Happy are they that hear their detractions and can put them to mending. – Shakespeare
The Tree of Rough-hewn Character
There is a tree east of the Gateway Community Building. It’s a wild-looking thing, weathered, bleached and burnt, with misshapen, broken branch stubs poking from the trunk. Aloft, huge branches stab the sky in every direction with long, unruly pendulums of mottled leaves. It’s been through fire and storm and looks ragged and old. It reminds me of some of the rough-hewn characters I’ve known, before they went through a Lemurian metamorphosis.
The Well-balanced Tree
On the other side of the building is a younger tree of the same species that looks like it has been through a Lemurian metamorphosis. It’s been groomed, shaped into a graceful, lovely specimen. That tree reminds me of students and Order members who have the opportunity to grow up with the Lemurian studies.
I was encouraged early on to leave my cares and worries at the gate when I come onto Gateway. That could also have referred to my old world survival tools; best to leave them at the gate too. Something like surrendering your guns to the Sheriff in an old west town. But, accustomed to being defensive, I didn’t know then what that meant.
When I arrived in Ramona, I was a little like the old tree – shaped by adversity. I was recovering from divorce, ill, alone, working at a new job. Though I’d found the Lemurian Philosophy years before, the stubby remnants of old thought still collided with my newer Lemurian approaches. Sometimes I felt alone, misunderstood, misjudged. The very tools that helped me navigate out in the world, such as my New York sense of humor with teasing, sarcastic come-backs, sometimes brought conflict with fellow students or supervisors. Once, I made one of my usual barbed comments while working with a Fellowship member. He quietly mentioned that he used to joke that way too, but he had noticed that the humor is more kindly and warm here, so he changed his approach.
I’m still working on that! But as I spend more time in the atmosphere of the Lemurian Work, my old world survival tools are less important. I’m calmer, more receptive, more accepting of the guidance provided. This is my Lemurian metamorphosis. Gradually I’ve realized that some strategies that helped me navigate in the old world won’t be part of the new civilization. And this ragged, rough-edged, wild, burnt, unruly thing that I am, has taken root here.
Many students come to us tired, wary, scarred by the battle which is life in the old world. We extend our loving acceptance, while realizing that their survival strategies may not apply here. Over time, with kindness and compassion, we try to show them that it’s safe to leave their worries and cares, and their old world survival tools, at the gate. They can pick them up again when they leave if they want, but that need will diminish as their Lemurian metamorphosis works its magic. With the help of my fellow students, the Fellowship and the Elder Brothers, I enjoy watching our new arrivals, rough and smooth, put down their roots, and like these trees, glorify God’s earth with goodness while helping build the foundation of the civilization to come.
This article so accurately describes my experience with the Lemurian Philosophy, too. I am grateful for the the patient help received over the years while working toward the more content and fulfilling life I have now.
Every Lemurian student who sincerely uses the information of Lesson One changes for the better, and those who complete the course, go on to earn Order membership and find ways to participate and serve, make many positive changes. These happen so gradually they’re hard to track in ourselves, but if you know and work with these people over many years you can chart the amazing transformations they do bring about in themselves. You see the ones who were many thousands of dollars in debt, who take hold of Lesson Two’s guidance and are now debt free. You see those who thought they couldn’t cook, or who didn’t want to paint, learning these skills and now, putting out delicious meals and keeping our buildings in beautiful shape. They make these sacrifices of old ideas not just to become more capable people, but to help the group, and it warms the heart to know these individuals and be part of a group where selfless service is one of our highest goals and accepted as an essential element of personal advancement.
I know what you mean. With Lesson One I began pruning the roots and branches I had developed over the years. The task began long before I even visited Gateway for the first time and continues. We do develop habits of thinking and acting that are not part of God’s Plan for humankind, don’t we? I am so glad that I found the Lemurian Philosophy and have had so much help making my tree of life a little prettier!
A great word picture comparing tree shapes to one’s character! Like Oleg, I like to think of my life’s journey and how I got to this point. This got me to pondering how the trees at Gateway got their present shapes. Strong and deep root systems with much nurturing can bring forth the balanced tree. The unbalanced tree may have had a root system that was hindered in development and lacked nutrients in the soil. A comparison could be made to all the previous life experiences and learning an Ego brings to the present, good and bad. Through the Lemurian Philosophy we can prune our bad habits and grow our characters by practicing the virtues and using Cosmic Laws. (Sorry about all the tree analogies!)
I find it encouraging to take a few moments every now and then to think about the journey – where I started out and the Lemurian guidance that is helping to transform my life into a more pleasing and happy experience. How rewarding! Thank you for your thoughts.
This article so accurately describes my experience with the Lemurian Philosophy, too. I am grateful for the the patient help received over the years while working toward the more content and fulfilling life I have now.
Every Lemurian student who sincerely uses the information of Lesson One changes for the better, and those who complete the course, go on to earn Order membership and find ways to participate and serve, make many positive changes. These happen so gradually they’re hard to track in ourselves, but if you know and work with these people over many years you can chart the amazing transformations they do bring about in themselves. You see the ones who were many thousands of dollars in debt, who take hold of Lesson Two’s guidance and are now debt free. You see those who thought they couldn’t cook, or who didn’t want to paint, learning these skills and now, putting out delicious meals and keeping our buildings in beautiful shape. They make these sacrifices of old ideas not just to become more capable people, but to help the group, and it warms the heart to know these individuals and be part of a group where selfless service is one of our highest goals and accepted as an essential element of personal advancement.
When ever I visit Gateway, I arrive hungry, and leave full!
The photos are so eloquent! Exquisite.
I know what you mean. With Lesson One I began pruning the roots and branches I had developed over the years. The task began long before I even visited Gateway for the first time and continues. We do develop habits of thinking and acting that are not part of God’s Plan for humankind, don’t we? I am so glad that I found the Lemurian Philosophy and have had so much help making my tree of life a little prettier!
A great word picture comparing tree shapes to one’s character! Like Oleg, I like to think of my life’s journey and how I got to this point. This got me to pondering how the trees at Gateway got their present shapes. Strong and deep root systems with much nurturing can bring forth the balanced tree. The unbalanced tree may have had a root system that was hindered in development and lacked nutrients in the soil. A comparison could be made to all the previous life experiences and learning an Ego brings to the present, good and bad. Through the Lemurian Philosophy we can prune our bad habits and grow our characters by practicing the virtues and using Cosmic Laws. (Sorry about all the tree analogies!)
I find it encouraging to take a few moments every now and then to think about the journey – where I started out and the Lemurian guidance that is helping to transform my life into a more pleasing and happy experience. How rewarding! Thank you for your thoughts.