Section Gamma Lesson Four: Universal Values & Needs  The Scientific Authority  Science is often considered the most acceptable source of human knowledge. A reputation well deserved for the most part. But scientists might teach you that the universe and all of life is some sort of big cosmic accident. They might say that consciousness itself arose from the primordial soup only after centuries and centuries of "evolution." Perhaps the worst advice they offer is that there is no greater purpose than simple self-preservation, that life at its core is brutish competition for survival of the fittest.  We see the consequences of this philosophy most reflected by the medical profession with physical life being preserved at all costs. This has deteriorated into a form of "for profit" health care that keeps a portion of peoples' consciousness trapped in their bodies long after their spirits have moved on to a better place.  They offer such advice without acknowledging the overpowering evidence that the universe and all of the natural creation operates instead upon a directive of cooperation toward a higher, divine purpose of self-development and self-expression . Science is cautious in its assertions because it holds to objective, empirical standards which seek to avoid the limiting influence of existing subjective beliefs---a most noble goal. For the existing beliefs within the cultural memory run the gamut from the sublime to the ridiculous. They declare wildly conflicting truths and righteousness about human values, purpose, and morality. Many place negative value judgments upon human nature itself. There are no limits to humanity's creative interpretations. Any such belief can be entertained and passed down through the generations. Many such limiting assumptions are passed along through religious frameworks as unimpeachable and unquestionable truths. Therefore, there are many conflicting, inaccurate beliefs that need to be sifted and classified. Science seeks objective laws upon which to base such subjective classification.  But in its efforts to do so, it often commits the same mistakes of infallibility that are adhered to by groups outside of the scientific community. It is in this flaw that "most noble goals" can be subverted.  To this end, scientists look to the natural world to find evidence that can explain life---but without assuming that a Creator exists. Much to the chagrin of many atheistic scientists, this approach will lead humans to the unmistakable, irreversible conclusion that there does exist such a force with intention, value, and divine purpose.  In nature, while hidden to some and obvious to others, lies the evidence of the universal Spirit. Whether studying the human cell or a distant galaxy, a thread of purpose runs through the dynamics of the essence of each. It is what led the poet to observe that the universe could be found in a grain of sand.  When scientists become acquainted with human nature and the emotional system, they will have all the evidence they need to conclude the presence of a higher intelligence at work. For indeed, "God" is alive and well. The intention of the Creator is evidenced in the creation with far more integrity, validity, and truth than any human philosophical or religious rendering.Indeed, any "truth" put forth that is not aligned with actual human nature is simply inaccurate. For God does not play dice with the universe. There is order, cooperation and intent.  What is so obvious in the natural world outside of ourselves, is even more impressive when we begin to explore and understand the potential of our inner natures. For the outer world is truly a reflection of the inner, and therein lies our ultimate creative freedom. Scientists are finally on the verge of discovering that the emotional language unites the intuitive (spiritual) qualities and the rational (mental) qualities. This has been the missing piece of human puzzle since time untold. Once recognizing this natural, elegant mechanism, they will be led to higher and higher levels of objective understandings. They might be resistant at first, due to their own particular brand of dogma, which seeks to fit evidence into overly narrow paradigms. But those that heed the inner desire to know, more than they fear where it might take them, will succeed.  As this principle would apply to scientists, so it would and should apply to theologians when they are willing to abandon power and influence for true spiritual enlightenment.  Much to the chagrin of religious zealots, these discoveries will alter the face of God as they know it. Nonetheless, great knowledge and guidance can then emerge which can influence mass consciousness quite profoundly. And it will be knowledge that provides far more fulfillment than any truths or values which will have to be abandoned.  Scientists need only take what should be the obvious step from the absence of Spirit to the ubiquitous nature of Spirit and be willing to lead philosophers and theologians through a door of unlimited possibilities and into greater alignment with All That Is.  Spiritual Intention Vs Human Mental Values  What they (scientists) will discover from finally coming to understand the human feeling feedback system, is that there are indeed certain hardwired, biologically intended, universal values. Values are levels of quality which are desirable and have intrinsic worth. Although virtually anything goes in the realm of mind, the realm of spirit knows---and desires humans to know---inherent universal values.  This realization by the scientists of the world will give a boost to acceptance that ALL humans are endowed with a spiritual nature so intrinsic that with a little encouragement, the human race will be able to take quantum leaps toward resolving many of its problem relationships. Peace on earth will be a truly attainable reality.  Humans may place value upon any arbitrary traits, behaviors, or objects as long as they are in agreement. Although human values can come and go, changing with the times and varying widely across cultures and human history, the spiritual values are those that are non-negotiable, and everlasting. They have always existed and they always will in their purely elegant but simple form. The difference is that universal, spiritual values are the same for each and every human being and perhaps every form of life itself.  This is the concept that has always enhanced human dignity and led to forms of government, for example, that defined human rights and established the "principles" to protect those rights.  These universal values can be found underlying many cultural traditions, rules and codes. Many human values are, in fact, symbolic representatives of these spiritual values. For example, dollars, ducats, francs, pesos, lyre, pounds, wampum, etc., are all representatives of monetary value. The money itself has no inherent value. But as an agreed upon medium of exchange, it often provides power, freedom, and can bring fulfillment. The only reason money succeeds as a human value is because it hooks into the higher, spiritual values and brings emotional rewards. On the other hand, if the human value conflicts with a spiritual value, it will cause emotional pain. Many aspects of money do, indeed, conflict with certain spiritual values. The relationship between human and natural values is captured in the expression: "money cannot buy happiness."  Yet, money, when infused with a concept of spiritual value, can bring opportunities for fulfillment of body, mind and spirit. The trick is in keeping it, like anything else, in the proper perspective.  