Greetings,
It is my understanding that when Jesus washed the feet of men, he humbled himself before men. I am also convinced that by allowing himself to be crucified, Jesus humbled himself before both God and men. It is quite possible that both forms of humbleness are required in order to make circle progress. In fact, I am quite sure of it.
I find no humbleness in those who asperse the character of another person. I can see no humbleness in claiming ability to discern the destiny guardian of another person, nor do I recognize humbleness in claims of ability to discern circle status or soul growth of another person. To me, such claims reek of vanity, self-righteous superiority, the need to appear rich and wise by false means. Should I humble myself before falsehood? No, but I should humble myself before personality. Personality is of divine origin.
Being humble before God requires trust in God, a child-like mindset. Likewise, being humble before men requires trust in men. Jesus implored Andrew: "Andrew, if you trust me, trust your brethren more -" (192:2:7) Why do you suppose Jesus said to trust one another more? I think that is a very difficult thing to do, and for some almost impossible.
It is my belief that trusting one another is a means of breaking down barriers, tearing down the walls some people erect around themselves. I also think this is why Jesus said always respect the personality of another. Personality, being of divine origin, is the one gift we have which we are fully conscious of and which also makes us conscious of other personalities. It is not necessary to be looking for people's Thought Adjusters in order to know them, nor is it necessary for one's Adjuster to communicate with another's Adjuster in order to have a relationship. It is all about personality, and it is personality relations that really matter when it comes to circle-making decisions. I am quite certain that the ability to put yourself aside out of respect, humbleness and trust of another person's personality, especially during times when the urge is extremely strong to do otherwise, makes a real difference in circle progress.
Always respect the personality of man. 159:3:2
In summary, humbleness before God and man is a measure of one's ability and willingness to respect the other personality. Both God and man have personalities. Both God and man are to be loved. Hence, both human and divine relationships are necessary for soul growth and circle progress. Progress only on spiritual levels, devoting all your attention to a humble relationship with God alone will not get you there.
Likewise, overspiritual development tends to produce a fanatical and perverted interpretation of the spirit leadings of the divine indweller. 110:6:4
Circle mastery requires mastery of the entire personality in regards to all its relations with all three levels of reality, including the intellectual and social arenas. Interaction and cooperation with other personalities is critical to success. The whole purpose of the psychic circles is cosmic socialization of the personality, the highest form of personality unification. (See 56:10:14 below)
These circles of mortal progression are levels of associated intellectual, social, spiritual, and cosmic-insight values. 110:6:16
The psychic circles are not exclusively intellectual, neither are they wholly morontial; they have to do with personality status, mind attainment, soul growth, and Adjuster attunement. The successful traversal of these levels demands the harmonious functioning of the entire personality, not merely of some one phase thereof. The growth of the parts does not equal the true maturation of the whole; the parts really grow in proportion to the expansion of the entire self—the whole self—material, intellectual, and spiritual. 110:6.3
Every impulse of every electron, thought, or spirit is an acting unit in the whole universe. Only sin is isolated and evil gravity resisting on the mental and spiritual levels. The universe is a whole; no thing or being exists or lives in isolation. Self-realization is potentially evil if it is antisocial. It is literally true: "No man lives by himself." Cosmic socialization constitutes the highest form of personality unification. Said Jesus: "He who would be greatest among you, let him become server of all." 56:10:14
In Friendship, Rexford
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