Jeffrey Wattles, revised May 2004
What a difference it makes to take the teachings of The Urantia Book not merely as information but as truth that we can progressively realize in our own experience! Consider, for example, the lesson about the Adjutants, the seven mind spirits that come from the Infinite Spirit via our Local Universe Mother Spirit (36:5, 402-03). As you read the following paragraph from the book, do so reflectively, allowing yourself to realize the truth of what is being said. Take time to identify—recognize—these functions of mind at work in you now. Then take time to acknowledge and attempt to recognize or feel the spirit ministry to these functions of mind. How accurately can we do this? We should be neither presumptuous nor skeptical, but have the spirit of adventure, as we cultivate our intuitive capacities regarding these gifts. At least we may pray for our minds to become more permeable to the ministries of these mind-spirits. We may take stock before entering upon a task, to think what adjutants are particularly relevant; and we may pray for their more efficient functioning in others as well as in ourselves. The influx of ministry that we may feel includes participation from the Thought Adjuster and the Spirit of Truth . . . and the mind-spirit circuit of the Local Universe Mother Spirit. Can we possibly sort out the combined human and superhuman factors? Of course not. Neither shall we imprison ourselves in doubt when we can choose dynamic cooperation!
1. The spirit of intuition--quick perception, the primitive physical and inherent reflex instincts, the directional and other self-preservative endowments of all mind creations; the only one of the adjutants to function so largely in the lower orders of animal life and the only one to make extensive functional contact with the nonteachable levels of mechanical mind.
Think of the one-celled amoeba. Its mind is minimal, but it does function. Facing a particle of food, it advances and surrounds the particle, taking it into itself. Pricked by a pin, it withdraws. Thus occur the most basic operations of consciousness and action, and our own reactions often seem little more advanced.
First reflect. Do you perceive things readily—seeing things, hearing things, and so on? Do you have reflex instincts? Do you instinctively react to protect yourself when someone throws a watermelon your way—catching it or getting out of the way? The self-protective instinct operates without requiring any deliberation on our part. We do not have to add fear in order to protect ourselves. The instinctive, self-protective response is already taken care of. Do you have a sense of orientation in space—up/down, left/right, front/back, and so on? Of course you do!
Next ponder the fact that there is an adjutant mind spirit ministering to this function in your mind. Take a moment to think over this wonderful fact. Let the delight of the faith awareness of the presence of the spirit of intuition unfold like a flower. That is your maximum realization of this mind-spirit for now.
2. The spirit of understanding—the impulse of co-ordination, the spontaneous and apparently automatic association of ideas. This is the gift of the co-ordination of acquired knowledge, the phenomenon of quick reasoning, rapid judgment, and prompt decision.
Can you understand the ideas in a sentence and in a paragraph? When you are driving and see that the stoplight is red, can you readily associate ideas and conclude that you need to stop by putting on the brake? Of course you can. Isn’t it nice to realize that there is a spirit of understanding to help us with these basics of mental functioning. If you are ever plagued by compulsive thinking, you may be sure that this is not the ministry of the mind-spirit of understanding. Take a moment to welcome—experience consciously—the presence of this mind spirit.
3. The spirit of courage—the fidelity endowment—in personal beings, the basis of character acquirement and the intellectual root of moral stamina and spiritual bravery. When enlightened by facts and inspired by truth, this becomes the secret of the urge of evolutionary ascension by the channels of intelligent and conscientious self-direction.
Doesn’t it take a certain amount of courage to get out of bed in the morning, cross the street, drive a car, or meet someone new? Doesn’t it take courage to explore new ideas and follow the adventuresome religion of the spirit? Of course you have courage! Couldn’t you use a little more courage at times or a finer quality of courage? Notice the positive idea of courage: fidelity.
Now pause, and take a moment to let your mind receive the ministry of the spirit of courage (along with influx from the Thought Adjuster and the Spirit of Truth).
4. The spirit of knowledge—the curiosity-mother of adventure and discovery, the scientific spirit; the guide and faithful associate of the spirits of courage and counsel; the urge to direct the endowments of courage into useful and progressive paths of growth.
Aren’t you engaging in the adventure of discovery right now, curious about the mind, exploring these interesting teachings? Of course you are! Realize that there is support and guidance from the spirit of knowledge. Receive it more fully right now.
5. The spirit of counsel—the social urge, the endowment of species co-operation; the ability of will creatures to harmonize with their fellows; the origin of the gregarious instinct among the more lowly creatures.
You surely enjoy times of socializing. As writer and reader, aren’t we working together right now, sharing ideas? As a member of a study group, you discuss such ideas as these. How nice to reflect that our Local Universe Mother Spirit is facilitating a finer quality of socializing and cooperation through the spirit of counsel. Take a minute to appreciate that Adjutant mind spirit.
6. The spirit of worship—the religious impulse, the first differential urge separating mind creatures into the two basic classes of mortal existence. The spirit of worship forever distinguishes the animal of its association from the soulless creatures of mind endowment. Worship is the badge of spiritual-ascension candidacy.
Isn’t it wonderful to realize that when we turn toward the Universal Father with the intention to worship that we have help? We can worship, thanks not only to the Spirit of Truth and the Thought Adjuster, but also thanks to the spirit of worship. Take a minute to appreciate that mind spirit. Why is there no concrete description of this Adjutant? The closest substitute comes from this account of the cosmic mind intuition of worship: “Worship—the spiritual domain of the reality of religious experience, the personal realization of divine fellowship, the recognition of spirit values, the assurance of eternal survival, the ascent from the status of servants of God to the joy and liberty of the sons of God.” (16:6, 192.4)
7. The spirit of wisdom—the inherent tendency of all moral creatures towards orderly and progressive evolutionary advancement. This is the highest of the adjutants, the spirit co-ordinator and articulator of the work of all the others. This spirit is the secret of that inborn urge of mind creatures which initiates and maintains the practical and effective program of the ascending scale of existence; that gift of living things which accounts for their inexplicable ability to survive and, in survival, to utilize the co-ordination of all their past experience and present opportunities for the acquisition of all of everything that all of the other six mental ministers can mobilize in the mind of the organism concerned. Wisdom is the acme of intellectual performance. Wisdom is the goal of a purely mental and moral existence.
Do you have a more or less unified sense of the world around you? Does your mind work to unify your concept of reality? Do you have some sense of when enough is enough and when you are going too far with a particular drive? Do you seek divine wisdom? Of course you do. Take a minute to welcome and appreciate the spirit of wisdom, coordinating and integrating your mental life and bringing you blessings from on high.
Here are some resources that may be helpful in presenting the idea of divine ministry to the mind to those familiar with the Bible. In many circumstances, you will not work with the circuits as multiple and separate. The basic thought that God ministers to our mind is the main point. The different functions of mind can be identified without complicating the beginner’s mind with difficult vocabulary and ideas.