VII
1. Tell the new ones that the responsibility for thoughts has to be realized. Formerly, one was responsible for action; later the significance of the word was understood; and now it is time to know the conflagration of thought. It is better to learn silence and to purify one's thoughts.
Can the roar of a tiger possibly be worse than treacherous thinking? Not only for its actions but also for its thinking does humanity accumulate a grave karma. Thought inflicts tortures on the spirit, for there is no difference between word and thought.
A fool is he who will take this warning for a threat. There is no threat — We have only examples, and cares. Each one is free to jump into the abyss, but he must be forewarned.
I consider that now there is no need to repeat more about the significance of thought.
Although the time is sordid we had better think about the future.
2. Each one will apportion for himself. From the best plan there can be made a chicken coop.
Apportioning gold and silver is not Our occupation. One has to forget all conditions — then the light is lit. Every joyous loss is an immense gain.
The daring of despair is self-abnegation. But the highest daring does not expect any reward. And despair expects no reward. In Our language despair is the designation of a limit. An achievement is near to this limit. To the house where it abides one can screw an iron bolt.
I am knocking in the rain. Why do people fear only lightning? Sometimes a beggar's bag warrants a greater fear.
3. Cryptogram about Christ:
Night fell. Christ was seated at a threshold.
A scribe approached and asked: “Why dost thou sit in the passageway?”
Christ answered: “Because I. am the threshold of the Spirit. It thou wouldst pass, pass through Me.”
Another scribe asked: “Can it be that the Son of David sits at the place for dogs?”
Christ answered: “Verily, thou defames David, My Father.”
It became dark, and a third scribe asked:
“Why sitteth thou as if fearful of thy house?”
Christ answered: “I await the night's darkness, to free Me from sight of thee. Verily, let darkness depart into darkness.”
Then, rising and pointing to Mount Moriah, whereon stood the Temple, He said: “My Grandfather created the Temple of stone, but He sits under the linen of the tent.”
Said the scribe: “Madman, he believes that Solomon still lives.”
And they departed in ignorance.
Afterwards Mary came out of the house and, seeing Christ, said: “Teacher, share our evening meal.”
“Christ answered: “The gift of the heart glows in the darkness.”
4. Cryptogram about Christ:
A member of the Sanhedrim asked Christ “Wouldst thou come to us it we should call thee?”
Christ answered: “Better had I go to the cemetery, for there there is no lie.”
The member of the Sanhedrim continued:
“Why dost thou not acknowledge us when even thy father was married by one of our members?”
“Wait until your house crumbles, then shall We come.”
“Wherefore shalt thou come, to destroy or to build?”
“Neither for destruction nor erection but for purification, because I shall not return to the old hearth.”
“Then dost thou not respect thy forefathers?”
“New cups are given for the feast. Respecting a grandfather, one need not drink out of his cup.”
5. Parables of Buddha:
A shepherd beheld a man seated in meditation beneath a tree. Seating himself beside the man, he tried in emulation of him also to think. He began to count his sheep and mentally to figure out the profit from the sale of the wool. Both sat silent.
Finally the shepherd said: “Lord, of what art thou thinking?”
“Of God,” answered the man.
The shepherd asked: “Dost thou know of what I was thinking?”
“Also of God.”
“Thou art mistaken. I thought of the profit from the sale of my wool.”
“Verily, also of God. My God has nothing to barter, but thy God must first go to the market. Perhaps on the way He may meet a robber who will help Him to return to this tree.” Thus spoke Gotama: “Go to the bazaar. Think faster in order to return quicker!”
On a ship traveled a trader of monkeys. In his leisure he taught the monkeys to imitate the sailors spreading their sails. A storm arose and the sailors hastened to lower the sails. The monkeys, knowing only how to spread them, followed the sailors and hoisted the sails again. The ship was lost because the teacher had foreseen only fair weather.
Thus spoke Buddha, the Restorer of the Lotus of Life.
