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CHAPTER 8

 BUILDING A NEW WORLD

Contrary to popular opinion, the human being possesses great strength, power and purpose.  Our strength comes from the ability to be flexible.  It also manifests through sheer force of will, determination and the capacity to cooperate.  Our power is found in a keen intellect. We possess the ability to learn and accumulate information, as well as the means to change any environmental circumstance according to desire.  Our purpose as intelligent beings is to make natural and spiritual progress, to evolve.  Because we are intelligent our species carries the potential to evolve at will, an ability made possible through self-reflection, (self-realization). Of our own strength and power we have invested much focus, developing these as might an imbalanced and grossly muscle bound athlete, who lives only for the thrill of competition. As for humanitys’ spiritual purpose however, we have invested comparatively little thought and even less energy.  With all its technologies, industrial and social might, modern society is very powerful on the physical and technical levels, yet very weak in the true understanding of spiritual matters.  It therefore does not know its own ultimate potential or direction.  Of the trinity body, mind and spirit, we have cultivated only the first two.  The mighty collective mind and body to which we belong, one which possesses advanced technologies and huge social institutions, can never save us from our own lack of positive direction.  High technology is still used for the same destructiveness as was the horse and buggy, and our social order is still plagued by the same old corruption.  Without the guidance of higher understanding that is spiritual wisdom, the mighty machine of society must eventually collapse.  Through technology we are only accelerating the process of extermination of all life on this planet. If we are to survive our own strength and power run amok, it will be because we tune these to a different direction and purpose.  They must not exist for their own purposes alone.

There is a pressing need to regard the new millennium as a fresh start for humanity.  Its beginning is the crossing of a psychological barrier that indicates to many that the “FINAL DAYS” are upon us.  Perhaps they are.  Perhaps we have gone too far with unnatural fixations and the mass destruction of life, in the lust for war and petty competitiveness.  It may be that the great towering machine of an artificial society must fall very hard into the dust, causing death and famine on a mass scale before people will change their ways.  Yet the seed and promise of new life based upon a new set of priorities will, like a great forest fire, leave in its wake fresh growth.  Only our own individual efforts will serve as the foundation for change in the collective future.  Through our own right living and respect for the natural order, we become the seeds of growth for the future of humanity.  That future must contain the vision of wise, spiritually minded people who have not forgotten what is of importance in life, unlike the average modern citizen. It is for the spiritually minded to value love and clarity as the guiding forces behind social interaction.  Having learned from the mistakes of the past millennium, we will value wisdom as it spontaneously and intentionally arises from natural ways.  To naturally wise persons history will owe a debt of gratitude, not only for the bringing in of a more enlightened age, but for its very survival as an unbroken chronicle of human life.

In the future, community must take on a different meaning.  Community cannot remain merely a collection of small, private, material empires that by coincidence stand in proximity to one another.  Neighborhood must mean more than a collection of persons of similar race or economic class.  Well being must have a broader connotation than participation in the “local crime watch” or the efficiency of electronic security systems. Fear must be replaced with love, paranoia with mutual confidence and materialism with spiritualism.  It is necessary that lucid conversation and progressive mutual activities take the place of television “programming.”  We don’t after all, need to be programmed.  Our need is to intelligently recognize the common roots of all human beings and all life in general.  This can only be accomplished through the maintenance of spiritual wisdom.

Wisdom is the emphasis of truth in ones’ life; the greater the emphasis, the greater the wisdom.           

At some level we all want to see better, happier times come about.  We would all enjoy a neighborhood in which everyone treated each other as the best of friends.  It would be a good world in which everyone understood the value of sharing, caring for one another and working for the common good, but in a very primitive sense we’re all waiting for the other guy to put down his stick first, before we put down ours.  There tends to be a very fundamental level of distrust among people in the modern age, regardless of fancy speeches to the contrary.  From where does this distress and fear come?  One might be prompted to say it is simply a result of our interaction with a world that cannot be trusted.  Yet this line of reasoning is far too simplistic to be either accurate or useful.  The intelligent person knows that mutual trust can only come about through gestures of genuine good will and a loving nature, ones that leave no question of trustworthiness in the minds of others.  We must make the first gesture of good will in order to establish good will.  So on a basic level at least, the logical remedy for positive and progressive interaction is already known.  In fact such knowledge represents very simple logic that should be obvious to anyone.

