LESSON SEVEN

     SPIRITUAL WISDOM VS. CRYSTALLIZATION

      In order to understand spiritual wisdom, we must separate it from worldly wisdom, things we learn with our earthly minds.  We want to note here that many can merge the two.

      There are many quotes in the Bible which set forth the idea in the mind of God that we ought to understand and forgive others.  We usually find this a difficult task because we expect too much of ourselves and those around us.  It becomes a question of a personal sense of values.  When you walk through life with a chip on your shoulder, someone will eventually knock it off.  We, then, anticipate this happening (defensive) and sometimes become offensive in order to avoid this.  We try to "get there first," putting us at sword's point with everyone else.  The theory of "Do unto others before they do unto you" is certainly a negative one.

      As the saying goes, "they put erasers on pencils for a reason."  We all make mistakes.  Forgive yourself and thank those around you for enabling you to learn from them.  We truly do not have negative experiences as such.  We merely have learning experiences.  We realize this is difficult to accept when the going is tough.  We always come to this realization after the situation is resolved.  Problems are situations in need of resolution!

      Much of what happens to us is based on our own expectations.  We seem to place a price tag on everything in our lives and don't usually realize we are doing so.  The attitude described is based on anticipating return.  Let us name some of the recognizable attitudes we have.  Love, affection, favors, kindness, mercy, companionship and attention are all things we seek, but with a motive of return in mind.  Those who pay the highest price to us for these, receive them to the utmost.  When we don't get back what we expect, we are hurt.

      Suppose you buy a present for a friend and they do not give one back.  When you are hurt, isn't it because you gave it with selfish motives and then your pride was hurt because you did not get what you expected?  Christmas is the worst time of year for this.  We see people buying gifts based on what they anticipate they will receive.  "John only gives me handkerchiefs so I will only give him a tie."

      When we use our spiritual minds, we give because we enjoy giving.  Herein lies the reward.  This way, nothing is expected in return.  We are not, however, recommending that you make a doormat of yourself.  Develop a sense of balance and you will know when to give and to whom.

      Most people blame the inharmonies in their lives on circumstance.  They might feel they did not get the "breaks" when they were children.  Wives are busy blaming husbands, who in turn are equally busy blaming them for their misfortunes.  You will also hear, "Why did God do this to me?"  As a minister, this one really reaches me.  We seem to take the so-called "easy way" and blame everyone else for our misfortunes.

      When we use our spiritual minds and look back at the pattern of our lives, we learn that no one is to blame but ourselves.  We are here to live out our learning experiences chosen even before we came into the physical body.  We must, therefore, take responsibility for our lives and our actions.

      The Bible tells us, "Judge not lest ye be judged."  We need to weigh situations in order to make decisions.  That is not what is meant in this quote.  What about criticism?  If you cannot withstand it from others, don't criticize.  It is only good when it is constructive.  Suggesting to someone that a change might make their lives better is not a judgment unless the motive behind the suggestion is negative.  There are people who make themselves feel better by "putting others down."  You can readily see that they do not feel too good about themselves if they find this need.  If you are doing this with negative motives like jealousy, pride, revenge or envy, be prepared for the return of it karmically and you will be hurt more than you have hurt others.  Remember, negative creates negative and positive creates positive.  Learn to question your own motives and you will be led by your spiritual mind. 

      When you are seeking all that the Earthly world can give you and are accumulating a massive fortune of money, ask yourself along the way, "At what price?"  Have you stepped over the heads of others, neglected your family or did you simply not take the time to "smell the roses?"

Make this reevaluation a way of life.  Earning a comfortable or even a luxurious living is wonderful, if you have done it in a spiritual way.  Learn to understand that we do not have any more coming to us than we need.  Anything else is SURPLUS and a direct gift from God.  Give to someone else as much as God has given to you.  At a time where many in the world are starving, we can always find someone to help.  Lincoln said it very well when he told us, "If God meant some men to do all the work and no eating, He would have created some men with all hands and no mouths."

      Give kindness, love and understanding and you will receive them!

      Make a list of all the good things that you have done for others and another list of all the good others have done for you.  You will truly see before you a balance sheet.  This is living spiritually.  Get your life in balance and continue to keep it so.

      Part of living spiritually is looking forward.  We cannot live our past experiences over again even though we can change the way we perceive them.  God put our eyes in front of our heads for a purpose, TO LOOK FORWARD.

      When we are either frozen into the past or present, fixed in mind, and are not looking to the future, we are in the process of crystallization.  Like Lot's wife, we have turned to a "pillar of salt."  We no longer learn or progress.  The light of truth cannot penetrate.  "Let the dead bury the dead."  We must let go of the past and go on.

If you are making today a joyous day, plan for the future.

If you are not ready to do so, live one day at a time until you can experience joy in each day.  There is a big difference between TALKING THE TALK and WALKING THE WALK!

      When the mind is crystallized and new thoughts are not permitted to enter it, the body very frequently crystallizes also.  When the body is not allowed to progress, it will express inharmony and the spirit of life becomes depressed.  Do not dwell in the past on either experiences or ill health.  Allow your mind and body to grow and go forward.  Remember, with God, all things are possible.

      Science tells us that we only use a small portion of the brain.  We can expand the usage.

      As the mind progresses, students will frequently experience bodily changes.  The mind is performing its work of cleansing and purifying and casting out the error thoughts in order to make room for new ones.  These thoughts are very frequently tied to bodily inharmonies which will also release themselves.  This process is called "chemicallization" and is not to be feared.  The new wine of spirit is casting out the old wine skin and creating a new outer skin.  "You cannot put new wine in old wine skins." 

      You may find yourself living out, reenacting, old physical inharmonies, but to a lesser degree.  The experience will be brief.  Understand and expect this and many of these manifestations will never reappear.  Part of this is ridding yourself of erroneous thoughts of heredity and other negative programming.  Clear all of these from your mind and body and take one or more steps forward each day.  In this way, you will progress in harmony and in Oneness with spiritual wisdom.

      In addition to using meditation for centering and peace, develop the technique of working with yourself in meditation.  Seek higher guidance here also.  Your high self is available to lead you to a better pathway.

      The easy trap students fall into is coming to us and asking, "Why is my allergy back?"  First of all, do not give recognition to negatives by slapping labels on them such as "allergy" and do not give them power with thoughts or words.

      Learn to expect chemicallization as a part of your learning experience and know that THERE IS NO FEAR WITH GOD.  When you go through any experience with love and understanding, you are walking "IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH!"

Lesson Eight