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The Alter Ego Approach to Prayer
An effective technique for the development of enlightened prayer is to revert to the childlike practice of conversing with an alter ego. Dialogue must begin somewhere and if an individual does not know God intimately, he or she must imagine him. Why not as an alter ego? After all, the Adjuster is the essence of the emerging self.
So many people are afraid to invent an alter ego and prefer rote prayers learned from organized religion. And there are others who seem to believe that their alter-egos are actual celestial beings acting as personal guides and teachers. Although neither approach, in itself, is what the authors mean by using the alter ego approach to prayer, both have some merit: 1.)It is better to pray than not pray at all; 2.) it is better to attempt fellowship with the personhood of Deity than not attempt it at all; and, 3.) it is better to utilize creative imagination than not use it at all.
However, despite these positive attributes, both types of prayer will eventually stagnate if not allowed to evolve into higher forms of dialogue using the creative imagination guided by growing insight into the true nature of God. Sooner or later, the imagined alter-ego must evolve to divine status evoking feelings of reverence, humility and profound respect. Over time, these feelings evolve into true affection, devotion and loyalty.
Does this mean that the imagined alter ego represents the true character of God? Of course not. The alter-ego approach is meant to evolve and it presumes an inner desire for reality as the underlying motive for the prayer. Inventing a character for the alter ego may begin like inventing a character for a best-selling novel, but if allowed to grow in spiritual channels, the character, instead of being invented by the human intellect, will begin to reveal itself as something beyond the human intellect. That place beyond is the heart of the soul, the holy altar of God, the dwelling place of the Adjuster.
But how is this psychologically sound? How does talking to an imaginary alter-ego make one more sane? Conversations between the intellect of the individual and an alter ego generally concern issues of everyday life which are perplexing and challenging. Prayer as a dialogue with the alter ego encourages the mind to look inward for solutions to those problems.
Most of the time, answers to prayers are already present and collecting themselves in the subconscious reservoir of experience and are ripe for utilization. Other times, it is possible for the praying personality to receive divine inspiration or illumination from a superhuman source. Either way, the mind has a companion, a helpful and friendly presence which greatly diminishes the fear, confusion and desperation of being alone and without aid.
Eventually, if the attitude is favorable, the mind will come to recognize the superhuman source of its illumination and realize that it has been conversing with the living God. Such a realization is a jubilee! a personal consciousness of the divine nature discovered in the superconscious.
I am out of my league on this topic, but this is how I make sense of this topic right now. We really only have one self, but there is an element of personal nature that is budding from our animal origin nature. So in a sense there is a personal self and a animal origin self even though its just one self. The side that is personal is naturally more moral and kind than our animal origin self. If we can tap into this personal side of our self, we can start to use this personal self in prayer. There can be a dialogue that gets going between our personal self and our animal origin self, that personal self can minister to our animal origin self., and eventually this personal self can reach up towards a genuine communion with God in worship…. That is about as far as I have gotten on this topic though…
TUB wrote:but there is an element of personal nature that is budding from our animal origin nature.Our personal nature is the character of our personality. Character is inherited from our biological parents, but the uniqueness of each personality utilizes its inherited nature differently. Environment also plays a role in the development of inherited character. I think this is well explained in the paper about Cain and Abel.TUB wrote: So in a sense there is a personal self and a animal origin self even though its just one self.Here again, we use words differently. A personal self is a personality. A personality is of divine origin. The personality has two sources of character or nature: biological (earth parents) and spiritual (heavenly parents). That is what they mean by dual nature. We have two sources of character (nature) to choose from, biological or divine.TUB wrote: The side that is personal is naturally more moral and kind than our animal origin self.The animal nature is also moral. The animal nature is nothing more than the biological characteristics of personality. Personality is a pattern which is dependent upon relations. Personality pattern, once minded, can recognize differential morality levels and choose whether it be on the lower, biological level of existence or on the more spiritual level of existence.TUB wrote: If we can tap into this personal side of our self, we can start to use this personal self in prayer.The personal self is the self. A self cannot be anything other than personal regardless of what level it is functioning.TUB wrote: There can be a dialogue that gets going between our personal self and our animal origin self, that personal self can minister to our animal origin selfThe dialogue begins with the personality talking to its own subconscious. Eventually the personality contacts the superconscious and realizes that someone else is living there. By then, the personality has come to realize that the “other-than-self” entity is friendly, helpful and affectionate, someone to emulate, which is what they mean when they say become perfect like God is perfect. You have to find him first and recognize his perfection in order to be like him, to adopt his spiritual character as our own through doing his will.Selfhood is bestowed from God. It is the quality of self. Personality is a quality. Personality identifies with the higher personal self. Quality meets quality. The aspect of our self that is not personal is a animal origin self. Our mind is like an hour glass, in the lower end of that hour glass there is a animal origin self and in the upper end there is a personal self that is formed when we are 6. The personal self survives, the animal origin self does not. Also personality may come from a divine source but it is not innately divine. When personality is bestowed it is potentially divine , that divinity is reached when we are finaliters.
