1998-06-20-The Teaching Mission

Session

Dialogue

Teaching Mission

Student J: I'd like to share a thought that's been pressing on my mind about what the Teaching Mission means. There are those of us who feel unaffiliated as truth seekers, and do not identify with an established spiritual group, religion or what have you. What the Teaching Mission does is give me a body of truth seekers, a support group, a group to share with where I have assurance of a shared objective, and a shared goal, and the assurance of divine direction. The Teachers are available to us. My feeling is that we have a greater trust and a greater belief in the truthfulness, and the divine origin of instruction and teaching and direction we're given, which I, for one, don't have in the religious organizations on the planet. So, with the Teaching Mission, I no longer feel like an unaffiliated truth seeker, that I don't belong to a group. Instead, I feel that I can share the attempt to grow, the attempt to share, the attempt to seek the Father's Will with divine direction. I believe that the Teaching Mission constitutes a body of believers and Teachers that is superior to anything else available to us.

Tarkas: Thank you, J, for your statement of commitment and conviction in your own efforts with us. This, most certainly, is heartening to those of us who have come here to work with you. And, yet, we are most patient that this level of conviction and commitment which you so comfortably express, must be the choice of all individuals, on their own terms, in their own time, and in their own way. We fully respect the fact that you are each a unique and marvelous creation of God. That you will find your own way in which to express your understanding of this relationship with God. That we are offering this Teaching Mission as one, hopefully, broad and fulfilling path which can accommodate a great diversity of personalities, and levels of commitment, and expressions of affiliation, but that this will certainly be a one-on-one decision for each of you. We are confident, that as this Mission continues, many, many people--I will venture to say, millions--will follow with us on this path, over time. And yet, we do respect the level of experimentation which occurs here, now, on this planet, and we hold to no fixed schedule.

Indeed, we rework our schedule, at this point, with much regularity. We look at these, as it were, as "the draft for today" as to how things may proceed. So, choose to be with us. We hope you will. And, yet, if there is any level at which you say now, "I think I need to wait on this. I need to mull this over more. I wish to learn more of these people that are now affiliated with this." Then, so be it. This is, absolutely, a healthy and appropriate way in which for you to respond to this Mission, also. When you are ready, we will be there, also ready, to work with you. And, to whatever degree you say, "I have heard of this. I believe I understand what is happening, now. But, I choose to find another path for myself to God." Trust me, we are most joyous that you have listened within your own heart to your own leadings. You will, indeed, be fully cared for and offered guidance in any other path that you may possibly choose.

I would encourage each of you to also recognize that as you represent this Mission to others, you are carrying, at this point, a great amount of power, of potential, as to the effect that this may have on any listening, interested person. This is a great step of faith to say, not just that there is such a thing as celestial intervention, but that, "I can be witness to this. I can be involved with this via human conduits of these messages, and actually a group of people who base their affiliation on these relationships with Celestial Teachers." Take this message to people, always with a willingness to be most patient as they themselves consider these potentials.

Inclusion

This is a great leap for many people, and for some of you already, this has been a point of heartache, that those you love dearly are not able to make this leap, this extension of belief to relationships with those of us who teach you from this level. And, indeed, there has been turmoil and pain for you in these relationships, because you feel this sense of belief, yourself, and there is no possibility of this for those you love. They are simply not ready or willing. We wish to comfort you regarding this, ask you please not to "burn bridges" in your own love and concern for any of those who feel this way. This is an opportunity for you to express a sense of compassion for their anxieties or fears regarding your choice. This is an opportunity for you to learn what it means to "keep your own counsel" in a sense of diplomatic respect for the other person's mindset. You will be given many opportunities to still continue with your heart's desire to work with us, if you will also choose to create a sense of stability and respect in these relationships with those you care for, who are most bothered by discussion, even, of this Teaching Mission. You may not see that clearly, yet. It may seem to you an either/or, black or white choice. "I choose this or I choose this." But I say to you, this is not the case. And if you will remember to honor the integrity of the commitment and love you feel for this person, these people, who respond to you this way, that we will, indeed, be most effective and ingenious in providing ways in which you will still be able to work with us.