Thus far, many human values conflict with spiritual values, due to our lack of understanding. Many teachings and world views do not recognize all spiritual values and overemphasize some at the expense of others. This creates conflict in experience and bad feelings to such a high degree that humans think such negative experience is normal. There is thought to be no sense, meaning or order in the universe and that life itself is meant as a torturous series of painful events, or that suffering is somehow good for the soul. When in actuality, suffering merely signals when human choices are hurtful, so immediate corrections can be made, restoring the intended state of enlightened bliss.  If we begin to detach ourselves sufficiently from the immediacy of life to understand that this physical experience is meant to be a true educational experience and a form of on-the-job training, we can accept the lessons of life with greater appreciation, rather than wallowing in our personal self-pity. Spiritual Values Embodied In Human Needs Such suffering is no longer necessary. Now, with understandings of how the emotional language speaks the intention of spirit, observing what happens emotionally when certain conditions exist, reveals exactly what that divine intention might be. For the Creator's intention is hardwired into the human being at the physical, mental, and emotional level in what is called universal human need.  This is the great spiritual gift. We can explore indefinitely the distractions of the "tunnel", but we can never completely ignore the "light" at the end.  Human needs are about human purpose. They are designed into human nature to internally orient each upon the Destiny Path. Each need plays its own unique role in the basic purpose of self-preservation, as well as in guiding humans to their higher purpose of self development and expression. Each need derives from (and points to) the spiritual values of self worth, divine joy, self expansion and cooperative unity. When human needs are fulfilled in a balanced manner, the natural, divine human morality emerges in every thought and deed. It is the "all roads lead to Rome" concept. It is intended that, whatever our perspective/path we may currently be traveling on, we have an unlimited opportunity to utilize that uniqueness in our quest for our personal "Holy Grail".  It bears repeating that these values are translated intobiological human needs. They have been previously introduced in two categories of Individual (power) Needs and the Group (connection) Needs. Now they can be examined more closely. Understanding the needs themselves can explain a great deal about human behavior and why certain actions happen instead of others. They can provide key information that helps accurately interpret feelings and identify the casual beliefs that need to be altered. For oftentimes, the beliefs place the needs in conflict with each other. Yet the impetus to fulfill them is so powerful that it motivates choices often outside the conscious awareness of the individual. This is because the spiritual needs, biologically impressed upon the human being, play a very important role in the feedback information cycle of the language of emotion. Listening to the language of feelings will lead you to your chosen beliefs of mind, but they will also lead to your inborn values of spirit experienced as the needs of the flesh.  There are times when the decisions we make seem to defy our logical process. Yet, on a level we hardly understand or appreciate at this point in our history, we are making these "decisions" on the basis of an intended spiritual form of growth and, ultimately, this is how things work out. The Role Of Human Needs  There are many ideas and beliefs regarding human need. Many such dictates and values spring from human culture, from mass consciousness, rather than from spiritual validity. Which means, of course, that there are many distortions put forth about human need in general. One such distortion is that it is considered a good thing for one person to "need" another. A second distortion is that each person is supposed to fulfill the needs of others, in selfless charity, while their own needs go unmet. This only brings confusion, martyrdom, co-dependency, unhappiness, resentment and conflict. For each individual is intended to fulfill his or her own needs.  Now that might be a hard one to swallow. However, in the name of needing each other, a lot of emotional damage is inflicted that could probably be avoided if a little more detachment were practiced. It may also sound callous to suggest that helping others is sometimes less than a noble act, but an imposed obligation (exercised through guilt) to help someone else while one's own needs are yet to be met, is simply a distortion of charity and is bound to bring on perverted consequences.  This spiritual directive is so non-negotiable, important and powerful, that each human is born with preset biological self-protecting reactions to ensure that they will be met. If self-needs go unfulfilled, the emotional signal will sound. If the corrective message is ignored, the emotional intensity will continue to build, motivating the person to seek relief in any way possible.  If we accept the principle that we can and do create our own reality, then when we give strength to the role of victimhood, we discourage the true capabilities of our existence.  This basic connection between need, emotion, and the urge to act sets the stage for many actions which seek escape from the painful emotions. This is the basis for nearly every competitive, violent, aberrant, compulsive, or addictive behavior perpetrated by mankind. Thus, it is imperative for humans to understand their needs, be empowered to meet them in any manner they so choose, and to listen to the emotional signals for guidance and feedback.  Our true knowledge and power comes from within ourselves. When we intentionally rely upon others to meet our needs, we do ourselves the greatest disservice.  As we have become acquainted with the language of human spirit, we have learned how the human feelings provide continuous guiding feedback information. We know that the goal is to compare and balance mind and spirit. At this closer level, we can see exactly what gets compared. These needs are the internal spiritual standards against which the emotional signals compare external results. These needs are the measures against which the beliefs are evaluated. In short, the emotional signal in any given moment tells us how well our needs have been met by our beliefs. The feelings compare our needs with our beliefs and constantly inform us which beliefs help meet our needs and which frustrate them, so that corrections can be made. Bear in mind that our needs flow from our destiny and intuitive knowledge of spiritual intention---a source far wiser than our minds. They drive us toward divine intention no matter where the mind thinks it ought to go. This way, the desires and actions will steer the mind in choosing the best beliefs.  If we believe poverty is a virtue and we are unhappy in our state of deprivation, we can realize that to alter our financial state, we will need to examine and revise our beliefs.  The best belief systems, of course, are those built upon this spiritual feedback. The best mindscapes will allow all needs to be met in some balanced manner, without neglecting some to meet others. In the course of the learning experiences, the safety feature of the emotional system will motivate automatic physical corrective actions, if the mind does not choose successful ones. These responses will often occur before the mind is even invoked. They are intended to ensure survival long enough to ponder how and why such a situation came about to foster mental correction. If no correction ever comes, the human is reduced to a basic instinctive, reactionary level of experience which does not utilize the rational capacities.  