5.31.2009
To make us search His Word
"The principal subjects treated in the Scriptures are presented to us more or less piecemeal, being scattered over its pages and made known under various aspects, some clearly and fully, others more remotely and tersely: in different connections and with different accompaniments in the several passages where they occur. This was designed by God in His manifold wisdom to make us search His Word. It is evident that if we are to apprehend His fully made known mind on any particular subject we must collect and collate all passages in which it is adverted to, or in which a similar thought or sentiment is expressed; and by this method we may be assured that if we conduct our investigation in a right spirit, and with diligence and perseverance, we shall arrive at a clear knowledge of His revealed will. The Bible is somewhat like a mosaic, whose fragments are scattered here and there through the Word, and those fragments have to be gathered by us and carefully fitted together if we are to obtain the complete picture of any one of its innumerable objects. There are many places in the Scriptures which can be understood only by the explanations and amplifications furnished by other passages." - A. W. Pink
Don't know why I didn't think of this before
I've thought of a new element to my 3x5 card self-remembering technique. After you check off 4 straight boxes (meaning an hour of self-remembering) then rate that hour effort with a numbering system like 1 to 10. Or, I was thinking maybe to keep yourself from getting to clever just a numbering system of 1 to 3.
1 = not a good effort really at all. I didn't make an effort for continual self-remembering. I may have been awake enough to 'x' a box out at each 15-minute interval, but that was about it.
2 = average effort. Not good enough, but not in the total slacker '1' realm.
3 = totally diligent, high, continual valuation effort. I was taking nothing more importantly than staying awake in the moment. No daydreaming took over. I didn't considering other thoughts or matters to be more important.
So at the end of a row of four boxes I leave a number rating that hour's effort. 3's will be rare, unless I get tired of seeing worthless 1's and 2's.
This is necessary to stop the natural downgrade on effort over time.
Remember, the third state of consciousness is to the second state what running is to walking. It takes effort. Then the goal is to make the third state your 'average' state.
1 = not a good effort really at all. I didn't make an effort for continual self-remembering. I may have been awake enough to 'x' a box out at each 15-minute interval, but that was about it.
2 = average effort. Not good enough, but not in the total slacker '1' realm.
3 = totally diligent, high, continual valuation effort. I was taking nothing more importantly than staying awake in the moment. No daydreaming took over. I didn't considering other thoughts or matters to be more important.
So at the end of a row of four boxes I leave a number rating that hour's effort. 3's will be rare, unless I get tired of seeing worthless 1's and 2's.
This is necessary to stop the natural downgrade on effort over time.
Remember, the third state of consciousness is to the second state what running is to walking. It takes effort. Then the goal is to make the third state your 'average' state.
5.27.2009
A small little exercise (an email)
I've grappled over the years with how to get a real and deep understanding of the Bible *from the Bible*, but obviously also representing classical Covenant - Federal - Theology because we're not smarter than the oceanic mass of Christian theologians who have gone before. But I mean, really getting the 'whole' and the parts in relation to the whole in a complete way. I've pondered making notes on each chapter. I've used reference outlines. Etc. The Bible really doesn't respond to such tactics.
Now I'm think of this might be the approach: to actually write a narrative. A book. Your own book. Not to be published.
You could make a character to be central to it. A young man, like a young knight, who is learning about himself and the grand structure of the Plan of God he is in.
As he is put through a standard journey he develops being and his understanding develops and sees more and more and ultimately sees the whole and the parts in relation to the whole.
This:
http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/qna/covenant.html
and this:
http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/qna/whycovenant.html
are what it's about, but to see it all and from the Bible, like this:
http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/qna/covredemp.html
and to be able to narrate it and truly understand it is what the act of writing the book would bring about. (Those articles from here: http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/qna/FAQs.html)
Like a fantasy novel, but it's all biblical.
OK, get started you all. Just a small little exercise... - C.
Now I'm think of this might be the approach: to actually write a narrative. A book. Your own book. Not to be published.
