BIBLE LESSONS

by

VITVAN

Sortem Suam Quisque Amet

Publishedin2005by
THESCHOOLOFTHENATURALORDER,INC.
P.O.BOX150
BAKER,NV89311


2005byTheSchooloftheNaturalOrder,Inc.
Allrightsreserved.
PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica.Thisbook,orpartsthereof,maynotbereproduced
inanyformwithoutpermissionexceptthecaseofbriefquotationsembodiedincritical
articlesandreviews.

TheSchooloftheNaturalOrder,Inc.
P.O.Box150
Baker,NV89311
vitvan@sno.org
http://www.sno.org
ISBN0942630017






TABLEOFCONTENTS

LESSON TITLE PAGE

PREFACE i

INTRODUCTION ii

1 THESIXDAYSOFCREATION 1
Genesis1:131
2 SEEKYEFIRSTTHEKINGDOM 9
Matthew6:32,33
3 THELAWWHICHMUSTBEFULFILLED 17
Matthew5:1726
4 THEJOURNEYOFTHETHREEWISEMEN 25
Matthew2:121
5 THEBIRTHOFTHECHRIST 33
Luke2:716
6 THEBAPTISMBYWATER 45
Matthew3:1315
7 THETEMPTATIONOFJESUS 51
Matthew4:111
8 THEBAPTISMBYFIRE 59
Revelation2:17






TABLEOFCONTENTS
continued

LESSON TITLE PAGE

9 THEREWARDOFTHEFATHER 65
Matthew6:16
10 TENGOODMENSAVEACITY 71
Genesis18:3033
11 FAITH Hebrews11:1 77
12 HOPE Romans8:2439 83
13 LOVETHEKARMICLAWOFLOVE 89
Matthew5:2326
14 THESHELTEROFDIVINELOVE 95
Psalms91
15 BLESSEDAREYE 101
Matthew5:11,12
Diagram: TheUnmanifest 107
16 THERICH,YOUNGMAN 109
Mark10:1745
17 THEPRODIGALSON 115
(fromTheRestoredNewTestament,J.M.Pryse)
18 THERIGHTEOUSNESSOFTHENEWDAY 125
Matthew5:2022
 BIBLELESSONS


EDITORSPREFACE

IfyouarefamiliarwithVitvanswork,youwillalreadyknowthathe
studiedsemanticswithBlessedCountAlfredKorzybski,asVitvancalledhim,
attheUniversityofChicago,in1939.PriortothattimeVitvansworkwas
couchedintheonlylanguagethatheknew,whathecalledtheold,
metaphysicalterminology.Hisdiscoveryofsemanticsfreedhimfromthatold
terminology,andherewrote,redescribed,hiswholeperceptionintermsof
wordswhichrepresentmeaninginlifefacts,asopposedtotheusual
conventionofdefiningwordsmakingthewordsthemselvesdefinitiveseparate
fromlifefacts.Lifefacts,andthewordsusedtodescribeeachone,became
paramountinhispresentation.Wordsusedtodescribeflownawayoridealized
concepts(onthementallevelalone)becameanathema,andherelegatedthemto
theold,metaphysicalworld.Hedelightedinreferringtothosewhostill
indulgedinmetaphysicalflightsasmetafizzlers.Priorto1939,Vitvancalled
hisschoolTheSchooloftheSacredScience,butafterrealizingthatthewordsacred
wasonlyrelativetoanotherwordprofaneandhadnomeaninginlifefacts,he
changedthenameofhisschooltoTheSchooloftheNaturalOrder.
VitvanlearnedtheBibleathismothersknee,asheoftensaid.Shewasa
devoutMethodist.Throughtheyearsheretainedthattrainingand,ashegrew
older,herealizedjusthowmuchtheAmericanracepsychewasaffectedbythe
Biblicalteachingsgiveninthiscountryevenforthosepersonswhohadnever
setfootinsideachurch.Forthisreason,whengivinghiswork,hewould
mentionanyappropriateBiblicalreferencetoshowthatthetruemeaningofthe
Scriptureshadbeenthereallthetime.
AlthoughtheseBibleLessonsweregivenpriortoVitvansstudyingwith
Korzybskigivenintheoldterminology,theyarestillavailableforthosewho
mayfindemusefulasasteppingstonefromBiblicalteachingterminologyto
Wisdomteachingterminology.


FredHess,1987

i


AUTHORSINTRODUCTION

ThisisaseriesbasedupontheChristianScriptures.Beforeenteringupon
thesubject,IwishtospeakofthevariousmethodsofinterpretingtheScriptures.

SometaketheBibleliterally,entirelyoverlookingthefactthatitisan
Orientalproduction,richinimagerypeculiartotheOrient.Othersstudyitasa
teachinggivensymbolically,andstillothersstudyitfromthestandpointof
allegory.Theselastmethodsresultinatruerinterpretation,accordingtomy
visionoftheScriptures,thantheliteralmethoddoes.Butthereisstillanother
wayofinterpretingtheBible,andthisisthewayIuse.

Idonotbelieveindeclaringandinsistingupontheliteraltruthofthe
wordsastheyarewritten.Idonotbelieveintorturingthetexttofindanother
meaning.Idonotbelieveingoingfarafieldtofindasymbolicoranallegorical
meaningbehindthetext.Ibelieveingoingdirectlyintotheheartofthemeaning
itself.InmystudyoftheScripturesIendeavortoapproximateinmyown
consciousnessthestatefromwhichthevisionwasperceived.Thus,Icomeinto
clearperceptionofitsmeaning.ThenIstudythewayinwhichitwastranslated
intoconcretetermsbythegreatrealizersofold.Thatismyapproachtostudying
theBible.

Realizationbornfromtheprofounddepthsoftheawakened
consciousnessisverydifficulttoexpressinthoughtandword.Thosewhohave
hadthatdeepervisionoftheprocessesofGodinbringingoutmanifestations
havegivenittohumanityasclearlyaspossible,butsolongashumanitywas
limitedtoanobjectiveandconcretestateofdevelopment,itreceivedeverything
withwhichitwasconfronted,includingtheScriptures,inanobjectiveand
concreteway.Whenthestateofourindividualizedbeingbegantoexpand,we
begantodevelopfacultieswithwhichtoapprehendfinermeanings.Intime
thesefacultiesenabledustofunctioninaninnerandhigher(relativetowave
frequencyregistration)realm.Then,andnotuntilthen,didwehavetheability
tounderstandtheenlightenedoneswhowerethechannelsusedbytheuniversal
PowertoarticulateourChristianScriptures.

ii
 InallofmyworkIendeavortoteachandimpart,nottolectureand
sermonize,forthesethingsmustbelearnedlineuponline,preceptuponprecept,
untilthevisionunfoldswithinus.Wehavebeenpreachedattoomuch.The
onlywaytomaketrueprogressisbyourownindividualeffortandapplication.
Icannoteatthefoodwhichnourishesyourbody,neithercanIstudytheBible
andexpandyourconsciousnessintoitsmeaning,butIcandevotemylifetothat
studyand,asIgainunderstanding,Icanshareitwithyouandpointouttheway
bywhichyoucanattainitforyourselves.Ishallmakemanypositivestatements,
andIwanttoaskyounownottomisinterpretmyattitudeindoingso.Donot
considerthatIamdogmaticorthatIwishtoforcemyperceptionoftruthupon
you.Inyourownminds,donotputmeinthepositionofpreachingatyou
dogmatically.Mystatementswillbepositivebecausetheyaremadefrommy
realizationofthesetruths,butyoumustunderstandallthetimethatmyattitude
isthis:Iofferyoumyvision,myunderstanding.Youwilldeterminewhether
yourconsciousnessreceivesit,whetheryourSpiritbearswitnesstoitstruth.

Vitvan,c.1925

iii

 SIX DAYS OF CREATION

Lesson1

THESIXDAYSOFCREATION
Genesis1


InthebeginningGodcreatedtheheavenandtheearth.Andtheearth
waswasteandvoid;anddarknesswasuponthefaceofthedeep.Andthe
SpiritofGodmoveduponthefaceofthewaters.
AndGodsaid,Lettherebelight:andtherewaslight.AndGodsaw
the light, that it was good: and God divided thelight from thedarkness.
AndGodcalledthelightDay,andthedarknesshecalledNight.Andthe
eveningandthemorningwerethefirstday.
And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters,
and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the
firmament,anddividedthewaterswhichwereunderthefirmamentfrom
thewaterswhichwereabovethefirmament:anditwasso.AndGodcalled
thefirmamentHeaven.Andtheeveningandthemorningwerethesecond
day.
AndGodsaid,Letthewatersundertheheavenbegatheredtogether
untooneplace,andletthedrylandappear:anditwasso.AndGodcalled
thedrylandEarth;andthegatheringtogetherofthewaterscalledheSeas:
and God saw that it was good. And God said, Let the earth bring forth
grass,theherbyieldingseed,andthefruittreeyieldingfruitafterhiskind,
whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. And the earth
brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree
yieldingfruit,whoseseedwasinitself,afterhiskind:andGodsawthatit
wasgood.Andtheeveningandthemorningwerethethirdday.
AndGodsaid,Lettherebelightsinthefirmamentoftheheavento
dividethedayfromthenight;andletthembeforsigns,andforseasons,
andfordays,andyears:Andletthembeforlightsinthefirmamentofthe
heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. And God made two
great lights,thegreaterlighttorulethe day,andthe lesserlighttorule
thenight:hemadethestarsalso.AndGodsettheminthefirmamentof

1
 SIX DAYS OF CREATION

theheaventogivelightupontheearthandtoruleoverthedayandover
thenight,andtodividethelightfromthedarkness:andGodsawthatit
wasgood.Andtheeveningandthemorningwerethefourthday.
And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving
creaturethathathlife,andfowlthatmayflyabovetheearthintheopen
firmament of heaven. And God created great whales, and every living
creature that moves, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after
theirkind,andeverywingedfowlafterhiskind:andGodsawthatitwas
good.AndGodblessedthem,saying,Befruitfulandmultiply,andfillthe
waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. And the evening
andthemorningwerethefifthday.
AndGodsaid,Lettheearthbringforththelivingcreatureafterhis
kind,cattle,andcreepingthing,andbeastoftheearthafterhiskind:andit
wasso.AndGodmadethebeastoftheearthafterhiskindandcattleafter
theirkind,andeverythingthatcreepethupontheearthafterhiskind:and
Godsawthatitwasgood.AndGodsaid,Letusmakemaninourimage,
afterourlikeness:andletthemhavedominionoverthefishofthesea,and
overthefowloftheair,andoverthecattle,andoveralltheearth,andover
everycreepingthingthatcreepethupontheearth.SoGodcreatedmanin
his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female
created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be
fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have
dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over
every living thingthatmovethupontheearth.AndGodsaid,Behold,I
havegivenyoueveryherbbearingseed,whichisuponthefaceofallthe
earthandeverytreeinthewhichisthefruitofatreeyieldingseed;toyou
itshallbeformeat.Andtoeverybeastoftheearth,andtoeveryfowlof
theair,andtoeverythingthatcreepethupontheearth,whereinthereis
life,Ihavegiveneverygreenherbformeat:anditwasso.
AndGodsaweverythingthathehadmade,and,behold,itwasvery
good.Andtheeveningandthemorningwerethesixthday.
Genesis1:131

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 SIX DAYS OF CREATION

Inthebeginning,God...TotheinfiniteConsciousness(thePowertobe
conscious)thereisnobeginningandnoending,buttotheconsciousness
belongingtotheindividualizedstateofdevelopmentthereisabeginningto
everythingandanendingtoeverything.Infact,thereisnothingexcepta
beginningandanendingandthiswecallthebecoming.Everythingisinflux;
nothingisstable;nothingbecomesitisalwaysbecoming.Thereisbeginning,
andthatbeginningisconstant;thereisending,andthatendingisconstant.And
inthemidstofthebeginningandtheending,onlyOneisstable.Thatisthe
conceiverofthebecoming.Theconceiverofthebecomingchangesnot;allelse
changes.
WhatdoImeanbytheconceiverofthebecoming?Anythingyoucanname
isbecoming;i.e.,itisconstantlybeginningandending,buttheIofyouis
conceivingit.TheIistheconceiverofthebecominganddoesnotchange.Itis
theonlythingpermanent.
Whenwesay,Inthebeginning,Godcreatedtheheavenandtheearth,do
younotethatwehavealreadyremovedourconsiderationofthispassagefrom
theconceptualtotheperceptualrealm?Iampointingouttoyouthebasisof
misunderstandingandthebasisoftrueunderstanding.Ifyoustudythe
Scripturesfromaconceptualstandpoint,youwillhavenorealizationoftheir
meaning.Youcancomeintothevisiononlybywayofperception,forthingsof
theSpiritmustbeperceived,notconceived.Wecanconceiveonthemental
planewiththefacultiesofthatplane,butthosearethingsoftheintellect.Things
oftheSpiritmustbeperceivedwithotherfacultiesbeforetheycanbereducedto
thementalplaneandclothedwiththought.
Therealizationofthisisapointofsuchimportanceinthestudyofthe
ScripturesthatIlaygreatstressuponit.AllinterpretationoftheScripturesfrom
anintellectualbasiswillleadusintoahopelesslabyrinthofconceptualvalues,
buttheawakenedspiritual(perceptive)faculty(oftheHigherSelf)withincanbe
trusted.Itcannotperceiveanythingwhichisnottrue.Itrefusestoregister
anythinguntilthetruthisrevealedthenitresponds.Youmustlearntotrust
thatinnerresponseabsolutely.Untilyoudotrustit,themindwillstepinwith
itsconceptualvaluesandargueagainsttheintuitivedirection.Ifyoufollowthe
mindyouwillerr,andlateryouwillsay,WhydidInotobeymyinnerfeeling?
Itisthisinnerperceptivefaculty,whichcannotregisterfalsehood,thatwemust
dependuponinourinterpretationoftheScriptures.Youcancultivatethe

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 SIX DAYS OF CREATION

facultytosuchadegreethatyourinnerresponseorreactiontoaverseofthe
Scriptureswillrevealtoyouanyinterpolationormistranslation.
Now,agreeingthatwecannotinterprettheScripturesfromaconceptual
basis,wemustnextattempttoclearawayanyconceptsalreadyexisting.When
thewordGodismentioned,youhavesomeresponsetoitinyourmind.Ifthe
responseisamentalcreation,Godmaybetoyouanentityaglorifiedhuman
being,orhemayberepresentedbysomeideaofallpervadingspaceinfilled
withpowerorenergy.Eitheroneisaconcept;youdonotknowthemeaningof
thewordGod.GodisCreativeLife(thePowerbehindthenaturalorder,
creatingprocess),and,inessence,soareyou,thoughnotinyourconceptof
yourself,notinthestateinwhichyouarepresentlyconsciousofyourself.The
Powerwhichisconsciousofitself,theveryPowertobeconscious,isCreative
Life.Thepowertothink,tofeel,toact,thepowertodoorbeanythingisnot
thatpowerCreativeLife(thePowerwhichmotivatesthecreativeprocess)?That
powerisconstantlycreating;thatisthepowerwecallGod.
Thatpoweristheconceiverofallconcepts,butitisnotaconcept;itisthe
Powertoconceivebutitisnotathingconceived.ThisGodisthecreatorofthe
heavenandtheearth.Heaveniswithinyourownconsciousness;theearthis
theobjectiveappearanceorrepresentationofheaven.Thus,wehaveheavenand
earthcreatedsimultaneouslybyCreativeLife.Youarecreatingitrightnow.
CreativeLife,whichisinessencewhatyouare,isconceivingitself,andwhatever
itconceives,youmanifestinsomestate,whetheritbephysical,emotional,
mentalorspiritual.
Andtheearthwaswaste.....faceofthewaters.Heavenmeanstheinner
stateinwhichconceptiontakesplace;earthistheoutermanifestation.Inthis
firstchapter,whenthenightordarknessisspokenof,weunderstanditasthe
unmanifest.Outoftheunmanifestcomesmanifestation,ortheday,anda
firmamentisestablishedtodividethenightfromtheday.Donottakethis
literally.Rememberthatthreenightsanddaysaredescribedbeforethesunis
mentioned.Thesunwascreatedonthefourthday.IntheancientHinduScrip
tures,theperiodisspokenofasthedayandnightofBrahma.TheBuddhistscall
itamahamanvantara,whichistheirlabelforthegreatcycleofmanifestation.
Nowwehaveestablishedthemeaningofthesixdaysofcreation(ofthe
creatingprocess).WehaveestablishedthattheCreatingLifeisGod.Thefirst
pointwemadewasthattheI,thePowertobeconscious,istheonlythingthat
ispermanent,andthatnothingisrealtousexceptthatwhichweareconsciousof

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 SIX DAYS OF CREATION

being.Whatconnectiondoesthelaststatementhavewiththestatement
concerningthecreationthatoutofdarknesslightcomes?Lightcomesthrough
selfconsciousness,throughindividualization.Everythingdependsuponyour
individualizedstateofselfawareness.Onlythatofwhichyouareconsciousis
light.Ifyoucoulddestroyyourownindividualizedpointofselfawareness,
therewouldbeonlydarkness,andyouwouldnotevenbeconsciousofthe
darkness.TherewouldbenoGod,noconceptofGod.Therewouldbenobeing,
and,ofcourse,noobjectofbeing.Allday,alllight,alllife,isSelfawareness
thereisnothingexceptyourSelf.Throughindividualization,wecomeintothe
dayoutofthenight.IndividualizationdividesthedarknessfromtheLight,and
manifestationappears.
WenowmanifestthemanstateofCreativeLife(inthecreatingprocess).We
readilyseethattheanimalalso(toalesserdegree)isCreativeLife,andinastill
lessdegree,thatthevegetableisalsoCreativeLife.DoyouknowthatProfessor
BoseoftheUniversityofCalcuttahasprovedthatvegetableshavelovesand
hates?Wecangobacktothemineralkingdomandfindlovesandhatesinthe
atomsinthetesttubes.Atomswillcoalescewithsomeotheratomsbutwillreact
(withdraw)fromothers.Inthiswaywecangobacktothebeginningof
manifestation.Andtheearthwaswaste,andvoidwhenitwasfirstselfaware.
ButthespiritofGodmoveduponthefaceofthewaters.AndGod(Creative
Life)said,Lettherebelight...lightfromthedarkness.Dawningindividualized
consciousnessdividestheunmanifestfromthemanifest,theundifferentiated
fromthedifferentiated.AndGodcalledthelight...firstday.Thatisthe
descriptionofthefirstperiodofourcreations(thefirstperiodinthecreatingpro
cess)thecreationofourGodheadrealized,theSonisborn.
AndGodsaid,Lettherebeafirmament...fromthewaters.Thisfirmament
isthebeginningofthedivisionofdarknessfromlight,oftheunmanifestfrom
themanifest.Itisthedevelopingfocalizationofcreativepowerwhichwecall
individualization.Thecreativepowerfocalizesinaconsciouscenteruntilthat
centerpossessesitselfandmastersitsenvironment,masterstheearth,thesea
andtheair.Thesubjugationofallcreatedconditionsisthefulldevelopmentof
individualizedconsciousnessasacreativecenterofLight.Thatisselfmastery,
thesixthperiodofcreation.
AndGodmadethefirmament...werethefourthday.Theseversesare
usuallyacceptedinthemostliteralway.Thelightisconsideredasreferringto
thephysicalsunofthesolarsystem.IbelievethatitreferstothedawnofMind,

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 SIX DAYS OF CREATION

totheperiodwhencreativepowerhasdevelopedintellect.Theselightsare
establishedinthefirmamenttogivelighttotheouterrealmoftheearththe
objectivemanifestation.
Therestoftheversesquotedcoverthesixthperiodinthecreatingprocess.In
thehigherconsciousnessoftheawakenedones,manisclassifiedasananimalas
longasheisdominatedbyhisanimalnature.Thereisnoadvancementoutof
theanimalkingdomuntilthatperiodinthemanstateofconsciousnesswhen
lightandunderstandingdawnandaremanifested.Whenthatrealization
awakens,manisliterallycreatedintheimageandlikenessofGod.TheHigher
Selfbecomescompletelyawareofitselfinthesixthperiod.Whenthatstateis
reached,wenolongerfunctioninconcepts.Wenolongerhavefaith;weare
completelyawareofouroneness,ourownimmortality.
Whentherealizationofonenessisfullyconsummatedinanindividualized
centerofconsciousness,hehasdominionoverallthingsbyreasonofthe
tremendouspowerradiatingfromhim.Heisnolongersubjecttothingsand
conditionsheismasterofallbyvirtueofhisawakenedLight.Then,afterthe
laborofcreatingthesesixperiodsofourownworld,comesthegloriousdayof
restintheuniversalSelfawareness.Thenareweperfect,evenasyourFather
whichisinheavenisperfect.
Whatpointinthisteachingofthecreation(thecreatingprocess)isthemost
vitallessonforyouandme?TherearesomanyvitallessonsinitthatIcould
givemanymoretalksjustinpointingthemout(andVitvandidinhislaterworks
calledTheChristosandTheSixDaysoftheCreatingProcessEd.).Themost
importantlessonisthis:youaretheconceiver;youarebirthless,deathlessand
changeless.Youhavethepossibilityofmasteringallrelativeconditions,notina
human,personal,egotisticalsense,butinliberation,inSelfawareness.Tohim
thatovercomethwillIgivetoeatofthehiddenmanna,andwillgivehimawhite
stone,andinthestoneanewnamewritten,whichnomanknowethsavehethat
receivethit.(Rev.2:17)Wecreatethenewnamebythepowersofour
emancipatedstate.
Nomatterwhatyouhavebeen(throughtheincarnationsyouhavebeenall
things,socalledhighandsocalledlow),youcancreatefromthismomentwhat
youwanttobe.Donotlookbackandbecomecrystallized,mentalized,likeLots
wife.Lookforwardtowhatyouarenowcreatingofyourself.Allyourpast
yearsandliveshaveonlybeenapreparationforwhatistocome.Alltheex
perienceyouhavegainedsofarhasbecomefacultywithwhichyouwill

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 SIX DAYS OF CREATION

henceforthcreate.BeawareofyourselfasacenterofLightandPower,andsoon
strongerpowerwillbeevidencedinyou.ThatSelfawareness,thatcreative
Power,isGodtheonlyGodthereis.Emancipateyourselffromconcepts;begin
toBE!DeclareyourBEING!Declareyourselfasafocalizedcenterofcreating
power.Yearegods;andtheScripturescannotbebroken.(John10:34,35)

oooOooo

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SIX DAYS OF CREATION

8
 SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Lesson2

THESERMONONTHEMOUNT
Matt.6:32,33

YourFatherknowethwhatthingsyehaveneedofbeforeyeaskhim.

SeekyefirstthekingdomofGod,andhisrighteousness;andallthese
thingsshallbeaddeduntoyou.


IfonlywewereabletoreadthewordsoftheSermonontheMountinthe
stateofconsciousnessfromwhichtheywereuttered!Thenwecouldrealizethe
sublimemeaningandthetremendouspowerofthisteachingoftheMaster.But
thatisimpossibleonlyaChristcanunderstandaChrist.Aswegrowcloserto
theconsciousnessoftheMasterthroughtheexpansionofourownconsciousness
bymeditationuponhiswords,weshallgrowinthepowerofunderstanding;we
knowhismindjusttothedegreeinwhichwerealizetheLightinourown
minds.Eachindividualisdoinghisbestathisparticularstageofdevelopment.
Buthoweverincompleteourunderstandingmaybe,theteachingofJesusthe
Christhassomelessonforus,andthepurposeofthisdiscourseistoindicatein
whatwaythesewordsfromtheSermonontheMountmaybeusedasaguideto
ourownadvancement.
Ibelievethatmanyofthepeoplewhohavecomeoutoftheorthodoxorders
ofthoughtintowhatiscalledTrutharebeingledastraybytheir
misunderstandingoftheinnersignificanceoftheancientWisdomteachings.I
refertothemessagesgivenbytheMastersoftheWisdominallages,and
especiallyemphasizedbythegreatMasterJesustheChrist.Ibelievethatthis
misunderstandinggravelyendangersorderlyexpansionintothehigher
consciousnessoftheindividualsthemselves,and,further,thatitconstitutesa
seriousmenacetothedevelopmentoftheentiresocialorder.
Forexample,thetwostatementsmadebytheMasterJesusquotedaboveare
usedbytruthstudentsasauthorityfortheuseofspiritualpowerforthe
demonstrationofrelativeorpersonalneedsanddesires.Inmyrealizationof

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 SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Truth,thisisthedirectantithesisoftheMastersrealmeaning,foranyformof
demonstrationisaviolationofdivinelaw.Foranindividualtoattemptsucha
useofpoweristobringdevastatingreactionsuponhimselfanduponthegroup
withwhichheisaffiliated.
IhavebeeninpublicworkintheministryofTruthformanyyears,and
duringthattimeIhaveknownhundredsofteachersandstudentswhogave
promiseofrisingtospiritualheightsandbecomingheraldsoftheLight,butvery
fewhavefulfilledthatpromise.Nearlyallhavelosttheirwayandgonedown
throughthemisuseofwhatpowertheyhadgained.Themisuseofpowerwasin
applyingitinapersonalway,notonlyforthenecessitiesoflife,butinthe
acquisitionoftemporalpowers.Inthiswaythepathoftrueprogresswaslost.
Untilonehascometounderstandtheoperationoftheinnerspirituallaws,it
isfarbetterandsafernottoattempthealingworkoranyformofdemonstration
forobjectivepurposes.Thus,hewillavoidincurringthekarmicreactionto
usingspiritualpowerforpersonalends.Everythinginthephysical,emotional,
andmentalworlds,aswellasinthespiritualrealms,operatesunderthe
immutablelawofbeing,anduntiloneunderstandsthelawsocompletelythathe
canconsciouslyparticipateinandcooperatewithitsfunctioning,heshouldnot
attempttoapplyit.
Thetendencytousespiritualpowerfortheaccomplishmentofpersonalaims
showsitselfinmanyforms.Itisbeingtaughtconstantlybypsychologistsand
pseudooccultists.Itappearsevenundertheguiseofpracticalsalesmanshipand
inthemanymethodsthroughwhichitispromisedthatonewillbeabletofulfill
allhisdesires,oracquireamorepowerfulpersonality.Theseareobvious
examplesofthemisuseofpower,butthesametendencyhasotherandmore
subtledisguises.Oneistheuseofsuggestivetherapeutics;i.e.,theemployment
ofmentalpowerforhealing,withnounderstandingofthebasicandkarmiclaws
underwhichthepatientfunctions.Anothergreatdangerisstrivingtoreach
spiritualheightsandtoacquiredivinepowersinorderthatonemayseemgreat
inthesightofothers.Eventhoughthepowersareusedtoalleviatesufferingand
forthehelpofhumanity,iftheindividualisattributingthemtohimselfandthus
buildinguphispersonalegotism,heisinamostseriouscondition.
Thisignorantdefianceofspirituallawsconstitutesaverygraveproblem,and
allindividualswhoseinnerawarenessenablesthemtoperceivethistruthmust
doallintheirpowertostemthethreateningtideofdanger.

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 SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Iamnotmakinganextravagantstatement,Iamgivingasincereand
deliberatelyarrivedatopinionwhenIsaythat,unlessthistendencyis
counteractedbyateachingthatpointsoutthetruewayofspiritualdevelopment,
thishumanitywillincurareactionasterribleasthatwhichcausedthesinkingof
thecontinentofAtlantis.Usingthespiritualpowersofonesdivinenaturefor
theaccomplishmentofpurposespertainingtohishumannaturewillleadan
individualintopsychicpracticeswhichwillbehisownundoingaswellasof
otherswhocomeunderhisinfluence.Mesmerism,hypnotism,mentaldomi
nationinshort,anypracticewhichinfluencesanotheragainsthishumanwillor
desireoragainstthelawofhisbeingisastepontheLefthandPath,thepathof
blackmagic.
Studentstakethefalsepathignorantly,lackingtheteachingwhichwould
bringthemintoconsciouscooperationwiththedivinelawsoflife.Therefore,I
saythatonlythroughtrueteachingcanaterribledangertohumanitybeaverted.
ThosewhounderstandthespirituallawscanhelpotherswhoseektheLightto
avoidthesepitfallsinthepath.Thenthewaywillbewelldefined;thosewho
wantthekingdomwillseekitinthefaiththat,afterithasbeenreached,the
Fatherwillgivetothemallthattheyneed.TheMastersstatementisclear:Seek
yefirstthekingdomofGod,andhisrighteousnessbuttheconsciousnessofthe
individualmustbeclearedofselfish,personalconsiderationsbeforehecanhave
theinnerrealizationofthemeaningofthewords.Thewholeaspiration,
thought,anddesirethewholecontentoftheconsciousnessmustbeaone
pointedconcentrationontheattainmentofthestateknownasthekingdomof
heaven.Suchonepointedconcentrationdoesnotadmitofanythoughtof
personalneedsorpowers;theonlyconsiderationofthemwhichcouldbe
involvedinitwouldbeaperfectconfidencethatwhatevercomestousatany
periodofthepathcomesinanswertoaneedofourbeing,andcomesbythe
Fatherswill.

Studentswhofallintothegrievouserrorofmisusingspiritualpowersdoso
becausetheyhaveignorantlyattributedthosepowerstothemselvesas
individuals.ThepowerwhichactivatesusisauniversalPower.Students,keep
yourmindsfocuseduponthatonethoughtuntilitbecomesanactualforcein
yourconsciousness;bysodoingyouwillbeablesafelytofollowyourpathinto
fullrealizationofthelawsunderlyingallthestatesofmanifestation.

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 SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Thepowerwhichmakespossibleyourphysicalactivity,whichstirsyouto
feelingsanddesires,whichactivatesyourthoughtprocesses,istheinvisible
powerofGod,justastrulyastheforcesofyourspiritualstatesaretheinvisible
powersofGod.Wearemerelytheinstrumentsthroughwhichtheuniversal
forcesflow.
Youthinkandyoubelievethatthethoughtisyours;youhavenowayof
knowingwhatcurrentofthoughtenergyonthementalplaneregisteredupon
thereceivingapparatusofyourbrainandproducedthatthought.Studythe
functionoftheradiointhemediumofthephysicalethericplane;certain
instrumentscanarrestandregistertheimpulses(wavefrequencies)conveyed
throughtheethericsubstanceandthenreproducethem.Theseimpulsesare
similartothecurrentsofenergyonthementalplane,andthecomparisonwill
helpyoutounderstandhowthoughtiscreatedinyou.Theanalogybreaks
downatthispoint,however,foreachindividualisbothabroadcastingandare
ceivingapparatus.Wecansendoutaswellasreceive,butwhatwesendoutis
onlywhatwereceive.Wehavenotyetreachedtheplaneofevolutioninwhich
wecancreatewhatwebroadcast.
Thestateofconsciousnessinwhichwefunctiondeterminesthequalityofthe
thoughtcurrenttowhichweareattuned.Studythatlaststatementwellitis
mostimportanttoyou.Youwilloftenhearitsaidthatyoucanattainahigher
planeofconsciousnessbyholdingtherightthought;Isaythatthatstatementis
directlyopposedtothetruthofthematter.Thestateofyourconsciousness
determinesthequalityofyourthought;thequalityofyourthoughtcannotde
terminethestateofyourconsciousness.Inotherwords,youtuneintothe
mentalplanecurrentswithwhichyourrateofvibration(frequency)isnaturally
synchronized.However,thepointthatIwishtostressjustnowisthatthe
thoughtswhichseemtooriginateinyourownbrainarereallytheimpulses
(wavefrequencies)ofthementalplanewithwhichyouareincontact.
Thissameprocessisrepeatedinyouremotionallife.Youhaveareceiving
apparatusthatcanarrestandregistertheimpulsesoftheastralplane.This
receivingsetisnotinyourbrain,butinyoursympatheticnervoussystem,or
instinctivemind.Again,itisthestateofyourconsciousnessthatdetermines
whatqualityofemotionalforcesandvibrationsyoureceive.Youremotional
distressesandperturbationsareduetotheregistrationofthevibrations
(frequencies)ofthelowerastrallevels.Thisistrue,whetheryouareaffectedas
anindividual,orshareinacommondisturbanceintheracemind.Thereismuch

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 SERMON ON THE MOUNT

tobelearnedbyastudyofwhatiscalledmobpsychology.Duringwar,orin
timesofgreatnationalcalamity,notehowindividualsaccepttheiremotionof
patriotism,ofhorror,ofsympathy,etc.asoriginatinginthemselves,thoughin
realitytheyareapartoftheemotionalstormwhichissweepingthroughthe
wholeraceconsciousness.
Therearemanylevelsintheastralrealm;thevarietyandintensityofthe
emotionsyouexperiencewhetherdisturbingorhappydependsuponthestate
ofyourownconsciousness.
Youremotionalreactionsalsogovernyourphysicalplaneactions.Youdesire
athing,andyouactinresponsetothedesire.Forinstance,youareallhere
todaybecauseyoudesiredtocome,thougheachofyoumayhavebeen
motivatedbydesireofadifferentquality.Someofyoucamebecauseyouare
wearyofsorrowandsufferingyouarelookingdesperatelyforrelief.Some
cameseekingunderstandingofthewaytospiritualrealization.Ineachcase
desirewastheimpellingforce.
Thatourmental,emotional,andphysicalactivitiesareentirelytheresultof
invisibleforcesisatremendousrealization,forithelpsustoperceivetheunityof
allthings;itrelatesustotheforceswhichholdtheearthinitsorbitaroundthe
suntotheforceswhichholdmatteritselfincohesion.
Wearemovedbyinvisiblepowersineverystateofourbeing,buthowmuch
consciousunderstandingofthosepowershavewegained?Youunderstand
thoughts,buthowmuchdoyouknowofthepowerswhichcreatethoughts?
Howmuchofyourconsciousnessfunctionsandfunctionsconsciouslyinthe
realmoftheforceswhichcreatefeelingsanddesires?Youarefamiliarwith
feelinganddesire,butIamspeakingnowoftheforcesbehindthese.Howfar
canyoudifferentiatebetweenyouractionsandtheinvisibleforceswhichprompt
theactions?
Themeasureofyourhigherdevelopmentisthedegreeinwhichyoucan
transferyourawarenessfromtheeffectsthatis,fromthethoughts,thedesires
andfeelings,andtheactionstotheinvisibleforceswhicharethecauseofthese
effects.Asyougainintheabilitytodothis,youmakeyourprogressinwhatwe
callspiritualrealization.
Now,asthereareinvisibleforcesofattraction,cohesionandrepulsionwhich
governthematterofthephysicalplane,andasourthoughts,ourfeelingsand
desires,andouractionsaregovernedbyinvisibleforces,soaretheregreater
forcescarryingusintothekingdomofGod.Ifstudentswhoaretryingtofollow

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 SERMON ON THE MOUNT

theLightcoulddistinguishbetweentheformsofmanifestationandthePower
whichcausesthemanifestation,theywouldnotmakethegraveerroroftryingto
demonstrateoverrelativemattersthroughthecontrolofinvisibleforces.
Thethreeformsofmanifestationinourrelativelifeareouractions,our
feelingsanddesires,andourthoughts.Ifwecouldthoroughlyunderstandthat
theyarealltheeffectsoftheregistryofinvisibleforcesoverwhichwehaveno
controlandifweperceivedtheinnermeaningofthatstatement,thenweshould
understandalsothatthespiritualpowerswhichgovernourhigherunfoldment
arelikewisebeyondourcontrolandthatanyattempttoappropriatethemina
personal,humansenseisadefianceofthelaw.
Theordinaryformsofspeecharedevelopedoutofthisstrongsenseof
personalpossession:Idecidedtodothisthing.Ifeltthisorthatemotion.I
haveanideaforaninventionwhichwillbeveryvaluable.Icanpatentthe
invention;itismine.Theverylawsofthelandaredesignedtoprotectaman
inappropriatingthethoughtsandideaswhichcometohimfromtheuniversal
cosmicprocessandwhichshouldbeusedfortheuniversalgood.Noman
createshisinventions;heisachannelthroughwhichtheyaregivenbymore
highlyevolvedbeings,andhehasnorighttoclaimandprotectthemashisown.
Allthatcomesthroughusaschannels,orinstruments,comesfromthe
UniversalandshouldbegivenbacktotheUniversalthroughitsindividualized
focalpointsourfellowhumanbeings.Thatwouldbelivinginthe
consciousnessofunity,notinthesenseofseparateness.
JustasIsaythatyourthoughtsarenotyourownbutaregiventoyouforthe
universalgood,soIsaythatthehighermanifestationsofyournaturearethe
effectofthegraceofGodseekingtomakeitselfmanifestthroughyou.For
incarnationswefocusconsciousnessintheemotionalrealmandliveintheeffort
tofulfillourdesiresforpleasureandprofit.Aftermuchexperiencewefindthat
thefulfillmentofpersonaldesiresdoesnotbringsatisfaction.Yettheperception
ofthistruthdoesnotcomethroughouterobservation,itcomesthrougha
changeinthestateofourconsciousness;itcomesbecausewehavereachedthe
pointinevolutionatwhichwebegintoseektheeternalinsteadofthetemporal.
ThisurgetowardthethingsoftheSpiritisnotgeneratedwithinus;instead,it
signifiesthatwearecomingenrapportwithhigherstrataofcreativePower.
TurnyourthoughtstothatportionoftheScriptureswhichsays:ThoughI
bestowallmygoodstofeedthepoor,andthoughIgivemybodytobeburned,
andhavenotlove,itprofitethmenothing.(1Cor.13:3)Loveisthepowerof

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 SERMON ON THE MOUNT

theSpirit,thegraceofGod.Andthisother:Forbygraceareyesavedthrough
faith;andthatnotofyourselves:itisthegiftofGod.(Eph.2:8)
Butstudentscarryoverintothehigherstatesofevolutionmanyofthe
characteristicswhichbelongtooneonthepathofpursuit,andwhenthey
becomesomewhatconsciousoftheactivationofstrongerforcesthantheyhave
knownbefore,theytrytoappropriatethemtothemselvesbyusingthemtoget
thethingstheydesire.Theylettheirdesiresandtheirmentalvaluesdetermine
theirway,andsoontheyfindthattheyhavelostthetruepathtospiritual
realization.
CanyounotlearnthatthePowerbringswithitallthatisneedful?Itmay
notbringyouwhatyourdesireswouldchoosealongtheway,butwhenyour
personalnatureispurifiedandyouhaveenteredthekingdom,youwillknow
thatyourrealneedshavebeenfulfilledateverypoint.TheinvisiblePowerhas
broughtyouthroughthelongjourneyofevolution;ithasliftedyououtofthe
animalstate,andcarriedyouthroughthehumanstatetothepointyouhave
nowreached.Doyouthinkitwillabandonyounow?Yourowneffortsto
controlithaveresultedonlyintroubleandinterference.
ThatPoweristhegraceofGod;ifyoucanrestuponit,relaxedandtrusting
asababyuponitsmothersbreast,itwillcreateyouaswellasdirectyour
harmoniousprogressinthewaythatisdefinitelyordainedforyouinthe
Fatherseternalwisdom.
Allmanifestationistheactivityoftheuniversallife,thejoysongofcreation.
TheGreatOnesinalltimeshaveexclaimedfromtheheightsofspiritual
realization,Outofjoyitallcomes,andintojoyitallreturns!Thehumanstate
ofconsciousnessistheonlyoneinalltheschemeofmanifestationwhichcreates
disturbancebyrebellionagainsttheFatherswill.
Whenwecomeintoonlyalittleunderstandingofthetruth,ouroneprayeris
togowiththePowercarefree,joyous,trusting,aswewaitupontheLordwhile
hisgraceisbeingmademanifestinus.

oooOooo

15
SERMON ON THE MOUNT

16
 LAW OF BEING

Lesson3

THELAWWHICHMUSTBEFULFILLED
Matt.5:1726

Thelawwhichmustbefulfilled,thelawofBeing,iscalleddharma.Indeveloping
thissubject,Iamaffordedanopportunitytobringoutalsotheunderlyingprinciples
of another law, called karma, the beneficent action of which holds man to his
evolutionarypathduringtheperiodwhen,inignoranceandpride,hewouldresisthis
lawofBeing.
LetusturntothegreatMastersteachingofthelaw,givenaspartoftheSermonon
theMountthegreatestmessagethathaseverbeengiventohumanity,andtheleast
understood.Itisthewisdomoftheverypinnacleofattainment,intowhichwemust
growthroughtheages.