6. You will ask why I speak against magic when I Myself am pointing out the cementing of the space, the significance of the influence of a circle, and other conditions which remind one of magic. But the difference is that magic seeks a substitute for life while We teach to ameliorate the existence by taking advantage of the possibilities of life itself.
7. It is well to point out: “Read again, and better, the old Decrees.” I teach the new when the old has been put into practice. I teach the useful when the indicated and cognized cooperation has been accepted and entered into.
The best tinning takes place when the fire does not burn the ware. Success may be tinned only when its shell has been completed in spirit.
The hammer is working and the chains are clanking, and grey people continue to find pleasure in the cup of lechery. They do not know that th6 hands of the clock have moved imperceptibly and that tomorrow the doors will be closed to their ingenious amusements. My gatekeeper will tell them: “At dawn there was erected an altar to the Lord of Wisdom.” And the grey ones will depart.
Stem and inflexible stand My guards. One cannot compare the steel of their helmets with the gold of the grey ones.
8. Separation precedes a meeting and a meeting precedes a separation. Therefore it is wiser to rejoice at separation.
A commandment to all warriors: When one leaves the ranks the others must proceed in the same direction. When the banner is flying the warriors do not desert. When the bonfires are ablaze the warriors do not push each other and try to take another's place. When the signal is given for a night march the warriors do not complain but march cautiously.
Before each manifestation you noticed a moment of seeming emptiness or cosmic silence. From small to great this moment is proportional. It is comprehensible that the physical world is very much on guard when letting through a spiritual discharge. Therefore, it is a difficult task to lead the physical world out of its inertia.
9. Our goal is not to be Teachers, but Co-Workers. But for this there is needed a firm realization that through mutuality absolutely everything will be brought to useful fruition. When signs of such allegiance are evident, then the mastery of the physical world is at hand.
In earthly churches people invoke Christ and wonder at His silence; whilst you perceive how one can resurrect Him amidst earthly life, without putting on a sackcloth and disturbing the space with discontent. Thus are the great Designs forged.
10. As different seas have different waves, so the space gravity must be held secure by various means. Not through contents alone, but through application, much can be strengthened.
11. The most terrible statement is: “We have already attained.” The Teacher Himself will never pronounce this destructive formula. We know the Plan, and We are tirelessly conceiving new details.
12. Why do I sense the mountain spirit? The Teacher is sending His Shield.
The Teacher wants to see you erecting a mountain.
The Teacher is yearning to see you disconcerted by nothing.
The Teacher feels how courageous you have to be to proceed.
The Teacher will point out when a grave danger is to be encountered.
The Teacher advises to keep courage ready.
The Teacher will help to conquer the evil hand.
The Teacher repeats not purposelessly the long-familiar thoughts.
The Teacher looks ahead.
The Teacher enjoins you to keep the spirit invincible.
The Teacher wishes to dispel fear.
The Teacher wants to make your judgment calm.
The Teacher restrains you from grievances.
The Teacher advises to plan bold projects as before.
The Teacher is concerned about your health.
The Teacher sends you forth.
The Teacher has warned enough.
13. Learning about sacrifice, you receive power. Success follows sacrifice. His Teaching is firmly grounded because it is based on sacrifice. Success is nothing else but the counterstroke of sacrifice. The success can be in advance of the sacrifice, as a loan, but inexorable is the fate of the debtor. If today one can pay with little, within a year the payment due will increase. Before the year elapses the debtor becomes stooped with his burden.
I shall illustrate with a parable:
A man who had withheld the confession of a crime sat in prison. At home he had left riches which had come to him unexpectedly. The noise of every step outside suggested to him a pardon. He sent couriers to deliver the riches to the judge. But a simple confession would have treed him and preserved his wealth.
It is easier (or a man to sit in prison than to pronounce the saving confession. When the judge is about to free one he must hear the redeeming “yes” — the desire to give up.
