A:

Thank you so much for this note to us here at TruthBook. It’s so wonderful that you are practicing a “contemplation” practice. This is important for spiritual growth – so important, that Jesus himself modeled this very practice for us.

I am supplying a section from  Paper 160, Rodan of Alexandria:

“But the greatest of all methods of problem solving I have learned from Jesus, your Master. I refer to that which he so consistently practices, and which he has so faithfully taught you, the isolation of worshipful meditation. In this habit of Jesus’ going off so frequently by himself to commune with the Father in heaven is to be found the technique, not only of gathering strength and wisdom for the ordinary conflicts of living, but also of appropriating the energy for the solution of the higher problems of a moral and spiritual nature. But even correct methods of solving problems will not compensate for inherent defects of personality or atone for the absence of the hunger and thirst for true righteousness.

“I am deeply impressed with the custom of Jesus in going apart by himself to engage in these seasons of solitary survey of the problems of living; to seek for new stores of wisdom and energy for meeting the manifold demands of social service; to quicken and deepen the supreme purpose of living by actually subjecting the total personality to the consciousness of contacting with divinity; to grasp for possession of new and better methods of adjusting oneself to the ever-changing situations of living existence; to effect those vital reconstructions and readjustments of one’s personal attitudes which are so essential to enhanced insight into everything worth while and real; and to do all of this with an eye single to the glory of God — to breathe in sincerity your Master’s favorite prayer, “Not my will, but yours, be done.”

“This worshipful practice of your Master brings that relaxation which renews the mind; that illumination which inspires the soul; that courage which enables one bravely to face one’s problems; that self-understanding which obliterates debilitating fear; and that consciousness of union with divinity which equips man with the assurance that enables him to dare to be Godlike. The relaxation of worship, or spiritual communion as practiced by the Master, relieves tension, removes conflicts, and mightily augments the total resources of the personality. And all this philosophy, plus the gospel of the kingdom, constitutes the new religion as I understand it. (160:1.10)

As you can see, this practice has manifold benefits for our spiritual growth. One thing that happens when we are in that contemplative state is that we are sometimes better able to discern the “still, small voice,” which is what some may term the Voice of God. I am not saying that that is what is happening with you, but I have experienced such communication myself, and others have, too. It can happen when we experience this “contact of mind with spirit.”

Again from Rodan:

“Meditation makes the contact of mind with spirit; relaxation determines the capacity for spiritual receptivity. And this interchange of strength for weakness, courage for fear, the will of God for the mind of self, constitutes worship. At least, that is the way the philosopher views it.

“On every mountaintop of intellectual thought are to be found relaxation for the mind, strength for the soul, and communion for the spirit. From such vantage points of high living, man is able to transcend the material irritations of the lower levels of thinking — worry, jealousy, envy, revenge, and the pride of immature personality. These high-climbing souls deliver themselves from a multitude of the crosscurrent conflicts of the trifles of living, thus becoming free to attain consciousness of the higher currents of spirit concept and celestial communication.”

If you read over these passages, you’ll find clues throughout that seem to hint at what you’re experiencing…I’ve condensed a few here:

• commune with the Father in heaven
• gathering strength and wisdom for the ordinary conflicts of living
• appropriating the energy for the solution of the higher problems of a moral and spiritual nature
• seek for new stores of wisdom and energy for meeting the manifold demands of social service
• quicken and deepen the supreme purpose of living by actually subjecting the total personality to the consciousness of contacting with divinity
• to grasp for possession of new and better methods of adjusting oneself to the ever-changing situations of living existence
• to effect those vital reconstructions and readjustments of one’s personal attitudes which are so essential to enhanced insight into everything worth while and real
• relaxation which renews the mind
• illumination which inspires the soul
• courage which enables one bravely to face one’s problems
• self-understanding which obliterates debilitating fear
• consciousness of union with divinity which equips man with the assurance that enables him to dare to be Godlike.
• The relaxation of worship, or spiritual communion as practiced by the Master, relieves tension, removes conflicts, and mightily augments the total resources of the personality
• Meditation makes the contact of mind with spirit
• relaxation determines the capacity for spiritual receptivity
• transcend the material irritations of the lower levels of thinking — worry, jealousy, envy, revenge, and the pride of immature personality
• becoming free to attain consciousness of the higher currents of spirit concept and celestial communication

In this life, relationship with others is THE primary experience that we have. It is only THROUGH relationship with others – both human and divine – that we are able to grow Godward. Relationship with others is of cosmic value. So, your “lessons” are likely quite valuable, I would say. All of the things on the list above should be of help for anyone wishing to understand themselves and their relationships with others better.

All mortal concepts of reality are based on the assumption of the actuality of human personality; all concepts of superhuman realities are based on the experience of the human personality with and in the cosmic realities of certain associated spiritual entities and divine personalities. Everything nonspiritual in human experience, excepting personality, is a means to an end. Every true relationship of mortal man with other persons—human or divine—is an end in itself 112:2.8)

But personality and the relationships between personalities are never scaffolding; mortal memory of personality relationships has cosmic value and will persist. On the mansion worlds you will know and be known, and more, you will remember, and be remembered by, your onetime associates in the short but intriguing life on Urantia. (112:5.22)

Thanks for writing; I hope this reply has been helpful