4 - The 4th of the 28 Principles in The Urantia Book
the 4th of the 28th principles in the urantia book
The 4th of the
28 Principles in The Urantia Book
The Great Question Number One
1. Is courage—strength of character—desirable? Then must man be reared in an environment which necessitates grappling with hardships and reacting to disappointments.
The Great Goal of Hue-manimal Existence
It is to the mind of perfect poise, housed in a body of clean habits, stabilized neural energies, and balanced chemical function—when the physical, mental, and spiritual powers are in triune harmony of development—that a maximum of light and truth can be imparted with a minimum of temporal danger or risk to the real welfare of such a being. By such a balanced growth does man ascend the circles of planetary progression one by one, from the seventh to the first.
On the Path to Understanding the "Mastery of Self"
It is accurate to say that "understanding" the 28 principles of "high mortal philosophy" found in Paper 48, The Morontia Life required the asking of many questions and not a small amount of meditative thinking on them.
Unworthiness versus Worthiness
I am "well-acquainted" with "unworthiness." The whole of my life path evolution was largely one of daring to declare who "I am that I am," vibrationally choosing rising above "unworthiness."
The truth is that I am still working on this. But the progress I have made is now a multi-dimensional gulf between where I started out as a child and where I am in the present.
When I first began reading The Urantia Book in the Fall of 1970, slowly but surely I arrived at Paper 48, The Morontia Life, and the twenty-eight (28) statements of high mortal philosophy.
By 1978, these twenty-eight (28) statements became highly focused in my mind's-eye.
At first, I went to war with these principles. In spite of this "internal warring" over the clear meanings contained within these twenty-eight statements, I recognized my individual need to "internalize" them, by "memorizing" them.
The 4th of the 28 principles in The Urantia Book was one of two of these statements which greatly challenged my understanding. And this fourth principle states:
48:7.6 4. Few mortals ever dare to draw anything like the sum of personality credits established by the combined ministries of nature and grace. The majority of impoverished souls are truly rich, but they refuse to believe it.
Turning this Principle into a Personal "I am" Declaration
I claim the sum of personality credits accruing to me by the combined ministries of nature and grace. I am truly rich.
Always remember: it is not possible to grow into the "living spiritual value" contained within an intellectual principle typed onto a page; you must "internalize" the principle by converting it into a personal "I am" declaration of the person you desire to become.
Dare to Go Deeper...
Let's break this passage down into its components and go deeper:
few mortals,
ever dare to draw anything like,
the sum of personality credits,
the combined ministries of nature and grace,
the majority of impoverished souls,
truly rich,
refuse to believe it.
1. Few mortals.
few mortals,
ever dare to draw anything like,
the sum of personality credits,
the combined ministries of nature and grace,
the majority of impoverished souls,
truly rich,
refuse to believe it.
When I think of "few mortals" I am reminded of the following passage from The Urantia Book:
110:7.6 So few mortals are real thinkers; you do not spiritually develop and discipline your minds to the point of favorable liaison with the divine Adjusters. The ear of the human mind is almost deaf to the spiritual pleas which the Adjuster translates from the manifold messages of the universal broadcasts of love proceeding from the Father of mercies. The Adjuster finds it almost impossible to register these inspiring spirit leadings in an animal mind so completely dominated by the chemical and electrical forces inherent in your physical natures.
I also immediately refer back to the 2nd of the 28 principles in The Urantia Book:
48:7.4 2. Few persons live up to the faith which they really have. Unreasoned fear is a master intellectual fraud practiced upon the evolving mortal soul.I would add to these statements the fact that so few mortals ever dare to question authority they allow to continue to control their minds and how they live their lives, from birth to transition off this planet.
2. Ever dare to draw anything like.
It ought to be evident to any thinking, reasoning, questioning
and observing mind that the hue-man neurological and chemical energy-system may become both fear-enslaved (psychological addiction) and physically addicted (chemical addiction) to systems of beLIEf.
Thus, does fear of ever changing one's systems of beLIEf become "god" in that person's mindset and nearly impossible of ever changing to a superior "living faith" state of connection to Father's indwelling divine spirit -- The Thought Adjuster.
Ask yourself...
- Do you really "ever dare to draw upon" (by asking questions -- knocking at the door) the vast and unlimited reservoir of the understanding, knowledge and wisdom of the divine Thought Adjuster indwelling your mind?
