The Intelligence that we call God or the Divine Law has need of expanding and "experiencing," just as the parent would have no purpose in life unless he, or she, continually "expanded."

When a child is born, the mother is to all intent God - for she is the source of food, warmth and protection. Thus to the child, she is life. As such, the mother can do no wrong.

As the child grows older, he becomes aware of the MAN, and with this knowledge comes the awareness that the father is the real source of protection, because he provides for the mother and, when help is needed, the mother calls upon him to provide it. Thus the father becomes God, and can do no wrong, During this period, the child is secure, content and free of doubts.

As the child continues to grow,(1) he becomes aware that this God is not perfect, for the mother may contradict him, even berate him, and doubts begin. One or the other may punish the child for doing things considered wrong; the OTHER may say this was unjust and REWARD him because of the "wrong" done to him. Doubts turn to confusion. The pattern continues until adolescence.
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(1) THE LAW is forever active and in continual operation. Just as the physical has need of GROWTH to fulfill its needs, so does the SPIRITUAL WITHIN. Thus through GROWTH does all manner of life EXPAND, EXPERIENCE and BECOME.
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Adolescence, in past years, was a time when understanding made itself known. The youth realized that though his parents were not perfect, they did continue to improve their station in life. When they erred, they corrected the error; when they worked hard, they reaped the reward of their labors.

The youth understood that as soon as schooling was completed, he would go to work and that the type of position he obtained was dependent on his ABILITY and WILLINGNESS TO WORK, with commensurate reward. Work had MEANING and was desirable. If a college education was the goal, it had to be earned both financially and as a result of academic effort. College had MEANING and was a respected goal. Marriage (and the sanctity of marriage) was considered the goal of every youth and required the young person to make the most of all talents in order to win the cherished mate. Marriage was a natural and ultimate goal in life.

Those among today's youth, who reject such goals(2) and values, find the world a confusing place with conditions seemingly beyond changing by the means generally employed, and are left vastly dissatisfied, discontent and without aim or purpose. These conditions will continue until the youth learns by experience the falseness of his negative approach and makes individual correction by assuming personal responsibility, and this same personal responsibility is required by parents, legislatures, the news and entertainment media and all those with authority within and outside the home.
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(2) Due to lack of DESIRE to advance and accept the responsibility for one's acts, a "giving in" to the base desires, inertia and downright laziness.
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THE CONSCIOUS RECOGNITION OF THE POWERS INHERENTLY POSSESSED BY THE INDIVIDUAL is the only safeguard of personal liberty. It is the guarantee of his freedom. It exempts him not only from the tyranny of others but also from destructive vices, disease and bondage to negative thoughts and depressive moods. The only REAL security is in the ability of the individual.

Again, an all-wise parent, with unlimited funds at hand, might plan a perfect estate in which to establish a dynasty for his family (as many monarchs have done). Ideally, the children of this all-wise parent would follow in his footsteps, expanding the dynasty, rearing children of their own who in turn would bring up children. All the children would be taught the traditions of the family and would be expected to follow the traditions they had learned, but, since they would have free Will, they would be free to try different procedures and different fields of endeavor. The ultimate destiny of this dynasty would be the result of the strength or weakness, desire and effort for good or evil of the individuals making up that dynasty.

Just so, did the Supreme Intelligence, establish a dynasty on earth, giving his children everything possible to create a "Heaven on Earth" - but also giving them free Will.

Nothing was denied those who were to "inherit the Earth." But Divine Law provided that desires could only be achieved by EFFORT. In all nature, no form of life can exist without effort. Our first effort is to draw in the breath of life and that struggle for breath develops the organs necessary to breathing. Every form of life is constantly being acted upon by every other form of life (the chain of life); thus it is necessary to adapt to its environment or to MASTER the environment. This is equally true of groups or species. Development means change, and all nature is continually developing and thus is in a constant state of change. In the human, this means continual perfecting until Godhood is attained or a decline into oblivion of the personality takes place. This is equally true of civilizations and nations. The fact that civilizations, like dynasties, fall is not cause for pessimism unless no effort is made to start over again with a firmer foundation.