Because we are more than animals, we have more control over our state of existence unless, of course, we buy into a contrary belief system.  Thus, the universal needs are the basis for all directed human action---whether consciously chosen or unconsciously habitual. Emotion is the force that moves us to action, the need provides the direction. When actions meet the needs in a balanced manner, the "golden mean"---the intended state of balance, decreed, desired and dictated by the Creator---has been achieved.  We are all capable of achieving a state of balance in our spiritual progression, just as surely as we can learn to ride a bicycle.  The needs are the Creator's delightful, ingeniously designed insurance policy that humans would never completely distance themselves from the guiding wisdom of their spiritual source. The needs are designed to lead us to our highest purpose. No matter how long humans may flounder in limiting choices of belief, their feelings will urge them toward this state of balance. No matter how ignorant the application of free will, the inner guidance back to the light is always available. The biological needs, empowered by frustrated feelings, will drag humans---kicking and screaming if need be---in better directions than the limited mind has been able to provide.  Eventually the Creator's love will overcome our own personal Self-absorption, even when the only block to our evolvement is simply stubbornness.  Only when all the needs are respected, and beliefs and strategies are in place to get them met, are humans allowed to be fully human. The course of human evolution will only move toward this eventual outcome. The ultimate, truly civilized, systems of living---those that will not self-destruct or suffer the social symptoms of fear and anger---will recognize and provide a balanced approach where all of the needs are continuously respected and met.  Once we realize the above expressed truths, we can begin working toward the creation of a society which compliments the truly spiritual nature of human beings.  The Dynamic Flexibility Of Needs  The wisdom of the Creator allows tremendous flexibility in how humans choose to meet their needs. Free will means just that. There are no rigid rules. The human needs can be met in any number of imaginably creative ways. Simply looking to the many diverse human systems of thought and living will attest to the tremendous freedom the Creator allows humans to chart their own course.  What follows belief systems are judgment systems that often show disapproval of the manner in which some achieve their needs in comparison to others. But on the basis of the above statement, all efforts are allowed, and ultimate consequences are the governing factor.  The level of need fulfillment in a given individual or society reflects the level of understanding of human purpose. To date, most human civilizations and systems of living do not meet all of the needs all of the time. In fact, some needs are not recognized nor respected at all. Often, the individual needs are pitted directly against the group needs, or one is ignored so that the other can be emphasized. This sets the stage for failure, emotional pain, and defensive self-preservationary responses which seek to remove self chosen roadblocks. It is only through creative, if not deviant, behavior that much fulfillment is accomplished at all. This is why science has declared, if not relegated, human purpose to be that of mere survival or self-preservation. (Religion, however, for all its mistakes, has kept the faith of a higher human purpose alive until science can catch up).  In adopting the "survival of the fittest" principle, science has ignored the need for all to be winners and the need for all to survive. Most religions, on the other hand, recognize the enduring spiritual nature of human beings.  For humans are a hearty species indeed. Temporary retreats can help them survive intense amounts of mental and emotional conflict and pain while they are finding their way. This human tenacity can be credited to the wisdom of the Creator, who offers timeless patience and faith in human nature. This inner strength, resiliency, and self-protection was a gift to match that of free will, giving humans the ability and strength to endure while learning for themselves how to restore the inner guidance.  Having taken the roughest road to enlightenment up until now, we can finally begin to find the smoother and more expeditious way to our prescribed intent.  But there are definite limits to any such flexibility.Although feelings will always sound the alarm, they can be ignored for only so long until the needs are neglected beyond even the Creator's tolerance level. The self-preservationary reactions of flight and fight occur when this limit has been reached. These inborn self-preservationary mechanisms will ensure that a minimum amount of need-meeting will happen, regardless of how conflicted the realm of mind might be. These defensive responses will ensure that some of the needs will at least be met all of the time, and that humans don't dip below the minimum level, threatening preservation of the species. This is why the self-preservationary impulses to fight and take flight are so powerful. Humans are not intended to tolerate such continuous pain and suffering. These responses ensure that the individual will at least physically react to meet the needs regardless of how well the mind or world honors them.  Someday we will stop making heroes out of the people who are the most successful in killing their fellow human beings. When that time comes, we will have taken a giant step toward true progress on the planet.  Like anything else, need fulfillment itself can be used as a strategy of escape and denial of the bigger challenge at hand. It is all too easy to seek refuge in the emotional pleasure of meeting one need to soothe the frustration of another. This is how need-meeting behaviors often become compulsions. Impulses to overeat, drink or self-medicate nearly always spring from unmet spiritual needs. As debilitating as this can be, it is not without temporary benefit. For until the system is understood, it is often necessary to seek refuge from overly intense emotional signals.  The practice of seeking solutions outside of ourselves (even in the form of mind altering substances) can only serve to postpone our awareness of the solutions that lie within.  But all defensive responses are merely temporary fixes. As always, the feelings---when understood---continuously ask for permanent correction in any and all circumstances brought about by limiting beliefs which have left needs unmet. Hardwired responses only meet some immediate needs, while rational, emotionally directed responses address all needs on a long-term basis. Self preservation is only a stage or stepping stone to the higher, purposeful responses of self-development and expression. Thus, it is essential to become very well acquainted with each of the needs, so that the messages of emotions can bring the maximum progress.  The full aggregate of our needs must be established and reviewed and this is what these Lessons intend.  In sum, emotion moves action toward meeting needs. For emotion addresses beliefs in relation to these needs. The need lies under the feeling representing the voice of spirit, just as the belief lies under the feeling representing the voice of mind. The feeling then motivates the action. Thus, emotion is very powerful and the primary force behind every human action,with each feeling addressing one of six, core, rudimentary, basic, spiritually ordained, and biologically imbedded human needs. Understanding needs is the final piece of information to ensure maximum use of the emotional message. The needs are not complex, nor mysterious. In fact they are quite simple and clearly recognizable, once we make their acquaintance. To this end, we will now discuss, in detail, the needs themselves.  