HowtoManifestYour

Desires:TheNeville
Method

RareLecturesbyNevilleGoddard

Ifthereissomethingtonightthatyoureallywantinthisworld,thenexperiencein
imaginationwhatyouwouldexperienceinthefleshwereyoutorealizeyourgoal,and
thendeafenyourears,andblindyoureyestoallthatdeniestherealityofyour
assumption.Neville,1948

CompiledbyDr.JoeVitale

Authorofwaytoomanybookstolisthere,
includingthe#1bestseller,TheAttractorFactor

NevilleGoddard
(19051972)

NevilleClassInstruction
Rareoriginalbookletoflessonsfrom1948.

(From1948)
Lesson1ConsciousnessistheonlyReality
ThisisgoingtobeaverypracticalCourse.Therefore,Ihopethateveryoneinthisclass
hasaveryclearpictureofwhathedesires,forIamconvincedthatyoucanrealizeyour
desiresbythetechniqueyouwillreceiveherethisweekinthesefivelessons.
Thatyoumayreceivethefullbenefitoftheseinstructions,letmestatenowthattheBible
hasnoreferenceatalltoanypersonswhoeverexistedortoanyeventthateveroccurred
uponearth.
Theancientstorytellerswerenotwritinghistorybutanallegoricalpicturelessonof
certainbasicprincipleswhichtheyclothedinthegarbofhistory,andtheyadaptedthese
storiestothelimitedcapacityofamostuncriticalandcredulouspeople.
Throughoutthecenturieswehavemistakenlytakenpersonificationsforpersons,allegory
forhistory,thevehiclethatconveyedtheinstructionfortheinstruction,andthegrossfirst
sensefortheultimatesenseintended.
ThedifferencebetweentheformoftheBibleanditssubstanceisasgreatasthedifference
betweenagrainofcornandthelifegermwithinthatgrain.Asourassimilativeorgans
discriminatebetweenfoodthatcanbebuiltintooursystemandfoodthatmustbe
discarded,sodoourawakenedintuitivefacultiesdiscoverbeneathallegoryandparable,
thepsychologicallifegermoftheBibleand,feedingonthis,we,too,castofftheform
whichconveyedthemessage.

TheargumentagainstthehistoricityoftheBibleistoolengthyconsequently,itisnot
suitableforinclusioninthispracticalpsychologicalinterpretationofitsstories.Therefore,
IwillwastenotimeintryingtoconvinceyouthattheBibleisnotanhistoricalfact.
TonightIwilltakefourstoriesandshowyouwhattheancientstorytellersintendedthat
youandIshouldseeinthesestories.Theancientteachersattachedpsychologicaltruthsto
phallicandsolarallegories.Theydidnotknowasmuchofthephysicalstructureofmanas
domodernscientists,neitherdidtheyknowasmuchabouttheheavensasdoourmodern
astronomers.Butthelittletheydidknowtheyusedwiselyandtheybuiltphallicandsolar
framestowhichtheytiedthegreat
psychologicaltruthsthattheyhaddiscovered.
IntheOldTestamentyouwillfindmuchofthePhallicworship.Becauseitisnothelpful,I
amnotgoingtoemphasizeit.Ishallonlyshowyouhowtointerpretit.
BeforewecometothefirstofthepsychologicaldramasthatyouandImayuseina
practicalsense,letmestatethetwooutstandingnamesoftheBible:theoneyouandI
translateasGODorJEHOVAH,andtheonewecallhisson,whichwehaveasJESUS.
Theancientsspelledthesenamesbyusinglittlesymbols.Theancienttongue,calledthe
Hebraiclanguage,wasnotatonguethatyouexplodedwiththebreath.Itwasamystical
languageneverutteredbyman.Thosewhounderstoodit,understooditasmathematicians
understandsymbolsofhighermathematics.Itisnotsomethingpeopleusedtoconvey
thoughtasInowusetheEnglishlanguage.
TheysaidthatGod'snamewasspelled,JODHEVAUHE.Ishalltakethesesymbolsand
inournormal,downtoearthlanguage,explaintheminthismanner.
Thefirstletter,JODinthenameGODisahandoraseed,notjustahand,butthehandof
thedirector.Ifthereisoneorganofmanthatdiscriminatesandsetshimapartfromthe

entireworldofcreationitishishand.Whatwecallahandintheanthropoidapeisnota
hand.Itisusedonlyforthepurposeofconveyingfoodtothemouth,ortoswingfrom
branchtobranch.Man'shand
fashions,itmolds.Youcannotreallyexpressyourselfwithoutthehand.Thisisthe
builder'shand,thehandofthedirectoritdirects,andmolds,andbuildswithinyourworld.
TheancientstorytellerscalledthefirstletterJOD,thehand,ortheabsoluteseedoutof
whichthewholeofcreationwillcome.
Tothesecondletter,HE,theygavethesymbolofawindow.Awindowisaneyethe
windowistothehousewhattheeyeistothebody.
Thethirdletter,VAU,theycalledanail.Anailisusedforthepurposeofbindingthings
together.Theconjunction"and"intheHebraictongueissimplythethirdletter,orVAU.
IfIwanttosay'manandwoman',IputtheVAUinthemiddle,itbindsthemtogether.
Thefourthandlastletter,HE,isanotherwindoworeye.
Inthismodern,downtoearthlanguageofours,youcanforgeteyesandwindowsand
handsandlookatitinthismanner.Youareseatedherenow.Thisfirstletter,JOD,isyour
IAMness,yourawareness.Youareawareofbeingawarethatisthefirstletter.Outof
thisawarenessallstatesofawarenesscome.
Thesecondletter,HE,calledaneye,isyourimagination,yourabilitytoperceive.You
imagineorperceivesomethingwhichseemstobeotherthanSelf.Asthoughyouwere
lostinreverieandcontemplatedmentalstatesinadetachedmanner,makingthethinker
andhisthoughtsseparateentities.
Thethirdletter,VAU,isyourabilitytofeelyouarethatwhichyoudesiretobe.Asyou
feelyouareit,youbecomeawareofbeingit.Towalkasthoughyouwerewhatyouwant
tobeistotakeyourdesireoutoftheimaginaryworldandputtheVAUuponit.Youhave

completedthedramaofcreation.Iamawareofsomething.ThenIbecomeawareof
actuallybeingthatofwhichIwasaware.
ThefourthandlastletterinthenameofGodisanotherHE,anothereye,meaningthe
visibleobjectiveworldwhichconstantlybearswitnessofthatwhichIamconsciousof
being.Youdonothingabouttheobjectiveworlditalwaysmoldsitselfinharmonywith
thatwhichyouareconsciousofbeing
Youaretoldthisisthenamebywhichallthingsaremade,andwithoutitthereisnothing
madethatismade.Thenameissimplywhatyouhavenowasyouareseatedhere.You
areconsciousofbeing,aren'tyou?Certainlyyouare.Youarealsoconsciousofsomething
thatisotherthanyourself:theroom,thefurniture,thepeople.
Youmaybecomeselectivenow.Maybeyoudonotwanttobeotherthanwhatyouare,or
toownwhatyousee.Butyouhavethecapacitytofeelwhatitwouldbelikewereyou
nowotherthanwhatyouare.Asyouassumethatyouarethatwhichyouwanttobe,you
havecompletedthenameofGodortheJODHEVAUHE.Thefinalresult,the
objectificationofyourassumption,isnotyourconcern.ItwillcomeintoView
automaticallyasyouassumetheconsciousnessofbeingit.
NowletusturntotheSon'sname,forhegivestheSondominionovertheworld.Youare
thatSon,youarethegreatJoshua,orJesus,oftheBible.YouknowthenameJoshuaor
JehoshuawehaveAnglicizedasJesus.
TheSon'snameisalmostliketheFather'sname.ThefirstthreelettersoftheFather'sname
arethefirstthreelettersoftheSon'sname,JODHEVAU,thenyouaddaSHINandan
AYIN,makingtheSon'snameread,JODHEVAUSHINAYIN'.
Youhaveheardwhatthefirstthreeare:JODHEVAU.JODmeansthatyouareaware
HEmeansthatyouareawareofsomethingandVAUmeansthatyoubecameawareof
beingthatofwhichyouwereaware.Youhavedominionbecauseyouhavetheabilityto

conceiveandtobecomethatwhichyouconceive.Thatisthepowerofcreation.
ButwhyisaSHINputinthenameoftheSon?Becauseoftheinfinitemercyofour
Father.Mindyou,theFatherandtheSonareone.ButwhentheFatherbecomes
consciousofbeingmanheputswithintheconditioncalledmanthatwhichhedidnotgive
untohimself.HeputsaSHINforthispurposeaSHINissymbolizedasatooth.
Atoothisthatwhichconsumes,thatwhichdevours.Imusthavewithinmethepowerto
consumethatwhichInowdislike.I,inmyignorance,broughttobirthcertainthingsInow
dislikeandwouldliketoleavebehindme.Weretherenotwithinmetheflamesthatwould
consumeit,Iwouldbecondemnedforevertoliveinaworldofallmymistakes.Butthere
isaSHIN,orflame,withinthenameoftheSon,whichallowsthatSontobecome
detachedfromstatesHeformerlyexpressedwithintheworld.Manisincapableofseeing
otherthanthecontentsofhisownconsciousness.
IfInowbecomedetachedinconsciousnessfromthisroombyturningmyattentionaway
fromit,then,Iamnolongerconsciousofit.Thereissomethinginmethatdevoursit
withinme.ItcanonlylivewithinmyobjectiveworldifIkeepitalivewithinmy
consciousness.
ItistheSHIN,oratooth,intheSon'snamethatgiveshimabsolutedominion.Whycould
itnothavebeenintheFather'sname?Forthissimplereason:Nothingcanceasetobein
theFather.Eventheunlovelythingscannotceasetobe.IfIoncegiveitexpression,
foreverandeveritremainslockedwithinthedimensionallygreaterSelfwhichisthe
Father.ButIwouldnotliketokeep
alivewithinmyworldallofmymistakes.SoI,inmyinfinitemercygavetomyself,whenI
becameman,thepowertobecomedetachedfromthesethingsthatI,inmyignorance,
broughttobirthinmyworld..
Thesearethetwonameswhichgiveyoudominion.Youhavedominionif,asyouwalkthe
earth,youknowthatyourconsciousnessisGod,theoneandonlyreality.Youbecome

awareofsomethingyouwouldliketoexpressorpossess.Youhavetheabilitytofeelthat
youareandpossessthatwhichbutamomentbeforewasimaginary.Thefinalresult,the
embodyingofyourassumption,iscompletelyoutsideoftheofficesofathreedimensional
mind.Itcomestobirthinawaythatnomanknows.
Ifthesetwonamesareclearinyourmind'seye,youwillseethattheyareyoureternal
names.Asyousithere,youarethisJODHEVAUHEyouaretheJODHEVAUSHIN
AYIN.
ThestoriesoftheBibleconcernthemselvesexclusivelywiththepowerofimagination.
Theyarereallydramatizationsofthetechniqueofprayer,forprayeristhesecretof
changingthefuture.TheBiblerevealsthekeybywhichmanentersadimensionallylarger
worldforthepurposeofchangingtheconditionsofthelesserworldinwhichhelives.
Aprayergrantedimpliesthatsomethingisdoneinconsequenceoftheprayer,which
otherwisewouldnothavebeendone.Therefore,manisthespringofaction,thedirecting
mind,andtheonewhograntstheprayer.
ThestoriesoftheBiblecontainapowerfulchallengetothethinkingcapacityofman.The
underlyingtruththattheyarepsychologicaldramasandnothistoricalfactsdemands
reiteration,inasmuchasitistheonlyjustificationforthestories.Withalittleimagination
wemayeasilytracethepsychologicalsenseinallthestoriesoftheBible.
"AndGodsaid,Letusmakemaninourimage,andafterourlikeness:andletthemhave
dominionoverthefishofthesea,andoverthefowloftheair,andoverthecattle,and
overalltheearth,andovereverycreepingthingthatcreepethupontheearth.SoGod
createdmaninhisownimage,intheimageofGodcreatedhehim"Gen.1:26,27.
HereinthefirstchapteroftheBibletheancientteacherslaidthefoundationthatGodand
manareone,andthatmanhasdominionoveralltheearth.IfGodandmanareone,then
Godcanneverbesofaroffaseventobenear,fornearnessimpliesseparation.

Thequestionarises:WhatisGod?Godisman'sconsciousness,hisawareness,hisI
AMness.Thedramaoflifeisapsychologicaloneinwhichwebringcircumstancestopass
byourattitudesratherthanbyouracts.Thecornerstoneonwhichallthingsarebasedis
mansconceptofhimself.Heactsashedoes,andhastheexperiencesthathedoes,because
hisconceptofhimselfiswhatitis,andfornootherreason.Hadheadifferentconceptof
himself,hewouldactdifferentlyandhavedifferentexperiences.
Man,byassumingthefeelingofhiswishfulfilled,altershisfutureinharmonywithhis
assumption,for,assumptionsthoughfalse,ifsustained,willhardenintofact.
Theundisciplinedmindfindsitdifficulttoassumeastatewhichisdeniedbythesenses.
Buttheancientteachersdiscoveredthatsleep,orastateakintosleep,aidedmanin
makinghisassumption.Therefore,theydramatizedthefirstcreativeactofmanasonein
whichmanwasinaprofoundsleep.Thisnotonlysetsthepatternforallfuturecreative
acts,butshowsusthatmanhasbutone
substancethatistrulyhistouseincreatinghisworldandthatishimself.
"AndtheLordGod(man)causedadeepsleeptofalluponAdamandheslept:andhe
tookoneofhisribs,andclosedupthefleshinsteadthereofandtherib,whichtheLord
Godhadtakenfromman,madeheawoman."Gen.2:21,22.
BeforeGodfashionsthiswomanformanhebringsuntoAdamthebeastsofthefield,and
thefowlsoftheairandhasAdamnamethem."WhatsoeverAdamcalledeveryliving
creature,thatwasthenamethereof."
IfyouwilltakeaconcordanceoraBibledictionaryandlookupthewordthighasusedin
thisstoryyouwillseethatithasnothingtodowiththethigh.Itisdefinedasthesoftparts
thatarecreativeinaman,thathanguponthethighofaman.
Theancientstorytellersusedthisphallicframetorevealagreatpsychologicaltruth.An

angelisamessengerofGod.YouareGod,asyouhavejustdiscoveredforyour
consciousnessisGod,andyouhaveanidea,amessage.Youarewrestlingwithanidea,
foryoudonotknowthatyouarealreadythatwhichyoucontemplate,neitherdoyou
believeyoucouldbecomeit.Youwouldliketo,butyoudonotbelieveyoucould.
Whowrestleswiththeangel?Jacob.AndthewordJacob,bydefinition,meansthe
supplanter.
Youwouldliketotransformyourselfandbecomethatwhichreasonandyoursensesdeny.
Asyouwrestlewithyourideal,tryingtofeelthatyouareit,thisiswhathappens.When
youactuallyfeelthatyouareit,somethinggoesoutofyou.Youmayusethewords,
"Whohastouchedme,forIperceivevirtuehasgoneoutofme?"
Youbecomeforamoment,afterasuccessfulmeditation,incapableofcontinuinginthe
act,asthoughitwereaphysicalcreativeact.Youarejustasimpotentafteryouhave
prayedsuccessfullyasyouareafterthephysicalcreativeact.Whensatisfactionisyours,
younolongerhungerforit.Ifthehungerpersistsyoudidnotexplodetheideawithinyou,
youdidnotactuallysucceedin
becomingconsciousofbeingthatwhichyouwantedtobe.Therewasstillthatthirstwhen
youcameoutofthedeep.
IfIcanfeelthatIamthatwhichbutafewsecondsagoIknewIwasnot,butdesiredto
be,thenIamnolongerhungrytobeit.IamnolongerthirstybecauseIfeelsatisfiedin
thatstate.Thensomethingshrinkswithinme,notphysicallybutinmyfeeling,inmy
consciousness,forthatisthecreativenessofman.Hesoshrinksindesire,helosesthe
desiretocontinueinthismeditation.Hedoesnothaltphysically,hesimplyhasnodesire
tocontinuethemeditativeact.
"Whenyoupraybelievethatyouhavereceived,andyoushallreceive."Whenthephysical
creativeactiscompleted,thesinewwhichisuponthehollowofman'sthighshrinks,and
manfindshimselfimpotentorishalted.Inlikemannerwhenamanprayssuccessfullyhe
believesthatheisalreadythatwhichhedesiredtobe,thereforehecannotcontinue

desiringtobethatwhichheisalready
consciousofbeing.Atthemomentofsatisfaction,physicalandpsychological,something
goesoutwhichintimebearswitnesstoman'screativepower.
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Ournext.storyisinthe38thchapterofthebookofGenesis.HereisaKingwhosename
is]udah,thefirstthreelettersofwhosenamealsobeginsJODHEVAU.Tamarishis
daughterinlaw.
ThewordTarmarmeansapalmtreeorthemostbeautiful,themostcomely.Sheis
graciousandbeautifultolookonandiscalledapalmtree.Atall,statelypalmtree
blossomseveninthedesertwhereveritisthereisanoasis.Whenyouseethepalmtree
inthedesert,therewillbefoundwhatyouseekmostinthatparchedland.Thereis
nothingmoredesirabletoamanmovingacrossa
desertthanthesightofapalmtree.
Inourcase,tobepractical,ourobjectiveisthepalmtree.Thatisthestately,beautifulone
thatweseek.WhateveritisthatyouandIwant,whatwetrulydesire,ispersonifiedinthe
storyasTamarthebeautiful.
Wearetoldshedressesherselfintheveilsofaharlotandsitsinthepublicplace.Her
fatherinlaw,KingJudah,comesbyandheissoinlovewiththisonewhoisveiledthat
heoffersherakidtobeintimatewithher.
Shesaid,"Whatwillyougivemeasapledgethatyouwillgivemeakid?"
Lookingaroundhesaid,"Whatdoyouwantmetogiveasapledge?"
Sheanswered,"Givemeyourring,givemeyourbracelets,andgivemeyourstaff."

Whereupon,hetookfromhishandthering,andthebracelet,andgavethemtoheralong
withhissceptre.Andhewentinuntoherandknewher,andsheborehimason.
Thatisthestorynowfortheinterpretation.Manhasonegiftthatistrulyhistogive,and
thatishimself.Hehasnoothergift,astoldyouintheveryfirstcreativeactofAdam
begettingthewomanoutofhimself.Therewasnoothersubstanceintheworldbut
himselfwithwhichhecouldfashiontheobjectofhisdesire.InlikemannerJudahhadbut
onegiftthatwastrulyhistogivehimself,asthering,thebraceletsandthestaff
symbolized,forthesewerethesymbolsofhiskingship.
Manoffersthatwhichisnothimself,butlifedemandsthathegivetheonethingthat
symbolizeshimself."Givemeyourring,givemeyourbracelet,givemeyoursceptre."
ThesemaketheKing.Whenhegivesthemhegivesofhimself.
YouarethegreatKingJudah.BeforeyoucanknowyourTamarandmakeherbearyour
likenessintheworld,youmustgoinuntoherandgiveofself.SupposeIwantsecurity.I
cannotgetitbyknowingpeoplewhohaveit.Icannotgetitbypullingstrings.Imust
becomeconsciousofbeingsecure.
LetussayIwanttobehealthy.Pillswillnotdoit.Dietorclimatewillnotdoit.Imust
becomeconsciousofbeinghealthybyassumingthefeelingofbeinghealthy.
PerhapsIwanttobeliftedupinthisworld.Merelylookingatkingsandpresidentsand
noblepeopleandlivingintheirreflectionwillnotmakemedignified.Imustbecome
consciousofbeingnobleanddignifiedandwalkasthoughIwerethatwhichInowwant
tobe.
WhenIwalkinthatlightIgiveofmyselftotheimagethathauntedmymind,andintime
shebearsmeachildwhichmeansIobjectifyaworldinharmonywiththatwhichIam
consciousofbeing.

YouareKingJudahandyouarealsoTamar.Whenyoubecomeconsciousofbeingthat
whichyouwanttobeyouareTamar.Thenyoucrystallizeyourdesirewithintheworld
roundaboutyou.
NomatterwhatstoriesyoureadintheBible,nomatterhowmanycharacterstheseancient
storytellersintroducedintothedrama,thereisonethingyouandImustalwaysbearin
mindtheyalltakeplacewithinthemindoftheindividualman.Allthecharacterslivein
themindoftheindividualman.
Asyoureadthestory,makeitfitthepatternofself.Knowthatyourconsciousnessisthe
onlyreality.Thenknowwhatyouwanttobe.Thenassumethefeelingofbeingthatwhich
youwanttobe,andremainfaithfultoyourassumption,livingandactingonyour
conviction.Alwaysmakeitfitthatpattern.
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OurthirdinterpretationisthestoryofIsaacandhistwosons:EsauandJacob.Thepicture
isdrawnofablindmanbeingdeceivedbyhissecondsonintogivinghimtheblessing
whichbelongedtohisfirstson.Thestorystressesthepointthatthedeceptionwas
accomplishedthroughthesenseoftouch.
"AndIsaacsaiduntoJacob,Comenear,IpraytheethatImayfeelthee,myson,whether
thoubemyverysonEsauornot.AndJacobwentnearuntoIsaachisfatherandhefelt
him....Anditcametopass,assoonasIsaachadmadeanendofblessingJacob,andJacob
wasyetscarcegoneoutfromthepresenceofIsaachisfather,thatEsauhisbrothercame
infromhishunting."Gen.27:21,
30.
Thisstorycanbeveryhelpfulifyouwillreenactitnow.Againbearinmindthatallthe
charactersoftheBiblearepersonificationsofabstractideasandmustbefulfilledinthe
individualman.Youaretheblindfatherandbothsons.

Isaacisoldandblind,andsensingtheapproachofdeath,callshisfirstsonEsauarough
hairyboy,andsendshimintothewoodsthathemaybringinsomevenison.
Thesecondson,Jacob,asmoothskinboy,overheardtherequestofhisfather.Desiring
thebirthrightofhisbrother,Jacob,thesmoothskinnedson,slaughteredoneofhisfather's
flockandskinnedit.Then,dressedinthehairyskinsofthekidhehadslaughtered,he
camethroughsubtletyandbetrayedhisfatherintobelievingthathewasEsau.
Thefathersaid,"ComeclosemysonthatImayfeelyou.Icannotsee,butcomethatI
mayfeel."Notethestressthatisplaceduponfeelinginthisstory.
Hecamecloseandthefathersaidtohim,"ThevoiceisJacob'svoice,butthehandsare
thehandsofEsau."Andfeelingthisroughness,therealityofthesonEsau,hepronounced
theblessingandgaveittoJacob.
YouaretoldinthestorythatasIsaacpronouncedtheblessingandJacobhadscarcely
goneoutfromhispresence,thathisbrotherEsaucameinfromhishunting.
Thisisanimportantverse.Donotbecomedistressedinourpracticalapproachtoit,foras
yousithereyou,too,areIsaac.ThisroominwhichyouareseatedisyourpresentEsau.
Thisistheroughorsensiblyknownworld,knownbyreasonofyourbodilyorgans.Allof
yoursensesbearwitnesstothefactthatyouarehereinthisroom.Everythingtellsyou
thatyouarehere,butperhapsyoudonotwanttobehere.
Youcanapplythistowardanyobjective.Theroominwhichyouareseatedatanytime
theenvironmentinwhichyouareplaced,thisisyourroughorsensiblyknownworldor
sonwhichispersonifiedinthestoryasEsau.Whatyouwouldlikeinplaceofwhatyou
haveorareisyoursmoothskinnedstateorJacob,thesupplanter.
Youdonotsendyourvisibleworldhunting,assomanypeopledo,bydenial.Bysayingit

doesnotexistyoumakeitallthemorereal.Instead,yousimplyremoveyourattention
fromtheregionofsensationwhichatthismomentistheroomroundaboutyou,andyou
concentrateyourattentiononthatwhichyouwanttoputinitsplace,thatwhichyouwant
tomakereal.
Inconcentratingonyourobjective,thesecretistobringithere.Youmustmake
elsewherehereandthennowimaginethatyourobjectiveissoclosethatyoucanfeelit.
SupposeatthisverymomentIwantapianohereinthisroom.Toseeapianoinmymind's
eyeexistingelsewheredoesnotdoit.Buttovisualizeitinthisroomasthoughitwere
hereandtoputmymentalhanduponthepianoandtofeelitsolidlyreal,istotakethat
subjectivestatepersonifiedasmysecondsonJacobandbringitsoclosethatIcanfeelit.
Isaaciscalledablindman.Youareblindbecauseyoudonotseeyourobjectivewithyour
bodilyorgans,youcannotseeitwithyourobjectivesenses.Youonlyperceiveitwithyour
mind,butyoubringitsoclosethatyoucanfeelitasthoughitweresolidlyrealnow.
Whenthisisdoneandyouloseyourselfinitsrealityandfeelittobereal,openyoureyes.
Whenyouopenyoureyeswhathappens?Theroomthatyouhadshutoutbutamoment
agoreturnsfromthehunt.Younosoonergavetheblessingfelttheimaginarystateto
berealthantheobjectiveworld,whichseeminglywasunreal,returns.Itdoesnotspeak
toyouwithwordsasrecordedofEsau,buttheveryroomroundaboutyoutellsyoubyits
presencethatyouhavebeen
selfdeceived.
Ittellsyouthatwhenyoulostyourselfincontemplation,feelingthatyouwerenowwhat
youwantedtobe,feelingthatyounowpossesswhatyoudesiretopossess,thatyouwere
simplydeceivingself.Lookatthisroom.Itdeniesthatyouareelsewhere.
Ifyouknowthelaw,younowsay:"Eventhoughyourbrothercamethroughsubtletyand
betrayedmeandtookyourbirthright,IgavehimyourblessingandIcannotretract."

Inotherwords,youremainfaithfultothissubjectiverealityandyoudonottakeback
fromitthepowerofbirth.Yougaveittherightofbirthanditisgoingtobecome
objectivewithinthisworldofyours.Thereisnoroominthislimitedspaceofyoursfor
twothingstooccupythesamespaceatthesametime.Bymakingthesubjectiverealit
resurrectsitselfwithinyourworld.
Taketheideathatyouwanttoembody,andassumethatyouarealreadyit.Loseyourself
infeelingthisassumptionissolidlyreal.Asyougiveitthissenseofreality,youhavegiven
ittheblessingwhichbelongstotheobjectiveworld,andyoudonothavetoaiditsbirth
anymorethanyouhavetoaidthebirthofachildoraseedyouplantintheground.The
seedyouplantgrowsunaidedbya
man,foritcontainswithinitselfallthepowerandalltheplansnecessaryforself
expression.
YoucanthisnightreenactthedramaofIsaacblessinghissecondsonandseewhat
happensintheimmediatefutureinyourworld.Yourpresentenvironmentvanishes,allthe
circumstancesoflifechangeandmakewayforthecomingofthattowhichyouhavegiven
yourlife.Asyouwalk,knowingthatyouarewhatyouwantedtobe,youobjectifyit
withouttheassistanceofanother.
**************
ThefourthstoryfortonightistakenfromthelastofthebooksattributedtoMoses.Ifyou
needproofthatMosesdidnotwriteit,readthestorycarefully.Itisfoundinthe34th
chapterofthebookofDeuteronomy.Askanypriestorrabbi,'whoistheauthorofthis
book?',andtheywilltellyouthatMoseswroteit.
Inthe34thchapterofDeuteronomyyouwillreadofamanwritinghisownobituary,that
is,Moseswrotethischapter.Amanmaysitdownandwritewhathewouldliketohave
placeduponhistombstone,buthereisamanwhowriteshisownobituary.Andthenhe

diesandsocompletelyrubshimselfoutthathedefiesposteritytofindwherehehasburied
himself.
"SoMosestheservantoftheLorddiedthereinthelandofMoab,accordingtotheword
oftheLord.AndheburiedhiminavalleyinthelandofMoab,overagainstBethpoer:
butnomanknowethofhissepulchreuntothisday.AndMoseswasanhundredand
twentyyearsoldwhenhedied:hiseyewasnotdim,norhisnaturalforceabated."Deut.
34:5,6,7.
Youmustthisnightnottomorrowlearnthetechniqueofwritingyourownobituary
andsocompletelydietowhatyouarethatnomaninthisworldcantellyouwhereyou
buriedtheoldman.Ifyouarenowillandyoubecomewell,andIknowyoubyreasonof
thefactthatyouareill,wherecanyoupointandtellmeyouburiedthesickone?
Ifyouareimpoverishedandborrowfromeveryfriendyouhave,andthensuddenlyyou
rollinwealth,wheredidyouburythepoorman?Yousocompletelyruboutpovertyin
yourmind'seyethatthereisnothinginthisworldyoucanpointtoandclaim,thatiswhere
Ileftit.Acompletetransformationofconsciousnessrubsoutallevidencethatanything
otherthanthisever
existedintheworld.
Themostbeautifultechniquefortherealizingofman'sobjectiveisgiveninthefirstverse
ofthe34thchapterofDeuteronomy:
"AndMoseswentupfromthePlainsofMoabuntothemountainofNebo,tothetopof
Pisgah,thatisoveragainstJericho.AndtheLordshewedhimallthelandofGilead,unto
Dan.
Youreadthatverseandsay,"Sowhat?"Buttakeaconcordanceandlookupthewords.
Thefirstword,Moses,meanstodrawout,torescue,toliftout,tofetch.Inotherwords,
Mosesisthepersonificationofthepowerinmanthatcandrawoutofmanthatwhichhe

seeks,foreverythingcomesfromwithin,notfromwithout.Youdrawfromwithin
yourselfthatwhichyounowwanttoexpressassomethingobjectivetoyourself.
YouareMosescomingoutoftheplainsofMoab.ThewordMoabisacontractionoftwo
Hebraicwords,MemandAb,meaningmotherfather.Yourconsciousnessisthemother
father,thereisnoothercauseintheworld.YourIAMness,yourawareness,isthisMoab
ormotherfather.Youarealwaysdrawingsomethingoutofit.
ThenextwordisNebo.InyourconcordanceNeboisdefinedasaprophecy.Aprophecy
issomethingsubjective.IfIsay,"Soandsowillbe,"itisanimageintheminditisnot
yetafact.Wemustwaitandeitherproveordisprovethisprophecy.
InourlanguageNeboisyourwish,yourdesire.Itiscalledamountainbecauseitis
somethingthatappearsdifficulttoascendandisthereforeseeminglyimpossibleof
realization.Amountainissomethingbiggerthanyouare,ittowersoveryou.Nebo
personifiesthatwhichyouwanttobeincontrasttothatwhichyouare.
ThewordPisgah,bydefinition,istocontemplate.Jerichoisafragrantodor.AndGilead
meansthehillsofwitnesses.ThelastwordisDantheProphet.
Nowputthemalltogetherinapracticalsenseandseewhattheancientstriedtotellus.As
Istandhere,havingdiscoveredthatmyconsciousnessisGod,andthatIcanbysimply
feelingthatIamwhatIwanttobetransformmyselfintothelikenessofthatwhichIam
assumingIamIknownowthatIamallthatittakestoscalethismountain.
Idefinemyobjective.IdonotcallitNebo,Icallitmydesire.WhateverIwant,thatismy
Nebo,thatismygreatmountainthatIamgoingtoscale.Inowbegintocontemplateit,
forIshallclimbtothepeakofPisgah.
ImustcontemplatemyobjectiveinsuchamannerthatIgetthereactionthatsatisfies.lfI
donotgetthereactionthatpleasesthenJerichoisnotseen,forJerichoisafragrantodor.

WhenIfeelthatIamwhatIwanttobeIcannotsuppressthejoythatcomeswiththat
feeling.
ImustalwayscontemplatemyobjectiveuntilIgetthefeelingofsatisfactionpersonifiedas
Jericho.ThenIdonothingtomakeitvisibleinmyworldforthehillsofGilead,meaning
men,women,children,thewholevastworldroundaboutme,comebearingwitness.They
cometotestifythatIamwhatIhaveassumedmyselftobe,andamsustainingwithin
myself.Whenmyworldconformstomyassumptiontheprophecyisfulfilled.
IfInowknowwhatIwanttobe,andassumethatIamit,andwalkasthoughIwere,I
becomeitandbecomingitIsocompletelydietomyformerconceptofselfthatIcannot
pointtoanyplaceinthisworldandsay:thatiswheremyformerselfisburied.Iso
completelydiedthatIdefyposteritytoeverfindwhereIburiedmyoldself.
Theremustbesomeoneinthisroomwhowillsocompletelytransformhimselfinthis
worldthathiscloseimmediatecircleoffriendswillnotrecognizehim.
FortenyearsIwasadancer,dancinginBroadwayshows,invaudeville,nightclubs,and
inEurope.TherewasatimeinmylifewhenIthoughtIcouldnotlivewithoutcertain
friendsinmyworld.Iwouldspreadatableeverynightafterthetheatreandwewouldall
dinewell.IthoughtIcouldneverlivewithoutthem.NowIconfessIcouldnotlivewith
them.Wehavenothingincommontoday.Whenwemeetwedonotpurposelywalkon
theoppositesideofthestreet,butitisalmostacoldmeetingbecausewehavenothingto
discuss.IsodiedtothatlifethatasImeetthesepeopletheycannoteventalkoftheold
times.
Buttherearepeoplelivingtodaywhoarestilllivinginthatstate,gettingpoorerand
poorer.Theyalwaysliketotalkabouttheoldtimes.Theyneverburiedthatmanatall,he
isverymuchalivewithintheirworld.
Moseswas120years,afull,wonderfulageas120indicates.Oneplustwopluszero

equalsthree,thenumericalsymbolofexpression.Iamfullyconsciousofmyexpression.
Myeyesareundimmedandthenaturalfunctionsofmybodyarenotabated.Iamfully
consciousofbeingwhatIdonotwanttobe.
Butknowingthislawbywhichamantransformshimself,IassumethatIamwhatIwant
tobeandwalkintheassumptionthatitisdone.Inbecomingit,theoldmandiesandall
thatwasrelatedtothatformerconceptofselfdieswithit.Youcannottakeanypartofthe
oldmanintothenewman.Youcannotputnewwineinoldbottlesornewpatchesonold
garments.Youmustbeanewbeing
completely.
Asyouassumethatyouarewhatyouwanttobe,youdonotneedtheassistanceof
anothertomakeitso.Neitherdoyouneedtheassistanceofanyonetoburytheoldman
foryou.Letthedeadburythedead.Donotevenlookback,fornomanhavingputhis
handtotheplowandthenlookingbackisfitforthekingdomofheaven.
Donotaskyourselfhowthisthingisgoingtobe.Itdoesnotmatterifyourreasondenies
it.Itdoesnotmatterifalltheworldroundaboutyoudeniesit.Youdonothavetobury
theold."Letthedeadburythedead."Youwillsoburythepastbyremainingfaithfulto
yournewconceptofSelfthatyouwilldefythewholevastfuturetofindwhereyouburied
it.Tothisdaynomaninallof
IsraelhasdiscoveredthesepulchreofMoses.
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ThesearethefourstoriesIpromisedyoutonight.Youmustapplythemeverydayofyour
life.Eventhoughthechaironwhichyouarenowseatedseemshardanddoesnotlend
itselftomeditationyoucan,byimagination,makeitthemostcomfortablechairinthe
world.
LetmenowdefinethetechniqueasIwantyoutoemployit.Itrusteachoneofyoucame

heretonightwithaclearpictureofyourdesire.Donotsayitisimpossible.Doyouwant
it?Youdonothavetouseyourmoralcodetorealizeit.Itisaltogetheroutsidethereach
ofyourcode.
Consciousnessistheoneandonlyreality.Therefore,wemustformtheobjectofour
desireoutofourownconsciousness.
Peoplehaveahabitofslightingtheimportanceofsimplethings,andthesuggestionto
createastateakintosleepinordertoaidyouinassumingthatwhichreasonandyour
sensesdeny,isoneofthesimplethingsyoumightslight.
However,thissimpleformulaforchangingthefuture,whichwasdiscoveredbythe
ancientteachersandgiventousintheBible,canbeprovedbyall.
ThefirststepinchangingthefutureisDesire,thatis,defineyourobjectiveknow
definitelywhatyouwant.
Second:constructaneventwhichyoubelieveyouwouldencounterFOLLOWINGthe
fulfillmentofyourdesireaneventwhichimpliesfulfillmentofyourdesiresomething
whichwillhavetheactionofSelfpredominant.
Thethirdstepistoimmobilizethephysicalbodyandinduceastateakintosleep.Then
mentallyfeelyourselfrightintotheproposedaction,imagineallthewhilethatyouare
actuallyperformingtheactionHEREANDNOW.Youmustparticipateintheimaginary
action,notmerelystandbackandlookon,butFEELthatyouareactuallyperformingthe
action,sothattheimaginarysensationisrealtoyou.
Itisimportantalwaystorememberthattheproposedactionmustbeonewhich
FOLLOWSthefulfillmentofyourdesire,onewhichimpliesfulfillment.Forexample,
supposeyoudesiredpromotioninoffice.Thenbeingcongratulatedwouldbeaneventyou
wouldencounterfollowingthefulfillmentofyourdesire.

Havingselectedthisactionastheoneyouwillexperienceinimaginationtoimply
promotioninoffice,immobilizeyourphysicalbodyandinduceastateborderingonsleep,
adrowsystate,butoneinwhichyouarestillabletocontrolthedirectionofyour
thoughts,astateinwhichyouareattentivewithouteffort.Thenvisualizeafriendstanding
beforeyou.Putyourimaginaryhandintohis.Feelittobesolidandreal,andcarryonan
imaginaryconversationwithhiminharmonywiththeFEELINGOFHAVINGBEEN
PROMOTED.
Youdonotvisualizeyourselfatadistanceinpointofspaceandatadistanceinpointof
timebeingcongratulatedonyourgoodfortune.Instead,youMAKEelsewhereHEREand
thefutureNOW.ThedifferencebetweenFEELINGyourselfinaction,hereandnow,and
visualizingyourselfinaction,asthoughyouwereonamotionpicturescreen,isthe
differencebetweensuccessandfailure.
Thedifferencewillbeappreciatedifyouwillnowvisualizeyourselfclimbingaladder.
Then,witheyelidsclosedimaginethataladderisrightinfrontofyouandFEEL
YOURSELFACTUALLYCLIMBINGIT.
Experiencehastaughtmetorestricttheimaginaryactionwhichimpliesfulfillmentofthe
desire,tocondensetheideaintoasingleact,andtoreenactitoverandoveragainuntilit
hasthefeelingofreality.Otherwise,yourattentionwillwanderoffalonganassociational
track,andhostsof
associatedimageswillbepresentedtoyourattention,andinafewsecondstheywilllead
youhundredsofmilesawayfromyourobjectiveinpointofspaceandyearsawayinpoint
oftime.
Ifyoudecidetoclimbaparticularflightofstairs,becausethatisthelikelyeventtofollow
thefulfillmentofyourdesire,thenyoumustrestricttheactiontoclimbingthatparticular
flightofstairs.Shouldyourattentionwanderoff,bringitbacktoitstaskofclimbingthat
flightofstairs,and

keepondoingsountiltheimaginaryactionhasallthesolidityanddistinctnessofreality.
Theideamustbemaintainedinthemindwithoutanysensibleeffortonyourpart.You
must,withtheminimumofeffortpermeatethemindwiththefeelingofthewishfulfilled.
Drowsinessfacilitateschangebecauseitfavorsattentionwithouteffort,butitmustnotbe
pushedtothestateofsleepinwhichyounolongerareabletocontrolthemovementsof
yourattention.Butamoderatedegreeofdrowsinessinwhichyouarestillabletodirect
yourthoughts.
Amosteffectivewaytoembodyadesireistoassumethefeelingofthewishfulfilledand
then,inarelaxedanddrowsystate,repeatoverandoveragainlikealullaby,anyshort
phrasewhichimpliesfulfillmentofyourdesire,suchas,"Thankyou,thankyou,thank
you"asthoughyouaddressedahigherpowerforhavinggivenyouthatwhichyou
desired.
IknowthatwhenthiscoursecomestoanendonFridaymanyofyouherewillbeableto
tellmeyouhaverealizedyourobjectives.TwoweeksagoIlefttheplatformandwentto
thedoortoshakehandswiththeaudience.Iamsafeinsayingthatatleast35outofa
classof135toldmethatwhichtheydesiredwhentheyjoinedthisclasstheyhadalready
realized.Thishappenedonlytwoweeksago.Ididnothingtobringittopasssavetogive
themthistechniqueofprayer.Youneeddonothingtobringittopasssaveapplythis
techniqueofprayer.
Withyoureyesclosedandyourphysicalbodyimmobilizedinduceastateakintosleepand
enterintotheactionasthoughyouwereanactorplayingthepart.Experiencein
imaginationwhatyouwouldexperienceinthefleshwereyounowinpossessionofyour
objective.MakeelsewhereHEREandthenNOW.Andthegreateryou,usingalarger
focuswilluseallmeans,andcallthemgood,whichtendtowardtheproductionofthat
whichyouhaveassumed.

Youarerelievedofallresponsibilitytomakeitso,becauseasyouimagineandfeelthatit
issoyourdimensionallylargerselfdeterminesthemeans.Donotthinkforonemoment
thatsomeoneisgoingtobeinjuredinordertomakeitso,orthatsomeoneisgoingtobe
disappointed.Itisstillnotyourconcern.Imustdrivethishome.Toomanyofus,schooled
indifferentwalksoflife,are
soconcernedabouttheother.
Youask,'IfIgetwhatIwantwillitnotimplyinjurytoanother?'Therearewaysyou
knownotof,sodonotbeconcerned.
Closeyoureyesnowbecausewearegoingtobeinalongsilence.Soonyouwillbecome
solostincontemplation,feelingthatyouarewhatyouwanttobe,thatyouwillbetotally
unconsciousofthefactthatyouareinthisroomwithothers.
Youwillreceiveashockwhenyouopenyoureyesanddiscoverwearehere.Itshouldbe
ashockwhenyouopenyoureyesanddiscoverthatyouarenotactuallythatwhich,a
momentbefore,youfeltyouwere,orfeltyoupossessed.Nowwewillgointothedeep.
SILENCEPERIOD.........
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Ineednotremindyouthatyouarenowthatwhichyouhaveassumedthatyouare.Donot
discussitwithanyone,notevenself.YoucannottakethoughtastotheHOW,whenyou
knowthatyouAREalready.
Yourthreedimensionalreasoning,whichisaverylimitedreasoningindeedshouldnotbe
broughtintothisdrama.Itdoesnotknow.Whatyouhavejustfelttobetrueistrue.
Letnomantellyouthatyoushouldnothaveit.Whatyoufeelthatyouhave,youwill
have.AndIpromiseyouthismuch,afteryouhaverealizedyourobjective,onreflection

youwillhavetoadmitthatthisconsciousreasoningmindofyourscouldneverhave
devisedtheway.
Youarethatandhavethatwhichthisverymomentyouappropriated.Donotdiscussit.
Donotlooktosomeoneforencouragementbecausethethingmightnotcome.Ithas
come.GoaboutyourFather'sbusinessdoingeverythingnormallyandletthesethings
happeninyourworld.

Lesson2ASSUMPTIONSHARDENINTOFACT

ThisBibleofourshasnothingtodowithhistory.Someofyoumayyetbeinclined
tonighttobelievethat,althoughwecangiveitapsychologicalinterpretation,itstillcould
beleftinitspresentformandbeinterpretedliterally.Youcannotdoit.TheBiblehasno
referenceatalltopeopleortoeventsasyouhavebeentaughttobelieve.Thesooneryou
begintoruboutthat
picturethebetter.
Wearegoingtotakeafewstoriestonight,andagainIamgoingtoremindyouthatyou
mustreenactallofthesestorieswithinyourownmind.
Bearinmindthatalthoughtheyseemtobestoriesofpeoplefullyawake,thedramais
reallybetweenyou,thesleepingone,thedeeperyou,andtheconsciouswakingyou.They
arepersonifiedaspeople,butwhenyoucometothepointofapplicationyoumust
remembertheimportanceofthedrowsystate.
Allcreation,aswetoldyoulastnight,takesplaceinthestateofsleep,orthatstatewhich
isakintosleepthe,sleepydrowsystate.

Wetoldyoulastnightthefirstmanisnotyetawakened.YouareAdam,thefirstman,still
intheprofoundsleep.Thecreativeyouisthefourthdimensionalyouwhosehomeis
simplythestateyouenterwhenmencallyouasleep.
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OurfirststoryfortonightisfoundintheGospelofJohn.Asyouhearitunfoldbeforeyou,
Iwantyoutocompareitinyourmind'seyetothestoryyouheardlastnightfromthe
bookofGenesis.ThefirstbookoftheBible,thebookofGenesis,historiansclaimisthe
recordofeventswhichoccurredonearthsome3,000yearsbeforetheeventsrecordedin
thebookofJohn.Iaskyoutobe
rationalaboutitandseeifyoudonotthinkthesamewritercouldhavewrittenboth
stories.Youbethejudgeastowhetherthesameinspiredmancouldnothavetoldthe
samestoryandtolditdifferently.
Thisisaveryfamiliarstory,thestoryofthetrialofJesus.InthisGospelofJohnitis
recordedthatJesuswasbroughtbeforePontiusPilate,andthecrowdclamoredforhislife,
theywantedJesus.Pilateturnedtothemandsaid:
"Butyehaveacustom,thatIshouldreleaseuntoyouoneatthePassoverwillye
thereforethatIreleaseuntoyoutheKingoftheJews?Thencriedtheyallagain,saying,
Notthisman,butBarabbas.NowBarabbaswasarobber."John18:39,40
YouaretoldthatPilatehadnochoiceinthematter,hewasonlyajudgeinterpretinglaw,
andthiswasthelaw.Thepeoplehadtobegiventhatwhichtheyrequested.Pilatecould
notreleaseJesusagainstthewishesofthecrowd,andsohereleasedBarabbasandgave
untothemJesustobecrucified.
NowbearinmindthatyourconsciousnessisGod.ThereisnootherGod.Andyouare
toldthatGodhasasonwhosenameisJesus.Ifyouwilltakethetroubletolookupthe

wordBarabbasinyourconcordance,youwillseethatitisacontractionoftwoHebraic
words:BAR,whichmeansadaughterorsonorchild,andABBA,whichmeansfather.
Barabbasisthesonofthegreatfather.AndJesusinthestoryiscalledtheSaviour,the
SonoftheFather.
Wehavetwosonsinthisstory.AndwehavetwosonsinthestoryofEsauandJacob.
BearinmindthatIsaacwasblind,andjusticetobetruemustbeblindfolded.Althoughin
thiscasePilateisnotphysicallyblind,thepartgiventoPilateimpliesthatheisblind
becauseheisajudge.Onallthegreatlawbuildingsoftheworldweseetheladyorthe
manwhorepresentsjusticeasbeingblindfolded.
"Judgenotaccordingtotheappearance,butjudgerighteousjudgment."John7:24.
HerewefindPilateisplayingthesamepartasIsaac.Therearetwosons.Allthe
charactersastheyappearinthisstorycanapplytoyourownlife.Youhaveasonthatis
robbingyouthisverymomentofthatwhichyoucouldbe.
Ifyoucametothismeetingtonightconsciousofwantingsomething,desiringsomething,
youwalkedinthecompanyofBarabbas.
Fortodesireistoconfessthatyoudonotnowpossesswhatyoudesire,andbecauseall
thingsareyours,yourobyourselfbylivinginthestateofdesire.Mysaviourismydesire.
AsIwantsomethingIamlookingintotheeyesofmysaviour.ButifIcontinuewantingit,
IdenymyJesus,mysaviour,forasIwantIconfessIamnotand"exceptyebelievethatI
AMHeyedieinyour
sins."IcannothaveandstillcontinuetodesirewhatIhave.Imayenjoyit,butIcannot
continuewantingit.
Hereisthestory.ThisisthefeastofthePassover.Somethingisgoingtochangeright
now,somethingisgoingtopassover.Manisincapableofpassingoverfromonestateof
consciousnessintoanotherunlesshereleasesfromconsciousnessthatwhichhenow

entertains,foritanchorshimwhereheis.
YouandImaygotophysicalfeastsyearafteryearasthesunentersthegreatsignof
Aries,butitmeansnothingtothetruemysticalPassover.Tokeepthefeastofthe
Passover,thepsychologicalfeast,Ipassfromonestateofconsciousnessintoanother.Ido
itbyreleasingBarabbas,thethiefandrobberthatrobsmeofthatstatewhichIcould
embodywithinmyworld.
ThestateIseektoembodyispersonifiedinthestoryasJesustheSaviour.IfIbecome
whatIwanttobethenIamsavedfromwhatIwas.IfIdonotbecomeit,Icontinueto
keeplockedwithinmeathiefwhorobsmeofbeingthatwhichIcouldbe.
Thesestorieshavenoreferencetoanypersonswholivednortoanyeventthatever
occurreduponearth.Thesecharactersareeverlastingcharactersinthemindofeveryman
intheworld.YouandIperpetuallykeepaliveeitherBarabbasorJesus.Youknowat
everymomentoftimewhoyouareentertaining.
DonotcondemnacrowdforclamoringthattheyshouldreleaseBarabbasandcrucify
Jesus.ItisnotacrowdofpeoplecalledJews.Theyhadnothingtodowithit.
Ifwearewise,wetooshouldclamorforthereleaseofthatstateofmindthatlimitsus
frombeingwhatwewanttobe,thatrestrictsus,thatdoesnotpermitustobecomethe
idealthatweseekandstrivetoattaininthisworld.
IamnotsayingthatyouarenottonightembodyingJesus.Ionlyremindyou,thatifatthis
verymomentyouhaveanunfulfilledambition,thenyouareentertainingthatwhichdenies
thefulfillmentoftheambition,andthatwhichdeniesitisBarabbas.
Toexplainthemystical,psychologicaltransformationknownasthePassover,orthe
crossingover,youmustnowbecomeidentifiedwiththeidealthatyouwouldserve,and
youmustremainfaithfultotheideal.Ifyouremainfaithfultoit,younotonlycrucifyitby

yourfaithfulness,butyouresurrectitunaidedbyaman.
Asthestorygoes,nomancouldriseearlyenoughtorollawaythestone.Unaidedbya
manthestonewasremoved,andwhatseeminglywasdeadandburiedwasresurrected
unassistedbyaman.
Youwalkintheconsciousnessofbeingthatwhichyouwanttobe,nooneseesitasyet,
butyoudonotneedamantorollawaytheproblemsandtheobstaclesoflifeinorderto
expressthatwhichyouareconsciousofbeing.Thatstatehasitsownuniquewayof
becomingembodiedinthisworld,ofbecomingfleshthatthewholeworldmaytouchit.
NowyoucanseetherelationshipbetweenthestoryofJesusandthestoryofIsaacandhis
twosons,whereonetransplantedtheother,whereonewascalledtheSupplanterofthe
other.WhydoyouthinkthosewhocompiledthesixtyoddbooksofourBiblemadeJacob
theforefatherofJesus?
TheytookJacob,whowascalledtheSupplanter,andmadehimfatheroftwelve,thenthey
tookJudahorpraise,thefifthsonandmadehimtheforefatherofJoseph,whoissupposed
tohavefatheredinsomestrangewaythisonecalledJesus.JesusmustsupplantBarabbas
asJacobmustsupplantandtaketheplaceofEsau.
Tonightyoucansitrighthereandconductthetrialofyourtwosons,oneofwhomyou
wantreleased.Youcanbecomethecrowdwhoclamorsforthereleaseofthethief,and
thejudgewhowillinglyreleasesBarabbas,andsentencesJesustofillhisplace.Hewas
crucifiedonGolgotha,theplaceoftheskull,theseatoftheimagination.
ToexperiencethePassoverorpassagefromtheoldtothenewconceptofself,youmust
releaseBarabbas,yourpresentconceptofself,whichrobsyouofbeingthatwhichyou
couldbe,andyoumustassumethenewconceptwhichyoudesiretoexpress.
Thebestwaytodothisistoconcentrateyourattentionupontheideaofidentifying

yourselfwithyourideal.Assumeyouarealreadythatwhichyouseekandyour
assumption,thoughfalse,ifsustained,willhardenintofact.
YouwillknowwhenyouhavesucceededinreleasingBarabbas,youroldconceptofself,
andwhenyouhavesuccessfullycrucifiedJesus,orfixedthenewconceptofself,bysimply
lookingMENTALLYatthepeopleyouknow.Ifyouseethemasyouformerlysawthem,
youhavenotchangedyourconceptofself,forallchangesofconceptsofselfresultina
changedrelationshiptoyourworld.
Wealwaysseemtoothersanembodimentoftheidealweinspire.Therefore,in
meditation,wemustimaginethatothersseeusastheywouldseeuswerewewhatwe
desiretobe.
YoucanreleaseBarabbasandcrucifyandresurrectJesusifyouwillfirstdefineyourideal.
Thenrelaxinacomfortablearmchair,induceastateofconsciousnessakintosleepand
experienceinimaginationwhatyouwouldexperienceinrealitywereyoualreadythat
whichyoudesiretobe.
Bythissimplemethodofexperiencinginimaginationwhatyouwouldexperienceinthe
fleshwereyoutheembodimentoftheidealyouserve,youreleaseBarabbaswhorobbed
youofyourgreatness,andyoucrucifyandresurrectyoursaviour,ortheidealyoudesired
toexpress.
NowletusturntothestoryofJesusinthegardenofGethsemane.Bearinmindthata
gardenisaproperlypreparedplotofground,itisnotawasteland.Youarepreparingthis
groundcalledGethsemanebycominghereandstudyinganddoingsomethingaboutyour
mind.Spendsometimedailyinpreparingyourmindbyreadinggoodliterature,listening
togoodmusicandenteringintoconversationsthatennoble.
WearetoldintheEpistles,"Whatsoeverthingsaretrue,whatsoeverthingsarehonest,
whatsoeverthingsarejust,whatsoeverthingsarepure,whatsoeverthingsarelovely,

whatsoeverthingsareofgoodreportiftherebeanyvirtue,andiftherebeanypraise,
thinkonthesethings."Phil.4:8
Continuingwithourstory,astoldinthe18thchapterofJohn,Jesusisinthegardenand
suddenlyacrowdbeginstoseekhim.Heisstandingthereinthedarkandhesays,"Whom
seekye?"
ThespokesmancalledJudasanswersandsays,"WeseekJesusofNazareth."
Avoiceanswers,"IamHe."
Atthisinstanttheyallfalltotheground,thousandsofthemtumbled.Thatinitselfshould
stopyourightthereandletyouknowitcouldnotbeaphysicaldrama,becausenoone
couldbesoboldinhisclaimthatheistheonesought,thathecouldcausethousandswho
seekhimtofalltotheground.
Butthestorytellsustheyallfelltotheground.Thenwhentheyregainedtheircomposure
theyaskedthesamequestion.
"Jesusanswered,IhavetoldyouthatIamHe:ifthereforeyeseekme,letthesegotheir
way."John18:8.
"ThensaidJesusuntohim,Thatthoudoest,doquickly."John13:27
Judas,whohastodoitquickly,goesoutandcommitssuicide.
Nowtothedrama.YouareinyourgardenofGethsemaneorpreparedmindifyoucan,
whileyouareinastateakintosleep,controlyourattentionandnotletitwanderaway
fromitspurpose.Ifyoucandothatyouaredefinitelyinthegarden.
Veryfewpeoplecansitquietlyandnotenterareverieorastateofuncontrolledthinking.