14. About the circles of keen sight and hearing.
The first circle concerns the near ones and future events. The second is confined to current matters and to the near future. The third embraces the past which concerns the near ones. The fourth encompasses past events. The fifth is within the limits of the contemporary world. The sixth reveals the future of the world currents. The seventh contains all signs.
One can be strong in the first circle without being able to grasp the next one. Therefore, it is better to develop the seventh circle, because all manifestations are accessible to it but without personal gravitative influence — without limitation by the personal, narrower, sphere. It is better when, following a personal sign, one can receive signs about coming events of nations, or glimpses of a cosmic order.
One must know that amidst spirituality the realization of beauty lives but rarely. A sound understanding of beauty is the rarest quality, and will be valued by the Lords above many things.
It is better to approach the great with difficulty than to master the small with ease.
By a series of historical examples We will show the path of evolution.
15. In ancient cults there was a period called “the condition of opened treasures,” when the priestess was already abiding on the eighth floor, entrance to which was prohibited, and the stairs were covered with the skins of leopards in order that no sound might penetrate. This state of “opened treasures” was so reverenced that the violation of the repose was punished as a religious offense.
Everything inharmonious is especially harmful; therefore, a thunderclap is less dangerous than the scream of a newborn. This simple truth was never written down. It is absolutely impossible theoretically to draw a demarcation line of harmony, because the tonality of the accord of spirituality is an individual one.
The ancients knew that the “treasures” are unrepeatable, and took measures against accidents. During the opening of the treasures the Elder of the Temple observed which of a gamut of sounds had the greatest effect. Each sound was accompanied by a definite color — thus were the conditions for each case determined.
16. A smile of determination is the best guide. One must acknowledge the goal and devote oneself to the plan of the Teacher.
Every personal desire is harmful, but striving toward achievement is required. Desire is not an achievement. Achievement is the realization of necessity. Desire can grow; a desire can be renounced or modified. The torrent is rushing on not because of its own desire, but because of an inevitability born of necessity.
The spirit knows where is the impulse of desire and where the rock of necessity. I see the torrent of truth rushing on, and nothing can impede its course.
How often a Name of the Lords pronounced with faith helps to create the bridge of succor!
We see much that is far from beautiful. When working with humanity one has to wash one's hands often.
When you feel weary do not always ascribe it to yourself, but remember the waves of world reaction.
Only through consciousness of utter urgency will you swim across.
The pattern of work of the dark ones is first to sow disbelief, then to saturate it with desires, then to inflate these into crimes and reap a double harvest.
Ponder upon how to be more intelligible to humanity.
Besides the sacred language We have a language of silence. The condemned language of refusal and negation tears the hem of the garment.
17. Turning to the right, be ready to go to the left; nearing the shore, be ready to sail again; because every Command is for the good and for acceleration. In tense stillness hold your breath, for steps may resound.
Better a few annoyances but then the approach of the events. Better a short fatigue but then the near approach to the Teacher. Better wearisome journeys but then the approach to the Teacher. Better a sinking into dust but then the purification of the spirit. Better the rejection of conventional measures but then the obtainment of Light. Better grief about a Ray but then the Light of Christ. Better to give to others but then the lofty ecstasy of the spirit. Better to subordinate the spirit to the Command but then to reach the Teacher Himself. Verily, know how to guard and preserve.
When you feel a wondrous fairy tale, then does your spirit speak the truth. And when you draw the line of future life. Our Mirror shines. And when you count the parts of the world. Our Banner flutters. And when you look into the distance with an eagle eye, the light knocks at My Tower.
Thus, when you think about possession in common, or about the healing of humanity. We feel wings.
Expel small thoughts, they are stilling to Us.
18. In a card game you may receive the best cards but it is up to you to make the best use of them.
I am speaking about the pictures of the future. In conformity with quality of auras, these pictures are real and extend in a definite direction.
True, ill will can push the traveler into a different direction, and then he will see signs of a different nature.
Therefore, when receiving the pictures of the future it is very important to remember under what condition of spirit they are given. To the ray is given the corresponding possibility; otherwise justice would be violated. One should also understand dates similarly.
