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Post by Admin on Jul 24, 2018 15:46:56 GMT
I would like to open a debate on the topics proposed by our dear Bruce, in the last course we did together. The main thought of Bruce, as I have interwoven it, seems to me to be concerned with the possibility of enlarging the concept of Fraternity or Brotherhood, which passes from spiritual theory to concrete facts. I was interested in setting up a debate about this thought, thank you
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Re: Opening the human end of the channel of the God-man communication
by Bruce Jackson - Saturday, May 5, 2018, 8:38 AM
All: Scattered throughout this conversation is the recognition of the self as a part of a larger whole; a
community. Every new religion is initially concerned with and focused on the inner spiritual life, and the UM is no
exception to this propensity. But as human beings we are by creation community – a part of the larger whole. True,
modern society has given that perspective overemphasis when individuals become so identified with their job, church,
club, ect. that to lose their position is psychologically devastating, but that is more often then not how we moderns
identify ourselves. In the past we had a class system, today we ask “what do you do, where do you work” when
introducing ourselves.
Inner and outer spiritual balance is the key to understanding the union of souls. In the outer community we see the
reflection of our inner self. In community we come to understand who we are because our relationships with our
fellows does reflect our spiritual maturity, dedication, and reality. A spiritually fragrant soul will be recognized in the
eyes of his or her fellow spiritual soul. That recognition is the foundation of the union of souls
Re: Question 2
by Bruce Jackson - Sunday, May 6, 2018, 3:01 AM
AS I read thru the many responses above I am struck by my Christian church service experience of over 30 years. The
quotations and conversations above strike at the very deepest fears of many passive religionists and is not, for them,
good news. If you look carefully at what the UB passages and your comments are saying from their eyes you will
quickly understand why they so readily reject the 5ER. It is not the size of nor the font of the UB that stops them. It
is the loss of self, of their perception of control, to some monumental entity (what universe they ask) that draws them
up short.
If this were the 1500’s they would be burning UB readers at the stake. But such persecution would result in the 5ER
being printed, spread, read, and it would rapidly become a major world religion. Today we are defeated by
ambivalence, indifference, and the perception that the revelation can be ignored without consequences: the
challenge to change, evolve, and grow self into a mature spiritual being.
Question 3
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, April 30, 2018, 4:33 AM
The self of aggression, destruction, revenge, envy – and the list goes on and on – needs to be dealt with as a mortal
of the universe. The UB clearly reveals what our impediments to spiritual living are, and that self-discovery takes a
lot of work and focused effort to recognize it, understand its consequences, learn from instruction, revise and retool
behaviors, engage spiritual forces, and chose the spiritual path centered on God. I like the notion of “soul
reconstruction” as I view my life as a continual process of learning, spiritualization, and evolution towards the higher
self; capable of striving to achieve morontian living and explores the incredible potentials of a union of souls.
In music we erroneously say “practice makes perfect” when, in fact, while practice is necessary for improvement,
perfection only comes thru the spiritualization of the self thru the ongoing assistance of many spiritual forces in the
internal and external union and communion with self and other souls. We get better at morontian living step by
step, experience by experience, and prayer by prayer. Life increasingly becomes a continual effort to engage inworship (in private and with others), a deepening desire to serve, and the recognition of our unique part in a massive
universe where ALL are focused on the Will of God.
"Jesus brought a new method of living to Urantia. He taught us not to resist evil but to find through him a goodness
which effectually destroys evil." 188:5.2 (2018.1
Re: Pratice makes perfect
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, April 30, 2018, 5:52 PM
Effective practice in music is a difficult skill to learn when coming later in life. A young student under the mentorship
of one who truly knows the many methods of effective practice tends to learn more quickly than one on his/her
own. As we age, practice skills become increasingly experimental, even accidental. Bottom line: work at it, evaluate
what you are doing, be willing to change on a dime, reexamine the results, keep the good techniques and abandon
the bad, and get lots of feedback from others (we do not tend to be objective)
Question 4
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, April 30, 2018, 4:35 AM
I have long thought about this, sought every quick corner and short-cut, and endeavored to find every easy
solution. After 67 years it deeply saddens me to report that none exist when it comes to ascendant living, morontial
attainment, and spiritual attunement. Spiritualization requires the willful selection to do the Will of God the
Father. In that I am embracing the Love of God the Mother Supreme, adjusting mortal living to the rigors of our
Master Teacher, being truly Spirit-led in everything, falling in step with the plans of our many unseen helpers,
recognizing the friendly assistance of my angels, and patient listening to the still quiet voice of my beloved Divine
Spark of God within.
Even though I choose to embrace, take as my own, and live in willing cooperation with these vast elements of
universal support in my spiritual pilgrimage, I have truly found that there are no golden bullets, no magic pills, no
secret shortcuts, and no hidden bypasses in living a God centered, Spirit-led, and Love filled life. This life requires
hard work, consistent effort, total dedication, eternal commitment, experiential evaluation, a willingness to learn
from success and failure, an openness to learning and change, repeated forgiveness of the frailties of my mortality,and the courage, dedication and persistence to get up, dust of my britches, swagger up to the horse, and get back in
the saddle again, again, again, again, and (did I say) again.
To do that takes a personal sense of “self” importance that recognizes the pitfalls of spiritual egoism, the traps of
self-aggrandizement, and the destructive power overvaluing one’s self-importance at the expense of others. “God is
no respecter of persons” is ever-present on my mind. It is so easy to lose perspective in the spiritual quest for truth
founded upon revelation. I have to constantly remind myself that just because I read the UB I am neither better nor
worse than my fellow brothers and sisters under the Fatherhood and Motherhood of God. That, my friends, is what
keeps my spiritual perspective in alignment with universal reality and empowers the possibilities of the Union of
Souls.
"Religious practitioners live and carry on as if already in the presence of the Eternal. Believers react to this temporal
life as if immortality already were within their grasp." 102:2.3 (1119.8
Re: Question 4
by Bruce Jackson - Saturday, May 5, 2018, 9:23 AM
I think that one of the important lessons we are considering here is the notion of giving up something we call “self”
for universal service. This is a heavy state of consciousness that is filled with trials, tribulations, misconceptions, and
anxious fear. For example, from the perspective of the climber at the base of the mountain the task is not just
daunting but may even seem impossible until the first steps are actually taken. Mountain climbers understand that
as they ascend to the peak their view is limited to the rocks in front of their face. It is when the reach the peak they
are actually able to see the full picture.
I think that most of us thinking deeply about consciousness understand that what gets lost in a conversation is
universal service and morontian living is NOT loss but GAIN even though the view at the moment may be narrow,
restricted, limited, and unfocused. Because of the nature of personality and the uniqueness of our indwelling TA we
are not striving to become universal automatons – robots designed to march in lock step at the command of the
universal bigshots who eat well and tell us what to do. Rather, it is the fulfillment of our individual destiny, the goal
of our creation, the blessings of true adventure and discovery, and the subsequent embracing of truth, beauty,
goodness and love experienced through the fulfillment of the Will of God
Question 5
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, April 30, 2018, 4:36 AM
The attainment of spiritual consciousness and eternal soul development into morontian form as a mortal human
being simply is a matter of free will: I choose eternal life or not. No spirit or divine entity has the power to influence
my personal decision. “The devil made me do it” it utter rubbish. “Fear of God” is a complete misinterpretation of
the nature and attributes of the Father God and the Mother Supreme. I have never heard of any teaching of our
Universal Son that has led his creation astray. The Spirit is an unfailing leader and guide in all matters of daily
living. Even our local unseen helpers are on task, are committed to the Master’s plan, and are working diligently for
the spiritual upliftment of this planet. And as for my angels – they are beloved friends and assistants I have come to
respect and honor. Then there is that Divine Indweller who will never fail in leading me from the limited perspective
of material/mortal living, thru the long morantian experience, and on to a state of spiritual being. Without him I
would never know the Will of God that empowers me to actually get there.
All of this requires my free will choice to embrace the rigors, excitement, and blessings of spiritual living. It is a
choice I gladly make because I know the ramifications of avoiding that choice by neglect, avoidance, ambivalence,
indifference, or sinful decision. I know the ramifications of rejection of the spiritual path, I have experienced turning
my back on God and His universe, and I have lived through periods of pretending away universal reality. It ain’t
pretty, and it ain’t my choice.
