1987 & 1988 - SETS A, B, C & D 
All Past Study Group Readings now available on CD or Cassette
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ABOUT THE STUDY GROUP READINGS: Each monthly Study Group Reading begins with an opening in which the Guides give an inspiring teaching. The subject of each teaching is different each month. After the opening, questions are asked  that have been submitted by Study Group subscribers. All the questions are listed on these "Past Study Group Questions" pages. The Guides then close with an attunement or uplifting focus. These Readings are truly timeless and represent a huge body of Ron Scolastico's work. To date, the Study Group Readings number over 200 and over 1,300 questions have been asked.

SET A (January through June, 1987)

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STUDY GROUP READING #3:
March 1987

SET B (July through December, 1987)

1. 1. Is our human personality infused by the totality of our soul or just a portion of our soul?

2. Is it possible for one soul to infuse more than one human personality in a single lifetime?

3. What is human passion about? Why does it sometimes seem so dangerous and yet so attractive? What is its most constructive mode of expression in the human personality?

4. From your perspective, what is Grace? How is it attracted and manifested when one prays, chants, meditates or simply opens the heart to another? What does it mean to be in a state of Divine Grace?

5. Do we really choose our human life and our life's circumstances? Do we have free will, or is there an overall, larger master plan (God's plan) that we operate under?

6. The Christian Bible is filled with stories of prophets and prophecy. What exactly is prophecy, and what is its value or purpose for us on earth?

7. Can you speak about Nostradamus, his predictions, and their purpose?

8. When can we expect to see a change in the government and society of the United States toward more loving, and wise policies and actions? What should we look for as indications that these changes are beginning?

9. So many of us long to feel as if we are truly contributing to the awakening of humanity at this time. We feel the presence of guiding ones who are showering earth with their love. What can we do to help usher in the "New Age"? What would please you most as Guiding Ones for us to do to assist you in the transformation of human life?

10. Would you give us an attunement to work with during the coming month?

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STUDY GROUP READING #8
August 1987

1. Do you as guiding ones really know the individuals in the study group? Sometimes you direct your answers to the group specifically, but we wonder if there is anything personal about this or are the answers simply to humanity as a whole?

2. In a previous reading, you indicated that human or human-like beings played a major role in driving the ancient dinosaurs to extinction. Why is it that no physical evidence has been found for human forms living at that time? Are there other major errors or misconceptions in current evolutionary thought?

3. In a recent tape discussing responses to negativity you said that people should choose the love response. It seems at times that others are coming forward to harm us. How do we both properly protect ourselves emotionally and physically and yet still create a love response in that situation?

4. Please discuss the Global Harmonic Convergence which is scheduled to occur on August 16-17, 1987. Many sources have indicated that this period of August 16-17 would be a major opening of a door of opportunity for the raising of human consciousness. Some have said it marks the beginning of the "Age of Aquarius". Can you comment on the significance of energy patterns unfolding at that time? Will most people on earth experience a distinct shift in planetary consciousness? Is there a special attunement we could make to facilitate any such opportunity?

5. Can the fact that so many people focusing on this day, and the forces of God on this day, will they have any effect on the subjective realities on the rest of humanity who might not have that same focus?

6. Many couples today are choosing not to have children. Could you discuss reasons from your perspective why we might want to consider to or not to have children?

7. Parenting is a very challenging area for many of us. How much influence do we really have on our children? What is our primary role or responsibility as a parent?

8. Do our bodies give off auras of different colors which some people can perceive? If so, are these colors indicative of a person's attributes?

9. What is happening to those people who experience and exhibit multiple personalities?

10. Catholics venerate Mary, the mother of Jesus, and there are major world shrines built to commemorate apparitions, prophesies and miracles attributed to her. What did happen, for instance at Fatima and Lourdes? Did she really appear in human form? What can you tell us of events like these?

11. You have talked about the power of love to heal. If Jesus had such a powerful love vibration, how is it that, as recorded, some people in his presence actually hated him?

12. Please close with an attunement for us to use this month.

1. How can we transform feelings of anger and frustration into feelings of love, harmony and success?

2. What is the reason for human beings having been given such great freedom that they can even create negativity in earth within a universe where there is none?

3. In an earlier study group reading, you said that our souls have a plan for us, as personalities in earth. How specific is this plan--or, does this differ with each individual? Would you please give us an example from a person in the study group, or some other actual person, to illustrate what you mean? And would you give us suggestions for attuning to our soul's plan, and thus fulfilling our soul's purposes in earth? (note: the Guides use Ronald Reagan as an example).

