September 1973 - Michael Teachings Transcripts

Oct 8, 1974

Has my Chief Feature changed? I feel strongly that it was Self-deprecation.

IT MAY SEEM THAT WAY TO YOU, BUT IT IS MERELY THE CONTINUED DISSOLUTION OF THE SELF-DEPRECATION, AND THIS GIVING YOU MORE CONFIDENCE LOOKS LIKE VANITY. CAUTION: DON’T JUST TRADE CHIEF FEATURES. ONE IS NOT PREFERABLE OVER ANOTHER. WORK TO DISSOLVE IT ALTOGETHER.

We thought that the way to dissolve it would be to experiencing both sides of it.

IF SHE DISSOLVES HER SELF-DEPRECATION SHE WILL HAVE SOME VANITY. YOU ALL HAVE SOME OF ALL OF THESE. THE “CHIEF” FEATURE IS JUST THAT — THE MOST PROMINENT BEHAVIOR YOU EXHIBIT.

What would you be without a Chief Feature, blah? There was a discussion about balance: appropriate amount of Chief Feature; quit reacting and act; inordinate amount of self love; Chief Features as defenses.

WE WOULD PREFER TO HEAR VANITY DEFINED AS INORDINATE SELF ADORATION THAN AS SELF LOVE, FOR THE LATTER IS A BY STEP ON THE PAST [sic] WHILE THE FORMER IS DEFENSIVE SHIELDING AGAINST THE POSSIBLE EXTERNAL BLEMISHES.

Gurdjief said Pride and Vanity are the two shields leading/pushing others out of the way.

What is the SRG of _____, my brother: a First Level Old Artisan, Emotional part of Intellectual Center, Saturn, Idealist, Stubborn, Stagnation, cusp of Pisces?

YES, THIS IS A SIXTH LEVEL MATURE ARTISAN IN STAGNATION, AN IDEALIST IN THE CAUTION MODE, IN THE INTELLECTUAL PART OF EMOTIONAL CENTER, MOSTLY SATURN.

There was a question about witnessing an apparently illegal act in San Francisco on O’Farrell Street — the shock of seeing something as we interpret it — was this a warning?

WE WOULD CALL IT SO, YES. YOU SEE WHAT HAPPENED THEN HAPPENS OFTEN TO MECHANICAL MAN. HE IS IN HIS CUSTOMARY STATE OF SLUMBER, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN AWAKENS BRIEFLY FROM HIS DREAMS, AND ATTEMPTS TO INTERPRET A SCENE IN THAT SPLIT SECOND BEFORE HE SLEEPS AGAIN. OFTEN HIS MOMENTARY VISION IS GROSSLY DISTORTED, AND THEN THE EMOTIONAL CENTER, OR EMOTIONAL PARTS OF CENTERS, TAKES OVER AND DIRECTS THE ACTION. THESE EXPERIENCES ARE GOOD FOR STUDENTS IN THAT THEY OFTEN CALL ATTENTION TO THE DEPTHS OF THE TRANCE IN WHICH YOU GO THROUGH LIFE. IT IS TRUE, STUDENTS DO OFTEN WITNESS HEINOUS CRIMES OF VIOLENCE, BUT THEN USUALLY THE ALERT STUDENT IS PREPARED TO SPRING INTO ACTION, AND DO WHAT MUST BE DONE FROM THE PROPER PERSPECTIVE. IT IS NOT TRUE, HOWEVER, THAT THE HIGH PLANES ARRANGE CONVENIENT ACCIDENTS TO AID THE STUDENTS. WE JUST HOPE THAT YOU DO NOTICE THOSE EXPERIENCES THAT COME YOUR WAY AS GROWTH EXPERIENCES.

_____ asked for an SRG on a friend, G: early Old or late Mature Warrior, Spiritualist, Passion, Acceptance, Emotional Center, Martyrdom?

THIS LADY IS NOT IN THE PASSION MODE. SHE IS, HOWEVER, IN THE MOVING PART OF EMOTIONAL CENTER, WHICH GIVES HER AN EMOTIONAL FLAIR. SHE IS A FIFTH LEVEL MATURE WARRIOR IN ACCEPTANCE, AN IDEALIST WITH A CHIEF FEATURE OF MARTYRDOM. YES, SHE KNOWS THIS WELL; CAUTION MODE.

