way to receive clarification is to be open to living revelation. What you believe today may serve you today, but be open to revelation to receive divine information that may expand your beliefs. I know you to be a daughter with great faith and will carry a wonderful spiritual message all the days of your life. Your enthusiasm is contagious and we are happy to know you in this Mission of our beloved sovereign, Christ Michael. Yes. Welcome.
Closing
I am slipping and will take my leave. I do wish to express my gratitude for your allowing me to change and grow at my own pace. My love goes with you. Until next week, shalom.
