CHAPTER TWENTY

ADVANCED TRUTH



Once faithfully led by Divine Guidance to the “door” marked “Unconditional Love”, we face, perhaps for one last time, the collective uncertainties confronted––and overcome––during the millennia of tribulations that were the road maps through our varied incarnate journeys. The “quintessence”, is at hand. The quest, nears the fullness of its glorious actualization. The “door” has but to open so that we may cross the threshold and claim our inheritance of being at-one with our Creator in eternity. But something’s missing. The “door” is not opening. It requires a “key” we have not, as yet, earned. One last revelation awaits our cognizance before we can totally assimilate the ubiquity, the pervasiveness, the omnipresence of Unconditional Love and, from the perspective of the “now”, be delivered from the self-sustained inequities of our mind, to the perfect eternal at-one-ment.

By far, the most difficult overcoming of all our physical encounters is this final one. As with each one that has preceded it, everything leading up to its confrontation has prepared us for the prodigious challenge it represents. We have all the experience necessary to spiritually transcend the physical contentiousness our fading ego’s departing salvo invests toward its fruitless efforts at surviving this; the decisive and conclusive obstacle on our path.

We have seen and lived the sobering episodes of physical incarnations that have brought us to and through every imaginable circumstance, trying, testing, challenging, the very fiber of what makes us different from (but still a part of) the rest of creation. Our perspective has been turned outward, then inward and finally outward again, as our attitude evolved through the Divine orchestration of the “Master Maestro”. The temporary, illusory physical “now” has become less of a concern, because our revelations borne of faith have afforded us glimpses of the eternal reality. We’ve grown strong enough in who we are to know where we’ve come from, so that consciously releasing our “self” to that source––when the time is right––is not only comfortable in the sense of “going home”, but as expected as any step toward a well defined and anticipated goal. “We’ve come a long way” is perhaps the most understated of colloquial locutions, in regard to our interminable cycle of embodiments, should it ever be submitted as a measure of our spiritual advancement. Considering how inadequate any physical expression is however, when attempting to correlate a commonality between two such diametrically diverse points of reference, (i.e., physical and eternal), the only translation without loss of meaning is from the eternal, the one True State of Reality where understanding literally goes without saying!! From that horizonless, timeless perspective, where the “beginning” and the “end” are separated only by awareness, rather than by time and space. Since our inquiry is from the physical perspective, looking for a physical label to frame what cannot be grasped in physical terms, let us then seek some solace in the knowledge that––at this juncture on our path––; understanding is not the goal, faith is. So it will be faith that buoys us up as the last pedal of awareness unfolds on the flower of our enlightenment.

To become aware of what is withholding the key we need to open the “door” of unconditional love, thus consummating our at-one-ment, we must revisit, however briefly, that physical place enabling us to see the part of the seed from which its roots have sprung in order that we may disengage the final vestige of its entanglement from our psyche. Once we had reason to move away from the assurances offered by a well adjusted and time tested discipline of the clan environs, in and of itself a comfort zone, the embryonic ego prompted urgings of what seemed like rebellious behavior in our otherwise submissive caricature of an age old lifestyle. Each “Group Spirit”, that leads every species on its own peculiar path, reaches a terminus when individuals of that species begin taking on characteristics heretofore wholly unknown, unpracticed, unexplained or unascertained to that group or its members. Physicality describes it as evolution, from eternity it’s the next step onto a more advanced path.

In reference to that advancement’s application on our path, it was necessary for us to express and motivate ourselves as individuals in order to personally experience all the variables that comprise a life of a “higher order”. We were no longer purely followers, unless by choice, relying on no one but ourselves to resolve the inequities of a lifestyle whose quality, as we would eventually come to grasp more fully, depended in large part on our patience and attitude. Our newfound independence came with a lot of baggage we weren’t accustomed to carrying. A full gamut of emotions that an instinctually oriented creature would never face, pressed heavily on our mind and, much later down that path of self-determination, on our hearts as we struggled to incorporate some understanding of them into our behavior, albeit without any precedent as an example.

Instinct’s means of dealing with any and all challenges was based entirely on self-preservation, as in the allusion to “original instinct”. It had gotten us to the point we no longer needed it, but it wasn’t about to let go without a fight. Our species had survived, by Divine Design, through the reflexes instinct offered in our defense against every threat. When we became the threat, as a result of ego’s awakening and consequential thrust to the fore, the emphasis of relying on instinct began to fade and be usurped with the decision making that would become characteristic of free will. Instinct is so deeply rooted in our inherent nature however––and we were so unfamiliar with our new “tools” of cop-ing––that an ambiguity was fostered due to the lack of reference points or clues that might aid us in distinguishing one from the other, even after conscience had been guided to a place of awareness. Hence, the onset of what would be universally recognized, or at least proffered by way of innumerable scenarios, as the “battle between good and evil”; the intensity of which is in direct proportion to the urgency of the specific facilitator’s dogma or perceived agenda.

“Good” is not as self-evident as one might think but “evil”, is even more illusory, largely because we refuse to take personal responsibility for our lack of good judgment and conscience.

