|
The Law of Consequence is undoubtedly the most
fundamental law in human destiny, but we have to remember that it is not a
static law. We constantly use it to set new causes into operation which will
create new destiny to balance and improve the old destiny brought from the past.
The Law of Consequence is intimately tied up with the Law of Rebirth, sometimes
called the Law of Reincarnation. We have all lived many lives on Earth in the
past, and we shall live many more in the future. In each of these past lives we
have set various causes into operation, some of which are only now in the
present life bringing their effects into manifestation. These effects are called
karma, or debts of destiny. Thus we are paying debts from the past, and we also
are reaping rewards from the past. We call these, respectively, bad and good
destiny.
Character is Destiny
The first thing we have to realize is that character
is destiny. Destiny is a reflection of character. Our environment is a
looking-glass in which we see our character reflected. There is an exception,
however, to this general rule. This is, that in our last embodiment on Earth, we
may have effected a reformation so that now we have what may be called a good
character. We may still be having misfortunes or debts in the present life,
however, in spite of this remodeled character. This condition is due to the fact
that we have brought debts over from the past which we now are paying and, when
one is paying debts, he usually finds that the process is limiting, confining,
and sometimes unpleasant. He has the consolation, however, that debts once paid
will never have to be paid again, and, therefore, he will be free of them in all
his future lives.
The traits of character that most often
cause "bad" destiny are those of anger, fear, pride, hate, revenge,
sensuality, selfishness, envy, and intolerance. The first thing to do is to
scrutinize our habitual line of thinking and see if we have any of these traits
in our make-up, even in a small degree. If we find that we have, then we must go
to work on them and gradually remove them. The two principal means of doing this
are a change in thought and in action, particularly toward others. Thought,
however, is the more basic, and if we correct our habitual thought, we shall
find that our actions almost automatically follow the revised pattern of
thinking.
The Creative Power of Thought
This brings us to a most important factor
in the situation, namely, the creative power of thought. This power is
the most fundamental and potent factor in human life. The saying. "Thoughts
are things," is startlingly true. Every time we think a thought, we are
making a thought form which may become a living force. It floats in our aura and
becomes a part of our individual mental atmosphere; therefore, it is a part of
our very life.
The next step in the activity of creative
thought is that it clothes itself in the substance of desire and emotion. This
step has two effects: first, it may lead to corresponding action; second,
thought forms not calling for immediate action may be stored in the memory as
patterns for future use. We have access to them at any time; thus they
eventually may appear as physical realities in our environment, making it
"good" or "bad" according to the thoughts that created it.
Therefore, if we wish to change our
environment and our fortune, we must change our thoughts. By so doing, we
will be making new and good destiny, which in due time will appear un our lives,
and which will give us better work and supply many of our material needs.
The destructive desires and emotions. such
as anger, hate, revenge, resentment -- but particularly anger -- disrupt and
disarrange the thought forms and the thought creations of good which we have
previously made, and thereby delay their materialization. When we have yielded
to anger or revenge, for instance, and dissipated some mental creation of good,
the corresponding thought form configuration has to reassemble itself before
materialization can proceed. This takes time and delays the period when there
might have been a favorable change in our environment or general fortune.
Therefore, we see the great importance of watching our emotions.
Someone may ask: "How can I avoid
harmful thoughts and desires and keep them out of my mind? It seems almost
impossible at times to keep them from slipping in." The answer is, thought
substitution. It is based on the principle that two thoughts cannot occupy
the mind at the same time, and is similar to the principle of physics that two
bodies cannot occupy the same space at the same time. When we are bothered by
harmful thoughts of any kind, it is well to substitute another thought
and concentrate on it so positively that the harmful thought cannot get in. This
answer is very simple and only requires practice to make it comparatively easy.
Harmful desires are excluded from the mind by the same process; thus, by
substituting some constructive thought in place of the thought of wrong desire,
the latter is very nearly shut out.