(1301.3) 118:7.6 The bestowal of life renders material-energy systems capable of self-perpetuation, self-propagation, and self-adaptation. The bestowal of personality imparts to living organisms the further prerogatives of self-determination, self-evolution, and self-identification with a fusion spirit of Deity.
30.2) 1:6.3 Never lose sight of the antipodal viewpoints of personality as it is conceived by God and man. Man views and comprehends personality, looking from the finite to the infinite; God looks from the infinite to the finite. Man possesses the lowest type of personality; God, the highest, even supreme, ultimate, and absolute. Therefore did the better concepts of the divine personality have patiently to await the appearance of improved ideas of human personality, especially the enhanced revelation of both human and divine personality in the Urantian bestowal life of Michael, the Creator Son.
(71.1) 5:6.6 Capacity for divine personality is inherent in the prepersonal Adjuster; capacity for human personality is potential in the cosmic-mind endowment of the human being. But the experiential personality of mortal man is not observable as an active and functional reality until after the material life vehicle of the mortal creature has been touched by the liberating divinity of the Universal Father, being thus launched upon the seas of experience as a self-conscious and a (relatively) self-determinative and self-creative personality. The material self is truly and unqualifiedly personal.
(71.2) 5:6.7 The material self has personality and identity, temporal identity; the prepersonal spirit Adjuster also has identity, eternal identity. This material personality and this spirit prepersonality are capable of so uniting their creative attributes as to bring into existence the surviving identity of the immortal soul.
That temporal identity is what we are trying to move past.
Bonita, I have no problem with this essay, and I think it is a good corrective to erroneous ideas that the alter ego mentioned in the UB is something other than an invention. Some writers here seem to believe that every word in the Urantia book must represent a universe reality.
The potential value of ‘alter ego’ as a concept lies in its intellectual development into a useful invention, a serviceable concept – in so far as it places us on the road to conformity with actual universe reality of a spiritual nature.
I think the following could stand a bit of revision:
Inventing a character for the alter ego may begin like inventing a character for a best-selling novel, but if allowed to grow in spiritual channels, the character, instead of being invented by the human intellect, will begin to reveal itself as something beyond the human intellect. That place beyond is the heart of the soul, the holy altar of God, the dwelling place of the Adjuster.
If not, please explain why you should come so close to saying that a human intellectual invention begins to act like its capable of evolution, development, growth, and self-revelation. I agree with the outcome (adjuster-contact), but think there’s a better way to say what transpires in between. The concept of the alter ego changes, but never actually becomes anything like pure spirit. Some kind of bridge-like metaphor maybe. There needs to be a clear distinction between the fantasy of the alter ego and the reality of the adjuster which finally trumps the fantasy.
-Reader
TUB wrote: Our mind is like an hour glass, in the lower end of that hour glass there is a animal origin self and in the upper end there is a personal self that is formed when we are 6.So, are you saying that children, before receiving an Adjuster and giving birth to a soul, are NOT personal? If so, you’re saying that children without souls have no personality. The UB tells us that a being is considered to be personal when it is recognized as an individual endowed with choice (112:5.1). How can a child make a first moral choice without being personal? Personal means having a personality and the power of free will.So, are you saying that children, before receiving an Adjuster and giving birth to a soul, are NOT personal? If so, you’re saying that children without souls have no personality.Yes that is correct. Before roughly age six a child is not capable of being personal or making a moral choice. Andon and Fonta where not considered bona-fide human beings until they entered the 7th psychic circle and got adjusters.TUB wrote: Yes that is correct. Before roughly age six a child is not capable of being personal or making a moral choice. Andon and Fonta where not considered bona-fide human beings until they entered the 7th psychic circle and got adjusters.But Andon and Fonta were considered to be human when the spirit of wisdom made contact. Contact with the spirit of wisdom occurred when, because of meditative thought, they made a purposeful DECISION. Animals do not make contact with the spirit of wisdom. Animals cannot undertake meditative thought, nor can animals make purposeful decisions. Only personalities can do those things. Animals do not have free will. Animals do not have morals. If a child is an animal until AFTER the moral decision is made, then the decision is an accident of trial and error. Those kinds of decisions are not valuable to God, at least not a reason to send an Adjuster. Moral decisions resulting in the arrival of a Thought Adjuster must be conscious and purposeful, a real choice for God. Therefore, personality must precede decision making.A child must be a personality in order to have free will because free will is necessary for moral decision making. Also, personality is necessary for moral discernment and moral discernment precedes the moral decision. Animals are not capable of this level of thought and decision. If you read the next quote there is a definite sequence. First the decision, then contact and function of the spirit of wisdom.62:6.5 Imagine our joy one day – the twins were about ten years old – when the spirit of worship made its first contact with the mind of the female twin and shortly thereafter with the male. We knew that something closely akin to human mind was approaching culmination; and when, about a year later, they finally resolved, as a result of meditative thought and purposeful decision, to flee from home and journey north, then did the spirit of wisdom begin to function on Urantia and in these two now recognized human minds.Bona fide is referring to the fact that the human personality has become functional in the eyes of the universe. This means that the personality has exercised its power of choice for a moral cause and thus begins its career as a potential finaliter.
