September 1973 - Michael Teachings Transcripts

February 18, 1974

RC informed us that he had “talked” with Soleal, and that Soleal was willing to be with the group this evening. (The capital letters are words from Soleal in the transcript.)

I HAVE NO REAL REVELATIONS TO OFFER, JUST THAT I AM STRUCK AGAIN BY THE TREMENDOUS SCATTERING OF ENERGIES EVEN IN THIS GROUP, DUE IN THE MOST PART TO THE MYRIAD PERSONAL AGENDAS THAT TAKE INTELLECTUAL CENTER AND SOMETIMES EMOTIONAL CENTER OUT OF PLAY FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. THE LADY WHO HAS PREPARED THE PAPER HAS HIT UPON AN IMPORTANT TRUTH WHEN SHE SPEAKS OF DIVERSE GOALS WITHIN A TIGHT PARTNERSHIP SUCH AS YOUR CULTURE DEMANDS WITHIN THE CUSTOM OF MARRIAGE, OR REALLY I SHOULD SAY, DIVERGENT [goals]. THE GOALS OF THE TEACHING, AND THUS OF THE STUDENTS MUST BE UNIFIED IN ORDER TO BE EFFECTIVE. THE TEACHER CAN ONLY SUGGEST TO YOU THE METHODS, IF YOU WISH, TO GROW. RIGHT NOW THE RESPONSE WITHIN THE GROUP IS ALMOST SOLELY INTELLECTUAL. THERE IS RELATIVELY LITTLE EMOTIONAL COMMITMENT TO THE TEACHING OR TO EACH OTHER, WHICH IS REALLY MORE IMPORTANT. THIS LEADS TO THE HAPHAZARDNESS WITH WHICH THE GROUP GOES ABOUT ITS BUSINESS.

Comment: Everything we do should complement the goal of the group. We tend to take on too many things to do. You don’ t have to give up everything, but you should pull your life towards the goal.

I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT TO YOU AT THIS TIME THAT MANY OF YOU ARE DABBLERS. YOU DABBLE IN THIS AND THAT, TASTING ALL OF THE FRUITS, EATING OF NONE, AND IN THIS LIGHT, YOU ALSO DABBLE IN SPIRITUAL GROWTH AS WELL. NOW THIS IS ALL RIGHT. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THIS. IT INCURS LITTLE KARMA. BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, IT LEADS NOWHERE. ALSO THE CONCEPT OF AGAPE REQUIRES THE ACTIONS OF A CLOSELY KNIT GROUP OF SUPPORTIVE STUDENTS IN ORDER TO COME TO REALITY. NO ONE CAN FEEL AGAPE IN AN IVORY TOWER. IT CAN ONLY BE FELT WHEN HIGHER CENTERS ARE CONTACTED IN THE COURSE OF CLOSE ASSOCIATION WITH OTHERS. THERE IS NO WAY TO DO THIS ALONE THAT I KNOW OF. WHERE THE MISUNDERSTANDING HAS COME ABOUT, I THINK, IS WHERE THE TEACHER [Michael] HAS ADVISED YOU OF THE DANGERS OF THE CLOISTERS AND THE STIFLING ATMOSPHERE THERE THAT RETARDS GROWTH, AND HAS POINTED OUT TO YOU THE RELATIVE LACK OF SUCCESS AMONG THOSE WHO CHOOSE THE SOLITARY PATH. IF YOU WISH, WE COULD PREPARE FOR YOU SOME EXAMPLES OF WHAT WORKS HERE [on Soleal’s planet].

Comment: The solitary way of the mountain-top yogis, nunneries, monkeries, etc.

Comment: When the need manifests, the group will come together. In TFR group (“Time for Reality”) there is much trust in each other. We can be honest and open up.

Comment: Gurdjieff was organized and was not haphazard, and Michael says the only thing valid was the centers and a life beyond the physical.