4. Please give us some tools so that we can better access our higher selves or souls.

5. Many teachings speak of energy centers in the body called chakras and place importance on the need to open these centers for spiritual growth. Can you comment on this?

6. Those of us living in large cities today often confront homeless people begging for money. The issues and emotions that arise can be confusing and complex. How might we truly help such a person without getting drawn into their own confusion? How does God help such a person, especially one deeply affected by negativity and despair?

7. Looking at our own solar system, we have a central sun with a number of planets around it, looking much like a huge atom. Would you explain why this solar system takes the form that it does with the planets revolving around the sun? Does this pattern of the solar system reflect patterns of our souls and if so, would you describe this?

8. Many reputable scientists have warned that the people of earth are conducting a dangerous unprecedented global experiment in climate modification by allowing the buildup of the so called "greenhouse gases" such as carbon dioxide and methane and other actions such as allowing the destruction of large areas of forests which use carbon dioxide. For example, one well known scientist recently testified to Congress: "We appear to be entering a period of progressively rapid warming of the Earth as a whole, with no end in sight. The implications are profound. They will bring rapid and drastic changes in civilization."

Please comment on the "Greenhouse Effect". What must be done to change this situation? Will it require major changes in the use of energy and major shifts in civilization?

9. Could you comment on the apparent irony of seeing so many people "polluting" their bodies with alcohol, processed junk foods, pharmaceuticals, etc. and yet they live to a ripe old age of 90 or so. Please explain.

10. Some people have a very deep respect for all of life and feel bad about killing even insects. Would you speak about the consequences for human beings of killing insects or animals?

12. Please close with an attunement for us to use this month.

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STUDY GROUP READING #10
October 1987

1. It seems that in the last few years, many diseases have been discovered that affect the immune system of human beings, such as AIDS, Epstein Barr Syndrome and other viruses that seriously affect one's ability to live a full, healthy life. Is there an overall pattern that is being expressed by people that is causing this type of widespread illness? Is it related to air or food pollution, or dangerous chemicals in the air?

2. At this time, it seems that many men have difficulties in making friends with other men, especially friendships of intimacy and deep sharing of feelings. For many men, particularly after the school and college years, friendships become much harder to make.

What do you see as the most significant reasons why men having difficulties in making deep friendships. What are the consequences of this, and what are some suggestions to help overcome these problems?

3. We have a couple of questions about old people who are institutionalized and essentially just waiting to die. Why do people hang on to life when they are very old and live in institutions where they just eat and sleep?

4. It's very hard for those of us who have loved ones in this situation to know how to relate to them when they seem so "out of it". Do you have any suggestions?

5. Does suicide under these conditions have the same consequences for the human personality as when a person commits suicide to escape painful emotional and mental experiences of life?

6. Do animals have souls, or do they exist as a part of our souls' manifest creation?

7. Will you please discuss the forces at work in some of the unusual events that have occurred at the Findhorn Community in Scotland? Are there really faeries, gnomes, and other creatures that have been seen there? People there claim to have seen them, artists render them, and there are even alleged genuine photographs of them. If they do exist, how is it possible to see them? What are they like? How can communication take place?

8 It seems that the process of human choice is extremely powerful and that the act of choosing sets powerful forces at work in the Universe. Is this true--can we harness unseen power through the act of choice? Please comment on this.

9. In creating earth life, why did we, as souls, place things in earth that are pleasurable and compelling, yet potentially bad for our bodies, such as sugar, alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, and so forth?

10. Please close with an attunement for us to use this month.

We'd like to begin with two personal questions from members of the study group.

This question is from Patty, a 41 year old woman from the state of Washington, and she asks the following:

1. "I have an almost paralyzing fear of heights. The feeling I get when in this situation is that I physically want to jump. The urge is so strong that I become totally overwhelmed by fear. How can a fear such as this be so totally gripping, despite how I try to perceive it differently? What are intense phobias an indication of?"

This question is from David, a 44 year old man from Chicago, Illinois.

David has a job that is not fulfilling for him. He is attempting to create a new work area, but feels bogged down. He asks the following:

2. "Can you provide me with ideas as to how I can overcome my rather strong and persistent fear of failure and get started with making a decision about new work? I am afraid I will end up in a job with limited potential."
   