A story is told of a wealthy, retired businessman who, traveling in a western part of the United States, came upon a squatter sitting on a river bank. In discussing facts of life with him, he asked the squatter if he had no ambition to earn money. The squatter asked, "Why me want money?" The reply was that by earning money, he could retire and do whatever he wished. The squatter replied, "Hmph, me do that now." The real point of the story is rarely told. The squatter can at any time lose his freedom and be told to move on, because it has not been earned; whereas if the squatter had worked to own that land and had the moral and legal right to be there, he would not be told to "move on."
This is given the answer to the question: "If Heaven is so perfect, why would a Soul wish to leave it?" To experience the joys and pleasures of a physical life, the Soul must take on a physical body and "earn" the right to that life.

One might consider why some people go through life, enjoying every moment, having no problems and, apparently, no responsibilities, while others appear to have nothing but trouble.

With the exception of those Souls that come to Earth with no purpose and through no desire of their own, Souls RETURNING to Earth have a destiny(3) created by the desires of a previous incarnation here.
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(3)MAN'S DESTINY is not pre-ordained by GOD, THE LAW, or anyone else BUT HIMSELF. If this were not so man would not have been given the FREE WILL required to plan, to provide and to shape his FUTURE.
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Example: A group of people arrive on a sunny Caribbean isle. Some may have come purely for enjoyment, with no thought of doing anything constructive. This is their right, since they no doubt worked to earn the money for their vacation.

Some may be there to improve their health, having lost it through improper or unwise living. This, too, is their right, since if they achieve good health, they may be able to retain it, if they have also learned its value.

A few may be there to help the island and its people; dedicated to making it a more perfect place for humanity.

The remainder may have arrived there by chance or the demands of others. They may not want to be there but were forced to return to fulfill an obligation or pay a debt.

Just as the different individuals arrived on that island in various states of health, wealth and intelligence, so also do Souls coming to Earth, by reason of Karma (past experiences) arrive in various states of health, wealth, intelligence and indebtedness.

If enough travelers to the Caribbean island decide they wish to make it an earthly paradise, they can do so by their efforts and their desires. Likewise, Souls returning to Earth, by perfecting themselves and their surroundings, can make Earth a Paradise. This truth pertains to the individual and to humanity as a whole. The individual can establish the "Heaven within" and, when enough of Mankind has accomplished this, there will be "Heaven on Earth."(4)
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(4) "And I John, saw a NEW HEAVEN and a NEW EARTH: for the first heaven and first earth were passed away;..."... REVELATIONS.
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The reincarnating Soul returns with Karma (good and bad) of health or illness; knowledge or ignorance; good environment or bad environment and with debits or credits. The circumstances may vary but the opportunity to improve conditions, within and without - material as well as Spiritual, exists for all.
"Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." This is as true of your future as it is of your past.

Of all the edicts ascribed to the great Master Teacher, the NAZARENE, none is more positive, more direct and yet more widely misunderstood than this restatement of His teaching:

"...Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." _Gal, 6:7.

In this statement there is no "if" - no doubt - no qualification. It is as positive as if a judge, setting on a bench to render judgment, had made the pronouncement.

How many people, reading this statement in their family Bible or hearing it from their Minister or Priest, stop, even for a single instant, to realize that the Law of Compensation here referred to governs every thought, desire and act of their daily lives?

In the Biblical sense, "sowing" embraces every thought, effort and action made by man. All such sowing is UNDER the Law, and is GOVERNED by the Law of Action and REaction. EVERY ACTION, WHATEVER ITS NATURE, brings in RETURN a REACTION. The REaction or return (the punishment or reward) partakes of the EXACT NATURE of the original thought, desire or action.

Despite the extreme simplicity of the language used in this pronouncement on "sowing," and the fact that almost every Christian family possesses a Bible, only the exceptional person has given any thought to the positive statement, made without qualification. How many self-professed Bible students have ever attempted to analyze this statement in its true sense, or CONSIDER ITS APPLICATION TO THEIR OWN THOUGHTS, DESIRES AND ACTIONS - and the RESULTS AS IT AFFECTED THEMSELVES?

