The Work as Kingdom Language

by C. T.

The Work is esoteric Christianity (Ouspensky's main Work books being the pure spring for the ideas, practices, and goals of the Work). The term 'esoteric Christianity' has real meaning when applied to the Work as opposed to when it is often applied to various New Age trends that use Biblical language to one degree or another. The Work is not exoteric theology (the summit of which is the Covenant Theology associated with the magisterial Reformed theologians of Switzerland of the 16th century, John Calvin being the greatest representative). Yet, in a real sense, the Work also is that exoteric theology. It is as on-the-mark, yet it is a higher - more practical - language. It can legitimately be described (if not exactly at least in the direction) as a high form of what the Puritans called 'experimental Calvinism'. The Work is a language of the Holy Spirit and requires regeneration to be valued and to be understood at the level it resides at.

The Work is a language of sanctification. An element of the Work that impresses one when one learns theology is the accuracy of the language of the Work. Take the Work idea of Knowledge and Being. One is tempted to write this as 'knowledge and effort' when one writes on Work ideas and practices, but the very precise, really almost poetically precise, rendering 'knowledge and being' is intentional and more on-the-mark. Not simply because of what 'being' refers to (increase of level of being being needed to accompany the learning and study of knowledge for new understanding derived from that knowledge to be able to be developed) but because of the very delicate relationship between 'effort' and 'being' itself. In Christian theology this is a touchy subject with theologians. There is literal fear in mentioning the word 'effort' in connection with inner development, which in Biblical language is called sanctification and is effected by the Spirit (but also requires struggle, i.e. effort, to live by the Spirit and not by the 'old man' within one and the world). Theologians fear the word 'effort' because as Christians they know nothing real is effected by self-will, but only God's will working within one. The Work language understands this, hence the seemingly small, but significant use of the term 'being' for 'effort'. This difference can be seen in the difference between self-will and Real Will. Real effort involves Real Will, yet Real Will comes from above and is not effort in the sense of will power or struggle. It's cultivated by subtle, savvy efforts, Work efforts, and it is accompanied by the 'descent of the Dove' type of action of the Spirit within one (conscious influence), but it is more like the effect of inspiration in the moment than 'effort to do something' which is more of a bottom-upwards operation. Real Will is a top-downwards movement in the internal chain-of-command. This example - the term Knowledge and Being - is just one, but is illustrative of the inspired nature and poetic/practical accuracy of Work terms.

The Work is a language of the Invisible Church. In exoteric theology (magisterial Reformed) the church is seen as being visible and invisible. This is a necessary distinction, but also just reflects reality. In exoteric theology the 'marks of a true (visible) church' are the (1) presence of the preaching of the Word; (2) the administration of the two sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper; and (3) maintaining discipline in members by the Standard of the Word of God. For Work, for which the church is everyday life and events and surroundings, the preaching of the Word corresponds with, first, having School Knowledge (which is the Work language itself), and then having contact with C Influence (which ultimately requires Higher Centers to contact). Second, the two sacraments which correspond to the 1st and 2nd Conscious Shocks. The real event of baptism is when you experience the baptism of the Holy Spirit (regeneration). Regeneration is a one time event, yet being filled with the Holy Spirit is not a one time event (it doesn't have to be). Self-Remembering involves this accumulating of conscious energy. The 2nd Conscious Shock is more mysteriously associated with the symbolism of the Lord's Supper, but just in the aspect of the sacrificing of suffering (and the connecting with Real Will and Real I) one can see the connection. And third, discipline: when you live from the Work rather than from life you are exercising a real discipline on yourself based on a real standard. (Prayer 'in the Spirit', and in a state of worship, continual and occasional, is a big subject, and is more in the Work area of Real Will volition, or, effecting results and acting top-down internally through Real Will; which is to say, acting from what is above Real Will (and Real I) which is God. Prayer presents a big area of activity because it is involved in all activity and use of Real Will once one has contact and ability to act from Real Will. Prayer can also be seen as corresponding to the 1st Conscious Shock and in this connection could be coupled with fasting - prayer and fasting - as representing the 1st and 2nd Conscious Shocks in Biblical language. But, this is symbolic - the connection is symbolic - but actual prayer and actual fasting are real; and actual 1st Conscious shock effort and actual 2nd Conscious Shock effort are real.)

The Work, once one truly connects with it (and regeneration - which is effected by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit - is necessary to truly connect with it because it is a language of the Holy Spirit and without the Holy Spirit in you the language and practices of the Work will be empty, ultimately, for you)...as I was saying, the Work, once one truly connects with it, is suppose to be your theology. Your guide. You can't go 'back' or go 'down' to the level of exoteric theology once you have truly connected with the Work level. Though going 'back' to get understanding of the exoteric level is not necessarily an empty thing to do, because understanding is understanding. But the theology at the exoteric is ultimately - and obviously, to a person who knows - dead to a person who has connected in a real way with the Work. The Word of God (the Living Language that is the Bible) is always alive, though, and is the ultimate Standard for understanding and guidance (as an influence it is the actual material of understanding). It is the foundation of the Work itself (it is Reality itself), and the fear of the Lord, which is cultivated from His Word, is the foundation for all Wisdom and pursuit of Holiness. It should be read 7 times complete.

The Work is the language of developing within the Kingdom of Christ while in the flesh. Developing into possessing the full image of God. Higher Centers were lost at the Fall, but can be recovered - reconnected with - once regenerate. The Kingdom is connected to the Invisible Church. A Christian is to be a prophet, priest, and king in the Kingdom of Christ. The grand, overriding Kingdom attitude is: Real Will gratitude over self-will resentment. (1) Contact with Higher Centers and access to conscious influence (God) gives you the ability to be a prophet. (2) 'Real Will gratitude over self-will resentment.' Everytime you sacrifice resentment with gratitude to God, on an altar that is higher and more internal than False Personality (vanity and worldly pride and self-will) - and with an aim to awaken and glorify God rather than to be 'good' - you're being a priest. (3) A high, internal seat - throne - of Master (Real I) and the command of inner being it possesses through Real Will, along with Conscience, makes you a king.

The reason for being for a Christian is to (1) glorify God, and to (2) experience joy in His Kingdom forever.

Amos 9:6 It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven. [KJV] Amos 9:6 It is He who builds His staircase in the heavens. [LITV]

12/2004