ThinknotthatIcometodestroythelaw,ortheprophets:Iamnotcometo
destroy,buttofulfill.
ForverilyIsayuntoyou,Tillheavenandearthpass,onejotoronetittle
shallinnowisepassfromthelaw,tillallbefulfilled.
Whosoeverthereforeshallbreakoneoftheseleastcommandments,andshall
teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but
whosoevershalldoandteachthem,thesameshallbecalledgreatintheking
domofheaven.
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the
righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the
kingdomofheaven.
YehaveheardthatitwassaidbythemofoldtimeThoushaltnotkill;and
whosoevershallkillshallbeindangerofthejudgment.
But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a
cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his
brother,Raca,shallbeindangeroftheCouncil;butwhosoevershallsay,Thou
fool,shallbeindangerofhellfire.
Thereforeifthoubringthygifttothealtarandthererememberestthatthy
brotherhathaughtagainstthee;
Leavetherethygiftbeforethealtar,andgothyway;firstbereconciledto
thybrother,andthencomeandofferthygift.

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 LAW OF BEING

Agreewiththineadversaryquickly,whilesthouartinthewaywithhim;
lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver
theetotheofficer,andthoubecastintoprison.
VerilyIsayuntothee,Thoushaltbynomeanscomeoutthence,tillthou
hastpaidtheuttermostfarthing.


YounoticethatineachstatementtheMasterisjudgingthosewhoconformonlyto
theletterofthelawwithnotrueinnerobediencetoit.Itisnotsufficienttofulfillthe
lawintheouterlife;itisnotsufficient,even,tohavewhatarecalledrightmotives
forouractions.Thefullfillmentofthelawmeanssomethingfardeeperthanliving
accordingtoeventhehigheststandardsofrelativelife.Itincludesthesethings,butit
isfundamentallythemanifestationofourtruenatureineverexpandingstates.Tothe
awakenedonewhoseconsciousnessfunctionsinthehigherrealmsofhisownbeing,
outercompliancewiththelawbringsnosatisfactionexceptasitisafulfillmentofthe
supremelawwithinhimself.Suchaonelives,oraspirestolive,inthekingdomof
heaven,wherenofalseconditioncanbemaintained.
ButintheseversesJesusspoketothescribesandPhariseesjustashedidwhenhe
said:Woeuntoyou,scribesandPharisees,hypocrites!foryemakecleantheoutside
ofthecupandoftheplatter,butwithintheyarefullofextortionandexcess.(Matt.
23:25)ThescribesandPhariseesofthisworlddonottakeintoaccountactsof
consciousness;theirrighteousnessisinrefrainingfromtheactofbreakingthelawon
thephysicalplane.Theywillindulgeinunrestrainedenvy,hatred,anddesire,utterly
disregardingtheviolationoftheinnerlawandbelievethemselvesguiltlesssolongas
thesefeelingsarenotexpressedinphysicalacts.
TheaspirantonthepathofTruthknowsthattofeelathingwhichiscontraryto
thelawofhisbeingistobeguiltyontheastralplaneandthattothinkitistobeguilty
onthementalplane.Hegoessofarastosay,IfIharborathoughtorafeelingthe
expressionofwhichisbelowmybasicstateofdevelopment,Ishallreapthereaction
ofthelawjustassurelyasthoughIperformedtheact.Thereisnodifference.
Letusconsidernowtheactionofkarma,thelawofcauseandeffectoperativeinall
therelativestates.Thereisageneralbeliefinaretributiveforce,whichbrings
punishmentforeverysin.Theorthodoxthinkofitasanoutsidepowerandexpect
thatpunishmentforsinscommittedinthislifewillbemetedoutinsomeotherstateof
existenceafterdeath.Others,whohaveabroaderunderstandingofthetruth,but
whoyetdonotperceivetheoperationofdeeperforcescomingintomanifestation,
makeofkarmasomethingnotmuchbetterthantheorthodoxdevil.Theybelievethat
foreveryactofconsciousness,whetheroperatingonthemental,astral,orphysical
planes,thereisaninevitablereactioninkind,fromwhichthereisnoescape.

18
 LAW OF BEING

IntheeighteenthandtwentysixthversesofthisfifthchapterofMatthew,the
Mastersaid:VerilyIsayuntoyou,Tillheavenandearthpass,onejotoronetittle
shallinnowisepassfromthelaw,tillallbefulfilled,and,VerilyIsayuntoyou,
thoushaltbynomeanscomeoutthence,tillthouhastpaidtheuttermostfarthing.
ThesetwoversesarequotedoftenerthananyotherintheBibleinproofofthetheory
(notethatIsaytheory)thattheactionofthelawofcauseandeffectisinevitableand
operativeineverystate.
Andyetthatinterpretationiscontradictedbythetwentythirdandtwentyfourth
versesofthesamechapter:Thereforeifthoubringthygifttothealtar,andthere
rememberestthatthybrotherhathaughtagainstthee;Leavetherethygiftbeforethe
altar,andgothyway;firstbereconciledtothybrother,andthencomeandofferthy
gift.Donotgobeforethealtar(theobjectivesymbolofinnerpenitence)eitherby
partakingofthephysicalplaneserviceofcommunionorbyseekingtheconsciousness
oftheChristwithinyourownheartwhileyouhaveanyfeelingagainstanother.
BeforeyoulayyourgifttotheSpirituponthealtar,goinconsciousnessandfindyour
brotherpouringouttohimtheloveandcontritionofyourheart.Bydissolvingthe
feelingofhatredorresentmentandtransmutingitintoloveyouhaveexpiatedyour
faultandtherewillbenoreactionofthelawuponyou.Therehasbeennoactionof
thelawofcauseandeffect,fortheactofconsciousnesshasbeenwipedoutinthestate
inwhichthatlawisoperative.Therefore,itisnotthelawofkarmawhichis
insuperable,whichmustbefulfilled,itisadeeperlawthelawofBeing,itself.
ThebeliefthatwearepunishedforouractionspresupposesanOverPower,a
forcestrongerthanweare,whichadministersthepunishment.Theprincipleinvolved
isthesamewhetherthisoutsideforceisthoughttobeapersonalGodoraspiritual
hierarchywithinwhichthelordsofkarmaactasadministratorsofjusticeinflicting
uponustheresultsofouractsofconsciousnessinthemental,astral,andphysical
worlds.
Weinthisschooldonotsubscribetothatdoctrine,forweknowthatthe
motivatingforcesofallactionsarecomprehendedwithintheconsciousnessoftheSelf.
Itmightbesaidthenthatthoughthereisnooutsidepowerwhichpunishesthrough
thelawofcauseandeffect,thereisaninherentforcewithintheSelf.Thismakesit
impossibletoescapethereactionofeveryactionofconsciousness.Thisthoughtcould
notbeheldbyonewhohadanyrealcomprehensionofthetruelawofBeing.
Thefundamentalprincipleofourteachingisthis:Allmanifestationisthenature
oractivityoftheSelfandisareflexrepresentationofthestateormannerinwhichthe
Selfisconsciousofitself.Thereisapowermotivatingeveryaction.Planesofaction
arerepresentationsofinnerstates,andwhetherouractionisperformedontheplane
ofthought,offeeling,orofphysicalaction,itspoweristhepowerofSelf.TheSelfis
theconceiveroftheaction.Whichisgreater,thecreatororthecreation?The
conceiverortheconception?Theconceiverisgreater,ofcourse.Withoutthe
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 LAW OF BEING

conceiver,therecouldbenoconception.Sinceallmanifestationistheactivityofthe
Self,wemustseethatalltherealmsofactionandthelawspertainingtothoserealms
aretheconception,andthattheconceiver,thecreator,isforeverunaffectedbythem.
Therefore,sincethecreatorisgreaterthanthecreationandsincethelawofcauseand
effectisthecreation,tobecomeconsciousofoneselfasthecreatoristonullifythelaw.
Intheindividualizedstatewegothroughallexperiencefromthesocalledlowest
tothesocalledhighestwhichispossibletothatstate,andsolongaswebelievethat
ourseparate,individualselvesaretheactorsinthatexperience,weareunderthe
reactionofthelawofcauseandeffect.Whenweclaimviceorvirtue,weplace
ourselvesunderthelaw,forwearefunctioningintheplayofvaluesinterposedbythe
mindinitssenseofseparatenessfromtheonePower.
TheMasterJesussaid:Whycallestthoumegood?Thereisnonegoodbutone,
thatis,God.(Mark10:18)Heclaimednothing,forherecognizedonlyonePower.The
powerwithwhichweact,feel,andthinkisuniversalpower,thepoweroftheoneuni
versalLife;andwhenweclaimtheact,thefeeling,orthethoughtasourowninan
individualsense,weclaimalsotheresultoftheact,thefeeling,orthethought.
Wemustlearntoturnwithin,torestupontherealizationofeternalBeing.In
everyact,feeling,andthoughtwemustbeconsciousofthetruthIAMGod;IAMthe
onePower;IAMthecreatorofallmyactions.Sostrongisthesenseofseparateness,
whichmustbeovercome,thatwealltrytimeswithoutnumberbeforewecomeinto
theactualrealizationthatthereisonlytheuniversalPower,thatwecannotbeapart
fromitoractapartfromit.Insofaraswedorealizeit,weclaimnothingneither
blamenorpraise;wegivealltotheOne.Allalongthewaywemustsurrenderour
senseofseparateness;andtothedegreeinwhichwesurrender,weriseabovetheac
tionofthelawofcauseandeffect,forthislawisrelativetoourconsciousnessofsepa
ratenessfromtheOneandthereforecanbenullified.
Inthisunderstandingofthelawofkarma,weknowitnotasaforcewhichpunish
esusforoursins,butasabenevolentpowerwhichbringssuffering,wheninour
ignorantsenseofseparatenesswestrayfromthepathofourdharma.Itrestrainsour
humanresistanceuntilconsciousnessexpandsandwestandinSelfrealization,when
ourhumanlivesappeartousasdreams.
Thelawwhichmustbefulfilledisnotrelativetoourhumanorourindividualized
statesofconsciousness;itisrelativetotheuniversalactivityoftheSpirit.Iwantyou
totrytounderstandthisgreaterlaw,conceptuallyatleast.Closeyoureyesand,inso
farasyoucan,enteraconsciousnessoflife,ofpower,ofbeing,inwhichthereisno
separation.ThereisnoyouandnoI;thereisonlyGod.Inthatconsciousness,God
sinkssodeepwithinhimselfthatthereisutterstillness;thereisoblivion,blankand
dark,andGodhasnoawarenessofhimself.
Then,outofthatdarknesstherecomesagerminalforce;therecomesanurge.Itis
Godswilltoknowhimselfagain.ThaturgetoknowhimselfagainisSelfimpelled;it
20
 LAW OF BEING

isaPowertobeconsciousaPowertobeconsciousofitself.Gradually,
imperceptibly,outoftheundifferentiated,unmanifestedessenceofBeingcomesthe
surgingPowerintomanifestation.Thatpowersleepsinthemineral;itstirsinthe
plant;itbecomesactiveintheanimal;anditarousesitselfinman.Inmanthepower
beginstobeconsciousofitself,toknowthatitknows.Manfeels,thoughhedoesnot
understandit,thetremendousurgewhichdriveshim.Duringmanyincarnationshe
worksthroughallkindsofconditionsandallkindsofneedlessexperience.Heis
drivenlongandhard,untilatlasthecatchesthemeaningofthepowerandknows
thattheurgeistoSelfrealization.ItisGodindividualized,urginghimselftouni
versalSelfrealization.ManbowshishumanwillinthepresenceofthesleepingGod
within,forGodmustfulfillhimselfinuniversalSelfconsciousnessthatisthelaw
whichmustbefulfilled.Nothingcanstandinitsway;nothingcanabortitspurpose;
beforethatlawallotherlawsarevoid.If,inhisindividualizedsenseofseparateness,
mantriestothwartit,theanguishofhellishislot;butifhesurrenderstoitandgoes
withitjoyfully,thegloryandpeaceoftheSpiritishisforthelawisbeingfulfilled.
Imustrepeatthat:theGod,inman,individualized,mustfulfillhimselfin
universalSelfconsciousnessthatisthelawwhichmustbefulfilled.
Nowsomestudentshavehadaveryhardtimewiththat.Theyhavefeltthatthe
lawofkarmaisthelawwhichmustbefulfilled,andthatisnotthecase.Isaythatno
matterhowgreatyourviolationofthelawofkarma,itsactionisnullifiedassoonas
yourecognizeyourindividuallawofBeingandlivetruetoitineverystateofyour
consciousness.
DharmaisthelawofindividualBeing;itistheplaninherentintheinnermostcon
sciousnessofeverybeingandisfulfilledbythebeinghimselfinexpandingstatesof
Selfawareness.TheplanisconsummatedwhentheBeingisfullyawareofhimselfas
birthlessanddeathless,asimmortalanduniversal.Tofollowonesdharmaistolive
truetothisplaninthefullexpressionofeachstateofSelfawareness.
Youmaysay:IgrantthatIhaveadharmatofulfill,buthowcanI,inmypresent
stateofdevelopment,knowwhatthatdharmais?Youmayknowitbywhatis
sometimescalledthedesireofyourheart.Thedesiremayberepressedandhiddenby
thevaluesofyourconcretemind,foryourmindfunctionsunderanarbitraryand
unnaturalcodeimposedbycivilization.Nevertheless,thelawofyourbeing,orthe
Fatherswill,isconstantlystrivingtomakeitselfmanifestinyourmental,emotional,
andphysicallife,andyoucanrecognizeit,foritisthelawthatmustbefulfilled.
Karma,yourdictionarywilltellyou,isthelawofretribution,theeffectofa
personsactsonhislotinafutureexistence.Tothegreatmajorityofstudentsof
Orientalteachings,thedoctrineofkarmameanstheadversereactionofviolationsof
thelawsofthephysical,astral,andmentalworlds.Theythinkofitastheforcewhich
exactspaymenttotheuttermostfarthingforeverysinormistake.Theversesabove,
fromtheSermonontheMount,arealwaysquotedasjustificationforthebeliefthat
21
 LAW OF BEING

thereisnoescapefromthislawofretribution,orofcauseandeffect,oractionand
reaction,asitisvariouslycalled.Manybelieveliterallythatifonecommitsamurder
inthislifehewillbemurderedinsomefuturelife,perhapsbythemanwhomhe
murderedinthisincarnation.Itisbelievedthatstealingoranyotherviolationofthe
lawofharmonyandunitywithonesfellowmenmustinevitablybereturnedinkind.
Tomesuchanunderstandingofthedoctrineofkarmaseemsnomoretruethanthe
orthodoxbeliefinapersonaldevil.Itisabeliefintheoperationofanunendingchain
ofdestructiveforces,withnorecognitionofthehigherlawofbeingwhichmanifests
everwideningstatesofSelfawarenessinus,andthereforemakesitpossibleforusto
commitwithoutretributioninonestateofevolutionanactthatwouldbequite
impossibletocommitwithoutretributioninearlierstates.
Thosewhosubscribetothisinterpretationofthedoctrineofkarmaappeartolay
morestressonthethoughtofbadkarmathanofgood.Itistruethatsolongaswelive
underthelawofcauseandeffectwearesubjecttothatlaw;everyviolationofthatlaw
ofharmonybringsitsownreactionofsuffering,butalsoeveryactthatisin
accordancewiththelawofbeingbringsitsreactionofpeaceandjoyandspiritual
realization.Inmyunderstandingthereisnogoodorbadkarma,thereissimplythe
operationofabeneficentlawofadjustment.Solongasweresisttheinnerlawoflife
andtheflowofitscreativepower,weevoketheactionofthelawofkarmaintheform
ofsuffering.Thisisnecessaryinorderthatwemaylearnthroughexperienceto
understandandobeytheFatherswill.Whenwehavelearnedthat,wearenolonger
functioningundertherelativelaw.Paulexpressedthisteachingperfectlyinthe
followingwords:
ThereisthereforenownocondemnationtothemwhichareinChristJesus,who
walknotaftertheflesh,butaftertheSpirit.
ForthelawoftheSpiritoflifeinJesusChristhathmademefreefromthelawof
sinanddeath.(Romans8:1,2)
Ihavegivenyoutwointerpretationsofthedoctrineofkarma,andnowIhavea
thirdinterpretationforyouonethatwillcarryyouintoadeeperrealmofthought.
Everycreativeurgeofindividualizedbeingistheactivityofthebeing.Every
individualizedbeingisawareofhimselfinsomeparticularstate,andhisveryactof
awarenessishisactivity.Theactivitymanifestsitselfasobjectiveform,theformbeing
theexactrepresentationoftheactofSelfawareness.Thereforetheobjective
manifestationistheactivityofastateofconsciousnessoftheSpirit.Activity,or
action,meansmotion;inthissensemotionmeansvibration(wavefrequencies);hence,
inthefinalanalysis,everyobjectivephenomenonisavibration(wavefrequency)of
SpiritinitsindividualizedstateofSelfawareness.
Inillustrationofthispoint,consideraflower.Bothodorandcolorareintheflow
er.Bothodorandcolorareratesofvibration(dynamicqualities)intheflowerwhich

22
 LAW OF BEING

consciousnesstranslatesintoobjectivephenomenaandthenattributestotheflower.
Ofcourse,thisisequallytrueoftheform.
Everythingistheactivityorvibration(wavefrequency)oftheindividualized
Spirit.ThisismythirdinterpretationofkarmaitistheactivityoftheSpirit.Ifyou
flowrhythmicallywiththeenergywavesoftheindividualizedSpirit,allisharmony
inyourlife.Butifyougoagainstthatstreambyinterposingresistancetoitinyour
conceptlifetheblendingofthought,desire,andactionthatwecallpersonalitythe
reactionisinharmony.Youencounterdestructiveforces,butitmustberemembered
thateverydestructiveforceintheuniverseisaconstructiveforceresisted.Every
destructivethoughtisaconstructivethoughtresisted.Everydestructiveastralforceis
aconstructiveforceresisted.Hate,anger,jealousy,envyaredestructiveforcesonthe
astralplane,allcreatedbyresistingsomeconstructiveorharmoniousfeelingordesire.
Ifyouresistlovewhichisacreativeoutrushofforceinadesireforharmonyorunity,
ifyoudenyitexpressionbecauseoftheinterferenceofyourmentalorforsomeother
reason,theflowofactivityisobstructedandthelovesoonchangesintothe
destructiveforceofhateoraversion.
Wesometimesspeakofthedestructionthatfollowsresistancetotheharmonious
flowoftheSpiritsactivityastherevengeoftheWill.Willistheactivitywhichseeks
tofulfillthelawofbeinginman.Itwillstrugglelongtofulfillitselfwithinthe
individual.Itwillbepatientandlongsufferingwithhisarbitrarymentalfacultiesand
hisperversedesiresandactions,butthetimecomesatlastwhenitturnsanddestroys
theresistancethathasbeensetupagainstit,anditmaydestroyhismindorhis
emotionallifeorhisphysicalbodyintheprocess.Thisisthemeaningofthe
Scripturalpassage:MySpiritshallnotalwaysstrivewithman.(Gen.6:3)
Thestreamofpowerfunctionsasenergy,anditisconstructivewhenwegowithit
anddestructivewhenwegoagainstit.Thisistruewhetherwearethinkingofthe
livesofindividualsorofpeoples.Thetremendousforcesofdestructionthatmanifest
inwarorinterriblecatastrophiesonthephysicalplane,andcausesufferingtogreat
numbersofpeople,allaretheresultofcollectiveresistancetolove,harmonyand
unitytheresultofignoringthefundamentalfactofthebrotherhoodofman.
Destructivemanifestationsinthelivesofindividualsandofhumanityasawholewill
beknownnomorewhenwefulfillthelawwithoutresistance.But,whether
constructiveordestructiveinitsmanifestations,karmaistheactionoftheSpirit.This
isthedeeperinterpretationofthedoctrine.
Thisismyteaching:Solongasyouareboundbythelawofcauseandeffect,you
willreceivethereactionofyouractions;youwillsufferforanyviolationofthelawbe
itonthemental,theemotionalorthephysicalplane,andinsofarasyoulivein
harmonywiththelaw,youwillreceiveareactionofpeaceandjoy.Butthelawof
causeandeffectisnotthelawwhichmustbefulfilled,andinthefulfillmentofthat
greaterlawthisisnullifiedcompletely.
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 LAW OF BEING

TheScripturessay:Thoughyoursinsbeasscarlet,theyshallbeaswhiteassnow;
thoughtheyberedlikecrimson,theyshallbeaswool,(Isaiah1:18)andTheseare
theywhichcomeoutofgreattribulation,andhavewashedtheirrobes,andmade
themwhiteinthebloodoftheLamb.(Rev.7:14)ThebloodoftheLambisthelife
forceflowingfromtheLambslainfromthefoundationoftheworld.Whenuniversal
LifeindividualizeditselfastheSon,itsacrificeditselfintheuniversalsenseto
individualizeitselfasmany.ThedeepinnermeaningofthesepassagesofScriptureis
thatGod,theuniversalSpirit,individualizeshimselfinyou,andthroughyou,the
individualizedaspectofhimself,heisstrivingtobecomeawareofhimselfasperfect,
asimmortal,asuniversal.Ifyouflowwiththaturgeoractivityoflife,thatstreamof
successivestatesthroughwhichheisworkingouthisemancipationandcominginto
completeSelfawareness,youareinthebloodoftheLamb.
Whenyougowiththestreamofconstructive,creativelifeforce,youarefulfilling
theFatherswillinyourlife(theWilloftheuniversalcosmicprocessinthe
individual).Atthatmomentthereisnomorepossibilityofresistanceinyou,and
also,allconsequencesofpastignorantviolationsofthelawarewipedoutthelawof
karmaisnullifiedbyyourconformitytothegreaterlawthatmustbefulfilled.That
greaterlawisGodseternalplan,conceivedatthefoundationoftheworldand
inevitablyfulfilledintheimmortalSelfawarenessofeveryindividualizedaspectof
hisBeing.

oooOooo

24
 THREE WISE MEN

Lesson4

THEJOURNEYOFTHETHREEWISEMEN
Matthew2:l2l


NowwhenJesuswasborninBethlehemofJudeainthedaysofHerodtheking,
behold,therecamewisemenfromtheEasttoJerusalem.
Saying,WhereishethatisbornKingoftheJews?Forwehaveseenhisstarin
theEast,andarecometoworshiphim.
When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all
Jerusalemwithhim.
And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people to
gether,hedemandedofthemwhereChristshouldbeborn.
And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for thus it is written by the
prophet.
AndthouBethlehem,inthelandofJudea,artnottheleastamongtheprinces
ofJudea;foroutoftheeshallcomeaGovernor,thatshallrulemypeopleIsrael.
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of themdili
gentlywhattimethestarappeared.
And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the
youngchild;andwhenyehavefoundhim,bringmewordagain,thatImaycome
andworshiphimalso.
Whentheyhadheardtheking,theydeparted;and,lo,thestar,whichtheysaw
intheEast,wentbeforethem,tillitcameandstoodoverwheretheyoungchildwas.
Whentheysawthestar,theyrejoicedwithexceedinggreatjoy.
Andwhentheywerecomeintothehouse,theysawtheyoungchildwithMary
his mother, and fell down and worshipped him: and when they had opened their
treasures,theypresenteduntohimgifts;gold,andfrankincense,andmyrrh.
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod,
theydepartedintotheirowncountryanotherway.
Andwhentheyweredeparted,behold,theangeloftheLordappearethtoJoseph
in a dream, saying Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into
Egypt,andbethouthereuntilIbringtheeword:forHerodwillseektheyoungchild
todestroyhim.
Whenhearose,hetooktheyoungchildandhismotherbynight,anddeparted
intoEgypt:
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 THREE WISE MEN

AndwasthereuntilthedeathofHerod:thatitmightbefulfilledwhichwas
spokenoftheLordbytheprophet,sayingOutofEgypthaveIcalledmyson.
ThenHerod,whenhesawthathewasmockedofthewisemen,wasexceeding
wroth,andsentforth,andslewallthechildrenthatwereinBethlehem,andinall
thecoaststhereof,fromtwoyearsoldandunder,accordingtothetimewhichhehad
diligentlyenquiredofthewisemen.
ThenwasfulfilledthatwhichwasspokenbyJeremytheprophet,saying,
In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great
mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because
theyarenot.
ButwhenHerodwasdead,behold,anangeloftheLordappearethinadreamto
JosephinEgypt,
Saying,Ariseandtaketheyoungchildandhismother,andgointothelandof
Israel;fortheyaredeadwhichsoughttheyoungchildslife.
Andhearose,andtooktheyoungchildandhismother,andcameintotheland
ofIsrael.




TheawakeningoftheChristpowerintheindividualconsciousnessistheturning
pointinthelifeoftheSoul.Uptothistimeitsmanyphysicalliveshavebeenspentin
thedarknessofsenselimitation,butwiththecomingofthelightoftheSpirit,
consciousnessawakensfromthelong,longnightandbeginstoopenitshigher
facultiestotheunderstandingofLifeEternal.ThequickeningpoweroftheChristis
knownfirstinouranimalnature,butwhenitspurposeisfulfilledwithinus,weshall
beconsciousofourowndivineImmortality,forthispowerisourRedeemer.
Theawakeningofthespiritualpowerinanindividualisindicatedbythe
appearanceofabrilliantlightinhisaura.Youknowthateverysoul,awakenedor
unawakened,radiatesalight,andthatthecontentofhisconsciousnessisindicatedby
thecolorsinthisradiation.Theauraisvisibletousonlyafterourclairvoyantfaculties
aredeveloped,buteverypersonwhoissensitiveinanydegreeisconsciousinsome
wayoftheinvisibleemanationsofotherpeople.Someofusknowbymeansofour
senseofsmell.Thestateofanothermaybeindicatedtousbyasweetperfume,or
perhaps,byanunpleasantodor.Mostpersonssenseanothersstateonlythrough
frequencyorfeeling.Weoftenhearcommentontheatmospherecreatedbyan
individual;thisisanefforttoexpressinwordstheimpressionproducedbyhisema
nations.

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 THREE WISE MEN

Whenanauraisstudiedclairvoyantly,thecolorsinitarerecognizedas
representationsoftheconditionsofthoughtandfeelingbelongingtotheindividual.
Thedark,brownishreds,themuddygreens,thegraysindicatelust,selfishness,
jealousy,fear,hateandlikequalities.Onewhoseconsciousnesshasbeenpurifiedof
thesedarkconditionswillshowtheclear,lightgreenofunderstandingand
compassion,thebeautifulpinkofunselfishlove,theblueofdevotion,thelemon
yellowofmentaldevelopment,andthelavenderofspirituality.Whenthesecolors
appear,adeeperawakeningofconsciousnessisnearforthatindividual.Whenthe
awakeningcomes,whenthebirthoftheChristtakesplacewithinhim,thebeamof
Lightshowsforthefirsttimeinhisaura.
Ifthestudentisfollowingtheoccultpath,thatofintellectualdevelopment,the
Lightisrayedoutfromthecenterofhisforehead.Ifheisonthemysticpath,thatof
loveanddevotion,theLightcomesfromhisheartcenter.ThebeamofLightindicates
thattheindividualisbeginningtofunctionbyanimmediacyofawarenesswhichwe
callintuitionaldivination.Thisisnotanimpressionalfacultyoftheastral
consciousness;itisahigherfacultybelongingtothespiritualstates.Youmustlearn
thedifferencebetweenthepsychicclairvoyancebelongingtosomeindividualsofthe
instinctivetypeandthesupramentaldivination,whichmayalsobecalledsubjective,
butwhichbelongstothehigheststatesofspiritualdevelopment.
YoumaythinkofthisbeamofLightwhichIhavedescribed,eitherasanactual
lightshowingintheauraorasthedevelopingfacultyofintuition.Undereither
consideration,itisrecognizedasanindicationofaninnerstate;itisthestarheralding
thebirthoftheChrist.Anyonewhohasdevelopedhishigherperceptiveforces
recognizestheevolutionarystateofanotherbytheabsenceorthepresenceanddegree
ofdevelopmentofthisLight.WhentheChristpowerhasincreasedinwisdomand
stature,andinfavorwithGodandman,andhasfulfilleditspurposeinthe
consciousness,itwilltransformthewholeauraoftheindividualintobrilliant,radiant
Light.ButwearethinkingnowoftheconsciousnessinwhichtheLightisjustborn.
Thespiritualquickeninghascome,butthereismuchworkfortheLighttodoasit
developsinintensity.ItmustguidetheThreeWiseMentotheendoftheirlong,hard
journey.
WhoaretheThreeWiseMen?Ofcourse,wecanrepeatthehistoricalstoryofthe
threeholymenwhosawthestarintheEastandfollowedituntiltheycametothe
mangerwheretheChristchildlay.Thatinterpretationwouldbeinterestingtoour
minds,perhaps,butitisonlytheoutershellofthetruth,anditwouldaddnothingto
theexpansionofourinnerconsciousness.Letuslookuponthestoryasahistorical
allegoryrepresentingtheconditionspresentintheconsciousnessofeachhuman
being.Consideredinthisway,theThreeWiseMenareseentobetheprinciplesof
thought,desire,andaction,orthemental,astral,andphysicalstatesoftheEgo.

27
 THREE WISE MEN

Lateronindevelopment,whentheEgohasperformedthemysticmarriageofheart
andhead,thetriuneprinciplesofthehumannaturewillfollowintuitionwithno
rebellion,butwearespeakingnowoftheconditionsobtainingatthetimeofthefirst
awakeningoftheChristpower,whenthefacultyofintuitionisborn.
Whenmanfirstbecomesconsciousofhimselfasaseparatebeing,heisfocusedin
theinstinctivestateandisruledbyhisdesiresandhisemotions.Actionfollowsdesire
withnorestrictionbyanyhigherfaculty.Asthedevelopmentofhishumanstategoes
on,hismentalfacultiesgraduallyassumesomedegreeofcontrolofhisdesirenature,
andhecomestodependuponlogic,judgmentandreasonasthehighestqualitiesof
whichheisconscious.
Nowwhenintuitionisfirstbornintheconsciousness,itsLightiscomparatively
feeble,andtheindividualwillhavemanylessonsbeforehelearnstoturnfromthe
guidanceofhismentalfacultiestofollowthatLight.Againandagainhewillclosehis
consciousnesstotheinnervoicethatbidshimtakeacertaincourse,andlistentohis
mentalvaluesofthesituation,onlytofindlaterthathehasgoneintoablindalley.
Thenhewillbeobligedtoacknowledgethatthewaytowhichhisintuitionprompted
himwastherightway.Onlyrepeatedexperiencesofthiskindwillwipeouttheold
habittracks,bywhichhefollowedhisdesiresandhisthoughts,andteachhimto
dependuponhisintuition.
JohnD.Rockefellersaysinhisautobiographythathelearned,earlyinlife,to
followasagacitywithinhimself.Hesaysthatmanytimesduringhisbusinesscareer
heheldoutforacertainlineofactionagainstthereasonandjudgmentofallhis
associates;hiswillprevailedbecausehehadacontrollinginterestinhisbusiness
organizations.Mr.Rockefellersaysthatwhenthesemattersturnedouttobe
phenomenallysuccessfulhewasgivencreditforasuperiorqualityofjudgmentwhich
hedidnotpossesshesimplyhadthesensetofollowthesagacitywithinhim.Thisis
verysignificanttome.
Donotreservetheuseofthisfacultyforyourspiritualaffairs.Ifyouareliving
yourlifenaturallyandnormally,inaccordancewiththeFathersWill,everyaffairof
dailylifeisaspiritualthing.Tobenaturalistobespiritual.Ifyouwilllearntofollow
yourintuitionitwillworkoutyourplansinbusinesslifeandineveryotherstateof
yourbeing.Thisistheproofthatthereisahigherpowerwithinyou,apowerwhich
canbecultivatedanddeveloped.Itwillgrowstrongerasyoutrustitanddepend
uponituntil,intime,allotherinfluenceswilldisappearfromyourconsciousness.
Thesamethingistrueofthegreatrealmofyourbeinginwhichyourfeelingsand
desiresreside.WhentheChristpowerisborninyourconsciousness,itdemandsallof
yournature.TheIAMisajealousGod,itwillnotshareyouwithanythingelse.All
theincarnationsbeforethisawakeningtookplaceweredevotedtocarryingoutyour
desiresandyourmentalconcepts,butwhentheturningpointcomes,whentheIAM
becomesconsciousinyourbeing,youmustdesiretheSpiritonly;itisnolongersafe
28
 THREE WISE MEN

foryoutodesirerelativeconditions.However,inthebeginningyoudonotknowthis;
atthattimeyourdesirenatureisnotpurified,andyouwantallsortsofthings.You
maythinkthatyouwilldevoteyourselftotheserviceofTruthwhenyouhavemade
thefirsttenthousanddollars,butthechancesarethatifyoueverreachthatgoalyou
willdecidetowaituntilyouhavemadefiftythousand.Whenonesays,WhenIget
soandso,...whenhetriestobargainwiththeSpirit,youmaybesurethathehas
manylessonstolearnbeforehereallyknowsTruth.Weallhaveseenstudentstryto
serveGodandmammon,andweknowthatitcannotbedone.Whenonewhohas
gainedtheLightallowshisdesirenaturetoobscureit,henevergainshisdesires.He
maysacrificetruthforthesakeoffinancialsuccess,buthewilllosethemoneyalso.
HemayturnfromtheserviceofTruthforthesakeofpeaceinhishome,buthewill
nothavethepeace.Iknowthisinnerlaw;Iknowthatitgovernseventhemost
objectiveconditionsofonewhohascomeunderitsoperation.Thedesirenaturemust
capitulateandfollowtheLightregardlessofthefactthatitseemstoleadtothe
sacrificeofeverythinginlife.Isayseemstoleadtocompletesacrifice,forthetruthis
thatoncethefullrenunciationismade,allthatyouhavegivenupcomesbacktoyou
and,inaddition,theconsciousnessofEternalLife.Thenonlyareweactually
Immortals,consciousofourDivineBeing.Butthisgloriousrealizationwillnotcome
toyouuntilyouhavegivenupeverydesireexceptthedesirefortheChrist
consciousness.Whenthisisdone,noharmcancometoyou,forwhenyouaregoing
withtheLightyouhavetheprotectionwhichisindicatedintheversesIreadtoyou.
Ifdangerthreatens,theinvisiblehelperswilltakeyouawayintosafetyuntilyouhave
grownstrong.
Thethirdprincipleinthetriunenatureofmanishisphysicalstate,characterized
byaction.InactionalsomanmustlearntofollowtheLight.Hemustnotbemisledby
hismindorhisemotionsintoactingforthegratificationofreasonordesire;hemust
actonlyatthebehestofintuition.

YouseethatthejourneyoftheThreeWiseMenistheperiodoflearningtofollow
intuition.ItbeginswiththebirthoftheChristwithin,whiletheprinciplesofthehu
mannaturearestillstrongintheconditionswhichhavebeendevelopingovermany
incarnations.Thejourneyisadifficultonebecausetheoldconditionsfightfortheir
existence.Itisonlyaftermanyhardexperienceshavebeenlivedthrough,andmany
lessonslearnedthereby,thatconsciousnesscanholdmind,desire,andaction
constantlypolarizedtointuition.Theconflictbetweentheunregeneratedanimaland
humannatureandthelightofTruthcontinuesintheconsciousnessuntiltheLighthas
grownstrongenoughtotransformalltherebelliousconditions.Theconflictisthe
journey,thesearchfortheChrist.Whenthemental,emotional,andphysicalstates
havemadethecompletesacrificebeforeintuition,theyhavebecomeWiseMen.They

29
 THREE WISE MEN

havebecomewillingtofollowtheLightregardlessofanythingelseintheworld;
therefore,theyareabletofindtheChristtoentertheChristedstate.
Inthehistoricalstory,theHebrewstookthepromiseofthecomingoftheKingin
themostliteralway.Theyexpectedthatanearthlykingwoulddeliverthemfrom
bondage.KingHerodtookthestoryliterallyalso,andfearedthathispowerwas
threatened;craftilyhesetaboutfindingthefuturekingsothathemightdestroyhim.
WhenHerodheardthattheWiseMenhadcomeinquiringforthechildbornKingof
theJews,hesentforthemandtoldthemtobringhimwordwhentheyfoundthechild,
thathemightcomeandworshipalso.
OurinterpretationoftheinnercontentofthestoryhasshownusthattheChrist
borninconsciousnesshasfargreaterpowerthananyearthlymonarch,forashis
powerdevelopshewillmastereveryrealmofbeingandcontrolallthings.Wehave
describedtheprocessbywhichheovercomestheforcesofdarknessandignorancein
theindividualconsciousness.KingHerodsymbolizedtheforcesofdarknessinthe
raceconsciousnesswhichmustalsobeovercome.Weareallfunctioningcentersinthe
consciousnessoftherace,andeveryforceoflightorofdarknessintheraceaffects
eachcenterinit.Then,whentheLightisborninanindividualconsciousness,the
dominionoveritoftheforcesintheraceconsciousnessisthreatened,andtheygather
tofighttheLightandrecovertheirown.
EveryindividualwhohasexperiencedtheawakeningoftheSpiritwilltestifyto
thetruthofthis.AssoonastheLightisborninhim,heencountersopposition.
Usuallyitcomesfirstfromthosewhohavebeennearestanddearesttohim;theyfeela
changeandfightagainstitwithoutunderstandingit.Atfirsttheywillimplorehimto
giveupthenewways;theywillreasonwithhim,tellinghimthattheyareonlytrying
tosavehimfromadangerousteachingperhapsfrominsanity,orfromthelossofhis
goodnameandstandinginthecommunity.Thereareappealstosympathy,loyalty,
andallthehighestqualitiesofhishumannature.Ifallthesethingshavenoeffecton
thestudent,hewillsoonfindhimselffacingactualpersecutioninsomephase.
Nowindividuals,asindividuals,arenottobeblamedforpersecutingoneinwhom
theLightisborn;theyaretheunconsciousinstrumentsoftheforcesofdarknessinthe
racemind.Suchwarfareisneverwagedagainstanunawakenedone;anindividual
whoiscompletelyidentifiedwiththeracemindcanviolateeventhelawsoftherace
mindwithouthavingitturnedagainsthim.Butwhenoneindividualtakesastepin
consciousnesswhichisbeyondtheleveloftherace,thepowersofdarknessknowitin
stantlyandseekeverymeanstoputouthisLight.Theywillfight,toothandnail,for
everyadvantage,forwhentheLightisbornandhasgrownstronginasufficient
numberofus,theruleofoldKingHerodwillbeoverbenightedhumanitywillbe
freedthroughthesuperiorpoweroftheChristedconsciousness.
KingHerodiscleverinhismethodsoffighting.Inthestory,heaskedtobetold
wheretheChristchildwassothathemightgoandworshiphim.Tothisdayhisemis
30
 THREE WISE MEN

sarieswillenterourorganizationsfortheteachingofTruth,inordertogainanadvan
tagefortheirwarfareagainstus.UntiltheChristconsciousnessisstronginthe
individualsformingthoseorganizations,theirworkisindanger.
Nowwecometotheinterpretationofthelastpartofthiswonderfulstory.When
theWiseMenhadfoundtheChristchild,theyworshippedhim,andthendepartedto
theirhomesbyadifferentwayhavingbeenwarnedinadreamnottoreturntoHerod.
Aftertheyhadgone,anangeloftheLordappearedtoJosephinadream,tellinghim
ofthedangertothechild,andwarningJosephtotakethechildandhismotherinto
Egypt.Thisissymbolicalofoneofthemostbeautifulexperienceswhichcomestothe
soulonthepath.Whenthetriuneprinciplesofhumannaturehaverenderedtheir
completeoffering,whenreason,desire,andactionarereadytofollowintuitionwith
nooppositionyouwillbewatchedoverandguardedbyinvisiblepowers.Youwill
learntofearnothing,foroverandoveritwillbeprovedtoyouthatwhenyouare
threatenedwithdestructionbytheforcesofdarkness,youwillbeguidedandkept
safe.
Supposethatyouareconfrontedbysomedangerandareseekingthehighest
guidanceforyouractions.Youwillputanydesireyoumayhaveinthematterwholly
aside;thenyouwillquietyourmindthatis,putyourreasoningpowersinabeyance.
Whenyouarestillenoughoneveryplaneofyourconsciousness,youwillbegiventhe
directionsuddenlyyouwillknowwhattodo.Thentheprinciplesofthought,desire,
andactionwillbeusedtocarryoutthedirectiongivenyoubythehigherIntelligences
throughyourfacultyofintuition.Themindfindsobjectivewaysandmeans;desire
lendspowertothemind;andactionfollowstheirguidanceallarerenderingtheir
offeringtotheChrist.
ThesetimescometoallinwhomtheLightisborn.If,whenthetestcomestoyou,
youhaveshownbyyourlifeandbythebrillianceofyourLightthatyoucanfollow
theChristwithnoshadowofturning,thensomehigherIntelligencewillcometoyour
aid.TheGreatOnesarewhollyimpersonalanddispassionate;onlybymerit,bythe
abilitytogiveupyourpersonalwilltothehigherWill,canyouearntherighttobeso
guardedandguided.Butwhenyouhaveearnedthatrighttheywilldirectyouin
timesofneed.UntilyouhavegrownverystronginTruth,thatdirectionusuallywill
betohideyourLightfromtheundevelopedoneswhowoulddestroyit.Donottalk
yourTruthtothepeoplewhoseneedsareonlyforphysicalandemotionallife.Thisis
notcowardiceorhypocrisy;itistheuseofserpentwisdomfortheprotectionofthe
Lightwhileitgrowsstrongwithinyou.IfyouuncoveryourLightindiscriminately
beforeithasdevelopedandtransformedyourwholenature,youwillbetemptedto
sacrificeit,butifyoulearnthegreatwisdomofsilence,youcanfollowitjoyfully,
creatively,withinyourself,andsopreserveyourselfuntilthedaywhenyouarestrong
enoughtostandbeforeallasaLightbearer.
ThisistheinnersignificanceofthejourneyoftheThreeWiseMen.
31
 THREE WISE MEN

oooOooo

32
 BIRTH OF THE CHRIST

Lesson5

THEBIRTHOFTHECHRIST
Luke2:716

Andshebroughtforthherfirstbornson;andshewrappedhimin
swaddlingclothes,andlaidhiminamanger,becausetherewasnoroomforthemin
theinn.Andtherewereshepherdsinthesamecountryabidinginthefield,and
keepingwatchbynightovertheirflock.AndanangeloftheLordstoodbythem,
andthegloryoftheLordshonearoundaboutthem;andtheyweresoreafraid.And
theangelsaiduntothem,Benotafraid;forbehold,Ibringyougoodtidingsofgreat
joywhichshallbetoallthepeople;forthereisborntoyouthisdayinthecityof
DavidaSavior,whoisChristtheLord.Andthisisthesignuntoyou:Yeshallfind
ababewrappedinswaddlingclothes,andlyinginamanger.Andsuddenlythere
waswiththeangelamultitudeoftheheavenlyhostpraisingGod,andsaying,

GlorytoGodintheHighest,andonearthpeaceamongmen,inwhomhe
iswellpleased.

