Here another Mountain Path Quarterly of the Ramana Maharishi community, where Joel’s writings are included. First in this publication they show an appreciation to Joel
“The human mind cannot grasp the eternal Truth hidden behind
the veil of appearances. Even if it were possible there would be no words to express it. Nevertheless everybody can approach Truth more or less and understand something of the meaning and aim of life if he earnestly wishes to.
This search for Truth or God can be compared to climbing a mountain. The experienced mountaineer lays aside all superfluous luggage to avoid burdening himself. Let us do the same, taking only the cloak of desirelessness and the staff of silence. And yet how hard it is to leave behind all desires :
the sick long for health,the poor prosperity,the sad for solace, and so on.
All this, is a drag on the path to the summit, the path to God-realization, to the goal which the illumined indicate, to which the American mystic Joel Goldsmith refers when he says :” I only long for knowing Thee aright. My God, reveal Thyself to me. In Thy presence there is safety, peace and joy.”
(from ‘ The Art of Meditation’).
Speaking of the difficulties,he says : “In the midst of any trial or tribulation try to understand that God is seeking you to bring you back home to Him, not in death but in life eternal. Realize that this very pain, unhappiness or lack is but the sense of separation from God and immediately rest back in the assurance of His presence.” (from ‘Our Spiritual Resources’).
It is not by our own merit that w e reach the supreme goal or even touch the hem of
the garment. We attain by Grace as a gift from the Most High, when we are mature enough to do so. We do not know when the moment will be. It is not the result of our strife. Joel Goldsmith says : “When we struggle and battle with the enemy, whether that enemy is physical and external or mental and internal, we do not win any victories.
1965 III July, Starting the Contemplative Life, Joel S. Goldsmith, page 172
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