As avowed earlier and now repeated here as a means of reemphasizing The One Fundamental Truth of Creation; everything in the physical universe is a manifestation of God, The Creator. Since all that is, ever was, or will ever be is of His creation, nothing save God Himself, existed before that most Divine production. That being a “given”, with or without a leap of faith, we can be assured that the “stuff” this universe is made from is “God Stuff”! He is Omniscient, Omnipresent, Omnipotent! Every component, of every cell, of every particle in every compound, that is a part of every world in every system of planets and stars, in every corner of the physical universe shares its origins with the only thing that existed before any of them came into being. It can’t possibly be stated any clearer; nothing exists that is apart from God! Also averred to earlier as a “given”; God is unconditional love, no ifs, ands or buts, no strings, no sometimes, no on again / off again, only and always total, unwavering, without condition, love! That’s God. Nothing is outside of God! Nothing exists that is not of God! God is absolute good! God is perfect love! That has been the message of every “way shower”. With this all too obvious, undeniable Truth in mind, we face the crux posed by the essence of theological dogma of every tenor; where is there room for the “evil” some seem to take such delight in ascribing credibility to? It should go without saying; there is none!

Many people’s behavior strikes fear into the hearts of others, intentionally or otherwise. Countless scenarios demonstrate activity that defy the “norm” of rationality. Most of us, if not all, have serious issues with the way the majority of society conduct themselves when pushed to the breaking point. A myriad of examples point to the clear cut evidence that supports the contention; evil is not only alive and well, but there is little or nothing we can do about it except find and identify it, contain it and punish it! Good will prevail. The light overpowers darkness, or some such thing.

We’ve been so indoctrinated in the mindset surrounding mankind’s iniquity, beginning with what we’re expected to believe as the “original sin” of “Adam’s fall from Grace”. Herein lies a perfect example of what would motivate a Truth seeker to start out on their own personal quest. Precisely this type of inconsistency predominates doctrine and still expects acceptance at face value. For instance, “Grace” is God’s unconditional love manifest in our lives. To “fall” from or out of Grace in contradictory to the premise of unconditional! There is no place, that is not God! There is no place to fall to, that is “out of” or, not a part of God! This particular allegory is simply the awakening of ego ascribed to throughout this humble account; i.e., we were defined by our group or species spirit (in the “Garden of Eden”) until ego’s awakening allowed the free will of individuality to consciously choose for itself (the “fall”). This was, and remains, Divinely Guided spiritual advancement, not “sin”. Naturally, the experiences that were necessary to promote growth could only be found in the carnal or physical world, much of which is regarded as “sinful” by fundamentalists of every persuasion, despite the omnipresence of Divine Guidance.

Therein lies the fundamental misrendering of “evil”. Until a believer, or Truth seeker has revealed to them personally, the depth of meaning that is the embodiment of unconditional love, our only appreciation of it is incomplete and comes by way of comparison to a quantitative opposite––as if there could be one. Many assume, wrongly of course, there cannot be one without the other. These are purely physical standards of balance that have no correspondence in the eternal, the source of unconditionality. Physical attempts to hold something as an ideal invariably gives its antipode equal credulity. A positive, or negative for that matter, cannot stand alone but must depend on each other for their individual merit, or lack thereof. Good, by that method of measure, must have the contrast of evil in order to have something to prevail over. All of this makes the supposition of the existence of evil most acceptable, unless one is obsessed with an abiding faith to the contrary.

Those who are still struggling to reach a level of faith that leads to the insight of revelations of Truth, have little choice but to accept what their physical senses are interpreting as evil. All their emotions are commanding responses and reactions that only serve to support what they’ve been led to believe from an early age by people they see as role models on which to emulate behavior of their own. No one who lives by this belief system is going to allow themselves to be convinced otherwise. The evidence is too overpowering. It assaults our senses on a daily basis, thanks to a ratings-hungry media who supply viewership with the kind of shock-appeal that assures them; their own life is at least tolerable, despite bouts with chronic disparity. We have every reason to fear for our lives, and those of our loved ones, with an “entertainment business” suffering from an obsessive compulsive disorder centered on the delivery of the most violent, heinous and unspeakable acts anyone’s imagination could possibly conjure. Our perception’s appetite is sated with the fodder of all who would benefit from our continued submission to the specter that evil casts. It is a constant part of our life because we believe in it and because we benefit from it, either vicariously or directly. Believing, allows it to control various aspects of our behavior. Benefiting, allows us some control over the behavior of others. Believing, assigns an interminable quality that all but provides it with a life of its own.

Having then given it permission to live, we name it, define it, analyze it, give it a history and a place it can call home. Furthermore we protect it, in so much as; if we let anything happen that might jeopardize its hold on us, we would no longer have our convenient provender of excuses. Without evil, life would be compassionate, benevolent, humble, selfless. If, some how, we could be held compulsorily accountable for everything we said or did, we would soon all choose a gentler, kinder path to follow and set an example to live by, but because our conduct is a choice of free will, the “look out for number one” mindset assures an interminably long and healthy existence for the sophistry of evil, that is, until each seeker individually relinquishes the hold it has for them personally. Doing that doesn’t prevent the actions of others from impacting our lives however, only our perception of its source and consequences.

