One of the errors of the ages has been in the groundless idea that man cannot follow God, or a Godly life, and, at the same time, be successful in a practical, mundane sense. The cry of all too many men of the cloth has been and continues to be: "Crucify the flesh," in total disregard or forgetfulness of the Divine command:

"Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and unto God the things that are God's."
-Mark 12:17

This injunction demands of us an EQUAL effort to serve the world in proportion as we serve God. It requires service to the material self no less than to the Spiritual self. In reverse, we are told to serve God as fully as we serve the world, and our Spiritual being to the same extent we serve the material self. This is the Law of Equilibrium, of balance - right proportion. It is likewise the LAW of JUSTICE, of BALANCING UP. No man can ignore this law, or command, without injury to himself, or perhaps even final destruction to himself.

Unfortunately, even many of these who, as Acolytes, have sought the Path to Soul Consciousness or Mastership, the Way, the Truth and the Life, conceived the utterly erroneous idea that, on entering the path leading to the full development of all the innate faculties, capabilities and possibilities - the Biblical "talents," hidden within his being - activity in an occupation, business or profession must either be discontinued or at least in part neglected, and all of the aspirant's time be directed toward Soul development and Spiritualization.

This is an utterly false conception. Inner or Spiritual development, frequently called "higher" development, to be correct, must be normal, balanced and proceed step by step, hand in hand, with honest and worthy endeavor in material and worldly affairs. It is not only UNnecessary for man to lay aside his vocation, whatever it may be (the ministry excepted), in order to promote the interest of his Spiritual self, but may be highly detrimental for him to do so.

Super-development, a development above the purely physical, progresses most satisfactorily in every respect if the Neophyte is daily engaged, for a certain number of hours, in constructive activity, in something essential to the human family, an occupation that calls for the centralization of his every thought and entire attention during every working hour of the day. This Law, and it is a Law, is condensed in the few words familiar to all:

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." -Eccl. 9:10.

This Law encompasses every activity in which man can engage, whether material or Spiritual.

Biblically, as well as in Occult lore, this Law is stated somewhat differently. For example:

"He that is faithful in that which is the least is faithful also in much." -Luke 16:10.

Nowhere is this more applicable than in the realm of the higher Spiritual or Occult activities. It is equally true with respect to daily life, in the most menial labors. The laborer who has no heart in his work, who performs no better than he must, is headed not only toward material failure, but to Spiritual annihilation. To be counted worthy or to BECOME worthy of the greater or higher, man MUST be faithful to the lesser. REaction is the Law, irrespective of the field in which man is engaged, and the "wages" paid the laborer will be in exact proportion both to the spirit and the mode or manner of his efforts. This is the eternal Law which no man can change or evade. It is also the Divine Law:

"- whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." -Galatians 6:7. and:

"- every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor." -Corinthians 3:8.

Life in its entirety is made up of the small, the insignificant, and the seemingly worthless things. Cumulatively these smaller things become the greater things. The step by step effort, without apparent progress, nevertheless, leads to the heights.

The Laws governing concentration, i.e., fixed ideas, activity and effort, are by no means limited to material affairs. They apply equally in every avenue of life, including Spiritual progress and attainment. All things being equal, the extent of man's concentration, activity and interest in the culture of his inner, higher or Spiritual self, should be co-equal with his interest in external affairs; though considerably less time and effort is necessary in the case of the former.

The path leading to inner Spiritual culture demands a definite method of concentration and the close application of thought for a certain number of minutes each day. This effort is most successful, and far better results are obtained, if the Acolyte will give the same degree of concentration and undivided attention to his material interests or efforts. In general, a man's zest in the acts of his daily life, will be duplicated in his efforts toward Spiritual attainment. One complements the other. Failure in one is certain to react in the other. Why? Because failure is the result of a common cause. This is A Law which is well to learn early in life.

