WMS HOME PAGE  |  LIBRARY TABLE OF CONTENTS Of Master and Disciple PART 5 of 5 PART 1  |  PART 2  |  PART 3  |  PART 4  |  PART 5  |  COMMENTARY 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 disciple continued his explanation by saying, "To work with the Intelligence of the Earth, is one of the greatest benefits of the knowledge of Consciousness which one may acquire.  A very large portion of the spiritual work accomplished here today was not of our doing, but was in fact the result of Earth Consciousness.  With focused minds of like Intention, did we visualize the drawing in and channeling of the Energy and Awareness of the Earth, for the benefit of all present.  Thus with the help of the Earth and the principles which govern visualization, did we Intend into place the effects perceived today.  Such manifestations are in accord with the Intent of the Earth and of God".  This disciple turned again to his teacher, and received an impression of both "well done, and that is sufficient",  and returned to a seated position. The Adept then touched the left shoulder of the disciple to his right, while whispering something in his ear for several minutes.  This disciple nodded slightly, and stood to speak saying;  "As my fellow student and most worthy teacher have attested, the Consciousness we all possess is of three elements, which are Energy, Awareness, and Will or Intent, as it may be called.  In the connectedness of Consciousness which the chakras enhance, the inwardly observant person will notice that the effects we have upon one another are continuous.  Likewise are the effects of the ocean of Consciousness which is the Earth, invariably influencing every moment of life.  The Earth too, which is itself an island in the ocean of God, is constantly influenced by the forces of Consciousness that reside in the far reaches of the universe”. “Part of what makes this connection with each of us possible is Energy itself, passing through the chakras as explained. Another element of Consciousness which makes this possible is Awareness, which guides Energy into various channels and manifestations.  Awareness is the maker of patterns and pathways through which Energy, the basic building block of universal designs, is given form.  In harnessing Awareness as conscious beings, we may focus in such a way as to cause Energy to enter us in great quantities, for our own benefit or for the benefit of others.  Some direct this Energy or prana for healing, others to enhance their own spiritual progress.  Others still use it to render positive influences on our world as a whole.  To some degree, all people use Energy and Awareness for various purposes in all things, and at every moment.  We cannot avoid doing this, since we are those elements of Consciousness at the most fundamental level of our being.  Thus the majority of people unconsciously employ the elements of consciousness to perform their daily affairs, without ever realizing the nature and scope of their importance. By focusing Awareness on any idea, visualized image or feeling as a sustained focus, one may create results as have been witnessed here today.  When focused personal Awareness draws in Energy from the environment, it may then be channeled outward and used for whatever purpose the channeler so wishes.  This is true so long as their Intention is in accord with Nature.  So it is that spiritual action is not of a mystical character.  It is in fact a practical application of Natural Laws,  representing an ability refined by practice and self realization. At a signal from his Master, this disciple also slowly seated himself.  The Adept then concluded the discourse by adding;  "Of these two elements of Consciousness known as Energy and Awareness thus far described, there is yet another aspect of the self and existence.  This is the one responsible for initiating all the manifestations of the universe.  We have referred to this aspect as Will or Intent, which is a quality of existence possessed by all things,  including the human being. All three of the elements of Consciousness are each masterable to greater and greater degrees, by those who cultivate them as an inner focus.  By accepting greater responsibility for what the true self is, one gains both a knowledge of the purposes of God, and also certain abilities which in the society of man are generally unrecognized.  One of those abilities is the transmission, or channeling of surrounding Awareness and Energy, for the benefit of others as you have seen.  Energy, focused by Awareness via the chakras, can render effects both inside and outside the body.  Such effects can aid the very progress of mankind, when properly directed.  The degree of experiential understanding of these elements of the true self and their wise application, determines the scope of an individual’s ability to manifest spiritual influence. In all activities of Consciousness, even in the simplest of acts such as walking, it is Intent which ultimately guides every personal action.  Regardless of the type of practice one may engage in, be it one which employs visualization, faith, concentration, inspiration, ritual, or group focus, all results gained in material and the spiritual realms are a reflection of the action taken by Intent.  A study of any of the elements of Consciousness, from Energy direction, to the shifting of Awareness, to the purification of Intent, all enhance self mastery, for these are the basis of the true self.  Thus all of the lectures and demonstrations you have received here, could in essence be said to be of one basic topic only, and that is self mastery, via self knowledge.  As we all learn more about the nature of our inner realms, so too do we learn an equivalent amount of valuable knowledge, regarding the nature of the universe in general.  Our will or Intent to progress we find, is a reflection of the Divine Will to progress; to grow and expand as conscious beings. In looking within, we also find that the patterns of personal and collective history, the paths  taken up to the present, as well as those which will be taken in the future, are all determined by how we handle this inner essence.  It is in our right use of Consciousness which has and shall determine our fate.  We must ultimately understand our true nature and make best use of it in accord with the Will of God.  