3. We want to ask a couple of questions about the current state of affairs in this world. First of all, from a spiritual point of view, can you tell us how you see what is going on in the Persian Gulf right now?
   
4. Ron and I have received phone calls from people who, understandably, read the newspapers and are frightened about our world. Some are particularly fearful about the state of California as there are apparently predictions that say we will have devastating earthquakes here early next year, virtually destroying California. Some people are even considering moving out of California. Would you speak about this?
   
5. Drug usage is becoming more and more widespread, not only in this country but throughout the world. One investigator recently wrote that the people of earth now spend more money on illegal drugs than they do on food, clothing and shelter. Would you explain why this is happening and what we are to learn from this?
   
6. What do powerful drugs such as heroin, cocaine, PCP, LSD, etc. do to the subtle spiritual bodies after heavy use? What effect, if any, do they have on the soul?
   
7. People sometimes feel an almost tangible positive or negative "vibration" from the people they encounter? Can other people's vibrations actually affect us? Would you please talk about these kinds of energies and also tell us if we need to protect ourselves from the negative energies of others?
   
8. People talk about locations on earth that have particularly strong energy. Are there certain kinds of power points on earth or collections of energies, either positive or negative?
   
9. Many teachers speak of completing our incarnations here in earth. How can we tell if we are living our last lifetime? What is the criteria for completion here and when is that decision made?
   
10. Please close with an attunement for us to use this coming month.

This is a beautiful reading that speaks about the Christmas story, its symbology and application to our present day life.

SET C (January through June, 1988)

STUDY GROUP READING #13
January 1988

1. Would you give us a prognosis for 1988? What can you tell us about this upcoming year?

2. We are living in a world that appears very economically troubled right now. The world situation will obviously affect everyone in one way or another. What advice would you give us that would help each of us handle the situation in our own lives?

3. A lot of us are curious about bible symbology. Would you discuss the meaning of the biblical story of the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve, the apple, the snake and the fall from grace?

4. Many people are dissatisfied with religious organizations today and yet desire the experience of coming together to celebrate their spirituality. What directions do you see us taking to resolve this?

5. We have learned that we are all connected and one. Is there a process we can practice in order to experience and feel this more?

6. A very controversial area at this time is the manipulation of human genetics. Do we truly have the ability to genetically alter our human form and if so, would our souls choose to inhabit such altered forms?

7. Would you explain the Archaeological puzzle in Nasca, Peru where there are huge drawings of animals and other diagrams grooved into the earth, some of them so vast they can only be seen fully from the air. Who made these ancient markings? What do they mean and how were they done?

8. How can we optimize the experience of growing older, aging. Is there truly as much potential for joy, excitement, discovery and growth in the elder years as in the first half of life?

9. Would you speak about the prolongation of life through heroic measures, such as life support systems, etc.? Is this the soul's choice, or the personality hanging on? If a life is prolonged, but the quality subhuman as those in rest homes often experience, does the soul agree to that? If the soul really wanted the personality to die, would they just arrange a stroke or something?

10. What causes the jerking/sense of falling sensation that most of us have experienced at one time or another as we fall asleep at night?

11. Would you give us an attunement or affirmation that we can use this month to set the stage for 1988?

STUDY GROUP READING #14
February 1988

1. Some people say that the government of any country is just a mirror or reflection of the consciousness of the people of that country. Is this true, and if so, how does such a "mirroring" effect work in actual practice.

2. We seem to have a nation preoccupied with self-indulgence on the one hand and on the other hand a population of homeless who are becoming louder and louder, demanding attention. Is that situation going to force us as a nation back into some kind of balance?

3. The 1988 elections in the United States will mark a large change in our presidential leadership, since Ronald Reagan was in office for 8 years. Would you talk about these last eight years and what they represented to our evolution? What are we as a nation looking for spiritually in our next president or administration?

4. Would you talk about eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. They are a fairly new addiction or disease that seem to be on the rise. Is there a general pattern you could address here?

5. I know this is dealt with in your new book, The Earth Adventure, but we have a couple of questions we'd like to ask you about in this format. First, is our personality like a ball of twine that gets larger and larger with each new lifetime? And if so, why is the soul collecting these experiences, and what relationship does one life have to another?

6. Why do we have painful experiences carried over from past lifetimes? Why must we heal pain in this lifetime that we created in some past time?