Whenyoucanrestrictthementalactionandremainfaithfultoyourwatch,notpermitting
yourattentiontowanderallovertheplace,butholditwithouteffortwithinalimitedfield
ofpresentationtothe
stateyouarecontemplating,thenyouaredefinitelythisdisciplinedpresenceinthegarden
ofGethsemane.
ThesuicideofJudasisnothingmorethanchangingyourconceptofyourself.Whenyou
knowwhatyouwanttobeyouhavefoundyourJesusorsaviour.Whenyouassumethat
youarewhatyouwanttobeyouhavediedtoyourformerconceptofself(Judas
committedsuicide)andarenowlivingasJesus.Youcanbecomeatwilldetachedfromthe
worldroundaboutyou,andattachedtothatwhichyouwanttoembodywithinyour
world.
Nowthatyouhavefoundme,nowthatyouhavefoundthatwhichwouldsaveyoufrom
whatyouare,letgoofthatwhichyouareandallthatitrepresentsintheworld.Become
completelydetachedfromit.Inotherwords,gooutandcommitsuicide.
Youcompletelydietowhatyouformerlyexpressedinthisworld,andyounow
completelylivetothatwhichnoonesawastrueofyoubefore.Youareasthoughyou
haddiedbyyourownhand,asthoughyouhadcommittedsuicide.Youtookyourownlife
bybecomingdetachedinconsciousnessfromwhatyouformerlykeptalive,andyoubegin
tolivetothatwhichyouhavediscoveredinyour
garden.Youhavefoundyoursaviour.
Itisnotmenfalling,notamanbetrayinganother,butyoudetachingyourattention,and
refocusingyourattentioninanentirelynewdirection.Fromthismomentonyouwalkas
thoughyouwerethatwhichyouformerlywantedtobe.Remainingfaithfultoyournew
conceptofyourselfyoudieorcommitsuicide.Noonetookyourlife,youlaiditdown
yourself.
YoumustbeabletoseetherelationofthistothedeathofMoses,wherehesocompletely

diedthatnoonecouldfindwherehewasburied.Youmustseetherelationshipofthe
deathofJudas.HeisnotamanwhobetrayedamancalledJesus.
ThewordJudasispraiseitisJudah,topraise,togivethanks,toexplodewithjoy.You
donotexplodewithjoyunlessyouareidentifiedwiththeidealyouseekandwantto
embodyinthisworld.Whenyoubecomeidentifiedwiththestateyoucontemplateyou
cannotsuppressyourjoy.ItriseslikethefragrantodordescribedasJerichointheOld
Testament.
IamtryingtoshowyouthattheancientstoldthesamestoryinallthestoriesoftheBible.
Allthattheyaretryingtotellusishowtobecomethatwhichwewanttobe.Andthey
implyineverystorythatwedonotneedtheassistanceofanother.Youdonotneed
anothertobecomenowwhatyoureallywanttobe.
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NowweturntoastrangestoryintheOldTestamentonethatveryfewpriestsandrabbis
willbeboldenoughtomentionfromtheirpulpits.Hereisonewhoisgoingtoreceivethe
promiseasyounowreceiveit.HisnameisJesus,onlytheancientscalledhimJoshua,
JehoshuaBenNun,orsaviour,sonofthefish,theSaviourofthegreatdeep.Nunmeans
fish,andfishistheelementofthedeep,theprofoundocean.JehoshuameansJehovah
saves,andBenmeanstheoffspringorsonof.Sohewascalledtheonewhobroughtthe
fishage.
Thisstoryisinthe6thbookoftheBible,thebookofJoshua.Apromiseismadeto
JoshuaasitismadetoJesusintheAnglicizedforminthegospelsofMatthew,Mark,
LukeandJohn.
InthegospelofJohn,Jesussays,"Allthingswhatsoeverthouhastgivenmeareofthee."
John17:7."Andallminearethine,andthinearemine."John17:10.

IntheOldTestamentinthebookofJoshuaitissaidinthesewords:"Everyplacethatthe
soleofyourfootshalltreadupon,thathaveIgivenuntoyou."Joshua1:3
Itdoesnotmatterwhereitisanalyzethepromiseandseeifyoucanacceptitliterally.It
isnotphysicallytruebutitispsychologicallytrue.Whereveryoucanstandinthisworld
mentallythatyoucanrealize.
Joshuaishauntedbythispromisethatwhereverhecanplacehisfoot(thefootis
understanding),whereverthesoleofhisfootshalltread,thatwillbegivenuntohim.He
wantsthemostdesirablestateintheworld,thefragrantcity,thedelightfulstatecalled
Jericho.
HefindshimselfbarredbytheimpassablewallsofJericho.Heisontheoutside,asyouare
nowontheoutside.Youarefunctioningthreedimensionallyandyoucannotseemto
reachthefourthdimensionalworldwhereyourpresentdesireisalreadyaconcrete
objectivereality.Youcannotseemtoreachitbecauseyoursensesbaryoufromit.Reason
tellsyouitisimpossible,allthingsroundaboutyoutellyouitisnottrue.
Nowyouemploytheservicesofaharlotandaspy,andhernameisRahab.Theword
Rahabsimplymeansthespiritofthefather.RACEmeansthebreathorspirit,andABthe
father.Hencewefindthatthisharlotisthespiritofthefatherandthefatherisman's
awarenessofbeingaware,man'sIAMness,man'sconsciousness.
Yourcapacitytofeelisthegreatspiritofthefather,andthatcapacityisRahabinthis
story.Shehastwoprofessionsthatofaspyandthatofaharlot.
Theprofessionofaspyisthis:totravelsecretly,totravelsoquietlythatyoumaynotbe
detected.Thereisnotasinglephysicalspyinthisworldwhocantravelsoquietlythathe
willbealtogetherunseenbyothers.Hemaybeverywiseinconcealinghisways,andhe
mayneverbetrulyapprehended,butateverymomentoftimeherunstheriskofbeing
detected.

Whenyouaresittingquietlywithyourthoughts,thereisnomanintheworldsowisethat
hecanlookatyouandtellyouwhereyouarementallydwelling.
IcanstandhereandplacemyselfinLondon.KnowingLondonquitewell,Icanclosemy
eyesandassumethatIamactuallystandinginLondon.IfIremainwithinthisstatelong
enough,IwillbeabletosurroundmyselfwiththeenvironmentofLondonasthoughit
wereasolidconcreteobjectivefact.
PhysicallyIamstillhere,butmentallyIamthousandsofmilesawayandIhavemade
elsewherehere.Idonotgothereasaspy,Imentallymakeelsewherehere,andthennow.
Youcannotseemedwellingthere,soyouthinkIhavejustgonetosleepandthatIanstill
hereinthisworld,thisthreedimensionalworldthatisnowSanFrancisco.AsfarasIam
physicallyconcerned,IamherebutnoonecantellmewhereIamwhenIenterthe
momentofmeditation.
Rahab'snextprofessionwasthatofaharlot,whichistograntuntomenwhattheyaskof
herwithoutaskingman'srighttoask.Ifshebeanabsoluteharlot,ashernameimplies,
thenshepossessesallandcangrantallthatmanasksofher.Sheistheretoserve,andnot
toquestionman'srighttoseekwhatheseeksofher.
Youhavewithinyouthecapacitytoappropriateastatewithoutknowingthemeansthat
willbeemployedtorealizethatendandyouassumethefeelingofthewishfulfilled
withouthavinganyofthetalentsthatmenclaimyoumustpossessinordertodoso.When
youappropriateitinconsciousnessyouhaveemployedthespy,andbecauseyoucan
embodythatstatewithinyourselfbyactuallygivingittoyourself,youaretheharlot,for
theharlotsatisfiesthemanwhoseeksher.
Youcansatisfyselfbyappropriatingthefeelingthatyouarewhatyouwanttobe.And
thisassumptionthoughfalse,thatis,althoughreasonandthesensesdenyit,ifpersistedin
willhardenintofact.Byactuallyembodyingthatwhichyouhaveassumedyouare,you

havethecapacitytobecomecompletelysatisfied.Unlessitbecomesatangible,concrete
realityyouwillnotbesatisfiedyouwillbefrustrated.
YouaretoldinthisstorythatwhenRahabwentintothecitytoconquerit,thecommand
giventoherwastoentertheheartofthecity,theheartofthematter,theverycenterofit,
andthereremainuntilIcome.Donotgofromhousetohouse,donotleavetheupper
roomofthehouseintowhichyouenter.Ifyouleavethehouseandtherebebloodupon
yourhead,itisuponyourhead.
Butifyoudonotleavethehouseandtherebeblood,itshallbeuponmyhead.
Rahabgoesintothehouse,risestotheupperfloor,andtheresheremainswhilethewalls
crumble.Thatis,wemustkeepahighmoodifwewouldwalkwiththehighest.Inavery
veiledmanner,thestorytellsyouthatwhenthewallscrumbledandJoshuaentered,the
onlyonewhowassavedinthecitywasthespyandtheharlotwhosenamewasRahab.
Thisstorytellswhatyoucandointhisworld.Youwillneverlosethecapacitytoplace
yourselfelsewhereandmakeithere.Youwillneverlosetheabilitytogiveuntoyourself
whatyouareboldenoughtoappropriateastrueofself.Ithasnothingtodowiththe
womanwhoplayedthatpart.
Theexplanationofthecrumblingofthewallsissimple.Youaretoldthatheblewupon
thetrumpetseventimesandattheseventhblastthewallscrumbledandheentered
victoriouslyintothestatethathesought.
Sevenisastillness,arest,theSabbath.Itisthestatewhenmaniscompletelyunmovedin
hisconvictionthatthethingis.WhenIcanassumethefeelingofmywishfulfilledandgo
tosleep,unconcerned,undisturbed,Iamatrestmentally,andamkeepingtheSabbathor
amblowingthetrumpetseventimes.AndwhenIreachthatpointthewallscrumble.
Circumstancesalterthenremoldthemselvesinharmonywithmyassumption.Asthey
crumbleIresurrectthatwhich
Ihaveappropriatedwithin.Thewalls,theobstacles,theproblems,crumbleoftheirown

weightifIcanreachthepointofstillnesswithinme.
ThemanWhocanfixwithinhisownmind'seyeanidea,eventhoughtheworldwould
denyit,ifheremainsfaithfultothatideahewillseeitmanifested.Thereisallthe
differenceintheworldbetweenholdingtheidea,andbeingheldbytheidea.Becomeso
dominatedbyanideathatithauntsthemindasthoughyouwereit.Then,regardlessof
whatothersmaysay,youarewalkingin
thedirectionofyourfixedattitudeofmind.Youarewalkinginthedirectionoftheidea
thatdominatesthemind.
Aswetoldyoulastnight,youhavebutonegiftthatistrulyyourstogive,andthatis
yourself.Thereisnoothergiftyoumustpressitoutofyourselfbyanappropriation.Itis
therewithinyounowforcreationisfinished.Thereisnothingtobethatisnotnow.There
isnothingtobecreatedforallthingsarealreadyyours,theyareallfinished.
Althoughmanmaynotbeabletostandphysicallyuponastate,hecanalwaysstand
mentallyuponanydesiredstate.BystandingmentallyImeanthatyoucannow,thisvery
moment,closeyoureyesandvisualizeaplaceotherthanyourpresentone,andassume
thatyouareactuallythere.YoucanFEELthistobesorealthatuponopeningyoureyes
youareamazedtofindthatyouarenot
physicallythere.
Thismentaljourneyintothedesiredstate,withitssubsequentfeelingofreality,isallthat
isnecessarytobringaboutitsfulfillment.YourdimensionallygreaterSelfhaswaysthat
thelesser,orthreedimensionalyou,knownotof.Furthermore,tothegreateryou,all
meansaregoodwhichpromotethefulfillmentofyourassumption.
Remaininthementalstatedefinedasyourobjectiveuntilithasthefeelingofreality,and
alltheforcesofheavenandearthwillrushtoaiditsembodiment.YourgreaterSelfwill
influencetheactionsandwordsofallwhocanbeusedtoaidtheproductionofyourfixed
mentalattitude.

*************
NowweturntothebookofNumbersandherewefindastrangestory.Itrustthatsome
ofyouhavehadthisexperienceasdescribedinthebockofNumbers.Theyspeakofthe
buildingofatabernacleatthecommandofGodthatGodcommandedIsraeltobuildhim
aplaceofworship.
Hegavethemallthespecificationsofthetabernacle.Ithadtobeanelongated,movable
placeofworship,andithadtobecoveredwithskin.Needyoubetoldanythingmore?
Isn'tthatman?
"KnowyenotthatyearethetempleofGod,andthattheSpiritofGoddwellethinyou?
"ICor.3:16
Thereisnoothertemple.Notatemplemadewithhands,butatempleeternalinthe
heavens.Thistempleiselongated,anditiscoveredwithskin,anditmovesacrossthe
desert.
"Andonthedaythatthetabernaclewasrearedupthecloudcoveredthetabernacle,
namely,thetentofthetestimony:andateventherewasuponthetabernacleasitwerethe
appearanceoffire,untilthemorning.Soitwasalways:thecloudcovereditbyday,and
theappearanceoffirebynight."Num.9:15,16
ThecommandgiventoIsraelwastotarryuntilthecloudascendedbydayandthefireby
night."Whetheritweretwodays,oramonth,orayear,thatthecloudtarrieduponthe
tabernacle,remainingthereon,thechildrenofIsraelabodeintheirtents,andjourneyed
not:butwhenitwastakenup,theyjourneyed."Num..9:22
Youknowthatyouarethetabernacle,butyoumaywonder,whatisthecloud.In
meditationmanyofyoumusthaveseenit.Inmeditation,thiscloud,likethesubsoil

watersofanartesianwell,springsspontaneouslytoyourheadandformsitselfinto
pulsating,goldenrings.Then,likeagentlerivertheyflowfromyourheadinastreamof
livingringsofgold.
Inameditativemoodborderingonsleepthecloudascends.Itisinthisdrowsystatethat
youshouldassumethatyouarethatwhichyoudesiretobe,andthatyouhavethatwhich
youseek,forthecloudwillassumetheformofyourassumptionandfashionaworldin
harmonywithitself.Thecloudissimplythegarmentofyourconsciousness,andwhere
yourconsciousnessisplaced,thereyouwillbeinthefleshalso.
Thisgoldencloudcomesinmeditation.Thereisacertainpointwhenyouareapproaching
sleepthatitisvery,verythick,veryliquid,andverymuchaliveandpulsing.Itbeginsto
ascendasyoureachthedrowsy,meditativestate,borderingonsleep.Youdonotstrike
thetabernacleneitherdoyoumoveituntilthecloudbeginstoascend.
Thecloudalwaysascendswhenmanapproachesthedrowsinessofsleep.Forwhenaman
goestosleep,whetherheknowsitornot,heslipsfromathreedimensionalworldintoa
fourthdimensionalworldandthatwhichisascendingistheconsciousnessofthatmanina
greaterfocusitisafourthdimensionalfocus.
Whatyounowseeascendingisyourgreaterself.Whenthatbeginstoascendyouenter
intotheactualstateoffeelingyouarewhatyouwanttobe.Thatisthetimeyoulull
yourselfintothemoodofbeingwhatyouwanttobe,byeitherexperiencinginimagination
whatyouwouldexperienceinrealitywereyoualreadythatwhichyouwanttobe,orby
repeatingoverandoveragainthephrasethatimpliesyouhavealreadydonewhatyou
wanttodo.Aphrasesuchas,"Isn'titwonderful,isn'titwonderful,"asthoughsome
wonderfulthinghadhappenedtoyou.
"Inadream,inavisionofthenight,whendeepsleepfallethuponmen,inslumberings
uponthebed.Thenheopeneththeearsofmen,andsealeththeirinstruction."Job33:15,
16

Usewiselytheintervalprecedingsleep.Assumethefeelingofthewishfulfilledandgoto
sleepinthismood.Atnight,inadimensionallylargerworld,whendeepsleepfallethupon
men,theyseeandplaythepartsthattheywilllateronplayonearth.Andthedramais
alwaysinharmonywiththatwhichtheirdimensionallygreaterselvesreadandplay
throughthem.Ourillusionoffreewillisbutignoranceofthecauseswhichmakeusact.
Thesensationwhichdominatesthemindofmanashefallsasleep,thoughfalse,will
hardenintofact.Assumingthefeelingofthewishfulfilledaswefallasleep,isthe
commandtothisembodyingprocesssayingtoourmood,"Bethouactual."Inthiswaywe
becomethroughanaturalprocesswhatwedesiretobe.
Icantellyoudozensofpersonalexperienceswhereitseemedimpossibletogoelsewhere,
butbyplacingmyselfelsewherementallyasIwasabouttogotosleep,circumstances
changedquicklywhichcompelledmetomakethejourney.Ihavedoneitacrosswaterby
placingmyselfatnightonmybedasthoughIsleptwhereIwantedtobe.Asthedays
unfoldedthingsbegantomoldthemselvesinharmonywiththatassumptionandallthings
thatmusthappentocompelmy
journeydidhappen.AndI,inspiteofmyself,mustmakereadytogotowardthatplace
whichIassumedIwasinwhenIapproachedthedeepofsleep.
AsmycloudascendsIassumethatIamnowthemanIwanttobe,orthatIamalreadyin
theplacewhereIwanttovisit.Isleepinthatplacenow.Thenlifestrikesthetabernacle,
strikesmyenvironmentandreassemblesmyenvironmentacrossseasoroverlandand
reassemblesitinthelikenessofmyassumption.Ithasnothingtodowithmenwalking
acrossaphysicaldesert.Thewholevastworldroundaboutyouisadesert.
FromthecradletothegraveyouandIwalkasthoughwewalkthedesert.Butwehavea
livingtabernaclewhereinGoddwells,anditiscoveredwithacloudwhichcananddoes
ascendwhenwegotosleeporareinastateakintosleep.Notnecessarilyintwodays,it
canascendintwominutes.Whydidtheygiveyoutwodays?IfInowbecomethemanI

wanttobe,Imaybecomedissatisfied
tomorrow.IshouldatleastgiveitadaybeforeIdecidetomoveon.
TheBiblesaysintwodays,amonth,orayear:wheneveryoudecidetomoveonwiththis
tabernacleletthecloudascend.Asitascendsyoustartmovingwherethecloudis.The
cloudissimplythegarmentofyourconsciousness,yourassumption.Wherethe
consciousnessisplacedyoudonothavetotakethephysicalbodyitgravitatestherein
spiteofyou.Thingshappentocompelyoutomoveinthedirectionwhereyouare
consciouslydwelling.
"InmyFather'shousearemanymansions:ifitwerenotso,Iwouldhavetoldyou.Igoto
prepareaplaceforyou.AndifIgoandprepareaplaceforyou,Iwillcomeagain,and
receiveyouuntomyselfthatwhereIam,thereyemaybealso."John14:2,3
Themanymansionsaretheunnumberedstateswithinyourmind,foryouarethehouseof
God.InmyFather'shouseareunnumberedconceptsofself.Youcouldnotineternity
exhaustwhatyouarecapableofbeing.
IfIsitquietlyhereandassumethatIamelsewhere,Ihavegoneandpreparedaplace.But
ifIopenmyeyes,thebilocationwhichIcreatedvanishesandIambackhereinthe
physicalformthatIleftbehindmeasIwenttoprepareaplace.ButIpreparedtheplace
neverthelessandwillintimedwelltherephysically.
Youdonothavetoconcernyourselfwiththewaysandthemeansthatwillbeemployed
tomoveyouacrossspaceintothatplacewhereyouhavegoneandmentallypreparedit.
Simplysitquietly,nomatterwhereyouare,andmentallyactualizeit.
ButIgiveyouwarning,donottreatitlightly,forIamconsciousofwhatitwilldoto
peoplewhotreatitlightly.ItreateditlightlyoncebecauseIjustwantedtogetaway,
basedonlyuponthetemperatureoftheday.ItwasinthedeepofwinterinNewYork,
andIsodesiredtobeinthewarmclimateoftheIndies,thatIsleptthatnightasthoughI

sleptunderpalmtrees.NextmorningwhenIawokeitwasstillverymuchwinter.
IhadnointentionsofgoingtotheIndiesthatyear,butdistressingnewscamewhich
compelledmetomakethejourney.Itwasinthemidstofwarwhenshipswerebeingsunk
rightandleft,butIsailedoutofNewYorkonaship48hoursafterIreceivedthisnews.
ItwastheonlywayIcouldgettoBarbados,andIarrivedjustintimetoseemymother
andsayathreedimensional"Goodbye"toher.
InspiteofthefactthatIhadnointentionsofgoing,thedeeperSelfwatchedwherethe
greatclouddescended.IplaceditinBarbadosandthistabernacle(mybody)hadtogo
andmakethejourneytofulfillthecommand,"Whereverthesoleofyourfootshalltread
thathaveIgivenuntoyou."Wherevertheclouddescendsinthedesert,thereyou
reassemblethattabernacle.
IsailedfromNewYorkatmidnightonashipwithouttakingthoughtofsubmarinesor
anythingelse.Ihadtogo.ThingshappenedinawaythatIcouldnothavedevised.
Iwarnyou,donottreatitlightly.Donotsay,"Iwillexperimentandputmyselfin
Labrador,justtoseeifitwillwork."YouwillgotoyourLabradorandthenyouwill
wonderwhyyouevercametothisclass.Itwillworkifyoudareassumethefeelingof
yourwishfulfilledasyougotosleep.
Controlyourmoodsasyougotosleep.Icannotfindanybetterwaytodescribethis
techniquethantocallita"controlledwakingdream."Inadreamyoulosecontrol,buttry
precedingyoursleepwithacompletecontrolledwakingdream,enteringintoitasyoudo
indream,forinadreamyouarealwaysverydominant,youalwaysplaythepart.Youare
alwaysanactorinadream,and
nevertheaudience.Whenyouhaveacontrolledwakingdreamyouareanactorandyou
enterintotheactofthecontrolleddream.Butdonotdoitlightly,foryoumustthen
reenactitphysicallyinathreedimensionalworld.

NowbeforewegointoourmomentofsilencethereissomethingImustmakeveryclear,
andthatisthiseffortwediscussedlastnight.Ifthereisonereasoninthiswholevast
worldwhypeoplefailitisbecausetheyareunawareofalawknowntopsychologists
todayasthelawofreverseeffort.
Whenyouassumethefeelingofyourwishfulfilleditiswithaminimumofeffort.You
mustcontrolthedirectionofthemovementsofyourattention.Butyoumustdoitwiththe
leasteffort.Ifthereiseffortinthecontrol,andyouarecompellingitinacertainwayyou
arenotgoingtogettheresults.Youwillgettheoppositeresults,whatevertheymightbe.
ThatiswhyweinsistonestablishingthebasisoftheBibleasAdamslept.Thatisthefirst
creativeact,andthereisnorecordwherehewaseverawakenedfromthisprofoundsleep.
Whilehesleepscreationstops.
Youchangeyourfuturebestwhenyouareincontrolofyourthoughtswhileinastate
akintosleep,fortheneffortisreducedtoitsminimum.Yourattentionseemsto
completelyrelax,andthenyoumustpracticeholdingyourattentionwithinthatfeeling,
withoutusingforce,andwithoutusingeffort.
Donotthinkforamomentthatitiswillpowerthatdoesit.WhenyoureleaseBarabbas
andbecomeidentifiedwithJesus,youdonotwillyourselftobeit,youimaginethatyou
areit.Thatisallyoudo.
Nowaswecometothevitalpartoftheevening,theintervaldevotedtoprayer,letme
againclarifythetechnique.Knowwhatyouwant.Thenconstructasingleevent,anevent
whichimpliesfulfillmentofyourwish.Restricttheeventtoasingleact.
Forinstance,ifIsingleoutasanevent,shakingaman'shand,thenthatistheonlythingI
do.Idonotshakeit,thenlightacigaretteanddoathousandotherthings.Isimply
imaginethatIamactuallyshakinghandsandkeeptheactgoingoverandoverandover
againuntiltheimaginaryacthasallthefeelingofreality.

Theeventmustalwaysimplyfulfillmentofthewish.Alwaysconstructaneventwhichyou
believeyouwouldnaturallyencounterfollowingthefulfillmentofyourdesire.Youarethe
judgeofwhateventyoureallywanttorealize.
ThereisanothertechniqueIgaveyoulastnight.Ifyoucannotconcentrateonanact,if
youcannotsnuggleintoyourchairandbelievethechairiselsewhere,justasthough
elsewherewerehere,thendothis:Reducetheidea,condenseittoasingle,simplephrase
like,"Isn'titwonderful."or,"Thank
you."or,"It'sdone."or,"It'sfinished."
Thereshouldnotbemorethanthreewords.Somethingthatimpliesthedesireisalready
realized."Isn'titwonderful",or"Thankyou,"certainlyimplythat.Thesearenotallthe
phrasesyoucoulduse.Makeupoutofyourownvocabularythephrasewhichbestsuits
you.Butmakeitvery,veryshortandalwaysuseaphrasethatimpliesfulfillmentofthe
idea.
Whenyouhaveyourphraseinmind,liftthecloud.Letthecloudascendbysimply
inducingthestatethatbordersonsleep.Simplybegintoimagineandfeelyouaresleepy,
andinthisstateassumethefeelingofthewishfulfilled.Thenrepeatthephraseoverand
overlikealullaby.Whateverthephraseis,letitimplythattheassumptionistrue,thatitis
concrete,thatitisalreadya
factandyouknowit.
Justrelaxandenterintothefeelingofactuallybeingwhatyouwanttobe.Asyoudoit
youareenteringJerichowithyourspywhohasthepowertogiveit.Youarereleasing
BarabbasandsentencingJesustobecrucifiedandresurrected.Allthesestoriesyouarere
enactingifnowyoubegintoletgoandenterintothefeelingofactuallybeingwhatyou
wanttobe.Nowwecango.....
SILENCEPERIOD........

**************
Ifyourhandsaredry,andifyourmouthisdryattheendofthismeditation,thatis
positiveproofthatyoudidsucceedinliftingthecloud.Whatyouweredoingwhenthe
cloudwasliftedisentirelyyourbusiness.Butyoudidliftthecloudifyourhandsaredry.
IwillgiveyouanotherphenomenawhichisverystrangeandoneIcannotanalyze.It
happensifyoureallygointothedeep.Youwillfindonwakingthatyouhavethemost
activepairofkidneysintheworld.Ihavediscusseditwithdoctorsandtheycannot
explainit.
Anotherthingyoumayobserveinmeditationisalovelyliquidbluelight.Thenearestthing
onearthtowhichIcancompareitisburningalcohol.Youknowwhenyouputalcoholon
theplumpuddingatChristmastimeandsetitaflame,thelovelyliquidblueflamethat
envelopesthepuddinguntilyoublowitout.Thatflameisthenearestthingtotheblue
lightwhichcomesontheforeheadofamaninmeditation.
Donotbedistressed.Youwillknowitwhenyouseeit.Itisliketwoshadesofblue,a
darkerandalighterblueinconstantmotion,justlikeburningalcohol,whichisunlikethe
constantflameofagasjet.Thisflameisalive,justasspiritwouldbealive.
Anotherthingthatmaycometoyouasitdidtome.Youwillseespotsbeforeyoureyes.
Theyarenotliverspotsassomepeoplewilltellyouwhoknownothingaboutit.Theseare
littlethingsthatfloatinspacelikeamesh,littlecirclesalltiedtogether.Theystartwitha
singlecellandcomein
groupsindifferentgeometricalpatterns,likeworms,liketrailers,andtheyfloatallover
yourface.Whenyoucloseyoureyesyoustillseethem,provingthattheyarenotfrom
without,theyarefromwithin.
Whenyoubegintoexpandinconsciousnessallthesethingscome.Theymaybeyour

bloodstreamobjectifiedbysomestrangetrickofmanthatmandoesnotquiteunderstand.
Iamnotdenyingthatitisyourbloodstreammadevisible,butdonotbedistressedby
thinkingitisliverspotsorsomeothersillythingthatpeoplewilltellyou.
Ifthesevariousphenomenacometoyou,donotthinkyouaredoingsomethingwrong.It
isthenormal,naturalexpansionthatcomestoallmenwhotakethemselvesintowandtry
todevelopthegardenofGethsemane.
Theminuteyoubegintodisciplineyourmindbyobservingyourthoughtsandwatching
yourthoughtsthroughouttheday,youbecomethepolicemanofyourthoughts.Refuseto
enterintoconversationsthatareunlovely,refusetolistenattentivelytoanythingthattears
down.
Begintobuildwithinyourownmind'seyethevisionoftheperfectvirginratherthanthe
visionofthefoolishvirgin.Listenonlytothethingsthatbringjoywhenyouhearthem.
Donotgiveawillingeartothatwhichisunlovely,whichwhenyouheardityouwishyou
hadnot.ThatislisteningandseeingthingsWithoutoilinyourlamp,orjoyinyourmind.
TherearetwokindsofvirginsintheBible:fivefoolishandfivewisevirgins.Theminute
youbecomethewisevirgin,ortrytomakeanattempttodoit,youwillfindallthese
thingshappen.Youwillseethesethings,andtheyinterestyousothatyouhavenottime
todevelopthefoolishsight,asmanypeopledo.Ihopethatnooneheredoes.Becauseno
oneshouldbeidentifiedwiththisgreatworkwhocanstillfindgreatjoyinadiscussionof
anotherthatisunlovely.

Lesson3THINKINGFOURTHDIMENSIONALLY

Therearetwoactualoutlooksontheworldpossessedbyeveryman,andtheancientstory
tellerswerefullyconsciousofthesetwooutlooks.Theycalledtheone"thecarnalmind,"
andtheother"themindofChrist."
Werecognizethesetwocentersofthoughtinthestatement:"Thenaturalmanreceiveth
notthethingsoftheSpiritofGod:fortheyarefoolishnessuntohim:neithercanheknow
them,becausetheyarespirituallydiscerned."ICor.2:14
Tothenaturalmind,realityisconfinedtotheinstantcallednowthisverymomentseems
tocontainthewholeofreality,everythingelseisunreal.Tothenaturalmind,thepastand
thefuturearepurelyimaginary.Inotherwordsmypast,whenIusethenaturalmind,is
onlyamemoryimageofthingsthatwere.Andtothelimitedfocusofthecarnalornatural
mindthefuturedoesnot
exist.Thenaturalminddoesnotbelievethatitcouldrevisitthepastandseeitas
somethingthatispresent,somethingthatisobjectiveandconcretetoitself,neitherdoesit
believethatthefutureexists.
TotheChristmind,thespiritualmind,whichinourlanguagewewillcallthefourth
dimensionalfocus,thepast,thepresent,andthefutureofthenaturalmindareapresent
whole.Ittakesintheentirearrayofsensoryimpressionsthatmanhasencountered,is
encountering,andwillencounter.
TheonlyreasonyouandIarefunctioningaswearetoday,andarenotawareofthe
greateroutlook,issimplybecausewearecreaturesofhabit,andhabitrendersustotally
blindtowhatotherwiseweshouldseebuthabitisnotlaw.Itactsasthoughitwerethe
mostcompellingforceintheworld,yetitisnotlaw.
Wecancreateanewapproachtolife.IfyouandIwouldspendafewminuteseveryday
inwithdrawingourattentionfromtheregionofsensationandconcentratingitonan

invisiblestateandremainfaithfultothiscontemplation,feelingandsensingtherealityof
aninvisiblestate,wewouldintimebecomeawareofthisgreaterworld,thisdimensionally
largerworld.Thestatecontemplatedisnowaconcretereality,displacedintime.
TonightasweturntoourBibleyoubethejudgeastowhereyoustandinyourpresent
unfoldment.
**************
Ourfirststoryfortonightisfromthe5thchapteroftheGospelofMark.Inthischapter
therearethreestoriestoldasthoughtheywereseparateexperiencesofthedominant
characters.
InthefirststorywearetoldthatJesuscameuponaninsaneman,anakedmanwholived
inthecemeteryandhidhimselfbehindthetombs.ThismanappealedtoJesusnottocast
outthedevilsthatbedeviledhim.
ButJesussaiduntohim,"Comeoutoftheman,thouuncleanspirit."Mark5:8.
ThusJesuscastoutthedevilsthattheymaynowdestroythemselves,andwefindthis
man,forthefirsttime,clothedandinhisrightmindandseatedatthefeetoftheMaster.
WewillgetthepsychologicalsenseofthischapterbychangingthenameJesustothatof
enlightenedreasonorfourthdimensionalthinking.
AsweprogressinthischapterwearetoldthatJesusnowcomesupontheHighPriest
whosenameisJairus,andJairustheHighPriestoftheSynagoguehasachildwhois
dying.Sheis12yearsold,andheappealstoJesustocomeandhealthechild.
Jesusconsents,andashestartstowardthehomeoftheHighPriestawomaninthemarket
placetouchedhisgarment."AndJesus,immediatelyknowinginhimselfthatvirtuehad
goneoutofhim,

turnedhimaboutinthepress,andsaid,Whotouchedmyclothes?"Mark5:30.
Thewomanwhowashealedofanissueofbloodthatshehadhadfor12yearsconfessed
thatshehadtouchedhim."Andhesaiduntoher,Daughter,Thyfaithhathmadethee
wholegoinpeace."Mark5:34
AshecontinuestowardthehometheHighPriestheistoldthatthechildisdeadandthere
isnoneedtogotoresurrecther.Sheisnolongerasleep,butisnowdead.
"AssoonasJesusheardthewordthatwasspoken,hesaithuntotherulerofthe
synagogue,Benotafraid,onlybelieve."Mark5:36
"Andwhenhewascomein,hesaithuntothem,Whymakeyethisado,andweep?The
damselisnotdead,butsleepeth."Mark5:39
Withthistheentirecrowdmockedandlaughed,butJesus,closingthedoorsagainstthe
mockingcrowd,tookwithhimintothehouseholdofJairus,hisdisciplesandthefather
andmotherofthedeadchild.
Theyenteredintotheroomwherethedamselwaslying."Andhetookthedamselbythe
hand,andsaiduntoher,Damsel,Isayuntothee,arise."Mark5:41
"Fromthisdeepsleepsheawokeandaroseandwalked,andtheHighPriestandallthe
otherswereastonished.Andhechangedthemstraightlythatnomanshouldknowitand
hecommandedthatsomethingshouldbegivenhertoeat."Mark5:43
Youarethisverynight,asyouareseatedhere,picturedinthis5thchapterofMark.A
cemeteryisforonepurpose:itissimplyarecordofthedead.Areyoulivinginthedead
past?
Ifyouarelivingamongthedead,yourprejudices,yoursuperstitions,andyourfalsebeliefs

thatyoukeepalivearethetombstonesbehindwhichyouhide.Ifyourefusetoletthemgo
youarejustasmadasthemadmanoftheBiblewhopleadedwithenlightenedreasonnot
tocastthemout.Thereisnodifference.Butenlightenedreasonisincapableofprotecting
prejudiceandsuperstition
againsttheinroadsofreason.
Thereisnotamaninthisworldwhohasaprejudice,regardlessofthenatureofthe
prejudice,whocanholdituptothelightofreason.Tellmeyouareagainstacertain
nation,acertainrace,acertain"ism,"acertainanythingIdonotcarewhatitisyou
cannotexposethatbeliefofyourstothelightofreasonandhaveitlive.Inorderthatit
maybekeptaliveinyourworldyoumusthideitfromreason.Youcannotanalyzeitinthe
lightofreasonandhaveitlive.Whenthisfourthdimensionalfocuscomesandshowsyou
anewapproachtolifeandcastsoutofyourownmindallthesethingsthatbedeviledyou,
youarethencleansedandclothedinyourrightmind.Andyousitatthefootof
understanding,calledthefeetoftheMaster.
Nowclothedandinyourrightmindyoucanresurrectthedead.Whatdead?Thechildin
thestoryisnotachild.Thechildisyourambition,yourdesire,theunfulfilleddreamsof
yourheart.Thisisthechildhousedwithinthemindofman.ForasIhavestatedbefore,
theentiredramaoftheBibleisapsychologicalone.TheBiblehasnoreferenceatallto
anypersonwhoeverexisted,oranyeventthateveroccurreduponearth.Allthestoriesof
theBibleunfoldinthemindsoftheindividualman.
InthisstoryJesusistheawakenedintellectofman.Whenyourmindfunctionsoutsideof
therangeofyourpresentsenses,whenyourmindishealedofalltheformerlimitations,
thenyouarenolongertheinsanemanbutyouarethispresencepersonifiedasJesus,the
powerthatcanresurrectthelongingsoftheheartofman.
Youarenowthewomanwiththeissueofblood.Whatisthisissueofblood?Arunning
wombisnotaproductivewomb.Shehelditfor12years,shewasincapableofconceiving.
Shecouldnotgiveformtoherlongingbecauseoftherunningoftheissueofblood.You

aretoldherfaithclosedit.Asthewombclosesitcangiveformtotheseedoridea.
AsyourmindiscleansedofyourformerconceptofSelf,youassumeyouarewhatyou
wanttobe,andremainingfaithfultothisassumption,yougiveformtoyourassumptionor
resurrectyourchild.Youarethewomancleansedoftheissueofblood,andyoumove
towardsthehouseofthedeadchild.
Thechildorstateyoudesiredisnowyourfixedconceptofyourself.Butnowhaving
assumedthatIamwhatformerlyIdesiredtobe,IcannotcontinuedesiringwhatIam
consciousofbeing.SoIdonotdiscussit.ItalktonooneconcerningwhatIam.Itisso
obvioustomethatIamwhatIwantedtobethatIwalkasthoughIwere.
WalkingasthoughIamwhatformerlyIwantedtobe,myworldoflimitedfocusdoesnot
seeitandthinksInolongerdesireit.ThechildisdeadwithintheirworldbutI,who
knowthelaw,say,"Thechildisnotdead."Thedamselisnotdead,shebutsleepeth.I
nowawakenher.I,bymyassumption,awakenandmakevisibleinmyworldwhatI
assume,forassumptionsifsustainedinvariablyawakenwhattheyaffirm.
Iclosethedoor.Whatdoor?Thedoorofmysenses.Isimplyshutoutcompletelyallthat
mysensesreveal.Idenytheevidenceofmysenses.Isuspendthelimitedreasonofthe
naturalmanandwalkinthisboldassertionthatIamwhatmysensesdeny.
Withthedoorofmysensesclosed,whatdoItakeintothatdisciplinedstate?Itakenoone
intothatstatebuttheparentsofthechildandmydisciples.Iclosethedooragainstthe
mocking,laughingcrowd.Inolongerlookforconfirmation.Icompletelydenythe
evidenceofmysenses,whichmockmyassumptionanddonotdiscusswithothers
whethermyassumptionispossibleornot.
Whoaretheparents?Wehavediscoveredthatthefathermotherofallcreationisman'sI
AMness.Man'sconsciousnessisGod.Iamconsciousofthestate.Iamthefathermother
ofallmyideasandmymindremainsfaithfultothisnewconceptofself.Mymindis

disciplined.Itakeintothatstatethedisciples,andIshutoutofthatstateeverythingthat
woulddenyit.
Nowthechild,unaidedbyaman,isresurrected.TheconditionwhichIdesiredand
assumedthatIhad,becomesobjectifiedwithinmyworldandbearswitnesstothepower
ofmyassumption.
Youbethejudge,Icannotjudgeyou.Youareeitherlivingnowinthedeadpast,oryou
arelivingasthewomanwhoseissueofbloodhasbeenstanched.Couldyouactually
answermeifIaskedyouthequestion:"Doyoubelievenowthatyou,withoutthe
assistanceofanother,needonly
assumethatyouarewhatyouwanttobe,tomakethatassumptionrealwithinyour
world?Ordoyoubelievethatyoumustfirstfulfillacertainconditionimposeduponyou
bythepast,thatyoumustbeofacertainorder,oracertainsomething?'
Iamnotbeingcriticalofcertainchurchesorgroups,buttherearethosewhobelievethat
anyoneoutsideoftheirchurchorgroupisnotyetsaved.IwasbornaProtestant.Youtalk
toaProtestant,thereisonlyoneChristian,aProtestant.YoutalktoaCatholic,whythere
isnothingintheworldthatisaChristianbutaCatholic.YoutalktoaJew,andthe
Christiansareheathens,andtheJewsarethechosen.YoutalktoaMohammedan,Jews
andChristiansaretheinfidels.Youtalktosomeoneelseandallthesearethe
untouchables.Itdoesnotmattertowhomyoutalk,theyarealwaysthechosenones.
Ifyoubelievethatyoumustbeoneoftheseinordertobesaved,youarestillaninsane
manhidingbehindthesesuperstitionsandtheseprejudicesofthepast,andyouare
beggingnottobecleansed.
Someofyousaytome,"DonotaskmetogiveupmybeliefinJesustheman,orinMoses
theman,orinPetertheman.Whenyouaskmetogiveupmybeliefinthesecharacters
youareaskingtoomuch.Leavemethesebeliefsbecausetheycomfortme.Icanbelieve
thattheyliveduponearthandstillfollowyourpsychologicalinterpretationoftheir

stories."
Isay,Comeoutofthedeadpast.Comeoutofthatcemeteryandwalk,knowingthatyou
andyourFatherareone,andyourFather,whomencallGOD,isyourownconsciousness.
Thatistheonlycreativelawintheworld.
Ofwhatareyouconsciousofbeing?Althoughyoucannotseeyourobjectivewiththe
limitedfocusofyourthreedimensionalmind,youarenowthatwhichyouhaveassumed
youare.Walkinthatassumptionandremainfaithfultoit.
Timeinthisdimensionofyourbeing,beatsslowlyandyoumaynot,evenafteryou
objectifyyourassumption,remembertherewasatimewhenthispresentrealitywasbutan
attitudeofmind.Becauseoftheslownessofthebeatoftimehereyouoftenfailtoseethe
relationshipbetweenyourinnernatureandtheouterworldthatbearswitnesstoit.
Youbethejudgeofthepositionyounowoccupyinthis5thchapterofMark.Areyou
resurrectingthedeadchild?Areyoustillinneedofhavingthatwombofyourmind
closed?Isitstillrunningandthereforecannotbefertile?Areyounowtheinsaneman
livinginthedeadpast?Onlyyoucanbethejudgeandanswerthesequestions.
**************
Nowweturntoastoryinthe5thchapteroftheGospelofJohn.Thiswillshowyouhow
beautifullytheancientstorytellerstoldofthetwodistinctoutlooksonthisworldone,the
limitedthreedimensionalfocus,andtheother,thefourthdimensionalfocus.
Thisstorytellsofanimpotentmanwhoisquicklyhealed.Jesuscomestoaplacecalled
Bethesda,whichbydefinitionmeanstheHouseofFivePorches.OntheseFivePorches
areunnumberedimpotentfolklame,blind,halt,withered,andothers.Traditionhaditthat
atcertainseasonsoftheyearanangelwoulddescendanddisturbthepoolwhichwasnear
theseFivePorches.AstheAngel

disturbedthepool,thefirstoneinwasalwayshealed.Butonlythefirstone,notthe
second.
Jesus,seeingamanwhowaslamefromhismother'swomb,saidtohim,"Wiltthoube
madewhole?"John5:6
"Theimpotentmanansweredhim,Sir,Ihavenoman,whenthewateristroubled,toput
meintothepoolbutwhileIamcoming,anothersteppethdownbeforeme."John5:7
"Jesussaithuntohim,Rise,takeupthybed,andwalk."John5:8
"Andimmediatelythemanwasmadewhole,andtookuphisbed,andwalked,andonthe
samedaywastheSabbath."John5:9
Youreadthisstoryandyouthinksomestrangemanwhopossessedmiraculouspower
suddenlysaidtothelameman,"Riseandwalk."Icannotrepeattoooftenthatthestory,
evenwhenitintroducesnumberlessindividualities,takesplacewithinthemindofthe
individualman.
Thepoolisyourconsciousness.Theangelisanidea,calledthemessengerofGOD.
ConsciousnessbeingGod,whenyouhaveanideayouareentertaininganangel.The
minuteyouareconsciousofadesireyourpoolhasbeendisturbed.Desiredisturbsthe
mindofman.Towantsomethingistobedisturbed.
Theverymomentyouhaveanambition,oraclearlydefinedobjective,thepoolhasbeen
disturbedbytheangel,whichwasthedesire.Youaretoldthatthefirstoneintothe
disturbedpoolisalwayshealed.
Myclosestcompanionsinthisworld,mywifeandmylittlegirl,aretomewhenIaddress
them,second.Imustspeaktomywifeas,"youare."Imustspeaktoanyone,nomatter
howclosetheyare,as"Youare."Andafterthatthethirdperson,"Heis."Thereisonly

onepersoninthisworldwithwhomIcanusethefirstpersonpresentandthatisself."I
am,"canbesaidonlyofmyself,it
cannotbesaidofanother.
Therefore,whenIamconsciousofsomedesirethatIwanttobe,butseeminglyamnot,
thepoolbeingdisturbed,whocangetintothatpoolbeforeme?Ialonepossessthepower
ofthefirstperson.IamthatwhichIwanttobe.ExceptIbelieveIamwhatIwanttobe,I
remainasIformerlywasanddieinthatlimitation.
Inthisstoryyouneednomantoputyouintothepoolasyourconsciousnessisdisturbed
bydesire.Allyouneeddoistoassumeyouarealreadythatwhichformerlyyouwantedto
beandyouareinit,andnomancangetinbeforeyou.Whatmancangetinbeforeyou
whenyoubecomeconsciousofbeingthatwhichyouwanttobe?Noonecanbebefore
youwhenyoualonepossessthepowertosayIAM.
Thesearethetwooutlooks.Youarenowwhatyoursenseswoulddeny.Areyoubold
enoughtoassumethatyouarealreadythatwhichyouwanttobe?Ifyoudareassumeyou
arealreadythatwhichyourreasonandyoursensesnowdeny,thenyouareinthepool
and,unaidedbyaman,you,too,willriseandtakeyourcouchandwalk.
YouaretoldithappenedontheSabbath.TheSabbathisonlythemysticalsenseof
stillness,whenyouareunconcerned,whenyouarenotanxious,whenyouarenotlooking
forresults,knowingthatsignsfollowanddonotprecede.
TheSabbathisthedayofstillnesswhereinthereisnoworking.Whenyouarenotworking
tomakeitsoyouareintheSabbath.Whenyouarenotatallconcernedabouttheopinion
ofothers,whenyouwalkasthoughyouwere,youcannotraiseonefingertomakeitso,
youareintheSabbath.Icannotbeconcernedastohowitwillbe,andstillsayIam
consciousofbeingit.IfIamconsciousofbeingfree,secure,healthy,andhappy,Isustain
thesestatesofconsciousnesswithouteffortorlaboronmypart.Therefore,Iaminthe
SabbathandbecauseitwastheSabbathheroseandwalked.

