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Hi all,
I joined this forum with the admission that I have not participated in these types of forums in the Urantia movement and that I prefer telephone or face-to-face communication, an honest statement of my personal preferences that have worked well for me in unceasingly active participation in the movement since 1965. It is my personal preference, although I exchange email with people when talking or meeting isn’t possible, or email would be more efficient. But not on personnel matters or other sensitive subjects. In other words, I follow the same practices that I follow professionally.
Speaking of in-person experiences, the recent regional meeting of Midwest USA readers I attended in Madison, WI on “The Parables of Jesus” was a wonderful experience. It occurs to me that Jesus communicated differently in private versus public communication.
Peace and love,
Barbara
Welcome to the 21st century!! We have public private conversations now….or are they private public ones?? To express personal beliefs, philosophy, and perspective in such a format requires a new way of thinking…and expressing – especially as we discuss the spirit and the soul and transcendence and not the mundane – this is very personal to every religionist. It is group think and group talk between some who know each other well by a history of multiple topics and posts and those new to the group dynamic.
Group dynamics and group leadership are fascinating topics. Every group dynamic is changed by either the addition of another personality or by the withdrawal of any prior group member. Sometimes, profoundly so but always, incrementally so. It takes some courage and it takes a guarded or less sensitive ego to engage in the foray of discussion, debate, clarification, hurt feelings, defensiveness, assertiveness, and all the elements which move things forward. But those who perservere and adjust to the dynamic also affect the dynamic importantly. Learning to be agreeable to those we disagree with…an important way to learn about myself and others.
You are fantastic Bradley in your comprehension of the big picture. I think I’ll elevate you to demigod status. I’m now off to erect a shrine in my backyard dedicated to you. I’m wondering what kind of image you would like me to put there to represent your incredible luminosity. So much to do . . .
I wonder why this topic has captured so much interest here these past few days? The document is an opinion piece presented by and to a select group of people in 2008. I do not get why so many of you would change the title of it. Seems odd to me. Or to change anything about it – update it or whatever. The group of authors are free to do whatever they want with it. It represents what a few people came up with at the time. And afterwards, a few other people signed on to it. I think the interest here is because it is an opinion piece, and opinions abound about other peoples opinions. I think opinions should be taken with salt. I like the idea of taking the 4th Epochal as a bridge to the 5th. I think that is what Elsie was in part suggesting.
The authors of the Michael Plan may have underlying regrets about the past. I believe they were and still are trying to process what happened 25 years or more ago. Perhaps many are trying to process what happened back then. The Michael Plan is not attractive to me. The book is attractive to me. The original one.
I’m wondering what kind of image you would like me to put there to represent your incredible luminosity. So much to do . . .
A tadpole that spins with a grin and perhaps a tiny pair of feet in back – no, forget the feet. That’s too much like circle counting.
Love you Sister. You always make me smile….or laugh out loud…..and think.
Chris allows people to debate him all the time and he encourages it. Anyone on this forum can debate him if they want, he opens it up on his Friday night study groups, he lets people ask him anything they can think of at the end. Anyone is allowed to join in person or through webinar. If you listen to his symmetryofsoul audios the other readers debate with him a ton (especially James) and there is no animosity. People can also call into symmetryofsoul and debate whatever the subject matter is with him. His wife is on facebook interacting with readers and I have asked her a few questions on there, I am sure she would answer anyone’s questions on there as well. I bet she would answer your question on philosophy Bonita. She does instruction at the institute as well. I have emailed some questions to Chris through his website and he has answered me on there.
Regarding him having a fee for entering his perfecting horizons institute, he has other people working with him including his wife and he has quit his job and devoted all his time to the school. He isn’t making any profit off of it. He provides a lot of material for the students as well. Also I have heard that he has stopped charging people who have already paid a fee but I am not sure if that is true.
If anyone is not sure what or who we are talking about here is a link to Chris’ school. http://www.perfectinghorizonsinstitute.org/
A tadpole that spins with a grin and perhaps a tiny pair of feet in back – no, forget the feet. That’s too much like circle counting.
