Ever since the creature known as man attained to consciousness, and acquired the associated ability to reason and think - by virtue of which he is a man and not a mere animal creature - there have been thousands of perplexing problems confronting him and absorbing his attention. Whether he would or not, man has mentally wrestled with the possible solution for the problems and the mysteries of life.

What and whence is God, or the primary Creating Power? What is sleep? What are dreams? What is breath? What is life and - above all - what is death? What is the mystery that veils the power hidden in the almost invisible germ which, in the right environment, springs into life and brings forth - man?

These and countless other questions have baffled mankind through the ages and he has racked his brain in an effort to find the answers. To a large extent, these queries have been confined to the thinkers of the ages; those who have set aside a period in the busy, work-a-day world, as a time to retire from the hustle and bustle and question the why of existence.

The common mass of men either have not had the time to think about and ponder on these things, or have accepted them as a matter of course; content to eke out their more or less meager and unsatisfactory existence, not knowing or caring whence they came or whither they will go. This has been their curse throughout the ages. Lacking initiative and interest, they have been as dumb, driven cattle. It has been easy to foist false ideas upon them and, as a result, fasten the slave's yoke bot their necks.

Life and death are two phases of human existence which do thrust themselves pre-eminently upon each thinking individual irrespective of who or where they are; whether poor or rich; ignorant or highly intellectual; or whether black, red or white of skin. Where does one begin and where does it end? Is death the beginning of life; or is life the beginning of death? What door opens at death, or is closed with the beginning of life?

At some period in the life of every Soul on earth, these two opposite poles of the problem of life thrust themselves forward and demand consideration. Man cannot escape the problem unless he is wholly lacking in love and affection. The birth of a Soul proposes the question: From whence? Why? Whither?

Birth - beginning with the creation of the spermatozoon, its transference and implantation into the ovum, gestation and final birth of the human creature - or any creature for that matter - is still a mystery, even to the most learned. How is it possible for a protein cell to become a "living" something which, under proper condition, develops into the species of its kind? The ordinary man looks upon birth as a matter of fact without any attempt to explain it. Except perhaps surreptitiously and superstitiously.

The physician and scientist is able to trace the progress of the "seed" of things from its begining to tis material manifestation. But the mystary as to how an object so small as to require a microscope to see it, can contain within itself, and gradually develop after, the pattern of its forebears, is unexplainable. Whence its life? When does it change from a mere protein cell to a cell of reproduction wherein is contained the pattern of its species?

Death is recognized as the natural end of life, but is in itself as mysterius as life. Whence? Whither? Creeds try to explain but do not make plain. We watch the birth, the growth of the body, the unfolding of intelligence and faculties, and then what? That which has brought the joy of Companionship, the fulfillment of love, ceases to breathe, to more, and suddenly no longer anything more than the earth from with it sprang. What has become of that which we know as companionship, affection, love? It has not really ceased to exist, since nothing is ever actually destroyed. That which appears so, only changed.

The change strikes terror, sorrow, los and dismay into the human heart, because man has continued in "darkness" and has no perception as to whether this change spells the end of all things for the one so loved, or that perhaps there is a new life beyond the veil which his eyes cannot penetrate.

In his sorrow and uncertainty man, throughout the ages, has turned to religion; not so much for a solution of the problem as for consolation. Religion has offered him the hope that, having been served from life on earth, there awaits him a different phase of existence. Notwithstanding the hope religion offers, man has continued ion constant rebellion against that phase of existence called birth, but has not been willing to accept or look upon death in its true light. Could man evaluate Life's experiences in their proper perspective, he would see death not purely as a matter of fact, as inevitable, but as a necessity to the renewal of life upon a higher plane; a greater or deeper phase, and correctly understood, to his every advantage.

If men feared less and thought more, they might question with Hamlet:

"To die, to sleep; to sleep, perchance to dream,
Ah, there's the rub! For in that sleep of death,
What dream might come, when we have shuffled off
this mortal coil, must give us pause."

This pause might cause men to think. Thinking might induce investigation and investigation reveal the mystery that death is no less, no more, than the beginning of a new life; another opportunity. On this basis, we can come to realize that death, indeed, is neither more nor less than a sleep, and that from this sleep we awaken free of the aging, tottering, limiting mortal coil to begin a new phase of life.

Basically, perhaps, the solution of eternal life has been the aim and effort of most men. Man's search for longevity, his desire to solve the riddle of the universe, has been responsible, no doubt, for the development of the wise men and sages. These wise men, sensing the limitations of material science, delved into the spiritual side of life, perceiving that where materiality ends, spirituality man begin.

