The Law of Consequence is undoubtedly the most fundamental law in human
destiny, but we have to remember that it is not a static law. We constantly use
it to set new causes into operation which will create new destiny to balance
and improve the old destiny brought from the past. The Law of Consequence is
intimately tied up with the Law of Rebirth, sometimes called the Law of
Reincarnation. We have all lived many lives on Earth in the past, and we shall
live many more in the future. In each of these past lives we have set various
causes into operation, some of which are only now in the present life bringing
their effects into manifestation. These effects are called karma, or debts of
destiny. Thus we are paying debts from the past, and we also are reaping
rewards from the past. We call these, respectively, bad and good destiny.
The first thing we have to realize is that character is destiny.
Destiny is a reflection of character. Our environment is a looking-glass in
which we see our character reflected. There is an exception, however, to this
general rule. This is, that in our last embodiment on Earth, we may have
effected a reformation so that now we have what may be called a good
character. We may still be having misfortunes or debts in the present life,
however, in spite of this remodeled character. This condition is due to the
fact that we have brought debts over from the past which we now are paying
and, when one is paying debts, he usually finds that the process is limiting,
confining, and sometimes unpleasant. He has the consolation, however, that
debts once paid will never have to be paid again, and, therefore, he will be
free of them in all his future lives.
The traits of character that most often cause "bad" destiny are those of
anger, fear, pride, hate, revenge, sensuality, selfishness, envy, and
intolerance. The first thing to do is to scrutinize our habitual line of
thinking and see if we have any of these traits in our make-up, even in a
small degree. If we find that we have, then we must go to work on them and
gradually remove them. The two principal means of doing this are a change in
thought and in action, particularly toward others. Thought, however, is the
more basic, and if we correct our habitual thought, we shall find that our
actions almost automatically follow the revised pattern of thinking.
This brings us to a most important factor in the situation, namely, the
creative power of thought. This power is the most fundamental and potent
factor in human life. The saying. "Thoughts are things," is startlingly true.
Every time we think a thought, we are making a thought form which may become a
living force. It floats in our aura and becomes a part of our individual
mental atmosphere; therefore, it is a part of our very life.
The next step in the activity of creative thought is that it clothes
itself in the substance of desire and emotion. This step has two effects:
first, it may lead to corresponding action; second, thought forms not calling
for immediate action may be stored in the memory as patterns for future use.
We have access to them at any time; thus they eventually may appear as
physical realities in our environment, making it "good" or "bad" according to
the thoughts that created it.
Therefore, if we wish to change our environment and our fortune, we must
change our thoughts. By so doing, we will be making new and good
destiny, which in due time will appear in our lives, and which will give us
better work and supply many of our material needs.
The destructive desires and emotions. such as anger, hate, revenge,
resentment — but particularly anger — disrupt and disarrange the thought
forms and the thought creations of good which we have previously made, and
thereby delay their materialization. When we have yielded to anger or
revenge, for instance, and dissipated some mental creation of good, the
corresponding thought form configuration has to reassemble itself before
materialization can proceed. This takes time and delays the period when there
might have been a favorable change in our environment or general fortune.
Therefore, we see the great importance of watching our emotions.
Someone may ask: "How can I avoid harmful thoughts and desires and keep
them out of my mind? It seems almost impossible at times to keep them from
slipping in." The answer is, thought substitution. It is based on the
principle that two thoughts cannot occupy the mind at the same time, and is
similar to the principle of physics that two bodies cannot occupy the same
space at the same time. When we are bothered by harmful thoughts of any kind,
it is well to substitute another thought and concentrate on it so
positively that the harmful thought cannot get in. This answer is very simple
and only requires practice to make it comparatively easy. Harmful desires are
excluded from the mind by the same process; thus, by substituting some
constructive thought in place of the thought of wrong desire, the latter is
very nearly shut out.