But is a demonstration of good will all that is needed to solve the worlds’ ills? A review of the modern condition reveals that it is not.  In fact, the deepest problem in the cultivation of positive relations must go well beyond the scope of simple logic.  If peace and true prosperity were such simple matters, then surely they would have been firmly established long ago.  Let us inquire a little deeper than, into the modern dilemma.  The problem with good relations, in the establishment of trust and common good will, begins in the mind of each individual.  We find that natural persons, or in other words those yet not indoctrinated into the ideas of society, do not needlessly dwell on fear, prejudice or economic status.  Such naturalness we generally see in young children who play and cooperate in a joyful attitude of mutual resonance.  They don’t need to know political affiliations, the amount of dollars made per year or what brand of clothes one wears.  They naturally enjoy each other’s company without caring about so called racial or occupational differences.  This is as it should be, and we would do well in learning from our own children, rather than assuming that their place is simply to follow orders in silence.  The paranoia and prejudice that take over our lives must then occur sometime after youth.  It comes about as a learned behavior.  We acquire, (like toxins in the body) an accumulation of fear and rationalization in an attempt to cope with the illogic of modern living.  Through stress and unnaturalness, nameless dread takes the place of spontaneity and joy.  Our bodies become marked by stress and are diseased through self-abuse.  Our own minds become a clutter of trivia and contradictory aspirations, (this is the gift of consumerism) running out of control most of the time, just like the social environment.  The stress and artificiality of the so called “business world” literally drives us insane, and there is no social standard at present to repair this critical internal damage.  The mind that has gone partly or totally insane cannot trust itself any longer, due to heavy internal conflict.  In all honesty then, we do not trust others because we absolutely because we absolutely do not trust ourselves.  The nearly involuntary and compulsive behavior upon which consumerism depends, and which the modern human exhibits, is the very essence of our crisis.  We’ve lost touch with ourselves and all hope of true self-control so long as this remains so.  Thus, in desperation we turn to “comforting” mediums like alcohol, cigarettes, junk food, television, drug dependency and endless work beyond real need, in order to drown out the pain of internal conflict and wrong living.  It is little wonder that our domestic and international relations have reached an all time low, because the unnatural stresses upon us are proportionally high.  Before we can establish good relations with others we need to establish good relations within ourselves.  In order to do this we must return to nature, for the simple reason that we are natural beings.  Furthermore, we cannot realistically expect the trust of others before we can trust ourselves.  Self trust can come about only when we dedicate ourselves to truth and to sane living, because to do otherwise is to betray the welfare of our own bodies, minds and souls.

It is known that the cure for any problem is primarily found in three steps, 1) to realize that it exists, 2) to determine its exact nature in a detailed form, allowing an equally exact remedy and, 3) the decision and following action creates needed changes.  In order to approach step one above, some minimum of self-awareness must be already in place. The same is even more true of step two, and it is absolutely essential in order to carry out step three successfully. It is for this reason that the ancient and timeless saying “know thyself” has been urged upon us by one form or another by all the religions and philosophies of history.  We must first know ourselves in order to be aware of internal problems.  Detailed self-knowledge then grants the knowledge of exactly what is needed to change our minds and lives.  Knowledge of specifically needed changes, coupled with an attitude of progressiveness, automatically lends itself to profound, concrete solutions. 

Meditation exists primarily for the purpose of gaining self-knowledge, and ultimately, all necessary knowledge.  Through it we may explore the current internal landscape of thought and emotion, as well as the very creator of these forms, (which is the true self).  Self-knowledge is the main prerequisite for wisdom, spirituality and true success in life.  Meditation is the premium tool for the attainment of understanding on a progressive basis.  There is no doubt then that this tool should be fundamental to our daily existence, as a living practice taken very seriously.  Thus, when we ask whether or not the modern condition can be effectively remedied, we must also ask if the public can be made sufficiently self-aware.  Toward this end meditation must be continually advocated.  Only in self-awareness can internal fears be effectively replaced by love. Only in self-awareness can clarity take the place of confusion.  It is then that our demonstrated good works will carry accurate foresight into the needs of community and humanity as a whole.  Our combined works must be underwritten by a mutual self-awareness that transcends culture, race and economics.

