In response to my proposal that we require, as the primary qualification for the Next Spiritual Leader of Church Universal and Triumphant, the demonstrated capacity to Walk On Water, and that we build a small lake (Lake WOW) at the Heart of the Inner Retreat, upon which that ability can be demonstrated to the gathered congregation, several people have communicated to me their concerns related to the question of whether or not Mark and Elizabeth could demonstrate the ability to walk on water.

      The following question is representative, and my answer to it should address most, if not all, concerns related to this subject area that have thus far been communicated to me:

I am personally in favor of your proposal to build Lake WOW. However, I have a question. Could either of the Prophets (Mark or Elizabeth) walk on water? If they were not able to do so, and if this were a qualification at the time they were chosen to become messengers would we have missed out on two great spiritual leaders?

      My short answer is: "Neither Mark or Elizabeth Prophet, as far as I know, demonstrated the capacity to walk on water. But, I am certain, for reasons explained below, that this would not have been a qualification for the Office of Messenger then, nor would it be a qualification for the Office of Messenger in the future. For this reason, the issue of walking on water would not have come up when El Morya was considering who to choose to train for the Office of Messenger, and history would have played out exactly as it did, with the choice of Mark and Elizabeth Prophet."

      The reasoning that went into this answer follows:

      The capacity to walk on water is associated with a level of attainment demonstrated by those who come under the category of "unascended masters." When Jesus demonstrated the capacity to walk on water, at that point he certainly fit the definition of an "unascended master."

      Mark or Elizabeth Prophet, never represented themselves to us as "unascended masters". The Ascended Masters, in their dictations, likewise, as far as I know, never portrayed Mark or Elizabeth Prophet as "unascended masters," or ascribed to them the powers associated with "unascended masters" They were always represented to us as "Messengers" in the tradition of John the Baptist, who proclaimed the coming of one with much greater attainment, namely Jesus Christ.

      Mark and Elizabeth Prophet had the training and the attainment necessary to fulfill the role of Messenger. I believe it is safe to say, that they subordinated their personal desire for personal attainment, to the needs of the Ascended Masters, to the delivery of their Teaching, and to the building of an organization that would promulgate that teaching. This was a full time job, and I believe, because of the limitations of time and space, they could not accomplish the work of the Ascended Masters on the one hand, and to achieve a level of attainment related to the status of an "unascended master" on the other.

      Remember that Jesus had more than a decade to pursue adeptship, before he actually took up his mission. In other words, he was qualified to be called an "unascended master" before he took up his mission. Elizabeth Clare Prophet on the other hand, became a Messenger at the age of 23, and subordinated her life to the fulfillment of that mission from that point on. In other words, her life was dedicated from that moment on, to learning how to do that particular job, to be at the right place at the right time, and to deliver the messages, as accurately as possible, that the Ascended Masters had already composed.

      This is a rather unique talent. And it is one that inherently limits the duration of the mission, because, the students around her, while they desire to emulate her, are forbidden from emulating the primary theme of her life and mission, which was to deliver messages from other Ascended Beings. So in this respect, neither Mark or Elizabeth Prophet, while they are honored for their service, especially in regards to delivering the Teaching that is intended to serve as the foundation for the incoming Golden Age of Aquarius, are not technically role models for the student body at large. In other words, if a student says, "I want to be just like Elizabeth Clare Prophet", the main theme of Elizabeth Clare Prophet's life, in terms of standing fast, and delivering massages from other Ascended Beings, is out of bounds. This theme is not part of the path for any student of the Teachings. Though we can be dedicated to the Teaching already delivered in terms of studying it, becoming it, and making the effort to spread it abroad throughout the nations. This may be a fine point, but it is an important point.

      When it comes to having a role model for actual Christhood, Jesus Christ was intended to be that role model. That's the primary reason he came to stand before the people, and to demonstrate to the world the works that any Child of God can manifest, once the soul has reunited itself with the personal God Presence.

      The mission of Jesus Christ was not to be a Messenger (for other Ascended Masters) but to set an example of personal Christhood before the nations. Of course, he delivered Teachings, but those teachings were not delivered as messages from other Ascended Beings. He delivered Teachings out of the authoritative center of his own unique Christ Identity (that region of communion between the soul and the individual God Presence). And he demonstrated what it meant to be the Christ, not just in words, but in deeds.

      One of the primary goals of the Teachings of the Ascended Masters was to set forth the truth regarding the mission of Jesus Christ, and to set forth the path that would allow every student to achieve full integration with the Christ Identity, as Jesus Christ had done.

      And therefore, when it comes to the Teachings delivered by the Messengers, by setting the record straight in regards to the true mission of Jesus Christ, you can say that they were proclaiming the coming of one with far greater attainment than themselves, but it was not one person, but the manifestation of the fullness of Christ realization in the many, that they proclaimed, through the delivery of the Teachings of the Ascended Masters.