7. How do past talents and abilities carry over to subsequent lifetimes and how can we draw upon them?

8. Would you talk about the adoption of children? Why do some souls choose to be born in one family and raised by another? Is it all planned out before birth?

9. Many people feel the full moon is an optimum time for meditation. Is there truly a difference, full moon meditation versus daily meditations? Are full moon time energies more direct in one's self?

10. In the tape "Creativity and Human Genius", you speak of Leonardo DaVinci as being a "disciple of creativity" and an "influx point" for a "group projection into one human personality". Also you stated Davinci "in a certain sense represented a turning point in human possibility" and "in the future there could be other areas which could be revealed of this particular human being". Could you speak further of Leonardo DaVinci at this time?

11. Would you please close with an attunement we can use during the coming month.

STUDY GROUP READING #15
March 1988

1. Is it true that evil forces or spirits are created by the collective thought forms or mind sets of large numbers of personalities in earth as opposed to actual realities created by the God Force? If this is correct and these two phenomena are really illusions created by humans, are we under their influence only if we hold a strong belief in their existence? Can you clarify these areas?

2. You have talked about UFO's and space beings as being an inner interpretation of the individual having the experience, and said that essentially there are no "physical" beings from other planets. What about those people who have vivid experiences with outer space beings and return with scars and intense memories of these experiences. There is much apparent documentation now, for example the book Communion and other such reports. Would you speak further about this phenomenon?

3. A couple of current event questions: Foreign countries are buying American businesses, real estate and other investments in the United States at an increasing rate, largely because of the declining dollar. It has made it more economical for Japan and Europe to produce products in the U.S. and slashed the cost of buying U.S. facilities. How do you see this impacting on our lives sociologically and economically? Is this a further indication in some way, of world unity?

4. There seems to be much uncovering of "hidden" secrets by the media, such as, Jim Bakker, Gary Hart and now Jimmy Swaggart's sexual activities, our government's involvement with selling weapons to Iran, people talking openly on Oprah Winfrey, etc. about almost everything--spiritually speaking, is there a push by the souls for honesty and openness? What is the cause and what will be the result of such investigative reporting?

5. Would you speak about "time"? Many spiritual teachings say that in reality there is no time. We mark time by calendars and clocks, and often it seems to go by faster than it used to. Is this merely a human perception or is there some kind of acceleration that happens? Is time only perceptible on earth? What can you tell us about time?

6. In the past 100 years we have experienced technological changes at greater speed and magnitude than in any other recorded time period. For example, we have gone from the telegraph to world wide satellite communication, the horse and buggy to walking on the moon. Is there a purpose for this rapid expansion? Will it continue at this rate?

7. Awake, dreaming and deep sleep are recognized as three different states of consciousness. Is it possible to achieve a fourth state of consciousness through meditation or deep attunement? And would you then close with an attunement that we can use in the coming month?

STUDY GROUP READING #16
April 1988

This is an inspiring reading that focuses on the Easter season, rebirth and renewal.

STUDY GROUP READING #17
May 1988

1. These first two questions somewhat relate to the opening you just completed. First, is conceit based in a lack of self love as sort of a defense mechanism? What is the difference between self love and self conceit?

2. You suggest that too much focus on the self, especially the negative aspects of the self can cause pain, and that focusing on others and being of service can bring joy. There are many people using inward techniques today such as meditation, yoga, hypnosis, prayer, etc. to find joy and inner peace. Is the key here to do both--alternate our focus inward and outward?

3. There is much talk about the predictions of Nostradamus, made 400 years ago. Even the Los Angeles Times has covered stories about his predictions because it is said that he predicted an earthquake of great destruction that would strike California in April or May, 1988. Would you please address this issue?

4. Do different areas of the earth have different personalities that play an important part in our choosing where we are born and where we choose to live during various phases of our life? If this is true, would you illustrate with an explanation of the character of some specific geographic locations?

5. When people talk about certain places in earth as being power spots or power points, what are they experiencing? Is it entirely a subjective experience or is there some kind of group experience that happens there?

6. One of the study group members, Eileen, is a medical student. She has become confused regarding animal research and animal rights. Using animals for research for medical technique perfections seems unloving. She would like some guidance on why taking the life of an animal to better humans is hard for her. This sort of power over another's life scares her.

7. Ireland is a country where there has been fighting for many years. Would you speak about this conflict and why they've been unable to resolve it?

