(Omal discusses how our evolution is advanced through following a spiritual pathway with a goal to evolve. He proposes expanding the consciousness through a change in environment where many of the modern distractions have been removed.) 

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Omal: now, onto my dissertation dealing with the consciousness of the mind. My favorite topic as a manifestor is how to use and focus the mind. The mind is a wonderful tool, the development of the mind in a spiritual pathway is necessary as I am fond of saying for evolutionary advancement. But what of the mind, how does it develop, why does it choose the paths that it is choosing? Well it is necessary to learn certain lessons, lessons that the individuals have decided will benefit them on their path through life, lessons that they need for advancement, certain environmental factors. For example, no communication with the external world, no stimuli for the mind apart from maybe a few books and the environment will create the necessary tools as building blocks for advancement. For example, if you have no communication devices or entertainment devices of an electronical nature, then what do you do for fun? You read, you have conversations and you use the development of these abilities to become more eloquent and to sharpen the mind. Now with that comes the higher functions of astral travel, manifestation, coercion, psychokinesis and healing, all very necessary tools. Let us take manifestation. In an environment like that, why would you need manifestation? Well manifestation first of all takes many forms. From being able to create something out of nothing by using the mind, to sitting down and creating something with your hands such as clothing, that is manifestation, poetry is manifestation, writing letters is manifestation. It is taking your skill to create something out of very little. And with these learnings and pathways that individuals deem necessary for their advancement come a whole host of other possibilities. How do you use these gifts, these abilities? Well, it is recommended that they are used for a positive nature but I must add that there is also the possibility of using them in a negative way. That is for the individual to choose which is necessary. Any questions?

Russ: yeah, in the earlier days back before television, radio and all that, you'd have austere monks and hermits who'd go off into the wilds and sit by themselves. And this would be an adequate environment such as you're talking about?

Omal: in a way, yes but it is more limiting. Having an austere environment certainly helps to focus the mind but it does nothing for the well-being of an individual. After all, you need comfort to live happily. If you are not happy, then it is more difficult to advance. For example, if you take everything away except for four walls, a ceiling and a bed but no blankets, you are uncomfortable. You get used to your environments but you will remember how things were. If you come from an environment where you start off life with limited properties, maybe a room, a bed, a blanket and you advance through life having more properties. Books, more blankets to keep you warmer, a bigger room, a nicer room, then you are progressing and you have a goal. But if you go in reverse, this in itself can become a problem that you are deliberately starving yourself of the goals necessary to advance.

Russ: hmm, thank you.