"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." __John 10:10

As there is an outer, orthodox, or every-day Bible interpretation and application with which most of us are familiar, so is there an inner, esoteric or Spiritual interpretation. This inner teaching today, as in the time of the Nazarene and ages before, is rightly known as "The Mysteries."

Inner instruction, throughout all times, was, and now is, given only to those who have an inner desire, or urge, to live the life and attain to Illumination and Soul Consciousness. To accomplish this, the seeker or Neophyte must pass through three degrees or stages of development or growth. These are:

First Stage: Purification of thoughts and habits.
Second Stage: Development of the "Inner" Consciousness.
Third Stage: Initiation or Attainment.

Contrary to the erroneous ideas and impressions so universally and tenaciously held, these developments do not just come to man at his will or by faith, but according to a definite law:

"Ask, and it shall be given you; Seek, and ye shall find; Knock, and it shall be opened unto you." __Matt. 7:7

This quotation indicates that besides faith, a three-fold effort must be made by those who would receive the fruits of the promises made by Biblical writers. This is in full agreement with the Mysteries which stipulate that if man is to enjoy the benefits of Divine Law, he must live according to its dictates.

Had the Books of the New Testament been intended for literal interpretation, then no such admonition would have been given to man by the Master Teacher. Asking, seeking and knocking would not be necessary. Faith, alone, would be all-sufficient. This, in itself, proves the contention that there is both an outer meaning for the masses, and an inner, vital, mysterious or esoteric meaning for the few who are able, willing and ready to accept it. This inner, or Occult sense, is clearly indicated in the following statement:

"And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying: Read, this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed." __Isaiah 29:11

To read the inner meaning hidden in these words, it is not enough merely to be wise. Proper interpretation also requires the knowledge and the help of those who have attained; who have become Soul Conscious, or Cosmic Conscious.

The Inner or esoteric meaning has never been taught openly or to the masses. The Nazarene, like Moses before him, was required to go to Egypt, there to be instructed in the Mysteries; the term "Mysteries" designation this inner knowledge. The Nazarene had in mind the Mysteries or inner knowledge, his own experience, when he commanded: "Ask and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you."

It was/is the desire of the Infinite that ALL men should seek for the truth and be willing to live in accordance with its dictates Unfortunately, only a very few are willing to observe Divine Law; but the many do all in their power to secure the benefits of the Law without effort; in modern parlance: to get something for nothing.

If further proof were necessary to establish the fact that there is an inner meaning to the books of the New Testament, or that wisdom is not offered to those who do not seek, this proof is supplied by the question asked of the Nazarene: "Why speak ye in parables?".

That question was propounded to the Nazarene because he had been teaching or preaching to the multitude in parables, instead of speaking in plain language easily understood by all within hearing. Why, if he thought his listeners capable of understanding the truth, did he instruct them by means of allegory and even myths? Can any one believe that he did not want the masses to know the truth? Such a thought is unthinkable and unworthy of an honest mind. The truth is, he know the masses were but children in wisdom and that, as such, they must be taught accordingly. Meanwhile to the few, such as his disciples, he said:

"It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given." __Matt. 13:11

There is proof of a double doctrine; one teaching for the few, the other for the many> It was clear to him that the masses were incapable of understanding the spirit hidden within his words, because they were unprepared; while the few, prepared by time and effort, were able to comprehend the Mysteries.

The mass, throughout the ages, has recognized the need of something, but with the exception of a few amongse the multitude, were unwilling to either prepare, or earn, that which they desired. Despite all this and however how unworthy or low in character they may have been, there was present that inner monitor which made them feel, though they were unable to understand, that there was something better and greater than all they had lived or experienced. This something was the nebulous, far away "kingdom of heaven." But where was this much desired "kingdom of heaven?" How was it to be found? The Nazarene answered the question:

"The Kingdom of God is within you." __Luke 17:21

Did they understand? Not al all, and not understanding, they concluded that it was in some far off sphere, at some far off time. Only those who had sought, made effort and attained, could understand.

Again, he answered the question of how to find this kingdom, and the answer was almost as difficult to comprehend:

"Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." __Matt. 18:3

To be as little children, requires, among other things, to have faith and to be obedient. The normal child has faith in those to whom it goes for help or appeals for guidance. Those who have experienced the "baptism of John" or "of water," have awakened to the fact that there is something in life that is greater, more desirable, and more lasting than the things that are apparent and made of temporal substance. They know that, like the child, they must have full faith in the one who is ready to give them the desired instructions and must display an earnest willingness to obey such guidance until the sought objective is attained.

It has been the work of those who themselves had passed through the Mysteries to instruct and help all who seek to find this "kingdom within themselves." the Neophytes must be willing to so live and labor as to awaken the Christos buried underneath the debris for centuries and through many incarnations, and bring him to resurrection and into life.

Unfortunately, in comparison to the few prepared to lead and teach, there are multitudes who are so steeped in form and erroneous teachings, that they not only will not believe, but they try to discourage all who would seek this inner mystery for themselves. Some of these are merely ignorant, others are purely selfish, while the many think only of their own personal interests and care little for the welfare of the mass. Of one of these last who profess, but do not posses the question was rightly asked:

"Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?" __John 3:10

This same question can be asked of many who though no longer orthodox and form-bound, ignorantly profess to be able to teach the path to truth and wisdom, and to lead their followers out of the wilderness of error, while they themselves do not possess the slightest inkling of the truths hidden in Biblical legends and parables. They themselves are in total spiritual darkness and in absolute ignorance of the Mysteries. They are, in fact, "blind leaders of the blind."

Ever, the challenge to the seeker is:

"Whoso readeth, let him understand." __Matt. 24:15

It is not too difficult for men who read the letter to understand the meaning of the letter: but to read the letter and be able to understand the hidden meaning, the meaning or spirit hidden within the letter, is beyond those who have not been sufficiently enlightened in both the letter and the spirit.

Those who know the Mysteries maintain, as they always have, that none are capable of unraveling the mysteries hidden in parable and legend, unless and until they have first lived the life, obeyed the law, and have come into the consciousness of the inner self.

There is a deep meaning in this command. If there were not a hidden spiritual meaning in conjunction with the literal meaning, the injunction of the Nazarene, "whoso readeth, let him understand," would have been no more than idle words. Once men accept the truth that there is an underlying spiritual sense in all sacred teachings, then, by means of obedience to this spiritual sense, they will know that this command was limited to those indicated by the promise:

"We speak wisdom among them that are perfect." __I Cor. 2:6

This statement is proof of several things: First: There is a possibility of becoming perfect, and that some are perfect. Second: It is proof that by no means are all perfect.

If there were none perfect then the Nazarene would assuredly not have used such phraseology. If all were perfect, then again there would have been no reason for the statement. Common sense tells us that there would be - there could be - no such thing as perfection.

The statement is assurance that all who so desire, and who are willing to make the effort and pay to the last farthing, may attain to this perfection. No one, it is freely admitted, has a monopoly on truth. It must, however, be admitted that everyone who lived, taught and experienced as did the Nazarene, "knew whereof he spoke," and could be relied upon as a teacher and a leader.

Those who tell you that no man may know more than another, or that some are especially selected or appointed to know the truth, thereby convict themselves either of ignorance or conceit, and contradict all that the Nazarene represented and taught. Moreover, those guilty of making such a statement, only convict themselves of pretending to have a superior judgment and a knowledge not possessed by, or possible to, others.

They set themselves up in judgment; while those who have gained true spiritual knowledge, are all too fully aware that there are others who know much more than they themselves, and that these are the "Ye Masters in Israel."

For anyone to have become a "Master in Israel," means that, forst of all, it was necessary to gain mastery of his own internal Israel. To truly become a Master in this day demands that we gain mastery over our lower selves. This is the First Work. It is, in fact, the Great Work of those seeking entrance into the Mysteries and the attainment of Soul or Cosmic Consciousness.

Linked with the command to be "Master in Israel" is the command, given to an earlier age, but applicable alike to all ages: "Man, know Thyself." To actually undertake to know one's self is a gigantic task requiring much time, effort, patience, and above all, self-honesty.

Only after we begin to learn to know and honestly recognize a few things about ourselves, do we begin to understand how very little we really know about ourselves; our weaknesses as well as our possibilities. When you become a "master in Israel," you will then have mastered yourself. Having mastered yourself, you will be able to master the kingdom about yourself and will have learned the "mystery of the kingdom of heaven."

But how and where to begin?