You could make a character to be central to it. A young man, like a young knight, who is learning about himself and the grand structure of the Plan of God he is in.
As he is put through a standard journey he develops being and his understanding develops and sees more and more and ultimately sees the whole and the parts in relation to the whole.
This:
http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/qna/covenant.html
and this:
http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/qna/whycovenant.html
are what it's about, but to see it all and from the Bible, like this:
http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/qna/covredemp.html
and to be able to narrate it and truly understand it is what the act of writing the book would bring about. (Those articles from here: http://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/articles/onsite/qna/FAQs.html)
Like a fantasy novel, but it's all biblical.
OK, get started you all. Just a small little exercise... - C.
The main thing (an email)
Other than all the biblical doctrine, the Federal Theology that a person just has to pick up and understand over time, the main thing written lately is really truly seeing how the two conscious shocks are how you practical do the faith. How you practical are 'in covenant' with God.
Like, if I walk out of this stupid office building I live in (actually I'm very grateful to have such shelter and I actually like it) and I stop and look around me, and I am present, and ever deeper so (the first conscious shock) I am closer to God; and as I go along if I am able to not be identified or not internally-consider when a difficult event or situation arises then I am intentionally-suffering, like Jesus (the second conscious shock) and it is like descent of the dove inspiration and higher energy (an external shock) and it increases my level of being and literally takes me into higher worlds.
This is all done compactly now, in the present moment. To have such an understanding and ability is uncommon for Christians. To know of it is rare.
When exoteric level Christians think in such terms they can only cling to the ritual of the two sacraments (or the various rituals of the Roman Catholic Church if that is their church). But with knowledge and understanding of the two conscious shocks you can go beyond such a level, beyond ritual, and effect those two mysteries in a real way in real time.
Isaiah 32:1 sheds light on the hierarchy that will exist in the perfect Kingdom where Jesus is King. There will be princes under the King who will rule in righteousness and who will have eyes that can see and ears that can hear and all will be known and so on. Level of being is also talked of in Paul where he says some will be like planets, some like stars, etc. It is rare grace to have knowledge of such things as the Work teaches (i.e. along with regeneration by the Word and the Spirit).
So now you are as practical and simple in the faith as a knight on horseback (higher centers) with sword (the Word of God) and shield (faith) riding through the trackless forest. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing. If you are making the effort to effect the first conscious shock and you are able to effect the higher will, real will, of the second conscious shock in time when such events occur (the battles of the knight, out of nowhere, where if he perseveres, stays on his horse basically, he enters higher landscapes and new events and situations and so forth.
There is a crowning incident, a goal, a terminal point castle or mountain as well. That is the crown level where higher functions become permanent.
Like, if I walk out of this stupid office building I live in (actually I'm very grateful to have such shelter and I actually like it) and I stop and look around me, and I am present, and ever deeper so (the first conscious shock) I am closer to God; and as I go along if I am able to not be identified or not internally-consider when a difficult event or situation arises then I am intentionally-suffering, like Jesus (the second conscious shock) and it is like descent of the dove inspiration and higher energy (an external shock) and it increases my level of being and literally takes me into higher worlds.
This is all done compactly now, in the present moment. To have such an understanding and ability is uncommon for Christians. To know of it is rare.
When exoteric level Christians think in such terms they can only cling to the ritual of the two sacraments (or the various rituals of the Roman Catholic Church if that is their church). But with knowledge and understanding of the two conscious shocks you can go beyond such a level, beyond ritual, and effect those two mysteries in a real way in real time.
Isaiah 32:1 sheds light on the hierarchy that will exist in the perfect Kingdom where Jesus is King. There will be princes under the King who will rule in righteousness and who will have eyes that can see and ears that can hear and all will be known and so on. Level of being is also talked of in Paul where he says some will be like planets, some like stars, etc. It is rare grace to have knowledge of such things as the Work teaches (i.e. along with regeneration by the Word and the Spirit).