***'********
Ournextstoryisfromthe4thchapteroftheGospelofJohn,anditisoneyouhaveheard
timeandtimeagain.Jesuscomestothewellandthereisawomancalledthewomanof
Samaria,andhesaidtoher,"Givemetodrink."John4:7
"ThensaiththewomanofSamariauntohim,Howisitthatthou,beingaJew,asketh
drinkofme,whichamawomanofSamaria?FortheJewshavenodealingswiththe
Samaritans."John4:9
"Jesusansweredandsaiduntoher,IfthouknewestthegiftofGod,andwhoitisthatsaith
tothee,Givemetodrinkthouwouldesthaveaskedofhim,andhewouldhavegiventhee
livingwater."John4:10
Thewomanseeingthathehasnothingwithwhichtodrawthewater,andknowingthe
wellisdeep,says:ArtthougreaterthanourfatherJacob,whichgaveusthewell,and
drankthereofhimself,andhischildren,andhiscattle?"John4:12
"Jesusansweredandsaiduntoher,Whosoeverdrinkethofthiswatershallthirstagain
ButwhosoeverdrinkethofthewaterthatIshallgivehimshallneverthirstbutthewater
thatIshallgivehimshallbeinhimawellofwaterspringingupintoeverlastinglife."John
4:13,14
Thenhetellsherallconcerningherselfandaskshertogoandcallherhusband.She
answeredandsaid,"Ihavenohusband."John4:17
"Jesussaiduntoher,Thouhastwellsaid,Ihavenohusband:Forthouhasthadfive
husbandsandhewhomthounowhastisnotthyhusband."John4:17,18
Thewoman,knowingthistobetrue,goesintothemarketplaceandtellstheother,"I

havemettheMessiah."
Theyaskher,"HowdoyouknowyouhavemettheMessiah?"
"BecausehetoldmeallthingsthatIhaveeverdone."shereplies.Hereisafocusthat
takesintheentirepastatleast,andtellshernowconcerningthefuture.
Continuingwiththestory,thedisciplescometoJesusandsay,"Master,eat."John4:31
"Buthesaiduntothem,Ihavemeattoeatthatyeknownotof."John4:32
Whentheyspeakofaharvestinfourmonths,Jesusreplies,"Saynotye,Thereareyetfour
months,andthencomethharvest?Behold,Isayuntoyou,liftupyoureyes,andlookon
thefieldsfortheyarewhitealreadytoharvest."John4:35
Heseesthingsthatpeoplewaitfourmonthsfor,orwaitfouryearsforheseesthemas
nowinadimensionallylargerworld,existingnow,takingplacenow.
Letusgobacktothefirstpartofthestory.ThewomanofSamariaisthethree
dimensionalyou,andJesusatthewellisthefourthdimensionalyou.Theargumentstarts
betweenwhatyouwanttobe,andwhatreasontellsyouthatyouare.Thegreateryou
tellsyouthatifyouwoulddareassumeyouarealreadywhatyouwanttobe,youwould
becomeit.
Thelesseryou,withitslimitedfocus,tellsyou,"Whyyouhaven'tabucket,youhaven'ta
ropeandthewellisdeep.Howcouldyoueverreachthedepthofthisstatewithoutthe
meanstothatend?"
Youanswerandsay,"Ifyouonlyknewwhoasksofyoutodrinkyouwouldaskofhim."
Ifyouonlyknewwhatinyourselfisurginguponyoutheembodimentofthestateyou
nowseek,youwouldsuspendyourlittlesightandlethimdoitforyou.

Thenhetellsyouthatyouhavefivehusbands,andyoudenyit.Butheknowsfarbetter
thanyouthatyourfivesensesimpregnateyoumorning,noon,andnightwiththeir
limitations.Theytellyouwhatchildrenyouwillbeartonight,tomorrow,andthedaysto
come.Foryourfivesensesactlikefivehusbandswhoconstantlyimpregnateyour
consciousness,whichisthegreatwombofGODandmorning,noon,andnightthey
suggesttoyou,anddictatetoyouthatwhichyoumustacceptastrue.
Hetellsyoutheoneyouwouldliketohaveforyourhusbandisnotyourhusband.In
otherwordsthesixthhasnotyetimpregnatedyou.Whatyouwouldliketobeisdeniedby
thesefive,andtheyholdthepower,theydictatewhatyouwillacceptastrue.Whatyou
wouldliketoaccepthasnotyetpenetratedyourmindandimpregnatedyourmindwithits
reality.Hewhomyoucallhusband
isreallynotyourhusband.Youarenotbearinghislikeness.Tobearhislikenessisproof
thatyouarehiswife,atleastyouhaveknownhimintimately.Youarenotbearingthe
likenessofthesixthyouareonlybearingthelikenessofthefive.
ThenoneturnstomeandtellsmeallthatIhaveeverknown.Igobackinmymind'seye
andreasontellsmethatallthroughmylifeIhavealwaysacceptedthelimitationsofmy
senses,Ihavealwayslookeduponthemasfactandmorning,noon,andnightIhaveborn
witnesstothisacceptance.
ReasontellsmeIhaveonlyknownthesefivefromthetimeIwasborn.NowIwouldlike
tostepoutsidethelimitationofmysensesbutIhavenotyetfoundwithinmyselfthe
couragetoassumeIamwhatthesefivewoulddenythatIam.SohereIremain,conscious
ofmytask,butwithoutthecouragetostepbeyondthelimitationsofmysenses,andthat
whichmyreasondenies.
Hetellsthese,"Ihavemeatyeknownotof.Iamthebreadthatdroppethdownfrom
heaven.Iamthewine."IknowwhatIwanttobe,andbecauseIamthatbreadIfeast
uponit.IassumethatIam,andinsteadoffeastinguponthefactthatIaminthisroom

talkingtoyouandyouarelisteningtome,andthatIaminLosAngeles,Ifeastuponthe
factthatIamelsewhereandIwalkhereas
thoughIwereelsewhere.AndgraduallyIbecomewhatIfeastupon.
**************
Letmegiveyoutwopersonalstories.WhenIwasaboyIlivedinaverylimited
environment,inalittleislandcalledBarbados.Feedforanimalswasvery,veryscarceand
veryexpensivebecausewehadtoimportit.Iamoneofafamilyof10childrenandmy
grandmotherlivedwithusmaking13atthetable.
TimeandagainIcanremembermymothersayingtothecookintheearlypartofthe
week,"IwantyoutoputawaythreeducksforSunday'sdinner."Thismeantthatshe
wouldtakefromtheflockintheyardthreeducksandcoopthemupinaverysmallcage
andfeedthem,stuffthemmorning,noon,andnightwithcornandallthethingsshe
wantedtheduckstofeastupon.
Thiswasanentirelydifferentdietfromwhatweregularlyfedtheducks,becausewekept
thosebirdsalivebyfeedingthemfish.Wekeptthemaliveandfatonfishbecausefishwere
verycheapandplentifulbutyoucouldnoteatabirdthatfeduponfish,notasyouandI
likeabird.
Thecookwouldtakethreeducks,puttheminacageandforsevendaysstuffthemwith
corn,sourmilkandallthethingswewantedtotasteinthebirds.Thenwhentheywere
killedandservedfordinnersevendayslatertheywereluscious,milkfed,cornfedbirds.
Butoccasionallythecookforgottoputawaythebirds,andmyfather,knowingwewere
havingducks,andbelievingthatshehadcarriedoutthecommand,didnotsendanything
elsefordinner,andthreefishcametothetable.Youcouldnottouchthosebirdsforthey
weresomuchtheembodimentofwhattheyfedupon.

Manisapsychologicalbeing,athinker.Itisnotwhathefeedsuponphysically,butwhat
hefeedsuponmentallythathebecomes.Webecometheembodimentofthatwhichwe
mentallyfeedupon.
Nowthoseduckscouldnotbefedcorninthemorningandfishintheafternoonand
somethingelseatnight.Ithadtobeacompletechangeofdiet.Inourcasewecannothave
alittlebitofmeditationinthemorning,curseatnoon,anddosomethingelseinthe
evening.Wehavetogoonamentaldiet,foraweekwemustcompletelychangeour
mentalfood.
"Whatsoeverthingsaretrue,whatsoeverthingsarehonest,whatsoeverthingsarejust,
whatsoeverthingsarepure,whatsoeverthingsareofgoodreportiftherebeanyvirtue,
andiftherebeanypraise,thinkonthesethings."Phil.4:8
Asamanthinkethinhisheartsoishe.IfIcouldnowsingleoutthekindofmentalfoodI
wanttoexpresswithinmyworldandfeastuponit,Iwouldbecomeit.
LetmetellyouwhyIamdoingwhatIamdoingtoday.Itwasbackin1933inthecityof
NewYork,andmyoldfriendAbdullah,withwhomIstudiedHebrewforfiveyears,was
reallythebeginningoftheeatingofallmysuperstitions.WhenIwenttohimIwasfilled
withsuperstitions.Icouldnoteatmeat,Icouldnoteatfish,Icouldnoteatchicken,I
couldnoteatanyofthesethingsthatwerelivingintheworld.Ididnotdrink,Ididnot
smoke,andIwasmakingatremendousefforttoliveacelibatelife.
Abdullahsaidtome,"Iamnotgoingtotellyou'youarecrazy'Neville,butyouareyou
know.Allthesethingsarestupid."ButIcouldnotbelievetheywerestupid.
InNovember,1933,IbadegoodbyetomyparentsinthecityofNewYorkastheysailed
forBarbados.Ihadbeeninthiscountry12yearswithnodesiretoseeBarbados.Iwas
notsuccessfulandIwasashamedtogohometosuccessfulmembersofmyfamily.After
12yearsinAmericaIwasafailureinmyowneyes.Iwasinthetheatreandmademoney

oneyearandspentitthenextmonth.IwasnotwhatIwouldcallbytheirstandardsnorby
mineasuccessfulperson.
MindyouwhenIsaidgoodbyetomyparentsinNovemberIhadnodesiretogoto
Barbados.Theshippulledout,andasIcameupthestreet,somethingpossessedmewitha
desiretogotoBarbados.
Itwastheyear1933,Iwasunemployedandhadnoplacetogoexceptalittleroomon
75thStreet.IwentstraighttomyoldfriendAbdullahandsaidtohim"Ab,thestrangest
feelingispossessingme.
Forthefirsttimein12yearsIwanttogotoBarbados."
IfyouwanttogoNeville,youhavegone."hereplied.
Thatwasverystrangelanguagetome.IaminNewYorkCityon72ndStreetandhetells
meIhavegonetoBarbados.Isaidtohim,"Whatdoyoumean,Ihavegone,Abdullah?"
Hesaid,"Doyoureallywanttogo?"
Ianswered"yes."
Hethensaidtome,"Asyouwalkthroughthisdoornowyouarenotwalkingon72nd
Street,youarewalkingonpalmlinedstreets,coconutlinedstreetsthisisBarbados.Do
notaskmehowyouaregoingtogo.YouareinBarbados.Youdonotsay'how'when
you'arethere'.Youarethere.Nowyouwalkasthoughyouwerethere."
Iwentoutofhisplaceinadaze.IaminBarbados.Ihavenomoney,Ihavenojob,Iam
notevenwellclothed,andyetIaminBarbados.
Hewasnotthekindofapersonwithwhomyouwouldargue,notAbdullah.Twoweeks
laterIwasnonearermygoalthanonthedayIfirsttoldhimIwantedtogotoBarbados.I

saidtohim,"Ab,ItrustyouimplicitlybuthereisonetimeIcannotseehowitisgoingto
work.Ihavenotonepennytowardsmyjourney,Ibegantoexplain."
Youknowwhathedid.Hewasasblackastheaceofspades,myoldfriendAbdullah,
withhisturbanedhead.AsIsatinhislivingroomherosefromhischairandwenttowards
hisstudyandslammedthedoor,whichwasnotaninvitationtofollowhim.Ashewent
throughthedoorhesaidtome,"IhavesaidallthatIhavetosay."
Onthe3rdofDecemberIstoodbeforeAbdullahandtoldhimagainIwasnonearermy
trip.Herepeatedhisstatement,"YouareinBarbados."
TheverylastshipsailingforBarbadosthatwouldtakemethereforthereasonIwantedto
go,whichwastobethereforChristmas,sailedatnoononDecember6th,theoldNerissa.
OnthemorningofDecember4th,havingnojob,havingnoplacetogo,Isleptlate.When
IgotuptherewasanairmailletterfromBarbadosundermydoor.AsIopenedtheletter
alittlepieceofpaperflickeredtothefloor.Ipickeditupanditwasadraftfor$50.00.
TheletterwasfrommybrotherVictoranditread,"Iamnotaskingyoutocome,Neville,
thisisacommand.WehaveneverhadaChristmaswhenallthemembersofourfamily
werepresentatthesametime.ThisChristmasitcouldbedoneifyouwouldcome."
MyoldestbrotherCecillefthomebeforetheyoungestwasbornandthenwestartedto
moveawayfromhomeatdifferenttimessoneverinthehistoryofourfamilywerewe
everalltogetheratthesametime.
Thelettercontinued,"Youarenotworking,Iknowthereisnoreasonwhyyoucannot
come,soyoumustbeherebeforeChristmas.Theenclosed$50.00istobuyafewshirtsor
apairofshoesyoumayneedforthetrip.Youwillnotneedtipsusethebarifyouare
drinking.Iwillmeettheshipandpayallyourtipsandyourincurredexpenses.Ihave
cabledFurness,Withy&Co.inNewYorkCityandtoldthemtoissueyouaticketwhen

youappearattheiroffice.The$50.00issimplytobuysomelittleessentials.Youmaysign
asyouwantaboardtheship.Iwillmeetitandtakecareofallobligations."
IwentdowntoFurness,Withy&Co.withmyletterandletthemreadit.Theysaid,"We
receivedthecableMr.Goddard,butunfortunatelywehavenotanyspaceleftonthe
December6thsailing.Theonlythingavailableis3rdClassbetweenNewYorkandSt.
Thomas.WhenwegettoSt.Thomaswehaveafewpassengerswhoaregettingoff.You
maythenridelstClassfromSt.ThomastoBarbados.ButbetweenNewYorkandSt.
Thomasyoumustgo3rdClass,although
youmayhavetheprivilegesofthelstClassdiningroomandwalkthedecksofthe1st
Class."
Isaid,"Iwilltakeit."
IwentbacktomyfriendAbdullahontheafternoonofDecember4thandsaid,"Itworked
likeadream."ItoldhimwhatIhaddone,thinkinghewouldbehappy.
Doyouknowwhathesaidtome?Hesaid,"Whotoldyouthatyouaregoing3rdClass?
DidIseeyouinBarbados,themanyouare,going3rdClass?YouareinBarbadosand
youwentthere1stClass."
IdidnothaveonemomenttoseehimagainbeforeIsailedonthenoonofDecember6th.
WhenIreachedthedockwithmypassportandmypaperstogetaboardthatshipthe
agentsaidtome,"Wehavegoodnewsforyou,Mr.Goddard.Therehasbeena
cancellationandyouaregoing1stClass."
Abdullahtaughtmetheimportanceofremainingfaithfultoanideaandnotcompromising.
Iwavered,butheremainedfaithfultotheassumptionthatIwasinBarbadosandhad
traveled1stClass.
**************

NowbacktothesignificanceofourtwoBiblestories.Thewellisdeepandyouhaveno
bucket,youhavenorope.ItisfourmonthstotheharvestandJesussays,"Ihavemeatto
eatyeknownotof.Iamthebreadofheaven."
Feastontheidea,becomeidentifiedwiththeideaasthoughyouwerealreadythat
embodiedstate.Walkintheassumptionthatyouarewhatyouwanttobe.Ifyoufeaston
thatandremainfaithfultothatmentaldiet,youwillcrystallizeit.Youwillbecomeitin
thisworld.
WhenIcamebacktoNewYorkin1934,afterthreeheavenlymonthsinBarbados,I
drank,Ismoked,anddideverythingIhadnotdoneinyears.
IrememberedwhatAbdullahhadsaidtome,"Afteryouhaveproventhislawyouwill
becomenormal,Neville.Youwillcomeoutofthatgraveyard,youwillcomeoutofthat
deadpastwhereyouthinkyouarebeingholy.Forallyouarereallydoingyouknow,you
arebeingsogood,Neville,youaregoodfornothing"
Icamebackwalkingthisearthacompletelytransformedperson.Fromthatday,which
wasinFebruary1934,Ibegantolivemoreandmore.IcannothonestlytellyouIhave
alwayssucceeded.Mymanymistakesinthisworld,mymanyfailureswouldconvictmeif
ItoldyouthatIhavesocompletelymasteredthemovementsofmyattentionthatIcanat
alltimesremainfaithfultotheideaIwanttoembody.
ButIcansaywiththeancientteacher,althoughIseemtohavefailedinthepast,Imove
onandstrivedayafterdaytobecomethatwhichIwanttoembodyinthisworld.Suspend
judgment,refusetoacceptwhatreasonandthesensesnowdictate,andifyouremain
faithfultothenewdiet,youwillbecometheembodimentoftheidealtowhichyouremain
faithful.
IfthereisoneplaceintheworldthatisunlikemylittleislandofBarbados,itisNewYork

City.InBarbadosthetallestbuildingisthreestories,andthestreetsarelinedwithpalm
treesandcocoanuttreesandallsortsoftropicalthings.InNewYorkCityyoumustgoto
aparktofindatree.
YetIhadtowalkthestreetsofNewYorkasthoughIwalkedthestreetsofBarbados.To
one'simaginationallthingsarepossible.Iwalked,feelingthatIwasactuallywalkingthe
streetsofBarbados,andinthatassumptionIcouldalmostsmelltheodorofthecocoanut
linedlanes.Ibegantocreatewithinmymind'seyetheatmosphereIwouldphysically
encounterwereIinBarbados.
AsIremainedfaithfultothisassumption,somebodycanceledpassageandIreceivedit.
MybrotherinBarbados,whoneverthoughtofmycominghome,hasthecommanding
urgetowritemeastrangeletter.Hehadneverdictatedtome,butthistimehedictated,
andthoughtthatheoriginatedtheideaofmyvisit.
Iwenthomeandhadthreeheavenlymonths,returnedlstClass,andbroughtbackquitea
sumofcashinmypocket,agift.Mytrip,hadIpaidforit,wouldhavebeen$3,000,yetI
diditwithoutanickelinmypocket.
"Ihavewaysyeknownotof.Mywaysarepastfindingout."Thedimensionallygreater
selftookmyassumptionasthecommandandinfluencedthebehaviourofmybrotherto
writethatletter,influencedthebehaviourofsomeonetocancelthat1stClasspassage,and
didallthethingsnecessarythatwouldtendtowardtheproductionoftheideawithwhichI
wasidentified.
Iwasidentifiedwiththefeelingofbeingthere.IsleptasthoughIwerethere,andthe
entirebehaviourofmanwasmoldedinharmonywithmyassumption.Ididnotneedtogo
downtoFurness,Withy&Co.andbegthemforapassage,askingthemtocancelsome
onewhowasbooked1stClass.Ididnotneedtowritemybrotherandbeghimtosendme
somemoneyorbuymeapassage.Hethoughtheoriginatedtheact.Actually,tothisday,
hebelievesthatbeinitiatedthedesiretobringmehome.

MyoldfriendAbdullahsimplysaidtome,"YouareinBarbados,Neville.Youwanttobe
therewhereveryouwanttobe,thereyouare.Liveasthoughyouareandthatyoushall
be."
Thesearethetwooutlooks.ontheworldpossessedbyeveryman.Idonotcarewhoyou
are.Everychildbornofwoman,regardlessofrace,nation,orcreed,possessestwo
distinctoutlooksontheworld.
YouareeitherthenaturalmanwhoreceivethnotthethingsoftheSpiritofGod,because
toyouinthenaturalfocustheyarefoolishnessuntoyou.Oryouarethespiritualmanwho
perceiveththingsoutsideofthelimitationsofyoursensesbecauseallthingsarenow
realitiesinadimensionallylargerworld.Thereisnoneedtowaitfourmonthstoharvest.
YouareeitherthewomanofSamariaorJesusatthewell.Youarethemanwaitingonthe
FivePorchesforthedisturbanceandsomeonetopushhiminoryouaretheonewhocan
commandyourselftoriseandwalkinspiteofotherswhowait.
Areyouthemanbehindthetombstonesinthecemeterywaitingandbeggingnottobe
clean,becauseyoudonotwanttobecleansedofyourprejudices?Oneofthemost
difficultthingsformantogiveupishissuperstitions,hisprejudice.Heholdsontothese
asthoughtheywerethetreasureoftreasures.
Whenyoudobecomecleansedandyouarefree,thenthewomb,yourownmindis
automaticallyhealed.Itbecomesthepreparedgroundwhereseeds,yourdesires,cantake
rootandgrowintomanifestation.Thechildyounowbearinyourheartisyourpresent
objective.Yourpresentlongingisachildthatisasthoughitweresick.Ifyouassumeyou
arenowwhatyouwouldliketobe,thechildforamomentbecomesdeadbecausethereis
nodisturbanceanymore.
Youcannotbedisturbedwhenyoufeelyouarewhatyouwanttobebecauseifyoufeel

youarewhatyouwantedtobe,youaresatisfiedinthatassumption.Tootherswhojudge
superficiallyyouseemnolongertodesire,sotothemthedesireordamselisdead.They
thinkyouhavelostyourambitionbecauseyounolongerdiscussyoursecretambition.
Youhavecompletelyadjustedyourselftotheidea.Youhaveassumedthatyouarewhat
youwanttobe.Youknow,"Sheis
notdead,shebutsleepth.""Igotoawakenher."
IwalkintheassumptionthatIam,andasIwalk,Iquietlyawakenher.Thenwhenshe
awakensIwilldothenormal,naturalthing,Iwillgivehertoeat.Iwillnotbragaboutit
andtellothersIsimplygoandtellnoman.IfeedthisstateInowlikewithmyattention.I
keepitalivewithinmyworldbybecomingattentivetoit.
ThingsthatIamnotattentivetofadeandwitherwithinmyworld,regardlessofwhatthey
are.Theyarenotjustbornandthenremainunfed.Igavethembirthbyreasonofthefact
thatIbecameconsciousofbeingthem.WhenIembodythemwithinmyworldthatisnot
theend.Thatisthebeginning.NowIamamotherwhomustkeepalivethisstatebybeing
attentivetoit.ThedaythatIamnotattentive,Ihavewithdrawnmymilkfromit,andit
fadesfrommyworld,asIbecomeattentivetosomethingelseinmyworld.
Youcaneitherbeattentivetothelimitationsandfeedtheseandmakethemmountains,or
youcanbeattentivetoyourdesiresbuttobecomeattentiveyoumustassumeyouare
alreadythatwhichyouwantedtobe.
Althoughtodaywespeakofathirddimensionalandafourthdimensionalfocus,donot
thinkforonemomenttheseancientteacherswerenotfullyconsciousofthesetwodistinct
centersofthoughtwithinthemindsofallmen.Theypersonifiedthesetwo,andtheytried
toshowmanthattheonlythingwhichrobshimofthemanhecouldbe,ishabit.Although
itisnotlaw,everypsychologist
willtellyouthathabitisthemostinhibitingforceintheworld.Itcompletelyrestrictsman
andbindshimandmakeshimtotallyblindtowhatotherwiseheshouldbe.

Beginnowtomentallyseeandfeelyourselfasthatwhichyouwanttobe,andfeastupon
thatsensationmorning,noon,andnight.IhavescouredtheBibleforatimeintervalthatis
longerthanthreedaysandIhavenotfoundit.
"Jesusansweredandsaiduntothem,Destroythistemple,andinthreedaysIwillraiseit
Up."John2:19
"PrepareyouvictualsforwithinthreedaysyeshallpassoverthisJordan,togointo
possesstheland,whichtheLordyourGodgivethyoutopossessit."Joshua1:11
IfIcouldcompletelysaturatemymindwithonesensationandwalkasthoughitwere
alreadyafact,Iampromised(andIcannotfindanydenialofitinthisgreatbook)thatI
donotneedmorethanathreedaydietifIremainfaithfultoit.ButImustbehonestabout
it.IfIChangemydietinthecourseoftheday,Iextendthetimeinterval.
Youaskme,"ButhowdoIknowabouttheinterval?"You,yourselfdeterminethe
interval.
Wehavetodayinourmodernworldalittlewordwhichconfusesmostofus.Iknowit
confusedmeuntilIdugdeeper.Thewordis"action."Actionissupposedtobethemost
fundamentalthingintheworld.Itisnotanatom,itismorefundamental.Itisnotapartof
anatomlikeanelectron,itismorefundamentalthanthat.Theycallitthefourth
dimensionalunit.Themostfundamentalthingintheworldisaction.
Youask,"Whatisaction?"Ourphysiciststellusthatitisenergymultipliedbytime.We
becomemoreconfusedandsay,"Energymultipliedbytime,whatdoesthatmean?',They
answer,"Thereisnoresponsetoastimulus,nomatterhowintensethestimulus,unlessit
enduresforacertainlengthoftime."Theremustbeaminimumendurancetothestimulus
orthereisnoresponse.Onthe
otherhandthereisnoresponsetotimeunlessthereisaminimumdegreeofintensity.
Todaythemostfundamentalthingintheworldiscalledaction,orsimplyenergy

multipliedbytime.
TheBiblegivesitasthreedaysthedurationisthreedaysforresponseinthisworld.IfI
wouldnowassumeIamwhatIwanttobe,andifIamfaithfultoitandwalkasthoughI
were,theverylongeststretchgivenforitsrealizationisthreedays.
Ifthereissomethingtonightthatyoureallywantinthisworld,thenexperiencein
imaginationwhatyouwouldexperienceinthefleshwereyoutorealizeyourgoaland
deafenyourears,andblindyoureyestoallthatdeniestherealityofyourassumption.
IfyoudothisyouwouldbeabletotellmebeforeIleavethiscityofLosAngelesthatyou
haverealizedwhatwasonlyawishwhenyoucamehere.Itwillbemyjoytorejoicewith
youintheknowledgethatthechildwhichwasseeminglydeadisnowalive.Thisdamsel
reallywasnotdead,shewasonlyasleep.Youfedherinthissilencebecauseyouhave
meatnooneelseknowsof.
Yougaveherfoodandshebecamearesurrectedlivingrealitywithinyourworld.Then
youcanshareyourjoywithmeandIcanrejoiceinyourjoy.
Thepurposeoftheselessonsistoremindyouofthelawofyourownbeing,thelawof
consciousnessyouarethatlaw.Youwereonlyunconsciousofitsoperation.Youfed
andkeptalivethethingsyoudidnotwishtoexpresswithinthisworld.

Takemychallengeandputthisphilosophytothetest.Ifitdoesnotworkyoushouldnot
useitasacomforter.Ifitisnottrue,youmustcompletelydiscardit.Iknowitistrue.
Youwillnotknowituntilyoutryeithertoproveordisproveit.
Toomanyofushavejoined"isms"andweareafraidtoputthemtothetestbecausewe
feelwemightfailand,then,wherearewe?Notreallywantingtoknowthetruth
concerningit,wehesitatetobeboldenoughtoputittothetest.Yousay,"Iknowit
wouldworkinsomeotherway.Idonotwanttoreallytestit.WhileIhavenotyet

disprovedit,Icanstillbecomfortedbyit.
Nowdonotfoolyourself,donotthinkforonesecondbethatyouarewise.
Proveordisprovethislaw.Iknowthatifyouattempttodisproveit,youwillproveit,and
Iwillbethericherforyourprovingit,notindollars,notinthings,butbecauseyou
becomethelivingfruitofwhatIbelieveIamteachinginthisworld.Itisfarbettertohave
youasuccessful,satisfiedpersonafterfivedaysofinstructionthantohaveyougoout
dissatisfied.Ihopeyouwillbeboldenoughtochallengethisinstructionandeitherprove
ordisproveit.
NowbeforewegointothesilenceperiodIshallbrieflyexplainthetechniqueagain.We
havetwotechniquesinapplyingthislaw.Everyoneheremustnowknowexactlywhathe
wants.Youmustknowthatifyoudonotgetittonightyouwillstillbeasdesirous
tomorrowconcerningthisobjective.
Whenyouknowexactlywhatyouwant,constructinyourmindseyeasingle,simple
eventwhichimpliesfulfillmentofyourdesire,aneventwhereinselfpredominates.Instead
ofsittingbackandlookingatyourselfasthoughyouwereonthescreen,youbetheactor
inthedrama.
Restricttheeventtoonesingleaction.Ifyouaregoingtoshakeahandbecausethat
impliesfulfillmentofyourdesirethendothatandthatonly.Donotshakehandsandthen
wanderoffinyourimaginationtoadinnerpartyortosomeotherplace.Restrictyour
actiontosimplyshakinghandsanddoitoverandoveragain,untilthathandshaketakes
onthesolidityandthedistinctness
ofreality.
Ifyoufeelyoucannotremainfaithfultoanaction,Iwantyounowtodefineyour
objective,andthencondensetheidea,whichisyourdesire,intoasinglephrase,aphrase
whichimpliesfulfillmentofyourdesire,somephrasesuchas,"Isn'titwonderful?"

OrifIfeltthankfulbecauseIthoughtsomeonewasinstrumentalinbringingmydesireto
pass,Icouldsay,"Thankyou,"andrepeatitwithfeelingoverandoveragainlikealullaby
untilmymindwasdominatedbythesinglesensationofthankfulness.
Wewillnowsitquietlyinthesechairswiththeideawhichimpliesfulfillmentofourdesire
condensedtoasinglephrase,ortoasingleact.Wewillrelaxandimmobilizeourphysical
bodies.Thenletusexperienceinimaginationthesensationwhichourcondensedphraseor
actionaffirms.
Ifyouimagineyourselfshakinganotherperson'shand,donotuseyourphysicalhand,letit
remainimmobilized.Butimaginethathousedwithinyourhandisamoresubtle,morereal
hand,whichcanbeextractedinyourimagination.Putyourimaginaryhandintothe
imaginaryhandofyourfriendwhostandsbeforeyouandfeelthehandshake.Keepyour
physicalbodyimmobilizedeventhoughyoubecomementallyactiveinwhatyouarenow
abouttodo.
Nowwewillgointothesilence.

Lesson4NOONETOCHANGEBUTSELF

MayItakejustaminutetoclarifywhatwassaidlastnight.AladyfeltfromwhatIsaid
lastnightthatIamantionenation.IdohopethatIamnotantianynation,raceorbelief.
IfperchanceIusedanation,itwasonlytoillustrateapoint.
WhatItriedtotellyouwasthiswebecomewhatwecontemplate.Foritisthenatureof
love,asitisthenatureofhate,tochangeusintothelikenessofthatwhichwe

contemplate.LastnightIsimplyreadanewsitemtoshowyouthatwhenwethinkwecan
destroyourimagebybreakingthemirror,weareonlyfoolingourselves.
When,throughwarorrevolution,wedestroytitleswhichtousrepresentarroganceand
greed,webecomeintimetheembodimentofthatwhichwethoughtwehaddestroyed.So
todaythepeoplewhothoughttheydestroyedthetyrantsarethemselvesthatwhichthey
thoughttheyhaddestroyed.
ThatImaynotbemisunderstood,letmeagainlaythefoundationofthisprinciple.
Consciousnessistheoneandonlyreality.Weareincapableofseeingotherthanthe
contentsofourownconsciousness.
Therefore,hatebetraysusinthehourofvictoryandcondemnsustobethatwhichwe
condemn.Allconquestresultsinanexchangeofcharacteristics,sothatconquerors
becomeliketheconqueredfoe.Wehateothersfortheevilwhichisinourselves.Races,
nations,andreligiousgroupshavelivedforcenturiesinintimatehostility,anditisthe
natureofhatred,asitisthenatureoflove,tochangeusintothelikenessofthatwhichwe
contemplate.
Nationsacttowardothernationsastheirowncitizensacttowardeachother.When
slaveryexistsinastateandthatnationattacksanotheritiswithintenttoenslave.When
thereisafierceeconomiccompetitionbetweencitizenandcitizen,theninwarwith
anothernationtheobjectofthewaristodestroythetradeoftheenemy.Warsof
dominationarebroughtaboutbythewillofthosewhowithinastatearedominantover
thefortunesoftherest.
Weradiatetheworldthatsurroundsusbytheintensityofourimaginationandfeeling.But
inthisthirddimensionalworldofourstimebeatsslowly.Andsowedonotalways
observetherelationshipofthevisibleworldtoourinnernature.
NowthatisreallywhatImeant.IthoughtIhadsaidit.ThatImaynotbemisunderstood,

thatismyprinciple.YouandIcancontemplateanideal,andbecomeitbyfallinginlove
withit.
Ontheotherhandwecancontemplatesomethingweheartilydislikeandbycondemningit
wewillbecomeit.Butbecauseoftheslownessoftimeinthisthreedimensionalworld,
whenwedobecomewhatwecontemplatedwehaveforgottenthatformerlywesetoutto
worshipordestroyit.
Tonight'slessonisthecapstoneoftheBible,sodogivemeyourattention.Themost
importantquestionaskedintheBiblewillbefoundinthe16thchapteroftheGospelofSt.
Matthew.
Asyouknow,alloftheBiblestoriesareyourstoriesitscharactersliveonlyinthemind
ofman.Theyhavenoreferenceatalltoanyperson,wholivedintimeandspace,ortoany
eventthateveroccurreduponearth.
**************
ThedramarelatedinMatthewtakesplaceinthismannerJesusturnstohisdisciplesand
asksthem,"WhomdomensaythatItheSonofmanam?"Matt.16:13
"Andtheysaid,SomesaythatthouartJohntheBaptist:some,Eliasandothers,
Jeremiah,oroneoftheprophets."
"Hesaithuntothem,ButwhomsayyethatIam?"
"AndSimonPeteransweredandsaid,ThouaretheChrist,theSonofthelivingGod."
"AndJesusansweredandsaiduntohim,Blessedartthou,SimonBarJonah:forfleshand
bloodhathnotrevealedituntothee,butmyFatherwhichisinheaven."

"AndIsayalsountotheethatthouartPeter,anduponthisrockIwillbuildmychurch."
Matt.16:1418
Jesusturningtohisdisciplesismanturningtohisdisciplinedmindinselfcontemplation.
Youaskyourselfthequestion,"WhomdomensaythatIam?"Inourlanguage,"Iwonder
whatmenthinkofme?"
Youanswer,"SomesayJohncomeagain,SomesayElias,otherssayJeremiah,andstill
othersaProphetofoldcomeagain."
Itisveryflatteringtobetoldthatyouare,orthatyouresemble,thegreatmenofthepast,
butenlightenedreasonisnotenslavedbypublicopinion.Itisonlyconcernedwiththe
truthsoitasksitselfanotherquestion,"ButwhomsayyethatIam?"Inotherwords,
"WhoamI?"
IfIamboldenoughtoassumethatIamChristJesus,theanswerwillcomeback,"Thou
areChristJesus."
WhenIcanassumeitandfeelitandboldlyliveit,Iwillsaytomyself,"Fleshandblood
couldnothavetoldmethis.ButmyFatherwhichisinHeavenrevealedituntome."Then
ImakethisconceptofSelftherockonwhichIestablishmychurch,myworld.
"IfyebelievenotthatIamHe,yeshalldieinyoursins."John8:24
BecauseconsciousnessistheonlyrealityImustassumethatIamalreadythatwhichI
desiretobe.IfIdonotbelievethatIamalreadywhatIwanttobe,thenIremainasIam
anddieinthislimitation.
Manisalwayslookingforsomeproponwhichtolean.Heisalwayslookingforsome
excusetojustifyfailure.Thisrevelationgivesmannoexcuseforfailure.Hisconceptof
himselfisthecauseofallthecircumstancesofhislife.Allchangesmustfirstcomefrom

withinhimselfandifhedoesnotchangeontheoutsideitisbecausehehasnotchanged
within.Butmandoesnotliketofeel
thatheissolelyresponsiblefortheconditionsofhislife.
"Fromthattimemanyofhisdiscipleswentback,andwalkednomorewithhim."
"ThensaidJesusuntothetwelve,Willyealsogoaway?"
"ThenSimonPeteransweredhim,Lord,towhomshallwego?Thouhastthewordsof
eternallife."John6:6668
ImaynotlikewhatIhavejustheard,thatImustturntomyownconsciousnessastothe
onlyreality,theonlyfoundationonwhichallphenomenacanbeexplained.Itwaseasier
livingwhenIcouldblameanother.ItwasmucheasierlivingwhenIcouldblamesociety
formyills,orpointafingeracrossthesea.andblameanothernation.Itwaseasierliving
whenIcouldblametheweather
forthewayIfeel.ButtotellmethatIamthecauseofallthathappenstomethatIam
forever
moldingmyworldinharmonywithmyinnernature,thatismorethanmaniswillingto
accept.Ifthisistrue,towhomwouldIgo?Ifthesearethewordsofeternallife,Imust
returntothem,eventhoughtheyseemsodifficulttodigest.
Whenmanfullyunderstandsthis,heknowsthatpublicopiniondoesnotmatter,formen
onlytellhimwhoheis.ThebehaviourofmenconstantlytellmewhoIhaveconceived
myselftobe.
IfIacceptthischallengeandbegintolivebyit,Ifinallyreachthepointthatiscalledthe
greatprayeroftheBible.Itisrelatedinthe17thchapteroftheGospelofSt.John,"Ihave
finishedtheworkwhichthougavestmetodo."John17:4
"Andnow,OFather,glorifythoumewiththineownselfwiththeglorywhichIhadwith

theebeforetheworldwas."John17:5
"WhileIwaswiththemintheworld,Ikepttheminthyname:thosethatthougavestmeI
havekept,andnoneofthemislost,butthesonofperdition."John17:12
Itisimpossibleforanythingtobelost.Inthisdivineeconomynothingcanbelost,it
cannotevenpassaway.Thelittleflowerwhichhasbloomedonce,bloomsforever.Itis
invisibletoyouherewithyourlimitedfocus,butitbloomsforeverinthelargerdimension
ofyourbeing,andtomorrowyouwillencounterit.
AllthatthougavestmeIhavekeptinthyname,andnonehaveIlostsavethesonof
perdition.Thesonofperditionmeanssimplythebeliefinloss.Sonisaconcept,anidea.
Perdidoisloss.Ihaveonlytrulylosttheconceptofloss,fornothingcanbelost.
Icandescendfromthespherewherethethingitselfnowlives,andasIdescendin
consciousnesstoalowerlevelwithinmyselfitpassesfrommyworld.Isay,"Ihavelost
myhealth.Ihavelostmywealth.Ihavelostmystandinginthecommunity.Ihavelost
faith.Ihavelostathousandthings."Butthethingsinthemselves,havingoncebeenrealin
myworld,canneverceasetobe.Theynever
becomeunrealwiththepassageoftime.
I,bymydescentinconsciousnesstoalowerlevel,causethesethingstodisappearfrom
mysightandIsay,"Theyhavegonetheyarefinishedasfarasmyworldgoes."AllIneed
doistoascendtothelevelwheretheyareeternal,andtheyoncemoreobjectify
themselvesandappearasrealitieswithinmyworld.
Thecruxofthewhole17thchapteroftheGospelofSt.Johnisfoundinthe19thverse,
"AndfortheirsakeIsanctifymyself,thattheyalsomightbesanctifiedthroughthetruth."
HeretoforeIthoughtIcouldchangeothersthrougheffort.NowIknowIcannotchange
anotherunlessIfirstchangemyself.TochangeanotherwithinmyworldImustfirst

changemyconceptofthatotherandtodoitbestIchangemyconceptofself.Foritwas
theconceptIheldofselfthatmademeseeothersasIdid.
HadIanoble,dignifiedconceptofmyself,Inevercouldhaveseentheunlovelyinothers.
Insteadoftryingtochangeothersthroughargumentandforce,letmebutascendin
consciousnesstoahigherlevelandIwillautomaticallychangeothersbychangingself.
"Thereisnoonetochangebutselfthatselfissimplyyourawareness,yourconsciousness
andtheworldinwhichitlivesisdeterminedbytheconceptyouholdofself.Itisto
consciousnessthatwemustturnastothe
onlyreality.Forthereisnoclearconceptionoftheoriginofphenomenaexceptthat
consciousnessisallandallisconsciousness.
Youneednohelpertobringyouwhatyouseek.DonotforonesecondbelievethatIam
advocatingescapefromrealitywhenIaskyoutosimplyassumeyouarenowthemanor
theladythatyouwanttobe.
IfyouandIcouldfeelwhatitwouldbelikewerewenowthatwhichwewanttobe,and
liveinthismentalatmosphereasthoughitwerereal,then,inawaywedonotknow,our
assumptionwouldhardenintofact.Thisisallweneeddoinordertoascendtothelevel
whereourassumptionisalreadyanobjective,concretereality.
Ineedchangenoman,IsanctifymyselfandinsodoingIsanctifyothers.Tothepureall
thingsarepure."Thereisnothinguncleanofitself:buttohimthatesteemethanythingto
beunclean,tohimitisunclean."Rom.14:14.Thereisnothinginitselfunclean,butyou,
byyourconceptofself,seethingseithercleanorunclean.
"IandmyFatherareone."John10:30.
"IfIdonottheworksofmyFather,believemenot."

"ButifIdo,thoughyebelievenotme,believetheworks:thatyemayknow,andbelieve,
thattheFatherisinme,andIinhim.'John10:37,38
HemadehimselfonewithGodandthoughtitnotstrangeorrobberytodotheworksof
God.Youalwaysbearfruitinharmonywithwhatyouare.Itisthemostnaturalthingin
theworldforapeartreetobearpears,anappletreetobearapples,andformantomold
thecircumstancesofhislifeinharmonywithhisinnernature.
"Iamthevine,yearethebranches."John15:5.Abranchhasnolifesaveitberootedin
thevine.AllIneeddotochangethefruitistochangethevine.
YouhavenolifeinmyworldsavethatIamconsciousofyou.Youarerootedinmeand,
likefruit,youbearwitnessofthevinethatIam.Thereisnorealityintheworldotherthan
yourconsciousness.Althoughyoumaynowseemtobewhatyoudonotwanttobe,all
youneeddotochangeit,andtoprovethechangebycircumstancesinyourworld,isto
quietlyassumethatyouarethatwhichyounowwanttobe,andinawayyoudonotknow
youwillbecomeit.
Thereisnootherwaytochangethisworld."Iamtheway."MyIAMness,my
consciousnessisthewaybywhichIchangemyworld.AsIchangemyconceptofself,I
changemyworld.Whenmenandwomenhelporhinderus,theyonlyplaythepartthat
we,byourconceptofself,wroteforthem,andtheyplayitautomatically.Theymustplay
thepartstheyareplayingbecausewearewhatweare.
Youwillchangetheworldonlywhenyoubecometheembodimentofthatwhichyouwant
theworldtobe.Youhavebutonegiftinthisworldthatistrulyyourstogiveandthatis
yourself.Unlessyouyourselfarethatwhichyouwanttheworldtobe,youwillneversee
itinthisworld."ExceptyebelievenotthatIamhe,yeshalldieinyoursins."John8:24
Doyouknowthatnotwointhisroomliveinthesameworld.Wearegoinghometo
differentworldstonight.Wecloseourdoorsonentirelydifferentworlds.Werise

tomorrowandgotowork,wherewemeeteachotherandmeetothers,butwelivein
differentmentalworlds,differentphysicalworlds.
IcanonlygivewhatIam,Ihavenoothergifttogive.IfIwanttheworldtobeperfect,
andwhodoesnot,IhavefailedonlybecauseIdidnotknowthatIcouldneverseeit
perfectuntilImyselfbecomeperfect.IfIamnotperfectIcannotseeperfection,butthe
daythatIbecomeit,IbeautifymyworldbecauseIseeitthroughmyowneyes."Untothe
pureallthingsarepure."Titus1:15
Notwoherecantellmethatyouhaveheardthesamemessageanyonenight.Theone
thingthatyoumustdoishearwhatIsaythroughthatwhichyouare.Itmustbefiltered
throughyourprejudices,yoursuperstitions,andyourconceptofself.Whateveryouare,it
mustcomethroughthat,andbecoloredbywhatyouare.
IfyouaredisturbedandyouwouldlikemetobesomethingotherthanwhatIappearto
be,thenyoumustbethatwhichyouwantmetobe.Wemustbecomethethingthatwe
wantotherstobeorwewillneverseethembeit.
Yourconsciousness,myconsciousness,istheonlytruefoundationintheworld.Thisis
thatwhichiscalledPeterintheBible,notaman,thisfaithfulnessthatcannotturnto
anyone,thatcannotbeflatteredwhenyouaretoldbymenyouareJohncomeagain.That
isveryflatteringtobetoldyouareJohntheBaptistcomeagain,orthegreatProphet
Elias,orJeremiah.
ThenIdeafenmyearstothisveryflatteringlittlebitofnewsmenwouldgivemeandIask
myself,
"ButhonestlywhoamI?"
IfIcandenythelimitationsofmybirth,myenvironment,andthebeliefthatIambutan
extensionofmyfamilytree,andfeelwithinmyselfthatIamChrist,andsustainthis
assumptionuntilittakesacentralplaceandformsthehabitualcenterofmyenergy,Iwill

dotheworksattributedtoJesus.WithoutthoughtoreffortIwillmoldaworldinharmony
withthatperfectionwhichIhaveassumedandfeelspringingwithinme.
WhenIopentheeyesoftheblind,unstoptheearsofthedeaf,givejoyformourningand
beautyforashes,thenandonlythen,haveItrulyestablishedthisvinedeepwithin.Thatis
whatIwouldautomaticallydowereItrulyconsciousofbeingChrist.Itissaidofthis
presence,HeprovedthatHewasChristbyHisworks.
Ourordinaryalterationsofconsciousness,aswepassfromonestatetoanother,arenot
transformations,becauseeachofthemissorapidlysucceededbyanotherinthereverse
direction
butwheneverourassumptiongrowssostableastodefinitelyexpelitsrivals,thenthat
centralhabitualconceptdefinesourcharacterandisatruetransformation.
Jesus,orenlightenedreason,sawnothinguncleaninthewomantakeninadultery.Hesaid
toher,"Hathnomancondemnedthee?"John8:10
"Shesaid,Noman,Lord.AndJesussaiduntoher,neitherdoIcondemntheego,andsin
nomore."John8:11
Nomatterwhatisbroughtbeforethepresenceofbeauty,itseesonlybeauty.Jesuswasso
completelyidentifiedwiththelovelythatHewasincapableofseeingtheunlovely.
WhenyouandIreallybecomeconsciousofbeingChrist,wetoowillstraightenthearms
ofthewithered,andresurrectthedeadhopesofmen.Wewilldoallthethingsthatwe
couldnotdowhenwefeltourselveslimitedbyourfamilytree.Itisaboldstepandshould
notbetakenlightly,becausetodoitistodie.John,themanofthreedimensionsis
beheaded,orloseshis
threedimensionalfocusthatJesus,thefourthdimensionalSelfmaylive.
AnyenlargementofourconceptofSelfinvolvesasomewhatpainfulpartingwithstrongly

rootedhereditaryconceptions.Theligamentsarestrongthatholdusinthewombof
conventionallimitations.Allthatyouformerlybelieved,younolongerbelieve.Youknow
nowthatthereisnopoweroutsideofyourownconsciousness.Thereforeyoucannotturn
toanyoneoutsideofself.
Youhavenoearsforthesuggestionthatsomethingelsehaspowerinit.Youknowthe
onlyrealityisGod,andGodisyourownconsciousness.ThereisnootherGod.Therefore
onthisrockyoubuildtheeverlastingchurchandboldlyassumeyouarethisDivineBeing,
selfbegottenbecauseyoudaredtoappropriatethatwhichwasnotgiventoyouinyour
cradle,aconceptofSelfnotformedinyourmother'swomb,aconceptofselfconceived
outsideoftheofficesofman.
ThestoryisbeautifullytoldusintheBibleusingthetwosonsofAbraham:onethe
blessed,Isaac,bornoutsideoftheofficesofmanandtheother,Ishmael,borninbondage.
Sarahwasmuchtoooldtobegetachild,soherhusbandAbrahamwentinuntothe
bondservantHagar,thepilgrim,andsheconceivedoftheoldmanandborehimason
calledIshmael.Ishmael'shandwasagainsteverymanandeveryman'shandagainsthim.
Everychildbornofwomanisbornintobondage,bornintoallthathisenvironment
represents,regardlessofwhetheritbethethroneofEngland,theWhiteHouse,orany
greatplaceintheworld.EverychildbornofwomanispersonifiedasthisIshmael,the
childofHagar.
ButasleepineverychildistheblessedIsaac,whoisbornoutsideoftheofficesofman,
andisbornthroughfaithalone.Thissecondchildhasnoearthlyfather.HeisSelf
begotten.
Whatisthesecondbirth?Ifindmyselfman,Icannotgobackintomymother'swomb,and
yetImustbebornasecondtime."Exceptamanbebornagainhecannotenterthe
kingdomofGod."John3:3

Iquietlyappropriatethatwhichnomancangiveme,nowomancangiveme.Idareto
assumethatIamGod.Thismustbeoffaith,thismustbeofpromise.ThenIbecomethe
blessed,IbecomeIsaac.
AsIbegintodothethingsthatonlythispresencecoulddo,IknowthatIambornoutof
thelimitationsofIshmael,andIhavebecomeheirtothekingdom.Ishmaelcouldnot
inheritanything,althoughhisfatherwasAbraham,orGod.Ishmaeldidnothaveboth
parentsofthegodlyhismotherwasHagarthebondwoman,andsohecouldnotpartake
ofhisfather'sestate.
YouareAbrahamandSarah,andcontainedwithinyourownconsciousnessthereisone
waitingforrecognition.IntheOldTestamentitiscalledIsaac,andintheNewTestament
itiscalledJesus,anditisbornwithouttheaidofman.
NomancantellyouthatyouareChristJesus,nomancantellyouandconvinceyouthat
youareGod.YoumusttoywiththeideaandwonderwhatitwouldbeliketobeGod.
Noclearconceptionoftheoriginofphenomenaispossibleexceptthatconsciousnessisall
andallisconsciousness.Nothingcanbeevolvedfrommanthatwasnotpotentially
involvedinhisnature.Theidealweserveandhopetoattaincouldneverbeevolvedfrom
uswereitnotpotentiallyinvolvedinour
nature.
Letmenowretellandemphasizeanexperienceofmineprintedbymetwoyearsago
underthetitle,THESEARCH.Ithinkitwillhelpyoutounderstandthislawof
consciousness,andshowyouthatyouhavenoonetochangebutself,foryouare
incapableofseeingotherthanthecontentsofyourownconsciousness.
Onceinanidleintervalatsea,Imeditatedon"theperfectstate,"andwonderedwhatI
wouldbewereIoftoopureeyestobeholdiniquity,iftomeallthingswerepureandwere

Iwithoutcondemnation.AsIbecamelostinthisfierybrooding,Ifoundmyselflifted
abovethedarkenvironmentofthesenses.SointensewasfeelingIfeltmyselfabeingof
firedwellinginabodyofair.Voices,asfromaheavenlychorus,withtheexaltationof
thosewhohadbeenconquerorsinaconflictwithdeath,weresinging,"HeisrisenHeis
risen,"andintuitivelyIknewtheymeantme.
ThenIseemedtobewalkinginthenight.Isooncameuponascenethatmighthavebeen
theancientPoolofBethesdaforinthisplacelayagreatmultitudeofimpotentfolk
blind,halt,witheredwaitingnotforthemovingofthewaterasoftradition,butwaiting
forme.
AsIcamenear,withoutthoughtoreffortonmypart,theywereoneaftertheother,
moldedasbytheMagicianoftheBeautiful.Eyes,hands,feetallmissingmembers
weredrawnfromsomeinvisiblereservoirandmoldedinharmonywiththatperfection
whichIfeltspringingwithinme.Whenallweremadeperfectthechorusexulted,"Itis
finished."
Iknowthisvisionwastheresultofmyintensemeditationupontheideaofperfection,for
mymeditationsinvariablybringaboutunionwiththestatecontemplated.Ihadbeenso
completelyabsorbedwithintheideathatforawhileIhadbecomewhatIcontemplated,
andthehighpurposewithwhichIhadforthatmomentidentifiedmyselfdrewthe
companionshipofhighthingsandfashionedthevisioninharmonywithmyinnernature.
Theidealwithwhichweareunitedworksbyassociationofideastoawakenathousand
moodstocreateadramainkeepingwiththecentralidea.
Mymysticalexperienceshaveconvincedmethatthereisnowaytobringaboutthe
perfectionweseekotherthanbythetransformationofourselves.Assoonaswesucceed
intransformingourselves,theworldwillmeltmagicallybeforeoureyesandreshapeitself
inharmonywiththatwhichourtransformationaffirms.