This is answered by one of the most difficult, yet the ost imperative of all commands! You must accept and obey:

"Enter ye in at the strait gate...for strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, and few there are who find it." __Matt. 7:14

Is it any wonder that all, or nearly all, who heard this saying, turned away and sought to find, or gain that kingdom by some easier means, bu a substitute path, by faith only - without works? Isn't the great mass of mankind doing the same thing today, and isn't "Man's inhumanity to man" largely due to this very human tendency?

Read the statement carefully and you can't escape the implication that to succeed, not only in the search for the "kingdom,' but in all other efforts, man must be of one mind - must maintain singleness of purpose. To be of one mind, or of single mind, is to select some one thing and devote all effort to it until it has been accomplished.

When this is done, the one so obeying will believing the concentrated life. The concentrated life is the consecrated life. Such a live, devoted to spiritual development, will gradually bring forth the Christos within, which is not only an inner awakening, but the actual finding of the "kingdom of heaven" and all this implies.

Straight and narrow - no deviation - is the way or the Path. Let us face the truth. We will not be able to follow every ism, doctrine, dogma and practice; we can't stray form the Path to follow the one crying "here" and the other crying "there" and attain to inner or spiritual consciousness - the "kingdom of heaven."

To try to follow every "ism" is diffusion. Diffusion is weakness. Weakness ever ends in defeat, failure and death. On the contrary, if we follow the narrow, that is, the one path, then we will follow the one only thing to the exclusion of all else. This is concentration. Concentration is the centralization of powers and forces which beget life and ends in Immortalization.

Times have changed greatly. Men have changed but little. Today, as ever, few men become masters. The mass is made up of dabblers. They are not satisfied to choose, and having chosen, to "follow trough." It is much esier and, seemingly, less monotonous, to follow one path today, or as long as it is interesting and demands no special effort, another path tomorrow and so on.

Many students, claiming to be seekers, follow one leader today who promises earth and heaven, only to switch to another, with greater claims, tomorrow. This is the path to defeat; to weakness; to failure both material and spiritual; one depending upon the other. "Straight is the fate and narrow is the way," cautioned the Master Teacher. But how few believe? Or believing how many will accept the dictate and "follow through"?

Of all these who dabble and never succeed; never attain; never become; it might truly be said today, as it was said of others long ago.

"For now" - as of the present - "we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face." __I Cor. 13:12

The man who is wholly of the flesh, the man of the world, the dabbler, the follower of false doctrines, of promises never fulfilled, is able to see only as through a glass darkly. His vision is beclouded because the light within, intended to "light his path through the world," has never been given attention; has never been brought into activity, but is hidden under a bushel" of rubbish. He has failed to choose; he has not concentrated; he has not chosen the "narrow path," not the "way that is straight." He has failed to blazon the way, and so continues to grope in darkness, swayed by the varying opinions of others who may know less than he, and straying farther and farther from the Path. His lower material self is the "bushel" that hides the light which would lead him in the way of all that is desirable in life, and likewise open for him the doors into the "kingdom of heaven."

If, perchance, he awakens from his ignorance, accepts the dictates that "straight is the way," and "narrow is the path," that there can be no deviation; because he must live within the Law, he will then slowly, gradually, begin to live the life of the light, of enlightenment. By thinking, desiring and living on the basis of Divine Law, he will begin to burn up, consume, or transmute - change - the dross of the carnal, gross material self into its spiritual counterpart.

This will light up the fires of the Soul within; the darkness upon the "glass" within will gradually clear away, and when after Illumination or Soul Consciousness is achieved, he then will see truth (that which really exists and not merely appears to be) as it is. Then will he recognized the Soul, his real self. He will be brought face to face with the light upon the altar that light in which God always appeared, and still appears, to those who have been faithful to his laws and have drawn aside the veil wherein, or beyond which, is hidden the "kingdom of heaven,' of which if is said "so few there be who find it."

Why is this so? As always, there is an answer. Every Philosophic Initiate and Initiate of the Mysteries knows the answer, but since we are quoting the Bible, let's turn to it for the answer:

"The veil is upon their hears," II Cor. 3:15, "until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled." __Luke 21:24

This veil is materialism, selfishness, bigotism, self-interest and all of the things that hold men in bondage to both their lower selves and to others of like nature. Materialism and unbelief - even downright disbelief in the very existence of a supreme Being, Supreme Ruler or Supreme Architect of the Universe - have become so great that faith is almost a nonexistent quality in the human heart. Man has lost faith in everything. Worse still, he has lost faith even in himself. He passes through life, tempest-tossed and floundering about, much as the ship upon ocean without a captain or rudder.

But the time of the "Gentile" is passed. Men are beginning to awaken to the fact that nothing can exist without a governing Law, and if there is such a Law, there must be a Lawgiver. His name? What does it matter what we call Him. One name is as good as another. Whatever the name, it is but a symbol of the reality. Once we understand this truth and enter into the spirit of it, we will possess the key to all religion.

Men, one here, one there, are becoming conscious of the fact that there are greater, deeper and more desirable things in life than they are able to imagine, and that they may win possession of these realities without deriving themselves of any of the really good things they already possess.

Are you weary unto death? Tired of doubt and sickness? Do you seek to enter the "straight and narrow gate" to the life more abundant? Then there is the Way. Now is the time, and there are those ready to help you, lead you, guide you. Let the Trinity of God, the Triangle with its point towards heaven, like the Flame upon the altar, point out the path for you.

THE TRINITY

God The Father
The Holy Ghost The Mother, Feminine side
The Son The Christos, or Christic principle
The outer Manifestation Man

MAN A TRINITY - FOUR SQUARE

Mind The Builder
Spirit The Breath, or Life of man
Soul The Christos within
The Foundation The physical body

The Re-Birth

"My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you." __Galatians 4:19

Orthodoxy has claimed and taught the millions throughout the centuries that Christ was an individual, a personal being who lived centuries ago; who taught and healed and did must as other men did, and who is now seated on "the right hand of the throne in heaven." If this is correct, what then of this Christ of Paul (Gal. 4:19) who must be born in travail in you, That is, in every man? Is this Christ not the Christos of the Gnostics and of the present new church of the Illuminated; the same Christ as the Christ become manifest in the Nazarene as a result of His life and efforts.

If this be not true, then Paul was grossly in error and his statement of the pain and suffering until Christ or Christos be formed, or reborn in you, that is, in all of us, is a falsehood and utterly untrue, misleading, and makes of the New Testament a book unworthy of faith a text unworthy to be followed. "I travail in birth again until Christ be formed (born) in you." __Gal. 4:19. Surely, nothing could be worded more plainly or more positively than this.

The illustration here given exemplifies the threefold, and the four-square being. Here is clearly shown the Trinity, but man must become for-square before the Trinity can manifest in, or through him. The Altar mentioned in Exodus was four-square, symbolizing a perfect manhood in which the Christos had become - been formed - and symbolizes what may take place in all of us:

"A cubit shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof: foursquare shall it be: and two cubits shall be the height thereof: the horns thereof shall be of the same." __Exodus 30:2

Man as a Holy Temple

The components of man; Mind, Spirit and Soul, dwell in a "house" not made with hands and, if he will, this house may be transformed into a replica of the Biblical Temple of Solomon. This kind of a temple was mentioned frequently by the Nazarene:

"Ye are the temple of the living God." __II Cor. 6:16

Such a temple may be brought into reality. In the process, the gross body of man must be refined, reconstructed and properly prepared, and the Christos, the dormant, sleeping Soul within, must be brought into Consciousness. Then, and then only, will it be the /a temple of God.

"Ye are the temple of the living God," but see to it that you do your part in preparing it for so great a guest. The efficient housewife, in preparing for a favored guest, will clean every nook and corner of dirt and rubbish, so that here house will be in perfect order. It is everyone's duty, if it is the desire that the body be God's temple, to follow the example of the good housewife and see to it that the house is in order, lest the desired guest, appearing, will not accept the hospitality offered.

This temple which may become the house of God - His Temple - is man's physical body. Neither God nor man's own Soul can manifest unless there is proper preparation; moreover, because man was created after the image of God, it was intended that in giving him such a body, he would, in turn, keep it in such condition that God might at all times manifest through it, or by means of it, to perform His work.

Paul made it clear that the purity of man is the glory of God:

"Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" __I Cor. 6:20

We are able to glorify God in spirit only as we obey the Laws governing the welfare of the body; refusing to abuse t in any way, and doing all in our power to keep it in perfect condition. This is not only true from a material, physical aspect, bu also from the spiritual. The Spirit - our desires - must be active in such effort. It is the desire which is the incentive to bring about this rebuilding of the body into a Solomon's temple.

