235 posts · 9 participants · started Jan 7, 2018, 4:53 PM
(caution and disclosure: the 3 stages are my own invention and study aid so far as I know…subject to review and change!)
I’m not sure I’m following your three stages, but I’m wondering if you gave any thought to a relationship between your three stages and the three developmental stages involving the Thought Adjuster, Thought Changer and Thought Controller?
Hi Bradly, also wondering if you think these three stages of consciousness are related to your three stages:
p69:6 5:5.11 God-consciousness, as it is experienced by an evolving mortal of the realms, must consist of three varying factors, three differential levels of reality realization. There is first the mind consciousness—the comprehension of the idea of God. Then follows the soul consciousness—the realization of the ideal of God. Last, dawns the spirit consciousness—the realization of the spirit reality of God. By the unification of these factors of the divine realization, no matter how incomplete, the mortal personality at all times overspreads all conscious levels with a realization of the personality of God.
Regarding my 3 Stages….I’d like others’ opinions on the definition/description of “born again” or “reborn” might be and how Religion In Human Experience might be different prior to and after that. “Born again” only appears 5 times in the Papers and the first quote is confusing to me…is that the moment of the birth of soul….or a cognitive dedication of volitional will to the Spirit within?
Likewise does “reborn” have very few quotes to consider:
It seems to me this is an important concept to study. Isn’t this differentiated from the birth of soul? Isn’t “rebirth” indicative of something beyond and more than the birth of soul? Jesus makes it sound like one must intentionally and purposefully “join” and “enter” the Kingdom of God. Or so it seems to me. “Rebirth”:
So…my questions have to do with 3 specific stages of religious experience or spiritization and spiritualization: up to and including the birth of soul – that experience of development which brings us to the birth of soul; the natural reflexive/responsive soul growth and Circle Progress prior to being born again or reborn or rebirth – or that deliberative and conscious decision(s) to lead the Spirit led life and transfer the seat of our personal identity; and the stage or season after that personal commitment when experience with/in the Spirit delivers greater wisdom and maturity.
And yes, I do think the 3 stages of Adjuster influence are related to the question/issue. I would think the first 2 stages of Adjuster influence occur in Stages 2 & 3 of my model – the Thought Adjuster comes with the birth of soul and works to deliver the mind to personal realization and cognitive commitment to the Spirit within; the Thought Changer arises once that commitment/awareness is achieved (?); and the Thought Controller function acts upon the more experienced, mature, and wiser mind when super conscious cooperation and soul awareness becomes more functional (?).
138:8.8 [Part IV]
Jesus made plain to his apostles the difference between the repentance of so-called good works as taught by the Jews and the change of mind by faith — the new birth — which he required as the price of admission to the kingdom. He taught his apostles that faith was the only requisite to entering the Father’s kingdom. John had taught them “repentance — to flee from the wrath to come.” Jesus taught, “Faith is the open door for entering into the present, perfect, and eternal love of God.” Jesus did not speak like a prophet, one who comes to declare the word of God. He seemed to speak of himself as one having authority. Jesus sought to divert their minds from miracle seeking to the finding of a real and personal experience in the satisfaction and assurance of the indwelling of God’s spirit of love and saving grace.
(1660.5) 148:4.6 “By nature, before the rebirth of the spirit, mortal man is subject to inherent evil tendencies, but such natural imperfections of behavior are neither sin nor iniquity. Mortal man is just beginning his long ascent to the perfection of the Father in Paradise. To be imperfect or partial in natural endowment is not sinful. Man is indeed subject to evil, but he is in no sense the child of the evil one unless he has knowingly and deliberately chosen the paths of sin and the life of iniquity. Evil is inherent in the natural order of this world, but sin is an attitude of conscious rebellion which was brought to this world by those who fell from spiritual light into gross darkness.
(1660.7) 148:4.8 “Men are, indeed, by nature evil, but not necessarily sinful. The new birth — the baptism of the spirit — is essential to deliverance from evil and necessary for entrance into the kingdom of heaven, but none of this detracts from the fact that man is the son of God. Neither does this inherent presence of potential evil mean that man is in some mysterious way estranged from the Father in heaven so that, as an alien, foreigner, or stepchild, he must in some manner seek for legal adoption by the Father. All such notions are born, first, of your misunderstanding of the Father and, second, of your ignorance of the origin, nature, and destiny of man.