I hope this statement I have just made addresses an issue which does, indeed, concern some of you most greatly. Therefore, I chose to bring it up myself, rather than wait for a possible statement from any of you regarding this. If this has not yet been an issue for some of you--and we know for some of you this has been an easy path to choose to work with us--there may be points that will arise in the future where this will not be the case. And, I hope at those times, you will remember my words--"Don't burn your bridges with people whom you love and respect simply because you hold strongly to a belief in this Mission." There will be ways that will be offered to each of you where you can "have your cake and eat it, too." (Smiling) I will put it in that manner. And, I ask for your trust regarding this. (see 196:2.7)

Student J: I would like to underscore a point you just made, in that we do not have to make a choice, that it is not "either/or." And, in fact, I believe we have learned from the Teachers in the Teaching Mission that what we are being taught to do is transcend all of the alternative paths that would deny us those relationships and that, in fact, we are learning to encompass all truth, irrespective of its origin, or the path that it happens to be settled in. And, we don't have to leave anything behind. On the contrary, we learn to be the leavening of the bread of the paths that exist.

Student D: Multi-grained bread!

Student J: Yes. Learn to add to, and take nothing away.

Tarkas: Excellent!

Student H: One more thing. I have a question.

Tarkas: Yes.

Soul

Student H: I have two or three questions for confirmation. I would like to get down to fundamentals, basics. Is not this "soul to soul" interaction, which has been expressed so beautifully here, a means of developing our own soul, which is merely getting in tune with the love for the Father, the Universal Energy Love with the Father? And, this is the second part of the question--Is not the soul that we have, the only thing of ours that we take on to the mansion worlds, in conjunction with the Thought Adjuster, from the Father, and our personality from the Father, as the soul that we develop here--is that the only thing that we take with us to the mansion worlds? Is that correct?

Tarkas: (Smiling) Part one. You are, indeed, to make the priority of your lives, this sense of knowing God. It's as simple as that, and it is as immense as that. I still strive to know God, H. And, I came from a planet where this was every single person's priority. I am certainly continuing on in my quest, now, and this has been my endeavor for many thousands of your years. So, I could, indeed, give you a simple "yes," my son, to your question, but I will say that once you tackle this challenge, you will wrestle with it for many, many, many a day. See this as the greatest adventure of your heart, your mind, your full being. And, appreciate that this is something so essentially vital to the creative purpose of you that you will, certainly, strive in this with a great deal of confusion, assumptions, mis-assumptions, concepts, perceptions, until the moment, the hour of your death. So, be with this idea of "My understanding of God is most important to me," with a great amount of humbleness, healthy humility, a sense, again, of being a seedling, and just simply relish the joy of such a challenge.

Student H: One is working with the other souls to develop this awareness of the Father. Is that it?

Tarkas: Again, I could give you even a simple, "Yes," there. You are, indeed, each of you, engaged, in each moment of your life, to some degree, in finding the Father within you and within others, as you proceed through life. Obviously, many times, you have blinders to this. But, indeed, yes, this is the purpose of all your experiences, now. And, the degree to which you become more attuned and discerning that this is the matter at hand, you will, certainly, bring more awareness and desire to be effective in this sense of becoming God-conscious. I only ask that you remember as a seedling, you are not being asked yet to blossom. And, therefore, since some part of this experience is on this rebellion planet, which can definitely cause stress to your soul, I am merely encouraging you to relax, and sometimes take it easy, even in this process of what we call, "knowing God."

Student H: Thank you.

Tarkas: (Smiling) As for part two...(group laughter) You are one who loves to feel you have taken good notes, have the process straight. You are one who reads the instruction book when you acquire a piece of equipment. You are not one who can rest easy with the idea of "floating through life." And, in this regard, I respect that you enumerated what you feel we take with us as we pass on. And, indeed, my careful student, I would say you have many of your facts straight. (Joking) But, H, steel yourself, you do not, yet, have the full picture. You take much more, my dear careful student, than--I'm heading for the word "just" but, I am carefully saying this--"just" the relationship with your Thought Adjuster and your sense of God. You carry with you, from this planet, an incredible accumulation of knowledge, understanding, experiences, emotions which are precious treasures in your eternal career. There is no way that I can fully explain to you how this occurs. And, it is not so much the "how’s and what’s" of the matter that is important. It is the "whys." Why do we take this? Because God has so many remarkable ways in which to display this treasure to you, once you pass on. That is the part, my dear student, I wish you to ponder. Ask yourself, "Why am I acquiring this worldly possession? Why do I feel the love for my dear wife? Why do I struggle, now, with this paralysis? [Note: H's legs are paralyzed.] Why have I been given the accomplishments of my life? Why do I still feel these longings in my heart?" The "why’s" of life, H, are the parts I wish to emphasize, now. And you will find, indeed, my dear student, a beautiful peacefulness developing in you as you contemplate this part of the question. The "whys" of your life, H, are what I encourage you, now, to consider.

