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"The Philosophy of the Life Readings" |
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The Philosophy of the Life Readings Considered as a whole the Life Readings present a beautiful SYSTEM OF SPIRITUAL EVOLUTION. The human SOUL is explained as a SIGNIFICANT CREATION having AN IMPORTANT PLACE in the scheme of THE UNIVERSE. SPIRITUAL GROWTH is the KEYNOTE OF LIFE through RECOGNITION, REALIZATION and APPRECIATION of the ONENESS OF GOD. The importance of ASTROLOGICAL URGES is explained by pointing out that EACH SOUL passes through PLANES OF CONSCIOUSNESS between APPEARANCES ON EARTH. These PLANES OF CONSCIOUSNESS are represented by THE PLANETS of this SOLAR SYSTEM - Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, named in order of their proximity to the Sun. In each of THE ENVIRONS governed by these PLANETS the SOUL takes on A FORM suitable to the DIMENSION and PLANETS and continues its SOUL GROWTH. THE ORDER of these EXPERIENCES is governed by the ACTION OF THE WILLL OF THE SOUL in relation to the SOUL'S EXPERIENCES. Gradually there has evolved through the ages an understanding of THE URGES which come from EXPERIENCES in these various PLANES OF CONSCIOUSNESS. In attempting to EXPRESS these URGES in words, in relation to PHYSICAL CONSCIOUSNESS, MUCH IS LOST; and it becomes impossible to explain the INTER-ACTION OF THE WILL as THE WILL AFFECTS the negative and positive sides of these INFLUENCES (URGES). For GENERAL CONSIDERATION we give the following parallel expressions: Mercury - Mind. Venus - Love, Beauty. Mars - Force, Energy. Jupiter - Idealism Saturn - Purification, Change. Uranus - Occultism, Extremes. Neptune - Mysticism, Water. In the light of this THEORY OF SOUL EXPERIENCES, ASTROLOGICAL INFLUENCES take on a new meaning. (It may be best to state here that Life Readings do not indicate physical experiences on other planets but rather point out the PLANES OF CONSCIOUSNESS are REPRESENTED by the PLANETS.) The INFLUENCES from the various PLANETS may naturally at times seem harmful rather than helpful. The COMPLETENESS and WELL-ROUNDEDNESS of the NECESSARY EXPERIENCES are important. Great teachers and philosophers of the world have stressed BALANCE. In this physical life the NEED FOR BALANCE is A REFLECTION of the NECESSARY DEVELOPMENT in THE SPIRITUAL LIFE. The NOBLENESS OF JUPITER without the DRIVING FORCE OF MARS is dangerous. The LOVE INFLUENCE OF VENUS without the TEMPERING ACTION OF MERCURY is dangerous. As you consider the MULTITUDE OF COMPLEX NATURE represented IN MANKIND, KNOW that you VIEW MANY DEGREES OF DEVELOPING ENTITIES who have NOT ASSIMILATED THE BALANCING FACTORS of ALL THE SOLAR EXPERIENCES. The naturalness of VARIED COMBINATIONS and CROSSED MANIFESTATIONS are even more REASONABLE when we consider the fact that the human WILL may USE or MISUSE EACH OPPORTUNITY presented to THE SOUL, and ANYWHERE along THE PATH OF DEVELOPMENT TURN the WHOLE ENTITY (SOUL) about and stride BACKWARD, carrying THOUSANDS OF SOULS with that ONE SOUL, as many of the so-called "great" men of history have done. In considering the THEORY OF REBIRTH as presented in the Life Readings, perhaps our first consideration should be that WE ARE UPON THE EARTH as we make these observations of life and it behooves us to MAKE THE MOST OF OUR EXPERIENCES. Instinctively these EXPERIENCES lead us to SEEK AN UNDERSTANDING of the LAWS OF THE UNIVERSE. The simple tiller of the soil or the great scientist is awed by the COMPLEXITY OF THE WORLD about him. REINCARNATION, as it is explained in the Life Readings, is A NATURAL LAW, a natural PART OF THE PLAN FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH. Theories of reincarnation have been concepts in the religious and philosophic belief of peoples of every nation, civilized and uncivilized, since man's appearance on the earth. Knowledge and superstition have at times become inextricably confused, resulting in diverse explanations of the laws of rebirth. Uninformed persons make no distinction between reincarnation and transmigration. The first pertains to the soul's rebirth in the earth plane in human form, while the latter refers to the rebirth of the soul interchangeably in animal forms. Those desiring a knowledge of various beliefs embodying these theories will find of interest those of Plato, Pythagoras, the Indian religions, African tribal religions, American Indian religions, Egyptian and Persian Mysteries, Druidic and Christian mysticism. Among the modern philosophies and cults Theosophy, Rosicrucianism and the Order of Christian Mystics present interpretations of the subject. Spirtualism is divided as to the truth of this theory. Information through mediums in America may be said to discount it, while that given through those in England and on the continent substantiates the belief. The Following Concepts Are Presented In Life Readings: 1. The EARTH in ITS INCEPTION was a DIVINE EXPRESSION of the CREATOR. Individual SOULS through the APPLICATION OF WILL in the EXPRESSION OF SELFISH DESIRES make of it a hell. Through the GUIDANCE OF THE CHRIST-SOUL the EARTH has been made a ladder up which we may climb to A CONSCIOUSNESS of an AT-ONEMENT WITH THE CREATOR. Through a SERIES OF INCARNATIONS in matter in human form the SOUL learns to CLEANSE ITSELF of the SELFISH DESIRES blocking its PERFECT UNDERSTANDING, and to APPLY SPIRITUAL LAWS in relation to matter. 