As should be obvious, I attempt to ‘lead’ this topical discussion as a student only, one with far more questions and confusions to explore and sort out than any specific agendas of outcome or predetermined opinions to express. I am grateful to all who join in with a spirit of mutual discovery and contemplation in the pursuit of meanings and values and an appreciation for truth, beauty, and goodness. Thank you.
"Live loyally today—grow—and tomorrow will attend to itself. The quickest way for a tadpole to become a frog is to live loyally each moment as a tadpole."
Hi Bradly, also wondering if you think these three stages of consciousness are related to your three stages:
p69:6 5:5.11 God-consciousness, as it is experienced by an evolving mortal of the realms, must consist of three varying factors, three differential levels of reality realization. There is first the mind consciousness—the comprehension of the idea of God. Then follows the soul consciousness—the realization of the ideal of God. Last, dawns the spirit consciousness—the realization of the spirit reality of God. By the unification of these factors of the divine realization, no matter how incomplete, the mortal personality at all times overspreads all conscious levels with a realization of the personality of God.
Yes…no doubt related. But I think this quote has more to do with Circle Progress. The integration of mind/soul/being and the experiential wisdom acquired (described above as the unification effect/result) can happen (I think) in very different and unique ways or steps one believer to another:
110:6.1 [Part III]
The sum total of personality realization on a material world is contained within the successive conquest of the seven psychic circles of mortal potentiality. Entrance upon the seventh circle marks the beginning of true human personality function. Completion of the first circle denotes the relative maturity of the mortal being. Though the traversal of the seven circles of cosmic growth does not equal fusion with the Adjuster, the mastery of these circles marks the attainment of those steps which are preliminary to Adjuster fusion.
110:6.3 [Part III]
The psychic circles are not exclusively intellectual, neither are they wholly morontial; they have to do with personality status, mind attainment, soul growth, and Adjuster attunement. The successful traversal of these levels demands the harmonious functioning of the entire personality, not merely of some one phase thereof. The growth of the parts does not equal the true maturation of the whole; the parts really grow in proportion to the expansion of the entire self — the whole self — material, intellectual, and spiritual.
110:6.16 [Part III]
Perhaps these psychic circles of mortal progression would be better denominated cosmic levels — actual meaning grasps and value realizations of progressive approach to the morontia consciousness of initial relationship of the evolutionary soul with the emerging Supreme Being. And it is this very relationship that makes it forever impossible fully to explain the significance of the cosmic circles to the material mind. These circle attainments are only relatively related to God-consciousness. A seventh or sixth circler can be almost as truly God-knowing — sonship conscious — as a second or first circler, but such lower circle beings are far less conscious of experiential relation to the Supreme Being, universe citizenship. The attainment of these cosmic circles will become a part of the ascenders’ experience on the mansion worlds if they fail of such achievement before natural death.
The seven stages of Circle growth all begin and occur after the birth of soul (my Stage 1…which is not irrelevant and cannot be ignored – there are functional elements and forces at work in children and primitives which do deliver Religion In Human Experience – or else there would be no birth of soul – no beginning point for Circle Progress and soul growth and the transfer of the seat of identity – Stage 1 has a profoundly important and mysterious role in attaining our destiny potential) and all the steps and stages in text occur in my Stage 2 & 3. But it seems that all soul growth and spiritization and spiritualization is otherwise completely unique to each religionist and soul.
Some progress faster in some ways and others in different ways and all in different orders and depths/lengths of progress in all manner of ways known to and measured by the TA’s….perhaps the only beings who actually and truly know the aggregate and integration of progress of each soul moment by moment and day by day….for the TA not only whispers and pilots but also responds to every opportunity of our own responsiveness and progress.
So glad you’re here Bonita…thanks so much for helping me discover the wonders and mysteries of Religion In Human Experience!