            Through meditation we are given a very significant opportunity to closely observe the mind and its foundation.  There are many who say that they do not need meditation since they engage in prayer.  Meditation and prayer have much in common since they both incorporate a quiet internal focus, and are often oriented towards the same goals.  Both are considered spiritual activity.  They differ fundamentally however, due to the fact that the object of prayer is usually to ask for Divine favor, whereas meditation takes direct responsibility for needed changes.  Prayer seeks for solutions that come from an external source, (God) in the hope that one is worthy of such intercession.  The question becomes, what makes one worthy of Divine favor?  One may commit the worst acts with the most destructive attitude, causing chaos and suffering to thousands and still pray.  It is an easy thing after all, to simply beg for what is needed in life.  But until we actually live a clean and natural life, an honest and truthful existence, how can we be so presumptuous as to imagine that a casual request or two will offset a spiritually offensive daily routine?  What makes us think we have earned the privilege of Universal Attentions or support?  It is said that God supports those who support themselves.  The logical reason for this is that it is pointless to support bad habits while at the same time expecting them to go away.  The penniless alcoholic may pray for a bottle of wine whether or not he deserves one.  Would it be a good thing to give him another bottle, or would it be better to actually prevent further access to one?  Would it be appropriate if our prayers for greater material wealth or other personal indulgences were granted in full?  Or would it be more appropriate that this entire corrupt and wasteful society to which we belong, be thoroughly shaken or even destroyed? Should we even be asking for the worldly intercession of God in petty everyday affairs? Practicality and logic would suggest that what we earnestly work for, is at least equal in importance to any request for aid made through prayer.  Any person may pray for something they have not truly worked for, (such as clarity of mind for instance) or for things of questionable value.  Good works on the other hand, are a demonstration of personal sincerity.  These act to place us in a position of worthiness and the prepared readiness to progress.  The life lived on a natural basis is literally composed of such good works.

In meditation we take mental and spiritual responsibility as a form of right action, or in other words, good works.  The self-knowledge gained in this practice makes the practitioner able to cultivate his or her own level of manifest intelligence and wisdom. This is why those people who say they don’t need meditation, (because they have prayer, or are too busy) are mistaken.  To say “I don’t need meditation” is like saying, “I don’t need self knowledge” or the ability to know what to pray or work for, (which comes from it).  Meditation and prayer should be complimentary practices, because they both act to enhance spiritual growth when used with the right intention.  Right intention in this context means remaining focused upon nature and natural law(s).  But whether or not a person prays, the practice of meditation should be included in their daily routine, for it enables greater inner ability and self-initiative.  Meditation is a neutral practice that is compatible with almost any philosophy, religion, political view or cultural background.  The one ideology with which it is not compatible is the cult of materialism, which teaches that there is nothing to be gained by any focus beyond the physical.  This book is dedicated to the disassembly of materialism piece by piece, because it is the one ideology that actively destroys any spiritual focus and therefore the true advancement of humanity.

Meditation is not extremely popular with the Western world at present, because most people cannot imagine how it would be worth their investment of time and focus.  The phrase, “Don’t worry about understanding life, just enjoy it” very often accompanies this attitude.  A completely wasteful society imagines that it needs to understand only how to perpetuate its own indulgences. “Just enjoy life” is a statement made by the same mindset as that of “just open another disposable can, and then throw it away.” How can we truly enjoy life until we understand the depths of what it has to offer?  The actual meaning behind “just enjoying life” in this culture, is to act with reckless abandon by eroding the health of the mind and body.  In other words, it means exercising the freedom to self-destruct through an over-stimulation of the senses. What we are referring to then, when we say “just enjoy life” is the act of engaging a process of suicide that is as painless as possible.  Suicide is not our only option, nor is it even close to being the best one.  It is our task to realize that long lasting fulfillment is found only in applying the considerable depth of life and self.  Self-knowledge lends itself to a fulfilling inner life, and to an outer communion with God and Nature.  The meditator finds that the beauty and truth within, is the same in essence as that which flows throughout the universe.  It becomes self evident that we are not merely a product of Nature but a part of It, just as a cell is a part of our body.  This is why self-knowledge also becomes knowledge of existence itself.  As we look within we find the same kind of presence there as that which organizes people into units, and ecosystems into a cohesive synchrony.  The consciousness we possess is an extension of the consciousness of God and Nature.

