Greetings Everyone, Sometimes on this path we may find ourselves taking a little breather with some fence sitting. But then we’ll get a call and it’s time to climb the mountain and walk along the razor’s edge.
At this time we must really reach out for Divine help. We know we can’t do it ourselves. The things we are carrying that make it harder to stay balanced and receive what we need become more apparent.
One of the most common stumbling blocks we encounter is forgiveness, both for ourselves and others.
Mother Ruth left us some very fine guidance regarding this subject:
“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Note the word “as”. God’s promise to forgive us our transgressions has a condition attached. We may daily attempt to forgive all who work to our harm, in the sense of releasing them, letting them go as best we can from our minds, but are not quite able to forget what they have done. While there is no desire to retaliate nor any vindictive wish that they will have to suffer for their deeds, we still may think of them in unkind terms that show the debt has not been fully wiped off our books.
We wouldn’t want God’s forgiveness of ourselves to be limited to the half-hearted way we sometimes forgive others, but the prayer does say: “as we forgive others”. We want God’s unconditional forgiveness and love, and of course, we truly are sorry for our mistakes and do ask His forgiveness. It is more difficult to forgive persons who are not repentant, who don’t regret harmful actions, yet we must try to leave them in God’s hands, and free ourselves from rancor.
Someone said to Jesus, “I believe; help Thou my unbelief.” We might likewise say, “I forgive; help Thou my unforgiveness.”
This is from the book Pondering which Mother Ruth left to be published at some future time, which has finally come. Soon to be available on our web site: www.scienceofman.org
May the gifts of guidance be received with much joy in Christ
Rev. Mark Anderson
“Do not conquer the world with force, for force only causes resistance. Thorns spring up when an army passes. Years of misery follow a great victory. Do only what needs to be done without using violence.”
The Tao is like a bellows:
it is empty yet infinitely capable.
The more you use it, the more it produces;
the more you talk of it, the less you understand.
Vitamin D, the Sunshine Vitamin
There is increasing evidence that epidemic influenza, and even some of the viruses that cause the common cold, may be prevented by adequate doses of vitamin D.
When you think about it, the flu and cold season is indistinguishable from the vitamin D deficiency season. Every autumn, as vitamin D levels plummet, the incidence of colds and flu skyrocket. After vitamin D levels bottom out during the darkest days of the cold and flu season, vitamin D levels rise again in the spring and the incidence of colds and flu steadily decrease until they virtually disappear during the vitamin D rich summer. It may be quite simple.
Your body’s innate immunity, especially the production of innate natural antibiotics called antimicrobial peptides, goes up and down every year with your vitamin D levels. (Acquired immunity is quite different, those are the antibodies you slowly develop after an infection or a flu shot.) Maintaining summer-time vitamin D levels in the winter – by taking adequate amounts of vitamin D (5,000 IU) in the winter – may help prevent colds or the flu by stimulating innate immunity. Preventing some of the one million deaths in the world every year from flu related illnesses is exciting enough; an equally exciting possibility is that large doses of vitamin D may be useful in treating the flu – as well as other infections.
George Bernard Shaw was right when he said, “the characteristic microbe of a disease might be a symptom instead of a cause.”
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From Father Paul
From a class on Prayer January 1971
…Now, prayer is an active thing. You don’t have to be set in the corner. You don’t have to go off into some great open space. You haven’t got to sit cross-legged and you don’t have to have a certain robe on, to do it. And you don’t have to have either wings started or a halo. And it has always been our contention, in the brotherhood in the Order also, that if you can’t sit on the curb next to a drunk and reach God there, you haven’t got it; you better start over again. And that’s where it is. Because the man that’s got to step nto the sanctuary or a meditation booth in order to reach God, he hasn’t go much God inside of him, in his consciousness, at least. And you’d better start over and get to work, because you have failed miserably. Because there’s nobody goiing to wait for you out on the street or in a riot for you to go back and get into your prayer booth, or your prayer beads, in order to get some results and…you need it right then! And you’ve got about ten seconds to get the whole prayer in, so you better learn how. And not much more than that either.