Keeping in mind that nothing happens except through and by God’s Divine Guidance and that God’s Grace is the manifestation of His unconditional love in the physical world, allows the acceptance of everything that happens to us and those we love, as having a Divine purpose in the eternal plan of our, and their, spiritual path. There is a reason for everything, no matter how much it hurts, no matter how unfair or untimely it seems, no matter how confusing or scary. From the “now” in which we live and breath, we are not in a position to know or understand the motivations, processes or eventual outcomes of anyone’s behavior save our own, and then only most sparingly and after considerable spiritual elevation. That’s what “faith” has come to mean, believing in the best of all possible outcomes, despite all evidence to the contrary. We learn, through experience and revelations that we are not alone. We will not be abandoned. We have but to ask, in order to receive, remembering too that; any request must take the form of thankful, selfless inclusiveness and that whatever answer is delivered, anticipated or not, may not be in our timing.

The heretofore renunciation of evil’s tangibility might seem naive, even clueless to any who allow their emotions and perceptions to continue making baseless judgments for them. That statement in itself is not the harsh judgment it seems. For example, what else are we to think when we read or witness any one or more of the atrocities commonly dished up for our sensitivities to ingest every time we turn around. Statistics demonstrate, in spite of our own clear consciences, that we are engaged in a daily struggle, punctuated by increasing levels of vigilance, to avoid personal involvement in the nefarious agendas of others. Odds are that everyone, if not already a victim, can count on having their privacy invaded and violated on some level at least once during their lifetime and additionally, is sure to know someone who already has. The perception of evil thrives largely because it is so pervasive. It knows no bias or prejudices. It draws no line of exclusiveness. It’s universally observed and hence probably more popularized by way of its innumerable attributable embodiments and allegories than any of the very substantial, even omnipotent influences that not only contradict it, but by their very being totally disprove all predisposed concepts of evil.

Obviously, that degree of notoriety is difficult to dismiss, until that is, we each grow in faith enough to accept God’s Perfect Love for exactly what it is. That revelation manifests on an individual deeply personal basis, not to a nation or empire, not to a specific religion and certainly not to the world at large. It happens one believer at a time because of free will, because of interpretation and because of demonstration. Remember; faith is built in increments or levels, through the interpretation of a demonstrated reward received following any personal, and increasingly selfless, act or beseechment. Eventually, as unconditional love manifests through more and more individuals, its demonstration will become infectious, turning the tide, so to speak, that has favored the seemingly protracted fearfulness associated with the varied perceptions of evil.

One level of faith that contributes an invaluable dose of Truth toward our ability to understand why evil is not a living, viable entity, is relegated to the physical experiences we garner through our repeated incarnations. Being aware of how and why––to the limited extent we’re able––reincarnation appropriates the necessary knowledge that advances our spiritual path in concordance with Divinely Guided intent, goes a long way in availing the Truth regarding the nonexistence, the baselessness of evil, in any form. The physical world of sensory and emotional experience has been provided for the elucidation of the knowledge of who and why we are, as individuals, so that we may choose to procure perfect unity in our lives, in order to return to the at-one-ment that is our inheritance.

If we were already “at-one”, it might serve at this juncture to address any concern as to why we departed that seat of perfection to begin with? Our previous at-one-ment––being one with and of God––was dispelled with Creation as He became manifest into various material and chemical amalgams. Please keep foremost in mind, GOD IS LOVE. In order to be “actualized”, love must find expression. So He must create to “express” Himself. The physical world, we, are manifestations (expressions) of His love. If this seems too simple an explanation, that’s because it doesn’t measure up to our expectations. That doesn’t mean the explanation is not accurate, as best our inadequate attempts to explain something eternal in physical terms is, only that our emotional expectations are unrealistic.

Consider everything that’s been said over the course of this discourse while examining the following; Original instinct’s grip on us, is wholly and singularly responsible for every act of hatred and lashing out, every felonious and devious deed, every criminal act from high crimes and misdemeanors to the depths of war crime massacres and carnage. Original instinct is the villain, the antagonist, of every single incident we have ever ascribed to evil and by that attribution, abetted in the keeping alive of nothing more than a figment of our imagination!!!

Take great care not to confuse “original instinct” with the alleged “original sin”. As proffered early on, original instinct predates every activity including the first possible evidence we have of its influentiality, the initial formative division of the most rudimentary single cell organism––for the purpose of procreation (hence, self defense)––, in itself and by that act, conceiving the quintessential “self defense” maxim that instinct in general would come to represent.

The myriad examples we may call upon to support the accountability of original instinct, with regard to our behavioral interaction, does not belie our personal responsibility to any extent. On the contrary in fact, we are, after all, spiritual beings having physical experiences and any advancement along our path is measured in overcoming the challenges and obstacles faced during our repeated incarnations. In large part, the experiences we have the most difficulty with are societal. Our personal indoctrination into a social attitude and atmosphere is really the main reason we undertake and endure the endless variety and many levels of confrontations associated with the growing pains of expanding our comfort zone. That inherent pain, unique to the physical environs serves as nothing more than to act as a governor to our forward momentum. If we didn’t have the deep sensory input that pain provides we would be inclined to act without responsibility or any awareness of the consequences of those acts. Pain, in all its facets, either stops us in our tracks or slows our pace enough to reevaluate exactly what’s happened in a way that affords us an opportunity to choose how to proceed rationally instead of irrationally. A pain induced “time out”, so to speak, allowing for “cooler heads” to prevail. Original instinct is justifiably liable for our knee-jerk reaction to any threat stimuli, whether actual or perceived. To what degree we let instinct rule our behavior is our choice and responsibility. Pain, when viewed for what it is, makes that choice easier and our responsibility clearer.