A point never to be overlooked, forgotten or evaded, is that the purpose of true, or balanced development is the combined improvement of body, mind, spirit and Soul. This includes, aye, demands, preparing for a useful life, and the ability to render constructive service to others IN EXCHANGE FOR SERVICES REQUIRED BY OTHERS. When one arrives at a full comprehension of this Law - and it IS as Law - daily tasks take on a new meaning. As progress is made, the various activities of life become a barometer by which one may readily gauge the progress of Spiritual advancement.

All the daily duties - not impositions - which man is called upon to perform, afford an opportunity that should be welcomed, for the application of the principles learned will help to build up the constructive forces that otherwise might lie dormant and weaken those that have already been developed.

Spiritual development, being in part, at least, a method of drawing to the self, the Biblical "bread of life," the Æthereal essence from the higher spheres, naturally demands an exchange. In this again a potent Law is illustrated; not a something for nothing, but a something we can offer in exchange for something we desire and need.

Unless there is a daily expenditure, a circulation or reciprocation, as it were, by means of actively exchanging one type of service for another, all of a constructive nature - a giving out in proportion to the receiving - the combined organism of body, mind spirit and Soul will suffer congestion, an inertia, a weakness predisposing one to failure.

To discontinue a constructive, remunerative business or occupation to devote the entire time to Spiritual development is to bring about a stagnation of the entire being; an aversion, a satiation, and defeat the very purpose of Spiritual development, the end of which is Soul Consciousness.

As a result of inner Spiritual awakening and development, man's mind gradually becomes keener in its insight into conditions, more proficient in its analysis of the correct methods to pursue under all conditions and circumstances. This brings a deeper recognition of the results of the thought and desire processes; more accurate conclusions, and more specific application or direction of knowledge, power and energies cultivated.

The mind's faculties are like instruments of steel in the process of being shaped, tempered and sharpened, or changed in form and structure by means of both heat and cold. The mental activities of man require daily testing and readjusting, and nothing better affords the opportunity for this than the demands of daily life with its complications, intricacies, provocations and disappointments.

The unpleasant experiences are as important to balanced development as the pleasant, just as both heat and cold are essential to the tempering of fine steel. In the process of this Spiritual or inner development, the Soul of man gradually releases its store of knowledge. A new insight becomes apparent. The common occurrences of every day life reveal new significance and the ordinary duties take on a much deeper meaning as the relationship between body, mind and Soul is revealed.

If the desire be properly inspired, then love, kindness, compassion, generosity and graciousness become the activating motives underlying all endeavor. The tiny spark of the Divinity latent in man's being becomes by graduation a well-defined spiral of the Flame, of which it was formerly a part. In time as progress continues, the Soul self, the Light that is the Soul becomes "the sun of righteousness with healing in its wings."

This being true, both mind and Soul, the two extremes, each with its expanding capabilities and spheres for usefulness, must have adequate avenues for expression or manifestation; otherwise they will weaken and retrograde; activity being synonymous with life in every avenue of expression.

It should be strongly impressed on the sense of understanding that nothing is ever gained by slighting a duty in any direction, not even for so noble an objective as study and development along Spiritual paths. To do so is to cheat the self. Truly great Souls always do their best under all conditions and circumstances.

It is an erroneous belief that development of the higher self permits one to become careless in habit and indifferent to the duties of life, however menial. He alone legitimately applies the proper methods for development of all his faculties who finds an incentive for improvement in the practical duties of everyday life.

By a system of development, properly understood and actually practiced, the mechanic becomes more skillful; the carpenter more proficient in handling his tolls, the salesman more expert in presenting the value of his products.
It is clearly understood that loss of interest in any useful, erroneous idea regarding the ultimate purpose for which such development is undertaken; continuation in such error will result in failure both materially and Spiritually.

It is clearly understood that loss of interest in any useful, constructive or creative activity indicates clearly an utterly erroneous idea regarding the ultimate purpose for which such development is undertaken; continuation in such error will result in failure both materially and Spiritually.

It is actually harmful, as so many have found to their sorrow, for the aspirant to apply himself too closely to his study or to apply himself exclusively to any line of endeavor to the exclusion of all else. Constant study, mental activity, and indifference to physical requirements, is a combination that will in time result in great harm to both mind and body.