- How many questions (knocking at the door, drawing upon) do you ever really ask of the divine Thought Adjuster indwelling you?
3. The sum of personality credits.
This is the line that I really struggled with in the early years of reading and studying The Urantia Book.
- What in this world of worlds are "personality credits," let alone, "the sum of personality credits?"
- The next question to ask yourself is...can you divorce "personality credits" from "the combined ministries of nature and grace?"
- If personality credits cannot be divorced from the combined ministries of nature and grace, how do we get a clearer understanding of what both personality credits and the combined ministries of nature and grace mean?
Defining "Nature" to Understand "Personality Credits"
How the child is programmed from birth to eight years of age may largely determine the "bent," the "mental attitudes" of the individual in response to his and her reactions to experiences with the immediate environment -- parental authority and in dealing with the rules and regulations of the culture, at large.
These "mental attitudes" become the filters (character trait expressions) which may be understood in inward-outward manifestation as both "character deficiencies" and "character attributes."
When the dominant "mental attitudes" are "character deficiencies," these may be understood as "blocking the true and perfect expression of the personality "gift" of the Paradise Father to His mortal child. Personality is "perfect pattern-reality."
Conversely, when the dominant "mental attitudes" evolve into "character attributes," these become the portals (windows) through which the personality (perfect pattern-reality) may manifest the "I am that I am" evolving soul of truer and truer character expression-manifestation.
And now, both "naturally" (inherited) and experientially evolved and acquired "character attributes" may be properly and clearly understood as "personality credits."
Understanding "Grace"
The first known use of the word "grace" was in the 12th century (1100 to 1199) and its original meaning was "unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification." Soon, a variation in meaning expressed as "a virtue coming from God."
Since that time there have evolved multiple variations of meaning of the word "grace."
So then, consider this passage from The Urantia Book:
103:2.9 But before a child has developed sufficiently to acquire moral capacity and therefore to be able to choose altruistic service, he has already developed a strong and well-unified egoistic nature. And it is this factual situation that gives rise to the theory of the struggle between the "higher" and the "lower" natures, between the "old man of sin" and the "new nature" of grace. Very early in life the normal child begins to learn that it is "more blessed to give than to receive."
Perhaps we need go no further than this passage to perceive 
that this "new nature of grace" is the hue-manimal energy-system's simultaneous response to the Adjutant mind spirit of intuition, to the Creator Son's Spirit of Truth, and the direct spirit-leading of the indwelling Thought Adjuster (development of the moral capacity) in evolving a moral (raw morontial energy) decision to embrace the "higher good," that unselfish and altruistic state in the mind where it is "more blessed to give than to receive."
It is in the "very essence" of this "struggle" between the "lower" and "higher" natures the hue-manimal child of God chooses whether to "devolve," remaining an animal energy-system consciousness or "evolve" into the beginning "cosmic insight" morality of the morontial soul (the consciousness of being conscious), connected to and increasingly led by the indwelling Thought Adjuster.
Consider the following passage:
103:2.10 Man tends to identify the urge to be self-serving with his ego—himself. In contrast he is inclined to identify the will to be altruistic with some influence outside himself—God. And indeed is such a judgment right, for all such nonself desires do actually have their origin in the leadings of the indwelling Thought Adjuster, and this Adjuster is a fragment of God. The impulse of the spirit Monitor is realized in human consciousness as
- the urge to be altruistic,
- fellow-creature minded.
At least this is the early and fundamental experience of the child mind. When the growing child fails of personality unification, the
- altruistic drive may become so overdeveloped as to
- work serious injury to the welfare of the self.
A misguided conscience can become responsible for much
- conflict,
- worry,
- sorrow, and
- no end of human unhappiness.
Joshua Ben Joseph was the Very Essence of the Combine Ministries of Nature and Grace
Ultimately, we may turn to this passage from The Urantia Book (and many others) to evolve a deeper, if not the deepest, understanding comprehension of "the combined ministries of nature and grace."
- What are the "manifest characteristics" of a life expressing the "combined ministries of nature and grace?"
