And, therefore, the contemplative does not necessarily withdraw from an active life. Matter of fact, he would be better qualified to be the president of a corporation than an ego man – because the ego man could only accomplish his own brainpower. But the contemplative would have wisdom from an inner source that the ego man would never have. Continue reading The Tree Of Life (2/5)
That is why in prayer almost all prayer is a waste of time. Well, let’s not put it that badly, just ninety-nine percent of it. Ninety-nine percent of all prayer is a waste of time. The reason for it is that ninety-nine percent of all prayer is an attempt to get something for one’s self or for another – in other words, to add to one’s ego, by virtue of one’s own powers, even if it is the power of prayer. Afterward then we can take pride in, “Oh, my prayers are so effective,” or “I have access to God,” or “I understand how to receive God’s grace.” Again, it is a feeding of the ego. Continue reading The Tree Of Life (1/5)
There is not far-off God singling you out for special favors, but there is a God of whom one of our great poets wrote: “Speak to Him thou, for He hears, and Spirit with Spirit can meet. Closer is He than breathing, and nearer than hands and feet.” He is closer to you than breathing, and this God within you, this power, this divine love, this infinite wisdom is ready, as you permit it, to perform all you are given to do. Continue reading Attain That Mind (4/4)
It may, for a moment, appear that we have discovered a simple secret of life, easily practiced—but do not deceive yourself. True, this is a simple, though deep, secret of life: in fact, all spiritual living and healing is based upon it. But the ability to attain this consciousness comes only with constant and steadfast practice; the continuous abiding in the knowledge that we must not accept appearances; that we must reject consciously every concept of God, of man, of things; and that we must patiently “be still” until God reveals through our higher consciousness that which is Truth—the Truth about God, man, and the universe. This is the means of developing that spiritual consciousness which alone is the healing power, and also is the gift of spiritual knowing and living. Continue reading Attain That Mind (3/4)
Whenever you turn to God for guidance, wisdom, healing, ask yourself first if you are not expecting your good of some new idea or concept of God, rather than God Itself. Inevitably this leads to the question, “If all I have thought of as Truth, or God, is but my ideas of God or concepts of Reality, what then is God?” And in that moment of Silence, while awaiting the answer, the first tiny glimpse of His Being is revealed to you within yourself. Remember that it is only as you come to where you have no more concepts of God, no more thoughts or ideas of God, that God Itself reveals Itself. Continue reading Attain that Mind (2/4)
Meditation is the avenue of contact. Meditation may be long and in silence, or it may be one moment of the listening ear, or recognition of the inner Self, or Presence. That which imparts Itself to us from the inner consciousness is power—not the thoughts we think, not our statements or beliefs, but That which reveals Itself within, is power—with signs following. That which is revealed in secret (within) is shouted from the housetops (made visibly evident as demonstration). Continue reading Attain That Mind (1/4)
There can only be one God; there can only be one Spirit, and that must be the only Presence, and the only Power. Call it by any name you will; worship in whatever form you will; fast if you like or feast if you like – as long as you are doing it from an inner feeling of sacredness. Continue reading Starting the Contemplative Life (5/5)
But do you not see that He can’t do it if we take the reins and run away? If we take thought for what we shall eat or what we shall drink or wherewithal we shall be clothed. We’re leaving no room for any He. It’s all “me,” the very “me” that should be dying daily in order that “I” can be reborn.
Continue reading Starting the Contemplative Life (4/5)
Always must be the remembrance, then, that what God is doing, God is doing – and needs not your help, and cannot be controlled by you. God’s grace can’t be stopped. Even if you think that you are in disobedience to His laws, God’s grace is still flowing. You may not get the benefit of it because you have cut yourself off from it. Continue reading Starting The Contemplative Life (3/5)
The Kingdom of God is a Spirit, not a super human being, but a Spirit! And this step constitutes the very first step in attaining spiritual Light. It is the very first step in attaining an awareness of the presence of God because if you cannot accept this, then you would have to say, “Well, only Jews can have the presence of God,” or “Only Baptists can have the presence of God,” or “Only Buddhists can have the presence of God.” But this is nonsense. The presence of God is within you . . . whoever the “you” may be. Continue reading Starting The Contemplative Life (2/5)