Anditcametopass,whentheangelswentawayfromthemintoheaven,
theshepherdssaidonetoanother,LetusnowgoevenuntoBethlehem,andseethis
thingthatiscometopass,whichtheLordhathmadeknownuntous,Andthey
camewithhasteandfoundbothMaryandJoseph,andthebabelyinginthe
manger.

ThislessonisanintroductiontotheesotericinterpretationofthelifeofJesusthe
Christaccordingtomyvisionofthatlife,whichmayseemtoyouastartlingdeparture
fromthecommonlyacceptedunderstanding.
Ihavereferredoftentothedifferentmethodsofinstructionemployedbyspiritual
teachersintheOrientandintheOccident.TheOrientalneverattemptstogivea
reasonforanystatementthathemakes.IdonotbelieveanOrientalguruisableto
conceiveofanecessityforexplainingastatementmadeinthecourseofhisteaching.
Thisisbecauseherestsentirelyuponhisinnerrealization,andtakesitforgrantedthat
hischelasorstudentsarealsosatisfiedtorelyuponitasthesolebasisofhisteaching.

33
 BIRTH OF THE CHRIST

TheOccidentalmethodisalmosttheantithesisofthis.Heretheteacherseeksto
justifyeverystatementbyirrefutablelogicandreason.Hefeelsthatitisnecessaryto
preparetoovercomeoppositioninthemindsofhisstudentsinordertoestablishhis
points;hestrivestoanticipatecounterargumentsasacleverlawyerwoulddoin
arguingacase.
Mywaywithmystudentsisdifferentfromeitherofthese.Igivethemmy
teachingfrommyrealization,butItakenoresponsibilityfortheirreceptionofit,
therefore,theycannotarguewithmeaboutit.Itmeansnothingtomeiftheyargueit
withthemselvesandnothingtomeiftheyrejectit.Icannotsayunqualifiedlythatit
meansnothingtomeiftheyacceptitthoughthatistrueinavaluesenseforeach
individualwhocomesintothewidervisionhelpstoliftthewhole;inthatwayit
meansagreatdeal.However,thereisneverapointforargument;myoneattitudein
teachingistheattempttosharemyvisionwithothers.
InthisschoolweacceptasahistoricalfacttheteachingthatJesustheChristlived
upontheearthandwalkedamongmenandtaughtthem.Buttheimportanceofhis
lifetousliesnotinthehistoricalfactofhisexistence,butinthathepersonifiesand
epitomizesourownpotentiality.Ifthiswerenottrue,itwouldnotbenefitusthat
suchateacherlivedaboutnineteenhundredorsoyearsago.Wemightbecome
emotionaloverit,butitwouldhavenovitalmeaningforus.
WeareoftenquestionedastoourteachingregardingthegreatMaster.Many
individualshavesaidtome,Whenyouteachthephilosophyoflifeyoucompare
yourselftoJesustheChrist.Doyouthinkwearethesame?Ianswer,Inessencewe
areexactlythesameasJesustheChrist,butthedegreeofourrealizationofthat
essenceisdifferent.InthemanstateweareworkingoutstepbystepwhattheMaster
hadalreadyaccomplished,forhehadattainedtheuniversalstatewhichunitedhim
withtheGodheadofhisbeing.Inthatrealizationhecouldsay,IandmyFatherare
one,andHethathathseenmehathseentheFather.Wecansaythesame,butnot
outofrealization.Theuniversalstateispotentialtoourpresentrealization;ifitwere
actualweshouldbemanifestingitnow.
Nothingisrealtousexceptthatwhichweareconsciousofbeing,whichmeans
thatwhichwemanifest.Formostpeoplethatisahardlessontolearn.Ifweallowour
desiresandourimaginationstocontrolus,wecanmentalizeourselvesintobelieving
wearemuchmorethanwereallyare,butthetruthistoldinourrepresentations.
Untilwerecognizethatfact,wemustsufferdisappointmentanddisillusionment,for
therecognitionistheonlytruefoundationforprogress.Anythingbeyondourpresent
stateofselfawarenessormanifestationissleepinginthewomboftheunconscious.
Thereforetheuniversalstate,inwhichwecansay,IandmyFatherareone,is
potentialtoourpresentstate,justasthegreatoaktreeispotentialtotheacorn.

34
 BIRTH OF THE CHRIST

WelookuponJesustheChristasourelderbrother,thegreatExemplar.Welook
uponhimasonewhohadcompletedhishumanevolution,hadsufferedallhuman
experience,andthenhadturnedbackconsciouslyandmanifestedhislifeinabodyof
fleshinorderthathemightrevealthesuccessivestepsweallmusttaketothefinal
goal.
InconsummatinghishumandevelopmentbyexpansionintotheAllBeing,Jesus
fulfilledthelawthatrunsthroughalloflife:namely,thateachcycleofevolution
epitomizesallthepastcyclesthroughwhichtheindividualizedlifecenterhas
journeyed.Thestudyofembryologyshowsusthatinaveryshortspaceoftimethe
lifegermepitomizesalltheagelongevolutionaryprocessesofthepast.Theninthe
cyclebetweenthebirthofahumanandhistwentyeighthyearthereisanotherperiod
ofrecapitulation.Thisbringsinthelawofsevenandoffour,forthecycleisdivided
intofourdistinctperiodsofsevenyearseach.Thequaternaryrepresentsmaninthe
fourhumanstatesphysical,etheric,astral,andmental;theseptenaryrepresentsthe
wholebeinginitsfourhumanstatestogetherwiththethreehigherstatesoftheEgo.
Tosevenyearsofage,theindividualizedlifecenter,whichwecalltheEgo,is
organizingitsphysicalbody;fromseventofourteenitisorganizingitsemotional
body;fromfourteentotwentyoneitisorganizingitsmentalbody.Thusitprepares
thevehiclesinwhichitwillact,desireandthinkduringagivenincarnation.Between
twentyoneandtwentyeightyearsofagethereisarapidreviewofexperiences;the
Egotouchescertainthingsithashadinpastincarnations,testingitselfastoany
furtherneedofthem.Attwentyeightitinitiatesthenewexperiencesnecessarytoits
development.TheperiodsoftimegivenarethosetakenbytheaverageEgocoming
intoincarnation;averyoldEgowillaccomplishitallmuchmorerapidly,andavery
youngEgomuchmoreslowly.Thelatterwillnotbereadytoinitiatenewexperiences
untilmiddlelife.Youseethatthesmallcycleofoneincarnationinphysicallifecon
densesallthelongpastthroughwhichtheEgohasgropeditswayinthedevelopment
ofitsphysical,emotional,andmentalstatesofconsciousness,andoutofthefullnessof
itspastexperiencescomeintoagreaterrealizationoflife.
Insomesuchwayeveryindividualwhotreadsthepathofspiritualevolutionto
itscompletioninuniversalconsciousnesswillepitomizeandrepresenttheentire
processinonebriefspanoftimeinonelifeor,itmaybe,inanevenshorterspace.It
isthisfactwhichmakeseachinfinitesimaldetailofthelifeofJesustheChrist,from
birthtoascension,ofinestimablevaluetous.Knowingwhathisliferepresents,our
studyofitcanrevealtousthedegreeofourprogressonthepath,andenableusto
fightthegoodfightwithenlightenedunderstanding.
Theordinaryindividualisgropinghiswaythroughlifeblindly;hegoesfromone
bitterexperienceanddisillusionmenttoanother,andoutofhisanguishheaskscon
stantly:Whatisthereasonandpurposeofitall?Thereisavastdifferencebetween

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 BIRTH OF THE CHRIST

theconsciousnessofoneinthisstateandofonewhoknowswhatheisdoing,even
thoughheisfarfromhavingaccomplishedallheseesahead.Theoneisbuilding
blindlyandignorantly;theotherhasunderstandingwhichislikeablueprintofhis
structureinconsciousness.Thisunderstandingwecangainfromthestudyofthelife
ofJesustheChrist.Themoreclearlywerealizethesignificanceofhislife,and
thereforeofourownlives,thelesspronearewetodiscouragementanddespair.
Thereislittleprogressinonelifefortheindividualwhohasnotyetenvisionedthe
schemeofevolutioninconsciousness,butfortheonewhoseesthesignificanceofeach
incidentindailylife,oneincarnationisatremendousperiodofgrowth.
Ourgraspofthegreatplan,andourunderstandingoftheprogresswehavemade
initandofwhatremainstobedone,isnotanintellectualprocessalthoughthe
intellectsupportsandjustifiesit;neitherisitanemotionalprocess,orevenareligious
process,accordingtothecommonacceptanceofthewordreligious.Thenwhatshall
wecallthedeep,innerassurancethatispeacefulbutterriblystrong?The
understandingwhichenablesustostandimmovableinthemidstoftheworst
conditionsofrelativelife?Whatcanwecallitbutspiritualinsight?Itisthetrue
spiritualdivination.
WehavesaidthatinessencemanisthesameasJesustheChrist.Thatmeansto
saythatman,themicrocosm,isthefocalizedlifecenterofUniversalLife,the
macrocosm.ThePowerwithwhichweact,feel,andthink,ourveryPowertobe
conscious,isUniversalPower.ButtheUniversalPowerisnotconsciousofitself
exceptasitreachesSelfawarenessthroughitsownindividualizedfocalpoints;
therefore,thelifecenter,theIAMIofman,canbelikenedtothegermofamighty
tree,forallactualityormanifestationispotentialinthegerm.TheUniversalLife
comesintomanifestationthroughitsfocalizedcenters.Wecallthelifecentersman
whentheyaremanifestingthemanstate,butthesamelifecenterswillbeChrists
whentheymanifesttheChriststate.
WecannotgainallthatthestudyofthelifeofJesuscanmeantousuntilwehave
freedourconsciousnesssomewhatfromtheconceptoftime.Theconsciousoruncon
sciousmentalattitudeofonefunctioninginthelimitingideaoftimeisthatalifelived
twothousandyearsagocannotbeavitalforcetousnow.Butthemomentwecan
realizethenonexistenceoftimewefunctionintheconsciousnessside,andJesusthe
Christbecomesalivingpresencetous.
Inordertoovercomethebeliefintimewemustunderstandhowtheconceptis
created.Icannotgodeeplyintothephilosophicalstepsnecessarytoshowthatnow,
butletuspausetoconsideranillustrationwhichwillhelpyoutoseehowillusorya
thingthetimesenseis.
LetussupposethatIholduparazor,andwesaythatallononesideoftherazors
edgeisthefuture,rightontherazorsedgeisthepresent,andallontheothersideis

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 BIRTH OF THE CHRIST

thepast.Underthetimeconcept,thefutureisflowingintothepastacrossthepoint
wehavecalledthepresent.Anyindividualwhowasnotastudentofdeep
philosophicalpointswouldsaythat.Yet,ifquestioned,hewouldhavetoadmitthat
thereisnofuture,forithasnotarrived,andthatthereisnopast,forithasgone.Then
sincethereisnofutureandnopast,hewouldsaythatthereisonlythepresent.Very
well,atwhatinfinitesimalfractionofasecondcanhesay,Itisnow?Beforehecan
saythewords,thetimeisgone.Nopast,present,futureallaredelusion.
Thenwhatisitthatwecalltime?Greatthinkershavedevotedthemselvesto
solvingthatproblem.Theysaythattimeisthemotionsensationcreatedinour
consciousnessbythemovementofobjects.Ortheysaytimeisalimitationofour
consciousness,thatinourfailuretograspahigherdimensionspatiallyweare
confusedbyseeingitsectionally,andthatthemotionsensationthuscreatedinour
consciousnesscreatesaconceptoftime.
Theconceptoftimeissoboundupwiththeconceptofspacethatwecannotstudy
theonewithouttheother.Whenwesearchinphilosophicaltreatisesfordefinitionsof
space,wefindsomethinglikethis:spaceistheapparentdistancebetweentwoormore
objects;themeasurementofthatapparentdistancegivesustheconceptofprogress
andduration,whichistime.
Thisseemsclear,butwecannotacceptanyofthesedefinitionsoftimeandspace,
formetaphysicalrealizationgoesbeyondthem.Weknowthattheobjectobserved
correspondstothestateofconsciousnessoftheobserver;theobjectisnotextraneous
tohisconsciousnessbutexistswithinit.Itcanbeprovenabsolutelythatallthe
propertiesbywhichweknowanobjectandwecanknowitonlybyitsproperties
(qualities)areconditionsofourconsciousness.Howarewetomeasuretheapparent
distancebetweenobjectsthatexistinconsciousness?
Whenwestudytheconceptsoftimeandspacefromametaphysicalstandpoint,
werealizethattheyareduetotheconstantlychangingstatesinwhichthelifecenteris
awareofitself.Thechangeinthestatesinwhichweareconsciousofourselvesis
goingoneveryinstant,thoughweareconsciousofitonlyaswemeasurean
accumulationofthechanges.Thechangeinourmannerofknowingourselvesisvery
appreciableoveraperiodoftwentyyears;canyouimaginewhatitmightbeover
twentyincarnations?Yetthedifferenceisneversuddenordefinite;itistheresultof
theconstantflowoftheBecoming,oroftheapparentlysuccessivestepsinwhichthe
lifecenterisunfoldingitsawareness.Thisfluxinthesuccessivestatesinwhichthe
lifecentersareselfawarecreatesthesensationwhichwecalltime,andthatgivesus
theconceptofduration.
Whenweseethatspaceandtimeasobjectivephenomenaaredelusionsofour
limitedconsciousness,thenweseethatanythingthathaseverbeenisnow,andthat

37
 BIRTH OF THE CHRIST

anythingthateverwillbeisnow;andthisunderstandingbringsustothedeepest
mysteryofspiritualscience.
Theuniverseasawholeisalivingorganism;wemusttrytograspthevastnessof
multiplicityasaunity.OnenessoflifeisnotbornoutoftherealizationofaBeing
whichisalllife,power,andintelligence;onenessisbornoutofthesyntheticalgraspof
multiplicity.DonottrytogetawayfromthemanyinordertogetintotheOne,for
younevercandoit;thatisfollowingadelusion,aconcept.Graspthemultiplicityasa
unitandyouwillhaveOne,andyouwillrealizeitasthelivinguniverse.
Thewholeuniversesun,moon,planets,satellitesisonebodyofwhicheach
manifestationisapart,justasafingernailispartofafinger,afingerpartofahand,a
handpartofanarm,andanarmpartofabody;thewholecomposinganorganism
throughwhichpowerandintelligencefunctions.Nomatterwhatpartoftheuniverse
youthinkof,youcanthinkofyourselfatthesametime;therefore,youcanthinkof
yourselfasacellinsomeorganismofthelivinguniverse.Theuniverseisaliving
thingjustasyouarealivingthing,eventhoughithasaninfinitelygreatersignificance
thanyouhaveasahumanbeing.
Itisourmentalconceptsoftimeandspacewhichmakeusappeartoourselvesto
beseparatefromtheuniverse,anditistheannihilationofthesefalseconceptswhich
bringsusintothesyntheticalconsciousnessofunityandtheconsciousparticipationin
thelivinguniverseaslife.Theconceptofseparationisdeaththeonlydeaththereis.
Thestateoflifeordeathisnotdeterminedbywhetheryouaremanifestingaphysical
bodyornot;youcanbejustasfarfromtherealizationoflifeinyourastralstate,after
passingoutofthephysicalbody,asyoueverwerewhileinit.Wefindlife,
immortality,openedtousbytherealizationthatweareactuallyliving,moving,and
havingourbeingintheinfiniteorganismcalledtheuniverseorGod.Thatisthe
significanceofthesyntheticalageuponwhichweareenteringatthisperiodofthe
developmentofhumanity.
Letussummarizethesepointsandseetheirsignificanceinourstudyofthelifeof
JesustheChrist.TheChrististheLogos,theWordmadeFlesh.Logosisthename
theGreeksemployedfortheuniverseasalivingorganism.TheLogoswasmade
flesh,wasfocalizedinoneBeing,anddweltamongmeninthefullconsciousnessof
theAllBeingofthelivinguniversewhichherepresented.Therefore,JesustheChrist
isthegreatexemplar,portrayingwhatwewillbewhenwehaveattainedtheuniversal
stateofunionwiththeGodhead.ThestudyoftherepresentationoftheLogos,asthe
epitomeofallthecyclesthroughwhichithasjourneyed,isthusofincalculable
significanceinyourlifeandmine.ItbringstheChristasalivingpresenceintoour
consciousness,vitalizinguswiththepowerofGod.
AsmyrealizationofthemeaningofthegreatMasterslifeisexpanded,itbecomes
moredifficultformetospeakofthesubject.ThisisbecausethereissomuchthatI

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 BIRTH OF THE CHRIST

mustleaveunsaidforlackoftime,andalsoforlackofpreparationonthepartofmy
hearers.Onlyafteryearsofstudyandmeditationisitpossibletoenterintothis
realization.
IseethelifeofJesustheChristasalivingeventinthepresentconsciousnessofthe
world.Theconceptsoftimeandspace,whichwouldmakeofitaneventofthepast,
areannihilated,andIseethatgreatlifenowbeingmanifestedinotherindividualized
centersoftheWorldSpirit.Thereisnotendencyinmyconsciousnesstogoout;Isee
theentireprocessofspiritualevolutionwithin.Itismostdifficulttoconveythat
realizationtoanotherindividual,andthisisthecauseofmyhesitancy.However,I
knowthatinmyexpressionofitmyrealizationwillberadiatedtoyou,andsooneror
lateritwillworkitselfoutinyourconsciousness.Ifitwerenotfortheknowledgethat
ourworkasspiritualteachersbearsitsfruitlongafterwehavepassedfromthescene
ofourlabor,weshouldbesooverwhelmedwithdiscouragementthatwecouldnot
carryiton.Asitis,wegivenovaluetotheapparentresult,orlackofresult,ofour
attemptstogiveexpressiontospiritualrealization;weknowthatinitsowntimeand
initsownwaytheSpiritwillfulfillitsworkineachreceptiveconsciousness.
Whentheindividualizedlifecenter,manifestingasman,approachesthetime
whenhisspiritualawakening,calledthebirthoftheChrist,isabouttotakeplace,he
willexperiencewhatMaryandJosephexperiencedinBethlehem.Theirmissionin
Bethlehemwastofulfilltherelativelawofman;namely,topaytheirtaxes,theirdues
tohumanity;yettheywereexcludedbythathumanitytheinnwasfullandtheywere
shutout.
DonotbedeludedintobelievingthatifyoucomeintothestudyofTruthyouwill
beacceptedbytheworldandwillshareintheloavesandthefishesoftheworldin
greaterabundancethaneverbefore.Therearecertainteachingscalledbythenameof
Truthwhichwouldpersuadeyouthatbycomingintothemyouwillgetmoreoutof
theworld,thatyoucandemonstratewealthandsuccessoranythingyouwant.Inall
honesty,ImusttellyouthatwhenyoureallyaretouchedbythelivingpowerofTruth
youwillbeexcludedbytheworld,notincluded.Thatpowerwillbegintotransform
youinpreparationforthegreatawakening,thebirthintospirituallife,andhuman
beingswilldrawawayfromyoubecausetheycannotunderstandyou.Notonlywill
youbeostracizedfromtheracemind,butyouwillfindthatthereareactiveenemiesto
yourprogressinspiritualdevelopmentenemies,itmaybe,inyourownhousehold.
Itseemshardthatthemostbelovedofyourheart,theoneswhomyoulongtobring
withyouintoasympatheticunderstanding,atleast,shouldbetheonestoopposeyou,
butthatistheexperienceofeveryonewhocomesintotheLight.AsIreadit,thisisthe
significanceofthefactthatMaryandJosephwerenotreceivedattheinn.
ThenextpointofgreatsignificanceisthatJosephandMarytookrefugeinastable
beforethebirthoftheChristchild,andthathewasborninthemanger.Themanger,

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 BIRTH OF THE CHRIST

theplacewheretheanimalscometofeed,symbolizesthatpartofmansnaturewhich
hehascondemnedmost.Themarvelouscreativelifeforcehasbeenfeduponbythe
animalnature,butnowthatthebirthoftheChrist,thefirstinitiation,istakingplace,
thatforcewillbetransformedbyGodspresenceintoanawakened,livingpower
whichbecomestheRedeemer.Thestonewhichthebuildersrejectedbecomesthe
cornerstoneofthetempleinwhichhisSpiritdwells.Aslongasmanuseshiscreative
lifepowertofeedhisanimalnature,andinsousingitblasphemesandcondemnsit,
hewillliveinouterdarkness.Butwhenheturnstothatpowerwithvenerationaye,
withworshipheisenteringintothelightoftheconsciousnessofGod.
BeforethebirthoftheChristinman,theremustbeaprocessofpurificationwhich
wehavenotmentionedasyet.ThisisthesignificanceofthegreatLight.Throughall
theScriptures,watersymbolizestheemotionalrealmandveryaccuratelysymbolizes
it.Theemotionssometimesragelikeastormontheocean,andagaintheyareasquiet
asaplacidlake,reflectingonlythepeaceandbeautyofthesky.Aslongasmans
statesofconsciousnessarecontrolledbyhisemotions,heisliabletobeplungedinto
thedepthsofdespair,forthereisnosecurityintheemotionalrealm.Therefore,atime
ofpreparationmustprecedethecomingoftheChristpower;thisiscalledthe
purificatoryperiod.
Duringthisperiodwelearntocontroltheemotions,notbyrepressionbutby
expurgationoftheinharmoniousconditions.Theoldwineofselfishness,desire,and
allotherdestructiveemotionalconditions,isemptiedoutoftheconsciousnessbefore
thenewwineoftheSpiritcomesin.Itisdisastroustohavethenewbirthtakeplace
first,foralltheoldconditionsareintensifiedbythehigherpowerwhichcomesatthis
time,andthelaststateofthatmanisworsethanthefirst.Wehaveallseenpeople
whohavebeenunfortunateenoughtoreceive,insomemeasure,thegreaterpower
bornofanawakeningconsciousnessbeforetheyhavegonefarenoughonthepathto
havepassedthroughthebaptismbywater.Sincetheyhavenotgainedcontroloftheir
emotions,theirdesiresandalltheirpersonalconditionsarestrengthened.Theperiod
ofpurificationandthegainingofcontrolwillbeinfinitelyharderforthemwhenit
doescome,asitmustcometoall.
Therearemanywhosefalsevaluesofthecreativelifeforcearesostrongthata
teachingofthetruthconcerningitseemstothemextremelydangerous;theyseeinit
onlyateachingoflicense.Thefactisthatasweseethecreativepowerasthe
Redeemer,theconditionswhichwouldmakelicensepossibleareexpurgatedfromour
consciousness.Donotmisunderstandthisteaching.Doyounotseethatyoucannot
lookuponthemarvelouscreativeforceasyourHigherSelfandstillretainany
impurityofdesireorthought?WhenyourecognizethatforceasthepresenceofGod
withinyou,youronlyattitudetowarditisoneofveneration.Thebuiltinconditions
ofyourdesirenaturehavemisappropriatedthatforce,andthefalsevaluesofyour

40
 BIRTH OF THE CHRIST

mindhavecondemnedit;yetwhentheChristconsciousnessisborninyou,theanimal
natureisthefirsttobetransformeditisliterallytransformedbytheregenerative
effectoftheLight.
ThefirsttoknowofthebirthoftheChristchildweretheshepherds.The
shepherdrepresentsthelovenature.Throughthelong,darknightwhenwearein
completeignoranceofthedivinelawsofourbeing,theshepherdherdstheflocks.All
theanimaldesiresandconditionsareheldinsomeorderbyourhumanlovenature.
Whenlovegoesoutofahome,thehomeisdisrupted.Iftherewerenohumanlovein
acity,thecitywouldbealtogethergivenovertounevolvedandungoverned
animalisticconditions.
Beforespiritualforceisbornintheconsciousness,loveistheonlybindingpower.
Manworks,hecarriesonallhisactivities,becauseheissupportedbythelovehegives
andreceivesandbyhisconfidenceandfaithinthoseclosetohim.Hislovenatureis
hisconstructivepower.Itisthelovenaturewhichfirstseesthestar;thatmeansitis
thelovenaturewhichfirstisresponsivetointuition.Iamoftenaskedwhythereare
morewomenthanmeninterestedinspiritualthings,andwhythefacultiesoflogic
andreasonarenotinvolvedfirstinthesestudies,insteadofthequalitiesofloveand
affection.Thereisoneansweronly;thelovenatureseesthelightoftheSpiritfirst.
TheChristisbornintheheart,neverinthehead.Inourstudyofthejourneyofthe
WiseMenwhofollowedthelighttotheHolySpirit,weseethatthehead(themental
qualities)rendersitsofferinglater.Butthelightisbornintheheart;thelovenature
seesitfirstandfollowsitblindly,unreasoningly,butoh,howaccurately!
Howoftenyouhavecausetoregretthatyoufollowedyourjudgmentandreason
whenitwentagainstthedictatesofyourheart.Yourheadcanmanufacturea
thousandreasonswhyyoumustnotlistentoyourheart,butthetruthofyourlove
naturecanshowyouhowfalsethereasonsareifyouallowyourselftobeopentoit.It
restrainsanddirectsandkeepsussafeinathousanddifferentsituationsduringthe
darknightofsenselifebeforethecomingofthespirituallight.Theheartistheseatof
thelovenatureintheunawakenedone;itistheseatofGodsconsciousnessinthe
awakenedone.
Theshepherdsconfidentlyfollowthestareventhoughitleadstothemanger,and
theretheyfindtheRedeemer.ThenfromalongwayofftheThreeWiseMenseethe
starandbegintheirjourney.TheThreeWiseMenrepresentthetriunenatureof
relativemanthought,desire,andaction.Theheartofyournatureisthecreativelife
force,forwithoutthatforceyouarenothingonanyplane,andwithityouare
everythingonanyplane.WhentheSpiritisbornintheheartofyournature,your
intuitionalfacultyiskindledatonce.Youbegintofunctionthroughspiritual
divination,andthetriuneprinciplesofyourhumannaturemustlearntofollowit
withoutinterposinganyresistance;thisisthejourney.Thejourneyacrosstheburning

41
 BIRTH OF THE CHRIST

sandstotheplaceindicatedbythestarislongandarduous,butifyourhumannature
canfollowyourintuition,itbecomesverywise.
Thejourneyislongandhardbecausethehumanqualitiesandpropensitiesare
stronginusevenafterthebirthoftheChrist.Thementalnatureisstubbornand
proud,thedesirenatureiswillful.Youcanthinkbackoverafewyearsandrecall
manytimeswhenyourreasonandlogichavenotgivenwaybeforeyourintuition.
Perhapsyouhavefailedevenmoreoftentolaydownyourdesiresforthis,thatand
theotherthingasasacrificetothesupremeactivityyourspiritualdevelopment.Itis
hardtoletgoofallthathasbeendesirable;theoldhabittracksarestrong,andwefear
thatweshalllosewhatisworthwhile.Untilthelightofintuitiongrowsstrongerwe
donotseethatbyclingingtothingsweholdourselvesinbondagetothem,andthat
bysurrenderingwetrulygainandholdinfreedomallthatbelongstous.Onlya
selfishnaturewillclingtosomethingthatdoesnotbelongtoit.
Thereisastateofdevelopmentwhereinselfishnessisnatural,butthatstateispast
beforetheChristconsciousnessawakenswithin.Afterthatchangecomes,onemay
stilldesirepersonalthings,butifhefollowsafterthemandclingstothemhewillmeet
nothingbutdisappointmentanddisillusionment,justthroughthenaturalworkingof
events.ManytimesIhavewatchedonewhohasbecomeawakenedandhaveseenthe
Lightbeginningtogrowinhisconsciousness.Thenoppositionhaspresenteditself,
perhapsfromfriendsandfamily,andthestudentfearedhewouldlosetheirgood
opinionifhefollowedtheLight.Orhisfearmayhavebeenoflosingother
possessions,reputation,money,orpersonalpowerofsomekind.Whenfearenters,
usuallythestudenttriestocompromise,toholdboththeLightandthepersonal
possessions,orelseheturnshisbacktotheLightinanefforttoholdthepersonal
things.Ineithercasehelosesboth,foronlytheindividualwhohasnotyetseenthe
Lightcansafelyvibratewith(respondtothewavefrequenciesof)desire.Onceone
takesthefirststepofthisjourneyhemustrenounceandsurrendereverypersonal
thingandcondition;hemustdesirethelightoftheChristmorethanallotherthings.
Renunciationdoesnotmeanthatthestudentforeverisdeprivedofthesethings.
Theperiodmarksatransitionduringwhichhemustsurrenderallthathehas
accumulatedandhelddesirableinhisrelativestate,inorderthathemaylearntorely
uponandliveaccordingtothelawofhisbeing.Hehasreachedthepointin
developmentwhereitisimpossibletoholdtoanythingbyhisarbitrarywill,butby
thesurrenderofhisarbitrarywillanddesirebeforethelightoftheChrist
consciousness,heestablishesaharmoniousrelationshipwiththeinnerlawswhichwill
drawtohimeverythingwhichbelongstohim.Doyouseethisdifference?Ifthe
individualclingstoanythingwhichisnolongeranecessitytohimbyreasonofhis
pointinevolution,itwillbetakenaway,butifhesurrendersitwillinglyitwillbe
returnedtohimahundredfoldafterhehasreceivedtheconsciousnessofeternallife.

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 BIRTH OF THE CHRIST

TheMastersaid,Everyonethathathforsakenhouses,orbrethren,orsisters,orfather,
ormother,orwife,orchildren,orlands,formynamessake,shallreceivean
hundredfold,andshallinheriteverlastinglife.(Matt.19:29)Thisdoesnotmeanthat
yourrewardwillcometoyouafteryoudieandgotoheaven;itmeansthatwhenyou
havesurrenderedyourpersonalwillanddesirestothelawofyourbeing,thegreat
powerofattractionwilldrawtoyouallthatbelongstoyou,andinadditionyouwill
havetheconsciousnessofyourimmortality.Itisthetransitionthatissohardtomake.
Ourreasoningfacultiesshrinkfromlettinggo,fortheveryfoundationsoflifeseemto
besweptaway.TotheEgothisisgloriousforitmeansthebirthintoanewworld,but
tothepersonalityitisagonyindeed,itistheveritabledestructionofthepersonality.
TheHigherSelfknowswhatisbeingdone,butthepersonalitylivesonlyinthe
relative,andthereforeitknowsonlywhatisimpresseduponitthroughsomemodeof
senseconsciousness.
ButwiththebirthoftheChrist,theawakeningofspiritualconsciousness,the
journeyisbegun.Nomatterhowharditprovestobe,itmustbecarriedonuntilthe
triuneprinciplesofhumannaturehaverenderedtheirofferingtotheSpirit.The
vehiclesofthought,desire,andactionmustceasetoservethepersonality;theymust
becompletelyalignedandpolarizedasinstrumentsintheserviceoftheSpirit.The
lovenatureisabletoperceivethenewlyawakenedlightofdivination,andthemental,
emotional,andphysicalnaturesmustfollow.
WhatdoImeanbytheserviceoftheSpirit?Firstthereisalongtrainingin
renunciationandmeditation.Whenyoucanenterthisstateofmeditationatwill,you
willbecomeveryreceptivetospiritualforces.Whenyouneeddirection,youcanquiet
yourselfandbecomeconsciousofthespiritualcurrentsatonce,andsoonyouwill
knowwhatisnecessaryforyoutoknow.Thenthemindwillplanhowtocarryout
thedirection,thedesirenaturewilllenditsforcetotheplan,andthephysicalnature
willhelptoexecuteit.Whenthiscanbedoneincompletelyharmoniousactionofthe
consciousnessonalltheseplanes,thehumannaturehasrendereditstributetothe
Spirit.Whenthestubbornresistanceofthemindisbroken,whenthedesiresknowno
temptationfromtheconditionsoftemporalsense,andwhenactionfollows
spontaneouslytheleadoftheothers,theThreeWiseMenarefollowingthestarof
intuition.Thisisthegloriousjourneywhichleadstotheconsciousnessofimmortal
life.



oooOooo

43
BIRTH OF THE CHRIST

44
 BAPTISM BY WATER

Lesson6

THEBAPTISMBYWATER
Matthew3:1315

InthislessonweshallstudythepointinSelfdevelopmentwhichwas
symbolizedinthelifeofJesustheChristwhenhewasbaptizedwithwaterbyJohn.
ThispointiscalledtheBaptismbyWater,orthesecondinitiation.
AsIhavetraveledaboutthiscountryteachingTruth,Ihavefoundagreatmany
personsgoingthroughdeep,inner,subjectiveexperienceswithnoobjective
knowledgeofwhatistakingplace.Theyareconsciousofthedisturbedexternal
conditions,themental,emotional,andphysicalupheavalswhicharethenatural
resultsofthetransitionalperiodsinconsciousness,andtheyareconfusedandworried
byitallbecausetheylackunderstanding.When,inthecourseofmyteaching,Ihave
givenanexplanationofsomepointintheworkofSelfdevelopment,almostinvariably
suchindividualscometomeafterwardtotellmeoftheirreliefandjoyathavingan
understandingofwhatisgoingoninthem.Theycanbereconciledtotheconditions
andcanconsciouslydevotetheirfacultiestotheworkoftheSpiritwhentheir
confusionhasgivenwaytoknowledge.Therefore,whileformany,thetimefor
speakingofthesethingsisnotyetcome,forthefewwhoareready,thetimeisripe
andtheworkmustbedone.
InLessonFive,youlearnedofthefirstgreattransitionalperiodinthegrowthof
theindividual,calledtheBirthoftheChristorthefirstinitiation.Thisisthe
awakeningofthehigherforceinthephysicalstate.Ihaveexplainedthatthebirthof
theChristchildinamangersymbolizesthefactthattheChristpowerawakensfirstin
thephysicalnatureandthatitsearlyworkiswiththeanimalconditionsof
consciousness.Thefirstinitiationmarksthepointatwhichthecreativeforces,
previouslyexpressedthroughtheanimalnatureinfeelingphysicaldesires,areturned
andbegintodevelopandexpressthedivinenature.
IhaveexplainedthatbeforetheChristpowerhasgrownstronginthe
consciousness,theeveractivedestructiveforcesoftheworldmightovercomeit,and
forthatreasonthenewwayoflifemustbesecretlymaintainedforatime.Inthestory
oftheMasterslifethisperiodissymbolizedbytheflightfromKingHerodintoEgypt.
Thetimecomesinthegrowthoftheindividualwhenheknowsthathemust
devotehimselfwhollytothethingsoftheSpirit.Youmustunderstandthatthisisan
innerchange,notnecessarilyanouterone.Somanytryingtofollowthepathof
renunciationmisinterpretthetruthatthispoint;whentheyfeelanoverwhelmingurge
withinthemtobeabouttheFathersbusiness,theythinkthattheymustdevotethem
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selvestoteaching,towhatisknownasspiritualwork,andwithdrawfromallactive
workinthephysicalworld.Donotmakethismistake.Whenyourwholecon
sciousnessispolarizedtoTruth,youaredevotingyourselftothethingsoftheSpirit
whetherornotyouleavetheouteractivityinwhichyouhavebeenengaged.Itmay
bethatyoucandoagreaterworkforthekingdominyourhomeorinyourbusiness
thanintheouterworkofTruth.Togoonworkingintemporalthingsmaybeyour
wayofbringingthekingdomofheaventoearthandthatiswhateachmustdoinhis
ownway,fornoonefindsthekingdombyrunningawayfromtheearth.
WhenthepoweroftheSpirithasgrownstrongintheconsciousnessandhas
energizedthephysicalbody,itbeginstoflowintotheemotionalbody,foritsnext
functionistoawakenandcleansethatvehiclejustasithasthephysical.Thisperiodof
emotionalpurificationprecedesthebaptismbywater,orthesecondinitiation,and
mustbecompletedbeforethepowercanfunctionfullyintheemotionalbody.With
mostpersonsitisaperiodofgreatstormandstressbecausethenaturalfeelingsand
desireswhichbelongtotheemotionalnaturehavenotbeenexpressedcompletely.
Theemotionalbodyiscreatedanddevelopedbyfeelinganddesire,andwhen
theseareexpressedorfindnormaloutlet,thebodygrowshealthily,butwhenthe
creativeforceintheformoffeelinganddesireisnotexpressed,repressionor
congestionresults,andtheforcetakesasubstitutedformofexpression,whichisa
destructiveform.
Afterlongstudyofthismatter,Ihavecometotheconclusionthatthereisno
suchthinginanyrealmoflifeasapositiveevil,adestructiveforceofapositive
nature.Destructiveforceisconstructiveforcerepressedorresisted.Evilisrepressed
good.Hate,jealousy,revenge,arealldestructiveforces,buttheyarecreatedwhenthe
constructiveforceofloveisresisted.
Everyhumanbeinghastheneedofexpressinghislovenaturethatisapartof
hisnormalgrowth,butinhispersonalstateofconsciousnesshedoesnotrecognizethe
feelingasthehungerforexpression.Hetransfersittoanobject,aperson,andbelieves
thathelovesthatperson.Nowtenthousandthingscancomeuptopreventhis
expressingloveinthatparticularform,orforthatparticularperson,andifheisso
prevented,theforcethathefeelsaslovewillberepressedandcongestedinhis
emotionalnature.Whenthishappens,theforcewillsoontakesomedestructive
aspect,forforcemustfindsomeexpressioneitherinanaturalorasubstitutedform.
Themanmayhatetheveryobjectofhislove,orhemaybecomeembitteredandhate
humanityasawhole.
Whenyoubegintothinkoffeelings,desires,andemotionsasforcesin
consciousness,youcanworkoutforyourselfanunderstandingofyourlifeandits
conditionswhichwouldhavebeenimpossibletoyouotherwise.Thinkofallthefunc
tionsofyouremotionalnature,yourloveandfriendshipforotherindividuals,your