AT GREAT RISK OF DEVELOPING SOME REAL FRICTION, I OFFER THIS, IN PART MY OWN, IN PART THE TEACHING, NOT YET INSEPARABLE. IN MOST OF YOU I SEE GREAT FEARS OF INVASION OF VERY PRIVATE WORLDS. THIS, OF COURSE, IN GREAT MEASURE DUE TO A LOWER LEVEL OF TRUST, AND ALSO TO GUILT. MANY OF YOU STILL ARE NOT CONVINCED THAT YOUR VERY PRIVATE LIFE STYLE WILL BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE OTHERS, AND YOU ARE SINGULARLY UNWILLING TO RISK FINDING OUT. ALSO, THERE IS A TENACIOUS DESIRE TO RUN FROM ANY POSSIBLE MOLDING OF YOUR LIVES BY OTHERS. MANY OF YOU NEED TO WORK ON THIS, FOR THIS IS PERSONALITY DIGGING IN FOR A LAST DITCH STAND AGAINST ESSENCE, WHICH WOULD NOT PERMIT THE MOLDING IN THE FIRST PLACE. ALL OF YOU HAVE A SET OF RIGID SPECIFICATIONS SET BY PERSONALITY CONCERNING YOUR NEEDS. NONE OF THOSE ARE VALID. ONLY THAT WHICH COMES FROM ESSENCE IS VALID. IF YOU ARE BEING COMPLETELY HONEST WITH YOURSELVES AND OTHERS, THE NEED FOR PRIVACY AND ALONENESS DISAPPEARS, AND IS REPLACED BY THE FEELING OF AGAPE. THIS IS NOT EASY. THE TEACHER HAS NOT SAID THAT IT IS EASY, ONLY THAT IT CAN BE OBTAINED. ON THIS WORLD, WE ARE FACED DAILY WITH THE NEED FOR CONTINUED GROWTH, AND SPEND MUCH TIME SOLVING THOSE KINDS OF PROBLEMS THAT BESET YOU ALL. THE DIFFERENCE BEING THAT WE KNOW THAT IT IS A WORKABLE SYSTEM, AND FEEL THE NECESSITY TO KEEP IT ALIVE. IT IS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT AND SOMETIMES DISHEARTENING, BUT IN THE LONG RUN, REWARDING BEYOND WORDS.

Comment: We can’t sit and listen without applying the words. We have to learn from what’s going on. One wanted to discuss things [among] ourselves [rather] than to listen to Soleal, but when it was said that Soleal’s time was limited, unlike Michael’s, we wanted to hear more of what he had to say.

