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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.
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