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devotiontochildren,yourloveofbeautyinmusicandart,yourloveofcountryandof
humanity,yourloveofreligionandofGodalltheseareyournormal,beautiful,
emotionallife.Buthowmanyofthesehavebeenwhollyexpressed?Howmanyhave
receivedcompletefulfillment?Youcannowseethereasonsforyouraversion,your
animosity,youranger,yourrevenge.Thequalitiesyoucallevilandthequalitiesyou
callgoodarebuttwoexpressionsofthesameforce.
Itisobviousthatyouremotionalbodyisnotafitinstrumentfortheuseofthe
Christpowerwhiletheseconditionsarepresentinanydegree.Whateverqualitiesare
therewhentheSpirittakespossessionwillbeintensifiedmanifold,thereforeitisa
blessedprovisionofthelawthatthefirstworkofthehigherpoweristhatof
purification.
ItistothisperiodthatJesustheChristreferredwhenhesaid:Everyplant
whichmyheavenlyFatherhathnotplanted,shallberootedup,andAndnowalso
theaxeislaiduntotherootofthetrees:thereforeeverytreewhichbringethnotforth
goodfruitishewndownandcastintothefire.(Luke3:9)Doyounothearthose
wordswithnewunderstanding?Therootofalldestructiveconditionsisinyour
emotionalnature;theChristpoweristheaxewhichislaidtotheroot,andallthefalse
growthshallbecastoutandconsumedbythefireoftheSpirit.Doyouthinkallthat
canbeaccomplishedthatthegrowthofincarnationscanbedestroyedwithout
turmoilandsuffering?Ifstudentscouldonlyunderstandallthatitmeanstohavethe
Powerentertheemotionalbody,theywouldwelcomeallitseffectsnomatterhow
hardtheymightbetobear.
WhenthePowerisawakened,itwillmasteralltheconditionsitfinds,whether
thesehavebeenbuiltupbyoverindulgenceofthedesirenatureorbyitsrepression.
Inthefirstcase,therewillhavebeencreatedelementalconditionswhichmanifestas
habitsandappetites,andthesemustbestarvedoutbyrefusaltofeedthemanylonger
andbyfocusingtheconsciousnessuponqualitiesofanoppositenature.Inthesecond
case,alltherepressedconditionsmustbebroughttothesurfaceoftheconsciousness
andrecognizedforwhattheyareandtheneitherexpressedorsublimated.Therecan
benofurtherrepressionoftheforcesintheastralrealmofconsciousnessthereis
nothingcovered,thatshallnotberevealed;andhid,thatshallnotbeknown.(Matt.
10:26)Aidthepowerallyoucanbyusingyourmindasaninstrumentforhelpingto
bringtothesurfaceeverysecretdesireandcondition.Donotretardtheworkbyusing
yourmentalpowerstohidethesethingsfromothersorfromyourself.Yes,thatis
whatyoudoyouarethedupeofyourownmindwhenyouacceptitsexcusesand
explanationsconcerningthehiddenplacesinyoursubjectivelife.Godislight,andin
himisnodarknessatall.Ifweconfessoursins,heisfaithfulandjusttoforgiveusour
sins,andtocleanseusfromallunrighteousness.(1John1:5,9)

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Beforetheworkofpurificationiscomplete,alltheselfishnessandallthehard,
personalprideofthemindmustbedissolvedbythepoweroftheSpiritandwashed
awayinafloodoftruerepentance.Thefinerqualitiesofyourheartsimplicityand
sincerityandsweetnesshavebeencrystallizedbyyourmentalprideandvalues.
Emotionofdisappointment,ofsorrow,thesufferingwhichiscalledsinandwhich
comesfromtheviolationofthelawhaveallbeenrepressedandpentupinyour
nature.ThesearetheplantswhicharenotplantedbytheFather,thetreeswhichbring
notforthgoodfruit,andnowtheyaretobedestroyed.
Theastralnaturethroughallitsgrowthanddevelopmentiswellsymbolizedby
water.Itistempestuous,itistreacherous,itisunstable;yetinitshigherrealmsitis
beautifulanddelightful,asistheseainitscalmerphases.Buttheimportantthingis
thatitisneverrealinthesenseofeternality.Thereforethedisciplemustovercomeits
domination,mustachievemasteryofallitsconditions.
Whileyourconsciousnessisfilledbyreactionstoemotionsanddesiresand
ambitions,youareimmersedinthewatersoftheastralrealm;youcannotgetaboveit
toseetherealitiesoftheSpirit.ButwhenthepurificatoryworkoftheSpiritissofar
doneinyouthatyouseetheastralworldforwhatitis,thencomestheperiodof
contritionofheart,oftruerepentance.Yousufferbecauseyouhavebeendominated
byfalseconditionsforsolong,andinyourrepentanceyoudeterminethatneveragain
willyoubeoccupiedwiththem.Intheinnersilenceofyourselfyoudedicateyourlife
andyourpowerstothethingsoftheSpirit;thecreativeforcewhichhasbeen
expendedinthegratificationofpersonaldesireswillnowbeconservedfortheFathers
work.
Thisperiodinyourlifemaybemarkedbytears.Youmaynotknowwhyyou
weep,buttheweepingistheouterexpressionofthebreakingupofoldconditionsand
thebirthintonew.YouaregoingthroughtheBaptismbyWater,andoutofityouwill
arise,freefromthedominationoftheemotionalrealm.
Beforetheeyescanseetheymustbeincapableoftears.Thesewordsare
foundinalittlebookcalledLightonthePath,byMabelCollins,andtheyareexplained
thus:Tobeincapableoftearsistohavefacedandconqueredthesimplehuman
nature,andtohaveattainedanequilibriumwhichcannotbeshakenbypersonal
emotions.WhenthepoweroftheSpirithasraisedyououtoftheemotionalrealm,
andyourperceptionisnolongerbecloudedbyitsconditions,youcanseereality,you
canseeinthepresenceoftheGreatOnes.
Youmaynotknowinyourobjectiveconsciousnesswhenthisgreatpointin
yourevolutionispassed,butyouwilllearnaboutitthroughthegradualmanifestation
ofanewpowerinyourouterlife.Littlebylittleyouwillfeelgreatercontentment,
greaterpeace,greaterjoydisplacingtheoldconditionsofsufferingandunrest.Be
patient;donotletyourmindstepinandanticipatethecompletionofthisworkandso

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interferewithitsaccomplishment.LearntowaitupontheLordwithquietmindand
heart,andmoreandmoreyouwillfeelhispresence,untiltheLightofhisSpiritfloods
allyourbeing.
IntheBiblicalrecordofthelifeofJesustheChrist,whichsymbolizesforusthe
wholeevolutionoftheindividual,itiswrittenthatwhentheMasterhadbeen
baptizedbyJohn,hewentupstraightwayoutofthewater:and,lo,theheavenswere
openeduntohim,andhesawthespiritofGoddescendinglikeadove,andlighting
uponhim.(Matt.3:16)Sotheheavensareopenedtoallwhohavereceivedthe
baptismbywater,thesecondinitiation.ThesecretplaceofthemostHigh,where
yourspiritdwellsinpeace,istheheavenworld,andyouenteritbyrisingaboveand
masteringtheunrealconditionsoftheemotionalworldallbythegraceofGod,the
Christpowerwithin.
InstudyingthelifeofChristasanallegoryportrayingthewholeevolutionary
processoftheEgo,thereisnopointwhichinterestsmemorethanthisthatwehave
juststudiedfromaninnerstandpointthebaptismofJesusbyJohn.
TheMastersaidofJohn:Amongthemthatarebornofwomentherehathnotrisena
greaterthanJohntheBaptist:notwithstandinghethatisleastintheKingdomof
heavenisgreaterthanhe.(Matt.11:11)ThiswouldindicatethatJohnwasaninitiate
ofperhapsthethirddegree.Thefourthinitiationisthefirstdegreeofmastership.
Johnhadreachedthehighestpossibledevelopmentinthemanstate,buthewasnota
MasteroftheWisdomfunctioninginthatBuddhicstatewhichissometimescalledthe
Kingdom.
Theheirophantofthethirddegreecanministertooneoflesserdevelopment
buthecannotministertoonewhohasattainedagreaterstatethanhisown.Therefore
whenJesuscametoJohn,tobebaptizedofhim,Johnforbadehim,saying,Ihave
needtobebaptizedofthee,andcamestthoutome,(Matt.3:14)forJesustheChrist
wasanAdept,oneunitedwiththeFatherintheuniversalizedstate.Johnrecognized
theGreatOneanddesiredhisministryratherthantoministeruntohim,butthe
Mastersaid,Sufferittobesonow:forthusitbecomethustofulfillallrighteousness.
(Matt.3:15)

TomethatincidentputsthesealoftruthupontherecordoftheMasterslifeas
ahistoricalallegory.Hedidnothavetogothroughalltheconditionsoftheearly
stepsinthepathofliberation,theywerefarbelowhisownpointindevelopment;but
hewantedtodosoinordertoexemplifyinhisownlifeallthatwemustgothroughin
manylives,foritwashismissiontobecomethegreatexemplarfortherace.


oooOooo

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50
 TEMPTATION OF JESUS IN THE WILDERNESS

Lesson7

THETEMPTATIONOFJESUSINTHEWILDERNESS
Matthew4:111

IlovetothinkofJesustheChristasthegreatteacherandthegreatexemplar.In
thisschool,weacceptasafactthathetookphysicalincarnationuponthisearthtwo
thousandyearsago,butwedonotstudyhislifefromthathistoricalaspect.Weknow
thatwearenotsavedbecausetheChristlived,wascrucified,andwasresurrected,but
becausethereisapowerwithinourbeingwhichisthegreatredeemer.Whenthis
powerhasliftedupourfallenconceptofourselves,thenonlyarewesaved.
ButweknowthattheindividualizedcenterofuniversalPowerknownasJesus
theChristhadexpandedhisconsciousnessintotherealizationofhisuniversalstate
andhadtherebybecometheChrist.Weknow,too,thateverysoulwhoreachesthe
heightsmustgothroughexactlytheconditionsexperiencedbythosewhohavegone
beforehim,andthattheGreatMasterepitomizedandpersonifiedthetotalgrowthand
developmentofallwhowilltreadthepath.Hetookincarnationasthegreat
exemplarinorderthathemightportrayinouterexpressioneverypointintheage
longdevelopmentthroughwhichhehadpassed,andsobecometheguideforall
humanity.Heisthegreatteacher,speakingoutoftheheartofuniversalloveand
wisdom;andheisthegreatexemplar,byfollowingwhomwecanshorten
immeasurablyourownpathtotheheights.
Inthisseriesoflessonswehavecorrelatedthesalientpointsinthehistorical
recordofthelifeofJesustheChristwithcertainperiodsinthespiritualunfoldmentof
everyindividual.WehavestudiedthemeaningoftheteachingconcerningtheBirth
oftheChrist(Lessons5&6)andoftheBaptismbyWater(Lesson7);thislastwas
followedimmediatelybytheTemptationintheWilderness,whichisthesubjectofthis
lesson.
Thebaptismbywater,alsocalledthesecondinitiation,marksthepointin
individualdevelopmentatwhichtheawakenedpoweroftheSpirithasbroughtthe
tempestuousemotionalnatureundercontrol.Thismeansthattheindividualno
longerisunderthedominationofhisfeelingsandemotionsanddesires,butthathe
hasbeentaughtoftheinnerSpirittoquiethisouterstatesandtowaitupontheLord.
Hehasfoundacalmcenterwithinhisownnature,andthewatersoftheemotional
worldcannolongeroverwhelmhim.
Whenthesoulhasreachedthispointinitsspiritualevolutionitmustbetested
astoitssteadfastness,foritisthelawofbeingthatwemustmakeobjective
confirmationofeveryinnerstateweattain.Youknowthatitismucheasiertobe
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strongandbraveanddesirelessinourthoughtsandimaginationthaninaction,in
actualphysicalplanetests.Wecanbefascinatedbyourownmentalpicturesof
ourselves,orwecanbeinfluencedbymassemotionandbelieveourselvescapableof
heroismfarbeyondouractualstateofdevelopment.
WehearpeoplespeakofthelifeoftheMasteruponearthandwishthatthey
hadbeenwithhimthentosharehishardshipsandtodemonstratetheirloveand
loyaltyanddevotionforhim.Iwonderhowfullytheyrealizewhattheyaresaying!
DotheystoptothinkthattheMasterandhisdiscipleswerealittlebandofitinerant
menandwomen?Thattheyhadnohomesnopropertyofanykind?The
ecclesiasticalauthoritiesandthesecularauthoritieswereagainstthem;sometimesthey
werenotallowedeventopassthroughatown.Ononesuchoccasionthedisciples
asked:Lord,wiltthouthatwecommandfiretocomedownfromheavenand
consumethem?AndtheMasteranswered:Yeknownotwhatmannerofspiritye
areof.FortheSonofManisnotcometodestroymenslivesbuttosavethem.They
borenothingintheirheartsbutloveandpeaceandblessingtohumanity,yetthe
followersoftheChristwereoutcastsandeverymanshandwasagainstthem.Study
thispictureofthephysicallifeoftheChristbeforeyouaffirmthatyouwouldhave
hadthecouragetobewithhim,notagainsthim.
Ourmentalvalueofaqualityandourdesiretopossessitmeannothing;wecan
provethatwehaveitonlybytheactualmanifestationofitinobjectivelife.Soitis
withinnerstatesofspiritualdevelopmentnopointistrulyattaineduntilitis
confirmedbythemeetingofanobjectivetest.Whogivesyouthetest?Youareledby
theSpiritbythePowerthathasledyouallthewayandwillleadyoubacktothe
Father.
AtthispointintheteachingofthelifeoftheChrist,theScripturesays:Then
wasJesusledupoftheSpiritintothewilderness,tobetemptedofthedevil.Whatis
meantbythedevil?Thepersonificationofthepowersofdarkness.Thereareinthe
universetitanicpowersinvisibleandunknowntothegreatmajorityofindividuals;we
callthemtheforcesofLightandtheforcesofdarkness,andtheyconstantlywage
terriblewarfareforsupremacy.Thesepowersaretheemanationsofhumanity,both
incarnateanddiscarnate.Donotpicturethesetwogreatpowersasagoodandanevil
spiritwhichexisteternallyandeternallystrugglefordominationoverhumanity.That
isnotthetruth.Thepowersofdarknessarestrongwhenaraceisyoung,butasthe
individualizedsoulsofaraceexpandintoahigherrealizationoftheirimmortalbeing,
theforcesofdarknessgrowlessuntiltheyaredissolvedforever,asfarasthatraceis
concerned.Thepowersofdestructionareterrificallystrongatthepresentstateof
developmentofthisrace,andagainstthesepowerseveryevolvingindividualmust
struggle.Thoseofuswhowinthroughandfunctioninthehigherstatesofourown
Selfawarenessmakethestruggleeasierforthosewhofollow.Thechildrenofthe

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Lightaregrowingstrongereveryday,andbysomuchisthewholestatusofhumanity
raised.
Inthetemptationinthewilderness,thepowersofdarknessarepersonifiedand
calledthedevil.InthesamemannerthespiritofChristmasispersonifiedasSanta
Claus,andthespiritoftheUnitedStatesofAmericaasUncleSam.Wemightsaythat
suchanentitymaypossiblyexistasathoughtformontheemotionalplane,sincesuch
largenumbersofpeoplehavebelievedinthedevilasabeing,butevenso,itwouldbe
onlyafalsecreation.Wemustthinkofthedevilsimplyasanepitomeoftheforcesof
darknessanddestruction.
Itisthispersonificationofforcewhichattackseveryonewhohasexpandedhis
consciousnessabovethedeadlevelofracialevolution.Solongasyoufunctioninthe
realmofdestructiveforces,ofdarkness,disease,death,andallthefalsitiesoftherace
mind,youareimmunefromsuchattacksthedevildoesnotseektodestroyhisown.
Butwhenyouceasetobepartandparceloftheforcesofdestruction,whenyou
envisionhigheridealsandseetruthmoreclearly,andbegindefinitelytomanifest
thesethingsinyourlife,youautomaticallyincurthereactionofthedevilagainstyou.
WhentheLightisborninyou,itisyourduty,yourdharma,tomanifestit,and
sinceyouaretheobjectofattackofforcesthatseektodrawyoubackintothe
ignoranceofthepersonalconditionsofracialdevelopment,youmustbeconstantly
vigilantthattheydonotinsinuatethemselvesintoyourconsciousness.Youwillhave
towatchandworknightandday,andsustaintheeffortoveralongperiodoftime.
Whentherehasdevelopedfromthedepthofyourbeingasufficientstreamofcreative
power,youwillbesustainedbyitbytheChristPower.Butdonotforgetthatthat
greatbooncomesonlybymerit;itisnotgiventoyou;youearnitbystruggleand
work,bysacrificeandservice.Therearenogifts;whatevercomestoyouonanyplane
ofyourbeingadvantagesofphysicallife,orpowersofspiritualperceptioncomes
becauseyouhaveearneditatsometime.Youmustputawayentirelytheideaof
sittingsupinelyandwaitingtobegivensalvationoranylesserthing.
Tosumupthesepoints:WhentheChristPowerhasbeenborninyouandyou
have,throughthestruggletofollowyourlawofbeing,beguntobesustainedbyit,
youhavealsobeguntoconqueryouremotionalnaturereallyitisoneprocessatthat
steponthepath.WhentheawakenedChristPowerwithinhascontrolledemotion,
feeling,anddesire,youhavereachedthepointofdevelopmentsymbolizedbythe
baptismbywater.Butdonotthinkthatyouhavepassedthroughaportalwhichwill
closebehindyouandshutoutforeveralltheseoldconditionsno,youhaveyetto
meetthetemptationsplacedbeforeyoubythepersonificationoftheracemind
conditionsthathaveboundyouinthepast.Theseconditionsandqualitiesareofyour
owncreation;youhavebuiltandindulgedthemandhavemadeofthemhidden
entitieswhichmustnowbeovercomebeforeyoucanentertherealpathofliberation.

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Supposeyoucouldseeamaterializationofallyourpastthoughtsanddesireswould
itnotshowmoreoftheanimalnaturethanofanyother?Manywhohavecometothis
pointonthepathhaveseensuchanentity,butwhetherornotitisseen,itisbefore
eachcandidateforthemysteries.ItiscalledtheDwellerontheThreshold.
Theseconditionsdonotwanttoleavethehigherconsciousnesswhichhas
cultivatedthemthroughtheincarnations,sotheystirthemselvestofighttheyare
takingtheirfinalexpression.Iftheyattackedyouopenly,thebattlewouldbe
comparativelysimple,buttheycomeinthemostsubtledisguises.Theytaketheform
offlattery;theyworkthroughyourprideandyourdesireforpower,andinmany
otherobscureways.TheawakenedpoweroftheSpiritwouldenableyoutofulfillall
thedesiresofthepastifyouweretoprostituteittosuchuse.Therefore,thedevil
seekstodeceiveyouintogratifyingandagainbuildingupsuchremnantsofyour
desirenatureashavenotyetbeenexpurgatedortransformed,andyouwhoare
seekingcompleteemancipationfromthedesirerealmmustprovethatyouhavethe
strengthofspirittostandfirm.
Atthispointindevelopmenteverysoulisassailedbythesamethree
temptations.ThefirstwasputbeforetheMasterinthesewords,IfthoubetheSonof
God,commandthatthesestonesbemadebread.Hereisonenewlyinpossessionof
suchpowerashehasneverknownbefore.Howishegoingtousethatpower?Thisis
thegreatmomentinhisprogressonthepath.Hecameintopowerduringthebaptism
bywater,whentheheavensopenedandtheSpiritdescendeduponhimlikeadove.
Butatthesametimeallthatwereleftofhispastambitionsanddesiresstirred
themselvesandbesiegedhim.
Putyourselfinthepositionofthissouldoyounotrealizehowcleveristhe
formofthetemptation?IfthoubetheSonofGodatonceyouwanttoprovethat
youaretheSonofGod,thatyouarenolongeracommonman,butaChristedone.
Onceyouhavetakenthatsubtleflatterytoyourselfyouareturnedinthewrong
directionyourfallfollowsswiftly.Commandthatthesestonesbemadebread
thesewords,too,arouseaforcethathasbeendevelopedinmanthroughallhis
incarnations.Whenmanseparatedhimselfinconsciousnessfromthekingdomof
God,hetookuponhimselftheresponsibilityofprovidingforhisphysicalneeds.In
thehumanconcept,onewhodoesnotdothisisconsideredashirkeroraweakling.
Butnowtheindividualiscomingundertheoperationofahigherlaw.Onewhohas
thepoweroftheSpiritcanrightfullyuseitonlyinfurtheringthegreatplanoflife;he
mustbeabouthisFathersbusinessandhemayworkonlytothatend.TheMaster
passedthistestatonce,forhewasanIlluminedOneandwasmerelygoingthrough
eachpointinspiritualdevelopmentasanexampleforayoungerhumanity.Butdo
notthinkthatyouwillmakethepointthefirsttimeitispresentedtoyou;itismore
likelythatyouwillcryinanguishofspirit,Ihavefailedtenthousandtimes,before

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youmakeitfinally.Themindisclever;itfindsmanyreasonsandjustificationsforthe
useofpowerinthewaysthetempterpresentstoyou.
WhenthedevilputthistemptationbeforetheMaster,hisanswerwas:Man
shallnotlivebybreadalone,butbyeverywordthatproceedethoutofthemouthof
God.Thatistosay,manshalllivebythepoweroftheSpiritanditshallmanifesthis
needs.YouwillstartouttodotheMastersworkandwilltrytoliveinperfectfaith
thattheabundanceoftheSpiritwillbemanifestinyourlife.Supposethatyourrent
comesduewhenyourpurseissodepletedthatyoucannotpayitandperhapsyou
havenothingwithwhichtobuyfood.Someonecomestoyouforahealing;yourspirit
willgoouttohiminstantly,forheisarepresentativeoftheUniversalandyouarean
awakenedLightoftheUniversal;nopersonalityisinvolved,itisLightawakening
Light.Butsupposetheoldfeelingthatyoumustearnyourbreadbylabornowsteps
in,fortifiedbyyourpresentdeprivation.Yourmindwilltellyouthatyourbodymust
beprovidedforifyouaretodoyourwork,andalsothatitisbetterfortheotherto
recompenseforwhathereceives,andsoyoumakeachargeforyourhelp.Byso
doingyouhavebroughtthematteroutoftherealmoftheSpiritintotherealmof
personality,andhaveusedyournewlyacquiredpowertoearnyourbread.Youwill
failinthiswayagainandagain,butsomedayyouwillfindyourselfperfectlywilling
tocontinueintheworkeventhoughyoustarvewhiledoingit.Youwillgiveonlyto
theOne,nottoindividuals,andyouwilllookonlytotheOneforthesupplyofyour
needs.Thenyouwillhavemadethepoint,andtheturninyouraffairswillcome.
Thesecondtemptationistousespiritualpowerforselfglorification.Thenthe
deviltakethhimupintotheholycity,andsettethhimonapinnacleofthetemple,and
saithuntohim,IfthoubetheSonofGod,castthyselfdown;foritiswritten,Heshall
givehisangelschargeconcerningthee;andintheirhandstheyshallbeartheeup,lest
atanytimethoudashthyfootagainstastone.Figurativelyspeaking,tobesetona
pinnacleistoriseinspiritualpoweruntilonebecomesarecognizedspiritualleader.
Thencomesthetemptationtomanifestpowerbeforeothers,tomanipulateinvisible
forcesinthemanifestationofsomeouterevidenceofpowerandsogainthelaudation
ofthepeople.Againandagainstudentsintruthsaytome:Pleaseuseallyourpower
tohelpmedemonstratethis,sothatmyfamilyandfriendswillbelieveinthetruth.
Theythinkthattheywanttomakeconvertstothestudyoftruth,butreallytheywant
tousespiritualpowerforthepurposeofgainingthegoodopinionofothers.
HowdidJesusanswerthedevilthistime?Itiswrittenagain,thoushaltnot
tempttheLordthyGod.Thatis,thoushaltnotputatesttotheSpirit.Thewayto
meetthissecondtestisgivenintheMasterswordsintheSermonontheMount:Let
yourlightsoshinebeforemen,thattheymayseeyourgoodworksandglorifyyour
Fatherwhichisinheaven.(Matt.5:16)WhenyouhavetheLightyoumustradiateit,
thatisyourdharma,butyoumustneverrelateittoyourpersonalself.Youmustnot

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registereitherthegoodopinionorthebadopinionofothers;neithertouchesyou
unlessyouacceptit.YoumustradiatetheLightandseetheworkperformedbythe
Lightwithouttakingtoyourselfanyhonororpraiseorgratitude.Youwillmissthe
pointmanytimesbutfinallyyouwillmakeitandcometoliveintheattitudeshown
bytheMasterwhenhesaidtothosewhoacclaimedhim:Whycallestthoumegood?
Thereisnonegoodbutone,thatisGod.
Thencomesthethirdtest,thehardestofthethree.Therecordsaysthatthe
deviltookJesusupintoanexceedinghighmountain.Thisdoesnotrefertoa
mountaininaliteralsense;itisabeautifulfigureofspeechsymbolizingaheightened
stateoftheChristedconsciousness.SooftentheScripturesaysthattheMasterwent
intoamountaintoprayortoteach,andthismeansthathisspiritualconsciousness
wasintensifiedandexpandedonhigh.Thedeviltakethhimintoanexceedinghigh
mountain,andshewethhimallthekingdomsoftheworld,andthegloryofthem;and
saithuntohim,AllthesethingswillIgivethee,ifthouwiltfalldownandworship
me.
Thissametemptationcomestoeveryindividualwhoreachesthepinnacleof
spiritualpower.TheradianceofhisLightissogreatthatitdrawstohimthose
individualswhoarethirstyforTruth.Thenwhenhehasgainedtheconfidenceofthe
people,thetemptersays,Youcoulduseyourpowerinathousandwaystogain
money.Youcouldfinanceyourwork,andyoucouldhaveforyourselfalldesirable
possessions.Themindwillfurnishmostplausiblereasonstoconvincehimthatthis
wouldberight,forthemindhasbeentrainedthroughincarnationstojustifyanything
thatthedesirenaturecraves.Butifonetowhomthistemptationcomesuseshis
awakenedpowertogaintemporalthings,heisworshippingthedevil.Thiswasthe
Mastersanswer:Gettheehence,Satan;foritiswritten;thoushaltworshiptheLord
thyGod,andhimonlyshaltthouserve.
Thereismaterialforadozensermonsinthosewords.Thinkofthepowerthat
musthavebeenreleasedwhenJesussaid,Gettheehence,SatansuchpowerofLight
thattheforcesofdarknesscouldnotstandbeforeit.AMasteroftheWisdomisnota
meekandlowlycreature;hisloveandcompassionareinfinite,buttheyaresupported
bytremendousstrength.TocarryontheworkoftheGreatOnesagainstthe
concentratedforcesofdarknesstakesterrificstrength.Foritiswritten,Thoushalt
worshiptheLordthyGod.Itiswrittenmeansitisthelaw,thedharma.Itisthe
lawofyourbeingtoworshiptheLordthyGod,andhimonlyshaltthouserve.Ifthe
Christlighthasbecomesostrongwithinyouthatyouhaverisenabovethe
dominationofemotionalinfluences,thenitisthelawoftheeternal,manifestedin
yourindividualbeing,thatyoumustservetheLightandonlytheLight.Youmust
devoteeverybitofyourenergy,yourtalent,andyourtimetotheserviceofGodinthe
formofhumanity.Youcannotletanythingelseenterin;youmustconstantlyserve

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theLightbybringingtheLighttohumanity.Bysodoingyouhelptoawakenthe
consciousnessofindividualizedBeingandthusfurtherthedevelopmentevenofthe
Logosofthesolarsystem.Tolivethusistoovercomethethirdtemptation,topassthe
thirdtest.
Thenthedevilleavethhim,andbehold,angelscameandministeredunto
him.Whenyouhavestoodfirmagainsttheseeffortstomisleadyouandhavepassed
successfullythisperiodofyourinitiation,thepowersofdarknesswillleaveyou.The
angelsspokenofasministeringuntoJesusaremessengersfromtherealmsofLight;
theyaretheemancipatedoneswhohavegonethroughtheinitiationsonthepathas
youarenowgoingthroughthem.Whenyouhaveprovedthatyoucanstandsteadily
polarizedtotheLight,andcanserveitconstructivelyinthefaceofalltemptationto
useitspowerfortemporalpurposes,thentheBlessedOneswillcomeandminister
untoyou.TheywillworkwithyouinallyoureffortstofurthertheserviceofTruth.
Whenyouhaveprovedyourselfworthy,youhaveatyourcommandahostof
invisiblehelperswhowillflocktoyoursupportandwillconsciouslycooperatewith
youinyourworkforhumanity.Thisdoesnotmeanthattherewillbenomoretrials
andtestsandlaborforyou;itmeansthatthoughitmayseemthateverymanshandis
againstyou,thatthereisnohelpinthevisibleworld,theinvisiblehostwillsurround
youaslongasyoustandfirmintheLight.
Whenthispointinyourongoingisreached,thereisborninyouaninnersense
ofassurance,theperfectassurancethattheChristmusthavehadwhenhesaid:
Father,Ithanktheethatthouhastheardme.Itisaconvictionthatdoesnotcome
fromthemind,andthatcannotbeputintowords,butitisthesubstanceofwhich
worldsarecreatedandbywhichtheyaresustained.


oooOooo

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 BAPTISM BY FIRE

Lesson8

THEBAPTISMBYFIRE
Rev.2:17
InthisstudyofthelifeofJesustheChristasanallegoricalportrayaloftheevo
lution of the soul, the individual, we have reached the consideration of the most
important point in all the expansion of consciousness from the animal state to the
superman state. It is the most importantif one point in the whole cycle can be of
greaterimportancethananotherandyetitisthemostdifficulttodescribe.
InhisessentialSelf,manisafocalizedcenterofuniversalPower.Thiscenterof
powerclothesitselfinvehicleswhichareitsinstrumentsofexpressioninthephysical,
theemotional,andthementalworlds.Therefore,wecouldsaythateveryindividual
ispotentiallyoractuallyaquaternionmadeupofacenterofpowerwhichwecallthe
Spirit,avehicleinwhichtheSpiritfunctionsinallmentalactivity,avehicleinwhichit
functionsinallemotionalactivityandavehicleinwhichitactsinthemostobjective,
physicalsense.
Thereisalong,longperiodinwhichtheconsciousnessisfocusedwhollyinthe
activities of the vehicles, and in which it therefore knows itself only as its vehicles.
During all this period, one or another of these activities occupies the consciousness
predominantlywhich one this is at any given time depends upon the point in
evolution,ortheageoftheindividual.Youseesomemenwhoputthegreaterpartof
their energy into action, expending little in emotion and less in thought. There are
othersinwhomemotionisthegreatestchannelforenergy;theiractionsaregoverned
by emotions and their thoughts are controlled by them. Others, farther on in
development, have focused their energies in their mental life, and their actions and
emotionsareguidedbytheirmentalfaculties.Eachindividualhasaprimaryandtwo
secondaryformsofexpressionandyouwilllearntoclassifyhumanbeingsasphysical,
emotional, or mental types, depending upon which form is primary, and judge their
basicpointofdevelopmentaccordingly.
The focusing of consciousness in outer activitiesenduresthroughmanyincar
nations while the faculties of the Ego are being built up and developed through
reaction to experience. But inevitably there comes a time of deeper awakening for
each individual. Up to that time, the Spirit has been conscious of itself only in its
activitiesonthephysical,emotional,andmentalrealmsofbeing,butnowtherecomes
aninfinitelydeeperstirringofconsciousness,fortheSpiritisbeginningtoknowitself
initshigherstates.ThisiscalledthebirthoftheChristedconsciousness;itisthefirst

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awakeningoftheMaster,whowillcontrol,eventually,therealmsofaction,thought,
andemotion.
Allthestepsintheexpansionofconsciousnesshavebeenconsideredinthisse
riesoflessonsuptoandincludingtheBaptismbyWater.Thereisaverylongperiod
of growth between the second initiation, which marks the control of the emotional
nature, and the third initiation, which signifies the control of the mental nature, and
which is called the Baptism by Fire. During this period the Christ consciousness
carries on the purification and development in the mental body just as it previously
workedwiththephysicalandtheemotionalbodies.
Because,asIhavesaid,thechangeswroughtduringthisperiodinthelifeofthe
individual are very difficult to describe, I must ask you to give my words the
assistance of your imagination. At the risk of repeating much that has been said in
earlierlessonsconcerningthedevelopmentoftheemotionalbody,Ishallpresentthis
lessonbydescribingtoyoutheappearanceofthesubtlebodies,thepsychicnature,in
succeeding periods of their development, as they are seen by those who possess the
powerofclairvoyance.
Fromatalkofthisnature,youcanlearnmuchofthepsychologicalmeaningof
color. Every feeling and desire we entertain shows its characteristic color in our
emotionalbodies,andeverythoughtwhichhastodowithfeelingordesireclothesits
forminthesubstanceoftheemotional,desirerealmandisapparenttopsychicsight.
As I describe these things, keep in mind that there is nothing fixed about the
appearance of the subtle vehicles; the substance of which they are composed is
constantly in flux, and the color of whatever feeling or thought is uppermost in the
consciousness at the moment is shown on the surface. A mans devotional feelings
mightbepredominantatonemoment,whenhiswholeaurawouldbesuffusedwith
blue; but if he immediately became angry, the color of his aura would change to a
dark, ugly red; thenwhenhisangercooled andhefeltplacidandlovingoncemore,
hisaurawouldshowabeautifulpink.Aclairvoyantbecomesinstantlyawareofthe
content of an individuals consciousness when he sees the colors in his emotional,
desirebody.
The desire body of a very undeveloped individual, largely dominated by
animalpassion,isdeeplycoloredwithmagentared.Thereappearsalsothegraycolor
offear,bornofignoranceandsuperstition,andthedark,muddybrownofselfishness.
Whatlittleindicationthereisofmentaldevelopment,showsindarkyellow,andthisis
tingedwithbrownbecausethethoughtsareallofaselfishnaturesuchamanthinks
onlyinordertofindawaytogratifyhisdesires.
As a man lives incarnation after incarnation, and the creative life focuses
graduallyintohigherstatesanddevelopshigherqualities,theappearanceofhissubtle
body, his psychic nature, changes. There will be some indication of the clear green

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which indicates unselfish understanding of others; of the beautiful rosepink which

means that he has some unselfish love; of the blue and violet which show that his
superstition is beginning to give way to real devotion to individuals, to home, to
country,andtoreligion.Hismentalnaturewillbeshownnowbyacanaryyellow,for
hismindhasgrownstrongandclearenoughtoexercisesomecontroloverhisdesire
nature. The aura, aswearedescribing itnow,shows that selfishconsiderations still
predominate in the individual, but he has become what would be called a morally
responsiblecitizen.Hispassionsanddesiresaresofarcontrolledthattheydonotrun
awaywithhim,astheydidinhismoreprimitivestate.
Whenthismanisstillfartheralonginevolution,hisemotionalbodywillshow
the lower conditions of consciousnessdesire, selfishness, and the likeas a dark
sediment, but with the preponderance of creative power focused in higher qualities
and expressing inhighercenters.Theblue of devotion, thelight, cleargreenof true
sympathy, the pink of unselfish love, the yellow of mental development, are all
strongly in evidence. This man has reached a very high state of evolution, but he is
notyetregeneratedhestillbelongstotheorderofhumanity.
NowweshallconsidertheauraofonewhoisreadytoundergotheBaptismby
Fire,toenterintothestateofthesuperman.Theclearlemonyellowofmentalforces
unclouded by emotions, is very noticeable. The clear pink shows the power to love
with no thought of self. The green has clarified and is the color of universal
compassionforothersunderanyandallconditions.Thedeepblueandvioletcolors
show that the quality of devotion has been transformed into spiritual power. This
man is a creator;he could go far in science,in the professions, in music orart, or he
could become agreathealer, forhehaslargelycontrolledhisownhumanstatesand
haslearnedtocontrolcreativepoweranduseitinconstructiveeffort.
Thereisnosedimentoflowerconditionsshowingintheauraofthisman.All
the darkness of selfishness, and the qualities born of it, has given way before the
divinepower.Thepowerfullightwhichiscomingthroughthetopofhisheadproves
thathisconsciousnessisregenerated,thatthewholebackgroundofhisnatureisready
forthegreatevent.ToberegeneratedmeansnotonlythatthepoweroftheSpirithas
triumphed over the animal naturethat the creative power once used in satisfying
personal desires is now used in the service of the Father, the law of beingit means
alsothattheSpirithastriumphedoverthementalnaturethatthementalqualitiesof
logic, reason, and judgment are no longer dominant in the consciousness but have
becometheinstrumentsofthehigherpowers.
Thesevenraysoflightcomingthroughthetopoftheheadaretheevidenceof
the spiritual awakening called regeneration. In the symbology of the Book of Rev
elation, they are spoken of as the seven golden candlesticks. Light has been the
symbolofspiritualWisdom,andevenintherelativeplaneswespeakofthelightor

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thelampofknowledge.TheScripturesarefullofreferencestotheLight.Yearethe
lightoftheworld....Letyourlightsoshinebeforemen,thattheymayseeyourgood
works,andglorifyyourFatherwhichisinheaven.ThatwasthetrueLight,which
lightetheverymanthatcomethintotheworld.Thespiritofmanisthecandleofthe
Lord.Forthouwiltlightmycandle;theLordmyGodwillenlightenmydarkness.
Awakethouthatsleepest,andarisefromthedead,andChristshallgivetheelight.
The Lord shall be thine everlasting light. John, the regenerated man, describing in
Revelationtheexperienceofspiritualsight,says:AndIturnedtoseethevoicethat
spakewithme.Andbeingturned,Isawsevengoldencandlesticks;andinthemidst
ofthesevencandlesticksonelikeuntotheSonofman,clothedwithagarmentdown
tothefoot,andgirtaboutthepapswithagoldengirdle.Hisheadandhishairswere
whitelikewool,aswhiteassnow;andhiseyeswereasaflameoffire;andhisfeetlike
unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many
waters.(Rev.1:1215)
Now let me explain to you the significance of the changes, which have been
describedastakingplaceinthesubtlebodies.Youknowthatwecannotfunctionin
any realm of consciousness except through a vehicle created of the matter of that
plane.Thesevehicles,orbodies,aretheinstrumentsthroughwhichtheEgoacts,oris
aware, in the different realms, or states, of its being. While the consciousness of the
Egoisfocusedwhollyintheouterworldsofaction,feeling,andthought,itsspiritual
plane vehicles remain undeveloped, but with the awakening of the Christ power, or
the first initiation, the creative power of the individual changes from serving the
personality and begins to serve the Spirit, and then the higher vehicles of the Spirit
mustbebuiltanddevelopedsothatitmayfunctionconsciouslyinitsownrealms.
As the spiritual power purifies and controls successivelyalthough the
processes overlapthe physical, emotional and mental vehicles, it also builds and
developsthespiritualvehicles.Thesubstancethathasbeenbuiltintothelowerbodies
byaction,desire,andthought,whichisofanaturenotworthytobeincorporatedinto
thespiritualbody,iscastoutbythecleansingpoweroftheSpiritandburnedupbyits
fire.Butnotallthathasbeenbuiltinisofsuchanature.Duringthepersonallifein
the natural body, there have been many unselfish thoughts and desires, many
unselfish acts. There have been periods of abstract thought, uncolored by consid
erationsofself.Therehavebeenperiodsofpure,selflessdevotiontoworkwhichthe
individual would have said profited him nothing, not knowing that it was treasure
laid up in heaven. For the truth is that not one such moment has been lost; the
substanceofeveryonehasbeenstoredagainstthetimewhenthehigherforceshould
permeate the natural body and transform all the unselfish matter in it into the
functional power of the Spirit. When that power has become strong enough, it rays
out through the natural body; it becomes the seven golden candlesticks, and it is

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thesestreamsofpowerwhichbuildanddevelopthespiritualbody.Ifyoucouldsee
the spiritual body of a fully awakened individual, you would see in it none of the
dark, lowvibrating colors which formerly appeared in the emotional body, but you
would see all the beautiful clear, highvibrating colors that have been described,
intensifiedintoamarvelousradiance.
When this work has gone on until the impure substances are all eliminated
from the lower vehicles, and those which are worthy to be used in building the
spiritual body, the temple of God, have been taken up into it, the basic point of the
consciousness of the Ego is transferred from the lower worldsto thehigherspiritual
worlds. Having created its causal body, it now has a vehicle through which it can
function in the divine world (what we call Mind level) with the Christ power. This
power streaming down from on high through the purified lower vehicles, literally
transforms them. This is the Baptism by Fire, the third initiation, which admits the
mantoahigherorderofbeingsthatofthesupermen.Nolongerdoesheactfromthe
limitedstateandwiththelimitedpowerwhichbelongedtohiminhisnaturalbody.
He appears like other men, but in reality his thoughts, feelings, and acts are the
thoughts,feelings,andactsoftheIAM,consciousofitsdivinenature.
In the first epistle to the Corinthians, Paul tells of the greatworkdescribed in
this lesson: For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus
Christ.(TheSon,theindividualizedaspectoftheSpirit.)Nowifanymanbuildupon
this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every mans work
shallbemademanifest:forthedayshalldeclareit,becauseitshallberevealedbyfire;
and the fire shall try every mans work of what sort it be. If any mans work abide
whichhehathbuiltthereupon,heshallreceiveareward.Ifanymansworkshallbe
burned, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (1
Cor.3:1115)Inanotherverse,Paulspeaksoftherewardtobereceivedbyonewhose
buildingisfoundgood:Eyehathnotseen,norearheard,neitherhaveenteredinto
the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But
GodhathrevealedthemuntousbyhisSpirit.(1Cor.2:9,10)
JohntellsinRevelationofthispromiseoftheSpirit:Tohimthatovercometh
will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the
stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth
it.(Rev.2:17)Thewhitestoneisthespiritual(Mindlevel)body;thehiddenmannais
theChristedpowerandsweetnessoftheSpirit,andtheOvercomeristheonewhohas
receivedhisthirdinitiation,throughtheBaptismbyFire.


oooOooo

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 REWARD OF THE FATHER

Lesson9

THEREWARDOFTHEFATHER
Matthew6:16


Takeheedthatyedonotyouralmsbeforemen,tobeseenofthem;
otherwiseyehavenorewardofyourFatherwhichisinheaven.
Therefore, when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet
beforethee,asthehypocritesdointhesynagoguesandinthestreetsthat
they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their
reward.
Butwhenthoudoestalms,letnotthylefthandknowwhatthyright
handdoeth:
That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in
secret,himselfshallrewardtheeopenly.
Andwhenthouprayest,thoushaltnotbeasthehypocritesare:for
they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the
streets,thattheymaybeseenofmen.VerilyIsayuntoyou,Theyhave
theirreward.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou
hastshutthydoor,praytothyFatherwhichisinsecret:andthyFather
whichseethinsecretshallrewardtheeopenly.

