[tmtranscripts] Ham on seeking spiritual guidance at all times

[David G. Schlundt, Ph.D.]

09/26/2004

Ham: Greetings, children, I am Ham and I am happy that we are meeting 
this evening. Each of you has grown ever more conscious of the spiritual 
influence and spiritual contact in your lives. As you fight through the 
confusing and contradictory aspects of life, as you struggle to attain 
spiritual clarity and as you strike out toward ever greater horizons 
both spiritual and personal, you must continually find respite, calm, 
and tranquility so that that which is confusing, that which is muddy, 
and contradictory might eventuate in some measure of moral and spiritual 
clarity within.

You, my children, live lives of perpetual bombardment where you feel 
assailed by the world just getting up in the morning to begin your day. 
You have so much around you, so much information that the mind grows 
weary of the struggle to find focus. It is easy to be fatigued as you 
seem to be drawn into conflict daily.

The Master said, come to me you who are heavy leaden, come to me you who 
are weary and overburdened with your cares of the world. And so it is. 
Now more so than ever. His spirit is growing, his spirit grows ever more 
insistent that you should offer him your attention, not only in times of 
need but during your daily life struggle, your daily life effort.

The Master did not wait until he was at his wits end before turning to 
his Father. No. The Master turned first to the spirit at every spare 
moment, at every opportunity. While others talked into the night, the 
Master would steal away and engage with the Father in precious 
communion. The Master knew after long years of practice how to absorb 
the spirit and receive spiritual comfort, strength, and direction and to 
use every opportunity to unburden his soul and to humanly ask for help.

You my friends have been conditioned to think that asking for help 
should be a last resort. But this was not the Master's attitude. Always 
did he acknowledge his humanity by acknowledging his human weakness and 
asking for divine strength and guidance at every step of the way. In 
this way, the Master's energies were never so seriously depleted that he 
was tempted to be unkind, impatient, or chastising of his fellow's human 
failures. He prayed for them before their failures were even apparent 
and he prayed for himself that he might be and instrument of the 
Father's love in each life he encountered.

My friends, would it not be wise to follow his example? To pray ahead of 
time so that you are strengthened and given the proper attitudes ahead 
of situations rather than after you have been beaten or bloodied by 
events. It is always wise to pray for guidance in all your transactions 
so that every encounter might be lifted with the Master's love and the 
Father's wisdom ahead of time rather than waiting until after your 
behavior has caused some difficulty unnecessarily.

As you grow in the spirit, you will find it continually necessary to 
leave behind old behaviors that are comfortable to you as you embrace 
untried behavior patterns entailing risk and the ever uncomfortable 
feelings of change. Releasing the old and embracing the new is not an 
easy thing. It is easier to fall back on your tried and trued behaviors. 
But this will not be allowed for long and you will be pushed forward 
step by excruciating step from here all the way to Paradise itself.

The changes you are going through entail continual readjustment of 
attitude, thought, and behavior. You simply cannot do this alone. You 
cannot find the correct course by yourselves. You cannot perfect 
yourselves and then present yourself newly perfected to the Spirit. Do 
not make the mistake of thinking you can and especially do not make the 
mistake of thinking you must.

No, progress in the spirit only comes through acknowledging your human 
weakness, your human failings, and your imperfection. As you do this, 
and you present yourself to God as you are, then can God give you a 
direction forward. You cannot go forth from a false position. You cannot 
understand what must be adjusted if you do not understand what is.

Many human beings become discouraged and dispirited by holding 
unrealistic expectations for themselves and then by failing repeatedly 
to meet these expectations, many humans feel themselves to be failures 
and often become depressed and overwhelmed. This is a terrible thing and 
this is something that leads to early disillusionment and awareness of 
human hypocrisy that damages the faith of many people.

My friends, you must relax. You must be easy with yourselves and allow 
yourselves to reach for the Master's hand as a child reaches for the 
hand of an all wise protective parent. There are no requirements but 
that. Faith, even child like faith, is the only requirement to enter the 
kingdom of endless progression. But many people, having gone so far on 
their own, are afraid they cannot find their way back to that child like 
faith which is the only place from which human beings may touch God. 
Much wiser is it not to stray far from the hand of your spiritual parent 
and in that way you will never stray far from his love.

You are all doing very well, what are your questions.

Q: Ham could I have a personal question please and could you comment on 
this lack of energy I am experiencing over an extended time?

