“Simplicity”… Voluntary?

THURS., MAR. 11, 1999, 6:40 AM
FARM, KITCHEN

You are reading this relatively old book, in possible preparation for a discussion group on this theme – a major shift in attitude and expectation in your culture. And, of course, a major factor that could hasten this “time of change” is this Y2K thing. Your culture is now, apparently, quite dependent on computers… on a linkage of these to keep many aspects of the culture functioning. If, as predicted, many of these shut down as this new millennium commences, will you experience “involuntary (6:51 / 6:56) simplicity”? How resilient will you Americans be? Am I concerned? Listen to your friendly Spirit… yet again.

As I’ve told you often, there must be some changes on earth if it is continue as the unique realm for spiritual growth that it has been, and still is. For most of human earth life populations have not been extra large, and life has been lived in relatively simple ways. In the last portion of this time on earth for you complexities have increased, along with the population… and the waste.

All of you are some combination of independent and dependent. As babies and as children you have been dependent. When you reach the age of your Dad the independence of adulthood recedes and dependence returns to dominate. Some, in adulthood, even in the teens, with certain abilities and personalities, can be quite independent, while others can’t cope and adapt without help. I certainly am aware that this is an aspect of the diversity I have created and continue to value.

You, the person of Bob Russell, have shown forth a good deal of independence and adaptability in your life, but you realize that this is diminishing as you age. You certainly are not as dependent as most city dwellers, but neither can you be as independent as you might need to be as your culture experiences “break downs” due to computer malfunctions.

If I were as concerned about the length of individual human lives as many of you in your culture are… yes, I would be worried. But I see a need for at least a slowing, even a stopping, of the growth of the human population, and this means, naturally, more deaths than you now see as normal. I can, of course, focus on individuals… can lead and guide… but I am more aware of the “big picture” than any of you can be. And one critical feature of that “big picture” that even many of you Christians don’t see… or see only dimly… is that death is just a transition to… or back to… life in the spirit, that is much less complex than this one of physical, economic, and social “realities.”

I am guiding… and even directing… some of you as individuals, but I have little concern with “saving” your way of life. Oh, I see some “good” in prolonging your culture’s lifestyle, but I see as much, or more, “good” in moves toward simplicity. Mainly I see this coming era as a challenge and an opportunity for spirits to grow and progress… even as I also realize the potential for spiritual regression. I do love this earth realm!

I am not planning and micromanaging the future of earth life, particularly in your “developed world.” I work, in varying ways and degrees with individual lives, some of My choosing and some that come to Me, “unchosen” but willing and committed. Michael was one of these latter, and was comfortable with the perception that he had chosen Me and My Orthodox folk. His was a happy, dedicated, productive life… so why did it have to end “prematurely”? I could say, “blocked arteries,” a slight but vital “defect” and that would be enough. As I told you, just after his “coming on over,” that he regretted the loss of his good earth life, but, positively, then looked ahead to his spiritual future. He didn’t share your knowledge of continuing life, but he now has a clearer view of the realities of his life, as spirit.