SACRIFICE - THE LANGUAGE OF LOVE
By: Deacon Sam Aboh, 2011 Easter
School
To day is called "Good Friday" in all
Christendom. Why Good? In ordinary evolution, the laws of Rebirth and
Consequence are perfectly adequate for bringing the major portion of the life
wave up to perfection, but they do not suffice in the case of the stragglers,
who are lagging behind in the various Races. During the stage of individualism,
which is the climax of the illusion of separateness, all mankind needs extra help,
but for the stragglers some additional special aid must be provided. To give
that special aid, to redeem the stragglers, was the mission of Christ.
So in pursuance of that mission, when God, in
assembly with the hierarchies, shouted, "whom shall I send, and who will
go for us?"(Isaiah 6:8) There was absolute silence in heaven. The Christ
responded, "I, Here am I, send me. Thus it came to pass that Jesus offered
to sacrifice His vital and dense bodies to Christ for his mission on Earth in order
to restore a planet that was heading towards total disintegration to normalcy.
So that fateful Friday, about 2000 years ago, was Good, indeed, very Good,
because Jesus submitted gladly, that his brother humanity might receive the
gigantic impetus which was given to its development by the mysterious sacrifice
on Golgotha.
The Theme for this year's Easter School is
"Universal Brotherhood" I have chosen as my topic under that general
theme "Sacrifice - The Language of Love".
I will attempt to answer the following questions:
1.
What is Sacrifice?
2.
What is Service?
3.
What is Love?
1. SACRIFICE
(a) It indicates the surrendering of what one has or
is entitled to have. It can be both.
(b) It is an offering. E.g. of animal life, food or
Incense made to a deity;
(c) Christ's offering of himself in the crucifixion
(d) The act of depriving oneself of something for the
sake of attaining some goal or for the sake of someone else
It is the involuntary and voluntary relinquishing of
something, but its special point is the hardship entailed in doing so. If an
involuntary act is indicated, the word stresses difficulty or even suffering.
If a voluntary surrender is indicated, the word implies nobility or generosity
in the actor.
We see soldiers willing to sacrifice their lives for
their country; those who sacrifice part of their income to help the
underprivileged; parents who must try to make ends meet and sacrifice to send
their children to school or to university.
In some cases, neither generosity nor difficulty may
be present: cruelly sacrificing the lives of others to one’s own self-interest.
In an effort to teach infant humanity the brotherhood of man, they were taught
to do right through fear and the giving up of those material things they valued
- sacrifice.
2. SERVICE
What is it? To some of us, the word brings to mind
some task that must be done, perhaps not unwillingly, but yet, with less than
enthusiasm; duties that we are not glad to perform, but we do it because it is
there to do, and someone must do it. That is a service of a kind; certainly the
doing of it brings its reward. But that which is done from the fullness of the
heart, because of our gratitude to the Father of our being which we must
express through the love planted in our hearts, is true service. And it is not
always a service performed with hands. Doing all things in a loving attitude -
it is service.
3. LOVE
What is it? Love is a divine attribute; it is an idea
in the one Mind. God is love and love is God, or a quality of Being. The
difference between divine love and human love is that divine love is broad and
unlimited, a universal and harmonizing power. Human love is based on
personality and is selfish, lawless, and fickle. In reality, there is only one
love; when a man expresses divine love in limited ways he makes a separation in
consciousness and his expression of love is personal instead of universal.
By establishing ourselves in the consciousness of
divine love and expressing that love at all times we are helped to fulfill the
command "love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, bless them that
curse you, pray for them that despitefully use you."
When love is established in the consciousness, it
will draw to us all that we require to make us happy and contented, all that
really belongs to us. "Thoughts are things", we are told. The Law or
the evolution of the spirit demands "sacrifice". Sacrifice being the
language of love demands that day by day, from morning until night one must act
mercifully toward all. He must forego selfishness, and love his neighbor, as he
had been used to loving himself. In the act of sacrifice, self-interest is
entirely ignored. Sacrifice is demanded with no positive assurance of any
reward.
Many people have developed a fine degree of personal
love, directed to those closest to them, although the selfish overtones of this
type of love often lead to tragedy and heart break as well as joy. More and
more people are beginning to exhibit traits of the universal brotherhood which
will increasingly dominate our activity as the New Age approaches. The complete
renunciation of self, however, the process of setting aside all personal
material, and sometimes spiritual interests in favor of altruistic endeavor and
service is at present not possible for most of humanity.
Ever since man, acting on information received from
the Lucifer spirits, first became aware of his physical body, selfish desires
have taken precedence over all others. The desire for temporal prestige, power
and personal aggrandizement, the importance of possessions, and mental
proficiency, wrongfully used for purposes of personal advancement and
exaltation, resulted in increasing selfishness and the commission of evil deeds
of the most unspeakable nature. Added to this were the separative tendencies of
the race religions under which each person, acknowledging kinship with family
and tribe, sought to have the highest prerogative and most significant goods
and services allocated to these social units, to the detriment and exclusion of
members of all other such units.
Atlantis was destroyed because of the selfishness
rampant there. Race religions, too are eventually doomed, in order that
individuals, freed from separatist clan may unite in universal brotherhood
under the leadership of the Christ. Man has now passed the nadir of
materiality.
Selfishness was, perhaps, a necessary evil to this
achievement. In gaining material awareness, man lost his spiritual sight. Since
the coming of the Christ, however, man has gradually begun to regain spiritual
perspective, although slowly. Christ's entry into the Earth as Indwelling
Planetary Spirit has made it possible for man to avail himself more abundantly
of his spiritual emanations. Man thus has been able slowly to spiritualize his
own vehicles to some extent, and nobler, altruistic qualities are gradually
becoming more characteristic of the human race. Man has come a long way from
the philosophy of "an eye for an eye” so vividly recalled in the Old
Testament. Many young people seem determined not to become burdened with the
material trappings which their parents regarded as necessary status symbols and
acquired at the cost of time, money, and energy and often health and serenity
as well. As a group, young people are more interested in bringing affection and
a decent standard of living to ghetto residents than laying up
"treasures" for themselves such as having suburban homes with their
attendant luxuries. This attitude, certainly, is a sign of emerging
selflessness. All spiritual aspirants, however, must learn to share in this way
of thinking and to permit the welfare of others, in every instance to take
precedence over personal desires. That is the essence of sacrifice. This
struggle to give up self-interest will continue for a long time, but there are
various ways of conducting that struggle. We can do it resentfully, or we can
raise our thoughts to loftier planes. We can concentrate on the good we are
going to do for others rather than on the pleasure we have to deny ourselves;
we can allow our minds to carry us beyond the immediate situation in which
service is required and see if we cannot use imagination and creative ability
to bring about an even wider, more useful improvement or other needed change.
This is the condition of true sacrifice which is borne of love.
The essence of Christianity is love. Everyone knows
that. Not too many, however, accept the fact that sacrifice is just as
essential. They do not realize that love and sacrifice are inseparable, that
there can be no true love without sacrifice. The language of love is sacrifice.
Separate sacrifice from love, and you have that soft, shallow, sentimental
counterfeit that passes too often today for the genuine. In John 15: 13 we
read: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life
for his friends". Christ Jesus was very clear about the necessity of
sacrifice when he declared: "whoever wishes to be my follower must deny
his very self, take up his cross each day, and follow in my steps." There
is only one way to follow Jesus the Christ; there is only one way to demonstrate
your love for God; there is only one way to express your love for your
neighbor; that way is the way of "sacrifice".
Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die,"
may sound very attractive and thrilling but the trouble with it is that we do
not die, but live on to pay the painful price of the consequences. It is only
at great cost that we abandon the enlightened, long-term pursuit of happiness
'on the way of the cross which is a symbol of sacrifice for this foolish,
short-term, primitive pleasure-seeking life.
Self-denial transforms, enriches and deepens our life
by making us capable of love, understanding, and sympathy. It forges a bond
between us and others who suffer. It makes us able to give compassion and to
receive it from others. Sacrifice brings maturity. It is a way of growth. The
basis of Christianity is love, not suffering. "If a man say, I love God.
and hateth his brother, he is a liar, for he that loveth not his brother whom
he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?" We must have
both of these loves, and when we balance the vertical love, that is love of
God, against the horizontal love, the love of neighbour, we form a cross. The
language of love is sacrifice. Never has this language been spoken so
convincingly, so dramatically, and as efficaciously as when our Lord spoke it
on the cross. Look at the crucifix; roll back the calendar to that moment when
Christ Jesus was actually dying on the cross. In your imagination "you are
there". Notice how intensely He suffers how He suffers voluntarily, how He
suffers for you, for me and for all mankind. He loves us and gave himself up
for us - true demonstration of sacrifice.