It is in reviewing these "needs" that we take the next step in preparing ourselves for the journey toward a truly spiritual point.  The Need for Power  This is perhaps the most basic of all human needs. It is the essential requirement that each human being be able to control his or her destiny. Power is the unrestricted ability to act , and to have the world respond to those actions. Individual empowerment is the divine conduit of free will. Each human being must be able to act in ways which allow them to succeed in getting what they need. Power in its most basic form provides the safety of knowing that you can fend for yourself and make your life work.  Without the power to exercise our "Free Will", it would soon atrophy. Likewise, without "Free Will", there would be no purpose in exercising our power. To the degree that we retain and utilize our "power", we create our lives.  The need for power is perhaps the most basic, most rudimentary and non-negotiable of the human needs. If the power need goes unmet, all other needs will be subordinated immediately to restore this most essential degree of control and safety. The power need reflects the universal spiritual values of cooperation, and self determinism. Without the cooperative give and take between individual and environment, life simply cannot happen.  The point here seems to be that "power" must be exercised with an awareness of others in our lives. If not, it becomes corrupting. There are ample examples in history that show what can happen when too much power is concentrated in the hands of too few people.  Whenever human beings experience a lack in the power need, they will feel fear. They will be physically motivated to immediately remove themselves from that situation or to fight to change it to ensure survival. The basic social conditions must allow humans to have enough empowerment to act upon their thoughts and feelings and be able to learn through their experiences.  The greatest gift you can give another human being is to trust him/her with the necessary "power" to serve your needs in a creative way. Nothing can be more complimentary.  From the very moment of birth, humans need to experience their power and ability to control the environment. Even a helpless infant exerts power by expressing the feelings through vocal outbursts until a parent or caregiver comes to satisfy the need. If no one responds to the crying, the infant simply does not survive. If the crying is only successful some of the time, the infant is not assured of its own power, and emotional dissonance immediately begins, setting the stage for inadequate emotional development. (Many disconnected souls spend their lifetime seeking power in violent angry outbursts due to this initial condition of questionable power within a non-cooperative foster environment.)  If we could take the "angry" back to their early childhood and recreate what might be a period of neglect, then we might be able to correct their history and, hopefully, help them alter their own personality.  Power and personal control over one's destiny is often confused with other trappings of power. Money, position, status, and control over others often compensates temporarily for a lack in the personal empowerment need. If someone does not feel safe, then they might be motivated to find temporary escape or pseudo-safety in any ways their distorted beliefs might dictate. But such responses to emotional pain are simply flight responses and not those that will ensure development and expression. Adding knowledge which has passed emotional muster is far more empowering. Knowledge is, indeed, power.  "Knowledge" is "power" because it gives us understanding and with understanding we can acquire a greater degree of personal security. Consequently, we can relate in a more caring way toward those around us. How many bosses would become more mellow with some added knowledge of why they are the way they are. Hopefully, many! The most important point about the power need is that it is an essential need that opens doors to the meeting of all other needs. The need for personal power and control over one's destiny is simply non-negotiable. Individual empowerment is the naturally ordained right of each and every spirit in flesh. Thus, it is essential to honor this need and establish internal beliefs and external social structures which allow the maximum self empowerment. It goes without saying, of course, that with such naturally ordained power, comes the corresponding naturally intended responsibility for chosen actions. This is why the life-giving habit of accountability is so important.  The American constitution is a beacon in the world and is so often emulated by other countries because it contains the seeds of the empowerment described above and establishes the "external social structures" to guarantee and enhance the exercise of self empowerment.  Humans often give their power away due to misunderstandings of the choices of belief. They often channel their power indirectly through other people or through social structures that severely limit their fulfillment. This error will be signaled by anger, frustration, and eventually the sadness and depression of self-loss. These feelings all scream for the power to be restored, for the beliefs to be altered (with Right Responses) from those that have allowed it to be given away. True empowerment is reflected in beliefs which rarely invoke anger or frustration. Power is not simply being able to control the angry feelings; it lies in structuring the mind with beliefs which restore control over the daily challenges, so that they are never even elicited. Instead, the threat to personal power often allows the fight response to take over, regardless of what the best response might be.  When vested interests replace the will of the public in representative government, the public eventually turns cynical and indifferent. This state is first evident in the "turn-out" figures at election time. Even while government tries to blame the public for the indifference, it ignores or protects its own indifference to those they are elected to represent and whose power they are required to exercise.  Suffice it to say at this point, that the need for power will overcome the other needs if necessary. For self-preservation can only occur if the individual has the power to act upon the environment and meet the innate needs. If conditions are such that competition is necessary---"so be it" deems the Creator. It is, indeed, the individual that will make changes in the world, not the group. The group can never change or fully control the individual in ways that prevent these innate human dynamics. Evolution happens at the level of the individual, and thus, it is imperative to ensure maximum empowerment of each. If relative empowerment for safety and control is not achieved, there will be chaos and eventual demise.  While the rights of the individual can not necessarily take precedence over the rights of the group, the right of expression can and should be sacrosanct. When offensive, such expressions can be ignored, but when productive, they should be honored.  