For those who don’t yet recognize or associate responsibility for actions or their consequences, pain is viewed as reason to react. It may or may not slow down their reactions to what they perceive as a personal threat, giving instinct a free rein, which in turn invites the full spectrum of irrationality, from holding grudges and seeking vengeance to striking out because we only imagine a possible threat. This is instinct with no effort to control it, not evil! This is about people who care only that their actions affect others in a negative way, because they want them to feel the pain they choose to feel or live with. We all make bad choices from time to time. Intentionally or not, we all hurt others and are subject to be hurt. How we choose to behave as a result of such incidents determines who we are and how quickly we may advance along our spiritual path. Anyone choosing to ignore or deny personal attribution for their behavior, suggesting that any iniquity, implied or obvious, be assigned elsewhere is exhibiting a lack of spiritual maturity, nothing more, and most certainly, not evil! As long as inexperience dominates in our interaction, instinct will rule over rational thought. The more instinct is allowed to chart our course the more erratic our path.

Original instinct, the progenitor of self-defense, issues every irrational command we have considered––since our earliest comprehension––to be the embodiment of evil! Irrationality manifests in every venue of human activity, from the lowest dregs of the physical experience to the highest possible moral road, traveled by perhaps the least suspicious and most trusted of role models. Until faith occupies one hundred percent of an individual’s consciousness however, original instinct will find an avenue of expression. To be sure, as faith displaces instinct’s influence on our maturing social propriety, the temptation to deny our personal indictment, if justified, will abate, not only because of a higher standard of attribution, but also because the incidents of susceptibility toward blame will have begun their slide into obscurity, as our behavior’s choice selection is embraced by the enhancement of our growing spirituality.

Every incident of criminal behavior can be traced to an expression of original instinct exercising its inherent nature of self-defense, not evil!. Allowing its expression through us is where our culpability begins and ends. We, not evil, are responsible for our actions and their effects on others. None the less, the consequence of original instinct is interlaced throughout our conduct in the guise of antisocial methodology judged by all to be anything from mischievous to abhorrent. Every conceivable degree of misconduct is intrinsically not evil, but some variation of self defense.

In order to get a handle on what is essentially a view from outside the “box” of our traditional concepts of “evil”, we must move beyond everything we’ve been taught about what evil represents. Millennia of imagination has only served to reinforce the initial finger-pointing protocol meant to divert attention from the personal blame associated with violating another’s space, property, person, etc. In the absence of enlightenment it could only be expected that a person’s behavior might be judged by a standard void of compassion and ruled by the imagination’s eagerness to shape superstitions out of our developing beliefs in the supernatural, especially regarding the otherwise unexplained tendencies of some people to act out of character, or at least in ways that we would not expect. Remembering too, our earliest concepts of a God were supernatural, making it easier to understand that the necessarily comparative antithesis of that Godly concept, evil, would gain an equally supportive following on which to build its own variety of beliefs. Of course, at that time, we had no understanding of the fact that God is omnipresent unconditional love, which in turn leaves no room for any comparison, real or imagined.

As our spirituality advances, individually and collectively, the Truth about any superstitions surrounding archaic concepts of “unnatural” behavior can be brought into the light and seen for what they really are. For instance, when ego puts itself first, above and beyond everyone and everything else––either consciously or subconsciously––the feelings and well-being of others are automatically disregarded. So, when ego predominates in such a way, instinct is relied on to a greater degree than usual because our focus is on how events might affect us (not others), and not on how our reactions would affect unfolding circumstances. Therefore, left to its own devices, instinct behaves most efficiently in performing against any threat, imagined or obvious. Unfortunately, that very important distinction is up to us personally, but when we aren’t looking for the self-evident, our imagination plays as active a role as our physical senses and we are more likely to perceive situations inaccurately. With perception so impaired, the true nature of any activity in which we’re involved becomes blurred so as to fit our personal, ego-centered, agenda rather than the actual state of affairs. We see things as we want them to be, instead of how they actually are and proceed accordingly. Abetted by original instinct we become galvanized into a self-defensive posture so that any perceived threat would almost certainly invite a response less rational than it would be, had their consequences been foremost in our mind.

With that in mind, we must endeavor to usurp every nuance customarily attributed to evil with the genuine assurance of original instinct’s predilection for self-defense! An examination––albeit brief––of an assortment of possible incidents, taken from what is in effect an inexhaustible source of examples, we may witness some common relevance with regard to the enlightenment we’re seeking as we exercise our shift in perspective to a point outside the “box” we’ve taken great care in naming and justifying as; “evil”! From petty-theft and misdemeanors, all the way across the spectrum to the most vicious, heinous, mindless savagery ever to befall mankind, each and every event, literally no matter how small or great, is a direct consequence of some one individual being or feeling threatened by circumstances he or she is in fear of losing control over. The threat can be actual or just a matter of perception, the reaction is summarily self-defensive.