I put this other side of the triangle down as “S-U-N”, and that’s just the physical consciousness of it. But here is a second point where we need to reach a very definite understanding. And this is the formation of what we are expecting to accomplish by the prayer. Now you notice, I didn’t say, “what we want,” I said what we expect to accomplish. Now, there are a lot of thngs that aren’t necessarily “thngs.” There are a lot of prayers whose ultimate aim is not just “I hope.” Now, of course, I’m being terribly optimistic, I know; but just the same, there are a lot of prayers that are possible to use that will accomplish many things that have nothing to do with material things on the earth directly. Perhaps indirectly, but not directly.
There is a lot that we need to accomplish which can be done by prayer, if we have learned, and if we have gotten to the point where we have been convinced of the Creator and His existence. And those prayers, if it is not an object, but something which we are praying for in our own development, if we are looking to find the Master Jesus and really become conscious of him–which is a pretty good idea–then we can use prayer. It is a prayer of beseechment, so to speak, it is a prayer of need. And here is where the old law of chemistry comes in, that nature abhors a vacuum, and it will be filled providing we have made ourselves specific in our need.
But don’t expect God Almighty and our Lord Jesus to always be a mind-reader. And you’ll hear so many people that are just that way. They think becaue they are praying to the great Creator or the great Intelligence of this whole universe that they don’t really have to be too fussy about what they say. There’s whee they’re wrong. They have to be more fussy what they say there than they do if they’re talking to another individual, because the other individual, it’s a hundred to one that he couldn’t produce it anyway, and so it wouldn’t make any difference. but with Him, it will be produced if you’ve really got there, with this consciousness.
And this is not a term, “consciousness”, as used in psychology, because this consciousness is a consciousness of the reality of power, and energy. This is not the consciousness of “I believe. I think. I know something exists.” Uh-uh. That isn’t what we’re talking about. We’re talking about consciousness that you feel, throughout your whole body. You know it exists! This is the same sort of thing you have got to know when you work with prayer and the Law of prayer and its reality. And if you are seeking to, for instance, gain the consciousness of the Master, or you’re seeking to be able to come to the sanctuary and to really get rid of yourself so that you can do something else. And when I mean get rid of yourself, I mean get rid of yourself, ’cause there’s no place in the world better to do it. Because when you’ve gotten rid of everything that you want, and gotten rid of “you” so that you’re not even conscious that you’re there, why then God has the chance to do something. You know? And so does the Master. Because until that is reached and you are still doing it and you haven’t got a prayer, and that little slang phrase, “a wing and a prayer”, comes in very handy because , believe me, you aren’t going to get off the ground. Not with that one. And this is where this really sets…Of course this is the greatest error in the world. We do so little that sometimes it’s hard to find something to do, really, if you really think you’re going to do it yourself. Because there’s very little accomplished ever without the power and the grace and the energy that comes from our Father through His firstborn.
Archangel Michael
Michael is the golden archangel who guards the autumn. He is the second in power and glory only to the Lord Christ himself. During the fall of the year, Michael and his hosts of angels work to purify the whole planet, both its inner and its outer realm, in preparation for the feast of light which occurs at Christmas, and which heralds the annual return of the Christ Spirit to earth. Every aspirant who dedicates himself to the path of light comes under the protection of the archangel Michael. This is true regardless of his race, religion or nationality. So long as he remains true to this dedication, he will be under the watchful eye and loving protection of this great celestial being whose overshadowing will remain with him until he reaches the climax of the quest and is in complete at-onement with the eternal life.
PRAYER II
Our prayer work is scientific. Our definition of prayer is the scientific lifting up of our hearts and minds to God, our Creator. We pray in three forms: vocally, mentally and positively.
VOCAL PRAYER
We pray vocally because it is necessary to voice the WORD. As we speak, the words produce a certain rate of vibration, which sets up a certain rhythm, which can be measured scientifically.