The Need For Freedom  Beyond the power to control one's destiny, lies the freedom of movement and thought with which a human can both broaden the mind and alter the world. One can have control, yet not have the freedom to expand the internal and external worlds. Once self-preservation is assured (the power need met) the human is immediately motivated to begin self-development with the urge to be free. But the urge to be free is also very basic and non-negotiable. The human value of liberty embodies both the power and freedom needs. The words: "Give me liberty or give me death"...were deeply and spiritually accurate. The need for freedom ensures that humans will be able to think for themselves and decide how to design their mindscape to best fulfill their innate value.  The very word "freedom" has almost become erased from our societal lexicon, along with words like "liberty" and "honor". As these words fade from use, so also do the principles for which they stand and the activity which they inspire.  The need for freedom was the Creator's insurance that free will would be honored and nurtured. Life is meant to be experienced in the present moment, with spontaneity and enthusiasm supported by constantly evolving, unlimited mental structures. Learning is intended to be an individual experiential trial and error process---and never to be replaced by a limited or singular way of understanding and interacting with the world. Although human education and the passing on of culture is very helpful for shared living, it has also, over time, profoundly reduced other options of thought and action. Life is not meant to be learned from the experiences of others. Divine intention is that learning will occur only through the experiences of the self acting upon the world in trial and error behaviors, with the ever-present guide of human emotion judging progress.  When we reward perfection and punish error, we discourage many from involving themselves in the learning experience. Thus, those who might have been able to inspire us to take the necessary chances to achieve those physical, mental and spiritual goals that are held up as examples, instead let our institutions intimidate us into believing that straying from established criteria will only lead to being removed from those institutions. To put it another way, if you want those "A's", you better buy into the curriculum, else you flunk out.  The intention of the Creator is born out in the adolescent years of developing human beings. What has become feared as the inevitable, willful rebellion of teens is simply the Creator's inborn desire for each person to learn for themselves through their own experiences. This is why humans often reject the advice of their elders, even good advice from those who are very respectable. For the urge springs naturally from the right and true, deep and abiding need for freedom of thought and action. They must learn certain things for themselves, despite all the frustrations of those who have already had similar learning experiences. Thus, the need for freedom and individual experiences must be honored, accepted and accommodated within each individual mind and in all social structures.  This is particularly difficult for parents seeing their children go through their adolescent years. How much easier it would be to endure this period if our society placed greater emphasis on faith in Divine Spirit and trust in the importance of emotional guidance.  This does not mean that all structured learning and education should be thrown by the wayside. Instead, it should be tailored to allow individuals experiential learning within the existing structures to strike the needed balance. All "knowledge" should be offered as flexible and consensual and treated as a suggestion or a framework of reference from which individuals can create and imagine bigger and better explanations. Nothing should be offered as an unimpeachable "Truth," but instead as a potentially useful tool for self-discovery. Education and knowledge should be offered in the context of Socratic questioning and discussion, along with situational dramatics which honor, respect and facilitate each person's right to experiential learning. (Situational dramatics and role-playing are very powerful and underutilized tools for experiential, precautionary learning. They can bring about vicarious, yet painful, messages of emotion without the actual experience itself, imparting wisdom without paying the price of learning the hard way).  How much more emphatic would have been the consequences of prejudice had the integrated classroom become an environment where the daily prejudices were acted out so that both groups would have been placed on the receiving end of discrimination, before the final step became the reality.  Simply put, societies that do not allow freedom for all of their members, will not survive. Any human grouping which seeks to contain and control its members by erecting mental and physical walls, can never succeed in the long term. When societies provide the right amount of freedom, there will be far less violent rebellion, anger, fear and manipulation. For, when freedom is suppressed, the need becomes magnified to the point of a compulsion. This can bring exaggerated defensive responses which are not at all in the best interest of the individual or the society.  This concept throws new light on the element of violence in our society. Some might argue that such is the result of too much freedom, but the above suggests just the opposite. It is a "concept" that bears further reflection.  The Need For Creative Expression  Once the need for freedom has facilitated movement, growth and mental flexibility, the urge to self-express becomes readily apparent. Although all of the needs are always present, the power and freedom needs will come to the surface immediately, usurping all others, should they become frustrated in any way. Only when there is a minimum amount of power and freedom can humans fully focus and become conscious of other, higher needs. The word higher in this context means merely that these needs are removed from the automatic self-preservationary mechanisms and can relate more to "higher" human purpose. For they will remain at the edge of consciousness until the basics of survival are in place.  One circumstance that could well be beneficial to bringing forth the opportunity for achieving mankind's "higher purposes" might be a greater level of economic security. When the burden of eking out a living is reduced to secondary importance, and greater importance is put upon security of health and general well being, the mind can shift its priorities beyond mere self-preservation toward greater development of the soul.  The need to create reflects the spiritual values of self-worth and self-expression. Creativity is about making internal visions and dreams actual in the physical world. The creative need motivates achievement, and the attainment of all goals. It is about being the most complete form of your spiritual self and acting it out upon the world in truly unique and valuable ways. Creativity is an ability often thought to be limited only to artists and musicians. But this is a far too narrow way of thinking about creative self-expression. For each and every action, each word, and each motion is an outward creative reflection of the inner creative spirit. Those expressions that reflect limits of mind, of course, will also be apparent. Any such inadequacies, however, will in turn elicit the necessary feedback, once the feelings are understood. Then, with accurate interpretations of, and responses to the emotional signals, the inadequate beliefs of mind will gradually give way to better versions, such that each and every action becomes the creative expression of true spirit.  