We glorify God in body and Spirit when we keep the body clean and undefiled; when we do not use the body, or any bodily power of force for ignoble purposes, and when we thank God - not by mere words, but by feeling - and employ our abilities in doing good and useful works; works such as benefit not only ourselves, but others as well.

"But now are they many members, yet but one body." __I Cor. 12:20

The body is composed of many members, many powers, forces, capabilities; all of which may be used for good or ill. Speech is only one member of the body but may be employed for a multitude of purposes. It can bring praise to God and great blessings to others; or it may be the reverse; a curse of the self and a damnation to others. A word may save or condemn. A command may throw the world into chaos; create war and destroy men and nations.

As speech is only one of the members of the body and can do untold evil, so are there countless other "members," all of them capable of good and evil, according to the inclination of the spirit. It therefore behooves us to look after the spirit, exalt it, and then let it direct the members of the body.

Another statement or command, one seldom considered by mankind, is:

"The Lord is in his Holy Temple: let all the earth keep silence before Him." __Hab. 2:20

"All the earth' is the material man; the body of man is the earth and belongs to the earth. This "keeping silence" is to be interpreted that man is to silence evil thoughts, is not to do anything but that which is good in the sight of God, thereby "glorifying Him,' while also benefitting himself and all mankind.

The Soul of man, the Christos within him, once it has been awakened and brought into consciousness, is then the "Lord or God in that Temple, dwelling as it does within the Sanctum Sanctorum, even as did Solomon in his own temple. This Soul is then inclined only to that which is good and desirable and will keep silent the evil and destructive desires and inclinations that would otherwise be active and in possession of the temple.

"What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" __I Cor. 6:19.

Perhaps he who wrote Corinthians had a deeper knowledge of the esoteric or Arcane of religion than any other writer of the books of the Bible. This God in you, and ye are the temples of the living God, was is the mystery of Mysteries. To build this "temple" and to find this "God" or "Holy Ghost" - Holy Ghost symbolizing the Light or spirit of the Soul - was the work of Initiation throughout all time. It was for this purpose that the child Nazarene was taken into Egypt so that there he might be taught how to develop himself and bring the Soul, the Christos, into consciousness.

If this is contradicted, then many of the books of the Bible become mere fiction of the worst and most misleading kind. If it is admitted, then the work of religion and the church is to teach, to guide and to encourage. This, however, does not include the saving of man's Soul, because man must save himself by his own efforts as clearly indicated throughout all of Corinthians and other books of the Bible. "Ye are the temple of the Living God" refers to the inner kingdom wherein may dwell the Living God.

"My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you." __Gal. 4:19.

The Christos is born or brought into consciousness; birth being in pain or travail - "until Christ be formed in you" having the same meaning as when a child is formed in its mother's womb, inside, within her.

All of these statements are do plain and to the point that they cannot be mistaken. In them it is clearly indicated that God, or the Holy Ghost is within, and not in some far-off place, and the Law of Hermes must not for a moment be forgotten. If there is, even though unconscious, a Soul, a Christos, a Holy Ghost, a "God" within man, the "little world," then it follows that in the above or in the great world; there also must be a Lawgiver; one who Created; the Holy spirit which is over all; the God, Father of us all, of which this little Soul wthin is a mere Spark, capable of becoming the Son of God. This is man's mission on earth; the Great Work of the Mysteries, or Initiation.

"If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." __I Cor. 3:17

If man defiles the body by any means, then is so doing he also defiles or degrades the temple of God; for God created man so that he might be a replica of Himself and represent Him, or be His ambassador on earth. This despite the fact that man has been so poorly instructed, or has been so indolent a scholar, that he paid little or no heed to the commands of the Law.

No one, however illiterate, need remain ignorant of the many and various means for defiling, degrading and destroying this temple. In the little book of Corinthians all these evils are pointed out in simple language, so simple that all may understand. This body of man was created in the image of Him who created it in order that it might be holy, but man ignorantly or deliberately followed the "crooked" instead of the "straight and narrow path." He has made this temple an unholy place; a place of barter and all manner of evils.

The warning is that if this is allowed to continue and restitution is not made, if Regeneration does not take place, then shall the temple be destroyed. There are no provisions for saving it except by not defiling it; or, having defiled it, to cleanse or purify it through Regeneration, restoring it to its original purity.

In all of his ministry, the Nazarene made special efforts to teach these simple laws, but much of his teaching fell on deaf ears - like the "sower casting his seed upon rocky soil." Mankind would not listen and, at last, it was necessary for him to say to the very few:

"To you [only] it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, to them it is not so given." __Matt. 13:11

The writer of Corinthians, in order to impress this all important Law, the only means of "saving" man, and helping him to attain this consciousness as a Son of God, repeats it time and again, in slightly different words, as in":

"Ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them and walk in them." __II Cor. 6:16

The Mind

The mind is the architect, the builder of the Immortal Soul, since only mind can think, reason, imagine, plan and then execute or construct that which it has imagined or planned.

The divine within man, whether we call it the Divine Spark, the Christos, or by any other name is, for the time being, unconscious, and unconscious it must remain until the desires and feelings of the heart become awakened and in mind and heart is born the desire for something better and greater than has been known and experienced in the past.

If this desire is not suppressed, but is encouraged and permitted to gain in strength - and if it become a continuous urge - then it will so influence the mind that the mind will begin to think in harmony with it and plan accordingly. Then will begin the building of that "temple not made with hands."

So long as there is no awakening in man's better nature, his Divine nature, his higher nature - an exaltation - man remains the slave of passion, greed, hatred, anger and all the other degrading emotions which build unto death.

"As he thinketh in his heart, so is he." __Proverbs 23:7.

The writer who wrote this proverb had an insight into the mysterious power of the mind, though we would rewrite the passage to read:

As a man feels in his heart, thinks in his mind and acts accordingly, so will he become.

Once man awakens to something greater than the mere physical being; its passions and weaknesses, and begins to feel in his heart or emotional nature, he will begin to behave and act accordingly. As he feels and acts so will he build. His building will be either a brothel of carnality, or a temple of the Living God. By mere thinking, men cannot be "saved," much less can they become Soul-Conscious or Regenerated, or attain to the status of Sons of god. Actions must follow the thought incited by desire. If this procedure is followed - thought - desire - action - not merely for a fleeting moment, but continuously and faithfully, then will be "erected" the temple wherein dwells God, i.e., the Awakened Christos, the Immortal, Conscious Soul.

Mind is the planner, the architect, the builder. It builds, not of its own accord - for mind is cold, unfeeling, even cruel - but at the bidding of the feelings of the heart, the better inner self.

Once the building is finished, the work consummated, the tenant, the dweller - which in this case is the Christos, The Holy Ghost, or God - "takes over," for now the "Son of man has become the Son of God," and the mind's work is completed.

Soul

The Soul, which men talk so much about, but of which they know so little, belongs not to man, but to the Source, or God, from whence it came. The story of the Talents might well be applied here. To man God gave a part of Himself with an intent of what should be done with that part. Man was also given carefully planned Laws to be followed that this Spark from God might attain its highest degree of perfection.

If man obeys, if he follows the dictates of the Law, then this Divine Spark, which is universally and erroneously called the "Soul," may be developed and awakened into Consciousness. Then, and not until then, it becomes the Soul; while the body, through the same effort and operation of the Law, becomes its Temple.

The Soul, once developed and brought into Consciousness, is a Divine White Fire or Flame and manifests as such. It is because of this that God, whenever appearing to men, did so in Light, a Flame, Lightning, or some form thereof. This Flame in embryo, i.e., as yet undeveloped and unconscious, is resident in all normal men.

In some Initiates this Fire is very large and is constantly burning with a flame of brilliant intensity. To these, the Nazarene said: "To you is given to know the kingdom of heaven." Why? Because they became conscious of this "kingdom" within, the moment they had found the Center wherein the Flame dwells; the Altar upon which it burns; the Sanctum Sanctorum of Solomon. In the carnal man this fire is no more than an infinitely small spark, unconscious even of its own existence and wholly submerged in materiality, much like material gold is buried deep within the mountain of earth.

This Divine Spark, this Flame of Divinity, is not an entity until it is developed, and this must be brought about by the possessor himself. No one can do this for him. Faith alone cannot accomplish the work. Creeds and form have no power over it except as an incentive to personal effort. Man must awaken to the truth that there is something more to himself than the apparent; more than skin and bones; more than a mental machine used chiefly in trying to make money, gain favors or become powerful, perhaps at the expense of others; more than a carnal being satiating the self in carnal pleasures.

When once man recognizes this, he will radically change his thoughts, his desires and his efforts; all to his eternal welfare; he will come into possession of all that is truly desirable and to his welfare, and in addition, in biblical language, receive the "favors of heaven."