The mind is a changeable thing.  We can see that the success of Homo Sapiens as a species has not been the result of superior strength, speed or agility, but in the adaptable genius of mind.  Our kind is capable of abstract and progressive thought to a degree that, as far as we know, surpasses every other biological form.  Yet the capacity to think in an advanced manner is no guarantee of the will to do so.  Life and Intelligence have invested in us the power of self-reflection, which means we are made capable of recognizing truth and untruth for what they are.  Our further evolution or destruction hinges directly upon whether or not we make constructive use of that capacity.  Recognizing and living out the truth is a matter of collective choice.  Humanity’s future success depends heavily upon how well we use our minds, and the quality of the decisions made with them.  In no other aspect of the human being in body, mind and soul has there been greater change, success and also failure, than in our thinking process.  We have gone far in the disciplines of technical and scientific understanding, but have failed miserably in the area of holistic comprehension and personal growth.  We have as of yet, not recognized the one subject of study that is of utmost importance in successful living.  That subject is self-knowledge.  Science has invested the majority of its focus upon the external phenomena found in the natural and artificial worlds.  This it has done through the assumption that the answers to life’s questions can somehow be found outside of the self so long as we search diligently enough.  It is also outside of the self where the majority of people seek God, and where civilization searches in vain to remedy its own ills.  For this reason the Western sciences, such as physiology, sociology and psychology continue to overemphasize the study of effects, taking little interest in the understanding of cause.  The futile though lucrative address of effects in a materialistic world, is after all, far more “profitable” than any solutions found in the understanding of causes.  It is also known by the greedy that a million psuedo-studies or surgical procedures are more money generating than one ounce of prevention.  In all of these “sciences” it is the human mind itself which is primarily responsible for our physical, collective or mental well being.  The problems we see today are a direct result of our mental confusion and lack of natural focus.

We will cure the ills of the modern condition and the toxic effects of its irrational beliefs, only through returning the mind of humankind to a truthful state of being.  The practice of embracing artificial ideas which have nothing to do with reality, (such as those of consumerism) must be dissolved as the main fascination of an uneasy public.  When we believe the fantastically absurd notion that life is about profit margins, there can be no other effect besides disease and insanity.  It does not matter in the least what high technologies or governmental policies are to be implemented, now or in the future.  What matters is how we make use of what we already have within at any moment in history.  Technology and policy no matter how advanced, are still only as effective as those who manage them.  We have no choice but to improve the inner state of the human being as a first priority in social and personal reform.  Social ills can only be addressed effectively in this way, by recognizing their original, mental cause.  A return to natural values and a spiritual focus is, therefore, literally a matter of life or death in these perilous times. 

The first step in changing the mind is to recognize that it is changeable.  The mind changes from day to day and even moment to moment, as a matter so obvious that no one would wish to debate it.  What is argued with all conviction however, is that the mind cannot be self-changed, or if so, only to a very limited degree.  If we are to change our minds it is assumed that this the task of the professional, that we must rely upon a therapist, priest or councilor to interpret for us our own mental condition.  Our minds are our own responsibility to understand, diagnose and improve at will.  Even the discussion group or the designer prescription drug can only, (at best) catalyze inner transformation.  In most cases prescriptions and therapists serve only as a crutch to be relied upon for emotional support, rather than real change.  They therefore serve only as an impediment, an excuse to not really address internal problems on our own, in all cases except a rare few.  We must take responsibility for our own minds and bodies because only we know their most subtle details.  Only we can truly cultivate needed changes within them.  The mind does change, and we can change it according to our own wishes.  It is one of the biggest lies of the modern age that states we cannot remodel the structure of our own minds at will, and without the need of lengthy, elaborate processes. Even more ideally, each of us is capable of transforming our own minds to function in accord with natural laws and right living. We need only to live in tune with these and meditate.