Ham: Certainly my son, you are doing very well. You want to resume your 
old life and your health is not quite ready yet. This health crisis will 
however be understood as being a time when you were literally forced 
back into the child's position without recourse except to taking the 
Master's loving hand. Each step of this journey has had its difficulty. 
But, my son, you are taking steps, even though they may seem small, they 
are not inconsequential. Your health is stabilizing and you may go 
through a period of little progress before you see anything moving in a 
positive direction again. Remember, eternity is before you. There is no 
hurry.

Q: Could I have a message Ham please?

Ham: Yes, my dear. You are coming into ever more secure and strong 
feelings about who you are and what you want in life. Each step has been 
a trial, but each step has been a strengthening exercise and your faith 
grows stronger as time passes. You are watched very closely and your 
progress is an occasion of rejoicing for many angels who surround you. 
Rejoice then and be glad. You way opens and will have all you need.

Q: Ham I would love a personal message please?

Ham: Yes of course my dear. Do not think that your absence from the 
group means that I do not watch over your progress. For I watch you with 
great interest and am aware of all that you go through in your life. My 
dear you have come further than you think. I know you think that some 
times you run in circles, but that is an illusion. Your entire life has 
been marked by steady, calm, progress in the spirit and you have within 
you a growing space of spiritual tranquility. Even in your most 
difficult days, you are led not to despair and no to give up. You have 
great courage, my daughter, and great strength as well even though you 
may doubt this at times. Remember there is no shame in being a child, 
there is only the truth that you are a child of God. You don't need to 
carry your many burdens the way you do. You'll be surprised at how much 
you carry unnecessarily once you begin to put some of it down. Let go of 
the burden of always being burdened and feel the release of just letting 
go and being a child without guilt, without fear, without requirement. 
Let yourself just be and find in that being that pure child like place 
where faith is active and wonder at it all is great. Relax my dear, you 
are doing well.

Q: May I have a personal message please.

Ham: Yes, of course. My daughter, you are doing just fine. The worries 
of the world will ebb and flow but you can be ever more comfortable with 
yourself and others when you release they requirements of having to 
always know and accepting that place of no knowing without condemning 
yourself for it. Often times, it is that the pressures of life force you 
to feel that you have to know the absolute best way forward. But my 
dear, there is not a single person alive who knows this. All human 
beings come in two categories: those who don't know and admit they don't 
know and those who don't know and don't admit they don't know. The 
wisest thing any human being can do is to be OK with not knowing and to 
willingly be dependent on that higher spirit presence within who does 
know. You cannot know the future, but you can trust in the spirit that 
you will be guided in the best way as the future unfolds. Release the 
notion that one way is right and another way is wrong and don't put that 
burden on yourself. Simply be content to grow in the spirit each day, to 
deepen your love for God each day. For this is ultimately all any human 
being can really do.

Q: Ham I would like a personal message if you have one for me?

Ham: Yes, my son, of course. You too are watched over and you have much 
guidance and a great deal of spiritual protection. You too are often 
times overburdened with the difficulties and the pain of the unknown as 
you strive to make gains in all areas of your life. You have a clear 
sense of moral guidance and you are wise to cling closely to the 
Master's hand during times of uncertainty when things are difficult and 
ambiguous in their clarity. Moral decision making is how your faith is 
exercised. You cannot receive greater faith if you do not act upon the 
faith you have. And so each person must confront a continual bombardment 
of moral ambiguity groping forward for that which is slightly more right 
and of slightly higher moral value at each step. You are a man of great 
faith and even greater potential in faith. Exercise your faith in the 
face of uncertainty, difficulty, and moral ambiguity. Have faith in that 
which is right and true and you will be certainly led and given all that 
you need to move forward step by step in the spirit.

Q: Do you have anything for Rebecca?

Ham: Certainly. My daughter you are moving forward and ever planting 
your flag upon higher moral ground. Your loyalty to truth and your 
loyalty to Michael, the spirit of truth, grows ever stronger day by day. 
But as your impulse for truth and your clarity of vision grows stronger, 
so must your inner spiritual life grow more firmly integrated and deeply 
rooted in your own personal past. Human beings grow inwardly and this 
inner growth continually demands personal integration and a personal 
dealing with the truth in all its manifestations. Bring the Master ever 
closer in your heart and ever deeper into the recesses of your soul. Let 
the child you were slowly integrate into the woman you are so that all 
is one. Let there be no place that remains hidden. Let there be no 
secret shame nor private doubt that you withhold from the Master's love. 
Let your faith them be as a river ever moving, ever changing. Don't try 
to dam up and preserve what is. Yield continually to change instead.