In, on the contrary, man continues to live as he has these many thousands of years, he will live only in the personality. The Divine Spark will not be awakened and he will die as he has lived; wholly ignorant of the divine powers, forces and possibilities inherent within himself - his talents buried instead of wisely used. The Divine Spark will then return to the Godhead, whence it came, to undergo another pilgrimage, perhaps under more favorable circumstances and conditions, while he will have returned to the elements of his "fathers" and become at one again with the earth from which the body was formed.

Every man receives this "talent" from God an the moment of birth, when he inbreathes the spirit of life. It then becomes buried in the flesh and will remain there until the time of accounting, when it will be taken from him, unless he has been awakened to the greater life and made an effort to bring into consciousness that which is not of earth, but an inheritance from the Divine.

Men, otherwise sane and sensible, well-balanced and reasonable, are willing to believe that somewhere and at some time, one- no mater what his name - was willing to be crucified so that they might be saved. These same men fail to realize that within themselves is buried - also crucified - the Christos that is awaiting rebirth. They, for the most part, are ignorant of the fact, that they are indeed, and in truth, "temples of the living God." They little realize that within themselves, a Christ is crying to be released from His sleep to be brought into consciousness. Of these it was written:

"The Soul that sinneth, it shall die." __Ezekiel 18:4.

This is an incorrect translation. That which is part of God cannot die. The Soul, or that which might be brought into consciousness as a Soul, cannot die; but the personality, temporarily in possession of this Divine Spark, this "talent" from God, it can and shall die if it fails to make the effort necessary to bring this Divine Spark into the Consciousness of its Divine Inheritance and, in Biblical language, become a Son of God.

Man can no longer plead ignorance. He may not be much of a reader, nor a Bible student - and he need not be. But if he so much as reads the short book of Corinthians, he will find all the knowledge he needs to start him on the Path, and there is literature in abundance to enlighten him along "the Way."

To begin with, let that man be honest with himself. He must make an effort to cleanse the temple that is himself, and make it a fit dwelling place for the Divine. When this is accomplished, there will be born within himself the desire, followed by the urge, to make further and greater effort to learn the truth, and to find the Way. The work will be outlined to him so that he will be able to walk the "straight and Narrow path" and gradually bring into conscious birth the Christos within himself. This, in turn, will be his Saviour and his Immortalization.

Man has a material duty to himself, to his family and to his country. He has a right to success; in fact, it is his duty to succeed and to obtain for himself and those dependent upon him the best of everything to be had, provided this is accomplished in an honest manner. This, however, is only a small part of the obligation placed upon him as a result of his birth on earth. If he succeeds only n all this, he will yet have failed under the dictates of the Law, the greater work having been left undone, because:

"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own Soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his Soul?" __St. Matt. 16:26.

In this excerpt is couched a clear and uncontradictable statement: the certainty of a Law which provides that we may develop the mind and its powers, and become masters of the world.(2) We may have the powers to reach the heights of intellectual attainment; brilliant as a mind can be; we may develop the body of a Venus or Juno; we may become King or Emperor of the world; but if the Soul is neglected, all of this will avail us nothing and will be worth not a farthing when the roll is called. On the contrary, all of these worldly attainments will be like a millstone arond the neck of a drowning man, when we stand before the judgement seat.
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(2) Although this is accepted as a truth, it is not a valid reason for conceit or vanity. Today man may be King or President, or victorious General; tomorrow suffer from severe toothache or acute indigestion and supplicate those lesser than himself for relief; while traitorous subject may undermine him or undue all his good works.
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Here are two quotations from the Bible that find support in all other sacred literature: "The Soul that sinneth, it shall die," and "What does it profit a man if he gain the whole world but lose his own Soul?" Consideration of the Laws implied in these quotations is most vital to man's temporal and eternal welfare. Yet these Laws are the most ignored of all Laws that Sacred literature teaches.

Why? Because man is afraid to face the truth; afraid that these statements will not only accuse him, but condemn him, as in fact they do. It would be well if man would bethink himself, give these two statements careful, honest, minute consideration; analyze himself and then pass judgement upon himself. Doing this would be to his eternal welfare.

The Bible tells us there shall be many false teachers during the last days. This is a mistranslation of the Biblical statements. There have always been many false teachers; many who lead the mass astray, and these have never been so plentiful as at the moment. All of these self-styled teachers appear to have found an easy way for many to reach "salvation."

In most instances the "way is merely to believe - not think - simply obey, and supply these leaders with a means to an easy livelihood. The Nazarene did not hesitate to condemn, in the most severe terms he could think of, those who traded their wares in the temple. This is symbolic of those leaders, "merchants of salvation," who trade human souls in exchange for power, leadership and money.

Those misled can find little consolation in the fact that the leaders who deceived them will find themselves eternally condemned for they, above all others, well ‘gain (much) the world, but in exchange will have lost (sold) their Souls." Those who foolishly, perhaps selfishly, follow them, will fare little better.

"The Soul that sinneth," which is also to say, the Soul that refuses to obey, ‘shall die." This is the Divine Fiat. It is the Eternal decree. There is no need to experience this spiritual death. The way and the means of salvation are at hand. The Law does not demand a denial of the things that are of benefit to body, mind and Soul, but only an obedience to the Laws which have the welfare of all in view. Obey the Law and the Law will obey you. That is to say, the Law will guide, provide for, and protect you.

The Soul in most men is no more than a Spark and, by the word and spirit of theLaw, it must be brought into consciousness by each individual as a result of his own desires and efforts in obedience to the Law. The Divine Spark is not part of the dust of the earth, is not raised out of the dust of the earth, and is not entrusted to man until that which is formed out of the dust - man's body - has been completed and is prepared and in readiness for its reception.

"And the Lord god formed man of the dust of the ground, and [then] breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became [received] a living Soul." __Gen. 2:7.

The Body

The Soul is not given to, or conceived with, the conception of the life-germ that is to built into a body. It is not until the body is completed, ready for its entrance into the world as a separate being that the embryonic soul Takes up its abode within the body. Then, the body, having left the "moulder or its being,' draws its first breath, and, at that very instant, inhales the Divine Spark, which may become an Eternal Soul.

The human mother, as a result of the seeds planted, fashions the body, generally unconsciously and without a pattern or design. She could, if she so desired, and possessed the Will to try, fashion it as she willed and could bring forth Gods into the world. This is really the privilege of all mothers and, in time, as women gain knowledge of their ability, it will become their greatest desire to do just this.

In the process of being fashioned, built or constructed, this body represents the "building of a house without the sound of hammer," fearful and mysterious (even to the greatest scientists) to behold. This process takes place regardless of how ignorant the mother-to-be may be.

How shall it be when woman is as well informed of the means and methods of building such a body, as is the architect of a palace or a skyscraper?

She may become so informed; she may so build; she is able, if she will, to become the mother of giants or Gods.(3) this is a fact, not a fable. The mother of the Nazarene is an example. She was properly instructed and did build not only a perfect body, but likewise attracted a highly developed Soul. Other mothers-to-be may do likewise. It is within their power and it is their privilege. When mothers, as a whole, begin to comprehend this truth, there will begin a new race; then will be the beginning of the reconstruction of humanity. Ths is the secret of bringing genius into the world and eliminating madmen, power-mad men, egomaniacs, and despoilers of humanity.
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(3) See Pre-Natal Culture. Philosophical Publishing Company, Quakertown, Penna.
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"Hear, and your Soul shall live." __55:3

It is not sufficient that we hear a truth, or learn and understand a Law. It is necessary that we obey that Law; that we follow this law in thought, desire and act. Only by doing that which the Law teaches can we become that which the Law promises.

The child in the mother's body cannot live unless it is brought forth. The Divine Spark within man is like unto the unborn body of the child in the mother-to-be. It must be brought into reality; it must be brought into manifestation, and it can be brought forth only if it is first Developed, as is the child in the womb; then born into consciousness, and finally brought forth. It is not enough to "hear"; it is necessary to obey; to follow the directions of the Law so that birth of the Soul, like that of the body, is made possible and actually takes place.

Have I a Soul? Have you a Soul? Can we answer this question? The Mother can answer when questioned: Have you a son or daughter? Why should not we be able to do so when questioned regarding the Soul? It is easy to say that we believe we are possessed of a Soul, because we have been told frequently that we do. But - do we?

The self-appointed teachers and leaders who, in all too many instances, do not know as much as you do, will tell you to "believe and you will be saved," but that you cannot know whether or not you possess a Soul: that no man can.