The next potent subject which we will consider is the existence of the
Inner Power. This is something about which most people have no
knowledge, and something which they usually do not even suspect the existence
of. Nevertheless, the Inner Power is a stupendous factor in human life and the
one upon which general success in life is most dependent. The Inner Power is
the Ego, the Spirit, the Higher Self, the vitalizing Life which comes from
God, and the essential power that keeps man going. The Inner Power is the God
Within, and the God Within is part of the God Without, the God of the
Universe. The Inner Power is our personal link with God. Therefore, we can see
how powerful is this inner, higher self. It is omnipotent because it is
a part of the God of the Universe. This omnipotence, however, is more or less
latent in humanity at the present time. It is the function of evolution to
unfold it into positive, dynamic omnipotence. This is what we are gradually
learning to do in our daily lives and by our succession of rebirths.
This Inner Power affects the personality and the daily life in this way:
the God Within, which is omnipotent and possessed of all wisdom as well, is
constantly sending messages down into the conscious mind. These messages
appear as intuitions, inspirations, and original ideas. They tell us what it
is that the Higher Self in its wisdom wishes us to do. If we follow these
suggestions and put them into effect, the results in our lives will be
constructive. Failure will be changed into success, the obstacles which have
beset us gradually will disappear, and we shall find that everything begins to
work together for good and for success in every department of life. If we
ignore the intuitions from the Inner Power and follow the self-indulgent
desires and straying thoughts of the personality, then we shall find that our
troubles will increase and our pathway through life will become more
difficult. You can see how important it is to be on the alert to catch the
ideas and intuitions of the Power Within and then put them into effect.
One can most effectively receive these messages by quieting the conscious
mind, and particularly by having quiet times for meditation so that when the
conscious mind is stilled, the Power can speak to us and we will hear it. It
is speaking to us and sending us mental messages all the time, however, no
matter how active we are. Conscience is another of the messages of the Power
Within which we always would do well to obey. If only we will follow the
directions of this Power, it will speak to us in ever-clearer tones, gradually
reshaping our lives and transforming our failures into successes.
We must cultivate belief in the existence of the Inner Power and belief in
its ability to transform our lives. This belief is the wire, the electrical
circuit, which connects us with it. If we establish a clear connection between
the Power and our conscious mind, the result will be very much better, because
then the Ego can send its messages to us much more clearly and effectively.
Disbelief in these things impairs the connection and in some cases even
destroys it. Then we are left more or less without the conscious guidance and
wisdom of the God Within and easily run amuck so that failure follows. Thus we
see that this belief is of great importance. Some people call it faith —
faith in God. Actually, however, faith in the God Within and its power is the
same thing as faith in the God Without and His omnipotence.
If we listen to and obey the suggestions and directions of the Power
Within, fear and anxiety are taken away and we gain poise, which is a large
factor in material success. We lose our fear of both life and death. We know
that all things are ordered with wisdom and that they will turn out well from
the spiritual point of view.
We can, moreover, increase the good results by praying to the Power Within
— by talking to it, having conversations with it — because it is right here,
nearer than breathing. It will hear us and make the wise response. Some people
call this praying to God; it is the same thing, because it is to the God
Within. By praying we are making new, constructive destiny to neutralize and
offset some of the debts of our previous years and lives.
When we talk to the Power Within, either mentally or in words, we may tell
it what our ideals and ambitions are, what we wish to accomplish, and what we
would like to have. Then leave the materialization to the Inner Power and not
make the mistake of demanding this or that thing. When we have finished the
conversation, we have made the thought form and in due time it will be
materialized for us by the Spirit in such form and to such degree as it deems
wise, particularly if we repeat it from time to time. We should be content
with this, knowing that it embodies the highest wisdom.
If we do the above, we are living by faith. By living serenely in
the knowledge of the existence of this Inner Power, and having belief or faith
that it will work out a perfect result in our lives, all fear and anxiety for
the Suture gradually will disappear, and we shall become confident, poised,
and tranquil. We then shall be able to meet situations successfully which
formerly defeated us and caused us to fail. Therefore, living by faith not
only increases our material success, but it also makes us much happier.
