To go back to main page click here    
 

VIRTUE and UNDERSTANDING
(262-18 to 262-20)


 
   
 "VIRTUE AND UNDERSTANDING" READINGS
262-18 1st of May, 1932
262-19 15th of May, 1932
262-20 5th of June, 1932

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LET VIRTUE AND UNDERSTANDING BE IN ME,
FOR MY DEFENSE IS IN THEE, O LORD, MY REDEEMER;
FOR THOU HEAREST THE PRAYER OF THE UPRIGHT IN HEART.
(262-17)

VIRTUE, in this study, then, is to be as
THE CRITERION with which THINE FAITH
IS TO BE PUT INTO ACTIVE SERVICE.
(262-18)

For WITHOUT THAT PURENESS of the VIRTUE
of SELF'S OWN MENTAL, MATERIAL AND SPIRITUAL SELF,
there can come LITTLE UNDERSTANDING.
(262-18)

KNOW, then, THESE ARE to be that
as is THE BEGINNING OF THE OPENING OF SELF
TO THE ACTIVITY OF THOSE FORCES
as EMANATE FROM THAT WHICH HAS BEEN APPLICABLE
from THE STUDIES that have gone before.
(262-18)

For WITH FAITH comes then
THE WORKING FORCES
that MAKE FOR AN ACTIVITY
upon THE PART OF EACH
towards THAT BEING MANIFESTED
in THE LIVES OF EACH
who have SET THEIR FACE
TOWARDS AN ACTIVITY.
(262-18)

STUDY TO SHOW THAT WITHIN SELF
which is AN EXEMPLIFICATION
of THAT WHICH HAS BEEN GAINED
by each, and as a group,
and then comes UNDERSTANDING.
With that same PURENESS IN SELF
that is DEMANDED BY SELF OF THY BROTHER.
(262-18)

In THE APPLICATION
of that as has been gained
COMES THE UNDERSTANDING.
(262-18)

BE TRUE to that THAT IS PURE IN THY PURPOSE.
FOR THIS IS VIRTUE.
(262-18)

In VIRTUE comes UNDERSTANDING.
(262-18)

UNDERSTANDING comes with APPLICATION.
APPLICATION may be EXPERIENCE
MENTAL or PHYSICAL, or SPIRITUAL.
(262-18)

With THE IDEAL that is SET BEFORE SELF
there comes THE AWAKENING.
As to whether this is shaken by DOUBTS or FEARS,
or there is the inroads of a DOUBT
that makes for MUDDYING OF THINE EXPERIENCE,
this then MAKES FOR A LESS UNDERSTANDING.
(262-18)

(Q) [341]: Please tell us how we should define VIRTUE?
(A) As THAT IS APPLIED IN THE DAILY LIFE OF INDIVIDUALS
as respecting the COOPERATION, SELF, the IDEAL, and the FAITH,
TO EACH IT IS GIVEN.
For EACH INDIVIDUAL is AN ENTITY IN ITSELF,
and ALL WORK TOGETHER
for THE PROPER UNDERSTANDING and DEFINITION
- but TO EACH IS THEIR OWN APPROACH.
NOT THAT GOD IS MANY,
but THE ATTRIBUTES of the CREATIVE FORCES
RESPOND according to THE DEVELOPMENT of that ENTITY.
(262-18)

Well that this be understood that
VIRTUE and UNDERSTANDING DEALS PRIMARILY WITH SELF
and SELF'S RELATIONSHIP TO THE CREATIVE FORCES, or GOD.
And that VIRTUE and UNDERSTANDING IN SELF is REFLECTED IN SELF,
RATHER THAN A JUDGEMENT UPON ANOTHER.
(262-19)

JUDGE SELF by THINE UNDERSTANDING
and THINE OWN VIRTUE, NOT ANOTHER.
For THESE ARE OF THE SPIRIT
and MUST BE JUDGED BY THE SPIRIT.
"Judge not that ye be not judged."
(262-19)