_____ told us about a Jungian workshop she went to over the weekend, and asked an SRG about a teacher there: Joseph Campbell, who wrote books. Is he a late Young Sage in Growth, Moving part of Intellectual Center, Saturn, Power, Vanity, Idealist?

NOT IN THE POWER MODE, BUT PASSION; A FIFTH LEVEL YOUNG SAGE. ALL ELSE VALID.

What is my father’s Mode, Caution or Passion?

HE IS IN THE CAUTION MODE, IN THE MOVING PART OF EMOTIONAL CENTER. YES, OFTEN IN THE VERY ELDERLY, THE OVERLEAVES ARE AS BLURRED AS IN CHILDREN.

I have a patient with a “perfect” marriage and home life, who cries all the time. Is she in the Passion Mode, a Mature Artisan, a Spiritualist, in Self-destruction?

THE GOAL IS GROWTH, AND THIS LADY’S PERFECT MARRIAGE IS BORING HER TO DEATH, QUITE LITERALLY. SINCE HER FEATURE IS SELF-DESTRUCTION, SHE SEES NO WAY OUT, AND THE ALTERNATIVES NOW EXISTING IS THAT SHE WILL MAKE A GESTURE. THIS LADY HAS BEEN A FINE ARTIST IN THE PAST, AND COULD BE SOMETHING MORE THAN HER PRESENT LIFE ALLOWS. YES, SHE IS IN THE PASSION MODE. ALL ELSE IS VALID.

Why would a soul choose Self-destruction?

SELF-DESTRUCTORS SABOTAGE THEMSELVES IN MANY OTHER WAYS THAN ACTUALLY PULLING THE TRIGGER. OFTEN THEY HAVE CONTINUOUSLY POOR HEALTH. THEY DELIBERATELY MAKE THEMSELVES UNATTRACTIVE AND AT TIMES OBNOXIOUS. THEY SHOW UP LATE FOR IMPORTANT APPOINTMENTS, NEVER WITH A GOOD REASON, AND ARE COMPLETELY SHATTERED WHEN THE OTHER PERSON REACTS UNFAVORABLY TO THIS. SELF-DESTRUCTORS WILL OFTEN RUIN PERFECTLY HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIPS WITH COOL DELIBERATION ON A SUBLIMINAL LEVEL. THIS CAN BE READILY DIFFERENTIATED FROM REJECTION, THOUGH.

What kind of a karmic debt is being paid off?

IT IS SOMETIMES A WAY TO PAY OFF DIFFICULT KARMIC DEBTS — NO OTHER REASON. MANY TIMES COMPLEX MONETARY DEBTS ARE REPAID IN THIS FASHION, AS WELL AS THE MORE SERIOUS ONES, SUCH AS DELIBERATE HOMICIDE.

How could this synthesis be used in psychotherapy?

WE WOULD SAY GO AHEAD AND TAMPER. YOU CAN DO [no] HARM, FOR IF THEY CANNOT LOOK AT IT, THEY WILL JUST GO ON THEIR MERRY WAY. FOR THOSE WE KNOW AS SELF-DESTRUCTORS, WE WOULD RECOMMEND A VERY RADICAL APPROACH, SUCH AS THAT OF THE MAN ________; REGRESSION HYPNOSIS IF THEIR BELIEF SYSTEM DOES NOT INCLUDE THE POSSIBILITY OF REINCARNATION. THE LATTER WILL STILL OFTEN BE SUCCESSFUL, AS THE MEMORIES ARE STILL BURIED THERE, AND IN THE TRANCE CAN OVERRIDE THE BELIEF SYSTEM. HOWEVER, THESE SOULS ARE EXPERTS AT REJECTING SOLUTIONS TO THEIR PROBLEMS. IT STILL REMAINS THAT YOU CANNOT FORCE ONE TO CHANGE HIS OVERLEAVES, BUT IF YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL, IT WILL SIMPLY MEAN THAT ONE WAS READY TO SEEK THE CHANGE.