"As I have revealed the Father, so shall you reveal the divine love, not merely with words, but in your daily living. I
send you forth, not to love the souls of men and women, but rather to love men and women." Jesus, 191:5.3
(2043.1
Re: About free-will
by Bruce Jackson - Saturday, May 5, 2018, 9:55 AM
It seems to me that the problem with understanding free will is based on the mistaken notion that it is actually
“free.” Choice or the lack of choice is never free – there are always consequences. One can easily believe that he or
she has the freedom to ignore the Will of God, universal reality, the master teachings of our Soverign, the leadership
of the Spirit, the efforts of our many unseen helpers and angelic friends, or the ministry of the TA. But that choice
truly is not free when considered in eternal terms. Even if that choice is made due to indifference, deliberate
decision, or spiritual slothfulness it contains within it the highest price life has to offer.
Likewise, to chose to become as true son or daughter of God is not a choice that is free. To submit to the Will of God,
to study and learn from the teachings of our Master Teacher, to be truly Spirit-led, to cooperate with our unseen
helpers and angelic friends, and to make the genuine effort to connect with the Spirit of God within simply is not
free. Such a choice is the most expensive choice one can make, for such a choice requires a lifetime of commitment,
effort, work, failure, success, and many other bills due.
The bottom line is this: what choice do you the individual want to make? While it is true that is that as mortal beings
we will actually make both choices in the course of our ascendant lives, life is not easy because it seldom is an
either/or decision. Because so often life is not necessarily an either “this or that” decision, we have to live with the
reality of mortal life as a “holy both” proposition. But when it comes to the ultimate experience of spiritual living, I
am not sure that sitting on the fence is an option due to the nature of universal service. Eventually there will come a
time when each individual will have to make the ultimate choice. Just a thought
Re: About free-will
by James Land - Sunday, May 6, 2018, 4:11 AM
More than "just a thought" Bruce. I believe our Father was working through you on that post.
I had a friend his name was Will
He called me late one night in need of bail
The cost was everything I owned
And even though I loved him so
I feared to let it go
He then told me the strangest thing
He indicted me for his detention
I laughed at his absurdity
And made a decision on that day
To keep my pride and walk away
Will remained there for a time
I however did the crim
Question 6
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, April 30, 2018, 4:36 AM
One of the problems with a focus on the development of a “personal philosophy of religion” is that it contains the
temptation to focus entirely on the inner spiritual life. The outer life is equally important as human beings are social
beings. Such long teaching traditions as exemplified in the “Art of Living” provide individuals measures through
which one’s behavior, relationships, and interactions with others may be improved, developed, and matured as one
becomes increasingly spiritualized while simultaneously developing a deep inner spiritual evolution that becomes
increasingly morontian in nature.
Many religious traditions (including many groups in the Urantia Movement - UM) have started out seriously focused
on the inner religious experience. Without the balance of an external spiritual community where behavior, belief,
and faith is spiritualized through interaction with fellow ascendant beings, it is easy to become obsessed with
personal religious experience, the highs of inner life, and a tendency towards a solitary approach to
living. Accomplishing a union of souls without achieving a real balance between the inner and external spiritual life
simply is not possible. Even so, the UB informs us we now must bring new eyes to the rules of the art of living we
embrace. Consider:
By the old way you seek to suppress, obey, and conform to the rules of living; by the new way you are
first transformed by the Spirit of Truth and thereby strengthened in your inner soul by the constant spiritual renewing
of your mind. 143:2.
Re: True religion at home
by Bruce Jackson - Saturday, May 5, 2018, 5:47 PM
Like some of you my experience of religion at home is a particularly thorny issue. I have never been secretive about
my dedication to the 5ER. Very early on I gave my immediate family a copy of the UB that they quickly got rid
of. They watched in silence as I was expelled from seminary for refusing to publicly denounce the UB. My three
sons had a terrible reaction to the UB after attending the Estes Park convention. And like politics, I been forbidden
to discuss religion in any form at family get-togethers.
I have heard many similar stories from UB readers. It seems as though the saying that “a prophet is not welcome in
his own home” may well be a truism. This presents is a serious challenge for UB readers in presenting the UB to an
indifferent world. I will give you a for instance. I serve a progressive church filled with smart, well-educated
university folk. Though I attend services displaying the three concentric circles (necklace or tie-tack), as of today not
one single person has asked me what those circles mean.
In the area of the United States where I live (called the “Bible Belt”) we are generally faced with a culture that lives in
fear of real spiritual expression, even morontian living, outside of the narrow expressions of conservative
Christianity. In the workplace “religious talk” can get you in trouble even though fundamentalists get a pass. In my
world the curse of “religious fanatic” is quickly applied when the nomenclature being used does not fit with
“norms.”
It seems to me that there are two responses that I need to make to these situations:
1. It is essential to develop a strong spiritual foundation for
ascendant living through prayer, worship and service that is in
close communion with God and the many spiritual forces that
assist us.
2. Finding either a local or online a group of like-minded
morontian souls is vital for spiritual health and soul
progression – the cultivation of a union of souls.
Again, just a thought resultant from personal experience
Re: True religion at home
by Bruce Jackson - Saturday, May 5, 2018, 6:29 PM
Folks – I need to tag an addendum to my last post. Sorry
All throughout much of my isolation I had a deep skepticism of spiritual oddballs, outsiders who talked religion in
different ways. This skepticism dominated me even though I myself was a tad odd to many around me. It was theMidwestern Bible Belt in me and gave me a pass to serve in the Christian context and get tossed out of a Southern
Baptist seminary.
Then three years ago, when I really joined the UM, my perspective completely changed: I developed a huge respect
for you oddballs and outsiders: you brave souls who possessed the deep spiritual insight with an understanding that
results in a different way of manifesting our lives. I now talk about a 180 degree turn away from our mortal
earthbound selves in order to truly live an ascendant universal based perspective.
So all you oddballs, weirdos, fanatics, religious zealots, meditators, and family rejects because of religion I say
this: you go guys and gals! Don’t look back! Keep your eyes on the real prize: morontian living. Those poor
deprived souls who want “normal,” they will just have to catch up on the mansion worlds. And I believe they
will. But as for you guys and gals and me – let’s see just how far we can get right here on earth. I bet it is far more
than we might have believed possible not so very long ago!!
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2
Question 1
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, May 14, 2018, 6:34 AM
Simply put: to bring us to Paradise.
The evolutionary planets are the spheres of human origin, the initial worlds of the ascending mortal career. Urantia is your
starting point; here you and your divine Thought Adjuster are joined in temporary union. You have been endowed with a
perfect guide; therefore, if you will sincerely run the race of time and gain the final goal of faith, the reward of the ages
shall be yours; you will be eternally united with your indwelling Adjuster. Then will begin your real life, the ascending life, to
which your present mortal state is but the vestibule. Then will begin your exalted and progressive mission as finaliters in
the eternity which stretches out before you. And throughout all of these successive ages and stages of evolutionary growth,
there is one part of you that remains absolutely unaltered, and that is personality — permanence in the presence of
change. 12:0.1
As finaliters we are informed that is our starting point even though it is a long, long, long, long, did I say long path to get
there.
Re: Selection
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, May 14, 2018, 4:55 PM
Guy and All: Somewhere along the way I had this brief vision:
All the TAs on Div. gathered around the job board awaiting to volunteer for the most interesting of indwellings. Listings
upon listings would go by while the eager beavers would rush off to submit their resumes. But the senior vets would wait
patiently, listen, and not make their move. Then would appear a listing form Urantia; a minor planet in an unfinished
universe in a backwater place at the very edge of the universes.
Suddenly there is a great commotion as the most experienced of the TAs would repolish their resume, edit their cover
letters, double check their references, and rush off to volunteer. “Why,” asks the newbe, “would they want to go there?”
Because, my friend, there are few more significant planets in all of creation: a major rebellion, an Adamic default, a
Melchizedek pilgrimage, the sojourn of the Creator Son who was brutally murdered by his own children, and, most
recently, the placement of universal truth which, so far, has been largely ignored.
What an opportunity! You would have to look hard to find a stranger place than that!!! If it is boredom you seek, don’t go
to Urantia because it is totally weird!!
Re: Selection
by Bruce Jackson - Wednesday, May 16, 2018, 9:47 AM
Well, in my dream I do tread where our beloved Solitary Messenger (check out that resume!) fears to tread! All humor set
aside, there is one point that should emerge: the TAs of this world are likely to be the most experienced, the most
qualified, and the best of the best given the unusual history of this planet and its possible high profile. Just sayin!