There will not be those things that are not understood,
if there will be THE OPENING OF THE HEART
TO THAT CONSCIOUSNESS
that comes from THE CLOSER WALK WITH HIM.
(262-19)

VIRTUE and UNDERSTANDING
are the ATTRIBUTES that make for
THE RELATIONSHIPS with the CREATIVE FORCES,
as MAKING FOR PREPARATION
OF CONTACTS WITH THE FELLOW MAN
as INDIVIDUALS, PERSONALITIES
THAT MUST BE DEALT WITH,
that the RELATIONSHIPS may become such
as to make THE UNDERSTANDINGS of INDIVIDUALS
COMPATIBLE WITH DAILY LIFE, DAILY EXPERIENCE,
that the LESSON may be the MORE WORTHWHILE.
(262-20)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the beginning of the study of this lesson, would be well that each individual of the group, or students of same,
review that as has been the preparation for the study of the attributes that are now to be set before such students.

In the beginning was that as would apply to the individual's COOPERTION with a group,
or concerted effort on the part of individuals with one mind, or aim, or purpose.

The understanding, or looking into SELF, and the preparation of SELF in the light of that of the COOPERATION.
Then as to become active with that as had been gained.

Then the basis [IDEALS] with which an entity approaches the forces within each individual,
that there may come forth those works, that are through the activity of that force of FAITH
in the material activities of an individual.

Then there begins as in this:
Adding to thy FAITH VIRTUE and UNDERSTANDING.

Virtue, in this study, then, is to be as the criterion with which thine faith is to be put into active service;

For without that pureness of the virtue of self's own mental, material and spiritual self,
there can come little understanding.

Know, then, these are to be that as is the beginning of the opening of self to the activity of those forces
as emanate from that which has been applicable from the studies that have gone before;

for with faith comes then the working forces that make for an activity upon the part of each
towards that being manifested in the lives of each who have set their face towards an activity.

So these, then, are the BEGINNINGS.

Study to show that within self which is an exemplification of that which has been gained by each,
and as a group, and then comes understanding.
With that same pureness in self that is demanded by self of thy brother.
--
In the study of this particular phase of that necessary preparation within individuals
that they may know and understand themselves, their relationships to the creative forces,
these as lessons are then the preparations for the relationships
that are to be studied as respecting their fellow man.
Hence the next lesson must be FELLOWSHIP.

In the preparations of self virtue and understanding are necessary requisites
for the relationships that are to be further studied.
--
In the preparation of the lesson VIRTUE AND UNDERSTANDING,
well has it been thus far.

In the preparations, as has been given,
the group as a group, in the preparation,
depends one upon another,
as does the lesson depend upon the activity of each individual contributing to same.

As has been given, each should feel, should know, they - as individuals
- are a portion of the whole, and must contribute their part that the whole
may be the more applicable in the lives of individuals
who will be interested in that lesson from such preparation;

For, as given, no one finite mind may contribute that even of interest to the many
who may be reached through such lessons, yet individual contribution makes for the whole
that which will find a responsive chord in the lives and hearts of those
who contact same;

For these are as experiences, LIVING truths, known and read of many,
and will thus make for that which will become the more worthwhile in the lives of others.

Then let each give that which will aid in making the whole complete,
For each should recognize their individual responsibility to themselves, to the group, to their Maker
whom they reflect their conception of in the minds of those who would apply the lesson in THEIR daily experience.

As given, virtue and understanding are the attributes that make for the relationships with the creative forces,
as making for preparation of contacts with the fellow man as individuals, personalities
that must be dealt with, that the relationships may become such as to make the understandings of individuals
compatible with daily life, daily experience, that the lesson may be the more worthwhile.

(Q) [307]: I greatly desire to be filled with virtue and understanding. Is there any message for me?
(A) Keep in line with that as has been set before self, and SURE is the way - for this is as HIS way.