It is the doctrine of traditional psychology that the identity of a human being is defined by their own thoughts.  Such a definition of self is not a rational one for several reasons.  The first of these is that thoughts change day to day, hour by hour, second by second.  If we are to believe that our personal identity is based upon our thoughts, then we must also believe that our identity shifts second by second just like the wind.  Therefore we cannot be our own thoughts.  They do not and cannot accurately represent us.  We can have thoughts or beliefs about anything, but that does not truly mean that we ARE those things.  One can think about nuclear war without being a hydrogen bomb, or about crime without being a criminal.  Thought is therefore a transitory thing of the mind, and is a product of our own making.  The same can be said of anything created by us.  A potter creates clay pots and yet remains more than they.  Thus the potter is not the pots they spin.  Likewise we are not our own thoughts because they are something we do and not something we are.  Understanding this point is extremely critical for any effort aimed at self-improvement.  To define the self according to thoughts created by the mind is similar to a self-definition according to occupation.  When a person works with wood to construct houses, it is said that they are a carpenter.  Such a phrase however, is just a quirk of language.  It does not imply that the sum total of an individuals’ existence can be defined by woodworking.  This individual may change occupations to computer programming, or to landscaping, or to welding, all within the same 30-day period.  Does this mean that they have become different persons 4 times in a single month simply by engaging in different activities?  Of course it does not.  A single activity cannot define the doer.  We can engage in any activity and yet we remain much, much more than any single type of action.  The same is true of our own thoughts, in that any thought can be ours to create or dismiss at will.  So regardless of occupations or thoughts, the potentials and true identity of the human being go far beyond any one specific.  Of course so long as we believe that we are the thoughts given to us by a manipulative media, the longer we will be the willing prey of the profit hungry.  It is in the interest of the corporate masters of consumerism that you define yourself according to the thoughts they give you.  It is the ultimate act of revolution to deprive them of their prize, their territory, which is your own sane mind.  To carry out this revolution the first step is to turn off your television and meditate.

The practice of meditation reveals directly and conclusively, that we have an existence entirely separate from thoughts and any personality composed by them.  The meditator soon realizes that when thoughts die down in the mind, what remains is that very essence of self which creates them to start with.  What we find during meditation is the creator within, which is consciousness itself.  In other words we find that which creates all thoughts, emotions, images, houses and clay pots.  In this way we gain at-will experience of the true self as consciousness, (this is the self we were born with, and it is the self we will return to entirely upon death, as souls).  The random, ceaseless string of words and music in the average individuals’ mind, is also reflected in our man-made social environment by the inane chattering of advertising and social discourse.  This is the curse of the modern condition.  Going beyond these through meditation is absolutely necessary.  We are heavily afflicted, even dis-eased, or certainly put ill at ease by the overuse of these artificial things we call words and images.  It is our need and responsibility as intelligent persons to go beyond such artificial creations.  More important than thought by far, is the creator of thoughts.  As a living philosophy the following of truth must include the rejection of mere forms, so as to consistently find cause itself.  The misuse of our own consciousness is the primary cause that originates the wrong effect of society, as well as personal confusion.  It is the desperate modern need to return to consciousness itself, the Creator within.  This we must do so that new effects, (such as right living) may be intelligently generated without distraction.  Since nature is also based upon consciousness, the process of self-realization is also the progressive realization of nature and natural laws.  Meditation practiced daily, is a major key in achieving a greater realization of the potentials of life and living.

The meditator will find that the constant running of words and false images through the mind, which we have learned from society, (that supposedly represent the self) is nothing but a bad habit we need to quit.  Like any habit, ceaseless thought can be quit “cold turkey” or by gradual steps, which is generally easier.  When thought is dropped, awareness takes its place, and through awareness itself the nature of reality is accurately perceived.  Regardless of the method used to accomplish it, the dropping of unceasing thoughts and images in the mind must be accomplished.  The meditator then begins to see chronic thought-making as the symptom of stress that it is.  Realization of its origin reveals thought as a false master of the mind, and meditation returns it again to the status of faithful servant.  Words are intended only as tools for communication and understanding.  They should not act as limitations or guidelines for the self and the world.  When we go beyond or transcend thought, is then that the limitations of personality and ego are surpassed, and the unused portion of our intelligence is engaged.