"Live loyally today—grow—and tomorrow will attend to itself. The quickest way for a tadpole to become a frog is to live loyally each moment as a tadpole."
Thanks to you too Bradly for being such a consistently bright light.
Didn’t we recently have a topic about being born of the spirit? I know I’ve written extensively about this and addressed it in one of my mini books on prayer. It reminds me about the distinction between Son of Man and Son of God. Being born of the spirit is the realization of sonship with God. Sonship with God is the chance at a fresh start, a new attitude toward the universe due to the recognition of one’s true Father. It’s a new perspective on reality where spirit dominates mind and the resulting spiritized mind dominates the material life. It’s a realignment with reality.
It’s all part of religious living, as I see it. True religious living is a growing, progressing way of life where spirit is dominant in every decision. Using that definition, religious living naturally propels the personality through the cosmic circles. True religious living involves living faith, trust in one’s highest hopes and dedication to one’s highest ideals. It’s about loyalty, a son’s loyalty to the Father and his universe of other sons.
I don’t see this so much as distinct stages, but rather like the flow of a river. Sometimes it’s calm, sometimes its turbulent, but at all times it’s living and moving forward. You’re only going to stand still or go backward if you get out of the boat and fight against the current. Being reborn is simply getting in the boat and rowing with the natural flow, trusting it will lead you ever closer to God himself. It’s about a living faith-trust and a willingness to go where it takes you. And if you do, all things are new and exciting.
There are a lot of people afraid to get in the boat. I think there are many possible fears that might prevent a person from taking that step. Probably the hardest fear to overcome is the fear of losing control. I think the ego depends on being in control at all times, and that can be a tough thing to let go of for some folks. There are other fears of course. Some people are quite happy with things as they are and don’t want the adventure. Others are weak or lack courage. But I don’t know if any of that is held against them in the long run but rather viewed as problems of immaturity.
Anyway, lots to think about and talk about here. I could probably go on forever.
Anyway, lots to think about and talk about here. I could probably go on forever.
Hahahahahahha!!! Of course you will….exactly the point!!
An awesome personalized summary above. You say: “True religious living is a growing, progressing way of life where spirit is dominant in every decision. Using that definition, religious living naturally propels the personality through the cosmic circles. True religious living involves living faith, trust in one’s highest hopes and dedication to one’s highest ideals. It’s about loyalty, a son’s loyalty to the Father and his universe of other sons.
I don’t see this so much as distinct stages, but rather like the flow of a river…..”
I agree…the stages I described don’t have clear lines of distinction or debarkation or transition.
I was reborn long ago but there’s been lots of growing and progressing and considerable time spent with more good intentions than truly redirected motives and adjusted priorities. But the more my motives for living and my priorities in my daily choices become spirit directed and aligned, the greater the propulsion and current as I learned to “trust in one’s highest hopes” and I became dedicated to my “highest ideals”. Experience delivered knowledge of the blessings of loyalty to the Father and a growing trust in his friendly universe. It’s all been very progressive and unconscious….if also obvious in its effects and outcomes in my life.
Religious living aligned with reality delivers a sublime confidence in the flow of the river of life. And you’re right, there is a growing trust also in the course and the intersections of choice I am led to by the angels and my TA and the ministers of and to my adventures in time. I am delivered to those places, people, and times where I can find opportunities to serve, and love, and learn….moments where new meanings are discovered and meanings already learned are reinforced and with new angles of perception to further expand my perspective of life and destiny.
Now, lest any feel I am bragadocious in my reflections, I assure you all I still consider myself but a tadpole, a child in this spiritualization and growth of soul….I do not understand this transfer of the seat of identity and am no guru of style and technique…..I only claim that when we believe the teachings of the Master and act on such belief with trust and faith, that such will change one’s motives for living, intentions in living, priorities of our choices, and our decisions at the intersections of choice….and that, over time, most definitely changes ME and my life and my perspective and my ideals and hopes. It does not deliver ease, fame, wealth, or make the material vicissitudes any less real or uncertain….only less difficult and less important compared to the growth in spirit and of soul.