There is 'but one thing the world has need to know,
there is but one balm for our human woe; there is but one way that leads to
heaven above - that way is human sympathy and love.
Yes, it costs to be a lover, because the language of
love is sacrifice.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I propose to you that
"The Crest and Crowning of all good, Life's final Star is
"Brotherhood". Thank you and May God be with us all.
THE HEART, THE WAY TO UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD
By
Louis Agbe, 2011 Easter School,
Koforidua Ghana
No lesson, though its truth may be
superficially assented to, is of any real value as an active principle of the
life until the heart has learned it in longing and bitterness, and the lesson
man must so learn is that what is not beneficial to all can never be truly
beneficial to any. The Heart urges mercy and love, but the Reason urges
belligerent and retaliatory measures, if not as revenge, at least as a means of
preventing a repetition of hostilities. It is this divorce of head from heart
that hinders the growth of a true feeling of Universal Brotherhood and the
adoption of the teachings of Christ--the Lord of Love.
The mind is the focusing point by means of
which the Ego becomes aware of the material universe. As an instrument for the
acquisition of knowledge in those realms the mind is invaluable, but most often
it arrogates to itself the role of dictator as to the conduct of man
to man.
The Ego works with
a threefold body, which it controls, or should control through the mind. But,
sad to say, this body has a will of
its own and is often aided and abetted by the mind, thus frustrating the purposes
of the Ego.
This antagonistic "lower will" is an expression of the higher part of the
desire body. When the division of the Sun, Moon, and Earth took place in the
early part of Lemurian Epoch, the more advanced portion of
humanity-in-the-making experienced a division of the desire body into a higher
and a lower part. The rest of humanity did likewise in the early part of the
Atlantean Epoch.
This higher part of the desire body became
a sort of animal soul. It built the cerebro-spinal nervous systems and the
voluntary muscles, by that means controlling the lower part of the threefold
body until the link of mind was given. Then the mind "coalesced" with
this animal soul and become a co-regent (That was when cunning was developed). The mind is thus
bound up in desire; is enmeshed in the selfish lower nature, making it
difficult for the spirit to control the body. The focusing mind, which should
be the ally of the higher nature, is alienated by and in league with the lower
nature--enslaved by desire.
In order to emancipate intellect (mind) from desire, the law of the Race religions was given.
In this respect, the "fear of God", (which is an attribute of the
Law), was pitted against "the desires of the flesh." (The Law of Moses, a tooth for a tooth, an
eye for an eye, sacrifice of material possessions etc). This, however, was
not enough to enable one to become master of the body and secure its willing
co-operation, for the influence is from external
source. To find an internal control
mechanism, it became necessary for the spirit to find in the body another point
of vantage, which was not under the sway of the desire nature. All muscles are
expressions of the desire body and a straight road to the capital (the brain),
where the traitorous mind is wedded to desire and reigns supreme.
Like a wise general, the Ego did not
commence its campaign by getting control of one of the glands, for they are
expressions of the vital body; nor was it possible to get control of the
voluntary muscles, for they are too well garrisoned by the enemy, the desire
body. That part of the involuntary muscular system which is controlled by the
sympathetic nervous system would also be useless for the purpose. It must get
into a more direct touch with the cerebro-spinal nervous system. To do this,
and secure a base of operations in the enemy's stronhold, it must control a
muscle which is involuntary, and yet connected with the voluntary nervous
system. Such a muscle is the heart.
We have previously spoken of the two
kinds of muscles--voluntary and involuntary. The latter are formed in
lengthwise stripes and are connected with functions not under the control of
the will, such as digestion, respiration, excretion, etc. The voluntary muscles
are those which are controlled by the will through the voluntary nervous
system, such as the muscles of the hand and arm. They are striped both lengthwise and crosswise.
The above is true of all muscles in the
body except the heart,
which is an involuntary muscle. Ordinarily, we cannot control the circulation.
Under normal conditions the heart-beat is a fixed quantity, yet to the
bewilderment of physiologists, the heart is cross-striped
like a voluntary muscle. It is the only organ in the body exhibiting this
peculiarity but, sphinx-like, it refuses to give material scientists an answer
to the riddle.
The occult scientist easily finds the
answer in the memory of nature. From that record he learns that when the Ego
first sought a stronghold in the heart, the latter (the heart) was striped
lengthwise only, the same as any other involuntary muscle; but as the Ego
gained more and more control over the heart, the cross-stripes (which are haul mark of voluntary muscles)
have gradually developed. The cross stripes are not so numerous nor so well
defined as on the muscles under the full control of the desire body, but as the
altruistic principles of love and brotherhood increase in strength and
gradually overrule the reason, which is based in desire, so will these cross
stripes become more numerous and more marked, and the more the Ego gains
control over the desire body. Thus the means of gaining control of the heart
and consequently conquering the desire nature is by loving self-forgetting
service and altruistic thoughts and deeds.
The seed-atom of the dense body is
located in the heart during life and withdrawn only at death. The active work
of the Ego is in the blood. Now, if we except the lungs, the heart is the only
organ in the body through which all the blood passes in every cycle.
The blood is the highest expression of the
vital body, for it nourishes the entire physical organism. It is also, in a
sense, the vehicle of the subconscious memory, and in touch with the Memory of
Nature, situated in the highest division of the Etheric Region. The blood
carries the pictures of life from ancestors to descendants for generations,
where there is a common blood, as produced by inbreeding.
To understand the issue
better, an attempt will be made to establish the relationship between the threefold
Ego and certain organs of the dense body which it uses for its expression. There are
in the head three points, each of which is the particular seat of one of the
three aspects of the spirit (See diagram), the second and third aspects having,
in addition, secondary vantage grounds.
The desire body is the perverted
expression of the Ego. It converts the "Selfhood" of the spirit into
"selfishness." Selfhood seeks not its own at the expense of others.
Selfishness seeks gain regardless of others. The seat of the human spirit is
primarily in the pineal gland and secondarily in the brain and cerebro-spinal
nervous system, which controls the voluntary muscles.
The love and unity in the World of the
Life Spirit find their illusory counterpart in the Etheric Region, to which we
are correlated by the vital body, which latter promotes sex love and sex union.
The life spirit has its seat primarily in the pituitary body and secondarily in
the heart, which is the gateway of the blood that nourishes the muscles.
The actionless Divine Spirit--The Silent
Watcher--finds its material expression in the passive, inert and irresponsive
skeleton of the dense body, which is the obedient instrument of other bodies,
but has no power to act on its own initiative. The Divine Spirit has its strong
hold in the impenetrable point at the root of the nose.
In reality there is but one spirit, the
Ego, but looking at it from the Physical World, it is refracted into the three
aspects, which work as stated above.
As the blood passes through the heart,
cycle after cycle, hour after hour all through life, it engraves the pictures
it carries upon the seed-atoms while they are still fresh, thus making a
faithful record of the life which is indelibly impressed on the soul in the post mortem existence, It is always in closest
touch with the life spirit, the spirit of love and unity, therefore the heart
is the home of altruistic love. Here the connection between the heart,
altruistic love, the development of the cross striped muscles and consequent
control of the Ego over the desire body is clearly made.
As these pictures pass inward to the
World of Life Spirit, in which is the true memory of nature, they do not come
through the slow physical senses, but directly through the fourth ether
contained in the air we breathe. In the World of Life Spirit the life spirit
sees much more clearly than it can in the denser Worlds. In its high home it is
in touch with the Cosmic Wisdom and in any situation it knows at once what to
do and flashes the message of guidance and proper action back to the heart,
which as instantaneously flashes it on to the brain through the medium of the
pneumogastric nerve, resulting in "first impressions"--the intuitional
impulse, the teaching from within, which is always good, because it is drawn
directly from the fountain of Cosmic Wisdom and Love.
This is all done so quickly that the heart
has control before the slower reason has had time to "take in the situation,"
as it were. It is the thought that man "thinketh in his heart," and
it is true that "so is he." Man is inherently a virgin spirit, good,
noble and true in every respect. All that is not good is from the lower nature,
that illusory reflection of the Ego. The virgin spirit is always giving wise
counsel. If we could only follow the impulses of the heart--the first thought
sent from the World of Lift Spirit--Universal Brotherhood would be realized
here and now.
