Chicago, US of A, June 30, 2012.
Teacher Prolotheos.
Subject: “A Lesson On Courage.”
Received by Valdir Soares.
Prolotheos: “Having earlier approached the theme of Fear, let us now entertain our thoughts on a related subject: Courage. It is important to keep in mind that courage is not an absence of fear. Courage might well need to overcome fear in order to manifest, because having courage is to act bravely despite having fear. Another important distinction to be made is that courage is not ‘bravado’, because bravado is ego-motivated, and only seeks to promote the self. Courage, although a decision of the self, may rightly benefit the self, but its expression is out of a noble need, not a selfish one.
“Courage can be exercised in all aspects of life. One must be courageous to live a meaningful life. Many times life requires courage, for example, especially in doing what benefits others, not when you become the main beneficiary of your actions. One example of this kind of courage is when you decide to practice goodness towards people that according to general opinion are clearly undeserving. Your Master when on Urantia, preached: ‘Love your enemy, and pray for those who persecute you’. To act selflessly in such circumstances demands courage.
“Another instance in which courage is greatly necessary is when you are faced with the need to do ‘the right thing’, even if it means that some kind of personal loss will ensue. Acting courageously always means that you will be exposed to some degree of risk, otherwise your action wouldn’t require courage. Some, even knowing what is the right thing to do, cowardly refuse to take action because there is a risk of personal loss or injury in taking such action. One must have right principles to act right; courage to honor one’s beliefs, even with the risk of losing the support of friends and loved ones. This requires you to have a strong character!
“However, when you have to deal with truth – facing it or upholding it – it is when courage is most necessary. It takes courage to seek the real truth about important things in life. It takes courage to recognize that you were mistaken, it takes courage to acknowledge that you have sinned against others, and it takes courage to stand by the truth, no matter how hurtful it can be. Courage in these circumstances demands for a price to be paid if one wants to have peace of mind, a peaceful conscience. Acting courageously can in fact get you hurt, but it’s better to ‘lose an eye’ and have peace of mind, than having both eyes, to live in guilt and torment.
“Where does courage comes from? Humanly speaking courage comes from love; love for others, love for justice, and love for the truth. But the strength to put this love in motion through courage must come from spiritual realities: your soul and the Spirit Within, the ones that always encourage and support you to stand for spiritual values in your life.
“I am Prolotheos, your tutor from on High, and glad to be able to convey this lesson to you. My love is with you.”
© The 11:11 Progress Group.
Try coming out of the shadows, a little at the time—TA.