The actor, or "doer," he who "sows" or acts - and THIS INCLUDES EACH AND EVERY ONE - BY SUCH ACTION SETS INTO MOTION God's or the Divine Law - a Law which, by its REaction, known as the "reaping," either rewards or punishes him. This reaping, or punishment, will be in perfect harmony with the thought, the desire, and the action that resulted from, or followed the thought and desire.

If a Man believes in God, a JUST Law, as authority for the edict, "As ye sow, so shall ye also reap," then he must come to the realization and recognition that it is NOT God - a just and loving Father - who metes out rewards and punishments. Reason MUST tell him that whatever he reaps in the way of reward or punishment is the RETURN or REACTION of the action following his every thought and desire.

On this basis, God, as the Father, appears in a far more favorable light, than when we consider Him as constantly SPYING on His inconsiderate, ignorant and/or defiant children and sitting in judgment, like a hawk watching its prey, prepared to pounce on it at the first favorable opportunity.

The Creator gave Man free Will to choose or to act as he pleases, with the PROVISO that - to use a common saying - "as he makes his bed so must he lie in it." This is just another way of saying: "As ye sow, so must ye also reap."

There is, as already stated, no qualification to this edict. Throughout the centuries, people, with rare exception, have sought refuge in the doctrine of "forgiveness of sins," totally ignoring the positive Law. The net result is that humanity, as a whole, is admittedly in a for worse state, morally and Spiritually, than it was at the time when the NAZARENE tried to lead man into the "straight and narrow path."

No one has guessed what the state of Mankind might be had Man "bethought himself" before acting, with the certain knowledge that his ACTIONS WOULD REACT UPON HIMSELF. LET A MAN RECOGNIZE AS A CERTAINTY THAT, TO CHEAT HIS FELLOW MAN WILL MOST CERTAINLY BRING A REACTION, THAT, AS A NATURAL SEQUENCE, SOME ONE WILL IN SOME MANNER DEPRIVE HIM OF AN EVEN GREATER AMOUNT, AND HE WILL HESITATE BEFORE BEING DISHONEST.

ADMITTEDLY, all too many men are basically dishonest and immoral in their nature. These will not hesitate to commit dishonest and immoral acts, whatever the Law may be. Their INNATE DISHONESTY LEADS THEM TO BELIEVE THEY WILL BE ABLE TO FIND A WAY, OR THE MEANS, TO AVOID BEING HELD RESPONSIBLE AND MADE TO PAY. The normally honest and moral Man, once he actually comprehends the Law and its operation, will make every effort to live within, or in harmony with the Law, and be willing to AWAIT ITS REaction for his compensation.

Under this Law - and who dares say it is not a just Law - whatever Man does which he should NOT have done, must be undone, or fully compensated for, that he may again be free. Likewise, whatever may be Man's duty, if he leaves it undone, he must, to regain his lost estate, also compensate in some manner for neglecting his duty. All debts must be paid "to the uttermost farthing." This is the "reaping after the sowing."

Consideration of these simple, but self-evident facts leads to one obvious conclusion: to protect our own best interests, materially and Spiritually, we should think, desire and do only that which we are willing to reap knowing that there is NO possibility of evading the action of a just Law.

This Law: "As ye sow, so shall ye also reap," admits of no qualification whatever, is not a creed, but a CARDINAL FUNDAMENTAL of all religion, but not necessarily of all churchism. It is the ONE and ONLY means whereby men can remain morally and consciously free and by which the Brotherhood of Man may be finally established.

By queer contrast, we find that men of science have long recognized the absolute certainty of the Law of ACTION AND REACTION, so much so that they no longer think of denying it, but base(5) all their experiments upon it. On the other hand, those presumably concerned with Spiritual affairs either continue to deny that this Law prevails in Spiritual affairs and activities, or they delude themselves with the idea that, in this realm, God can be prevailed upon to set the Law aside in favor of those guilty who have not the honesty or the manhood to be ready and willing to pay their indebtedness to God, the Law, and Humanity.
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(5) Scientist and layman alike rely daily upon academic truths because they OBEY the LAWS pertinent thereto. When given the same opportunity and diligence SPIRITUAL LAWS would produce that same confidence.
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These cannot conceive, or will not admit, that there is but ONE Law with many activities or ramifications and that whatever governs the one likewise governs the other. THERE ARE NO FAVORITES, either in the material or Spiritual realms. Were it otherwise God would not be just; Law would NOT be LAW, but a vacillating, changeable, uncertain operation.

The Soul, in first taking on a physical body, assumes the weaknesses of the physical and material. By overcoming those weaknesses and living within the Divine Law, it is possible to become as a God. That is, a perfect Soul in a perfect body and possessing a perfect mind.

These "gods" were described in Greek mythology. These "gods" are subject to the "Fall" the moment they step out of their realm. Since none of us can stay "within our own realm" in that we are influenced by every action of every other being upon the face of the earth, perfection cannot be achieved until all evil (non-good) is transmuted into good and we create a "Heaven on Earth" in which Man has known both good and evil and has chosen good.

This does NOT mean that Man cannot attain to Spiritual Immortality until this "Heaven on Earth" is achieved. He can forsake the flesh (the carnal demands and gross passions) and dedicate himself to becoming Spiritually perfect.

To find the answer as to WHY the first Souls came to Earth, the human must relate to the Divine Intelligence. Suppose a superintelligent being had the ability to create a "world." It might be a garden paradise with beautiful lakes, seas and land formations. To add to the purpose of this "world" he may decide to add creatures. Since nothing can exist without a purpose, all living things - plants and animals alike - would have to relate to each other or parish. Survival would depend upon adaptability and reproduction. Adaptability would be regulated by the "survival of the fittest." Reproduction is the strongest force in any living organism since its immortality depends upon the direct continuation of the species.

Thus, water life, to survive, would genetically evolve into air-breathing creatures and these, in turn, would evolve into flying, walking, crawling or whatever form would best suit them for survival. Ultimately, one creature best suited to be superior to all others would appear. This creature would differ from ALL others by virtue of the ability to reason and, when the Creator gave this creature the ability to know, understand and GIVE love, he bestowed the ability to attain Immortality not only of the physical but of the personality.

When we say "not only of the physical," we mean just that. Just as a plant perpetuates itself by dropping a tiny seed, with a complete reproduction of itself impressed therein, to the waiting earth, so does the human deposit a complete facsimile of himself, to insure a perpetuation of himself.

"Man," then, has the ability to become physically and Spiritually Immortal, but with that opportunity, he also has free Will to accept or reject it. The reasons for accepting or rejecting Immortality may be as varied as the humans involved. Of all living creatures, Man alone has the ability and free Will to accept or reject Immortality. The oak, for example, governed by Divine law, but without free Will, evolved into a perfect living thing. with the capacity to adapt to its environment and perpetuate itself. Need we further proof of the truth of Immortality?

Man has not only the ability to perpetuate his physical being, but also his CONSCIOUSNESS or personality. Without this capability, there would be little purpose in his working and learning up to the end of his present stay on earth. If the personality were to cease to be with what we choose to call death, there would be no incentive. There would be little point in planting a garden today if we had no assurance that, by giving it proper care, we could reap its harvest tomorrow.

The capabilities and possibilities for achievement and attainment with which every normal man and woman is endowed are talents. These "talents" are BOTH A GIFT AND AN OBLIGATION. They are a GIFT inherited by man IN CONJUNCTION WITH HIS SOUL AT THE TIME OF HIS BIRTH. The Gospel according to Saint Matthew describes the operating law of the talents.

"For the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is as a man (father) travelling into a far country, WHO called his own servants (sons), and delivered unto them his goods.

"And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made THEM other five talents.

"and likewise he that had RECEIVED two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

"After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

"And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

"He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

"His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

"Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

"And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, THERE thou hast THAT is thine.

"His lord answered and said unto him. THOU WICKED and slothful servant, thou knowest that I reap where I sowed not, and gathered where I have not strawed:

"Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and THEN at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

"Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

"For unto every man that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

"And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
MATT. 25:14-30.(6)
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(6) There appears to be much confusion at times regarding the development of ALL Talents. The important thing is to do ones BEST with what one does have, FIRST. For further discourse on this Scripture, see THE INTERPRETATION OF ST. MATTHEW, this publisher.
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Very few who have read the Biblical story of the "talents" and/or listened to sermons on the subject by Ministers and Priests actually realize THAT THESE TALENTS IMPOSE UPON MAN AN OBLIGATION. IN EFFECT, THEY CONSTITUTE AN INDEBTEDNESS ASSUMED BY THE SOUL BEFORE ITS FIRST INCARNATION ON EARTH. NO SOUL CAN BE FREE, OR BECOME FREE BY ANY MEANS WHATEVER, UNTIL SUCH TIME AS THE DEBT FOR THE GIFT HAS BEEN PAID TO THE GIVER.

Another fact almost wholly overlooked or disregarded and DIRECTLY responsible for many failures is that this indebtedness is DIRECTLY to God, or the Creative Law. WE CALL IT THE DIVINE LAW. The important point is that EVERY EFFORT MADE TO REPAY THE DEBT WILL REACT TO THE BENEFIT OR THE ONE MAKING THE EFFORT, and not to any other person.

Furthermore, these "talents," representing Man's inherent powers, forces, opportunities, possibilities and capabilities, though in embryo and inert in almost all Mankind, will, if awakened and developed, make of Man a lesser god, a co-Creator and co-worker with God, since God and the functioning Law can work only through mediums, or agents, and these are God's creatures - men.

This is implied by God's own statement: "And now the sons of men (through the use of their talents, i.e., the development of powers, forces, possibilities and capabilities - opportunities) have BECOME as the Sons of God, knowing (as a result of their efforts and experiences) good from evil."

The story of the "talents" has been given but little thought by mankind as a whole. Yet it is one of the most important and potent of all Biblical narratives; explaining, as it does, an Absolute Law THAT NO HUMAN CREATURE CAN EVADE. In its first phase, it clearly states that the "traveler,: i,e., the Lord, God, or Creator, gave certain "talents" unto, or into possession of EACH ONE of His creatures.

There are two other phases of this Law. One is that of rewards; the reaping after the sowing, or MAKING USE OF the talents. The other is that of punishment for those who fail to awaken and bring into manifestation these talents or inheritances.

The theme of the "rewards" is that the more active the inheritor is in arousing, developing and bringing his inherited possibilities into manifestation in the world of fact, the greater will be his reward and blessing. For every successful effort, ANOTHER SUCCESS WILL BE ADDED TO IT; hence the saying, or exposition of an ABSOLUTE Law: "To him that hath shall be given." Why? Because by his faithfulness and correct use of that which he ALREADY HAS, AS A RESULT OF OBEDIENCE TO THE LAW AND THE EFFORT MADE, he made manifest his Faith in God and the Law. He WISELY used that which in turn was given into his possession as it is given to EVERY man (each one has equal opportunities - there are no favorites). He has, by obedience, BECOME the "wheat" of the APOCALYPSE.

Likewise, the other phase of the Law is well stated in a very few words:

"...Thou wicked and slothful (careless, lazy, neglectful drone) servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed.: - MATT.25:26.

This is an EXEMPLIFICATION of "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." GAL.6:7.(7) At first glance the Law appears to be unjust and contradictory. But when we reason by analogy, it quickly becomes plain. The master husbandman furnishes his servants (employees) with the grain to be sown, and after the grain is sown, it produces many times, with the result that the reaping is many times the sowing and BOTH the master husbandman AND the servant reap a reward, increase or profit.
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(7) Those who are indeed Ministers and Priests - servants - of God find in this the severest condemnation of our present system of catering to the indolent, petting them and further weakening them by supporting them in one way or another. Here is seen a positive condemnation of those methods which force the honest, active and thrifty to give of their hard-earned gains to the support of decadent nations, in defiance of the edict Divinely given: "By the sweat of thy brow (all men) shalt thou earn they bread."
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If the servant - the laborer - fails in the sowing, if he neglects to develop his inherent, dormant "talents," his possibilities and capabilities, taking advantage of every opportunity to improve his position, both master (the Creator) and servant (Man and Mankind) are defrauded. The servant, by not having sown "wheat" (constructive effort), is guilty of having "chaff" (neglect of opportunities), and is deprived of that which is life - destroyed by the REaction of the Law.

It is well to remember that Man - he can be called the Soul if you will - came to earth so that here, by means of his desires and efforts, bringing into activity or manifestation his inherent "talents" or possibilities, might gain experience and knowledge and become a "Son of God" as a reward for his efforts. Only as he does this does he fulfill the Law and WORK OUT HIS FREEDOM FROM EARTHLY, OR TEMPORAL, CONDITIONS.

If he fails to obey the Law, he will be as ignorant at his death as he was at birth, and in ADDITION, be loaded with the "sins" or burdens of his evil life, hence THERE CAN BE NO PLACE IN THE KINGDOM FOR HIM. He will be, as so clearly pointed out in the exposition of ST. JOHN, among the "chaff" to be BURNED UP, that is, destroyed. REVELATION is most positive in this respect.

Man, at birth, begins his pilgrimage, NOT as a privileged being, but with possibilities of BECOMING such. His "stock in trade" materially and Spiritually speaking, consists of the inherent dormant talents, desires and Will. If he gains the necessary wisdom or understanding of the Law and its operation, and actively begins to awaken and make use of his capabilities by bringing them into manifestation, THE OTHER TALENTS OR OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE GIVEN TO HIM TO FURTHER ADVANCE HIMSELF.

IF MAN IS AMBITIOUS, energetic and becomes inspired by an ideal and an object to be achieved, he will make full use of that which he at the moment possesses. He then gradually, and by degrees, becomes a creator, in the likeness of his Father, and ultimately accomplishes the seemingly impossible. In truth, he will have achieved the status of a Son of God. He is the Biblical "sower of wheat" and his inheritance is the kingdom.

On the contrary, if he is lazy, inert, and laboring under the delusion that God or his fellow men should do for him that which he refuses to do for himself, being governed by inertia, the flesh and the carnal self, then he, like the Biblical character, will find that the "talents" he DID possess were taken from him, that is BECOME DETERIORATED AND DESTROYED FOR WANT OF INCENTIVE AND EXERCISE.

He has - to again refer to the APOCALYPSE - become of the "chaff" and, the chaff, as an inert substance, bereft of life, will "die out" or be destroyed - covered over or plowed under, to give life and substance to the "wheat."
Unfortunately, those who disobey every part of the Law, who perform no useful, constructive labor and who fail to provide for those for whom they are responsible, are the most outspoken in their complaints. They denounce those who have come into possession of many good things as a result of their continued efforts made IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DIVINE LAW, shall be compelled to share their bounty, at least in part, and that what they have acquired shall be divided among the drones.

These, and there are now many millions of them, forget, or ignore, the all-important lesson taught in the parable of the talents as illustrated in these two verses:

"And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou delivereth unto me five talents: behold, I have GAINED besides them five talents more.

"His lord said unto him, Well done thou good and faithful servant: thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."

The word GAINED is to be noted. This is a synonym for COMPENSATION as well as for INCREASE and even for PROFIT, so much condemned by the drone and failure. THIS IS THE LAW. Were it otherwise, the wheat would yield but a grain and nations would starve. Without the principle involved in this LAW OF INCREASE, the manufacturer of an essential article would be able to produce but one more article for each article sold and millions of men would be idle, lacking the positions and high wages wherewith to obtain either the necessities and/or the pleasures of life. He who sows the one grain of wheat will reap many in return, be the sower who he may. The increase, sown again, will increase still more, until the sower or servant, will have become a "lord."

The "instrument" Man uses to carry out his design, destiny or purpose is the mind. Of all living creatures, Man is the sole possessor of this instrument.

Just as a computer is programmed to bring about certain desired results, so does the personality impress upon the mind(8) a program to bring about results (good or bad) that are as predictable as are those of the computer. Every thought, every act, impresses itself upon the mind according to the degree of intensity (desire or efforts) of that thought or act and the results are in direct proportion. Thus, continued, repeated evil (ungood) acts and thoughts will result in the personality's losing the Divine Spark. Continued good thoughts and acts will bring that Divine Spark into Consciousness.
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(8) The development of the computer is based on the nervous-mental processes of MAN and his thought world. However it only exposes a fragment of man's capacity and potentialities in this realm of being.
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Thereby, if a person programs his mind to become a great musician and constantly desires and works to become just that, he MUST, eventually, become a great musician. He may not become a FAMOUS musician unless he programs his mind to that end also; but he must, in certainty, achieve the goal desired.

