ONE ENDANGERED SPECIES
“A display of specialized skill does not signify possession of spiritual capacity. Cleverness is not a substitute for true character.” [UB, 48:7.3]
Thought Adjuster: ““It is natural to be awed by your peers’ brilliance—be it the vocal prowess of a diva, the mastery of a virtuoso, the catlike agility of a gymnast, the grace of a ballerina, the stunning depictions of an artist. Your senses feast on the beautiful productions of gifted individuals.
The keyword is gifted. Your God-given talents cannot but enhance others’ life experiences when used with selfless motivation. These collective blessings showered from on high lose their fairy dust and morph into curses when misused. Their beneficiaries’ self-image is at high risk to get severely impaired by the excessive adulation of their adoring fans.
“Jesus was a splendid specimen of robust and intellectual manhood.” [UB, 127:5.1] What made him over average was that he instantly deflected all attempts to glorify him. Instead of flaunting his extraordinary achievements, he humbly laid them on the altar of ever-higher service, faithful to his calling to provide a visual representation of the Godlikeness yielded by spiritual living since God is Spirit.
The Son of Man consulted with his indwelling divine fragment in all critical matters. “The entire experience of Adjuster communion is one involving moral status, mental motivation, and spiritual experience. The self-realization of such an achievement is mainly, though not exclusively, limited to the realms of soul consciousness, but the proofs are forthcoming and abundant in the manifestation of the fruits of the spirit in the lives of all such inner-spirit contactors.” [UB, 5:2.6]
“[The] fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.” [UB, 34:6.13] Nothing but an active spiritual life can bear such dividends. Never adopt as a role model anyone disharmonious in mind and spirit.
Prioritizing your spiritual life will boost your immunity against toxic flattery. It is how Jesus stood out in the crowd—dignified, exerting an undeniable spiritual appeal—the proof that the abidance to spiritual values is what makes one lastingly memorable.”