Wefashiontheworldthatsurroundsusbytheintensityofourimaginationandfeeling,and
weilluminateordarkenourlivesbytheconceptsweholdofourselves.Nothingismore
importanttousthanourconceptionofourselves,andespeciallyistrueofourconceptof
thedeep,dimensionallygreaterOnewithinus.
Thosethathelporhinderus,whethertheyknowitornot,aretheservantsofthatlaw
whichshapesoutwardcircumstancesinharmonywithourinnernature.Itisour
conceptionofourselveswhichfreesorconstrainsus,thoughitmayusematerialagencies
toachieveitspurpose.
Becauselifemoldstheouterworldtoreflecttheinnerarrangementofourminds,thereis
nowayofbringingabouttheouterperfectionweseekotherthanbythetransformationof
ourselves.Nohelpcomethfromwithout:thehillstowhichweliftoureyesarethoseofan
innerrange.
Itisthustoourownconsciousnessthatwemustturnastotheonlyreality,theonly
foundationonwhichallphenomenacanbeexplained.Wecanrelyabsolutelyonthejustice
ofthislawtogiveusonlythatwhichisofthenatureofourselves.
Toattempttochangetheworldbeforewechangeourconceptofourselvesistostruggle
againstthenatureofthings.Therecanbenoouterchangeuntilthereisfirstaninner
change.
Aswithin,sowithout.
IamnotadvocatingphilosophicalindifferencewhenIsuggestthatweshouldimagine
ourselvesasalreadythatwhichwewanttobe,livinginamentalatmosphereofgreatness,
ratherthanusingphysicalmeansandargumentstobringaboutthedesiredchanges.
Everythingwedo,unaccompaniedbyachangeofconsciousness,isbutfutilereadjustment
ofsurfaces.Howeverwetoilorstruggle,wecanreceivenomorethanourconceptsof

Selfaffirm.Toprotestagainstanythingwhichhappenstousistoprotestagainstthelaw
ofourbeingandourrulershipoverourowndestiny.
Thecircumstancesofmylifearetoocloselyrelatedtomyconceptionofmyselfnotto
havebeenformedbymyownspiritfromsomedimensionallylargerstorehouseofmy
being.Ifthereispaintomeinthesehappenings,Ishouldlookwithinmyselfforthecause,
forIammovedhereandthereandmadetoliveinaworldinharmonywithmyconceptof
myself.
Ifwewouldbecomeasemotionallyarousedoverourideasaswebecomeoverour
dislikes,wewouldascendtotheplaneofouridealaseasilyaswenowdescendtothe
levelofourhates.
Loveandhatehaveamagicaltransformingpower,andwegrowthroughtheirexercise
intothelikenessofwhatwecontemplate.Byintensityofhatredwecreateinourselvesthe
characterweimagineinourenemies.Qualitiesdieforwantofattention,sotheunlovely
statesmightbestberubbedoutbyimagining"'beautyforashesandjoyformourning"
ratherthanbydirectattacksonthestatefromwhichwewouldbefree.
"Whatsoeverthingsarelovelyandofgoodreport,thinkonthesethings,"forwebecome
thatwithwhichweareenrapport.
Thereisnothingtochangebutourconceptofself.Assoonaswesucceedintransforming
self,ourworldwilldissolveandreshapeitselfinharmonywiththatwhichourchange
affirms.
I,bydescentinconsciousness,havebroughtabouttheimperfectionthatIsee.Inthe
divineeconomynothingislost.Wecannotloseanythingsavebydescentinconsciousness
fromthespherewherethethinghasitsnaturallife.
Andnow,OFather,glorifythoumewiththineownselfwiththeglorywhichIhadwith

theebeforetheworldwas."John17:5
AsIascendinconsciousnessthepowerandtheglorythatwasminereturntomeandItoo
willsay"Ihavefinishedtheworkthougavestmetodo."Theworkistoreturnfrommy
descentinconsciousness,fromthelevelwhereinIbelievedthatIwasasonofman,tothe
spherewhereIknowthatIamonewithmyFatherandmyFatherisGod.
Iknowbeyondalldoubtthatthereisnothingformantodobuttochangehisownconcept
ofhimselftoassumegreatnessandsustainthisassumption.Ifwewalkasthoughwewere
alreadytheidealweserve,wewillrisetothelevelofourassumption,andfindaworldin
harmonywithourassumption.Wewillnothavetoliftafingertomakeitso,foritis
alreadyso.Itwasalwaysso.
YouandIhavedescendedinconsciousnesstothelevelwherewenowfindourselvesand
weseeimperfectionbecausewehavedescended!Whenwebegintoascendwhileherein
thisthreedimensionalworld,wefindthatwemoveinanentirelydifferentenvironment,
wehaveentirelydifferentcirclesoffriends,andanentirelydifferentworldwhilestillliving
here.Weknowthegreat
mysteryofthestatement,"Iamintheworldbutnotofit."
InsteadofchangingthingsIwouldsuggesttoalltoidentifythemselveswiththeidealthey
contemplate.Whatwouldthefeelingbelikewereyouoftoopureeyestobeholdiniquity
iftoyouallthingswerepureandyouwerewithoutcondemnation?Contemplatetheideal
stateandidentifyyourselfwithitandyouwillascendtothespherewhereyouasChrist
haveyournaturallife.
Youarestillinthatstatewhereyouwerebeforetheworldwas.Theonlythingthathas
fallenisyourconceptofself.Youseethebrokenpartswhichreallyarenotbroken.You
areseeingthemthroughdistortedeyes,asthoughyouwereinoneofthosepeculiar
amusementgallery'swhereamanwalksbeforeamirrorandheiselongated,yetheisthe
sameman.Orhelooksintoanothermirrorandheisallbigandfat.Thesethingsareseen

todaybecausemaniswhatheis.
Toywiththeideaofperfection.Asknomantohelpyou,butlettheprayerofthe17th
chapteroftheGospelofSt.Johnbeyourprayer.Appropriatethestatethatwasyours
beforetheworldwas.
Knowthetruthofthestatement,"NonehaveIlostsavethesonofperdition."Nothingis
lostinallmyholymountain.Theonlythingthatyouloseisthebeliefinlossorthesonof
perdition.
"AndfortheirsakeIsanctifymyself,thattheyalsomightbesanctifiedthroughthetruth."
John17:19
Thereisnoonetochangebutself.Allyouneeddotomakemenandwomenholyinthis
worldistomakeyourselfholy.Youareincapableofseeinganythingthatisunlovelywhen
youestablishwithinyourownmind'seyethefactthatyouarelovely.
Itisfarbettertoknowthisthantoknowanythingelseintheworld.Ittakescourage,
boundlesscourage,becausemanythisnight,afterhavingheardthistruthwillstillbe
inclinedtoblameothersfortheirpredicament.Manfindsitsodifficulttoturntohimself,
tohisownconsciousnessastotheonlyreality.Listentothesewords:
"Nomancancometome,excepttheFatherwhichhathsentmedrawhim."John6:44
"IandmyFatherareone."John10:30
"Amancanreceivenothing,exceptitbegivenhimfromheaven."John3:27
"ThereforedothmyFatherloveme,becauseIlaydownmylife,thatImighttakeitagain."
"Nomantakethitfromme,butIlayitdownofmyself."John10:17,18.

"Youdidnotchooseme,Ihavechosenyou."Myconceptofmyselfmoldsaworldin
harmonywithitselfanddrawsmentotellmeconstantlybytheirbehaviourwhoIam.
Themostimportantthinginthisworldtoyouisyourconceptofself.Whenyoudislike
yourenvironment,thecircumstancesoflifeandthebehaviourofmen,askyourself,"Who
amI?"Itisyouranswertothisquestionhatisthecauseofyourdislikes.
Ifyoudonotcondemnselftherewillbenomaninyourworldtocondemnyou.Ifyouare
livingintheconsciousnessofyouridealyouwillseenothingtocondemn."Tothepureall
thingsarepure."
NowIwouldliketospendalittletimemakingasclearasIcanwhatIpersonallydowhen
Ipray,whatIdowhenIwanttobringaboutchangesinmyworld.Youwillfindit
interesting,andyouwillfindthatitworks.Nooneherecantellmetheycannotdoit.Itis
soverysimpleallcandoit.Wearewhatweimagineweare.
Thistechniqueisnotdifficulttofollow,butyoumustwanttodoit.Youcannotapproach
itwiththeattitudeofmind"OhwellI'lltryit."Youmustwanttodoit,becausethe
mainspringofactionisdesire.
Desireisthemainspringofallaction.NowwhatdoIwant?Imustdefinemyobjective.
Forexample,supposeIwantednowtobeelsewhere.ThisverymomentIreallydesireto
beelsewhere.Ineednotgothroughthedoor,Ineednotsitdown.Ineeddonothingbut
standjustwhereIamandwithmyeyesclosed,assumethatIamactuallystandingwhereI
desiretobe.ThenIremaininthis
stateuntilithasthefeelingofreality.WereInowelsewhereIcouldnotseetheworldasI
nowseeitfromhere.TheworldchangesinitsrelationshiptomeasIchangemyposition
inspace.
SoIstandrighthere,closemyeyes,andimagineIamseeingwhatIwouldseewereI

there.Iremaininitlongenoughtofeelittobereal.Icannottouchthewallsofthisroom
fromhere,butwhenyoucloseyoureyesandbecomestillyoucanimagineandfeelthat
youtouchit.Youcanstandwhereyouareandimagineyouareputtingyourhandonthat
wall.Toproveyoureallyare,putitthereandslideitupandfeelthewood.Youcan
imagineyouaredoingitwithoutgettingoffyourseat.Youcandoitandyouwillactually
feelitifyoubecomestillenoughandintenseenough
IstandwhereIamandIallowtheworldthatIwanttoseeandtoenterphysicallytocome
beforemeasthoughIweretherenow.Inotherwords,Ibringelsewhereherebyassuming
thatIamthere.
Isthatclear?Iletitcomeup,Idonotmakeitcomeup.IsimplyimagineIamthereand
thenletithappen.
IfIwantaphysicalpresence,Iimagineheisstandinghere,andItouchhimAllthrough
theBibleIfindthesesuggestions,"Heplacedhishandsuponthem.Hetouchedthem."
Ifyouwanttocomfortsomeone,whatistheautomaticfeeling?Toputyourhandon
them,youcannotresistit.Youmeetafriendandthehandgoesoutautomatically,you
eithershakehandsorputyourhandonhisshoulder.
Supposeyouwerenowtomeetafriendthatyouhavenotseenforayearandheisa
friendofwhomyouareveryfond.Whatwouldyoudo?Youwouldembracehim,
wouldn'tyou?Oryouwouldputyourhanduponhim.
Inyourimaginationbringhimcloseenoughtoputyourhanduponhimandfeelhimtobe
solidlyreal.Restricttheactiontojustthat.Youwillbeamazedatwhathappens.From
thenonthingsbegintomove.Yourdimensionallygreaterselfwillinspire,inall,theideas
andactionsnecessarytobringyouintophysicalcontact.Itworksthatway.
EverydayIputmyselfintothedrowsystateitisaveryeasythingtodo.Buthabitisa

strangethinginman'sworld.Itisnotlaw,buthabitactsasthoughitwerethemost
compellinglawintheworld.Wearecreaturesofhabit.
Ifyoucreateanintervaleverydayintowhichyouputyourselfintothedrowsystate,say
at3o'clockintheafternoondoyouknowatthatmomenteverydayyouwillfeeldrowsy.
YoutryitforoneweekandseeifIamnotright.
Yousitdownforthepurposeofcreatingastateakintosleep,asthoughyouweresleepy,
butdonotpushthedrowsinesstoofar,justfarenoughtorelaxandleaveyouincontrolof
thedirectionofyourthoughts.Youtryitforoneweek,andeverydayatthathour,no
matterwhatyouaredoing,youwillhardlybeabletokeepyoureyesopen.Ifyouknow
thehourwhenyouwillbefreeyou
cancreateit.Iwouldnotsuggestthatyoudoitlightly,becauseyouwillfeelvery,very
sleepyandyoumaynotwantto.
Ihaveanotherwayofpraying.InthiscaseIalwayssitdownandIfindthemost
comfortablearmchairimaginable,orIlieflatonmybackandrelaxcompletely.Make
yourselfcomfortable.Youmustnotbeinanypositionwherethebodyisdistressed.
Alwaysputyourselfintoapositionwhereyouhavethegreatestease.Thatisthefirst
stage.
Toknowwhatyouwantisthestartofprayer.Secondlyyouconstructinyourmind'seye
onesinglelittleeventwhichimpliesthatyouhaverealizedyourdesire.Ialwaysletmy
mindroamonmanythingsthatcouldfollowtheansweredprayerandIsingleoutonethat
ismostlikelytofollowthefulfillmentofmydesire.Onesimplelittlethingliketheshaking
ofahand,embracingaperson,
thereceivingofaletter,thewritingofacheck,orwhateverwouldimplythefulfillmentof
yourdesire.
Afteryouhavedecidedontheactionwhichimpliesthatyourdesirehasbeenrealized,then
sitinyournicecomfortablechairorlieflatonyourback,closeyoureyesforthesimple

reasonithelpstoinducethisstatethatbordersonsleep.
Theminuteyoufeelthislovelydrowsystate,orthefeelingofgatheredtogetherness,
whereinyoufeelIcouldmoveifIwantedto,butIdonotwantto,Icouldopenmyeyes
ifIwantedto,butIdonotwantto.Whenyougetthatfeelingyoucanbequitesurethat
youareintheperfectstatetopray
successfully.
Inthisfeelingitiseasytotouchanythinginthisworld.Youtakethesimplelittlerestricted
actionwhichimpliesfulfillmentofyourprayerandyoufeelitoryouenactit.Whateverit
is,youenterintotheactionasthoughyouwereanactorinthepart.Youdonotsitback
andvisualizeyourselfdoingit.Youdoit.
Withthebodyimmobilizedyouimaginethatthegreateryouinsidethephysicalbodyis
comingoutofitandthatyouareactuallyperformingtheproposedaction.Ifyouare
goingtowalk,youimaginethatyouarewalking.Donotseeyourselfwalk,FEELthat
youarewalking.
Ifyouaregoingtoclimbstairs,FEELthatyouareclimbingthestairs.Donotvisualize
yourselfdoingit,feelyourselfdoingit.Ifyouaregoingtoshakeaman'shand,donot
visualizeyourselfshakinghishand,imagineyourfriendisstandingbeforeyouandshake
hishand.Butleaveyourphysicalhandsimmobilizedandimaginethatyourgreaterhand,
whichisyourimaginaryhand,is
actuallyshakinghishand.
Allyouneeddoistoimaginethatyouaredoingit.Youarestretchedoutintime,and
whatyouaredoing,whichseemstobeacontrolleddaydream,isanactualactinthe
greaterdimensionofyourbeing.Youareactuallyencounteringaneventfourth
dimensionallybeforeyouencounterithereinthethreedimensionsofspace,andyoudo
nothavetoraiseafingertobringthatstatetopass.

Mythirdwayofprayingissimplytofeelthankful.IfIwantsomething,eitherformyself
oranother,Iimmobilizethephysicalbody,thenIproducethestateakintosleepandin
thatstatejustfeelhappy,feelthankful,whichthankfulnessimpliesrealizationofwhatI
want.Iassumethefeelingofthewishfulfilledandwithmyminddominatedbythissingle
sensationIgotosleep.Ineeddonothingtomakeitso,becauseitisso.Myfeelingofthe
wishfulfilledimpliesitisdone.
Allthesetechniquesyoucanuseandchangethemtofityourtemperament.ButImust
emphasizethenecessityofinducingthedrowsystatewhereyoucanbecomeattentive
withouteffort.
Asinglesensationdominatesthemind,ifyoupraysuccessfully.
WhatwouldIfeellike,now,wereIwhatIwanttobe?WhenIknowwhatthefeeling
wouldbelikeIthenclosemyeyesandlosemyselfinthatsinglesensationandmy
dimensionallygreaterSelfthenbuildsabridgeofincidenttoleadmefromthispresent
momenttothefulfillmentofmymood.Thatisallyouneeddo.Butpeoplehaveahabitof
slightingtheimportanceofsimplethings.
Wearecreaturesofhabitandweareslowlylearningtorelinquishourpreviousconcepts,
butthethingsweformerlylivedbystillinsomewayinfluenceourbehaviour.Hereisa
storyfromtheBiblethatillustratesmypoint.
ItisrecordedthatJesustoldhisdisciplestogotothecrossroadsandtheretheywould
findacolt,ayoungcoltnotyetriddenbyaman.Tobringthecolttohimandifanyman
ask,"Whydoyoutakethiscolt?"say,"TheLordhasneedofit."
Theywenttothecrossroadsandfoundthecoltanddidexactlyastheyweretold.They
broughttheunbridledasstoJesusandHerodeittriumphantlyintoJerusalem.
Thestoryhasnothingtodowithamanridingonalittlecolt.YouareJesusofthestory.

Thecoltisthemoodyouaregoingtoassume.Thatisthelivinganimalnotyetriddenby
you.Whatwouldthefeelingbelikewereyoutorealizeyourdesire?Anewfeeling,likea
youngColt,isaverydifficultthingtorideunlessyouridehimwithadisciplinedmind.IfI
donotremainfaithfultothemoodtheyoungcoltthrowsmeoff.Everytimeyoubecome
consciousthatyouarenotfaithfultothismood,youhavebeenthrownfromthecolt.
Disciplineyourmindthatyoumayremainfaithfultoahighmoodandrideittriumphantly
intoJerusalem,whichisfulfillment,orthecityofpeace.
ThisstoryprecedesthefeastofthePassover.Ifwewouldpassfromourpresentstateinto
thatofourideal,wemustassumethatwearealreadythatwhichwedesiretobeand
remainfaithfultoourassumption,forwemustkeepahighmoodifwewouldwalkwith
thehighest.
Afixedattitudeofmind,afeelingthatitisdonewillmakeitso.IfIwalkasthoughit
were,buteveryonceinawhileIlooktoseeifitreallyis,thenIfalloffmymoodorcolt.
IfIwouldsuspendjudgmentlikePeterIcouldwalkonthewater.Peterstartswalkingon
thewater,andthenhebeginstolookuntohisownunderstandingandhebeginstogo
down.Thevoicesaid,"Lookup,Peter."Peterlooksupandherisesagainandcontinues
walkingonthewater.
Insteadoflookingdowntoseeifthisthingisreallygoingtohardenintofact,yousimply
knowthatitisalreadyso,sustainthatmoodandyouwillridetheunbridledcoltintothe
cityofJerusalemAllofusmustlearntoridetheanimalstraightintoJerusalemunassisted
byaman.Youdonotneedanothertohelpyou.
Thestrangethingisthataswekeepthehighmoodanddonotfall,otherscushionthe
blows.Theyspreadthepalmleavesbeforemetocushionmyjourney.Idonothavetobe
concerned.TheshockswillbesoftenedasImoveintothefulfillmentofmydesire.My
highmoodawakensinotherstheideasandactionswhichtendtowardstheembodimentof

mymood.Ifyouwalkfaithfultoahigh
moodtherewillbenooppositionandnocompetition.
Thetestofateacher,orateaching,istobefoundinthefaithfulnessofthetaught.Iam
leavinghereonSundaynight.Doremainfaithfultothisinstruction.Ifyoulookforcauses
outsidetheconsciousnessofman,thenIhavenotconvincedyouoftherealityof
consciousness.
Ifyoulookforexcusesforfailureyouwillalwaysfindthem,foryoufindwhatyouseek.
Ifyouseekanexcuseforfailure,youwillfinditinthestars,inthenumbers,intheteacup,
ormostanyplace.Theexcusewillnotbetherebutyouwillfindittojustifyyourfailure.
Successfulbusinessandprofessionalmenandwomenknowthatthislawworks.Youwill
notfinditingossipgroups,butyouwillfinditincourageoushearts.
Man'seternaljourneyisforonepurpose:torevealtheFather.Hecomestomakevisible
hisFather.AndhisFatherismadevisibleinallthelovelythingsofthisworld.Allthe
thingsthatarelovely,thatareofgoodreport,ridethesethings,andhavenotimeforthe
unlovelyinthisworld,regardlessofwhatitis.
Remainfaithfultotheknowledgethatyourconsciousness,yourIAMness,your
awarenessofbeingawareoftheonlyreality.Itistherockonwhichallphenomenacanbe
explained.Thereisnoexplanationoutsideofthat.Iknowofnoclearconceptionofthe
originofphenomenasavethatconsciousnessisallandallisconsciousness.
Thatwhichyouseekisalreadyhousedwithinyou.Wereitnotnowwithinyoueternity
couldnotevolveit.Notimestretchwouldbelongenoughtoevolvewhatisnot
potentiallyinvolvedinyou.
Yousimplyletitintobeingbyassumingthatitisalreadyvisibleinyourworld,and
remainingfaithfultoyourassumption.itwillhardenintofact.YourFatherhas

unnumberedwaysofrevealingyourassumption.Fixthisinyourmindandalways
remember,"Anassumption,thoughfalse,ifsustainedwillhardenintofact."
YouandyourFatherareoneandyourFatheriseverythingthatwas,isandwillbe.
Thereforethatwhichyouseekyoualreadyare,itcanneverbesofaroffaseventobe
near,fornearnessimpliesseparation.
ThegreatPascalsaid,"Youneverwouldhavesoughtmehadyounotalreadyfoundme.
"Whatyounowdesireyoualreadyhaveandyouseekitonlybecauseyouhavealready
foundit.Youfounditintheformofdesire.Itisjustasrealintheformofdesireasitis
goingtobetoyourbodilyorgans.
YouarealreadythatwhichyouseekandyouhavenoonetochangebutSelfinorderto
expressit.

Lesson5REMAINFAITHFULTOYOURIDEA
Tonightwehavethefifthandlastlessoninthiscourse.FirstIshallgiveyouasortof
summaryofwhathasgonebefore.Then,sincesomanyofyouhaveaskedmeto
elaboratefurtheronLesson3,Ishallgiveyouafewmoreideasonthinkingfourth
dimensionally.
Iknowthatwhenamanseesathingclearlyhecantellit,hecanexplainit.Thispast
winterinBarbadosafisherman,whosevocabularywouldnotencompassathousand
words,toldmemoreinfiveminutesaboutthebehaviourofthedolphinthanShakespeare
withhisvastvocabularycouldhavetoldme,ifhedidnotknowthehabitsofthedolphin.
Thisfishermantoldmehowthedolphinlovestoplayonapieceofdriftwood,andin

ordertocatchhim,youthrowthewoodoutandbaithimasyouwouldbaitchildren,
becausehelikestopretendheisgettingoutofthewater.AsIsaid,thisman'svocabulary
wasverylimited,butheknewhisfish,andheknewthesea.Becauseheknewhisdolphin
hecouldtellmeallabouttheirhabitsandhowtocatchthem.
Whenyousayyouknowathingbutyoucannotexplainit,Isayyoudonotknowit,for
whenyoureallyknowityounaturallyexpressit.
IfIshouldaskyounowtodefineprayer,andsaytoyou,"Howwouldyou,through
prayer,goaboutrealizinganobjective,anyobjective?"Ifyoucantellme,thenyouknow
itbutifyoucannottellme,thenyoudonotknowit.Whenyouseeitclearlyinthemind's
eyethegreateryouwillinspirethewordswhicharenecessarytoclothetheideaand
expressitbeautifully,andyouwill
expresstheideafarbetterthanamanwithavastvocabularywhodoesnotseeitasclearly
asyoudo.
Ifyouhavelistenedcarefullythroughoutthepastfourdays,youknownowthattheBible
hasnoreferenceatalltoanypersonsthateverexisted,ortoanyeventsthateveroccurred
uponearth.
TheauthorsoftheBiblewerenotwritinghistory,theywerewritingagreatdramaofthe
mindwhichtheydressedupinthegarbofhistory,andthenadaptedittothelimited
capacityoftheuncritical,unthinkingmasses.
YouknowthateverystoryintheBibleisyourstory,thatwhenthewritersintroduce
dozensofcharactersinthesamestorytheyaretryingtopresentyouwithdifferent
attributesofthemindthatyoumayemploy.YousawitasItookperhapsadozenormore
storiesandinterpretedthemforyou.
Forinstance,manypeoplewonderhowJesus,themostgracious,themostlovingmanin
theworld,ifhebeman,couldsaytohismother,whatheissupposedtohavesaidtoher

asrecordedinthesecondchapteroftheGospelofSt.John.Jesusismadetosaytohis
mother,"Woman,whathaveItodowiththee?"John2:4.
YouandI,whoarenotyetidentifiedwiththeidealweserve,wouldnotmakesucha
statementtoourmother.Yetherewastheembodimentoflovesayingtohismother,
"Woman,whathaveItodowiththee?"
YouareJesus,andyourmotherisyourownconsciousness.Forconsciousnessisthe
causeofall,therefore,itisthegreatfathermotherofallphenomena.
YouandIarecreaturesofhabit.Wegetintothehabitofacceptingasfinaltheevidenceof
oursenses.Wineisneededfortheguestsandmysensestellmethatthereisnowine,andI
throughhabitamabouttoacceptthislackasfinal.WhenIrememberthatmy
consciousnessistheoneandonlyreality,thereforeifIdenytheevidenceofmysensesand
assumetheconsciousnessof
havingsufficientwine,Ihaveinasenserebukedmymotherortheconsciousnesswhich
suggestedlackandbyassumingtheconsciousnessofhavingwhatIdesireformyguests,
wineisproducedinawaywedonotknow.
Ihavejustreadanoteherefromadearfriendofmineintheaudience.LastSundayhehad
anappointmentatachurchforaweddingtheclocktoldhimhewaslate,everythingtold
himhewaslate.
Hewasstandingonastreetcornerwaitingforastreetcar.Therewasnoneinsight.He
imaginedthat,insteadofbeingonthestreetcorner,thathewasinthechurch.Atthat
momentacarstoppedinfrontofhim.Myfriendtoldthedriverofhispredicamentandthe
driversaidtohim,"Iamnotgoingthatway,butIwilltakeyouthere."Myfriendgotinto
thecarandwasatthechurchin
timefortheservice.Thatisapplyingthelawcorrectly,nonacceptanceofthesuggestion
oflateness.Neveracceptthesuggestionoflack.

InthiscaseIsaytomyself,"WhathaveItodowiththee?"WhathaveItodowiththe
evidenceofmysenses?Bringmeallthepotsandfillthem.Inotherwords,IassumethatI
havewineandallthatIdesire.ThenmydimensionallygreaterSelfinspiresinall,the
thoughtsandtheactionswhichaidtheembodimentofmyassumption.
Itisnotamansayingtoamother,"WomanwhathaveItodowiththee?"Itiseveryman
whoknowsthislawwhowillsaytohimself,whenhissensessuggestlack,"whathaveIto
dowiththee.Getbehindme."Iwillneveragainlistentoavoicelikethat,becauseifIdo,
thenIamimpregnatedbythatsuggestionandIwillbearthefruitoflack.
WeturntoanotherstoryintheGospelofSt.MarkwhereJesusishungry.
"Andseeingafigtreeafaroffhavingleaves,hecame,ifhaplyhemightfindanything
thereon:andwhenhecametoit,hefoundnothingbutleavesforthetimeoffigswasnot
yet."
"AndJesusansweredandsaiduntoit,Nomaneatfruitoftheehereafterforever.Andhis
disciplesheardit."Mark11:13,14
"Andinthemorning,astheypassedby,theysawthefigtreedriedupfromtheroots."
Mark11:20
WhattreeamIblasting?Notatreeontheoutside.Itismyownconsciousness."Iamthe
vine."John15:1.Myconsciousness,myIAMnessisthegreattree,andhabitoncemore
suggestsemptiness,itsuggestsbarrenness,itsuggestsfourmonthsbeforeIcanfeast.But
Icannotwaitfourmonths.IgivemyselfthispowerfulsuggestionthatneveragainwillI
evenforamomentrelievethatitwilltakefourmonthstorealizemydesire.Thebeliefin
lackmustfromthisdayonbebarrenandneveragainreproduceitselfinmymind.
Itisnotamanblastingatree.EverythingintheBibletakesplaceinthemindofman:the
tree,thecity,thepeople,everything.ThereisnotastatementmadeintheBiblethatdoes

notrepresentsomeattributeofthehumanmind.Theyareallpersonificationsofthemind
andnotthingswithintheworld.
Consciousnessistheoneandonlyreality.Thereisnoonetowhomwecanturnafterwe
discoverthatourownawarenessisGod.ForGodisthecauseofallandthereisnothing
butGod.YoucannotsaythatadevilcausessomethingsandGodothers.Listentothese
words.
"ThussaiththeLordtohisanointed,toCyrus,whoserighthandIhaveholden,tosubdue
nationsbeforehimandIwillloosetheloinsofkings,toopenbeforehimthetwoleaved
gatesandthegatesshallnotbeshut."
"Iwillgobeforethee,andmakethecrookedplacesstraight:Iwillbreakinpiecesthe
gatesofbrass,andcutinsunderthebarsofiron."
"AndIwillgivetheethetreasuresofdarkness,andhiddenrichesofsecretplaces,that
thoumayestknowthatI,theLord,whichcalltheebythyname,amtheGodofIsrael."
Isaiah45:1,2,3
"Iformthelight,andcreatedarkness:Imakepeace,andcreateevil:ItheLorddoall
thesethings."Isaiah45:7.
"Ihavemadetheearth,andcreatedmanuponit:I,evenmyhands,havestretchedoutthe
heavens,andalltheirhosthaveIcommanded."
"Ihaveraisedhimupinrighteousness,andIwilldirectallhisways:heshallbuildmycity,
andheshallletgomycaptives,notforpricenorreward,saiththeLordofhosts."Isaiah
45:12,13
"IAMtheLord,andthereisnoneelse,thereisnoGodbesideme."Isaiah45:5.

Readthesewordscarefully.Theyarenotmywords,theyaretheinspiredwordsofmen
whodiscoveredthatconsciousnessistheonlyreality.IfIamhurt,Iamselfhurt.Ifthere
isdarknessinmyworld,Icreatedthedarknessandthegloomandthedepression.Ifthere
islightandjoy,Icreatedthelightandthejoy.ThereisnoonebutthisIAMnessthatdoes
all.
Youcannotfindacauseoutsideofyourownconsciousness.Yourworldisagrandmirror
constantlytellingyouwhoyouare.Asyoumeetpeople,theytellyoubytheirbehaviour
whoyouare.
Yourprayerswillnotbelessdevoutbecauseyouturntoyourownconsciousnessforhelp.
Idonotthinkthatanypersoninprayerfeelsmoreofthejoy,thepiety,andthefeelingof
adoration,thanIdowhenIfeelthankful,asIassumethefeelingofmywishfulfilled,
knowingatthesametimeitistomyselfthatIturned.
Inprayeryouarecalledupontobelievethatyoupossesswhatyourreasonandyour
sensesdeny.Whenyoupraybelievethatyouhaveandyoushallreceive.TheBiblestates
itthisway:
"ThereforeIsayuntoyou,Whatthingssoeveryedesire,whenyepray,believethatye
receivethem,andyeshallhavethem.
"Andwhenyestandpraying,forgive,ifyehaveoughtagainstany:thatyourFatheralso
whichisinheavenmayforgiveyouyourtrespasses."
"Butifyedonotforgive,neitherwillyourFatherwhichisinheavenforgiveyour
trespasses."Mark11:24,25,26
Thatiswhatwemustdowhenwepray.IfIholdsomethingagainstanother,beitabelief
ofsickness,poverty,oranythingelse,Imustlooseitandletitgo,notbyusingwordsof
denialbutbybelievinghimtobewhathedesirestobe.InthatwayIcompletelyforgive

him.Ichangedmyconceptofhim.IhadoughtagainsthimandIforgavehimComplete
forgetfulnessisforgiveness.IfIdonotforgetthenIhavenotforgiven.
IonlyforgivesomethingwhenItrulyforget.Icansaytoyouuntiltheendoftime,"I
forgiveyou."ButifeverytimeIseeyouorthinkofyou,IamremindedofwhatIheld
againstyou,Ihavenotforgivenyouatall.Forgivenessiscompleteforgetfulness.Yougo
toadoctorandhegivesyousomethingforyoursickness.Heistryingtotakeitfromyou,
sohegivesyousomethinginplaceofit.
Giveyourselfanewconceptofselffortheoldconcept.Giveuptheoldconcept
completely.
Aprayergrantedimpliesthatsomethingisdoneinconsequenceoftheprayerwhich
otherwisewouldnothavebeendone.Therefore,Imyselfamthespringofaction,the
directingmindandtheonewhograntstheprayer.
Anyonewhoprayssuccessfullyturnswithin,andappropriatesthestatesought.Youhave
nosacrificetooffer.Donotletanyonetellyouthatyoumuststruggleandsuffer.You
neednotstrugglefortherealizationofyourdesire.ReadwhatitsaysintheBible.
"TowhatpurposeisthemultitudeofyoursacrificesuntomesaiththeLord:Iamfullof
theburntofferingsoframs,andthefatoffedbeastsandIdelightnotinthebloodof
bullocks,oroflambs,orofhegoats."
"Whenyecometoappearbeforeme,whohathrequiredthatatyourhand,totreadmy
courts?"
"Bringnomorevainoblationsincenseisanabominationuntomethenewmoonsand
Sabbaths,thecallingofassemblies,Icannotendureiniquityandsolemnassembly."
"Yournewmoonsandyourappointedfeastsmysoulhates:theyhavebecomeaburdento

me,Iamwearyofbearingthem"Isaiah1:1114
"Yeshallhaveasongasinthenightwhenaholysolemnityiskeptandgladnessofheart,
aswhenonegoethwithapipetocomeintothemountainoftheLord,tothemightyOne
ofIsrael."Isaiah30:29
"SinguntotheLordanewsong,andhispraisefromtheendoftheearth."Isaiah42:10.
"Sing,OyeheavensfortheLordhathdoneit:shout,yelowerpartsoftheearth:break
forthintosinging,yemountains,Oforest,andeverytreetherein:fortheLordhath
redeemedJacob,andglorifiedhimselfinIsrael."Isaiah44:23
"ThereforetheredeemedoftheLordshallreturn,andcomewithsinginguntoZionand
everlastingjoyshallbeupontheirhead.Theyshallobtaingladnessandjoyandsorrow
andmourningshallfleeaway."Isaiah51:11
Theonlyacceptablegiftisajoyfulheart.Comewithsingingandpraise.Thatisthewayto
comebeforetheLordyourownconsciousness.Assumethefeelingofyourwish
fulfilled,andyouhavebroughttheonlyacceptablegift.Allstatesofmindotherthanthat
ofthewishfulfilledareanabominationtheyaresuperstitionandmeannothing.
Whenyoucomebeforeme,rejoice,becauserejoicingimpliesthatsomethinghashappened
whichyoudesired.Comebeforemesinging,givingpraise,andgivingthanks,forthese
statesofmindimplyacceptanceofthestatesought.Putyourselfinthepropermoodand
yourownconsciousnesswillembodyit.
IfIcoulddefineprayerforanyoneandputitjustasclearlyasIcould,Iwouldsimplysay,
"Itisthefeelingofthewishfulfilled."Ifyouask,"Whatdoyoumeanbythat?"Iwould
say,"IwouldfeelmyselfintothesituationoftheansweredprayerandthenIwouldlive
andactuponthatconviction."Iwouldtrytosustainitwithouteffort,thatis,Iwouldlive
andactasthoughit

werealreadyafact,knowingthatasIwalkinthisfixedattitudemyassumptionwill
hardenintofact.
TimedoesnotpermitmetogoanyfurtherintotheargumentthattheBibleisnothistory.
Butifyouhavelistenedattentivelytomymessagethesepastfournights,Idonotthink
youwantanymoreproofthattheBibleisnothistory.Applywhatyouhaveheardandyou
willrealizeyourdesires.
**************
"AndnowIhavetoldyoubeforeitcometopass,that,whenitiscometopass,yemight
believe."John14:29
Manypersons,myselfincluded,haveobservedeventsbeforetheyoccurredthatis,before
theyoccurredinthisworldofthreedimensions.Sincemancanobserveaneventbeforeit
occursinthethreedimensionsofspace,thenlifeonearthproceedsaccordingtoplanand
thisplanmustexistelsewhereinanotherdimensionandisslowlymovingthroughour
space.
Iftheoccurringeventswerenotinthisworldwhentheywereobserved,thentobe
perfectlylogicaltheymusthavebeenoutofthisworld.AndwhateverisTHEREtobe
seenbeforeitoccursHEREmustbe"predetermined"fromthepointofviewofman
awakeinathreedimensionalworld.Yettheancientteacherstaughtusthatwecouldalter
thefuture,andmyownexperienceconfirmsthe
truthoftheirteaching.
Therefore,myobjectingivingthiscourseistoindicatepossibilitiesinherentinman,to
showthatmancanalterhis:futurebut,thusaltered,itformsagainadeterministic
sequencestartingfromthepointofinterferenceafuturethatwillbeconsistentwiththe
alteration.

Themostremarkablefeatureofman'sfutureisitsflexibility.Thefuture,although
preparedinadvanceineverydetail,hasseveraloutcomes.Wehaveateverymomentof
ourlivesthechoicebeforeuswhichofseveralfutureswewillhave.
Therearetwoactualoutlooksontheworldpossessedbyeveryoneanaturalfocusanda
spiritualfocus.Theancientteacherscalledtheone"thecarnalmind,"andtheother"the
mindofChrist."Wemaydifferentiatethemasordinarywakingconsciousness,governed
byoursenses,andacontrolledimagination,governedbydesire.
Werecognizethesetwodistinctcentersofthoughtinthestatement:"Thenaturalman
receivethnotthethingsoftheSpiritofGod:fortheyarefoolishnessuntohim:neithercan
heknowthem,becausetheyarespirituallydiscerned."ICor.2:14
ThenaturalviewconfinesrealitytothemomentcalledNOW.Tothenaturalview,the
pastandfuturearepurelyimaginary.Thespiritualviewontheotherhandseesthe
contentsoftime.Thepastandfutureareapresentwholetothespiritualview.Whatis
mentalandsubjectivetothenaturalmanisconcreteandobjectivetothespiritualman.
Thehabitofseeingonlythatwhichoursensespermitrendersustotallyblindtowhat,
otherwise,wecouldsee.Tocultivatethefacultyofseeingtheinvisible,weshouldoften
deliberatelydisentangleourmindsfromtheevidenceofthesensesandfocusourattention
onaninvisiblestate,mentallyfeelingitandsensingituntilithasallthedistinctnessof
reality.
Earnest,concentratedthoughtfocusedinaparticulardirectionshutsoutothersensations
andcausesthemtodisappear.Wehaveonlytoconcentrateonthestatedesiredinorderto
seeit.
Thehabitofwithdrawingattentionfromtheregionofsensationandconcentratingiton
theinvisibledevelopsourspiritualoutlookandenablesustopenetratebeyondtheworld
ofsenseandtoseethatwhichisinvisible."Fortheinvisiblethingsofhimfromthe

creationoftheworldareclearlyseen."Rom.1:20.Thisvisioniscompletelyindependent
ofthenaturalfaculties.Open
itandquickenit!
Alittlepracticewillconvinceusthatwecan,bycontrollingourimagination,reshapeour
futureinharmonywithourdesire.Desireisthemainspringofaction.Wecouldnotmove
asinglefingerunlesswehadadesiretomoveit.Nomatterwhatwedo,wefollowthe
desirewhichatthemomentdominatesourminds.Whenwebreakahabit,ourdesireto
breakitisgreaterthanourdesireto
continuethehabit.
Thedesireswhichimpelustoactionarethosewhichholdourattention.Adesireisbutan
awarenessofsomethingwelackandneedtomakeourlifemoreenjoyable.Desiresalways
havesomepersonalgaininview,thegreatertheanticipatedgain,themoreintenseisthe
desire.Thereisnoabsolutelyunselfishdesire.Wherethereisnothingtogainthereisno
desire,and
consequentlynoaction.
Thespiritualmanspeakstothenaturalmanthroughthelanguageofdesire.Thekeyto
progressinlifeandtothefulfillmentofdreamsliesinreadyobediencetoitsvoice.
Unhesitatingobediencetoitsvoiceisanimmediateassumptionofthewishfulfilled.To
desireastateistohaveit.AsPascalhassaid,"Youwouldnothavesoughtmehadyou
notalreadyfoundme."
Man,byassumingthefeelingofhiswishfulfilled,andthenlivingandactingonthis
conviction,altersthefutureinharmonywithhisassumption.Assumptionsawakenwhat
theyaffirm.Assoonasmanassumesthefeelingofhiswishfulfilled,hisfourth
dimensionalSelffindswaysfortheattainmentofthisend,discoversmethodsforits
realization.
Iknowofnoclearerdefinitionofthemeansbywhichwerealizeourdesiresthanto

EXPERIENCEINTHEIMAGINATIONWHATWEWOULDEXPERIENCEINTHE
FLESHWERE
WETOACHIEVEOURGOAL.Thisimaginaryexperienceoftheendwithacceptance,
willsthemeans.ThefourthdimensionalSelfthenconstructswithitslargeroutlookthe
meansnecessarytorealizetheacceptedend.
Theundisciplinedmindfindsitdifficulttoassumeastatewhichisdeniedbythesenses.
Buthereisatechniquethatmakesiteasyto"callthingswhicharenotseenasthoughthey
were,"thatis,toencounteraneventbeforeitoccurs.Peoplehaveahabitofslightingthe
importanceofsimplethings.Butthissimpleformulaforchangingthefuturewas
discoveredafteryearsofsearching
andexperimenting.
ThefirststepinchangingthefutureisDESIRE,thatis,defineyourobjectiveknow
definitelywhatyouwant.
Secondly,constructaneventwhichyou.believeyouwouldencounterFOLLOWINGthe
fulfillmentofyourdesireaneventwhichimpliesfulfillmentofyourdesiresomething
whichwillhavetheactionofSelfpredominant.
Thirdly,immobilizethephysicalbody,andinduceaconditionakintosleepbyimagining
thatyouaresleepy.Lieonabed,orrelaxinachair.Then,witheyelidsclosedandyour
attentionfocusedontheactionyouintendtoexperienceinimagination,mentallyfeel
yourselfrightintotheproposedactionimaginingallthewhilethatyouareactually
performingtheactionhereand.now.
Youmustalwaysparticipateintheimaginaryactionnotmerelystandbackandlookon,
butfeelthatyouareactuallyperformingtheactionsothattheimaginarysensationisreal
toyou.
Itisimportantalwaystorememberthattheproposedactionmustbeonewhich

FOLLOWSthefulfillmentofyourdesire.Alsoyoumustfeelyourselfintotheactionuntil
ithasallthevividnessanddistinctnessofreality.
Forexample,supposeyoudesirepromotioninyouroffice.Beingcongratulatedwouldbe
aneventyouwouldencounterfollowingthefulfillmentofyourdesire.Havingselected
thisactionastheoneyouwillexperienceinimagination,immobilizethephysicalbody
andinduceastateakintosleep,adrowsystate,butoneinwhichyouarestillableto
controlthedirectionofyourthoughts,a
stateinwhichyouareattentivewithouteffort.Thenvisualizeafriendstandingbeforeyou.
Putyourimaginaryhandintohis.Feelittobesolidandreal,andcarryonanimaginary
conversationwithhiminharmonywiththeaction.
Youdonotvisualizeyourselfatadistanceinpointofspaceandatadistanceinpointof
timebeingcongratulatedonyourgoodfortune.Instead,youmakeelsewhereHERE,and
thefutureNOW.ThefutureeventisarealityNOWinadimensionallylargerworldand
oddlyenough,nowinadimensionallylargerworldisequivalenttoHEREintheordinary
threedimensionalspaceofeverydaylife.
ThedifferencebetweenFEELINGyourselfinaction,hereandnow,andvisualizing
yourselfinaction,asthoughyouwereonamotionpicturescreen,isthedifference
betweensuccessandfailure.Thedifferencewillbeappreciatedifyouwillnowvisualize
yourselfclimbingaladder.Then,witheyelidsclosedimaginethataladderisrightinfront
ofyouandFEELyourselfactually
climbingit.
Desire,physicalimmobilityborderingonsleep,andimaginaryactioninwhichSell
feelinglypredominatesHEREANDNOW,arenotonlyimportantfactorsinalteringthe
future,buttheyarealsoessentialconditionsinconsciouslyprojectingthespiritualSelf.
Whenthephysicalbodyisimmobilizedandwebecomepossessedoftheideatodo
somethingifweimaginethatwearedoingitHEREANDNOWandkeeptheimaginary

actionfeelinglygoingrightupuntilsleepensueswearelikelytoawakenoutofthe
physicalbodytofindourselvesinadimensionallylargerworldwithadimensionallylarger
focusandactuallydoingwhatwedesiredandimaginedweweredoingintheflesh.
Butwhetherweawakenthereornot,weareactuallyperformingtheactioninthefourth
dimensionalworld,andwillinthefuturereenactithereinthethirddimensionalworld.
Experiencehastaughtmetorestricttheimaginaryaction,tocondensetheideawhichisto
betheobjectofourmeditationintoasingleact,andtoreenactitoverandoveragain
untilithasthefeelingofreality.Otherwise,theattentionwillwanderoffalongan
associationaltrack,andhostsofassociatedimageswillbepresentedtoourattention,and
inafewsecondstheywillleadushundredsofmilesawayfromourobjectiveinpointof
space,andyearsawayinpointoftime.
Ifwedecidetoclimbaparticularflightofstairs,becausethatisthelikelyeventtofollow
therealizationofourdesire,thenwemustrestricttheactiontoclimbingthatparticular
flightofstairs.Shouldtheattentionwanderoff,bringitbacktoitstaskofclimbingthat
flightofstairs,andkeepondoingsountiltheimaginaryactionhasallthesolidityand
distinctnessofreality.Theideamustbemaintainedinthefieldofpresentationwithoutany
sensibleeffortonourpart.Wemust,withtheminimumofeffort,permeatethemindwith
thefeelingofthewishfulfilled.
Drowsinessfacilitateschangebecauseitfavoursattentionwithouteffort,butitmustnot
bepushedtothestateofsleep,inwhichweshallnolongerbeabletocontrolthe
movementsofourattention,butamoderatedegreeofdrowsinessinwhichwearestill
abletodirectourthoughts.
Amosteffectivewaytoembodyadesireistoassumethefeelingofthewishfulfilledand
then,inarelaxedandsleepystate,repeatoverandoveragainlikealullaby,anyshort
phrasewhichimpliesfulfillmentofyourdesire,suchas,"Thankyou,thankyou,thank
you,"untilthesinglesensationof

thankfulnessdominatesthemind.Speakthesewordsasthoughyouaddressedahigher
powerforhavingdoneitforyou.
If,however,weseekaconsciousprojectioninadimensionallylargerworld,thenwemust
keeptheactiongoingrightupuntilsleepensues.Experienceinimaginationwithallthe
distinctnessofrealitywhatwouldbeexperiencedinthefleshwerewetoachieveourgoal
andweshallintimemeetitinthefleshaswemetitinourimagination.
Feedthemindwithpremisesthatis,assertionspresumedtobetrue,because
assumptions,thoughfalse,ifpersistedinuntiltheyhavethefeelingofreality,willharden
intofact.
Toanassumption,allmeanswhichpromoteitsrealizationaregood.Itinfluencesthe
behaviourofall,byinspiringinallthemovements,theactions,andthewordswhichtend
towardsitsfulfillment.
Tounderstandhowmanmoldshisfutureinharmonywithhisassumptionbysimply
experiencinginhisimaginationwhathewouldexperienceinrealitywerehetorealizehis
goalwemustknowwhatwemeanbyadimensionallylargerworld,foritistoa
dimensionallylargerworldthatwegotoalterourfuture.
Theobservationofaneventbeforeitoccursimpliesthattheeventispredeterminedfrom
thepointofviewofmaninthethreedimensionalworld.Thereforetochangethe
conditionshereinthethreedimensionsofspacewemustfirstchangetheminthefour
dimensionsofspace.
Mandoesnotknowexactlywhatismeantbyadimensionallylargerworld,andwouldno
doubtdenytheexistenceofadimensionallylargerSelf.Heisquitefamiliarwiththethree
dimensionsoflength,widthandheight,andhefeelsthat,iftherewereafourthdimension,
itshouldbejustasobvioustohimasthedimensionsoflength,widthandheight.