But that is just the point where the trouble
begins. After the good counsel of the first thought has been given, we often do
not act on it immediately, and then the mind begins to reason, with the result
that, in the great majority of cases, it dominates the heart. Remember the mind
which produces reason from its work in the brain, is not yet liberated from the
desire body. The mind and the desire body frustrate the designs of the spirit
by taking control and, as they lack the spirit's wisdom, both spirit and body
suffer. People who are very much alive in their conscience are able to follow
the first intuitional impulse to a great extent.
Physiologists note that certain areas of the brain
are devoted to particular thought activities and phrenologists have carried
this branch of science still further. Now, it is known that thought breaks down
and destroys nerve tissues. This, and all other waste of the body, is replaced
by the blood. When, through the
development of the heart into a voluntary muscle, the circulation of the blood
finally passes under the absolute control of the unifying life spirit--the
Spirit of Love--it will then be within the power of that spirit to act in two
ways:
·
To withhold the blood from those areas of
the brain devoted to selfish purposes. As a result, those particular thought
centers will gradually atrophy, or
·
to increase the blood supply when the
mental activities are altruistic, and thus build up the areas devoted to
altruism, so that, in time, the desire nature will be conquered and the mind
emancipated by Love from its bondage to desire
·
Or to do the above two actions
concurrently
Our brain is not a homogeneous whole; it
is divided into two halves, and it is a fact well known to physiologists that
we use principally but one of these cerebral hemispheres--THE LEFT. The right
half of our brain is only partially active. The heart also is ON THE LEFT SIDE
of our body, but is beginning to move towards "the right" place. The
"right" brain will also become more and more active, and in
consequence of these two physiological changes man's whole character will
appear different. The LEFT SIDE is under the sway of the Lucifers, and is given
over to selfishness. This is the area where the blood can be withheld thereby
atrophying them from selfish thoughts and acts, and BABYLON, THE CITY OF
LUCIFER, WILL FALL. But the Ego will gain more and more control as THE RIGHT
SIDE of the brain is invested with power to act upon the body as RIGHT
judgment. When the blood is sent into the right brain we shall be building the
New Jerusalem, and we are now preparing for that time by building the
cross-stripes on the heart by altruistic ideals or, in the case of the pupil,
by sending the sex current through the RIGHT-HAND PATH of the heart. This is
done by occult training under a competent Teacher.
Corinne Heline also noted “Every organ in
the human body temple possesses a masculine and feminine potency, one of which
predominates. It is a fact of profound occult significance that as the body is
changed to meet New Age conditions, each feminine organ will undergo a further
spiritual development. The heart will become the true light of the body, so
bright and lustrous the entire form will be made luminous by its shining.
Circulation of the blood will be controlled by the spirit. Man will be able to withhold
the blood from any specific physical area when necessary, and to send it in
increased volume to any other area where needed. The blood will not be a red
liquid as at present but will consist of a white-gold essence – Christ Essence
(because the red matter from the iron metal – LUCIFER – will be replaced). The
building of this glorified human vehicle will begin in the Aquarian-Leo Age.”
But for the aspirant this body building must begin here and now.
It is only by complete emancipation,
through Love, that man can rise above the law and become a law unto himself.
Having conquered himself, he will have conquered all the World. And thus:
“From all the powers that hold the world
in chain, he frees himself when self control he gains’
All persons earnestly desiring the higher
knowledge may rest assured that if they will but seek, they will find the way
open for them. Christ Himself prepared the way for "whosoever will."
He will help and welcome all real seekers, who are willing to work for Universal
Brotherhood.
UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD
By Bro. S. K. Boateng, 2011 Easter School, Koforidua Ghana
When
the earth was yet a part of the sun, there was one common group spirit,
composed of all the Creative Hierarchies which controlled the whole human
family. But as it was intended that each body should be the temple and
instrument of an indwelling spirit, it became necessary to have a division of
rulership. Jehovah then came with His angels and archangels and made the first
great division into races.
Each
race was put under a Race Spirit, and each group in the race was placed under a
Tribal Spirit. Jehovah also appointed an angel to act as guardian for each ego
until the individual spirit had grown strong enough to be safely emancipated
from all outside influence. In Jude verse 9 we read ‘Yet Michael the archangel
when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses , durst not
bring against him a railing accusation , but said The Lord rebuke thee.’
A
number of archangels [Sun Spirits] were given to Jehovah as helpers in
reflecting the spiritual impulses from the sun upon humanity of the earth in
the form of Jehovistic or race religions. All race religions were religions of
law and resulted in sin through disobedience of that law. And remember the
bible defines sin as a transgression of the law. In Paul’s epistle to the Romans chapter 3 verse 23 we read ‘For
all have sinned and come short of the glory of God’. The Ten Commandment given
to Moses for nascent humanity is a typical example of such religious laws. The
fundamental principle of a race religion is separation, inculcating
self-seeking at the expense of other men and nations. If this principle were
carried to its ultimate conclusion, it would necessarily have an increasingly
destructive tendency and finally frustrate evolution unless succeeded by a more
constructive religion. Therefore the separative religions of the Holy Spirit
must give place to the unifying religion of the Son.
Max
Heindel in the Cosmo Conception has explained or thrown light on the subject in
the following statement ‘It is a notable fact that man and his religion have
evolved side by side and in an equal degree. The earliest religion of any race
is found to be as savage as the people governed by it and as they became more
civilized, their religions become more and more humane and in
harmony with higher ideals’
In
Luke 10; 27 we find the fundamental unifying religion the Son brought to
humanity. In this verse we read - So He answered and said ‘You shall love the
Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength,
and with all your mind and your neighbour as yourself ’And He proceeded to
explain who that neighbour is with the parable of the Good Samaritan. Such was
the words Christ Jesus spoke to those He called His own when He offered them
the Love principle He brought. That principle was sent from the Spiritual Sun
to Earth until it found its place as the indwelling Planetary Spirit. It is
that Principle, focusing through a new sign of the zodiac that gives a new and
higher impetus to humanity for the following two thousand years, the time it
takes the sun to go by precession through a zodiacal sign.
Christ
Jesus was the channel through which the Divine Light of Love was released. Pisces
is the twelfth house sign, symbolizing suffering, purification, self-undoing
–but also liberation. The Piscean Dispensation has been for humanity one of
intense suffering, bloodshed, and purification that is now culminating. Through
this purification man will at last liberate himself from the limitations of
Pisces and take on the new facet of the Christ Principle that will be released
through Aquarius –the age of Universal Brotherhood.
Christ
Jesus washing the feet of His disciples symbolizes the process of purification
[humility] through Pisces the sign ruling the feet. Millions suffering under
ignorance and poverty at present seem to feel a new power urging them upward
and onward. Gradually all must come under the rule of Christ “and there shall
be one fold and one shepherd” – John10: 16
This
is the reason why the intervention of the Christ became necessary. Under the
regime of Jehovah unity was impossible. Therefore the Christ who ordinarily
functions in a vehicle composed of the unifying Life Spirit, entered into the
dense body of Jesus. He appeared as a man among men and dwelt in a human body
because only from within is it possible to conquer the race religion which
influences man from without.
The
expression ‘the cleansing blood of
Christ Jesus ‘ means that as the blood flowed
on Calvary, it bore with it the great sun spirit Christ, who by that means secured admission
to the earth and since that moment has been its indwelling Planetary Spirit. He
diffused His own desire body throughout the planet, thereby cleansing it from
all the vile influences which have been created under the regime of the Race Spirits, Under the law all sinned as they
had not evolved to where they could do right for love’s sake. The desire nature
had become so strong that it was an
impossibility for them to altogether rule it, therefore their debts piled up to
enormous proportions.
Evolution
would have been incalculably delayed and many lost to our life wave altogether
if some help had not been given. Therefore did Christ come ‘to seek and to save
that which was lost. He took away the sins of the world [not of the
individual].
by His cleansing blood, which gave Him entrance to the earth and its humanity, He
purified the earth’s desire body, and we thus owe it to Him that we are able to
gather for our desire bodies purer desire stuff than formerly .Christ is
therefore , in a real sense, the saviour of the world as the Church maintains ,
for the reason that a large part of humanity had gone as far as they were able
to go alone and were at the point of retrogression at the time when He came.
Also the etheric rays of Christ as
indwelling Planetary Spirit, radiating
outward constantly through man from the centre of the earth and being absorbed
by him constitute the ‘Inner urge’ to higher endeavors, which is the
chief factor at the present time in impelling man onward in evolution.