An invisible institution conducted by the Lords of Destiny, which may be
called the Universal Bank, is the next topic of vital importance to take up.
Into this all-important institution, we are continually making deposits. Every
good thought, feeling, and action makes a deposit there. All our constructive
work, our self-discipline, our service to others, and all our other actions
which are in harmony with the Divine Will make deposits in the Universal Bank.
These deposits are the source from which we draw our destiny, our good
fortune, and our opportunities. The unseen Director of this Bank, together
with the Agents of Destiny, keeps an unerring record of all deposits.
From time to time, the Director declares a dividend in the form of some opportunity, success, good luck, or "wind-fall." Although nothing can ever
happen by chance, most people think that these things happen more or less
accidentally. They are mistaken. The Inner Power within each of us is a high
official of that Bank and has much to do with the declaration of dividends.
Since the Universal Bank is backed by the Universe, it cannot fail. We can never lose nor be defrauded of anything that is really ours. "Your own will
come to you." There is never a mistake in the cosmic credit in which this bank
deals. If our destiny and success are not what we would like them to be, then
it is because our credit in the Universal Bank has been temporarily depleted.
In such a case, there is nothing to do but get busy and make new deposits. As
stated above, we make deposits to our credit by constructive work, service,
and self-discipline. We may be sure that our diligence in these respects will
soon greatly improve opportunities and circumstances. Thus we see that our
destiny is all self-created; luck and chance are only apparent and were
in reality created by us in the past. We are surrounded with the
materialization of our past acts and thoughts. The overcoming of undesirable
traits and the building up and reformation of character are most potent means
of making deposits in the Universal Bank.
The "universal supply" which metaphysical students so frequently talk
about is merely another name for the Universal Bank. Many students seem to
think that they should be able to get from it a complete supply of everything
they want simply by making some form of affirmation. They make the mistake of
thinking thug can draw from it without first making the necessary deposits.
This is equivalent to trying to "get something for nothing." One should not at
any time demand the materialization of any specific thing, but should leave
that to the Lords of Destiny who have the wisdom to do it properly. We have
neither the right nor the wisdom. If we demand and specify certain
materialization of our thought creations, we are very likely to make a mess of
it and get something we don't want.
One reason why some people do not achieve success is that they
unconsciously or ignorantly violate the Law of Giving and Receiving. There
really is a cosmic law administered by unseen Forces which decrees that in
order to receive, one must first give. By sharing what we have, we open the
channel which permits an inflow of the desirable things into our lives. The
Master teaches the existence of this law in St. Luke's Gospel when He says,
"Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken
together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same
measure that ye mete withal, it shall be measured to you again." An
understanding and acceptance of this law, and an intelligent effort to comply
with it, eventually will bring a change for the better in one's affairs.
The Golden Rule, "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you,"
also embodies an important metaphysical principle. This rule is unequivocal.
It definitely tells us to do good to others at all times, under all
conditions, regardless of what they do to us. The rule is impersonal; the
conduct of the other person does not enter into the case. If disregarded,
unpleasant effects are sure to follow. Putting it into practice eventually
will bring a decided improvement in one's environment and material conditions.
It gives a magnetic personality, one which attracts others and enlists their
help and cooperation in carrying out projects. It creates a magnetic force
which is a means of increasing success in all lines. We should never allow
resentment, caused by mistreatment from others, to prevent us from doing to
them as we should like them to do to us. It really pays to carry out the
Golden Rule, which is not merely a religious ideal.
There are two or three other metaphysical principles which we should know
about and which will improve our personality and increase success in the
matter of work and in the supple of material needs. Looking for the good in
everything and every situation, no matter how lacking it may seem on the
surface, is one of these. The mere act of looking for good makes a thought
form which will in time materialize into more good, more success, more
favorable conditions. Looking for good is like starting a snowball which grows
in size as it rolls down hill. That also is a property of all thought forms.