Pleaseconsiderthisvolumeasastudyclassinwhichweareseekingthe
esotericmeaningofthefundamentalprinciplesoftheChristianScripturesforthe
purposeofusingthemasguidestoourlifehereandhereafter.Onlytothedegreein
whichweunderstandtheMastersmessagecanitbealivingpowerinourspiritual
unfoldment.
ConsidertheversesoftheSermonontheMountgivenabove.Secrecyisthe
keynoteofthissixthchapterofMatthew.RepeatedlytheMasterenjoinssecrecy,and
tellsuswhatgreatthingsmaybeaccomplishedbythuscontrollingthepowerforthat
iswhatismeantherebysecrecy.
Inthefirstverse,wemustfirstunderstandwhatJesusmeantbythewords
Fatherandheaven.Onewhohaslearnedtointernalizehispowersofconsciousness
hasdiscoveredanewinterpretationofbothwords.Herealizesthatheavenisthe
realmofhisownBeinginwhichthefocalizedforceofhisconsciousnessfunctions.

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ThatfocalizedstateofhisessentialBeingisreflectedexternallyinthreedifferent
degrees.Oneofthesereflectedstatesiscalledthementalworld;oneistheemotional,
astralordesireworld;thethirdisthephysicalworld,themostexternalrepresentation
ofthatinternalstateofbeing.
SometimeswespeakoftheheavenworldastherealminwhichthepureEgo
functions.BypureEgo,wemeanconsciousnessfreefromadulteration,forpureis
usedinachemicalsense,notinamoralsense.Theconsciousnessmustbepurified
frommentalactivities,fromfeelinganddesire,andfromthevaluesgiventothe
externalappearanceofthephysicalstatebeforetheEgocanfunctioninitsownworld
theheavenstate.
TheMastersaid:OtherwiseyehavenorewardofyourFatherwhichisin
heaven.InthisstateoftheEgo,whatistheFather?Intheinstructiongiveninthe
SchooloftheNaturalOrder,wedwellconstantlyuponthethoughtthateverylife,in
itsessentialnature,isafocalizationoftheoneindivisible,indissolubleuniversal
Power,andthatthewholeuniversallifeisparticipatingineveryfocalizedor
individualizedcenter.Thatistrue,althoughitisnottruethateveryindividualized
centerisparticipatingintheuniversalconsciousness;itisonlytheGreatOneswho
havereachedtherealizationoftheuniversalstateoftheirownBeingwhocanfunction
intheuniversalconsciousness.
Inourteachingwedonottreatoftheuniversallifeassomethingoutsideofus
inwhichourindividualizedcentersfunction;werealizethatthereisnooutside,that
everythingappearstobeoutsideonlybecauseofthelimitationsofourownstateof
consciousness.Therefore,itisconsistentwithourrealizationandwiththeteachingof
theschooltosaythatthewholeuniversallifeisparticipatingineveryindividualized
center,whetherthatcenteristhelifegermofanatom,theEgoofman,ortheliving
forceofasolarsystem.TheplanoflifeisthatultimatelytheuniversalPowerwill
unfolditselfinSelfawarenesswithinthatcenter,withineachcentertothelimitofthat
center.
Thatbeingtrue,weseethatwhenalifecenterhasattainedastateofSelf
awarenessbeyondtheobjectiveconsciousnessofmanandisrealizingitsEgoicSelf,it
ispossibleforittoenterarealmofBeingotherthanthemental,emotional,and
physicalstatesofhumanlife.Whenitentersthatrealm,itdiscoverstheheavenworld,
anditisfacetofacewiththeuniversalPowerwhichistheFather.Itthenrealizesthat
ithasauniversallifewhichhasbecomeconsciousofitselfasanindividual.Thenthe
Fatherisknownasanactual,tangible,dynamiccreativecenter.
Inthisunderstanding,theadmonitionoftheMastertakesonadeeper
significance.Takeheedthatyedonotyouralmsbeforemen,tobeseenofthem;
otherwiseyehavenorewardofyourFatherwhichisinheaven.Fortheindividuals
whoareyoungindevelopment,allvaluesareexternalized;theirthoughtcenterson

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 REWARD OF THE FATHER

howtheyappearbeforeothers;theydesirethegoodopinionofothers.Butthetrue
devoteeonthepathofTruthmusthavegrownoutofallsuchvalues;Hemustnot
carenay,hemustnotevenregisterwhatanotherpersonthinksofhim.Thatisastate
beyondindifference,forwemusthaveregisteredathingbeforewecanbeindifferent
toit.
Thereforewhenthoudoestthinealms,donotsoundatrumpetbeforethee,as
thehypocritesdointhesynagoguesandinthestreets,thattheymayhavegloryof
men.VerilyIsayuntoyou,theyhavetheirreward.
InthispassagetheMasterssubtlehumorisravishing.Itisnotcynicismnor
satire;eitherwouldbeapersonalreactionbelongingtoahumanstateofdevelopment.
ButtheMasterhashisownhumorhereisevidenceofit.Therewardofthe
hypocritesistheacclaimoftheficklecrowd,athingsofutile,soutterlyvaluelessthat
todesireitislaughable.
IfyouhavereadThusSpakeZarathustrabyFriedrichNietzsche,youwill
remembertheincidentoftheropedancer.Nietzschesawclearly,andbytherope
dancerheportrayed,thebuffooneryofonewhoperformsinordertocatchthe
plauditsofthecrowd.Thenifyoucanfaintlyimaginetherelativedifferencebetween
theconsciousnessinwhichtheropedancersofhumanityfunctionandthe
consciousnessofaMasteroftheWisdomfunctioningintherealmofpureLightand
truth,youwillhavesomeunderstandingofJesushumor.Letthechildrenhavetheir
playthings!Indulgethemuntiltheygrowupandlearnwhatthingsareofrealvalue!
TheMastercontinues:Butwhenthoudoestalms,letnotthylefthandknow
whatthyrighthanddoeth:Thatthinealmsmaybeinsecret:AndthyFather,which
seethinsecret,himselfshallrewardtheeopenly.Thesewordsareastrueandas
applicabletodayastheywerenineteenhundredyearsago.Wehaveareincarnationof
thewholesetting;wehavethesynagogues,andwehavethePhariseessupportedby
thescribes.Theyaredestroyingtheirowninstitutionsbytheirhypocrisybutletthem
alone!Thelawofcauseandeffectwilltakecareofallthat.ThepointIwanttomake
isthattheconditionstheMasterhadtodealwith1900yearsagoexisttodayaswell.
Weneednotflatterourselvesthatourstateisbetterthantheformerstate.Thehighest
stateforeachindividualistolivetrulyathisownpointinevolutionaccordingtothe
clearestlightofhisunderstanding.Wemustbeconcernedwithourindividuallawof
being,withourownspiritualprogress,forinthedegreeinwhichwearetruetothat,
weareaboutourFathersbusiness,inthestrictestsenseofthewords.
TheMastersaidtothefollowersoftheChristLightthelightthatwasinhim
nineteenhundredyearsagoandthatisinhimtodayinayetgreaterdegreeWhen
thouprayest,enterintothycloset,andwhenthouhastshutthedoor,praytothe
Fatherwhichisinsecret;andthyFatherwhichseethinsecret,shallrewardthee
openly.Thatistosay,ifwecanstilltheexternalstatesofourconsciousness,and

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 REWARD OF THE FATHER

focusinourinnerstatesinthesecretplaceoftheMostHighwecanknowthe
living,indwelling,creatinglifewhichfunctionsinandcomprehendsallindividuals,
irrespectiveofanyindividualrealizationofit.
ThyFatherwhichisinsecretthisistheentirerealmofindividual
consciousness.Thephysical,emotional,andmentalworldsaresimplytheexternal
realmsofourownbeing.Wehavepowertofocusourconsciousnessininnerorin
outerstatesaswechoose.Thedoorsofourconsciousnessopenoutwardeverytime
weregisteranexternalconditionorthingorperson,whetherthatregistryisinthe
mental,theemotional,orthephysicalworldallareexternaltotheinnerstate.These
doorsareonhingesthatworkbothways,buttheyhaveopenedonewayforsolonga
timethattheyhavesetupamomentumoftheirown,andthereforewefindthatwe
haveadifficulttaskonourhandswhenfirstwetrytochangethefocalizationof
consciousnessfromoutertoinnerstates.Wediscoverthatwemustcreatenewhabits.
Iwishthatyoustudentswhoarebeginningthisworkcouldrealizethat
progressonthepathislargelyamatterofthecultivationofnewhabits;ifyoucould
realizethis,youwouldnotgodownsoeasilyunderdisappointmentand
discouragement.Stoptotakeaccountofyourselves.Thinkoftheyearsofthislifein
whichyouhavebeenexternalizingyourfacultiesconstantly;thentrytoimaginethe
numberofincarnationsinwhichyouhavegoneoverandoverthesameprocess.Now
theturningpointhascomeforyou;yourconsciousnessmustbefocusedinyourinner
states.Itisnotaneasythingtocreatethesenewhabits,butatyourpointofevolution
itisanecessarything.Youmustsettledowntoasustained,methodicaleffortto
internalizeyourcognitivefaculties.Donotexpecttoaccomplishthisimmediately;itis
amatterofgainingcontrolofyourownpowers,anditwillcometoyoulittlebylittle.
First,itisnecessarytolearntoclosethedoortothephysicalworld.Sitstilland
trytokeepyourconsciousnessfromregisteringexternalthingsnoises,particularly,
andalsothesmalldemandsofthephysicalbody.Assoonasyoutrytorelax,youwill
feellittlestrainsandtensionsinthebody,butwithpersistenceyoucantrainittobe
still.Whenphysicalsensationsdonotdistractyou,youhaveclosedthedoortooneof
theouterworlds.Seekthebestenvironmentyoucan,ofcourse,butrememberthat
silenceisnotamatterofroomsitisamatterofconsciousness.
Itisagreatertasktoclosetheseconddoorthedoortotheemotionalworld.
Thatmeanstoshutoutfromyourconsciousnessthewavefrequencieswhichnow
causeyoutohavefeelingsfororagainstpersons,conditions,andsituations.Itmeans
gainingabsolutecontrolovertheemotions.Youhaveallowedemotionsanddesiresto
sweepyououtofyourbalanceuntilthehabitisastrongone,butthenewhabitof
controlcanandmustbecultivated.Donotwaitfortherighttimeandopportunity;
seizeeveryoddminuteforyourpractice.Someofyouarerichintimeand
opportunity;ifyouareoneofthese,givethanksforthegoodkarmayouhaveearned

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andmakethebestuseofyourblessing.Blessyouropportunityanduseit.Butifyou
aresobusythatyoucandonomorethansnatchfiveminuteshereandthere,donotbe
discouraged.Progressisamatterofmakingthemostofwhatopportunityonehas,
andsometimestheonewhohasleastappreciatesitmostandmanifeststhegreatest
resultsofhiseffort.
Thethirdsteptowardtheheavenworldiscontrolofthethoughtrealm.Youdissipate
theenergyofthementalbodybyadmittingtoyourconsciousnessthedesultory,
vagabondthoughtsfromtheracemindcurrents.Youmustnowbegintoorganize
yourmentalfacultiesandcompeltheirobediencetoyourwill.Thedoortothemental
realmmustbeclosedsotightthatnotathoughtcanenter.
Whenthethreedoorstotheouterworldsareunderyourcontrol,yourreward
isnear,forthenyoucanturnyourconsciousnessdeeperwithinyourbeingandholdit
focusedinjoyful,radiantexpectancy.YouareabouttoknowtheGreatExperience
theconsciouscontactwiththeFather.Youwillbeconsciousoftheuniversalinyour
individualbeing,andconsciousthatallthatisintheuniversalisalsoinyou.Inthat
understanding,youwillknowthateveryrealizedstateinyouhasitsexternal
representation,andthatthatrepresentationistheopenrewardoftheFatherwhich
seethinsecret.
Thegloryofthatrealizationisbeyondwords.Itisknowntohimalonewhohas
enteredandfoundtheFatherintheheartofhisownBeingitcannotbetold,itcannot
betold.


oooOooo

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REWARD OF THE FATHER

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 ILLUMINED CONSCIOUSNESS

Lesson10

TENGOODMENSAVEACITY
or
ThePowerofanIlluminedConsciousness
Genesis18:2033

And Jehovah said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is
great,andbecausetheirsinisverygrievous;
Iwillgodownnow,andseewhethertheyhavedonealtogether
accordingtothecryofit,whichiscomeuntome;andifnot,Iwillknow.
And the men turned from thence, andwent toward Sodom;but
AbrahamstoodyetbeforeJehovah.
And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou consume the
righteouswiththewicked?
Peradventuretherearefiftyrighteouswithinthecity:wiltthou
consumeandnotsparetheplaceforthefiftyrighteousthataretherein?
That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the
righteouswiththewicked,thatsotherighteousshouldbeasthewicked:
thatbefarfromthee;ShallnottheJudgeofalltheearthdoright?
And Jehovah said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the
city,thenIwillsparealltheplacefortheirsake.
And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken
uponmetospeakuntotheLord,whoambutdustandashes:
Peradventurethereshalllackfiveofthefiftyrighteous:wiltthou
destroyallthecityforlackoffive?Andhesaid,Iwillnotdestroyit,ifI
findtherefortyandfive.
Andhespakeuntohimagain,andsaid,Peradventurethereshall
befortyfoundthere.Andhesaid,Iwillnotdoitforthefortyssake.
And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak:
peradventurethereshallthirtybefoundthere.Andhesaid,Iwillnotdo
it,ifIfindthirtythere.
And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto
theLord:peradventurethereshallbetwentyfoundthere?Andhesaid,
Iwillnotdestroyitforthetwentyssake.

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 ILLUMINED CONSCIOUSNESS

And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet
butthisonce;peradventuretenshallbefoundthere.Andhesaid,Iwill
notdestroyitforthetenssake.


ThisstoryofAbrahamsintercessionwiththeLordtosavethewickedcitiesof
SodomandGomorrahisawonderfullessononthePowerofanIllumined
Consciousness.
Fromeachindividualflowsforthaninfluenceaccordingtothenatureofhis
consciousness.Forourownsakesandforthesakeofourworld(meaningallthatour
awarenesstouchesinanystateofbeing),ourfirstconcernshouldbethequalityofthat
influence.Theinfluenceisasilentone;itmayfindexpressionthroughwordsor
helpfulservice,butthewordsortheservicewouldbeimpotentwithouttheradiating
powerofrealizationbehindthem.
WebeginourworkinTruthbyendeavoringtohelpanotherwhoisintrouble.
Bysodoing,weworkthroughtheprobationarystepsonthepathofconscious
realizationofourownimmortality.Renderingservicetoothersistheonlywaywe
cangainourownspiritualevolution.Perhapsyouthinkyoucanadvanceyourinner
developmentmostrapidlybysecludingyourselffromtheworldanddevoting
yourselftomeditationandausterities,butthisisnottrueandwillbeattestedtobyall
whohavetriedit.Itisthestudentwhosincerelyandunselfishlylovesandserves
others,tryingtoimpartwhatevermeasureoflightandknowledgehemayhave,who
findshisownconsciousnessexpandingintheincreaseofthatlightandknowledge.
Irememberinthisconnectionanexperiencewhichwasrelatedtomesome
yearsagobyawonderfuloldlady,who,bytheway,wasaspiritualistatruly
spiritualspiritualist.Shewasstrickenwithsomemaladyandconfinedtoherbed.She
haddoneallthatshecould,accordingtoherbestunderstanding,toreceivehealing,
butwithoutchangingherconditionand,almostindespair,shecriedouttotheGreat
Onestohelpher.ShetoldmethatatonceshesawaradiantPresenceinherroom,and
thePresencesaid,Ifyouwanttobehealed,youmusthealothers.Shesaid,Allmy
lifeIhadthoughtthatinordertohealImustbeinawonderfulstateofconsciousness
myself.NowhereIwassickinbed,yetItookanoaththatIwouldfollowthe
admonitionofthatPresence.ItsohappenedthatanassociationofSpiritualistswasin
conventioninthecityatthetime,andthisoldladygotupfromherbedanddressed
and,withtremendouseffort,gotonastreetcarandwenttotheplacewheretheywere
assembled.Regardlessofthespeakerontheplatform,shewentdowntheaisle,faced
thepeople,andasked,Isthereanyoneherewhoneedsatreatment?Twoorthree
responded,andshecriedtothem,BythegloryofGodIrealizeyouwholeand
perfect.Shesaid,ThenmystrengthfloodedintomeandIneverdidgobacktobed.

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 ILLUMINED CONSCIOUSNESS

Overandover,inmyownexperienceandthroughlearningoftheexperienceof
others,Ihaverealizedthatonegainsahundredfoldforhimselfforforgettinghimself
completelyintheinterestsofothers.ManytimesIhavebeenalittlewearyandmight
nothaveexercisedmyselftoreachaheightenedstateofconsciousnessforthemoment
ifIhadnothadanappointmenttoseesomeonewhowasinneedofhelp.Inopening
myconsciousnesstotheinflowofpowerfortheirneed,myownstatewasalwaysso
quickenedthatIfeltifthestudentreceivedonetenthofthebenefitIreceived,itwould
beagloriousexperienceforhim,andIwantedtothankhimforcomingandgivingme
suchanopportunity.
Serviceisthekeynoteofspiritualdevelopmentallalongtheway.Donot
imaginethatyoucanfindanyothermeanstothatend.Duringourprobationary
periodonthepaththetimecomeswhenwerealizefirstthattheforcesof
consciousnessarebeingradiatedthroughus.Foratimethehabitofthoughtsuggests
thatitisradiatingtosomeindividualorindividuals,butlateronintheworkwe
developgreaterabilitytointerprettheconditionsofourhigherstates,andwelearn
thatwearenotradiatingpowertoanyindividual,buttoagroup,toacity,toa
country,ortoapeople.ForyearsIhavewatchedthisgoingonwithinmyself.For
instance,nomatterhowhardImayworkphysically,Icangotobedatnightandget
myrestoutinaveryshorttime.Thenwhenthepowerreachesacrescendo,my
physicalsleepisbrokenandIawakentotheconsciousnessthattremendousforcesare
streamingthroughme.Ilierelaxedandsubjectivelysensitiveandtrytofollowit,and
discoverthatitisflowingintothegreatracemindonitshigherlevels.Icantakeno
creditinapersonalsenseforthis;asIhavesaid,Iawakentofinditgoingoninme.I
knowthatintheinnerstatesofbeingtherearethosewhoknowwherethepoweris
needed,andthattheyareusingmeasachannel,afocalpoint,throughwhichthe
powercanwork.Donotforgetthatforcecannotworkinmanexceptthroughman.
TheMastersoftheWisdomcannotworkonlowerlevelsunlesstheyhavechannelson
theselevels,evenasthepowerful,concentratedforcesofabroadcastingstationcould
notbesentoutexceptthroughinstruments.Theforcesofeverystateorplanemust
radiatethroughsomecenter,somefocalpoint,someinstrument;thereisnoexception
tothis.
ManypersonstowhomIhavetaughtthescienceoflifehaveaskedmethis
question:Vitvan,ifthereisnoCreatoroutsideofus,ifthereisnoomnipotentforce
orintelligenceinfillingsocalledspace,howisprayeranswered?Ihavetoldthem
thatweanswereachothersprayers.Ifyouhavegonealongthepathtothepoint
whereyoufunctionbeyondthesenselifeandthedesirelifeandareradiatingthe
forcesofhigherstates,youmaybeansweringtheprayersofindividualswhomyou
neverhaveseenandperhapsneverwillsee.Ifthedemandbemadewithsincerityand
honestyofpurpose,prayerwillbeanswered.Thereissomeconsciousness,embodied

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 ILLUMINED CONSCIOUSNESS

ordisembodied,thatwillregisterandrespondtothecall.Whenthesethingsareno
longertheorywithyou,whenyoubegintofunctionconsciouslyinthehigherforces,
thisexperienceofradiatinghelpandstrengthwillbealmostadailyandnightly
occurrence.Thenyouwillliveinaworldsomarvelousthatnothinginyourobjective
lifecanbecomparedtoit.Itellyousincerelythattofunctioninsucharealmwithfull
consciousvolitionisoneofthemostgloriousstatesitispossibleforustoattain.At
firstyouwillnothavetheobjectiveconsciousnessofwhatisbeingdoneinthe
subjectiverealmsofyournature(bysubjectiveImeanthedesire,mental,andspiritual
statesofbeing),butthatunderstandingwillgrowasyougoonthroughtheyearsin
theworkofTruth.Graduallyalittlemoreknowledge,alittlemoreinnerrealization,
willbeopenedtoyouuntilyouliveinthefullLightofunderstanding.
Servicetoothers,limitedonlybyourabilitytorealizepower,marksour
progressonthepath.Itisinstinctivetoournaturefromthetimewebegintoserve
untilwereachthepointoffirstansweringprayerunconsciouslyandthenconsciously.
Thegreaterspiritualresponsibilitieswillbegivenyouwhenyouhavereacheda
certainpointinyourongoingthepointofbeingabletosustainyourlightsteadilyso
thatthosewhowillbedependentuponyoumaybeansweredwhentheycall.To
answertheprayerofthoseinneedthinkoftheresponsibility!Theonewhofollows
thepathisgivenincreasingresponsibility,increasingpower,untilheradiatessogreat
aninfluencethattensuchcansaveacityaye,one,ifheispowerfulenough,cansave
anentirecityfromtheforcesofdarknesswhichwoulddestroyit.
AstoryistoldintheOrientofaholymanwholivedinacaveinthemountains,
nearavillage.Thevillagersknewofthehermit.Theytookfoodtohimvery
frequentlybut,althoughtheysoughttotalkwithhimandbeghimtoteachthem,he
refusedallobjectivecontactwiththem.Theythoughthimextremelyselfishinthathe
refusedtoreceivethemwhentheywerehungeringforlightandunderstanding.After
manyyears,duringwhichthevillagerslivedingreatprosperity,security,andpeace,
thosewhotookfoodtotheholymanfoundonedaythathisSpirithadgonefromhis
physicalvehicle.
Shortlyafterthisthepeaceofthevillagewasbrokenbyadreadfulmurder.
Neverwithinmemoryhadsuchathinghappenedthere,anditstruckhorrortothe
heartsofall.WhenthereissuchanoccurrenceinanIndiancommunity,thecriminal
doesnotreceivealltheblame.SpiritualteachingiscommoninIndia;thepeopleknow
moreoftheinnerforcesthanisknownhere,sointhiscasethevillagersknewthatif
theyhadmaintainedtherightstateofconsciousness,iftheyhadbeenfaithfulin
meditation,nodestructiveforcecouldhaveenteredthevillagegroupspiritand
possessedoneoftheweak,youngsoulsthere.Acouncilofthevillageleaderswas
called,andtheymeditatedsevendaysandnightstolearnjusthowtheyhadfailed,
andwhysuchacatastrophehadbeenvisiteduponthem.Finally,oneoftheelders

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 ILLUMINED CONSCIOUSNESS

criedout,Iknow,Iknowwhatcausedthisthing.Hewentontotelltheothersthat
whiletheholymanlivedthepowerofhisconsciousnesshadprotectedthevillage
fromnegativeforces,thattheyhaddependedupontheinvisibleradiationsofhis
forcesuntil,unconsciously,theyhadneglectedtomaintainaheightenedstateoftheir
ownpowers.Thenwhenhisspiritpassedbeyondtherangeoftheirconsciousness
andtheycouldnotcontactitsinfluencetheevilinfluenceenteredtheconsciousnessof
thevillage.Allagreedthatthiswastheexplanationoftheirtrouble,andalsotheclue
totheirfuturesecurity.
Students,thisstorymeansmuchtome,andIwantyoualsototakeittoheart.
Remember,thatwithoutsayingordoinganobjectivethingyoucanradiateaforce
whichwilltransformyourhomeoryourneighborhood,andthatenoughofusunited
cantransformacityfromdarknessintoLight.Thusitistobeaninstrumentforthe
useoftheGreatOnes.Iftensuchcanbefound,allwillbepreservedfromthereaction
oftheirowndestructivecreations.Youknowthattheonlythingswhichcandestroy
individuals,cities,countries,orpeoples,aretheirownperversecreationsFor
whatsoeveramansowthatshallhealsoreap.Thiswecallthekarmiclaw,butitis
nottobetakentooliterally;understanditratherwiththeconsciousnessoftheinner
spirit,justaswemustunderstandthisstoryofAbrahamsintercessionwiththeLord.
Thislessonwillopentoyourmindsaquestionthathasdisturbedtheologians
forhundredsofyears:InwhatsensedidJesustheChristredeemandmakevicarious
atonementfortherace?TheyhavetakentheoldMosaicwritingsliterallyand
believedthattheChristwassacrificedtoappeaseanangryGod.Thatisahorrible
waytointerpretamarvelousdoctrine.Itishorribletothinkthatthemostrighteous
man,themostblessedman,theOnewithoutstainorblemishhadtobeofferedasa
sacrificetoanangryDeitytosavetherestoftheworld.Thosewhosobelievehave
missedentirelytheinnersignificanceofthedoctrineofthevicariousatonementofthe
redeemeroftheworld.OnewhostandsinthegreatpowerofanAvatarthefocal
pointoftheLogosmadefleshbecomestheredeemeroftheworldbytakingupon
himselftheloadofkarmicconditionsresultingfromthedestructiveactsofalltherace,
andliftsthatloadbythegreatpowerofhisilluminedSpirit.Inthisinnersense,the
doctrineofvicariousatonementisatruedoctrine.
Ihavenotsufficientpowerofrealizationtotellyoualltheconsequencetothe
worldifJesushadnottakenuponhimselfthekarmicloadandliftedthedarkness,but
Idoknowthattheconsequenceswouldhavebeenappalling.Ibelievethatthere
wouldhavebeenanothercataclysmsuchastheonewhichdestroyedAtlantis,ifthe
greatIlluminedOnehadnotincarnated.Ihaveseenonetakeuponhimselfthekarmic
loadofagroupandsuffer,suffer,suffer,thoughhehimselfhaddonenosinagainst
theLight.Ihavewitnessedthis,andIknowthatinamuchhigherdegreetheAvatar,

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 ILLUMINED CONSCIOUSNESS

thegreatrepresentativeoftheLogos,didthisandbecametheactualredeemerofthe
world.
IbelievethatAbrahamcouldhavesaid,Oh,Lord,iftherebeonerighteous
man,canhenotsavethecity?Andtheanswerwouldhavebeen,Yes,ifonecanbe
found,hecansavethecityfromthewrathanddestructionwhichwouldoverthrowit.
Rememberthatthereisnopowerofeviltoovertakeyouexceptthepoweryoucreate,
andrememberthatoneindividualconsciousintheLightisfarstrongerthanamyriad
indarkness.OneintheLighthasamightyhostofinvisiblebeingstohelphim.
IlovetheseBiblestories,andIgetthegreatestinspirationandhelpfromthem.Ilove
thestoryofElisha,theprophetoftheLord,tryingtosavehispeoplefromthemighty
armyarrayedagainstthem.Hishelpersinphysicalformwereoutnumberedtwenty
toone.Hisfavoritedisciple,ayoungman,trembledwithfear.SoElishaprayedthe
Lordtoopenhiseyesthathemightsee,andlo,hesawthatthewholecampwas
surroundedbyinvisiblehelpers.SuchisthepowerofoneintheLightagainstthe
forcesofdarkness.
StandintheLight;watchyourthoughts,watchyourfeelingsanddesires,that
youmaynotcreatetheconditionsofdarkness.Trainyourselfinmeditation,train
yourselftobestill,tobeachannelfortheforcesoftheGreatOnes.Thetimewillcome
whenyoucanwitnesstheeffectofthatinfluencearoundyou,aradiationwhichwill
growuntilyoucanbeafocalpointforthepowertosaveacity.


oooOooo

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 FAITH

Lesson11

F A I T H
Hebrews11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not
seen.


OfthemanybeautifulexpressionsoffaithtobefoundintheChristian
Scriptures,IthinkweturnmostoftentothesewordsofPaul.Theyexplaintousthe
faiththatisinusatthetimeswhen,intheouterworld,weseenothingbutdarkness
anddespair.Theyareconfirmationthatoursenseoftheessentialrightnessofallthat
isistheresultofaninnerknowledge,thoughthatknowledgemaynotyetbea
realizationperceptibletoourmentalfaculties.
Yet,inactuality,thewordfaithhasadifferentmeaningforeachindividual,a
meaningthatdependsuponthedegreetowhichhisconsciousnesshasexpandedinto
understanding.
Thereisnosuchthingasblindfaiththetermismisleading.Therecanbeno
faithwithoutabasisofknowledge;therefore,onewhoiswhollyunawakenedinthe
innerstatesofhisbeinghasnopossibilityoftouchingasomethingwithinhimself
whichcouldbecalledfaith.Wecannotlayholdofaforceuntilwehavebuiltthe
facultiesthroughwhichitcanfunction.Untilcertaininnerstatesaredeveloped,men
mustliveunreasoninglyinthebeliefshandeddownbytheirforefathers,notinthe
realized,creativepowerofGodthroughfaith.
However,youreaders,whoareinthestudyofthehighestpresentationof
Truth,knowthequickeningoftheSpiritwithinyou.Theactivatingforceofthe
immortalstateofyourbeinghasbeeninevidenceinyouforyears,evenforlives.This
doesnotmeanthatyourEgohasextricateditselfanditscreativepowerfromthe
animalandthehumanstatesofitsdevelopment.No,youstillliveinthefeelingsand
theemotionsoftheanimalstate,andintheselfishnessandthementalvaluesofthe
humanstateinalloftheconditionsthatmakeupthepersonality.Butevenso,you
haveexperiencedthequickeningpoweroftheSpirit,andthathasgivenyouthegreat
boonoffaith.Faithisatremendouspoweravailabletoyou.Gloryinitandrestupon
it,whileyouarescalingtheheightsofyourownbeingtothatstateofrealization
whichisbeyondfaith.

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 FAITH

Faithwillsupportyouthroughthebewildermentandthedifficultythatbesets
youwhileyouareworkingoutyourdestiny.Youmusttakeeachsteponthe
evolutionarypath,butthepoweroffaithwillwalkwithyouandsafeguardyou.
Youmayhaveattainedaconceptual,intellectualunderstandingofyoureternal
being.Youmayknowthatitistheuniversallifeindividualized,butthatscientific
knowledgealonewillnotenableyoutomeetlifesproblems.Faith,theevidenceofan
innerknowledge,willdothat.Itwillhelpyoutogobeyondthementalplaneintothe
stillnessofyourinnerbeingwheretheinfluenceofyoureternalSelfcanbefelt.Itis
verydifficulttoriseinconsciousnesstothepointofintuitiveperception,tothe
immediacyofknowledgereachedthroughthefourdimensionalfacultyoftheSelf,
but,onceattained,thefacultywillsupersedeallintellectualunderstandingofTruth.
Whentheinnerpowersarequickenedanddevelopedtheycarryusontogreaterand
greaterheights.
Beyondthestateinwhichtheintuitiveforcesfunctionisoneyetmoredifficult
toattain.ThisistherealmoftheCreativeWill,thedeterminativeforceoftheSpirit
functioningintheSon,theindividualizedSelf.TheCreativeWillisapowerinfinitein
itspotentiality;itdeterminesallthings,butisitselfdeterminedbynothing.Conscious
functioninginthestateoftheCreativeWillisoursupremedestiny,themarvelous
destinywhichisourcompletefulfillment.Andasourhelpduringthelivesnecessary
fortheperfectingofthatgreatrealizationinourconsciousness,wehavefaithinthe
forcewhichcomesfromthatunseenrealmtowardwhichweareevolving.
Faithisthesubstanceofthingshopedfor.Substanceissomethingvery
tangible.Itismoretangiblethantheobjectiveworld,forinthiseleventhchapterof
Hebrews,Paulsays:Throughfaithweunderstandthattheworldswereframedby
thewordofGod,sothatthingswhichareseenwerenotmadeofthingswhichdo
appear.(Heb.11:3)Faith,thesubstance,isthecreativepoweroutofwhichallthings
cameintomanifestation.
Donotrestinaconceptofthisgreatpoweroffaith.You,whohaveconsciously
turnedtotheLightandtakenuptheresponsibilityforyourowndevelopment,cango
withinyourselvesandcontactthepresence,thevoice,whichisthissubstance,more
tangiblethanarockistothephysicalsenseoftouch.Wecallthispresencethe
quickeningofthePower.WhenthisPowerstirswithinyou,youarefacetofacewith
newexperiences.Itmayintensifyalltheunregeneratedconditionswithinyour
vehicles;itmaybringtheseconditionstotheperipheryofyourconsciousnessso
suddenlyandsoforciblythatyouwillfearthatsomedestructivepowerhastakenhold
ofyou.
Again,thestirringofthePowermayusherinaperiodofsuchharmonyand
peaceandblissasyouhaveneverexperiencedbefore.Therewillbesomeevidenceof
theworkoftheSpirit.Ihaveknownstudentsatthispointofdevelopmentwho
receivedahealingfromsomemalady,otherswhoweremiraculouslystrengthenedin
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 FAITH

somecrisisorguidedthroughsomedifficultyorsavedfromsomedanger.Sometimes
thereisamomentaryliftingoftheveilwhichhidesfromyourconsciousnessthestates
inwhichyouarenotyetabletofunction.Alwayssomeevidenceisgivenofthe
presenceoftheSpirit,somerayoflightwhichbringsjoytoyourheart.
Atthisperiodyouremotionalnatureisstilluncontrolled;youaresometimeson
thecrestofthewaveandsometimesinthetrough.Thepointwillcomeatwhichyou
cancontrolthisrealm,withitsfeelingsandemotions,butuntilthatpointisreached
youwillbesubjecttoitsstorms.Theoldconditionswillasserttheirpoweroveryou,
andyouwillbeperplexedanddiscouraged.Thenrelyuponyourpoweroffaith.Itis
asupportingforcewithabackgroundofknowledgegainedthroughthoselittle
experiencesontheheightsofyourownbeing.Thisisnotbeliefortrust;itisthe
substance,thetangibleevidence,ofthingsnotseen.Throwthewholeburdenofyour
ongoinguponit.
Ifyouhavenotreachedthesupremerealizationinwhichyoufunctionasthe
CreativeWill;ifyouhavenotreachedthelesserstateofintuitiveawareness;ifyou
havenotevengainedaconceptualknowledgeoftheteachingofTruth,stillyoudo
havefaith(thesubstance)fromwhichwillbemanifestedallthesethingsyouhopefor.
Exerciseyourfaith;eventhoughitmaynowbeweakitwillgrowjustasa
muscleofyourbodygrowsbyexercise.Youcouldnotcarryyourarminaslingfor
severalmonthsandtakeitoutastrongarm.Ifyoudonotuseyourmind,itwillnot
develop.SoitiswithalltheimmortalfacultiesoftheEgo;theymustbebuiltupand
developedthroughexercise.ItreatthefacultiesofmyEgojustasItreatmybody
musclesormybraincells.IknowthatthemoreworkIgivethemtodothemorethey
willgrow,andthat,therefore,Ishallhavemorefacultywithwhichtowork.
Trustyourfaithifitisonlyasagrainofmustardseed,anditwillnotfailyou.
Throwyourselfuponit,andintimeofneeditwillgiveyougreaterevidenceofthe
poweroftheSpirit.Trustwhatevidenceyouhave,anditwillgrowwithinyouuntilit
hasdestroyedallthenegativeconditionsinyourconsciousness.Faithisamighty
power,apositivepower,andnegativeconditionscannotstandagainstit.Itwill
overcomethefearsanddoubts,allthedarkconditionsthatholdyoubackfromthe
heights.Yourmindwilldeceiveyou;itistheserpentthatcastyououtoftheGarden
ofEdenintoapersonallifeofselfishnessandseparateness.Butyourfaithwillnever
deceiveyou;youcantrustittobringyouintotheconsciousnessofyourinnermost
being,whereisthepresenceoftheFather.ForwhatsoeverisbornofGodovercometh
theworld:andthisisthevictorythatovercomeththeworld,evenourfaith.(1John
5:4)
Faithisanetherealpowerwhich,ifcultivated,becomeslove,themostpowerful
forceintheuniverse,thesattvicqualityinallsubstance.Withoutittherewouldbeno
awarenessofsubstance,theGreatMother!LiketheMotherwhosebodyitis,it
permeatesallthought;withoutittherewouldliterallybenothingtothinkabout.Itis
notonlythelifeprincipleofallthings,itevenprecedesandcreateslifeitself.Faithin
itsetherealessenceislife.
Accordingtoyourfaithbeituntoyou,isaplain,simplestatementofa
scientificallydemonstrablefact.CheckbackonthewaythiswaspresentedinFaithas
Knowledge,ForceandSubstance,andyoucansetthisuponempiricalgrounds.

