"We are children of the Universe. No less than the trees and the stars. We have a right to be here and whether or not it is clear to us no doubt, the Universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore, let us be at peace with God whatever we conceive him to be and whatever our labours and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life let us keep peace with our souls. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams it is still a beautiful world. Be careful, strive to be happy."1

Each one of us strives to be joyful and content, but are we really? All of us struggle whether we like it or not, but are we really happy and at peace with ourselves? Or on the contrary, don't we find ourselves buried in the mire of clay, filled with sadness, gloom, bitterness, self doubt and regret?

If this is so, then why is this? Haven't we learnt the lessons of time? The world has been blessed with Spiritual Guides, Prophets, Avatars and Messiahs who have incarnated on Earth at times of irreligion and decadence to guide and elevate us in our quest for self realisation, harmony, peace.... that Divinity within. Despite this however, we don't seem to be adhering to the truths taught by the great masters be it Confucius, Buddha, Krishna, Noah, Elijah, Isaiah, Moses, or Jesus the Christ, the Messiah, with whom we are most acquainted, or for that matter the Prophet Mohammed or Baha-ulla, who both came after Jesus the Christ.

Accepting the premise that there is nothing without a cause, it is clear that the root cause of our lethargic response in realising this harmony, strength and Truth within ourselves, is intrinsically linked with our error of superficially reading or listening and saying we believe, instead of thinking over, internalising and living those teachings in our daily lives; anything short of this must lead to frustration, pain and failure. We must totally and devotedly live those truths as we struggle along the path of life, so that we shall gradually realise this joy and contentment within ourselves, thereby transmuting those beliefs into living knowledge. Hence, living becomes a life science of truth, and our bodily temples, the test tubes within which the experiments and results of the Life Science are monitored and realised.

In the Holy Bible, Jesus the Christ declares in John Chapter 17, verses 11 to 19: "And now, I am no more in the world and I am coming to you. But they are in the world, Holy Father, preserve them in your name, those whom you have given me so that they may be one even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name which you gave me. I guarded them, and none of them perished except the son of perdition, so that the Scripture might be fulfilled. Now I am coming to you and say these things while I am still in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in their hearts. I have given them your word. And the world has hated them for they are not of the world just as I am not of the world.

I do not pray that you may take them out of the world, but that you may preserve them from the evil one. As I am not of the world, so they are not of the world. Sanctify them by the truth. Your word is the truth. As you have sent me into the world, so too I have sent them into the world and on their behalf, I consecrate myself so that they too may be consecrated by truth."

The principle of truth of which Jesus spoke is within each man. It is opposed to all falsehood, evil and error. Truth is a vital force and one must live by its dictates or else one will soon lose hold of it.2 We are told: "You shall seek me and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart." "Abide in me," "come unto me... and I will give you rest." "In quietness and in confidence I shall be your strength".3

The promise of rest, confidence, stability and strength is not based on mere inactivity, but on a constant effort to know self, the truth and divinity within. As Owens puts it:" Truth is based ultimately on self knowledge and is related inextricably to morality. It is opposed to........ (trickery and deception) and becomes manifest through being 'used' or put into practice."4 Hence, he that says: "I know him and keepeth not his commandment is a liar and truth is not in him."5 But like the psalmist, our innermost feelings and exclamations should be: "O how I love your law, it is my meditation all the day."6

By truth alone will man be released from the shackles of his carnal mind thereby gaining true freedom and peace as he treads the path of Earthly illusion and fleshy desires, because we are advised: "Walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit."7

The term "conscience" is generally understood, though this inner whispering spirit designating good as against evil, right as against wrong, truth as against falsehood, has become unfortunately dullened, if not atrophied with disuse and abuse in lots of us. True we may walk around and people may think the world of us, but in the final analysis what is important is what we really think and know about ourselves. Man may therefore be said to live in the 'closet of his mind', and when that closet is filled with the junk and cobwebs of our corruption and lies, stifling true living by the tensions of our disharmony, then life can be an experience of genuine hell and the term "the living dead" an apt description. In the Holy Bible we are advised: "have a good conscience, and in all things be willing to live honestly."8

The word "Dharma", which is said to have its roots in the Sanskrit language, is of supreme importance to Buddhism. It means to support a moral law, a spiritual law of righteousness - the eternal law of the universe - Truth. In Christian terms it corresponds to the will of God. "Pada,.... in Sanskrit..... means 'foot, step' and thence.." means "the path".9 Hence, "Dharmapada" to the Buddhist, indicates the path of truth, the path of light, the path of love; to the Christian initiate the path of truth, the path of Christ, the will of God.10