(Q) [303]: Please lead me more into the way by which I may get true virtue and understanding.
(A) In the application of that as has been gained comes the understanding.
Be true to that that is pure in thy purpose, for this is virtue.
In virtue comes understanding;
for they are as the tenon and the mortise, they fit one with, one to, another.

(Q) [404]: Does understanding come only with experience?
(A) Understanding comes with application.
Application may be experience mental or physical, or spiritual.
With the ideal that is set before self there comes the awakening.
As to whether this is shaken by doubts or fears,
or there is the inroads of a doubt that makes for muddying of thine experience,
this then makes for a less understanding.

(Q) Please define spiritual faith.
(A) The application of that that is awakened by the spirit within self.

(Q) [341]: Please tell us how we should define virtue?
(A) As that is applied in the daily life of individuals as respecting the cooperation, self, the ideal, and the faith, to each it is given;
for each individual is an entity in itself, and all work together for the proper understanding and definition
- but to EACH is their OWN approach.
Not that God is many, but the attributes OF the creative forces RESPOND according to the development OF that entity.

(Q) [585]: Would the interpretation of my dream of several weeks ago, in which I was permitted to see the world
from a distance as being lifted in space, be helpful in any way to this group? If so, please give it.
(A) Each individual experience is helpful to another, provided the experience is of such a nature that it gives an impetus
for activity upon the part of another.
In this experience to the entity, as a real experience - and may be set as for others in THEIR seeking.
Some seek an experience of like nature, some seek and experience that is within line with their individual thought.
Then ALL, when they have put themselves in that position, attitude, or attunement,
to RECEIVE the lesson through an experience, receive same in their OWN language or tongue;
for so is the activity of the Spirit in the material world, that each hear, or feel, or know, or understand,
in their OWN language, their OWN experience, their OWN interpretation, of the One;
yet all are one, as was learned from the beginning, as the ideal must be one in Him,
as the relationships of self must be as of one purpose and one aim,
as in faith there comes the awakening to the virtue in that thou hast believed
and hast set before self, so does each experience find in the life or activity of individuals
that which enables them to come to a greater understanding
"What is it all about?"

(Q) [288]: Just what should I understand and gain from my experience Wed. afternoon,
April 20, 1932 [during reading 1800-18] of seeing a prophet, Christ on the cross, and the all-seeing eye?
(A) This as the vision to self, as was given to the prophets of old, that thy prayer and supplication have been heard
["If I could only understand!" See 288-30], and that there is the way as of the cross being opened
for the greater activity through the all-seeing eye;
For, as each figure seen represents a portion in the experience of self,
so make thine self more and more the channel for blessings to others.

(Q) Any message at this time for the group?
(A) Keep the way open.
Do not become a stumbling block to any.
KNOW in what thou has believed, and WHERE thy faith has been placed.
By the works ye shall know them, as by their fruits;
For as virtue is a fruit of faith,
so does the UNDERSTANDING come
- as the full grown seed ready for planting.
--
(Q) Is the following outline of VIRTUE AND UNDERSTANDING complete and inclusive enough
to cover the lesson which we should present on this subject?
Please suggest any advisable additions or changes, as I read this to you:
VIRTUE AND UNDERSTANDING
1. Introduction
2. Both virtue and understanding essential to right living.
3. Virtue and understanding are spiritual and can be found only in the spiritual way.
4. The way to virtue and understanding open to all who will:
    A. Become a channel of blessings to others.
    B. Thoroughly acquaint self with self.
    C. Have their ideal set in Him. The one way - the straight and narrow way.
5. Faith, the chief cornerstone in acquiring virtue and understanding.
6. Virtue, a defense; Understanding, a weapon.
7. The effect of virtue and understanding upon self and others.
(A) This is well.
Well that this be understood,
that virtue and understanding deals primarily with self
and self's relationship to the Creative Forces, or God,
and that virtue and understanding in self is REFLECTED in self,
rather than a JUDGEMENT upon another.
Judge self by thine understanding and thine own virtue, NOT another.
For these are of the spirit and must be judged by the spirit.
"Judge not that ye be not judged."

