CHAPTER 13

“The Way”

Life is not so complex if we do not so persistently make it so. We accept the results or the effects; but we concern ourselves all too little with the realm of cause. The springs of life are all from within. Invariably it is true—as is the inner so always and inevitably will be the outer.

There is a Divine current that will bear us with peace and safety on its bosom if we are sufficiently alert and determined to find it—and go with it. The natural, normal life is by a law divine under the guidance of the Spirit.

There is a mystic force that transcends the powers of the intellect and likewise of the body. There are certain faculties that we have that are not a part of the active, thinking mind; they transcend any possible activities of the active thinking mind. Through them we have intuitions, impulses, leadings, that instead of being merely the occasional, should be the normal and habitual.

They would be if we understood better the laws that pertain to them and observe them; for here, as in connection with everything in the universe and everything in human life, all is governed by law—the Elemental law of cause and effect. Supreme Intelligence, Creative Power, works only through law. There is an inner spirit or guide that rules and regulates the life when the life is brought into that state or condition whereby it can make itself known, and in turn, dominate the life.

Jesus, Master of the laws of life, and supreme revealer of them to men, had a full and practical knowledge of it. He not only abundantly demonstrated it in his own life, but he made clear the way whereby it may become the common possession of other lives; for—do not worry about your life—was his clear-cut and repeated command. He not only gave the injunction or command, but he demonstrated the method whereby the fears and forebodings and uncertainties of life, can be displaced by a force or a power that will bring them to an end.

It was embodied in his other injunction or command that he gave utterance to so repeatedly: “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.” And by all these things, he meant, all of the common needs and necessities of the daily life.

The finding of the Kingdom of God is the recognition of the indwelling Divine Life as the source and therefore as the Essence of our own lives. It is the bringing of men’s minds and therefore acts into harmony with the Divine will and purpose. It is the saving of men from their lower conceptions and selves, and a lifting them up to a realization of their higher selves, which as he taught, is eternally one with God, the Father; and which, when realized, lifts a man’s thoughts, acts, purposes and conduct—his entire life—up to that pattern or standard.

It was not merely a poetic fancy, but the recognition of a fundamental law, as well-known laws of modern psychology, mental and spiritual science, are now clearly demonstrating, that induced the Prophet to say: “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right-hand and when ye turn to the left.” And again: “The Lord in the midst of thee is mighty.” And still again: “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”

How often do the meagre accounts of the Master’s life tell us of his going up to the mountain to pray—for communion with the Father. And then we find him invariably down among men, always where the need for help and for human service was the greatest.

This habit of taking a little time daily, alone in the quiet, in communion with one’s Source, that the illumination and guidance of the Holy Spirit may become alive and active in the life, and going then about one’s daily work ever open to and conscious of this Divine guidance, trusting and resting it in, strengthened and sustained always by this Divine power, will bring definiteness and direction, will bring hope and courage, will bring peace and power to every one who will heed the Master’s injunction and will follow his example. These it has brought to great numbers to whom before, life was an enigma; and this because the life had been lived entirely from the outside.

The higher forces and powers of the inner life, those of the mind and spirit, always potential within, become of actual value only as they are recognized, realized, and used.

The Master’s Way of the Spirit, the finding of the Kingdom within, leads into no blind alley. It leads out and triumphantly out onto the great plain of clear vision, of unself-centred activity, of heroic endeavor and accomplishment.

If we would spend a fraction of the time that we spend in needless anxiety, in definite constructive thought, in “silent demand,” visualizing the conditions that we would have, with faith in their fulfillment, we would soon know that the Master’s illustration of the care-free bird is fact and not fancy—It is, he said, what life should be.

The little time spent in the quiet each day—alone with one’s God—that we may make and keep our connection with the Infinite Source—our source and our life—will be a boon to any life. It will prove, if we are faithful, to be the most priceless possession that we have.

While it is impossible for one to make a formula for another that one should follow, the following may perchance contain some little suggestions—each must follow his or her own leading and therefore method:

My Father in Heaven, Infinite Spirit of life and love and wisdom and power, in whom I live and move and have my being, whence cometh my help, manifest Thyself in me.

Help me to open myself to the highest wisdom and insight and love and power, that I may serve Thee and my fellow-men, and all my fellow-creatures faithfully, and that I may have the Divine guidance and care, and that all my needs be supplied.

Oh Christ within, enfold and lead me and reign supreme, that the One Life that is my life, I may realize and manifest ever more fully.

I am strong in the Infinite Spirit of life and love and wisdom and power. I have and shall have the Divine guidance and care; for it is the Father that worketh in me—My Father works and I work.

 

 

The following little motto—A resolve for today—may contain a little aid for the following of the Way:

I AM RESOLVED

I believe that my Brother intended that I take his teachings in the simple, frank, and open manner in which he gave them, out on the hill-side, by the calm blue waters of the Galilean sea, and out under the stars of heaven.

I believe that he knew what he meant, and that he meant what he said, when he gave the substance of all religion and the duty of man, as love to God, and love and service for his fellow-men.

I am therefore resolved at this, the beginning of another day, this fresh beginning of life, to go forth eager and happy and unafraid, in that I can come into the same filial relations of love and guidance and care with my Father in Heaven, that my Elder Brother realized and lived, and going before revealed to me.

I shall listen intently to know, and shall run with eager feet to do my Father’s will, calm and quiet within, knowing that I shall have the Divine guidance and care, and that no harm therefore shall befall me; for I am now living in God’s life and there I shall live forever.

I am resolved in all human contact to meet petulance with patience, questionings with kindness, hatred with love, eager always to do the kindly deed that brings the joy of service—and that alone makes human life truly human.

I shall seek no advantage for myself to the detriment or the harm of my neighbor, knowing that it is only through the law of mutuality that I can fully enjoy what I gain—or can even be a man.

I am resolved therefore so to live this day, that when the twilight comes and the night falls, I shall be not only another day’s journey nearer home; but I shall have lived a man’s part and done a man’s work in the world—and shall indeed deserve my Father’s love and care.