Some in their negativity, may be inclined to say that they cannot walk this path or that they cannot achieve this degree of Christ-like perfection; but it is submitted that even if we do not realise the ultimate crown of Glory, the joys of the path are ours. The path of truth is the gem of life that cannot be bought with money. However, by honest, devoted effort, it can become the path of perfection, the development of talents, both latent and apparent, the realisation of self, the manifestation of the eternal Christ spirit in the temple of flesh. We are exhorted by none other than Jesus the Christ to "be perfect as" our "Heavenly Father is perfect."11

The longing for truth in every one of us reflects the yearning of the Soul; it is the gradual evolutionary unfoldment of the Divinity within, the inner essence of our being. Some of us may concentrate our minds on the finding of facts in the 'material', physical world around us, that is, the outer world, whereas, others may by introspection, meditation and a dedication to true living, find truth within their own being; their 'mind's eye' is concentrated within and becomes centered in the inner "Eye" or eternal "I" of their being. In the Bible we read: "Your eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is sound, your whole body is full of light; but when it is not sound, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness."12

The above does not in any way detract from "the Everywhereness of God" or the fact that God is the ultimate Truth of all existence, the underlying essence of all creation: what was, what is, and what shall ever be.13 However, never forget that God is forever within you because that is the corner-stone of all truth to be known on Earth. He is the underlying divine essence of your being.

We can take solace therefore in knowing that God is found within when sought with devotion and selflessness (which incidentally is the opposite of selfishness), just as cream is found in milk, and oil in the castor oil fruit. The search and realisation of truth is in essence the story of life - the most marvelous and joyous 'search and find' story there is. It cannot be overemphasized here however that our search for truth and relationship with God, in other words our religion, must not be mere attendance at Saturday or Sunday Mass or service or a time when we clap and sing in our congregations, but it must be everything that we think, feel, say and do. It must be our lives. Knock on the door of the temple and enter - Christ, the anointed of the All-Father dwells therein.

The way of truth or of God is not founded on ignorance or unreasoning blind submission, because the Creator's invitation to us is "Come now, let us reason together".14 God does not force his will upon his children because that would be contrary to the whole idea of free will, but accepts respect and love given willingly and intelligently. We are advised "Peace be still",15 that life's turmoil may be quieted, because when tired we exercise our will by saying and doing things we tend to regret afterwards. Therefore rest, be still, and in that stillness wisdom and strength will come; so too, spiritual understanding and light will permeate your whole being. Thus we read: "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."16 So remember always, "draw near to God and He will draw near to you."17

Most of us never take the time to be silent or to sit quietly and pray to God. Most of us find it very difficult to sit still for a moment without carnal or worrying thoughts running uncontrollably through our minds. We must learn to be at peace in our temples of flesh, instead of restlessly rushing to and fro in neurotic activity. Some of us are like jittery little birds,nervously hopping from branch to branch, so restless we are within ourselves. We relentlessly look here and there for excitement and always seek happiness outside ourselves when the whole fountain of joy, the whole fountain of happiness and truth is within us. 'Be still and know thyself'. Incidentally, such inscriptions are to be found above the doors of many Ancient temples of Egypt.18

Ignorance is bliss, hence, world-renowned scientists once thought, albeit erroneously, that water was a single element; but by experiments they came to realise that two invisible elements, namely, the gases hydrogen and oxygen, come together in a certain combination to make water that is not only different in its manifestation but visible to the optic senses.19 Likewise, religious experiments prove wonderful spiritual truths. For example, when you sit in silence and your mind's eye is concentrated within, your In-dwelling Divinity20 will communicate with you. You will become attuned to God the All-Father, and your true self, the Christ Spirit that must be realised in you.

It is submitted that to the Initiate on the Path the results of religious experiments are absolutely convincing, as convincing as Chemistry or Physics experiments, if anything, more so; religious experiments are also enjoyable and worthwhile, because they do not take place outside ourselves in a glass test tube but within our own body (test tube). We all know of the peace and the feeling of well-being that overwhelms us when we get away from the hustle, carnality and noise of the city or town and avail ourselves of the harmony, beauty and solitude of nature, for example in the forest, by the sea or the riverside. The invigoration we feel after being blessed by nature may be likened to the charging of a depleted car battery, which prior to the charging, could not even start the engine that is necessary to propel that iron box we call a car, along 'the road of life'.