It is time to wake up
by Bruce Jackson - Saturday, May 19, 2018, 8:21 AM
One small example. I had spent the entire morning working on my UBIS classes – writing, thinking, and living the HIGH
life, the spiritual way, and “in the zone.” Then I had to take care of living. Went to the super and was literally dancingthru the isles. Got to the check out, paid, and was walking out when I discovered that dumb check-out GIRL put my
bananas on the bottom of the bag. WHAT AN IDIOT!!! How dare they pay her minimum wage! RAGE ON!!!
I hardly think that at that moment, after a full morning of blissful spiritual service, that I was anywhere near the third
cosmic circle. I am certain that my angels fled the scene, and Boss was utterly silent. For me the circles of attainment
rarely is a straight upward line of progression. As they say: the higher they fly the harder they fall.
What good does all the spiritual wisdom of the 5ER do me if I am not profoundly changed and seriously in control of the
tool of my mind? It is easy to intellectualize the spiritual teachings, it is even possible to understand when the parts of the
UB are outdated and irrelevant (the geology, for example). But somewhere one has to live the spiritual teachings every
minute of every hour of every day, day after day. That evidence of the truth of our spiritual lives is clear in our external
relations with other people. I can do all the inner spiritual development I want, but if it is not manifested in my life with
my spiritual human family then the evidence indicates that my cup is dirty on the inside no matter how hard I have
scrubbed it out
Re: Question 2
by Bruce Jackson - Saturday, May 19, 2018, 8:36 AM
I am totally confident that we will see many, many, many more such expressions of love for our
beloved concentric circles. Take a look at Marvin Garwin's Family of God three circles or the
Spiritual Fellowships circles intertwined with the cross. The Foundation may well think they
can control this, but they cannot control the Spirit that sweeps across the planet in response to
life changing revelation. To them and any other institution that would dare limit the spiritual
potentials of the 5ER I say this: step back by friends, take a deep breath, refuse to call the
lawyers, let the Spirit go, and be deeply thankful that you are not really in control. To those
wonderful artist I say this: beloveds, create on, create on, create on
Question 2
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, May 14, 2018, 6:35 AM
You know, if I could actually learn all 28 of them on a real practical level while living as a mortal of the realm I would feel
as though I actually accomplished something. I see them as a part of a whole, no single one being more important than
any other. Indeed, they are the first and most basic of morontian lessons and we will not be able to exclude any one as
we progress. It is quite likely that we will add many more lessons throughout our ascendant life.I think that a useful exercise would be to do a 12-month study of each of these molta. Emphasize one per day and repeat
the process 12 times. In some ways the Course in Miracles advocates a similar approach. Though I am not a fan of its “the
world is illusion” philosophy, its teaching methodology has some validity.
Question 3
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, May 14, 2018, 6:35 AM
Jesus talks about those who know through faith even though they have not seen. When I talk with Christian scholars who
doubt the validity of the 5ER their inevitable question is “how do you know this is true?” It is by faith that we know, that
same faith that leads one to trust in the biblical teachings that serve as the foundation of their church. Here it is no
different.
The process of faith is a gradual opening of soul-consciousness. This is not achieved in a single Pauline Damascus Road
experience for most of us mere mortals. Rather, it is a process of opening and reopening, learning and relearning, and
growing and growing even more. Some young children find that faith is easy to learn and accept. But as adults many of us
learn that life is layer upon layer upon layer through which we traverse as we become increasingly ascendant morontian
beings. I have known devout people who have had a deep and living faith all their long lives. This gradual development of
soul consciousness is generally their testimony
Question 4
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, May 14, 2018, 6:36 AM
How do we make the decision to become a part of the “kinship of the kin-dom” (notice: NOT
Kingdom)? By personal decision to become an ascendant being and actively engage in the
cultivation of morontian living. Though that decision can be made at any time and any place, it
requires a complete life change from an earth-bound temporal perspective to a universal and
morontian eternal perspective. Such a decision may be lightly made, but it is not lightly lived.They are not interested in making the mortal career easy; rather are they concerned in making
your life reasonably difficult and rugged, so that decisions will be stimulated and multiplied. The
presence of a great Thought Adjuster does not bestow ease of living and freedom from
strenuous thinking, but such a divine gift should confer a sublime peace of mind and a superb
tranquility of spirit. 108.5.
Re: Linea d'azione
by Bruce Jackson - Wednesday, May 16, 2018, 10:10 AM
All - My church has stumbled on a theological perspective that might be helpful in this conversation. They
reject the word "kingdom" as an ancient contrivance to describe the universe that no longer has resonance
in our modern world. "Kingdom" suggests a hierarchy, an organizational chart approach, to the universe
that really does not reflect new revelation. They suggest the kinship of the kin-dom as a better way of
envisioning the universe. Frankly, I think they are on to something very important if we are to strive for a
union of souls. For in this perspective we understand the kindred spirit nature between humanity and the
myriad of unseen universal personalities. Further, we recognize the importance of the Family of God
under the Mother/Father God and the brotherhood and sisterhood of all humanity.
If we are to achieve a real union of souls between human beings, much less the rest of the universe, then
the hierarchy perspective needs reconsideration in the light of the claim that Jesus is ourbrother. Really??? If that is so, then maybe we might be able to expand that consciousness to a true kindom
Re: Entering temporal everlastingness—the everlasting now
by Bruce Jackson - Saturday, May 19, 2018, 9:27 AM
All – As I read this thread I am struck by a thought I repeatedly encounter in my own spiritual pilgrimage: the one
observing the experiment influences the experiment. I have come to believe that the more I contemplate my
spiritual status (first, second, third or fourth level of philosophy, which cosmic circle, etc. etc.) the less I am actually
able to discern. It seems to me that spiritual morontian ascendant living is a direct experience. True, it is the result
of our effort, motivations, intentions, etc., but contemplation thereof is not as important as the actual living of it.
Over the years I too have fallen into the trap of evaluating my life in the terms presented in the 5ER. There
are so many wonderful lists in the UB it is hard not to develop a matrix where I may gage where I (and/or
others) am at. Wouldn’t it be so nice to know that I have finally crossed over that third cosmic circle never
to look back again: I got my angles, and my TA and I are in loving conversation. But, my alas friends, that
has not been my experience as I have said again, and again, and again, and again, and……
Re: Question 4
by Bruce Jackson - Tuesday, May 15, 2018, 12:50 PM
Cesare and all:
Paying the price is indeed more than just wishing to do that, but the actual doing of it. Give some thought
to a passage we have been studying in support of this group:
101:7.4 (1114.2) The great difference between a religious and a nonreligious philosophy of living consists in the
nature and level of recognized values and in the object of loyalties. There are four phases in the evolution ofreligious philosophy: Such an experience may become merely conformative, resigned to submission to
tradition and authority. Or it may be satisfied with slight attainments, just enough to stabilize the daily
living, and therefore becomes early arrested on such an adventitious level. Such mortals believe in letting
well enough alone. A third group progress to the level of logical intellectuality but there stagnate in
consequence of cultural slavery. It is indeed pitiful to behold giant intellects held so securely within the cruel
grasp of cultural bondage. It is equally pathetic to observe those who trade their cultural bondage for the
materialistic fetters of a science, falsely so called. The fourth level of philosophy attains freedom from all
conventional and traditional handicaps and dares to think, act, and live honestly, loyally, fearlessly, and
truthfully
Re: As long as God is your ideal
by Bruce Jackson - Saturday, May 19, 2018, 9:14 AM
All - You want soul struggle just try to keep up with every good point of this class!!! Now, if we could just walk the
talk we so eloquently enunciate, what changes we would find around us. As each of us is a single stone thrown into
still waters, so the ripples of our testimony will be carried to the world beyond us. That, my friends, is the meaning
of evangelism!
Re: Question 5
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, May 14, 2018, 2:05 PM
Mark - I totally get what you are saying about how easy it to say but much harder to do when it comes to the
TA. The more I study on this the more I have come to believe that I am not very good it it. It is a great comfort that
intention is more important because my actual actions do not really meed my own standards, much less the higher
demands of our Master. This is going to be a long, long, long, long, did I say long process indeed!