The
forgiveness of sins through the instrumentality of the Christ as taught in the
orthodox Christian religion is an actual fact. It may be brought about through
true repentance and reform, which clear the seed atom in the heart of the
records of past evil actions. When this seed atom is thus cleared, the pictures
of these actions are dissolved and are not present after we pass out of the
physical body in death to bring us suffering in the purgatorial region. Such
forgiveness of sins, however, does not do away with the necessity of making
restitution to people whom we have wronged. This restitution may be made direct
to the individual in question or, when
this is impossible, it may be made indirectly through service to others, that
is service to the universe.
Christ
is the chief factor in making possible for us the forgiveness of sins through
the fact that He gives us the inner urge and desire toward repentance and
reform, and also makes these processes easier through having furnished us with
purer desire stuff for our desire bodies, as stated in the early part of this
lecture. The help which Christ thus gives us day after day through this
spiritual urge makes it possible for us to reform our characters and blot out
our own sins. Christ thus becomes in a real sense our personal saviour,
although He does not personally take away our individual sins.
The
help from Christ is given at the expense of much suffering to Him through the
fact of His being confined to the cramping environment as indwelling Earth
Spirit. In Paul’s epistle to the Romans chapter 8 verse 22 we again read ‘For
we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until
now’. Thus the ‘Vicarious Atonement’ is an actual fact, although its modus
operandi is quite different from that described in church doctrine.
The
aid received from Christ, our Great Elder Brother, constitutes a cosmic loan,
so to speak. This is what the Rosicrucians mean by ‘grace’. This loan, however,
is not in the nature of gift. It must be repaid, and the means whereby it is to
be paid are service to others and also to the life waves which follow ours,
namely the mineral, plant , and animal kingdoms.
The
Christ who came to Earth two thousand years ago and became the indwelling Earth
Spirit, the Light of the World, was a ray from the Cosmic Christ. Christ the Saviour of humanity is the only
Name under heaven by which we may be saved [from stagnation and retrogression]
the only means by which we may reach the spiritual heights of the Christian
Dispensation. In 1 Timothy 2:5 it is written ‘For there is one God , and one
mediator between God and men , the man Christ
Jesus’.
Today
many are still laboring and travelling under the old dispensation , rebelling
at giving up the old and taking on the new
; rebelling against sacrificing the lower self upon the alter of
attainment. But the voice is calling again ; ‘ Come unto me , ye that labor and
are heavy laden and I will give you
rest ‘ This is the call of Aquarius , gathering the pioneers to lay the
foundations for the new Aquarian Age to
be ushered in some six hundred years hence. Through the redeeming power of
Aquarius man will be able to unfold the spiritual qualities of Unity,
Cooperation, and Spiritual fellowship.
Let
us not be asleep or fearful at this critical time, but awake, aware and full of
faith. Many changes are yet in store for humanity before the Piscean
Dispensation gives way entirely to more glorious one of Aquarius. But through
them a Divine Hand guides and lifts. Through them all the Christ Power is
present to direct and comfort.
Let
all of us who aspire to be pioneers in preparing for the coming age of
Universal Brotherhood and peace try to liberate ourselves from the Piscean
limitations and embrace wholeheartedly the ideals of Aquarius.
CREED OR THE
BROTHERHOOD OF MAN
By Mr.
Anthony Owusu, 2011 Easter
School, Koforidua Ghana
The
history of "Christendom" has been marked by the appearance of creeds
(e.g., The Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed being
the most prominent from early centuries). The word creed is from the Latin
credo, meaning, "I believe."
Creed is essentially an authoritative statement of a particular position
(or positions) to which others are expected to assent. The problem is not that
it finds general agreement with a number of people. The problem is in how it
becomes viewed.
A
Creed, or Rule of Faith, or Symbol, signifies the entire body of beliefs
held by the adherents of a given religion; and in this sense it is equivalent
to doctrine
or to faith.
In a somewhat narrower sense, a creed is a summary of the principal articles
of faith professed by church or community of believers. It is a
confession of faith for public use, or a form of words setting forth with
authority certain articles of belief, which are regarded by the framers as
necessary for salvation, or at least for the well-being of the Christian
Church. A creed may cover the whole ground
of Christian doctrine and practice, or contain only such points as are deemed
fundamental and sufficient, or as have been disputed.
Biblical Basis
Creeds in the developed sense plainly do not occur in Scripture.
Yet this does not put them in antithesis to Scripture, for creeds have always
been meant to express essential biblical truths. Furthermore, Scripture itself
offers some rudimentary creedal forms that provide models for later statements.
The
first Christian confession or creed is that of Peter, when Christ asked the
apostles, 'Who say ye that I am?' and Peter, in the name of all the rest,
exclaimed, as by divine inspiration, 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the
living God' (Matt. xvi. 16). This became naturally the substance of the
baptismal confession, since Christ is the chief object of the Christian faith.
Philip required the eunuch simply to profess the belief that 'Jesus was the Son
of God.'
Creeds,
in due subordination to the Bible, are of great value and use. They are
summaries of the doctrines of the Bible, aids to its sound understanding, bonds
of union among their professors, public standards and guards against false
doctrine and practice. In the form of Catechisms they are of especial use in
the instruction of children, and facilitate a solid and substantial religious
education, in distinction from spasmodic and superficial excitement. The first
object of creeds was to distinguish the Church from the world, from Jews and
heathen, afterwards orthodoxy from heresy, and finally denomination from
denomination. In all these respects they are still valuable and indispensable
in the present order of things. Every well-regulated society, secular or
religious, needs an organization and constitution, and can not prosper without
discipline. Catechisms, liturgies, hymn-books are creeds also as far as they
embody doctrine.
Apostasy
(a person who has rejected his religious or political beliefs) has always been
an ugly monster hovering over the household of God. Paul warned about it often
(1 Tim. 4:1-5). Because of this, it is tempting for Christians to write up a
list of positions on an issue or issues separate from the Bible, publish it in
some way, then hold it up as a standard for judgment on others. Those who do
not hold to the published position are cut off and marked (or at least eyed
suspiciously).
What are the real problems associated
with creeds?
While
the intent of creed is to expose error, the result is an extra-biblical
document that draws the lines of fellowship for a brotherhood of believers. A
creed crosses the local church lines with an implication that any churches or
individuals who do not assent to the sentiments (if not the exact wording) of
the document are to be considered dangerous and unworthy of fellowship
universally.
Creed
is superimposed on Scripture. It is the formation of a succinct statement of
truth, and becomes a sort of standard by which soundness will be measured for
all. As long as one lines up to the view expressed in the creed (whether in the
form of statements or questions), he is acceptable. Creed-makers violate the
principle that the Bible is clear and sufficient, particularly on the
boundaries of fellowship; they need a statement telling everyone else where
those boundaries are. Whether intentionally or not, they are creating and
employing something beyond the Scriptures to measure soundness throughout the
brotherhood of believers. A creed will almost always contain something either
more or less than the Bible itself.
Creed
assumes a position of authority that is unwarranted. A creed is
"authoritative," but only from a human viewpoint, and only to certain
people. Yet, what group or council of men has a right to declare anything for
anyone else but themselves? What gives any group of men on a broad scale a right
to issue a statement to which they expect others to assent on the threat of
dis-fellowship?
A
creed is an instrument of division, not unity. While the creed is a result of
an organized attempt to unite, the reality is that it serves as a catalyst for
broad-based divisions. A creed stirs up unrest on a broad scale, and so has an
impact on many congregations. Now the universal tone becomes "line up and
divide," contributing to suspicion and division. They further the party,
sectarian spirit (the "us" vs. "them" mentality: i.e.,
those who agree with the human document, and those who don’t). Creeds will
necessarily divide, not unite, because they involve parties of men lining up
behind it and then defending the human document as if they are defending scripture.
Creeds
are the result of over-reacting. Let there be no mistake: Christians ought to
oppose error (cf. Titus 1:13). But creeds are the result of going too far the
other direction by attempting to enforce orthodoxy. This, too, is error, even
though it is done out of a genuine concern to protect truth and God’s people.
Yet, it has a destructive effect. By a sublime, perhaps even unintentional,
attempt to activate a universal brotherhood, the supporters of a creed move
into another kind of error.
The
nature of a creed is that it stifles Bible study. By implementing a "do
this or else" mentality, a creed will strangle any attempts to further
study the particular issues involved. The creed makes it so that "this is
the final answer, no ifs, ands or buts," and any suggestions or questions
to the contrary (even from meaningful Christians attempting to study something
out for themselves) is automatically put into the category of disingenuous
efforts to compromise truth. While Christians ought not to compromise truth
(Prov. 23:23), neither should they squelch honest attempts to study, even if
such study must delve into differing positions. Anything that would effectively
end open study is dangerous and wrong.