Meditation reveals our reality as spiritual beings of great purpose, depth and scope.  It reveals that we possess an existence as conscious beings beyond physical life or death, and beyond the cult of materialism.  In realizing the true self as consciousness, as that medium which can think or feel anything, it becomes apparent that we can create any self or world that the mind can conceive.  Why not then create one in harmony with universal and spiritual laws, as well as our fellow human beings?  Through self-reflection we eventually learn also that the purposes of God, Nature and humanity are ultimately the same.  We find that a human’s purpose as an intelligent being is to act as an agent for the further unfoldment of the evolutionary design found in Nature.  We are catalysts for change.  In our natural state we are the very self-clarity and will of Nature to evolve, accelerating its tendency to become much more than it previously was.  This is particularly true since the consciousness found within, is in essence the same as the consciousness found without, (in Nature/God). 

Accurate self-perception replaces the worker ant concept of self with that of consciousness, a universal medium.  In this perception we come to understand our true spiritual purpose.  In order to understand God or the designs of Nature, a redefinition of self as consciousness, (that which creates thoughts and societies) becomes necessary.  What we call God and Nature are composed of the same essence as we.  This gives the sayings, “We are all part of God”, or “We are all one” clearer meaning.  Such concepts are not new to traditional Eastern thought, and neither is meditation as a daily practice.  These ideas are not exactly new to 2000 years of Christian traditions either, found in references to the soul, Christ consciousness or to our existence as “fragments of God.”  Even so, concepts such as these are generally more difficult for the Western mind to adequately grasp as a concrete reality.  The true self as soul, of Nature as an intelligent, self coordinating force, of God as consciousness and consciousness as God, are all facts which do have concrete reality regardless of their rejection by a cynical Western society.  Materialism would have us deny them simply because they cannot be weighed on an electronic scale down to 1/100 of a gram.  This fact might trouble some people until they realize that materialism itself lacks all credibility.  As for the credibility of this writing, the reader is urged to question everything herein just as they should question the concepts of materialism.  The practice of consistent meditation, the use of simple logic, honest observation and natural living, will convince you beyond a doubt of the authenticity of these words in due time.  Anyone can observe for themselves the truth of self as consciousness, and ultimately, of Nature/God as consciousness, through an accurate self-perception gained through meditation. 

Progressive spiritual action cannot be undertaken for the good of the world or the individual, before mental balance is achieved.  We may strive to do good works, present inspiring speeches or organize social reform, but these cannot remain effective so long as self-knowledge and self-mastery remain a mystery.  Humanity must have a clear understanding of its own self, the cause of its deepest motivations, as well as the ability to perceive truth.  This cannot be accomplished through the instrumentality of imbalanced minds.  Imbalanced minds remain that way so long as they believe in materialism and the idea that thought defines self.  We must return to natural ways to transcend society and thought. Behind thought we find what may be called “the watcher” or by another name “that which looks.”  This watcher is awareness that is a part of the consciousness with which we were born, and which will be maintained after we physically die.  What the rejection of thought as self means to our civilization, is the chance for humanity to build a positive, life affirming society that is no longer confused by its own faulty ideas.  Society will then have the ability to pattern itself after those concepts found in natural law and the innermost regions of the self. The real meaning behind the phrase, “the establishment of a new world order” will go well beyond political reform, it will in fact be a change to the oldest and best order found in Nature/God.  If humanity still maintains sufficient will to survive, then it will recognize this essential need for change.  Even if most of the world refuses to acknowledge modern mental ills and their cause, the individual may still take it upon themselves to live a full, natural and spiritual life regardless of popular opinion.  In this way right action among mankind will at least be preserved in some small part through living carriers of truth.