But Andon and Fonta were considered to be human when the spirit of wisdom made contact.
Exactly….. as soon as the spirit of wisdom made contact they entered the 7th psychic circle.
A child must be a personality in order to have free will because free will is necessary for moral decision making. Also, personality is necessary for moral discernment and moral discernment precedes the moral decision. Animals are not capable of this level of thought and decision. If you read the next quote there is a definite sequence.Yes but a 4 year old is not able to make a moral decision. they cant choose to be altruistic. I agree with everything you are saying here. At some point around that time of adjuster bestowal everything comes together.62:6.5 Imagine our joy one day – the twins were about ten years old – when the spirit of worship made its first contact with the mind of the female twin and shortly thereafter with the male. We knew that something closely akin to human mind was approaching culmination; and when, about a year later, they finally resolved, as a result of meditative thought and purposeful decision, to flee from home and journey north, then did the spirit of wisdom begin to function on Urantia and in these two now recognized human minds.
A 3 year old is not functioning with the spirit of wisdom.
The Adjusters cannot invade the mortal mind until it has been duly prepared by the indwelling ministry of the adjutant mind-spirits and encircuited in the Holy Spirit. And it requires the co-ordinate function of all seven adjutants to thus qualify the human mind for the reception of an Adjuster. Creature mind must exhibit the worship outreach and indicate wisdom function by exhibiting the ability to choose between the emerging values of good and evil–moral choice.
110:6.13 <em class=”bbc”>The seventh circle. This level is entered when human beings develop the powers of personal choice, individual decision, moral responsibility, and the capacity for the attainment of spiritual individuality. This signifies the united function of the seven adjutant mind-spirits under the direction of the spirit of wisdom, the encircuitment of the mortal creature in the influence of the Holy Spirit, and, on Urantia, the first functioning of the Spirit of Truth, together with the reception of a Thought Adjuster in the mortal mind. Entrance upon the seventh circle constitutes a mortal creature a truly potential citizen of the local universe.
110:6.13 is saying that we don’t actually have powers of personal choice until we enter the seventh circle.
TUB wrote:110:6.13 is saying that we don’t actually have powers of personal choice until we enter the seventh circleNo, it says that the seventh circle marks when a human being DEVELOPS the powers of choice. A child has to have the power of choice first before it can be developed. DEVELOP means to grow and mature. The personality is present long before the child’s free will reaches a level of maturity sufficient to appreciate the consequences of their choice. It is not possible to make a choice unless you’re conscious of the options.Around age 5 a child has developed the brain capacity to do this. But personality is present, as is free will. Everyone who has raised a child knows, without a doubt, the moment a child realizes his own power of choice. It’s called the terrible twos, when every other word out of their mouth is the word NO. And it takes about three years for the child to refine this power of choice and develop a budding consciousness of the meaning of morality. Meanwhile, the child is exercising its powerful free will just like it exercises its vocal chords. It’s the same as religion described in quote 103:2.1: free will is in existence long before it is realized in experience and before its appearance in human consciousness. The birth of this realization is not sudden, it gradually emerges, it DEVELOPS.Reader wrote: If not, please explain why you should come so close to saying that a human intellectual invention begins to act like its capable of evolution, development, growth, and self-revelation. I agree with the outcome (adjuster-contact), but think there’s a better way to say what transpires in between. The concept of the alter ego changes, but never actually becomes anything like pure spirit. Some kind of bridge-like metaphor maybe. There needs to be a clear distinction between the fantasy of the alter ego and the reality of the adjuster which finally trumps the fantasy.I agree that the paragraph needs tweaking. I wrote that the imaginary character grows in spiritual channels. Did you want more explanation on exactly how that happens? If so, it would mean explaining personal religious experience which is a whole new topic. The concept of the alter ego changes because of a relationship between it and the ego. If the relationship remains within the intellect, without being elevated spiritually in prayer, the alter ego will remain a fictional imaginary companion. Prayer is the transforming spiritual channel. Each person is led by spirit in prayer quite uniquely. If the praying ego follows spirit lead in the relationship, the imaginary companion will evolve into an actual spirit presence. If you have not experienced an actual spirit presence yourself, no words would suffice to explain it.Everyone who has raised a child knows, without a doubt, the moment a child realizes his own power of choice.