More specifically, if a person should find their loved ones lacking some particularly essential staple, especially something needed to ensure their basic health and well-being, and there appears no immediate hope of attaining it by any other means, one might resort to somewhat less than desirable conduct in order to satisfy that dire need. That’s not evil, that’s self-defense! That’s original instinct providing what’s necessary in order to survive! Now it could be argued this individual did not fully explore all the available options at his or her disposal, but that would be presuming rational behavior. We’re examining the irrationality of instinct. We’re not judging it, we’re simply viewing it for what it is. By the same token, if on a much different level, should a Head of State, a national leader perceive an inference that could constitute a threat to the welfare and best interests of their people, that is to say, against any provision that in their opinion and under the best case scenario could lead their country toward its ideal future, a dominating ego would rely on instinct to justify whatever means necessary to rebuke that threat, in the name of self-defense, not evil! Innumerable cases of just this kind of conflagration, national and international, has been chronicled and, thanks to modern news gathering technologies, continues to be the topic of our attention on a nearly daily basis. If, for instance - and as an example of the extreme - that leader’s name is Adolph Hitler (or any one of many equally infamous “evildoers”), in light of the “historic atrocities” imposed, self-defense is a bitter pill to swallow, but none the less accurate when viewed from outside the “box”, outside the “now”. As a direct result of their ego-centered view, he and followers of similar edicts perceive all those they eliminate as a threat to the “grand scheme” of how they think things should be. Despite all appearances, that is not evil! It’s original instinct manifesting a self-defensive behavior. Rational thought makes every effort to displace instinct. The irrationality of a purely ego-driven personality promotes conduct that can become anything from an irritating nuisance to grossly abhorrent.

Our perceptions can unravel years of otherwise rational coexistence when our pride and emotions are faced with something as simple, but as deeply personal as, disparaging aspersions on our––or our loved ones––character, or something as complex as a traumatic life altering event. Our emotional mind-set goes a long way in determining how well we deal with setbacks, big and small. A spiritually maturing individual has reason for optimism about what the future holds, and isn’t as likely to allow how others think of them to mitigate their behavior, at least for the most part, beyond the realm of common sense. Our emotions, however, are fragile, and if allowed to “emote” unchecked, our views or opinions concerning any circumstances, our future or our peers, are more anxious, less focused and at best borderline irrational.

There are literally millions of shades of grey between the meekest, most passive characterizations and the most disturbing, despicable displays of criminal behavior. Though not condoning any of it, neither are we here to judge it. That level of forbearance may be particularly difficult to observe when someone violates us personally and violently, and in fact, many a faithful believer questions a lifetime’s devotion to a God that can “let this happen”, even under circumstances that fall far short of “worst case scenarios”. On the other hand, once the revelation of Divinely Guided Unconditional Love has enlightened our perspective and abides in us, as to how and why physical experiences translate into spiritual growth, then we’ve advanced far enough to know that, for all intents and purposes, appearances rarely expose how the related eternal lesson is unfolding. As perfectly demonstrated by each “Way-shower”, faithfulness is enough to keep us focused on the reality that; regardless of outward appearances, God’s Divine Plan provides the best possible outcome for all, equally. Everything happens for a reason and in His timing, neither of which require our foreknowledge or judgment, only our faith. We also need to align ourselves with an insightful consideration of the fact that many, perhaps all incidents of alleged “evildoing”, especially the “worst case scenario”, only a couple of which are alluded to here as examples, are wholly representative of runaway instincts. In the complete absence of rational thought we have no control, no choice, no free will whatsoever of how we might act!! Those who are so deemed, are experiencing a mental impairment, an apparent physical chemical imbalance, that current medical science has only limited success with treating and only through an as yet inadequate drug therapy intervention, thereby allowing instinct to fully govern every act. Given this, not as an excuse, but as a further demonstration of how Divine Guidance brings all necessary participants and influences into contact with each other, including and despite any seemingly nonsensical aberrations, in order that the obstacles and challenges we need to overcome manifest at the specific and appropriate incarnate event. Even those we might view as having little or nothing to contribute, are as important––or more so––than those who may popularly be thought of as principals to any given event. It is the most innocent, the most gullible who are the easiest to blame for our own shortcomings, because they aren’t up to defending themselves. The judgment of others is not a benefit at our disposal, it’s a choice we’ve always assumed is ours to make, but in this regard we’ve always been wrong. Every circumstance, every event in the physical is masterfully coordinated to benefit everyone involved, directly and indirectly, to the most optimal outcome specific to each. Our attitudes, reactions and choices––free will––determine how much, or how little, we actually derive, as a result of any experience. No one thing or person is any better than any other thing or person! We are all equal, in spite of ourselves, as spiritual beings with a common origin and a common destiny; at-one-ment, unity, singularity, God!

From the “now”, advancements on our eternal path seem to manifest in challenges that impact our emotions most, not because our emotions are the objective––although they may very well be––of any given lesson, but because we respond to challenges so emotionally. We often use emotions to dictate our response and even though such decisions are usually more reasonable than instinct, they don’t represent the preferred choice and may appear just as irrational as instinct anyhow. Emotions and instinct participate to a similar degree in our socialization, or reintroduction as an individual, to the group entity and environment so relevant to the experiences aimed at expediting our eventual transition from ego to at-one-ment.

Even with the best of intentions we may not be in control of how instinct induces a reaction from us in every single case, (although under otherwise healthy circumstances we strive to usurp instinct’s interjections by the light of insight), but as far as emotions go, we can consciously gain an increasing advantage through the awareness afforded us by spiritual growth. Striving for a more rational mind-set than emotions alone would engender, doesn’t make us any less compassionate or any less sensitive to the needs of others, it doesn’t make us any more apathetic or any more unapproachable by those in need. It empowers us to be of more help to all, by being a more efficient conduit of God’s unconditional love.