Nowadimensionisnotaline.Itisanywayinwhichathingcanbemeasuredthatis
entirelydifferentfromallotherways.Thatis,tomeasureasolidfourthdimensionally,we
simplymeasureitinanydirectionexceptthatofitslength,widthandheight.Now,isthere
anotherwayofmeasuringanobjectotherthanthoseofitslength,widthandheight?
Timemeasuresmylifewithoutemployingthethreedimensionsoflength,widthand
height.Thereisnosuchthingasaninstantaneousobject.Itsappearanceand
disappearancearemeasurable.Itenduresforadefinitelengthoftime.Wecanmeasureits
lifespanwithoutusingthedimensionsoflength,widthandheight.Timeisdefinitelya
fourthwayofmeasuringanobject.
Themoredimensionsanobjecthas,themoresubstantialandrealitbecomes.Astraight
line,whichliesentirelyinonedimension,acquiresshape,massandsubstancebythe
additionofdimensions.Whatnewqualitywouldtime,thefourthdimensiongive,which
wouldmakeitjustasvastlysuperiortosolids,assolidsaretosurfacesandsurfacesareto
lines?Timeisamediumforchangesinexperience,forallchangestaketime.
Thenewqualityischangeability.Observethat,ifwebisectasolid,itscrosssectionwillbe
asurfacebybisectingasurface,weobtainaline,andbybisectingaline,wegetapoint.
Thismeansthatapointisbutacrosssectionofalinewhichis,inturn,butacrosssection
ofasurfacewhichis,inturn,butacrosssectionofasolidwhichis,inturn,ifcarriedto
itslogicalconclusion,butacrosssectionofafourdimensionalobject.
Wecannotavoidtheinferencethatallthreedimensionalobjectsarebutcrosssectionsof
fourdimensionalbodies.Whichmeans:whenImeetyou,Imeetacrosssectionofthe
fourdimensionalyouthefourdimensionalSelfthatisnotseen.Toseethefour
dimensionalSelfImustseeeverycrosssectionormomentofyourlifefrombirthtodeath,
andseethemallascoexisting.
Myfocusshouldtakeintheentirearrayofsensoryimpressionswhichyouhave
experiencedonearth,plusthoseyoumightencounter.Ishouldseethem,notintheorder

inwhichtheywereexperiencedbyyou,butasapresentwhole.BecauseCHANGEisthe
characteristicofthefourthdimension,Ishouldseetheminastateoffluxasaliving,
animatedwhole.
Now,ifwehaveallthisclearlyfixedinourminds,whatdoesitmeantousinthisthree
dimensionalworld?Itmeansthat,ifwecanmovealongtimeslength,wecanseethe
futureandalteritifwesodesire.
Thisworld,whichwethinksosolidlyreal,isashadowoutofwhichandbeyondwhichwe
mayatanytimepass.Itisanabstractionfromamorefundamentalanddimensionally
largerworldamorefundamentalworldabstractedfromastillmorefundamentaland
dimensionallylargerworldandsoontoinfinity.Fortheabsoluteisunattainablebyany
meansoranalysis,nomatterhowmanydimensionsweaddtotheworld.
Mancanprovetheexistenceofadimensionallylargerworldbysimplyfocusinghis
attentiononaninvisiblestateandimaginingthatheseesandfeelsit.Ifheremains
concentratedinthisstate,hispresentenvironmentwillpassaway,andhewillawakenina
dimensionallylargerworldwheretheobjectofhiscontemplationwillbeseenasa
concreteobjectivereality.
Ifeelintuitivelythat,werehetoabstracthisthoughtsfromthisdimensionallylargerworld
andretreatstillfartherwithinhismind,hewouldagainbringaboutanexternalizationof
time.Hewoulddiscoverthat,everytimeheretreatsintohisinnermindandbringsabout
anexternalizationoftime,spacebecomesdimensionallylarger.Andhewouldtherefore
concludethatbothtimeandspaceareserial,andthatthedramaoflifeisbuttheclimbing
ofamultitudinousdimensionaltimeblock.
ScientistswillonedayexplainWHYthereisaSerialUniverse.ButinpracticeHOWwe
usethisSerialUniversetochangethefutureismoreimportant.Tochangethefuture,we
needonlyconcernourselveswithtwoworldsintheinfiniteseriestheworldweknowby
reasonofourbodilyorgans,andtheworldweperceiveindependentlyofourbodily

organs.
Ihavestatedthatmanhasateverymomentoftimethechoicebeforehimwhichofseveral
futureshewillhave.Butthequestionarises:"Howisthispossiblewhentheexperiencesof
man,awakeinthethreedimensionalworld,arepredetermined?"ashisobservationofan
eventbeforeitoccursimplies.
Thisabilitytochangethefuturewillbeseenifwelikentheexperiencesoflifeonearthto
thisprintedpage.Manexperienceseventsonearthsinglyandsuccessivelyinthesame
waythatyouarenowexperiencingthewordsofthispage.
Imaginethateverywordonthispagerepresentsasinglesensoryimpression.Togetthe
context,tounderstandmymeaning,youfocusyourvisiononthefirstwordintheupper
lefthandcornerandthenmoveyourfocusacrossthepagefromlefttoright,lettingitfall
onthewordssinglyandsuccessively.Bythetimeyoureyesreachthelastwordonthis
pageyouhaveextractedmymeaning.
Butsupposeonlookingatthepage,withalltheprintedwordsthereonequallypresent,
youdecidedtorearrangethem.Youcould,byrearrangingthem,tellanentirelydifferent
story,infactyoucouldtellmanydifferentstories.
Adreamisnothingmorethanuncontrolledfourdimensionalthinking,orthe
rearrangementofbothpastandfuturesensoryimpressions.Manseldomdreamsofevents
intheorderinwhichheexperiencesthemwhenawake.Heusuallydreamsoftwoormore
eventswhichareseparatedintimefusedintoasinglesensoryimpressionorelseheso
completelyrearrangeshissinglewakingsensoryimpressionsthathedoesnotrecognize
themwhenheencounterstheminhiswakingstate.
Forexample,IdreamedthatIdeliveredapackagetotherestaurantinmyapartment
building.Thehostesssaidtome,"Youcan'tleavethatthere,"whereupon,theelevator
operatorgavemeafewlettersandasIthankedhimforthemhe,inturn,thankedme.At

thispoint,thenightelevatoroperatorappearedandwavedagreetingtome.
Thefollowingday,asIleftmyapartment,Ipickedupafewletterswhichhadbeenplaced
atmydoor.OnmywaydownIgavethedayelevatoroperatoratipandthankedhimfor
takingcareofmymail,whereupon,hethankedmeforthetip.
OnmyreturnhomethatdayIoverheardadoormansaytoadeliveryman,"Youcan't
leavethatthere."AsIwasabouttotaketheelevatoruptomyapartment,Iwasattracted
byafamiliarfaceintherestaurant,andasIlookedinthehostessgreetedmewithasmile.
ThatnightIescortedmydinnergueststotheelevatorandasIsaidgoodbyetothem,the
nightoperatorwavedgoodnightto
me.
BysimplyrearrangingafewofthesinglesensoryimpressionsIwasdestinedtoencounter,
andbyfusingtwoormoreofthemintosinglesensoryimpressions,Iconstructedadream
whichdifferedquiteabitfrommywakingexperience.
Whenwehavelearnedtocontrolthemovementsofourattentioninthefourdimensional
world,weshallbeabletoconsciouslycreatecircumstancesinthethreedimensional
world.Welearnthiscontrolthroughthewakingdream,whereourattentioncanbe
maintainedwithouteffort,forattentionminuseffortisindispensabletochangingthe
future.Wecan,inacontrolledwakingdream,consciouslyconstructaneventwhichwe
desiretoexperienceinthethreedimensionalworld.
Thesensoryimpressionsweusetoconstructourwakingdreamarepresentrealities
displacedintimeorthefourdimensionalworld.Allthatwedoinconstructingthewaking
dreamistoselectfromthevastarrayofsensoryimpressionsthose,which,whentheyare
properlyarranged,implythatwehaverealizedourdesire.
Withthedreamclearlydefinedwerelaxinachairandinduceastateofconsciousnessakin
tosleep.Astatewhich,althoughborderingonsleep,leavesusinconsciouscontrolofthe

movementsofourattention.Thenweexperienceinimaginationwhatwewould
experienceinrealitywerethiswakingdreamanobjectivefact.
Inapplyingthistechniquetochangethefutureitisimportantalwaystorememberthatthe
onlythingwhichoccupiesthemindduringthewakingdreamisTHEWAKINGDREAM,
thepredeterminedactionandsensationwhichimpliesthefulfillmentofourdesire.How
thewakingdreambecomesphysicalfactisnotourconcern.Ouracceptanceofthewaking
dreamasphysicalrealitywillsthemeansforitsfulfillment.
Letmeagainlaythefoundationofprayer,whichisnothingmorethanacontrolledwaking
dream:
1.Defineyourobjective,knowdefinitelywhatyouwant.
2.ConstructaneventwhichyoubelieveyouwillencounterFOLLOWINGthefulfillment
ofyourdesiresomethingwhichwillhavetheactionofSelfpredominantanevent
whichimpliesthefulfillmentofyourdesire.
3.Immobilizethephysicalbodyandinduceastateofconsciousnessakintosleep.Then,
mentallyfeelyourselfrightintotheproposedaction,untilthesinglesensationof
fulfillmentdominatesthemindimaginingallthewhilethatyouareactuallyperformingthe
actionHEREANDNOWsothatyouexperienceinimaginationwhatyouwould
experienceinthefleshwereyounowtorealizeyourgoal.Experiencehasconvincedme
thatthisistheeasiestwaytoachieveourgoal.
However,myownmanyfailureswouldconvictmewereItoimplythatIhavecompletely
masteredthemovementsofmyattention.ButIcan,withtheancientteacher,say:
"ThisonethingIdo,forgettingthosethingswhicharebehind,andreachingforthunto
thosethingswhicharebefore,Ipresstowardthemarkfortheprize."Phil.3:13,14

'*'*************
AgainIwanttoremindyouthattheresponsibilitytomakewhatyouhavedonerealinthis
worldisnotonyourshoulders.DonotbeconcernedwiththeHOW,youhaveassumed
thatitisdone,theassumptionhasitsownwayofobjectifyingitself.Allresponsibilityto
makeitsoisremovedfromyou.
ThereisalittlestatementinthebookofExoduswhichbearsthisout.Millionsofpeople
whohavereadit,orhavehaditmentionedtothemthroughoutthecenturieshave
completelymisunderstoodit.Itissaid,"Steepnotakidinitsmothersmilk."(KingJames
version,"Thoushaltnotseetheakidinhismothersmilk."Exodus23:19).
Unnumberedmillionsofpeople,misunderstandingthisstatement,tothisverydayinthe
enlightenedageof1948,willnoteatanydairyproductswithameatdish.Itjustisnot
done.
TheythinktheBibleishistory,andwhenitsays,"Steepnotakidinitsmother'smilk,"
milkandtheproductsofmilk,butterandcheese,theywillnottakeatthesametimethey
takethekidoranykindofmeat.Infacttheyevenhaveseparatedisheswithwhichto
cooktheirmeat.
Butyouarenowabouttoapplyitpsychologically.Youhavedoneyourmeditationand
youhaveassumedthatyouarewhatyouwanttobe.ConsciousnessisGod,yourattention
isliketheverystreamoflifeormilkitselfthatnursesandmakesalivethatwhichholds
yourattention.Inotherwords,whatholdsyourattentionhasyourlife.
Throughoutthecenturiesakidhasbeenusedasthesymbolofsacrifice.Youhavegiven
birthtoeverythinginyourworld.Buttherearethingsthatyounolongerwishtokeep
alive,althoughyouhavemotheredandfatheredthem.Youareajealousfatherthatcan
easilyconsume,likeCronus,hischildren.Itisyourrighttoconsumewhatformerlyyou
expressedwhenyoudidnotknowbetter.

Nowyouaredetachedinconsciousnessfromthatformerstate.Itwasyourkid,itwas
yourchild,youembodiedandexpresseditinyourworld.Butnowthatyouhaveassumed
thatyouarewhatyouwanttobe,donotlookbackonyourformerstateandwonder
HOWitwilldisappearfromyourworld.Forifyoulookbackandgiveattentiontoit,you
aresteepingoncemorethatkidinitsmother'smilk.
Donotsaytoyourself,'IwonderifIamreallydetachedfromthatstate,"or"Iwonderif
soandsoistrue."Giveallyourattentiontotheassumptionthatthethingisso,becauseall
responsibilitytomakeitsoiscompletelyremovedfromyourshoulders.Youdonothave
tomakeitso,itISso.Youappropriatewhatisalreadyfact,andyouwalkinthe
assumptionthatitis,andinawaythatyoudonotknow,Idonotknow,nomanknows,it
becomesobjectifiedinyourworld.
Donotbeconcernedwiththehow,anddonotlookbackonyourformerstate."Noman,
havingputhishandtotheplow,andlookingback,isfitforthekingdomofGod."Luke
9:62
Simplyassumethatitisdoneandsuspendreason,suspendalltheargumentsofthe
consciousthreedimensionalmind.Yourdesireisoutsideofthereachofthethree
dimensionalmind.
Assumeyouarethatwhichyouwishtobewalkasthoughyouwereitandasyouremain
faithfultoyourassumptionitwillhardenintofact.

QUESTIONSANDANSWERS
1.Question:Whatisthemeaningoftheinsigniaonyourbookcovers?

Answer:Itisaneyeimposeduponaheartwhich,inturnisimposeduponatreeladenwith
fruit,meaningthatwhatyouareconsciousof,andacceptastrue,youaregoingtorealize.
Asamanthinkethinhisheart,soheis.
2.Question:Iwouldliketobemarried,buthavenotfoundtherightman.HowdoI
imagineahusband?
Answer:Foreverinlovewithideals,itistheidealstatethatcapturesthemind.Donot
confinethestateofmarriagetoacertainman,butafull,richandoverflowinglife.You
desiretoexperiencethejoyofmarriage.Donotmodifyyourdream,butenhanceitby
makingitlovelier.Thencondenseyourdesireintoasinglesensation,oractwhichimplies
itsfulfillment.
Inthiswesternworldawomanwearsaweddingringonthethirdfingerofherlefthand.
Motherhoodneednotimplymarriageintimacyneednotimplymarriage,butawedding
ringdoes.
Relaxinacomfortablearmchair,orlieflatonyourbackandinduceastateakintosleep.
Thenassumethefeelingofbeingmarried.Imagineaweddingbandonyourfinger.Touch
it.Turnitaroundthefinger.Pullitoffovertheknuckle.Keeptheactiongoinguntilthe
ringhasthedistinctnessandfeelingofreality.Becomesolostinfeelingtheringonyour
fingerthatwhenyouopenyoureyes,youwillbesurprisedthatitisnotthere.
Ifyouareamanwhodoesnotweararing,youcouldassumegreaterresponsibility.How
wouldyoufeelifyouhadawifetocarefor?Assumethefeelingofbeingahappilymarried
manrightnow.

3.Question:WhatmustIdotoinspirecreativethoughtssuchasthoseneededforwriting?
Answer:Whatmustyoudo?Assumethestoryhasalreadybeenwrittenandacceptedbya

greatpublishinghouse.Reducetheideaofbeingawritertothesensationofsatisfaction.
Repeatthephrase,"Isn'titwonderful!"or"Thankyou,thankyou,thankyou,"overand
overagainuntilyoufeelsuccessful.Or,imagineafriendcongratulatingyou.Thereare
unnumberedwaysofimplyingsuccess,butalwaysgototheend.Youracceptanceofthe
endwillsitsfulfillment.Donotthinkaboutgettinginthemoodtowrite,butliveandact
asthoughyouarenowtheauthoryoudesiretobe.Assumeyouhavethetalentfor
writing.Thinkofthepatternyouwantdisplayedontheoutside.Ifyouwriteabookand
nooneiswillingtobuyit,thereisnosatisfaction.Actasthoughpeoplearehungryfor
yourwork.Liveasthoughyoucannotproducestories,orbooksfastenoughtomeetthe
demand.Persistinthisassumptionandallthatisnecessarytoachieveyourgoalwill
quicklyburstintobloomandyouwillexpressit.
4.Question:HowdoIimaginelargeraudiencesformytalks?
Answer:IcanansweryoubestbysharingthetechniqueusedbyaveryableteacherI
know.WhenthismanfirstcametothiscountryhebeganspeakinginasmallhallinNew
YorkCity.AlthoughonlyfiftyorsixtypeopleattendedhisSundaymorningmeeting,and
theysatinfront,thisteacherwouldstandatthepodiumandimagineavastaudience.Then
hewouldsaytotheemptyspace,"Canyouhearmebackthere?"
TodaythismanisspeakinginCarnegieHallinNewYorkCitytoapproximately2500
peopleeverySundaymorningandWednesdayevening.Hewantedtospeaktocrowds.He
wasnotmodest.Hedidnottrytofoolhimselfbutbuiltacrowdinhisownconsciousness,
andcrowdscome.Standbeforealargeaudience.Addressthisaudienceinyour
imagination.Feelyouareonthatstageandyourfeelingwillprovidethemeans.
5.Question:Isitpossibletoimagineseveralthingsatthesametime,orshouldIconfine
myimaginingtoonedesire?
Answer:PersonallyIliketoconfinemyimaginalacttoasinglethought,butthatdoesnot

meanIwillstopthere.DuringthecourseofadayImayimaginemanythings,butinstead
ofimagininglotsofsmallthings,Iwouldsuggestthatyouimaginesomethingsobigit
includesallthelittlethings.Insteadofimaginingwealth,healthandfriends,imaginebeing
ecstatic.Youcouldnotbeecstaticandbeinpain.Youcouldnotbeecstaticandbe
threatenedwithadispossessionnotice.Youcouldnotbeecstaticifyouwerenotenjoying
afullmeasureoffriendshipandlove.
Whatwouldthefeelingbelikewereyouecstaticwithoutknowingwhathadhappenedto
produceyourecstasy?Reducetheideaofecstasytothesinglesensation,"Isn'tit
wonderful!"Donotallowtheconscious,reasoningmindtoaskwhy,becauseifitdoesit
willstarttolookforvisiblecauses,andthenthesensationwillbelost.Rather,repeatover
andoveragain,"Isn'titwonderful!"Suspendjudgmentastowhatiswonderful.Catchthe
onesensationofthewonderofitallandthingswillhappentobearwitnesstothetruthof
thissensation.AndIpromiseyou,itwillincludeallthelittlethings.
6.Question:HowoftenshouldIperformtheimaginalact,afewdaysorseveralweeks?
Answer:IntheBookofGenesisthestoryistoldofJacobwrestlingwithanangel.This
storygivesusthecluewearelookingforthatwhensatisfactionisreached,impotence
follows.
Whenthefeelingofrealityisyours,forthemomentatleast,youarementallyimpotent.
Thedesiretorepeattheactofprayerislost,havingbeenreplacedbythefeelingof
accomplishment.Youcannotpersistinwantingwhatyoualreadyhave.Ifyouassumeyou
arewhatyoudesiretobetothepointofecstasy,younolongerwantit.Yourimaginalact
isasmuchacreativeactasaphysicalonewhereinmanhalts,shrinksandisblessed,foras
mancreateshisownlikeness,sodoesyourimaginalacttransformitselfintothelikenessof
yourassumption.If,however,youdonotreachthepointofsatisfaction,repeattheaction
overandoveragainuntilyoufeelasthoughyoutoucheditandvirtuewentoutofyou.
7.Question:Ihavebeentaughtnottoaskforearthlythings,onlyforspiritualgrowth,yet

moneyandthingsarewhatIneed.
Answer:Youmustbehonestwithyourself.Allthroughscripturethequestionisasked,
"Whatdoyouwantofme?"Somewantedtosee,otherstoeat,andstillotherswantedto
bemadestraight,or"Thatmychildlive."
Yourdimensionallylargerselfspeakstoyouthroughthelanguageofdesire.Donot
deceiveyourself.Knowingwhatyouwant,claimyoualreadyhaveit,foritisyourFather's
goodpleasuretogiveittoyouandremember,whatyoudesire,thatyouhave.
8.Question:Whenyouhaveasassumedyourdesire,doyoukeepinmindtheever
presenceofthisgreateroneprotectingandgivingyouyourassumption?
Answer:Theacceptanceoftheendwillsthemeans.Assumethefeelingofyourwish
fulfilledandyourdimensionallygreaterselfwilldeterminethemeans.Whenyou
appropriateastateasthoughyouhadit,theactivityofthedaywilldivertyourmindfrom
allanxiousthoughtssothatyoudonotlookforsigns.Youdonothavetocarrythe
feelingthatsomepresenceisgoingtodoitforyou,ratheryouknowitisalreadydone.
Knowingitisalreadyafact,walkasthoughitwere,andthingswillhappentomakeitso.
Youdonothavetobeconcernedaboutsomepresencedoinganythingforyou.The
deeper,dimensionallygreateryouhasalreadydoneit.Allyoudoismovetotheplace
whereyouencounterit.
Rememberthestoryofthemanwholeftthemasterandwasonhiswayhomewhenhe
methisservantwhosaid,"Yoursonlives."Andwhenheaskedatwhathouritwasdone
theservantreplied,"Theseventhhour."Theselfsamehourthatheassumedhisdesire,it
wasdoneforhim,foritwasattheseventhhourthatthemastersaid,"Yoursonlives."
Yourdesireisalreadygranted.Walkasthoughitwereand,althoughtimebeatsslowlyin
thisdimensionofyourbeing,itwillneverthelessbringyouconfirmationofyour
assumption.Iaskyounottobeimpatient,though.Ifthereisonethingyoureallyhave
needof,itispatience.

9.Question:Isn'ttherealawthatsaysyoucannotgetsomethingfornothing?Mustwe
notearnwhatwedesire?
Answer:Creationisfinished!ItisyourFather'sgoodpleasuretogiveyouthekingdom.
Theparableoftheprodigalsonisyouranswer.Inspiteofman'swaste,whenhecomesto
hissensesandrememberswhoheis,hefeedsonthefattedcalfofabundanceandwears
therobeandringofauthority.Thereisnothingtoearn.Creationwasfinishedinthe
foundationoftime.You,asman,areGodmadevisibleforthepurposeofdisplayingwhat
is,notwhatistobe.Donotthinkyoumustworkoutyoursalvationbythesweatofyour
brow.Itisnotfourmonthsuntiltheharvest,thefieldsarealreadywhite,simplythrustin
thesickle.
10.Question:Doesnotthethoughtthatcreationisfinishedroboneofhisinitiative?
Answer:Ifyouobserveaneventbeforeitoccurs,thentheoccurringeventmustbe
predeterminedfromthepointofviewofbeingawakeinthisthreedimensionalworld.Yet,
youdonothavetoencounterwhatyouobserve.Youcan,bychangingyourconceptof
self,interferewithyourfutureandmolditinharmonywithyourchangedconceptofself.
11.Question:Doesnotthisabilitytochangethefuturedenythatcreationisfinished?
Answer:No.You,bychangingyourconceptofself,changeyourrelationshiptothings.If
yourearrangethewordsofaplaytowriteadifferentone,youhavenotcreatednew
words,butsimplyhadthejoyofrearrangingthem.Yourconceptofselfdeterminesthe
orderofeventsyouencounter.Theyareinthefoundationoftheworld,butnottheirorder
ofarrangement.
12.Question:Whyshouldonewhoworkshardinmetaphysicsalwaysseemtolack?
Answer:Becausehehasnotreallyappliedmetaphysics.Iamnotspeakingofamamby

pambyapproachtolife,butadailyapplicationofthelawofconsciousness.Whenyou
appropriateyourgood,thereisnoneedforaman,orstate,toactasamediumthrough
whichyourgoodwillcome.
Livinginaworldofmen,moneyisneededinmyeverydaylife.IfIinviteyoutolunch
tomorrow,Imustpickupthecheck.WhenIleavethehotel,Imustpaythebill.Inorder
totakethetrainbacktoNewYorkmyrailwayfaremustbepaid.Ineedmoneyandithas
tobethere.Iamnotgoingtosay,"Godknowsbest,andHeknowsIneedmoney."
Rather,Iwillappropriatethemoneyasthoughitwere!
Wemustliveboldly!Wemustgothroughlifeasthoughwepossessedwhatwewantto
possess.Donotthinkthatbecauseyouhelpedanother,someoneoutsideofyousawyour
goodworksandwillgiveyousomethingtoeaseyourburden.Thereisnoonetodoitfor
you.You,yourselfmustgoboldlyonappropriatingwhatyourFatherhasalreadygiven
you.
13.Question:Cananuneducatedpersoneducatehimselfbyassumingthefeelingofbeing
educated?
Answer:Yes.Anarousedinterestisawardedinformationfromeveryside.Youmust
sincerelydesiretobewellschooled.Thedesiretobewellread,followedbythe
assumptionthatyouare,makesyouselectiveinyourreading.Asyouprogressinyour
education,youautomaticallybecomemoreselective,morediscriminatinginallthatyou
do.
14.Question:MyhusbandandIaretakingtheclasstogether.Shouldwediscussour
desireswitheachother?
Answer:TherearetwospiritualsayingswhichpermeatetheBible.Oneis,"Gotellno
man,"andtheotheris"Ihavetoldyoubeforeitcomestopassthatwhenitdoescometo
passyoumaybelieve."Ittakesspiritualboldnesstotellanotherthatyourdesireisfulfilled
beforeitisseenontheoutside.Ifyoudonothavethatkindofboldness,thenyouhad

betterkeepquiet.
Ipersonallyenjoytellingmyplanstomywife,becausewebothgetsuchathrillwhenthey
comeintobeing.Thefirstpersonamanwantstoprovethislawtoishiswife.Itissaid
thatMohammadiseverlastinglygreatbecausehisfirstdisciplewashiswife.
15.Question:ShouldmyhusbandandIworkonthesameprojectoronseparateones?
Answer:Thatisentirelyuptoyou.MywifeandIhavedifferentinterests,yetwehave
muchincommon.DoyourecallthestoryItoldofourreturntotheUnitedStatesthis
spring?IfeltitwasmydutyasahusbandtogetpassagebacktoAmerica,soI
appropriatedthattomyself.Ifeeltherearecertainthingsthatareonmywife'ssideofthe
contract,suchasmaintainingaclean,lovelyhomeandfindingtheappropriateschoolfor
ourdaughter,soshetakescareofthose.
Quiteoftenmywifewillaskmetoimagineforher,asthoughshehasgreaterfaithinmy
abilitytodoitthaninherown.Thatflattersmebecauseeverymanworthyofthename
wantstofeelthathisfamilyhasfaithinhim.ButIseenothingwronginthecommunion
betweentwowholoveoneanother.
16.Question:Iwouldthinkthatifyougettoomuchintothesleepystatetherewouldbea
lackoffeeling.
Answer:WhenIspeakoffeelingIdonotmeanemotion,butacceptanceofthefactthat
thedesireisfulfilled.Feelinggrateful,fulfilled,orthankful,itiseasytosay,"ThankYou,"
"Isn'titwonderful!"or"Itisfinished."Whenyougetintothestateofthankfulness,you
caneitherawakenknowingitisdone,orfallasleepinthefeelingofthewishfulfilled.
17.Question:Isloveaproductofyourownconsciousness?
Answer:Allthingsexistinyourconsciousness,betheyloveorhate.Nothingcomesfrom

without.Thehillstowhichyoulookforhelparethoseofaninnerrange.Yourfeelingsof
love,hateorindifferenceallspringfromyourownconsciousness.Youareinfinitely
greaterthanyoucouldeverconceiveyourselftobe.Never,ineternitywillyoureachthe
ultimateyou.Thatishowwonderfulyouare.Loveisnotaproductofyou,youarelove,
forthatiswhatGodisandGod'snameisIam,theverynameyoucallyourselfbeforeyou
maketheclaimastothestateyouarenowin.
18.Question:Supposemywantscannotmaterializeforsixmonthstoayear,doIwaitto
imaginethem?
Answer:Whenthedesireisuponyou,thatisthetimetoacceptyourwishinitsfullness.
Perhapstherearereasonswhytheurgeisgivenyouatthistime.Yourthreedimensional
beingmaythinkitcannotbenow,butyourfourthdimensionalmindknowsitalreadyis,
sothedesireshouldbeacceptedbyyouasaphysicalfactnow.
Supposeyouwantedtobuildahouse.Theurgetohaveitisnow,butitisgoingtotake
timeforthetreestogrowandthecarpentertobuildthehouse.Althoughtheurgeseems
big,donotwaittoadjusttoit.Claimpossessionnowandletitobjectifyitselfinitsown
strangeway.Donotsayitwilltakesixmonthsorayear.Theminutethedesirecomes
uponyou,assumeitisalreadyafact!Youandyoualonehavegivenyourdesireatime
intervalandtimeisrelativewhenitcomestothisworld.Donotwaitforanythingtocome
topass,acceptitnowasthoughitwereandseewhathappens.
Whenyouhaveadesire,thedeeperyou,whomencallGod,isspeaking.Heurgesyou,
throughthelanguageofdesire,toacceptthatwhichisnotthatwhichistobe!Desireis
simplyhiscommunionwithyou,tellingyouthatyourdesireisyours,now!Your
acceptanceofthisfactisprovedbyyourcompleteadjustmenttoitasthoughitweretrue.
19.Question:Whydosomeofusdieyoung?
Answer:Ourlivesarenot,inretrospect,measuredbyyearsbutbythecontentofthose

years.
20.Question:Whatwouldyouconsiderafulllife?
Answer:Avarietyofexperiences.Themorevariedtheyare,thericherisyourlife.At
deathyoufunctioninadimensionallylargerworld,andplayyourpartonakeyboardmade
upofalifetimeofhumanexperiences.Therefore,themorevariedyourexperiences,the
finerisyourinstrumentandthericherisyourlife.
21.Question:Whataboutachildwhodiesatbirth?
Answer:Thechildwhoisborn,livesforever,asnothingdies.Itmayappearthatthechild
whodiesatbirthhasnokeyboardofhumanexperiencebut,asapoetoncesaid:"Hedrew
acirclethatshutmeout,Infidel,scoundrel,athingtoflout.ButLoveandIhadthewitto
win!Wedrewacirclethattookhimin."
Thelovedonehasaccesstothesensoryexperiencesofthelover.Godislovetherefore,
ultimatelyeveryonehasaninstrument,thekeyboardofwhichisthesensoryimpressionsof
allmen.
22.Question:Whatisyourtechniqueofprayer?
Answer:Itstartswithdesire,fordesireisthemainspringofaction.Youmustknowand
defineyourobjective,thencondenseitintoasensationwhichimpliesfulfillment.When
yourdesireisclearlydefined,immobilizeyourphysicalbodyandexperience,inyour
imagination,theactionwhichimpliesitsfulfillment.Repeatthisactoverandoveragain
untilithasthevividnessandfeelingofreality.
Or,condenseyourdesireintoasinglephrasethatimpliesfulfillmentsuchas,"Thankyou
Father,""Isn'titwonderful,"or"Itisfinished."Repeatthatcondensedphrase,oractionin
yourimaginationoverandoveragain.Theneitherawakenfromthatstate,orslipoffinto

thedeep.Itdoesnotmatter,fortheactisdonewhenyoucompletelyacceptitasbeing
finishedinthatsleepy,drowsystate.
23.Question:Twopeoplewantthesameposition.Onehasit.Theotherhaditandnow
wantsitback.
Answer:YourFather(thedimensionallygreateryou)haswaysandmeansyouknownot
of.Accepthiswisdom.Feelyourdesireisfulfilled,thenallowyourFathertogiveitto
you.Thepresentonemaybepromotedtoahigherposition,ormarryamanofgreat
wealthandgiveupherjob.Shemaycomeintoagreatdealofmoney,orchoosetomove
toanotherstate.
Manypeoplesaytheywanttowork,butIquestionthatseriously.Theywantsecurityand
conditionsecurityonajob.ButIreallydonotthinktheaveragegirltrulywantstogetup
inthemorningandgotowork.
24.Question:Whatisthecauseofdiseaseandpain?
Answer:Thephysicalbodyisanemotionalfilter.Manyhumanailments,hitherto
consideredpurelyphysical,arenowrecognizedasrootedinemotionaldisturbances.
Paincomesfromlackofrelaxation.Whenyousleepthereisnopain.Ifyouareunderan
anesthetic,thereisnopainbecauseyouarerelaxed,asitwere.Ifyouhavepainitis
becauseyouaretenseandtryingtoforcesomething.Youcannotforceanideainto
embodiment,yousimplyappropriateit.Itisattentionminuseffort.Onlypracticewillbring
youtothatpointwhereyoucanbeattentiveandstillberelaxed.
Attentionistensiontowardanend,andrelaxationisjusttheopposite.Herearetwo
completelyoppositeideasthatyoumustblenduntilyoulearn,throughpractice,howtobe
attentive,butnottense.Theword"contention"means"attentionminuseffort."Inthe
stateofcontentionyouareheldbytheideawithouttension.

25.Question:NomatterhowmuchItrytobehappy,underneath,Ihaveamelancholy
feelingofbeingleftout.Why?
Answer:Becauseyoufeelyouarenotwanted.WereIyou,IwouldassumeIamwanted.
Youknowthetechnique.Theassumptionthatyouarewantedmayseemfalsewhenfirst
assumed,butifyouwillfeelwantedandrespected,andpersistinthatassumption,youwill
beamazedhowotherswillseekyouout.Theywillbegintoseequalitiesinyoutheyhad
neverseenbefore.Ipromiseyou.Ifyouwillbutassumeyouarewanted,youwillbe.
26.QuestionIfsecuritycametomethroughthedeathofalovedone,didIbringabout
thatdeath?
Answer:Donotthinkforonesecondthatyoubroughtaboutadeathbyassuming
security.Thegreateryouisnotgoingtoinjureanyone.Itseesalland,knowingthelength
oflifeofall,itcaninspiretheothertogiveyouthatwhichcanfulfillyourassumption.
Youdidnotkillthepersonwhonamedyouinhiswill.If,afewdaysafteryourcomplete
acceptanceoftheideaofsecurity,UncleJohnmadehisexitfromthisthreedimensional
planeandleftyouhisestate,itisonlybecauseitwastimeforUncleJohntogo.Hedid
notdieonesecondbeforehistime,however.ThegreateryousawthelifespanofJohn
andusedhimasthewaytobringaboutthefulfillmentofyourfeelingofsecurity.
Theacceptanceoftheendwillsthemeanstowardthefulfillmentofthatend.Donotbe
concernedwithanythingsavetheend.Alwaysbearinmindthattheresponsibilitytomake
itsoiscompletelyremovedfromyourshoulders.Itisyoursbecauseyouacceptitasso!
27.Question:IhavemorethanoneobjectiveWoulditbeineffectivetoconcentrateon
differentobjectivesatdifferentperiodsofconcentration?
Answer:Iliketotakeoneconsumingambition,restrictittoasingleshortphrase,oract

thatimpliesfulfillment,butIdonotlimitmyambition.Ionlyknowthatmyrealobjective
willincludeallthelittleones.
28.Question:Ifinditdifficulttochangemyconceptofself.Why?
Answer:Becauseyourdesiretochangehasnotbeenaroused.Ifyouwouldfallinlove
withwhatyoureallywanttobe,youwouldbecomeit.Ittakesanintensehungertobring
aboutatransformationofself.
"Asthehartpantethafterthewaterbrooks,sopantethmysoulafterthee,OLord."Ifyou
wouldbecomeasthirstyforperfectionasthelittlehartisforwaterthatitbravestheanger
ofthetigerintheforest,youwouldbecomeperfect.
29.Question:Iamcontemplatingabusinessventure.Itmeansagreatdealtome,butI
cannotimaginehowitcancomeintobeing.
Answer:Youarerelievedofthatresponsibility.Youdonothavetomakeitareality,it
alreadyis!Althoughyourconceptofselfseemssofarremovedfromtheventureyounow
contemplate,itexistsnowasarealitywithinyou.Askyourselfhowyouwouldfeeland
whatyouwouldbedoingifyourbusinessventurewereagreatsuccess.Becomeidentified
withthatcharacterandfeelingandyouwillbeamazedhowquicklyyouwillrealizeyour
dream.
Theonlysacrificeyouarecalledupontomake,istogiveupyourpresentconceptofself
andappropriatethedesireyouwanttoexpress.
30.Question:AsametaphysicalstudentIhavebeentaughttobelievethatracebeliefsand
universalassumptionsaffectme.DoyoumeanthatonlytothedegreeIgivethese
universalbeliefspoweroverme,amIinfluencedbythem?
Answer:Yes.Itisonlyyourindividualviewpoint,asyourworldisforeverbearingwitness

toyourpresentconceptofself.Ifsomeoneoffendsyou,changeyourconceptofself.That
istheonlywayotherschange.Tonight'spapermaybereadbyanysixpeopleinthisroom
andnotwowillinterpretthesamestoryinthesameway.Onewillbeelated,theother
depressed,anotherindifferent,andsoon,yetitisthesamestory.
Universalassumptions,racebeliefs,callthemwhatyouwill,theyarenotimportantto
you.Whatisimportantisyourconcept,notofanother,butofyourself,fortheconcept
youholdofyourselfdeterminestheconceptyouholdofothers.Leaveothersalone.What
aretheytoyou?Followyourowndesires.
Thelawisalwaysinoperation,alwaysabsolute.Yourconsciousnessistherockupon
whichallstructuresrest.Watchwhatyouareawareof.Youneednotconcernyourself
withothersbecauseyouaresustainedbytheabsolutenessofthislaw.Nomancomesto
youofhisownaccord,behegood,badorindifferent.Hedidnotchooseyou!Youchose
him!Hewasdrawntoyoubecauseofwhatyouare.
Youcannotdestroythestateanotherrepresentsthroughforce.Rather,leavehimalone.
Whatishetoyou?Risetoahigherlevelofconsciousnessandyouwillfindanewworld
awaitingyou,andasyousanctifyyourself,othersaresanctified.
31.Question:WhowrotetheBible?
Answer:TheBiblewaswrittenbyintelligentmenwhousedsolarandphallicmythsto
revealpsychologicaltruths.Butwehavemistakentheirallegoryforhistoryand,therefore,
havefailedtoseetheirtruemessage.
Itisstrange,butwhentheBiblewaslaunchedupontheworld,andacceptanceseemedto
beinsight,thegreatAlexandriaLibrarywasburnttotheground,leavingnorecordasto
howtheBiblecameintobeing.Fewpeoplecanreadotherlanguages,sotheycannot
comparetheirbeliefswithothers.Ourchurchesdonotencourageustocompare.How
manyofthemillionswhoaccepttheBibleasfact,everquestionit?Believingitistheword

ofGod,theyblindlyacceptthewordsandthuslosetheessencetheycontain.Having
acceptedthevehicle,theydonotunderstandwhatthevehicleconveys.
32.Question:DoyouusetheApocrypha?
Answer:Notinmyteaching.Ihaveseveralvolumesofthemathome.Theyarenogreater
thanthesixtysixbooksofourpresentBible.Theyaresimplytellingthesametruthina
differentway.Forinstance,thestoryistoldofJesus,asayoungboy,watchingchildren
makebirdsoutofmud.Holdingthebirdsintheirhands,theypretendthebirdsareflying.
Jesusapproachesandknocksthebirdsoutoftheirhands.Astheybegintocry,hepicks
uponeofthebrokenbirdsandremoldsit.Holdingithigh,hebreathsuponitandthebird
takeswing.
Hereisastoryofonewhocametobreaktheidolsinthemindsofmen,thenshowthem
howtousethesamesubstanceandremolditintoabeautifulformandgiveitlife.Thatis
whatthisstoryistryingtoconvey."Icome,nottobringpeace,butasword."Truthslays
allthelittlemudhensofthemindslaysillusionsandthenremoldsthemintoanew
patternwhichsetsmanfree.
33.Question:IfJesuswasafictionalcharactercreatedbyBiblicalwritersforthepurpose
ofillustratingcertainpsychologicaldramas,howdoyouaccountforthefactthatheand
hisphilosophyarementionedinthenonreligiousandnonChristianhistoryofthosetimes?
WerenotPontiusPilateandHerodrealfleshandbloodRomanofficialsinthosedays?
Answer:ThestoryofJesusistheidenticalstoryasthatoftheHindusavior,Krishna.They
arethesamepsychologicalcharacters.Bothweresupposedtohavebeenbornofvirgin
mothers.Therulersofthetimesoughttodestroythemwhentheywerechildren.Both
healedthesick,resurrectedthedead,taughtthegospelofloveanddiedamartyr'sdeath
formankind.HindusandChristiansalikebelievetheirsaviortobeGodmademan.
TodaypeoplequoteSocrates,yettheonlyproofthatSocrateseverexistedisintheworks

ofPlato.ItissaidthatSocratesdrankhemlock,butIaskyou,whoisSocrates?Ionce
quotedalinefromShakespeareandaladysaidtome,"ButHamletsaidthat."Hamlet
neversaidit,Shakespearewrotethelinesandputthewordsinthemouthofacharacterhe
createdandnamedHamlet.St.Augustineoncesaid,"Thatwhichisnowcalledthe
Christianreligionexistedamongtheancients.TheybegantocallChristianitythetrue
religion,yetitneverexisted."
34.Question:Doyouuseaffirmationsanddenials?
Answer:Letusleavetheseschoolsofthoughtthatuseaffirmationsanddenials.Thebest
affirmation,andtheonlyeffectiveoneisanassumptionwhich,initselfimpliesdenialof
theformerstate.
Thebestdenialistotalindifference.Thingswitheranddiethroughindifference.Theyare
keptalivethroughattention.Youdonotdenyathingbysayingitdoesnotexist.Rather
youputfeelingintoitbyrecognizingit,andwhatyourecognizeastrue,istruetoyou,be
itgood,badorindifferent.
35.Question:Isitpossibleforonetoappeardeadandstillnotbedead?
Answer:GeneralLeewassupposedtohavebeenborntwoyearsafterhismother,believed
tobedead,wasburiedalive.Luckyforhershewasnotembalmedorburiedintheearth,
butinavaultwheresomeoneheardhercryandreleasedher.TwoyearslaterMrs.Lee
boreasonwhobecameGeneralLee.Thatispartofthiscountry'shistory.
36.Question:Howcouldonewhowasdeprivedinhisyouthbecomeasuccessinlife?
Answer:Wearecreaturesofhabit,formingpatternsofthemindwhichrepeatthemselves
overandoveragain.Althoughhabitactslikeacompellinglawwhichdrivesonetorepeat
thepatterns,itisnotalaw,foryouandIcanchangethepatterns.Manysuccessfulmen
suchasHenryFord,RockefellerandCarnegieweredeprivedintheiryouth.Manyofthe

greatnamesinthiscountrycamefrompoorfamilies,yettheyleftbehindthemgreat
accomplishmentsinthepolitical,artisticandfinancialworld.
Oneeveningafriendofmineattendedameetingforyoungadvertisingexecutives.The
speakeroftheeveningsaidtotheseyoungmen:"Ihavebutonethingtosaytoyou
tonight,andthatistomakeyourselfbigandyoucannotfail."
Takinganordinaryfishbowl,hefilleditwithtwobags,oneofEnglishwalnutsandthe
otherofsmallbeans.Mixingthemwithhishand,hebegantoshakethebowlandsaid,
"Thisbowlislife.Youcannotstopitsshakingaslifeisaconstantpulsing,livingrhythm,
butwatch."Andastheywatchedthebigwalnutscametothetopofthebowlasthelittle
beansfelltothebottom.
Lookingintothebowlthemanasked,"Whichoneofyouiscomplaining,askingwhy?"
Thenadded,"Isn'titstrange,thesoundiscomingfromthebowlandnottheoutside.A
beaniscomplainingthatifhehadhadthesameenvironmentasthewalnuthe,toowould
dobigthings,butheneverhadthechance."Thenhetookalittlebeanfromthebottomof
thebowlandplacedhimontopsaying,"Icanmovethebeanthroughsheerforce,butI
cannotstopthebowloflifefromshaking,"andasheshookthebowl,thelittlebeanonce
againslidtothebottom.
Hearinganothervoiceofcomplaintheasked,"What'sthatIhear?YouaresayingthatI
shouldtakeoneofthosebigfellowswhothinksheissobigandputhimonthebottom
andseewhathappenstohim?Youbelievehewillbejustaslimitedasyoubecausehewill
berobbedoftheopportunityofbigthingsjustasyouare?Let'ssee."
Thenthespeakertookoneofthebigwalnutsandpushedhimrightdowntothebottomof
thebowlsaying,"Istillcan'tstopthebowlfromshaking,"andasthemenwatchedthebig
walnutcametothetopagain.Thenthespeakeradded:
"Gentlemen,ifyoureallywanttobesuccessfulinlife,makeyourselfbig."

Myfriendtookthismessagetoheartandbegantoassumehewasasuccessful
businessman.Todayheistrulyabigmanifyoujudgesuccessbydollars.Henowemploys
overathousandpeopleinthecityofNewYork.Eachoneofyoucandowhathedid.
Assumeyouarewhatyouwanttobe.Walkinthatassumptionanditwillhardenintofact.

************************************************************************
***
(09271968)

BRAZENIMPUDENCE

Anewideawillnotbecomepartofyourcommoncurrencyofthoughtuntilithas
beenrepeatedoverandoverandyoubegintolivebyit.
YouhavebeentaughttobelievethatGodexistsoutsideofyou,butIsayyouareall
Imagination.ThatGodexistsinusandweinhim.Thatoureternalbodyisthe
Imagination,andthatisGodHimself.ImeaneverywordIhavejustsaid,butitisanew
thought.Untilthisnewideabecomesapartofyourthinking,everytimeyouhearthe
word,God,yourmindwillgoouttosomethingyouhaveconceivedGodtobe.
WhenIsayIam,IamspeakingoftheLordJesusChristoftheNewTestamentandthe
JehovahoftheOld.Whenyougotobedtonightandputyourheadonapillow,youare
awareofbeing.ThatawarenessisGod!Iwanttoshowyouhowtouseyourawarenessas
brazenimpudence.
Inthe11thchapterofLuke,itissaidthatJesuswasprayingwhenoneofhisdisciples
said:"Lord,teachustopray,"atwhichtimehegavethemtheLordsPrayer.Now,the

