The Holy Temple of Consciousness

In the past three lessons we have seen the physical universe dissolve into a sea of electro-magnetic energy, and the cause behind it all has been established as the Absolute or Ultimate Reality.

The purpose of this lesson is to awaken the individual to the fact that the super cosmic intelligence that we have explained as the Universal Mind is the center, core or essence of man's own being.

It makes little difference whether the student understands this fully or not, so long as he begins to question the fact, and conduct the proper investigation, to establish once and for all, what he really is.

Once the search has started the process begins. And we might add that this process is known as unfoldment. The greatest discovery of the human race is SELF-DISCOVERY.

You might ask yourself, "What is this uncomprehendable intelligence I see and feel functioning in me and through me that makes me feel alive?" This is an important issue and one worthy of deep consideration. Let's look at it in the light of what we've learned in the previous lessons.

In a universe of infinite perfection we find each part is analogous to the whole. In any small fragment we find the same order, harmony and perfection of form and function that is reflected in the vast cosmos. In an acorn, a sea shell, a feather, a flower, a living organism, we witness a symbol of the universe that at once bespeaks of the infinite perfection in all of the parts as well as the whole. Perfect atoms attracting and cohering according to certain predescribed lines of form and grace reveal to our senses an artistic masterpiece in the simplest of natural forms.

The ancient occult axiom, "as above, so below" or "as it is in the macrocosm, so it is in the microcosm" is nowhere more apparent than in the human organism itself. Man is often referred to as the grand symbol of the universe and has long been considered by advanced thinkers as an epitome of the universe. Everything that is contained in the universe is contained in man.

Of all living creatures, man stands as the crown of creation. Physical creation reaches its apex in man for not only does he walk erect and possess the faculties of articulate speech and reasoning power, but he alone has the ability to recognize and grasp the infinite mind of which he is part and to consciously apply this power. Everything physical is an expression of the same intelligence or power that is responsible for the whole. In man it appears that creation needed a creature that was not only the grandest expression, but one that was capable of understanding what was being expressed.

Man for many years has been regarded as a highly evolved animal with well developed mental faculties or body and soul. He is known now to be an eternal ego finding temporary expression through a physical body. MAN IS AN ANIMAL BUT HE IS AN ANIMAL EMBODYING A GOD. The intelligence that designed the universe designed and created man. This is the startling revelation of the ages. The blinding knowledge that dwarfs every other knowledge; that, "WITHIN MAN DWELLS THE INFINITE AND UNFATHOMABLE MIND OF THE UNIVERSE." (Dynamic Thought, Hamblin)

"You must understand what you are before you are able to use the power that lies dormant within you." (Ramacharaka, Raja Yoga Mental Development)

When you consider the Supreme Intelligence or Universal Mind you must of necessity attribute to it four qualities, i.e., (1) Life, (2) Consciousness, (3) Mind, and (4) Volition.

1. Life--The Universal Mind or Absolute must be seen as alive. A dead mind could manifest nothing, no change, no form, no universe.

2. Consciousness--An unconscious intelligence or mind is the same as a dead one when it comes to creative power.

3. Mind--The Absolute must possess the principle of mind. There could be no other place for it to originate. And mind is the first requisite for creation.

4. Volition--Without volition, the Supreme Intelligence or Absolute would be impotent.

The creative Will is the force seen functioning and striving through nature.

If we direct our attention inward, within ourselves, we become aware of a consistent report of our own existence. Constantly comes the announcement, "I AM."

It makes little difference how you reason regarding this report. You can deduce as Descarte did, "I think I am, therefore I am." Or as others, "I know I am, therefore I must be." But no matter how you study this report, there is always one conclusion reached by the scientist, the philosopher, the saint, the mystic, the theologian or who ever else might conduct the inquiry, and that is, there is something present issuing the proclamation, "I AM." There is something there that is aware of its own existence, its own reality.

This inner reality is known as the "I." The "I" must be regarded as a CENTER. An individual center of life, consciousness, mind and volition. It must possess:

1. Life--Each "I AM" center must possess life, for a dead "I AM" could have no knowledge of existence.

2. Consciousness--Surely each center possesses consciousness; how could an unconscious mind know "I AM?"

3. Mind--Of course each "I AM" center possesses mind; how else could it think the thought, "I AM."

4. Volition--Without volition there would be no force with which to assert "I AM." And all other forms of conscious thought would be impossible.

We examine the Absolute and must assign to it life, consciousness, mind and volition. We scrutinize each "I AM" center and to each we must admit the existence of life, consciousness, mind and volition. So are we not justified in saying that each individual "I AM" center partakes of the same life and powers of the Absolute, only in lesser degree?

When we sense our own reality, we are merely sensing the distant rays of the Absolute, the Ultimate Reality at the center of all existence. Begin now to see yourself as an individual center. A focal point of life, consciousness, mind and volitionary power. The greater your realization of this, the greater shall be your power.

Remember, you are an emanation of the Absolute, a manifestation of the Ultimate Reality, a center of life in the one great life. A center of consciousness in universal consciousness, a center of creative power in an infinite ocean of mental energy, a center of volition in an infinite sea of mind power.

The "I" is higher than anything you've ever conceived it to be. The highest human intellect exalted to the peak of human mentation can not grasp the full significance of the "I" that animates it.

So no matter what your station is in life, no matter how high or how lowly and miserable, you have within you the Holy of Holies, the essence of all that is.

Creation is continuous and constant throughout the universe. We tend to think of creation in terms of something born anew rather than continued duration. But creation lives and functions in and through us always. When we sense the infinite majesty of the universe or the breathtaking splendor of a sunrise or panoramic scene, we are merely sensing that which is inherent within ourselves. The power that animates mans brain and body animates the universe and is therefore an infinite power.

Your life force, or what is conscious within you, is none other than the Creative Spirit. Every atom in your body is intelligentized by this cosmic intelligence and animated by this cosmic force. This creative intelligence is not only the creator of all forms but the dweller in each. This omniscient power and intelligence is limited in its expression only by the medium through which it expresses.

The human body is a temple of the highest order and within the walls of your flesh omnipotence resides. In the wonderful convolutions of the human brain lies the throne of the most high ego, the life force, the God-Man. We are told in the Bible that, "...the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21). Where else would you expect to find this God but in his kingdom. Therefore, any search for the highest reality will always begin and end within one's Self, for it is in the inner most sanctuaries of the Self that your true nature, your divinity is hidden from your conscious mind.

The source of all mans problems, mistakes, and failures has been that he has not realized the power within. He does not know who he is. But for him who discovers his own infinite nature, his real self, the God self within, what a remarkable change transpires in his life, mind, and circumstances. The doors of all accomplishment swing wide for the individual who has dispelled illusion and has discovered the truth of his own being, the nature of his own reality. To enter into the knowledge that you are one with and form a part of the infinite and unfathomable mind of the universe, and that because of this identity you possess the same qualities and powers only in lesser degree, is to enter into the highest most valuable knowledge that can be obtained. In reality, in verity, and in truth, you, yourself, are one with creation.

We are individual expressions
of a Universal Mind.

Each of us a masterpiece,
of perfect design.

Through out nature's kingdom,
Man reigns Supreme.

Over all creation's wonders,
Man was made King.

God composed our bodies
Of a billion trembling cells.

And it's deep within this temple
that the Infinite Spirit dwells.

It's living there now,
It's standing behind your eyes.

You are the Holy Temple of Consciousness,
Where the Infinite Spirit lies.

YOU ARE ONE WITH THE COSMOS!!!