Understanding how, as best we can––considering the restrictive perspective of the “now”––, the faculties that identify our individuality are overcome before we’re ready to take that final step on our spiritual path, is the “end treatment”, so to speak, of this most beautifully rendered symphony of experiences called “life”. Complete selflessness, rationally and faithfully arrived at through choices exercised of our own free will, opens the avenues of expression, that manifest God’s Love in the lives of everyone we encounter exactly to the degree they’re prepared to accept it. Being One in and with God transforms consciousness from one of a purely physical entity, to the purist of eternally aware spiritual entities. On the other hand, the eternal view of an individual between incarnations differs from at-one-ment as much as a raindrop differs from the oceans. When not in the physical experience we retain enough of our former and collective individual identity to generate the next series of physical experiences pertinent to our ongoing spiritual development. Once spirituality is total, the lessons are learned, the need for individuality no longer exists, identity acquiesces to God!

How? First, by accepting and embracing unconditional love! Everyone is equal in the eyes of God. No matter what–– NO MATTER WHAT––physical circumstances or events transpire to kindle or provoke our natural tendency to judge, everyone is equal, unconditionally, no strings, no exceptions. Accept that, embrace it, become it!

The illusiveness of our heart’s accepting the omnipresence of this affirmation is a product of the paradox we often construct to avoid facing that choice in the first place. In spite of all the ifs, ands or buts we insist on reminding ourselves of when confronted with such a choice, especially if a deeply personal involvement is manifested, faithfulness and its incumbent revelations will bring us into the light where there is no choice, where unconditional love is the only state of mind and heart. Secondly, the key that opens that final door separating us from the unconditional love we must become one with, and therefore our ultimate inclusiveness is; FORGIVENESS!, that’s how!

Many believers demonstrate a reluctance to embrace this Truth because they feel it would mean “dishonoring” their loved ones and their memory of them. Simply put, those who can’t forgive hold themselves to an unrealistic degree of personal responsibility that on the surface resembles revenge, meant to be exacted––often only figuratively––upon any they see fit to judge as culpable in a “wrongful” act perpetrated on their person or a loved one. Discharging that responsibility is considered an act of ongoing, if surrogate, love, in so much as the memory of the incident, and consequently the related pain, will be frequently revisited as a reminder of the guilt they perceive to be their legacy by default. With that mind-set, to Forgive would constitute a disavowment of everything they stand for. People of that ilk are instinctually and emotionally driven to promote the doctrine of “an eye for an eye”. They manifest a priority of vengefulness as reparation for a misplaced perception of being unable to prevent what ever happened. The guilt they suffer is, of course, self-imposed and blocks any attempt they, or anyone else on their behalf, might entertain to, “move on”. The instinctual form of “justice” they purport to seek for those things unforgivable, predates the written word and most probably, ego as well. We can be fairly certain however, the advent of individuality quickly brought all facets of vengeance to the fore, if for no other reason, but as a practice of administering, when necessary, the cardinal virtues of the societal mainstay of the time; pecking order.

The concept of forgiveness was nonexistent, with one glaring exception, until introduced for our edification by each “way-shower”, in conjunction with the love that exemplified their life. The prominent exception that stood apart from the total anarchy of ancient historical record, was that of the mother for her offspring. Maternal instinct, evident in any species that nurtures its young, is the physical archetype of unconditional love and forgiveness. So it was demonstrated, appropriately, that our God loved us, unconditionally, as only a mother or father could. His Love manifested through each religion’s “way-shower”, whose final embodiment was Divinely Directed to a specific time and place predominated by a population whose spiritual advancement had been prepared for their next leap of faith. From the paganism and idol worship designed only as a first step in our carnal journey to refocus attention away from ego––when spirituality was polytheistic and sacrificial, when the gods were to be feared as vengefully and tyrannically judgmental––to the level of Truth focused on an omnipresent loving monotheism and the sacrifice of self. Literally, God incarnate, each “way shower” would be given the name most appropriate to express that people’s highest aspirations. In every case they would represent salvation and, for reasons exclusive to the focusing of personal discipline, would be asserted by facilitators––and supported by that religion’s scriptures––to be their “One and Only Way” to paradise or heaven.

A long and convoluted path lay ahead of all who would follow. Open to both the loosest and strictest interpretations, any of the written record of the very lives we were expected to emulate, was subject not so much to the revelations of the various authors and scribes of the original letters and texts, although the allegories were specific to those times, but the translations and personal agendas from generations of “scholastic” treatments that, in many cases, have done more harm than good during the interim. The desire to shape dogma to conform with a modern view or, in more extreme cases an outright change of view, along with the microscopic cross-examination of every syllable from tablets of lost languages that we have no idea of how to begin understanding, have left a lot to be desired in the way of evidence that would confirm or deny the existence of any of what we’re expected to accept at face value. Not on faith, mind you, but on their say so. As we gain an ever more personal acuity through insight however, we see clearly, the sole advantage to accepting any single rigid doctrine as “the only means” of reaching the goal we know to be open to everyone, goes to those who promote it. And the seeming advantage retained by them, is an illusion of their own making, having nothing whatsoever to do with the Truth. The fundamentalist cleric who works outside spiritual awareness, regardless of their chosen religion, instead of endowing believers and Truth seekers with the resources enabling them to find answers for themselves, is doing little more than perpetuating the earliest practices of control over the laity they perceive as; unable to beseech a deity without their facilitation. The decreasing participation in “organized” religions speaks volumes to the spiritual advancements Truth seekers are being led to through the personal revelations of Divine Guidance. Although there are always “new” believers who gain comfort in the formal ceremonies, ritualism and liturgical mysteries offered in an effort to exact an expected regimen from them––and this “beginners atmosphere” can benefit where tightly controlled personal behavior promotes a mind-set preferred over one without managed guidance that was less fruitful, or even counterproductive––our march toward the fulfillment of our spiritual legacy brings an increasing number of seekers into the light of Truth, who can now regard their own circumscribed beginnings as both stepping stones on their spiritual path and obstacles overcome.