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 FAITH

Owingtothefactthateverydevelopingindividualisinessenceadifferentiationor
focalizationofthatuniversalsubstancewecallthegreatMother,heparticipatesinthe
rulingpowerofallthatexists;andbytheexerciseofhisownconsciouswillhecalls
thatpowerintoeffect.Wherefaithisabsent,fearabides,fearoftheinevitablechaos
whichfollowsthelossoffaith.Andfear,operatinginconsciousnessfocusedinthe
psychicnatureassuggestion,becomestheoneandonlyforcewhichpreventsagiven
individualfromexercisinghisconsciouswilltocallthispoweroffaithintoeffect.The
intuitiveconvictionofthatwhichbothreasonandconscienceapprovewasstatedby
PaulinhisepistletotheHebrews:Now,faithisthesubstanceofthingshopedfor,
theevidenceofthingsnotseen.
InthissignificanceFaithbecomesidentifiedwithanallpowerfulcreating
intelligenceoperativeineverythingwhichexists:intheloyaltyofafriend,inloveas
god,inthejusticeofkarmiclaw,inthelawofcompensation(asyesow,soshallye
reap),inthepossibilityofhumanintegrity,intheloveofahumansoulforitsmate,in
thecurativepowerofnatureselements,inthecontinuityofindividualized
consciousnessbeyondtheportalsofdeath,inthesuccessofonesbusiness,inthelove
ofamother,inthevalueandpowerofprayer,inonespowertoriseabovetheconcept
ofevil,inthesecurityofthenation,inthebusinessintegrityofanassociate,inthe
creditsystem,inthesupremacyoftheRealSelf,inthevalueofaneighborspromise,
inonesownsuccess,intheassurancethatonewilllivethroughthenight,thatwe
shallsomedayprovethatphysicaldeathisbutanincidentinthecycleoflifeofBeing
andbecoming,thatthesunwillrisetomorrow,andinthestabilityandintelligenceof
manandinthehealingpoweroffaith.Andsoonandon,adinfinitum,forfaithisone
ofthecornerstonesoftheuniverse.Humansocietyrestsuponit;humanlife
unreservedlydependsuponit;thebusinessoftheentireworldisfoundeduponit;the
politicalandeconomicinstitutionsoftheworldaresustainedbyit;stabilityof
governmentabsolutelydependsuponit;financialsystemsoftheworldarebased
uponit;religionsofallhumanitygrowoutofit;thehappinessoftheraceiscontingent
uponit;theentiresocialstructurewouldcrumbleintodustandasheswithoutit.In
truth,wheresoeverthehumanintelligencemayturn,thereitfindsfaithasahovering
cloudbydayandapillaroffirebynight,theonegreatguideforeverybeginneronthe
path.
Asincomprehensiblywonderfulasallofthisis,thereisanothersomething
aboutfaithwhichisratherelusiveandwhollyintangibletosense.Awaydowndeep,
underandbackofanythistowhichonecanpoint,thereissomethingthatismost
vitalandconstructive;anelementthatunderliesallhumanrelationsandactivities,
thatgivesvitality,strength,wholesomenessandhealthineverylineofhuman
endeavor,aswellasallthatwhichrestsuponorgrowsoutofit.Itisnamedthe
therapeutic,healingorhealthgivingelementoffaith.Whateverrestsuponfaith
developswithinitselfaconstructiveelementorpowerofwholenessandhealth.
Intheworldofbusiness,solongasthereisfaith,thereisvitality,strengthand
health.Butletthehealingelementoffaithbewithdrawn,ortheconstructive,
vitalizingpoweroffaithbedestroyed,andthebusinessoftheworldlanguishes,
becomesdebilitated,enervated,ailing,sickandmoribund.

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 FAITH

Inthesocialworld,everycommunityisestablisheduponthesolidrockoffaith,
andsolongasfaithismaintaineditwillbefilledwithvigor,vitality,constructive
energy,healthandlife.Suchasocietywilllive,thrive,multiplyitsstrength,vitality
andhealth.Butletthepoisonofmistrustenteritssystem,lettheconstructivepower
offaithbewithdrawn,andinstantlythedisintegratingprocessbegins;thesocial
structurecrumblesintodecay,andthesealofdeathisstampeduponitsorganism;
disintegration,decayandsocialdeathfollowwiththelogicoffate.
Thesameistrueoftheworldofreligion.Withnoexception,religionsofthe
worldarefoundeddirectlyuponfaith.Inallreligiousbeliefs,theempirically
establishedfactsaresofewanddefiniteknowledgeissomeagerthatfaithisvirtually
theonlyfoundationsustainingthereligionsoftheworld.Solongasthatunderlying
faithprevailsintact,solongasitisdeep,unqualified,genuineandsincere,religion
thrivesandaboundsinhealth.WhetheritbeMohammedan,Hindu,Parsee,Tao,
Shinto,Jewish,BuddhistorChristian,itwilllive,thriveandgrow;itwillmultiplythe
numbersofitsadherents,increasethepotencyandvirilityofitsinfluence;itwill
withstandtheassaultsoftime,thedisintegratinginfluencesofeverydestructiveforce,
andthepowerofitsenemieswillcometonought.Faithisatonewithtruemorality
dharmaitsjustice,itstruth,anditsrighteousness;soinalltheseparticularswealso
cansay,Thyfaithhathmadetheewhole.
Destroythetherapeuticvalueandpotencyoffaithandyoukillthatuponwhich
thelifeofanythingdepends.Ceasetobreatheoxygenintoyourlungs,andwithin
minutes,deathovertakesyou.Faithislikeoxygen;itsustainsthelifecurrent.Solong
asthelifecurrentflowsonandoninanendless,boundingstream,lifeandallofits
activitiesaresustained.Faithisintruththelifecurrentatandinourpresent
individualandracialstateofexpandingconsciousness.
Ifyouarelosingyourfaith,orindangerofdoingso,itisofthegreatest
momentandimportancethatyoureestablishit.Whenyouawakeneachmorning,
beginthedaywithasilentprayertothegreatPowerwhichisyourBeing,andtothe
greatElderBrothersofourrace,thatyoumaybeworthyofestablishingcontactwith
thatSelfandwiththosewhohaveattainedidentitywithIT.
Requestonlythatyoumaybesustainedinyourfaiththatalllifeissteadilyand
irresistiblymovingtowardanultimategoalanddestinythatisemblematicofinfinite
goodness.
Resolvedeepwithinyouthatyourfaiththisdayshallbedeeper,strongerand
moreabidingthaneverbefore.Meanitsoprofoundlythatyoushallfeelinyour
inmostconsciousnesstherealizationofitstruthasalivingreality.
Holdconstantlyinyourconsciousnesstheresolutionthatcomewhatmay,you
willnotpermitthedestructiveinfluenceofdoubtorthegloomysuggestionsof
destructivepessimismtoweakenorundermineyourconstructivefaithinthe
righteousnessofGodsuniversalplan,orintheultimategoodnessofhumanity.
Absorbintoyourinnermostbeingthegreatfactofnature,thatwherefaith
abides,thereisnoroomforfailure,andthefertilesoiloftruthyieldsonlyaharvestof
abundantsuccess.
Asyougoaboutthedutiesandresponsibilitiesoftheday,carryinyourinmost
consciousnesstheunwaveringsuggestionthatsuccessisconstantlywithinyourgrasp

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andthatitisyourprivilegeandyourrighttoreachoutandtakethatwhichpertainsto
yourevolutionarystatusasyourlegitimatepossession.
Treattheworldasyourfriend,andtheworldinturnwillgiveyouits
friendship.Establishyourselfupontheconstructivefoundationoffaith,andallnature
willcombinetopaytoyouageneroustributeofsuccessinallyourundertakings.
Butrememberalways,thattoyourfaithyoumustaddyourworks,foronlythrough
yourpersonaleffortsisyourfaithjustifiedandmadealive.Asthepotencyofcurative
faithmakeswholetheconfigurationalself,soconstructivefaithinthebeneficenceof
thegreatMother,Nature,andofnaturesactivatingforce,bringswholenessandhealth
totheconsciousnessofman.
Whatevertheimmediatetrialsandseemingfailuresofyourlifemaybe,keep
foreverinyourmindthehappyconsciousnessthatthetrials,temptations,hardships,
sorrowsanddisappointmentsthroughwhichyourpathwayleadsarebutthe
recurrencesofevanescentandfleetingshadowsofyourpast,appearingagainfor
correctivepurposes,andofthemselveshavenosubstanceyouneedtofear.Meet
themserenelyandwithoutflinchingandonebyonelearnthelessonthateachonehas
cometoteach,thentheywillvanishasthemistandthefogvanishbeforethe
dispellingpowerofGodsbeneficentsunlight.
Buildyouatempleinyourconsciousnessupontherockoffaith,andbyyour
worksmakeyourlifeamonumentofbeauty,whethertheworldknowsandenjoysit
orknowsitnot.This,ineffect,representstheeternalaswellastheuniversal
significanceoffaith.


oooOooo

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Lesson12

HOPE
Romans8:2439

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope; for
whatamanseeth,whydothheyethopefor?
Butifwehopeforthatweseenot,thendowewithpatiencewaitforit.


Itisverydifficultforpeopletrainedinyouthinorthodoxwaysofthoughtto
approachthestudyoftheBiblewithmindsfreefromtheracemindinterpretationsof
itsmeaning.TheverywordsoftheScriptures,awakeningoldhabitsofthought,tend
tosweepusintotheemotionalrealm.YetthesegreatScriptureswerewrittenfromthe
clear,supramentalheightsofspiritualperception,farremovedfromemotionalstates
ofconsciousness,andourunderstandingoftheirtruemeaningdependsuponour
abilitytoapproachthemwithdevotionandreverence,butwithfreedomfrom
sentiment.Insofarasourstateofdevelopmentpermits,letusstudythesewonderful
versesfromtheBookofRomansinthatattitude.
Wehaveheardmuchaboutbeingsavedbyfaith,beingsavedbyGrace,being
savedbyconsciouseffort;buthereisadifferentthoughtwearesavedbyhope.Hope
isbelieffoundeduponinstinctiveorintuitionalknowledge.Hopeisexpectance,but
withoutdefinite,objectiveknowledgeofwhatweexpect.Paulsaysveryclearlyhere
thatwenolongerhopeforthatwhichwehaverealized.Weknowthatwedonot
needtostriveforwhatwealreadypossess,how,then,shouldwehopeforwhatwe
haverealized?
Wemaybuildupconceptsinregardtothethinghopedfor,butanynumberof
conceptsaboutanythingwillnotgiveustherealizationofit.Themoststartling
confirmationofthattruthwhichIrememberexperiencingcamewhenIwasfirsttaken
outontheastralplane.Naturally,Ihadformulatedallkindsofconceptsastowhat
thatplanewaslikeandwhatexperiencesIshouldhaveifIeverfoundmyself
consciouslyoutinit,detachedfrommyphysicalbody.Ihadanideathatthematterof
thatplanewasverytenuous,morelikevaporthanlikephysicalplanesubstance.I
hadheardofghostspassingthroughmaterialobjects,andIthoughtvaguelythatIfI
wereeveroutofthephysicalbody,Ishouldfloataroundandconductmy
peregrinationsinthesamecloudlikemanner.

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Well,afteralongperiodofintensifyingmycreativepowerandconcentratingit
inmyheadcenter,thetimecamewhenmyexpectationofgoingoutconsciouslyinto
theastralworldwasrealized.Iamnotgoingtotrytotellyouwhattheexperience
waslike;youwillallhaveityourselveswhenyouareripeforit,andarestrong
enoughtostandit.Foritisaterrifyingthingtogothroughthefirsttime.ButthisI
willsaytherealizationwillnotbemuchlikeanyconceptyoumayhaveofit,andyou
willlearnmoreaboutmetaphysicsinfiveminutesontheastral,emotionalplanethan
fromlong,longstudyofitinthephysicalbody.AndIdonotadvocategoingouton
anypsychiclevelatall!
Nomatterhowwellthoughtoutyourbeliefinsalvationmaybe,norhowlofty
youridealofit,ifyourbeliefandyouridealarebaseduponconcepts,theycannot
fortifyyounorlendanythingtoyourfaith.Butdeepinyourbeing,fardeeperthan
theplaneofthemindwhereconceptsareformed,therelivesasagacity,apowerthat
knows.Initslesserphasesofdevelopment,wecallthatpowerinstinct;initshigher
phaseswecallitintuition,forintuitionissimplyanimalinstincttransformedand
raisedfromtheunconscioustotheconscious.Intuitionisconsciousknowledge;
instinctisunconsciousfeeling.Butwhetherthispowerinyouisinitsinstinctiveorits
intuitionalphase,itreportstoyourconsciousnessimmortality,eternality,oneness
withalllife,andonthebasisofthatknowing,hopeisborn.Butifwehopeforthat
weseenot,thendowewithpatiencewaitforit.TheSpiritfortifiesyouandyou
awaitthetimewhenhopeshallbecomefullyconsciousknowledge.
LikewisetheSpiritalsohelpethourinfirmities:forweknownotwhatwe
shouldprayforasweought:buttheSpirititselfmakethintercessionforus
withgroaningswhichcannotbeuttered.
Learntolookwithhope,orexpectancy,totheSpiritwithinyouforhelpintime
ofneed.Wemustlearnthelimitationsofourrealization,andlearntofunction
consciouslywithinthem.PeoplesaythateverythingispossiblewithGod;thatwe
haveonlytotrusthimandhewilldoeverythingforus.Thetruthisthateverythingis
possiblewithGodprovidedyourealize,ratherthanconceive,thateverythingis
possible.Godisnotsomethingoutsideyourself.Godisafocalpointoflife,consciousof
whatyouareconsciousofbeing.HeisthePowerwithwhichyouareconsciousof
anything.Hemanifestsallformsaccordingtothedegreeinwhichtherespectivefocal
pointsoflifeareconsciousofthemselves.Therefore,sofarasyouareconsciousof
beingGodpower,Godpowermanifeststhroughyou;butitcannotmanifestmore
powerthanyouareawareofbeinginyourstateofindividualizedconsciousness.
WhatIwanttohaveunderstoodisthatthereisnoGodpoweroutsideofsome
focalizationofthatpower,andthatthepowerwillmanifesttothedegreethatthe
focalizationisconsciousofit,andnofurther!Intimeofneedyoucancallonsomeone
elsewhohasmoreconsciousnessofGodpowerthanyouhaveonsomeonein

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physicalform,orontheinvisibleIntelligenceswhohavegonebeyondthisplaneoflife
andwhoaremoreconsciousofGodpowerthanwecanbeandifyourappealis
recognized,theywillrealizethepowerforyouandyouwillbehelped.
Everyoneofyouhasacertainamountofrealization,becauseyourlife,the
centerofyourbeing,youressence,isGod,orafocalizationofGodpower.Thatpower
willmanifestinyourlifeuptothedegreeinwhichyouareconsciousofit,andno
further.Youwillcomeintogreaterandgreaterdegreesofrealizationofitwiththe
unfoldmentofyourlife.Thatistheorderofdevelopment,andthereforeyourfaith,
hope,andexpectancyarefoundeduponTruth.
CallonthatGodpowerwithinyou;bycallinguponit,youincreaseits
manifestationinyou.Asyearsgoon,itincreases,andasincarnationsgoon,wecome
intotherealizationofgreaterandgreaterpower.Andultimately,insomelifecycle,
weshallhaveallpowerweshallbeomnipotent.
ButnowyourrealizationofGodpowerislimited;youdonotknowthedepth
andstrengthofit.Thereforewhenyoufindthatyouhavenotenoughpoweravailable
foryourneed,calluponothermeansforhelp.Donothesitatetoconfessthatyouare
deficientinpower.Itisfarbettertoconfessthatyourconsciousnessislimitedthanto
goonassumingthatyouhavemoreGodpowerthanyouareactually,basically
consciousofhaving.Rememberthatyourabilitytomanifestthepoweristheonly
truemeasureofyourbasicrealization.Bybasicrealization,Imeanthedegreeof
individualexpansionthatbelongstoyou,notthevaluesyourmindmayhold
regardingyourstateofdevelopment.Thehonestrecognitionoflimitationdoesnot
preventthegreaterrealizationfromcominginitmaybetomorrow,itmaybeatsome
futuretime.Manydevoteesofspiritualteachingscannotacceptthisfact;theywill
argueagainstthisstatement.ButthetruthisthatthepowerofGodlifefunctions
withinyouirrespectiveofyourthoughtsinregardtoit.Neitherthebeliefnorthe
doubtthatyoucanbuildupaboutitintherealmofconcepts,affectsitonewayorthe
other.
Likewisethespiritalsohelpethourinfirmities:forweknownotwhatwe
shouldprayforasweought.Whoofyou,inyourlimited,circumscribedstatesof
consciousness,canformanopinionastowhatisreallybestforyou?Ithinkanyoneof
us,bythinkingbackinhislifeafewyears,canprovethatheisnotabletodothis.Can
younotrememberatimewhenyoulongedforacertainconditiontodevelop,and
werebitterlydisappointedthatitdidnot?Anddoyounotrememberthatyearslater
youlookedbackuponthattimeandsaid,ThankGod,IdidnotgetwhatIwanted?
IrememberasamongthegreatestblessingsofmylifethatIdidnotgetthe
thingsIthoughtIwantedatthetimeofWorldWarI.Ifellundertheracemind
hypnotismofbeliefintherighteousnessofthewarandtriedwithmightandmainto
getintoit.Iwasunabletoaccomplishthatforvariousreasons.ThenIthoughtthe

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nextbestthingwouldbetodosomethingpracticalduringthewar.Theteachingof
Truthwasneededmoreatthattimethananyother,asIshouldhaveknownhadIkept
myconsciousnesshighandclear,butIwasthinkingaccordingtotheracemind.By
wayofpracticalwork,Iorganizedamotorfreightcompanyandsetabouthauling
goods.Thebusinesswasatremendoussuccess.Ihadtobuymoreandmore
equipmenttokeepupwithit,forIwasrunningtrucksnightandday.Thetroublewas
thatitwastoobigoritwasnotorganizedtocarryonthroughthesuddenchangeof
conditionsthatcamewiththearmistice,andthewholethingwassweptaway.That
wasoneofmygreatestescapes,asIverysoonrealized.IfIhadsucceededinbusiness,
Imighthavefallenundertheforcesthatfunctioninthebusinessworldandsobeen
keptoutoftheMastersservice.Thinkofit!Tosacrificethespirituallifeandthe
servicetoberenderedtohumanity!Inthatinstance,failurebecamethegreatest
blessing.
Butthespirititselfmakethintercessionforuswithgroaningswhichcannotbe
uttered.Dotheseseemstrangewordstouseofthespirit?Rememberthatlife,or
God,isbecomingmanifestoutofanoceanoflatentorunmanifestpower.Itisdifficult
toformevenaconceptofthis.Godisnotcompletelyomniscient,completely
omnipresent,exceptinthoseindividualizedcentersofHimwhohaveexpandedinto
thatstateofSelfawareness.ButIamtalkingaboutGodinyouandinme.Weare
focalizationsofGodlife,butinusthatlifeisnotcompletelymanifest;itiscominginto
manifestationagainstmonumentalopposition.Thespiritstrugglesandgroansinits
efforttoriseintohigherstatesofSelfawarenessinus.
DoyouseehowyourwholeattitudetowardGodischangedwhenyouaccept
thistruth?Andyoufindyourselvesobligedtoacceptitifyoustudyit.Youseethat
thepowerwithwhichyoumanifestanythingisGodpower,andthatitcanmanifestin
youonlytotheextentofyourspiritsrealizationofit.ButthatGodlifecominginto
selfexpressioninyouisdevelopingaccordingtoagreatplan;itsmanifestationis
alongthelinesofuniversallaw.Itbringsforthinyoutheexperienceandthegrowth
demandedbythelawofyourbeing.Againstalltheforcesofoppositionthespirit
makethintercessionforuswithgroaningswhichcannotbeuttered.Inourpuny,
objectivemindswecannotknowwhatweshouldprayforasweought.
Andhethatsearcheththeheartsknowethwhatisthemindofthespirit,
becausehemakethintercessionforthesaintsaccordingtothewillofGod.
HethatsearcheththeheartsherePaulreferstoJesustheChrist,butwemay
usethewordstodescribeanyoftheGreatOneswhohavebecomeilluminedbythe
Christedconsciousness.TheIAMconsciousness,theEgo,istheChrist,andanyonein
whomthatconsciousnessisfullyawakenedpersonifiesyourownEgo.MyEgoand
theilluminedlifeofanygreatMasterareidentical;thereforeIcanturntomyEgo,the

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focalizedcenterofGodpowerwithinme,astheChrist,theChristLight,theChrist
principleHethatsearcheththehearts.
Heknowethwhatisthemindofthespirit.Whatafigureofspeech!He
knowstheorderofdevelopmentwhichlieswithin,andhemakethintercessionfor
thesaintswhoarestrivingtofollowtheinnerplanoftheSpirittheyarethesaints
accordingtothewillofGod.
AndweknowthatallthingsworktogetherforgoodtothemthatloveGod,
tothemwhoarethecalledaccordingtohispurpose.
Areyoutryingseriouslyandhonestlytofollowthislifeaccordingtothewillof
God?Ifyouare,younolongerdependuponyourhumanreasonandjudgmentfor
guidance,norupontheopinionsofothers.Youhavethrownyourselfupontheforces
ofyourinnerbeing,renouncinghumanreasonandhumandesire,andareconsciously
tryingtofollowtheurgefromwithin.Ifyouhavedonethis,youknowthatallthings
worktogetherforgoodtothemthatloveGod.Youknowthateventhoughaccident
orsocalledfailurecomestoyou,itallworkstogetherforgood.Abeautifulsoul
mightsay,whenlovelythingshappentoyou,thatistheworkingofgoodbecauseyou
loveGod.No!Everythingthatcomestoyou,whateveritsapparentnature,worksfor
good;foritcomestotryyou,tomoldyou,todevelopandperfectyouasan
instrumentofgreaterservicetoThemwhoarethecalledaccordingtohispurpose.
Forwhomhedidforeknow,healsodidpredestinetobeconformedtothe
imageofhisSon,thathemightbethefirstbornamongmanybrethren.
Moreoverwhomhedidpredestine,themhealsocalled;andwhomhe
called,themhealsojustified:andwhomhejustified,themhealsoglorified.
Whatshallwethensaytothesethings?
Youknowwhatthemindofmansaystothesethings.Mantriestojudgeand
explainthethingsofthespiritfromthelittleracemindvalueshehasbuiltbasedupon
hisconceptoflife.Heasks,Whatispredestination?Isnothingtobegainedby
consciouseffort?Arewecalledorchosenbyapowerbeyondourcontrolorvolition?
Arewe,afterall,automatonsinthehandsofsometitanicforcewhichtakesno
cognizanceofourstrugglesandyearningsaforcewhichchoosesoneforsalvation,
andleavesanother?TheScripturessaythatinthatday,Whosoevershallseekto
savehislifeshallloseit;andwhosoevershalllosehislifeshallpreserveit...There
shallbetwomeninonebed;theoneshallbetaken,andtheothershallbeleft.Two
womenshallbegrindingtogether;theoneshallbetaken,andtheotherleft.Twomen
shallbeinthefield;theoneshallbetakenandtheotherleft.(Luke17:3336)
Whatisthismysteriousforcethatgoesouttooneandnottoanother?Itisa
powerabsolutelyincomprehensibletoourfiniteminds.Itellyou,studentsinthe
SchooloftheNaturalOrder,thatIhavewitnessedtheoperationofthispowerover
longyears,andtothisdayIcannotanswerthesequestions.Ihavewatcheditoperate

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inmeandthroughmeandhaveknownthatithadnothingwhatevertodowithmy
consciousdetermination.Ihaveknownstudentswhoworkedlongandfaithfully,and
who,apparently,weredevotedandconscientioustoadegree,andyettothemthe
powerwouldnotflowout.Therehavebeenindividualscloseinmyhumanheartand
life,forwhomIdesiredthefellowshipoftheawakenedspirit,butthespiritualpower
wouldnotflowtothem.Again,therehavebeenotherswhominmypersonalselfI
didnotevenlike,yetthevirtueflowingfrommetothesestudentswouldmakeme
overwhelminglyconsciousthattheywereelectedoftheSpirit.Themorewetryto
thinkoutareasonforthesethings,thesoonerwewillunderstandthatthehuman
mindcannotcopewiththeproblem.TheSpiritworksonitsownplane,andinitsown
way.Itisforustolaydownourhumanideasandvaluestorenouncethem
completelyandtoknowthatthereisaspiritualpowerworkinginrealmshigherthan
weareconsciousofbeing.Thatpowerdoesnotfunctionaccordingtothevaluesofthe
relativeworld;itisgovernedonlybytheeternallawsofGod.Notuntilour
consciousnesshasexpandedoutofallpersonallimitationsandwestandonthe
heightsofclearperception,canthewholemeaningandpurposeofthegreatplanbe
revealedtous.
Lookforwardwithhope,withthemostintenseexpectancy,tothedescentupon
youoftheholyradiance.Whenthatineffableblessingcomestoyou,asinitsown
goodtimeitwillcometoall,youwillknowthatyouarechosenofGod.Whenthat
timecomes,liveintheLight,becomingdeaf,dumb,andblindtoallotherthings.Your
consciousnessoftheLightwillbeallsufficientfortheLightisGod,andinhisessential
natureeveryindividualisarepresentativeofit.
ThatistheanswertoourquestionsastothemysteriouspowerofGodthe
PowerisGod,andifwehavetheconsciousnessofthePowerweneedconcern
ourselveswithnootherthing,forIfGodbeforus,whocanbeagainstus?
Lookintotheheartofyourbeing.Theonlyquestionyouneedaskyourselfis
whetheryoursecretdesiresandthoughtswouldbearthelightoftheSpirit.Could
youcarrythemonifthegreatIlluminedOnewerestandingatyourside?Ifyour
desiresandthoughtsbearthattest,thenyouarejustifiedbyGod.


oooOooo

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Lesson13

THEKARMICLAWOFLOVE
Matthew5:2326

Thereforeifthoubringthygifttothealtar,andthereremembereth
thatthybrotherhathaughtagainstthee;
Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be
reconciledtothybrother,andthencomeandofferthygift.
Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way
withhim;lestatanytimetheadversarydelivertheetothejudge,andthe
judgedelivertheetotheofficer,andthoubecastintoprison.
VerilyIsayuntothee,Thoushaltbynomeanscomeoutthencetill
thouhastpaidtheuttermostfarthing.


Inbeginningthislesson,IwillrepeatwhatIhavesaidtoyousomanytimes:
Thisisnotsimplyamoralteaching,itisateachingofthescienceofBeing.Itisa
teachingsoexactthatbyfollowingitsprinciplesyoucanliveabsolutelytruetoyour
innerlawoflifewithouttheresistancewhichisthecauseofalltheinharmonyinour
relativeworld.
Inthebackgroundofyourlife,abackgroundwhichlieslargelybeyondyour
presentdegreeofrealization,thereisadynamicforceofunity.Inthisunityeveryindi
vidualizedfocalpointoflifeisboundindissolublywitheveryotherindividualized
focalpoint.Knowingthis,itiseasytounderstandthatwhenyouharboradestructive
thoughtordesireagainstanotheryouareresistingthepowerofthatunity,even
thoughthedestructivethoughtordesiremaynotmanifestinphysicalaction.Bysuch
resistanceyouarepreventedfromparticipatingintheharmony,peaceandjoywhich
isyourswhenyoufunctionintherhythmofthedeeperunityofyourbasicnature.
Theunforgivingspiritwhichcreatesinyouasenseofinjusticeorinjurynot
onlyholdsyouininharmonymanifestingasillness,poverty,worry,etc.,butitisa
veryseriousbarriertotheexpansionofyourconsciousnessintohigherrealmsofSelf
awareness.AgainandagainIhaveseenapatientfailtoreceivethehealingwhich
mighthavebeenhisbecausehecouldnotovercomehisresentmentagainstanother
individual.Youmustcultivateaforgivingspiritmorethananyotheronethingifyou
aretoreceivethegiftoftheSpiritinhealingorininnerawareness.

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Whydoyouholdresentment,aversion,thesenseofinjustice,hatred?Whydo
youdoit?Withoutexception,thereasonisthatyourpride,yourgoodopinionof
yourself,hasbeeninjured.Youdonotwanttoacknowledgethatyouarelessthan
yourvanitywouldhaveyoube,thereforeyouuseresentmentasarefugefromthe
truth.Youblamesomeoneelseinorderthatyourownpridemaybejustified.Thatis
thepsychologicalprocesswhichaccountsforresentment.
ThedevoteeonthepathofTruthmustlaydownallhispersonality,including
hisprideandhisgoodopinionofhimself,andallowittobedissolvedinthegreater
consciousnessoftheEternalSelf.Thisistheonlyrightstateofconsciousnessforone
seekingthespiritualheights;anditisastatewhichcanbeattainedonlybyonewho
hasgreatstrength;itcannotbereachedbythemeek,supine,negativeindividual.At
theverybeginningofthewaytowardthehigherrealizationyoulearnthatitrequires
fargreaterstrengthtoovercomeyourhumannature,basedonpersonalpride,thanit
doestotrytofortifythathumannatureandpersonalprideincombat.Yourgreatest
strengthismanifestedinselfgovernment.Whenthisisaccomplishedyouwillno
longerlivewithinaselfbuiltwallofresentmentandresistance,andyouwilltherefore
havethepossibilityofswingingintotheflowofthespiritualcurrentswhichbring
healthandpowerandglory.
Theofferingsyourenderareofmanykinds;theyarenotonlyofferingsof
serviceonthephysicalplane,theyareofferingsofloveanddevotion,andofthought,
ofprayer,ofrealizationforyourlovedones.Wheneveryourenderanofferingofany
kind,remembertheadmonitiontheMastergavetohisdisciplesinthewordsatthe
beginningofthislesson.Ifyouhavenotfirstreconciledyourselftoyourbrother,you
cannotreceiveinitsfullnessthebenefitforwhichyoumadeyouroffering.Youcan
offeryourselfmentally,emotionally,physicallyacompletesacrifice,yetifyouhold
resentment,resistance,oranyotherdestructiveforceagainstanother,yourofferingis
vain.Laydownyourhumanwillandyourpersonalpride,andlettheFatherswillbe
freelyexpressedwithinyou.Inthatlovingunitywithalllife(notwithpersonalities),
youwillfindallbarrierswithinyourselfsweptaway,leavingyouresponsivetothe
bountiesoftheSpirit.
Inthelasttwoverses,above,IbelievethattheMasterhasreferencetothegreat
lawwhichiscalledkarmathelawofactionandreaction,orofcauseandeffect.
Manywhoknowofthislawbelievethat,inevitably,whatsoeveramansoweth,that
shallhealsoreap.Theybelievethattheindividualmustreceivethereactioninthe
formofeffectsofthecausescreatedbyhimself.
Lesson3,TheLawWhichMustbeFulfilled,referredtothissubjectkarmain
awaythatdifferentiatedbetweenkarmaandthelaw.Thelawistheeternalplan
inherentinindividualbeingwhichmanifestsasthelawofthatbeing.Thiswasanew
thoughttomanystudents,fortheyhadbelievedthatkarmawasthelawwhichmust

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befulfilled,thelawfromwhichthereisnoescape.Ibringthispointupagainbecause
Iwanttoreiteratethatthelawthatmustbefulfilledistheinnerlawofbeing,the
universalplanmanifestinginindividualizedconsciousnessintheorderlyunfoldment
ofSelfawareness.Iwanttoshowyou,too,thatwhentheMasterspokeofthelawof
karmainthelasttwoversesabove,healsopointedoutthewaybywhichan
individualcannullifythelawforhimself,andescapeitsconsequences.Hetellsusin
thesewords:Agreewiththineadversaryquickly,whilesthouartinthewaywith
him.
Forillustration,letussupposethatyouhaveadifferencewithsomeonewhois
associatedwithyourdomestic,business,orsociallife.Supposethatinyourpersonal
reactions(thedifferenceliesonthepersonalplaneoritcouldnotbeatall)youallow
feelingtoenteranddevelopintoresentment,animosity,orhatred;thesefeelingscreate
agulfofseparationbetweenyouandyourformerassociate.
Beforeweconsidertheeffectsoftheconditionsthusengendered,letusconsider
theprocessesbywhichthoseeffectsaredeveloped.Thegreatestforceonanyplaneof
beingislove.WhenIusethewordloveinthissense,Idonotrefertoanythinginthe
physical,emotional,ormentalworlds.Idonotspeakofanythingthatwecanthink
withthemind,ofanyemotionthatwecanexperiencewiththedesirenature,orofany
instincttofulfillanindividualneed.Ispeakofthehighestlove,whichisunity.Itis
theunityofalltheindividualizedcentersoflifeinthecosmos,oritistheunityofone
beingwithanother,asthefirststepintoconsciousunitywiththewholecosmic
process.Theforcewhichisdevelopedbytheunionoftwoindividuals,twoEgos,in
thatspiritualrealmofoneness,islovethegreatestpowerthereis.Whenthepowerof
loveisresisted,whenthemightypowerofunityisinterferedwithbyyourthoughts,
yourfeelings,oryouracts,itturnstohate.Idonotconsiderloveandhateaspolar
opposites.Hate,animosity,aversion,alldestructiveforces,aresimplytheconstructive
forceofloverepressedandresisted.
Reducethispowerofunitytothehumanplanewhereitmanifestsashuman
love.Supposeyourhumanloveforanotherisverystrong,butforsomereasonitis
unexpressedoruncompleted,willitnotturntoaversion?Inpersonalrelationships
thisiswhathappens,invariably.Ihaveknownmanhaters,andIhaveknown
womanhaters,butIhaveneverknownonewhohadnotbeensorelydisappointedin
love.IneachcaseIhavetracedthefeelingintheindividualslifebacktothepoint
whereheexperiencedastrongbutunfulfilledlove.
Iwanttoshowyouthatloveisthepowerwhichbindsustogetherthroughthe
incarnationsandthroughtheages.Itbindsindividualwithindividual,groupwith
group,anditbindstheindividualscomposingamovementwiththatmovement.If
youreadhistorywithinnerperception,youknowthattheoldRomanshave
reincarnatedinmodernEngland;youknowthatthegreatthinkersofcenturiespast

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havereincarnatedinmodernGermany,andthattheproudCarthaginianstookbirthin
AmericaandasleadersofAmerica.StudyGeorgeWashingtonandothergreatmenof
earlyColonialtimes,alongwithwhatyoucanfindconcerningtheCarthaginians,and
youwillknowthatthisistrue.
Nowreturningtotheeffectsoftheconditionsengenderedwhenyouhaveadif
ferencewithsomeone,itistoldthatinancienttimesthereweretwokings,eachthe
absolutemonarchofhisrespectivecountry,whowerebitterenemies.Thetwo
countrieshadbeenconstantlyatwarformanyyears,andfinallyonekingswore,inhis
wrath,thathewouldbecometheheadoftheopposingkingdom.Theotherking
heardofthisoathandsworethatitshouldneverbefulfilledthathewouldfirst
destroyhisenemy.Thekingwhohadmadethethreatlaterfellillanddied,which
causedgreatrejoicingintheotherkingdom.Ashorttimelateranheirwasborntothe
king.Accordingtothecustomofthetime,thekingcalledbeforehimawisemanof
thecountry,anastrologer,andaskedhimtoforetellthefutureofthenewheir.The
manhesitatedlong;hewasveryreluctantabouttellingwhathesaw.Infact,he
refusedtospeakuntilhewaspromisedimmunityfromthewrathoftheking.Thenhe
said,Majesty,thineenemyhathconqueredthykindgom.Heisthineheir.Thetwo
kingshadboundthemselvestogetherbythepowerofhate.
Thepossibilityofthisexplainsmanyoftheconditionswefindinfamilies.
Thereisagreatdealofsentimentalityconcerningfamilyrelationships.Intheracial
consciousness,motheranddaughter,fatherandson,brotherandsisterareexpectedto
liveinloveandharmonybecausetheybelongtothesamefamilygroup.Yetweall
knowthatjustasoftenanimosityorhatredismanifestedbetweenmembersofthe
samefamily.Individualsmaytakeincarnationinsuchcloserelationshipbecause
therearetiesoflovebetweenthem,buttheyarejustaslikelytobedrawntogetherby
thepowerofloverepressedandturnedtohatred.Ifthepowerofloveweretaken
fromourhomesandourcountry,therewouldbenohomesandnocountrythere
wouldbechaos.Homeishomeinthedegreeinwhichwelove;wallsandfurniture,
poororfine,donotmakeahomeonlylovecandothat.Withoutitnoplaceishome,
butwithitatentinthedesertmaybeawonderfulhome.
IhavenottheabilitytoexpresstoyouinwordswhatIknowofthebinding
poweroflove,butIcansaytoyouthatwhenweformaunityofthespiritwith
anotherindividual,wedothereafterjourneythroughtheagestogether,forweare
heldbylovethestrongestforcethereis.AndIcansaythatwhenthatgreatpowerof
loveisnotexpresseditturnstohate,butitisstillabindingpower.Youarebound
everlastinglytotheoneyoulove;youarealsoboundtotheoneyouhate,becausethe
verybasisofhateisthepoweroflove.Youwillreincarnatewiththatoneuntilunityis
achievedbetweenyou,throughthelightofTruthinthehigherconsciousnessofeach.

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NowyouunderstandthesewordsspokenbythegreatMastertohisdisciples;
Agreewiththineadversaryquickly,whilesthouareinthewaywithhim.Ifyou
couldknowthefarreachingeffectsofyourpettypersonalreactions,youwouldbe
eagertodropthemandtomakeunitywithyourenemy.Youwoulddothisinself
defense,foryoucannotaffordtobeboundtohiminsucharelationshipandtohaveto
workitoutwithhiminexperience.Ifyoudonotmakeyourunityquickly,youwill
havetopaytheuttermostfarthingyouwillnotbefreeuntilyouhavepaidandare
deliveredbythejudgmentofyourownHigherSelf.
Thisisthekarmiclawcompletelyexpressed,butintheexpressionofthelaw
theMastertaughtthatitisnotthelawwhichmustbefulfilled,forheshowedtheway
ofescapefromit.Thatwayistocomeuphigherintherealmsofconsciousness,where
alldestructiveforcesaredissolvedintheonesupremeforceofloveorunity.


oooOooo

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Lesson14

THESHELTEROFDIVINELOVE
Psalms91

MylovefortheNinetyfirstPsalmhasenduredsincemychildhood.IsupposeI
rememberitfromsoearlyanagebecauseitwasmymothersrefugeintimesof
distress.MymotherwasadevoutMethodistandherfaithintheScriptureswas
strong.IhavegonefarafieldsincethedayswhenshereadtheNinetyfirstPsalmto
me.Ihaveadventuredinspiritualpaths,seekingthehigherunderstandingofthe
mysteriesoflife.ButmyappreciationoftheScriptureshasdeepenedconstantly
throughtheinnerrealizationoftheirimport,andIsaynowthatifwecouldhave,
throughilluminedunderstanding,thedevotiontothemthatourmothersfeltthrough
faith,weshouldaccomplishaboutallthereistoaccomplishinSelfdevelopment.
Letusconsiderthemeaningofthefirstverse,forallthisgloriouspromiserests
uponyourunderstandingofthesecretplaceofthemostHigh.Thestudyofthisone
versetakesusintotheinnermostteaching;Ishallhavetosuggestmuchthatwillbe
givenmorecompletelyinthelatertalksofthisseries.Ofnecessity,Ishallassumethat
youareoneofthosewhohasovercomethetendencytolookoutside.If,whenIsay
thewordsthesecretplaceofthemostHigh,yourmindgoesouttosomeconceptofa
supremeBeingorPoweroutsideofyourself,outsideofcreationorthecreating
process,well,youwillfindthecomfortoffaithintheNinetyfirstPsalm,butyouwill
misscompletelytherealizationofitsmarvelousinnermeaning.Whystandye
gazing?(Acts1:11)Man,themicrocosm,isthecenterofthemacrocosm.Inhimselfhe
epitomizestheuniverse,andthroughtheunderstandingofhimselfhegains
understandingofthegreatmysteriesofsolarsystems,ofcosmiclaw,ofuniversallife.
Everyhumanbeingis,inessence,afocalizedcenterofuniversallife.Inhis
vehiclesaresevencentersactivatedbytheforcesandpowersofuniversallife,and
throughthisactivationalltheoperationsofhisbeingphysical,emotional,mentaland
spiritualaremaintained.Thefunctionsofthesecentersarevastandvaried;the
registrationofinvisibleradiationsofforce(wavefrequenciesoftheenergyworld)
constitutesbutasmallpartoftheirtotal,butwewillspeaknowofthatphaseonly.
Themarvelouspowerplantthatyouarecannotrunwithouttheconstantflow
ofenergyintothemotorcenters.Thisenergyistransformedintoactions,intofeelings,
desires,andemotions,intothought,orintointuitionsandrealizations,accordingto
thecenterwhichisfunctioning.Themoreclearlyweunderstandtheoperationof
thesecenters,themorenearlywecanfulfillthegreatinjunction,Man,knowthyself.