Re: Question 5
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, May 14, 2018, 2:01 PM
Yes John - it is going back again and again to the work of it. You are right when you say "But well-established
patterns derive only from repeated strokes of the brush, by repeated consecration of the will. It is not enough to win a
single victory over the material environment of animal heritage." But the animal heritage is only the beginning when
considering our socio-economic baggage in this modern age. That really requires going at it over and over again. It
is tough work indeed!
Re: Question 5
by Bruce Jackson - Saturday, May 19, 2018, 3:16 PM
Thinking in unison is an important first step towards a union of souls. Our next step is to begin thinking in harmony -
four or more independent parts that achieve a whole through the diversity of each independent line. For example,
J.S. Bach's Chorales are a perfect example of each part (soprano, alto, tenor, and bass) blending through
diversity. These hymns are profound scriptural settings used in the Lutheran setting and are now used as teaching
music students the meaning of harmony. This, my friends, is indeed the greater musical form. If we achieve that in
our effort to achieve a union of souls, we will generate an extraordinary, even exponential level of
communication. Remember the passages about unity not being uniformity
Question 6
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, May 14, 2018, 6:38 AM
There is a myth that there are special God-gifted musicians who simply have the innate ability to do their
craft. Bach, Handel, Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms, and many others fall in this category. What
scholars tell us is that to a man these brilliant individuals applied their craft with vigor, diligence, consistence,
dedication, hard work, and complete concentration. Yes, they had a gift that was unique, but that gift was not the
result of slothfulness, indolence, or indifference. Just like the rest of us mere mortal musicians, they had to work at
it.
Do you want a spiritual life? Do you want to become a part of the universal kin-dom that is eternal? Do you want to
embrace the benefits of morontian living? Then do the inner work necessary to get there. Belly up to the bar and be
willing to pay for it, because it ain’t cheap!
But forget not that as we develop the inner spiritual life so must we cultivate our external spiritual life. The great
composers listed above would not be remembered in history had it not been for their ability to share their inner
creative genius with their follow musicians, hence the world at large. This important lesson is encapsulated in the
following familiar quote:
Brotherhood and sisterhood constitutes a fact of relationship between every personality in universal existence. No
person can escape the benefits or the penalties that may come as a result of relationship to other persons. The part
profits or suffers in measure with the whole. The good effort of each man or woman benefits all men and women; the
error or evil of each man or woman augments the tribulation of all men and women. As moves the part, so moves the
whole. As the progress of the whole, so the progress of the part. The relative velocities of part and whole determine
whether the part is retarded by the inertia of the whole or is carried forward by the momentum of the cosmic
brotherhood/sisterhood. 12:7.11
Re: Our divine appointments
by Bruce Jackson - Wednesday, May 16, 2018, 10:14 AM
Guy and all - I see Divine Appointments as spiritual practice - a workable, consistent, and dedicated effort even in the
face of silence and non-reaction. The development of a life of worship, prayer, and service is not always smooth nor
easy to understand. Worship can seen ineffective, prayers unanswered, and service without recognition. Yet each
of these divine appointments do matter and create a cumulative effect.
A divine appointment that is truly divine experiences the vastness of worship from the perspective of a world that is
quarantined. It often finds no immediate answer in prayer, and often answers are not what one expects. It
understands that true universal service is, by its very nature, selfless and thereby without worldly recognition. The
main question is not the response to our divine appointments, but are we, through our faith, actually keeping
them?
Re: The universal language
by Bruce Jackson - Saturday, May 19, 2018, 8:03 PM
Guy and all – What a significant quote. If there ever is a case to be made for the balance between the inner spiritual
life and our witness to the world, our ministry to our brothers and sisters, it is clearly stated here. What really
intrigues me is that it wraps our true inner experience of our love of God and our subsequent service to our fellows
as “the essence of the love of the Supreme.”
There are universal consequences to the development of our inner spiritual morontian ascendant life that impacts
not just our world, but our universe. What a profound message that is hammered again and again and again into our
heads in the 5ER. I guess I have an unusually thick skull because that message has been a tad slow to sink in. Maybe
it is because I tend not to see things very far from my own nose! Time to wake up!
______________________________________________-
3
Question 1
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, May 28, 2018, 1:43 AM
There is an obvious answer to this question: prayer, worship, service, morontian living, and developing a relationship
with the TA. Even though achieving these objectives are ironically the easiest things an ascendant being can do,
making that a true reality in our mortal lives actually is neither obvious nor easy. Even the most spiritual amongst us
struggle with prayer, worship, service and morontian living at some point of our mortal careers. Further, we are
repeatedly informed that tuning to the Divine Presence Within is challenging at the mortal level, and that it is
fraught with problems that often result in strange “-isms,” dangerous spiritual egoism, and confused thoughts. The
development of each of these spiritual practices is a lifelong program that requires intentionality, commitment, and
constant focus. As for methodology in attempting to realize this potential consider:
Religious habits of thinking and acting are contributory to the economy of spiritual growth. One can develop religious
predispositions toward favorable reaction to spiritual stimuli, a sort of conditioned spiritual reflex. Habits which favor
religious growth embrace cultivated sensitivity to divine values, recognition of religious living in others,
reflective meditation on cosmic meanings, worshipful problem solving, sharing one’s spiritual life with one’s fellows,
avoidance of selfishness, refusal to presume on divine mercy, living as in the presence of God. The factors of religious
growth may be intentional, but the growth itself is unvaryingly unconscious. 101:1.8
The great religious teachers and the prophets of past ages were not extreme mystics. They were God-knowing men
and women who best served their God by unselfish ministry to their fellow mortals. Jesus often took his apostles
away by themselves for short periods to engage in meditation and prayer, but for the most part he kept them in
service-contact with the multitudes. The soul of man requires spiritual exercise as well as spiritual
nourishment. 91:7.2
Question 2
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, May 28, 2018, 1:44 AM
Even though I have been told that my ministerial prayers are often powerful and spirit led, I have had a long and
difficult relationship with prayer; both private and corporate. In terms of time and effort I do not appear to have
prayed much throughout the trajectory of my life. When I do I am not sure that I meet a number of the points of
effective prayer. A harsh assessment, true, but one on which I have given long thought and have made that
determination.
I have and experience that presents a good example. Last August I herniated the C7-T1 disk in my neck, lost feeling in
my 3rd and 4th fingers of my left hand, and was unable to play my service instrument guitar. I announced to my brother
and sister prayer partners that we would pray for healing. Alas, not only did I not pray very much, but healing did not
come to pass and I am only now slowly returning to the guitar. Was I wrong, boastful, or inappropriate in requesting
and expecting healing from personal prayer or the prayers of others? I know of many who have been healed via prayer
and meditation, and I know many more who have not. This is a tough question that I do not have an answer for. The
UB contains many thoughts on this matter::
The more healthful attitude of spiritual meditation is to be found in reflective worship and in the prayer of
thanksgiving. 100:5.10
"Prayer is a part of the divine plan for making over that which is into that which ought to be." 144:4.9
91:4.3 (998.1) In all your praying be fair; do not expect God to show partiality, to love you more than his other children, your
friends, neighbors, even enemies… When the prayer seeks nothing for the one who prays nor anything for his fellows,then such attitudes of the soul tend to the levels of true worship. Egoistic prayers involve confessions and petitions and
often consist in requests for material favors. Prayer is somewhat more ethical when it deals with forgiveness and seeks
wisdom for enhanced self-control. 91:4.3
Question 3
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, May 28, 2018, 1:46 AM
Of all spiritual concepts, my life experience with belief and faith has long been one of ambiguity. My disbelief in belief
was the reason I so doggedly clung to a boisterous conflict with and separation from the church during my 20’s. With
the calling of the revelation I set the issue beside because I simply believed in the truth 5ER. After many years ofisolation, on my return to the U-movement, and as I passed the age of 60 I experienced a shift in my perspective on
living faith as being more important than belief.
