The WMS Library Master & Disciple Part 2

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Of Master and Disciple

PART 2 of 5

The following is a fictional account of a spiritual awakening with a factual basis. This five part series is offered to promote and encourage the practices of the World Mind Society, making the reader aware of some of the potentials involved in this system:

The Adept continued by saying, "Of this lineage there are no secrets withheld, for it is our view that when a question is earnestly asked, that the asking itself implies a readiness to receive answers. This is true here today, as it is for ascetics in caves and forest groves, as well as for the disciples in ashrams of my Master’s Way. Your presence here is testimony to a strong spiritual motivation. Your sacrifices in undertaking travel to this secluded place do not go unnoticed. Thus, as much will be revealed to you as you wish to know, and of which I am capable of both demonstration and discourse. It cannot be overemphasized that what you have experienced here today, in no way represents any special ability on my part, or that of the lineage of teachings to which I belong. These events today are an aspect of Natural Laws which any person may, who so desires, begin to embody and thus perform.

The material world which you see before you is but one of the innumerable houses of God, built upon a foundation of intelligent design. It is intelligent because it is of progressive purpose. It is wise because its purpose is the expansion of its own Self Awareness, within all created forms. It is progressive because it becomes even more wise and intelligent over time. In so doing It builds even greater houses than before. This house of God has great strength, as do we who are a part of its design, one which like any other well built structure, is founded upon sound principles and laws. The house of life is flexible, rebuilding itself as needed. Because man is of the same design he too is flexible, possessing intelligence and wisdom along with the inner strength to progress. Thus we are reflections of God the Planner, for we plan as well. We are reflections of God the Builder, for we have minds that focus and which are capable of recreating the world. It is also true that we reflect God the Knower, because as a result of our planning, building and inner focus, we too gain not only knowledge, but knowledge of what it is to Know. So it is that to know is to be human. To know that we know, is to follow the path of Truth that leads to self Mastery.

We live not only in the house of God, we are also of that house. We are as pillars upon which the roof of heaven rests. Since the body of God is Itself Knowingness, and we are of that body, we too possess Knowingness. In this Truth the Design and the Designer are One. We are part of a Mind that shapes matter into its own images and means. The image of the Divine, as well as Divine means are ours to know. Consciousness the all-pervading infiltrates our being. It is the wellspring of inspiration from which the seeker, finding Awareness itself, exclaims; 'I AM THAT'. Indeed we are all THAT, and in realizing this, find realization itself. The Truth of existence that God is everywhere present becomes self evident.

The universe is Consciousness, and so are we. In the knowing of the self this becomes clear. Thus to explore ourselves is to explore the house of God, and to explore the house of God, is to explore ourselves. In meditation it is observed that the very process of knowing the self, is that state of being where the knower becomes the subject of focus, and in so doing becomes the known as well. When that indwelling presence of Awareness within focuses on the qualities of its own focusing, it then Sees its own nature. This is the basis for enlightenment.

When we as conscious beings realize what it is to be conscious, it is then that the process of spiritual unfoldment takes an active role in living. It is then that the wings of the soul begin to lift this worldly task that is otherwise a burden, to high spiritual realms. It is then we begin to see the importance of love and clarity in the world. These insights are important because they enable the spirit to fully guide matter, for soul to empower body and mind. It is Spirit which guides this world and the next, not matter or flesh. Spirit, God, Consciousness, Brahman, are all the names of this same guiding Force. It is to this Force we must return, to live as enlightened beings.

Enlightenment is self realization to a certain minimum degree. That degree is self realized when a given mind finds its true nature in Consciousness itself, calling this home. Both the inner and outer focus become one and the same within it. This is the identification of the personality with the soul, rather than the past. Personality, ego and identification with material things, fade away to be replaced with an identification with the eternal. The self is then viewed as Spirit, not memory or thought. "I AM THAT" is exclaimed by the self while in conscious unity with the universe. Further realized, the self exclaims, "I AM THAT I AM", in permanent identification with Consciousness itself.

A person so identified has access to knowledge of an unlimited scope. As a question is asked, the received answer is already forthcoming. For the disciple of spiritual paths, this level of self realization adds new meaning to the principle, "When the student is ready the Master will appear". For indeed when the seeker has identified themselves with soul, with Consciousness that is the true self, they are then connected without obstacle to a universe that is also Consciousness. This connection provides answer to all spiritual inquiry, because of the connectedness of all things. Thus the student is 'ready' as demonstrated by the fact that the Master of Masters, which is Truth, is ever available to supply needed answers.

My friends, the answers to the questions of life all lie before you. For in essence you must be your own teachers, as even the greatest of Gurus can only point the way, not provide self mastery. Self mastery in Consciousness is a choice of inner focus and self identification, which you must yourselves make. Only then will you realize the Truth that is the self and the world in general".