If the Neophyte is so situated that work of a remunerative nature is not required for his own support and those dependent on him, the best results in inner or Spiritual development demand the pursuit of some avocation in channels of usefulness as a relief from the mental activity in which he is engaged. Not alone does the Law governing Spiritual development and the efforts toward Soul Consciousness demand that man do this, but it likewise commands him "not to leave the other undone."

All too many, though fully and faithfully obeying the first injunction, fail utterly by ignoring the latter. Insanity, or a neurosis, in various degrees, all too frequently results from too great and too continuous a concentration of thought and effort along one particular line of endeavor, to the neglect not only of the physical man, but also of the mental faculties.

This is true not only when the effort is centered on Spiritual attainment, but equally so when the mind is centered on some material achievement. An example of this would be, the "ever-with-us" perpetual motion enthusiasts, ninety per cent of whom become "mental cases."

The full, complete and natural life, the whole (holy) life, demands a variety of wholesome interests; AN EQUILIBRIUM...not merely nourishment, but refreshment as well, not alone the bread of life," but likewise the "wine of gladness."

Constructive effort or useful labor is one of the most important "musts" of Spiritual development, for the search for the attainment of Soul Consciousness. "By the sweat of thy brow shalt thou live [eat bread]," is a Divine command founded on Absolute Law. Man can attain his desires honestly only by effort, energy, willingness and untiring work. Labor, whatever its nature, never reflects unfavorably on any man's intellect or Spirituality, nor does it make him less noble or less the gentleman.

God is as much a farmer as He is a philosopher. More so, if anything, because of the vastly greater importance of food for the subsistence of man, rather than philosophy to sustain his faith. By useful labor, man polishes the mirror that reflects the Divine in which he was created. Useful activity gives nimbleness to the body and eliminates impurities that would impede movement. It is the correct and most certain method to free the system of poisonous substances that interfere even with the purity of thought and loftiness of desire. Inactivity of the physical body congests and interferes with natural action, prevents the absorption of vital material to rebuild the physical structure, deteriorates the physical man and leads to an early old age.

Nature honors and compensates constructive activity. She is ever generous with her gifts; but to whom she offers much, she likewise demands much, and he who fails to compensate will soon find himself lacking a supply. If she gives man a strong and virile body, filled with the spirit of life and vigor, she demands that he make use of it to full capacity. She herself is constant in her giving, and the more she gives, the greater her demand in return. Nature is ever generous. By the same token, she not only expects, but demands that we be equally so. Nature is a wise guardian of her treasures; bestowing her favors where they will be most appreciated and prove to be a profitable investment. Nature's law is fully illustrated in the Nazarene's parable of the "talents," and the principle enunciated applies to everything man possesses or may possess.

Nature is ever just and most honorable in her demands. If sometime it would appear that she demands more than she offers, this is only apparently true; it may be that man already owes too great a debt which he has made no effort to pay. The Law of Compensation, i.e., FAIR EXCHANGE, functions in strict accordance with fairness and justice, and cannot be evaded for long. Though a man's obstacles may be seemingly insurmountable, he CAN overcome them or THEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PLACED IN HIS WAY, and the effort or sacrifice required in the overcoming is always fully compensated.

Nature demands interest on indebtedness; but she also pays interest on investments. As man proves equal to his first difficulty, he will be compelled to meet others. Each problem met will bring knowledge and power to overcome others until victory is finally won. Nature wisely treats man as if it were good for him to carry burdens; to bear the heat or cold of the day, and surmount obstacles, knowing that hardships, toil, and effort are to his ultimate advantage. NATURE MAKES NO MISTAKES. Ultimately she blesses both the acceptance and the willingness of obedience to her Law, knowing that "to the victor belong the spoils [the reward]."

Nature is utterly cold, but conscientious and absolutely just, manifesting a constructive purpose in all she does, or for which she is the incentive. Every part of man's physical organism is designed for a specific purpose and if any one is permitted to avoid its specific function in the plan of life, every other part is made to pay the penalty, and it is the mind, the master architect, that must bear (feel) the penalty for not enforcing the Law.