The Inner Power
The next potent subject which we will
consider is the existence of the Inner Power. This is something about
which most people have no knowledge, and something which they usually do not
even suspect the existence of. Nevertheless, the Inner Power is a stupendous
factor in human life and the one upon which general success in life is most
dependent. The Inner Power is the Ego, the Spirit, the Higher Self, the
vitalizing Life which comes from God, and the essential power that keeps man
going. The Inner Power is the God Within, and the God Within is part of the God
Without, the God of the Universe. The Inner Power is our personal link with God.
Therefore, we can see how powerful is this inner, higher self. It is omnipotent
because it is a part of the God of the Universe. This omnipotence, however, is
more or less latent in humanity at the present time. It is the function of
evolution to unfold it into positive, dynamic omnipotence. This is what we are
gradually learning to do in our daily lives and by our succession of rebirths.
This Inner Power affects the personality and
the daily life in this way: the God Within, which is omnipotent and possessed of
all wisdom as well, is constantly sending messages down into the conscious mind.
These messages appear as intuitions, inspirations, and original ideas. They tell
us what it is that the Higher Self in its wisdom wishes us to do. If we follow
these suggestions and put them into effect, the results in our lives will be
constructive. Failure will be changed into success, the obstacles which have
beset us gradually will disappear, and we shall find that everything begins to
work together for good and for success in every department of life. If we ignore
the intuitions from the Inner Power and follow the self-indulgent desires and
straying thoughts of the personality, then we shall find that our troubles will
increase and our pathway through life will become more difficult. You can see
how important it is to be on the alert to catch the ideas and intuitions of the
Power Within and then put them into effect.
One can most effectively receive these
messages by quieting the conscious mind, and particularly by having quiet times
for meditation so that when the conscious mind is stilled, the Power can speak
to us and we will hear it. It is speaking to us and sending us mental messages
all the time, however, no matter how active we are. Conscience is another of the
messages of the Power Within which we always would do well to obey. If only we
will follow the directions of this Power, it will speak to us in ever-clearer
tones, gradually reshaping our lives and transforming our failures into
successes.
Cultivating a Relationship with the Inner Power
We must cultivate belief in the existence
of the Inner Power and belief in its ability to transform our lives. This belief
is the wire, the electrical circuit, which connects us with it. If we establish
a clear connection between the Power and our conscious mind, the result will be
very much better, because then the Ego can send its messages to us much more
clearly and effectively. Disbelief in these things impairs the connection and in
some cases even destroys it. Then we are left more or less without the conscious
guidance and wisdom of the God Within and easily run amuck so that failure
follows. Thus we see that this belief is of great importance. Some people call
it faith -- faith in God. Actually, however, faith in the God Within and its
power is the same thing as faith in the God Without and His omnipotence.
If we listen to and obey the suggestions
and directions of the Power Within, fear and anxiety are taken away and we gain
poise, which is a large factor in material success. We lose our fear of both
life and death. We know that all things are ordered with wisdom and that they
will turn out well from the spiritual point of view.
We can, moreover, increase the good results
by praying to the Power Within -- by talking to it, having conversations with it
-- because it is right here, nearer than breathing. It will hear us and make the
wise response. Some people call this praying to God; it is the same thing,
because it is to the God Within. When praying we are making new, constructive
destiny to neutralize and offset some of the debts of our previous years and
lives.
When we talk to the Power Within, either
mentally or in words, we may tell it what our ideals and ambitions are, what we
wish to accomplish, and what we would like to have. Then leave the
materialization to the Inner Power and not make the mistake of demanding this or
that thing. When we have finished the conversation, we have made the thought
form and in due time it will be materialized for us by the Spirit in such form
and to such degree as it deems wise, particularly if we repeat it from time to
time. We should be content with this, knowing that it embodies the highest
wisdom.
If we do the above, we are living by
faith. By living serenely in the knowledge of the existence of this Inner
Power, and having belief or faith that it will work out a perfect result in our
lives, all fear and anxiety for the Suture gradually will disappear, and we
shall become confident, poised, and tranquil. We then shall be able to meet
situations successfully which formerly defeated us and caused us to fail.
Therefore, living by faith not only increases our material success, but it also
makes us much happier.