2. URGES created in the material plane must be met and overcome, or used, in the material plane. 3. REBIRTH in the earth plane occurs as a result of individual need. It may follow a definite cycle or vary according to the development of the soul in this and intermediary planes. The number of incarnations is not limited. Some souls may exercise choice in the entrance into this plane, others according to development are drawn through a relative action of forces for a particular type of expression. 4. SEX CHANGES in various incarnations according to development and expression in previous periods. 5. Throughout a given life INDIVIDUALS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH OTHER SOULS with whom they have previously been connected in past lives, or with souls whose development has reached similar planes of consciousness. A man builds his own station in life. 6. Forgiveness of sins in the religious sense is definitely connected with the laws of cause and effect. Through a personal application of the truths as expressed in the life of the Christ an individual may make of his so-called "karma" stepping-stones to a greater God-like expression. 7. The will's influence is always a governing factor in experience and may alter the destiny builded by a soul's previous activity. The stress placed upon the importance of the will as a factor in the development of an entity and correlation of its action with some seemingly unexplainable hereditary and environ- mental influences are outstanding points of emphasis in Life Readings. Within every being there is a force which seeks constantly to move towards God. This does not mean that man may always overcome and master his surroundings in the sense that we speak of physical success, but that always there lies within him the ability, the power, to choose the way which will mean a step forward along the path. If one will make an effort, the knowledge of how to use to spiritual advantage any and all conditions, will be opened from within. We all make the fatal mistake of over-emphasizing the importance of the physical life. We become blinded by its needs, which we constantly magnify. Fear clutches at our hearts at the least sign of failure of laws which we have considered immutable. Food, shelter, clothing, bodily comfort, pleasure, are of paramount importance. We have come to depend upon certain laws to provide these. Such laws, supply and demand, tastes, etc., are man-made and may not always exist. We build our own environment and choose our own hereditary influences, or are drawn to them according to our individual needs. There are many conditions which from a physical standpoint seem beyond the control of our wills, but which from a spiritual and mental viewpoint offers opportunities for real development. This brings us to the point of differentiation between the power of mental control over physical action, or desire, and the spiritual factor which is the true will. The will must be considered as a faculty of the soul, and should be exercised and developed as such. The will must not be confused with its expression or activity in the mental and physical worlds where it often becomes so involved and entangled with our conscious desires that we lose sight of it. The loss of will power results in the magnifying of selfish desires to such an extent that the desires of the physical body and conscious mind overshadow the inner desires of the soul, which constantly drive us toward God and which, if magnified in the mental and physical life, may use any condition, any barrier, any problem, as a stepping-stone for further spiritual growth. The fusion of this God-given faculty of every soul with the Divine Will makes possible a perfect attunement with God. Over and over in Life Readings we come upon the statement, "Mind is the builder." And each Life Reading contains some admonition and direction for holding the mind to constructive activity through complete and balanced expression in the physical plane. Positive thought and action are stressed as essential for real self-expression. The philosophy of the Life Readings is not an easy philosophy to live. It is a challenging standard. As we study our own Life Readings our excuses for drifting must be discarded. No longer are we able to blame God, the Devil, or others for our misfortunes. We can never again pity ourselves without a feeling of guilt. We are brought face to face with the need for standing mentally on our own feet. In all it is sometimes a most disturbing philosophy, but most of us must admit that we need a little "disturbing." ----------------------------------------- Updated: 22 January 2014 |
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