Absolute faith in the unconditional love of God, as manifest by His grace and through the physical embodiments of His “way-showers”, are the only examples anyone needs to pattern their life’s choices on, so that they may be led to and through a productively selfless, serving, loving, forgiving kind of existence that will serve as a conduit for the flow of God’s unconditional love into the lives of all those who are ready to acknowledge it, thereby fostering the Divinely given revelations and insight directing them to the at-one-ment we all seek. For Christians, it’s being “Christ-like”. Being led by and endeavoring to live as Christ did. That is to say, selflessly with the only personal ambition being one of teaching, to all who will listen, about the imeasurable benefits of realizing our kinship with our Father, God. Being one with The Creator and expressing ourselves only as He would; unconditionally loving all, believers and skeptics alike, knowing that by His Divine Guidance––despite free will choices that sometimes forestall the inevitable––all will eventually complete their individual spiritual paths and in effect, advance beyond the necessity of returning to the physical experience again.

Demonstrating the Truth of sacrificing self, allegorized by way of His crucifixion, instead of objects of material value or the lives of “innocents”, The Christ in Jesus was awakened to bring believers out of all the various sacrificial paganistic rituals prevalent in His day, to the concept of One God whose only expected sacrifice from us was that of self, or ego, so that we may live by His Will, not our own.

It seems far too simple a proposition when weighed against the reward, that is until we complicate it with layers of protective walls constructed by an original instinct dedicated to remaining vigilantly in control of its host’s welfare, rebuking threats it perceives separating it from its inalienable course of action. Self-defense. It’s not evil, it’s instinct. It’s the obstacles, the temptations that instincts and emotions pose that necessitate our returning to the physical experience, while their overcoming keeps our spiritual advancement on track, until we are no longer subject to their influence and the surrender of our will to that of Divine Will is realized. Simple, in hindsight or from the eternal point of reference, of course, but not during the going-through, the tribulations, the confusion of the “now”. We are no more than occasional, short-term transients in the physical world, conducting incursions away from our home base, the eternal. We are after all, spiritual beings and the physical experiences we are encumbered with are alien to our nature. Readapting to the constrictions imposed by an embodiment, each time we reincarnate, occupies a season during which we’re nurtured––giving most of us an ample opportunity to relearn how to move and act in an environment so different from our natural state of being, that––as babies, we always appear to be taking it up for the first time.

Many species whose group spirit relies entirely on instinct, bear offspring that, simply for the sake of survival, literally “hit the ground running”, or nearly so. Though some may depend on their parents for sustenance and protection for a short time, beyond pecking order, little else is imbued in the way of social graces. On the other hand, we might observe that the further advanced a group’s spirit is, even in the absence of ego, the greater the investment of time in raising their young. This seems so obvious an observation, once pointed out, that entertaining any hope of gaining further value herein by the consideration of additional examples––from the full spectrum of those available––is a moot point. However, taking into account the two extremes of common natal-care practices as observed in nature, it should be a simple matter to fill in, if desired, much of the vast field that makes up the full range of associated behavior we recognize by our experience. From the most primitive life forms––though still vital enough to influence the flow and balance of Divine Guidance––whose “seed” or young are released to the currents of their environment in such a quantity so as to insure survival by sheer numbers, to “land” where they may by pure chance; to the other extreme––one in which we should be able to identify with––where far more often than not, children are born one at a time to a parent or parents who, for the most part, take on the responsibility of nurturing and protecting it for many years, doing the best they know how, to teach this “new” individual to respect itself and others, how to use what natural abilities it might be endowed with and how to grow in those areas where he or she might be lacking. The investment of time, experience and unconditional love is the very least expected of any who choose to shepherd another spirit into the physical world, doing everything within their ability to enhance the opportunities, for the life that has been entrusted into their care and for the benefit of all concerned, to fulfill the eternal obligations it and Divine Guidance has set before it. Realizing the profundity of this most demanding obligation is not just the sole crux that delineates an individual’s cognizance from all other species who have yet to ideate or externalize awareness of self, but proof that the individual who has, does so with the thorough understanding of their commitment to fulfilling their own Divine Plan, as lain before them.

Raising our children to have aspirations of Godliness may be dutifully conspiring with another’s Divine Guidance, but isn’t necessarily the conscientious choice it may appear to be on the surface. For instance, it’s entirely possible we could do more to abate rather than abet, since we aren’t privy to the direction that guidance is likely to take anyhow. Any attempts on our part to control the aspirations of another, is being judgmental and very likely counterproductive to a plan we have no knowledge of. The most productive participation we can hope for is, in the vestal formation of a value and belief system that will serve them well in the choices they’re going to be facing for the remainder of their physical experience. Imbuing common sense and uncommon love is our most precious legacy to every spirit delivered into our midst, regardless of the form that introduction assumes.