8. Of all human relationships, the one between mother and child seems most endearing to many of us and stirs feelings of a special acceptance and love. Since this is the month we celebrate Mother's Day, could you speak of that special role our mother plays in our lives?

9. Would you close with an affirmation or focus for us for the coming month?

STUDY GROUP READING #18
June 1988

1. We're interested in what causes some of our challenging patterns. For example, if a person observes that he or she feels distant from other people and has difficulty creating warmth and friendship, particularly in social situations, how can we tell which of the following factors is the cause of this:

a. Karmic patterns--perhaps the person is learning what it feels like to be on the receiving end of the "cold shoulder" because they were not considerate towards others in a previous life, and now its time to learn their lesson.

b. Painful memories--this same kind of coldness hurt the person very much at some time in the past and both the pain and the fear of more pain cause them to freeze up and not be able to change the condition no matter how hard they try.

c. A lack of social skills--possibly due to never having had an adequate role model in this lifetime.

2. When one hears an audible speaking voice from within, what is happening? Who speaks, guides? --or a part of self (even if the voice is a different sex than self?)

3. At times people say that we have a "double" in another place that either looks like, talks like and dresses like us, and also has the same mannerisms. Is this true, and if so, what is the reasoning behind this?

4. At the present time this country is trying to deal with its drug problem by punishing those who use drugs. Some influential people have called for the legalization of drugs and of treating drug abuse more humanely, and hopefully more effectively, as a public health problem, similar to cigarette smoking and alcohol abuse. Would you please give us your perspective on this issue of drug legalization and whether or not you believe this legalization could become a reality in this country?

5. Subliminal tapes have gained popularity in the last few years. These are tapes designed to program one to create certain changes in their lives or personalities. They have a programming message that you cannot consciously hear recorded beneath the sound of waves or some other soothing sounds. It is said that they work because the conscious mind cannot analyze or criticize the positive affirmations one is trying to program. Is this method of programming oneself effective and are there any potential negative effects of these kinds of tapes?

6. Menopause is such a major change for women. Obviously there is a purpose for it or we'd be having babies into our 90's. But it does cause not so pleasant changes physically--aging accelerates, there are wrinkles, weak bones, often hot flashes and other uncomfortable changes. Would you speak about menopause from the soul's point of view--why the women and not the men, and anything else that would be helpful to understand?

7. A personal question for Kenny from Santa Monica, CA. Kenny has been dating a woman for 2-1/2 years. They have now decided to end the relationship and go their own separate ways. Kenny definitely wants to end the relationship,--he realizes it can't work the way their personality patterns and interests interact. But he has nagging doubts that keep plaguing his mind, feeling that reconciliation might be possible, if only things were different--even though he knows things aren't different. He would like to release the relationship and get on with his life. How can he let go of something that has been so important to him? Can you help?

8. Fathers seem to have a different kind of influence on children than Mothers do. Since we celebrate Fathers' Day this month, would you speak of the special role that Fathers play in our lives?

9. Please close with an attunement that we can use during the coming month.

SET D (July through December, 1988)

STUDY GROUP #19
July 1988

1. We have been taught that our personality is just like one dim ray of light from our soul and that our true selves are our souls, not our personalities. However, when we are in earth, we identify almost completely with our personalities, so when our suffering and confusion are intense, why can't our souls intensify the ray of light to help us in earth. It almost seems like a parent who turns a small child loose in a city and says I love you, but you are more or less on your own, because I won't be that close by. Is this a correct assumption that souls and personalities aren't that closely connected?

2. Many of us who care deeply for the earth and its complex interdependent web of life, are concerned with the continued destruction and pollution of the rivers, lakes and oceans, forests and lands, the air and the extinction of hundreds of species of plants and animals. Much of the destruction occurs from the thoughtless expansion of industrial development, fueled by a seemingly endless demand for goods and services by the consuming public. Fortunately there are hopeful changes, especially in the U.S., but often they seem small in comparison with industrial expansion.

Can you put this in perspective and provide us with inspiration and insight into the soul motivations of the industrial leaders and scientists/technologists to assist those of us who are seeking to protect and restore the beauty and magnificence of our earth?

3. Did we as souls create an earth with perfect natural balance that can be easily thrown off? How much abuse can earth take before it becomes uninhabitable by humans? Does it have its own self healing process within it?

4. We want to ask about the current drought that is affecting the west and midwest of the United States. First of all, can this year's high temperatures and drought be attributed to the global warming or greenhouse effect linked to pollution? And then, what is an appropriate response by mankind at this time?