Such men, though few in number, have endeavored to bring the light of understanding of wisdom and illumination, to the masses. In all ages, however, they have met with a wall of resistance from those they sought to serve. The retarding influence of superstition and bigotry, the adherence to preconceived beliefs, and the engrossment of every-day material activities, have prevented the common lot of men from accepting new ideas. They thereby actually refused and rejected a knowledge of the operating Laws which would have gradually bought them light and the means of finding the "way" out of the darkness of ignorance into the light of reality.

Despite the unwillingness of the masses to accept anything which the majority do not believe, or belong to, a few Souls have sufficiently awakened from their mortal slumber to look beyond the appearance of things, to seek the Laws that govern creation, thereby finding that death, being a rebirth into a new life, is part of creation itself. These have found that the mystery was not so deep as commonly thought; that the identical Laws which apply in the mental and spiritual realm also manifest in the material. This is the oft-quoted Law of the Thrice Great Hermes:

"As in the Above, so in the Below,
As in the Inner, so in the Outer.

All Law is based on cause and effect. This, a Law in itself, has been stated time and again. It must be repeated many more times before men will accept it and be guided by it. Then, and only then, will it be recognized as the simple and easily understood statement of the Nazarene:

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

This, on of the great Laws of the Universe, has vor centuries been known in Eastern countries as the Law of Karma, but, in the West, has been wholly ignored. It is the Divine Decree that like produces like, whether this be in the species or in the actions of men. Every cause produces a definite result. This Law, ever-active and unswayable, is at once the hope of the spiritually awakened, and the death-knell to the desires and efforts of those who refuse to work in harmony with it.

Even in defiance of this Law, man has, on the physical plane of manifestation, discovered another Law - the Law of the conservation of energy; that is, that every particle of matter that has ever existed, exists now, and will continue to exist, though in changed form. Nothing is lost; nothing can be lost. All creation has but one intent and purpose: to build on an ever-upward trend. Those who refuse to keep in step with the activity of this Law are "cast by the wayside."

The impulse of Nature is forever onward and upward and although often interfered with or retarded, is never actually stopped. Nature does not favor or countenance devolution, or "progress in reverse." Her law is evolution, and evidences of this Law may be seen everywhere.

The old tree which no longer brings forth fruit is, like the Biblical fig-tree, accursed. It dies, rots and is resolved back into the original elements. Whatever ceases to grow, go forward, expand and evolve, is under the ban of Nature who issues the edict: "I have no further use for you; you must give way to that which is willing and ready to manifest my exuberance, my spontaneity, my youth, my beauty, the thrills of my life, the love of my heart, the ideal of my sense of perfection, thus expressing the highest in me; that which manifests the newest and loftiest impulse; that which will develop and become the embodiment f the highest concept in its particular kingdom," Man, although having been graciously given free Will, is under this same Law.

Nature takes the substance of the old, refines it by means of her Alchemy, and offers it to the new plant. The wonders of the new creation merely reflect the old in a new combination, perhaps with greater beauty and more pleasing symmetry of form.

Is it possible for the thinking, reasoning mind to escape the conclusion that if this Law is operative in the plant, the animal, the rock, it must likewise govern what was destined to be the greatest of all of God's creation - Man? Is it conceivable that God neglected to provide for the evolution of the one creature made in His own image and likeness? Hardly! Yet man, possessing free Will, may refuse to accept the order of the Law; may refuse to cooperate with his Creator and, in his defiance, bring destruction upon himself for it is written:

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

Is it not written that God will destroy the Soul; but that man, as a result of setting destructive Laws into operation, thereby destroys himself.

Man, alone, of all creatures in the Universe, has the ability and the privilege to be a co-worker with God. As a being capable of thinking, reasoning and expressing himself, man can become an instrument in the hands of God and may, by means of his Intuitive powers, once developed, help in controlling the affairs of the Universe.

If new trees and plants may, and do continually absorb, for their subsistence, the substances which were formerly part of the old, why does Nature thus continually reproduce the same creations, if it is not under the Law of "Like produces Like?" then one production of the oak, the wheat stalk or the animal, would end the existence of that species forever. Since we witness action or reproduction continuously, does this not explode the theory that there can be cessation on any plane, whether this be in the vegetable, animal or human kingdom? What has been and is, must continue to be, though perhaps in a changed form, because all is a manifestation of creative activity.