That every part of the functioning machinery may be kept in perfect order, the various muscles of the body must be exercised, compelling harmonious adjustment to all organs. This is accomplished by NATURAL means in meeting the requirements of a normal, active life. Unless there is sufficient physical activity, the reaction, or lack of action will be harmful to the mentality, and the adverse mental state will in turn affect the Spiritual self, the Soul, accordingly. To be normal, natural, correct, one's development - mental, physical and Spiritual - must proceed hand in hand.

Actually, true development is in itself, a form or type of labor. It demands a consciously, deliberately directed activity and application of mental forces, sometimes far more difficult, in the beginning, than physical labor. The truly great men of all times became such by means of wise mental activity coupled with hard and ceaseless toil or labor. As an example, Abraham Lincoln earned the presidential chair by his extreme self-denial and application to study and thought during early youth. To him the arduous labor and self-forgetfulness in all this was a pleasure. The incentive and energy that urged him on and enabled him to engage in the lowly task of splitting rails, ultimately took him to the Capitol of the Nation and made him the guiding star in the rehabilitation of the relationship between men of wholly different ideas and ideals, even though the full consummation of his plans was frustrated by the selfishness and ignobility of men surrounding him and following him in power. Faithfulness in the most menial tasks made Lincoln worthy of the greatest honors a nation could confer upon him.

Leo Tolstoi, born in the purple, regarded by millions of his time as one of the greatest authors of the age, with the opportunity of living a life of idleness and luxury, nevertheless chose to lead a constructive life in part time as a tiller of the soil.

Being born to the carpenter's trade in no wise interfered with the development of the Soul of the Nazarene; neither did it bring upon him dishonor, but instead, the love of God and man. Peter, James and John, chosen by him as companions and co-workers, were fishermen. The Apostle Paul earned his livelihood by making tents. Almost without exception, the truly great men, the honestly successful men, came from among the humble toilers among men. No great Souls ever incarnated or reincarnated with a desire for ease or pleasure, but that they might FIRST OF ALL DEVELOP ALL OF THEIR TALENTS, and having done so, labor actively in the "vineyard of the Lord." By their example and the results of their efforts to help humanity as a whole to greater knowledge, they reaped the benefits that accrue to all who willingly obey the Law.

Every obstacle placed in the path was made to serve as a stepping stone to greater development and achievement. Great Souls seeking ultimate perfection and usefulness to humanity, never chose homes of luxury and idleness, nor environments offering them pleasure whenever sought. Sublime Souls incarnate to WORK; they choose fields where effort is most needed, and they have been, and are, ever ready and most willing to fulfill their every destined duty to the utmost.

True Acolytes will try in every possible way to develop all of their inherent "talents," strive to personify and manifest the Divine likeness in visible and tangible form, and always direct their creative energies into channels of usefulness. In so doing they gradually come into a realization of their likeness to their Creator, and in truth change, develop "the son of man into the likeness of the Son of God."

Truly great Souls are the visible expression of the Father. They are the living proof of God's existence. They manifest their likeness or kinship with the Creator by being ceaseless workers; never idle, never drones or the unworthy recipients of the "something for nothing." To such a Soul, nature is a great laboratory. Such a man looks upon the universe as his workshop; being fully conscious that he who is most active and constructive in his creative ability and unfailing in his service is most like his Creator. Of this, his constant proof is his own Soul's Consciousness.

In full measure, each individual is the creator of his own destiny; of his body, his environments, his conditions and all that he is. When he originally manifested as man, he was sent forth from the Supreme Creator, as a branch from a vine. A ray of light followed each being into the mundane existence, and with this ray was associated all that was good, beautiful and harmonious through the Creative Law.

Gradually, through ignoring the Divine Law, man has fallen to his present estate. All this holds (binds) him to the depths in his own stubborness in refusing to purge his mind and Soul from the admittedly undesirable passions, such as hate, jealousy, malice, judgment of others, unforgiveness, selfishness and carnal appetite. It is a long list - one which even the ignorant admit as undesirable - yet, such is human nature that man holds to them and is destroyed by them.
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