Having spoken thus, the Adept looked down from a gaze that spanned the horizon, to the many faces below. For a moment his eyes lingered upon them as if in evaluation of what might best be further said. Satisfied with the result of the discourse, he arose from a lotus position atop the rocks, which were by now casting a long shadow, revealing a greater passage of the day than most had been previously aware. Climbing down a ladder of braided reeds, he made his way to a large tent. Its circular frame stood in contrast to the many smaller square shelters of canvas there. The silent crowd parted quickly to make way for this spiritual presence of a man, some reaching out to touch his robe in passing. Following close behind were two similarly robed men of impressive though not equal stature, who did not enter within, as did the Adept. Instead they stood at its entrance and announced that a modest late afternoon lunch had been prepared, as generously provided by a merchant from the nearest city some miles to the south. Having said this they too stepped within, closing the flaps of canvas behind them, as an unspoken indication that the One therein was for the moment, in repose.

Hours passed into an evening brightly lit by hundreds of campfires, the air scented by white jungle flowers made even sweeter by singers and drums. Those who had traveled far for spiritual cleansing, council and healing were not disappointed, as groups of five were allowed in the large tent to receive blessings.

The humble seeker, seated before a small fire not far from the main tent noticed that those who entered and soon departed were in good spirits, and seemingly greater Energy than before. He wondered what manner of inner strength or realization made possible the healing of so many night after night, and the creation of such uplifting effects, day after day. It was said that the Adept, who was sure to take the Master’s place some day, traveled almost constantly from location to location giving discourses and healings, staying no more than a week in any one place. The seeker imagined himself the devoted servant of this teacher, who surely could well be considered a Master in his own right. He wondered what this might entail. At that very moment the seeker felt compelled to look up from his fire, and there alone stood a figure in a gray cloak watching him intently. The figure spoke saying, "The very first time I entered my Master’s ashram, after eight years of meditation in the forest, he met with me. This is an unusual honor for a new student. The first thing he said was, 'I perceive immediately that you do seek with an earnest heart and a clear mind, and so I say to you this. Remember always that Truth is the highest and most worthy Master to which any seeker may ever apply’. After a time of meditating on this I knew it to be true, a fact that also indicated to me that my Master is of the highest realization. The Truth that is God, the God that is Truth, is the intelligent reality behind all possible illusions of the senses or the mind. Know you then that should you devote yourself to study with me, that your devotion shall in fact be to the embodiment of Truth, to God and those constant principles that underlie all of existence. I am not truly the Master, I only point the way with as much fidelity as I am capable".

The figure paused for a moment and stood by the fire warming his hands, with a gray hood pulled down to conceal the features within. Although the seeker could not see his face, he knew this person to be none other than the Adept, though it was hard to believe. The seeker asked, "Why do you conceal yourself thus, great one? And how is it that you give answer to my very thoughts?" The Adept answered, "From the moment of meeting eyes with you today while speaking at the rocks, I knew you to be a most earnest seeker of Truth. Through your eyes I saw into the intention of your soul. In this we aligned our spirits, my friend. I saw too that you have many questions you would like to ask of me, and that they should be answered in full. Thus concealed as I sometimes am, we may converse without distraction". "Great one, I am honored", replied the seeker, "I do have many questions, and would not usually presume upon your time with them. But in consideration of your words, I am delighted to take the opportunity". "Let us walk then, speaking quietly, and see what this conversation may reveal", the Adept replied.

The seeker poured a small pitcher of water on what remained of his fire, and walk they did amidst singers, dancing children, and discussions of the events of the day in small tents. They walked under a starry sky in silence, until approaching the perimeter of the clearing, and stood alone near ancient and silent oaks. The seeker broke the silence by asking, "Great one, what must one do in seeking the opportunity to be your student?" "As I have said", the Adept replied, "the first and foremost act of the sincere seeker, is to recognize their true Master, the Master of Masters, which is that of Truth. If this is not done, then no Master, philosophy, or regimen of practice, no matter how profound or well informed they may be, will be of any use. The Truth must be recognized and fully embraced before one can truly understand Reality, whether one has the advantage of a Master’s counsel or not". "How does one accurately perceive the Truth?", asked the seeker. The Adept said, "Know the Truth first by realizing it is universal, and without exception applies to all places, all people, and at all times invariably. Discern untruth as that which applies only to a specific few, to a given class or period of time. That which divides into fragments the complete picture of reality, can only contain limited merit. However, that which unites into a holistic picture of reality is that which is universal, and has the greatest merit, as Truth".

Matthew Webb visionquest@eoni.com

The World Mind Society http://www.eoni.com/~visionquest

PART 3