Wow, how did you know that I have an extensive frog collection? Wait . . . are you channeling me? Or have you received information through a midwayer-spornagia triangulation using your tinfoil cap?
Anyway, I refuse to use a legless tadpole to represent you, a man of such stature and potency. Legless tadpoles look too much like sperm. I’m going to try to upload a photo of what I think might be more suitable. And since I have no clue how to do that, I will probably fail. It would be nice if there was a preview function so you can get a look at your post before hitting the submit button. Put it on the wish list.
Edit: Dang . . . file is too big and I don’t know how to shrink it. Will now spend hours researching that . . . so much to do . . .
I do not get why so many of you would change the title of it. Seems odd to me.
Mara, there are several issues with the title of the documents, the first is that it implied it is authored by “Michael”, where those who would read it, would get the impression that even though the contributors to the document(s) assume equality with “Michael”, or that they might be in communication with him.
The same would be said of using “Jesus’ name in the same context, unless there was an actual plan, which could be disseminated, therefore, the title implies authority. Even by putting a “?” at the end of the title would change its implication and would be less authoritative. The other issue which might come up is that those who may not have read the Urantia Book, or just parts of it, would not necessarily understand “Michael” in relationship with the 5th.ER, where Jesus is associable with the 4th.ER. But the issue which I would reinforce is that before anyone would read the “Plan”, it assumes that this is Michael’s Plan, where he is not the author.
Notwithstanding the pain and suffering so widespread today, many are sensing a new confidence in themselves and in the future, a new hope that the present ills are transitory, and that a better time is near. Seeing this new light within humanity, Maitreya knows that men are awakening to His efforts and energies, that the new potencies of Aquarius are fulfilling their promise, and are drawing men together in a sensed unity of purpose and pride. From now on, this dawning sense of unity, and the strength which it engenders, will manifest itself more and more, and will lead to organised action by many to better their lot, to change conditions which belittle men and leave them helpless. In this way, a substantial change in world conditions will take place in a relatively short period of time. Men are approaching the nadir of their self-induced misfortune.I just read the Michael Plan . What’s the status?
Maitreya
You make reference to someone not referenced in the Urantia Book. This leads me to think the reference pertains to material produced by people who are making stuff up. I used to belong to a cult – a religious cult. Therefore, I speak with a certainty about the lure of channeling, as a result of my past experience. In this day and age there are in existence a number of cults who claim to channel so-called others with names like the one you mention. If you want to talk about stuff like what you just posted, I suggest you go elsewhere. Here on this forum we discuss the UB, not other stuff, as you no doubt already know from past experience on this forum.
I will ask the Moderators to step in if this becomes a problem. Thanks.
Hi Mara!!
I found this on Wiki:
According to Buddhist tradition, Maitreya is a bodhisattva who will appear on Earth in the future, achieve complete enlightenment, and teach the pure dharma. According to scriptures, Maitreya will be a successor to the present Buddha, Gautama Buddha (also known as Śākyamuni Buddha).[2][3] The prophecy of the arrival of Maitreya refers to a time in the future when the dharma will have been forgotten by most on the terrestrial world.
Maitreya has also been employed in a millenarian role by many non-Buddhist religions in the past, such as Theosophy, the White Lotus, as well as by modern new religious movements, such as Yiguandao.
Me here: As you say above – not sourced from or relevant to the Papers. Neither is it relevant to the topic here.
Best wishes. Bradly
does through whom mean channeled.Maitreya
You make reference to someone not referenced in the Urantia Book. This leads me to think the reference pertains to material produced by people who are making stuff up. I used to belong to a cult – a religious cult. Therefore, I speak with a certainty about the lure of channeling, as a result of my past experience. In this day and age there are in existence a number of cults who claim to channel so-called others with names like the one you mention. If you want to talk about stuff like what you just posted, I suggest you go elsewhere. Here on this forum we discuss the UB, not other stuff, as you no doubt already know from past experience on this forum. I will ask the Moderators to step in if this becomes a problem. Thanks.
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