171:7.1 Jesus spread good cheer everywhere he went. He was full of grace and truth. His associates never ceased to wonder at the gracious words that proceeded out of his mouth. You can cultivate gracefulness, but graciousness is the aroma of friendliness which emanates from a love-saturated soul.171:7.2 Goodness always compels respect, but when it is devoid of grace, it often repels affection. Goodness is universally attractive only when it is gracious. Goodness is effective only when it is attractive.171:7.3 Jesus really understood men; therefore could he manifest genuine sympathy and show sincere compassion. But he seldom indulged in pity. While his compassion was boundless, his sympathy was practical, personal, and constructive. Never did his familiarity with suffering breed indifference, and he was able to minister to distressed souls without increasing their self-pity.171:7.4 Jesus could help men so much because he loved them so sincerely. He truly loved each man, each woman, and each child. He could be such a true friend because of his remarkable insight—he knew so fully what was in the heart and in the mind of man. He was an interested and keen observer. He was an expert in the comprehension of human need, clever in detecting human longings.171:7.5 Jesus was never in a hurry. He had time to comfort his fellow men “as he passed by.” And he always made his friends feel at ease. He was a charming listener. He never engaged in the meddlesome probing of the souls of his associates. As he comforted hungry minds and ministered to thirsty souls, the recipients of his mercy did not so much feel that they were confessing to him as that they were conferring with him. They had unbounded confidence in him because they saw he had so much faith in them.171:7.6 He never seemed to be curious about people, and he never manifested a desire to direct, manage, or follow them up. He inspired profound self-confidence and robust courage in all who enjoyed his association. When he smiled on a man, that mortal experienced increased capacity for solving his manifold problems.171:7.7 Jesus loved men so much and so wisely that he never hesitated to be severe with them when the occasion demanded such discipline. He frequently set out to help a person by asking for help. In this way he elicited interest, appealed to the better things in human nature.171:7.8 The Master could discern saving faith in the gross superstition of the woman who sought healing by touching the hem of his garment. He was always ready and willing to stop a sermon or detain a multitude while he ministered to the needs of a single person, even to a little child. Great things happened not only because people had faith in Jesus, but also because Jesus had so much faith in them.171:7.9 Most of the really important things which Jesus said or did seemed to happen casually, “as he passed by.” There was so little of the professional, the well-planned, or the premeditated in the Master's earthly ministry. He dispensed health and scattered happiness naturally and gracefully as he journeyed through life. It was literally true, “He went about doing good.”171:7.10 And it behooves the Master's followers in all ages to learn to minister as “they pass by"—to do unselfish good as they go about their daily duties.
Here is a condensed list of the character attributes of Jesus mentioned in the afore going passages:
- spread good cheer
- full of grace and truth
- gracious words
- aroma of friendliness
- love-saturated soul
- understand one's fellow hue-man children of God
- manifest genuine sympathy
- show sincere compassion
- minister to distressed souls without increasing their self-pity
- love others sincerely
- be a true friend
- be an interested and keen observer
- become an expert in the comprehension of hue-man need
- use cleverness to detect hue-man longings
- slow down -- don't be in such a hurry
- make time to comfort fellow children of God as you pass by
- always make friends feel at ease
- become a charming listener
- avoid probing the souls of your associates
- comfort hungry minds
- minister to thirsty souls
- have faith in fellow children of God
- inspire profound self-confidence and robust courage in all with whom you make contact
- become the smile of love in your eyes and face
- love others abundantly and wisely
- set out to help another by asking for help
- elicit interest -- appeal to the better nature in others
- discern saving faith
- learn to minister as you pass by
- do unselfish good as you go about your daily duties
When the individual mortal hue-manimal child of God evolves any and all of the above "character attributes," the morontial soul is maturing.
The combined "mini-windows" created by experientially acquired "character attributes" allow the expression of the unity between the maturing morontial soul, the indwelling Thought Adjuster and the personality-manifestation of perfect pattern-reality -- the "I am that I am."
Such a one is "truly rich," no longer because he "merely believes it," but because he and she "know" it to be "true reality," the true character expression of the Paradise Father -- the Thought Adjuster within him and her.
The 4th of the 28 principles in The Urantia Book is the summation of the previous three (3) principles and signifies the mastery of self through...
- self-correction by choosing to vibrationally rise above the substitution of specialized skills and cleverness for true character.
- self-disciple and self-control by rising vibrationally above committing fraud upon one's own soul and upon the souls of the mortal children of God, and thereby "living up to the faith which one really has."