By saying this they display their utter ignorance of things spiritual; they convict themselves. They are the false teachers and prophets who lead flocks into darkness and endless death. Were they to approach the Halls of the Mysteries ( of the "kingdom of heaven") and be questioned: "Where and what is the Soul?" they would answer; they themselves are still of those who must be "taught in parables."

The Spirit

Spirit, in the correct usage of the word, is the breath of life. It is that which the newly-born child inhales by the first inhalation of air, and by which it has life of its own, separate from the mother who gave him birth. More than that, it is the life of all animate things, and also the "life" even of inanimate things.

In the breath is life. In the breath is power. In the breath are all the elements which help man to accomplish the things that man has brought, and that he will yet be able to bring, into manifestation. Breath is Life breath is also being. In breath also is the fire that will give Light to the Soul.

Breath is the link which formed the "corporation" which we know as Man; but it is more; because with the first intake of breath was inhaled the Divine Spark. By linking body (the material) with mind (the elusive, yet existing), and this Divine Spark, man became - not a Living Soul, but a being or creature, possessing the wherewithal, the element or substance, the seed, the Spark from which, or of which, the living Soul can be developed.

This spirit which is life, has constantly and universally been confused with the Soul. The Soul is the privilege of man only; only of him has it been said that: "he breathed in the spirit of life and became a living Soul," which should be rendered: "And became a god-like being with the privilege of developing a living Soul." This spirit of life as has been said, is in all living things.

When man dies, when all living things die or disintegrate, this spirit which is life, leaves them; returns to, and again becomes a part of the universal life principle which permeates all things; just as the body, bereft of this spirit or life principle, also dies, disintegrates and returns to earth, or the "dust" from which is came.

The brain, of which the mind is the activating principle, being as material as the body - in fact, a part of the body as are muscles, nerves and bones - returns to earth with the body; then, so far as man is concerned, all that is left of the corporation - the four-square unity; the trinity, less the body - is the Soul, if he made the necessary effort to bring this Soul into Consciousness.

In God, or as part of God, is the Holy Ghost, or the Light which is the life of the Soul. It is also the mother side of the Trinity; it is the fire or light of the universe; the floor of the world, the Sustainer, for without this Light, this fire, i.e., heat or warmth of the fire, where could be no life either in man, animals, or vegetables.

Mind and spirit united, are the means of building or developing the Soul. Without mind there could be no imagination, no desire, no plan, no construction. Without the spirit there would be no activity of the mind.

God is the Spirit in the sense that He is the principle of Life; the Life-Giver: "In Him are all things, and without Him there is nothing."

Man is not merely a human creature. More properly, man may be infinitely more, for it is written:

"The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly." __Prov. 20:27.

The correct translation of this would be: "The Soul of man is the Light which illuminates his inner being.."

A candle is for the purpose of giving light; it is a light-giver even in the ordinary sense. This statement, however, is not meant exoterically, but esoterically. The Spirit gives light to the Soul, and the Soul is the Light of the world.

Man, or the Soul of man, is the "candle" of the Lord, or the Light-bringer to the world, after he has succeeded in finding this Light within, bringing it ("from under the bushel") unto manifestation so that others may see it and be guided by it. Hence to be of use to the Lord, or be his candle (Light bearer), man must hearken to the Words of the Lord; this is, obey the Law, so that he may be an exemplar for others to follow.

This means first of all, that man must govern himself; that he must subdue, hold in subjection, and change or transmute the "beast" - the carnal self - uplifting and exalting himself and become as one of the Sons of God. This self-mastery is not an easy matter. It is a Herculean task, but the reward is equally great and of eternal benefit to him who achieves it.

"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit [is better, greater, mightier] than he that taketh a city." __Prov.16:32.

He that conquers a city may be a great leader but weak of spirit; that is, of the life principle, or the vital forces that give length of days, permitting him to accomplish great things. He who, on the other hand, increases these vital forces will have the power to make full use of all his capabilities.

There is much more in the air we breathe than this single spirit we call "life." There are forces contained in the breath which are capable of bringing to life all the energies and Spiritual possibilities lying dormant within each person. Within this air we breathe is the latent fire which will give Light to the soul itself and help man, in Biblical language to "Become one of the gods."

Man generally absorbs from the air only those forces which keep him physically alive by oxidizing the food he eats. Those who know, however, by an effort of desire and the will, absorb and build into themselves all of the forces, powers and energies latent in the air they breathe: the greatest of these being the aeth fires, which are altogether Spiritual and for the purpose of helping to give life to the Soul - bringing it into consciousness.

It is therefor true, that he who is capable of "ruling his spirit," that is, of consciously separating the various forces contained in the air he breathes, for the purpose of maintaining health, strength, mental alertness and finally Spiritual awakening, is far greater that he who conquers a city or, for that matter, a nation, or the earth.

Correctly understood, this spirit is, first of all, the life principle. It permeates the entire being; it is essential in the purification of the whole being; it is the "agent" which helps to give Consciousness to the Soul; and in this sense, it helps to bring about Illumination, for the spirit is Light. This Light to the Soul is necessary to awaken the Christos so that the Christ may be revealed. The spirit is the Life of man; it is the Light of the Soul; it is God in active manifestation.

"The letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." __Cor. 3:6.

To this we have the companion precept: "Faith without works is dead." The letter is the Law, but the Law offers neither value nor protection if not obeyed. Faith is great, but faith without action does not produce results. The letter instructs us what to do and what not to do; it is the Law; but it is dead until we apply it, or make it the rule of our actions; our thoughts, desires and acts. The word is the outer cover. It is exoteric religion as regards man's activity.

The spirit is the mystery; it contains within itself the Arcanum which is the life of religion and of the Soul. Listen to the Word: obey its dictates, then think, feel and act accordingly, and you will know the truth; that is, the life and the power that is hidden in the words. The words are the outer shell; the spirit is the food of life hidden within.

Finally;

"He that refuseth instructions despiseth his own Soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding." __Prov. 15:32.

This, in the language of the Bible, is indeed a hard saying.

Who is thee who is willing, aye, anxious to hear reproof or criticism of his own life and actions? Who is ready and willing that someone hold a mirror before his face that he may see himself as he is and thus learn to know his own weaknesses and errors?

There are few indeed who are strong enough to listen to criticism without a feeling of deep resentment, yet there is no other way in which our weaknesses and our shortcomings can be so quickly and so completely revealed to us, and hence will open the way to eliminate or overcome all that is undesirable in body, mind and Soul.

Truly it is said that he who refuses instructions, a pointing out of the errors of his ways and the means to overcome them, despiseth, that is, has little regard for his own Soul; is of much vanity and little-mindedness. He who is great enough to listen to those who see him as he is, and point out both faults and weaknesses, and in addition, the How to overcome them, will gain the understanding that is wisdom.

Who is there strong enough to accept criticism with a smile and without resentment, in readiness to apply to himself that which he has learned? It is those who, like Solomon, asked for it, who obtain Wisdom and will have "all other things added unto them."

Body, Mind, Spirit and Soul

Man is a three-fold, triplicate, yet four-fold being.

This statement appears to be contradictory and inconsistent. So is man; because it is altogether possible that tomorrow he will be an entirely different creature from what he is today.

It would be a fair question: How can a man be a four-fold being, representing the perfect square; yet be of triplicate, symbolized so perfectly by the triangle; the great pyramid with its capstone perfectly placed?

Seemingly this is impossible; actually, it is possible and may be accomplished by all who are activated by a desire sufficiently strong to induce them to make the necessary effort.

The foundation of man is the body, which is of the earth; earthly, composed of dust and ashes - the residue of "burned-up' things that have previously existed. Upon the body, and both in and from it, must be raised the new structure. All too frequently the seeker after truth and the spiritual life, the things belonging to the Soul, discounts the value and importance of the body. This is due to either ignorance or false teachings, and is a result of the lack of due consideration and analysis of what the body really is. It is on a par with the Nazarene's saying: "the letter is dead, only the spirit liveth."

This is universally interpreted as a command to forget or ignore the letter but give consideration only to the spirit; forgetful of the fact that if we do not understand and obey the letter, it is impossible to know, or come into, the spirit. It is only by obedience to the letter, i.e., the Law, that the spirit can be awakened and we become conscious of it. Hence, the letter is of first importance. This is equally true of the body, because without this body, the spirit and the Soul would lack a dwelling place.

To fully understand these statements we must reason by analogy. Let us suppose we are without a house to live in; therefore, however great we may be, we still are vagabonds. This we seek to correct by building a house for ourselves. Let us say that we have the means at our command to build a house after our ideals. That, then, is necessary?

