On the Fringes of Yourself
From “Letters of The Scattered Brotherhood"
As the unseen in you is held
captive by the senses so are you a prisoner. The loneliness, the loneliness,
the loneliness, which is the lot of all who wonder! Those you see about you are
ensnared by the noise, the color, the interest of other souls like yourself-;
they gather together to do away with this loneliness; all these souls, like
yours, are seeking release in affairs, in personal experiences; sharing what
you call gossip, feelings of patriotism, of endeavor, of art—all so far away
from the lonely reality of God. It is as if in a multitude of marching men going
with bands, banners and tumult, interested vitally, emotionally in comradeship
with one idea to achieve, you turned about right face and walked back; this is
why the road to God is so difficult.
I have heard you ask why it is
you forget in the midst of knowing. How it is that you cannot keep yourself in
the Presence. How, when you step out of your bed, you are assailed with armies
of thoughts and vain imaginings for your busy day ahead. Then you assail and
wound yourself with the blows of the daily news and with hurried spirit you go
out to your appointed task. “Will this happen. Can I move this about." Things
not done delay your plans; stupidities block and anger the spirit, disappointments,
sudden hopes, in fact, all the excitement of the day’s achievement has kept you
far away and made you shallow. Why do I dare say that you are made shallow.
Because you are living way out there on the fringes of yourself, even outside
of your lines of defense.
Now let me show you how you can
meet your day.
On waking wake in joy and plunge
yourself into great stillness. Dissolve your universe into thought. Then meet
the news, meet the onslaught as if it were the barking of a pack of dogs far
away outside of this still park of your estate. Carry this stillness of serene sky,
quiet pools, and transcendent beauty with you. Step into the hard reality and
you will find that you can see through it instantly when it has been resolved
into thought.
The temptations to anger on
account of a stupidity, a challenging personality, a shock or disappointment,
and all the heavy awkward conflicts are present, but they shrink into their
natural and relative places in the divine scheme. They are mere shadows in the
beauty of your scene. See through them, past them; they have challenged but not
disturbed your eternal serenity. You are living far, far in the future. What
you see is the past; oh, my eternal children, this is the way, the truth and
the life! This is no idle panacea, this communion, brought to comfort you with ephemeral
comfort. No, this is what you asked for; like Moses you struck a rock. It is no
idle word, neither is it meaningless that God is power transcendent, and
omniscient. Sitting, walking, eating, sleeping, waking with this splendor in
your heart, this still Presence will give you complete majestic dominion over
all mankind that disturbing mankind within yourself. If you ask for this it
will come like the waters of life from outer and inner darkness. It is clean
and still and far and wide and high and deep; it is glorious beyond the feeling
of rejoicing.
Wake, then, little, perturbed,
anxious, weary, frightened children, and stand released in this holy stillness;
then will the picture be fulfilled. Results follow after. Be in a place which
brings results.
Now as you have turned against
the marching multitude, when you awake each day in renewed confidence you will
find that you will not forget so quickly. You will not be snuffed out nor blanketed
nor turned to salt by events, disappointments, turmoil, news. No! You will find
that this is a principle which quiets the spirit, relaxes the step, enlarges
the heart and everywhere brings tidings of great joy. Be therefore Knights of
the Holy Grail sanctified, purified, and dedicated. Your sincerity is known,
your foibles are known, the inner wishes of your hearts are known. Resolve; marshal
your will and your intent, find your purpose and your directions, then will you
be sustained and comforted and reminded of the Presence in this holy place.
I was a humble servant, I was a
humble voice, I was a coward, and out of hell and torture I was lifted by a
thought into this eternal stillness of love and light and power and joy and
knowledge and truth.
posted by August Goforth @ 19:47
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