Q: Jarad?

Ham: Yes my son. You are also continually experiencing the discomfort of 
spiritual growth and change. Every time you try to lean upon the old it 
crumbles and proves itself unsteady and unfirm. Your only option is to 
lean forward embracing that which is coming as you release that which 
has been. You have great amounts of faith my son. You must continually 
open your heart to ever greater awareness of this faith so that you are 
always aware of its availability and always aware of its power. You 
cannot lean back, you must continually keep leaning forward.

Q: Ham, my brother Jason has requested a message, is that OK?

Ham: Of course. My son, be at ease. Your life is changing with each 
passing day and your faith is equal to the task. Remember always amid 
the pressures of the moment to be grateful for all that is bestowed upon 
you so plentifully by the Father's hand. It is easy to dwell on the 
problems of the day but remember how small these things will look from 
the vantage point of eternity in the future. Have a little bit of that 
vantage point now so that troubles shrink to their proper proportion. Do 
not be in any way plagued by fear. Learn to consciously will your fears 
into the background and then to will them into nonexistence and do not 
worry nor have any fear about your safe keeping or the safe keeping of 
your family. Trust in love and your way will be easy.

Q: Do you have anything for PZ?

Ham: Yes, my dear, you are learning not to be so easily discouraged as 
your faith begins to grow and strengthen. Reach out in an ever more 
personal and deep way to the Master's personal love and his spirit. 
Remember that he does not simply love without loving you uniquely. His 
love is for you personally not some amorphous generic love. His love is 
personal. His love is directed and his love encompasses you personally 
as his daughter. Draw strength from this.

Q:Personal message for Norbert?

Ham: Certainly. My son, you do very well. You have great strength in 
your conviction and in your dedication to the leading a God-filled life. 
Find your way through finding love in ever greater measure. Deepen your 
love and you deepen your soul.

Q: Personal message for Marije?

Ham: Certainly. My dear, you do well. Rest in comfort and security. You 
will have everything needful in your life's journey so long as you 
cleave closely to the spirit. Be ever courageous with your naturally 
forgiving nature but also be strong within yourself and find ever 
greater comfort and strength through the spirit. All is well.

Q: This is from Neil, should I be concerned about my health and anything 
else you think I need to know?

Ham: Yes my son, you don't need to be overly concerned but it is good to 
be vigilant about your health, of course. Be at peace within your heart. 
Don't worry about the future but rather trust in the Master's spirit 
within you and cling to the Father's hand. Let this good spirit guide 
your footsteps giving your courage and love. Life is filled with many 
unexpected twists and turns. Faith is all that can prepare you. Nothing 
else can. Allow your faith full measure. Hold nothing back and let your 
faith encompass your complete being. That is the only way you will find 
comfort at any time. Don't worry my son. All is well.

Q: Do you have a personal message for Charlie B?

Ham: Yes. My son, do not wander into a wilderness of uncertainty. Let 
your faith gain in ascendancy over your reason and all will be well.

Q: Do you have any feedback for me this week?

Ham: Of course my son. As you make your way forward in this journey of 
life, continually slough off those things which no longer serve you. 
Release the old view of yourself that is now outdated and worn. Begin to 
see yourself through the Master's eyes for even if this is only glimpsed 
fleetingly, it will strengthen your courage and solidify your faith ever 
more. Love yourself my son, even as he loves you. Release your old 
feelings of shame, inadequacy, and fear. Be true to yourself and your 
way will be straight and true as well.

All is well my friends. Are there any further questions?

Q: Does it say in the Urantia book that there is another planet in our 
solar system that we have not discovered yet and is this true?

Ham: Yes to both question.

All is well my friends. Until next week, my love and my prayers are with 
you each. Farewell.

 

-- 
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
David G. Schlundt, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology
Department of Psychology
Vanderbilt University
301 Wilson Hall
Nashville, TN  37203

Phone: (615)322-7800
Fax: (615) 343-8449
Email: David.Schlundt at Vanderbilt.edu
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
To science God is a possibility, to psychology
a desirability, to philosopy a probability, to
religion a certainty, an actuality of religious
experience

The Urantia Book, page 1125
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