Creeds
encourage people to place too much trust in men. By using a human document to
line people up on sides, one is forced to trust that everything said in that
document is without error, including any expressed opinions. Some will fall in
line with the document because it appears so authoritative and confident, but
they will not check out and verify for themselves everything taught therein.
This is a dangerous situation indeed.
The
followers of different religions and creeds are at war with one another because
of the idea that one's own religion is higher than any other and that the
prophet of that particular religion is the chosen of God. The essence of all
religions is the perfect harmonizing of the human with the divine in man. If
all were to understand and live up to this ideal, the customs and conventions,
the ceremonies and rituals in each religion would fall away and all would be
able to live as brothers and sisters.
We
live a code of criticism and condemnation with small appreciation of the works
of others. Sects and creeds build up walls about themselves, and only heroic
souls in whom spiritual perceptions are truly awake can rise above these
imaginary limitations.
Our
present crisis is far greater than the World War. The whole civilized world is
struggling against selfishness and corruption. A new and great opportunity is
at hand for the application of spiritual solutions to material problems. It is
the duty of all spiritually enlightened individuals to forget all differences,
sacrifice all personal ambitions, and rededicate themselves to the great ideals
which brought their various orders and societies into existence.
Everything
in this great Universe, visible and invisible, is interrelated because each has
a common root and source in the One Divine Principle of Life; each form
expresses a certain aspect, a particular power of that Divine Life, and
therefore the Law of Interdependence is operative everywhere. It behooves
everyone to live in accordance with that Law and not to create any disturbance
or disharmony.
Great
Teachers down the ages have always enjoined the following of this Law of Love.
Jesus said: "Love thy neighbor as thyself." This means the giving up
of all sense of separateness, individually and collectively, and the
recognition of our own good as the good of all.
Even
if we read and studied millions of books and had the greatest of teachers to
instruct us, we would find no truth until we believed in our own inner selves
and that, being human, we are more than human -- greater than the world
imagines or than dogmas and creeds allow -- because there is within us that
which is capable of absolute knowledge and may not stop, without
self-degradation, at faith.
Another
important idea presented in this quotation is: "Love one another in righteousness."
There is unity even among gangs of robbers and criminals; there are cliques
formed by dishonest traders and business people; but such
"brotherhoods" are injurious and dangerous to those who belong to
them and to society. What is really wanted is true unity through right behavior
on the basis of right understanding of universal principles.
At
times it may be difficult to believe that brotherhood is the basis of our human
family. Generally we think of brotherhood as manifesting in agreement and
cooperation among various factions of humanity. If oneness is a fact, why is
this accord so often lacking? Universal brotherhood, however, runs deeper than
a mere surface agreement: it means that humanity is inherently one. In
fact, all beings at their inmost are sparks of the divine essence, enshrouded
in vehicles corresponding to their present stage of evolution.
As
humans we have built up invisible and visible karmic bodies around our inner
selves. In our physical body we generally feel and seem separate from others.
We sometimes have trouble realizing the critically important part of us which
is immortal -- our higher self, inner god, or Father within. Today the
widespread feeling of separateness is due largely to the fact that we have
forgotten our spiritual essence and identified ourselves only with our grossest
body. This illusion of separateness also springs from selfishness, something
that unfortunately is strengthened each day by attitudes of competition. The
unselfishness of the altruistic teachings of the world's great sages and seers
has become theoretical for many.
We
can try to follow the Greek injunction "know thyself!" and enlarge
our idea of universal brotherhood by identifying with our family, neighbors,
and associates. But we need not stop there -- we can go on to humanity in
general, with its diverse population and tentative national boundaries, and
identify ourselves with each of its members, those we admire and those we
despise, for we are all One! We are intimately connected with all of
them, the saint and the sinner, the wonderful and the wretched. There are no
boundaries in the inner worlds except those we create within ourselves. By
raising our own self, we are also raising that of all humanity by ever
so small an amount, affecting the thought-life of each member for good.
But
we need not stop even there: we can reach out to the other kingdoms of nature,
the plants and animals, planets and stars, for we are inseparably connected
with the heart of each being in the universe. Continuing this thought to its
ultimate, we can reach up to the highest God or Unknowable Creator, of whatever
our faith, and identify ourselves with that Being. THAT is where we all
ultimately meet, in the unending source of ALL. When we can intimately relate
ourselves in this manner, how can we still see each other as separate or
opposing groups or individuals with insurmountable differences?
Although
to some this may sound utopian, universal brotherhood is a fact in
nature, and each of us can bring it home to our ordinary self and, as
a result, to humanity as a whole.
The
true aspirant is not creed-bound. He realizes with the divine illumination that
as an aspirant his religion must be universal: Christ, Buddha or Mohammed, the
name means little, for he recognizes only the light and not the bearer. He worships
at every shrine, bows before every altar, whether in temple, mosque or
cathedral, realizing with his truer understanding the oneness of all spiritual
truth.
To
the altar of God all men bring their most votive offerings. Around it all men,
whether they have received their teachings from Confucius, Zoroaster, Moses,
Mohammed or the founder of the Christian religion--just so long as they believe
in the universality of the fatherhood of God and universality of the
brotherhood of man--meet upon a common level. The Jew returns to his synagogue,
the Mohammedan to his mosque and the Christian to his temple--each better
prepared for the solemn duties of life by the associations in this universal
brotherhood.
The
brotherhood of man, however, can be established upon the Fatherhood of God,
which could and should be a universal unifying synthesis of sufficient power to
draw all men together.
All peoples, of whatever religion or creed,
are children of God born into a particular race, religion, or creed to derive whatever
benefits and self development they need, or are capable of, on their long
journey back to perfection. As all men
live and move and have their being in the Creator, all men are potential
Brothers. Men all over the world should
express their first allegiance to God, as the Universal Father.
Suppose,
in the same spirit, that Max Heindel returned to the fields of his earthly
labors and in simple gabardine walked among his followers. Suppose he should
say to them, "Brothers and sisters, have you loved one another? I planted
a rose garden of virtues; have you tended it carefully? My name is upon your
lips, but is my work in your hearts? Have you been true one to the other? Have
you labored unselfishly, impersonally? Have you so greatly loved our Heavenly
Father that you have loved all men also?" How would The Rosicrucians
answer him? Could they say, "Beloved Brother, our constant inspiration, we
have fulfilled your works in humility and gentleness. There has been no pride
among us, no selfishness, no personality, and no small ambitions at a great
cost. Here is the Fellowship you gave into our keeping. We can return it as
beautiful, as clean, as united in holy purpose as you intended it to be. There
is no jot and title observance here; we are united not in petty things but in
great things. In the so many years since you passed away into greater life we
have sought to do your work. We are as you intended us to be-- men and women in
whom there is no guile." Would these words be true? If not, why would they
not be true? Is man too weak to carry on a good work? Is his littleness so
great and his greatness so little?
If we should feel ashamed if our leaders should return to us again and we
should know that we have failed them, let us rededicate ourselves to them.
Let the spirit of Max Heindel live again in the heart of each Rosicrucian.
When this time comes, and may it come, the mystics and the occultists of the
world can clasp hands across the gulf of their differences and, united in
purpose, be an army of spiritual reconstruction marching like the prophets of
old in the vanguard of progress.
- Manly P. Hall
"The Rosicrucian Fellowship aims to educate and construct, to be
charitable even to those from whom we differ, and never to vent the venom of
vituperation, spite, or malice even upon those who seem deliberately determined
to mislead."
“There is only one God and He is God to all;
therefore it is important that everyone is seen as equal before God. I’ve
always said we should help a Hindu become a better Hindu, a Muslim become a
better Muslim, a Catholic become a better Catholic.” - Mother Teresa
OUR FELLOWSHIP
By F. M. Kokroko, 2011 Easter School, Koforidua
Ghana
(BORN: AUGUST 8, 1909
AT 3.00 P.M., LONG. 122W, LAT. 48N.,PLANET / FACETS OF CHARACTERS)
1.
The sun - Inner strength of Character, sense of purpose
2.
Moon - Self Concept
3.
Venus - Mode of Feeling
4.
Mercury - Mode of thought
5.
Mars - Mode of Initiative
6.
Uranus - Mode of Intuition, Inspired ideation, impartiality and
Perception
of the emotional states of others
7.
Pluto - Mode of Co-operation with others as
individual for common
interest
8.
Jupiter - Spirit of helpfulness and being helped; Philosophical
attitude
9.
Neptune - Heightened awareness, inspired understanding,
Communication
with super physical reality and Perception of
thoughts of the others
10. Saturn - Mode of consideration and
thoughtfulness towards and from
others.