If you consider what should be the obvious, i.e. that we are creating reality at nearly every moment of our physical lives, then the very definition is automatically broadened to a near unlimited point of appreciation. As indicated above, even those creative ways of limiting ourselves, are proof of our innate ability. We need but learn to appreciate the God-given feedback system.  Creative expression melds the spiritual values of self-development and expression into the motive to achieve bigger and better results; to build a mindscape of knowledge, skills and abilities to express and create in all realms or find success in a wide variety of challenging environments. If creativity and growth is stifled, boredom will surely set in as a spiritual reminder toward continuous evolution and expression.  Boredom is a good example of the emotional feed-back system that alerts us that we are experiencing a state of stifled spirituality. It's a very simple emotion and as valuable as it is common. Children are sensitive enough to pick up on it almost immediately. In adulthood, we tend to think "it" is normal and acceptable.  The creative expression of such a spirit would consistently exhibit joyous, spontaneous, meaningful, cooperative and exuberant thoughts, words, movements, actions and interactive deeds. Any other types of expression still contain the effects of a limited mindscape, with negative emotional experiences and responses asking for the needed corrections toward this ideal spiritual existence of creative expression in flesh.  "Well, if you're bored, I'm sure I can think of some work for you to do around here", a mother might say to her child. Or she might say (as an alternative), "Well, instead of me just giving you some mundane task to do, why don't you come up with some ways to make our home run more efficiently so that I have some extra time to play with you", and mean it!  Thus, each and every human being has the inborn need to express one's self. This is experienced as an inner understanding or knowingness regarding one's universal value. It is also the irresistible urge to do whatever is necessary to know that valuable self, to develop that self, and to go forth and share that self with the world. The sense of committed contribution springs from this urge to create. That inner inspiration to achieve, to change the world, to make it a better place, springs from the spiritual creative need. The work ethic that has built civilizations is based on the need to create. The need to create motivates individuals to go to work each day and leave their unique mark upon the world. And each creation, no matter how seemingly insignificant in human terms, holds tremendous value and cosmic significance in the spiritual realm.  We can actually bring spirituality to our educational system without the risk of violating our constitution, simply by moving from the quantitative manner in which we measure intellectual progress to an environment where creativity is not only encouraged, but rewarded.  The Need For Connection  The human individual needs are, indeed, very powerful motivators, and they will come to the fore if they are not met, to ensure self-preservation. But in order to truly and fully be human, the need for group connection cannot be denied. This is the need reflected in the urge to commune, affiliate and share life with others. Indeed, the overwhelming feelings and urges to love and be loved spring from the connection need.  When we live in an environment where connection declines (often a city or suburb) and communication between even neighbors is almost non-existent, human qualities tend to suffer. We may not notice it, but over time even our other personal relationships are affected in an adverse way.  The connection need embodies the spiritual values of unity, love, and cooperation. One can only find fulfillment in temporary ways when seeking only to fulfill the individual self needs of power, freedom and creativity. Such a soul would be quite lonely indeed. Many such souls, motivated by fearful competition, keep themselves from finding broader creative fulfillment of true cooperation.  As we move toward a society that honors every effort to create, we will be honoring the spiritual quality of any and all inhabitants who find and express the divine spark within. What we learn in communication with each other, forms the basis for a collective spiritual expansion.  The need for connection ensures that great spiritual offerings will meet with the highest and broadest levels of creative expression, for more people will be around to help. A magical thing happens when groups of people set out to achieve a common goal, when the creative and connection needs merge into a singular motive. The whole is often better than the parts. A certain synergy is sparked wherein each person's creative thrust adds to the original vision, making it far richer than first imaged. In fact, the universe is designed for like energies and entities to attract each other to intermingle and reconnect in new and unique ways.  With this in mind, we might begin to fashion our prayers to instigate a broadening of our desires. This could include visualizing greater group participation toward building a society along the enlightened guidelines suggested in these "Lessons".  Humans have a deep and abiding longing to love and to be loved. This need springs from the connectedness of each and every spiritual apportionment and speaks its truth through the spark of human (and even animal) connection. When the connection needs are denied, even in the best of individual circumstances, the soul suffers its lonely sense of loss. This is why the accepted strategy of competition should give way immediately to the understanding of necessary cooperation. In fact, most "competitive" win-lose human situations are actually based upon agreed on, cooperative rules. Thus, the connection need underlies any seemingly successful or fulfilling competitive activity.  It would appear that even a successful form of competition is dependent upon a base line of cooperation. However, you could not say the reverse is true. Cooperation does not necessarily require competition.  Nonetheless, the connection needs can be subordinated and postponed for quite long periods of time if the survival need for power has not been attained. Humans can be driven away from one another, into violent competition when the rules for connection become too steep. For the connection need can also work in negative ways. For example, the martyr dutifully strives to satisfy the needs of all the loved ones, oftentimes at the expense of one's own hopes, dreams, and needs to creatively express. The martyr then experiences frustration and resentment, since their own needs are neglected. Such frustration often results in passive-aggressive, back-door, power-seeking dynamics.  A person involved in some humanitarian activity can exhibit a personality that seems to contradict what we would presume to be a "loving" nature. The resentment that bleeds through betrays the appearance of spiritual dedication. Or a parent might constantly remind the offspring of the sacrifices made on the child's behalf, while really using the tactic of guilt in an act of manipulation.  For the individual needs must always come first. Resentment often results, and subtle and then perhaps violent outbursts will be played out upon the loved ones of the group if this imbalance continues to exist. Warm fuzzies and recognition from cohorts should not be accepted in lieu of basic power, freedom or opportunities. Like every need, the connection need must be honored, understood and respected without sacrificing another.  When we surrender our "power" and "free will" to the needs of another, we create an impairment to our spiritual nature that even praise from others can not override.  