I HAVE A FINITE AMOUNT OF TIME. IF YOU WISH, I WILL SHARE WITH YOU SOME OF MY THOUGHTS ON ORGANIZATION. I THINK THAT ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THE TEACHER, AND ALSO WITH ME, IN ACCEPTING YOUR OUTLINES FOR ORGANIZATION WOULD HAVE TO BE YOUR RELIANCE TO SUCH A GREAT EXTENT UPON THE MONEY THAT CAN BE POURED INTO YOUR GROUP, EXCLUDING A NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO CAN OFFER FAR MORE THAN A MERE MEDIUM OF EXCHANGE (such as money), AND CONSEQUENTLY, THE TEACHER HAS VETOED YOUR PLANS. THIS IS BAD WORK TO EXCLUDE ON THIS BASE, AND ALSO TO DWELL AT SUCH LENGTH UPON ALL OF THE DIRECTIONS AS CONTINGENCIES WHICH MIGHT HAPPEN. DO YOU REALIZE THAT THIS IS AS MUCH A FANTASY AS THE IDEALIST’S DREAM. I AM NOT AN IDEALIST, BUT AM CERTAINLY WILLING TO RUN A TRIAL BY ERROR TEST ON ANYTHING THAT SEEMS TO BE MEANINGFUL IN THE END. IF EVERYONE ON YOUR WORLD HAD WAITED UNTIL ALL OF THE LOOSE ENDS WERE NEATLY TUCKED IN, NO PROGRESS EVER WOULD HAVE BEEN MADE. THERE IS SUCH A THING AS OBSTINATE REALISM. WE HAVE ON THIS WORLD A VAST SYSTEM OF VERY LARGE COMMUNES, SO DO NOT TELL ME THAT THEY CANNOT WORK. ALL ARE ON A TOTAL GOODS FOR SERVICE BASIS, AND ALL GOODS ARE COMMON PROPERTY, YET WE HAVE ALL OF THE EMOTIONS, THE PRIDE, AND CERTAINLY THE PLEASURES THAT YOU DESIRE. YOU SEEM TO FEEL THAT SHARING IN SOME WAY REMOVES YOUR RIGHT TO FEEL JUSTIFIED. THAT IS RIDICULOUS. SOME OF YOU ARE AFRAID THAT YOU WILL BE KNOCKED FROM YOUR PEDESTALS IN A COMMUNAL SYSTEM. YOU ARE PROBABLY RIGHT. THAT WILL BE GOOD WORK, BELIEVE ME, FOR IT WILL BE THE FALSE PERSONALITY WHICH WILL FALL. MANY TIMES THIS IS WITH [a] RESOUNDING CRASH, BUT IT ALWAYS LEVELS OUT IN THE END. THE REASON THIS SYSTEM HAS NOT WORKED ON YOUR WORLD HAS BEEN FOR THE MOST PART DUE TO YOUR TENDENCY TO GIVE UP AT THE FIRST SIGN OF OPPOSITION, AND TO FALL BACKWARDS TO OLD, SAFE PATTERNS. IT TAKES A TREMENDOUS AND DILIGENT ORGANIZATION TO KEEP THIS SYSTEM GOING, AND ONE OF THE PREREQUISITES WHICH IS INDISPENSABLE IS AN ORDERLY MIND THAT CAN DETACH FROM THE MUNDANE AND FOCUS ON THE LONG RANGE GOALS, WHATEVER THEY MAY BE. IN OUR SYSTEM, THE GOOD OF MANY IS VALUED OVER THE GOOD OF THE INDIVIDUAL, AND I WILL ADMIT THAT YOU HAVE GOOD, SOUND CULTURAL MORES AND A RIGHT VIRTUE OF YOUR TRAINING TO REGARD THIS AS SCARY. BUT HOWEVER FRIGHTENING IT MAY SOUND AT THE OUTSET, THE GOOD OF THE MANY EVENTUALLY SERVES THE NEEDS OF THE INDIVIDUAL. THE SYSTEM, IN ORDER TO WORK AT ALL, OF COURSE, REQUIRES, ABOVE ALL, PATIENCE AND THE BELIEF THAT YOUR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS — AND NOTICE I DID NOT SAY “WANTS” — WILL BE SERVED. THE EXPECTATION OF INSTANT GRATIFICATION OF ALL WANTS IS CONSUMMATELY ABSURD, AND BELONGS IN CHILDHOOD.