If we are wise we will not proceed without carefully prepared plans. We may not know how to prepare such plans; therefore we will engage the most competent architect to prepare them for us and above all, be willing to pay the price for that which we want lest we be in debt, and that degree under the dominance of another. After the plans are completed we will proceed to procure the best and most desirable material and workers competent to build the structure which is to be our home.

First of all, the foundation must be prepared and it is well to bear in mind the Master-Teacher's statement: "A house built upon sand will not stand." This building of a house which man - mind, spirit and Soul - is to inhabit, is perfectly analogous to the building of that other structure, "the temple built without hands or the sound of hammer."

If we desire a perfect structure for the spirit, or more properly, the Soul, to inhabit, then our first consideration must be the foundation, and that foundation is the physical body. At the same time we must seek for and find, the most perfect spiritual "architect" who is to instruct, protect and guide us during the building of this structure which is to be the home of the Spiritual being - the Soul - the Son of God.

A house, mansion or palace may be perfectly constructed and all it should be in every detail; nevertheless, that does not prove that the tenant is of the same type and nature. In comparison, we cannot truthfully say that "as is the body, so is the Soul." It is possible for us to develop the body into a perfect condition (for this is the animal man) and then cease our efforts. It is also possible to prepare the body for the greater work of Soul Illumination or Cosmic Consciousness, and stop short of the great goal; possibly not even start that Great Work.

All this being true, it would be correct to say: "as perfect as is the body, do may become, or may be developed, the Soul." Even while the body is being brought into as perfect a condition as possible, functioning normally as it should, it may be accepted as "a sign unto you," that the Soul, the spiritual man, may likewise be developed into its highest perfection; its greatest Consciousness. Physical development, and a normal animal functioning, insofar as this is possible, is the proper foundation for perfect Soul development.

In some instances, due to defects which cannot be corrected, the health and proper functioning of the body may not be altogether possible, however great the effort or perfect the regime followed. This does not indicate that Soul Development and the attainment of Illumination and Cosmic Consciousness is impossible, but the task is that much greater and so also is the effort required. Such a condition should not discourage anyone. The great Occult Law is: Do the best you can, whatever the circumstances or condition: neither God nor the Law demands more than this.

The Master Teacher inculcated the doctrine or truism, that it is not wise, but foolish, to build one's house on sand, but if a house is needed, and there is no other place to build it upon, then this is better than no house at all. The Law that governs us, is: do the best we can and leave the rest to god and His Law.

Since the beginning of form-al religious systems and creeds, emphasis has been placed, not on developing a Soul and bringing it into consciousness, and as a result, gaining salvation, but on salvation by "faith without works is dead."

The preparation of the mind and body for Illumination of Soul and spiritual consciousness, or for any other purpose, for that matter, requires no less careful effort and preparation than that of building a mansion or palace. The wise seeker after such attainment will be most careful in the choice of the system to be followed and will be equally careful in the selection of an instructor. He should be as careful as he would be in the choice of an architect for his house. In doing so, it is most essential for him to bear in mind that, howerer wise he has been in all of this, it will avail him nothing if he then does not implicitly follow, to the very last detail, the plans prepared.

There is one great difference between the building of a house, palace or mansion, and that of building a body as a fit and proper dwelling place for an Awakened, Illuminated Soul. In the building of a material structure, an architect is the first need; then the constructor or contractor.

When building that mansion or temple "not made with hands," nor with "the sound of a hammer," we cannot employ another to do the work for us, we must do it ourselves from the beginning until the Great Work is finally finished. A wise, carefully-selected teacher is necessary to instruct us; he can guide us and, in many instances, protect us, but it is we who must have the desire and make the effort, and this effort must be continued unceasingly until the task is completed.

We have now given consideration to the body, the physical structure, the foundation of the triplicate building. Next, careful consideration must be given to the mind. The Mind is the architect of the building which is to be the "temple" of the Illuminated Conscious Soul. It is the mind, the reasoning faculty, that must decide the truth or falsity of a statement, or the desirability of a system of development. If the reasoning mind fails to accept or approve a system the individual has no inclination or incentive to follow it and there is no progress.

The reasoning faculty of the mind accepts or rejects a statement or plan, and determines its truth or fallacy, or the plausibility of the ideas, principles or methods to be followed. The mind is that fourth part of the four-square man which exercises freedom of Will and choice. Although we say that desire is from the heart, it is the mind which gives the impetus or directs the inclination or desire in harmony with the decision made.

The mind likewise furnishes the Will-power to execute in accordance with the desire or incentive. In the final analysis the three great departments of effort include the separate functioning of the mind, all of which must be active: Thought, incentive and Will, and, for all ordinary purposes, the mind may be defined as that in man which thinks, Wills and directs.

Every mental state and mood may be reduced to thought or desire, or a feeling and condition of Will; or a combination of thought, incentive and Will to accomplish, or refuse to make effort. A given desire provokes or stimulates a corresponding desire and degree of Will. The actions of a man's life correspond to man's blending of feeling, desire and Will: the Will actually being the "accomplisher."

It is naturally taken for granted that the individual who has devoted sufficient time to read this, has a conception of, or believes in, the possibility of gaining Soul Consciousness. To be able to believe in the possibility of an achievement or accomplishment, we must know at least enough to give us a basis for such belief. The knowledge which offers such a basis for specific belief may not be wisdom, which is experience, but something which we have read or heard explained and has caused us to think, to question, and then desire.

The thought, attention and interest given the idea is the evidence of a mental activity in a specific direction. The mind, that with which we think and desire, has accepted the principle involved insofar as it can comprehend. The interest and desire to learn and know more, and to more fully understand, with a desire to follow through, is based on the felling that thought and desire have awakened.

The purpose and the determination to live in harmony with these principles, the force and energy that will enable us to execute our determined course, are the result of Will-power, the incentive of which is the desire to accomplish a/the set purpose. As we become more and more deeply interested in the special accomplishment or attainment, old habits, ideas, ideals, beliefs are automatically and unconsciously discarded to make place for the new ideas, desires and habits.

Admittedly, except in rare instances, the new desires and purposes of life are not sufficiently strong to enable us to at once give up all of the old ideas, desires and habits, without somewhat of a struggle, possibly against doubt and uncertainties. Gradually, however, this change is brought about and we live in the new life as though it had been a part of us from the very beginning of our present existence.

The process of mental activity, especially if sudden and violent, being metaphysical, is difficult to explain. For who can define the almost instant change of hate into love, or love into hate.? We know this is possible; we know it has and does take place, but the how, the mechanism, we do not fully understand. The process of giving up one desire, belief or habit in exchange for another is virtually the same as a change of habits and is based on a change of desire: a different outlook, as a result of a change of mind or desire. In many instances it is the result of association, or of a sudden coming into new ideas.

When such a change is caused by reading or studying, it is thw association of ideas instead of persons. Ideas, thoughts, desires and feelings are environments within ourselves, as certainly as are as are persons, conditions and environments outside of ourselves. Once awakened to the existence of something different, irrespective of what it may be, the new outlook changes thought-environments to harmonize with the new association of ideas or persons. The process taking place in the mental world is virtually the same as the change in character as a result of personal association.

In all but the exceptional few who have undergone the "Baptism by Water" of John, the conscious center is in the brain. While it is true that the feelings of the heart frequently influence the thoughts and desires of the mind, nevertheless, the only consciousness is a mental one. During the process of rebuilding the physical self, and the early stages of Regeneration or the development leading to Soul Consciousness, a change takes place, and this change is in exact ration to the awakening of the Soul Center; the mind consciousness giving way to Soul Consciousness.

The mid is either constructive or destructive in its operations. Its activities are based on the philosophy of life accepted by the individual. Almost universally, men without questioning, accept the common concept the man is born, lives, and dies and, following death, inherits either a state of bliss or damnation, not as a result of how he lived, but according to what he believed and the faith he had.

This is based on a universal and degrading belief that however evil his life may have been, some one other than himself will accept, become responsible for, and pay his debt to society, the state and to God, perhaps never questioning as to the fairness of honorableness of such a proposition. This system is deceptive and spiritually destructive, because it leads the mass to believe and lean, not on their own God-inherited powers, forces, capabilities and possibilities, but on an event which took place centuries ago.

The Nazarene came to earth, as had others like him before his time, lived according to an exact Law and, as a result, attained to God or Cosmic Consciousness, becoming, by his own efforts, and by making use of his inherent forces, the Son of God. His life was to be an example and an effective illustration that such a life does bring about results; moreover, that any man may, if he is willing and possessed of the desire, live such a life.

