Before we can receive knowledge of the spirit, we must develop certain inner qualities to a high degree. As with all fundamental perceptions we must begin by cultivating our fundamental state-of-mind through what we spiritually refer to as the “path of reverence”, of devotion to truth and knowledge. It is only when we have acquired this fundamental mood or attitude that the true essence of the underlying nature of everyday reality can reveal itself to us. Our mood or dominant attitude sets the pathway through which a series of correspondences naturally emerge. Our state-of-mind forms the fundamental lens through which we view all of life as corresponding perceptions.
The qualities that we “see” in others and our environment are based on the qualities that we have cultivated within ourselves that we use to activate and form resonance with in our environment. We only see our “self” in the external world. The only way we can see the true nature of any life form is by cultivating a loving state of mind that – then seeing only in them what warrants that feeling. What we see in our environment is what is in us. The same qualities that make up our true nature are the same ones that we “see” in everything else. They become the primary lens through which we look.
When we look through the “eyes of love” from the deepest recesses of our heart, thoughts of criticism or opposition are forbidden and fail to even arise. When we are filled with feelings of reverence, we create experiences of “awe” and wonder, as well as a deep curiosity that comes through a form of fascination. To be gifted with the potential for such feelings as a natural state, is a blessing.
We have been taught that we should feel reverence only when it is appropriate or warranted. Yet, it is appropriate in any situation when it flows from the depths of our heart. To truly be “at cause”, is to first cultivate and sustain the state that warrants and calls forth qualities of a like nature. We have the ability, through managing our own mind, to bring out certain qualities in everything we interact with or place our attention on.
We only find the inner strength to evolve to higher levels of consciousness when we first inwardly develop this profound feeling that there is something higher than ourselves, an ideal to aspire towards. We can lift ourselves to the heights of great knowledge when we allow ourselves to be guided by our hearts into the depths of veneration and devotion. When we fill ourselves with a higher feeling of love, then form a devotion only to what warrants those feelings, we begin living in a state of euphoria and true power. It is only when we have passed through the gates of humility that we can ascend to greater heights. In order to obtain higher knowledge, we must first respect it.
In Spiritual Science it is considered a fundamental law that every feeling of true devotion unfolded in the soul produces an inner strength or living force that leads to higher knowledge. In our culture at this particular time, it is important to give this point our complete attention – in this day and age we are more inclined to criticize, judge, and condemn than to feel love, acceptance, devotion and selfless reverence. We criticize far more than we respect or revere. Though criticism has somewhat served our physical and material progress, it has come through the loss of higher knowledge and the practice of spiritual life. We must never forget that higher knowledge has to do with revering truth and insight and not other people.
For those that are completely immersed in the superficial culture of our day may find it particularly difficult to work their way to the cognition of higher worlds. This is because in order to do so, you have to work energetically on upon yourself. In times of material obsession, spiritual progress is more illusive. In the age of criticism, ideals are degraded and raped of their significance. Reverence, awe, adoration and wonder are being replaced by other feelings and pushed into the background where they seldom go unnoticed. As a result, everyday life offers little opportunity for spiritual growth.
Anyone seeking higher knowledge must create these feelings inwardly by instilling them in the soul, programming them into the subconscious mind so that they become natural and automatic. This cannot be achieved through mere study; it must be done through living it. If we wish to become the students of higher power, we must train ourselves with great discipline in the mood of devotion. We must learn to seek in all things around us only the qualities that arouse feelings of admiration and respect.
When we first meet people and we criticize them for their weaknesses, we rob ourselves of higher cognitive powers. If we seek to criticize, we see only what warrants criticism, by stepping into that, we acquire weaknesses and in turn open ourselves to criticism. We gain strength as qualities only by looking for the good in everything while withholding criticism. By seeking only what’s admirable, we elicit those qualities in others, then step into them and apprehend qualities of an admirable nature. We strengthen our own constitution, while simultaneously strengthening others. To be empowered, is to simultaneously empower others.
In order for this practice to remain ours, it must take hold at the inner depths of our soul. The ability to develop and perfect and gradually transform ourselves lies in our own hands and must take place at our inner most depths. Just showing respect outwardly towards others is not enough, we must bring respect and devotion into our “thought life”. We must guard against any disrespectful, disparaging and criticizing thoughts. We must respect the power of our thoughts to shape the world around us. We must discipline ourselves to practice reverence and devotion to a higher ideal in all our thinking and feeling which will ultimately determine our behavior . . . at all times as a consistent way of being in the world.
Linda Gadbois, Ph.D.(c), CCHt., RMT
Professional Educator and Trainer in Spiritual Sciences and Creative Mind Development
www.creativetransformations.com
info@creativetransformations.com
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