Student H: Thank you.

Tarkas: You are most welcome.

Teaching Mission

Student M: Tarkas, You have touched upon the truth and the beauty of the Teaching Mission. Would you care to expound upon the aspect of goodness in relation to the Teaching Mission, and its purpose for us?

Tarkas: (Smiling) The goodness of the Teaching Mission grows by what we offer in this process. Consider goodness as this combination of the truth within your heart, the guidance which prompts you, the flow of your free will, the love infusing all, and the ultimate action taken by you. Goodness has a product, does it not? Goodness bears results. And therefore, I would say, that if we are to discern the goodness of this Teaching Mission, we must look to the results. Have you found positive results within yourself from your affiliation with us? Are you gaining something by the struggle, the effort made? Are you ennobled in your character as you continue to hear our words, ponder our advice, make choices reflecting the guidance we have given you? The spiritual fruits are, indeed, equivalent to what M is asking, now, of the goodness of the Teaching Mission. Is your heart becoming purer in this process? Do you sense a purity of heart with us? Do you offer a sense of clearer, purer friendship, kindness, interaction to each other, because of your commitment and understanding of what we are asking of you, now, in the Mission?

(Smiling) From our perspective, M, we most certainly feel that we are very sweet and nourishing fruit in your hearts. We see the changes in you. We recognize the developments that have occurred within you, and believe me, none of the efforts that you make are ever overlooked or under-appreciated by those of us who work with you. Every time you make a phone call to reach out to a brother or sister involved with this Mission, every letter sent, every transcript shared, every invitation to include another person within your group, every contribution you make to bring an event such as this together, every moment of contemplation that you spend considering the words, the messages, brought to you by this Mission, every time you have chosen to take your financial wealth and offered a portion of it to further the good efforts of this Mission, every cookie baked to share with others, every potluck contribution--none of this is lost upon us, my dear ones. Each effort that you make is part of the valuable treasure that we are, now, accumulating in the results that we are creating from our work. Have I hit the point you wish discussed M?

Student M: Yes, thank you, Tarkas.

Tarkas: I will briefly mention that we Teachers wish you to, "Make your best effort, and that is enough," and if you wish to hear a few more words regarding this topic, join with me after the break, and then we will proceed with the rest of our SpiritFest conference program--with lunch and afternoon soul shops.

[Note: The group takes a brief break, and then the meeting continues.]

Tarkas: I closed with a statement, "Make your best effort." I would briefly attempt to expand this encouragement. You are multifaceted personalities with many, many potential abilities and gifts. Therefore, your best effort can never be any one simple definition of yourself. Your best effort is multifaceted, my students, and your free will choice operates in which attributes of yourself you will select, in making any one particular effort in the world. Therefore, I would encourage you to participate in the afternoon conference events (the soul shops) by asking yourself, "What do I choose to offer of myself in this gathering? Will I be one who shows my patience, today? Will I be one who shows good fellowship in how I interact with my brothers and sisters? Will I be one who observes the others and seeks to be of service, assisting in allowing another to participate more effectively? Will I be one who carefully listens, today, and lets others speak, or will I risk active participation, sharing my voice with the group?"

Each one of you will be deciding for yourselves what this "best effort" will be, today. But certainly, the shared responsibility for all of you is to come to this activity with that frame of mind, that you will do what you will do to the best of your abilities. And if you will strive in this manner to participate, you will, indeed, acquire much for yourself in the process. If each of you joins together in this frame of mind, you will all benefit, and all of you will improve the potentials and learning atmosphere for all others who join with you. Is this enough counsel for the moment, my students? Have we completed this discussion for today? Or is there any final comment anyone wishes to make?

Student A: I think the theme of this conference this year is "soul to soul." So that's a nice focus for soul shops, too.

Student M: (Smiling) Tarkas, I am sure it will be much easier to digest the lunch, than all of these concepts that you have thrown before us. (Group laughter.)

Closing

Tarkas: (Smiling) Well, I expect you to chew on them, M, just as you do the salad. (Group laughter) They will give you, indeed, a level of indigestion, if they are not fully chewed before they are swallowed, and yes, what A. just said is a great ending point. Please, my dear students, take your soul to these events this afternoon. Be there in your soul consciousness and you will do well.

Students: Very good. Thank you, Tarkas.

Tarkas: I offer you my affection and great respect for your efforts in improving your lives, and I close with the great blessing and salutation, "Namaste."