The transition is hard to describe without sounding pompous. But I can assure all that there is also an accompanying humility and smallness that always comes as one begins to realize how much greater is all reality and how much more truth, beauty, and goodness there is compared to that which I can recognize or grasp or realize myself. I have only begun, over decades of my life, this inner journey; the beginning of this endless path of progress is still in sight to me…I am such a tadpole still. But a joyous one and a confident one. Only my direction is certain and not the distance of my not so great progress! But to those who knowingly embark on this road and river of faith, it is like Bonita describes above: “Being reborn is simply getting in the boat and rowing with the natural flow, trusting it will lead you ever closer to God himself. It’s about a living faith-trust and a willingness to go where it takes you. And if you do, all things are new and exciting.”
6. Marks of Religious Living
100:6.1 (1100.3) Evolutionary religions and revelatory religions may differ markedly in method, but in motive there is great similarity. Religion is not a specific function of life; rather is it a mode of living. True religion is a wholehearted devotion to some reality which the religionist deems to be of supreme value to himself and for all mankind. And the outstanding characteristics of all religions are: unquestioning loyalty and wholehearted devotion to supreme values. This religious devotion to supreme values is shown in the relation of the supposedly irreligious mother to her child and in the fervent loyalty of nonreligionists to an espoused cause.
100:6.2 (1100.4) The accepted supreme value of the religionist may be base or even false, but it is nevertheless religious. A religion is genuine to just the extent that the value which is held to be supreme is truly a cosmic reality of genuine spiritual worth.
100:6.3 (1100.5) The marks of human response to the religious impulse embrace the qualities of nobility and grandeur. The sincere religionist is conscious of universe citizenship and is aware of making contact with sources of superhuman power. He is thrilled and energized with the assurance of belonging to a superior and ennobled fellowship of the sons of God. The consciousness of self-worth has become augmented by the stimulus of the quest for the highest universe objectives — supreme goals.
100:6.4 (1100.6) The self has surrendered to the intriguing drive of an all-encompassing motivation which imposes heightened self-discipline, lessens emotional conflict, and makes mortal life truly worth living. The morbid recognition of human limitations is changed to the natural consciousness of mortal shortcomings, associated with moral determination and spiritual aspiration to attain the highest universe and superuniverse goals. And this intense striving for the attainment of supermortal ideals is always characterized by increasing patience, forbearance, fortitude, and tolerance.
"Live loyally today—grow—and tomorrow will attend to itself. The quickest way for a tadpole to become a frog is to live loyally each moment as a tadpole."
can’t help but think about how I stack up against 100:6.1,2,3&4:
I have and do experienc loyalty to supreme values, hindsight says some were base, false but that must indicate some sort of growth.
I am conscious of universe citizenship but have yet to be aware of experiencing contact with superhuman power but I’m thrilled to be a son of God and I do quest for supreme goals.
Life is worth living because I do experience less emotional conflict and more self discipline, patience, forbearance etc because of this quest.
Learning how to let go of undesirable stuff of past.
But honestly, I cannot recall the experience of being borne again or reborn. No feelings of nobility or grandeur.
Does every sincere religionists experience this rebirth? Often wonder about this.
I can truely state I am a sincere religionist.
But honestly, I cannot recall the experience of being borne again or reborn.
Me neither. Sometimes it’s just a natural, gradual, evolutionary type of growth.
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100:6.3 (1100.5) The marks of human response to the religious impulse embrace the qualities of nobility and grandeur.
So what are the qualities of nobility and grandeur that mark the response to the religious impulse. What is the religious impulse?
100:6.3 (1100.5) The marks of human response to the religious impulse embrace the qualities of nobility and grandeur.
So what are the qualities of nobility and grandeur that mark the response to the religious impulse. What is the religious impulse?
Nobility and grandeur are too close to ego type responses for me, I’ll leave those for religiously mature people to sort out but I always interpret religious impules as the urge for righteousness.
Nobility and grandeur are too close to ego type responses for me, I’ll leave those for religiously mature people . . .
You just boxed in anyone who wants to try to describe nobility and grandeur. If they do, they’ll have to assume spiritual superiority for being more religiously mature. So, I guess I won’t venture an explanation or description either.