Those of a like nature combine and grow rapidly. This applies to looking for
the good. The good in our environment very definitely can be increased by the
practice of this principle. Praise is an extension of this. Praise is like
sunlight — the sunlight of the soul. It promotes both good-will and success.
We must praise what is good in others wherever there is the slightest excuse
for doing so. And above all, we must not forget to praise and thank the Inner
Power each day for its life, its guidance, and its supply of all our needs.
All things come from that Power.
Forgiveness is a practice which one cannot afford to neglect. Forgiveness is scientific. Forgiveness brings into play the forces of the unseen planes
about us. It dissolves the thought forms of hate, revenge, and ill-will, and
prevents their materialization into adverse fortune. Unforgiveness, which
includes resentment, grudges, and revenge, often materializes into some of the
most unhappy conditions of life, particularly if allowed to continue by
habitual thinking along those lines.
Hate is the most destructive force in the Universe, and unforgiveness and revenge are phases of hate. Revenge is the most deadly of passions: it surely
will frustrate success. No matter what happens, one cannot afford to hold
resentment or to indulge in revengeful thoughts. We can be perfectly sure if
someone has mistreated us that the unseen Law will bring him whatever
retribution is needed (merited).
The Bible says "Beloved, avenge not yourselves . . .I will repay, saith
the Lord." We must not take the matter into our own hands because we will
only be setting into operation metaphysical forces that will react upon us
sooner or later to our very real disadvantage. The rule is, forgive everything
and keep on forgiving regardless of all personal inclinations; we will not
lose as we might erroneously think.
This brings to mind a principle of vital effect upon success: "To do the
will of another is the acid test of love." The Bible reaffirms this when it
says, "Agree with thine adversary quickly." Self-will is self-love, and
self-love is a phase of hatred to others. The application of this principle is
particularly valuable in avoiding quarrels and settling those already begun.
Naturally we should not do the will of another if it entails an injustice to
ourselves or to others. We should sacrifice personal inclinations and
advantages in so far as possible to meet the ideas of our opponent and to
satisfy his sense of justice. By so doing we shall transform him into a friend.
Self-will obstructs the success which friendly cooperation would establish.
We have heard much concerning confession. Perhaps we thought it of no value. We may have thought that confessing our wrong-doings to a priest or
minister would have no effect. Nevertheless, there is a very important
metaphysical principle concealed in it; namely, confession dissipates the
emotional farce built into thought forms of past wrongdoing, releases it, and
helps, to restore poise to the personality. When wrong is done which involves
fear, shame, anger, etc., that thought form sinks down into the subconscious
and there ferments Particularly so, if the wrong is not righted at the time.
Thought forms of this kind may ferment in the subconscious for years and
eventually generate what are called "complexes." If one has enough of these
complexes buried in his make-up, he gradually loses his poise and becomes
nervous, sometimes neurotic. This is where confession comes in. Confession
releases the emotional energy in the buried complexes so that it evaporates
and is no longer in a position to cause trouble.
Confession does not have to be made to a priest or a minister. It could be
made to the person who has been wronged. It is very helpful to confess to some
trust-worthy person. Or it can be made to the Higher Self. This confession to
the Higher Self is called "retrospection." It should be made after retiring
each night, reversing the order of the day's events. Retrospection to be
effective should be done with the greatest possible amount of feeling of
contrition; in so doing, we are purifying and releasing the suppressed
emotional forces of the hidden complexes. Large numbers of people find that
confession in one form or another gives almost unbelievable relief and is
followed by a remarkable increase in material success.
It is an excellent idea to extend the principle of confession or
retrospection to the preceding years of life so as to clear up the complexes
that have become embedded in the make-up and which frustrate success. This
process might be called delayed retrospection. This is done best in writing.
Sit down and write out systematically a general outline of the events of the
past which have involved fear, anger, shame, etc. Do as much as possible at a
time. Later, continue until the whole life has been retrospected. Gradually, a
wonderful mental and emotional release will be found. And this will be
reflected in improved conditions affecting work and material needs. This
writing should be done secretly, and, of course, names of others should be
omitted. Such writing later should be destroyed.