WHENEVER ABSOLUTE RIGIDITY IS INTRODUCED INTO A SYSTEM, IT FAILS. WHAT THE TEACHER WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOU WORK ON IS A FLEXIBLE BUT ORDERLY SYSTEM DESIGNED TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF THE ENTIRE GROUP, BUT PLIABLE ENOUGH TO BEND A LITTLE WHEN THE NEEDS OF ONE ARE TOTALLY DISREGARDED. EVEN WE DO NOT TOTALLY DISREGARD A CRY FOR HELP AS LONG AS IT IS VALID. WE HAVE MANY DISCUSSIONS ON PROBLEM SOLVING, AND OUR MATURE SOULS ARE AS MUCH AT SEA AS YOURS. IT IS JUST THAT WE ARE ALL PULLING TOGETHER RATHER THAN AGAINST EACH OTHER. WE HAVE A FOCUS FOR OUR ENERGIES. WE HAVE THE TIME TO PURSUE THIS TYPE OF ENDEAVOR WITHOUT THE THREAT OF OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE. IT IS ALL RIGHT HERE TO LOCK YOURSELVES AWAY FROM THE OTHERS, AND THERE IS NO CONDEMNATION, BUT SOME EFFORT IS MADE TO DISCOVER THE CAUSE OF THAT ANTISOCIAL NEED, AND WHERE NEEDED, HELP IS GIVEN. THE MOST PROMINENT CAUSE OF SUICIDE ON YOUR PLANET IS YOUR RESPECT OF THE PRIVACY OF OTHERS. NOTHING HELPS LIKE PERSON-TO-PERSON CONTACT. WE ARE A CONTINUOUS SOCIETY — YOU ARE NOT. WE DO NOT SHUT DOWN EITHER INTELLECTUALLY OR EMOTIONALLY WHEN NIGHT FALLS. YOUR LEVEL OF TRUST IS SO LOW THAT YOU MUST BE VERY SELECTIVE IN THOSE IN WHOM YOU MAY CONFIDE. THAT IS NOT THE CASE HERE. THIS MAKES A VERY GREAT DIFFERENCE. YOUR HISTORY RECORDS THAT YOUR GREATEST LEADERS WERE IN CONSTANT DANGER OF ASSASSINATION, AND THEIR ACCESS TO THE PEOPLE WAS CONSEQUENTLY SEVERELY LIMITED. MINE WOULD BE, TOO, I’M AFRAID. THERE IS, ON THIS WORLD, A BASIC CONTRACT OF TRUST, WHICH PLACES ALL MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY AND DECISION-MAKING INTO THE HANDS OF A SELECT FEW. THIS, OF COURSE, POINTS TO A VERY HIGH LEVEL OF TRUST ON THIS WORLD, FOR WE HAVE NO WEAPONS. THESE SO-CALLED LEADERS CAN BE CALLED TO TASK BY ANY ONE AT ANY TIME THAT THEIR DECISION-MAKING APPARATUS APPEARS TO FAIL. THOSE OF US WITH WHOM LEADERSHIP IS IN ESSENCE ARE CAREFULLY TRAINED. THERE IS NOTHING HAPHAZARD ABOUT IT. I BEGAN TRAINING FOR MY PRESENT POSITION WHEN I WAS TEN YEARS OLD. I AM NOW THIRTY YEARS OLD. MUCH TIME IS WASTED ON YOUR WORLD WITH SUPERFLUOUS TRAINING. WHY TRAIN ARTISANS IN THE PRIESTHOOD? IF THEY WISH TO LEARN THIS LATER, FINE; MAKE IT AVAILABLE, BUT DO NOT FORCE KNOWLEDGE UPON THOSE UNWILLING TO LEARN. YOU HAVE IN YOU A SAFETY VALVE THAT NATURALLY REBELS AGAINST MUCH OF THIS, BUT MUCH IS STILL FORCED UPON YOU. TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR EDUCATION SYSTEM. IT IS APPALLING TO ME. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT WHEN IT COMES TO TRAINING THE YOUNG, AND THEY SUFFER FROM THIS.

Comment: With help, ST could diagnose children and point them in the right direction.

CHILDREN ARE BORN KNOWING THEIR ROLES. YOUR SOCIETY DOES ITS BEST TO BLOT THIS KNOWLEDGE. ONE ONLY HAS TO OBSERVE A GROUP OF VERY YOUNG CHILDREN AT PLAY TO OBSERVE THE ROLES. DON’T SAY THAT THIS ONLY APPLIES TO OUR CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT HUMAN. CHILDREN ARE CHILDREN WHETHER THEY ARE MAMMALIAN OR SAURIAN.

Comment: I would not want a professional to tell my children what they should do.

How does Soleal’s world find the essence?