Nobility and grandeur are too close to ego type responses for me, I’ll leave those for religiously mature people . . .
You just boxed in anyone who wants to try to describe nobility and grandeur. If they do, they’ll have to assume spiritual superiority for being more religiously mature. So, I guess I won’t venture an explanation or description either.
I was referring to me.
Not trying to box anyone in, sorry if I came across that way.
I tend to avoid those feelings because I maybe too easily think it’s ego.
Please do venture any and all explainations.
Here’s the thing about nobility, just like goodness, it’s unconscious. You wouldn’t know whether you had it or not.
100:6.3 (1100.5) The marks of human response to the religious impulse embrace the qualities of nobility and grandeur.
So what are the qualities of nobility and grandeur that mark the response to the religious impulse. What is the religious impulse?
100:6.3 (1100.5) The marks of human response to the religious impulse embrace the qualities of nobility and grandeur.
So what are the qualities of nobility and grandeur that mark the response to the religious impulse. What is the religious impulse?
Nobility and grandeur are too close to ego type responses for me, I’ll leave those for religiously mature people to sort out but I always interpret religious impules as the urge for righteousness.
Gene – I think you are confusing the traits/characteristics of nobility and the self’s assertion or claim of being noble – the ego type of response. The qualities of true nobility are those behaviors which are in service – self forgetting service – for others, and often (or most nobly) those which are not in our own best interests personally or materially. The post you erased earlier as too personal included, IMO, your personal testimony of your own noble acts on behalf of others, specifically family. Remember the caveman protecting his children and the mother of his children? Quote: “…Immediately you recognize that such a picture stands for the beginnings of much that is fine and noble in the human race…”
Qualities of nobility are not so uncommon among the common people of any world including our own. Here’s 100 quotes in the UB for either noble OR nobility:
I think nobility begins with one’s ideals and aspirations and I think nobility can be defined in the same terms and definitions as the fruits of the Spirit….for the noble character is, to me, that character that is being spiritized and spiritualized in response to the ministry of the Spirit(s) within. Nobility is that which is expressed by the person that is true, beautiful, and good.
Ego has no part in it…just the opposite…the more ego and material oriented the person, the less noble they are, by definition. I don’t think it is important, or even helpful, to consider how we/I might be noble…but it is extremely important to discern the nobility of others in their acts and expressions of love and service. We are taught that social progress through the Mortal Epochs is moved forward by acts of nobility by the common person and those persons of courageous and uncommon nobility. All such persons and all such progress reflects the reality that …..as goes the parts, so goes the whole. All progress that is spiritual or religious in origin and nature is noble. Every choice and act that reflects universe reality and God’s love is noble in nature and effect.
Bonita says above: “Here’s the thing about nobility, just like goodness, it’s unconscious. You wouldn’t know whether you had it or not.”
Me here: Exactly!! But you should be able to recognize it in others.
"Live loyally today—grow—and tomorrow will attend to itself. The quickest way for a tadpole to become a frog is to live loyally each moment as a tadpole."
Didn’t we recently have a topic about being born of the spirit?
Not that I can find. I did find two topics on soul with related content:
https://urassoc.arko.nyc/forums/topic/the-urantia-book-and-the-soul/
https://urassoc.arko.nyc/forums/topic/the-soul-an-experiential-acquirement/
I think it would be very appropriate and helpful to examine the topic of being born of the spirit….and rebirth or being born again as that may be different(?). And the difference in the cognitive, volitional will of intentional TA cooperation and that responsive/reflexive cooperation that is not so cognitively intentional – if that distinction makes sense or has any importance.
I look forward to your thoughts and those writings you may wish to share….and all related text too of course!
"Live loyally today—grow—and tomorrow will attend to itself. The quickest way for a tadpole to become a frog is to live loyally each moment as a tadpole."
. . . I think nobility can be defined in the same terms and definitions as the fruits of the Spirit . . .
I think fruits of the spirit and nobility are synonymous. They’re one and the same thing. Jesus had the most noble character we will ever know and he, as the Spirit of Truth, is the mechanism (vine) by which the fruits of the spirit are now able to be manifested in our lives as a noble character.