If we fail in this task, we will then destroy ourselves with these very potentials misused. As we realize and employ the most appropriate Intentions which are of God, our lives are set in motion according to universal designs.  To seek this process of self transformation, is to seek enlightenment.  As each of us becomes more enlightened, we are gradually compelled by God to teach others, so that they too may carry the illuminating torch of Truth, kept blazing by self realization through the night of ignorance.  Think you on these things, I enjoin you, for they are of the utmost importance in living, as well as the ultimate understanding of existence itself. We encourage you to learn well of the Truth which Consciousness encompasses.   This you may do through meditation, prayer, experimentation and careful, moment to moment observation.  Never take any teacher’s word alone to be the absolute Truth, nor that of any scripture, without a personal application of those points of which they speak.  It is good to have faith in the various aspects of Truth and its advocates, but it is equally good to gain clarity as to their reality through personal experience.  Only through personal experience does the speaker of a message, become also a practitioner of practical wisdom.  No teacher or book may give you the experience of God or Truth in such a way that you embody knowledge.  To actually embody Truth and to render real spiritual aid to others, one must practice it moment to moment throughout every day, as the basis of living.  The more you do this the more benefits will you reap as enlightened beings.  Thus I enjoin you to know yourselves as Consciousness in every moment of  every day.  I encourage you to employ Intent, Awareness, and Energy at all times, and in accord with the Will of God and Nature.  May your journey be successful, and of full realization". Thus the final lecture in a week-long stay, of the pilgrim known as the Adept came to a close in a secluded grove.  That night was spent in relative silence, a quiet resolve which was truly extraordinary for such a large group of people.  The seeker thought to himself that night, that indeed the Adept’s message had made a lasting impact on a large number today.  He wondered how many would in fact, "take responsibility for the Truth" from now on. The seeker had also come to his own inner resolve this day.  He planned to seek out in meditation and prayer, the full nature of the Truth with only the advice of his own soul.   The Master of Masters would be his guide.  Feeling an obligation to speak of this to the Adept, he approached the great circular tent at a rather late hour.  Gladdened to see a lamp light still burning within, the seeker rang a small bell set near the doorway as a means to request entry.  The flaps of the tent opened promptly, revealing a smiling Adept who urged that they speak softly, so as not to disturb his two sleeping students within.  The seeker,  greatly pleased at this opportunity, entered saying that he had come to speak of matters such as those of their discussion on the previous evening. The seeker, with all warmth of reverence said, "Great one, I must first ask pardon for my late appearance here this evening, and also for the thing I am about to say.  It is most difficult".  The Adept replied, "First of all my friend, do not think this late hour any imposition.  Those with real need or burning desire are always welcome.  As for the matter of importance of which you wish to speak, I sense that it concerns the becoming of a student in my traveling camp, is this not so?"  "Indeed it is so, One who Sees", replied the seeker, "and difficult it is for me to say, despite my earnest words the previous evening,  regarding my desire to apprentice under your high teachings. I find that I must seek my own enlightenment for now, to the point where I may be of significant service to others".  The seeker went on to describe his vision during the days' discourse in detail, and that such revelations were the cause of this change of heart.  "I know now what I must do", he said, "because to continue this spiritual quest, I must refine myself in greater self Awareness through the advice of my own soul, so as to See the depth that is God in all creation.  I know now that this is my only best course, since as you say, realization and responsibility are the sole products of individual effort.  I must apologize for my unpredictability Great one”, said the seeker, with bowed head and clasped hands. "Worthy seeker, do not think it an impropriety on your part to journey into meditational repose thus", said a grinning Adept.  "I am in fact most pleased that you have made the right decision, and have followed the advice of the wise.  Truly, your decision is one made with right understanding.  One of your dedication and inner focus should indeed rely on their own council, to become a Master in their own right.  I say this to you in part because of the wisdom you have shown in asking the right questions, and because of the dedication evident in your own spiritual practice.  I also say this because the vision you beheld today was in Truth accurate.  You witnessed events as they occurred on both the physical and subtle realms.  Value this vision, for within it are held many Truths, and keys to Truths.  You have done well to regard this vision seriously, especially with regard to listening to the advice of your own soul.  It is because of all of these aspects of my interaction with you these last few days, that I know your decision to be the correct one.  My blessings go with you into the solitude of realization which shall be yours".  The seeker with tears in his eyes, looked into those of the Adepts with all the love of a brother and devoted pupil in one, and could say only, "You are most gracious and wise".  Embracing each other in silent farewell, the seeker then left the tent to find his own grassy bed.  He now held the certainty that some day he would return to assist the Adept, with the real capability of deep self realization. It was in this way, that a seeker eventually became a Master in his own right in years to come. Matthew Webb visionquest@eoni.com  The World Mind Society http://www.eoni.com/~visionquest    COMMENTARY; WHAT MOTIVATES US TOWARD MASTERY?