CHAPTER NINETEEN

INTERMEDIATE TRUTH



Before that point on anyone's path is reached however, the prevailing tendency is to see only what we want in ourselves or the situations in which we’re immersed, then unconsciously––or if pressed––acrimoniously deny, equivocate and rationalize the remainder. It proves easier to accept our shortcomings, assuming any have been brought to our attention, as a direct result of other’s behavior. Most often, our nature is simply to take for granted that the dilemmas and dire circumstances we imagine ourselves bound by, are somehow, someone else's fault and responsibility. This delusion can be so ingrained as to disavow entirely what faith we might have been clinging to, averring; “what kind of God could let this happen?” Being oblivious to even the suggestion of a Divine Plan that Masterfully coordinates circumstances so that each moment’s lesson is realized to its fullest possible fruition, is part and parcel of the prideful ego relying on instinct. As long as we continue to expect some form of satisfaction; closure, reparation, etc., before we can “go on” with our lives, we’ll not know the peace and love of Truth. By the same token, we can’t be expected to perceive The Truth in the first place until our unrealistic externally oriented expectations are discarded so we may choose to change what amounts to; our self-centered, ego driven perspective of “what’s fair”. Only then can we begin coming to grips with the notion that; though there may very well be a reason for every action, our comfort level with not knowing the exact motivation behind each, has room for improvement, which constitutes growing more accepting with each encounter, the consequences of which lead to a rebuilding of lost faith.

As alluded to earlier, overcoming our instincts is prerequisite to surrendering our will to God’s Will. Before we can even approach that overcoming though, we will need to have acquired a measure of faith to rely upon in the absence of our dependence on instinct. The easiest way to replace a dependence or habit is with another, equally or more satisfying than the one we’re giving up. The only way to usurp the dead-end defensive posture of instinct then, is to believe the abundance that faith offers is far more rewarding. Let original instinct’s extinction begin here, with the exposure of both how shallow it is and how far removed we’ve become from the necessity of any reliance on it.

The foundation for our inclination to take the light of negative attention off ourselves originates with original instinct’s precept of self defense, which makes one thing perfectly clear; exactly how deep rooted our desire not to appear flawed or weak is. Vanity, bigotry, social bias, are but a few examples of the ego based judgmentalism, masking (or serving to defend) ones personally perceived vulnerabilities, whose innate “vital force” is original instinct.

Those character traits, and many others, sometimes manifest themselves as “pride”. It’s often said we’re too proud to admit we’re wrong or that, someone else's idea might be better than the one we’re promoting, but pride, in and of itself, is no more debilitating than we make it. One extreme on any level, is the prideful conviction; we’re better than anybody else! We can see that the manner of pride’s manifestation––whether to segregate or unite––, and that distinction can certainly be as divisive among its individual protagonists as any call to action can be, depends on the attitude we’ve adopted regarding our personal journey, or if you’d rather, the viewpoint we’ve chosen to represent the perception of our surroundings. Exceedingly few of these psychological overviews or behavioral tendencies are conscious choices to begin with. If anything, pride is little more than a subliminal environmental conditioning. For instance, as a member of a solidly united group choosing to believe in the dedication to a benevolent service, we take on a healthy pride of common cause. If doing so pridefully, however, we may segregate ourselves not only from a large portion of society, but from those who may benefit the most from our avowed cause. On the other hand, anyone considering themselves above the need of a bestowed benevolence, thereby initiating a self-imposed exile from God’s Love, exhibits unhealthy pride distinguished by a denial that masks an insecurity they perceive needs defending. Everyone is eligible to prosper from the experiences and benevolence of others, because all is Divinely offered in order that all benefit. Nothing or no one is exempt from God’s Grace. Putting it another way, to segregate oneself from negative validations, in order to avoid undesired influences (perceived or otherwise), may seem the more judicious choice rather than risk exposure to extremism, but actually is being equally judgmental in the face of what are, in reality, options that offer opportunities to grow and, in turn, demonstrate a teaching that is representative of the full measure of unconditionality.

In addition, separated by the thinnest line of objectivity, patriot or rebel, it’s especially difficult to interpret ones perception of accountability when one holds fast to the notion of National Pride. As individuals being Divinely Guided through an introduction to societal thinking and acting, it’s perfectly normal for us to include the means for a common connection to be associated with the inclusiveness of community pride. It is, after all, the very first and most basic step leading toward the “at-one-ment” our spiritual growth is aimed at. But in the steps that follow comes the revelation that pride, even in its most positive manifestations, limits our exposure to those who believe as we do, thereby distancing (segregating) ourselves from some portion of the whole who would be overlooked, in effect creating an obstacle to our goal of unconditional inclusiveness. Sooner or later, pridefullness in every guise, must be eliminated so that we may surrender our carnal will to that of The Divine Will. Only after total selflessness is manifest, will the return to at-one-ment be at hand.

To associate ourselves, as individuals, with a fair, worthy, just and truly benevolent cause, group, community or national interest, is in the best interest of all and does nothing but advance our personal cause of spiritual growth. The difference between the healthy pride of being part of a beneficent practice evoking unconditional love and the unhealthiness of self-promoting pride, is ego! As each of us near the time when it’s of our choosing to impugn those defensive days of “looking out for number one” and faithfully embrace opportunities to serve, we will truly be in a position to set our own course relative to expressing what needs to be done in order to fulfill the remaining prerequisite experiences that will hasten our return to at-ne-ment. Once consciously a participant in the exacting of that express behavior, totally in concert with Divine Guidance, God’s Will manifests through us in a way that can only be described as being one with and in Him. At the very core of Christian dogma is the allegory of the “second coming”, or return, of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The perfection that represented “The Christ” in Jesus manifests in each of us when we attain the fulfillment of our personal spiritual quest. Precisely the same spiritual beatitude is fundamental to every religion whose foundation was laid by the unconditional love of Divine Guidance. It is in fact, by any definition, the personal transition from being a purely physical entity to a being who is wholly at-one with the eternal and The Creator, just as each “way shower” was while exhibiting the fulfillment of their final incarnate episode.

Getting to that point for any of us requires the discarding of instinct, pride, the individuality of ego and free will, as well as guilt. Doing that suggests living outside the “box” that is our comfort zone. Taking a leap of faith!! Not surprisingly then, faith is the integral constituent of the means by which our return to at-one-ment is realized. No amount of Divinely directed choreography, by itself, can make us dance. Acting on our discernment of The Truth and demonstrating the consequences of that epiphany through our spirituality, has to be a faith-reinforced free will choice.