194:3.1 The Creator Son, in the flesh, revealed God to men; the Spirit of Truth, in the heart, reveals the Creator Son to men. When man yields the “fruits of the spirit” in his life, he is simply showing forth the traits which the Master manifested in his own earthly life.
We are dual natured individuals; we have two characters. A noble character is the nature of the soul, that part of us which has the potential for eternal life. Our material natures do not yield fruits of the spirit (34:7.1); they only yield social fruits and a material, earthly character (102:7.4). Living the religious life is living with the soul’s character as one’s dominant nature.
I think it would be very appropriate and helpful to examine the topic of being born of the spirit….and rebirth or being born again as that may be different(?).
56:5.2 It was during this same sermon that Jesus made use of his first and only parable having to do with his own trade — carpentry. In the course of his admonition to “Build well the foundations for the growth of a noble character of spiritual endowments,” he said: “In order to yield the fruits of the spirit, you must be born of the spirit. You must be taught by the spirit and be led by the spirit if you would live the spirit-filled life among your fellows. But do not make the mistake of the foolish carpenter who wastes valuable time squaring, measuring, and smoothing his worm-eaten and inwardly rotting timber and then, when he has thus bestowed all of his labor upon the unsound beam, must reject it as unfit to enter into the foundations of the building which he would construct to withstand the assaults of time and storm. Let every man make sure that the intellectual and moral foundations of character are such as will adequately support the superstructure of the enlarging and ennobling spiritual nature, which is thus to transform the mortal mind and then, in association with that re-created mind, is to achieve the evolvement of the soul of immortal destiny. Your spirit nature — the jointly created soul — is a living growth, but the mind and morals of the individual are the soil from which these higher manifestations of human development and divine destiny must spring. The soil of the evolving soul is human and material, but the destiny of this combined creature of mind and spirit is spiritual and divine.”
Jesus explains how the mind works in order to evolve a soul. He makes the following points (in my words):
- The foundation of a religious life requires being born of the spirit.
- Religious living requires transformation of the mind, a moral mind being taught and led by the spirit.
- One must not waste time on that which is unfit for religious living, or soul evolution.
- The foundations of the religious life are intellectual and moral.
- One does not build a soul, one builds only the moral and intellectual foundation from which it grows.
- Religious living results in the growth of a noble character.
- The enlarging and ennobling character is a superstructure.
- The superstructure of a noble character transforms the mind; it recreates it.
- The mortal mind associates itself with the recreated mind in order to further evolve (grow) the immortal soul.
The concept of a recreated mind, or a superstructure mind, has always intrigued me. A recreated mind is one that has been born of the spirit. A recreated mind has not only received the indwelling Spirit of God (Adjuster), but also recognizes the presence of the indwelling Spirit. (34:6.7) And, it is by faith and insight that we are able to recognize this presence. (150:5.2) The supermind is the Holy Spirit, and I believe her presence plays a vital part in spiritual rebirth as well as soul growth.
100:6.3 (1100.5) The marks of human response to the religious impulse embrace the qualities of nobility and grandeur.
So what are the qualities of nobility and grandeur that mark the response to the religious impulse. What is the religious impulse?
100:6.3 (1100.5) The marks of human response to the religious impulse embrace the qualities of nobility and grandeur.
So what are the qualities of nobility and grandeur that mark the response to the religious impulse. What is the religious impulse?
Nobility and grandeur are too close to ego type responses for me, I’ll leave those for religiously mature people to sort out but I always interpret religious impules as the urge for righteousness.
Gene – I think you are confusing the traits/characteristics of nobility and the self’s assertion or claim of being noble – the ego type of response. The qualities of true nobility are those behaviors which are in service – self forgetting service – for others, and often (or most nobly) those which are not in our own best interests personally or materially. The post you erased earlier as too personal included, IMO, your personal testimony of your own noble acts on behalf of others, specifically family. Remember the caveman protecting his children and the mother of his children? Quote: “…Immediately you recognize that such a picture stands for the beginnings of much that is fine and noble in the human race…”
Qualities of nobility are not so uncommon among the common people of any world including our own. Here’s 100 quotes in the UB for either noble OR nobility:
I think nobility begins with one’s ideals and aspirations and I think nobility can be defined in the same terms and definitions as the fruits of the Spirit….for the noble character is, to me, that character that is being spiritized and spiritualized in response to the ministry of the Spirit(s) within. Nobility is that which is expressed by the person that is true, beautiful, and good.
