The Class

2007-4-16 13:50:00

Larry writes:

How well is the classroom doing? What statistics might one examine to see if it is making progress, or failing? Of course the future effect of something like this cannot probably be gauged by statistics, but sometimes one has to wonder.

Here is something that has made me wonder a little about this. Go to the Keysters home page and page down to the bottom and carefully examine the statistics for 'Message History.'

For example this year about halfway through April there have been 169 messages posted. Assuming that messages continue to be posted at about the same rate to the end of the month the total for April should be about 340 or so. If you look down the column for April you will see total messages on a fairly continual decline over the last 5 years. If you look at Jan, Feb, and Mar also you will see a fairly consistent pattern in a decline in the number of messages for the part, with a few exceptions.

What seems fairly clear is that 2007 so far looks to be about the lowest year ever in messages on this list. From the gross statistics the class doesn't seem to be prospering very much. Every year JJ gives us a message about how he thinks a turnaround is just around the corner, but he doesn't seem any closer this year to making that a reality than when he said the same thing at the beginning of this list. Many people that started out in the 'class' very enthusiastically still read the list, I think, but hardly ever post.

Just my observation on the health of the class.

Sounds like you think I should just throw my hands up and exclaim that I (as well as the class) am a failure and should just give up.

First let me correct one thing you said that gives new readers an entirely false impression.

I do not give a message each year stating that any turnaround in the class is just around the corner. I have never stated that my goal is related to the numbers in the class or the number of messages posted.

I have started that I am looking for a breakthrough as far as me personally making it into the public consciousness either through my books or other method. The main thrust so far has not been the class, but the Immortal books. The main benefit of the class has been that it helps to stimulate me to write when I have finished my regular work around 3 am. Normally I would be too tired to do much, but because of the interest of the good members of this group I feel a responsibility to give out more teachings.

I have stated several times that I hope this breakthrough comes soon, but never claimed to know when that date would be.

Obviously, if things continue as is we will not experience the hoped for breakthrough unless a piece of good luck materializes.

To make my own luck I am working toward two changes.

  1. To free my hands so I can dedicate full time to promoting the teachings and books.

Most successful authors spend full time in promoting their material. They do this through much traveling and interviews.

I have spent virtually zero time in personal promotion because I have to make a living and pay the bills. The little free time I have has been spent in writing down the teachings. This was an important step. If I were to die tomorrow the teachings would remain and will be available for disciples for generations to come.

I am getting closer to the next step but am not yet ready to set a date for it. When the time comes the chances of a breakthrough will dramatically increase.

  1. I will soon continue on my political book. This will make it much easier to get on the talk shows when I free my hands.

A disciple does not get discouraged through lack of progress. He merely steps back and reassesses periodically and continues to work on moving the plan ahead. It usually takes more time than expected. Thus the importance of "enduring to the end" or to the success of the plan.

Part of the reason that the response has fallen off is that I have had even less time than usual to give attention to my postings. I have found that I need about an hour's more sleep now than I did earlier and thus have not had the time to create the material that will stimulate the response as I did in year's gone by. It is also a fact that the list has already served much of its purpose in that it has generated enough teachings to keep new people busy learning for years to come.

This forum is far from failing but is accomplishing exactly what it is supposed to do.

The final thought of the disciple as he exhales his last breath should be upon his desire to serve rather than to be served.
Joseph John (JJ) Dewey