- self-direction back to spirit by frequent praying for others (never for self), followed by a period of silent receptivity to the leading of the indwelling Thought Adjuster. This increases spiritual capacity -- enlarges the vessel (the soul) for the reception of the light of greater truth-consciousness; this is the act of opening the material memory mold for spirit-receptivity.
- self-mastery by honest, sincere and dedicated (decisive) cooperation with the indwelling Thought Adjuster. You ever-momentarily have the choice to invite your indwelling Thought Adjuster to lead you into the achievement and realization of the supremacy of spirit domination over mind and matter.
Pray for More Self-Mastery
Trust is the crucial test of will creatures. Trustworthiness is the true measure of self-mastery, character. ~ The Urantia Book, (28:6.13)
Circle Attainment and Self-Mastery
In the ministry to so-called normal beings, seraphic assignments are made in accordance with the human attainment of the circles of intellectuality and spirituality. You start out in your mind of mortal investment in the seventh circle and journey inward in the task of
- self-understanding,
- self-conquest, and
- self-mastery;
The 4th of the 28 principles in The Urantia Book correlates to the individual child of God vibrationally responding to the marshalling impulse of the first (1st) Adjutant Mind spirit of Intuition. The 4th principle marks number four of the first four principles, which are the generalized requirements to experientially master the seventh psychic circle of experiential spiritual intuition, also corresponding to the 1st planetary age and the first Mansion Training World educational and socialization equivalency requirements.
The Great Goal of Hue-man Attainment
- I am the mind of perfect poise.
- I am housed in a body of clean habits, and clear and pure thinking.
- I am stabilized in neural energies.
- I am balanced in chemical function.
- I am ever-momentarily transferring all mortal experiential meanings and values into the unifying whole.
- I am ever-momentarily unifying the physical, mental, and spiritual powers with the "I am that I am" personality.
- I am ever-momentarily giving you, my indwelling divine partner and Thought Controller, my most honest, sincere, and dedicated cooperation in attaining to "supremacy of spirit domination over mind and matter."
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Supplemental Reading
- What are the four cosmic dimensions of personality unification?
1. Body 1. self-correction
2. Mind 2. self-discipline / self-control
3. Soul 3. self-direction to spirit-leading,
4. Spirit 4. self-mastery
Personality unity self-realizes supremacy of spirit domination over mind and matter.
What is your definition of religion?
How do you define 'your religion?'
How do you keep your religion...pure...?
Personal religion must be kept uncontaminated by:
1. maintaining a self-corrective philosophy of daily living.
2. maintaining non-involvement and impartiality with regard to all social, economic, and political alliances.
3. seeking out and maintaining creative, comforting, and love-expanding relations with one's fellow beings.
4. enhancing personal progress of spiritual insight and the appreciation of cosmic values.
5. prevention of fanaticism by the compensations of the scientific mental attitude.
What is a character deficiency?
What is self-correction of a character-deficiency?
What are the steps involved in correcting one's own character-deficiencies?
What replaces a character-deficiency?
Does a character-deficiency automatically disappear when one is exercising self-correction, self-control and self-direction?
1. Self-correction.
99:3.7 The great weakness of all this unrecognized and unconscious type of religious activity is that it is unable to profit from open religious criticism and thereby attain to profitable levels of self-correction. It is a fact that religion does not grow unless it is disciplined by constructive criticism, amplified by philosophy, purified by science, and nourished by loyal fellowship.
2. Self-control.
54:1.6 True liberty is the associate of genuine self-respect; false liberty is the consort of self-admiration. True liberty is the fruit of self-control; false liberty, the assumption of self-assertion. Self-control leads to altruistic service; self-admiration tends towards the exploitation of others for the selfish aggrandizement of such a mistaken individual as is willing to sacrifice righteous attainment for the sake of possessing unjust power over his fellow beings.
3. Self-direction.
36:5.8. 3. The spirit of courage—the fidelity endowment—in personal beings, the basis of character acquirement and the intellectual root of moral stamina and spiritual bravery. When enlightened by facts and inspired by truth, this becomes the secret of the urge of evolutionary ascension by the channels of intelligent and conscientious self-direction.
4. Supremacy of spirit domination over mind and matter.
109:3.2 ...comparatively few will elect to ascend the moral heights beyond the hills of self-mastery and character acquirement to attain the higher levels of emerging spirituality.
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