Ego has no part in it…just the opposite…the more ego and material oriented the person, the less noble they are, by definition. I don’t think it is important, or even helpful, to consider how we/I might be noble…but it is extremely important to discern the nobility of others in their acts and expressions of love and service. We are taught that social progress through the Mortal Epochs is moved forward by acts of nobility by the common person and those persons of courageous and uncommon nobility. All such persons and all such progress reflects the reality that …..as goes the parts, so goes the whole. All progress that is spiritual or religious in origin and nature is noble. Every choice and act that reflects universe reality and God’s love is noble in nature and effect.
Bonita says above: “Here’s the thing about nobility, just like goodness, it’s unconscious. You wouldn’t know whether you had it or not.”
Me here: Exactly!! But you should be able to recognize it in others.
Perspective appreciated, thank you.
So really-nobility & grandeur can almost be new words or old ones with new coined meanings-Webster doesn’t always do it, my mistake.
Should have searched TUB.
I think the standardized and accepted definition (Latin and Olde/Middle English) is quite accurate and supports the usage of the term as written by the authors – not every definition but specifically:
From Webster’s: possessing, characterized by, or arising from superiority of mind or character or of ideals or morals : lofty a noble ambition a noble cause
The word noble, in addition to referring to someone born to aristocratic ranks, can also be used to describe someone of outstanding character. That word first appeared in English in the 13th century, and its antonym, “ignoble,” came about two centuries later. Ignoble derives via Middle English and Middle French from the Latin prefix in- (“not”) and the Old Latin gnobilis (“noble”). Originally, “ignoble” described someone born to common or plebeian origins, but by the late 16th century it had come to describe people of dishonorable character, or the actions performed by such people.
Godliness is the most lofty of aspirations and/or ambitions and all behaviors and choices that might be considered noble originate in God and come from God and come by the branch’s attachment to the vine. And this is why, as Bonita said, nobility of character and its expressions are, in their purest form and function, unconscious. Nobility is a reflection of character in action…the ‘character’ of soul, the embodiment of truth, beauty, and goodness. It cannot be self centered or self serving and be noble.
I do think mortals can strive to be or become noble and to act nobly by volition….a conscious effort based on a noble aspiration and idealism. But one becomes noble as a result of growth and spiritization. And I think it can be argued, based on the UB teachings on Religion In Human Experience that all such nobility and all that is noble in all people who are noble can only be a result of religious experience….whether conscious or unconscious, a true result of religious experience and personal transformation…and this is true because all that is noble in its expression comes from God to the person within – from the vine through the branch flows all that is or can be noble….recall the cave man!
100:6.1 (1100.3) Evolutionary religions and revelatory religions may differ markedly in method, but in motive there is great similarity. Religion is not a specific function of life; rather is it a mode of living. True religion is a wholehearted devotion to some reality which the religionist deems to be of supreme value to himself and for all mankind. And the outstanding characteristics of all religions are: unquestioning loyalty and wholehearted devotion to supreme values. This religious devotion to supreme values is shown in the relation of the supposedly irreligious mother to her child and in the fervent loyalty of nonreligionists to an espoused cause.
I think it might be important to consider how the truth seeker and religionist in pursuit of understanding and wishing to express the transformative power of the religious experience does so or may do so in the normal day to day life we all live as we pass by. The UB is very clear that no one must abandon or forsake daily life, family life, material obligations, etc. Religious living is not an escape from material life and its demands….rather, it is or becomes an effective method and WAY OF LIVING that life. Religious living is NOT austere, severe, quixotic, isolated, mystical, or any other “technique of reality avoidance”.