(Q) [993]: Would appreciate a message from the Master
that may guide me now in virtue and understanding.
(A) As there is set before thee that thou has builded and chosen in thine service, thine work,
so WILL the harvest be, if there will be kept that faith in Him
who gives that necessary understanding for the comprehension of the varied conditions
as present themselves as problems in thine daily experience.
There will not be those things that are not understood,
if there will be the opening of the heart to that consciousness
that comes from the closer walk with Him.
Keep the way thou knowest; keep the path thou hast trod in,
for He is able to DELIVER thee in every trial, in every way,
for unto him that is faithful comes the crown of life.

(Q) [69]: Through what source may I gain a greater understanding?
(A) Through prayer and meditation in Him, for He IS the way,
He IS the understanding, and the approach to all understanding
must come from the proper concept of the relationships of conditions
in the physical, the mental and the spiritual phases of an individual's existence.
In HIM, then, is understanding.
The approach to the Father through Him.

(Q) What is the meaning of the words I got in meditation, "18 carat gold", that was repeated over and over?
(A) That as had been the criterion with which the judgement had been passed on those concepts
that were in the mental being of self, RATED as such from material standard.

(Q) [379]: Is there a message for me regarding virtue and understanding?
(A) In making those parallels, or those analyses of what are the requisites
for the closer relationships to faith, to knowledge, to self, to cooperation,
to the knowing of self, to that of thine ideal, MEASURE these by the spiritual aspects;
NOT as man-made, or man's concept from the material viewpoint,
and there will come the more perfect understanding.
KNOWLEDGE is not ALWAYS understanding;
for these are as knowledge in the daily experiences that are as miracles,
yet they become so often as everyday facts that there is no understanding
in the mercies or the glories that are showered upon the sons of men
from an All-Wise Creator.
Few get understanding that have mere knowledge.
Then the fault lying in that which is as the standard of measurements, in judgements;
but get the understanding through the closer approach to the throne,
for he that has understanding may move mountains.

(Q) [404]: Please expand on the statement, "Truth is not learned, it is earned."
(A) TRUTH is as experience.
Hence IS an earning, through the manners in which a finite mind becomes conscious of what truth is.
Hence truth is a growth, and hence an EARNING, a yearning, a growing
and is EARNED by he or she that applies that known in the manner
that IS in keeping with His will, rather than that there may be the satisfying of self's own desires.
Not that man should deny that this or that force exists, to make self believe,
but rather that the truth is as that which may be earned through the EXPERIENCING
of the knowledge and understanding concerning the laws of truth; for HE is TRUTH!

(Q) Please expand on the statement:
"Open our hearts to those unseen forces that surround the throne of grace,
and beauty and might, throwing about us the protection found
in the thought of the Christ." [262-3]
(A) These expand by doing it!
That's the best expansion!

(Q) [2125]: Am I pursuing the right course for my development?
(A) As ye sow, so SHALL ye reap.
As ye remain in that attitude of seeking, so will there be opened unto thee
THAT as is sought. In Him is the light, and no darkness at all.
Seek the way, and it will be opened unto thee.

(Q) [2124]: Am I still on the straight and narrow path?
(A) That must be answered from within, to Him in whom thou hast put thy faith, thy trust, thy hope, thy hereafter.
WHO am I to judge thee?
"WHO is good?" as He gave, "NONE save the Father",
not even the Son of man.
Rather in HIM is the way,
and "My Spirit", saith He, "beareth witness with thy spirit whether ye be the sons of God or not."