Is Self-destruction chosen in guilt or is it actually karmic?

IS NOT CHOSEN OUT OF GUILT BUT OUT OF EXPEDIENCY. GUILT IS A PHENOMENON OF THE PHYSICAL PLANE. YOU FEEL THE GUILT ONLY WHEN YOU ARE INCARNATE.

Why pay debts like that? Is this needed for their goal? Is this the fastest way?

They are usually chosen] PRIMARILY AS LEARNING EXPERIENCES. OFTEN THEY COMPLETE MONADS OF GREAT IMPORTANCE. KNOWING YOUR INTERNAL DEFINITIONS OF “GUILT”, WE WOULD PREFER THAT YOU THINK OF THIS NATURAL GUILT AS ACQUIRED SENSIBILITY.

Physical guilt versus natural guilt (no morality — bastardized it — the soul doesn’t feel guilt — not guilt but debt? Should this be the only type of guilt? [sic]

IDEALLY YES, OF COURSE, IF YOU FOLLOW OUR ADVICE IN NOT DOING THAT WHICH INTUITIVELY FEELS WRONG, THEN WHY SHOULD YOU FEEL ANY GUILT? GUILT IMPLIES THAT YOU DID SOMETHING INTUITIVELY WRONG.

Is expediency to the astral plane as guilt is to the physical plane?

YES, IT IS.

Why do we have to pay our debts?

YES, “RESPONSIBILITY” IS PERHAPS AS GOOD A WORD AS ANY.

What is guilt on the astral plane? Are the three Centers on the astral plane, Emotional, Intellectual, and Spiritual?

THAT IS FAIRLY ACCURATE, YES, EXCEPT THAT WE WOULD PLACE THE SPIRITUAL CENTER ON THIS [causal] PLANE RATHER THAN THE ASTRAL, AND SUBSTITUTE “INTUITIVE” ON THE ASTRAL. YOU ARE CORRECT OF COURSE IN THAT THESE CENTERS ARE THOSE YOU NOW CALL HIGHER.

Regarding the man _____: Could he help?

THE MAN _____ WOULD BE OF HELP.

_____ is compiling a book on the tree readings. I would like comment on the shape it is being given.

WE WOULD SUGGEST ALSO THAT SINCE YOU PLAN TO FIRST PUBLISH THIS IN THIS CULTURE, YOU HAVE THE HELP OF AN EDITOR FAMILIAR WITH THE NUANCES OF THIS LANGUAGE, BUT OTHERWISE, YES, THE FORMAT IS FINE.

We sold our house and are moving, having new friends. What direction to move in now?

FOR YOU, _____, THIS HAS BEEN AN ENORMOUS STEP. THE NEXT ONE WILL BE WHEN YOU ARE ABLE TO MOVE WITH THE OTHER STUDENTS, AND EXPERIENCE THIS GROWING GROUP. ONLY THEN CAN YOU FULLY APPRECIATE ITS INFLUENCE ON YOUR PRESENT TREND. PERHAPS NOW THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN UP MUCH GLAMOUR, YOU CAN CONTINUE TO STUDY AND APPLY AND THEN FURTHER STEPS WILL BE SELF EVIDENT, AS THEY HAVE BEEN WITH OTHER STUDENTS. YOUR PROGRESS IS SO GOOD RIGHT NOW.

How is _____ doing?

_____ WILL BE DOING MORE ON THE POSITIVE VEIN WHEN SHE ELIMINATES THE CONCEPT OF DOING FOR THE WORLD. SHE CAN MOVE IN MORE TRUTH IN A LIMITED SPHERE THAN THIS EXPANDED VIEWPOINT WOULD ALLOW, BUT HER OWN GROWTH IS CONTINUING, AND SHE IS BREAKING THROUGH TO A MORE REALISTIC PLACE FROM WHICH TO ANALYZE HER MOVEMENTS AND EMOTIONS. PERHAPS WE SHOULD AMEND THAT [“realistic”] TO “RATIONAL”. SHE HAS DEVELOPED SOME SKILLS AT PHOTOGRAPHING HER OWN EXCESSIVE ENTHUSIASM THAT TENDS TO BE SO EXHAUSTING. THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT ENTHUSIASM IS NEGATIVE — FAR FROM IT — BUT THE EMOTIONAL CENTER COMBINED WITH THE PASSION MODE CAN BE UTTERLY EXHAUSTING, WHEN THE FALSE PERSONALITY HAS THE UPPER HAND.