LordsPrayerthatyouandIhaveistranslatedfromtheLatin,whichdoesnothavethe
imperativepassivemoodnecessarytoconveythemeaningoftheprayer.Initsoriginal
Greek,theprayerislikebrazenimpudence,for
theimperativepassivemoodisastandingorder,somethingtobedoneabsolutelyand
continuously.Inotherwords,"Thywillbedone,"becomes"Thywillmustbebeing
done."And"Thykingdomcome"becomesThykingdommustbebeingrestored."
Thatisnotwhatisbeingtaught,however,ashetaughtintheformofaparablesuchas:
"Whichofyouwhohasafriendwouldgotohimatmidnightandsaytohim,Friend,lend
methreeloaves,forafriendofminehasarrivedonajourneyandIhavenothingtoset
beforehim,andfromwithinhesays,Donotbothermethedoorisshutandmychildren
areinbed.Icannotriseandgive
youanything.YetItellyou,althoughhewillnotrisebecauseheisafriend,yetbecause
ofhisimportunity,hewillriseandgivehimwhateverheneeds."Thewordimportunity
meansbrazenimpudence.Inotherwords,hewouldnottakeNoforananswer!
Jesuswasnotteachingadiscipleontheoutsidehowtopray.Hewastellingyouhowto
adjustyourthinkingsoyouwillnottakeNoforananswer.Inthestorythefriendknew
whathewanted.Heassumedhehaditandcontinuedtoassumehehadituntilhis
assumptiontookonthefeelingofrealityandhegotit.ThisishowyoufindGodin
yourself,bybeingpersistentinyourassumption.
Thenthisstoryistoldtoshowhowyoushouldprayandnotloseheart:"Inacertaincity
therewasajudgewhoneitherfearedGodnorregardedman.Therewasawidowinthat
citywhocameconstantly,askinghimtovindicateheragainstherenemies.Atfirsthe
refused,thenhesaidtohimself,AlthoughIneitherfearGodnorregardman,yetbecause
thiswomanbothersmeIwill
vindicateherbeforeshewearsmeout.Againweseetheneedforpersistenceinprayer.
Whenyouknowhowtopray,youwilldiscoverthateveryoneintheworldcanbeusedas
aninstrumenttoaidthebirthofyourprayer.Theymaybecondemnedintheactandpay

societysprice,whileyouaresavedyetyouarethecauseoftheiraction.
Iwillnowsharewithyouaverypersonalstory.Itellittoillustrateaprinciple.Society
blamedthisladyforwhatshedid,andshepaidtheprice,butIwasthecauseofher
misfortune.Iamnotgoingtojustifymystoryandifyoucanttakeit,Imsorry.WhenI
firsttoldit,oneladywasveryupsetandIregretthatbutIhavenoticedthatwhen
someonehasrecentlygivenupalcohol,tobacco,meat,orsex,theyinvariablycondemnthe
state.Theyfeeltooclosetoittofeelsecure.Iamnotsayingthatthisladyhadasimilar
experiencewhereshewasthevictimIamonlyspeakingofaprinciple.Nowhereismy
story:
WhenIdecidedtomarrytheladywhonowbearsmynameIappliedthisprinciple.Atthe
timeIwasterriblyinvolved.Ihadmarriedattheageofeighteenandbecameafatherat
nineteen.Weseparatedthatyear,butIneversoughtadivorcetherefore,myseparation
wasnotlegalinthestateofNewYork.Sixteenyearslater,whenIfellinloveandwanted
tomarrymypresentwife,I
decidedtosleepasthoughweweremarried.Whilesleeping,physicallyinmyhotelroom,
Isleptimaginativelyinanapartment,sheinonebedandIintheother.Mydancingpartner
didnotwantmetomarry,soshetoldmywifethatIwouldbeseekingadivorceandto
makeherselfscarcewhichshedid,takingupresidenceinanotherstate.ButIpersisted!
NightafternightIsleptinthe
assumptionthatIwashappilymarriedtothegirlIlove.
WithinaweekIreceivedacallrequestingmetobeincourtthenextTuesdaymorningat
10:00A.M..GivingmenoreasonwhyIshouldbethere,Idismissedtherequest,thinking
itwasahoaxplayedonmebyafriend.SothenextTuesdaymorningat9:30A.M.Iwas
unshavedandonlycasuallydressed,whenthephonerangandaladysaid:"Itwouldbeto
youradvantage,asapublicfigure,tobeincourtthismorning,asyourwifeisontrial."
Whatashock!Iquicklythankedthelady,caughtataxi,andarrivedjustascourtbegan.
MywifehadbeencaughtliftingafewitemsfromastoreinNewYorkCity,whichshehad
notpaidfor.AskingtospeakonherbehalfIsaid:"Sheismywifeandthemotherofmy

son.Althoughwehavebeenseparatedforsixteenyears,asfarasIknowshehasnever
donethisbeforeandIdonotthinkshewilleverdoitagain.We
haveamarvelousson.Pleasedonothingtohertoreflectinanywayuponourson,who
liveswithme.IfImaysaysomething,sheiseightyearsmyseniorandmaybepassing
throughacertainemotionalstatewhichpromptedhertodowhatshedid.Ifyoumust
sentenceher,thenpleasesuspendit."Thejudgethensaidtome,"Inallofmyyearsonthe
benchIhaveneverheardanappeallikethis.Yourwifetellsmeyouwantadivorce,and
hereyoucouldhavetangibleevidence
forit,yetyoupleadforherrelease."Hethensentencedherforsixmonthsandsuspended
thesentence.Mywifewaitedformeatthebackoftheroomandsaid:"Neville,thatwasa
decentthingtodo.GivemethesubpoenaandIwillsignit."WetookataxitogetherandI
didthatwhichwasnotlegal:Iservedmyownsubpoenaandshesignedit.
Now,whowasthecauseofhermisfortune?Shelivedinanotherstate,butcametoNew
YorkCitytodoanactforwhichshewastobecaughtandtried.SoIsay:everybeingin
theworldwillserveyourpurpose,sointheendyouwillsay:"Fatherforgivethem,for
theyknownotwhattheydo."Theywillmoveundercompulsiontodoyourwill,justas
mywifedid.
Itellthisstoryonlytoillustrateaprinciple.Youdonotneedtoaskanyonetoaidyouin
theanswertoaprayer,forthesimplereasonthatGodisomnipotentandomniscient.Heis
inyouasyourownwonderfulIAmness.Everyoneontheoutsideisyourservant,your
slave,readyandabletodoyourwill.Allyouneeddoisknowwhatyouwant.Constructa
scenewhichwouldimplythefulfillmentofyourdesire.Enterthesceneandremainthere.
Ifyourimaginalcounselor(yourfeelingoffulfillment)agreeswiththatwhichisusedto
illustrateyourfulfilleddesire,yourfantasywillbecomeafact.Ifitdoesnot,startallover
againbycreatinganewsceneandenterit.Itcostsyou
nothingtoimagineconsciously!
Inmyowncasethescenewasabedroomofanapartment,withmywifeinonebedandI
intheother,denotingthatIwasnolongerlivinginahotelalone.Ifellasleepinthatstate,

andwithinoneweekIhadthenecessarypaperstostartactiononadivorce.
ThisiswhattheBibleteaches.Itismytextbook."Whateveryoudesire,believeyouhave
alreadyreceiveditandyouwill!"
Thereisnolimittothepowerofbeliefortothepossibilitiesofprayer,butyoumustbe
brazenlyimpudentandnottakeNoforananswer.Tryit!WhenIsayyouareall
imagination,Imeanit.WhilestandinghereontheplatformIcan,inasplitsecond,
imagineIamstandingontheoutside,lookingatthisbuilding.Or,inanothersecondbein
Londonandviewtheworldfromthere.You
saythatsallhallucination?Thatitisallinmyimagination?Allright,nowletmeshare
anotherexperiencewithyou.
IwasinNewYorkCitywhenIheardthatmyseventeenyearoldnephew,mysisters
oldestchild,wasinaterminalstateofcancer.IknewhowshefeltandwonderedwhatI
coulddotocomforthertoshowherthattheboyshesolovedwasnotfleshandblood,
butspirit.SowhileinNewYorkCity,Iwenttomybedroom,closedthedoor,andlay
downonmybed.Knowingthatmysister
livedintheoldfamilyhouseinBarbados,IassumedIwasonthebedwhereIknewBilly
tobe.Iassumedmysisterenteredthatroombutcouldnotseeherson,onlyherbrother,
Neville.Ilostmyselfinthatassumptionuntilmysister,Daphne,enteredtheroom.
Lookingstartled,shecameforward,staredatme,thenturnedandlefttheroom.WhenI
wassatisfiedthatIhadseenher,and
shehadseenmeandnotherson,Ibroketheexperienceandreturnedtoourlivingroom
tobewithmywifeandafriendwhohadcomeforcocktails.
TendayslaterIreceivedaletterfrommysister,inwhichshesaid:"Nev,Ijustcant
understandit."GivingthedayandthehourwhichcoincidedwithmineinNewYorkCity
shesaid:"IwentintoBillysroomandIwasstartledtoseeyouthere.Iknewyouwerein
NewYorkCity,yetIcouldnotseeBillyonthebed,onlyyou.ImustconfessIwasabit
afraid,so1lefttheroomandwhenI

returnedIcouldseeBillyagain.ShecouldseeBillybecausebythenIhaddeparted.IfI
amallimagination,ImustbewhereIaminimagination.WhenIgavethescenesensory
vividness,withallthetonesofreality,Iwasseenbymysistertwothousandmilesaway.
No,IdidntsaveBilly.Hedied,butmypresencedidconvincemysisterthathersonwas
notfleshandblood.Ifher
brother,inNewYorkCity,couldappeartoherinBarbados,sheknewtherewas
somethingthatinhabitsabodywhichcannotgotoeternaldeath.
Itellyou:thereisanimmortalyouthatcannotdie.ThatnightIgavemysisterthe
convictionofarealityinhersonthatwouldsurvivewhenthedoctorsaidhewasgone.
Gonewhere?Restoredtoaterrestrialworldlikethisasayounglad,tocontinueajourney
thatwassetupforhiminthebeginning.AndthatistoformtheimageofJesusChristin
him.Whenthathappens,Billywill
awakenasJesusChrist,theonebeingwhoisGodtheFather.
Practicetheartofmovement.InNewYorkCity,mytelephonewasinthehallwayandmy
chairinthelivingroom.Whilesittinginmychair,IwouldassumeIwasatthetelephone.
ThenIwouldassumeIwaslookingintothelivingroom.Ipracticedthisexercise.untilI
discoveredIcouldmoveanywhereinasplitsecondoftime.Tryitandperhaps,likemy
sister,someonewillhavethe
strangeexperienceofseeingyouwhereyouhavenotphysicallybeen.Makeitfun.Idoit
allthetime.
Alady,thinkingIwasstillinBarbadoswhereshelastsawmepainfullythinand
weighingonly138poundswashopingIwasfeelingbetter,whenIinstantlyappearedin
herlivingroom.IwasbrownfromtheBarbadossun,wearingagraysuit(whichIdidnot
ownwhenIlefthere,butpurchasedinNewYorkCity)whenIsaid:"Thereisnotime,"
andvanished.Well,sheisaccustomedtothesethings,soshewasnotafraid.
Iurgeyounottolimityourselftoalittlebodyoffleshandblood,foryouarespirit.Flesh
andbloodcannotinheritthekingdomofGod,soonedayyoumusttakeitoff.Andhe

whotakesitoffisimmortal.HeisyourownwonderfulhumanimaginationwhoisGod,
theFatherofalllife.Whenyoulearntolivethisway,lifebecomessoexciting.Yourdays
arefullandyouareneveralone.
IspendalldayathomereadingtheBibleandmeditating.Iclosemyeyesandtravelthe
world.Itsfunandeducational.Itexpandsmeandmakesmebecomemoreawareofthe
infinitebeingthatIreallyam.
Now,thetwostoriesfromscripturethatIhavesharedwithyoushowtheimportanceof
persistence.Whenyoupray,donotgetdownonyourkneesandpraytoanyunknown
God.Instead,gotobedanddaretoassumeyouarenowwhoyouwanttobe.Fallasleep
assumingitistrueandyouwillbeontheroadtosuccess,forthisishowthingsare
broughtintobeing.
Rightnowimaginesomethinglovelyforanother.Theyneedneverknowwhowasthe
causeoftheirfortunebutyouwill.MyfirstwifedidnotknowIwasthecauseofher
action.Hadshethoughtthatheractwouldmeanmyfreedomandherdisgracedoyou
thinkshewouldhavedoneit?Shemovedundercompulsion,andIwasthecompelling
force.Whenyourealizethis,youforgiveeveryoneforeverythingtheyhaveeverdone,
becauseyoumayhavebeentheonewhowasthecauseoftheiraction.
Blakesaid:"WhystandweheretremblingaroundcallingonGodforhelpandnot
ourselvesinwhomGoddwells."Whycallonanygod,whentheonlyGoddwellswithin
you?Heisnotpretending,butactuallybecameyou.Whenyouconfineyourselftothe
littlegarmentyouwear,youareconfiningGod,becauseitishewhoiswearingit.
Youneednointermediarybetweenyouandyourself,whoisGod.Dontrunfromthiscity
toanotherinthehopeoffindingsomethingbetter,becausetheonepersonyouaregoing
totakewithyouisyourselfsoresolveyourproblemshere.Donotcompromise.Decide
exactlywhatyouwantandassumeyouhaveit.Ifyourworldwouldchange,determine
whatitwouldlooklikethenconstructascenewhichwouldimplyyouarethere.Ifyour
mentalconstructioncomesclose

toyourfulfilleddesire,yourlittledaydreamwillbecomeafact!Andwhenitdoes,willit
matterwhatothersthinkaboutyourprinciple?Havingproveditselfinperformance,share
yourexperiencewithanotherthattheymaysharetheirs.Keepsharingthisprinciple,
becauseintheendwearealltheonebeingwhoistheLordJesusChrist.Onebody,one
Lord,oneSpirit,oneGodandFather
ofall.Dontbeashamedtoclaimit.ManseestheLordJesusChristassomelittlebeingon
theoutsidebutheisinyou,andwhenyouseehim,hewilllookjustlikeyou!
Afriendrecentlysharedthissweetvisionwithme.Shesaid:"Isawamaninawhiterobe
standingonahill,buildingacanopyovertheentrancetoatemple.AsIapproachedI
couldseethatthestripesusedforthecanopyweretranslucentgreenandIremarkedhow
radiantlybeautifultheywere.ThemanturnedtolookatmeandIrealizeditwasyou,
Neville,andyetyouwere
Michelangelo.Thenyouaddressedmesaying:Ihavebeenworkingonthisthroughout
eternityanditstillremainsinvisibletoothers.Takingthestripes,Iwovethemintothe
formofabasketandyouthankedmeandsaid:GreatworkandIawoke."Thatwasa
beautifuldream.Ihavebeentellingthestoryoftheresurrectionthroughouteternity,butit
hasneverbeenputinto
livingform.Itstillremainsdead,likeMichelangelosPieta,orhisDavidmadeoutof
marble.
LetDavidbecomealiveinthemindsofothers.GivelifetothePieta,thecrucifiedoneon
themotherslap.Thestoryispublicproperty,nowadeadwrittencodeawaitinglifeinthe
imaginationofmen.Dramatizesalvationsstory.Makeitintoaplayoratelevisionshow
andletMichelangelosPietabecomealive.IhavemadethestoryalivebecauseIhave
experiencedit.
Michelangelo,withhistremendousknowhowofthehumanform,createdthedeadforms
madeofmarble.Icamealong,unabletomoldastick,tofindthedeadformstakingonlife
inme.Itismyhopethatonedaythiswonderfulstorywillbetoldasitreallyis,againstthe
storythatwehaveheardforovertwothousandyears.

Nowletusgointothesilence.

RADIOLECTURES
NevilleGoddard

BEWHATYOUWISHBEWHATYOUBELIEVE
RadioTalk,StationKECA,LosAngeles
July,1951
Anewspapermanrelatedtomethatourgreatscientist,RobertMillikan,oncetold
himthathehadsetagoalforhimselfatanearlyagewhenhewasstillverypoorand
unproveninthegreatworkhewastodointhefuture.Hecondensedhisdreamof
greatnessandsecurityintoasimplestatement,whichstatement,impliedthathisdreamof
greatnessandsecuritywasalready
realized.Thenherepeatedthestatementoverandoveragaintohimselfuntiltheideaof
greatnessandsecurityfilledhismindandcrowdedallotherideasoutofhisconsciousness.
ThesemaynothavebeenthewordsofDr.MillikanbuttheyarethosegiventomeandI
quote,"Ihavealavish,steady,dependableincome,consistentwithintegrityandmutual
benefit."AsIhavesaid
repeatedly,everythingdependsuponourattitudetowardsourselves.Thatwhichwewill
notaffirmastrueofourselvescannotdevelopinourlife.Dr.Millikanwrotehisdreamof
greatnessandsecurityinthefirstperson,presenttense.Hedidnotsay,"IwillbegreatI
willbesecure,"forthatwouldhaveimpliedthathewasnotgreatandsecure.Instead,he
madehisfuturedreamapresent
fact."Ihave,"saidhe,"alavish,steady,dependableincome,consistentwithintegrityand
mutualbenefit."

Thefuturedreammustbecomeapresentfactinthemindofhimwhoseekstorealizeit.
Wemustexperienceinimaginationwhatwewouldexperienceinrealityintheeventwe
achievedourgoal,forthesoulimaginingitselfintoasituationtakesontheresultsofthat
imaginaryact.Ifitdoesnotimagineitselfintoasituation,itiseverfreeoftheresult.
Itisthepurposeofthisteachingtoliftustoahigherstateofconsciousness,tostirthe
highestinustoconfidenceandselfassertion,forthatwhichstirsthehighestinusisour
teacherandhealer.Theveryfirstwordofcorrectionorcureisalways,"Arise."Ifweare
tounderstandthereasonforthisconstantcommandoftheBibleto"arise,"wemust
recognizethattheuniverseunderstoodinternallyisaninfiniteseriesoflevelsandmanis
whatheisaccordingtowhereheisinthatseries.Asweareliftedupinconsciousness,our
worldreshapesitselfinharmonywiththeleveltowhichwearelifted.Hewhorisesfrom
hisprayerabetterman,hisprayerhasbeengranted.
Tochangethepresentstatewe,likeDr.Millikan,mustrisetoahigherlevelof
consciousness.Thisriseisaccomplishedbyaffirmingthatwearealreadythatwhichwe
wanttobebyassumingthefeelingofthewishfulfilled.Thedramaoflifeisa
psychologicalonewhichwebringtopassbyourattitudesratherthanbyouracts.Thereis
noescapefromourpresentpredicamentexceptbyaradicalpsychologicaltransformation.
Everythingdependsuponourattitudetowardsourselves.Thatwhichwewillnotaffirmas
trueofourselveswillnotdevelopinourlives.
Wehearmuchofthehumbleman,themeekmanbutwhatismeantbyameekman?He
isnotpoorandgroveling,theproverbialdoormat,asheisgenerallyconceivedtobe.Men
whomakethemselvesaswormsintheirownsighthavelostthevisionofthatlifeinto
thelikenessofwhichitisthetruepurposeofthespirittotransformthislife.Menshould
taketheirmeasurementsnotfromlifeastheyseeitbutfrommenlikeDr.Millkan,who,
whilepoorandunproven,daredtoassume,"Ihavealavish,steady,dependableincome,
consistentwithintegrityandmutualbenefit."SuchmenarethemeekoftheGospels,the
menwhoinherittheearth.Anyconceptofselflessthanthebestrobsusoftheearth.The
promiseis,"Blessedarethemeek,fortheyshallinherittheearth."

Intheoriginaltext,thewordtranslatedasmeekistheoppositeofthewordsresentful
angry.Ithasthemeaningofbecoming"tamed"asawildanimalistamed.Afterthemindis
tamed,itmaybelikenedtoavine,ofwhichitmaybesaid,"Beholdthisvine.Ifoundita
wildtreewhosewantonstrengthhadswollenintoirregulartwigs.ButIprunedtheplant,
anditgrewtemperateinitsvainexpenseofuselessleaves,andknottedasyouseeinto
theseclean,fullclusterstorepaythehandthatwiselywoundedit."
Ameekmanisaselfdisciplinedman.Heissodisciplinedheseesonlythefinest,hethinks
onlythebest.Heistheonewhofulfillsthesuggestion,"Brethren,whatsoeverthingsare
true,whatsoeverthingsarehonest,whatsoeverthingsarejust,whatsoeverthingsarepure,
whatsoeverthingsarelovely,whatsoeverthingsareofgoodreportiftherebeanyvirtue
andiftherebeany
praise,thinkonthesethings."
Werisetoahigherlevelofconsciousness,notbecausewehavecurbedourpassions,but
becausewehavecultivatedourvirtues.Intruth,ameekmanisamanincompletecontrol
ofhismoods,andhismoodsarethehighest,forheknowshemustkeepahighmoodifhe
wouldwalkwiththehighest.
Itismybeliefthatallmencan,likeDr.Millikan,changethecourseoftheirlives.Ibelieve
thatDr.Millikanstechniqueofmakinghisdesireapresentfacttohimselfisofgreat
importancetoanyseekerafterthe"truth."Itisalsohishighpurposetobeof"mutual
benefit"thatisinevitablythegoalofusall.Itismucheasiertoimaginethegoodofall
thantobepurelyselfishinourimagining.Byourimagination,byouraffirmations,wecan
changeourworld,wecanchangeourfuture.Tothemanofhighpurpose,tothe
disciplinedman,thisisanaturalmeasure,soletusallbecomedisciplinedmen.
NextSundaymorning,July15th,IamspeakingastheguestofDr.Bailesat10:30atthe
FoxWilshireTheateronWilshireBoulevard,nearLaCienega.Mysubjectfornext
Sundayis"ChangingYourFuture."Itisasubjectneartotheheartsofusall.Ihopeyou

willallcomeonSundaytolearnhowtobethedisciplinedman,themeekman,who
"changeshisfuture"tothebenefitofhisfellowman.
Ifyouareobservant,youwillnoticetheswiftechoorresponsetoyoureverymoodinthis
messageandyouwillbeabletokeyittothecircumstancesofyourdailylife.Whenweare
certainoftherelationshipofmoodtocircumstanceinourlives,wewelcomewhatbefalls
us.Weknowthatallwemeetispartofourselves.Inthecreationofanewlifewemust
beginatthebeginning,withachangeofmood.Everyhighmoodofmanistheopeningof
thedoortoahigherlevelforhim.Letusmouldourlivesaboutahighmoodora
communityofhighmoods.Individuals,aswellascommunities,growspirituallyin
proportionastheyrisetoahigherideal.Iftheiridealislowered,theysinktoitsdepthsif
theiridealisexalted,theyareelevatedtoheightsunimagined.
Wemustkeepthehighmoodifwewouldwalkwiththehighesttheheights,also,were
meantforhabitation.Allformsofthecreativeimaginationimplyelementsoffeeling.
Feelingisthefermentwithoutwhichnocreationispossible.Thereisnothingwrongwith
ourdesiretotranscendourpresentstate.Therewouldbenoprogressinthisworldwereit
notformansdissatisfactionwithhimself.Itisnaturalforustoseekamorebeautiful
personallifeitisrightthatwewishfor
greaterunderstanding,greaterhealth,greatersecurity.Itisstatedinthesixteenthchapter
oftheGospelofSt.John,"Heretoforehaveyeaskedfornothinginmynameaskandye
shallreceive,thatyourjoymaybefull."
Aspiritualrevivalisneededformankind,butbyspiritualrevivalImeanatruereligious
attitude,oneinwhicheachindividual,himself,acceptsthechallengeofembodyinganew
andhighervalueofhimselfasDr.Millikandid.Anationcanexhibitnogreaterwisdomin
themassthanitgeneratesinitsunits.Forthisreason,Ihavealwayspreachedselfhelp,
knowingthatifwestrivepassionatelyafterthiskindofselfhelp,thatis,toembodyanew
andhigherconceptofourselves,thenallotherkindsofhelpwillbeatourservice.
Theidealweserveandhopetoachieveisreadyforanewincarnationbutunlessweoffer

ithumanparentageitisincapableofbirth.Wemustaffirmthatwearealreadythatwhich
wehopetobeandliveasthoughwewere,knowinglikeDr.Millikan,thatour
assumption,thoughfalsetotheouterworld,ifpersistedin,willhardenintofact.
Theperfectmanjudgesnotafterappearanceshejudgesrighteously.Heseeshimselfand
othersashedesireshimselfandthemtobe.Hehearswhathewantstohear.Heseesand
hearsonlythegood.Heknowsthetruth,andthetruthsetshimfreeandleadshimto
good.Thetruthshallsetallmankindfree.Thisisourspiritualrevival.Characterislargely
theresultofthedirectionand
persistenceofvoluntaryattention.
"Thinktruly,andthythoughtsshalltheworldsfaminefeed
Speaktruly,andeachwordofthineshallbeafruitfulseed
Livetruly,andthylifeshallbeagreatandnoblecreed."

BYIMAGINATIONWEBECOME
RadioTalk,StationKECA,LosAngeles
(July,1951)
Howmanytimeshaveweheardsomeonesay,"Oh,itsonlyhisimagination?"
Onlyhisimaginationmansimaginationisthemanhimself.Nomanhastoolittle
imagination,butfewmenhavedisciplinedtheirimagination.Imaginationisitself
indestructible.Thereinliesthehorrorofitsmisuse.Daily,wepasssomestrangeronthe
streetandobservehimmutteringtohimself,carryingonanimaginaryargumentwithone
notpresent.Heisarguingwithvehemence,withfearorwithhatred,notrealizingthathe
issettinginmotion,byhisimagination,
anunpleasanteventwhichhewillpresentlyencounter.

Theworld,asimaginationseesit,istherealworld.Notfacts,butfigmentsofthe
imagination,shapeourdailylives.Itistheexactandliteralmindedwholiveinafictitious
world.OnlyimaginationcanrestoretheEdenfromwhichexperiencehasdrivenusout.
Imaginationisthesensebywhichweperceivedtheabove,thepowerbywhichweresolve
visionintobeing.Everystageofmansprogressismadebytheexerciseofthe
imagination.
Itisonlybecausemendonotperfectlyimagineandbelievethattheirresultsaresometimes
uncertainwhentheymightalwaysbeperfectlycertain.Determinedimaginationisthe
beginningofallsuccessfuloperation.Theimagination,alone,isthemeansoffulfillingthe
intention.Themanwho,atwill,cancallupwhateverimagehepleasesis,byvirtueofthe
powerofhisimagination,leastofallsubjecttocaprice.Thesolitaryorcaptivecan,by
intensityofimaginationandfeeling,
affectmyriadssothathecanactthroughmanymenandspeakthroughmanyvoices.
"Weshouldneverbecertain,"wroteWilliamButlerYeatsinhisIDASOFGOODAND
EVIL,"thatitwasnotsomewomantreadinginthewinepresswhobeganthatsubtle
changeinmensminds,orthatthepassiondidnotbegininthemindofsomeshepherd
boy,lightinguphiseyesforamomentbeforeitranuponitsway."
Letmetellyouthestoryofaverydearfriendofmine,atthetimethecostumedesignerof
theMusicHallinNewYork.Shetoldme,oneday,ofherdifficultyinworkingwithone
oftheproducerswhoinvariablycriticizedandrejectedherbestworkunjustlythathewas
oftenrudeandseemeddeliberatelyunfairtoher.
Uponhearingherstory,Iremindedher,asIamremindingyou,thatmencanonlyechoto
usthatwhichwewhispertotheminsecret.Ihadnodoubtbutthatshesilentlyargued
withtheproducer,notintheflesh,butinquietmomentstoherself.Sheconfessedthatshe
didjustthateachmorningasshewalkedtowork.Iaskedhertochangeherattitude
towardhim,toassumethathewas

congratulatingheronherfinedesignsandshe,inturn,wasthankinghimforhispraiseand
kindness.Thisyoungdesignertookmyadviceandasshewalkedtothetheater,she
imaginedaperfectrelationshipoftheproducerpraisingherworkandshe,inturn,
respondingwithgratitudeforhisappreciation.
Thisshedidmorningaftermorningandinaveryshortwhile,shediscoveredforherself
thatherownattitudedeterminedthesceneryofherexistence.Thebehaviorofthe
producercompletelyreverseditself.Hebecamethemostpleasantprofessionalemployer
shehadencountered.Hisbehaviormerelyechoedthechangesthatshehadwhispered
withinherself.Whatshedidwasbythepowerofimagination.Herfantasyledhisandshe,
herself,dictatedtohimthediscoursetheyeventuallyhadtogetheratthetimeshewas
seeminglywalkingalone.
Letussetourselves,hereandnow,adailyexerciseofcontrollinganddiscipliningour
imagination.Whatfinerbeginningthantoimaginebetterthanthebestweknowfora
friend.Thereisnocoalofcharactersodeadthatitwillnotglowandflameifbutslightly
turned.
Dontblameonlyresolve.Life,likemusic,canbyanewsettingturnallitsdiscordsinto
harmonies.Representyourfriendtoyourselfasalreadyexpressingthatwhichhedesiresto
be.Letusknowthatwithwhateverattitudeweapproachanother,asimilarattitude
approachesus.
Howcanwedothis?Dowhatmyfrienddid.Toestablishrapport,callyourfriend
mentally.Focusyourattentiononhimandmentallycallhisnamejustasyouwouldto
attracthisattentionwereyoutoseehimonthestreet.Imaginethathehasanswered,
mentallyhearhisvoiceimaginethatheistellingyouofthegreatgoodyouhavedesired
forhim.You,inturn,tellhimofyourjoyinwitnessinghisgoodfortune.Havingmentally
heardthatwhichyouwantedtohear,havingthrilledtothenewsheard,goaboutyour
dailytask.

Yourimaginedconversationmustawakenwhatitaffirmedtheacceptanceoftheendwills
the
means.Andthewisestreflectioncouldnotdevisemoreeffectivemeansthanthosewhich
arewilledbytheacceptanceoftheend.However,yourconversationwithyourfriend
mustbeinamannerwhichdoesnotexpresstheslightestdoubtastothetruthofwhatyou
imaginethatyouhear
andsay.Ifyoudonotcontrolyourimagination,youwillfindthatyouarehearingand
sayingallthatyouformerlyheardandsaid.
Wearecreaturesofhabitandhabit,thoughnotlaw,actslikethemostcompellinglawin
theworld.Withthisknowledgeofthepowerofimagination,beasthedisciplinedmanand
transformyourworldbyimaginingandfeelingonlywhatislovelyandofgoodreport.The
beautifulideayouawakeninyourselfshallnotfailtoarouseitsaffinityinothers.Donot
waitfourmonthsfortheharvest.Todayisthedaytopracticethecontrolanddisciplineof
yourimagination.Manisonly
limitedbyweaknessofattentionandpovertyofimagination.Thegreatsecretisa
controlledimaginationandawellsustainedattention,firmlyandrepeatedlyfocusedonthe
objecttobeaccomplished.
"Nowistheacceptabletimetogivebeautyforashes,joyformourning,praiseforthe
spiritofheavinessthattheymightbecalledtreesofrighteousness,theplantingofthe
LordthatHemightbeglorified."
Nowisthetimetocontrolourimaginationandattention.Bycontrol,Idonotmean
restraintbywillpowerbutrathercultivationthroughloveandcompassion.Withsomuch
oftheworldindiscordwecannotpossiblyemphasizetoostronglythepowerof
imaginativelove.
ImaginativeLove,thatismysubjectnextSundaymorningwhenIshallspeakforDr.
Baileswhileheisonhisholiday.TheserviceswillbeheldasalwaysattheFoxWilshire
TheateronWilshire

Boulevard,nearLaCienegaat10:30."Astheworldis,soistheindividual,"shouldbe
changedto,"Astheindividualissoistheworld."
AndIhopetobeabletobringtoeachofyoupresentthetruemeaningofthewordsof
Zechariah,
"Speakyeeverymanthetruthtohisneighborandletnoneofyouimagineevilinyour
heartsagainsthisneighbor."Whatawonderfulchallengetoyouandtome."Asaman
thinkethinhisheartsoishe."Asamanimaginessoishe.Holdfasttoloveinyour
imagination.Bycreatinganidealwithinyourmentalsphereyoucanapproximateyourself
tothis"idealimage"tillyoubecomeoneandthesamewithit,therebytransforming
yourselfintoit,orrather,absorbingitsqualitiesintotheverycoreofyourbeing.Never,
never,losesightofthepowerthatiswithinyou.Imaginativeloveliftstheinvisibleinto
sightandgivesuswaterinthedesert.Itbuildsforthesoulitsonlyfitabidingplace.
Beauty,loveandallofgoodreportarethegarden,butimaginativeloveisthe
wayintothegarden.
Sowanimaginaryconversation,youreapanactSowanact,youreapahabitSowa
habit,youreapacharacterSowacharacter,youreapyourdestiny.
Byimagination,weareallreapingourdestinies,whethertheybegood,bad,orindifferent.
Imaginationhasfullpowerofobjectiverealizationandeverystageofmansprogressor
regressionismadebytheexerciseofimagination.IbelievewithWilliamBlake,"What
seemstobe,is,tothosetowhomitseemstobe,andisproductiveofthemostdreadful
consequencestothosetowhomitseemstobe,evenoftorments,despair,andeternal
death.
Byimaginationanddesirewebecomewhatwedesiretobe.Letusaffirmtoourselvesthat
weare
whatweimagine.Ifwepersistintheassumptionthatwearewhatwewishtobe,wewill
becometransformedintothatwhichwehaveimaginedourselvestobe.Wewerebornbya
naturalmiracleofloveandforabriefspaceoftimeourneedswereallanotherscare.In

thatsimpletruthliesthesecretoflife.Exceptbylove,wecannottrulyliveatall.
Ourparentsintheirseparateindividualitieshavenopowertotransmitlife.So,backwe
cometothebasictruththatlifeistheoffspringoflove.Therefore,nolove,nolife.
Thus,itisrationaltosaythat,"GodisLove."Loveisourbirthright.Loveisthe
fundamentalnecessityofourlife."Donotgoseekingforthatwhichyouare.Thosewho
goseekingforloveonlymakemanifesttheirownlovelessnessandthelovelessneverfind
love.Onlythelovingfindloveandtheyneverhavetoseekforit."

ANSWEREDPRAYER
RadioTalkStationKECA,LosAngeles
(July,1951)
Haveyoueverhadaprayeranswered?
Whatwouldntmengivejusttofeelcertainthatwhentheypray,something
definitewouldhappen.Forthisreason,Iwouldliketotakealittletimetoseewhyitis
thatsomeprayersareansweredandsomeapparentlyfallondryground."Whenyepray,
believethatyereceive,and
yeshallreceive."
Believethatyereceiveistheconditionimposeduponman.Unlesswebelievethatwe
receive,ourprayerwillnotbeanswered.Aprayergrantedimpliesthatsomethingis
doneinconsequenceoftheprayerwhichotherwisewouldnothavebeendone.Therefore,
theonewhopraysisthespringofactionthedirectingmindandtheonewhogrants
theprayer.Such
responsibilitymanrefusestoassume,forresponsibilityitseems,ismankindsinvisible
nightmare.

Thewholenaturalworldisbuiltonlaw.Yet,betweenprayeranditsanswerweseeno
suchrelation.WefeelthatGodmayanswerorignoreourprayer,thatourprayermayhit
themarkormaymissit.ThemindisstillunwillingtoadmitthatGodsubjectsHimselfto
Hisownlaws.Howmanypeoplebelievethatthereis,betweenprayeranditsanswer,a
relationofcauseandeffect?
Letustakealookatthemeansemployedtohealthetenlepersasrelatedinthe
seventeenthchapteroftheGospelofSt.Luke.Thethingthatstrikesusinthisstoryisthe
methodthatwasusedtoraisetheirfaithtotheneedfulintensity.Wearetoldthattheten
lepersappealedtoJesusto"havemercy"onthemthatistohealthem.Jesusordered
themtogoandshowthemselvestothepriests,and"astheywent,theywerecleansed."
TheMosaicLawdemandedthatwhenaleperrecoveredfromhisdiseasehemustshow
himselftothepriesttoobtainacertificateofrestoredhealth.Jesusimposedatestupon
thelepersfaithandsuppliedameansbywhichtheirfaithcouldberaisedtoits
fullpotency.Ifthelepersrefusedtogotheyhadnofaithand,therefore,couldnotbe
healed.But,iftheyobeyedHim,thefullrealizationofwhattheirjourneyimpliedwould
breakupontheirmindsastheywentandthisdynamicthoughtwouldhealthem.
So,weread,"Astheywent,theywerecleansed."
You,nodoubt,oftenhaveheardthewordsofthatinspiringoldhymn"Oh,whatpeace
weoftenforfeitoh,whatneedlesspainwebear,allbecausewedonotcarryeverythingto
Godinprayer."I,myself,cametothisconvictionthroughexperience,beingledtobrood
uponthenatureofprayer.Ibelieveinthepracticeandphilosophyofwhatmencallprayer,
butnoteverythingthat
receivesthatnameisreallyprayer.
Prayeristheelevationofthemindtothatwhichweseek.Theveryfirstwordof
correctionisalways"arise."Alwaysliftthemindtothatwhichweseek.Thisiseasilydone
byassumingthefeelingofthewishfulfilled.

Howwouldyoufeelifyourprayerwereanswered?
Well,assumethatfeelinguntilyouexperienceinimaginationwhatyouwouldexperience
inrealityifyourprayerwereanswered.Prayermeansgettingintoactionmentally.It
meansholdingthe
attentionupontheideaofthewishfulfilleduntilitfillsthemindandcrowdsallotherideas
outoftheconsciousness.Thisstatementthatprayermeansgettingintoactionmentally
andholdingtheattentionupontheideaofthewishfulfilleduntilitfillsthemindand
crowdsallotherideasoutoftheconsciousness,doesnotmeanthatprayerisamental
effortanactofwill.Onthecontrary,prayeristobecontrastedwithanactofwill.
Prayerisasurrender.Itmeansabandoningoneselftothefeelingofthewishfulfilled.
Ifprayerbringsnoresponsethereissomethingwrongwiththeprayerandthefaultlies
generallyintoomucheffort.Seriousconfusionarisesinsofarasmenidentifythestateof
prayerwithanactofwill,insteadofcontrastingitwithanactofwill.Thesovereignruleis
tomakenoeffort,andifthisisobserved,youwillintuitivelyfallintotherightattitude.
Creativenessisnotanactofwill,butadeeperreceptivenessakeenersusceptibility.The
acceptanceoftheendtheacceptanceoftheansweredprayerfindsthemeansforits
realization.Feelyourselfintothestateoftheansweredprayeruntilthestatefillsthemind
andcrowdsallotherstatesoutofyourconsciousness.Whatwemustworkforisnotthe
developmentofthewill,buttheeducationoftheimaginationandthesteadyingof
attention.
Prayersucceedsbyavoidingconflict.Prayeris,aboveallthings,easy.Itsgreatestenemyis
effort.Themightysurrendersitselffullyonlytothatwhichismostgentle.Thewealthof
Heavenmaynotbeseizedbyastrongwill,butsurrendersitself,afreegift,totheGod
spentmoment.Alongthelinesofleastresistancetravelspiritualaswellasphysicalforces.
Wemustactontheassumptionthatwealreadypossessthatwhichwedesire,forallthat

wedesireisalreadypresentwithinus.Itonlywaitstobeclaimed.Thatitmustbeclaimed
isanecessaryconditionbywhichwerealizeourdesires.Ourprayersareansweredifwe
assumethefeelingofthewishfulfilledandcontinueinthatassumption.
OneoftheloveliestexamplesofanansweredprayerIwitnessedinmyownlivingroom.A
verycharmingladyfromoutoftowncametoseemeconcerningprayer.Asshehadno
onewithwhomtoleavehereightyearoldson,shebroughthimwithherthetimeofour
interview.Seemingly,hewasengrossedinplayingwithatoytruck,butattheendofthe
interviewwithhismotherhesaid,"Mr.Neville,Iknowhowtopraynow.IknowwhatI
wantacolliepuppyandIcanimagineIamhugginghimeverynightonmybed."
Hismotherexplainedtohimandtometheimpossibilitiesofhisprayer,thecostofthe
puppy,theirconfinedhome,evenhisinabilitytocareforthedogproperly.Theboy
lookedintohismotherseyesandsimplysaid,"But,Mother,Iknowhowtopraynow."
Andhedid.Twomonthslaterduringa"KindnesstoAnimalsWeek"inhiscity,allthe
schoolchildrenwererequiredtowriteanessayonhowtheywouldloveandcarefora
pet.Youhaveguessedtheanswer.Hisessay,outofthefivethousandsubmitted,wonthe
prize,andthatprize,presentedbythemayorofthecitytotheladwasacolliepuppy.
Theboytrulyassumedthefeelingofhiswishfulfilled,huggingandlovinghispuppyevery
night.
PrayerisanactofImaginativeLovewhichistobethesubjectofmymessagenextSunday
morningat10:30attheFoxWilshireTheateronWilshireBoulevardnearLaCienega.Itis
mydesire,nextSunday,thatImayexplaintoyou,howyou,liketheyoungboycanyield
yourselvestothelovelyimagesofyourdesiresandpersistinyourprayereventhough
you,likethelad,aretoldthatyourdesiresareimpossible.
ThenecessityofpersistenceinprayerisshownusintheBible."Whichofyou,"asked
Jesus,"shallgountohimatmidnight,andsayuntohim:Friend,lendmethreeloavesfora
friendofmineiscometomefromajourney,andIhavenothingtosetbeforehimandhe
fromwithinshallanswerandsay,Troublemenotthedoorisnowshutandmychildren

arewithmeinbedIcannotriseandgivethee.Isayuntoyou,thoughhewillnotriseand
givehimbecauseheishisfriend,yetbecauseofhisimportunityhewillariseandgiveas
manyasheneedeth."Luke2.
Thewordtranslatedas"importunity"means,literally,shamelessimpudence.Wemust
persistuntilwesucceedinimaginingourselvesintothesituationoftheansweredprayer.
Thesecretofsuccessisfoundintheword"perseverance."Thesoulimaginingitselfinto
theact,takesontheresultsoftheact.Notimaginingitselfintotheact,itiseverfreefrom
theresult.
Experienceinimaginationwhatyouwouldexperienceinrealitywereyoualreadywhat
youwanttobe,andyouwilltakeontheresultofthatact.Donotexperiencein
imaginationwhatyouwanttoexperienceinrealityandyouwilleverbefreeoftheresult.
"Whenyepray,believethatyereceive,andyeshallreceive."
Onemustpersistuntilhereacheshisfriendonahigherlevelofconsciousness.Hemust
persistuntilhisfeelingofthewishfulfilledhasallthesensoryvividnessofreality.Prayeris
acontrolledwakingdream.Ifwearetopraysuccessfully,wemuststeadyourattentionto
observetheworldasitwouldbeseenbyuswereourprayeranswered.
Steadyingattentionmakesnocalluponanyspecialfaculty,butitdoesdemandcontrolof
imagination.Wemustextendoursensesobserveourchangedrelationshiptoourworld
andtrustthisobservation.Thenewworldisnottheretograsp,buttosense,totouch.The
bestwaytoobserveitistobeintenselyawareofit.
Inotherwords,wecan,bylisteningasthroughweheardandbylookingasthoughwe
saw,actuallyhearvoicesandseescenesfromwithinourselvesthatareotherwisenot
audibleorvisible.Withourattentionfocusedonthestatedesired,theouterworld
crumblesandthentheworldlikemusic
byanewsetting,turnsallitsdiscordsintoharmonies.

Lifeisnotastrugglebutasurrender.Ourprayersareansweredbythepowersweinvoke
notbythoseweexert.Solongastheeyestakenotice,thesoulisblindfortheworld
thatmovesusistheoneweimagine,nottheworldroundaboutus.Wemustyieldour
wholebeingtothefeelingofbeingthenobleonewewanttobe.Ifanythingiskeptback,
theprayerisvain.Weoftenaredeprivedofourhighgoalbyourefforttopossessit.We
arecalledupontoactontheassumptionthatwealreadyarethemanwewouldbe.Ifwe
dothiswithouteffortexperiencingin
imaginationwhatwewouldexperienceinthefleshhadwerealizedourgoal,weshallfind
thatwedo,indeed,possessit.Thehealingtouchisinourattitude.
Weneedchangenothingbutourattitudetowardsit.Assumeavirtueifyouhaveitnot,
assumethefeelingofyourwishfulfilled."Prayformysoulmorethingsarewroughtby
prayerthanthisworlddreamsof."

MEDITATION
RadioTalk,StationKECA,LosAngeles
(July,1951)
Manypeopletellmetheycannotmeditate.Thisseemstomeabitlikesayingthey
cannotplaythepianoafteroneattempt.
Meditation,asineveryartorexpression,requiresconstantpracticeforperfectresults.A
trulygreat
pianist,forinstance,wouldfeelhecouldnotplayhisbestifhemissedonedayofpractice.
Ifhemissedaweekoramonthofpracticehewouldknowthatevenhismostuninitiated
audiencewouldrecognizehisdefects.
Soitiswithmeditation.Ifwepracticedailywithjoyinthisdailyhabit,weperfectitasan

art.Ifindthatthosewhocomplainofthedifficultyinmeditationdonotmakeitadaily
practice,butrather,waituntilsomethingpressingappearsintheirworldandthen,through
anactofwill,trytofixtheirattentiononthedesiredstate.Buttheydonotknowthat
meditationistheeducationofthe
will,forwhenwillandimaginationareinconflict,imaginationinvariablywins.
Thedictionariesdefinemeditationasfixingonesattentionuponasplanninginthemind
asdevisingandlookingforwardengagingincontinuousandcontemplativethought.Alot
ofnonsensehasbeenwrittenaboutmeditation.Mostbooksonthesubjectgetthereader
nowhere,fortheydonotexplaintheprocessofmeditation.
Allthatmeditationamountstoisacontrolledimaginationandawellsustainedattention.
Simplyholdtheattentiononacertainideauntilitfillsthemindandcrowdsallotherideas
outofconsciousness.Thepowerofattentionshowsitselfthesureguaranteeofaninner
force.Wemustconcentrateontheideatoberealized,withoutpermittinganydistraction.
Thisisthegreatsecretofaction.Shouldtheattentionwander,bringitbacktotheidea
youwishtorealizeanddosoagainandagain,untiltheattentionbecomesimmobilizedand
undergoesaneffortlessfixationupontheideapresentedtoit.
Theideamustholdtheattentionmustfascinateitsotospeak.Allmeditationendsat
lastwiththethinker,andhefindsheiswhathe,himself,hasconceived.Theundisciplined
mansattentionistheservantofhisvisionratherthanitsmaster.Itiscapturedbythe
pressingratherthantheimportant.
Intheactofmeditation,asintheactofadoration,silenceisourhighestpraise.Letus
keepoursilentsanctuaries,forinthemtheeternalperspectivesarepreserved.Daybyday,
weekbyweek,yearbyyear,attimeswherenonethroughloveorlesserintentionswere
allowedtointerfere,Isetmyselftoattainmasteryovermyattentionandimagination.I
soughtoutwaystomakemore
securelymyown,thosemagicallightsthatdawnedandfadedwithinme.Iwishedto

evokethematwillandtobethemasterofmyvision.
Iwouldstrivetoholdmyattentionontheactivitiesofthedayinunwavering
concentrationsothat,notforonemoment,wouldtheconcentrationslacken.Thisisan
exerciseatrainingforhigheradventuresofthesoul.Itisnolightlabor.The
ploughmanslabor,workinginthefieldsiseasierbyfar.Empiresdonotsendlegionsso
swiftlytoobstructrevoltasallthatisaliveinushurriesalongthenervehighwaysofthe
bodytofrustrateourmeditativemood.Thebeautifulfaceofoneweloveglowsbeforeus
toenchantusfromourtask.Oldenmitiesandfearsbeleaguerus.Ifwearetempteddown
thesevistas,wefind,afteranhourofmusing,thatwehavebeenluredaway.Wehave
desertedourtaskandforgottenthatfixityofattentionwesetouttoachieve.Whatmanis
therewhohascompletecontrolofhisimaginationandattention.
Acontrolledimaginationandsteadiedattention,firmlyandrepeatedlyfocusedontheidea
to
berealized,isthebeginningofallmagicaloperations.Ifhepersiststhroughweeksand
months,soonerorlater,throughmeditation,hecreatesinhimselfacenterofpower.He
willenterapathallmaytravelbutonwhichfewdojourney.
Itisapathwithinhimselfwherethefeetfirstfalterinshadowanddarkness,butwhich
laterismadebrilliantbyaninnerlight.Thereisnoneedforspecialgiftsorgenius.Itisnot
bestowedonanyindividualbutwonbypersistenceandpracticeofmeditation.Ifhe
persists,thedarkcavernsofhis
brainwillgrowluminousandhewillsetoutdayafterdayforthehourofmeditationasif
tokeepanappointmentwithalover.Whenitcomes,heriseswithinhimselfasadiver,too
longunderwater,risestobreathetheairandseethelight.Inthismeditativemoodhe
experiencesinimaginationwhathewouldexperienceinrealityhadherealizedhisgoal,
thathemayintimebecometransformedintotheimageofhisimaginedstate.
Theonlytestofreligionworthmakingiswhetheritistruebornwhetheritspringsfrom
thedeepestconsciousnessoftheindividualwhetheritisthefruitofexperienceor

whetheritisanythingelsewhatever.
ThisismyreasonforspeakingtoyouonmylastSundayinLosAngelesaboutTheTrue
Religious
Attitude.Whatisyourreligiousattitude?Whatismyreligiousattitude?Ishallspeakon
thissubjectnextSundaymorningat10:30asDr.Bailesguest.Theservicewillbeheldat
theFoxWilshireTheateronWilshireBoulevardnearLaCienega.Ishallendeavorto
showyouthatthemethodsofmentalandspiritualknowledgeareentirelydifferent.For
weknowathingmentallyby
lookingatitfromtheoutside,bycomparingitwithotherthings,byanalyzinganddefining
itwhereaswecanknowathingspirituallyonlybybecomingit.
Wemustbethethingitselfandnotmerelytalkaboutitorlookatit.Wemustbeinloveif
wearetoknowwhatloveis.WemustbeGodlikeifwearetoknowwhatGodis.
Meditation,likesleep,isanentranceintothesubconscious."Whenyoupray,enterinto
yourcloset,andwhenyouhaveshutyourdoor,praytoyourFatherwhichisinsecretand
yourFatherwhichisinsecretshallrewardyouopenlhy."
Meditationisanillusionofsleepwhichdiminishestheimpressionoftheouterworldand
rendersthemindmorereceptivetosuggestionfromwithin.Themindinmeditationisina
stateofrelaxationakintothefeelingattainedjustbeforedroppingofftosleep.Thisstate
isbeautifullydescribedbythepoet,Keats,inhisODETOANIGHTINGALE.Itissaid
thatasthepoetsatinthegardenandlistenedtothenightingale,hefellintoastatewhich
hedescribedas"AdrowsynumbnesspainsmysensesasthoughofhemlockIhaddrunk."
Thenaftersinginghisodetothenightingale,Keatsaskedhimselfthisquestion,"Wasita
visionorawakingdream?FledisthemusicdoIwakeorsleep?"
Thosearethewordsofonewhohasseensomethingwithsuchvividnessorrealitythathe
wonderswhethertheevidenceofhisphysicaleyescannowbebelieved.Anykindof
meditationinwhichwewithdrawintoourselveswithoutmakingtoomuchefforttothink

isanoutcroppingofthesubconscious.
Thinkofthesubconsciousasatidewhichebbsandflows.Insleep,itisafloodtide,while
atmomentsoffullwakefulness,thetideisatitslowestebb.Betweenthesetwoextremes
areanynumberofintermediarylevels.Whenwearedrowsy,dreamy,lulledingentle
reverie,thetideishigh.Themorewakefulandalertwebecome,thelowerthetidesinks.
Thehighesttidecompatiblewiththeconsciousdirectionofourthoughtsoccursjust
beforewefallasleepandjustafterwe
wake.
Aneasywaytocreatethispassivestateistorelaxinacomfortablechairoronabed.
Closeyoureyesandimaginethatyouaresleepy,sosleepy,soverysleepy.Actprecisely
asthoughyouweregoingtotakeasiesta.Insodoing,youallowthesubconscioustideto
risetosufficientheighttomakeyourparticularassumptioneffective.
Whenyoufirstattemptthis,youmayfindthatallsortsofcounterthoughtstrytodistract
you,butifyoupersist,youwillachieveapassivestate.Whenthispassivestateisreached,
thinkonlyon"thingsofgoodreport"imaginethatyouarenowexpressingyourhighest
ideal,nothowyouwillexpressit,butsimplyfeelHEREANDNOWthatyouarethe
nobleoneyoudesiretobe.Youareit
now.Callyourhighidealintobeingbyimaginingandfeelingyouareitnow.
Ithinkallhappinessdependsontheenergytoassumethefeelingofthewishfulfilled,to
assumethemaskofsomeothermoreperfectlife.Ifwecannotimagineourselvesdifferent
fromwhatweareandtrytoassumethatsecondmoredesirableself,wecannotimposea
disciplineuponourselvesthoughwemayacceptdisciplinefromothers.
Meditationisanactivityofthesoulitisanactivevirtueandanactivevirtue,as
distinguishedfrompassiveacceptanceofacodeistheatrical.Itisdramaticitisthe
wearingofamask.

Asyourgoalisaccepted,youbecometotallyindifferenttopossiblefailure,foracceptance
oftheendwillsthemeanstotheend.Whenyouemergefromthemomentofmeditationit
isasthough
youwereshownthehappyendofaplayinwhichyouaretheprincipalactor.
Havingwitnessedtheendinyourmeditation,regardlessofanyanticlimaticstateyou
encounter,youremaincalmandsecureintheknowledgethattheendhasbeenperfectly
defined.Creationisfinishedandwhatwecallcreativenessisreallyonlyadeeper
receptivenessorkeenersusceptibilityonourpart,andthisreceptivenessis"Notbymight,
norbypower,butbymyspirit,saiththeLordofHosts."Throughmeditation,weawaken
withinourselvesacenteroflight,whichwillbetousa
pillarofcloudbydayandapillaroffirebynight.