The Lords of Destiny and the Universal Bank
An invisible institution conducted by the
Lords of Destiny, which may be called the Universal Bank, is the next topic of
vital importance to take up. Into this all-important institution, we are
continually making deposits. Every good thought, feeling, and action makes a
deposit there. All our constructive work, our self-discipline, our service to
others, and all our other actions which are in harmony with the Divine Will make
deposits in the Universal Bank. These deposits are the source from which we draw
our destiny, our good fortune, and our opportunities. The unseen Director of
this Bank, together with the Agents of Destiny, keeps an unerring record of all
deposits.
From time to time, the Director declares a
dividend in the form of some opportunity, success, good luck, or
"wind-fall." Although nothing can ever happen by chance, most people
think that these things happen more or less accidentally. They are mistaken. The
Inner Power within each of us is a high official of that Bank and has much to do
with the declaration of dividends.
Since the Universal Bank is backed by the
Universe, it cannot fail. We can never lose nor be defrauded of anything that is
really ours. "Your own will come to you." There is never a mistake in
the cosmic credit in which this bank deals. If our destiny and success are not
what we would like them to be, then it is because our credit in the Universal
Bank has been temporarily depleted. In such a case, there is nothing to do but
get busy and make new deposits. As stated above, we make deposits to our credit
by constructive work, service, and self-discipline. We may be sure that our
diligence in these respects will soon greatly improve opportunities and
circumstances. Thus we see that our destiny is all self-created; luck and
chance are only apparent and were in reality created by us in the past. We are
surrounded with the materialization of our past acts and thoughts. The
overcoming of undesirable traits and the building up and reformation of
character are most potent means of making deposits in the Universal Bank.
The Law of Giving and Receiving
The "universal supply" which
metaphysical students so frequently talk about is merely another name for the
Universal Bank. Many students seem to think that they should be able to get from
it a complete supply of everything they want simply by making some form of
affirmation. They make the mistake of thinking thug can draw from it without
first making the necessary deposits. This is equivalent to trying to "get
something for nothing." One should not at any time demand the
materialization of any specific thing, but should leave that to the Lords of
Destiny who have the wisdom to do it properly. We have neither the right nor the
wisdom. If we demand and specify certain materialization of our thought
creations, we are very likely to make a mess of it and get something we don't
want.
One reason why some people do not achieve
success is that they unconsciously or ignorantly violate the Law of Giving and
Receiving. There really is a cosmic law administered by unseen Forces which
decrees that in order to receive, one must first give. By sharing what we have,
we open the channel which permits an inflow of the desirable things into our
lives. The Master teaches the existence of this law in St. Luke's Gospel when He
says, "Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down,
and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with
the same measure that ye mete withal, it shall be measured to you again."
An understanding and acceptance of this law, and an intelligent effort to comply
with it, eventually will bring a change for the better in one's affairs.
The Golden Rule, "Do unto others as
you would have others do unto you," also embodies an important metaphysical
principle. This rule is unequivocal. It definitely tells us to do good to others
at all times, under all conditions, regardless of what they do to us. The rule
is impersonal; the conduct of the other person does not enter into the case. If
disregarded, unpleasant effects are sure to follow. Putting it into practice
eventually will bring a decided improvement in one's environment and material
conditions. It gives a magnetic personality, one which attracts others and
enlists their help and cooperation in carrying out projects. It creates a
magnetic force which is a means of increasing success in all lines. We should
never allow resentment, caused by mistreatment from others, to prevent us from
doing to them as we should like them to do to us. It really pays to carry out
the Golden Rule, which is not merely a religious ideal.
Looking for the Good
There are two or three other metaphysical
principles which we should know about and which will improve our personality and
increase success in the matter of work and in the supple of material needs.
Looking for the good in everything and every situation, no matter how lacking it
may seem on the surface, is one of these. The mere act of looking for good makes
a thought form which will in time materialize into more good, more success, more
favorable conditions. Looking for good is like starting a snowball which grows
in size as it rolls down hill. That also is a property of all thought forms.