This is an unceasing activity, and since man is included, his rebirth or reactivation is part of the Law, god is being. He operates under a Law as do all things. Any interference or cessation of the activity of the Law would throw all things into confusion or chaos, and result in destruction. God could no more set at naught one of His own Laws than He could destroy Himself.

Man, being under the Law, is likewise compelled to obey or harmonize himself with the Law, or gradually, individually or collectively, degenerate to a mere animal state and cease to exist as man. To obey is to live, not only momentarily, but eternally. To consistently disobey is to gradually bring about self-destruction, and that, alone, means death in the real sense of the word.

Birth and death are the two opposite poles of man's experience on earth; his is the opportunity to learn and to know. Between these two poles or portals is found all the hope and all the discouragement, all of faith and doubt, all of the love and hate, success and failure, conjecture and theory, religion and loss of anchorage which go to make up a lifetime on earth. All of these things are essential to man's welfare, because through them, he is finally awakened to a point where he is led to think, to seek, and to ultimately find the door through the veil or, failing in this, to face the cessation of all activity, which is actual death.

By the sowing, man places the grain of wheat into the ground; he sees it apparently disintegrate and seemingly die. The old form changes, and, to all appearances, deteriorates into the original elements. But lo! - out of the invisible germ hidden within the gody springs forth a tender shoot. By appropriating the elements at its command, the sunshine, warmth, moisture, the nourishment furnished by the soil, this tender shoot or sprout gradually takes form and, in time and proper order, reproduces itself a hundred-fold.

Is it possible that man, who usually considers himself a "lord of creation," possesses less resurrective power within himself than the little grain of wheat? If so, then the Creator who "made man in His image," did not think very highly of Himself or His highest creation.

Actually and logically, man should, in his every-day experience, gain a two-fold lesson: He should recognize that everything repeats itself and evolves. Nature commands: "Grow or die; evolve or deteriorate; produce, i.e., create, or pass into oblivion; lastly, awaken and bring into manifestation the seed of resurrection, or cease to exist as a separate being.

The Consciousness of a Continual Reproduction and Recurrence

The which once was, continues to be, or may continue to be. If the grain of wheat "dies" as such, only to reproduce itself, dividing its life many-fold, then the desire of Nature, the incentive of Nature, the Law of Nature must be reproduction or repetition; Nature being unwilling that any creation shall cease to exist.

Here the hope in the heart of man awakens to simple logic. If Nature ordains that the smallest of grains, the Biblical "mustard," shall reproduce itself, then it must certainly be the intent of Nature that man - still the highest form of creation, debases as he has become - shall pass through life, reproduce himself, pass on and return again by means of the process of Reincarnation, until, perhaps through eons of time, he reaches the perfection intended by Nature as the Ideal.

As intelligence, the sane, sensible, logical reasoning power in man - not the superficial intellect of the intelligencia - develops, there comes to man an inner or spiritual awakening. At the same time, contemplation and realization of a higher form of creative ability fills the heart, an ability which he now knows he may consciously direct.

Man has for centuries witnessed blindly, unthinkingly and apathetically, a most realistic example of resurrection in the change of one form into another. He has seen the caterpillar spin its cocoon about itself while attached to the branch of a tree; implant therein the seed of itself to develop and remain dormant through the long winter months, perhaps covered with snow and ice; and then, re-activated by the warmth and sunshine of Spring, come forth and emerge in a form beautiful and resplendent beyond words.

Either as worn or butterfly, this creature has no concept of what it is or what it is to be. It follows blindly, but obediently, the Laws of its nature; satisfied to do the Will of the Law or the Being that called it into creation.

If man were less blind, less self-satisfied with his own superiority, he would deeply bethink himself, and draw a lasting lesson from the life of this lowly, but beautiful butterfly. Most significant of the implications to be drawn from this lesson would be the continuity and perpetuity of life when the Law itself is obeyed.

Seeing that the caterpillar can evolve into such a beautiful embodiment, return again into a worm, and reincarnate time and again, is it possible for any thinking, reasoning being to doubt that life, for man, can be any less? Does not this humble illustration lead us to the obvious conclusion that Reincarnation and re-embodiment are one and the same thing, and that man has, at least, the same opportunity and privileges as the lower forms of creation?

Passing on to the great mystery which is life and the continuation of existence on the material, as well as the spiritual plane, man witnesses, from the single speck of protoplasm, the development, and birth of the human creature, possessing a mind capable of thinking, creating, loving and hating.