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Uponthisknowledgedependsourunderstandingandcontrolofconditions.Thepsy
choanalystsandpsychiatristswillnotfullyunderstandbehaviorismuntiltheyhave
knowledgeofthesecentersandoftheirfunctionalconditionsandoperations.
Whentheforcesofconsciousnessarefocusedpreponderantlyinthelower
centers,thephysicalconditionsoflifearestrongest.Theregistryoftheemotional
realmisthroughthesolarandcardiaccenters.Theplaneoftheemotionshasavast
rangeonthelowerlevelsaretheforcesoffear,hate,lust,andthelike,andonthe
higherlevelsarelove,devotion,sympathy,andalltheresponsesofournaturestothe
beautifulandtheaesthetic.Thesameistrueofthementalrealm,ofcourse.The
mentalstaterangesfromthethoughtswhichareinspiredbyfeelingsanddesiresin
short,byemotionsofallkindstotheclearfunctioningofthehumanfacultiesof
judgment,reasonandlogic.
Whenconsciousnessisfocusedmoststronglyinthecentersatthetopofthe
head,thephysical,emotional,andmentalconditionsarecomingunderthecontrolof
theCreativeWill,fortheforcesregisteredbythesecentersbelongtothesynthetical,
theintuitional,andthehigherWillstates.Now,tomyunderstanding,todwellinthe
secretplaceofthemostHighistoliveinthepowerandjoyandpeacewhichattend
onewhoseconsciousnessisfocusedintheheadcentersbyreasonofhispointof
development.
WhatrealbenefitistheNinetyfirstPsalminourlivesifwedonotknowby
actualrealizationthesecretplaceofthemostHighandhowtoenterit?Itisbut
words,words,emptywords.Themostimportantthinganyoneofuscandoistoseek
outthissecretplace.But,doyouknow,wedonotfindthewaytoitbyignoringour
presentconditions?No,wetranscendastateonlybylearningtounderstandit.
IknowtheregenerationexercisesandbreathsgivenintheWisdomteachings
fortheattainmentofheightenedspiritualstates;Iknowthebenefittobegainedfrom
thesepractices,andbeforeIcloseIintendtogiveyouamostvaluableconcentration
exercise;butfirstIwanttodirectyourthoughttoaveryobviouspoint.
Youarelivinginphysicalsensation,emotionalvibration,ormentalactivation,
orinacombinationofthesethreestatesallthetime.Thismeansthatthesecentersare
constantlyactivatedbyinvisibleforces,whetheryouareconsciousofitornot.Itgoes
oninlittlebabiesbeforetheyhaveanyobjectiveconsciousnessdeveloped.Youknow
howsensitivebabiesaretoanyinharmoniousconditionintheirenvironment;whena
babyhascolicitisbecauseheisregisteringdestructiveinfluences,emotionalor
mental,inhissolarcenter.Themoresensitivethechildis,themorehewillbesubject
totheconditionsaroundhim,andhissensitivityisdeterminedbyhisstateof
evolution;thatis,ahighlyevolvedonewillhavewelldevelopedcentersinhis
vehiclesandthusbeopenandpeculiarlysensitivetotheforcesoperativeinhis
environment.Ofcourse,thisistruenotonlyofinfantsbutofindividualsofallages.

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Whenthepointinevolutionissuchthatawarenessisfocusedmoststronglyinthe
physicalplane,thereislittlesensitivitytotheforcesofotherplanes;butwiththe
furtherexpansionofconsciousness,onebecomessubjecttoawiderrangeof
influences.
Wehaveallseenpeoplewhothriveonquarrelingandfighting;thevibrations
(energyfrequencies),whichwouldbeutterlydestructivetoamorehighlydeveloped
person,aremeatanddrinktotheiremotionalbodies.Theseareintheprocessof
developingthelowerpsychicstates.Ontheotherhand,anindividualwithanopen
cardiaccenterwouldwitherandfadeinsuchanatmosphere.Hundredsand
hundredsofpeoplediefromheartdiseasecausedsimplybytheregistryof
inharmoniousvibrationsintheheartcenter.Theneedofonefocusedinthiscenteris
forloveandaffection,fortheconditionsofthehigheremotions,andhecannotstand
theother.Hisonlyreliefistogetawayfromsuchanenvironmentortoexpandhis
consciousnessintohigherstatesfromwhichhecanexerciseapositivecontrolof
emotionalconditions.Inalargepercentageofcases,functionalandevenorganicheart
diseaseisduetoinnercauses,but,becausephysiciansknownothingofthesecauses,
suchcasesareclassedwiththesmallpercentagehavinganactualphysicalbasis,and
areallowedtogouncorrected.

Icouldgoonindefinitelydescribingthedifficultiesyouareliabletofallunder
whileyouaresubjecttotheforcesandconditionsoftheordinaryenvironment,but
thatisnotnecessary.Itisprobablethatyouarewearyandsickofthosedifficultiesor
youwouldnotbeseekingateachingofthisnature.Wealldesiretohavemore
understanding,toliveinmorepeaceandsecurityandpower;weallaspiretoradiate
morejoyandlightandlifetoothers.Youcandoallthisbylearningtofocusyour
consciousnessinthehighercentersandsoopenyourselftohigherinfluencestothe
radianceofthegloriouspowerofGod.Icangiveyouonesimpleexercisewhichwill
bringthistopassinyouifyouarepersistentifyouarepersistent.Inviewofallthat
istobegainedthatsoundslikeasimplecondition,doesitnot?But,strangeasitmay
seem,thelackofthatonelittlequalitypersistency,tenacity,sticktoitivenesscauses
many,manystudentstofail.Theylistenintelligently,theyunderstandthewords,
theypracticeenthusiasticallyfortwoorthreedaysortwoorthreeweeks,andthen
theydriftawayfromit.
Ihavetriedtoanalyzethislaxity,thisinabilitytoappreciatewhatatremendous
thingtheyarelettinggo.Itmaybethatthecauseisalwaysthefundamentalonethat
theEgoisnotready.Perhapsitstillneedstheexperienceofsufferingandturmoiland
destruction.Wecouldleaveitatthat,butIhavedecidedthatacertainqualityinthe
Americanracemindmaybeacontributingfactor;thatqualityishaste,impatience
Americanswanttorushintoandthrougheverything.Ihavenoticedadifferencein

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myEuropeanstudents;theyarenotapttobeespeciallybrilliantorquickintheirgrasp
oftheteaching,buttheyhavetheoneinvaluablequalityofpersistencetheyare
faithfuldayafterday,andyearafteryear,andthustheyaresetahead.Whydopeople
valueeverythingaccordingtotime?Wearelivingineternity,thereisnoneedto
hurry.IknowofteacherswhoadvertisethattheywillgivestudentstheChristed
consciousnessintenlessons;nowondertheirhearersgetafalseideaofspiritual
development!IamnottalkingtoyounowofadeptshipandtheChristed
consciousness;Iamtellingyouthatthereisawaytoliftyourselvesoutofinharmony,
sickness,anddestruction.Youdonotwanttobesubjecttotheseconditions;youwant
aplacewhereyoucandwellinsecurityfromthemyouwantthesecretplaceofthe
mostHigh.Ipromiseyouthatthereissuchaplaceandthatyoucanfindit;Ipromise
itoutoftherealizationofonewhohasattainedit,forIspeakofthatofwhichIam
conscious.Youcanreachthisstateifyourdesireanddeterminationarestrong
enough,ifyouarewillingtomakeaneffort,andtokeeponwiththeeffort.Ifyou
knewthehundredthpartofwhatistobegained,youwouldnotneglectit.Find
fifteenminutestwoorthreetimesinthetwentyfourhoursinwhichtopractice;this
doesnotmeanfifteenminutesoutofaneighthourworkingday;takethetimefrom
yourplayoryoursleep.Iwilltellyouthatthebesttimeforthepurposeisbetween
midnightandfiveoclockinthemorning,thoughthatdoesnotmeanthatthosearethe
onlyhoursforthework.
Theexerciseisaverysimpleone;justsitorliequietlyandperfectlyrelaxed.
Closeyoureyesandturntheeyeballsup,asthoughyouwerelookingintothetopof
yourhead.Concentrateyourmindonthetopofyourhead,andthenholdtheidea
thatyourcreativeenergy,alltheforceofyourbeing,isflowingupwardintoyour
head.Icouldsaytostudentsolderinthework,UseyourinnerWilltobringyour
forcesupward,butuntiloneisconsciousoftheinnerWill,thewordscannotbe
understood;themindwouldconceiveofaneffortofthepersonal,human
determinationwhichisnotWill.Therefore,Isay,Holdtheideathatthecreative
energywithinyouisflowingintoyourhead.Nevermindyourthoughts;donottry
todirectthem.Paynoattentiontoyourmind;itwillsoongrowsteadyofitsown
accord,andyouwilllearntocontroltheforcebyapowerbackofthemind.Idonot
knowhowlongyouwillhavetopracticebeforeyoubegintocontroltheseenergies
andnoticetheresults;thatwilldependuponyourbasicstateofdevelopment,but
howeverlongitmaytake,thisiscertaintherecompensewillbemarvelously
worthwhile.Theliftingupofyourcreativeenergiesgivesyoucontrolof
inharmoniousconditionsthatisapartofthegloriousboonyouwillearn.Theother
partisthis:whenyourownforcesareraisedtocontactthespiritualcurrents,thereisa
downpouringofpowerfromonhigh.WhenIsayfromonhigh,donotthinkoutside
yourself;thisisafigureofspeech,butitmeansanactualdownflowingofyourown

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higherpowers.Itistheevidenceofyourparticipationintheuniversallife.Thisisthe
radianceoftheSpirit;itlightsyoureyes;itputsajoysongintoyourheart;itisworth
workingfor,foritisthepearlofgreatprice.
Tome,thisisthemeaningofthefirstverseoftheNinetyfirstPsalm.Whenwe
dwellinthesecretplaceofthemostHigh,wearenotsubjecttotheinfluencesofthe
mentalworld,nortothevibrationsandtheforcesoftheemotionalandphysical
worlds,forweareabidingundertheshadowoftheAlmighty.Whensicknessorloss,
troubleoradversity,threatenyourlife,makethissecretplaceyourrefugeandyour
fortress;makeityourGod,for,sofarasIknow,theonlywaywecanknowGodisby
thispowerwithinusandaroundus.Nightanddarknessmeanthelimitationsof
sense.Thisistheassurancethatnothingcanbringfeartoyourheartwhenyoulivein
thegloriousradiance.

HethatdwellethinthesecretplaceofthemostHigh
ShallabideundertheshadowoftheAlmighty.
IwillsayoftheLord,Heismyrefugeandmyfortress;
MyGod,inhimwillItrust.
SurelyHeshalldelivertheefromthesnareofthefowler,
Andfromthenoisomepestilence.
Hewillcovertheewithhisfeathers,
Andunderhiswingsshaltthoutrust;
Histruthshallbethyshieldandbuckler.
Thoushaltnotbeafraidfortheterrorbynight,
Norforthearrowthatfliethbyday;
Forthepestilencethatwalkethindarkness,
Norforthedestructionthatwastethatnoonday.
Athousandshallfallatthyside,
Andtenthousandatthyrighthand;
Butitshallnotcomenighthee.
Onlywiththineeyesshaltthoubehold,
Andseetherewardofthewicked.

Thisradianceopenstheeyes,youwillseethesoulofthings,youwillseethe
soulsofmen.Thisisnotafigureofspeech,itisaliteraltruththatyoucanwitnessthe
resultsoftheviolationofthelawinyourselfandinothers.


BecausethouhastmadetheLordwhichismyrefuge,
EventheMostHigh,thyhabitation;

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Thereshallnoevilbefallthee,
Neithershallanyplaguecomenighthydwelling.
Forheshallgivehisangelschargeoverthee,
Tokeeptheeinallthyways.

Thisalsoisaliteraltruth.Everyonewhocanlifthiscreativeforcetoreceivethe
descentofthatmarvelous,radiantpoweruponhimishimselfillumined,andhislight
attractshostsofinvisiblebeingsthedevasorangels,hishelpersinhisserviceto
humanity.

Theyshallbeartheeupintheirhands,
Lestthoudashthyfootagainstastone.
Thoushalttreaduponthelionandadder;
Theyounglionandthedragonshaltthoutrampleunderfoot.
Becausehehathsethisloveuponme,thereforewillIdeliverhim;
Iwillsethimonhigh,becausehehathknownmyname.
Heshallcalluponme,andIwillanswerhim;
Iwillbewithhimintrouble;
Iwilldeliverhim,andhonorhim.
WithlonglifewillIsatisfyhim
Andshowhimmysalvation.

oooOooo

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Lesson15

BLESSEDAREYE
Matthew5:11,12

Intheselessons,wearestudyingthescripturalrecordofthelifeofJesusthe
Christfromonestandpointonly.Jesuswasthegreatexemplar,andtheexperiencesof
hislifeportraythesuccessivestatesthroughwhichtheindividualmustdevelop.
Therefore,aswestudyandmeditateuponhislifeandwords,wecometoseeourown
waymoreclearlyandtofollowitwithgreaterwisdomandunderstanding.
WehavestudiedtheincidentsintheMasterslifewhichdepictthebirthofthe
Christpowerintheindividualconsciousness;thisiscalledthefirstinitiation.Thenwe
followedthroughtheperiodofdevelopmentwhichsucceedsthebirthandleadstothe
controloftheemotionalrealm;theconsummationofthisgreattaskismarkedbythe
secondinitiation,calledtheBaptismbyWater.
Initiationsasyouknow,areonlythesymbolsofaninnerstateofdevelopment.
TheBaptismbyWatersignifiesthattheindividualisnolongerswayedbyhisfeelings
anddesires.Itdoesnotmeansimplythathehasreachedthepointatwhichhismind
controlshisemotions;itmeanshenolongerfunctionsinvoluntarilyintheemotional
realm;heisfreefromitsdomination.
Whentheindividualhasreachedthispointinhisdevelopment,hemustpass
throughcertaindefiniteexperiencesandconqueranotherrealmofconsciousness
beforehecanreceivetheBaptismbyFire,thethirdinitiation.
Duringthisperiodbetweenthesecondandthirdinitiationsthediscipleisfilled
withtheurgetosharehisunderstandingwithothers,andhebeginstoteachtheTruth
tohumanity.Intheorthodoxterminologythisisspokenofashavingthecallto
preach.Theurgetoteachissogreatthatheisfilledwithit;hefollowsPauls
injunctiontoPreachtheword;beinstantinseason,outofseason.(2Tim.4:2)Aftera
time,whenthefacultyofdiscriminationisbuiltupinhim,helearnstotalkinseason
andtoavoidtalkingoutofseason,fornogoodfollowsthespeakingofthewordwhen
thereisnopossibilityofitsbeingreceived.
OurlessontodaydealswiththetimewhentheMasterJesusbegantoportray
thisperiodinthedevelopmentoftheindividual.Hehimselfwasgivingtheworlda
newdispensationthedoctrineforanewcycleinthespiritualdevelopmentof
humanity.WewillstudytwoversesfromtheSermonontheMount.

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Blessedareye,whenmenshallrevileyou,andpersecuteyou,andshallsay
allmannerofevilagainstyoufalsely,formysake.
Rejoice,andbeexceedingglad;forgreatisyourrewardinheaven:forso
persecutedtheytheprophetswhichwerebeforeyou.

Itisdifficulttoreadthesewords,andtothinkofpersecutioninconnectionwith
oneself,withoutlettinganelementofselfpityorselfjustificationcreepin.Whenthe
world,orsomeonewhoseopinionyouvalue,hasturnedagainstyou,itiseasytolet
themorbidsideofyournature,inwhichselfpityresides,comeuppermost,andto
quotethesetwoversesinselfjustification.
Beforeyoucanenterintotheunderstandingofthesewords,youmustbeclear
visionedandimpersonalenoughtoseeknojustificationforyourselfinanymatter;
youmustbeabletoconsiderpersecutionwhichinvolvesyourselfjustas
dispassionatelyasyouwouldconsideritifitaffectedsomeonelivinginanother
countryoranotherage.Itmustbetoyousimplytheworkingofthelaw.
Intheearlyyearsofthenineteenthcentury,arabbleinthestreetsofConcord
threwmuduponourgreatAmericansage,RalphWaldoEmerson,becausehe
belongedtotheUnitarianChurch.Sincethen,theUnitarianshaveattainedthe
standingtheydeserve,but,totheNewEnglandersofthattime,becomingaUnitarian
wastantamounttogoingtothedevil.Thisisoneinstanceofthepersecutionofan
individualbecausehehaddevelopedbeyondtheleveloftheracemindofhistime.
Whenwecometothepointofconsideringeventsdispassionatelynotwith
relationtoourselvesonly,asistheselfishhumanwaywecanevaluatethemtruly.In
thislight,weunderstandthereasonforthepersecutionofthosewhohaverisenabove
thedeadlevelofracialdevelopmentintheirindividualexpansionofconsciousness.
Whenthispointisreached,theindividualbecomestheunconsciousinstrument
ofthepowerofthehigherplaneuponwhichheisawakening.Thisstreamofpower
beginstorayoutfromhimandtoaffectthedarkconditionsallabouthimintherace
mind.Eventhoughhesaysnowordofhisnewthoughtsandrealization,otherswill
sensehischangedstatebytheradiationthroughhimofthehigherforces.
Thepeopleamongwhomtheawakeningoneislivingarestillfunctioning
unconsciouslyintheforcesoftheracemind.TheLightrayedoutthroughthedisciple
haspowertodispelthedarkconditionsintheracemind,but,asitbeginstoaffect
them,theyarestirredtoopposition.Notethispointcarefully:Theawakeningone
doesnotmeetwithoppositionandpersecutionfromotherindividuals,buttheforces
ofLightinhimmeetwithoppositionfromtheforcesofdarknessbywhichindividuals
intheracemindaredominatedunconsciously.Theindividualsarenottobeblamed.
TheMasterknewthis,and,evenwhilehewasbeingcrucifiedbytheforcesof
darkness,hecouldsay,Father,forgivethem;fortheyknownotwhattheydo.(Luke

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23:34)Thatisthegreatpointtheyknownotwhattheydo,becausetheyarein
fluencedbypowersandforcesbeyondtheirken.Theyarehumanreceivingsets
arrestingtheradiationsoftheracemind;everythoughttheythink,everydesirethey
entertain,isbornoftheunseenpowersheldincommonwiththerace.Whenyou
understandthat,youwillneverblameanother,eventhoughherevilesandpersecutes
you.Youwillseethatheisunderthedominationofforcespertainingtotherealmof
darknessandthathemustfighttheLightoftheSpirit.
TheMasterJesussaid:ThinknotIamcometosendpeaceonearth;Icamenot
tosendpeace,butasword.(Matt10:34)Soitiswiththeonewhoisawakeninginthe
Light;heraysoutnothingbutloveandpeace,butwhentheseforcestouchtheforces
ofdarknesstodispelthem,thelatterarearousedtobattle.ThegreatertheLightinthe
disciple,themoreisthedarknessstirredup.Theunawakenedonedoesnot
understandthistruth,hedoesnotknowwhatprocessisgoingon,buttheawakened
oneunderstandsanddoesnotblame.Inthelightofhisunderstandinghecanreally
forgive.
WhatgreatforcesareinvolvedinthisbattleofthedarknessagainsttheLight?
Itisallthemanifestationofadeeplaw,alawwhichgovernseverystateof
development,andbywhichuniversalmovementsareworkedoutthroughindividual
activity.Youhaveseenthemanifestationofthislawinthelowerkingdoms.You
knowhowcarefullythemotherbirdfeedsandwarmshernestlingswhentheyare
helpless,butassoonastheyhavedevelopedacertaindegreeofstrengthandactivity,
shecrowdsthemfromthenest.Theoldhenwillfighttoprotectherchickswhenthey
aresmall,butalittlelatershedrivesthemawayfromhertofendforthemselves.
Inthesamewaytheracemindwillnurtureyouandprotectyouwhileyou
belongtoit,butassoonasyoudevelopbeyondit,itwillforceyouout.Thisisthe
workingofthelaw;ifyouwerenotdrivenoutoftheoldrace,thenewracewouldnot
beformed.Becauseyouaredrivenout,youareforcedtodevelopinthenewstate
whichhasbecomethelawofyourbeing.
Theexperienceofeveryawakeningoneisthatwhentheoppositionagainsthim
hasgrownverystrong,oneoftwothingsmusthappeneitherhewillsuccumbandbe
sweptfromhispath,orhewillretirefromracemindcontacts,sofarasmaybe,until
hehasgrownstrongintheLight.
Hewilldevelopthisstrengthbyaffiliatingwithotherindividualswhohave
reachedhisownstateofconsciousness.This,too,isinaccordancewithagreatlaw
nomatterwhatourstateofdevelopmentmaybe,itisinunitythatwehavestrength.
Wecannotgooninthebattleoflife,fightingagainstmonumentalodds,unless,
throughaninneraffiliation,wehavethesupportofagroup.

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Inalesserstateofdevelopmentthissupportmightbesimplymobinstinct.
Mutiniesandrevolts,alltheexpressionsofmobviolence,aremadepossiblebymass
emotions;theleaderwouldbehelplesswithoutthesupportofhisfollowers.
Manifestingthesamelawinahigherstateofevolution,theawakeningonewho
hasbeencastoutoftheraceconsciousnessfindsthathecannotstandalone.Hehas
neithersufficientstrengthnorsufficientinnerdevelopment,thereforehemustfind
groupsupport.ThisisthereasonPauladmonishedhisfollowersnottoforsakethe
assemblingofourselvestogether.Theconceptsofspaceandtimeareverystrongin
thehumanconsciousness,andwhenonestandsalone,thesubtleforcesofdarkness
findeasieringress.Butwhenagroupofpeoplehavinglikeneedsandaspirationsare
assembledtogether,eachhasthesupportofthegroupstrength,andallareliftedupon
awaveofpower.
Allthesethingsarenecessaryonlywhileyoutreadthepathtoimmortality.
AfteryouareperfectedintheSpirit,youwillbeselfsufficient,selfluminousandself
contained,butwearenotstudyingthatpointofdevelopmentnow;notonehas
reachedit.MoseswastheManuofarace,butevenheneededthesupportofhis
people.ThejourneyofthechildrenofIsraeloutofEgyptianbondagesignifiesthe
journeyoftheindividualintoitshigherstatesofconsciousnessanditsbattleagainst
theforcesofdarknessandignorance,whichtothisdaywecallthePhilistines.Moses
ledthechildrenoftheLightand,solongashishandswereupheldbythem,their
battlewassuccessful,butwithouttheirsupporthecouldnothaveledthemtothe
PromisedLand.Therecanbenoleadershiponanyplanewithoutthesupportofthe
group.Therearecertaininnerconditionswhichdevelopandgatherstrengthina
group;theseinnerconditionsfocusinanindividualwhobecomestheleaderofthe
group.
Thisistherecognitionyoumustcomeinto:thateverymanifestationisthe
representationofinvisiblepowersandinfluences.Bysodoing,youwillgainan
impersonalattitudetowardallthings,eventowardthepersecutionofanindividual
whentheindividualisyourself.Whenyouaresosecureinthisknowledgethatyour
positionisimpregnable,thatyourcitadelcannotbetaken,youwillalwaysholdthe
peaceofyourownsouland,furthermore,youwillalwaysbeabletogoforthagain
afteranyexperienceandcarryonthegoodfight.Thegreatestthingforanyoneofus
istobeabletosaywithPaul:Ihavefoughtagoodfight,Ihavefinishedmycourse,I
havekeptthefaith.(2Tim.4:7)
Trytoliveconstantlyintheunderstandingofthesethings.Anewpeopleis
formedofthoseindividualswhoaredrivenforthfromthedarknessoftheracemind,
andthroughthedevelopmentofthisnewpeopletherewillcomeagreater
manifestationofuniversalloveinindividuallife.Manyotherworkingsofthe
universallawthroughgroupconsciousnessandthroughindividualbeingare

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indicatedbythefactthattheindividualthatisbeginningtobeachannelfortheLight
ispersecutedbytheunregeneratedconditionsintheracemind.TheMaster,seeing
andunderstandingallthesethings,saidtohisdisciples:Blessedareye,whenmen
shallrevileyou,andpersecuteyouandsayallmannerofevilagainstyoufalsely,for
mysake.Blessedareyeforthisisasignofyourgrowth.Iftheworldweretoaccept
thisteaching,woulditbeanhonortotheteaching?Instead,itisanhonorthat,with
theirstandards,theycannotacceptit.DoyouseetheMasterssubtlemeaning?Ifthe
teachingcouldbeacceptedbytheracemind,wherecoulditlead?Coulditleadoutof
raceconsciousness,racevalues?Outofpersecutionanddarkness?Itnevercould.
Therefore,blessedareyethathumanitydoesnotacceptyou.
Amanwhohasreachedapointofdevelopmentbeyondtheleveloftheraceis
honoredbyhisenemies.Foronetogothroughlifestirringupsolittleoppositionthat
hecreatesnoenemiesmeansthatheisasycophantnotonlyasycophant,buta
lickspittle,curryingfavorwithotherunregeneratedconditions.Fityourstridetothe
greatstrideofprogressandholditthere,andyouwillhaveoppositionandyouwill
haveenemies.ThenIsay,beproudofthehonortheydoyou!Itistheirwayofgiving
recognitiontotheLight.
ButhereagainImustwarnyou;youarehonoredandblessedwhenopposition
isarousedagainstyouforthesakeoftheLight(theMastersaid,againstyoufalsely,
formysake),butitisadifferentmatterwhenyoustirupoppositionforyourown
sakeorforotherindividuals.Ifallmannerofevilissaidagainstyouandevenalittle
ofthatevilistrueofyou,thendonotpityyourselfasbeingpersecutedthisbywayof
warningagainstselfjustificationandagainstspiritualegotism.Ifyouareentirely
honestwithyourself,youwillknowwhenyouhavearousedoppositionbyyour
personalactionsandwillmakenopretenseofbeingpersecutedasachannelforthe
Light.
However,weareconsideringtheinvariablereactionsoftheconditionsinthe
racemindagainstonewhohasadvancedbeyondit;thosewhobelongtotheracemind
neverrealizethatathingtheydonotunderstandmaybebeyondtheirstandards,not
belowthem.Thisisnatural,fortoacknowledgethatwouldbetodisparagetheirown
standards;theymustfortifythemselvesintheirownestimation.Itisapartofhuman
naturetobeafraidofwhatitdoesnotunderstand,andtofightthatofwhichitis
afraidandthiswillbetrueuntiltheraceminditselfhasbeenliftedup.Then,when
thesethingshappentoyou,astheywillwhenyourLighthasgrownbright,donot
pityyourselfinselfindulgence,anddonotblamethosewhoaretheunconscious
instrumentsoftheforcesofdarkness.
Neverresentandstrikebackatthemforanythingtheydo.FriedrichNietzsche
callsthisporcupinewisdomtheyaretoonumeroustocombatbyshootingquills.
Healsolikensthepersecutorstofliesinthemarketplace,andsaystotheawakening

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one:Flee,myfriend,intothysolitudeandthither,wherearough,strongbreeze
bloweth.Itisnotthylottobeaflyflap(flyswatter).Tofleeintothysolitudeisto
maintainthestateofdispassioninwhichyoucannotbedisturbed.
WhentheMastersaid:Rejoiceandbeexceedingglad:forgreatisyourreward
inheaven,hedidnotrefertothestateyouwillenterafterdeath.Heavenisastateof
harmony,ofpeace,andunlessyoufinditinyourearthconsciousness,youcannot
enteritafteryoudietothephysicalplane.Heavenisacrowninggloryof
achievement,andwhenyouhaveattainedityouwillbeendowedwitheternalpeace
andbliss.


oooOooo

106
BLESSED ARE YE

107
BLESSED ARE YE

108
 RICH YOUNG MAN

Lesson16

THERICHYOUNGMAN
Mark10:1745

One day about nineteen hundred years ago, Jesus of Nazareth had turned his
face from the outlying districts of Palestine and was journeying toward Jerusalem in
company with his disciples. Jesus had gone out from Jerusalem in an effort to
preservehislibertytocarryonhismission.Histeachingoftruthandfreedomtothe
common people had aroused such extreme antagonism in the representatives of
establishedecclesiasticalauthoritythattheywerereadytogotoanylengthstoprevent
itsbeinggiven.However,thespiesofhisenemieshadfollowedhimintothecountry,
questioninghimandseekingtotraphimintosomeoppositiontotheirlaws.Finally,
theMasterdecidedtogobackintothecityandadvancehisteaching,regardlessofthe
consequences. Jesus did not do this without knowledge of what was to come; his
completelydevelopedperceptivepowersmadehimfullyawareofitall.Thedisciples
followed him closely, but they went wondering and fearing, for Jesus had told them
whatthingsshouldhappenuntohim.
It was during this momentous journey that the meeting with the rich young
man occurred. Luke speaks of the young man as a ruler, and in each of the three
accountsoftheincidentitisevidentthathewasamanofwealth.Marksaysthathe
camerunningtotheMasterand,kneelingbeforehim,said;GoodMaster,whatshallI
dothatImayinheriteternallife?TheMasterfirstrebukedhimgently,saying,Why
callestthoumegood?Thereisnonegoodbutone,thatisGod.Hewassoconscious
ofbeingthechanneloftheuniversalPower,orGod,thathecouldnotacknowledgea
qualityattributedtohisindividualself.ThentheMasterremindedtheyoungmanof
the commandments and the latter answered that he had observed them all from his
youth.Probablyhewentintosomeexplanation,andtoldJesushowcarefullyhehad
followedthelawandofhisgreatdesiretofindthewaytolifeeternal.
Mark says: Then Jesus, beholding him, loved him. I think that the Master
observingthesincerityofthisyoungman,gavehimhisfullattention,andrecognizing
his high state of development and his response to the things of Truth, he perceived
that he had come to a crucial point in his ongoing, and felt his spirit go out to him.
Therefore,whenhehadlistenedtotheyoungmansaccountofhiseffortstofindthe
wayofsalvation,hesaid:Onethingthoulackest;gothyway,sellwhatsoeverthou
hast,andgivetothepoor,andthoushalthavetreasureinheaven:andcome,takeup
thecross,andfollowme.PerhapstheMasterexplainedsomethingofwhatitwould

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mean to follow himsomething of the hardship, and something of the glorious

reward.Perhapshetoldhimthatjustbylivinginassociationwiththatlittleband,he
wouldfindtheconsciousnessofimmortalityawakenedinhim.Atanyrate,theyoung
manmusthaveknownwhatkindoflifeJesusandhisdisciplesled,sofarastheouter
conditions were concerned. He was able to contrast their lot with his own. He
thoughtofhisgoodsandchattels,ofhisbeautifulandcomfortablehome,andthenhe
lookedatthefollowersoftheMasterhomelesswanderersbeggingtheirbread,having
no standing or position in the world. The young man thought of his own social
position, for doubtless he was respected and much sought after. He thought of his
friendsandacquaintancesandknewthatoneandallwouldthinkhiminsaneorafool
if he gave away his possessions, abandoned his former life, and joined this ragged
band of outcasts. His vision was not deep enough; his mind showed him the
immediate,outerconsequencesofsuchastep,buthisintuitionwasnotclearenough
toperceivetheinner,spiritualeffect.Andsohewentsorrowfullyaway.
The Master watched the young man quietly while all these things passed
through his mind. He knew what would have happened if he could have made his
test,andheknewwhathisfuturewouldbenowthathehadfailedtopassthetest.He
knew how temporary and of how little value were the things the young man had
chosen, and he knew that the same test would come up again and again in his
incarnations, until his spiritual perception was developed through suffering to the
pointwherehecouldmakeitcompletely.
Thinkingofthesethings,Jesusturnedtohisdisciples,thelittlegroupwhohad
thecouragetogiveupeverythingtofollowhim,andsaid,Children,howhardisit
forthemthattrustinrichestoenterintothekingdomofGod!Itiseasierforacamelto
gothroughtheeyeofaneedle,thanforarichmantoenterintothekingdomofGod.
TheMaster,asalways,usedhereanillustrationthatwasfamiliartohislisteners.The
country was infested by bandits and therefore there were walls about the cities, the
large gates of which were closed at night. We can understand that the men of the
caravansmadeextraordinaryeffortstoreachthesafetyofthecitiesbeforenightfallin
order to avoid entering by the small gate, the needles eye, for that necessitated
unloadingthecamelsoutsidethecitywalls,thegatebeingtoosmalltoadmitaloaded
beast.TheMasterlikenedtheyoungmansburdenofrichestothecamelsburden,for
heknewthathemustshedhispersonalconceptofpossessionsbeforehecouldenter
intotheconsciousnessoftheSpirit.
ThenPeter,theoutspoken,said:Lo,wehaveleftall,andhavefollowedthee.
The Master recognized his words, and said to the disciples: Verily I say unto you,
There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or
wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospels, but he shall receive an
hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and

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 RICH YOUNG MAN

children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. One
whopassesthistestisgiveningreaterabundanceallthathehasgivenup,andyetis
free from the old binding sense of attachment to possessions, and, in addition, he
receivestheconsciousnessofimmortality.
Many times I have allowed my imagination to reconstruct this scene as
recordedintheScriptures.Ihavewonderedwhatconstitutedtherichesofthatyoung
man; whether he had houses and lands and sheep and camels, or whether it was
position andauthorityto whichhewas so attached.Whateveritwas thatheld him,
whatdoesitamounttonow,nineteenhundredyearslater!AndIwonderwhatisthe
presentspiritualstatusofthatyoungman,howmuchhisconsciousnesshasexpanded
sincethelifehelivedinPalestine.Hehadlivedmanylivesbeforethatone,andwill
livemanyafterit,butforthesakeoflivinginthesenseofpossessingrichesforjusta
fewbriefyears,hesacrificedhissoulsgreatopportunity.Nodoubtbythatactheshut
himself out of the inner kingdom of the Spirit for an incarnationperhaps for
incarnations. It is most probable that after he failed that test, he lost his possessions
withinaveryshorttime,thathecouldnotkeepthemevenforthatincarnation.Fora
spirituallawisevokedwhenanindividualreachesthepointofdevelopmentatwhich
hisHigherSelfdemandsthathecomeoutofthepersonalconceptsoflife.Whenheis
broughttoaMaster,anilluminedSoul,andisgivenhisopportunityandhemissesit
throughattachmenttopossessions,inevitablyhewilllosethepossessions.Thisisnot
true of one who has not reached that inner point in consciousness, even though the
outer situation may appear to be the same, for the spiritual law mentioned does not
relatetohim.
Thisstoryoftherich,youngmanispeculiarlyinterestingtomeforthereason
that in the years of my ministry of Truth I have seen the same drama enacted again
andagain.AsItravelabout,Imeetpeopleofmanydifferentdegreesofdevelopment,
andoftenIfindonewhohascometothepointreachedbytheyoungmanofthisstory.
Some of them are burdened with possessions, possessed with possessions, and often
whenhissoulsopportunitycomestosuchaone,hegivesitupandturnsbacktohis
possessions.WhenIgoagaintohiscity,Isaytothepeoplewhoknowhim,Whereis
soandso?andIcannottellyouhowmanytimestheanswerhasbeen,Doyouknow
what happened to him? Why, he lost everything he had, and I say nothing, but I
understandtheinnersignificanceofitall.
It is not always money or concrete possessions that chain one to the personal
life;itmaybepersonalpride,thedesireforthegoodopinionofothers.Theycannot
bring themselves to join their lives with a movement that is not approved by the
orthodoxandtheconventionallyminded.Forthemanyandvariousthingsthatmake
upthelifeofthepersonality,thesepeoplemisstheiropportunitytoenterthelifeofthe
Spirit,onlytolose,also,thattowhichtheycling.ThisisthemeaningoftheMasters

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words:Forhethathath(thepoweroftheSpirit)tohimshallbegiven:andhethat
hath not (the power of the Spirit), from him shall be taken even that which he
hath.(Mk4:25)Thesewordsalsobringouttheothersideofthestory.Ihavewatched
soulsatthispointofdevelopmentpassthetestandreceivethecompletefulfillmentof
theMasterspromisetothosewhogiveupallforhissakeandthegospels.
ThisisthelessonthattheMastersoughttoteachtherich,youngman.Itisthe
lesson I seektoteachyoutoday,foronewhohasgonethroughthesepointsinsoul
growthhaswontherighttoguideotherswhoareapproachingthem.
There are two methods of living. In the outer method you are limited by the
personal concept of separateness; you are attached to persons and conditions and
things; you think that your futuresafety and independencehang uponyourholding
ontothepossessionsyouhaveaccumulatedbyconsciouseffort.Yourpersonalityis
yourmeandmineattitude;itisalltheelementsofconsciousnessthatmakeupthe
sense of separateness. It includes selfishness, greed, pride, fear, and the sense of
possessing,ofclaiming,anyoneoranything.
ThisoutermethodoflivinginthesenseofseparatenessfromtheonePowerisa
hard method. The pronouncement, In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread,
appliestothisperiodwhenyouareoutoftheGarden,oroutofthekingdomofGod.
It is very hard to live by this outer method when you are approaching the point in
evolutionatwhichitispossibletoawakentheinnerconsciousnessoftheSpirit.The
dawninglightwithinisbeginningtobreakyourdependenceonouterthings;youare
not satisfied with them, although your objective mind is not aware of the reason for
this.
Whenthetimeisfullyripe,youwillbegiventheopportunitytomaketheGreat
Renunciation; the opportunity to overcome your concept of personality; to lay down
your human will and say to the Higher Self, Thy will be done. When that time
comes to you, and the great Power touches you by reason of your contact with an
awakenedconsciousness,donotresistit,donotletanythingholdyoubackfromgoing
withit.ThereisnothingstrongerthanthatPower.ItisthePowerofGod.Itisthe
LoveofChrist.Ifyoutrytoresistitwhenthetimecomesforyoutogowithit,itwill
takeawayyourpossessions,itwillevenbreakyourvehicles,ifnecessary,becauseof
yourstubbornness.Butifyougowithit,harmony,peace,strength,salvationwillbe
yours.Allofthatwillcomewhentheawakened,immortalspirittakespossessionsof
its vehicles. Then, to use the word sacrifice for giving up the old outer method of
livingwillseemutterlyridiculoustoyou;everythingthatyouoncethoughtvaluable
willbeasrubbish,comparedtotheradianceoftheSpirit.
Inthismethodofliving,youwillfindthatanyconsciousmentaleffortonyour
partonlyinterfereswiththeflowofthePowerthatisworkingthroughyou.Youwill
beunabletoanticipatethewayinwhichyourneedswillbesupplied,butItestifyto

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 RICH YOUNG MAN

you that if you can go steadfastly through the test of laying down your personal
conceptofliving,puttingyourtrustwhollyinthepoweroftheSpirit,youwillwant
fornothing.IhaveneverknownachildoftheLighttowantforanything.Youmay
beseverelytriedandtested.Itmayappearthateverymanshandisagainstyou,that
you have not a friend in the world; but if you stand firm in the Light, you will be
surroundedbyaninvisiblehostoftheemancipatedOnesandnoharmcancomenear
you.
The promise of the Master to those who pass this test never fails. When you
live in the inner consciousness of the Power, your needs will be supplied on every
planeofyourbeing,andinadditionyouwillhavetheassuranceandawarenessthat
theradianceoftheSpiritisyourseternally.


oooOooo

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 RICH YOUNG MAN

114
 THE PRODIGAL SON

Lesson17

THEPRODIGALSON
(Text:RestoredNewTestament
byJamesM.Pryse)

A man there was who had two sons; and said the younger of them to his
father,Assigntome,Father,mypropershareofthysubstance.
Sothefatherapportionedtohimhislivingsubstance.Andnotmanydays
after,theyoungerson,havingbroughttogetherhispossessions,wendedhisway
to a distant land, and there he dissipated his substance, leading the life of a
profligate.Now,whenhehadspenthisall,grimfaminestalkedthroughoutthat
land,andhehadhisfirstexperienceofutterpoverty.Hewasdriventobecomea
menialofoneofthecitizensofthatland,andhesenthimintohisfieldstofeed
swine.Heusedtolongtoallaythepangsofhungerwiththecarobpodswhich
theswinewereeating;butnoonewasgenerousenoughtogivehimbread.And
whenhecametohimselfhesaid:
How many of my fathers wageworkers have bread more than enough,
andhereIamdyingforwantoffood!Ishallariseandgotomyfather,andI
shallsayuntohim,Father,Ihavesinnedagainstmyinnerconsciousnessandin
youresteem;Iamunworthynowtobecalledyourson;givemeemployasoneof
yourmenials.
Andhearoseandwenttohisfather.Nowwhilehewasyetfaraway,his
father saw him, and his heart was thrilled, and running to him he fell on his
neckandkissedhimagainandagain.Butthesonsaidtohim:
Father,againstmyinnerconsciousnessandinyouresteemhaveIsinned.
Iamnowunworthytobecalledyourson!
Butthefathersaidtohisservants:
Bringoutquicklytherobeoffirstrankandinvesthimwithit;onhishand
placethesealringofauthority,andlacesandalsonhisfeet.Fetchthefattedcalf
andslayitasathankoffering;andletuscelebratewithjoyousfeast,forthisson
ofminewasdeadandhascometolife,waslostandisfound.
Andtheystartedinontheirfestivity.Nowtheoldersonwasinthefield,
and as he drew near, on coming back to the house, he heard festal music and
dancing.Callingtohimoneoftheservants,heinquiredwhatwastheoccasion
ofthesefestivities.Theservantansweredhim:Yourbrotherhasreturned,and

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your father has sacrificed thefattedcalf, because he has regainedhimhaleand

hearty.
Then the older brother gave way to anger, and sullenly refused to go in.
Hisfathercameoutandtriedtopersuadehim.Butheansweredhisfather:
Behold, I have worked like a slave for you for many a year, and never a
commandofyourshaveItransgressed;yetyouhavenevergivenmeevenakid
that I might feast joyously with my companions; but when this son of yours
came back, after he had consumed your living substance with strumpets, you
havekilledinhonorofhimthefattedcalf.
Buthisfathersaidtohim:
My child, you are with me always, and everything of mine is yours; so
twas natural and becoming to celebrate with feasting and rejoicing because
yourbrotherwasdeadandisrestoredtolife,waslostandisfound.