She naps four times a day — that kind of enthusiasm leads to frustration. Is this inborn, or is it from essence?

YES; IN OTHER WORDS, THE EXALTED PART OF SELF, THE HIGHER SELF.

Roles are in essence, not changeable. What are roles on higher astral plane, if any?

THE ROLES ARE OF COURSE RETAINED ON THE LOW ASTRAL PLANE, WHERE THE SOULS REMAIN SEPARATE. AS THE INTEGRATION BEGINS TO TAKE PLACE, THE ROLES BECOME MORE AND MORE BLURRED, UNTIL THEY ARE DISSOLVED, OR BETTER YET, RESOLVED, ON THE HIGH ASTRAL PLANE. THEY ARE NOT TRANSCENDED HERE, BUT THE MEMORY OF THEM IS RETAINED. IF YOU LIKE, YOU CAN COMPARE IT TO A RACIAL MIXTURE WHICH EVENTUALLY LEADS TO ASSIMILATION. YOUR OBSERVATION IS VALID EXCEPT FOR THE JUDGMENT ABOUT IT. THERE IS A GREAT DIFFERENCE IN THE POWER, BUT IT CANNOT ALWAYS BE EQUATED WITH A HIGHER SPIRITUAL BEING.

What level (section) is _____’s information from?

THIS LADY IS WHAT WE WOULD TERM A BROAD BAND RECEIVER, AND IS ABLE TO RECEIVE MANY VOICES. SHE HAS CONTACTED ENTITIES ON THIS PLANE AT TIMES, AS WELL AS ON THE HIGH ASTRAL PLANE. THE LATTER ARE OF MORE CONCRETE HELP TO HER IN WHAT SHE HAS CHOSEN TO DO.

Comment: She avoids the astral plane unless they come in with light. (Light in truth.)

MOST EXPERIENCED TRAVELERS DO AVOID LOW ASTRAL BEINGS. THERE IS NOTHING TO BE GAINED BY SUCH CONFUSING CONTACT.

I have a question about nightmares. My bed faces north and south. Am I contacting lower astral beings or what?

NO, A., THERE ARE NOT FRIGHTENING CONTACTS, BUT MORE FRIGHTENING INSIGHTS THAT YOU RUN FROM EVEN IN YOUR SLEEP. OFTEN THESE ARE GAINED ON THE ASTRAL PLANE. YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT THAT, BUT THEY ARE NOT THE RESULT OF ENCOUNTERS WITH ANYONE BUT SELF. THE PRACTICE OF REMEMBERING YOUR DREAMS IS DOUBLY IMPORTANT FOR YOU, A., AS THIS WOULD ENABLE YOU TO EXPLORE YOUR INSIGHTS.

My father has bad dreams — could I have a comment on these? Are they typical of a Baby soul?

SOME OF THEM ARE GENUINE CONFLICTS AND MEMORIES. SOME OF THEM, HOWEVER, ARE FEARS HE HAS, DOUBTS CONCERNING HIS BELIEFS THAT HE DOES NOT CONSCIOUSLY EXPLORE. YES, BUT SOME FEARS SURFACE IN THE VERY ELDERLY IN OTHER CYCLES.

Can we talk about Centers on higher planes being counterpart or analogous to something?

NOT REALLY. YOU SEE, THE NEED FOR THE ROLES IS A PHYSICAL ONE, BUT THE NEED OF CENTERING IS FOUND THROUGHOUT — AT LEAST IN OUR EXPERIENCE IT IS. WE HAVE ONLY THIS [causal] PLANE TO DRAW FROM IN REALITY, BUT WE HAVE EVIDENCE WHICH POINTS TO THE FACT THAT IT APPLIES TO THE HIGHER PLANES AS WELL.