MANY COMMENTS COME TO MIND, BUT FIRST, MAY I POINT OUT THAT WHILE THE LEVEL OF FORMAL EDUCATION IN YOUR GROUP IS NOT HIGH WHEN COMPARED TO THAT WHICH IS AVAILABLE, THE LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE IS QUITE ASTOUNDING. DOES THIS TELL YOU ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT THE INDIVIDUAL’S DRIVE TO OBTAIN WHATEVER KNOWLEDGE BECOMES DESIRABLE? IN OUR SYSTEM, WE DO MAKE AVAILABLE INSTRUCTION IN ALL OF THE ARTS AND ALL OF THE SCIENCES — NOTHING MORE. IT IS THERE FOR THE ASKING. YOUNG CHILDREN ARE OBSERVED DAY AND NIGHT BY OBSERVERS WHO ONLY SERVE AS GUIDES, AND OFFER ADVICE RATHER THAN INSTRUCTION. REAL INSTRUCTION DOES NOT BEGIN UNTIL ADOLESCENCE, BUT BY THEN THERE IS A SURPRISINGLY HIGH LEVEL OF ACQUIRED KNOWLEDGE. YOUNG CHILDREN ARE ENCOURAGED TO OBSERVE THE ACTS OF THE ADULTS, AND ARE ENCOURAGED ALSO TO TRY THEIR OWN HAND WHENEVER THEY FEEL THE DESIRE. THEY ARE NEVER DISCOURAGED VERBALLY FROM TRYING ANYTHING, FOR THE ULTIMATE DECISION MUST STILL COME FROM THEM IN MAKING THE DECISION. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE CONSTANT REASSURANCE AND HELP. THERE IS NO VICARIOUS ACHIEVEMENTS ON THIS WORLD, SIMPLY BECAUSE ALL ARE ENCOURAGED TO ACHIEVE ON THEIR OWN THAT WHICH IS IN ESSENCE.

Comment: There is a rigidity in our society [against willingness] to change direction and to have freedom to experiment. We ought to be able to “turn on a dime”, as our old teacher used to say.

I WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE, BUT THEN I REALLY THINK THAT I’VE SAID TOO MUCH ALREADY. THE TEACHER IS ALWAYS WITH YOU.

(Supper break.)

Would _____ be a good trance medium?

HE HAS NOW TIGHT CONTROL, AND WOULD HAVE TO LEARN TO RELINQUISH THIS BEFORE IT WOULD WORK. _____ HAS SUFFICIENT ENERGY, BUT IT IS TRUE THERE IS DIFFICULTY INVOLVED IN TRANSCENDING A PLANE, AND THE ATTENTIONS OF THE GROUP MUST BE DIRECTED TOWARD THE MANIFESTATION. THERE IS AN INFINITE SUPPLY (of energy) WHICH SHE MAY DRAW UPON. TIGHT CONTROL WOULD ACT AS INHIBITION; ALSO THE ACCEPTANCE GOAL. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS IN THE AMOUNT OF BIAS THAT MUST BE FOUGHT IN ORDER FOR US TO MANIFEST WITH COMPLETE CONTROL. WE WOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO MANIFEST THROUGH A BABY SOUL. WE DO NOT SEE THAT MUCH BIAS IN YOU, _____ YOU ARE A BIT UNIQUE RIGHT NOW. YOU HAVE MOST OF THE PERCEPTIONS OF THE MATURE SOUL AND ALL OF THE POTENTIAL.

What sort of thing was I seeing in one of my meditations? There were fifteen humans hunting and another group came and threw stones. My only feelings were to save myself, and I threw stones back at them.

THAT WAS A VIEW OF PREHISTORY BEFORE SOULS WERE CAST. THIS WAS THE DOMINANT EMERGING SPECIES PROM WHICH YOUR RACE AROSE.

Must one be in Emotional Center for you to come through?

IN ORDER TO FEEL THE VIBRATIONS AND ACT UPON THEM, ONE NEEDS EMOTIONAL CENTER TO GO INTO BALANCE.

Will a person be able to change to Growth?

NO. IT IS A DIFFERENT PRINCIPLE ALTOGETHER. IT IS SIMPLY THAT THE GOAL OF GROWTH GIVES YOU A BETTER DIVING BOARD.

Comment: Goals and Centering have nothing to do with each other.

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