Even so, I continue to be ambiguous about faith because I feel as though I just “know” about universal reality without
having experienced much in the way of doubt. The eternal moronitan ascendant life is real, experienceable, and in
the here and now. I don’t know this because of my living faith, but rather because of the repeated demonstrations of
universal realities in my mortal career to date. The trajectory of my mortal pilgrimage has been an experience where
miracles have been common, where extraordinary circumstances lived and relived again and again, and where divine
blessings abound. I recognize that living faith empowers our recognition of universal truth and morontian living, but
even today I honestly feel like I have reached a point beyond that. For me morontian ascendant universal living just
IS
Question 4
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, May 28, 2018, 1:47 AM
Frankly, there are folks who love easily and naturally, and there are some (like me) who do not. I have served in
churches all my life. I have studied and listened endlessly to lessons concerning the meaning of divine or agape love. I
know what it is and I understand the kinship of us all under the parentage of the Mother/Father God. But even today,
as I face a crisis in my church and find myself writing the first letter of resignation in my adult life, I recognize and am
forced the face the consequences of my own lack of love for others. I am not particularly a lover of my brothers and
sisters in the highest meaning of a word. That is the problem with corporate worship: our intentions, motives and
relationships are abundantly clear, unambiguous, and understandable. That is why so many fear a real church
experience. One simply cannot hide a lack of shared love with their brothers and sisters.
In the last discussion period I talked about my “belief” in second (and more) chances. As I near death I am entirely
uncertain what cosmic circle I have crossed. Even as a servant of the church I have been less than exemplary in my
spiritual practice and my love for the congregation. But out of all these imperfections and evident flaws I have been
and will be given a second, third, fourth, and endlessly onward many chances to correct and reconstruct this frail
eternal being. I don’t “believe” or “have faith” that I will meet you all on the mansion world – I absolutely KNOW this
for real
Re: Question 4
by Bruce Jackson - Tuesday, May 29, 2018, 5:46 PM
Mark and All: The modern church is something that we Jesusonians really struggle with because some have had a
difficult relationship with it, and all have read in our beloved revelation highly critical statements about its
problems. Any institution attempting to spread a message of love thru engagement of worship, prayer, and service is
going to be flawed because it is a human group. I reject the notion that it “does more harm than good in terms of its
tendency to retard the growth of the evolving soul.” Before you go running to the UB to proof text me wrong, I would
ask your forbearance and hear one out who has spent many years in many different churches – both good and bad.First, I do not agree that Jesus attacked religion carte blanche. His concern was with improving the spiritual lives of
each individual. Human religious institutions are just that: human.
Sometimes we get it right, many times we blow
it. But to make the claim that a church is not concerned with the spiritual evolution of the soul is simply not true. Every
church I have ever been affiliated with is passionate in our effort to minister to individuals from the cradle to the grave,
in our ongoing work to develop a life of strong spiritual practice, and to nourish and to demonstrate a real love for
each other. The results of our many ministries are found in the lives of those with whom we share in worship and
prayer and for whom we serve.
Second, the 5ER contains many statements about Christianity (and other religions for that matter) that, while valid in
the context of the 1930’s, are now badly outdated (btw: the same can be said about the science in the UB as well). Yes,
there are many churches to which those criticism still apply such as “blood atonement,” materialism, social
involvement, etc., but there are, in truth, many churches to whom those remarks (195 and elsewhere) are no longer
relevant. Many progressive churches have significantly evolved throughout the spiritual renaissance of the last 50
years. In point of fact, my current church has a have deeper understanding of the kinship of the Family of God than
do we as Jesusonians because of the continual use of the outdated notion of Kingdom employed in the UB circa
1935. Additionally, there are some churches who have much to teach us Jesusonians in terms of the spiritual practice
of a connective relationship with the TA. These churches truly are out there. Just because you have not attended one
in your town does not mean that they do not exist.
Third, we Jesusonians truly need to get over our obsession with criticizing Christianity and other religious
practices. How can we expect the religious world to take a look at the UB when we reject them and the lessons they
have learned over many years? For example, I recently published an article with AUI where my discussion about the
need to train and ordain evangelists was expunged because of their policy rejecting evangelism or any form of
ministerial training. The fact of the matter is that we are already in need of such training because we, just like most
religions before us, are currently in need to trained leadership, institutions that minister from the cradle to the grave,
and the cultivation of scholars that are able to interface with the rest of the religious world. While we have much to
teach them, they have even more to teach us when it comes to sharing a spiritual message with the rest of the
world. We need to understand that these developments are inevitable:
Regardless of the drawbacks and handicaps, every new revelation of truth has given rise to a new cult, and even the
restatement of the religion of Jesus must develop a new and appropriate symbolism. Modern humanity must find some
adequate symbolism for his and her new and expanding ideas, ideals, and loyalties. This enhanced symbol must arise
out of religious living, spiritual experience. And this higher symbolism of a higher civilization must be predicated on the
concept of the Fatherhood of God, the Motherhood of the Supreme, and be pregnant with the mighty ideal of the
brotherhood and sisterhood of humanity.87:7.6
This section goes on to talk at length about the “cult” or the cultural expression of the religion of Jesus. Whether or
not it takes on a “church” format or develops some other worship/ministry style, we Jesusonians need to recognize
that this is already happening across the world. And guess what? Our institutions are just as flawed as the Christian
institutions! After 60+years of experience we are now learning that we too are not doing particularly well in sharing
our love for each other, and may even be guilty of “retarding the growth of the evolving soul.” Well, don’t throw the
baby out with the bathwater! It is time to learn the meaning of the Union of Souls while we see if we can do it just a
little better!!
Question 5
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, May 28, 2018, 1:49 AM
As I look over my life while attempting to be honest in responding to these deep and probing questions, I am reminded
of one perspective that I have long held. My communications with my most extraordinary Divine Indwelling Spirit are
few, far between, and generally no more than an occasional single word that I largely tend to ignore unless I am
diligent, careful, and mindful. That time where, as I neared the end of my unemployment checks, when on that
morning I heard the word “look” in the back of my mind and then immediately went to back weeks into the want ads
and found the overlooked ad that would lead to my administrative post that finished my academic career, is a great
example.
When the UB found me, it did not take long to understand the nature of my relationship with my TA. It was not even
a year into my reading before I proposed marriage to him, gave him a name, and unconditionally committed to an
eternal life with him. I have had many problems, crises, utter failures, difficulties, disappointments, and depressions
to the point of hopelessness, but to my knowledge I have NEVER broken that bond or pledge. I may be a weak and
poor example of a human being, but Boss is extraordinarily patient, loving, and perfect guide through the trials and
tribulations I have experienced. I know with great confidence that even if my mind should descend into depravity and
universal rejection as I near mortal death (the experience of my minister grandfather who built 83 churches and a
Southern Baptist University in Texas), that pledge will be honored
Question 6
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, May 28, 2018, 1:50 AM
Understanding the notion of the kinship of the Family of God is vitally important (as opposed to the old and dated
expression of the “kingdom”). The kinship that we have will all our brothers and sisters as well as with all universal
beings is in direct relationship with the Fatherhood of God and the Motherhood of the Supreme. Though the UB
describes many layers and levels of deity, our kinship with God and with each other really is all we need to focus on in
the here and now.
In understanding spiritual balance between a connected inner life and a spirit-led outer life contains the vitally
important ingredients for ascendant morontian living. As we tend to our inner spiritual development as an eternal
being, and as we learn to live and practice the teachings of our Sovereign Master in our relationships with each other,
our community, our world, and our universe, the truth of universal reality comes into a focused being as we become
God conscious on a wholistic level. You cannot do one without the other. It is a combination of a truly spiritual inner
life combined with a union of souls that we experience and understand the truth of this
__________________________________
4
Question 1
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, June 11, 2018, 4:37 AM
The recognition of universal reality. There are two vastly different views of life: an earth-bound mortal perspective
and an eternal ascendant universal perspective. The revelation has taught us that through conscious choice a mortal
being is able to recognize the earthbound perspective, turn away from it, and embrace morontian living. The limited
mortal view only experiences the tangible, material, and temporal experience life-view.
Cosmic consciousness provides an increasingly spiritualized morontian existence as each individual develops the ability
to go into spiritual union with his or her brothers and sisters, the unseen helpers, the Spirit, the universal Sovereign,
and the Mother Father God. The morontian perspective is recognized through the embracement of a living faith – the
recognition of spiritual involvement with the Inner Spirit of God and its revelation of the Will of God.
Re: Question 1
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, June 11, 2018, 5:04 PM
Jacinta - I totally get your "attitude" limitation where by we "delay my own progress because I refuse the process." In
the music profession we all tend to recognize that we are usually our own worst enemy. Rather than just getting on
with it we let "stage fright" take over, self evaluation run rampant, and a form of self pity dominate our freedom to
express the music itself. This is hard for so many that they, in the end, deny themselves a lifetime of musical fulfillment
in any form.