For cosmic dates manifested “vessels” are chosen, and they carry a chain of coworkers. Therefore, the substitution of coworkers takes place according to the request of the chosen ones.
If We notice the lameness of a coworker. We still do not replace him without the expressed desire of the elders. But if the spirit of the chosen ones recognizes a treason toward the work, then let them address Us, saying, “Thou, Our Sponsor, Who have given pledge, replace the coworker.” This will mean that a link of the chain will be unlocked, and the consciousness of the chosen ones will be freed from the effects of the aura of the departing one. But the departing one takes upon himself his own fate, for everyone is tree to build his own house.
We can summon. We can reveal pictures showing the expedient direction, but the application of Our Call is left to the free will.
Only devotion and understanding of the wisdom of the Plan insure the reality of the pictures of the future.
From the mountains distant vistas are seen, but the desire to crawl into a hole can only be deplored.
In times long past a debtor was cast into a pit called gehenna. Why crawl there of one's own free will? Thus, let us conclude about the vitality of dates and the mirrors of the future.
I wish to see everyone at his place and with greater understanding of achievement without expectation of personal gains. Is it possible to call a warrior who enters into the battle full of expectation of reward a hero?
Ages ago the Teacher Mohammed had to promise to the warriors of Islam raptures in Paradise. Will I have to promise the glitter of rubies? One must proceed without expectation; otherwise, deplorable is the waste of the time of eternal evolution.
19. Now let us conclude the law of co-measurement.
The builder must know how much load the pillars of the house can carry. From non-co-measurement results destruction, blasphemy, lie, treason, and many other ugly manifestations.
Can a building endure wherein to a flea are attributed the qualities of a giant; wherein a poker is sought more than the Lord; wherein the whirlwind is being compared to a mosquito's flight?
The condition of the Brotherhood is full co-measurement of thought and expression — this is the bulwark of the truth of beauty. To go through life with neither reticence nor exaggeration is easy. We sharply observe Our coworkers, for they should express themselves in conformity with the true meaning. Only thus can different beings cooperate.
The best judgment will be founded upon beauty. It is ugly to say, “I shall put the giant into a little box,” or, “The eagle soars like a hen.”
How often are the best apparati destroyed by non-co-measurement, which, with a little attentiveness, is easy to avoid.
20. Reading the suggested books, you will find sparks. Place into one receptacle the fragments of reverence to Maitreya. Thus, over the face of the Earth I Myself have laid the chips of the One Stone. A new miracle will bring the nations together. Our Ray will expel doubt.
The bonds of achievement are similar to results of the work in a laboratory. The hand does not shake while measuring the experimental liquid, because the researcher knows that a spilled drop can blow up the house. Only faith and courage uphold the hand of the experimenter.
VIII
I. The Ray of Christ is just as scientific as the ray of the sun, but to the crowds the simple finding of an object is itself a miracle. Is the change of races a miracle? Is the coming of the Teacher a miracle? Is the appearance of Christ a miracle? Does one prophesy a miracle centuries ahead? A miracle violates harmony, whereas cosmic events only affirm evolution.
Dreams and visions also are not miracles but a thread of life; that is, knowledge of what is impending, revealed to such an extent as not to infringe upon karma. If people could without prejudice accept dreams and consciousness, the path could be improved.
The manifestation of new images is often distortedly reflected. The mirror either expands or contracts, as when a surface undulates from an unusual pressure.
One must cautiously consider the so-called nightmares; their meaning may be significant.
2. What I will say now is very important. The canon, “By thy God,” is the higher, and this canon is the basis of the New World. Formerly one said: “And my spirit rejoiceth in God, my Savior.” Now you will say: “And my spirit rejoiceth in God, thy Savior.”
Solemnly do I say that therein is salvation. “Long live thy God!” So you will say to everyone; and, exchanging Gods, you will walk to the One.