11. Ascendant - How others see us, our outward
appearances and actions
12. Medium Coeli (MC) -
Conduct of position of authority:
opportunity for Spiritual
advancement
13. Part of Fortune - Awareness of how to handle
opportunities for material
Advancement
PLANET VEHICLES
1.
Sun - Human Spirit
2.
Moon - Desire Body
3.
Uranus - Life Spirit
4.
Venus - Vital Body
5.
Ascendant - Dense Body
6.
Neptune - Divine Spirit
PATHOLOGICAL QUALITIES
1.
Sun - Hot, Dry, Expansive, Tonic,
Constructive, Vital
2.
Moon - Cold, Most, Fluidic, Collective,
Receptive, Nutritive
3.
Uranus
- Dry, Spasmodic, Electric, Explosive,
Convulsive, Disorganizing
4.
Venus - Warm, Lymphatic, Relaxing, Sedentary
5.
Mars - Hot, Dry Inflammatory, Energetic,
Eruptive, Violent, Positive,
Excessive
6.
Mercury
- Cold, Dry, Nervous
7.
Pluto - Dimineralizing, Elimination of
useless cells
8.
Neptune
- Comatose, Shrinking, Stunting,
Restricting, Constricting
9.
Saturn
- Cold, Dry, Chronic, Contracting,
Crystallizing
10.
Jupiter
- Warm, Moist, Nourishing, Expansive,
Corpulent Gourmandizing
SOCIETIES - Personal Society
12,1,2,3, 2
Companion
Society
4,5,6,7, 5
Public
Society
8,9,10,11, 6
Trinities Trinity of life
1,5,9, 4
Trinity
of Substance
2,6,10 2
Trinity
of Relationship
3,7,11 2
Trinity
of secrets psychism
4,8,12, 5
Oriental Life circumstances
are under the control of yourself
10,
11, 12, 1, 2, 3 2
Occidental Life circumstances
are under the influence of others
4,
5, , 7, 8, 9 11
|
|
We find the Ascendant in the philanthropic,
philosophical and religious sign Sagittarius (f) and Medium Coeli (MC) on the cusp the wise, refined and sociable sign, Libra (d)
Their respective rulers, Jupiter and Venus
conjunction part of fortune are elevated in the 9th House in the
mental analytical sign of purity, Virgo.
They are supported by many good aspects, showing that
the Fellowship is very high philosophical and moral standard have done much to
uplift and inspire people around the world.
But in Virgo Jupiter is in detriment
and Venus is in its Fall. As a result, our fellowship has been stripped of all
the glamour usually associated with these two planets and anyone who joins is
forced to look beyond appearances and to discern truth from its imitation.
This organization is not a crutch.
What we get out of it is in direct proportion to what put into it; self seeking
is the quickest road to frustration and failure.
The Rosicrucian Fellowship attracts
people who are striving to become better here and how – people who believe that
self-transformation is accomplished through a life devoted to serving others
selflessly and helpings them become self reliant.
Both the Midheaven in Libra (Social
Order) and the Ascendant in Sagittarius (Philanthropy) indicate that the goal
and purpose is “others” oriented.
The Sun, dignified in Leo in the 8th
house of Society indicates that the real leader of this movement is invisible
his loving power gently guides every aspirant from within.
The leader is not at the head of the
organization, but in the heart of each of its members, especially those who
recognize that the fundamental unity of each with all the fellowship of the
spirit is the realization God
Only through regeneration and pure
living can we penetrate the real depth of his mystery. But this latent
realization is obscured by the D860028
In the 6th house, the
stubborn personality (lower self) is tempted to refuse to serve the high noble,
and altruistic call of the Christ, within and to seek immediate fulfillment of
its selfish, mundane desires in vain glory.
The Sun and Mercury are trine to
Saturn in Aries in the 4th house and his shows that through
persistent exercise in self-discipline, one may overcome the personality
challenges. Saturn in its fall in Aries reminds us that the inner battle is
never entirely won, and that we always must remain watchful.
Furthermore, Saturn is at the head
of a T-square involving Uranus in Capricorn in the 2nd house and
Neptune in Cancer in the 8th house, forming a vicious circle.
The square Saturn-Uranus generates
dishonesty, violence, impatience and hardness of heart, and prevents the
expression of forgiveness.
Negative feelings and thoughts which
are not transmuted forced challenges to linger on for too long. This state of
affairs is a major stumbling block for without the hearts light spiritual
progress turns to spiritual regression.
The square Saturn – Neptune breeds
confusion, delusion, and fraud. Many of us succumb to pride of intellect and
think that if we had a position of power or authority in the movement, our
ideas could prevail and resolve the challenges. We must overcome this illusion,
think little of ourselves, and learn fully to trust in the Lord whom we serve.
The opposition Uranus-Neptune
clearly indicates the vast chasm separating the heart from the head the missing
bridge without which one will not enter the kingdom. Ultimately, this bridge
built within ourselves as we live the life leads to the Gate of initiation.
All these aspect represent a
spiritual debt, an invisible “dweller on the threshold” that must be overcome
collectively. It is imperative for all of us to develop the virtues of
Patience. Tolerance and Humility if we wish to dynamize the latent potential of
the fellowship.
It is also indispensable to
cultivate moral rectitude practice and uphold the highest and most ethical
principles and be an example for the world. Then we will be able to use good
aspects in this horoscope to counteract the evil influences and continue to
strengthen our spiritual foundation for generations to come.
SEEKING THE CHRIST
WITHIN
By J.M. Addo, 2011 Easter School, Koforidua Ghana
Recently,
a Japanese Dr. Emoto requested world prayer, on behalf of the Japanese Nation,
directed at Mother Earth and the Powers behind the seas. Japan is an Island.
Without stretching the imagination, the people there hold viewpoints which are
also common to all coastal nations everywhere. Such knowledge informs them that
powers of the seas are sensitive to human intransigence and abuse and neglect,
and can without any further notice, cause such havoc and destruction when the
indiscipline of humanity becomes excessive. Volcanoes are known to be the
outlet of the anger of Mother earth when man’s indiscipline becomes excessive
and she is obliged to remind humanity to review its destructive tendencies.
It is obvious now, that nations are
still very much over anxious to assert superiority one over another,
domineering while feigning friendship with others in national/international
co-operation. No wonder, leaders of states exhibit very strange characteristics
quite remote from those of its ordinary compatriots.
“As above, so below” is the popular
quotation. ‘All that is in the heavens, also exist within man – the heavenly
bodies, the four ethers, the seasons, the mountains, the valleys, the animals
,our solar system, the plants, angelic hosts, archangelic hosts, God, the
universe, the Supreme Being. The Christ spirit and Holy Spirit are all alive
and well in every individual on this planet today whether the person
acknowledges these or not. We all perish for the lack of knowledge. Therefore,
when Christ declared that as you search for Him, you are actually seeking the
Father, we simply localize the search and concentrate on our individual selves.
Albert Einstein wrote an equation e=mc2 and later added a
modification which appears as a constant. However, substantially, as a
universal expression of Truth, the equation states that e (energy converted) =
mass(in motion) m, times c (the speed of light). Dr Emoto, interprets the
expression thus
E
= energy as before
However, all the free energies that
can be made available when coerced within man become inaccessible on account of
these energy guzzling behaviors which attach themselves intimately to man from
within himself. Mark 7:21 -23 identifies them by this description “ for from
within the Heart of men , proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications,
murders, evil eye, blasphemy, pride, thefts, covetousness, wickedness. All
these things come from within, and defile the man.”
Also, from Proverbs 6:16 – 19, we
read “ these three things cloth the Lord nate, “ yea, seven are an abomination
unto him a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a
heart that deviseth evil imagination, feet that be swift in running to
mischief, a false witness that speakest lies, and that sowest discord among
men”
All the above are avenues and
agencies which, in conspiring together, gain access to the organized energy
systems within and so are quick to identify free energy resources, even to the
peril of the hosts life.
Scientist have already declared that
each human cell has its own individuality, its separate consciousness, that it
is either discriminative, greedy, quarrelsome, affectionate or well disciplined
as the case may be. Through long practice, one is able to read the language of
most creatures. The consciousness of cells can be interpreted in respect of our
questions put to cells during conversations. Note that such a conversation has
to be telepathic!