As one who has raised 2 generations of children, I just want to agree with the obvious. And infants with personality and toddlers with power of choice and discovery of effects of choice are all obvious, endearing, and fascinating. I learned more about me watching them than I can say or even describe. Personal connection, relationship, role playing, creativity…….wondrous and magical to behold…..so much fun to participate in! Alter ego chatter constantly.
One day, out of the blue, I was asked by each about angels and heaven. My mind and my heart exploded every time. Powerful stuff.
The seventh circle. This level is entered when human beings develop the powers of personal choice, individual decision, moral responsibility, and the capacity for the attainment of spiritual individuality.
This is the level is entered when human beings develop the powers of personal choice. Not this level is entered after human beings develop the powers of personal choice…..It is a very straight forward comment. Another line I suggest taking to someone who has never read TUB and is therefor not biased in interpreting. The loving attachment you guys have to children clouds your interpretation of this line.
Creature mind must exhibit the worship outreach and indicate wisdom function by exhibiting the ability to choose between the emerging values of good and evil–moral choice.
A 4 year old cannot choose between good and evil (moral choice). That means there is no activity of wisdom, and without the spirit of wisdom there is no human mind.
62:6.5 Imagine our joy one day – the twins were about ten years old – when the spirit of worship made its first contact with the mind of the female twin and shortly thereafter with the male. We knew that something closely akin to human mind was approaching culmination; and when, about a year later, they finally resolved, as a result of meditative thought and purposeful decision, to flee from home and journey north, then did the spirit of wisdom begin to function on Urantia and in these two now recognized human minds.
TUB wrote: This is the level is entered when human beings develop the powers of personal choice. Not this level is entered after human beings develop the powers of personal choice…..It is a very straight forward comment. Another line I suggest taking to someone who has never read TUB and is therefor would not be biased in interpreting. The loving attachment you guys have to children clouds your interpretation of this life.Yes, the 7th circle is entered WHEN human beings DEVELOP the powers of personal choice AND moral responsibility. You can’t leave out half of the quote. And yes, it is very straight forward to a deep thinking, logical person that this level cannot be entered until the free will has developed to a point where it has the capacity for moral responsibility. Check the dictionary, develop means grow, expand, progress. Perhaps your lack of loving attachment to children clouds your ability to interpret this quote correctly? There’s a reason why parenting is essential to the ascension career, and here we see one of the reasons. It’s necessary toYou are suggesting that something magical happens at age 5 with no preparation for the event. If growth is evolutionary, what is growing up to this time? Are you saying it’s just the brain tissue and when brain tissue reaches a certain size, viola! and bingo! the child wakes up one morning magically in the 7th circle and for the first time in its life it can start making moral decisions. Yet we know that a moral decision has to be made BEFORE entering the 7th circle. A person has to indicate to the universe that it wants to join the adventure. The moral decision is the signal for the Holy Spirit who finds out from the 7th adjutant. Then and only then does a person enter the 7th circle.Here, try reading this next quote where it says that Adjusters are not even assigned until AFTER the first moral PERSONALITY decision. The decision is made, then upon the entering the 7th circle, the Holy Spirit’s mind gravity functions to register this event in Divinigton to signal the child’s readiness for an Adjuster. PERSONALITY decision comes first. Clear as my Crizal® lenses.108:2.1 Though the Adjusters volunteer for service as soon as the personality forecasts have been relayed to Divinington, they are not actually assigned until the human subjects make their first moral personality decision. The first moral choice of the human child is automatically indicated in the seventh mind-adjutant and registers instantly, by way of the local universe Creative Spirit, over the universal mind-gravity circuit of the Conjoint Actor in the presence of the Master Spirit of superuniverse jurisdiction, who forthwith dispatches this intelligence to Divinington. Adjusters reach their human subjects on Urantia, on the average, just prior to the sixth birthday. In the present generation it is running five years, ten months, and four days; that is, on the 2,134th day of terrestrial life.
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