What has form-al religion and creedism done? It has misinterpreted the Law. Instead of teaching mankind that this is the life to live. Instead of teaching mankind that this is the life to live; form-al religion teaches that it is something to be believed, and that the belief, not the method of life itself, is the redeeming power. It has taught and continues to reach, that the Nazarene was born and lived his life for the purpose of redeeming or saving those who, however evil their lives, believed in the theory that it is unnecessary to live the perfect life; the honest life; the merciful life, but that if one believes that the Nazarene was the Son of God, and lived for the purpose of manifesting this Sonship and as a means of, in modern phraseology, "white-washing" man's sins, however scarlet, man's evil deeds will be forgotten and forgiven and he will become free from sin. Humanity, throughout the ages, has been guilty of this erroneous belief.

If we are just men, if we really are honor-bound and see as though a glass, clearly, we will recognize the present universal degradation, dishonorableness and human butchery that have come about as the direct result of such belief.

The thought, the idea, the desire itself, that others, or any other, should pay our indebtedness, or suffer for our evils is, in itself, dishonorable and destructive. No man who is honest at heart would ask another to pay his indebtedness, whatever its nature, or assume his obligations.

The concept that we may accept salvation from another, a salvation that has not been honestly and fairly earned, leads to mental illusions and degradation. Those who have attained to even a slight degree of spiritual consciousness, must make every possible effort to counteract the destructive and degrading tendencies of a teaching which is so dishonorable and unfair.

If we do not replace this erroneous teaching with the principles of living a good and just life; a proper conduct toward our fellow men, and a wholesome respect for god and His Laws, then the almost universal destruction now well under way will lead the nations, all nations, to the same fate that befell Egypt, Greece, Rome and lesser nations. Man will lose God's greatest gift - his capability of becoming the Sone of god and, instead, will return to what is worse than his original state. - mongrelism.

Up to the present, the vast multitude has accepted this doctrine of the power of "faith without works"; achieving divinity without honestly earning it; entering a heaven of bliss though clothed, nay, saturated, with sins that are scarlet. In addition to this, a worse thing is now taking place. Millions are discarding all semblance of even believing in God, or that man possesses a Soul.

The devastating result of this is clearly apparent in declared wars, and, even more dishonorable, undeclared wars; wars that are destroying young manhood; the very foundation of human advancement and spiritual greatness of a nation. As a result of this, the world is filled with the ideas and works of utterly selfish cunningness and double-dealing; of hatred; of "selling out," better known as the "double cross"; and deeds so foul that our ancient brethren did not even think of them.

The man who is honest at heart, and capable of thinking clearly, cannot deny that at the basis of all this evil is, first of all, man's carnal nature. How can any sane person believe that, during his lifetime, he may be guilty of all that is foul, degrading and damnable; living at the expense of others; profiting by their losses and sufferings and then, finally, when the day of reckoning comes, all of his evils, his brutality, his degradation, well fall off and, as the sun rising in the East lifts the fog from of the earth, so will he enter the haven of bliss, the abode of the blessed, while his victims will suffer the torments of hell.

This conception, so long taught, has become a fixed idea in the minds of men and is accepted as truth and a fact. There never is a thought that it might be erroneous or destructive. As time passes, many men, mostly unconsciously, seem to sense that the idea itself is debasing and without foundation, and with it, they often discard the belief in God or a just Law.

The Reaction being unconscious or subconscious, they do not stop to realize that this is not a God-concept, but a creed taught by men who were perhaps neither better nor worse that themselves, and who justified themselves in teaching such justification to others.

Certainly, none of the great World teachers, nor the Nazarene, taught any such doctrine, but the contrary: "As ye sow, so shall ye reap." In other words, despite belief or faith, "As ye do unto others so will it be done unto you."

Reason, common sense, honesty - if we are possessed in the slightest degree of these un-common qualities - impress upon our better nature the certainty that each and every one of us is an individual. As individuals, we should realize that we are personally responsible for every thought, desire and act. While faith is essential as an urge to act humanely and spiritually, each one of us must work out his own salvation according to the teachings and the plans laid out for us by such world teachers as the Nazarene.

As individuals, created in the image of the Creator Himself, aye, as men, we dare not lean on the good will, mercy or even weakness, not yet on the merits or strength of another, not even on God Himself. We, of our won accord, desire, or manhood, must become the masters of our thoughts, desires and actions as a result of our thoughts and desires.

We must work out our own regeneration: our own immortality, and in doing this, become the Sons of God.

Like cadets in a Military school - supposedly the most rigid and guarded for honesty - we must solve our own problems. To refuse to do so, and to appropriate the work of another and use it as our won, will assuredly bring with it appropriate punishment; for, according to the Law: "We will reap as we sow."

As we desire, so will we think. If the desire is strong enough, or if we are possessed of sufficient manhood, we will act according to the dictates of the desire. It is only partly true that we will "act as we think." We think of many things, but act seldom. Back of the thought must be the desire strong enough to enforce action. The soldier does not act of his own volition; but at the command of the officer in charge.

The desireis with the officer or commander. Life is action; according to the action so will become the Soul. The mind thinks; but feelings, if strong enough, command action. These feelings may be on the side of love, or the reverse, hate. One is constructive; the other destructive. One builds the soul; the other works to its destruction of degradation. An ancient prophet illustrated this Law in a very few words: "The Soul that sinneth [doeth evil], it shall die." __Ezekiel 18:4.

Sin is just another word for wrong or evil acts. Such acts may be against the self or others - it does not matter which. Sins against the self may be both materia and spiritual. More often they are acts which directly affect the physical self, draining it of its vital strength, forces and vitality, which, in turn, has a direct effect on the spiritual self or Soul.

The brain, without which the mind cannot function; the nerves, which give normality and stability to the mind, and the forces which make generation or procreation possible, are all of one and the same substance. A drain, or abuse, of one, directly affects all the others.

There are countless evil acts - sins - which affect one or all of these centers or forces. The spiritual self - the Soul - is directly affected by any act, good or evil, which influences any of these several centers; mind, emotions (heart) and sex, each having a center of its own and all acting in conjunction with or in relation to, the others.

The Soul cannot exist, that is, be brought into consciousness, except by the health, normalcy and activity of these centers. Any act that can drain, degrade or destroy one or all of these centers, has a direct and potent effect on the Soul, and will gradually make impossible its Immortalization - "the Soul that sinneth, it shall die." That is, its individualization becomes impossible.

Hermes, the Great Lawgiver, explained the manner of this effect, in a few words: "As above, so below; as in the inner, so in the outer." Or, in reverse, "As in the outer, so in the inner." that which affects the body, if wilfully or consciously committed, will likewise and directly affect the spiritual part of man, his Soul.

The Law which governs the body, likewise governs the Soul. The food for the body, becomes the fire of the Soul, and this fire is the life or the Light of the Soul. The abuse of the life forces of the body drains the life or Light of the Soul, and to that degree reduces the possibility of its becoming Cosmic or God Conscious.

How terribly destructive the sins of nerve, brain and procreative forces may become is vividly illustrated in the Biblical story of the evils committed by the Jews while Moses was trying to lead them out of (or through) the wilderness (darkness or evils of life). The ravages of such abuses, as well as the remedy for the "healing" of the terrible diseases following in the wake of these evils or sins, are all pointed out in this narrative.

In the mass, in the man of the world, the mind centers in the brain, due to the fact that this is the only conscious center. As the individual gradually changes or transmutes the carnal self and approaches Soul Consciousness, or Immortalization, the seat of the reasoning or thinking faculty changes. As the Soul awakens into consciousness by gradual development, the thinking, reasoning faculties change from the "mortal" mind to the Subconscious, which is now the Soul.

When Illumination or Philosophic Initiation actually takes place, the Soul becomes the activation center instead of the mind. In this manner the seat of the government of the individual moves from the head, or the cold reasoning and unfeeling center, to the Great Center. Reason will be balanced with intuition; while feeling and the Voice of God guides and directs the individual.

The spirit of man being unindividualized and impersonal, is the connecting link which holds, or binds together, the several departments of man's four-fold nature. It is the link between the body and the Soul; between the house and its tenant. When this combination occurs at the first indrawn breath of the infant, the brain begins to function and the quality we call the mind, becomes active, or is called into being.

Because of this coming together of four entirely different elements or forces, the Great Work maintains that man is a triplicate being: an equilateral Triangle when perfected; but also four-fold; a perfect square; all sides balanced, yet graduating to a central point teaching toward "heaven," or a spiritual realm. Man is of body, mind, spirit and Soul; likewise body, mind and Soul, the spirit not being an individual entity; merely a connecting link between the other elements, and again threefold; body, mind and spirit, because Soul may yet be no more than an embryo; wholly unconscious, and as yet not become an active part of man's being.