5. There is a great deal of spiritual knowledge becoming available to humans today, from you guides and many other sources. Is the purpose of this knowledge just to use if for this life or are we building a foundation of knowledge for something or some purpose more long standing?

6. A popular child-rearing concept at this time is to visually, audibly and physically stimulate babies from birth, the premise being that this increases brain functioning and body strength and produces children of greater intellectual and physical abilities or "super babies". This is done by using flash cards from birth and reading programs, music lessons, swimming and gymnastics by the time the child is 3 or 4 years old. Is it possible to increase our capacity to learn and excel through these methods, or is this primarily parents living their lives for and through their children?

7. Along this same line, it is presently believed that we use only a small portion of our mental capacity...at the most about 10%. Is this true and if so, why do we use so little? Are we meant to use more?

8. From this day forward, if one could diligently "catch" each negative/fearful thought-feeling and change it to a positive/loving thought-feeling, would it be possible for lack, limitation, or misfortune to enter one's life? Do our thoughts and feelings (as causative agents) determine our literal life experiences? Would errors of the past be indeed past?

9. Would you close with an attunement that will help us to feel or to attune to the intensified forces of God that you were speaking of in the opening?

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STUDY GROUP #20
August 1988

1. To begin, since we are in an important election year, would you give a spiritual overview of the two Presidential candidates, George Bush and Michael Dukakis?

2. Would you talk about the role that Jesse Jackson is playing?

3. Sociologists and Psychologists have been preoccupied for generations with the formulation of laws of human behavior. Does human behavior conform to laws similar to those that have been discovered in the natural sciences, such as the law of gravity?

4. In the past, you've discussed Jesus and the myths and truths surrounding him as a teacher. Will you do the same now with Buddha?

5. Have human beings always been born through sexual reproduction, or at some time in our early development were we capable of self procreation?

6. Could you tell us why, when we had all the forces of God to work with, we would create something as annoying as fleas?

7. Please give us an attunement that we can use for this month.

STUDY GROUP #21
September, 1988

1. Since economic matters seem to create a lot of concern for everyone, we want to ask a few questions about this area.

The U.S. Government is currently in deep debt with its extremely large budget deficit. Would you please give us your insights as to why we as a nation have such a great debt, and how this large debt is likely to effect the unfoldment of this country? What is the best attitude for us as individuals to take toward this national debt problem?

2. There are a lot of metaphysical teachings that say that positive thinking and visualizing can bring us money, wealth, and prosperity. Does this happen because the positive thinking makes us feel better and therefore we are more creative and effective, or, do our thoughts and visualizations actually organize and effect matter in some way that brings about the prosperity that we desire? Would you describe the way that thoughts and matter interact when we are trying to manifest something physically?

3. There are different methods taught for manifesting, such as visualizing, affirmations, chanting, and so forth. Would you speak more about their effects?

So is it simply an individual choice which method one would use?

4. What is the best way to work with our thoughts and feelings when we are struggling with debt, or poverty, and we feel discouraged and helpless to bring any money into our lives?

5. In last months's reading you spoke of the United States as being a country where souls are particularly interested in individuality. However, at the current time, there seems to be a trend in this country toward restricting individual choice and replacing free choice with government control over individuals' lives. For example, the efforts to eliminate a woman's right to choose abortion, mandatory drug testing, mandatory seat belt laws, and so forth.

Would you please comment on how you see the continuing unfoldment of individuality and free choice in the United States, and what attitude is best for us to take toward efforts by some to limit our expression of our individuality?

6. In a previous Study Group reading you spoke of teaching, and you said ``We use the word teach to mean love, help, heal, guide, be of service, these areas.'' When teaching is put in these terms there is the feeling that it is done by example and inspiration instead of by simply imparting information or knowledge. Can you expand on the role of a teacher, and describe how teaching is best achieved?

7. Many of us are fascinated with reincarnation and would like to know more about it. Is there an average number of times that people alive today have reincarnated, or an average number of past lives that most people have had? Also, do we evolve toward a higher principle or ideal with the knowledge that we gain in each lifetime. For example, if a person has had many earth lifetimes, is it likely that they would not be a ruthless criminal or an abuser of others in this lifetime?