Our scripture text supporting this is taken both from the Gospel of St. Matthew, and the Gospel of St. Luke. Jesus says in St. Luke 11:2 — “..When ye pray, SAY..” In Matthew 7:7 — “ASK, and it will be given unto you; seek, and you will find..” In Matthew 6:9 — “Pray then like this: Our Father which art in heaven..” This will show the importance of voiced prayer.
MENTAL PRAYER
We teach prayer mentally because Mind is the realm of the Father. It is the place of creation. Our prayer, in order to be scientifically powerful, should be creative.
Read Matthew 7, Luke 11, and John 17. In Matthew, it says, as stated before, “ASK”. In Luke 11:9, he repeats again, and says, “ASK”. And in John 17, Jesus says that the Father gave Him power over all flesh — to give eternal life to all whom He had given Him and that He (Jesus) has given this to man — the ones which are the body of the Church — the ones that accept God wholly and multiply His works. This is one of the most exalting chapters in the Bible to show man’s divinity.
In the twentieth verse, Jesus goes on to say that He prayed not only for the Elect, but also for those that became chosen through the acceptance of God, knowing that the Father was in them, as they were in the Father, thus becoming one with the Father. Here, again, this was a voiced prayer by Jesus.
SCIENTIFIC PRAYER
The use of Scientific Prayer brings into our life the manifestation of the Kingdom of God. In the Science of Man, we understand that prayer is talking to God, and Meditation is the process of receiving an answer.
Contemplation is the process of revelation of our prayer. Meditation is the formula through which it works. Contemplation is the laboratory where the science of prayer and meditation are analyzed and proven scientifically correct. That which is not scientifically correct is not spiritually correct. That which is not scientifically or spiritually correct is not metaphysically correct. That which violates basic metaphysical laws, such as the Law of Cause and Effect, etc. also violates spiritual law.
The perfect prayer should contain praise and glory and worship to the Creator as is shown us in Matthew 6 (King James version) where Jesus says: “…For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory…” The perfect prayer also contains thanksgiving to God for His many benefits.
The perfect prayer contains supplication to God for those things which we require, desire, wish, and want. The scriptures which back up these statements are of praise and worship:
Psalms 69:34, 9:2, 102:18, 104:35, 138:4, 95:6
Matthew 21:16, 2:2, 4:10
Luke 2:13, I Samuel 1:27, John 12:43, Acts 13:2
Deut. 10:21, Romans 12:1, Acts 3:8, Rev. 5:14
Read the scriptures above and while reading, read three verses before and three verses after the quote. This is so that we may know the truth ourselves. Thus, we become familiar with the Bible. Later in the lessons, we will become closer to great men of other times and faiths.
THANKSGIVING: Psalms 50:14, 95:2, 106:1, 145:10 Matthew 15:36, 26:27 Revelation 11:17
Read the same as the first group.
SUPPLICATION: Psalms 28:2, 130:2 Zac. 12:10
GLORY: Psalms 104:31, 149:9 Matthew 6:13 Exodus 24:16, 35:18, 40:34, 16:7, 16:10
From your first observations of these studies, you may have some questions. Do voice them. Let us say here that there will be more work on prayer from the scientific standpoint in the Second Level work in Communication.
All of these scriptural references support our stand on Prayer.
Paul told Timothy “to study, to show himself approved a workman, not needing to be ashamed, but rightly dividing the word of truth.” (R.V.)
This is good advice for the students of the Science of Man to follow. In fact, it is good advice for any Christian. Search these scriptures and study them. You will find the power of prayer.
Remember Paul’s advice! “prayer without ceasing.” It is a good example of conclusive supplicative prayer. It is the prayer that was prayed by Jesus (found in St. John 17)
PRAYER AND THE LAW
The Law is the most important facet of prayer. For the Law can become the nature of one’s own Spirit, and is the spiritual essence of this Law. King David said: “I delight in Thy Law day and night.” This is prayer without ceasing.