So now you are as practical and simple in the faith as a knight on horseback (higher centers) with sword (the Word of God) and shield (faith) riding through the trackless forest. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing. If you are making the effort to effect the first conscious shock and you are able to effect the higher will, real will, of the second conscious shock in time when such events occur (the battles of the knight, out of nowhere, where if he perseveres, stays on his horse basically, he enters higher landscapes and new events and situations and so forth.
There is a crowning incident, a goal, a terminal point castle or mountain as well. That is the crown level where higher functions become permanent.
5.26.2009
I can do that
I think I should try to be less of an exasperated basher and more of a teacher. People can benefit so much from just one particle of what someone like myself can give them. Just a simple book list even.
People are just starting out, just like I was back when.
People are just starting out, just like I was back when.
5.25.2009
Something very big
If you havn't watched that woman's video I recently sent the link to (http://deathisnotdying.com/eventvideo/) this may not come across, but as I watched it I was reminded of how the connection that Christians have, are supposed to have, seems so much to be so much just merely words. Not that that is small or not powerful (inner states are reflected in one's words), but it is the hesitant intellectual groping for tangible explanation of it all each believer is left to do. "He...died....for..me, so...that..." That type of thing. I know it's real, and I know there are experiences people can't talk about as well, but it makes me think of -- conscious shocks.
Look at this very common section of a church's statement of beliefs:
"(12) Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
We believe that baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordained by the Lord Jesus himself. The former is connected with entrance into the new covenant community, the latter with ongoing covenant renewal. Together they are simultaneously God’s pledge to us, divinely ordained means of grace, our public vows of submission to the once crucified and now resurrected Christ, and anticipations of his return and of the consummation of all things."
Think of how the first and second conscious shocks correspond to these two sacraments. How they are the deeper teaching, the deeper experience of them. Self-remembering as an act that puts one in the presence of God (entrance). And the conscious shock of 'eating' suffering, or eating friction, (fake, real, whatever), that second conscious shock, as the 'ongoing renewal' of our being in the covenant or Kingdom of God.
Conscious labor, intentional suffering. This really speaks to the example of Jesus which is our example and forerunner.
This is tangible (and I don't speak as a Greek who always needs to see a sign). After all sacraments are signs. Visual parables. If just seen as ritual they are 'something', but God the Holy Spirit does lead some into the deeper teaching of it.
Jesus also said be awake and love your enemies. The same conscious shocks. The Work tells us what occurs within us when those shocks are effected. When we also see them in the context of worship (presence of God) and spiritual warfare (assaulting heaven) our valuation is changed.
We have, in effect, a real, practical understanding of the faith that is practiced right here, right now. And the closer we get internally and vertically to what we know as Real I the closer we get to Jesus (we have something practical to realize that with), and the closer we get to objective consciousness the more we are in the Kingdom of God now. - C.
Look at this very common section of a church's statement of beliefs:
"(12) Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
We believe that baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ordained by the Lord Jesus himself. The former is connected with entrance into the new covenant community, the latter with ongoing covenant renewal. Together they are simultaneously God’s pledge to us, divinely ordained means of grace, our public vows of submission to the once crucified and now resurrected Christ, and anticipations of his return and of the consummation of all things."
Think of how the first and second conscious shocks correspond to these two sacraments. How they are the deeper teaching, the deeper experience of them. Self-remembering as an act that puts one in the presence of God (entrance). And the conscious shock of 'eating' suffering, or eating friction, (fake, real, whatever), that second conscious shock, as the 'ongoing renewal' of our being in the covenant or Kingdom of God.
Conscious labor, intentional suffering. This really speaks to the example of Jesus which is our example and forerunner.
This is tangible (and I don't speak as a Greek who always needs to see a sign). After all sacraments are signs. Visual parables. If just seen as ritual they are 'something', but God the Holy Spirit does lead some into the deeper teaching of it.