Is it possible for the thinking, reasoning mind, while witnessing this process, to doubt the perpetuity of re-creation? Is man foolish enough to believe that, as a result of the marital relationship, he really creates a mind and Soul?

Man sows the seed, but man is only the sower; woman the receptacle and the crucible wherein that wonderful artistry then takes place. Woman is the laboratory where in Nature, not she, performs the miracle. The operators, or manifestors, both being the same, can we explain why several children of a family are so totally different one from another? Why some members of the same family may be thin, some robust; some blue-eyed, some with eyes of gray; some large and dark, others small or light; some after the father or mother; others entirely different.

In this we are brought face to face with the mystery of Reincarnation. If we bear in mind that the family is merely the "collector of persons," our understanding of the Law becomes easier. All operating Laws in or of the Universe work in harmony. The Spiritual Law is a counterpart of the mental, or the emotional, each manifesting that which takes place on the material plane of the universe.

If we refuse to believe in Reincarnation, then we are confronted by this problem: If all the human beings that ever lived were on earth today, then the universe would be inconceivably cramped and overcrowded. This poses the question: Where could all these Souls exist? There is only one logical answer. Reincarnation alone, offers the solution.

There are only so many Souls. Most of these return time and again in order to work out their perfection an in time, as "sons of men, become the Sons of God."

This statement offers another challenge: Are there any men living, do we know of any who could by any stretch of the imagination, be considered, or qualify, as sons of God? If not, and if we do not accept Reincarnation as a certainty, where could men develop onto Sons of God, i.e., perfection, since according to the Biblical statement, this must be accomplished on earth.

The orthodox will not accept this explanation of pre-existence, existence and re-existence, mainly because it demands that man must reach a certain degree of perfection before he will be relieved of repeatedly returning to the earthly school for further instruction and experience. They forget that the Master-teacher of their religion was most positive in his various statements that man must be born again: in the spirit as he was of the flesh. Only a few, those so reborn, can know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, i.e., enter therein. It is also a fact that man must in the ultimate, be changed from a son of man into a Son of god, before his return is acceptable, and his earthly labors, hence is earthly existence, is ended.

Perhaps the greatest orthodox objection to Reincarnation on the basis that, if this is a Law, a must, then loved ones will not meet again. This idea is basically false. Under the Law, Love draws loved ones together, irrespective of where they are; love being the only Law. Moreover, how many, or how few, right here and now, in any given family, love each other so affectionately that they actually desire to be constantly associated? How many make actual efforts to remain together?

The concept itself is in error. According to the creed, those who accept in faith and become "concerted": are saved and enter "heaven," the abode of the blessed, hence are together. Those who do not accept are eternally damned, are separated from the others, irrespective of how deep the love between them. The decree is final.

If reincarnation is a fact, then however grievous our sins, unless they be "unto destruction," the Soul has opportunity after opportunity to free itself and at last be again with those who earlier achieved the prized possession of the "mysteries of the kingdom of heaven." Under this Law, each Soul is given opportunity after opportunity and no soul "dies," is condemned, damned or lost unless, or until, it ceases in its efforts before it has retrieved its past.

If man ponders the problem of existence, he will recognize in the world about him the counterpart of what he himself is expected to be and he becomes conscious of the command to perfect himself. He begins to recognize that his very existence is dependent upon his growth into spiritual consciousness. He realizes that he must develop and unfold in order to progress, and that his body is the caterpillar, while his Soul is - may become - the beauteous butterfly.

Reincarnation is the medium the creative God has provided for man so that he may gain knowledge and experience and with unlimited time, perfect himself. Reincarnation does not, by any stretch of the imagination, imply that the Soul returns to, or into, the same old resurrected body.

We have noted how, in nature, in the plant world, the old and outworn is resolved back into the original element and therein and thereby renews itself through its own new plant seed. It is almost identically the same with the Soul. The old body returns to the element from which it came, is there renewed and becomes the medium for new life.

In a sense, the old, useless, worn-out material is made use of time and again, but not until it has renewed, or fully rejuvenated itself. "Dust to dust, ashes to ashes," - yes; but no sooner has this return been accomplished when the material so released again becomes new, rejuvenated, revitalized substance, or "body," offering the new spirit another vehicle through which to manifest.