Sitting in silence with your mind directed to God may seem to some people a waste of time, but in reality it is 'value time', a time of great activity in your inner-life. Because by gaining control of the self and building up the energizing forces of life, you will become a more disciplined and powerful force in the furtherance of your more mundane, material pursuits in the society of which you will be an integral part.21

As indicated above, God is the divine essence or substance of all Creation, and in consequence, all we think, say, and do, forms part of an indivisible, (w)holistic vibration or motion within the underlying divine essence or substance of Creation. God, or this Divine Essence or Substance manifesting as motion or action is called force. God is therefore not only the Original but the Ultimate Force; force is inherent within Him, having made all creation and knowing all forces. All creation that is perceived by the physical senses (of sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch) is but atoms or substance in motion or vibration; and the Eminator or Begetter of all matter (substance) and motion is the self-same God or Divine Essence or Substance.22

Man, as he becomes conscious of this divine essence or substance inherent in all life, like the budding plant or flower, progressively manifests the innate, vibrational potentiality of truth and divinity within. Hence it is important that we view all of our 'budding' ideas, opinions and 'so called' convictions 'on the path of life', as attempts at manifesting something of this divine essence or substance within ourselves and our lives. The realisation of truth and perfection is an ongoing process; it is progressive and with faith will be realised in time. Hence, we must be understanding and patient with ourselves and more so with others - because as we tread the path of life we realise that good and evil are not constant, but shifting qualities as time and circumstances vary; as some people would say, 'good and evil' are not - 'black and white', neither is the distinction between the two always crystal clear. For that matter, there is usually a vast grey area, especially considering that we tend to judge situations by external events, whereas God judges by the heart.

What is considered evil today in a particular circumstance may be considered at another time or in another circumstance, necessary, helpful or even good. For example, electricity is a force that may be used to destroy the lives of convicted criminals, as is still practiced in some states of the United States of America; however, on the other hand, it gives us light in our homes, power in our factories and is used to treat rheumatic pain and other ailments.23 Some would say that this tends to lend weight to the idea that no force is inherently good or bad.

At the spiritual level, we must realise that in all things there is utility and purpose even if that utility and purpose may not be clear to us struggling souls. The Omniscient Creator, you can be assured, transmutes all things if you put your faith in Him, into useful purpose. That which we perceive today as evil, may be the good of tomorrow and vice versa. A seemingly bad occurrence today sometimes turns out to be as they say a 'blessing in disguise'. Hence, our failure today may be the foundation of tomorrow's victory. The lives of all so-called geniuses and great inventors reflect this; their greatest achievements came after years of failure. Faith and determination or faith and one-pointedness, if you prefer, were the miraculous ingredients of success.

We therefore would be well advised not to become too emotionally attached to what we perceive to be 'our opinions', no matter how right or good we may think them to be; we must always be open-minded enough to reject all that is false in what we initially thought to be right or good. We must accept only the true and divine, asking God constantly for spiritual light, guidance and strength on the path. It is written: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."24 For God gives those who are good in His sight, wisdom, knowledge and joy.25

On the path of life, we must endlessly praise God in advance for granting us the spiritual light and flexibility to realise that some of our conduct that seemed acceptable may be questionable and should be improved. With such flexibility we suffer no loss, but lose only some of our ignorance and narrow-mindedness; we will progress morally and may be endowed with the capacity to be in harmonious empathy with all struggling and stumbling souls of the World. We can be assured that the more we vibrate the good, the harmonious, the divine in our lives, this sublime force permeates every plane of our consciousness.

Man's search for truth or conduct thus far on Earth however, has developed within certain constraints. He has what is considered his personal needs, preferences and fleshly desires.26 This he struggles with literally from birth. He also has to contend with the constraints of the family that he loves and tends to become attached to; his struggles, successes and failures within the family in some way reflect what his social interaction will be in the larger society; as he gets older he also has to contend with the laws of man and with concepts such as 'the good of the collective whole'; and finally, he has to deal with the overriding divine laws of nature, which just cannot be fooled.

Remember, we are all Spirit-Souls incarnate in flesh, and in our quest for full spiritual maturity, we express a gradual manifestation of our true Self, the Infinite Essence, the immortal "I", the Christ or Divinity within. We must imbibe this basic truth of life which has been explained by all God's prophets, holy men and avatars, because whether we are consciously aware of this or not, does not negate truth and God's laws. Despite our ignorance of God's laws and consequent pain, God's Divine plan within the framework of His laws will not be frustrated. Our struggles are organized for our benefit and if we persevere with patience and faith, we will conquer; as long as we live in harmony with God's laws, a glorious victory shall be ours.

Does the master cricketer or baseball player in his full prime cry and cringe as the bowler or pitcher respectively bowls or pitches a beauty that demands his full concentration and perfect technique? Or does his innings fall to pieces if the bowler or pitcher produces the ball of the day, which just eludes the master's bat?. Definitely not! The perseverance, strength, harmony and rhythm of God is within him and each ball is played on merit and life is forward always. And hence, with consummate ease or ferocious power the next ball shall be struck by the master majestically along the greens or well over the greens and into the stands for six or a hit, as the case may be.