When we work for a different world, or a new and higher form of cooperation, the basis of any change must start with the self.  All social reform must be maintained through the grass roots practice of public action.  A progressive self first contributes to the greater well being of family.  Healthier, wiser families contribute to a spiritually progressive neighborhood.  Spiritual neighborhoods generate conscious communities, whose members tend to be naturally self-governing and independently strong.  More enlightened communities contribute to the regional progress of culture, wisely applied industry and science and a genuine concern for the welfare of their constituents.  Regions of naturally educated and conscious persons generate national governments, whose policies are not the exploitation of its own or foreign citizens, nor warfare for political or economic convenience.  Enlightened nations are those that truly mean what they say when uttering, “in God we trust” for it is they who work for the good of human kind and all life, as the precious extensions of God and Truth that they are.  When we go beyond traditional thought we go beyond prejudice, political affiliation, bias and a distorted sense of national patriotism.  True patriotism is found in loyalty not just to ones own people on a local basis, but to the Divine spirit found in all humanity, as brothers and sisters within truth on a planet-wide basis.  This is the real meaning behind Christ consciousness.  In the commonality of all souls, we are one within the great Soul of the Universe.  Consciousness is our common currency, means and the identity.  Through it we may truly reach for the stars with a realistic hope of success.

The evolution of humanity has not stopped.  We are not yet a finished product.  Our powers of mind are inherently so great, that we can choose to either self-destruct and de-evolve, or move forward into an enlightened world. Even in an enlightened society, the need of a comprehensive internal practice, (of greater self-realization) would for the individual be the same.  Each of us would still have to take responsibility for the mind, body and spirit.  Each of us would still need to dedicate ourselves to the greater recognition of truth, spiritual principles and practices, and their progressive embodiment.  This is simply the unavoidable task and ultimate privilege of the individual soul. 

Instead of  “reinventing the wheel” in the living out of a progressive life through human-made ideas, we need only let nature be our guide.  The laws and principles upon which the natural is based are universally sound and equally valid for all people, regardless of culture, nationality or belief.  The nine principles listed in Chapter 7 are of primary importance as a guide for natural living. They are found in or implied by, those processes of nature observable everywhere on this planet.  Allowing our lives to be guided by these principles is as essential as the practice of meditation.  They form the basis of right action and provide “superior software” for advanced mental function.  These are by no means the only natural laws that we can master, but they are fundamental ones.

In review of these nine principles let us look again at how they may be best applied on an everyday basis;  

1)      SIMPLICITY   In adopting simplicity we remain clean and clear by eliminating the unnecessary.  A simple diet of natural foods containing few additives and a concern for high energy rather than stimulation is best.  In our relations it is good to avoid too much random, pointless talk.  To simply say what we mean and mean what we say avoids unnecessary social complications.  Work should be a similarly simple consideration. Its purpose is to provide for ones’ true and basic needs, not to needlessly indulge in the complexities of thing worship or social imagery.  In simplicity our needs are few, basically because we have recognized that a natural life provides all that is truly needed.  As souls our essential needs are already met, simply by recognizing the truth of self and God. 

2)      PRACTICALITY   In our concern for what is practical we constantly observe what works well and what does not.  If a line of action or thought produces positive results, than it should be kept and cultivated like any cherished plant.  It is important that we evaluate our lives to find what does not work well, or in other words to understand that which promotes ill health, unhappiness and a lack of clarity or love.  Upon recognizing those factors which destroy our well being, (such as willing participation in materialism) it then becomes possible to shift our lives toward what does work well.  This is no different than culling weeds from the private garden of the mind.  The practical attitude should be applied without exception to all habits, beliefs, possessions, lifestyles and relations.  Be ruthless in the removal of those weeds. 

3)      LOGIC  Logic is the system of reasoning which concerns itself with what is true, (and therefore reasonable) and what is not.  The logical person will constantly ask the revealing and pertinent questions of all time, challenging if need be, the faulty assumptions of any era with clear, truthful reasoning.  In this way the revolutionary questions every idea, government institution and belief system, so as to discover the truth and live by it.  Most of all they do not hesitate to ask the golden question, “Why?” so as to thoroughly examine public beliefs with an unshakable passion for truth and its promotion. 

