Brief Summary of The Operating System of Theodore Cottingham
The learning process has four major components:
- Read
- Map
- Write
- Lead
Reading the words is not enough. Loving these messages is not enough to bring forth transformation. This is a system of engagement. Every person in this school becomes engaged in this dynamic process that lets the creator create, through us. We become active participants creating something brand new, and we do this through the components of reading, mapping, writing, and leading.
Read:
- The input consists of the messages that comprise Database One. Let it be understood from the beginning that we are not reading for information, we are reading for transformation. Thus the normal process of reading to gain information is inadequate. Interaction with what is read is at the heart of this process. This is not simple nor is it accomplished without great effort. This system of learning requires dedication to a developmental process that comes by creating a flow of words through us that releases the master teacher to teach us.
- Acquisition of new information is not enough. We are not going through “academic 101.” We are surrendering to a process that brings forth a new vocabulary with new words, new meanings and definitions; many of which redefine what we have been taught and believed in the past. This is a creative process that leads us out of our comfort zone and into a realm of exponential learning. This requires us to learn how to learn this process. We cannot rely upon our previous reading skills, our previous definitions, nor limit ourselves or others to the diction and grammar that we have been comfortable with.
- As you read the words, “LET” them form something in you. Let the values expressed therein become yours. Let the words speak to the deepest part of you. Value the words. Savor them as you would a meal of delicacies the king has prepared for you and set before you to enjoy. Let the words become a part of you, so you become one with the words being given you, that you are now engaging in a serious process, of becoming something brand new.
- Sharing with others our understanding of these words and what we are learning is part of this developmental process. Interaction is central to this process so that the way that we read these words must transcend our way of reading of the past, and the tools with which we use to examine these words and convey their message to others will begin now to take a variety of forms.
Map
- The objective here is to fully understand the message, realizing that many messages contain numerous themes, multiple definitions, various instructions, and a number of metaphors and examples that teach us about many subjects at one time. A casual reading is not enough. Even a thorough examination of a message, pondering it and rewriting it in your own handwriting is not enough for you to fully receive what is being given. That is why the next step in our operating system is to create maps from the messages.
- Creating various kinds of maps of the words is done by analyzing the messages. It is recommended that you print out the message if possible, and then underline/highlight key words and phrases, and then draw lines between various concepts so that the message being received can be understood in a more cohesive manner.
- After highlighting and connecting multiple parts of the message, next steps might include: linking, lookup, and outline.
- Linking consists of connecting various parts of the message within the message first, as well as then linking those subjects, themes, and facets of revelation, to previous messages of Database One. It is important to have access to all of Database One so that you can use various search tools to facilitate the linking that is integral to this process. Learning to utilize various searching programs to search the Database is imperative.
- Lookup consists of the instruction given in the message, to look up key words and phrases in Database One. The way that god often gives us a connection to previous messages and additional revelation to complete the thought being conveyed, is through this lookup function. It cannot be ignored. Not all messages contain a lookup function, yet many do, and some messages have a number of them. God has emphasized that the lookup function is a significant component of this operating system; the learning system that he has designed for us.
- Outline consists of listing the various subjects that we are being taught. Outlines are to be an aid and bridge to connecting all the sub points of the messages so as to organize them for additional understanding.
Write
- This is not optional. Everyone who is a student in this school writes. “Pick up your pen & write me” is an instruction that god has given to us multiple times. The writing process that we are speaking of comes when you take time to still your mind, focus on the message and the mapping that you have completed and begin to put these things in your own words, with your own pen, writing them to the author for the author to give you back input at what you submit to him as your understanding of what the message is.
- In this process of writing, a surrender is required that allows the Christ within to speak. This may not be evident at first or as you being these writings but let that not be discouraging. There is a tenacity of focus to surrendering and surrender brings forth an authority that nothing else will for the highest form of authority we have is that of surrender.
- Part of the writing that takes place is in the discussion forums of the courses. The value of these discussion forums cannot be underestimated. This is where we interact with each other as classmates, comrades, and colleagues; and equal being to propel each other forward in what we are learning by sharing it with each other. We must learn how to dialogue in a manner that encourages enquiry and adventure without a position of defensiveness arising when someone is trying to understand what we have posted. Our writing skills must increase; our wisdom and tact in writing will begin to take on an entirely new dimension. Everyone in this school consistently shares and dialogues with the posts of others.
- As you learn to write in a surrendered manner what god has given you, god will increasingly come through your own pen in this writing process that is deliberate, disciplined, and focused; allowing the assimilation of the message that you have read, mapped, and now are writing about, to become part of you—experientially.
- This is a process that leads to a destination. Transformation is the destination. Transformation is consummation of the Covenant. Transformation is what we address as being the 70th week of this course. Becoming something brand new that we have never been is the destination that leads us into the kingdom of heaven to experience it flowing through us to others now.
- If you are not writing you are not in this school. If you are not sharing what you are learning by writing it and posting it, you are not in this school. This is a systematic process that god has given us as the operating system for how this school works.
Lead
- Leadership must be developed. Leadership in you must be developed. You are the only one that can surrender to this process, and you are the only one that can bring forth this process in you to become transformed. The leadership that we are addressing is that of the most high, to enter the realm of the most high operating here on the earth now today. No one is exempt from this and no one can abdicate the glory given them if they will surrender to this process of reading, mapping and writing as we are describing.
- Leadership cannot be developed vicariously. Your leadership must be experienced as you learn it. You learn it as your experience it. You become it. You and this process become one, not separate from the words of Database One. You are becoming the words as you release them in you while you are reading, mapping, writing and dialoguing with others in this school about them.
- The purpose of this leadership development is for you to operate as the priestking that operates fully as priest and king, both being one. This requires a confidence that develops through this process that cannot be attributed to man’s methods nor the world of information at our fingertips. The role of the priestking is the role of every surrenderer, be it man or woman. Age is not a factor. No one is exempt from this call to leadership. All of the roles stereotyped for us by media and by history vanish in the realm of the creator who forms his fullness in us, as we let ourselves become part of this process that gives us a new vocabulary, new words and definitions, and leads us into the realm of god’s original design for mankind. The priestking lives by the word of the priestking that the priestking has become.
- Cartography is part of the role of priestkingship. The mapping that we are doing of the words given us is preparing us for mapping that which has not been mapped yet. The kingdom of heaven is advancing, and forceful people will lay hold of it; the forceful are those who surrender in a tenacity that lets the birthing process become complete.
This is an operating system. This is the operating system that god has given us to operate with. None of these steps can be omitted. The operation of The University of The New Covenant is to release The New Covenant in every person as the teacher so that all will come forth, bringing to completion the leadership that god intended for all of us to walk in.
Thank you for letting The New Covenant flow.
Dr. Theodore Cottingham