Jesus also said be awake and love your enemies. The same conscious shocks. The Work tells us what occurs within us when those shocks are effected. When we also see them in the context of worship (presence of God) and spiritual warfare (assaulting heaven) our valuation is changed.
We have, in effect, a real, practical understanding of the faith that is practiced right here, right now. And the closer we get internally and vertically to what we know as Real I the closer we get to Jesus (we have something practical to realize that with), and the closer we get to objective consciousness the more we are in the Kingdom of God now. - C.
5.22.2009
CHRISTIAN
Erasmus said, "A spiritual temple must be raised in Christians." I think he was speaking in the context of having the Word of God, but the metaphor is larger and very complete.
This is a good visual. Practical. If you're a spiritual temple, walking around, aware of being a spiritual temple, it is hard to indulge very un-spiritual-temple-like features of false personality.
I think I can solve much of my current angst by being a Christian first, being in that mystery, subordinating it to nothing. Not that I do anyway, but I'm conscious of the split in the language of the Work and the Bible always nevertheless.
Putting on a seamless robe that represents CHRISTIAN and see the Work as a Christian school after that. Use the Work to understand Jesus' teaching of practical level doing, see it as a language of the Holy Spirit, a language of knowledge and being, of doing, but the Word of God is supreme.
I do this anyway, but I am guilty of being ashamed or reticent to do it all out for fear of the reaction from the unbelieving world. Even the half-believing world. I flinch. Not *too* much (I always overstate).
And once for all one needn't be in a 'church'. One need, though, be in the invisible Church of which Christ is King. - C.
ps- We've been over this before, but it bears repeating: when you do the two conscious shocks, and when you connect with conscious influence, you are connecting with God. Conscious influence can only come from God. There is a spirit of disobedience, but it is obviously a slave to features of false personality. It is aided by vanity, worldly pride, and rebellious self-will. Violence, depression, lust (identifiction), resentment (internal-considering). Sleep. Imaginary 'I'. A Christian who has the Work teaching - and who has understanding of it, or capability to understand it - is a Christian who has been given a great amount of grace from God. It is armour as well, and it may be God equipping you for duty a bit higher in calling than the average Christian; for now and beyond.
This is a good visual. Practical. If you're a spiritual temple, walking around, aware of being a spiritual temple, it is hard to indulge very un-spiritual-temple-like features of false personality.
I think I can solve much of my current angst by being a Christian first, being in that mystery, subordinating it to nothing. Not that I do anyway, but I'm conscious of the split in the language of the Work and the Bible always nevertheless.
Putting on a seamless robe that represents CHRISTIAN and see the Work as a Christian school after that. Use the Work to understand Jesus' teaching of practical level doing, see it as a language of the Holy Spirit, a language of knowledge and being, of doing, but the Word of God is supreme.
I do this anyway, but I am guilty of being ashamed or reticent to do it all out for fear of the reaction from the unbelieving world. Even the half-believing world. I flinch. Not *too* much (I always overstate).
And once for all one needn't be in a 'church'. One need, though, be in the invisible Church of which Christ is King. - C.
ps- We've been over this before, but it bears repeating: when you do the two conscious shocks, and when you connect with conscious influence, you are connecting with God. Conscious influence can only come from God. There is a spirit of disobedience, but it is obviously a slave to features of false personality. It is aided by vanity, worldly pride, and rebellious self-will. Violence, depression, lust (identifiction), resentment (internal-considering). Sleep. Imaginary 'I'. A Christian who has the Work teaching - and who has understanding of it, or capability to understand it - is a Christian who has been given a great amount of grace from God. It is armour as well, and it may be God equipping you for duty a bit higher in calling than the average Christian; for now and beyond.
5.18.2009
Less scattered Work writing
I will develop a better way of writing about the Work. Better context and practical relevance. A clearer picture for each part, to see the power in each part. It will inevitably involve spiritual warfare because that is where the practical level of the Work and Christianity meet. Spiritual warfare also contains increase of being because increase of being enables a more adept war-making ability.