4)      EFFICIENCY   The efficient person gives careful thought to their daily routine and ultimately to every action they take, for within these there is always room for improvement.  They will logically evaluate, simplify and make practical everything in their lives, eliminating the waste of energy.  An efficient life accomplishes more though the use of fewer resources. It therefore requires less money and effort to maintain, while at the same time allowing an enjoyment of life to a fuller measure than what is commonly known 

5)      PROGRESSIVENESS  The progressive mind is one which views change as essential.  It does not limit itself through an egotistical attachment to specific ideas, places or images.  Highly progressive people are those who take up practices like meditation, who read and observe for inspiration, and who can extract the best elements of any environment for their own internal use.  They actively seek out and correct errors in their own thinking with the knowledge that mistakes made are part of a learning process.  Progressive minds are those which realize and strive for more effective modes of living. 

6)      HONESTY   An honest approach to any problem is a matter of fact one.  Lies are only deviations from point A, (the problem) to point B, (the solution) through a needless retreat to points C through Z, (in an effort to ignore point A).  Honesty lends itself to simplicity and the most rapid solution(s) possible.  The individual who values this quality recognizes that truth is the only thing of real benefit to the individual and to society in general. They seek honest relations with others not only for spiritual reasons, but in order to cultivate a matter of fact internal state, one that can effectively trust and work with itself.  A society based on this quality would have no need for politics, electronic security systems or neighborhood crime watch paranoia. 

7)      PRIORITIZATION   As you leave the folly of consumerism, the need to reprioritize life will become apparent.  Sit down and write out your new priorities in very clear terms, with the intent to give them a concrete reality through everyday action.  Truth and natural living should head this list, along with spiritual intent, love and clarity.  With our priorities clearly defined we may then act on them with conviction, especially when they are firmly grounded upon the self-knowledge gained in meditation. 

8)      SPIRITUAL INTENT   With this focus the adherent of natural law has interest in fulfilling the purposes of God, Nature and the soul. This includes but is not limited to, the progress of mankind as an evolving species.  The revolutionary finds that pleasant words or even charity alone does not qualify itself as right living.  Holding spiritual intent means to value honorable interaction at all moments, to give as one would wish to receive or even a little more.  It is found in the sincere smile upon greeting, and in the making of a genuine effort to see and work with the good qualities in each person whenever possible.  With this intent in place, the individual draws from their own experience a respect for what all religions and philosophies are trying to accomplish, because they themselves work for the same goals. 

9)      TRUTH/TRUTHFUL LIVING  Above all else truth must remain the supreme priority in life, for upon its basis does nature function.  Through it, right living bears the fruits of real success.  The truth is composed of fact and facts are the only things worthy of our life focus.  Through facts and a persistent honesty about them, we are made able as individuals to find practical solutions that have maximum effectiveness.  For this reason the natural person regards truth to be the most important consideration in all of their relations. Neither the mind nor the body can function effectively when truth is not held as the highest priority. 

It is not enough to merely know about, or even occasionally practice, the principles of natural law above.  They must be lived out as a matter of daily lifestyle. Only then do these nine receive the reinforcement they merit.  Truth is not an idle pastime or a hobby to be indulged on weekends.  It is a full time task, and the only one that is worthy of being made a lifelong “career”.  So long as a disease exists it interferes with healthy functions.  If we are to live healthy lives the disease of consumerism and materialism must first be cured, so that we might live out our natural and spiritual potential.  The cure for materialism and for greed includes their outright rejection.  This implies too that we must reject the institutions and organizations who peddle the fanatical ideas of consumerism for their own selfish gain.  It is hoped that after employing honesty to even a small degree, that the reader will now take their destiny into their own hands through a determined change of lifestyle.  It is hoped that these words have inspired revolution and even caused the healthy, though temporary reaction of anger and sadness, at the outrage for what we’re become.  It would be a pitiful thing if all the potentials of humanity in their grand design and scope, were to finally end in the disgrace of self-annihilation or consumption.  The intelligent person should be outraged and saddened by such a prospect.  Ultimately however, they must stand firm with the love and clarity that is the result of knowing decision.  It is the true teacher or spiritualist who, regardless of world conditions, nevertheless chooses to continue to act for the good of humanity.  This they do regardless of how the world has treated them in the past, because wisdom advises that there is no better way.  Beyond all other considerations, the Truth that is God in Nature and Nature in God, is our only solution and ultimate salvation.  Stand firm in your natural, spiritual and simple life, and be gladdened by the fact that Truth is its own reward.

Matthew Webb visionquest@eoni.com 

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