There where one might otherwise sink one can tread softly, if without negation. There where one could suffocate one can pass, by pronouncing “Thy God.” There where matter is revered one can pass only by elevating the earthly matter into the Cosmos. Essentially, one should not have any attachment to Earth.
Why is there a legend about the descent of Christ into hell? The Teacher addressed the lower strata of the astral world, saying: “Why, by cherishing earthly thoughts, bind oneself eternally to Earth?” And many revolted in spirit and rose higher.
Thus, find the God of each one and exalt Him. One can understand it in mind, but it is more important that it be accepted in the smile of the spirit. When the most difficult becomes easy, like the flight of birds, then the stones themselves unite into a Dome, and Christ the Mason will appear to each one.
3. Synthesis of spirituality is the rarest gift; it alone kindles the light of the world. Nothing can be compared to the light of the world. The light burns, but its ray is being sought.
4. Do not make enemies. This is an enjoinment to all. Know your enemies, beware of them, stop their actions, but bear no malice. And if the enemy comes of his own accord under your roof, give him warmth, because large is your roof and the newcomer shall not take your place. But if it is difficult to overcome a deep feeling, then cover it with the smile of Light.
The sentiment of old fictitious accounts is verily incommensurate with the Plan of the Lords. For if we put upon a scale the works in their original form and the fictions devised through the exertions of hatred, the latter will be the weightier.
In the name of co-measurement one must find a right place for people; otherwise, we might as well speak with the same intonation about the center of the planet and an ink spot.
A piece of music played in one tonality evokes distaste. Therefore, We bid you to understand the practicality of co-measurement. But if you notice a long conversation about an empty shell, arrest the attention of the speaker upon the impracticability of naught. With many people this discipline is indispensable.
Do not be afraid if you be called insane, for the path is open to you. Do not forget to praise the enemies.
Let us conclude about the enemies.
5. About the non-comeasurement of dates. Along with an ocean wave small streamlets of events are given. Can one confuse a streamlet with an ocean? But upon Earth one always hurries to confuse the personal with the world-wide. As the hand feels the thickness of a fabric, so must the spirit discriminate the depth of the events. Do not be fascinated by the seeming magnitude of events, because among the basic nodes there may be motley Phantoms, and the streamlets can temporarily change their beds.
An incidental moment, or silence, or indisposition should not be attributed to the wave. Thus, if the traveler stops for rest on his way this does not mean that he has deviated from the path.
The manifestation of a nodal wave rises instantaneously but before each wave the boat hesitates. The more sensitive boat will shudder the stronger because the dust of the explosion already fills the atmosphere.
Therefore, the co-measurement of the dates and events must not be forgotten.
Acceleration of the current can especially affect the organism. The complexity of events sometimes even seems to sever the thread; but this is only temporary, while the organism digests a double portion of the world's course. The complexity of physical conditions can augment the physical sensations One should not then overtire oneself, as the waves of the ocean augur an approaching change.
6. Acceleration, as well as retardation, proceeds in waves. Therefore, when perceiving a wave of acceleration one must succeed in casting into it as many seeds as possible.
7. The laws of appearance of Teachers coincide with the plan of the whole culture. Karma rolls up like a scroll, and signs of the departing earthly power begin to flash out.
For those who know the future it is hard to observe these departing flickers. Like yesterday stands tomorrow. And the step is measured not in feet but in three year periods. Thus is obtained the stride of Giants, to whom it is not frightening to step over whole centuries. Thus does the psychology of the spirit reach the Earth.
For earthly shells each century is like a menace. But the bridge of the spirit bestows wings of truth.
To those overstriding the span of three years it sometimes seems that they do not live. A specially propelled aerostat sometimes seems to be motionless because its apparent inertia does not correspond to the surroundings.
8. He who carries the knowledge of the future can walk boldly even upon shaky stones.
Success is then when the consummation is beautiful. Success is then when one can set forth upon a new journey.
The wish is already a part of the fulfillment. Courageously advance to Light!