Religion, personal religion should be a “mode of living”….our WAY of life itself, our daily life…our life in home and at work and in community, and as citizen, child, sibling, parent, and grandparent, etc. All that this means is that we remain loyal to God and truth, beauty, and goodness to attach our branch to God’s vine and this guiding principal guides us at every intersection of relationship, circumstance, situation, and decision. And that we do so with the understanding that we seek meanings and values in these intersections and hope to express our ideals in our decisions, knowing we have much to experience and learn, developing patience with our shortcomings, failures, disappointments while striving to get it a little better next time, and with a growing confidence and trust in God’s purpose, power, and plan and this friendly universe where love rules. And as we children of time learn to live this way, our branch will grow the fruit of the vine, and we will be blessed for our loyalty and attachment to the Devine Vine of Love.
When I first read this Paper so long ago (and the following dozen), I immediately recognized it as the most practical how-to-guide ever written!!! What are the connections and the motives and the priorities and the practical steps which may be implemented and employed. How could I DO what the Master taught in the 4th Revelation? How to interpret the parables and beatitudes and apply them to my daily life…and do so without extremisms and radicalization and displacement and isolation but with effect and meaning and transcendent results? Suddenly the pearl of great price seemed ‘affordable’ and attainable to me. It all seemed so practical suddenly and clearly.
My idealism became money in the bank and results came quickly and certainly by embracing this new philosophy of living which became a mode of living. To be sure, immaturity and error and disappointment and failure did not vanish….but confidence, patience, persistence, and trust became more constant companions through all of those….which completely and profoundly changes and defangs those other things, softening their sting and relieving the anxieties that they so often bring along in our daily life. In this way, and over time, uncertainty changes in its very nature…it truly becomes the reality of adventure, the source of adventure….for there can be no adventure or anticipation without uncertainty in what comes next and what will happen when it does!
In our daily life change is the only changeless thing it seems (and we will learn, God’s love is likewise changeless – another story and lesson….)…we cannot prevent change or resist change or avoid change….to be anxious and constantly fearful about change is, by definition insane, dysfunctional, and impractical…we must learn to face change and embrace the fact, function, and reality of change. The best method to embrace change is our attachment to the vine, for by that attachment to reality and the source of reality and the flow of truth, beauty, goodness, and love then does change reflect growth, maturity, wisdom, power, skill, capability, functionality, and the ability to better serve our Lord and all our fellow children in this friendly universe.
And this leads us to the secret of the universe….the more of us who embrace this mode of being and living, the more of us who serve one another, and the more wise and powerful is that service, and this experiential growth in wisdom, love, and power will eventuate sometime, but incrementally right now and every moment of time in aggregation, in the future, a better future, a better and better and then more better future….the story of the Supreme….coming up in Paper 115.
If God should grant me sufficient time….I hope to continue this study forward Paper by Paper from 100 to 118…where we discover the wonder of being tadpoles and the children of time and the Paradise Pilgrims. What a story! Our story!
And all we must do is be loyal…loyal to God and his Spirit/Fragment within…and the prize of the eternal adventure becomes ours – right now!
“…Loyal persons are growing persons, and growth is an impressive and inspiring reality. Live loyally today — grow — and tomorrow will attend to itself. The quickest way for a tadpole to become a frog is to live loyally each moment as a tadpole.”
The Tadpole Way!!!
"Live loyally today—grow—and tomorrow will attend to itself. The quickest way for a tadpole to become a frog is to live loyally each moment as a tadpole."
Beautifully put Bradly . . . obviously from the heart (soul).
Do you remember that time when Jesus, Ganid and Gonod went to see Tiberius and Tiberius commented on Jesus’ character? Even he could easily recognize nobility when he saw it, and because of that, he knew he himself did not have it. When it comes to nobility, just being your honest and sincere self is enough to open minds.
132:0.1 Since Gonod carried greetings from the princes of India to Tiberius, the Roman ruler, on the third day after their arrival in Rome the two Indians and Jesus appeared before him. The morose emperor was unusually cheerful on this day and chatted long with the trio. And when they had gone from his presence, the emperor, referring to Jesus, remarked to the aide standing on his right, “If I had that fellow’s kingly bearing and gracious manner, I would be a real emperor, eh?”