THELAWOFASSUMPTION
RadioTalk,StationKECA,LosAngeles
(July,1951)
Thegreatmystic,WilliamBlake,wrotealmosttwohundredyearsago,"What
seems
tobe,is,tothosetowhomitseemstobeandisproductiveofthemostdreadful
consequencestothosetowhomitseemstobe."
Now,atfirst,thismysticalgemseemsabitinvolved,oratbesttobeaplayonwordsbut
itis
nothingofthekind.Listentoitcarefully."Whatseemstobe,is,tothosetowhomit
seemstobe."Thatiscertainlyclearenough.Itisasimpletruthaboutthelawof

assumption,andawarningoftheconsequencesofitsmisuse.
TheauthoroftheEpistletotheRomansdeclaredinthefourteenthchapter,"Iknow,and
ampersuadedbytheLordJesus,thatthereisnothinguncleanofitselfbuttohimthat
esteemethanythingtobeunclean,tohimitisunclearn."
Weseebythisthatitisnotsuperiorinsightbutpurblindnessthatreadsintothegreatness
ofmensomelittlenesswithwhichitchancestobefamiliar,forwhatseemstobe,is,to
thosetowhomitseemstobe.
Experimentsrecentlyconductedattwoofourleadinguniversitiesrevealedthisgreattruth
aboutthelawofassumption.Theystatedintheirreleasestothenewspapers,thatafter
twothousandexperimentstheycametotheconclusionthat,Whatyouseewhenyoulook
atsomethingdependsnotsomuchonwhatisthereasontheassumptionyoumakewhen
youlook.Whatyoubelievetobetherealphysicalworldisactuallyonlyanassumptive
world."
Inotherwords,youwouldnotdefineyourhusbandinthesamewaythatyoumother
would.Yet,youarebothdefiningthesameperson.Yourparticularrelationshiptoathing
influencesyourfeelingswithrespecttothatthingandmakesyouseeinitanelement
whichisnotthere.
Ifyourfeelinginthematterisaselfelementitcanbecastout.Ifitisapermanent
distinctioninthestateconsidered,itcannotbecastout.Thethingtodoistotry.Ifyou
canchangeyouropinionofanother,thenwhatyounowbelieveofhimcannotbe
absolutelytrue,butrelativelytrue.
Menbelieveintherealityoftheexternalworldbecausetheydonotknowhowtofocus
andcondensetheirpowerstopenetrateitsthincrust.Strangelyenough,itisnotdifficult
topenetratethisviewofthesenses.Toremovetheveilofthesenses,wedonotemploy
greatefforttheobjectiveworldvanishesasweturnourattentionfromit.Wehaveonlyto

concentrateonthestatedesiredtomentallyseeitbuttogiverealitytoitsothatitwill
becomeanobjectivefact,wemustfocusourattentionuponthedesiredstateuntilithasall
thesensoryvividnessandfeelingofreality.
When,throughconcentratedattention,ourdesireappearstopossessthedistinctnessand
feelingofrealitywhentheformofthoughtisasvividastheformofnature,wehave
givenittherightto
becomeavisiblefactinourlives.Eachmanmustfindthemeansbestsuitedtohisnature
tocontrolhisattentionandconcentrateitonthedesiredstate.Ifindformyselfthebest
statetobeoneofmeditation,arelaxedstateakintosleep,butastateinwhichIamstill
consciouslyincontrolofmyimaginationandcapableoffixingmyattentiononamental
object.
Ifitisdifficulttocontrolthedirectionofyourattentionwhileinthisstateakintosleep,
youmayfindgazingfixedlyintoanobjectveryhelpful.Donotlookatitssurface,but
ratherintoandbeyondanyplainobjectsuchasawall,acarpetoranyobjectwhich
possessesdepth.Arrangeittoreturnaslittlereflectionaspossible.Imagine,then,thatin
thisdepthyouareseeing
andhearingwhatyouwanttoseeandhearuntilyourattentionisexclusivelyoccupiedby
theimaginedstate.
Attheendofyourmeditation,whenyouawakefromyourcontrolledwakingdreamyou
feelasthoughyouhadreturnedfromagreatdistance.Thevisibleworldwhichyouhad
shutoutreturnstoconsciousnessand,byitsverypresence,informsyouthatyouhave
beenselfdeceivedintobelievingthattheobjectofyourcontemplationwasrealbutifyou
remainfaithfultoyourvisionthissustainedmentalattitudewillgiverealitytoyourvisions
andtheywillbecomevisibleconcretefactsinyourworld.
Defineyourhighestidealandconcentrateyourattentionuponthisidealuntilyouidentify
yourselfwithit.Assumethefeelingofbeingitthefeelingthatwouldbeyourswereyou
nowembodyingitinyourworld.Thisassumption,thoughnowdeniedbyyoursenses,"if

persistedin"willbecomeafactinyourworld.Youwillknowwhenyouhavesucceeded
infixingthedesiredstatein
consciousnesssimplybylookingmentallyatthepeopleyouknow.
Thisisawonderfulcheckonyourselfasyourmentalconversationsaremorerevealing
thanyourphysicalconversationsare.If,inyourmentalconversationswithothers,youtalk
withthemasyouformerlydid,thenyouhavenotchangedyourconceptofself,forall
changesofconceptsofselfresultinachangedrelationshiptotheworld.Rememberwhat
wassaidearlier,"Whatyouseewhenyoulookatsomethingdependsnotsomuchon
whatisthereasontheassumptionyoumakewhenyoulook."
Therefore,theassumptionofthewishfulfilledshouldmakeyouseetheworldmentallyas
youwouldphysicallywereyourassumptionaphysicalfact.Thespiritualmanspeaksto
thenaturalmanthroughthelanguageofdesire.Thekeytoprogressinlifeandtothe
fulfillmentofdreamsliesinthereadyobediencetothevoice.Unhesitatingobediencetoits
voiceisanimmediateassumptionofthewishfulfilled.Todesireastateistohaveit.As
Pascalsaid,"Youwouldnothavesoughtmehadyounotalreadyfoundme."
Man,byassumingthefeelingofthewishfulfilledandthenlivingandactingonthis
convictionchangeshisfutureinharmonywithhisassumption.To"changehisfuture"is
theinalienablerightoffreedomlovingindividuals.Therewouldbenoprogressinthe
worldwereitnotforthedivinediscontentinmanwhichurgeshimontohigherandhigher
levelsofconsciousness.
Ihavechosenthissubjectsoclosetotheheartsofusall"ChangingYourFuture"for
mymessagenextSundaymorning.IamtohavethegreatjoyofspeakingforDr.Bailes
whileheisvacationing.Theservicewillbeheldat10:30attheFoxWilshireTheateron
WilshireBoulevardnearLaCienegaBoulevard.Sincetherighttochangeourfutureisour
birthrightassonsofGod,letusacceptitschallengeandlearnjusthowtodoit.
Againtoday,speakingofchangingyourfuture,Iwishtostresstheimportanceofareal

transformationofselfnotmerelyaslightalterationofcircumstanceswhich,inamatter
of
moments,willpermitustoslipbackintotheolddissatisfiedman.Inyourmeditation,
allowotherstoseeyouastheywouldseeyouwerethisnewconceptofselfaconcrete
fact.Youalwaysseemtootherstheembodimentoftheidealyouinspire.
Therefore,inmeditation,whenyoucontemplateothers,youmustbeseenbythem
mentallyasyouwouldbeseenbythemphysicallywereyourconceptionofyourselfan
objectivefact.Thatis,inmeditation,youimaginethattheyseeyouexpressingthisnobler
manyoudesiretobe.Ifyouassumethatyouarewhatyouwanttobe,yourdesireis
fulfilledand,infulfillment,alllonging"tobe"isneutralized.
This,also,isanexcellentcheckonyourselfastowhetherornotyouhaveactually
succeededinchangingself.Youcannotcontinuedesiringwhathasbeenrealized.Rather,
youareinamoodtogivethanksforagiftreceived.Yourdesireisnotsomethingyou
labortofulfill,itisrecognizingsomethingyoualreadypossess.Itisassumingthefeeling
ofbeingthatwhichyoudesiretobe.
Believingandbeingareone.Theconceiverandhisconceptionareone.
Therefore,thatwhichyouconceiveyourselftobecanneverbesofaroffaseventobe
near,fornearnessimpliesseparation."Ifthoucanstbelieve,allthingsarepossibletohim
thatbelieveth."Faithisthesubstanceofthingshopedfor,theevidenceofthingsnotyet
seen.Ifyouassumethatyouarethatfiner,nobleroneyouwishtobe,youwillseeothers
astheyarerelatedtoyourhighassumption.Allenlightenedmenwishforthegoodof
others.Ifitisthegoodofanotheryouseek,youmustusethesamecontrolled
contemplation.
Inmeditation,youmustrepresenttheothertoyourselfasalreadybeingorhavingthe
greatnessyoudesireforhim.Asforyourself,yourdesireforanothermustbeanintense
one.Itisthroughdesirethatyouriseaboveyourpresentsphereandtheroadfromlonging
tofulfillmentisshortenedasyouexperienceinimaginationallthatyouwouldexperience

inthefleshwereyouoryourfriendtheembodimentofthedesireyouhaveforyourselfor
him.
Experiencehastaughtmethatthisistheperfectwaytoachievemygreatgoalsforothers
aswellas
formyself.However,myownfailureswouldconvictmewereItoimplythatIhave
completelymasteredthecontrolofmyattention.Ican,however,withtheancientteacher
say:"ThisonethingIdo,forgettingthosethingswhicharebehind,andreachingforth
untothosethingswhicharebeforeIpresstowardsthemarkfortheprize."

TRUTH
RadioTalk,StationKECA,LosAngeles
(July,1951)
Iwishtoaskeachoneofyoulisteningtometodayaquestionaquestion
whichmustbeclosetotheheartsofusallconcerningtruth.
Ifamanknowntoyouasamurdererbrokeintoyourhomeandaskedthewhereaboutsof
yourmother,wouldyoutellhimwhereshewas?Wouldyoutellhimthetruth?Would
you?
IventurenotIhopenot.InthemostmysticaloftheGospelsintheGospelofSt.John
weread,"Yeshallknowthetruth,andthetruthshallmakeyoufree."
Thereinliesachallengetousall,"Thetruthshallmakeyoufree."
Ifyoutoldthetruthconcerningyourmother,wouldyousetherfree?Again,inJohnwe
read,"Sanctifythembythetruth."Ifyougaveyourmotheruptoamurderer,wouldyou

"sanctifyher?"What,then,isthetruthofwhichtheBiblesoconstantlyspeaks?Thetruth
oftheBibleisalwayscoupledwithlove.ThetruthoftheBibleisthatspiritualrealization
ofconsciouslifeinGodtowardswhichthehumansoulevolvesthroughalleternity.
Truthisaneverincreasingillumination.Noonewhoseekssincerelyfortruthneedfear
theoutcomeforeveryraisingerstwhiletruthbringsintoviewsomelargertruthwhichit
hadhidden.Thetrueseekeraftertruthisnotasmug,critical,holierthanthouperson.
Rather,thetrueseekeraftertruthknowsthewordsofZechariahtobetrue."Speakye
everymanthetruthtohisneighborandletnoneofyouimagineevilinyourheartsagainst
hisneighbor."Theseekeraftertruthdoesnotjudgefromappearancesheseesthegood,
thetruthinallheobserves.Heknowsthatatruejudgmentneednotconformtothe
externalrealitytowhichitrelates.Neverarewesoblindtothetruthaswhenwesee
thingsastheyseemtobe.Onlypicturesthatidealizereallydepictthetruth.
Itisneversuperiorinsightbutrather,purblindnessthatreadsintothegreatnessofanother
somelittlenesswithwhichithappenstobefamiliar.
Weallknowatleastonepettygossipwhonotonlyimaginesevilagainsthisneighbor,but
alsoinsistsuponspreadingthatevilfarandwide.Hiscruelaccusationsarealways
accompaniedbythestatement,"Itsafact,"or"Iknowitsthetruth."Howfarfromthe
truthheis.Evenifitwerethetruthasheknowsthetruth,itisbetternottovoiceitfor"A
truthtoldwithbadintentbeatsalltheliesyoucaninvent."Suchamanisnotaseeker
afterthetruthasrevealedintheBible.Heseeksnottruthsomuchassupportforhisown
pointofview.Byhisprejudices,heopensadoorbywhichhisenemiesenterandmake
theirownthesecretplacesofhisheart.Letusseeksincerelyforthe
truthasRobertBrowningexpressesit:
"Truthiswithinourselvesittakenorise
Fromoutwardthings,whateeryoumaybelieve.
Thereisanimmortalcenterinusall
Wheretruthabidesinfullness.

Thetruththatiswithinusisgovernedbyimaginativelove.Knowingthisgreattruth,we
cannolongerimagineevilagainstanyneighbor.Wewillimaginethebestofourneighbor.
Itismybeliefthatwherevermansattitudetowardslifeisgovernedbyimaginativelove,
thereitisreligiousthereheworshipsthereheperceivesthetruth.
IamgoingtospeakonthissubjectnextSundaymorningwhenmytitlewillbe,
"ImaginativeLove."Atthattime,IamtohavethepleasureandtheprivilegeoftakingDr.
FrederickBailesserviceattheFoxWilshireTheateronWilshireBoulevardnearLa
Cienega.TheservicewillbeheldasDr.Bailesalwaysconductsitat10:30Sunday
morning.
Itisanintuitivedesireofallmankindtobeafiner,noblerbeing,todothelovingthing.
Butwecandothelovingthingonlywhenallweimagineisfullofloveforourneighbor.
Thenweknowthetruth,thetruththatsetsallmankindfree.Ibelievethisisamessage
thatwillaidusallintheartoflivingabetterandfinerlife.Infiniteloveinunthinkable
originwascalledGod,theFather.InfiniteloveincreativeexpressionwascalledGod,the
Son.Infiniteloveinuniversalinterpenetration,inInfiniteImmanence,andinEternal
procession,wascalledGod,theHolyGhost.WemustlearntoknowourselvesasInfinite
Love,asgoodratherthanevil.
Thisisnotsomethingthatwehavetobecomeitis,rather,forustorecognizesomething
thatwearealready.Theoriginalbirthplaceofimaginationisinlove.Loveisitslifeblood.
Insofarasimaginationretainsitsownlifesblood,itsvisionsareimagesoftruth.Thenit
mirrorsthelivingidentityofthethingitbeholds.Butifimaginationshoulddenythevery
powerthathasbroughtittobirththenthedirestsortofhorrorwillbegin.Insteadof
renderingbacklivingimagesofthe
truth,imaginationwillflytolovesoppositefearanditsvisionswillthenbeperverted
andcontortedreflectionscastuponascreenoffrightfulfantasy.
Insteadofbeingthesupremelycreativepower,itwillbecometheactiveagentof
destruction.Wherevermansattitudetolifeistrulyimaginative,theremanandGodare

mergedincreativeunity.RememberthatLoveisalwayscreative,causativeinevery
spherefromthehighesttotheverylowest.Thereneverhasexistedthought,wordordeed
thatwasnotcausedbylove,orbyitsoppositefearofsomekind,evenifitwereonlya
desireofanotveryworthyaim.Loveandfeararethemainspringofourmental
machinery.Everythingisathoughtbeforeitbecomesathing.
Isuggestthepursuitofahighidealtomakeafactofbeingbecomeafactof
consciousnessandtodothisbytrainingtheimaginationtorealizethattheonly
atmosphereinwhichwetrulyliveandmoveandhaveourbeingisInfiniteLove.Godis
Love.Loveneverfaileth.InfiniteCreativeSpiritisLove.TheurgethatcausedInfinite
unconditionedconsciousnesstoconditionItselfintomillionsofsensitiveformsisLove.
Loveregardedasanabstractionapartfromanobjectisunthinkable.Loveisnotloveif
thereisnobeloved.Loveonlybecomesthinkableinrelation,inprocessinact.Letus
recognizewithBlakethat,"Hewhowillnotlivebylovemustbesubduedbyfear,"andset
ourselvesthehighestofidealstoloveandtoliveby.Butourhighestidealsdonotbless
unlesstheycomedownandtakeonflesh.Wemustmakeresultsandaccomplishmentsthe
crucialtestofourimaginationandourlove,forincarnationistheonlytruerealization.
Ourfaithfulnessmustbetothesumofallthetruthweknowanditmustbeabsolute.
Otherwise,thattruthlacksavehicleandcannotbeincarnatedinus.
Ourconceptofourselvesdeterminesthesceneryofourlives.Weareeverourownjailers.
Theprisondoorsthatwethoughtclosedaretrulyajarwaitingforustoseethetruth.
"Maneversurroundshimselfwiththetrueimageofhimself,"saidEmerson."Everyspirit
buildsitselfahouseandbeyonditshouse,aworld,andbeyonditsworld,aheaven.Know
thentheworldexistsfor
you,foryouthephenomenonisperfect.Whatwearethatonlycanwesee.AllthatAdam
had,alltheCaesarcould,youhaveandcando."
Adamcalledhishouseheavenandearth.Caesarcalledhishouse,Rome.Youperhapscall
yoursacobblerstrade,orahundredacresofland,orascholarsgarret.Yetlineforline,

andpointforpoint,yourdominionisasgreatastheirs,thoughwithoutsuchfinenames.
Build,therefore,yourownworldandasfastasyouconformyourlifetothepureideain
yourmind,thatwillunfolditsgreatproportions.
Thetruthisoursecretinwardreality,thecause,themeaning,therelationofourlivesto
allthings.Letthetruthcarryusheavenwards,expandingourconceptions,increasingour
understandinguntilweknowthe"Truth"andaremade"Free."

FEELINGISTHESECRET
RadioTalk,StationKECA,LosAngeles
(July,1951)
Recently,Iaskedaverysuccessfulbusinessmanhisformulaforsuccess.He
laughedandwasalittleembarrassed.Thenhereplied,"IguessitsjustbecauseIcant
conceiveoffailure.ItsnothingthatIthinkaboutmuch.ItsmoreafeelingthatIhave."
Hisstatementcoincidedcompletelywithmyownbeliefsandexperiments.Wecan
thinkaboutsomethingforeverandneverseeitinourworld,butonceletusfeelitsreality,
andweareboundtoencounterit.Themoreintenselywefeel,thesoonerwewill
encounterit.
Weallregardfeelingsfartoomuchaseffects,andnotsufficientlyascausesofthe
events
oftheday.Feelingisnotonlytheresultofourconditionsoflife,itisalsothecreatorof
thoseconditions.Wesaywearehappybecausewearewell,notrealizingthattheprocess
willworkequallywellinthereversedirection.Wearewellbecausewearehappy.Weare
allfartooundisciplinedinourfeelings.

Tobejoyfulforanotheristoblessourselvesaswellashim.Tobeangrywithanotheristo
punishourselvesforhisfault.Thedistressedmindstaysathomethoughthebodytravels
totheendsoftheearth,whilethehappymindtravelsthoughthebodyremainsathome.
Feelingisthesecretofsuccessfulprayer,forinprayer,wefeelourselvesintothesituation
oftheansweredprayerand,then,weliveandactuponthatconviction.FeelingafterHim,
astheBiblesuggests,isagradualunfoldingofthesoulshiddencapacities.Feelingyields
inimportancetonoother.Itisthefermentwithoutwhichnocreationispossible.All
formsofcreativeimaginationimplyelementsoffeeling.Allemotionaldispositions
whatevermayinfluencethecreativeimagination.FeelingafterHimhasnofinality.Itisan
acquisition,increasinginproportiontoreceptivity,whichhasnotandneverwillhave
finality.Anideawhichisonlyanideaproducesnothinganddoesnothing.Itactsonlyifit
isfelt,ifitisaccompaniedbyeffectivefeeling.
Somewherewithinthesoulthereisamoodwhich,iffound,meanswealth,health,
happinesstous.Thecreativedesireisinnateinman.Hiswholehappinessisinvolvedin
thisimpulsetocreate.
Becausemendonotperfectly"feel,"theresultsoftheirprayersareunsure,whenthey
mightbeperfectlysure.WereadinProverbs,"Amerryheartdoethgoodlikeamedicine
butabrokenspirit
drieththebones."Orchestralheartsburnintheoilofthelampoftheking.Thespiritsings
untotheLordanewsong.Alltrueprayerwearsagladcountenancethegoodare
anointedwiththeoilofgladnessabovetheirfellows.
Letus,then,watchourfeelings,ourreactionstothedaysevents.Andletusguardour
feelingsevenmorezealouslyintheactofprayer,forprayeristhetruecreativestate.
Dignityindicatesthatmanhearsthegreatermusicoflife,andmovestothetempoofits
deepermeaning.Ifwedidnothingbutimagineandfeelthelovely,theworldsreform
would,atonce,beaccomplished.ManyofthestoriesoftheBibledealexclusivelywiththe
powerofimaginationandfeeling.

"FeelingafterHim"isthecryofthetruthseeker.Onlyimaginationandfeelingcanrestore
theEdenfromwhichexperiencehasdrivenus.Feelingandimaginationarethesensesby
whichweperceivethebeyond.Whereknowledgeends,theybegin.Everynoblefeelingof
manistheopeningforhimofsomedoortothedivineworld.Letusmeasuremen,notby
theheightoftheircities,butbythemagnificenceoftheirimaginationsandfeelings.Letus
turnourthoughtuptoHeavenandmixourimaginationwiththeangels.Theworldthat
movesusistheoneweimagine,nottheworldthatsurroundsus.Intheimaginationliethe
unexploredcontinents,andmansgreatfutureadventure.
Thisconsciousnessofnonfinalityin"feelingafterGod"hasbeentheexperienceofall
earnest
Godwardfeelers.TheyrealizethattheirconceptionoftheInfinitehasconstantly
deepenedandexpandedwithexperience.Thosewhoendeavortothinkoutthemeaningof
theexperienceandtocoordinateitwiththerestofourknowledge,arethephilosophic
mysticsthosewhotrytodevelopthefacultyinthemselves,andtodeepentheexperience
arethepracticalorexperimentalmystics.
Some,andamongthemthegreatest,havetriedtodoboth.Religionbeginsinsubjective
experience.Religioniswhatamandoeswithhissolitude,forinsolitudewearecompelled
tosubjectiveexperience.
ItisoftheReligiousAttitudethatIshallspeaknextSundaymorning.Thiswillbethelast
SundaymorningIshalltaketheserviceforDr.Bailesthisseason.Theserviceisheldat
10:30attheFoxWilshireTheateronWilshireBoulevard,nearLaCienega.ATrue
ReligiousAttitudeismanssalvation.
Godneverchangesitiswewhoarechangingourspiritualeyesareevergettingkeener
andthisenlargementoftruthwillbringusaneverincreasinginnerpeace.
Thebestdefenseagainstthedeceptiveassaultuponourmentalandmoraleyesightisthe
spiritualeyeortheEyeofGod.Inotherwords,aspiritualidealthatcannotbechangedby

circumstance,acodeofpersonalhonorandintegrityinourselvesandgoodwillandlove
toothers."Notwhatthouart,norwhatthouhastbeen,beholdethGodwithhismerciful
eyes,butthatthouwouldstbe."
Throughtheveinsofthehumblestmanonearthrunstheroyalbloodofbeing.Therefore,
letuslookatmanthroughtheeyesofimaginativelovewhichisreallyseeingwiththeEye
ofGod.UndertheinfluenceoftheEyeofGod,theidealrisesupoutoftheactualas
waterisetherializedbythesunintotheimagerycloudland.Thingsaltogetherdistantare
presenttothespiritualeye.
TheEyeofGodmakesthefuturedreamapresentfact.Notfourmonthstoharvestlook
again,Ifwepersistinthisseeing,onedaywewillarisewiththedistanceinoureyes,and
allthestaying,stagnantnearbywillsuddenlybeofnoimportance.Wewillbrushitaside
aswepassontoourfarseenobjective.
Themanwhoreallyfindshimselfcannotdootherwisethanlethimselfbeguidedbylove.
Heisoftoopureeyestobeholdiniquity.Ourabilitytohelpotherswillbeinproportionto
ourabilitytocontrolandhelpourselves.Thedayamanachievesvictoryoverhimself,
historywilldiscoverthattohavebeenavictoryoverhisenemy.Thehealingtouchisinan
attitude,andonedaymanwilldiscoverthatonegovernssoulsonlywithserenity.The
mightysurrendersitselffullyonlytothemostgentle.
Recognizingthepoweroffeeling,letuspaystrictattentiontoourmoodsandattitudes.
Everystageofmansprogressismadethroughtheexerciseofhisimaginationandfeeling.
Bycreatingan"ideal"withinourmentalspherewecanfeelourselvesintothis"ideal
image"tillwebecomeoneandthesamewithit,absorbingitsqualitiesintotheverycore
ofourbeing.Thesolitaryorcaptive
can,bytheintensityofhisimaginationandfeeling,effectmyriadssothathecanact
throughmanymenandspeakthroughmanyvoices.Extendyourfeelers,trustyourtouch,
participateinallflightsofyourimaginationsandbenotafraidofyourownsensitivities.

Thebestwaytofeelanothersgoodistobemoreintenselyawareofit.Belikemyfriend
andhave"moreofafeeling"forthehealth,thewealth,thehappinessyoudesire.Ideasdo
notblessunlesstheydescendfromHeavenandtakeflesh.Makeresultsor
accomplishmentsthecrucialtestoftrueimagination.Asyouobservetheseresults,you
willdeterminetofillyourimageswithloveandtowalkinahighandnoblemoodforyou
willknowwiththepoet:
"Thatwhichyesowyereap.
Seeyonderfields
Thesesamumwassesamum,thecorn
Wascorn.TheSilenceandtheDarknessknew
Soismansfateborn."

AFFIRMTHEREALITYOFOUROWNGREATNESS
RadioTalk,StationKECA,LosAngeles
(July,1951)
Inthecreationofanewwayoflife,wemustbeginatthebeginning,withourown
individualregeneration.Theformationoforganizations,politicalbodies,religiousbodies,
socialbodiesisnotenough.Thetroubleweseegoesdeeperthanweperceive.The
essentialrevolutionmusthappenwithinourselves.
Everythingdependsonourattitudetowardsourselfthatwhichwewillnotaffirmwithin
ourselfcanneverdevelopinourworld.Thisisthereligionbywhichwelive,forreligion
beginsinsubjectiveexperience,likecharity,itbeginsathome."Beyetransformedbythe

renewingofyourmind"istheancientformulaandthereisnoother.Everythingdepends
uponmansattitudetoward
himself.Thatwhichhecannotorwillnotclaimastrueofhimselfcanneverevolveinhis
world.
Manisconstantlylookingabouthisworldandasking,"Whatstobedone?Whatwill
happen?"whenheshouldaskhimself"WhoamI?Whatismyconceptofmyself?"Ifwe
wishtoseetheworldafiner,greaterplace,wemustaffirmtherealityofafiner,greater
beingwithinourselves.It
istheultimatepurposeofmyteachingtopointtheroadtothisconsummation.Iamtrying
toshowyouhowtheinnermanmustreadjusthimselfwhatmustbethenewpremiseof
hislife,inorderthathemaylosehissoulonthelevelhenowknowsandfinditagainon
thehighlevelheseeks.
Itisimpossibleformantoseeotherthanthecontentsofhisownconsciousness,for
nothinghasexistenceforussavethroughtheconsciousnesswehaveofit.Theidealman
isalwaysseekinganewincarnationbutunlesswe,ourselves,offerhimhumanparentage,
heisincapableofbirth.Wearethemeanswherebytheredemptionofnaturefromthelaw
ofcrueltyistobeeffected.The
greatpurposeofconsciousnessistoeffectthisredemption.Ifwedeclinetheburdenand
pointtonaturallawasgivingusconclusiveproofthatredemptionoftheworldby
imaginativeloveissomethingthatcannevercomeabout,wesimplynullifythepurposeof
ourlivesthroughwantoffaith.Werejectthemeans,theonlymeans,wherebythisprocess
ofredemptionmustbeeffected.
Theonlytestofreligionworthmakingiswhetheritistruebornwhetheritspringsfrom
thedeepestconvictionoftheindividual,whetheritisthefruitofinnerexperience.No
religionisworthyofamanunlessitgiveshimadeepandabidingsensethatalliswell,
quiteirrespectiveofwhathappenstohimpersonally.Themethodsofmentalandof
spiritualknowledgeareentirely
different,forweknowathingmentallybylookingatitfromtheoutside,bycomparingit

withotherthingsbyanalyzinganddefiningit.
Whiteheadhasdefinedreligionasthatwhichamandoeswithhissolitude.Ishouldliketo
add,Ibelieveitiswhatamanisinhissolitude.Inoursolitudewearedriventosubjective
experience.Itis,then,thatweshouldimagineourselvestobetheidealmanwedesireto
seeembodiedintheworld.If,inoursolitude,weexperienceinourimaginationwhatwe
wouldexperienceinrealityhadweachievedourgoal,wewillintime,become
transformedintotheimageofourideal."Berenewedinthespiritofyourmindputon
thenewmanspeakeverymantruthwithhisneighbor."Theprocessofmakinga"Fact
ofbeingafactofconsciousness"isbythe"renewingofourmind."
Wearetoldtochangeourthinking.Butwecantchangeourthoughtunlesswechange
ourideas.Ourthoughtsarethenaturaloutpouringofourideas,andourinnermostideas
arethemanhimself.Theendoflongingisalwaystobenottodo.Bestillandknow"I
amthatwhichIdesire."Strivealwaysafterbeing.Externalreformsareuselessifyour
heartisnotreformed.Heavenisenterednotbycurbingourpassionsbutrather,by
cultivatingourvirtues.Anoldideaisnotficklyforgotten,itiscrowdedoutbynewideas.
Itdisappearswhenawhollynewandabsorbingideaoccupiesourattention.Oldhabitsof
thinkingandfeelinglikedeadoakleaveshangontilltheyarepushedoffbynewones.
Creativenessisbasicallyadeeperreceptiveness,akeenersusceptibility.Thefuturedream
must
becomeapresentfactinthemindofanyonewhowouldalterhislife.Everygreatout
picturingisprecededbyaperiodofprofoundabsorption.Whenthatabsorptionisfilled
withourhighestideal,whenwebecomethatidealthenweseeitmanifestinourworld
andwerealizethatthepresentdoesnotrecedeintothepast,butadvancesintothefuture.
Thisisessentiallyhowwechange
ourfuture.A"now"whichis"elsewhere"hasforusnoabsolutemeaning.Weonly
recognize"now"whenitisatthesametime"here."
Whenwefeelourselvesintothedesiredstate"here"and"now"wehavetrulychangedour

future.Itisthis"ChangingYourFuture"whichIhopetoexplaintoyoufullynextSunday
morningwhenIamspeakingforDr.Bailesat10:30attheFoxWilshireTheateron
WilshireBoulevardnearLaCienega.Itismypurposetostiryoutoahigherconceptof
yourselfandtoexplainsoclearlythemethodbywhichyoucanachievethisconceptthat
eachoneofyouwillleavetheserviceonSundaymorningatransformedbeing.
Discouragedpeoplearesorelyinneedoftheinspirationofgreatprinciples.Wemustget
backtofirstprinciplesifwearetospeakwithavoicethatwillkindletheimaginationand
rousethespirit.Again,Imustrepeat,inthecreationofanewwayoflife,wemustbegin
attheverybeginningwithourownindividualregeneration.Manschiefdelusionishis
convictionthathecandoanything.
Everyonethinkshecandoeveryonewantstodoandallask,"Whattodo?"
Whattodo?Itisimpossibletodoanything.Onemustbe.Itishardforustoacceptthe
factthat"We,ofourselves,donothing."Itisespeciallydifficultbecauseitisthetruthand
thetruthisalwaysdifficultformantoaccept.But,actually,nobodycandoanything.
Everythinghappensallthatbefallsmanallthatisdonebyhimallthatcomesfrom
himallthishappens,andithappensinexactlythesamewaythatrainfallsasaresult
ofachangeinthetemperatureinthehigherregionsoftheatmosphere.
Thisisachallengetousall.Whatconceptareweholdingofourselvesinthehigher
regionsofoursoul?Everythingdependsuponmansattitudetowardshimself.Thatwhich
hewillnotaffirmastruewithinhimselfcanneverdevelopinhisworld.Achangeof
conceptofselfistherightadjustmentthenewrelationshipbetweenthe
surfaceandthedepthofman.Deepeningis,inprinciple,alwayspossible,fortheultimate
depthlivesineveryone,anditisonlyaquestionofbecomingconsciousofit.Life
demandsofusthewillingnesstodieandtobebornagain.
Thisisnotmeantthatwedieintheflesh.Wedieinthespiritoftheoldmantobecomethe

newman,thenweseethenewmanintheflesh."SubjectiontothewillofGod"isanold
phraseforitandthereis,Ibelieve,nonewonethatisbetter.Inthatselfcommittaltothe
idealwedesiretoexpress,allconflictisdispersedandwearetransformedintotheimage
oftheidealinwhomwerest.
WearetoldthatthemanwithoutaweddinggarmentreachestheKingdombycleverly
pretending.Hedoesnotbelieveinternallywhathepracticesexternally.Heappearsgood,
kind,charitable.Heusestherightwords,butinwardlyhebelievesnothing.Cominginto
thestronglightofthosefarmoreconsciousthanhimself,heceasestodeceive.Awedding
garmentsignifiesadesireforunion.
Hehasnodesiretounitewithwhatheteaches,evenifwhatheteachesisthetruth.
Therefore,hehasnoweddinggarment.Whenweareunitedwiththetruth,thenwewill
putofftheoldnatureandberenewedinthespiritofourmind.
Truthwillstripthecleverpretendersoftheirfalsearistocracy.Truth,initsturn,willbe
conqueredandgovernedbythearistocracyofgoodness,theonlyunconquerablethingin
theworld.

THATWHICHALREADYHASBEENNevilleGoddard

NevilleGoddard1061959

Thisplatformisconcernedonlywiththegreatsecretoflife.Hereweare

convincedthattheSupremePowerthatcreatedandsustainstheuniverseisDivine
Imagining,anditdoesnotdifferfromhumanimaginationsaveindegreeofintensity.So
GodinmanisyourwonderfulImaginationthatisGod.WetellyouthatImagination
createsReality,butbearinmindthatatthishumanlevelonearthittakestimeand
persistence.Ifwewillpersistintheimage,livein
it,sleepinit,breatheinit,itwillcrystallizeintotangibleform.Nightafternightwetake
differentfacetsofthistrulygreatsecret,andasweturntothegreatestbookon
Imaginationintheworld,wetreatitdifferently.So,asweturntoit,bearinmindthatthe
BibleisaddressedtotheImagination,
nottothemanofsenseorthemanofreasontheonethatis"lost"or"dead"or"sound
asleep."
Wewilltakeasimplelittleverseandshowyouwhyitisnotaddressedtothenaturalman,
Ecclesiastes3:15:"Thatwhichis,alreadyhasbeenthatwhichistobe,alreadyhasbeen
andGodseekswhathasbeendrivenaway."The"naturalman"cannotgraspthat,forto
himrealityisbasedonlyontheevidenceofthesenses.Themanofreasoncouldjustifythe
verse'send,sayingifithasanymeaningthenthewritermustmeanrecurrence.Thesun
comeseverydayandthemooncompletesitscycleandtheseasonscomeandgo.Ifwe
tookapictureoftheuniversetoday,thescientistscancomputehowlongitwilltaketo
returntothispointinthepicture.Sotheintellectualmancouldjustifytheversebutthatis
notwhatismeant,foritisaddressednottothemanofreasonorthemanofsense,butto
themanofImagination.Whatisitallabout?"Thatwhichis,alreadyhasbeenthatwhich
istobe,alreadyhasbeen,andGodseekswhathasbeendrivenaway."
Wearetoldthathemadegenericman(malefemale)inhisownimageandcalledthem
"Man."Thenwearetoldthatthismanwasdrivenout,andthepriesthoodstellushewas
drivenoutbecauseofsome"originalsin."Isendmychildtoschooltoprepareherfor
livingintheworld,nottopunishher,buttodoitImustsendherout.InBarbadoswe
haveagoodschoolsystem,thoughnotbeyond
highschool,andwhenIwasaboythereIwouldseethesechildrenarrivingfromtheother
islandsatthebeginningoftheschoolyearwiththeirnewclothesandtheirnewbooks.

Theythoughtitwasexciting,notknowingwhatitwasallabout.Butthenthetimecame
fortheparentstokissthemgoodbyeandleavetheminthisstrangeplace,andmanyachild
criedhimselftosleepnotjustfor
anightbutforthewholeterm,suchwastheirhomesicknessandloneliness.Butthe
parentsdiditinloveandleftthemthere.ManysenttheirchildrenontoEnglandforstill
highereducationatgreatsacrifice,andtheycouldnotaffordtobringthemhomefor
vacations,sotheyhadtowaityearstoseethemagain.
Buttheydiditinloveandonlylove.
Aninfinitebeingoflovedidthesamethingtous.Wewere"dead."Wewerefullymade
andperfectbutwewerelikethestatueofGalatea.Andthentoquickenmanandmake
himlikeGod,hehadtodrivehimoutnotinspace,outinmind.SoGodbecameman,
thethingthatwasdead,andtodoithehadtolowerhimselftothislevelwhichin
comparisontothehigherstateswouldbe
called"dead."ThisgarmentofskinyouwearhasbeenlonginpreparationfortheSonof
God.Wearetold:"AndHeclothedthemingarmentsofskin."Itisforschooling
purposes.
Whyarewehere?Tomakeimages.Thewholeuniverseisanimageofcosmicfancy.We
arelearning,sowebeginwiththesimplestthingsajob,anewhome,achangein
environment.WedoitinthesamewayasourFatherdidit,butthisisaclassroomsowe
makemistakesbutthefaultisnotoursforwearenotyetawake.Therewastheperfect
system,existingforitscreator,andthenGodsetfreecertainportionsofit,andsohe
"preparedthewayforhisbanishedonestoreturn."Godseekswhathasbeendrivenaway,
sothathemaysay:"This,myson,whowasdead[and]isaliveagain."Sowearetheone
heisseeking.
Thereissomethinghiddeninthiscoatofskinthatheisseeking.
Wemustgetbeyondthesensesandbegintocreate.SoIsaytoeveryonethatwemust

starttheartofcreating,nomatterhowsimpleorhowbigthethingis,nomatterwhatitis
thatiscreating.Wecreatebyfaith,andfaithisbeliefinthethingnotyetseen.Wecreate
byassemblinganimagethatimplieswenowhavewhatwewantinthisworld,andifwe
arefaithfulwebringittopass,and
aswedoitwebegintomovethroughthislabyrinthinewayforthereturnofhisSon.
"WhomGodhasafflictedHewillcomfortandcallhisfriend."Soifyouarehurtdonot
believethatitwasbecauseofwhatyoudidinthepast.No.Wepassthroughthefixed
labyrinthinewaysthathehaspreparedforthereturnofhisSon.SotheSonfinally
awakensandhewalkswithmethroughthewholeroadwayofthesestates.
Youcancreateanythinginthisworldifyouknowwhoyouare,andifyoudonotknow,
thatiswhytheseplatformsexisttoteachyou,forweareallinterlaced.Youmaythinkyou
areinsignificantyoumayevenbeinjailbutevenbehindbarsyouarecreating.Andyou
neednotremaininjailifyouknowwhoyouare.
Haveyoueverflownoveralakeorovertheocean?AfriendrecentlyflewinfromSan
Diego.Hehadbeeninthenavyandhehadalwaysownedboats,buthehadneverbefore
observedwhathesawnowfromtheair.Hewasontheoceansideastheplanetookoff
fromSanDiego,andlookingdownhesawthislittlethirtyfootercomingintheopposite
direction.Henoticedthewakeofthis
littleshipandwatcheditwiden,andnothinginterruptedit.Whenhisplaneturnedinland
hewasflyingatthreehundredmilesperhour,butlookingbackherealizedthatthislittle
boatdoingmaybethirtyknotswastroublingtheentirePacific.Asfarastheeyecould
seethiswakewasmovingandnothingcouldstopitandtheoccupantofthatboatwas
totallyunawareofwhathewas
doing.
Wearealllikethat.Youthinkyoucanimagineandnotaffectothers?Itislikethewake:
intimeitencompassesthewholeworld.Itstartsasalittle"v"butitgrowswiderand
wider.Everyonewillbeinsomewayinfluencedbymypattern.Ifoneknowswhathe
wantsforhimselforforothersandremainsfaithfultoit,hedoesnothavetoask:"Who

willhelpme?"Foreverypersonwhomustplayapartwillplayittomakepossiblethe
fulfillmentofthatdream.
Aladysaidtometheothernight:"Lookatmyhands!Aweekagotheywereblisteredas
ifwithacidnowthereisnoscar,butittookmefivedaysofrevisiontobringaboutwhat
youareseeing."Forunnumbereddayspriortothisnothinghappened,butfivedaysof
revisionbroughtthisabout.Sheproducedinherownbodythischange.Thisseems
stupiditytotherationalmantotheGreek
itisfoolishnessandtotheJewastumblingblock.Itmeansthatthemanofreasoncannot
comprehendithecannotbelievethatonecancreatebyimagination.Thewayisprepared
foryou,forthereareunnumberedstates,andwecancreatestatestodeliverothersand
pullthemoutofthoseintowhichtheyhavefallen.
Wearehereontheearthasinagreatschoolroom.Wewerenotsentheretobepunished,
buttolearntobecomecreatorslikeourFather.Thereisno"originalsin"forGodmade
thedecisiontosendmeto"school."InfactIwas"dead."IexistedonlyforGod,the
creatoroftheperfectsystem,andthencamethedecisiontosubjectmetothisschoolroom
inthehopeIwouldbesetfreeinthe
gloriouslibertyofthesonsofGod.Giventhechoice,whatchildwouldgotoschool?But
lovingthechildtheparentssubjectittothattraining.Howmanyyearsaretakenfrom
children'slivesandgiventolearning?Itisthesamewithus,onlyitisavasterschool.So
letnoonetellyouthatyoudidanythingwronginbeingborn.Thesecoatsofskinwere
preparedforus,fortheyhelpman
theinvisiblerealitytobecomeconscious.AndthensomecertainteacherssentbyGod
tellthemoftheonlyvalueintheworldandthatistoawake.Butifintheawakeningyou
wantabetterhome,afinerjob,betterhealth,thentrytocreateit.Failuredoesnotmatter
youarelearning.Ifyoupersistyouwillwin.Youcreatebyfaith.Byfaiththeworldswere
madeandsustained.Things
thataremadearemadefromthingsthatdonotappear.Sowhatwoulditbelikeifyou
werethemanyouwanttobe?Seetheworldasyouwouldliketoseeit.

LetmedefineImaginationforyou.Itisspiritualsensation,buttheword"spiritual"isto
mostofussomethingthatisnotpracticaltheincorporealasopposedtothecorporeal.
ButImaginationisthepowertoperceivewhatisabsentfromthesenses.Takearose
thereisnotoneherebutrightnow
couldIsenseitinanyway?Smellit?Touchit?Ican,thoughitisabsentfromthesenses.
ThatisImagination.IfImaginationcreatesreality,suchperceptionofwhatisabsentfrom
thesensesmakesitso.Wehaveunnumberedcasehistoriestoproveit.Imaginationisthe
powertoperceivewhatisabsentfromthesenses,andifyoupersist,yougobeyondthe
sensemanandgobeyondthe
rationalman."ThenaturalmanreceivesnotthethingsofthespiritofGodfortheyare
foolishnessuntohim."
HowcanIdiscernmyhomespiritually?Icannotseeitwithmyphysicaleyeortouchit
withmyphysicalhands,butinImaginationIcandoboth.Youmaysay:"Idonothavea
home."Well,youdothesamethingwithahomeyoudonotyetown.Doitwithfunds
youdonotnowpossess.Nothinghasquitethesamesmellasmoney,orthesamesound.
Ifitismoneyyouwant,useeverysensetomakeitreal.Butdonotsay:"Iperceiveit
becauseIknowitisthere."Toexercise
theImaginationyouseesomethingthatisnotyetthere.Thenwegetbeyondthenatural
man,liketheladywhoinfivedaysbroughtaboutacompletetransformationinherhands.
Everyoneishereforimagemakingandtolearnlessons,andthebeingwhosentyouhere
camewithyouandhehasneverleftyou.Hebecameyouandlityouwithhimself.Ashelit
manheawokethroughthe
passagepreparedforhimintothisschoolroomcalledearth.Andthenasheislifteduphe
isembracedandgiventheringandthefattedcalf."Forthisismysonwhowasdeadand
nowlivesagain."Forthefirststatewasdeathandthencomesthequickeningofthisstate.
Hewaslostandnowheisfoundagain."Thatwhichisalreadyhasbeenthatwhichisto
bealreadyhasbeen,andGodseeksthatwhichwasdrivenaway."Sohedriveshimoutby
takinghimoutofmind.He
isseekingJacobintheOldTestament,andintheNewTestament,Jesus.Forwhenhe
findshim,heisJesus.Ashefindshim,hisistherealityofbeing,whichisJesus.Hewill

findhimineverybeingintheworld.Whenthisbeginstoawakeninyou,theoldform
cannotcontainitanymorethannewwinecanbecontainedinoldbottles.Youcannottake
thisnewwineoftruthandconfineit
totheolddogmaitwillblowitapart.SoithastotakeanewformastheSpiritbeginsto
awakenwithinone.
Somakeyourimageandasknoonetohelpyou,forlikethewakeoftheshipitwill
changethewholeworld,ifitisnecessarytothefulfillmentofyourdrama."Everythingin
thePacifichadtoencounterthatwakenothingcouldstopit."YouarethearkofGodand
whatyouareimaginingisinfluencingalltheotherswhoarealsoimagining.So
Imaginationchangesthings.Donotbaseiton
facts.Truthasweseeitisnotconfinedtofactsbutdependsonlyupontheintensityof
Imagination.Everyonecandoitbutoftenreasonwillinterfere.
Afriendtoldmetonightthathedesiredtheanswertoacertainproblemanditwasgiven
tohim.Hesaid:"Iprayedtothebeingwithinme."Itwasafinancialpictureandhegotthe
answer,butitseemedsostupidhedidnotapplyit.Althoughhedidshareinit,itbrought
abouteverythingthathedesired.Reasoninterferedandhedidnotputhismoneyintoa
certainventure.Reasonstands
betweenthemanofsenseandthemanofImagination.
HaveyoureadProdigalGenius,theLifeofNikolaTesla?Hesaidtherewasnothingthat
wasnotwithintheImagination.Heconceivedofalternatingcurrent,andwhenEdisontold
himitcouldnotbedonehesaid:"ButIseeit,andIamstoppingitandstartingit."And
whentheybroughthismodelintothefactorytheydidnotchangeaboltofit.
Afriendofmine,aviolinist,cutanaccuratemodelofsomethinghehadseeninhismind.
Itwasacollapsibleboxsuchasnowusedbydepartmentstorestoholddressesandsuch.
Hehaditpatentedandsoldhispatentfor$10,000.Notonepersoninthiscountrybuthas
usedthatkindofbox.HarryWebbgotitinavision.Themanufacturermademillions.
Harrydidnotlaborforit.Reasonwas

suspendedandthiscamethrough.
Applythisprincipletothelittlethingsoflifeandletnoonetellyouitistoomaterialthe
sameoneswillaskyouforwhateveritiswhenyoudiscardit.Youarehereinthis
schoolroomtocreateoutofyourimaginationandtodoitbyfaith.Imagineandcreatethe
noblestconceptsforyourselforforothersandlivein[them],andinawayyoudonot
know,youwillinfluencethelivesof
everyoneintheworld,andeveryonewhowillbeneededtobringaboutyourdreamwillbe
drawnintoitandbroughttoyou.Eventhosewhoseektostackthecardsagainstyouand
thinktheyaredoingsoverycleverlywillfindthattheverythingtheydidwillinsteadstack
thecardsagainstthemselves.
Youareinfluencingeveryoneinthisworldwhenyouareimagining.Whoknowswhat
beingnowinsolitaryisnotdisturbingthewholevastworld.Hewillneverbeaccused,for
heisnotout.Theycanfindapproximatecause,buttheycannotblamehimforhewasina
cell.Yethecouldcauseawaveofhateoutofthedepthofhisownbeing.Thatiswhyitis
soimportanttoimaginewisely.ThereisonlyonebeingawakeningandthatisGod,and
wewereputintothisschoolroominloveeventhoughmanyanight,likethechildren,we
cry.Lovingfathersherehavesenttheirunwillingchildrentoschoolalovingheavenly
fathersentyouhereonearth.Youapplyitandusethegreatesttalentintheworld,which
ishimself.ThatisImagination.
Icannotbegintotellyouthethrillthatisinstoreforyouasyoubegintoliveby
Imagination.Andthenyoucanpassthroughallthesestateswhichwerepreparedforthe
returnofhisbanishedones.NotastatebuthasbeenfixedbeforeheputhisSonintothe
depthtorise.Soasheisthelifeofman,itisreallyGodwhoisrising.Sowedeliver
ourselvesfromstatesandatthesametimedeliverothersfromthesamestate.Nomatter
whatamanhasdone,heisonlyinastateandcanbeliftedout.
Whenwebegintoawakenwewillbegintocomfortandheal,forwhomGodafflictshe
diditforasoundend,andthatwasthathemightawaken."Thisismysonwhowasdead

andnowliveth."Themostmonstrousbeastthateverwalkedtheearthcannotbelost,for
Godisalsopresentinhim.IfonecouldbelostthenGodcouldbelost,forhebecamehis
SonthathemightawakenthatSonasGod.
Somakeyourdreamandliveinitanditwillcometrue.Wearetoldthatasthesower
sowed,theseedfellonfourkindsofsoil.Thefirstisnotprepareditisthehighway,and
noseedtookroot.Thesearethosewhowillnotlisten.Thenyouwillfindonewhowill
takethisteaching,butitfallsonstonyground.
Theygetsomethingnewbutthereisnoroot.Thefirstthingtheysayis:"Oh,itwould
havehappenedanyway!"Thethirdfellamongthe"thornsandthistles."Itgrowsdeeper
thantheoneontherock,buttheyreallybelievethatitisonlywithmoneytheycanget
thingsandsotheteachingwaschokedbythethornsoftheirunbelief.Thenthereisthe
wellpreparedground,anditrootsdeeplyandproducesfiftyandahundredbeenprepared
foryoureducationandthatitisallinterwoveninthelabyrinthinewaysofyourownmind.
Andthenyoulearntowalkinthefeelingofyourwishfulfilled,andyoucancreatestates
fromthisheavenlyalphabetofGod,andthenwefindhowtheentireBiblestoryisatrue
storyasseenthroughtheeyesofthosewhowroteit.Itisthehistoryofthesoulofman
andsomedayyouwillknowitistakingplaceinyou,andthenitmovesrapidlyandyou
willunderstandthevisionyoudidnotunderstandbefore.
Thenyoucansay:"ThewholeBookspokeofme!"
So,speakingoftheonethatGodisseeking,theonewhowaslost,whofoundhim?God
foundhim.Youfinditunfoldingwithinyou.Andthenyouseethatyoucannotfromnow
onusetheoldbottleortheoldframe,forthevisiondiffersandyoucannotputnewcloth
onoldgarments,ornewwineinoldbottles,[and]yourfriendstellyouthatifyoudothis
youwillhavenolisteners.Butyou
mustgoblindlyon,becauseyouhavebeengiventhenewwine.Youseenoonewhois
importantandyoudonotconsiderthewiseorthefoolishtobeinsupremestates,butyou
seethempassingthroughthesestatesintowhichwemayallfallaswearebeingeducated,

aswemovefromthestateofdeathtothedivinelibertyofthesonsofGod.
Soifyougetavision,donotletreasoninterferelikemyfriendwholost$50,000because
heallowedreasontointerfereanddidnotfollowthroughontheanswerthatwasgiven
him.ReasondividesthenaturalmanofsensefromthemanofImagination.Blakesays:
"Thosewhorestraindesiredosobecausetheirsisweakenoughtoberestrained,andthe
restrainerorreasonusurpsitsplaceandgovernstheunwilling.Andbeingrestrained,itby
degreesbecomespassive,till
itisonlytheshadowofdesire."Ifyoudesiretherecoveryofafriend,donotrestrainit,
forthenreasonwillrestrainit.Letnoonetellyouheissufferingbecauseofthepast.You
arecalledononlytoforgivehim.Youarenotthejudge.Letnoonetellyouthatyour
fatherpunishes.Heseemstodoitisforapurpose:"Ikill,Iheal,Iwound,Imakealive,"
etc.Chooselife,buttheremustbethecontrarytoawakenyou.Butwemaychoosefrom
thetreeoflife,whichistruthanderror.
Sodeliveranyonefromthestateintowhichhehasfallen.[Now]youseewhattheprophet
meant:"Thatwhichisalreadyhasbeen,"etc.,fortheschoolroomispreparedforthe
awakeningSonofGod.
Nowletusgointothesilence.