Spirit, being from God and, constituting, as it does, the living, activation force I all living things, is in reality a part of God; though non-individual and unconscious. Without this spirit nothing would exist because it is life. It is the universal principle of existence. It is not the personal property of anyone. It is loaned to man for a time, then returns to its storehouse to be again taken up by some being or object. The lowest, as well as the most godlike, is possessed of this same spirit.

The word "spirit," the principle or force of life, is misused and misapplied in all sacred literature. In fact, we continue to use it as a substitute word for the "Soul," though it has nothing whatever to do with the Soul.

We use it because there is no other word to take its place. This has led, and continues to lead, to misunderstanding and confusion, and frequently inclines the individual to think of spirit and Soul as one and the same thing. This confusion can in part be avoided if we beat in mind at all times that spirit is not peculiar to man or animal; that in reality it is not a part of man, but a link holding the other three elements together. Hence, correctly considered, man is a triplicate being, perfectly symbolized by the triangle.

In the perfection of man, special consideration must be given the Soul which is the only reality. Roughly considered, man is neither more not less than an animal with thinking capacity or capability, and the additional possibility of becoming individualized by means of bringing into consciousness the Subconscious or Divine Spark, the embryonic Soul hidden within himself.

While he is developing individuality, the changing of the personal self into the individual, separate from, yet linked to his fellow men, he is also developing Godward. All men are born as personalities with the privilege of becoming, or developing into, individualities. The "seed," the Soul germ, is within them. The means whereby the transformation may be brought about, is also in them, much as is the possibility of becoming a moth hidden in the silk worm; with this exception: in the moth, Nature brings about the change, while man, having been given free Will, must make conscious effort if he desires the great change to take place.

All normal men are born with Souls, or, more correctly stated, Souls are born into men; but in taking on houses of flesh, the Soul is buried in, or underneath the flesh, much as the acorn is covered up and buried with earth from which it may never emerge because of improper conditions. The acorn is an oak in embryo. Planted in the earth under favorable conditions, the germ of life within it will germinate and ultimately develop into the stately oak, symbolic of both strength and beauty.

In like manner, the body is the ground or soil wherein is hidden or buried the Spark of a Soul. This body is as necessary for the awakening of the Soul into consciousness as is the earth or soil for the germination of the acorn - with this difference: In the case of the acorn, Nature's Laws function and bring it to life, while man must make conscious effort to arouse and bring into manifestation the hidden Soul within.

In man's life various forces are constantly active. The Soul, though unconscious, by means of man's emotional nature - his feelings - lings for better things in life than it receives; but environments, associations, wrong teachings, and even so-called science, are barriers difficult to surmount.

In the vast number of instances, man's ignorance succeeds in further burying the Soul in debris so that, at long last, even the conscious mind, being purely intellectual, accepts life as it is with possibly a complaint now and then, and, at last, weakened by its own misconceptions and misapplications, gives up the ghost.

In the lives of a few, the stifled cry of the Soul for Light and its proper means of manifestation is heeded. When this happens it is because the Baptism by water of John has taken place and the mind has awakened to a realization that there is more to man and to life than is apparent. This may have been brought about by the reading of a book or books; listening to the voice of those who know or some other means. It matters little what the cause of the awakening may have been. The hungering cry of the as yet unconscious Soul acts as a stimulus to the mind to seek further; to find the reason for its own dissatisfaction and uncertainty.

Once the cry of the Soul is heeded and the search begun, there is no possibility of peace until the Soul itself is awakened and brought into consciousness; the personality becomes changed into an individuality; freedom from slavery to environment attained, thus fulfilling the Divine Plan:

"To as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the Sons of God." __John 1:12

The Mind never attains to anything higher than cold intelligence, but it is the judge in the lower court of existence. It is not in touch, cannot be in touch, with things that are Immortal, because it is itself only mortal. It can comprehend and accept only the things that are material; things on the mortal plane; things acceptable and recognized by the spiritually unawakened mass.

As mind, it may become almost all-powerful, dictatorial and commanding, even to the point of sending the mass into perdition, but it cannot become Immortalized. Nevertheless, by a strange contradiction, it is the means by which the Soul can be, must be, immortalized.

The Soul, though unconscious, is possessed of an eternal forward and upward urge that has been part of it from its very beginning.

If the mind, by one means or another, is even ever so slightly awakened to the truth of existence, not merely the semblance of life, then this awakening, together with the urge of the Soul, will cause it to question, to doubt, to be dissatisfied, and finally to search along avenues heretofore unrecognized. In its questioning, its dissatisfaction, its search, the Soul will find the avenue of escape from unreality, and toward the"salvation" i.e., the Immortalization of the Soul.

In materiality, or density, the mind is second only to physical matter. It is to be classified as a force or an energy, rather than a substance. Like the nerves and forces of generation, it is not of the nature of the spirit; nevertheless, it is not matter, either. It is the link between the two. The soul, on the contrary, is of a far more refined nature than the mind. Its nature is that of fire, i.e., spirit in motion. The purity or grossness of this spiritual fire depends entirely on the purity of man's being.

When man begins to comprehend eternal principles, and begins to live in the spirit (feeling) of them, this fire, or "Light hidden under a bushel," at first completely hidden in material and very gross matter, gradually becomes refined. As it increases in its intensity, due to the deeper desires of the seeker for the"Way of life," it burns away, or transmutes (changes) not only the dross under which it is buried, but all that surrounds it.

It comes forth out of its "tomb" like a Living Fire, a great Light, as did the Nazarene from his tomb. It has then become a part of the Godhead, and henceforth lives within the inner Sanctuary, upon the inner throne, the Sanctum Sanctorum. Where this Throne is, none know but those who, like Moses, see the burning bush and listen to the voice of the fire.

Mind, though material and temporal, is nevertheless of supreme importance, because it is the reasoning, controlling and directing power of man. Once the mind accepts a constructive philosophy as a basis for action, it will gradually bring the entire being into harmony with the philosophy accepted as truth. The more active it becomes by working in harmony with such a concept of life, the quicker will be the awakening and the developing of the Soul itself. As the Soul is brought into consciousness by the mind, it becomes dynamic in its activities and gradually usurps the powers and forces of the mind until, at last, the Soul will rule upon the Throne.

The mind will then assume a secondary place in the scheme of the Divine, becoming the acceptor of the things which belong to the Soul and of that which is eternal. The reign of the "mortal" mind is then at an end. Tis is illustrated by the story of John the Baptist, who forerunner of the Nazarene, "made way" for him. It is the story of the eternal mother, who, in travail having given birth to the son, gives way to the son.

In resume, Man is composed of body, mind, spirit and the embryo, or Divine spark, of a Soul. The body is material, earthy. Its inclinations are heavy, downward. This tendency must be overcome by the mind powers of man. The effort required in overcoming this inclination is the price man must pay for having become disconnected from the original oneness with God as a result of his desire to know good and evil and by experience, gain Individuality or Immortality. The body possesses only the appetites of the flesh and these are contrary to the desires native to the higher realm. These desires must be changed, and, in the changing and overcoming, is gained the strength necessary to final victory.

The spirit of man, the life of man, is of God; part of God; loaned man during his earthly existence. It is impartial, impersonal and universal; native to all living things. It is in all things, but returns to its original storehouse as things die, or cease to exist. Being impersonal and impartial, the spirit is neither good nor bad, it just is. Yet it is God, because it is the basis, the means of life, and nothing can exist unless it is possessed of life.

The mind is the thinking, reasoning, governing, ruling power. Mind is given to man, not because it is of God, but because man, alone of all created things, was given free will, the right of choice, and he could not exist as man were he not possessed of the reasoning power which mind confers upon him. Like life, it is neither mortal, not Immortal; neither moral not immoral. The Soul alone belongs to man; is his very own, but only for a limited time. It is a "talent" given him to do with as he pleases, but with the proviso that if he does not use it properly, it will be taken from him, and he, as a personality, will cease to exist, while the "talent" will be given to another who may make better "use" of it.

The Soul, originally, and before its incarnation in the flesh, existed free, spotless, of pristine purity. It became - we know not how - possessed with a desire; a longing to "know both good and evil," and the godhead saw that it was best that it should be given the freedom of this desire so that it might have the opportunity to prove itself, and to become, by means of experience of both sorrow and joy, to learn good and evil, and by overcoming evil and applying the good, change from the son of man, which it had become through its fall, and ascent, into a Son of God.

The Spirit of man is of God, the Soul of man is free from God in that it was given Free Will, with free choice, that it might raise itself back to God, or descend with mortality, into the hades of non-existence.

Which is it to be? Eternity with Freedom; or slavery with limitation?
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