The parting is the forerunner of the meeting. And St. Sergius used to say: “You must depart, otherwise you cannot meet again.”
9. I wish to recall the cult of the high priestesses. There was one group which was brought into an exalted state by means of chemical preparations; another by way of magnetic currents; and there were also low grades of conjurations and mechanical whirlings. Then began the inward concentration oh the threshold of sleep or the concentration upon a brilliant object. The knowledge which came from within, without any apparent conditions, was considered the highest.
The path of the world evolution proceeding under your eyes requires different conditions, and the time is coming when psychic forces must be strongly restricted for the sake of the spirit. For the last decade the lower strata of nature have taken possession of the lower psychic manifestations to such an extent that a danger to evolution is arising.
You can progress not by the way of the lower strata of phantoms and encumbrances but through cooperation with the Higher Planes.
10. Now about the circles of receptivity. The circles of keen sight proceed centrifugally and those of receptivity proceed centripetally. From symbols and dim outlines they advance spirally to sharp fact, to clair-call, clair-audience, clair-voyance, clair-understanding, clair-achievement, clair-knowledge.
One must understand that into the category of the call the fact does not enter, because in this category a precise action can be misunderstood and will only increase the danger.
I do not wish to imply anything demeaning about those who need the call, but a fact in their hands would be like a loaded gun given to one ignorant in handling weapons.
Of course the boundary of the call is quite relative, but when one can pass over to the circle of understanding We greatly rejoice.
Each circle is like a caravan. Of course a whole caravan carries more than a single horse; yet, on the other hand, a single horse can delay the whole movement. Shyness or misstep can upset the march. Therefore, the concepts of achievement and clair-achievement differ very distinctly. It is possible to check the flash of the achievement, but not the fire of clair-achievement.
The flame of clair-achievement may flicker from the effect of Cosmic vortices, but it cannot be removed from the head. You will understand why a symbol, as an identifying sign, is necessary up to a certain degree. Later on it becomes unbearable and begins to fall off like a husk.
Like the music of the spheres, the all-existing resounds along the ways of Boundlessness and Non-recurrence.
As a bird flutters and then flies, so does a word gush from Our Furnace, and afterwards it can only be confirmed. Occultly the first moment is more important than a repetition. But when one can catch the boiling of the Furnace, it glows more powerfully than a command.
11. I have already told you that the Mother of the World conceals Her Name. I have already shown you how the Mother of the World veils Her Face. I have already made mention about the Mother of Buddha and Christ.
Indeed it is time to point out that the one Mother of both Lords is not a symbol but a Great Manifestation of the Feminine Origin, in which is revealed the spiritual Mother of Christ and Buddha.
She it was Who taught and ordained Them for achievement.
From times immemorial the Mother of the World has sent forth to achievement. In the history of humanity, Her Hand traces an unbreakable thread.
On Sinai Her Voice rang out. She assumed the image of Kali. She was at the basis of the cult of Isis and Ishtar. After Atlantis, when a blow was inflicted upon the cult of the spirit, the Mother of the World began to weave a new thread, which will now begin to radiate. After Atlantis the Mother of the World veiled Her Face and forbade the pronouncement of Her Name until the hour of the constellations should strike. She has manifested Herself only partly; never has She manifested Herself on a planetary scale.
One may cite many examples when even high Magi left behind them unexpected consequences and a desire to find support in the lower strata of matter. Such perversion could be termed the channel of the intellect, and can arrest for a long time the communion with other worlds.
Now people mechanically search for the already spiritually predestined.
The Teaching of the Future Epoch will be reunion of the spirit and intellect.
The course of the planets permits the hastening of the communion between the worlds, and the development of the human spirit will proceed along new ways.
The luminaries permit the acceleration of the course of humanity.
12. Now, more about the Mother of the World. The Mother is Beauty; the world is self-sacrifice. Precisely by these two fundamentals are the Gates opened.
The bridge between the planets, and the shortening of race cycles, rests upon these two fundamentals. Why the path of gradual progress, if a single flash of illumination can lift one over the boundaries?