      This is the vision of victory that is embodied in the Teachings of the Ascended Masters. When the soul walks the path outlined by the Ascended Masters, that soul will be able to do the works that Jesus Christ originally demonstrated. Therefore, when the Ascended Masters look out across the student body that makes up this organization, they see Children of God remade in the image of their original Christ Identities, as Jesus was remade, able to perform the works today that Jesus demonstrated 2000 years ago.

      Without the Teachings, the fulfillment of this vision would be impossible. But, the Messengers have delivered the Teachings. The Messengers, through their life work, have set the stage for the fulfillment of this vision of victory.

      Now is the time for this vision of victory to be fulfilled.

      Therefore, since the vision of victory for the entire organization, is the vision of thousands of students, studying the Teaching, practicing the Teaching, and becoming the Teaching, and thereby coming into congruency with their original Christ Identities, and manifesting the works and the deeds first demonstrated by Jesus Christ, it makes perfect sense, that as we work collectively to fulfill that vision, that we should have a leader that could set the appropriate example. It would be most appropriate, that we have a leader that has studied, practiced, and become the Teaching, having re-established a congruency with his or her original Christ Identity, and who can manifest the works demonstrated by Jesus Christ --- and we shouldn't settle for anything less --- not at this stage in the organization's history.

      Again, the Messengers toiled in the vineyard to set the foundation for the fulfillment of the vision of victory described above. Their job was not to fulfill this vision, or set that particular example that would be a catalyst for the fulfilling of that vision. Their job was to set the Foundation of the Teaching, upon which another would stand, through assimilation, to set that example, and thereby provide the catalyst for fulfillment of that vision of victory throughout the entire membership, and beyond, throughout the entire world.

      What one man can do, all men can do. This is the principle that will flood through the minds of the membership once the Next Spiritual Leader of Church Universal and Triumphant demonstrates the ability to walk on water, on the surface of Lake WOW, at the Heart of the Inner Retreat, before the gathered congregation.

      When it came to the choosing of the original Messengers, it was El Morya's job to set the qualifications for those he would choose and train to become Messengers. For the reason's stated above, in regards to the specific mission that the Messengers were tasked to fulfill, the ability to walk on water was not one of those qualifications.

      Today, when it comes to choosing the Next Spiritual Leader of this organization, we would not be choosing another Messenger in the classic sense. The Masters have said, that the Teaching delivered thus far is enough to bring about a full realization of the vision of victory they hold for the organization, and for the nations. And in as much as the realization of this vision of victory is predicated on the study, practice, and the becoming of the Teaching itself, it makes perfect sense that the Masters would at some point pull back, and stop the release of further Teaching, and say, Ok, now it's time for you to take advantage of what we have delivered thus far. Now is that time.

      Therefore, we do not look for the ability to deliver more messages from the Ascended Masters, as a primary qualification of the Next Spiritual Leader of this Church. We look for that leadership that will inspire the membership, by example, to use the teaching given, to become the fullness of their original Christ Identities.

      Therefore, we would be choosing the Next Spiritual Leader on the basis of what we think would best help the organization achieve the vision of victory that the Ascended Masters hold for it. And in this respect, the Ascended Master El Morya would not be choosing that leader, at least not directly. Obviously, he would be involved in training up the next leader. Any individual who studies the Teaching, practices the Teaching, and Becomes the Teaching, to the extent that he or she could demonstrate the works of Christ, has the sponsorship of the Master El Morya. But because of the nature of the organization, which lacks a single authority to make such decisions, the decision must be made by the Board of Directors, hopefully in consultation with the membership, i.e. not necessarily with the consent of the membership, but in consultation with the membership.

      At some point in the future, the candidate or candidates for the office will come forth, and the Board of Directors will have to make a choice, based on a certain set of criteria. For the reasons stated, it would be wise for the Board of Directors to require that the candidates demonstrate their capacity to walk on water as proof of the candidates congruency with the center of individual Christhood. And it would be wise to prepare for that day, by setting in motion those plans and procedures that would allow for the Building of Lake WOW at the Heart of the Inner Retreat.

      It would be wise to enter into this building project at the earliest possible date, because there is evidence of a cloud of doubt hanging over the membership of this organization, that keeps them from coming to terms with the vision of victory described. Very few are able to get a hold upon that vision which would allow them to see and to believe that it is not only possible, but represents the destiny of this organization, that all the members of this organization are capable of, and expected to manifest the works and deeds associated with Jesus Christ. The collective effort to design, plan, and build Lake WOW at the heart of the Inner Retreat, would be like unto a great pillar of illumination that would constantly shed its radiance throughout the entire organization, giving everyone a tangible sense that this vision of victory is not only possible to achieve in the abstract, but that we actually expect to achieve it, and soon.

Steven S. Showers,
Newbury Park, Ca
May 23, 2002
 
 
 

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