The connection need has its abuses as well. It can be used by some seeking power over others. Relinquishment of freedom of thought can be the price charged for admission into a "loving" or "safe" group. Cult-like mentalities often result from humans who huddle together in their own darkness rather than risk being lonely. Yet, freedom and control is often traded away to join such groups as well. This breeds yet another brand of emotional problems, with such symptoms as paranoia, anger and social disconnection. In any grouping where external control seeks to replace internal control, you will always find dissonance and maladapted individuals.  Cults are often only the extreme expression of fraternities that require loyalty beyond the perimeters of respect for the human spirit. There are times when uniting for the sake of carrying out a particular goal is appropriate, but this condition should never be prolonged beyond the point of necessity.  The power of love and attraction includes a hardwired urge to nurture, to procreate and live communally. Oftentimes these physical urges can be confounded by limited beliefs, leaving humans in compromising positions which require need tradeoffs. Solid relationships are based upon mutual understandings which recognize and honor each of the self needs and allow each member to meet them in ways they so choose. Compromises between two conflicting perspectives which make both sacrifice for some third middle-ground alternative are not recommended, for no one's need is satisfied with such a compromise. The connection needs must not on a long-term basis, usurp the individual needs.  Those who elect to come together on a permanent basis, must recognize the importance of each to be able to fulfill their respective spiritual needs and that of the other party. Any compromise that threatens such "needs" of the other is a detriment to the relationship.  The connection need often serves as a refuge when other needs are not met. Subcultures spring forth as defensive responses from those who have not been allowed sufficient individual freedom and empowerment within the accepted cultural framework. Although often temporarily necessary, such fractionating between peoples does not work well over time. For, as with any need, it urges humans toward the truth of universal values. Fragmenting humans into separate groups only achieves disconnection that promotes hatred and violence against one another.  When a particular group elects to break a connection with the whole, it should serve as a signal that the majority needs to examine its value system. An effort should be made to resolve the differences that led to the disconnection to determine if spiritual values have been violated. Then reunification and growth should follow.  The Need To Find Meaning  The urges to survive, to creatively express, and to love and to be loved go a long way toward helping humans find their higher course. But without a doubt, the need that will give them the most rapid success in solving the secrets of the universe and understanding the mind of the Creator, will be in answering the inner urge to find meaning.  Blind faith stifles the effort to find "meaning", just as physical blindness hampers the ability to move in any direction. A state of dissatisfaction with what we know will keep us expanding ourselves.  Again, the Creator was ingenious in encoding the chemical cloak with the need to discover, to understand, to know, and to make sense of the world. Humans are curious beings, born with the desire to seek solutions, to solve riddles and puzzles. The need to find meaning evidences the spiritual value of self-development and expansion of human experience, as well as universal order and meaning itself. Like any other need-meeting experience, it brings a degree of emotional joy. When humans learn their inner truths, they experience that unmistakable resonance, a very pleasurable chord struck within them that validates their finding. The need for meaning spurs humans to know self, know their world, and know their place in their world.  This process not only brings continuous satisfaction, it brings a surge of life to our very being, described above as an "unmistakable resonance".  In the meantime, religion, science and world views provide meaning in a seemingly meaningless universe. Science has yet to connect the dots and see the greater order, wisdom, and cooperation---the meaning within each and every physical interaction from microbes to universes. Religion has yet to realize the consensual nature of its chosen beliefs and to understand that truly spiritual cooperation does not pit one against another, nor hold a monopoly on truth, nor attempt to defile or alter their GOD-given nature.  As science progresses toward a more "universal" appreciation of its purpose, religion will grow to understand and appreciate the true nature of its spirituality.  Yet, despite humans' struggle to attain enlightenment, they are rallied each and every day when they find meaning in their deeds, the events, and the actions of their lives. They find meaning in the order, value and beauty of nature. To gaze upon a golden sunset evokes the resonant meaning or order and validity of the universe. These tidbits keep us going until we finally find what we are supposed to find. Until we finally stumble upon the connection between our beliefs, our needs, our feelings and the events that occur in our lives. Until we finally live and breathe the Creator's intent.  The very physical law of cause and effect has its counterpart in our mental and spiritual lives as well. Once apparent, the whole of existence begins to make sense.  To date, humans experience frustration in wondering why things happen. Particularly puzzling is why bad things happen to good people. For the connection has not yet been made that humans do, indeed, create their own reality, quite literally attracting each and every event that they experience. Such events actually reflect, with crystal clarity, the beliefs chosen by the human being. Such reflections are intended to be acted upon as feedback with feeling signals to address needs and direct the refinement of beliefs to achieve more rewarding results. This is the ultimate meaning that the Creator intends the creations to embrace. Each time someone appears to be about to influence the collective mind toward the above stated truth, forces step in to close down the "light" of understanding and retain the blinders firmly in place. But these props are weakening and beginning to bend. They will eventually collapse.  When the light begins to shine, humans take great delight in everyday occurrences, for they realize that each and every event holds hidden meaning and perhaps opportunity to develop and express. They will begin to recognize how the most surprising, unlikely and unexpected of events can open doors that will greatly increase their own successes and move them quickly toward their stated and envisioned goals. Each day is filled with wonder and anticipation as events are recognized beyond the confines of time as those specifically requested by that spirit. With meaning, life becomes an exciting and wonderful adventure wherein positive feelings attract the entities to their highest experiences. Without it, life is a cycle of misguided action, pain, and reaction to avoid further pain. Events are created that seem chaotic, random and pointless.  Just watch the evening news and you will understand easily why we are where we are. Watch a sunrise and you will get a glimpse of where we can be.  