Category Archives: Through the Mists

Through The Mists {A Continuation}

I thought I’d let those of you who were following Book Group know that Jesus and I will be recording discussions for each of the remaining chapters in the book. You’ll see these added to the Book Group Playlist on the youtube channel. Its a change in format but I am hopeful that the discussions can help add meaning and interest to your reading of Fred’s autobiography of his spirit life.

During these discussions Jesus or I might mention some ideas for personal reflection or some possible homework activities for people following along to try. Its completely up to you if you would like to give them a go. I will no longer be receiving ‘homework’ from anyone via email for inclusion into the discussions.

I do invite you however, if you have any questions pertaining to a particular chapter, to email them to me prior to the filming date for that chapter and we will attempt to cover the answers in our discussion.

So far we have filmed discussions for Chapters 13 part 2 (below), and Chapter 14. If you have questions pertaining to Chapter 15 please send them to me before 8am (AEST), Sunday 27th (a few days away). The first two recordings were very laid back and casual.. and honestly that probably isn’t likely to change (smile – its kind of who we are).. but in future I will be injecting a bit more preparation and order into the way I guide the discussion.

Chapter 14, 15 & 16 deal with issues relating to the sleep state. This is usually a big topic for everyone! And indeed Fred, our narrator, feels its pretty significant as well.

In Chapter 15 he states upon recollection of his sleep state life:

“My earth life was not real; that was sleep – sleep in which I restlessly dreamed of this – now I am awake.”

In our discussion of Chapter 14, Jesus and I covered some interesting points about why we avoid sleep, and why we don’t want to remember our sleep time experiences. I hope you find it useful when it comes along!

Below is the first of our private discussions of ‘Through The Mists’ (Chapter 13 part 2)

A Right Commencement

In Chapter 13 of ‘Through the Mists’ Cushna and Fred discuss the barriers to easy communication between those in spirit who wish to assist us and those on earth.

“But we cannot expect too much from them so long as they imagine our only employments are singing ‘Glory, glory, glory’, or writhing in unutterable torments.”  p.152

Fred wonders at how those who wish to be of guidance do not become discouraged.

Cushna responds:

“Our knowledge of the government of God shows us that all the erroneous ideas of men can only delay, they cannot prevent, the success of truth ultimately. They attach an undue importance to the earth-life, and transfer the great advantages, which are the peculiar features of this estate, to the earth condition when they do so. With them everything is determined by the three score years and ten; the temporal governs the eternal; the finite controls the infinite; the things when are not, are placed in jurisdiction over the things which are. We know better and therefore, can wait, if needs be; at the same time, we are not unconscious of the advantage of a right commencement.” p.152

Our homework for Book Group this week is to consider and notice the ways in which we place emphasis on the temporal rather than the eternal in our day to day living. e.g. The times that we honour that which is only of this life over our spiritual health and growth.

In my experience it has been often my avoidance of fear that has caused me to break good ethics towards others in favour of feeling safe or comfortable. It is the terror of how others might treat me that at times causes me to modify expression of my true heart and passion, which limits my growth into the person God designed. When I justify fear, I also find myself justifying poor choices for my health and my relationships.

Fear makes us believe that all that we have is right here and now, and that here and now is a small and dangerous place.

The story of ‘Through the Mists’ demonstrates to us a different reality, one of hope and love not only for the future but also right here and now. The wealth of information available on the Divine Truth Channel and in The Padgett Messages gives us the keys to a perspective far beyond the ‘three score years and ten’.

At this time, with the knowledge that so many of us have already been given of God and His Laws, I believe that we have the opportunity of a ‘right commencement’ i.e. we can use our knowledge of things spiritual to begin to make choices based in Love, Truth and Humility. We can let decisions based in faith, morality and ethics guide our lives rather than listen to the gripes of fear and doubt.

But are we making this choice?

I am letting this question work on my heart this week and asking for guidance to show me the ways in which I am still clinging to the material things to measure my worth, and the ways in which fear may guide me away from Truth and Love. I don’t want to waste more time, nor overlook the gifts already presented to me  – I’m aiming for a right commencement.

If you care to, you are welcome to join our group in this reflection.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”  Philippians 4:8

In Every Heart

In Chapter 11 of ‘Through The Mists’ our narrator Fredrick learns more about life in the spirit world and the great laws governing all of God’s Creation.
Following is part of his discussion with his guide, Siamedes:
“Then perhaps you can answer me a question which puzzled me many times in the old life?”
            “I will, if possible,” he replied kindly.

“Which of all the denominations, or religions if you will, contribute the highest percentage of the redeemed?”

