Dynamic attitudes exercise

Here is an example of how to take a passage from The Urantia Book and turn it into an exercise.

Introduction

The Urantia Book offers many teachings about strong, positive attitudes. A sense of vigorous adventure pervades its pages. Some beings like to serve "where the need is greatest and the opportunities for heroic effort are greatly multiplied" (23:2, 259). "Difficulties may challenge mediocrity and defeat the fearful, but they only stimulate the true children of the Most Highs" (48:7, 556). "Only forward-looking and progressive attitudes are real" (12:5, 135). "The ability and willingness of the organism to make [meaningful] contacts with environment . . . represents the attitude of the whole personality." Jesus encouraged a young man who was afraid: "And when . . . you have been born again--born of the spirit--. . . henceforth will your whole life become one of victorious accomplishment. Trouble will invigorate you; disappointment will spur you on; difficulties will challenge you; and obstacles will stimulate you" (130:6, 1438). Here is one of the fullest passages on that topic.

But long before reaching Havona, these ascendant children of time have learned to feast upon uncertainty, to fatten upon disappointment, to enthuse over apparent defeat, to invigorate in the presence of difficulties, to exhibit indomitable courage in the face of immensity, and to exercise unconquerable faith when confronted with the challenge of the inexplicable. Long since, the battle cry of these pilgrims became: "In liaison with God, nothing--absolutely nothing--is impossible." (26:5, 291)

Let's take this passage and create an exercise, a meditation.

First, bring to mind some challenging situation you are facing.

The quoted passage lists many types of challenge: uncertainty, disappointment, apparent defeat, difficulties, immensity, the inexplicable. We are going to take time to consider these challenges, one by one. Contemplate them and give yourself time to let the progressive attitudes emerge. Then you will be ready to encounter your situation in a more progressive way. With practice, it will take less time to mobilize these attitudes. But give yourself time now to let them dawn gradually.

Let us begin.

To feast upon uncertainty

What aspects of uncertainty can you identify in the situation you are facing? Take time to list them.

. . .

For each aspect of uncertainty, think of the different ways things could turn out. Write these down to help yourself get perspective on the possibilities. Draw an image or create a symbol if you prefer.

. . .

Prepare your attitude toward each of those possibilities.

Think of your attitude toward uncertainty when you are not at your best.

Now think of the alternative attitude--wholehearted and vigorous--"feasting upon uncertainty."

Take some time to let this attitude come into consciousness and to gradually align yourself fully with this attitude.

To fatten upon disappointment

Are there aspects of disappointment that you can identify in the situation? Take time to list them.

. . .

For each aspect of disappointment, write down some encouraging thought to help yourself get a higher perspective. Draw an image or create a symbol if you prefer.

. . .

Think of your attitude toward disappointment when you are not at your best.

Now think of the alternative attitude--wholehearted and vigorous--"to fatten upon disappointment."

Take some time to let this attitude come into consciousness and to gradually align yourself fully with this attitude.

To enthuse over apparent defeat

Are you facing apparent defeat? If so, take a few minutes to write down the way things look.

Realize that

(a) the apparent defeat does not have to be the last word in the story. (b) the apparent defeats of time should not be confused with confused with eternal defeat. There is still hope of life, even a wonderful eternal life, ahead.

Write down some encouraging thought--or draw an image or create a symbol if you prefer.

Think of your attitude toward apparent defeat when you are not at your best.

Now think of the alternative attitude--wholehearted and vigorous--"to enthuse over apparent defeat."

Take some time to let this attitude come into consciousness and to gradually align yourself fully with this attitude.

To invigorate in the presence of difficulties

What difficulties are you dealing with? Take time to list them.

. . .

For each difficulty, think of your resources for responding to it. Write them down. Draw an image or create a symbol if you prefer.

. . .

Think of your attitude toward difficulties when you are not at your best.

Now think of the alternative attitude--wholehearted and vigorous--"to invigorate in the presence of difficulties."

Take some time to let this attitude come into consciousness and to gradually align yourself fully with this attitude.

To exercise indomitable courage in the face of immensity

Is there some challenging aspect of immensity that you can identify in the situation? Take time to write it out for yourself in words.

. . .

Imagine yourself, step by step, accomplishing the immense task. Draw an image or create a symbol of your eventual accomplishment.

Think of your attitude toward immensity when you are not at your best.

Now think of the alternative attitude--wholehearted, vigorous--"to exhibit indomitable courage in the face of immensity."

Take some time to let this attitude come into consciousness and to gradually align yourself fully with this attitude.

Now you can join in the affirmation:

In liaison with God, nothing--absolutely nothing--is impossible!