Aside from finding food, there’s very little else the adult component of a group spirit could contribute toward their young’s future that wasn’t already included in their genes, so instinct goes a long way to assure the survival of offspring in a world that fav-ors––in the case of predators––the fastest, biggest, most aggressive posture, or in the case of prey, the quietest, least noticed (except during courtship rituals), mimicking or deceptive posture. As individuals however, comparatively aware of our place in the larger scheme of things, survival is given the best possible chance of success with an attitude of inclusiveness and forgiveness. These qualities are not instinctual and though they can be based on the influences of an upbringing in a loving environment, their maturation depends on the revelations of Truth accrued by facing and overcoming countless physical experiences during repeated embodiments, while faithfully serving our highest possible ideals. The motives behind the choices leading us to that mindset are reinforced through the demonstration of examples by those in our lives we look to for direction and who have been put to that task by His omnipotent wisdom. Teaching by example is the birthright of every reincarnation, but only after having relearned, each time with less reliance on instinct, what’s needed in order to navigate anew.

The lessons that shape us have no correlation to the positive idealistic manifestations that we would choose to prescribe for our, or if allowed, anyone else’s, behavior. As should be expected we learn a great deal more from making mistakes and examining examples of misbehavior than we do from “good advice”. As every parent knows all too well, their personal experience falls on deaf ears, when advocated as a directive to be followed without question. The examples we set by our belief system and the consequential social interaction it manifests, good or bad, is the first and often most indelible exposure our children will be subjected to during the earliest and extremely impressionable years of their life, when the roots of their own belief system are finding fertile ground in their receptiveness. With that core value to build on, the arduous process of adding layers of understanding begins by making mistakes, rather than living vicariously through someone else’s successes. Experience is such a personal thing, we have no right to tell someone else how to act or think, any more than we would allow them to dictate how we act or think. However, therein lies the common dilemma most parents face at some point during their child’s effort to be popular among their peers. Aside from the obvious conflicting signals of the biological and hormonal throes each pubescent person struggles to interpret, and the corroborating confusion visited upon the parents, they not only don’t do or act as they’re told (fully expecting to find their own way [who do they think they are, after all don’t they know who we are?] ) but then choose, however errantly, to adopt the characteristics or mannerisms of someone they see as receiving the attention they would wish for themselves, clinging to the belief; they’re finding their own identity. As parents and Truth seekers, we try to remember; after all, this is their personal awakening of ego (“loss of innocence”, analogous to our race spirit’s event so many eons ago), subsequent individuality and figuratively, we hope, the breaking of ties with the family identity. They’re not embarrassed by their family, they simply don’t wish to be associated with them at that time of their lives. They don’t know why and aren’t usually interested, but as loving parents, we should faithfully support who they are becoming and lead by example, more than rules. They are paying attention, when we’re not looking.

With a patient sharing of the love we have for them just the way they are––on any given day––an understanding begins to germinate that; if they have to change in order to be loved, then it’s not love being offered. On the other hand, change is in the offing during this very important phase of growth, but as long as they understand what qualifies love as true, regardless of (but not dependent on) where they are in their development, they shouldn’t fall into the expectation of what someone else wants them to be, because expectations of that genre can never be satisfied. With maturity comes a grasp, if not yet a firm understanding, of at least the direction that unconditional love moves in. If we can love others (all others) for who they are, that is to say; spiritual beings at some point of advancement on their eternal path––overcoming physical experiences, as we are––then we know that we too are worthy of love for who we are, at least by all who have reached or exceeded our current level of spirituality and that those who have not, need little else except the assurance that they too are included and have an example to follow so they may, in turn, include others in their expanding consciousness and set an example by their own behavior.

A simple proposition? Only through hindsight. The hard part is the day to day practice of living of it, which in turn, keeps us coming back. It’s the road rife with potholes of insecurities, uncertainties, double standards and outright deception, all of which are intended only as lessons for our overcoming and meant to be put behind us as quickly as we grow in the faith that nothing is unreachable or impossible, not because we believe in miracles, but because we know God is the source of all and we are in fact one with Him, as He manifests in and through us in the physical world.

As with all who may look to us as an example and see something in our behavior they themselves wish to know the nature of, we have but to look to our “way-showers”, made Divinely available as our example to follow.

As if in summation, His last lesson, if you will, from a life dedicated to teaching, delivers to all who would follow like a valedictory address on our graduation day, the Christian “way-shower” Christ in Jesus––before departing His final physical embodiment––presented the key to The Kingdom, that is to say; the means by which to living the life He had demonstrated, one of selfless, unconditional love for and through us––from The Father––to all we would touch in His behalf. The secret to The Truth of at-one-ment ––“FORGIVE THEM FATHER, FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO”––crossed His lips for our edification and as some would have it; salvation. Having endured many scores of physical incarnations in order to rededicate our resolve to the eternal inclusiveness of being at-one in and of our Father, our salvation was never in doubt, but our eternal heritage, at-one-ment, remains beyond our reach without unconditional love, which in turn is unapproachable without forgiveness.

Thank you God! Amen