Within man there are millions of
cells arranged in numerous communities working harmoniously to maintain and
sustain the individual human being in his physical body. Each individual is
therefore self-sufficient. Humans are also organized in communities and
essentially the characteristics that cells have. The main difference is that
cells multiply by cell-division while human beings multiply by different
process. However, the human being whose physical body provides all the total
environmental conditions for the life experience of the cells, has a
responsibility to each cell, aid in encouraging their devotion and dedication,
produces an excellent physical body that has stamina and endurance that can act
to provide the much needed vehicles for gathering the life’s experience for the
man.
There exists a conscious mental
interplay between a person and all the teeming lives in his body. Can we accept
the responsibility? When we do, we may become omnipotent and learn to do and be
anything that a person wishes. To become a god, therefore, one has to know
one’s self as a god, and then behave like one, ruling all the many millions of
cells. But what could be the purpose of all that??
Can
you imagine! A cell of the foot sees cells of the heart for example as
foreigners! We have realized that within man there are tissues and other matter
making up the physical body the visible material we know. Science also teaches
us that there exist cells whose structures enable them to combine with each
other in diverse ways to form molecules which, in further aggregations, can be
seen as living tissues or organs or even atoms from which bones, muscle and
whole physiology of man have been formed. Each cell is a unit on its own,
living, thriving pulsating life, separate from each other yet guided by the
wisdom that brought it into being. It has the capacity to reproduce itself. So
it can multiply itself many fold, rapidly. The cell is not immortal, because it
has life-time within which to accomplish its stated tasks given to him by its
creator and to maintain and keep its place, functioning completely within the
structure of the physical body.
Science affirms that there are
stem-cells which are universal in character, so can be used within any
population or community of cells in any part of the physical body. They can
function perfectly in the brain, heart, throat and so on. They can be viewed as
intelligence that ensures that cells co-operate fully with directions to fill
their mandate.
From the foregoing, clearly, seeking
the Christ within is fraught with immutable diversions that can frustrate the
effort and bring our intention to exactly zero. St Teresa of Avila says that in
approaching God, it is not essential to THINK at all. Rather, one must show
LOVE. So, we go back to the fundamental feeling we experience when we fall in
love and consummate it in marriage, culminating in union through which a new
born comes forth. That physical union demands a giving of self one to another
and an experience of oneness. It is beyond thought. So that, at the instant of
attaining a peak, every cell in the body plays its appointed part in the
fulfillment of the sacred function and the incoming Ego feels a joy attending
its final preparation towards a new manifestation. Such love produces only a
lovely Ego, well balanced and ready to face all challenges because his
blessings encompass all things physical and spiritual.
The multitudes are within man, and
in the expression of love, every cell plays its part. Recall what Dr. Emoto
said about Einstein’s Equation. So the energy setting off the descent of the
incoming Ego, invests so much in the future of the newcomer that he will lack
nothing, once it enters the womb, comes out onto rebirth and continues until it
completes his assignments at death. Alas, few are those who enjoy this.
Christ said, “In my Father’s house,
there are many mansions.” Since each person is a complete individual, all his
assets are within himself. His destiny may make things more challenging than he
would like. Still, he can attain to any heights through application of effort.
However, it is worthy to note that, for the majority of humanity, selfish
possessive romance turns the womb into testy environment such as to create very
difficult challenges even within the womb.
Now that we wish to seek the Christ,
our challenges have almost overwhelmed us. What do we do?? The things that God
has expressly named and commanded us not to do we must make an effort not to
do. Understanding that Love is an energy resource ensures anyone can tap into
it at anytime because it represents the continuous Grace offered to all human
beings, in spite of our failings, shortcomings and weaknesses. Let us access
what by Grace we can have. Next, follow the recommendations given through Max
Heindel, the Western Wisdom Teachings.
The evening exercise is
Retrospection and the morning one is concentration. It is only a reminder.
Remember also that St Theresa of Culcuta says that God sees only the Love with
which each person renders any service to others. So, since Christ is one with
the Father, and He has demonstrated that he is one with humanity, accept this
as fact and endorse this fact through your life leading. Mind you, attempting
this, having the courage to persevere, is the challenge we all face at present.
But St Teresa of Avila declares that entering the inner mansions where Christ
resides requires a first step of PRAYER. She says that fixed prayers are good,
but it will be preferable that you pray straight from your heart. Express
yourself without reservation, precisely how you feel about the journey you are
stepping out to take to meet the Christ. Your objectives must be seriously
unselfish.
Find out what the Invisible Helpers
do. Even the name should be a useful guide. They give freely in the service of
those who are in need of healing, companionship and encourage them to proceed
in the face of daunting challenges, occasioned by natural or unnatural
disasters give comfort to those who suddenly left their bodies and are unable
to return to them – these are the newly dead who are perplexed because they do
not know that they are dead.
When we pray, even though we as
individuals also lack, we receive whatever we need in order to render that
self-forgetting, loving service we wanted to give to others. For as long as our
motivation is limited by the degree of feelings you can muster the animalistic
structures as well as sensuality would deplete every energy within us and
render our efforts ineffectual.
At the back of our heads, is the
Hind Brain. Therein is stored the past history of each soul and the outstanding
lessons we never learnt which are waiting for “treatment” during this
manifestation. We must clear this memory because the images convert into
enormous crawling things that plague us when we think we are ready to advance.
Thought will always release these self-made dwellers on the threshold to harass
us and force us to retreat until we have made good the assimilations we had been
ignoring overtime.
Notice that, the Pons varolii, the
passage at the top of the Spinal Column connecting to the thalamus, the venue
for the awakening Christ consciousness, lies within the fields of the Hindbrain
or Cerebellum. The rising column of the Spinal Spirit fire cannot ascend any
further along the pons unless these past lessons can be properly tackled by the
individual. But, brute determination, understanding will yield results.
St Teresa of Avila describes the
mansions within each and everyone and declares that there are seven mansions,
God lives in the Seventh mansion. To reach the first mansion, one must wend
one’s way through hordes of these venomous crawlers, vipers and animals,
depending upon what outstanding lessons we must cope with. She describes their
presence as the work of the evil one. Recall that she wrote her book, the
Interior Castle or Mansions, in 1577. Max Heindel has taught us that these are
our own creations so we can make them disappear altogether. So, we have every
opportunity to accomplish this. Retrospection is a wonderful means by which the
challenges can be overcome. She confirms, that a seeker whose tenacity of
purpose hears the voice of God above the din created by the hisses and other
frightening sounds coming from these images, in the one who will move onwards
through the lower mansions into the forth. Recall that she advises against the
thinking! This is because it is thought that brings into being the contents of
the hindbrain to harass and harangue the seeker. She described thought as
imagination. Your armor must be Prayer: penitently without humility dependent
only upon the Grace of God, coming through as the loving call each seeker can
hear. So, the seeking soul thanks God for every Mercy and Grace, and is armed with
Love, effectively ensconced within that protective amour of Love. Ephesians 6
tell us about the amour of God. This is Love, and it is this which, in spite of
our outstanding and unfinished duties left aside so that we can seek Christ,
enables us obtain forgiveness, and remission and encouragement through Grace as
long as we persevere to the end.
It bears repetition, that love is an
unlimited energy resource at our disposal to enable us accomplish any service
to others and to enter boldly, the mansions where the Christ lives. She asserts
“As a rule, all our anxieties and troubles come from misunderstanding our own
nature” again I quote St Teresa “practice what I advised in the preceding
mansions, then – humility, humility! For God lets Himself be vanquished by this
and grants us all we ask. The first proof that you posses humility is that you
neither think you now deserve these graces and consolations from God nor that
you ever will as long as you live…….the chief means of obtaining them is to
love God without self-interest. The second that it is a slight lack of humility
to think that our wretched services can win so great a reward. The third, that
the real preparation for them to receive consolations for that His Majesty has
not promised to give us these favors in the same way as He has bound Himself to
bestow eternal glory on us if we keep His commandments. We can be saved without
these special graces; He sees better than we do. What is best for us, and which
of us love him dearly.”