Those of a like nature combine and grow rapidly. This applies to looking for the
good. The good in our environment very definitely can be increased by the
practice of this principle. Praise is an extension of this. Praise is like
sunlight -- the sunlight of the soul. It promotes both good-will and success. We
must praise what is good in others wherever there is the slightest excuse for
doing so. And above all, we must not forget to praise and thank the Inner Power
each day for its life, its guidance, and its supply of all our needs. All things
come from that Power.
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a practice which one cannot
afford to neglect. Forgiveness is scientific. Forgiveness brings into play the
forces of the unseen planes about us. It dissolves the thought forms of hate,
revenge, and ill-will, and prevents their materialization into adverse fortune.
Unforgiveness, which includes resentment, grudges, and revenge, often
materializes into some of the most unhappy conditions of life, particularly if
allowed to continue by habitual thinking along those lines.
Hate is the most destructive force in the
Universe, and unforgiveness and revenge are phases of hate. Revenge is the most
deadly of passions: it surely will frustrate success. No matter what happens,
one cannot afford to hold resentment or to indulge in revengeful thoughts. We
can be perfectly sure if someone has mistreated us that the unseen Law will
bring him whatever retribution is needed (merited).
The Bible says "Beloved, avenge not
yourselves . . .I will repay, saith the Lord." We must not take the matter
into our own hands because we will only be setting into operation metaphysical
forces that will react upon us sooner or later to our very real disadvantage.
The rule is, forgive everything and keep on forgiving regardless of all personal
inclinations; we will not lose as we might erroneously think.
Friendly Cooperation
This brings to mind a principle of vital
effect upon success: "To do the will of another is the acid test of
love." The Bible reaffirms this when it says, "Agree with thine
adversary quickly." Self-will is self-love, and self- love is a phase of
hatred to others. The application of this principle is particularly valuable in
avoiding quarrels and settling those already begun. Naturally we should not do
the will of another if it entails an injustice to ourselves or to others. We
should sacrifice personal inclinations and advantages in so far as possible to
meet the ideas of our opponent and to satisfy his sense of justice. By so doing
we shall transform him into a friend. Self-will obstructs the success which
friendly cooperation would establish.
Confession and Retrospection
We have heard much concerning confession.
Perhaps we thought it of no value. We may have thought that confessing our
wrong-doings to a priest or minister would have no effect. Nevertheless, there
is a very important metaphysical principle concealed in it; namely, confession
dissipates the emotional force built into thought forms of past wrongdoing,
releases it, and helps, to restore poise to the personality. When wrong is done
which involves fear, shame, anger, etc., that thought form sinks down into the
subconscious and there ferments Particularly so, if the wrong is not righted at
the time. Thought forms of this kind may ferment in the subconscious for years
and eventually generate what are called "complexes." If one has enough
of these complexes buried in his make-up, he gradually loses his poise and
becomes nervous, sometimes neurotic. This is where confession comes in.
Confession releases the emotional energy in the buried complexes so that it
evaporates and is no longer in a position to cause trouble.
Confession does not have to be made to a
priest or a minister. It could be made to the person who has been wronged. It is
very helpful to confess to some trust-worthy person. Or it can be made to the
Higher Self. This confession to the Higher Self is called
"retrospection." It should be made after retiring each night,
reversing the order of the day's events. Retrospection to be effective should be
done with the greatest possible amount of feeling of contrition; in so doing, we
are purifying and releasing the suppressed emotional forces of the hidden
complexes. Large numbers of people find that confession in one form or another
gives almost unbelievable relief and is followed by a remarkable increase in
material success.
It is an excellent idea to extend the
principle of confession or retrospection to the preceding years of life so as to
clear up the complexes that have become imbedded in the make-up and which
frustrate success. This process might be called delayed retrospection. This is
done best in writing. Sit down and write out systematically a general outline of
the events of the past which have involved fear, anger, shame, etc. Do as much
as possible at a time. Later, continue until the whole life has been
retrospected. Gradually, a wonderful mental and emotional release will be found.
And this will be reflected in improved conditions affecting work and material
needs. This writing should be done secretly, and, of course, names of others
should be omitted. Such writing later should be destroyed.