5.13.2009
In pursuit of mystery
It occurs to me what I've been missing in my life recently is the search for the mystery of everything. The Bible says it's for kings to search out a mystery. I did that with B influence and mesoteric and esoteric subject matter, but stopped. No more 12 tribes, conspiracy, following lines of ideas from book to book, writer to writer, even the mystery of C influence school. It all stopped. I got exoteric. Well, when Jesus - God - says with faith you can tell a mountain to move and it will move I believe it, but it moves in ways an exoteric mind can't or refuses to see. The exoteric Christians pulled me down (oh, I can't blame them). Believe the Bible. Fear only God. Search out mysteries. Be a king.
In Search of the Miraculous may not just be a commercially drummed-up title.
I.e. the element of being on the *trail of mysteries* when one is coming up the mountain of influences and developing understanding is really a very big element in it all when you stop to think of it.
All the life you see around you seems so *short cycle* and dead (and I don't say that like a teenager but like a Christian who knows sin and being dead in sin). By short cycle I mean the patterns of activity, the cars going and coming, the routine of daily living, over and over, and the veneer of it all that seems to hide anything deeper.
I was very much adept at pursuing that *deeper* behind the veneer, but then once I came to the Work and the Bible that pursuit seemed to have come to an end. Yet it shouldn't.
Pro 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
I, as usual, overstate my own indictment to make my point. I, of course, continued the search within the context of the Work and of biblical doctrine and the plan of redemption. Yet I think what I lost was being *conscious of being in pursuit* of mystery.
In Search of the Miraculous may not just be a commercially drummed-up title.
I.e. the element of being on the *trail of mysteries* when one is coming up the mountain of influences and developing understanding is really a very big element in it all when you stop to think of it.
All the life you see around you seems so *short cycle* and dead (and I don't say that like a teenager but like a Christian who knows sin and being dead in sin). By short cycle I mean the patterns of activity, the cars going and coming, the routine of daily living, over and over, and the veneer of it all that seems to hide anything deeper.
I was very much adept at pursuing that *deeper* behind the veneer, but then once I came to the Work and the Bible that pursuit seemed to have come to an end. Yet it shouldn't.
Pro 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
I, as usual, overstate my own indictment to make my point. I, of course, continued the search within the context of the Work and of biblical doctrine and the plan of redemption. Yet I think what I lost was being *conscious of being in pursuit* of mystery.
5.09.2009
Making contact
This quote:
reminds me of my saying about the Work: it's not about being good, it's about making contact. The same could be said of the Christian faith. Legalists and antinomians will always get it wrong, but there it is.
I bring it up because this snippet brilliantly highlights a common misconception in our society today: that Christianity is somehow about being good enough to be a Christian, when it’s actually about understanding that we’re bad enough to really need Christ. -Mockingbird Blog
reminds me of my saying about the Work: it's not about being good, it's about making contact. The same could be said of the Christian faith. Legalists and antinomians will always get it wrong, but there it is.
5.06.2009
Two conscious shocks and the cosmological teaching
The two conscious shocks are what is practical. Everything is in them. And, wonderfully, they are the practical connection to the deep teaching of the Bible. They are how one is 'in covenant' and union with Christ. Real I. Remember that battle of H24 to H12.
The cosmological teaching of the Work is there to mirror the psychological teaching. Macro and micro. It is true where it is the same as the psychological teaching. To get *too visual* with the cosmological teaching is to get off the mark with it. To start visualizing ladders in the stars and galaxies and all that. It has to be practical and when it is yoked to the psychological teaching, and practical observation of the psychological teaching it is true.
The cosmological teaching of the Work is there to mirror the psychological teaching. Macro and micro. It is true where it is the same as the psychological teaching. To get *too visual* with the cosmological teaching is to get off the mark with it. To start visualizing ladders in the stars and galaxies and all that. It has to be practical and when it is yoked to the psychological teaching, and practical observation of the psychological teaching it is true.
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