            “We recognize but one religion here, that is – Love; and all its disciples have but one denomination – lovers of mankind. No one of all the man-made religions holds a monopoly of this attribute. But earnest and conscientious followers of it may be found in all. Its worship is service to humanity; its litany, noble deeds, its prayers, tears of sympathy; its sermons, simple lives, known and read of all men; its songs are lullabies to soothe the brokenhearted; its faith the immolation of self; and its hope – Heaven. This is the only religion which can write the passports of heaven for the pilgrims of earth. Systems of theology have no more charm for us here than they had on earth; but in every heart there is a latent ideal towards which all mankind is blindly reaching out, a vague and undefined hope to which all the nations are ignorantly aspiring, a settlement of political problems that is only just beyond the reach of statesmen, a method of international arbitration by which peace shall reign on earth; these are all generating in the womb of futurity.”

Part of our homework for this Chapter was to consider the following questions:
In Chapter 11 Cushna makes a statement about Love being the only ‘true religion’.
In this chapter and throughout the book, ‘Through The Mists,’ we learn that the qualities of love and sincere service expressed in our lives are the only true measures of our development.
1. Do I think Cushna’s statement about love is in harmony with what you have learnt about Divine Truth from Jesus? Have I understood this truth by listening to the lectures?
2. How does this statement relate to the way I live my daily life?
3. Given that our development in love alone is what dictates the location we enter into in the spirit world, consider – how would I fare if you entered the spirit world today?
4. How many excuses am I making to avoid living ‘the true religion’?
I thought you might like to join in the reflection. I found this to be a great journal activity.
If you are interested, the recording of the book group meeting in which we discussed these questions was held on 26th of September. It will appear in the playlist on youtube sometime in the next few weeks.

The Living Bridge

I was writing notes for book group meeting.

In Chapter 6 of Through The Mists, as Fred and Cushna are drawn to the ‘Home of Rest’, they look upon the structure and landscape.
Fred describes the Home of Rest “Stately and grand in its unassuming magnificence as if its foundations were laid deep down within the eternal calm of God’s omnipotence” 
He sees that even the walls themselves combine art and teaching and that nature is seamlessly woven into architecture.

“The wonderful appositeness of every feature of the scene to each other was again impressed upon me; art and nature being blended in such a manner to enrich the harmony”
I reflected that God always creates multiple purposes in his creations. Be it a tree, bird, a flower, or a storm, nothing provides just one service to other parts of creation. 
I wrote “if we have an open heart we can learn from just about everything God has created…  and if we search we will find so many more purposes and gifts inherent in what he has made than those we currently see and take for granted”
“all of our constructions, our man-made items can be built to complement and enrich natural beauty – not to compete with it, exclude it or destroy it as so often occurs now”
About an hour later I opened my inbox and found that Lizzi had sent me this beautiful link. 
I thought – yes– it seems such a small example of what may be possible.

When Anger Stops Us Seeing A Friend

When we begin to open our eyes and hearts to the level of addiction that has existed in our lives sometimes its tempting to declare “Well no one has ever loved me! True friendship is a fallacy.”

Even if we don’t admit it, deep down, many of us feel cynical about love and friendship. All the little hurts have added up and while we may not say it out loud a part of us has become hard.

But for most of us there have been people – amongst the comings and goings, the growing and learning phases in our lives – who have extended the hand of friendship our way. 

Its true, we may not have noticed.

These special people can pass us by if we want to hold onto our grief and pain, if we want to blame and be victims.


It happens because we get angry instead of sad.

We get angry because we hurt and don’t want to know it. We don’t want to open up again, to feel how alone and sad and friendless we felt before, when our feet were small and hearts tender.

I know this because I have been there. 

Sometimes the hurt of feeling friendless, abandoned, unloved and unimportant feels too much and I just want to hold onto angry disillusionment instead. 
And if you are like me, then when we do this, when we shut down in this way, we not only miss the chance to receive the gifts and gratitude of true friendship but we also prevent ourselves becoming true friends to others.

When we are willing to be humble to the pain we feel, we will stop trying to have those around us alleviate it, and begin to have something to give.
Before this can happen however we will need to stop blaming others, we will stop waiting for the world to make things fair and safe for us to share and speak and be ourselves.
We will have to ask –
Do I want to be true even if others aren’t?
Do I want to give more than I want to justice?
How much do I want to love?
The story of ‘Through the Mists’ shows us many beautiful examples of friendship in action, not the least of which is Fred’s own life. Fred was a lonely man while on earth, he lacked love and support from almost everyone in his society yet he lived his life in service and friendship to those less fortunate. His humility made him not full of self but of compassion; his integrity made him willing to risk ridicule in order to live by the principle of love he aspired to. 
I have learnt that to be a true friend I will require humility. It may mean taking steps that feel risky. 
But mostly to be your friend I will have integrity. I will honour love and truth above my image or comfort. 
And in thisI will serve as a matter of course.
Who has been a friend to you in your childhood or life today? What did they teach you about life and love?
 