In concluding
the matter, I quote St Teresa “In my opinion, His Majesty only bestows this
favor on those who have renounced the world in desire at least if their
state of life does not permit their doing so in fact. He thus specially
calls them to devote themselves to spiritual things, if they allow Him power to
act freely, He will bestow still greater graces on those whom He thus begins
calling to a higher life” “ the mind must act until called to recollection by
Love. Possibly I may be mistaken, but I rely on these reasons. Firstly, he who
reasons less and tries to do least does most in spiritual matters. We should
make our petitions like beggars before a powerful and rich Emperor; then with
downcast eyes humbly wait when He secretly shows us he Hears our prayers , it is well to be silent, as He has drawn
us into His presence, there would then be no harm in trying to keep our minds
at rest (that is to say, if we can) if, however, the King makes no sign of
listening or seeing us, there is no need to stand inert, like a dolt, which the
soul would resemble if it continued inactive. In this case its dryness would
greatly increase and the imagination would be made more restless than before by
its very effort to think of nothing. Our Lord wishes us at such a time to offer
Him our petitions and to place ourselves in His presence. He knows what is best
for us”
“I believe that human efforts avail
nothing in these matters which His Majesty appears to reserve to Himself
setting this limit to our powers. In many other things, such as penances, good
works and prayers, with His aid we can help ourselves as far as human weakness
will allow. The second reason is that these interior operations being sweet and
peaceful, any painful effort does us more harm than good. By “painful effort”,
I mean any forcible restraint we place on ourselves, such as holding our
breath. We should rather abandon our souls into the hands of God leaving Him to
do as He chooses with us, as far as possible forgetting all self-interest and
resign ourselves entirely to His will. The third reason is that the very effort
to think of nothing excites our imagination the more…..”
Finally, may we profit by these
lessons received.
THE GOOD SAMARITAN -
ST. LUKE 10 VRS 25-37
By Owusu-Agyeman Prempeh, 2011 Easter School, Koforidua Ghana
A
teacher of the law came up and tried to trap Jesus. "Teacher," he
asked "What must I do to receive eternal life? Jesus answered him,
"What do the Scriptures say? How do you interpret them?" The man
answered, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul,
with all your strength, and with all your mind"; and 'Love your neighbor
as you love
yourself"'.
You are right."
Jesus replied; "Do this and you will live." But the teacher of the
Law wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus; "Who is my
neighbor?" Jesus answered, "There was once a man who was going down
from Jerusalem to Jericho when robbers attached him, stripped him, and beat him
up, leaving him half dead, It so happened that a priest was going down that
road; but when he saw the man, he walked on by the other side. In the same way
a Levite also came along, went over and looked at the man, and then walked on
by the other side. But a Samaritan who was travelling that way came upon the
man, and when he saw him, his heart was filled with pity. He went over to him
poured oil and wine on his wounds and bandaged them; then he put the man on his
own animal and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he
took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. "Take care of
him he told the innkeeper, and when I come back this way, I will pay you
whatever else you spend on him. '
And Jesus concluded, "In your opinion, which one
of these three acted like a neighbor towards the man attacked by the
robbers?" The teacher of the Law answered' "The one who was kind to
him." Jesus replied' "You go, then' and do the same."
This story will be considered in three paths: First
the literal meaning, the esoteric aspect and the bearing it has upon the
Rosicrucian Student: The Literal aspect speaks about forgiveness; Duty or
Sacrificial Service; Sympathy and Love.
Let us considered the word FORGIVE"N"'ESS:
There are three ways to Forgive (I) Pride Forgiveness (2) Surface Forgiveness
and (3) Perfect Forgiveness.
1.
Pride Forgiveness this
is where some people revile the one who has offended them, bum his faults into
him and only when they have fully satisfied their own righteous indignation and
shown the world clearly how wrong their opponents ware do they make a great
show of pardoning him for his offences.
2.
Surface forgiveness,
this is where one offers outward pardon but retains inner resentment:
3.
Perfect Forgiveness:
This is required of every spiritual aspirant because to forgive is divine to
Love and Forget: To forgive in the spiritual sense is not only to pardon the
one who has wronged us, to absolve him from our debt, to cease to persecute
him, but also it is to send him, from the very depth of our being, thoughts of
compassion and blessing. If we have been wronged we must be willing to forgive
unconditionally, for partial forgiveness is not forgiveness at all. To forgive
is to forget, to forgive is Love, If we learn to forgive we then try to
overcome selfishness.
DUTY OR SACRIFICIAL SERVICE
The most important task faced by every spiritual
aspirant is the conscientious performance of his duties whatever and wherever
they may be. Before we can hope positively to develop exalted spiritual powers
and before we can expect to be entrusted with exalted spiritual
responsibilities we must prove ourselves by conscientiously and consistently
doing our duty here on earth.
By and Large, our duty is that which lies near at
hand not that which lies remotely in the distance. "Duty is the demand of
the hour."
FORMS OF DUTY
1.
Our duty to our families
is probably the most compelling of all.
2.
Duty to our employers,
that we may do the best job of which we are capable. No matter how enticing the
inducement, we will not engage in or lend support to any activities contrary to
what we know and believe to be right.
3.
Duty to our neighbour,
casual acquaintances, and strangers who may need our aid and the animals.
4.
Duty to ourselves, the
Higher Self.
To discern accurately what our duty is and to perform
it intelligently and competently requires development of the many attributes
for which spiritual aspirants are striving; discrimination, judgment,
persistence, dedication, devotion, compassion and selflessness:
The law of sacrifice takes the form of positive duty.
Sacrifice is demanded without positive assurance of any reward. 'The
obligation of self sacrifice involves the willingness and cheerful performance
of our duties. Duty performed with resentfulness, impatience or any other
negative manner is only half performed. As we proceed along the spiritual
path, we will find that our duties are more refined as well as broader in scope
and more penetrating in intensity.
SYMPATHY AND LOVE
There's but one way that leads to heaven above - That
way is human sympathy and love. When you are sympathetic, you show friendship
to everybody.
LOVE (Manual of forms): 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Good neighborliness and loving our enemies
ESOTERIC ASPECT
1.
Man or Traveler - Humanity
2.
Jerusalem - The Physical World, the Land of Liberty
3.
Jericho - The World of God, the Land of Spiritual freedom
4.
Thieves/Robbers - Lower
natures or desires
5.
Clothes - Soul body
6.
Priest }
7.
Levite } God
8.
Good Samaritan }
9.
Child - Christ Within
10. Wound/Half Dead - Pain of Remorse
11. Bondage Wound - Pure Qualities
12. Oil - Sex Force. Essence of the Soul
13. Wine - Higher Teachings/Forgetfulness
14. Camel - Conquering of the Lower nature/desire
15. Inn - Temple
16. Inn Keeper/Caretaker - Aspirant
17. Money - Reward
If an evildoer repents, reforms and makes restitution
as completely as possible for any evil act that he has committed, no matter
what its nature, the sin of which he has repented is forgiven and erased from
his life record in the vital body. Therefore it no longer stands against him
and he will not have to meet and suffer for it in Purgatory.
Repentance,
restitution, and reform are all elements of the state of Grace made available
to us by the Christ. Restitution, particularly, begins with the request for
forgiveness - God's forgiveness as well as that of other people. If repentance
was deep and sincere, and if we indeed have accepted full blame for our act, it
is easy to ask forgiveness. The simple words, "I'm sorry" said with
humility and with Love in our hearts, can do more to purify us, to cleanse the
base vibrations we have engendered; and to restore friendship and harmony, then
can dozens of honeyed phrases of pseudo-contrition spoken glibly and
unfeelingly.
While the bark of Life floats on summer seas and our
existence seems one grand, sweet song there is no incentive to turn to the
higher life; every fibre in our bodies cries, "This is good enough for
me" but when the bellows of adversity roar around us and each succeeding
ware threatens to engulf us, then we have wedded heart affliction and become
men of sorrows and are ready to be born again.
So long as man is seeking to accumulate money or to
have a good time, so miscalled, he is wise with the wisdom of the world, but
when he set his face toward the things of the spirit, he becomes a fool in the
eyes of the world.
IT’S BEARING UPON THE
ROSICRUCIAN STUDENTS
As we begin to travel on the Path from Jerusalem to
Jericho i.e. from Preliminary studentship to Adeptship: the first year of our
journey, with enthusiasm we are able to climb the first step on the ladder. As
we enter our second year, Herod the King being a robber send his robber commandoes/
comrades the lower natures to raid Jerusalem and its vicinity and kill every
child from the age of two and below. Many are killed at this time but a lot
survive.
But Herod at every two years revives this Law, and is
at this time and other years ahead when few are left. This happens because the
enthusiasm which the student begins with has reduced and his higher self
submits to the lower desires, the robbers then takes up the upper hand.
If we fall, we suffer as did the traveler, but the
pains or wound of remorse evolves conscience and hatred for sin. It makes us
strong against temptation. Every child or beginner is innocent because it has
not been tempted, but only when we have been tempted, and have remain pure, or
when we have fallen, repented and reformed are we virtuous. Therefore the
Rosicrucian student must be tempted, tried and tested. Arid when they have
climbed another step on the ladder of progression and asked by the Elder
Brothers, how are you able to come? He will answer, through search and
suffering I come: