Many philosophers have questioned, "What is the purpose of life? Are we here to suffer to enjoy, to learn, to grow, or to do what? The answer, of course, is, "All of the above and more." But if we were asked to put the purpose of life into one word, that word would have to be activity.

We have come to Earth, of our own free will or otherwise, to be active. To do. To become. To create. To make of ourselves a better person. To make the world we find a better place.

Until we are able to perfect ourselves to the point that we are able to be creative and active in other spheres of God's creation, this Earth life is the only one we have to express our creativity. Therefore, time spent here in nonconstructive or noncreative endeavors is time wasted.

James Allen in his book, As A Man Thinketh, writes about the use of man's creative mechanism, "A man's mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must and will bring forth. If no useful seeds are put into it, then an abundance of useless weed-seeds will fall therein, and will continue to produce their kind." this thought is most eloquently phrased by Mr. Allen, but it can be stated more succinctly by the colloquialism, "The idle mid is the devil's workshop."

This thought is carried a step further by Ernest Holmes in his work, Creative Mind and Success: "...It must be remembered that we are dealing with a power that is like the soil of the ground, which will produce the plant when we plant the seed. It does not matter if we have never seen a plant like the one that is to be made for us. Our thought is the seed and our mind the soil. We are always planting and harvesting . All we need to do is to plant that which we want to harvest."

We are gardeners of our own being; we sow, and we reap that which we have sown. There is no force in Heaven or Earth that can make it otherwise. The Nazarene attempted to teach this parable, the "seed" may be good, but if the "ground" is poor or the seed indifferently attended, little real growth will take place. Mental seeds are no different than physical seeds. They will not yield productive creations unless they are good seeds to begin with, are planted in carefully prepared soil, and are well attended until they reach their proper maturity. The Law of the Egyptian sage Hermes Trismigistus applies well here: "As above, so below; as in the inner, so in the outer."

Expanding the Law of Hermes, the same process that applies to the material seed and soil and the mental seed and soil also applies to the spiritual seed and soil. Our mental seeds not only affect the soil of the mind but of the Soul as well. We might think of the mind as the working memory of a computer and the Soul as the hard disk or permanent memory. As impressions are developed in the mind they are kept in this temporary memory only for a while until they become sufficiently concentrated to be saved to the hard disk (the Soul). Once they are impressed on the Soul there is no turning back; they will go forth and create their own kind, be that good or ill.

The Two-Fold Purpose of Life

Although the single purpose of life is activity, this activity, for our greatest development, should be directed towards two areas of endeavor. The first, as mentioned earlier, is our ability to be constructive in the advancement of mankind. The second involves the efforts we need to make to develop our own personal spiritual nature. Actually, our efforts to grow spiritually should come first, as we will then have greater ability to serve our fellowman. As the Nazarene so clearly stated, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added onto you."

The other side of our creative ability is addressed in Our Real Relationship to God, by Sidney H. Beard explains, "Thought has transforming power when constantly exerted, and is the executive attribute of the spirit [Soul] - the Real self. By the divine gift of Imagination, we conceive; and then by thought, concentrated and persistent, it is possible for us to bring forth the product of our conception. Thus are great projects accomplished, and thus can we create, or re-create, ourselves, in, or according to, our own image."

Mr. Beard continues, "The world's favorite picture, the Madonna and Child, which always takes rightful precedence of every other work of art, is symbolic of the conception and birth of the Christ-consciousness by the human Soul - the evolution of a son of God. No other achievement can equal this in greatness or importance. On the exoteric and physical plane, the painting only represents the Mother of Jesus and her Son; and many are they who apprehend this, and nothing more. But the spiritual mind perceives the esoteric symbolism and its wealth of meaning. Mary is the symbol of the human Mind or Soul, which, being overshadowed by the power of the Highest, and given the Annunciation, experiences Conception, and brings forth a Christ. But the greatness of this pro-creation involves corresponding travail. Just as physical motherhood involves much care, and often a descent into a Hell of suffering, so, but still more, does the spirit birth of a being who, on a higher plane, is in the image and likeness of God. But correspondingly great is also the reward, and the happiness, when the ordeal has been passed through. Herein lies a great ideal of wonderful possibility for women who have the yearning for physical maternity, but are condemned to disappointment. If they can aspire to this higher maternity, and achieve it, their sorrow will be turned into joy."

The thought of the Madonna and Child symbolizing what the Nazarene called the second birth is certainly pregnant with much nourishment for the imagination. With a little consideration we can see that the Virgin Birth may occur in each of us. In fact, our major purpose on Earth is to bring about such a birth. No wonder Mr. Beard considered the image of the Madonna and Child so important.

The various possibilities for barren women that exist today were not available at the time of Mr. Beard Published his book. Therefore, his thoughts concerning these women must have been all the more appreciated. However, even today, there are physicians and men of God who are concerned about the methods being used to bring children to the previously barren. These humble men have the greatest of sympathy for the women who desire to become mothers, yet they cannot help but ask, "Is the price that both theses mothers and humanity must pay in the long run for man's efforts to thwart Natural and Divine Law worth the advantages derived?" Only the future holds the answer to this question.

The Importance of the Mind

In the discussion on creative human activity, Mr. Beard declares, "Spiritual attainment is a process that depends largely upon our thought. The mid influences the human body, as well as character, to an extent that few persons realize. It is literally true that we can become what we aspire to be, if we hold our conception in view with sufficient mental tenacity, and put forth effort in accordance. Amid our many distractions and obligations it is necessary to recollect ourselves frequently - to remind ourselves that we are in reality united with God, that His Wisdom, Power and Life are ever available for our need and that according to our faith will be our achievement.(1)
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(1) Faith, in this instance, refers not to faith alone, but rather to that combination of belief and action of which the Nazarene spoke: faith like a mustard seed.
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"Mere words are inadequate to describe the spiritual strength that may be experienced through the cultivation of this practice; the calmness it brings of extreme trial and difficulty; the transcendence of happenings and circumstances that might otherwise occasion great distress. It also helps us to realize the ‘presence of God' within and around us."

The Importance of Action

Activity is life's key word, but we can see from the above paragraph that this activity can take on far deeper significance that is usually understood or perceived. Unless, therefore, we are able to function on two levels of activity, that is, "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's," we will not be able to fulfill our purpose for the present incarnation.

Activity is an excellent word for life, as it should, because it incorporates both thought and action in one word. Both are essential if we are to complete the drama God allowed us to begin so long ago. The necessity of thought and action is also addressed by Mr. Beard: "It is of but slight avail to have intellectual knowledge concerning the possibility of attaining the higher consciousness if no real and persistent attempt is made to bring about self-transformation by keeping the concept constantly in mind. At first it may be difficult, but perseverance makes it habitual, and, as all know, habit builds character. While it is necessary to always maintain mentally the differentiation of our real Self (the Soul, or Christos) from the human body in which we function, we must remember that the latter is part of our triple being and needs redemption from the results of mortal consciousness if our salvation is to be complete."

AS with many things in life, there is a certain degree of interaction between the efforts to help the material man and those to advance the spirit. Were it otherwise man's "salvation" would be much more difficult than it already is. This interaction may be surmised from the previously quoted Scripture, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Here we are taught that if we devote our efforts to our spiritual nature, the other things will be added. Mr. Beard also addresses this subject:

"‘The Spirit will quicken our mortal body' in answer to prayer and aspiration; but we have to be co-workers with God in order to render this possible, and it is largely through our own faith and effort that the work must be accomplished. Our spiritual mind conceives God consciousness, and the ideal of immortal being, abundant life, and perfect health; but this conception has to be reproduced and firmly held in the instinctive mind which controls the body. To a certain extent this takes place automatically if the inward consciousness of spiritual life and health is maintained - the flesh gradually responds to the Spirit, although perhaps imperceptibly at first.

The Magic of Sleep

In an essay devoted to extolling human activity and creativity it may seem strange to mention sleep, which most people would consider the direct opposite of this virtue. However, because the Spirit of God never sleeps, it can be used to help us while we do. Mr. Beard describes this process in this way:

"Much renewal may be accomplished during physical sleep if aspiration, invocation, and faith are the dominant sentiments when the physical consciousness becomes dormant - the work of the Spirit can then be carried on without hindrance from mundane distraction Blessed are those who have learned how to sink into repose in the ‘Everlasting Arms of God,' just as a tired child falls asleep with perfect confidence on the breast of its mother, In one of the Hebrew scriptures we are told: ‘He giveth to His beloved during sleep' - this being the correct translation according to reliable authorities; and it is literally true.

"Many seekers of this higher life find it helpful to make mental affirmations - especially during trying conditions. Some of the following may prove of much efficacy if strongly maintained:

"‘I am, because God is!'
"‘I and my father are one!'
"‘I am spirit - perfect, holy, harmonious!'
"‘God, in me, is Infinite Wisdom, I shall know just what to do!'
"‘As I wait upon the Lord, I renew my strength!'
"‘God's abundant Life and Knowledge are available to me!'
"‘God works in me, to will and to do; hence I cannot fail'
"‘The lord will protect me from all evil'
"‘God lives in me, and will become manifest through me'
"‘The abundant Christ-life, strength, and health are being built up within me'
"‘God, within me, is mighty to quicken, heal, vitalize, and renew; and to make me entirely whole!'
"‘There is only one Presence and one Power in the Universe - God Omnipotent!'
"‘With God all things are possible!'
"‘Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief!'
"‘All things work together for good, I will fear no evil!'
"‘My Father will never leave me, nor forsake me!'
"‘I will think no evil, for thou art always with me!'

"As you allow one of these, or similar thoughts better adapted to your own special needs, to occupy the mind prior to falling asleep, a potent force is established which will frequently produce surprisingly beneficial effects during the night's rest.

"While the essence of life on earth is activity, this does not necessarily mean much noise and talking. The most active people in the service of God and mankind frequently talk the least. There are other ways that the Sons of God may advance and communicate.

"It should be our aim to cultivate greatness of thought, and a wide horizon of outlook and interest. This habit enlarges our vision and knowledge, places the petty things of everyday life in their true perspective, and tends to develop greatness of character that results therefrom. Even if we are located among the groundlings(2) we need not remain such. ‘The fault lies not in our stars, but in ourselves!'
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(2) Groundlings were the common people who sat on the ground, rather than in the boxes, in the Globe Theater of Shakespear's day.
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"The more our spiritual senses are developed the less need there is for the use of language - for mind communes with mind, and Soul with Soul by harmonious vibration. It may be observed, as a general rule, the less people know of real verities the more they talk about superficial things. The habit of much talking is not helpful to thought and understanding; it is distracting, and we learn more by listening to the Voice of the Spirit within us, and to those whom we meet, than by much speech on our part. The reason why many religious services are not helpful to those who attend is that God does not get an opportunity of being heard during the whole ceremony.

"It is helpful if we dedicate a certain amount of time each day to quiet thought, and passive silent communion with the Supreme Omniscient Mind. If we retire to the sanctuary within us and close the door to external things, we can get into touch with the Wisest Counselor in the Universe, and our best Friend. Life's problems thus become easier of solution; and our faith, understanding, and power are greatly increased. At such times revelations of Truth, spiritual reinforcement, suggestions concerning opportunity, and warnings concerning danger are given us, and we go forth into the world again calm and invigorated. The early morning is the best time for this communion, before other humans are awake, as their thought waves are then less numerous and disturbing. "They that wait upon the Lord (thus) shall renew their strength; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.'"

Two Levels of Activity

This is not a lazy man's world. We all came here to be active because this is the only place, for now, in our circle of lives where we have the opportunity to change, create, and advance. Thus, the key word of this life is: ACTIVITY. To summarize, this activity may and should take place on two levels: On the material, so that we may be of service to our fellowman, and on the spiritual, so that we may develop the God-given Divine Spark within us.

Our thoughts are where all activity must begin. Each thought consistently held becomes a seed which will bring us a harvest of its kind. The wise person does all in his power to see that he plants only good seeds and also tends his garden in such a way as to give these desirable seeds every opportunity to mature fully and bring much benefit to all.
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