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 Community Update September 2026 ** Class, Meetings, & Activities – save the dates! ** (see below feature article) What Are You? by Janet Cornwell, H.W., m. Remember the caterpillar from Alice in Wonderland? He sat arrogantly on a mushroom, and asked repeatedly, “Who are you?” It was difficult for Alice to answer him, if you recall. Now, suppose that the caterpillar had asked her a different question: “What are you?” What would she — could she — have answered? And consider: What would you say? If someone were to ask you, right now, “What are you?”— how would you answer?  You’ve undoubtedly been asked many times, in many ways and many situations, “Who are you?” But how often do you get asked, “What are you?” It’s not something people often ask in the everyday world, and it can actually be considered quite rude. Yet for yourself, it is so important to understand. “What,” indeed, are you? There are so many ways to answer! Probably the first general reply that springs to mind is a physical categorization. “I’m a person, a human being.” Or perhaps, “I’m a man,” or “I’m a woman,” or, nowadays, another gender category. If you have a distinctive feature or medical condition, it might prompt an identification: “I’m a redhead,” “I’m an amputee,” “I’m a diabetic.” The answer often depends on the context of the question. In some conversations, your answer would be a professional description: “I’m a teacher, a plumber, a judge, a colonel, a truck driver,” or whatever.  Janet Cornwell, H.W.,m. If age is under discussion, you might say, “I’m a Boomer,” or, “I’m a teenager.” You might want to use a geographic term: “I’m a Peruvian, a Midwesterner, a South African, a New Yorker.” Or an ethnic or racial identification: “I’m Maori, Romani, Arab, Black.” A witty person, seeking to offer a clever answer, might claim to be a mixture of chemicals, or a collection of atoms, or stardust, or matter plus energy. All right, abstract physical dimension is one approach. In some cases you might indicate a religious affiliation: “I’m Methodist, Hindu, Sufi, Agnostic.” Or a political leaning: “I’m a Democrat, a Republican, a Whig, a Communist.” (In some circles, you may want to be careful how specific you are about these labels!) But overall, oh, the places you’ll go in your expression of what you are! In sports, are you a player, a fan, a Bruin, a Cheesehead? Recreationally, are you a hiker, a world traveler, a poker ace, a karaoke singer, a cosplayer, or perhaps all of the above? How about education — are you a PhD, MBA, high school dropout, autodidact? Does your social life confirm that you’re a party animal, a gang member, a volunteer, a sorority sister? And don’t forget your family roles: grandfather, son, mother, niece — or your family name: Chen, Chavez, Hatfield or McCoy, Mukherjee, Kardashian…. There’s one other category that you might be quietly thinking of, and that’s a personal assessment. This is something you may or may not want to share. What are you, anyway, as you see yourself? A winner, a leader? A loner, a misfit? A gossip, a fussbudget, a clown, an alcoholic? A future star? A failure? Did we miss anybody? So, all these nouns provide a pretty good start to your full self-identification, right? Sure, if you’re just answering one of those 10-item questionnaires in a magazine. Or if you’re only interested in yourself as a three-dimensional being (or four-dimensional, when you include time). All those label categories that were just listed — and many others like them — only describe roles we play. Even the items that look hard-wired, such as a physical disability, are elements of the universe of time, space and change. We age, we learn, we gain or shed weight, we acquire and lose friends and family, we modify our likes and dislikes. Our physical, mental, emotional and even spiritual world is different every day, as we adapt to what goes on around us and within us. So these things we think of as “What” we are, may only indicate “Who” we think we are. “Who” implies a human distinction, a human differentiation. “What” can be understood to deal with a physical expression — but ontologically speaking, it addresses our real, indivisible substance. So, what are we, really, beyond time, space and change? What can sustain and contain all of our expressions? What continues through it all? What keeps us “us,” no matter what shape, activity or attitude we may express? What allows us to recognize ourselves in all forms, at all times, in all circumstances? What are we? What are you, what am I, that is always there? If you’ve studied Ontology, or really engaged in self-observation, you already know. That true identity is what we call forth in the first step of Translation®. It’s what we rely upon to guide us through Releasing the Hidden SplendourTM. It’s our True Self. It’s what we really are. Remember that caterpillar? Even he was finally transfigured into a “higher Self” — a butterfly, unbound by his earthly form. It’s only a metaphor, but it’s a reminder that the truest answer to “what” we are may surprise and release us.Our true Self goes by many names:Consciousness Conscious of ConsciousnessThe ability to create and govern ThoughtInfinite Mind in Infinite Manifestation Birthless, deathless, Eternal Being Mind unfolding Wholeness All that Is Perfect Awareness Thought in the Mind of God This is what you are. The real stuff, however it may appear. What you are is infinite. You don’t have to tap into it. You are it. Listen to the Infinite, feel it, as IT enjoys being YOU. “What” is Infinity. “Are” is Being. “You” are the expression. So, what are you? “You” “are” “infinity” — all that is! ——————— NOTE: Translation® and Releasing the Hidden SplendourTM are Foundation Classes developed by Thane and taught through The Prosperos.  