Re: Question 1
by Bruce Jackson - Tuesday, June 12, 2018, 8:54 PM
Theresa and John - Stage fright is just a small example of the larger point you both suggest: fear. There are so many
forms of fear and such a wide variety of consequences it would take two UBUS courses to scratch the surface. I think
one of the most pervasive fears is the one of spiritual experience. So many would rather stay within their comfort
zone than be actually changed by the Religion of Jesus. Even after years of study, experience, spiritual growth,
worship, prayer, and service it is something I still face on occasion. The difference today from years ago: I know what
is going on and better how to get over it. I am not sure that I will be able to totally conquer my fears as a mortal on
this planet. But should that fear horse buck me off again, I will pick myself up, dust off my britches, swagger back up
to the horse, and get in the saddle again, and again, and again, and again....... .
Re: Overcoming acedia
by Bruce Jackson - Thursday, June 14, 2018, 8:54 AM
Theresa - Fear can indeed seem real. It seems the best way to lick that beast is to face it and discover its power or the
lack thereof. Though, as we have discussed, there are many shapes and sizes of fears in our temporal lives, the giving
in to and surrendering of our lives to our spiritual fears is an even greater fear that compounds fear upon fear upon
fear. It is breaking that cycle that is our morontian challenge because spiritual fear, the fear of God, the fear of truth,
the fear of what the religion of Jesus will do to change you, the fear of the unknown, the fear of truth, beauty and
goodness, the fear of the unseen spiritual forces, and the fear of all things spiritual may well be the deepest, the most
compound, and the most complex of the fears we face.
If we can get over our fears of spiritual fears, if we might be able to shed our spiritual encumbrances, if we could
recognize that spiritual fears may not be real, then might it be possible for us to get over our worldly fears more
easily? Is there not a relationship here? Just wondering
Re: The Source
by Bruce Jackson - Tuesday, June 12, 2018, 9:00 PM
Guy - I see it as being my unique small part of the source, not the source itself. I take great comfort that I have a role
to play, a contribution to make, and a unique space/place to fill as a part of a much larger whole. While I understand
individualism, the very idea of being alone, separate, and totally different is not a comfort as a musician. I have know
many players who have envisioned themselves as such, and it is a lonely and isolated world they select for
themselves. In the musical arts it really is about community. No one is an island
Re: Question 2
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, June 11, 2018, 5:13 PM
Jack - Wonderful quote to ponder. I think one of my most difficult challenges is reconciling faith with that "terrible
master." That mind state does not want the simplicity of faith - that is just far too easy to embrace. The terrible
master wants a price, a sacrifice, to totem, a gift or bribe for forgiveness, and/or a punishment for being simply
human. What a dilemma we face when that takes over, ceases to be a serving tool, and becomes the master of the
Master!
Question 2
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, June 11, 2018, 4:39 AM
Our physical mind is a tool that has the capacity to recognize the difference between temporal and spiritual
perception. It has the capacity to embrace the step of faith beyond there merely worldly level and embrace the
universal reality of each moment of living. It is thereby able to make the conscious choice to follow the spiritual life
connection even while living in the worldly chaos of ego, hate, etc. This mind, this vital biochemical tool of discernment
is capable of consciousness expansion into the faith realms of reality far beyond the physical dimensions of this
quarantined world with its backward thinking, self-indulgent lifestyle, and self-centered propensity for ego
gratification.While some have argued that this worldly life is illusion, it is real, powerful, and fixable should individuals embrace the
courageous living of the teachings of our Master, Friend, and Sovereign. Through the conscious choice of the individual
and with the unfailing direction of the Inner Guide the individual has the tools needed to develop a consciousness
capable of true worship, deep prayer, selfless service, and a grasping of even the vaguest of the potentials of truth,
beauty and goodness
Re: Question 3
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, June 11, 2018, 5:21 PM
Susan - Lately I have come to the conclusion that the word "unity" is incredibly important and little understood from
the earth-bound perspective. What I hear you saying is something quite different from the unity we experience at a
sporting event or some similar event to which the world might apply that word. There are important discussions about
the difference between spiritual unity and uniformity in the UB that has much to instruct us on this. The entire notion
of "the Supreme Unity of the universe" is quite a foreign concept in a world that largely thinks of this universe in terms
of Star Wars don't you think?
Question 3
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, June 11, 2018, 4:40 AM
I have increasingly come to believe that the true answer to this question is different for each individual. I do not see
these levels as necessarily a linear experience. IMHO, these various levels of spiritual experience may vary significantly
in sequence for different individuals. My life, for example, has largely been a story of three steps forward, two steps
back. I may have reached a third level, but the next minute I may be dipping into the depths of the seventh level just
to learn anew a vitally important life lesson long forgotten. Life for me has been a long series of ups and downs, never
a straight ascendant line. That would be just too easy!
The path to cosmic circle attainment, the evolution of perspective into cosmic consciousness, and the understanding
of the faith pilgrimage just is not something that can be set into some form of matrix whereupon one is able to judge
the spiritual attainment of oneself, one individual over another, nor one group over another. Of this I am deeply
convinced. There are a number of such lists scattered throughout the 5ER, but I contend that on careful examination
of each list I dare to suggest that one might find agreement with this thesis. There are indeed discernable cosmic
spiritual levels, but how any specific individual traverses the various level is, IMHO, unique to each person and a highly
individualized spiritual experience dependent on many, many, many factors.
Through this lesson we learn the importance of human diversity in experience, perception, opinion, belief, and faith
practice. Through this understanding we are able to embrace the different individual experience as a strength in the
sum total lives of human beings. That we are not given in the UB such a judgmental matrix is a very, very good thing
that I find wise and worthy of deep respect. It truly is a matter of learning how to read and learn from the 5ER without
becoming fundamentalists proof-texters desiring to hold ourselves, our group, or others to account
Re: Question 3
by Bruce Jackson - Wednesday, June 13, 2018, 10:34 PM
Susan - Your response prompts me to share something I have been talking about with others a lot recently: how the
importance of past reflection combined with the revelation of the future impacts the present. In contemplation of
ones past experience there is the evidence of the action of God (and all spiritual forces) in ones mortal experience. In
the demystification of death through a revelation of our future pilgrimage empowers one to see how our current
decisions relate to where we are going. '
For example: It is quite possible for a first grader to comprehend that she has a long way to go because daddy just got
his PhD (talking about my son's family here). True, she does not really understand all that is involved in getting there,
but she understands that the long, long road has definable steps because she has learned to read and is beginning to
compute. Because she has had experience with nursery school, kindergarten, and now has finished first grade she
knows that there are 12 grades to high school, and a whole lot of college after that.We can apply this to our spiritual evolution as well when we come to understand the mansion worlds, morontian life
evolving into spiritual life, and so on through out a spiritual pilgrimage that will take us to finaliter status. Even now
we are able to perceive that our Paradise stay is but only the beginning of our lives of universal service.
One quick aside, though. I don't think we mortal beings are first graders. Newborn is more likely the case!
Re: Question 3
by Bruce Jackson - Thursday, June 14, 2018, 11:57 AM
Did I not say that we were newborns? Sorry Guy, baby waahing is a universal language. Sometimes I think that this
world sounds just like a nursery of babies: noisy at feeding time, cooing when happy, and peaceful when all are
asleep. But then there always is that screamer who just won't shut up (mom and dad won't get much sleep with that
one!). I wonder if I might fall into that category! When I look at our spiritual helpers I think of those nurses who just
let the noise wash away as they love us, care for our needs, and keep us safe in our infancy
Question 4
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, June 11, 2018, 9:21 AM
Again, see my answer to question 3. I again strongly assert that such efforts to develop any matrices measuring
spiritual attainment is fraught with spiritual dangers. Frankly, I am not willing invade the revelation to such an extent
that I might be able through intellectual inquiry determine such a matrix because the dangers posed therein has been
repeatedly and clearly demonstrated throughout Christian history.