But humans can also misunderstand and abuse the need to find meaning. Humans can create world views that explain why things happen the way they do. Many such philosophies provide meaning at the expense of other more urgent needs such as control and freedom. The group goals can often conflict with the individuals needs and the rules will ask for individuals to sacrifice for the good of the group. This is counter evolutionary and destructive.  The very phrase, "It's God's will", destroys the apparent nature of our own free will and creative potential. Conformity is rewarded and non-conformity discouraged.  The Need To Build Self-Esteem  The higher purposes of self-development and self-expression are attained through each of the basic needs. But perhaps the most direct contributor to the balancing, growth and expansion of self is the powerful human need to achieve self-esteem.  A key to open this door is the awareness of our spiritual nature and potential for development that this understanding suggests.  The term "self-esteem" captures every such concept that recognizes the value of the collection of beliefs, skills and strategies that have been assembled and willfully chosen by a given individual. Since the mind is also the Cultural Self, the identity of the individual is intimately connected with the level of efficacy the mind has attained in the world. Self esteem naturally follows when a person knows that they can handle life's challenges. When they know that they have worked hard to learn from the world and to adapt themselves accordingly.  This is a quality that should develop along with the process of growing older. When not appreciated or recognized, the society tends to bring undue problems upon itself.  True self-esteem can only be earned by making the necessary Right Responses and learning the lessons from life's challenges. True self-esteem cannot be built upon empty compliments, unfounded sentiments from others, or self-deceptive beliefs. Self-esteem must be based upon actual adaptations and expressions accomplished by that given individual. Although the mind can adopt inaccurate, unrealistic or skewed beliefs about one's self from such sources, the spirit cannot be fooled.  We may be deluded by flattery, but it is a shallow delusion that fails in time of need. Knowing ourselves, for better or worse, is preferable to fooling ourselves with unsubstantiated beliefs about ourselves.  The reward from each learning experience is felt through the positive emotions. Each such experience adds to an ever increasing level of self-esteem that both celebrates successful interactions with the world and builds confidence in achieving future successes. Indeed, the Creator gives the nod when the high road has been taken by offering joyous emotional reward.  We experience that "feel good" feeling whenever we achieve something or do something positive for our self or someone else. It can't be acquired through false actions, it can only be known through our inner being.  It is also important to recognize how taking the low road to a false elevation of self-esteem can also be a seductive trap. True self-esteem is based upon successful self-development and expression. But false or temporary self-esteem can also be attained through self-preservationary responses as well. For example, actions of retaliation for a wrongdoing, getting even, or deliberately demeaning another can all momentarily give one a sense of superiority over that person. This can bring an accompanying good feeling of justice in having successfully defended one's self against an aggressor. But superiority assumes a competitive relationship, not one of truly rewarding connected cooperation.  The ultimate revenge, if that is what is needed, truly comes in rising above the negative experiences that others may impose, for this leads to the development of those qualities that will eventually prove our superior, personal worth.  When examined closely, many human interactions are based upon the jockeying for superiority, and a great deal of energy is wasted upon self-preservation, when self-development is the true desire of spirit. Many reactions are those that deny and defend limited boundaries of mind, or strike out against the bearer of the feedback message. Both reactions are of course, the limited, self-preservationary responses of Flight or Fight.  Society sends many messages, particularly through our entertainment industry, that getting even is more important than gaining wisdom. An alternative message is desperately needed.  Thus, it is particularly important to understand the many automatic responses that occur which use the esteem need in this way. Each interaction with another human being pits one mind against another, with each person experiencing emotional signals about how well they stack up in that particular "world." Choosing Right Responses which broaden the boundaries of mind, automatically expands and strengthens the self. These feelings about the self are a constant and powerful motivator, usually residing just below the conscious focus, yet underlying each subsequent action. Casting the conscious focus upon them can avoid a great deal of unnecessary, hurtful human interactions.  Remembering that we are Divine in nature, governs us in how we relate to our fellow human beings whom we also recognize as being "Divine in nature".  The need for self-esteem is quite powerful indeed. It ensures that self-development and self-expression will occur. It reflects the spiritual values of self-worth and the continuous expansion of All That Is. Like all needs, it must be honored, understood, and met in ways that do not compromise any other need, nor settle for actions of mere self-preservation.  Moving toward this goal is akin to moving toward our complete development as humans and spiritual beings.  Summary Of Human Needs  These are the six basic human needs that lie within each human being: The need for power, for freedom, the need to create, to connect, to find meaning, and to build self-esteem. They all ensure survival of the species. They all steer humanity toward discovery of self-understanding and guidance toward their highest purpose. They underlie all human action, whether consciously chosen or habitually acted out. They are the spiritual values and boundaries against which the emotional message measures the success or failure of beliefs and strategies of mind. They can be met in a wide variety of ways and are quite flexible. They can be used to achieve peak performance or they can be misused as mechanisms of escapism and violation.  This makes it clear that as we polish and use these needs, we can enhance the achievements of our lives in all areas, be they physical, mental, emotional or spiritual.  It is imperative to recognize, honor, and respect each of the human needs and design strategies of living that allow them all to be met simultaneously. This is the true intention of the Creator. Genuine happiness, fulfillment and growth can only be experienced on a long-term basis when each need is honored. The life-giving habits of self development and expression are all based upon balancing these human needs, just as the deadly habits of self-preservation spring from misunderstanding and denying them. The feeling signals themselves each address these needs. The very universe itself rests upon the values they embody.  The ability to balance these "needs" can be achieved through the use of our "feeling signals", as has been previously indicated in the Lessons. The "values" spoken of are both individual and universal.  Understanding the universal human needs completes the information cycle of human spiritual communication. We can now refine the understandings and address its implications upon humanity--- for restoring spiritual guidance will forever alter every area of mass consciousness.  With the end of this particular Lesson, we again go on to specific refinement.  Table of Contents