The one whose path is to a far-off world usually meets a messenger upon departure from Earth. The liberated one tells this messenger whether he prefers to embrace a new path or would return to help the Earth. Of course many prefer a new path, but there are some who decide to continue the path here.
Verily, it is better to wait awhile in the vegetable kingdom and by-pass insects. One can even avoid a whole planet.
13. Just now, during the grave days of the approach of Mars, when the lower past currents are disturbing, We think only about the future.
The unprecedented deviations of planets help the awakening of consciousness. The Space is becoming dense, and the ray of Mars will be drowned in the light of the Mother of the World.
14. Healer, tell the ailing ones that the use of wine diminishes by halt their chances, that the use of narcotics takes away three quarters of their vitality. Certainly in My pharmacy there is no place for narcotics. Before using My medicines one must spend three years amidst prana.
15. M. has left many magnets on Earth. Therefore, I say, My path is easy to walk. The work toward cooperation with highest planets demands that on these planets abide harmonized spirits in conscious work. Usually the quest is from below and the answer from above. The higher, the more unity.
The created state of Earth's isolation must end, and it must be finally brought into the predestined circle. Otherwise, not only the Earth but also Mars and Saturn will fall behind in development.
Why do only a few go to Jupiter, when the atmosphere of the Earth is so encumbered?
One wishes to say: “Dear travelers, look upward. And if instead of clinging to the illusions of Earth you wish to fly farther, then your wings will grow. Instead, you have encumbered by the same miserable hovels the whole astral plane. The same slander, the same illusory smoke, but you forget that your phantoms fume malodorously. The rays of the sun are dimmed by your feasts of dullness. Empty shells create empty shells.”
But imagine if the ghosts were to strive toward the creation of a beautiful movement. Then the rays, instead of only being disinfectant, could be transformed into rays of enlightenment.
Actually, thought creates beyond the earthly limits. Therefore, learn to govern the thoughts.
16. For a consciously developed spirit the period of sojourn on the astral plane could be limited to an interval of forty days, but various earthly conditions have prolonged this time to an interminable period. The misery and grief of those who are carried away from Earth binds them thereto.
The best instance of this is found in the Biblical legend about Lot. For a new life they walked out of the city, and only one condition was imposed upon them — not to look back. But the wife of Lot looked back, and bound herself to Earth.
Religion says: He who goes to his fathers will dwell with them; he who goes to the angels will dwell with them; and he who goes to God will dwell with Him. It means that he who has ordained for himself the utmost progress arrives at the best attainment. Therefore, the best bidding to the one who departs from Earth will be — “Hurry, without looking back.”
What about the dear ones? But the higher you ascend, the better and closer you will see them. Of course, 'the cause of the delay is usually in the last remaining near ones. Therefore, the abbreviation of the sojourn on the astral plane depends upon a proper cooperation.
The higher up, the more pleasant the stay; and on the border of the mental plane the spirit can rest, because there the spirit is already subject to lofty attractions. But one must consciously avoid the lower strata. It is necessary that an explosive impulse of the consciousness propel the kernel of the spirit upward as far as possible. Therefore, the moment of transition is so important, for in it one may dispatch oneself to the higher strata. Once the lower strata are contacted, it is very difficult to rise afterwards.
If the condition of spirit permits, it is far better to use the last flash of the nerves' emanation for flight. Thus the lower strata will be more sparse. It is important to dissolve the atmosphere of the lower strata so that it will not press upon the Earth. Cooperation from above and below will give the speediest results.
Transition without consciousness has been correctly noted. It is easy to assist in this, if beforehand there be strengthened the desire for lofty flight. Then the emanation of the nerves acts almost automatically.
Very helpful are prayers about the “wandering of the soul.” The one thing wrong in them is that they reiterate about rest, whereas it would be better to stress haste.
Everyone should read and remember this, for it will not only help the individual but also advance the world plan.