Please, my friends, give very careful thought to this line of inquiry because should we ever actually discover within the
pages of this revelation such a tool of judgement of ourselves or others this potentially could become seriously
problematic in our current world culture as a movement and as Jesusonians. If you are interested in an example of
what I am speaking of here, view the movie titled Sunday Morning. It is a true story and one that contains a serious
lesson concerning what happens when religionists believe they understand the “keys to the spiritual Kingdom.” Check
it out and hear my warning on this matter
Re: Pushing back the limits
by Bruce Jackson - Tuesday, June 12, 2018, 9:19 PM
Guy and All: The passage from 48:0 was one of those early readings in my initial experience with the UB that had a
life changing impact on me. It was as if all the pieces of a 1000 piece puzzle were to suddenly fall into a place an a
picture of truth were to spring forth. Knowledge of eternal life is so incredibly important to the mission of the 5ER. The
earth truly needs a demystification of death to lead us out of the darkness of our worldly isolation and the
consequences of rebellion. So many religionists hold their peculiar non-universal interpretation of "life after death" it
is no wonder this world is so totally confused. Just how badly is this revelation needed to change from an earth-bound
to a mornotian perspective? We need to understand the importance of memory of the past in relation to revelation
of the future to know where we are in the present.
Re: Question 4
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, June 11, 2018, 5:31 PM
Thanks John - it is nice to hear someone who sees that "it is important for us to consider their meaning for
ourselves." When this world truly gets this notion (as opposed to turning us all into little automatons marching in sync
through our steps) we will learn the real lesson of the modern spiritual renaissance: human diversity is human strength.
In the European Renaissance (1400 - 1600) "humanism" was the emerging concept as the Protestant Reformation
resulted in a split from Catholicism. I have long believed that diversity may well be the kernel of this modern
renaissance. But who knows, understanding the basic lesson of any age is difficult when in the middle of it. Diversity
as a concept is inherently difficult to pin down because we are, well, so very diverse!!
Re: Connected to the Supreme
by Bruce Jackson - Tuesday, June 12, 2018, 9:29 PM
Guy: Your question is something that I have wondered about because it is the little details that I seem to be unable to
grasp in my pilgrimage with the UB. From my earliest readings I have always found it easier to sort of lump things into
general categories rather than study, discern, and absorb the details. I see the Supreme as the Mother side of God. For
me the Spirit is just the Spirit - no need to nibble at every weed. I think I do this because my community does not have
a historical foundation to do the type of analysis Jesusonians are accustomed to. But on the flip side, advantage goes
to them when considering community.It is so interesting to me just how much we all have to teach each other, and that is a revelation unique to this spiritual
renaissance age. If we truly get this, the idea that in our differences there is great strength, our planet will move to a
new level of consciousness
Re: Question 5
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, June 11, 2018, 5:41 PM
Joan - I get your struggles with the question and the role of the Mother Supreme. As I contemplate this it seems that
my experience has not been found in the education of my mind, but in the experience I share with my brothers and
sisters in spiritual service as a part of the Family of God. While I get the Fatherhood of God thru the Internal Divine
Presence of the TA, the presence of the Motherhood of God is more difficult for me because our world is so terribly
confused, has so many dysfunctional social relationships, and is so spiritually challenged with a religious nomenclaturethat has been hijacked by an earth-bound temporal perspective as opposed to universal reality. Any ideas on how to
deal with this?
Question 5
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, June 11, 2018, 4:42 AM
The Mother Supreme is the outer socio-cultural part of our spiritual path (Father God thru the TA our inner spiritual
development). This relationship with our human brothers and sisters and the unseen and superhuman beings who
serve with us is essential to the cultivation of our spiritual development. Just this morning the entire sermon at my
church focused on this very concept (including the Mother God). The power of this sermon was the recognition that
as we go deeper into the relationships with our fellows, the deeper is our communion with God. You cannot have one
without the other.
The greatest spiritual evolution sweeping our U-M today is the recognition of this truth, dynamic experience, and
physical communion as a Family of God. It is also our movements greatest challenge as we Jesusonians slowly emerge
from the fog of internal emersion into the revelation and its application of our personal lives into the realities of dealing
with each other in love, with compassion, from a spiritualized perspective, and through a true Union of Souls. In this
regard this is a key moment in the history of our U-M as we come out of our small group, look around, see the world
in the midst an incredible spiritual renaissance. As we wake up we will be able to truly start begin the hard work of
our universal assignment of sharing the UB with an awakening world. As a group we Jesusonians need to pray for
those who are coming in contact with other religions at the Parliament of World Religions November 1-7. And as a
group we Jesusonians truly need to begin to worship together in unity and celebration of the incredible revelation
entrusted to us
Re: Question 6
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, June 11, 2018, 5:58 PM
You know, Don, I think that you are really hitting on something very important when we belittle the human being as
"lowly." It was in a class just this last week when someone was talking about a linear spiritual continuum where one
was here, another there, and another somewhere else that I just about shed my skin I was so uncomfortable. When
are human beings going to learn the lesson that whoever one might be ahead of today, he/she just might be behind
tomorrow. You want to know why I so deeply respect a new reader who is comprehending for the first time? Because
their spiritual understanding may well far exceed my jaded years of reading the same passage over and over and over
again. The universal personalities who wrote the 5ER respect us, when will we ever learn to respect, love and truly
care for each other?
Question 6
by Bruce Jackson - Tuesday, June 12, 2018, 11:44 AM
There are no limits to the potential to become truly morontian beings as a mortal being. The human Jesus clearly
demonstrated for His entire universe the reality of this as His mortal life truly became the most perfect mortal life ever
lived throughout the history of all of Nebadon. While this particular mortal being recognizes that potential, I believe
that it is unlikely that I will ever reach that level even though it will not be for want of trying or desire.
There is something within this particular human form that will not get there as a mortal of the realm, though this
recognition in no way lessens the desire, the daily effort, and the commitment to the leadership of the Inner Spirit
who demonstrates real worship, prayer, and service. What is of great comfort is that there is the promise that I, even
the very small I from the most backwards and remotest of planets at the very edge of our universe will be eventually
and truly be able to become perfect even as my beloved Father God is perfect if I would only have faith, choose to
follow the Will of God, be led by the Spirit of God Within, cooperate with my universal family, and be steadfast in my
spiritual assignments as I slowly, oh so very slowly trudge the long, long, long, long, did I say very long path towards
Paradise.
What an incredible promise and most beautiful vision of potentials!
Re: Limitless - escaping the limitations of the present material world
by Bruce Jackson - Tuesday, June 12, 2018, 9:39 PM
It seems to me that we come back to personal choice again and again. In a prayer sequence and in worship the
statement of choice is critical for the preparation of the receptivity of the mind. As I read the 5ER I hear the importance
of our choice in giving permission for the spiritual forces to engage. When I think on the efforts of my angelic friends,
for example, it seems to me that when I choose to make the effort to become an ascendant being they engage.
I feel like they largely ignore me when i am simply crusin' along on automatic. My choice starts the engine, fires the
gas,releases the brakes, puts me into drive, engages the accelerator, and sets me, my angels, and a small host of
unseen helpers out on the spiritual adventure. Wow - what an incredible power is this choice!
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5
Re: Essay 1
by Bruce Jackson - Tuesday, June 19, 2018, 2:18 PM
Susan - Even though I have been "questing for consciousness" since my 2-'s, I totally identify with your statement. It
seems as though the truism we preach in education applies doubly here: the more you learn the less you know. Still
in the process of learning!
Re: Essay 1
by Bruce Jackson - Thursday, June 21, 2018, 10:51 AM
Joan - I too experienced a real expansion of my understanding of the Mother Supreme and found your description of
your readjustment of thinking as a part of this course compelling. While living offers continuous opportunities for
consciousness expansion, courses such as this are real gems where we may fine tool our perceptions, try our our ideas
with like-minded and non-threatening colleagues, and develop a real understanding of what we are going through
because others are holding a mirror before us thereby giving us a chance to see ourselves as others see us. So valuable
indeed!
Re: Essay 2
by Bruce Jackson - Tuesday, June 19, 2018, 2:29 PM
Mark - Beam me up indeed. (to be sung to refrain of Just a Closer Walk With Thee!)
Just another taste for me,
grant it Jesus is my plea.
Spirit of God inside me,
let it be, dear God, let it be.
