[tmtranscripts] Abraham 1\23\00

[ELLEN]

MEETING WITH ABRAHAM -- SELF MASTERY IS THE KEY
JANUARY 23, 2000
WOODS CROSS GROUP

I am ABRAHAM. Welcome. My greetings to you, friends. I so much enjoy your
conversation and the sharing of your experiences. It has proven true how
valuable your mortal experience really is. You cannot make spiritual
understanding out of just existing. No. It is necessary to live these
experiences and take what you can from them.

I understand that some experienced difficulty with the emotional aspects of
these experiences. I have had my emotional days in the flesh also. I can
however console your mind with the decrease in emotional flare ups when you
have become more spiritized in mind.

Michael's Spirit of Truth is a compass that points the planet into the
direction of Light and Life. The betterment of one becomes the betterment of
all. Self-mastery is the key. The exposure of character flaws leads you to
find healing and liberty from them, correction, if you will.

It is difficult to know where to begin when making effort towards improving
upon self-mastery. The mortal experience is priceless in learning to
exercise self-mastery. Though these shortcomings may be difficult to bear,
they are helping to bring Urantia into a new and better age. Self-discipline
is difficult in a world of self-indulgence. So many seemingly empty souls
indulge daily in things that would appear to bring fulfillment.

In the days of old self-discipline was somewhat forced, but with technology
the minds of men and women have become ease seeking and put their faith in
things material. Mortals find it difficult to go without when their neighbor
waves their good fortune in their face. Self-indulgence has been looked upon
as normal, as the popular thing to do.

In the early days of our Mission the minds of mortals were ego centered and
without much spiritual foundation. Spirituality proved to be with
self-denial and too many rules. A child who is always carried does not learn
to walk. A child who is always indulged expects the world to owe him, to
cater to him. A child who is taught 'no' early on learns that he needs to be
responsible as a citizen in society and do his share--minister and be
ministered to.

I do not speak here of self-denial, but self-discipline--being able to
master the self and strengthen the divine connection. The Master could go a
great length of time without food or water. He took no note of an emptiness
in His bodily system. His mind was quite full and centered upon God. You can
say when the soul is nourished the body, or things material, becomes
secondary.

Does not the mature adult learn to save his fortune for the better quality
things in life? You know that today's self-gratification does not secure
tomorrow's bread. Today's self-gratification does not secure the good of the
whole. What is self-discipline but a redirecting of focus. Where is your
focus? Can you nurture the soul and know that the material emptiness is just
temporary? Yes.

The Master could be found from time to time dashing the hopes of His fellow
apostles with the reality of the Kingdom. The apostles hung their hats upon
a material hook and the Master would chastise them, and even though His
words were seemingly harsh, this chastisement spoke to their souls--it
redirected their focus.

Is self-chastisement acceptable? Certainly, to a point. Self-chastisement
serves when your focus is redirected back towards the spiritual Kingdom. It
is not self-punishment or self-denial. It is not causing a well of hunger
for other things. It is a closeness with Father and a trust that said, "I
will wait upon the word of the Lord." Many can say, "I am too weak to
practice self-discipline. I am only made more desirous of material things. I
am only further separated from my God." This is old thinking.

The new way should focus on the participation in leading Urantia further
into the stages of Light and Life. "I can have self-discipline for it serves
the world. It brings the reality of the Brotherhood of Man and the
Fatherhood of God into focus." Is refraining from flying into emotional
upheaval self-discipline? Yes. Is being observant and staying clam, while
waiting on the word of the Lord, self-mastery? Yes.

I know these things are difficult when in the flesh. I have lived it, but I
can promise you as you begin these practices the logic and practicality will
become apparent. It will become as if there were no other way. This week
define self-discipline and self-denial. What is the difference? What is
self-chastisement? Note your self-indulgence versus self-discipline. Does
the nurturing of the soul minister to your material needs? A few questions.

HARRISON: Abraham, we would like to introduce you to Mark. It has been a
pleasure having him here with us.

ABRAHAM: Greetings Mark. Welcome.

MARK: I have a technological question that is about our spirit name. How do
you realize it? Where and how and when is it generated?

ABRAHAM: I receive the spiritual names from the personal Father Fragments.
The names are now given upon spiritual realization of each person. The names
used to be given upon fusion with the Thought Adjuster. Now we find the
early receiving of these names creates a greater spiritual connection and
allows each individual to know their place in the spiritual Kingdom is
secured. I am quite fortunate to be witness to this new age of
enlightenment, and it is certainly touching for me to see the Father
Fragment speak the name of His beloved child, in whom He accompanies. Is
this answering Mark? (Somewhat. Thank you.) Another question?

CAROL: Inaudible. If it will bring me closer spiritually I would like to
know my spiritual name.

ABRAHAM: Certainly. One moment. I am informed they know you On High as
Sarauna. Yes. Another question?

CALVIN: Abraham, that was most interesting. That is the name that came to me
while you were saying that to her. That is the first time that has happened
to me. I have a question. It seems like my mortal experiences that are hard
to take happen way more often than I would like. Is that foolishness that
allows that to happen or is it foolishness not to expect it. I think you
know my question there. It seems like they are way too much for comfort.

ABRAHAM: I understand that question is best answered by the feelings you
have afterward, or the fruits produced therefrom, or the spiritual poisons
that arise. I understand your enthusiasm to seek these out and have
correction. It is not that simple. Time and experience play a role in
learning spiritual values and meanings. If there is not learning or fruits
produced, then there is not value in the experience. There needs to be time
allotted for lesson absorption. You know you cannot demand immediate answers
and have value therein. Life is an unfolding, not watching over your
shoulder for the next big event to hit. It would serve you each to allow for
natural unfolding, natural evolution. Father cannot be forced into hurrying
these lessons. He is not waiting until you are not looking to drop one on
you. His universe workings are calculated for the best overall value and
understanding to occur within as many of His children that are open to it.
The stillness is ideal for energy recharge to tackle these mortal
experiences. A time in quiet reflection is aligning your will with Father's,
an alignment is peace in mind and heart. A complete trust in Father is
relaxing that part of you which worries that you are not keeping up. Is this
answering?

CALVIN: Very, very helpful. Thank you. I would love to voice that Angie is
here. You know her from the Pocatello group.

ABRAHAM: Welcome. Have you a question?

ANGIE: I don't think so. I find it depressing to be moved again in a new
area. I am ready to go back to Pocatello. This has been hard.

ABRAHAM: Understood. Any mortal changes are difficult and it is common to
long for the ways of old. It is important that you find comfort in your
surroundings. Too much depression may cause you to become a bit separated
from things divine. Lose not hope, my daughter. Your Father looks after your
best interests and seeks your happiness.

This is for Dorinda: Have not worry, nor be anxious. You cannot act with
your spiritual knowledge in these feelings. There will always be times that
your spiritual feelings are out of sorts. Even beyond this world there is
not always feelings of comfort. Know that in these times you must reach up
for Father because He is reaching down for you. That is all.

I am with honor and love to know you each, and I carry you in my thoughts
all week. I am with love for you. Until next week, shalom.