Problems

"Here is the problem with problems: little problem, big reaction; big problem, little reaction. This is the problem. This is the big problem."

"The outer world will require constant adaptation and problem solving—constant problems, obstacles and difficulties along the way."

"If you cannot see the problem, you will not see the solution."

Directives

"Very few of the problems you consider require immediate action. So, the first step is to withdraw from the situation. Do not try to answer the question. The first step is recognizing that you must take a more comprehensive approach rather than simply trying to resolve the situation by putting an answer on top of it. This separates you from the problem and establishes that you are greater than the problem itself because you are establishing the means for its resolution."

A condition of the physical reality

"It is your spiritual practice that will bring your mind and your body into real relationship with your deeper nature. This will give you a sense of integrity. This will allow you to feel right about your life. This will give you the criteria to bring your life into balance and harmony, to withdraw from relationships and involvements that have no purpose and no future and no chance of success, to refocus your life, to reorient your life to where Knowledge wants to take you, to where your heart wants to go.

You still have all the problems of living in the physical reality: the problems of providing for yourself, the problems of establishing stability, the problems of learning how to communicate effectively with other people. But you are now being guided by a real power within yourself."

The big problem

"The big problem is that people do not respond to Knowledge. Knowledge is waving flags, giving indicators, doing everything to warn the person, but the person is not aware or is avoiding something. That is the big problem."

"People are very anxious to have very big answers to very big questions."

A great dilemma

"What We offer you is the way out of this greater dilemma, not because someone is going to come and rescue you, not because some foreign power is going to come and rescue you—the foreign power is your problem, not your solution—not because some great saint or sage is going to come and lead humanity out of its great predicament. It is a Calling for people all around the world to respond."

Solving problems

"One problem with trying to solve problems is doing so without sufficient self-awareness—not evaluating the problem, not contemplating the problem, not distinguishing a deeper problem from a circumstantial problem and your problem from other people’s problem. Neurosis is taking too much responsibility for your experience, negligence is taking too little."

"If too many unaddressed problems build up in your life, your connection to Knowledge will become clogged, preventing you from feeling and knowing what you need to do. At this point, some people just give up and tell themselves 'I will just accept myself as I am.' It is never a good idea to give up and tell yourself that."

"Knowledge sets the greater direction for your life and attempts to keep you on course. Yet you will have to make decisions and solve most of the problems along the way. This is how you become discerning and capable. This is how you become strong. This is the appropriate use of your mind."

See also

Dilemma

Further Study

• Wisdom from the Greater Community, Book 2, Chapter 8: Solving Problems

• Greater Community Spirituality, Chapter 23: How is Knowledge translated in the Greater Community?

• Wisdom from the Greater Community, Book 1, Chapter 26: Stillness

• The Free School of the New Message, The Journey to a New Life (March-April, 2023)