We cannot be a true success in life unless we have a reasonable degree of
health; therefore, we must consider health in seeking a satisfactory supply of
material needs. We must realize always that our life force comes from the
Power Within, the Ego. If anything interferes with the flow of this life down
through the personality and the body, ill health results. It is possible to
imprison the Ego behind a cloud of wrong thought forms — false beliefs — so
that the constructive flow of the life force from the Ego is decidedly
reduced. If we make destructive thought forms (those of fear, anger,
sensuality, etc.) which limit us, if we allow ourselves to believe that evil
has power over us, and if we believe that we are limited in life and always
will be — all these things tend to imprison the Ego.
For health, it is necessary that the personality, the mind, and the will cooperate with the Ego and refuse to make restraining thought forms. In addition to refusing to add to this mental cloud of the past, it is possible to forge an instrument with which the existing thought cloud can be pierced and destroyed. This instrument consists of new thought forms of confidence and strength, of the omnipotence of the Inner Power, of optimism, of success and of sureness that all good things are attainable. If we make new thought forms along this line, they will combine themselves into a composite thought form of great strength and potency. This will be the instrument to pierce the mental cloud and to release the Ego.
We must realize that only wrong thirsting can block that power. We can
change our thoughts, and that power will be released and will work a miracle
in our lives. It will restore our health. It will change our mental condition.
We can use our imagination to make mental pictures of improved health and of
the great power of the Ego within, and these pictures will blend with other
thought forms of strength and courage and become a part of the instrument of
release. We will find that we are no longer the slave of ill health. We will
find that health is the normal accompaniment of poise and of a balanced
emotional condition. With health will come a greater ability for success in
work and in all material lines.
Happiness resides solely in the mind. External conditions have an
influence on happiness only as they are allowed to affect the making of
thought forms through the mind. Thought forms have the property of clothing
themselves with that substance of the invisible plane which we know as
emotion. If we think thoughts of optimism and happiness, emotional substance
of happiness is built into the mind, and we are happy regardless of all
material and bodily conditions.
If, on the other hand, we make thought harms of fear and failure, they
build into the mind the emotional substance of unhappiness, and we would be
unhappy even if we had all the wealth of the world and even if our health were
perfect. Thus we see that happiness resides solely in the mind, and that by
thought control and thought substitution, we have the key to happiness and
success at all times.
In conclusion, we will give three little formulas for self-help which are
based on sound metaphysical principles and which have proved their value.
First, Positive Thought. Keep the mind habitually positive and alert, not
relaxed and inert. Positive thought automatically shuts out a crowd of tramp
thoughts and desires that are floating through the mental atmosphere. When
these thoughts are shut out, they cease to be an influence in life, and one's
mental creations become far better with a decided increase in the
materialization of the desirable things of life.
Second, the Golden Key. When in trouble, when fearful of losing money,
friends, or job, when something of value is lost, we should not continue to
make thought forms of these undesired losses, which would add to the general
depression. We should, instead, reverse the process and think of God.
God includes all desirable things. By refusing to think of misfortune and by
constantly thinking of God, we are making thought forms of strength, beauty,
goodness, and success, even though unconsciously. These in due time will
materialize into good, and the calamity feared will have been averted.
Third, the Power of Duty. Duty performed one day at a time has the power
to create enough good to get us through the day. Tomorrow will be another day
in which the process can be repeated. Duties performed with love are a way of
liberation. This is a vital key to success over any period of life. The
success which comes as a result of duty performed will not always be the kind
that we would have selected, but it will be true success from the standpoint
of the Spirit, and that is the main thing. Moreover, in due time this will
resolve itself into a form of success which will be easily recognized and
admitted as the best kind. In the meantime, we will be relieved of fear and
anxiety because we will know that everything will come out all right in the
end. Thus, through the power of duty performed, we will become able to live
by faith in the Inner Power, which is the most fundamental secret of
success in life, including work and the supply of all material needs.
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