Re: Essay 2
by Bruce Jackson - Friday, June 22, 2018, 1:15 PM
Mark and All - If you think that I am frustrated you need to reread my essay for question 4 I think after a careful
reading you will find a great deal of optimism about the Urantia Movement. Yes, there have been problems and
there is much to do, but who would have it otherwise? As for the rest of the world - I have long ago concluded that
it will take care of itself and we will indeed meet all those folks on the mansion worlds. We need to focus on our
own business because that will be enough work for us in the here and now. I would not characterize anyone bold
enough to read the UB as mundane
Re: Essay 3
by Bruce Jackson - Friday, June 22, 2018, 1:01 PMJacinta: I was really struck by your statement "I want to dive to 'the ocean of the universe' yet i am still in the skill of
snorkeling. I saw many friends are advance in their quest and consciousness - understand what I couldn't." Many,
many time in my life I have felt the same way. Even in this class I look at wonder at those who are so able to pull up
just the right quote. The only thing I can say about my experience is the recognition that even though we are all in
different places in life, it makes no difference when our intentions are in the right place. I recently went back and reread the section on eternal life. Once again I was impressed at just how EASY it is for us. There is no reason to selfjudge or compare ourselves to others. Everyone has their challenges, their hills to climb, their oceans to learn to swim
in. That you are willing to snorkel is good enough. Take it one step at a time and we will all meet again and again and
again and again and again and.............
Re: Essay 4
by Bruce Jackson - Monday, June 18, 2018, 6:30 PM
Between 1935 and 2000 the Southern Baptist denomination grew from a small, rural, Bible focused, socially
conservative church based in the American South into an international denomination of over 10 million. How did they
do that? Yes, there are less than flattering explanations concerning their political promise of prosperity, etc., but that
really is not the story. Rather, their explosive growth was the result of many men and women who were deeply called
and spirit led to respond to the evangelistic mission of sharing the Bible’s Gospel of Jesus. My grandfather was such
an individual. A PhD graduate of the same seminary from which I was expelled after refusing to publicly denounce the
UB, his spiritual mission was to raise money and build churches in Texas. During those 65 years he was responsible
for building 83 churches and Huston Baptist College (now a university).
With such a background it is easy to understand why I am so passionate about the apparent lack of growth of the
Urantia-Movement (U-M). After our first 65+ years and as we near our 1 millionth printing, we guesstimate there may
be between 25-50,000 active readers of the 5ER. For years few conferences have drawn over 600 participants. As
UBIS nears its 20th anniversary, there have been less than 1,000 students enrolled in classes. There has been a
reluctance in the U-M to develop any form of evangelism, build churches, or even consider Jesusonianism a
religion. Some study sessions have become largely aging intellectual conclaves. The history of rejecting the potentials
of cradle-to-grave ministries, ministerial training, institution building, regular and active corporate prayer and worship,
and deep engagement in local and world community service now needs courageous attention and refocus.
Yet, while it is easy to poke at the mote in the eyes of the U-M, I find myself remarkably hopeful about our fledgling
Jesusonian effort. Our institutions, after a period of predictable bickering, are getting back on track. Our schools are
learning new lessons in curricular expansion and delivery. Our online presence is significant and of fairly high
quality. The number of brilliant minds endeavoring to move forward the cause of the 5ER is growing and
developing. And finally, the consciousness of the entire group is raising and becoming attuned to the importance of
being much more than a religion of personal experience as we increasingly understand the nature of the Union of
Souls within the family context under our Mother/Father God.
What the U-M needs to do now is focus on Jesusonians, its institutions, and its community. We need to programs of
training for our outreach specialists (yes, evangelists) to grow our movement, our teachers and scholars who will
develop our next generation of Jesusonians and interface with other religions, and our leaders who will provide vision
for our movement as it grows. We need to focus on raising the consciousness of our own community beyond individual
intellectual study into the higher realms of communal spiritual experience. We need to offer our many isolated soulsa place to participate, an opportunity to belong to an identifiable group with a purpose and realistic goals, and establish
a broad identity based on our diversity with which Jesusonians may proudly affiliate. We need to cultivate online
spaces where our scattered little group may congregate in worship. We need to develop a focus on prayer based on
the conditions of effective prayer. Finally, we need to present our talented folks scattered all over the world an
opportunity to serve in kinship with the Family of God.
While in our next 65 years Jesusonianism may not grow to 10 million, all of this is truly coming to pass. What we now
need to do is support and engage in the effort to raise the consciousness of all Jesusonians into a caring, loving, God
centered, and revelation living Family of God. When the world sees that and experiences its resultant spiritual
fragrance, it will then pay attention to Jesusonians
Re: Essay 4by Bruce Jackson - Friday, June 22, 2018, 12:53 PM
Jacinta - I think in terms of leaders, teachers, and evangelists rather than a single strong leader. Jesus has that strong
leader slot taken already. It will take many, many folks to develop Jesusonianism into an appropriate expression of
the Religion of Jesus. Only the Master in league with His many, many universal helpers and along with the many, many
dedicated brothers and sisters living as a vital part of the family of God to make that a reality. But rest assured, this is
now coming to pass and will come to pass even more. The spiritual renaissance of the modern age will change this
planet. In such a renaissance it is always darkest before the dawn. Be patient, universal truth will prevail.
Re: Essay 4
by Bruce Jackson - Wednesday, June 20, 2018, 12:40 PM
Gretchen - Two of your points really stand out to me. The message that walking the spiritual calling is "extra work" is
so very important in this attention deficited and time challenged generation. They are not afraid of work, but so many
religionists sell the spiritual life on the cheap - embrace this theology, this lifestyle, this formula, that institution, this
spiritual source and you are in. Just how hard is it to read and study a 2096 page 10 point font book with no pictures,
audio visual, or fun games?
"The Angels and the FER have brought us together as kindred souls with like mindedness to seek and know the truth
that is God" is profoundly true and the mechanism thru which the Union of Souls is possible. If we had to do spiritual
morontian living on our own what kind of mess would we make of it? Even the very best of us have to pick ourselves
up and make another effort to do it better over and over again
Re: Overcoming fear
by Bruce Jackson - Wednesday, June 13, 2018, 11:02 PM
Very interesting list, Guy, but it seems so worldly, so earth-bound, and so very short. I think that if we
really worked on this list it could easily reach 100, don't you think?
How about looking at spiritual fears that hold us back from our morontian potential as I did earlier this
evening in a comment on fear? As a long time servant in the Christian church I have witnessed the
power of spiritual fear in many different forms, shapes, and styles. Some religious traditions talk
incessantly about the fear of God, the fear of being cast into eternal punishment, the fear of sin,
etc. Others are simply afraid of religion itself (perhaps the U-M is plagued with this type of fear in its
intellectualization of the 5ER as something to be studied rather than a guide to worship, prayer, service
and morontian attainment). Also, there is the deeply handicapping fear of self discovery through
spiritual maturation; thus one surrenders life to traditional formulas that provide comfort. And the
list of spiritual fears goes on and on and on just like your list! That list too may easily reach 100!!
It is my suspicion that spiritual fear must be met with spiritual balance between the inner life
relationship with the TA and the outer experience of involvement with brothers and sisters and our
unseen helpers. Also, spiritual balance is in relation to understanding our past in relation to our future
as we live in the now might have a powerful impact on our spiritual fears. It seems to me that an
imbalance of these spiritual perceptions and elements (consciousness) gives spiritual fear a foothold,
don't you think? Maybe it is more complex than that? Simpler? I wonder....
e: Overcoming spiritual fears
by Bruce Jackson - Thursday, June 14, 2018, 11:39 AM
All - What follows is IMHO only. No proof texting.
Lately I have been thinking about the notion that this world is an "illusion." The extension of that is
that fear is an illusion. I have come to the thought that this concept of illusion may not be so. Whenwe label something as an illusion, then implied in that is the ability to simply turn aside, ignore it, and
it will go away. When I studied the Course in Miracles I thought that this contention, their
methodology, and their entire concept of an illusory world was just off - not right to me as it did not
pass my smell test.
I think that fear and temporal life itself is very real, powerful, and pervasive in our social structures,
politics, institutions, and interrelationships. I believe the UB might support that case if you scholars
would look for quotes (thank you in advance for that). Fear and earth-bound living needs to be faced
with courage, dealt with in understanding and compassion, and ministered to with a loving spirit. Fear
cannot overcome the spiritual forces that so lovingly offer a better way, a higher path, a generous
solution, and eternal life. Fear is a mortal lesson; not an eternal curse.
Fear is only as powerful as we enable it. Fear can be overcome with dedication to a morontian way of
living, a commitment to worship, prayer, and service, and a connection to the God the Father thru the
TA and the Mother Supreme in our spiritual interactions with our brothers, sisters, and our unseen
spiritual forces. What do you think?
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