(Q) Compilers: We have sent the paper on, "Present World Conditions" [3976-9]
to "The Westerner", the Westerner Limited, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, some weeks ago for publication.
We have received no reply from our letter in regard to the paper.
Should we write to publishers again?
(A) It has gone abroad.
Wait at least a week.

(Q) Any message for the group at this time?
(A) Keep in the way as is set before thee.
For much may be accomplished in that THOU hast undertaken.
--
(Q) [2112]: What is the difference between psychic forces and occult forces?
(A) These have oft been explained.
Well that these be studied in the light of that which has been given.
One is the study of the other.
One is the essence of the sources, and the other the channels through which, of which, the study.

(Q) [69]: Please explain what was meant by the spiritual eye, or third eye, in relation to psychic development.
Should we today seek to develop this particular facility? If so, how?
(A) As has been given, there is ever a channel or manner in which the expressions of a force
may manifest in a material world.
Hence the term, "Angels took form", that there might be the expression of, or vehicle for,
the activity of an individual force manifestation in the MATERIAL plane.
In the psychic forces, or spiritual forces (which are psychic forces), there has ever then been a vehicle,
or portion of the anatomical forces of the body, through which the expressions come to individual activity,
and these may find various forms of manifestations, or MOVEMENTS of - as has been given,
that finds its seat in the creative energies and forces of the body.

In the eye, "Let thine eye be SINGLE" may be the interpretation of same, or vehicles, or channels, or glands
through which man has lost his vision, or the ability of seeing the self-expression in same in the pituitary forces,
as in the lyden and the others - we find expressions in various forms of the body.

These become, as has been seen or given, in the feminine body more manifested than ordinarily in the male,
in man forces, in that called intuition, or that which is active in that portion of the system.

These are but one expression of that portion of the body, for these may be added to by the feeding of same,
that partake of other forces of the body in such quantities, or such character of development,
as to produce other conditions in the body, as the growing of portions of the body
that have become lax, or lacking in their activity in the system,
but development in the spiritual sense - by meditation, prayer - dependent upon the external forces,
or the creative energies, for its food, rather than upon that which is wholly of the material,
develops that as may be termed the psychic development of individuals.

Well that psychic forces and occult influences be developed in the individuals that so find within their individual selves
that which makes for a closer relationship with that they individually worship as their ideal!

That does not indicate that every individual should make of themselves a psychic channel
that may be used to their own destruction;

For, as has been given, there be many things hard to be understood that many wrest with to their own destruction,
but that which gives more understanding of the relationships of self with the creative forces of a universal experience,
rather than individual, makes for a closer walk with God, that from which the essence of life itself has its emanation.

In the body we find that which connects the pineal, the pituitary, the lyden, may be truly called the silver cord,
or the golden cup that may be filled with a closer walk with that which is the creative essence in physical, mental
and spiritual life;

For the destruction wholly of either will make for the disintegration of the soul from its house of clay.
To be purely material minded, were an anatomical or pathological study made for a period of seven years
(which is a cycle of change in all the body-elements) of one that is acted upon through the third eye alone,
we will find one fed upon spiritual things becomes a light that may shine from and in the darkest corner.

One fed upon the purely material will become a Frankenstein that is without a concept
of any influence other than material or mental.

(Q) Regarding the lessons at this time,we seek individual guidance and advice in enabling us
to better cooperate in carrying forward this work of our group.
(A) Study, then, that which has been given on cooperation!
For that applied in the individual life will make for that necessary for carrying on.
Do not become weary in well-doing, for soon we must come to that lesson of PATIENCE as following FELLOWSHIP.

(Q) Any special message for the group at this time?
(A) As has been given, let each - each - know themselves a link in the chain, a spoke in the wheel.
Do not be the whole, but fulfill that THOU may do, that there may be the perfect accord;
For he that giveth a cup of water in His name is greater than he that conquereth a city for his own aggrandizement.

To go back to main page click here
----------------------------------------
Updated: 7 August 2017