Man's return to earth is necessitated by the fact that here only does he possess Mind; the governor, the builder, the constructor, the thinker, the director, and at the same time, the tool with which to shape his destiny toward continued life, or destruction. Opportunity after opportunity is offered to him - opportunities which in past lives he rejected and which, if he were limited to one earthly existence, would not be his.

If man thinks positively, he may ultimately desire to rise above his purely material existence, and if the desire is strong enough, he will begin the effort to create and bring into existence his own spiritual self through the medium of Soul development. If despite his knowledge of the Law, and the love in his heart, he should fail by some misadventure, to achieve perfection, he would, by means of the privilege of Reincarnation, be given another opportunity to achieve that objective. As a result of his desires, which are part of the Soul, he will be drawn to parents, and into environments, which will permit his bringing these Soul desires into manifestation and becoming that which the Law, in the beginning of time, ordained him to be.

Let us recall to mind the question which the Nazarene propounded to his disciples: "Whom do men say that I am? Some answered Elisha, while others gave a different answer. But when he asked his disciples whom they really believed him to be, the answer was different, though perhaps no more true: "Thou art (who has become) the Christ, the Sn of the Living God." - Matt. 16:16. This is a counterpart of the Divine statement: "As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God." -John 1:12. Certainly, the Nazarene had gained his knowledge, and attained to his Christhood, as a result of experiencing both good and evil as must every Soul.

The problem of reaching ultimate perfection is one which each individual must solve for himself by working out his own destiny. Instructions, guidance and encouragement all have their place of course. Suggestions may be offered, the say pointed out, the means indicated; but firs, last and always, it is for the individual to accept and apply what is taught.

No one can think our thoughts for us. No one can instill in us the necessary desires or make for us the required efforts. We must build our own cocoon, place therein the Soul's Spark, and, by effort, bring to life the beautiful butterfly - the soul in its flight upward.

Reincarnation is a Law co-existent with the creation of man, or of man in the process of becoming a reasonable being. It is a Law, perforce, which gives every Soul another opportunity whether hw will or not. It is a process of living and "dying," of coming to earth and leaving it again. This process must necessarily continue until the individual awakens to his own possibilities, his possible destiny, and decides what his aim and end is to be - Soul Consciousness or annihilation- (eternal oblivion). This all-important decision is left to man and he alone is responsible for the outcome.

How soon, or how long delayed, or exactly when the final incarnation shall be completed is also left to individual decision. There is no need for delay. Endless Reincarnations are the result of procrastination. Procrastination is not only the "thief of time," but also the underlying cause of most failures. There is no need of passing through endless Reincarnations. He who has learned the Law may at once begin to build into eternity, to erect the Temple "not built with hands," to bring the Soul's Light into manifestation and transmute the son of Man, the mortal being into Immortality. In this process is fulfilled and made real the experience of Immortalization, "mortality having put on Immortality."

Man, created in the image of his Creator, is in possession of a mind. Within him, also, is the Soul. His is the ability of the Architect - the builder. When ever he is willing to listen, god reminds him: "Son, all that I have is thine; thou in me and I in thee. Follow my Laws and all things shall be thine. Great things shalt thou do. Nothing is impossible to my Son."

The Master-teacher, the Nazarene, by precept and example, has clearly shows man the possibility of achieving Godhood, slowly, step by step. As the great exemplar, he has demonstrated how man, by means of his every thought, desire and act, may build an imperishable spiritual body, a Christic Soul. All this comes about as a result of listening to the Soul's admonition and following the Path.

Reincarnation offers man the means of gradual growth, with its attendant possibilities, Spiritual awakening as a result of experiencing the joys and sorrows of life, building the Immortal, spiritual body; awakening the Soul and bringing it into consciousness and manifestation - these are the fruits of repeated life experiences. Reincarnation offers time and opportunity to transmute that which is base in man into the pure and holy; the grossest desires into the highest ideals; changing, transforming, by the constant effort and gradual growth, the mortal son of man into the Immortal Son of God.

God's universal ideal is perfection. It was not ordained that man should live in sorrow, in sickness, in suffering and defeat. Man has brought these reverses upon himself by his own disobedience to Laws which are evident in the lives of the lesser creatures. It was god's plan that men should live as His Sons; eating of the good fruits of the earth; partaking of the blessings everywhere so abundant. So generous was He in the establishment of His Laws that, though man disregard them all - unless he commits the sin which is beyond redemption or finally rejects all Law - he is given opportunity after opportunity to finally achieve Sonship with the Father and, in truth and fact, become His Son.
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