The Fruits of Friendship

Each day this week I’m reflecting on friendship.
In my journey to understand true friendship, I realised something truly humbling. That is, that many times over the years I have completely overlooked people who extended true friendship to me.
I’ve done this for many reasons.
Sometimes it was because I’d never stopped to consider the qualities of true friendship. I was constantly seeking addictive relationships in order to make me feel safe, or validated, or liked.
Sometimes I recognised the character and goodness in the person but I felt so vulnerable and insecure about myself that I withdrew from them thinking they wouldn’t like me.
Sometimes I was just completely self-involved in my own life and issues that I didn’t even notice that the gift of love and acceptance was right there beside me. I didn’t see a gift without strings attached when it was offered to me.
How sad I feel to have rejected such gifts.
I recently asked myself the question: “If I can’t see the love extended towards me from those around me, how can I know it and receive it from God?”
Last Wednesday at the book group and karaoke night, the gift of friendship was extended to all of us present.
There were quiet helpers who gave us their time without demand for payment or recognition.
They set-up the sound system, they set out your chairs, they recorded it all, they charged batteries, set-up microphones, played music, cut-out feedback, and then packed it all up and stacked it in the van. They give you the gift of their time, their service, and their expertise almost every time we meet.
Did you see them? Did you notice the fruits of friendship all around you?
Often friendship is a quiet gift, by its very nature it does not demandour attention. Instead it ripens and bears fruit. It is enacted not just felt.
I am reminded that many who have now passed still serve me and offer me friendship. Fred and Robert James Lees extend their friendship across a century assisting me to grow and learn.
Also that each of us is surrounded daily by invisible brothers and sisters who wish to guide us to greater love and safety.

   *******************************************************************

Huge gratitude to these people who helped out on Wednesday.

Lena, Igor & AJ
 

To Lena – who has learnt how to edit video files so that we can bring you the book group on youtube every  week. She edits the video for upload each week and also operates a video camera and helps with set-up and pack-up.

To Igor & Vlad – who operate a camera and handle sound during presentations. Igor is our usual video editor and Vlad is learning the ropes. Igor uploads all files to youtube.

Joy & Cavil

 To Joy – who was the first to arrive and last to leave. I believe this made her stay at the Wondai Hall more than 10 hours!

Cavil

My AJ – who has individually purchased every piece of sound and video equipment we use, he maintains all of it, and understands how each item works. He has trained all of us in how to use these things and is involved in and oversees every set-up and pack-up we do. He packs the van and unloads. He backs-up every piece of data we collect. He edits all of the audio files that appear on our website.

Diana, Jane, Joy & Laurleen
Vlad & Igor

Jane & Anto

 To Diana, Cavil, Anto & Jane– who handled hall logistics, and mucked in with technical support or whatever was needed at the minute.

You guys are awesome

Some great guy who would probably rather be playing guitar!

My special thanks to these wonderful people and many others who often show up and quietly add their hands to the task. (I think Joy calls you her ‘silent ninjas’!) Every one of them is led by their own passion in these areas and their desire to serve others.

A Friend Indeed

On Wednesday at the book group we discussed the question “What is true friendship?”
This is a question that I have given weight to over the past year. In December 2010 Fi and I talked about friendship. I tearfully told her that I would like to be her friend, a real friend. I’d just lost faith that I had any idea about how that would look in practice.
You see I’d realised that I had often used friendships to avoid rather than express myself. I’d noticed that I’d used ‘friendships’ with women to avoid my loneliness and soulmate grief.
I’d begun to feel how hurt I’d been in my relationship with my mother and how that had effected every relationship with women since.
Too often I’d tried to gain approval rather than been willing to give or receive the gifts of true friendship.
Our conversation really started me on a quiet journey of self-reflection and it’s been a road on which I’ve paused at times to grieve what I thought I knew but didn’t, what I thought I’d lost but had never really had.
Here is what I have felt and learnt about friendship in the past year:
–       a friend will tell you the truth of who they are and how they feel
–       a friend won’t withdraw when they are challenged by the way we feel or live
–       a friend lovesand gives without expectation, demand or desire for anything in return
Since I began to pray and desire to understand true friendship I have come to see that some of the people I thought were true friends were not, and some people I didn’t consider much had more integrity than I anticipated and offered me the qualities of friendship as a natural part of themselves.
Friendships, by nature of their honesty, their love, their gifts and their steadfastness in the face of change, can not only nourish us but also challenge us, and help us grow. 
At times in the past I’ve used ‘friendships’ as ways to have commiseration for my woes and agreement for my self-righteousness and anger. 
I now believe it is a true friend that will honour love and truth above accord in their relationships. And this not only makes them trustworthy, it makes them a friend in deed, in word and in spirit. It grounds them as an ally as I seek to honour for these things myself.
In the example in “Through the Mists” Helen and Frederick met only briefly while on earth, yet in that time they displayed to each the qualities of true friendship and thus formed a bond that reached beyond their earthly lives and into the heavens. Fred was so humble, so without demand or expectation, that he hardly understood that he should be rewarded for his gift of friendship nor did he see the measure of the gift he had given Helen i.e. peaceful resolution of her loving desire to have her charges cared for after her passing.
 

Have you experienced a friendship that has not only nourished you but also challenged you to be a better person?