Health and Right Thinking
We cannot be a true success in life unless
we have a reasonable degree of health; therefore, we must consider health in
seeking a satisfactory supply of material needs. We must realize always that our
life force comes from the Power Within, the Ego. If anything interferes with the
flow of this life down through the personality and the body, ill health results.
It is possible to imprison the Ego behind a cloud of wrong thought forms --
false beliefs -- so that the constructive flow of the life force from the Ego is
decidedly reduced. If we make destructive thought forms (those of fear, anger,
sensuality, etc.) which limit us, if we allow ourselves to believe that evil has
power over us, and if we believe that we are limited in life and always will be
-- all these things tend to imprison the Ego.
For health, it is necessary that the
personality, the mind, and the will cooperate with the Ego and refuse to make
restraining thought forms. In addition to refusing to add to this mental cloud
of the past, it is possible to forge an instrument with which the existing
thought cloud can be pierced and destroyed. This instrument consists of new
thought forms of confidence and strength, of the omnipotence of the Inner Power,
of optimism, of success and of sureness that all good things are attainable. If
we make new thought forms along this line, they will combine themselves into a
composite thought form of great strength and potent This will be the impudent to
pierce the mental cloud Ed to release the Ego
We must realize that only wrong thirsting
can block that power. We can change our thoughts, and that power will be
released and will work a miracle in our lives. It will restore our health. It
will change our mental condition. We can use our imagination to make mental
pictures of improved health and of the great power of the Ego within, and these
pictures will blend with other thought forms of strength and courage and become
a part of the instrument of release. We will find that we are no longer the
slave of ill health. We will find that health is the normal accompaniment of
poise and of a balanced emotional condition. With health will come a greater
ability for success in work and in all material lines.
Happiness and Thought Control
Happiness resides solely in the mind.
External conditions have an influence on happiness only as they are allowed to
affect the making of thought forms through the mind. Thought forms have the
property of clothing themselves with that substance of the invisible plane which
we know as emotion. If we think thoughts of optimism and happiness, emotional
substance of happiness is built into the mind, and we are happy regardless of
all material and bodily conditions.
If, on the other hand, we make thought forms
of fear and failure, they build into the mind the emotional substance of
unhappiness, and we would be unhappy even if we had all the wealth of the world
and even if our health were perfect. Thus we see that happiness resides solely
in the mind, and that by thought control and thought substitution, we have the
key to happiness and success at all times.
In conclusion, we will give three little
formulas for self-help which are based on sound metaphysical principles and
which have proved their value.
Positive Thought
First, Positive Thought. Keep the mind
habitually positive and alert, not relaxed and inert. Positive thought
automatically shuts out a crowd of tramp thoughts and desires that are floating
through the mental atmosphere. When these thoughts are shut out, they cease to
be an influence in life, and one's mental creations become far better with a
decided increase in the materialization of the desirable things of life.
Think of God
Second, the Golden Key. When in trouble,
when fearful of losing money, friends, or job, when something of value is lost,
we should not continue to make thought forms of these undesired losses, which
would add to the general depression. We should, instead, reverse the process and
think of God. God includes all desirable things. By refusing to think of
misfortune and by constantly thinking of God, we are making thought forms of
strength, beauty, goodness, and success, even though unconsciously. These in due
time will materialize into good, and the calamity feared will have been averted.
Duty Liberates
Third, the Power of Duty. Duty performed
one day at a time has the power to create enough good to get us through the day.
Tomorrow will be another day in which the process can be repeated. Duties
performed with love are a way of liberation. This is a vital key to success over
any period of life. The success which comes as a result of duty performed will
not always be the kind that we would have selected, but it will be true success
from the standpoint of the Spirit, and that is the main thing. Moreover, in due
time this will resolve itself into a form of success which will be easily
recognized and admitted as the best kind. In the meantime, we will be relieved
of fear and anxiety because we will know that everything will come out all right
in the end. Thus, through the power of duty performed, we will become able to live
by faith in the Inner Power, which is the most fundamental secret of success
in life, including work and the supply of all material needs.
|