8. Would you close with an attunement that we can use for the month of September?

STUDY GROUP #22
October 1988

1. In the June Study Group reading you spoke about how our soul does not interfere with our earth personality, even when we are experiencing intense suffering and confusion. Would you speak about the times when we do feel that we are guided by our soul to make a certain decision or take a certain action? How is our ``sixth sense'' involved with this? Where does our intuition arise from and how is it related to our soul guiding us?

2. Many people in our society, particularly these days, feel impotent in the face of their environment, the economy, crime, the government, even personal relationships. They feel blown by the winds of fate. When we are feeling this way, what can we do to regain the sense that, as you say, "the forces that created physical reality live in us", so that we can feel that we do determine our own future?

3. Can we process information that we hear while sleeping? For example, if we play an inner action tape or other personal programming type tape and fall asleep, is the information heard and processed or acted upon by some part of us, perhaps the subconscious mind?

4. What about people who are in a coma? Are they aware of their surroundings in any way? Is there value in reading to them, talking to them, playing music, etc? Or are they completely gone?

5. Recently there has been discussion among certain historians and sociologists of the role that naturally occurring psychoactive compounds might have played in the evolution of human consciousness. There is much speculation that ceremonies in which certain plant and fungus preparations when ingested were key to the development of religions and civilizations in Greece, India, Central and South America, and perhaps many other areas. Would you please comment on this?

6. Would you close with an affirmation that we can use this month?

STUDY GROUP #23
November, 1988

1. Some have said that the goal of life is Enlightenment and that Enlightenment means non-attachment. What is meant by Enlightenment and how can we best achieve it in our lifetime? Also, is an attitude of non-attachment to material things, people, etc. a beneficial one to have?

2. In a recent study group answer, you stated that there is a wave of sensitivity sweeping this country. Would you please speak further about this growing sensitivity? In particular, address whether this sensitivity toward others will extend to a sensitivity toward different cultural groups in this country who may have different lifestyles than the mainstream majority.

3. Is this because of political leadership or mostly a grass roots effort?

4. Would you talk about the pyramids at Giza. How were they constructed so accurately? What were the original purposes of the various rooms and chambers in the large pyramid? Are there secret hidden chambers we are not aware of? Why are the vibrations of the great pyramid so powerful?

5. There are many diseases at this time that involve the immune system. What is causing the proliferation of these diseases? Understanding that there are individual differences, is the stress of modern society partially responsible for this?

6. ``Everyone we meet is a mirror to ourselves,'' is a popular concept. Would you discuss this idea and how we can apply it practically to our personal lives. If we don't like something about someone does that necessarily mean that negativity lives in us?

7. When we are sleeping, do we commune with other human beings who are currently alive in earth? For example, if we have a dream that seems very real, perhaps a dream in which a lesson is learned, an experience shared, and it involves another person, is some portion of that person actually there participating? Are they aware on some level of their involvement? Or does the dream arise from the dreamer's consciousness only?

8. Please close with an attunement to use during the month of November.

STUDY GROUP #24
December 1988

1. Now that the election is over and Bush has defeated Dukakis, would you comment on the results? When we asked about Bush and Dukakis several months ago, the trend seemed to be toward Dukakis. What can you tell us about this?

2. In an earlier tape you stated, "The desire to blame will always confuse you; the desire to understand will free you." It is easy to see how this applies to all levels of our lives, from how we feel about ourselves, react with those around us and interact as nations. Why are we generally so quick to blame circumstances, other people, even ourselves, for our situations, and many times too resistant to understanding them? Can you give some guidelines for breaking the pattern of blaming and replacing it with the desire to understand?

3. Is having a conscience a learned trait? Some people seem completely cold blooded and heartless and others would feel guilty if they hurt a fly. It sometimes, even seems to be a group experience such as the Mafia or street gangs of youths who live by social standards and action, that the rest of society considers illegal and immoral.

4. Do souls experience emotions as we know them? Do they get bored or have specific desires or likes and dislikes for other souls? Can you describe the soul's experience of feeling?

Now we would like to ask a couple of questions about Christmas:

5. Would you talk about the past lifetimes that Jesus, Mary and Joseph shared that prepared them for the one that we are familiar with and celebrate in December?

6. Were the angels that were reported to have heralded Jesus' birth actually spiritual guides that appeared to Mary and others? Are all angels spiritual guides as we understand them, or are they different and, if so, how?

7. What would be the core of the teachings of Jesus and their application to modern life?

8. And in your closing, would you give us an attunement for us to use in the coming month?