The first portion of the Law is discussed in this lesson from Biblical references. The ever-active part of the Law and its place in creation is discussed in Light-Life-Love lessons. The remainder of the study of Law will be in that portion of our studies under the tools of man in the Second Level studies.
The portion of the Law, which we will now study is covered primarily in Matthew 7:21 — “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
So, the first portion of the Law of Prayer is the secret of using the WILL power after you have praised and worshipped and glorified God — after you have thanked Him and made your supplications known to Him. Use your power to bring into spiritual, or mental manifestation, the pattern or word form of the thing or relationship you want to manifest. Then, the Will of God will be manifest — “Because He wants to give you the Kingdom.”
Setting Law of Prayer into action consists of demanding, affirming its presence, and doing. By this, you move out on the physical plane as if you could already put it in your pocket — making yourself accessible to receiving it.
After you have done this, you must go about acting as if you really knew your prayer was already answered affirmatively. You will be, therefore, demonstrating to the unseen Creator your ability to use the power of prayer — to bring about the material manifestation of His unseen reality.
Matthew 7:7 says: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Analyze this statement. Look at the changes it can bring in your life. Put it to the test! See the effect of the Law.
When the Law of asking is put into effect, the result is that it will be given.
The Law says: “Knock”! When you have done this, the result is that it will be opened.
The Law says: “Seek”! And when you have sought, you will find. Because, there is no such thing as a negative prayer.
There is not, and cannot be, a negative answer to prayer. Remember! You shall reap what you have sown.
The effect of a fervent, righteous prayer shall be: everyone who asks, receives; he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. We are sure that after studying this lesson, you will find irony of the Word spoken by the Apostle James. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
We shall conclude this lesson with another statement from the Apostle James: “Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man who observes a natural face in a mirror, for he observes himself and goes away, and at once forgets what he is like. But he who looks into the perfect Law, the Law of Liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer that forgets, but a doer that acts, he shall be blessed in his living.”
PRAYER FULFILLS THE LAW OF DOING.
PRAYER FROM THE BOOK: “Thus I Have Heard”
The following prayer quoted from the “Aquarian Age” May-June, 1924, is given here as an unfailing means of finding the Master in the heart. It should be meditated upon phrase by phrase with deepening realization until the full beauty and truth of the final words become matters of experience.
Bishop Leadbeater gave this prayer to his class in Melbourne, Australia, for a daily meditation. Every word was thought over for many months — then, thought out as to its connection with every other word. There is a deep occult significance in the combination of words, sentences, and ideas. There should be a pause after each phrase with deep meditation.
“O Gracious Lord, I enter Thy radiance, and approach Thy Presence, bearing with me the service done in Thy Name, and for Thee. I seek to become a more efficient server, and I open my heart and mind to the power of Thy Love, and Thy Joy, and Thy Peace.”
“In Thy presence, Thy Peace enfolds me, and fills me with contentment, certainty, rest, stillness, Thy Peace which passeth understanding. I must therefore be a center of love, joy, and peace in the world.”
“I place my hand in Thine with all love and trust and confidence, for Thou art indeed my Lord. From the unreal lead me to the Real, from darkness to Light, from death to Life Eternal. At Thy feet, and in the Light of Thy Holy Presence, I strive to realize what I am. I am not this body which belongs to the world of shadows; I am not the desire which affects it; I am not the thoughts which fill my mind; I am not the mind itself. I am the Divine Flame within my heart, eternal, immortal, ancient, without beginning, without end. More radiant than the sun in all His noonday glory, purer than the snow, untouched, unsullied by the hand of matter; more subtle than the ether is the Spirit within my heart. I and my Father are One.”
“I worship Thee. I adore Thee; Thou my Life, my Breath, my Being, my All. I am in Thee and Thou art in me. Lead me, O Gracious Lord, through Thy illimitable Love to union with Thee, and the Heart of Eternal Love.”
“In Thy Love I rest evermore.” Amen.