THE MIND AS AN INSTRUMENT OF ALIGNMENT

There is an ancient verse, well-known and sounded daily by Those Who are wise in the ways of men. Found in Sanskrit literature it has a most magnetic appeal to those who have stepped upon the upward Path which leads towards the higher shores.

Asato maa sad gamaya
Tamaso maa jyotir gamaya
Mrityor maa amritam gamaya

Lead us from untruth to Truth
Lead us from darkness to Light
Lead us from death to immortality

The words maa gamaya in all three sentences are invocations/demands from the Personality Will of Humanity to the One Soul that sheds Its Light over all . . . a Light which shines ever in the darkness (the unenlightened mind) until the darkness disappears. The verse evokes deep resonance in those upon the upper spiral, and beckons to those who are nearing the spiral, encouraging their aspiration for contact with That Which stands above.

It is towards the One Universal Soul that the invocations are directed.

Many of us believe that the Path of spirituality is exclusive to religion; we hold rigidly to fixed beliefs and ancient customs about that which constitutes truth: ‘God is found in a church!’ we think, ‘in a temple or special place of worship!’

Perhaps the way to truth is more direct than we realise, and every honest endeavour in this world of temptation is a by-road to the Path of spirituality. In the social, commercial, artistic, scientific, economic and political arenas, all who seek to live honestly and to serve in the best way that they can are walking the spiritual Path. In time, and not so long hence, all by-roads will lead to the great avenue of approach for ‘all the great avenues of approach to reality are interpretive of true purpose.’

Higher impulses pouring into the planet at every moment find expression in all walks of life, and it is a great fallacy to believe that religion alone is the only path by which human beings may contact That Which stands above. The practice of religion is but one pathway to reality and is indeed a wonderful means of progress when followed truthfully, but there are other means of progress which are just as effective.

At each point along the way, the motivating force behind activity determines the outcome of endeavour. If action is directed towards the benefit of all, then it is good, true, and beautiful, and the eventual outcome is certain. Every path without exception requires effort, undeterred by circumstances, and the will-to-good, backed by intelligent use of the mind and heart that are blended and united.

In the past the vision of life’s purpose was determined by those who were ‘educated’, by the intelligentsia in each nation, and by those who were privileged in one way or another. Today, it is the bulk of humanity in general that is responding to the call of spiritual premonition. We are beginning to see collectively another vision and know better what is truth as opposed to untruth; we sense the dawning of Light within the darkness that has obscured clear understanding for so long; and we are beginning to intuit the reality of eternity behind the present life which is but a passing shadow within the deep chasm of time.

If we look clearly we will see that it is the human race in general that now stands holding the vision, whether it is the vision of a better life for all in terms of economics; a vision of a just and fair-minded world in terms of politics and government; of straight-forward and direct truth in regard to social conduct and the sciences; a vision of right inter-racial relationships in global human relations; and a vision of righteous living with respect for all in terms of religion. Much, indeed, is happening in our world today and great changes are stirring beneath the surface; time as we know it is speeding up and there is enormous uncertainty everywhere. The daily news, transmitted through our radios, televisions and gadgets, are harbingers of constant surprise and alarm as we grow both hopeful and apprehensive of the future.

What we need now more than ever before is to look below the surface, and to wake up to underlying trend of events so that we may perceive the deeper causes and the true intent within the human heart. Instead of falling prey to pessimism we may take a stand on the side of optimism and hope for the best as we plough the field of life together in true service and goodwill. If we have the eyes to see there is something most definitely emerging in the everyday life of humanity; we are awakening–each in his own way–to the simple Truth, to the Light, and to the fact of immortality as we begin to understand that it is only the physical body that grows old and dies, and that it is only the habitual emotions and thought patterns that peter out naturally at the end of a life-cycle. Lying back of these instruments of consciousness, ever whole and ever in tact, is the One Self.

But first, ‘the sharp shears of sorrow must separate the real from the unreal; the lash of pain must awaken the sleepy soul to exquisite life; the wrenching away of the roots of life from the soul of selfish desire must first be undergone, so that we may stand free‘.

The need for fundamental change, right progress and world peace is dominant in those who sense the next step forward for mankind. In the emerging demand for a new age founded on freedom from fear, for human rights and right human relations, for improvement within the many departments of world affairs, for better systems of education, for truthful media footage and the much-needed process of transparency and accountability from all walks of life, change will come. It is becoming very evident – despite the many existing attempts at opposition – that we are indeed, as a race, reaching a point of emergence from ignorance as we proceed onward toward the good, the true and the beautiful.

The words in the above verse stand as beacons of light to all who love humanity and who wish to tread the path of spiritual unfoldment. As we learn to control the instinctive promptings of selfish desire and become receptive to those higher impressions that are ever pouring into the planet from higher spheres and from our own souls, we will see radical change coming into effect in our personal affairs and in the general affairs of the world.

Let us then build together that we may share in a world of peace and joy, the true birthright of each and everyone. There is in us that mysterious quality which can burn and destroy, and so eradicate all that hinders that most true and essential expression of our being, which is Love.