How blurred is your sexual activity?

THE ONLY SEXUAL ACTIVITY WOULD BE FOUND IN THE LOW ASTRAL PLANE, AND THERE IT IS NOT TRULY ANALOGOUS TO PHYSICAL SEXUAL ACTIVITY. REPRODUCTION IS A FUNCTION OF THE PHYSICAL PLANE AND THE TAO [only]. SINCE SEXUAL ACTIVITY DOES HAVE A GENERATIVE MOTIVE, HOWEVER BLURRED THAT MAY BE, THE REASON FOR ITS EXISTENCE DISAPPEARS WITH THE DISSOLUTION OF THE REPRODUCTIVE FUNCTION.

What is man’s proper function in the universe?

WE HAVE PRESENTED THIS MATERIAL IN SUCH A FASHION THAT WE HOPE YOU ARE NOW HAVING SOME FEELINGS FOR THE ORDERLINESS OF THE COSMOS, AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING CHANCY ABOUT THIS. THE PHYSICAL PLANE OF COURSE HAS ITS PLACE IN THIS NATURAL ORDER OF THINGS. TRULY THE EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS IS CONTINUOUS THROUGHOUT THE PLANES, UNTIL THIS REACHES THE POINT OF ORIGIN. THE PLANES CAN ALSO BE LIKENED PERHAPS MOST EASILY TO THE GOALS. FOR INSTANCE, ON THE PHYSICAL PLANE THERE IS MUCH RESISTANCE AND REJECTION, PARTICULARLY OF THOSE THINGS BEYOND THE PHYSICAL. ON THE ASTRAL PLANE THERE IS MUCH SUBMISSION, PARTICULARLY ON THE LOWER LEVELS, WHERE THE PAINFUL LESSONS ARE BEING LEARNED. THIS CAN BE EXTRAPOLATED ON UP TO THE TAO, WHICH REPRESENTS GROWTH IN THE HIGHEST ORDER. SOULS EXPERIENCE THIS “OVERALL GOAL” IN VERY SUBTLE WAYS, ALMOST IMPERCEPTIBLE, EXCEPT TO THE HIGHEST STUDENT. THE LEARNING PROCESS THEREFORE IS VERY DIFFERENT ON EACH PLANE, WITH PHYSICAL INHABITANTS LEARNING PRIMARILY THROUGH REJECTION. YOU PREFER TO CALL IT “EXPERIENCE”, OR MORE OFTEN, “BITTER EXPERIENCE”. MORE OFTEN THAN NOT IT IS MERELY A REJECTION OF INTUITION. THEREFORE, THE ERRORS MADE ON THE PHYSICAL PLANE OFTEN ARE THE RESULT OF COGNITALING [sic] AND EVENTUALLY REJECTING THE INTUITIVE SELECTION FOR THE MORE PROFITABLE OR CULTURALLY ACCEPTABLE ONE. THESE ERRORS ARE NOT USUALLY RESOLVED UNTIL THE PHYSICAL STUDENT MEETS WITH A TEACHER, THIS USUALLY OCCURRING IN THE LATER CYCLES. THESE LESSONS OF COURSE PROVIDE THE GROUNDWORK FOR THE LESSONS YET TO COME, AS THE ENTITIES WORK PROGRESSIVELY TOWARD THE TAO. YOU SEE, THERE IS AN OVERALL SYNTHESIS OF WHICH YOUR SYNTHESIS IS A COMPONENT. WE WISH TO RESUME THIS DISCUSSION WHEN THIS GROUP NEXT GATHERS WITHOUT FAIL. IF PROGRESS IS TO BE MADE, WE MUST WORK WITH YOU IN THE WAY YOU HAVE NOW BEGUN TO ACCEPT. THIS WE WOULD CALL GREAT PROGRESS. THERE IS FAR LESS SCATTERING IN THIS GROUP NOW THAN EVER BEFORE. MANY HAVE COME TO A SERIOUSNESS OF PURPOSE THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY ABSENT. IT IS POSSIBLE NOW THAT REAL GROWTH WILL COMMENCE.

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