Like the cricket or baseball master, if man could just live 'the game of life'27 in faith, by submitting himself freely and unreservedly to God's will, 'the crown of Glory' is his for the asking. Unfortunately, however, down here on Earth, Man's temple has become his mire of clay in which he struggles totally immersed in material fantasy. The animal in man or the passions and desires of his dense, physical body tend to obscure the inner reality of life.

Man is bought and sold by his so-called needs and constant stirrings of desire. He lives half-crazed and befuddled by his desires; those desires become habitual and in time possess him. Man thus like a donkey, with the proverbial carrot before him, strives to satisfy and in many instances satiates his physical, emotional and mental cravings.28 But for every driving force, there is a balancing force or overriding force. Therefore those who ask humbly to be reconciled to the will of God, with contrite hearts, prayer and meditation will realise Truth, happiness and success; they will realise mastery over self through the Christ or divinity within, which is the ultimate, priceless gift of God, the All-Father.

Conclusion

We must surrender to the Divine will by the immersion of our separated egos into the One who is All. We must become joyous, harmonious, divine Sparks, immersed in the inspired movement of Omniscient Light and Wisdom. Guidance shall be ours, replacing the stumbling and suffering of the ignorant ego. That blessed prospect of eternal life will fan the quickening energies of the innermost spirit, the Christ-within, setting alight the path of faith and devotion to God. We must exhort each other unceasingly to keep steadfast on the path of truth. As taught by the ancient Masters, we must desire truth like a drowning person desires air; we must desire the truth with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.

Remember the words of Jesus/Yashua "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know truth, and the truth shall make you free."29 Let the Spirit of Truth, whom the World (materialistic people) cannot receive, dwell with you and in you always.30 Never forsake the path of truth, devotion and love, for remember "the world is passing away, and so is its desire; but he that does the will of God remains forever.31

Then and only then, shall the whole 'Garden of the Earth': the 'Garden of God' - radiate true happiness. When the way of the World (that is, the way of carnality and materialism) has passed away, the remnants of humanity shall realise heaven within their beings, within their temples, within their families, within their societies and on Earth; the finite or carnal mind will be replaced by the Infinite, divine or Christ mind, the supreme light shall replace the receding darkness of human ignorance and finally, immortality shall replace mortality; this is the Will of God, the All-Father, who is the epitome of patience, grace and love.32 The rivers and streams of Zion, as prophesied, shall sparkle with fresh, pure, spiritual water so that the children of the Kingdom of God shall be able to drink deeply thereof and 'the Will and Way' of The All-Father' shall reign supreme.33

 Footnotes:

Desiderata.

2 Joseph Owens, Dread - The Rastafarians of Jamaica p.177.

3 Jn. 15:4, Math. 11:28 and Isa. 30:15 respectively.

4 Owens, n. 2 supra. pp. 177-178.

5 1 Jn. 2:4.

6 Ps.119:97

7 Rom. 8:1.

8 Heb. 13:18. Incidentally, the word "conscience" is used over 25 times in the Bible; see also Chapter 2 text leading up to nn.63, 88 and 118.

9 See Dhammapada -The Path of Perfection- Translated by Juan Mascaro p. 9.

10 ibid.

11 Matthew 5:48-See too, Dhammapada, supra. n. 9. pp. 9-10

12 Read Luke 11:33-35; it is interesting to note that the words "eye" and "eyes" etc. are used over 300 times in the Bible.

13 See "Teachings of the Secret Order of the Christian Brotherhood and School of Christian Initiation" by Edward Lewis Hodges - Ch. XIX entitled: The Everywhereness of God - pp.106-118.

14 Isaiah 1:18

15 See Mark 4:39 as well as Ps. 46:10.

16 Ps. 91:1.

17 James 4:8.

18 See George G.M. James- Stolen Legacy p. 3.

19 See reasoning as regards H₂O in Richard Ingalese's book History and Power of the Mind at p.30.

20 Referred to as the Christ within you, in Christian parlance.

21 See Appendix I - Prayer and Meditation.

22 Richard Ingalese -History and Power of the Mind. pp. 14-15; 34-35.

23 Ibid. p.118.

24 James 1: 5.

25 Ecclesiastes. 2:26.

26 See Chapter 2 especially text to nn. 4, 6. 11, 24-41, 58, 68-82 and 88-100.

27 See Florence Scovel Shinn- The Game of Life and How to Play It.

28 See references to Ch. 2 at n. 26 supra.

29 John 8:31-32.

30 John 14:17.

31 1John 2:17.

32 See Chapter 2 text to nn.152 and 246

33 See text to nn. 153-155 and text to n. 201 in Ch.2 for the esoteric meaning of 'the fresh pure waters' Bible ref. Jer. 2:13; Is.58:11; Ps. 65:9; Jn. 4:10, 7:38; Heb. 10:22; Rev.21:6, 22:1 & 17.