Ofcourse,thatistheoldfamiliarparableoftheprodigalson,andithasbeen
interpretedvariously.Ihaveuseditagreatdeal;itisoneofmyfavoritestories.Iam
goingthroughitagainbecauseofoneortwominorpointsthathavebeendeveloped
inthecourseofthisworkinregardtotheEgo.
Intheaccompanyingdiagram(page90),thegreatUnmanifestisdepictedasa
portionofacircle,acirclebecauseithasnobeginningandnoend.Thatiswhywe
describeanythingeternalwithacircle.Thiscirclerepresentstheundifferentiated,
unbrokencontinuityofconsciousnessinitsabsolutestateofSelfawareness.Thereis
nomanifestationtherebecausethereisnoSelfawarenessindifferentiation.Itisan
absoluteSelfawareness;andthePower,beingabsolutelyawareofitself,cannotbring
outanymanifestation,becausethereisnodifferentiationinitsconsciousnessinregard
toitself.ThatiswhywesayitisabsolutelySelfaware.Iftherewastheslightest
differentiationinanypartofitsconsciousness,sothatitcouldbeawareofthatpartin
relationtotherestofthewhole,thenatoncetherewouldbeSelfawareness.Butwhen
itisabsolutelyawareofitselfascosmic,aswhole,anddwellsinthatabsoluteness,
thereisnodifferentiation.Tousasindividualpointsofselfawareness,itisabsolute
darkness;buttoitselfitisneitherlightnordarkness.
Wemustassumeallofthisfromthestandpointofseparationfromit.From
whatwecangleanofitintheplaneofrelationshipsandcomparisons,wemaysaythat
initselfitisabsoluteLight,butcomparedtoanystateinsenseofseparation,itis
darkness.Inotherwords,absoluteLightandabsolutedarknessbecomeoneandthe
samething.
Now,itisoutofthisthatdifferentiationproceeds.How?Nooneknows,andI
thinknooneeverwillknow.Butinstudyingthesethingsfromthelowerplanes,we

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 THE PRODIGAL SON

applythelawofanalogyandsay,asitisbelow,soitmustbeabove.Inthiswaywe
arriveattheideathatitisbythefocalizationofpositiveandnegativeelementsthat
manifestationordifferentiationproceedsoutoftheunmanifest,theundifferentiated.
Thereisanotherwaywherebyitispossibletoarriveattheunderstandingofit,and
thatisbyinternalselfawarenessandselfanalysis.Consciousnesscanbefocusedin,
andin,andin,untilthecreatingpowernotinitself,notinitsessence,butinits
highestformofmanifestationcanbeobserved.Itsveryhighestformofmanifestation
wouldsocloselyapproachauniversalizedstatethatthemanifestationwouldbeinthe
natureofsomeuniversalsubstance.Eventhereweshouldfindthatitisbythe
focalizationofthepositiveandthenegativethatmanifestationisdeveloped.Then,
eveninregardtothecreatingpoweroftheindividualbeing,wemayapplythesame
analogy,andsay,asitisintheindividual,soitmustbeinthewhole,ofwhichthe
individualisapartorafocalization.Wethenfindthatthereisafocalization,or,touse
Scripturallanguage,thetwoelementsaregatheredtogetheruntooneplace.By
reasonofthatgatheringtogetheruntooneplace,manifestationonallthelowerplanes
proceedsbyaprojectionofthestateinwhichitisconsciousofitself.Itprojectsjustas
raysandstreamsoflightproject:thefartherout,themorethemultiplicity;thefarther
in,themoretheunity.Thefartherout,themorethelightspreads;thefartherin,the
moreitmergesintotheone.
Bythestudyofthemanifestation,wefindthatthereisatriplicityalso,andthat
thegatheringtogetherformsathirdaspectoftheTrinity,andwecallthatthirdaspect
ofthetrinitytheSon.Itisthemonad,theIndividualizedSelf,andinthediagramwe
representitasasmallcircleinthelargecircle.ThemonadorSoniscomposedofand
isbornofthepositivePowerandthenegative,creatingforceorSubstance,andwe
describethosetwoprincipleswithtwotriangles.Thetrianglewiththeapexpointing
upisthepositive,andthetrianglewiththeapexpointingdownisthenegative
principle.Thisallrepresentsanoperationofconsciousness;itisallwithina
dimensionlessplaneofSelfawarenessandcannotbediagramed,cannotbedescribed
inwords.Yetwedoitforthereasonthatwearelimitedtoathreedimensionalora
twodimensionalmediumofexpressionorcommunicationandmustthereforetryto
portrayitthroughthatmedium.But,asarule,whendiagramsareusedthereismore
confusioncreatedthenthereisbenefitderived,becauseoneisapttothinkofthat
comingoutasbeinginsuccessivestagesorstates.Itdoesntatall;itisonlyaninternal
operationofconsciousnessthatweexpressinanexternalway.Trytokeepinmind
thatthewholethingisaninternaloperationofconsciousnessandhasnothingtodo
withlaminationorsuccessivestagesofmanifestationasitappearstocomeout.There
isnosuchthingasout.Nothingisout;everythingiswithintheconsciousnessofthe
multiplicityoftheseindividualizationscalledsons.

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 THE PRODIGAL SON

Nowletusdescribeinourdiagram,byunrollingitlikeascroll,conditionsthat
takeplaceinconsciousness.Thetwolowertrianglesrepresentreflectionsofthetwo
smalltrainglescomposingthemonad.Wedividethereflectionsintotwodivisions
designatedasthesecondandthirdaspects.Thefirstdivisionistherealmofreality
whichwecallthefirstaspectofthepowerwithwhichweareconscious.Thesecond
divisionwecalltherealmofarchetypalmanifestations;itisthesecondaspectofthe
powerwithwhichweareconscious.Thethirddivisionwecallthephenomenal
segregationsofthearchetypalworlds.Eachoftheseareinturndividedintothree
divisions.Theseallarestatesofconsciousness.Allofthisthatweillustratehere,
happenswithintheconsciousnessofamultiplicityofindividualizationssuchasthis
oneindividualizationthatwearebringingoutoftheundifferentiated,the
unconscious,theunmanifest.Itdoesnothappeninjustone;justonecouldnotdoit.
Ithappensinstreamscalledlifewaves.Eachstream(figurativelyspeakingagain)is
composedofavastmultiplicityofindividualcenterslikethisoneindividualcenter.
Whenthephenomenalworldsandthearchetypalworldsarelabeledand
tagged(ourmentalfacultiesdoallthelabelingandallthetagging,becauseinitselfit
hasnolabelsnortags),wecallthefirstworldthephysicalworld;thenextone,the
emotionalorpsychicworld;thenextone,thementalworld.Thesethreearethe
invertedimageofthehigherthree.Thissimplymeansthatthephenomenalworlds
areinvertedreflectionsofthehigherworldsintheconsciousness.Thatcarrieswithit
itsownmeaning,becausethereisafamiliarstatementthatthefirstshallbelast;and
thelastfirst(Mark10:31);thelowestshallbethehighest.IntheWisdomteachings,
thesefiguresareusedagreatdealtoindicatewhattakesplaceonthehigherplanes,
forifyoureverseeverythingonthelowerplanes,youwillgetthekeytothe
understandingofthingsonthehigherplanes.Thatwhichisconsideredtobethe
lowestisreallythehighest.Forinstance,inourtelesticworkwefindthathumanity
revilesanddamnsthecreativeforceinthephysicalworldandconsidersitthelowest,
butthatcreativeforceisthehighestpowerintheinnerworlds.Withoutthatcreative
powertherecouldbenomanifestation.Nocreationonthehigherplanesofself
perfectioncouldbedevelopedwithoutthecreativeforcethatyouhave.Invarious
ways,theinversionofahigherstateisthekeytounderstandingit.Ontheverylowest
planeofthephysicalworld,wefindmembersoftheinsectworldpropagatingbya
processknownasagamogenesis,whichmeansselfimpregnation.Theyneednotbe
impregnatedbytheoppositesexinorderthattheireggsmaybefertilized.Onthe
higherplanes,whentheindividualbecomesandrogynous,hedoesallhiscreative
workwiththeforcesofhisownindividualbeing,becauseheembodiesboththe
positiveandnegativeaspects.Wefindsimilaranalogiesallthewaythrough;asitisin
thelower,soitisinthehigher.Thisgivesusthekey.

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 THE PRODIGAL SON

Toreturntoourdiagram,thenegativeforce,picturedasthetrianglewithits
apexpointingdown,becomestheforcethatisoperativeinphenomena.Thepositive
force,byvirtueofthetrianglepointingup,istheforcethatisoperativeinthehigher
plane.Wefindthattheselowerdivisionsarereflectionsofthehigher;thelowermind
ismerelytheouterrepresentationorreflectionofthehighermind;thepsychicworldis
merelytheouterreflectionoftheblissorintuitionalworld;andphysicalforms,
physicalthings,aremerelytheouterimagesorouterreflectionsofideasinthe
consciousnessinthehigherworlds.ThatiswhywecalltheWillplanetheideational
world;itistheworldofpureideas.IfyouhavereadPlatosphilosophyand
metaphysics,youwillrecallthathesaysallouterthingsareonlythereflectionsofthe
worldofpureideas,thatthephysicalworld,theworldofthings,theworldofform,is
nothingexcepttheouterappearanceofthepureideaintheconsciousnessof
individualizationorfocalizationoftheonepower.Platowasright.Hewasamaster.
Sofarasanyofhissuccessorshavedevelopedarealization,theyhaveconfirmedallof
hisearlyteachings.
NowhowisallofthisappliedtothestoryoftheProdigalSon?Thecreative
forcewhichisrepresentedbytheinvertedtrianglesfunctionsinthephenomenal
world,andthatisthejourneyofthecreativeforcefromtheFathershousethemonad
istheFathershouse.(WecannotcalltheabsolutelyundifferentiatedtheFathers
house).ThemonadistheFather,whichmeansheistheprimecreator,instigator,
progenitorofallthesuccessiveconditionswhichoperateinconsciousnessofthe
focalization.Whenthepositiveandnegativeforcesarewithdrawn,projectedout,into
thevariousstatesofselfawareness(variousstatesofselfawarenessmeansvarious
planesofmanifestation),andwhenthecreativeforceisdrawnoutintomanifestation,
thenitisnotresident,orindrawn,withinthemonad;butthemonad,perse,remains
eternallythere.Hedoesnotprojectout;itisonlythecreativeforceofhisnaturethatis
drawnintomanifestation.Therefore,themonadiscalledtheFatherwhichremainsin
heaven.
Thus,thecreativeforceisprojectedout.Wecannotsymbolizethecreativeforce
exceptthroughthecentersinwhichitfunctions.Youcannotdescribeelectricitywhen
itisfreeintheatmosphere;youmusthavemotors,orlampsorsomethingelseto
localizeitandfocalizeit.Sowedescribesevenmajorforcecenters.Theoneatthe
baseofthespinetheprostaticcenter,governingthephysicalformsofmanifestation;
thepsychiccenterintheregionofthesolarplexus;theheartcenter,whichgovernsall
ofthelowermind.Allcreativeforcethatflowsthroughtheheartcenteristheforceby
whichthedesireandaffectionalmind(itiscalledthelowermind)isdevelopedand
withwhichitfunctions.Thenwecometothe(pharyngeal)centerinthethroatwhich
governsthehighermind,thesyntheticalmind.Thepituitarycentergovernsthe
intuitionalplane,andwhenthatcenterintheforeheadisopenedanddevelopedit

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enablesonetoseespiritually.Seeingspirituallyisafigureofspeech,becauseone
canseewithouttheuseofthinking;heknowsbythefunctionsofthatcenter.The
crowningcenterofallistheonebywhichideationorideasarecreated,andisthe
planeofcreativeWill.TheideationallevelisthelevelofcreativeWillforthereason
thatwhenalloftheforcesaredrawnupintothiscenter,onehastheabilitytoinitiate
anidea,tocreateanoriginalideawhichwillimmediatelyhaveitsmanifestationor
materialization.WhentheMasterswishtomaterializeordematerializeanything,
includingaphysicalbody,itisdonewiththefunctionsofconsciousnessthroughthe
crowncenterandonitslevel,foriftheycreateanideainconsciousness,theycan
createthesuccessivereflectionsandmanifestationsofthatidea.Itisallin
consciousness,asallofthiswhichisrepresentedbythelargetrianglesisalreadyin
consciousnessandnotprojectedoutofconsciousness.
InregardtotheEgo,wehaveusedthewordEgoasasynonymformonad
throughoutmuchoftheliteratureoftheschool.Butwhenwecometothestudyofthe
RestoredNewTestamentandthemysteriesoftheGreeks,wefindthattheyusedthe
wordegoinadifferentsenseinthesenseofconsciousnessprojectedin
manifestation,asanidentityseparatefromtheFatherinheaven,themonad.This
separateidentityiscreatedbywatchingthereflectionsinthephenomenalworldand
identifyingtheconsciousnesswiththosereflectionsormanifestations.Outofthe
identificationoftheconsciousnesswiththereflectionsinthephenomenalworld,there
isdevelopedintheconsciousnessafocalizedconcept,aconceptthatIamI,
phenomenallyexpressedandseparatefromthecreatingpowerinthebackground,the
fatherinheaven,orthemonad.Thisegocentralizingforce,sense,ortendencyinthe
consciousnessbecomestheego.Thatisthesenseinwhichwehaveusedtheword
ego.Theonlythingwecandoisthis:inourstudies,keepinmindthetwowaysin
whichthewordegoisused,andnoticejustwhatitspositionisinrelationtotherest
ofthesentenceinwhichitappears.Whenitmeansthesenseofseparatenessdueto
identifyingitselfwiththephenomenalmanifestationorappearance,wewillspellit
withasmalle.Whenitmeansthefocalizationofthepositiveandnegative,thefather
motherprinciple,inaunitofmanifestation,wewillspellitwithacapitalE.Thatis
theonlythingthatwecandoaswecorrelatethisworkwiththeworkthatalreadyis
establishedinbookformandinourliterature.Ifyoureadcarefullythebook,
UniversalWill,youwillfindthatIusedthewordEgoallthewaythroughthatbookas
asynonymforthemonadasweunderstanditinthiswork.Ifwejustkeepthispoint
inmind,weshallhavenoconfusion,andthenomenclatureofourworkwillbekeptin
order.
TheProdigalSonissimplytheforceprojectedinphenomenalmanifestation
untilthatforcecomesoutfromtheFathershouse,goescleartothebaseandis
focused,localizedintheprocreative,genitalcenter.Thatiswhereheattacheshimself

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toacitizenofafarcountryandhewouldfainhavefilledhisbellywiththehusksthat
theswinedideat.Thatiswhatwealldo.Webecomeavariciousintryingit;wetry
tofindsomesortoffoundationorsubstanceintheexpressionofourcreativeforcesin
physicalformsofexpression.Theinevitableresultwillovertakeeveryone.Ifyou
havenotlivedlongenoughtofinditout,keepondoingituntilyoualsohave
experiencedtheinevitableconsequencesthatallexperience.Manyoverdoit,thinking
surelysomethingcanbefoundinit;Ihavecometotheconclusionthattheresultis
inevitable.Thereisnoexceptiontoit;itisfoundtobewithoutsubstance.Soonthe
ProdigalSonbecomessopovertystrickenthatheisactuallyperishingwithhunger.
Notuntilthattimeisreachedinthelifeofeachindividualwhogoesthroughthis
cyclicprocessdoeshecometohimself.Thosearethegreatestwords,tome,And
whenhecametohimself,theSelf;hewokeupatlast.Yousee,weareundera
glamourinthephysicalworld,inthephysicalstateofconsciousness,ofitsreality.Itis
pride.Themind,thatis,thebrainconsciousness,functioninginthephysicalfortifies
uswithallkindsofpride,andwearetrappedbyourpride,throughflattery.All
formsofflatteryaretheprideofthemind,andthroughtheprideofthemindweare
caught.Menfeelproudoftheiregosense,inconquest.Eventually,theybecomeso
sophisticatedthattheydonotcaresomuchabouttheexpressiononthephysicalplane
astheydoabouttheconquest.Theyareinpursuitofthefemaleuntiltheycanenjoy
thatprideofthemindinconquest;itisthegame.Itislikethehunterwhogoesout
andhuntswildgame;itisnotsomuchthathewantstheanimalorcarcass,asitisthat
heisthrilledbythechase.Soman,intheprideofhismind,isthrilledwiththechase,
andthattrapshim.Womanalso,throughadifferentway,throughsubtlety,begins
herconquestsandenjoysthethrillthatshegetsfromtheprideofthemind.This,
however,doesnottrapusandkeepusinslaveryandinfeedingtheswineandtrying
tofillourbellieswiththehusksthattheswineeatsomuchasdoestheglamourofthe
psychicworld.Theglamourofthepsychicworldisthehardestthingthereistobreak
inordertomakethejourneybacktotheFathershouse.Thereisnouseformeto
enlargeorexpatiateonthatbecauseyouallunderstandhowafalseglamour,created
bydesire,isthrownovertheconsciousnessandservesastheveilthatholdsthe
individualfromthebrighterworldsofreality.
Butsoonerorlater,thealluringconditionsthatenslaveusinthephysicalforms
ofexpressionwillbebroken,andwecanliftthecreativeforce.Thenwestartthe
returnjourneytotheFathershouse;westartback.Letussaythatwegettothisplane
oftheheartcenter,fullofhumanloveandaffection,andarechargedwithagreatdeal
ofit.TheFather,whichisthemonadalwaysintheeternal,seesuswhileweareyeta
greatwayoffonourreturnjourney.Thereisaforce,wearegoingtolearnbyandby
asweproceedwiththiswork,calledthedowngoingcurrent,thatcomestomeetus,in
theheartcenter.ThatistheFatherwhoseesagreatwayoffandfallsonourneckand

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kissesus.Wearesothrilledwiththeinfluxofspiritualforceandlightatthetimethat,
figurativelyspeaking,theFather,whoseesusalongwayoff,projectstomeetus.That
istheforce,thedowngoingforcewhichcamefromtheveryhighesttomeettheson.
Theymeetintheheartcenter.OftenwehavesaidthatGodrevealshimselftomanin
theheart.ThemonadisGod,becauseallbeyonditisundifferentiated,unmanifest.
Thereisnotanyoutside,absolutedeity.Wefindthatforceintheheartcenter,and
Godrevealshimselftomanintheheart.Wearequickenedinthatcenterwitha
spiritualcurrent,aspiritualizinginfluence.That,ofcourse,bringsusimmediatelyup
throughthesucceedingcenterstothehighestcenter,wherewearebroughtbackagain
totheFathershouse.
Whataboutthesonwhoremainedwiththefatheralongtime,thesonwho
grewangryanddidnotgoout?Thatdescribesapeculiaranomaly.Theanomalyis:
howcanonewhohasgonethroughthiswork,andhasreachedthehighest,carryup
therewithhiminfluencesthatarenotcompatiblewiththeconditionspertainingtothe
higherplanesthatwillinevitablythrowhimoutagainor,atleast,subjecthimtoa
conditionsuchasthatexperiencedbytheelderson?Thatis,tome,asomewhat
awkwardsymboltohavebroughtin,butitisunderstandableifwelearnwhatcaused
thewarinheavenwhentheangelswerecastoutofheaven.Youcangoallthrough
thistelesticorregenerativeworkandbringeverythingup;yet,asyoubringitup,
theremaybesomeunexpurgatedelements,influencesorconditionspertainingtothe
lowerlevels,thatyouhavebroughtuptothehigherlevel,thatwillcreaterebellionto
thefeastingandtherejoicing;thatis,totheheavenlyblissofthehigherlevels.Ifthere
isanunpurifiedelementintheconsciousnessbroughtuptothatlevel,itwillfinditself
antagonistic.Wefindanalogiestothisinlowerplanes.Supposeagroupofpeople
havepurifiedthemselvesandhavebroughttheirconsciousnessuptoahigherplanein
thegroup.Somebodyfromtheoutsideisbroughtintothatgroup.Youwillfindthat
theunpurifiedelementsinthatindividualwillbeantagonistictotheverypeaceand
happinessandjoythatpervadethegroupandprevailinit.Hecannotquarreland
fightinthatgroup;hehastohavearajasicformofvibration(arajasicwavefrequency
quality),andhecannotgetsuchavibrationinthegroup.Therefore,hefindshimself
antagonistictothegroup;youwatchthat.Soitiswithinyourownmembers.There
arecertainthingsthatmightbecarriedupthatwillcreateantagonism,andthose
thingsmaydwelluntilthecompletedworkofregenerationtheProdigalSonreturns
andthenyoumayfindantagonisminsomeofyourmemberstotoomuchpeaceand
bliss.Youwillwanttoquarrelandfightalittlebittoexperiencethatsortofvibration.
Toquotefromourbooklet,TheVeilofMaya,(1946),onthissubject:

Inthisexplanation,wefindmeaningforthedesignationsyoungerand
olderrespectingthetwosons;andwealsohaveaportrayaloftheyounger

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onecatchingupwithandsurpassingtheolder.Whiletheyoungersondid
havethegreateraffinityforthoseformsofexpressionwhichcouldonlybe
foundinidentitywiththepsychicnatureactivities,hemorequickly
expiatedthoseaffinitiesbytakinguphisjourneyintothedistantland.The
jealousymanifestedbytheoldersonrespectingtherejoicingandfestivities
upontheoccasionoftheyoungersonsreturnshowsusthatoneofthemost
persistentfactorsrespectingthepsychicnature,namelyprideinattainment,
residedlatentlyorasaseedintheconsciousnessofonewhootherwisewas
anoldsoul.Whenthislatentforceofpride,jealousy,etc.wasevidencedin
theolderson,itcausedtheFathertousethetermmychildwhenhesaid,
Youarewithmealways.

Pryse,himself,givesusaverybriefcommentaryupontheparableofthe
ProdigalSonbecause,Ipresume,heconsidereditsoobvious.


Theallegorypicturesthedescentofthesoulintothesphereof
generation,whereitdissipatesitsdivinelifeessence,untilatthelowest
pointofthecycle,itrealizestheemptinessandmiseryofmaterialexistence.

Idonotlikethatterm.Materialexistenceisnotemptyandmiserableafteryou
havetransformedyourconsciousnessandbroughtthekingdomofheaventoit;itis
exhilaratingandwonderful.Itisthewantonexpressionofcreativeforceonthatplane
thatbringsmisery,thatbringsinevitablepoverty.Youwillbepovertystrickenuntil
youwonthaveanycreativeforcewithwhichtoexpressonanyplane,eventhe
physical,ifitiscontinuedtoexcess,oroveraperiodoftimewhenthecycleofthe
returnhasclosed.Thenitispovertystrickenandyouareinouterdarkness,because
yourpossibilityofascent,eventotheplaneofloveandaffection,tothementallevel
anditsdevelopment,totheintuitivelevelandbeyond,dependsuponconservationof
someofthatcreativeforce.Someofitatleast,mustbeconserved,becauseifyougo
toofarwithitsexpressiononthelowerplanes,youwillhavelostthepossibilityof
ascent,andcertainlythatwillbepovertyandpollutionandwretchedself
complacency.Gotryitandsee.Youwillproveitveryquicklyandeasily.Itleaves
nothingexceptdarknessandpoverty.Tome,itisntmaterialexistencewhichis
misery.Thatisasceticism,andIcheckagainsteverytendencytoasceticism;i.e.,tofly
awayfrommaterialexistence.Thisbodyiswonderfulwhenitisfilledwithvital
powerthathasnotbeendissipatedandwasted,filledwiththecreativeforceandlight
ofthespirituntilthewholehouseislitwiththepowerandgloryofawakenedspirit.
Then,tome,physicalexistenceisjustasmuchheavenasanyotherplane.Itisthe

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excessivewasteofdivineessence,divinecreativeforce,thatcausesthepoverty,the
darkness,andtheendeavortofillthebellywiththehusksthattheswinedideat.

AndthenitsreascenttothedivinespherewhenithasregainedSelf
consciousness(theawakenedSelfawareness).Whenincarnated,thesoulis
spokenofasbeingdead;itsreturntothehouseoftheFatherisits
resurrectiontolifeeternal(whichisallverytrueandwonderful).


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 RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE NEW DAY

Lesson18

THERIGHTEOUSNESSOFTHENEWDAY
Matthew5:2022

TheteachingthatJesustheChristgavetohisdiscipleswhenhewentwiththem
upintoamountainiscalledtheSermonontheMount.Ihavesaidthatthisrecordis
themostimportantdocumentevergiventohumanitygreaterthantheMagnaCarta
ortheDeclarationofIndependencebecauseitistheMastersfirstenunciationofthe
newspiritualdispensationwhichhebroughttohumanity.
InourschoolwevenerateJesustheChristasanavatarorspecialincarnationof
theLogos.Astherepresentativeoftheuniversallife,hecametolaydownthelawand
thedoctrineforthegovernmentofhumanityatthebeginningofthatnewcycleofits
development.ForthisreasontheMastersteachingiscalledanewdispensation.
BearinginmindthatJesuswastheonlybegottenSon,thefirstfruitsofthis
humanity,andthathereturnedtobecomethegreatexemplarforhumanity,westudy
hislifeasasymbolicportrayalofthestatesofconsciousnessandtheeventswhich
everyindividualmustexperienceinhisownongoing.Eveninthemeagerrecords
whichhavecomedowntousofthatoneshortlife,wefindamostaccuratedepiction
ofthewholeevolutionoftheindividual.Inthisseriesoftalkswearestudyingonly
thisoneaspectoftheMasterslifeonearth,foritisthisaspectwhichisofvital
importanceinourspiritualevolution.
AtthetimetheSermonontheMountwasgiven,theMasterhadrecently
passedthroughtheBaptismbyWater,knownintheWisdomteachingsasthesecond
initiation.Thesecondinitiationmarksthepointatwhichtheindividualhasrisen
superiortotheforcesoftheemotionalworld.Thismeansthattheindividualhas
conqueredthelowerpsychicnatureandhasassumedtheconsciouscontrolofthe
influencespertainingtoit.(IntheWisdomteachings,theunstabledesireoremotional
planeisalwayssymbolizedbywater;forthatreasontheceremonywhichsignalizesits
controliscalledtheBaptismbyWater.)
Thesecondinitiationisfollowedimmediatelybyaperiodoftesting,orbythe
TemptationintheWilderness,asitiscalled.Duringthistimetheindividualmust
proveobjectivelythatthetruthoftheSpiritwithinhimisstrongerthanthepassions
anddesiresoftheemotionalworld.Hemustbetemptedinallthings,andstandfirm
beforeeachtemptation;foronlybysuchproofcantheGreatOnesbesurethatheis
worthytobetrustedwithpowerandresponsibility.Yetthesetestsarenotimposedby
anyexternalintelligenceorforce;theycomebytheoperationofthelawwhichgoverns

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spiritualevolution,andtheyaffordanopportunityforouterconfirmationofthefact
thatacertainstateofinnerdevelopmenthasbeenreached.
Ifthetemptationinthewildernessispassedsuccessfully,theinitiateenters
uponanewperiodofthepath;itisnowobligatoryuponhimtoteachthegospelof
Truthtohumanity.Itisthelawofbeingforeveryindividualthat,whenhehas
attainedacertaindegreeoflightandunderstanding,hemustshareitwithotherswho
arereadytoreceive.
JesustheChristwasenteringthisperiodwhenhegavetheteachingcontained
intheSermonontheMount.Hewasspeakingfromanexaltedstateofconsciousness
astatethatcomprehendsallthedisciplinethatmustbeundergoneandallthe
requirementsthatmustbemetbeforetheindividualcanbeadmittedintothe
immortalstateofawarenessknownastheKingdomofHeaven.TheMasterwas
givingthisteachingtohisdisciplesthedevoteesonthepathofTruth,theaspirantsto
thatrealmofspirituallightwhichiscalledtheChristedconsciousness.Theclarityand
emphasiswithwhichheutteredeverystatementcontainedinthisteachingindicates
hisdeepcomprehensionofhismission,andthepowerwithwhichhewasbringingin
thenewdispensation.
InthislessonwewillconsiderthreeversesoftheSermonontheMount
(Matthew,5:2022,inclusive):

ForIsayuntoyou,Thatexceptyourrighteousnessshallexceedthe
righteousnessofthescribesandPharisees,yeshallinnocaseenterintothe
kingdomofheaven.
Yehaveheardthatitwassaidbythemofoldtime,Thoushaltnotkill;and
whosoevershallkillshallbeindangerofthejudgment;
ButIsayuntoyou,Thatwhosoeverisangrywithhisbrotherwithouta
causeshallbeindangerofthejudgment:andwhosoevershallsaytohisbrother,
Raca,shallbeindangeroftheCouncil:butwhosoevershallsay,Thoufool,shall
beindangerofhellfire.

InthetwentiethversetheMastersaystohisdisciples,ForIsayuntoyou,that
exceptyourrighteousnessshallexceedtherighteousnessofthescribesandthe
Pharisees,yeshallinnocaseenterintothekingdomofheaven.Therighteousnessof
thescribesandPhariseesbelongstothethreedimensionalstateofconsciousness;itis
relatedtoobjectiveacts.Anindividualmayentertainthemostharmfulthoughtsand
desiresinhismentalandemotionalstates,butifheperformsnoguilty,physicalact
againstanotherpersonoragainstsociety,hewillsuffernopenaltyandhemaybe
consideredarighteousman.

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 RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE NEW DAY

ThisstandardistheoutgrowthoftheMosaiclawbelongingtotheold
dispensation,andourpenalcodeisstillfoundeduponit.Itisfixedintheracemind
bycenturiesofemphasisupontheouterlawanddoctrine,anditisstillnecessaryfor
theprotectionandthedevelopmentofthepresentdayscribesandPharisees.Thatis
tosay,theyoungsoulswhosebasicstateofdevelopmentdoesnotenablethemto
transcendthestandardsofrighteousnessentrenchedwithintheracemindmustbe
amenabletothecodesbelongingtothatlevelofdevelopmentforthesakeoftheirown
safety.
However,thestandardofrighteousnesspertainingtothenewdispensation
broughtinbyJesustheChristforthechildrenofthenewdawnisverydifferentfrom
thatoftheolddispensation,andfartranscendsit.TheindividualwhoseSelf
developmentplaceshiminthenewraceisemancipatedfromtraditionalauthorityand
fromoldracemindvalues.Hewillnotdisturborharmtheyoungersouls;hewillnot
takefromthemtheoldbeforetheyarereadytoexpandintothenew,butforhimself
heisboundonlybythelawofhisownbeing,thanwhichthereisnohigherlaw.He
hastranscendedthenarrowracemindstandards,notonlyinthoughtanddesire,but
inthefunctionalforcesofhisbeing.Forhimitisnotsufficienttorefrainfromguilty
actions;hemustnotviolatethelawinfeelingordesireorinthought.Onallplaneshe
obeystheurgeoftheSpirit,whichistheFatherswillstrivingtomanifestitselfinhis
individualconsciousness.Thisistherighteousnesswhichexceedstherighteousness
ofthescribesandPharisees;thisistherequirementforentranceintotheKingdomof
Heaven.
ThedeepermeaningofthisstatementofthegreatMastercanbeknownonlyto
disciplesonthepath.Heclearlyimpliesthatthereisahigherlawthanthedoctrineof
thescribesandPharisees,butsincethathigherlawiswithinandpertainstotheEgoic
dharmaofeachindividual,itmustbeonlyaconceptuntilonehasenteredthefreedom
whichcomeswiththerealizationofTruth.
Inthesecondandthirdversesofourtext,theMastersays:Yehaveheardthat
itwassaidbythemofoldtime,Thoushaltnotkill;andwhosoevershallkillshallbein
dangerofthejudgment:butIsayuntoyou,thatwhosoeverisangrywithhisbrother
withoutacauseshallbeindangerofthejudgment:andwhosoevershallsaytohis
brother,Raca,shallbeindangeroftheCouncil:butwhosoevershallsay,Thoufool,
shallbeindangerofhellfire.
Inthesewords,JesustheChristsetsthehigherlawofunityagainstthelesser
lawofkilling.Again,wemustconsiderthestateofconsciousnessfromwhichthe
Masterwasspeaking.Fromhisstate,allindividualizedlifeisseenasaunity;
apparentlyseparatebeingsarerecognizedasfocalizedcentersintheconsciousnessof
thewhole(cosmicprocess).Therealizationofthisunityisthesupremelawofevery

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individualbeing;itisthegoaltowardwhicheveryindividualisstrivingthepurpose
ofalllife.
Thispurposeisconcealedfromindividualsduringthehumanperiodof
evolutionbythesenseofseparatenessengenderedinthisperiod,buttheinnerlawof
lifeisworkingtowarditsfulfillment,nevertheless.Whenanindividualreachesthe
pointofdiscipleshiponthepath,thatgoalisknowntohim,andthegreatplanforits
fulfillmentisthelawwhichgovernshiseverythoughtandact.Atthispointof
development,anyforceorconditionintheindividualconsciousnesswhichworks
againsttheunityisseenasasin,notonlyagainsttheindividualhimself,butagainst
thetotalityofindividualsortheunity.Therefore,whenthepointofdiscipleshipis
reached,thesupremelawofindividualbeingistoovercomealltendencytodiversity
orseparatenessintherealizationofunity.
InthestateofconsciousnessattainedbyJesustheChrist,thisgreatpurposeof
lifeisseenclearlyandcompletely.WhiletheMastertaughthisdisciplesonthe
Mount,hesawtheperverse,reactionary,anddestructiveconditionsinhumannature
asattemptsofthepuny,mortalmindofmantostemthemightytideofuniversalWill
workingthroughindividualizedbeingtobecomecompletelyconsciousofitselfas
universalBeing.
InthisrealizationoftheessentialonenessofallBeing,acurseorafeelingof
angeragainstanotherindividualizedaspectoftheOneisseenasagreatercrimethan
theactoftakingphysicallifewithoutanger.Thefirstisacrimeagainsttheorderly
expansionoflifeintotheunity;thesecondmightbenecessaryasameansof
preservingthisorderlyprogressinthegreatplan.TheMastersoftheWisdomwill
organizeandwagewarinwhichhundredsofthousandsofindividualsmaybekilled,
ifthewarisnecessarytoagreatcauseinwhichtheyserve.
StudentsoftheBiblewillrememberanincidentintheaccountoftheMasters
lastsupperwithhisdisciplesintheupperroom.Jesuswassensitivetothestorm
cloudofangeranddestructiveforcewhichwasbeingengenderedagainsthim;he
knewthatthecauseheservedwasendangered;heknewthathismissionwasnot
completed.Heknewthatthediscipleshewastraininghadnotgrownsufficientlyin
powerandvision,andinunderstandingofthesignificanceofhismission,tobeableto
carryitonwithouthim;heevenknewthatJudashadgoneouttobetrayhim.Withall
this,theMasterfeltthatalonehedidnotcommandsufficientspiritualpowertodispel
thegreatforcesofwratharrayedagainsthim,andso,atlast,heseriouslyconsidered
fightingthebattleonthephysicalplane.
ItisclearthattheMasterentertainedthisplanforthepreservationofhis
mission,forhebadethoseofhisdiscipleswhohadnoswordtogooutandeachsell
hisgarmentandbuyone.

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Thensaidheuntothem,Butnow,hethathathapurse,lethimtakeitand
likewisehisscrip;andhethathathnosword,lethimsellhisgarmentandbuy
one.(Luke22:36).
Byinferenceweknowthattheplanwasnotcarriedout,andwebelievethat
thiswasbecausetheMastersawthattheoddsagainstthemweretoogreat,andthat
hislittlebandwouldbesacrificed.Thereisnodoubtthathedecidedtosacrifice
himselfratherthanthedisciples.ButweknowthatifJesustheChristhadhada
sufficientnumberoffollowerswithhim,hewouldhavefoughtonthephysicalplane
tosavehismission.
RememberthiswhenyouthinkofaMasteroftheWisdom.Donotthinkofa
spinelesscreatureweaklyyieldingbeforethemonumentalforcesofdarkness.No,
theywillfighttothedeathfortheCause!
Intheseverses,theMasterJesussaysthatonewhoisangrywithhisbrother
shallbeindangerofthejudgment,andthatonewhocurseshisbrothershallbein
dangeroftheCouncil.Hedoesnotrefertoanearthlytribunalbuttothesupreme
governmentoftheworldtothehierarchyofsupermenknownastheCouncil.Two
membersoftheCouncilwereseenwithJesusbyPeterandJamesandJohnonthe
MountofTransfiguration.Frommyownpersonalexperience,Idosolemnlytestify
thatthereissuchaninnergoverningbody.Itisformedofmightyintelligenceswho
wereonceasyouandI,butwhohaveevolvedthroughtheagestosupernalheightsof
LightandPower.
Anangelichostisconstantlyandconsciouslyworkinginthefurtheranceofthe
greatplantheemergenceoftheuniversalWilloutoftheunconsciousintothe
conscious,throughtheexpansionofitsindividualizedconsciousnessintothe
realizationofunity.Inthelowestrankofthisgreatarmyofconsciousworkersarethe
disciples,andoverthemtheInitiates;abovetheInitiatesaretheMastersofthe
Wisdom,andthentheArchangels.AttheheadofallstandtheCouncil,thesupreme
JudgesoftheWorld,ofnations,ofcivilizationyes,ofindividualbeings.
TheMasterswordswereaddressedtoall,evenofthefirstdegree,whohave
consecratedtheirlivestothegreatplan.Forsuchaonetointerposedestructive
thoughtsandforcesagainstthedevelopmentoftheunityistobeindanger,notonly
ofthejudgmentoftheCouncil,butofthewrathoftheCouncilandthisislikened
untohellfire.


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