Pearls of Wisdom

Vol. 37 No. 27 - I AM the Witness - July 3, 1994

 

I AM the Witness

L’anello de Fede

 

Dear Mother,

I couldn’t resist relating a very precious and funny experience I had with the Ever-Present Guru. I have always felt a special tie to Lanello, especially since I had the opportunity to see and meet him at the Easter conference in 1971, two years prior to his ascension.

In January 1981, Jophiel and Christine called for a Teaching Center to be established in Rome. We had been married just a few months when we got a call from Rev. , who told us that you wanted us to get ready to go to Rome and to “learn Italian immediately.”  So, in the spirit of obedience, we found an evening course in Italian at UCLA. Two nights a week after work we would drive across town to take this course.

The first night the teacher, dressed in a long, baggy sweater and skirt, stomped in and slammed her hand on the table saying with a smile, “These are the last words of English I will be speaking!”  She had us all somewhat intimidated. Because of my wife’s knowledge of Spanish, she wasn’t as concerned about the course as I was. Having no background in languages, I was more than a little nervous. The teacher’s style didn’t help much.

During the classes, the teacher would go around and ask questions for us to answer. Often she would have us go to the board if we missed a question and not let us sit down until we could write out the correct answer. Tension mounted when your name was called. If wrong, you would either get a strong reprimand or be sent to the board. I would often get tongue-tied trying to come up with the right answer.

As we proceeded through the course, I developed a system of using 35 cue cards that I kept next to my book (slightly concealed) so that I had the answers to her most frequently asked questions written out and ready for a surreptitious glance if needed. I was determined to get the right answers quickly and avoid the humiliating trip to the board.

We always had a break during the class. Some nights when we were really tired from work we would think about leaving at the break—and then we would say, “No, we’ve got to do this course the right way. Mother wants us to learn Italian.”

One night was particularly stressful. During the first half of class, my number came up and I was called on. I was so flustered that I jumped a little and my cue cards went flying all over the floor!  As I tried to act as if nothing had happened, the teacher mercifully moved on to the next student.

When the break came I said to my wife, “I don’t know if I can take this much more!  Maybe we should go home early tonight.”  But instead of leaving, I got an idea. I decided to make a fervent call to Lanello:  “Lanello, you’ve just got to help me!  Show me that you’re with me and how I can get through the rest of this course and have fun doing it!”

As we were coming back up the stairs to class, we heard the teacher talking to a group of students who had stayed during the break. She was saying in a booming voice, “Lanello, Lanello...,” and repeating it over and over. We couldn’t believe our ears!

We entered the classroom and on the blackboard was written in large letters “L’ANELLO.” We were getting more incredulous. Then when the entire class of about twenty-five had come back from the break, she had the whole group say in unison, “L’ANELLO, L’ANELLO, L’ANELLO...”!

She explained that “L’ANELLO” means “ring” in Italian. Then she wrote on the blackboard “DE FEDE” below the word “L’ANELLO” and had us repeat “L’ANELLO DE FEDE,” which literally means “faith ring” or wedding ring. Yes, “FAITH IN LANELLO.”

I cannot tell you the joy we felt at the presence of our beloved friend and Master. I vowed that never again would I forget to have faith in our Lanello. Not only that, but I stopped taking myself so seriously, started having fun, and learned some Italian to boot.

Some weeks later we were called again by Rev.              and told that the Italian teaching center was not going to open. I’ve forgotten most of my Italian by now, but I learned several wonderful lessons from this experience:  obey immediately, have a sense of humor, and always know that your Ever-Present Lanello is with you ever so closely!

In loving gratitude,

                                  

 

The Reward for Service

Dear Mother,

As I walked to work today, I was struck with an overwhelming sense of how much my service on staff has contributed to my personal and spiritual growth.

I was in awe when I stopped to consider where I might be were it not for the soul-advancing experiences I have had during my nine years on staff. My appreciation for the Mystery School and for all that you and the Ascended Masters have given to me to help me understand the world around me is endless. I have had experiences in service here that could not possibly have been duplicated anywhere else.

I realized that without my staff experiences I would not have had the appreciation and reverence for life that I do now.

I would not have approached the Path with the same vigor.

I would not have embraced the task of working on my psychology nor sought interior correction with as much tenacity.

I would not be as fiery or as determined.

I would have allowed myself to progress more slowly.

I would not have been so demanding of myself and would have made more allowances for my shortcomings.

I would have derived too much pleasure from idleness.

I would not have learned as much about patience, tolerance and forgiveness.

I would not have had the privilege of receiving personal correction from my Guru.

I would not have learned as much about humility.

I would love differently, perhaps less.

In short, I would be much farther behind.

I express my gratitude for all of God’s blessings by offering myself in continued service. I have a deeper understanding of the adage “The reward for service is more service.”  For what is service but opportunity?  Opportunity to grow, to transcend limitation, to achieve, to establish a greater communion with God and, most importantly, to love in the fullness of Divine Love. Where else but on staff could one accomplish so much in as short a time?

Thank you, Mother, for your tireless example and for being who you are. Thank you for making it possible for me to have the privilege of service and renewed opportunity at Maitreya’s Mystery School. My love I send to you always.

                                  

 

I Was Not Forgotten
The Masters Are Still Working with Me

 

I had a day in which I felt I did not pass my tests and initiations very well. After going through remorse and guilt, I came home from work with a determination to set things right and to be cut free from these negative momentums. I felt like I just wanted to curl up with a good inspirational book about the great saints or Masters that have gone before me. I had no idea which book I was going to select to read.

However, first I was guided to decree and especially to do violet flame decrees and “Reverse the Tide.”  While I was decreeing, I saw Lesson 12 of the Keepers of the Flame Lessons flash before me and felt that I should read this lesson. It was exactly what the doctor (Masters) ordered!  The lesson was filled with inspiring messages and helped me clear my thinking and attune with my Mighty I AM Presence and Holy Christ Self. I even wept with gratitude to Saint Germain and the hosts of the Lord to know that I was not forgotten and that they are still working with me and helping me.

As I started to write down this beautiful experience, I thought, “This is really very insignificant,” but then I realized it was an important incident because I can now get my feet back on track and move forward and be rid of momentums that have held me in bondage so long. And, of course, as I move forward, so do others.

In loving gratitude,