From Our Writers…We’ve got great reading material, written by fellow students, waiting for you on our website under “Vesper Flights.” Articles, essays, poetry — you’ll find a wonderful selection to choose from. New items are being added all the time, so, check it out! You’ll discover it all at https://www.theprosperos.org/vespers. Feed the Body, as Well as the Soul!A cool treat for these last hot days of summer, this was a favorite at Thane’s residence. Our Founder was very fond of cooking, and believed in nourishing his students’ appetites for good food as well as spiritual enlightenment. Enjoy! PEANUT BUTTER PIE Blend together: ½ Cup crunchy peanut butter 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 1 Cup powdered sugar Fold in 8 oz. Cool-Whip Turn into a graham-cracker pie shell; smooth and swirl the top. Pie may be sprinkled with chopped peanuts, if desired. Refrigerate at least 2 hrs. before serving. CAUTION: This is very rich; start with small slices! Coming Events ** Class ** Releasing the Hidden SplendourTM with Heather Williams, H.W.,M. Saturday/Sunday, Sept. 26-27 In this class, you will learn a simple technique that helps us to free ourselves from old patterns, to know ourselves truthfully, to LOVE ourselves unconditionally, and to more fully live our unique, individual life purposes. More information: https://www.theprosperos.org/prosperos-events/rhs-202606-rhs ** Sunday Meetings ** “Letter to a Woman with Learning Disabilities About Translation®“ with Pam Rodolph, H.W.,M. Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026 – 11:00 AM PT It’s important to direct your explanations to your audience’s abilities and expectations, without losing the points you’re making. Pam gives a wonderful example, actually suitable for everyone. More information: https://www.theprosperos.org/prosperos-events/sunday-talk-23-06-2024-mjscy-k7eb8 “Importance of CURIOSITY!“ with Heather Williams, H.W.,M. Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026 – 11:00 AM PT Curious people seek freedom from the old patterns of control, from old fear-based conditioning. Curiosity raises us to a higher level of consciousness when we ask: Hey, what is this? Why must I do this? Who am I? More information: https://www.theprosperos.org/prosperos-events/things-or-love-77l23-mc358-a2635 “Transcendentalism“ with Thane of Hawaii Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026 – 11:00 AM PT Thane explains how error, and what is called sin, truly means ignorance and darkness. You can come to the understanding that what for centuries has been called the Christ within is this thing now called Beingness. More information: https://www.theprosperos.org/prosperos-events/thane-the-law-of-the-vacuum-nwa3h-wbpk5-wrjzx-c49xz-zcrn6-wg5na ** Ongoing Activities ** Dream Group with HughJohn Malanaphy, H.W.,M. Thursday evenings — explore the conscious-unconscious connection Open Discussion with Clint Lambert Friday evenings — Straight Thinking conversation about current events and more Saturday Morning Translation® Group with Mike Zonta, H.W.,M. Saturday mornings (for those who have taken Translation® class only) More information about these groups: https://www.theprosperos.org/events |
** How Can We Help You? ** High Watch Translation® ServiceThe High Watch Translation® Service is supported by our High Watch members. Requests and updates are sent out to experienced Translators as soon as they are received. All information relayed through this link or via our website is kept confidential, unless requested otherwise. You may add additional information, or inform us of any changes or requests for further Translation® in your situation, at any time through the link below. —Translation® is our form of prayer. It is used to get to the Truth of any situation or dilemma, and access the Unpredictable Good. —Did you know that you can request Translation® from the High Watch Translation® Service for any situation going on in your life? This is the primary purpose of the High Watch –- To hold the High Watch for you and with you. For more about the HWTS: https://www.theprosperos.org/hwts FOR MORE INFORMATION…We invite you to visit our websites for information about the School, as well as for descriptions of our wide selection of printed, recorded, and online resources (many are free; others are available for purchase). General Information – For our calendar, class descriptions and blog, as well as other articles and information, please visit https://TheProsperos.org. Audio Center – This site offers free podcasts, talks and lectures, plus a wealth of other recorded material for our students and friends. To see what’s available, please visit https://TheProsperos.com. |
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