This is the underlying factor in all SUCCESS... the proper programming of the mind,(9) guided by the Soul-personality. The more Spiritual the personality, the more Spiritual the guidance; the more
physical the personality, the more physical-material will be the result.

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(9) When the mind accepts a truth, it is no longer an altogether mortal mind, THE HIDDEN TEACHINGS OF THE INITIATE MASTERS, this publisher.
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As with the computer, once the mind has been programmed AND SET IN ACTION, results are inevitable (unless there is "malfunction," i.e., interruption, or willful discontinuance of action and effort). For instance, once a smoker has programmed his mind to smoking, the mind, plus the nicotine, conditions the body to that program and it will take a reverse programming in proportion to negate the results.

The animal's brain is programmed by environment and instinct; Man is capable of programming his own mind and mastering his own environment, placing within his reach, according to his own efforts, every worthy, sincerely desired achievement.

Mind is the connecting link with the Superior Intelligence and there is no limit to the amount of intelligence the individual may draw upon. Solomon was able to answer all questions and solve all problems by reason of being in tune with that Infinite Intelligence. Just as we are able to plug in appliances to the all but limitless electrical energy supplied by a distant generator, so is the human personality, through the link of the mind, able to tap the all-pervading energy of the Universe.

The closer the mind is attuned to God, the greater the capacity to attain to Consciousness (the Awareness of God) and the greater the degree of Consciousness, the greater is the degree of Immortality of the personality of Soul.

The proponents of the use of such agents and drugs as LSD and other mind-affecting substances, claim that these "expand the consciousness." Nothing could be further from the truth.

Alcohol was one of the first and more natural means of "expanding the consciousness." The ACTUAL results of its use are: release in inhibitions and a resultant loss of moral and reasoning restraints. In addition, continued indiscriminate use of alcohol very often results in serious mental and physical problems.

LSD and similar drugs are far more dangerous, in that in addition to destroying the mind and body there is very real danger to the SPIRITUAL. THE REASON: These drugs cause a breakdown of the normal moral code that subconsciously and consciously has become a part of every decent human being and, IN ADDITION, BLOCKS the "inner voice" or conscience that has been developed through the ages. The blocking of this "inner voice" allows all of the baser emotions - the "animal" - to take possession. This is true of even the controlled use of these drugs. The UNcontrolled use has resulted in derangement of the mind, violent crimes and self-destruction.

The proponents of the use of drugs of this type argue that "it is necessary and desirable to have experience in other dimensions, and LSD allows the mind to experience things beyond the scope of the conscious mind."

The Great Work teaches that the student must profit by experience, be it good or evil, by OVERCOMING the evil and learning from the good. It DOES NOT teach the seeking of evil. We are taught to expand our Consciousness by the controlling of our subconscious to where it becomes our "inner voice" to guide us in our every act. LSD destroys the Consciousness by blocking the "inner voice" and allowing the lower instincts to have free rein over the emotions.

Attaining to SOUL CONSCIOUSNESS requires the overcoming of the animal instincts and replacing or transmuting them into SPIRITUAL attributes. There IS no "quick and easy"(10) way to Attainment, no shortcuts to true Awareness. Whether it be alcohol, drugs or psychotics, the use of ANY non-SPIRITUAL means to expand the consciousness, can lead ONLY TO DISASTER.
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(10) Those who attempt to enter the Kingdom by means other than the way of the LAW, are such as have spent their lives catering to the desires of the carnal senses. THE INTERPRETATION OF ST. JOHN, this publisher. -----------------------------------------------------

Inhibitions (normally) are the result of past experiences and training and serve as a guard and guide to our emotions. To remove or release them by drugs or other unnatural means can only lead to a loss of moral and SPIRITUAL values.
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