YOURSFORTHETAKING

Neville09181967

Thereisonlyonecauseforthephenomenaoflife.ThatcauseisGod.
Housedin
you,Godisapersoninthemostliteralsenseoftheword.Believeme,forIknowthis
fromexperience.God,theonlycreator,ispureimaginationworkinginthedepthofyour
soul.GodbeganagoodworkinyouandHewillbringittocompletiononthedayGod's
creativepowerisunveiledinyou!God'screativepowerandwisdomisdefinedinscripture
asChrist.WhenChristunveilshimselfinyou,youwillknowyouareGod'spowerand
God'swisdom.
God,yourownwonderfulhumanimagination,underliesallofyourfaculties,including
perception,andstreamsintoyoursurfacemindleastdisguisedintheformofcreative,
productivefantasy.Whenyouaskyourselfwhatyoucandototranscendyourpresent
limitationoflife,youaredwellinguponthemeans.Goddoesnotaskyoutoconsiderthe
means,buttodefinetheend.Speakingtoyouthroughthemediumofdesire,Godasksthe
question:"Whatwantestthouofme?"
Thenhetellsyounottobeconcernedwiththewaysandmeans,forhiswaysare
unsearchable.Theyareinscrutableandpastfindingout.Thisstatementyouwillfindinthe
11thchapteroftheBookofRomans.Sodon'tbeconcernedastohowGodwillfulfillthe
end,onlyknowthatHewill.
Canyoubelieveyourdesireisfulfilled?Canyoubelieveitistrue?Ifyoucan,itisyours
forthetaking,fornothingisimpossibletoonewhobelieves.
Now,letmesharewithyouthreestorieswhichcametomeduringthesummer.Thefirst
letterwasfrommyfriendBennie.Inithetoldoflyingproneonhisbed,facedown,when
hefeltasthoughsomeonegrabbedhisshouldersandashewasliftedupheheardthe

words:"Takeastand!"Intuitivelyheknewhehadtomakethedecisionnowastowhether
hewasgoingtobelievethatimaginingcreatesrealityordisbelieveit.
Scripturetellsus,"Hewhoisnotwithmeisagainstme."Thereisnoneutralground,for
"Ihavenotcometobringpeace,butasword.Tosetamanagainsthisfatheranda
daughteragainsthermother."Why?Becauseaman'senemiesarewithinhim.Everyone
musteventuallytakethestandthatimaginingcreatesrealityandswimorsinkwiththis
concept.
Now,afewdayslaterwhileinmeditation,Benniefelthimselfbeingheldfrombehindby
threemen.Astheyraisedhim,hewatchedthesunriseandheardthewords:Look!
Behold!andRecognition!Andherememberedapassagefrommybook,YourFaithIs
YourFortune:"Recognitionofthistruthwilltransformyoufromonewhotriestomakeit
so,intoonewhorecognizesittobeso."
Soonafterthis,afriendaskedBentoprayforhim.Hewantedtobethepropertymanager
ofthecompanyheworkedfor.Althoughhehadbeenpassedbyyearafteryear,Bennie
toldhimwhattodo,andimaginedhearingthefriendtellhimthejobwasnowhis.Afew
monthslaterthejobwasvacatedandhisfriendwasgiventhepositionwithanincreasein
salaryandgreaterresponsibility,justashehadimagined.WhatdidBenniedo?He
imagined!Towhomdidhepray?Tohisownwonderfulhumanimagination!God,the
creatorofalllife,islikepureimagininginyou,underlyingallofyourfacultiesincluding
perception.Hestreamsintoyoursurfacemindleastdisguisedinthe
formofproductivefantasy.Bennietookastand.Heprayedforhisfriendandbelievedhis
prayerwasanswered.Hetestedhimself,andthewindowsofheavenopenedandpoured
forthblessingsforalltosee.NowBennieknowsthatwithGodallthingsarepossible.
Godisyourmightierself.Emptyinghimself,Godtookontheformofaslaveandisnow
foundinthelikenessofman.Abdicatinghispower,PureImaginationtookuponhimself
thelimitationsofflesh,therebybecominghuman.ItisGodwhoweavesyoureverydesire
intocubicreality,waitinguponyoueffectivelyandswiftly,regardlessofwhetheryour

desireisforevilorforgood.TheonewhoconjuresthoughtsinthemindofaHitleror
StalinisthesamepowerastheoneconjuringthoughtsinthemindofapopeortheArch
BishopofCanterbury.Therearen'ttwoGods.Thereisonlyone!
The14thand53rdchaptersoftheBookofPsalmsareidentical,eachtellingus:"Thefool
saysinhisheartthereisnoGod,buttheLordlooksdownfromheavenuponthechildren
ofthemanytoseeifthereareanythatactwiseandseektheLord."Herewefindthatin
theeyesofGod,wisdomisequatedwithseekingtheLord.AndifGodisallwiseandall
powerful,thenanysearchotherthanfortheLordisstupid.Youmaybethegreatest
mathematicianorscientist,themost
intelligentandhonoredmanamongmen,butifyoursearchisnotforGod,youarestupid
inHiseyes.
Calledupontolookforthecauseofcreation,whatareyoudoinglosingyourselfinthe
phenomenaoflife?Whensomethinghappens,searchyourthoughtsandyouwilldiscover
yourownwonderfulhumanimaginationtobethecauseofyourexperience,becauseGod
isaperson.AtthepresenttimeHeiswearingamaskcalledNeville,buttheonespeaking
toyounowknowshimselftobethe
AncientofDays.EverybeingintheworldisamaskwornbyGodforhousedinman,is
man'simagination.
Athoughtacteduponisanimaginalact.Think(imagine)ahorribleearthquakeandGod
willgiveittoyou.Imagine(thinkof)awarandGodwillprovidethat,too.Imaginepeace
andyouwillhaveit.Godwillgiveyouhealthifyouwillbutimaginebeinghealthy.
Imaginesuccessandyouwillhaveit.Themomentyouthink,youarefeedingyour
imagination,whichisaperson.Iusetheword
persondeliberately,foryouareaperson.YouarethemaskGodisnowwearing,forGod
becameyouthatyoumaybecomeGod.
Nowletmeshareanotherletterwithyou.Lastyearthislady,livingaboutsixtymiles
northofSanFrancisco,waspossessedwiththedesiretocometoLosAngelesandattend

mylecture.Leavingwordatheroffice,shedrovehercartotheSanFranciscoairport,
whereshetookaplanetoLosAngeles.Thereshewasmetbyafriendandimmediately
cametothelecture.Afterthelectureshe
joinedagroupoffourwomenandonemanforcoffee,wheresheexpressedherhunger,
havingmissedlunchanddinnerthatday.Thegentlemansittingbesideherthensaid,"I'd
liketobuyyouasteak."Andasshelookedintohisfacesheheardavoicewithinhersay,
"Thisisyourhusband."
Now,thisladyhasbeenmarriedanddivorcedfourtimes,soshehadspecificdesiresfora
husbandwhichshefeltmustbefulfilled.Shewantedtobehappilymarriedtoamanwho
livedbythistruth.Shewantedhimtoloveandrespectheraswellasherseventeenyear
oldson.HavingimaginedsuchamaninSeptember,sheattendedmymeetinginOctober,
andmarriedthegentlemanshemetherethefollowingJanuary.
Thegentlemanaddedhisstorytoherletter,saying:"Havingplayedwiththeideaofbeing
married,IwenttoapawnshoplastSeptemberandpurchasedaplaingoldbandwhichI
placedonthethirdfingerofmylefthand.EverydayIworetheringandeverynightIslept
inthefeelingofbeinghappilymarried.(Myfriendthoughthecouldnotgetthefeelingof
beingmarriedwithouta
physicalaid,butyoudon'tneedanythingoutsideofyourimaginationtocatchthemood.)
Havingbeenanalcoholic,thisgentlemanimaginedhiswifenevermentionedhispastfor
althoughhehadnottastedalcoholfornineyears,hehadpaidthepriceinhissearchfor
God.Yousee,thealcoholicissearchingfortruth.Thirsty,hefindsafalsespiritinthe
formofalcohol,whilethosewhowillnottouchitandcriticizethosewhodohaven't
evenstartedtheirsearch.
ButIhavenewsforthem.Onedaythey,too,willknowahungerwhichwillnotbe
satisfiedbybread.Theywillknowathirstsogreattheywillmakethemistakeofclothing
itintheformofabottle.Butbecauseitwillbeafalsethirst,thethirstwillremain.Then
theywilldiscoverthetruehungerandthetruethirst,whichisforthehearingoftheword

ofGod.
Now,inthethirdletteragentlemanwrites:"Havingborrowedfromthebank,everymonth
whenIsentinmypaymentIreducedthetotalamountinmyrecordbook.Oneday,asI
waswritingmycheckandrecordingitspayment,Iclosedmyeyesandsawtwozeros
underthebalanceduecolumn.ThenIgaveasighofreliefbecausethenotewaspaid.For
thenexttheemonthsIpersistedinseeingthosedoublezerosandrejoicinginbeingdebt
free.Thencameanunexpectedsurprise!Ourcompanypaidusallamidyearbonuswhich
wassolargeIwasabletopayallofmybills,includingthebankloan,anddeposittherest
inthebank."
NowIthinkthisgentlemanandImustbetwopeasinthesamepod,becausemoneyseems
toburninhispocket,too.Insteadofkeepingthemoneyinthebankastherationalmind
woulddo,myfriendbegantothinkabouthowtospendit,soofcoursehefoundaway.
Heboughtataperecordertobringandrecordmymessage!
Towhomdidmyfriendturnwhenhewantedthebankloanpaid?HeturnedtoGod!He
didnotgetdownonhiskneesandasksomeoutsideGodtodoitforhim.Hedidn'tgoto
churchandconsultapriest,rabbiorminister.Hedidn'tcontactasocalledtruthteacher,
butsimplyclosedhiseyestotheobviousandsawtwozerosinthebalanceduecolumn.
Thenforthefirsttimeinthehistoryofhis
companyamidyearbonuswaspaid.Thishappenedtohimbecauseofhisuseofthelaw,
andhisknowledgeofwhoGodis.
NoteveryonewhoseeksGodfindshim,buttherearethoselikePhilipthatwhenthey
findhim,theybringtheirbrotherNathanael.AndrewfoundJesusandbroughtPeter.You,
too,willfindJesuswhenyouexerciseyourimagination,andbringthoseyoulovetohis
awareness.Ifgreatwealthbefellyou,wouldnotyourwife(orhusband),yourchildren,as
wellasthoseinyourimmediatecirclebenefitfromyourgoodfortune?Andifitbefell
them,woulditnotbefallyou?

SowebenefiteachotheraswesearchoutGodandtesthim.
Revelationtellsustobeeitherhotorcold,butnevertobelukewarm.Ifyoudonot
believemetothepointoftestingthelaw,youarelukewarm.Butoneday,likeBen,you
willtakeastand.Youwilleitherbeformeoragainstme.Youwilltrytobelievethat
imaginingcreatesreality,orrejectit.Youwillbehotorcoldaboutit,andthatisbetter
thanbeinglukewarm.IhavediscoveredthatthosewhohatedmeatfirstwhenItookfrom
themtheiridols,theiconintheirmindcalledJesus,havebecomemyfineststudents.So
manypeopleclaimtheybelieveinJesus,butcannotdefinehim.Unabletoplacehimin
timeandspace,theyaredefiantwhenIsay:Christinyouisyourhopeofglory.Fullof
insults,theyarecold.Somehaveevenbeenviolent.Butonedaytheywillfindhimof
whomMosesandtheprophetswrote,turnaround,andbeembracedbytheLord.
Istartedtellingthisstoryinthe1930'sandhereweareinthe1960's.Duringthesethirty
oddyearsIhavefoundthosewhoreallyopposedmethosewhoweresomovedand
disturbedtheyweredeterminedtodisprovemywords.Butsincetheycouldn'tdoit,they
toohavefoundGodtobetheirownwonderfulhumanimagination.TheBibleisaddressed
onlytothehumanimagination.InBlake'sfamouslettertotheRev.Dr.Truslerhemakes
thiscomment:"WhyistheBiblemoreentertainingandinstructivethananyotherbook?Is
itnotbecauseitisaddressedtotheimagination,whichisspiritualsensation,andonly
immediatelytotheunderstanding,orreason?"
TheBibleisimaginativeinstruction.Whenitunfoldsinyouitismorerealthananything
here,yetitisallimagined,forGodisallimaginationandsoisman.Theeternalbodyof
manistheimagination,andthatisGodHimself.Thereisnothingbutthisonebodycalled
Jesus,whoistheLordGodJehovah.
Itellyou,GodbecameaswearethatwemaybecomeasHeis.NoonetookGod'slife.
Helaiditdownhimselfsaying:"Ihavethepowertolayitdownandthepowertoliftitup
again.Thefallintofragmentedspacewasdeliberate.AndHewhofellhasthepowerto
gatherusalltogether,onebyone,intothatsinglebodywhoisalllove.Hisbodyisabove

theorganizationofsex.Initthereis
noGreek,noJew,nobond,nofree,nomale,nofemale.Whenyouwearityou
understandPaul'sstatement:"Iconsiderthesufferingsofthispresenttimenotworth
comparingtotheglorythathasbeenrevealedinme."Inthatbodyyouknowyourselfto
betherealMan,andthisfleshlybodyasnothing.Youwillrealizethatyouwerenever
maleorfemale,buthavealwaysbeenGod.
Remember,everythingisyoursforthetaking.Ifyouwantit,takeit.Ifyoucannotclaimit
foryourself,askafriendforhelp.Ifyouwanttobehappilymarried,dowhatmyfriends
did.Youwanttopayoffallofyourdebts?Whateveryoudesireisyours.Allyouhaveto
doisimagineyouhaveit,foreverythinginlifeisyoursforthetaking!
Nowletusgointothesilence.

NevilleGoddard1211959

THEFOUNDATIONSTONEIMAGINATION

Webelievethatmancancreateanythinghedesires.WebelievetheUniverseis
infiniteresponseandtheonewhocausesitistheindividualperceiver.Nothingis
independentofyourperceptionofit.Wearesointerwovenwearepartofthemachine,
butasweawakewedetachourselvesfromthismachineandmakelifeaswewishittobe.
"FormanisallImaginationandGodismanandexistsinusandweinhim.""Theeternal
bodyofmanistheImagination:thatisGod
himself."
YoucanimagineandIcanimagine,andifwecanbefaithfultothestateimagineditmust

appearinourworld.Thisisnotnew.Thiswasgivencenturiesago,forwehaveitinthe
BiblebutpeopledonotknowhowtoreadtheBible,sotheygottogetherandorganized
itintoan"ism."Itisnotan
"ism,"butitisthegreatplantofreeman.TheBibleshowsthisplanindetail.Wewillturn
toafewpassagesandshowyouwhatthosewhowroteitintendedweshouldsee.
Isaiah28:16:"ThussaystheLordGod,'Behold,IamlayinginZionforafoundationa
stone,atestedstone,apreciouscornerstone,ofasurefoundation:Hewhobelieveswill
notbeinhaste.'"Now,wearetoldintheBookofPsalmsthattheworldrejectedthe
stone."Thestonewhichthebuildersrejectedhasbecometheheadofthecorner.""You
cannotlayanyotherstone."
"Onthisstoneyoumaybuildgold,silver,hay,orstubbleandthedaywillrevealit."
ItellyouthatthisstoneisyourImagination,anditiscalledintheBible:ChristJesus,or
God,ortheLord.ItisyourImagination,whichisonewiththeDivineImaginationwhich
created,sustains,changes,andevendestroyspartsofthecreation.Thisisthestonethatis
testedanditisasurefoundation,andhewhobelievesinitwillnotbeinhaste.IfIcanbut
imagineandknowthatimaginingcreatesrealityIwillnotbeimpatientorleadasuperficial
life.WhenamandoesnotliveinhisImaginationhewillbecomeimpatientoftheoutcome
ofwhathedesires,andfinallyhewillbecomeviolentinhisefforttogetthings.
Hereisonewhoasksthequestion:"WhodomensaythattheSonofManis?"Somesaid
thisandsomethat,butagainheasked:"ButwhodoyousaythatIam?"(Matthew16:13)
"AndSimonPeterreplied,'YouaretheChrist,theSonoftheLivingGod.'AndJesus
answeredhim,'Blessedareyou,SimonBarJona!Forfleshandbloodhasnotrevealedthis
toyou,butmyFatherwhoisinHeaven.AndItellyou,youarePeter,andonthisrockI
willbuildmychurch."
ThechurchestellyouthatitmeansamancalledPeter.Itisnotanindividual.Thewhole
thingtakesplaceinthemindofyoutheindividual.Youimagineacertainstateanditis
calledPeter.IfitwereamancalledPeter,youwouldnotfindwhatyoufindsixverses

later.Forthereheturnstothesamecharacter,Peter,andsaystohim:"Getbehindme
Satan:YouareahindrancetomeforyouarenotonthesideofGod,butofmen."Thatis
whateverymanintheworlddoes.Hegetsarevelationandherealizesthefoundation
stoneisImagining.Heseesafriendwhoneedshelpandheimagineshehaswhathewants.
Ifhebelievesit,heisnotinhaste.Heisimaginingwhathewantsandheisnotviolent,
andheisnotconcerned,andhedoesnotgivesuggestionstothe
friendastowhattodophysicallytobringhisdesiretopass.Ifthefoundationstoneis
true,thereisonlyonepowertosupportit.Ifheknowsthat,hewillnotallowhimselfto
beturnedhewillremainfaithfultohisassumption.ButwearetoldintheBiblestorythat
theonewhohadbeen
commended,Peter,turnedandbecameviolent,andthenJesussaidtohim,"Getbehind
me,Satan."Youturnbacktothewaysofmentogetthingstogoasyouwantthemtogo.
Youpullallthewiresandthereforeyouhaveturnedfromtheonlyfoundationinthe
world,andthatisChristJesus,whichishumanImagination.Ifyoubelievethisyouwill
notrejectthestone.
"Stone"is"even"[inHebrew]anditmeanstocreate,orbuild,orbegetchildren.Hereisa
stonein"Zion"(whichmeansahighpinnacleorabarrenplace).Thatisman,beforethe
stoneissunkinhim.Heisthewaste,thedesert.SunkinmanashisImaginationistheonly
foundationstone,for[thereis]nootherfoundationofthelivingGodandhehassunk
himselfinme.Therefore,IamthesonofthelivingGod,forthereisonlyoneandIAmhe.
IfIbelievethis,Iwillnotbeimpatient."Hewhobelievesitwillnotbeinhaste."Thisis
theLord'sway.Iaskyoutotestit.Bringbeforeyourmind'seyewhatyouwanttoseein
thisworld.Itmaybebusinessorafriend'sgoodfortune.Itcanbeanything,foronthis
foundationyoucanputstubble,orwood,orhay.Youarebuildingwithhaywhenyousay
ofsomeone:"Iknowhewasnogood."Theylivedinthatstateconcerninganotherand
thenitcametopassandtheysay:"Ialwaysthoughthewaslikethat."Someofusbuild
strangethingsforanother.Wewereimaginingontheonlyfoundation,butwehaveput
stubbleonitinsteadofgoldorsilver,andthedayrevealedit,andthenwecannotrelate
whathappenstoanythingwehavedone.

TheHebrewmeaningofthe"stone"istobegetchildren.Alltheeventsofmylifearemy
children.Everyonecanbuildonthisonefoundation."IamlayinginZionastone."What
stone?Godisburyinghimselfineveryoneintheworld.Itisatruestone,aprecious
cornerstone,andonewhobelieveswillnotbeinhaste.Ihaveseenanimaginalacttake
twoyearstocomeforth,butwhenit
appearedwhatagiant!Ihaveseenitcomeinanhour.Butdonotbeinhasteorthink
thereisanyotherfoundationandlikePeterturntoanotherfoundation,growingviolent
towardthosewhowouldleadJesustothecross.ButChristsaid:"Icametomovetoward
thecross.Getbehindme,Satan.Youareahindrancetome."
IfIamstillinthemachine,Ithinkthegoodthingscomeonlybyaccidentorchance.Let
thewheelturn,foreachmustgothroughallthefurnacesuntilheawakensandseesthe
wholeuniverseasinfiniteresponse.Thedaywillcomewheneveryperson,atacertain
degreeofawakening,willfreezeanactivitywithinhimself,andasitcomestoastop
withinhim,thatwholesectionis"dead."Thelawsofnatureareonlyfreeaction,repeated
untiltheybecomeacceptedasalaw.Yetyouwillseeleavesinmidairnotfalling,and
peoplemovinginspacewillceasetomovebutwillnotfall,forasyoustoppedtheaction
withinyourselfthewholethingstopped.AndyouwillseethewholethingasZionthe
desertandtheonlythingthatmakesitaliveisthestoneburiedinit.But
manbecomeslostinthethingshehasmadeandgivestothemthepower.Forexample,
throughtheuseofhisImaginationhebringsmoneyintohisworldthenheforgetsthatit
wastheactivityofhismindthatdidthis,andheseesinthemoneyitselfthepowertoget
whathedesires.Butwhenheawakeshewillnolongerlosehimselfinhisowncreation.
Isaytoeveryonehere:thereisonlyonestone.Iftonightthereissomeoneveryillwho
needsyourhelpandyouimaginethebestforhimandthenyougetnewsthatheisworse
tomorrow,donotbeimpatient,butremainfaithfultotheonestonelaidinZion.What
morecanyoudoafteryouhaveimagined?Someonewritestoyouaboutaproblem.
Imagineforthemwhattheydesireandthendonotturnasidetodoanythingtomakeit
cometrue.Youremainfaithful,anditwillcreatetheconditionsnecessarytobring
fulfillment.

Youcanlookatsomeonewithdeepconcernandwantachange.Youdonotvoiceit,but
lockitin,andthenfortyeighthourslaterthereisinitiatedwhatyousetinmotion.And
theywonder:"Couldmyproblembetracedtosoandso?"Justtheverythingyouhad
beenthinking!Youentertainedtheirproblemwithdeepconcern,andthenyouwillask:
"DidyouinfluencemeordidIinfluenceyou?
Whendidyouentertainthisthought?"Andtheysay:"Justnow,"andthenyousay:
"FortyeighthoursagoIentertainedthisthought,butIdidnotsayitaloud."Thatmakes
nodifference.Allthingsbyalawdivineinoneanother'sbeingsmingle.Weallinfluence
eachother.Weareallinterpenetrated,andthemoreoneisdeeplyconcernedforanother,
themoreheispenetratedbyanother.
Isaytheuniverseisinfiniteresponse,butitalsogivesbackmorethanyouimagine.Itis
presseddownandrunningover.Therefore,tobenegativecanbefrightening.Thegood
willcomebackathousandfold,butsowillthenegative.ButifIamoptimisticanddonot
waver,Iwillbringthatalsopresseddownandrunningover.Itissomethingwonderfulit
willcomelikeagusher.Theworld
respondsmorethanittakes,anditgivestotheindividualmorethanheimaginesgoodor
bad.
IsaytoeveryonethatthegreatestofbooksistheBible,butpeoplehaveorganizedit,and
evensaytheyhavefoundtheremainsofPeterorsomeotherBiblicalcharacter.Peteris
notaman,butastate.YouriseuptothecrownofitallandthatisChrist.Statesare
permanentbutIamnotfixedIamalivingmovingbeing.Icanbepraisedforonestate
andthenIseeamorningheadline,say,andmovefromthattruefoundation,andthenthe
powerrebukesmeasSatan,forIreactedinsteadofacted.Wouldyouliketobeinthe
statecalledPeter,theoneaddressedinMatthew16?How?Letmesay,andmeanit:"My
ImaginationisGodandthereisnoother."Itisonewiththesupremepowerandletme
liveinthatstate,andthenIambeingaddressed:"Youareblessed,
SimonBarJona."Itmeansthedepthofmybeingisgivingittome.CanIdoit?Theday

thatyoudoitandrememberyoudidit,atthatmomentyouarerelatingthatstory.When
Peterconfessed:"ThouarttheChrist,"thatisthestoneonwhichthewholethingrests,
butwhenhegotawayfromthatandreacted,thenhewascalledSatan,orthereactor.
Godisbegettingsonsbymeansofthestone.Heburieshimselfineverymanintheworld,
butheisrejected.Icantellyouthesethingshere,butifItoldthemacrosstheairwaysI
wouldbeimmediatelyturnedoff.Peoplecannotbelievetheyareresponsiblefortheir
imaginalacts.Theydonotwanttobelieveit.IcannotbefreeoftheresultsofwhatI
imagine.Gooutdeterminedtoproveit,andhavingprovedit,keepthestonealive.There
isnootherstone."Noothercananymanlay,whichisChristJesus,"Butonthisbuild
anythingbutbuildgold,donotbuildhayorstubble.Iwanteveryoneheretotestit.Take
someonewhoisreallydistressed,andifyoubelieveinthefoundationyouwillleavehere
tonightwithoutanyconcernforthem,evenifyoureceivewiresstatingthingsareworse.
Itmighttakeaweekoramonth,butthatwhichyouhaveimagined,ifyouremainfaithful
tothestone,willcome.
Ihaveseenamanlookingatabuildingwhichisaninanimatethingandyouwouldsay
itcouldnotrespond.Howcanhelookatitandseehisnameonitwhenhedoesnothave
anickel?Buthedidit.Iknowtheman.[Neville'sbrother]andinawayhecouldnothave
devised,thebuildingbecamehis.Letnoonetellyouthatsomethingcannotrespond,but
whenwearestillpartofthe
machine,wecannotquiteseethatwearethecauseofeverythinginourworld,andwe
hopegoodfortunewillsmileonus.Thenwhenyousetsomethingbadinmotion,asthe
machineturnsyoucannotseewhatcausedit,butwhenyoubecomeawakeyoucan
controlthemachine.Itrespondstotheimaginalactsoftheawakenedman,forthe
awakenedmanisincontrol.
Athrillisinstoreforyouwhenyoucanfinallystopallactivityandthewholethingwill
freeze.Youwillknowwhatthesocalledwisemensay,butyouwillhearonlythese
words:"IthankyouFatherthatyouhavehidthesethingsfromthewiseandpiousand
revealedthemuntobabes."Foryouwillknowthatitistheperceiverwhoismaking

everythingalive.Foryouwillfindthatnothing
isindependentofthemindoftheperceiver.Atrulyawakenedteachercouldfreezecertain
sectionsfortheedificationofhisstudentsifhechose.Bynormalstandardseverything
woulddieifyoususpendedactivitybutitdoesnotdie,forthereisnothingoutsideof
yourperceptionofit.Takeyourbossoranemployeeandrepresentthemtoyourselfas
youwantthemtobe,andbelievein
therealityofthefoundationstone,andthenyouwillnotmakehastetobringittopass.
ForImaginationiscreatingreality,andinawaynooneknowsitwillbebroughttopassif
youremainfaithfuistobebroughtupbyhiswife'ssister.Thismanhadtriedforseven
yearstogetenoughaheadtotakeatriptoSt.Louistoseethechild.Heconstantlytried
toseehimselfgettingajobwithmoremoneysohecouldmakethetrip.Hewastoldthat
bytherightuseofthislawheshouldonlyseehimselfwithhischildandletthewaybeleft
toGod.FollowingthishewasgivenajobthattookhimfromLosAngelestoNew
Orleans.ButthatwasnotnearSt.Louis.Hetookthejobandpersistedinhisdream,and
inthreemonthshewastransferredtotheSt.Louisrunandgivenatwentyfourhour
layoverthereeveryweek.
ThebestthingthateverhappenedtomewaswhenIwasfiredfromMacy'sduringthe
depression.ImightbecaptainoftheelevatorsifIhadstayedthere.Myfatherlost
everythingheowned,andthatprovedtobethebeginningofthegreatdreamhebrought
topass.Onepersonbelievedinhimandhestartedonthat,andwhenhemadehisexitlast
October,hehadgiventohiscommunitymuch
thatnoonehadevergivenbefore.Theblackestdayofhislifeturnedouttobethebright
dayofhislife.Nomatterwhatyouhavedone,forgetit.YouareGodandGodis
untarnished,forheisallimagining.
Now,youstarttoimagineandmakeitsomethingofwhichyoucanbeproud.Makeitbig.
IfitistrulythestonebeinglaidinZion,donotturntoanyargumentofman.Yoube
faithful,andwhateveryouputonthestoneasanimaginalactivitywillcomeintoyour
world.Ofcourse,youmaygobacktotheworldofmen,likePeter.Hedeniedthestone

threetimesbuthedidthenreturntoitagain.Youmaydothat,butintheendyouwill
learn,forinthedepthofyourbeingthewordsarebeingsaid:"Getbehindme,Satan."But
Ihaveseenpeopleforget.Ihaveseenthemrisefromnothingtogreatheightsandthen
say:"Itwouldhavehappenedanyway."Theydonotbelievethattheirimaginalactivity
wasthefoundationonwhichtheybuiltthatstructure.Thereisonlyonestoneandthatis
yourwonderfulImagination.
Thisworksbetterifyoudonottrytoaiditontheoutside,foritisnotfleshandbloodthat
revealedittoyou.YougotitfromtheChrist.
Nowletusgointothesilence.

IMAGINATIONCREATESREALITY

byNeville
YourownwonderfulhumanimaginationistheactualcreativepowerofGodwithinyou.It
isyoursavior.Ifyouwerethirsty,waterwouldbeyoursavior.Ifyouneededajob,
employmentwouldbeyoursavior.Yourimaginationisthepowertosaveyoufrom
whatevercircumstancesyounowfindyourself.Youcanexperienceyourheartsdesire
throughtheuseofyourimagination.Nothingisimpossibletoyourimagination.Your
imaginationisunlimitedinwhatitcanaccomplish.Ifyoucanimaginesomething,youcan
achieveit.
Letmegiveyouanexample.Ifyouwereunabletowalkandwereconfinedtoa
wheelchair,youcouldcloseyoureyesandimagineyourselfrunningonthebeachor
wadinginthewater.Ifyouwouldimagineyourselfdoingthisuntilittookonthetonesof
reality,youcouldaccomplishahealingthatwouldallowyoutoactuallywalkorrun.
Thewaytouseyourimaginationcreativelyisthis.Relaxinachairoronabedandclose
youreyes.Firstdeterminewhatitisyouwishtoexperience.Then,inthisstateof
completerelaxation,bringtomindtheendresultofwhatitisyoudesire.Inotherwords,
ifyouwereseekingapromotionatwork,theendresultmightbethatpeoplewould
congratulateyouonyourpromotion.Youmightmovetoalargeroffice.Youwouldenjoy
anincreaseinpay.Takeanyoneoftheseeventsand,withyoureyesclosed,actuallyhear
yourfriendscongratulateyouonyourpromotion.Feeltheirhandinyoursastheytellyou
howhappytheyareforyou.
Byactuallyfeelingthatyouarebeingcongratulated,yourimaginationwillgotoworkto
bringaboutthatstateinyourouterworld.Youneednotbeconcernedabouthowthiswill
beaccomplished.Yourimaginationwillusewhatevernaturalmeansarenecessarytobring

itabout.Iamthebeginningandtheend.Mywaysarepastfindingout.Whatyoudo
inimaginationisaninstantaneouscreativeact.However,inthisthreedimensionalworld,
eventsappearinatimesequence.Therefore,itmaytakeashortintervaloftimetorealize
intheouterworldwhatyouhavejustexperiencedinimagination.Afteryouhave
performedthisactinyourimagination,openyoureyesandgoaboutyournormal,natural
affairs,confidentthatwhatyouhavedonemustcometofruitioninyourworld.Make
yourinnerconversationsconformtoyourimaginalact.Youhaveplantedaseedandyou
willsoonseetheharvestofthatwhichyouhavesowed.
Whenyougointoyourimagination,makesurethatyouareactuallyperformingthe
action,hearingthewords,touchingtheobject,orsmellingthearomainyourself
conceiveddrama.Whatyoudoinyourimaginationisnotmerelyadaydreaminwhichyou
seeeventsinyourmindseye.Youmustenterthedreamasifyouwereactuallythere.
Youmustmakethennowandmaketherehere.Tomakethisperfectlyclear,imagine
thatyouwouldexperiencedrivinganewcarafteryouhaveachievedyourgoal.Inthat
case,youwouldnotmerelyseeanewcarinyourmindseye.Youmustactuallyenterthe
dream.Feelyourselfseatedbehindthesteeringwheel.Smellthenewnessoftheinterior.
Feelyourselfenjoyingacomfortableride.Feelthehappinessthatwouldbeyoursafter
accomplishingyourdream.
Thatwhichyouexperienceinimaginationisanactualcreativeact.Itisafactinthefourth
dimensionofspaceandwillmakeitsappearanceinthisthreedimensionalworldjustas
surelyasplantingaseedwillresultinthegrowthofaparticularplant.Onceyouhave
plantedthisseedinyourimagination,donotuprootitbybeinganxiousabouthowitwill
beaccomplished.Eachseedhasitsownappointedtime.Someseedstakeafewdays
othersalittlelonger.Feelconfidentthatwhatyouhaveplantedwillappearinyourworld.
Yourimaginationwilldrawallthatitneedstomakeyourdreamanactualreality.Itif
takesotherstoplayapartinordertoaccomplishyourend,yourimaginationwilldraw
thatpersonintoyourdramatoplayhisorherpartinthesequenceofevents.Youronly
responsibilityistoremainfaithfultoyourimaginalactuntilyouexperienceitinyourouter
world.Youcanrepeatyourimaginalacteachnightbeforefallingasleep.Infact,youmay

wishtoenactthisdramaoverandoveragainuntilitfeelsnormalandnaturaltoyouasyou
dropofftosleep.Yourimaginationwillworkoutthemeanstorealizeyourdreamwhile
yourconsciousmindsleeps.
Bringyourfivesensesintoplayasyouperformyourimaginalactivity.Actuallyheara
friendsvoicecongratulatingyouorfeelyourselfhuggingthatperson.Ifyouwanteda
newpiano,runyourhandoverthesmoothwood,touchthekeys,andlistentothesound.
Ifyouwantedtoreceiveadozenroses,actuallysmellthefragranceandtouchtheir
velvetypetals.
Finally,youmustbepersistentinattainingyourdesire.Continuetoimaginewhatyou
wantuntilyouhaveactuallyobtainedit.Youdonothingelsetoobtainyourdesire.Ifitis
necessarytotakesomeaction,youwillbeledtodosoinanormal,naturalmanner.You
donothavetodoanythingtohelpbringitabout.RememberthatitisGod,Himself,
whoisdoingtheworkandHeknowsexactlyhowtoaccomplishit.Ifyouthinkofyour
desireduringtheday,givethanksthatitisalreadyanaccomplishedfactbecauseitis!
Dreambetterthanthebestyouknow.

ONECAUSE

Nothingisimpossible!Therearetwowaystointerpretthisstatementbothofwhichare
correct.Theobviousmeaningisthatitispossibletoachieveanythingyouwant.Itcan
alsobeinterpretedtomeanthatitisimpossiblefornothingtoexist.Everythingweare
awareoforperceiveinsomewayissomething.Itisinconceivablethatsomethingcan
comefromnothingorthatsomethingcanbecomenothing.Itisafactthatnatureabhorsa
vacuumandalwaysrushesintofillitwithsomething.Someforceorpowercreatedall
thatis.AccordingtotheBible,creationisfinished.Notonlyiscreationfinished,butGod
saiditwasgood.
HaveyoueverconsideredwhatGodcouldhaveusedtocreateallthereis?Ifcreationis

finished,howisitpossibletopraytoGodtocreatesomethinginyourlifethatdidnot
existyesterdayortoday?IsitdifficulttobelievethatGodsaidHiscreationwasgood?If
allofcreationisgood,whydopeopleexperienceproblemsandhowcanwars,crime,
starvationandotherundesirableconditionsexist?
Theanswerstothesequestionsarecontainedwithinthefollowingpages.Your
understandingoftheseanswerswillenableyoutoseethatitisimpossiblefornothingto
exist.Youwillalsoseethatyoucanobtainanythingyoudesirebecausenothingis
impossibletothecreativepowerthatresideswithinyou.Youcanbeandyoucanhaveall
thatyoudesiretobeandtohave.Thereisnolimittowhatyoucanaccomplishfor
yourselfandothers.Itdoesntmatterwhatyourpresentcircumstancesare.Theprinciple
youhaveunconsciouslyusedtobringabouttheundesirableconditionsinyourlifecanbe
consciouslyappliedtomakeyoureverydreamcometrue.
Creationisfinishedanditisgood!GodcreatedtheearthandallthatisinitandGodsaid
itwasgood.Manhaspuzzledoverthesestatementsforcenturies.Ifmanreally
understoodthemeanings,hewouldnotbeconfusednorwouldhefeelanxiousabouthis
past,presentorfuture.Theunderstandingofthesetwostatementswouldenablemanto
realizethathe,alone,controlshisactionsandthecircumstancesofhislife.
Letustakethefirststatement.Godcreatedtheearthandallthatisinit.Godisinfinite
therefore,Godmusthavebeenbeforeanyformcameintobeing.WhatsubstancecouldHe
haveusedtocreateallthatexists?
Therecanbeonlyoneanswer.Godcreatedeverythingthatexistsfromtheonlysubstance
availableHimself.God(thought/consciousness)spoketheWordandbroughteverything
intobeingoutofhimself.EverythingyouperceiveismadeoftheonesubstanceGod.
TheonesubstancebackofeverythingisenergyandthatenergyisGodortheWord.
Althoughscientistsandmedicalmencananalyzethevariouschemicalsofwhichthebody
ismade,nonecancombinethesechemicalstoformalivingperson.SinceGodcreatedall

thatisoutofHimself,itfollowsthatGodisthecreatorandthecreation.Godis
expressinglifethrougheachandeveryoneofus.Itcouldnotbeotherwise.
Letustakethesecondstatement.GodsaidthatHiscreationwasgood.Thatstatement
hasconfusedmanwhobelievesthatifGodisgood,anotherpowermusthavecreatedthat
whichisnotgood.Yet,manalsoacknowledgesthatGodisinfinite,omnipotent,
omnipresent,andomniscient.ThesequalitiesofGodmustincludeallforms,allevents,and
allsituations.Ifitwerepossibletoremoveallthatisdiscordantorinharmoniousfromthe
world,itwouldnotbepossibletoexperiencethereverseofthatcondition.
Perhapsthisstatementcanbeunderstoodmoreeasilyifyouwillthinkoftheprincipleof
mathematics.Inaddingthesumoffiveandsix,itispossibletoobtaintheincorrectanswer
oftwelve.Toeliminatethatpossibility,thenumbertwelvewouldneedtoberemoved
fromthewholeofnumbers.Itwould,therefore,beimpossibletoaddsixandsixandreach
thecorrectansweroftwelve.Youcanseethatbyeliminatingthepossibilityofapotential
wronganswer,allnumberswouldeventuallybeeliminatedandmathematicswouldnotbe
possible.However,justasmathematicsexistsandcanbeusedbyanyonewhohasgained
anunderstandingofhowtousetheprincipletoobtaincorrectanswers,sotheprincipleof
creationcanbeunderstoodtoobtaindesiredresults.
BecauseGodhasgivenallofusfreewill,youcanchoosethestatesyouwishtooccupy.
GoddoesnotpredetermineyourfatenordoesGodpunishyouformistakesormisdeeds.
Becauseamanmaynotunderstandthelawofmathematics,hemaybeadverselyaffected
whenhemakesamistakeinsubtractinganamountinhischeckregister.Thelawof
mathematicsisnotpunishinghim.Thelawsimplyisandcanbeusedcorrectlyor
incorrectly.Godhasallowedyoucompletefreedomtochoosethatwhichyouwill
encounter.WhenyoucometotherealizationthatyouareGodinformandexpression,
youwillseektoexperiencegreatergoodandnoblerpurposesforyourselfandothers.
InthebeginningwastheWordandtheWordwaswithGodandtheWordwasGod.
TheWordisthoughtorimagination.Godimaginedtheworldintobeingandbecamethat

whichHeconceived.Thisistheprincipleonwhichallcreationrests.SinceGodbecame
mantogivemanlife,manmustcontainthatsamecreativeprinciplewithinhimself.The
KingdomofHeaveniswithinyou.Wehavecreatedourpersonalworldthroughthought.
Ifyouareexperiencinglack,limitation,illness,disharmonyoranyotherunwanted
condition,youhaveeitherconsciouslyorunconsciouslybroughttheseconditionsinto
yourexperience.Themajorityofpeopledonotrealizethatthought,belief,and
imaginationhascreatedtheirindividualworlds.Thereisnoothercausefortheconditions
ofyourlife.Youmaychoosetodisbelievethis,butwhetheryoubelieveitornot,allthat
youbeholdintheouterworldwasconceivedwithinyourownconsciousnesspriortoyour
experienceofit.
Thatwhichyouthinkaboutwithfeeling,thatwhichyoubelievetobetrueandthatwhich
youimagineyourselftobeortohaveisthecauseofeverythinginyourpersonalworld.
Youmaybelievethatthereissomeothercauseyoumayblameothersforyourproblems
youmaybelievethattheeventswerewroughtbyfateorchance,butifyouareobjective
andobserveyourownbeliefsandthoughtpatterns,youwillseethatyourworld
accuratelyreflectsallthatyoubelievetobetrueofyourselfandothers.Thereisnoone
andnothingtochangebuttheideasfromwhichyouthink.Wethinkfromideasthatwe
consenttoastrueandweimaginesituationsthatmatchourbeliefs.Consciousnessisthe
onlyreality.Itisthecreativeprinciplethatbringsintoyourexperiencetheexactduplicate
orreflectionofthatwhichyouimaginetobetrue.Theworldinwhichwelivemirrorsall
thatwebelieveandimaginetobetrue,beitgood,bad,orindifferent.
Thesoonerthatmanridshimselfofthebeliefinasecondcause,thesoonerwillherealize
thatnothinghappenstohimexceptthatwhichoriginatesinhisownconsciousness.Ido
notdenythatmanbelievesthatifhecontractsacertaingermorvirusthathewillmanifest
aparticularillnessordisease.Ifhecontemplatesthecause,hemayconcludethatitis
becausehecameincontactwithsomeoneelsewhohadthebug.Hedoesntrealizethatin
someway,hisownfeelingsabouthealthorillnessattractedtheillnessheisexperiencing.
Ifvirusesorgermsweretrulythecauseofdisease,everyonewhocameincontactwitha
particularviruswouldbeaffected.Theouterworldmerelyreflectsthatwhichamanisin

hisownconsciousness.
Itdoesntmatterwhatyouhavebeentaughtyoucanchangeyourbeliefsandsochange
thecircumstancesofyourlife.TheBiblestatesthatwhenyoupray,believethatyouhave
receivedandyoushallhaveit.Mostofushavereadthatstatementorhearditatsome
time.Fewpeoplehaveactuallyprayedinthatmanner.Haveyoueverbeenillandprayed
forhealth?Ifyouneededmoney,didyoubelievewhenyouprayedthatyoualreadyhad
thesumyouaskedfor?MostpeoplepraytoGodtochangesomethingintheirlivesorto
givethemsomethingtheydonothave.Iftheirprayerswerenotanswered,theythinkthat
Godhadareasonforwithholdingthatparticularthing.TheythinkthatperhapsGoddidnt
granttheirrequestbecauseHedidntwantthemtoattaintheirdesireforsomereason
knownonlytoGod.MansometimesthinksthatGoddoesntanswerprayersbecauseman
isundeservingofthatwhichheseeks.Manmustlearntobelieveinthatwhichhedoesnot,
atthemoment,seeinordertogranthimselfthatwhichhedesirestohave.Manspayers
arealwaysanswered,forhealwaysreceivesthatwhichhebelieves.Thelawthatgoverns
prayerisimpersonal.Beliefistheconditionnecessarytorealizethedesire.Noamountof
pleasorritualwillbringaboutthefulfillmentofyourdesiresotherthanthebeliefthatyou
areorhavethatwhichyouwant.
Faithisthesubstanceofthingshopedfor,theevidenceofthingsnotseen.Thefull
meaningofthatstatementmustbeunderstood.Ifthemeaningwereunderstood,man
wouldhavenoprobleminaccomplishinghisaims.Mostmenbelievethatnothingis
impossibletoGodthatGodcoulddoanythingifhechosetodoit.Somanbelieveshe
hasfaithinGodandpraystoGodforthatwhichhewants.Ifhisprayerisnotgranted,he
thinksthatheeitherdidnotpraylongenoughorhardenoughorthatGodchoseto
withholdhisrequest.
However,faithistheactualsubstanceofthatwhichishopedfor.Itistheevidenceofthe
thingyouwantwhichyoudonotseeintheouterworld.Thatwhichyouwanttodoorbe
hasalreadybeencreated.Therefore,itactuallydoesexist.Itispossibletobringintoyour
worldanythingincreationbyyourbeliefthatyoualreadyhaveit.Faiththatwhatyou

wantisalreadyafactisthemeansbywhichyouactivatetheinvisiblestate.Thatstatethen
islaterreflectedinyourouterworld.Creationisfinished.Godcancreatenothingthatis
notalreadyexistent.Faithorbeliefthatyoualreadyareorhavethatwhichyoudesireis
theonlymeansbywhichtoexperienceyourdesires.Nolimitationisimposedonthat
whichyoucanhaveexceptyourfailuretoassumepossessionofthequalityorthing
desired

HOWTHELAWWORKS

Thelawofidenticalharvestorcauseandeffectisimpersonalandcanbeusedtobringinto
yourexperienceanythingyoucanconceive.Sincecreationisfinished,everypossiblestate
alreadyexists.Yourfusionwithaparticularstate(imaginingwithfeelingwhatyouwould
experiencewereyouinthatstate)causesthatstatetobeprojectedonyourscreenof
space.Thislawcannotbechangedorbrokenandalwaysreproducesinyourouterworld
theexactduplicateofanybeliefyouconsenttoastrue.Ifyouwouldchangeyourworld,
youmustchangeyourbeliefs.Sinceconsciousnessistheonlycause,youcannotblame
othersfortheconditionswhichpresentlyexistnorcanfateorchancebethecauseofthat
whichyouarenowexperiencing.Nothingcanalterthecourseofeventsinyourlifeexcept
achangeinyourownconsciousness.Whateverisappearinginyourworldnow,although
itappearsrealandanunalterablefact,isareflectionofpreviousactivityinyourown
consciousness.Therefore,achangeinconsciousnesswillreflectthatchangeinthefuture
justassurelyaspastbeliefsreflectthepresent.
Manispureformlessconsciousnessandthatwhichheconceiveshimselftobeisan
illusionorreflectionoftheparticularideasheholdstrue.Theseillusionsexistonlysolong
asmanfocuseshisattentionuponthemandgivesthemlife.
Theconsciousmindformsbeliefsandopinionsfromtheevidenceofthesensesorthe
perceivedouterworld.Thecreativepowerwithineachofusacceptsastruethatwhichthe
consciousmindimpressesuponit.Yourcreativepowertakesthoseideas,whichare
thoughtofwithfeeling,andprojectstheminyourouterworld.Itisimportantto

rememberthatnotallthoughtsarecreative.Onlythosewhicharebelievedtobetrueor
whicharejoinedwithfeelingcreatethecircumstancesandeventsthatyouwillencounter.
Therefore,emotionssuchasanger,fear,loveorjoyarecreative.Youmustguardthe
emotionswhichyouallowtoenteryourconsciousnessjustasyouwoulddiscriminatein
allowingastrangerintoyourhome.Youcannotallownegativeemotionstofillyourmind
withoutsufferingtheconsequencesofexperiencingthestatewithwhichthoseemotions
arejoined.Fearoflossbringslossintoyourworld.Youcouldtakeeveryoutward
precautiontoguardagainstloss,butifyoufearloss,youwillmostcertainlyexperienceit
inyouraffairs.Feelingsofloveandjoycreatehappyeventsandlovingrelationships.
Feelingabundantbringsrichesintoyourlife.Apersonwhoisunlovingorsuspiciousand
feelsthatotherstakeadvantageofhim,drawstohimselfthatwhichhebelieves.Nomatter
whathedoesexternally,hisrelationshipswithotherswillreflectthatwhichheacceptsas
true.Hemaywantalovingrelationshipbuthecandrawtohimselfonlythatwhichheis
consciousofbeing.
Likeliterallydoesattractlike.Aswithin,sowithout.Consciousnessisrealityandthat
whichisperceivedbyoursensesandappearssorealisbuttheshadowofthatwhichwe
believeourselvesandtheworldtobe.

CONSCIOUSUSEOFTHELAW

Atthistime,ImgoingtotalkaboutwhoIamandwhatIamdoing.Ifthatsoundsego
centered,itis.Therehavebeen66bookswrittenaboutwhoIam.Imgoingtoquote
somestatementsfromafewofthosebooks.Youhaveheardmanyofthesequotesbut
didntrealizethattheyweretalkingaboutthebeingthatIam.Thefirstquoteistaken
fromtheBookofExodus.Here,MosesistalkingtoGodandhesaid,WhenIgobackto
thepeople,whoshallIsayhassentme?Thevoiceanswers,TellthemIamhassentme
untoyou.ThatismynameforeverandthenameIshallbeknownbythroughoutall
generations.TheTenCommandmentsstate,ThoushaltnotusethenameoftheLord
thyGodinvain.Shaltnotisacommand.Shaltnotmeansyoumustnot.Itmeans

thatundernocircumstancesmustyoudoit.ThatnameisIAM.
Now,firstofall,wehaveallforgottenHisname.Wesay,Iamhundredsoftimesaday
andwedontknowweareusingthenameofGod.Secondly,wetrytobreakthe
Commandmentalldaylong.WepaynoattentiontowhatwesayfollowingIAM.When
wesay,IAMandfollowitwithsomethingwewouldnotlikeinourworld,weareusing
theNameoftheLordbutnotinvain.TheBiblestateswecannotusetheNameinvain.
NothingwesayprecededbyIAMisinvain.ThatshisName.ItisGodHimselfand
becauseitisGod,itiscreative.GodgaveusHimself.HeisIAMandthatiswhoIam.
IcanneverforgetthatIam.ImayforgetwhoIamorwhereIambutIcanneverforget
thatIexist.
WheneverIsayIAM,IAM[is]creatingsomething.Prayerisbelievingthatwehave
alreadyreceivedthatwhichweask.WhenIsay,Iam,Iamattachingmyawarenessof
beingtosomething.Now,youcanlieandnotbelievewhatyouaresaying,butyoucannot
believesomethingaboutIamandnotcreateit.Wearecreatingmorning,noon,and
nightbyourIamstatements.Ifyousay,Idontfeelwellandyoubelieveit,youare
perpetuatingillnessinyourlife.YoumustchangethosestatementstoIfeelwonderful.
Weweretaught,Lettheweakmansay,Iamstrong.But,youcantsayitlikeaparrot.
Wehavetopray(sayIam),believingthatitistrue,andthenwewillreceive.
First,wemustbeliketheWatchmanattheGate.Wemustwatcheverythoughtthat
containsIAm.Ifyouareobservant,youwillseethatyouhavecreatedeverycircumstance
andexperienceofyourlife.
Anotherimportantwordtowatchisif.Theconsciousmindisverysubtleinexpressing
doubt(SatanortheDevil).Wemaybeabletokeepourmindsfocusedonwhatwewant
byusingpositiveIstatements.Ifwearenotcareful,wemayletalittleIfsneakin
withoutrecognizingitsimplication.Wecouldsay,Ifeelwonderfulbutthenfollowit
withIfthepaincontinues,however,IwillseeadoctoronTuesday.Ifsarealways
followedbysomethingnegativeandthatissimplydoubtcreepingintostealthegoodseed

wehavesown.Removethewordiffromyourvocabulary,asitisnotproductiveofthat
whichyouwouldliketoreap.Ifputseverythinginthepastorfuturetense,andIalways
experiencewhatIbelieveIam.Iamisnotfuturetense.Gettingwellisnotbeingwell.I
mustbelievethatIamalreadywhatIwanttobe.
Remember,Everywordthatgoethforthfrommymouthshallnotreturnuntomevoid.
Doyoubelieveit?InthebeginningwastheWord,andtheWordwaswithGod,andthe
WordwasGod.WhatshisName?IAm.So,begintomonitoreveryword(IAM)that
yousay.Doyouseeapattern?Dontthecircumstancesofyourlifereflectwhatyouhave
beensaying?YouhavebeenmisusingthecreativepowerthatisGod(IAM).Nowthat
youareawareofwhatyouhavebeendoing,watcheverywordandmakeitconformto
whatyouwishtobringintoyourlife.Eventually,youwillhavefaiththatwhatyouare
stating,thoughthereisnooutwardevidencetosupportit,isafactinconsciousnessand
willshortlyprojectitselfsothatyoumayexperienceitintheouter.KnowingthatGod
actuallybecameyoubecauseHeisIAM,youmustrealizethatyouareusingyourpower
tocreateeverytimeyouusethatName.

CHOICEFREEWILL

Creationisfinishedandyouhavefreewilltochoosethestateyouwilloccupy.Therefore,
itisimportanttodeterminetheideasfromwhichyouthink.Anyconceptthatisaccepted
astruewillexternalizeitselfinyourouterworld.Choiceofwhatyouwillfocusyour
attentionuponistheonlyfreewillthatyoucanexercise.Onceathoughtisacceptedand
chargedwithfeeling,thecreativepowerwithinproceedstoexternalizeit.Whetheryour
assumptionsareconsciousorunconscious,theydirectallactiontotheirfulfillment.Itisa
delusionthat,otherthanassumingthefeelingofthewishfulfilled,youcandoanythingto
aiditsrealization.Yourownwonderfulhumanimaginationdeterminesthemeansitwill
usetobringyourassumptionstofruition.
Eachofusissubjecttoaseaofideas.Welistentotheradio,watchthenewson
television,orhearsomegossip.Ifwhatweobservecallsforthanemotion,wehave

reactedand,thereby,plantedaseedwhichwillsproutatsomefuturetime.Thoughtsdo
notrecedeintothepast.Rather,theyadvanceintothefuturetoconfrontussothatwe
mayseethatwhichwehaveplanted,eitherwiselyorunwisely.
Itisaworthwhileexercisetoawakeinthemorningandimagineyourselfattheendof
yourday,havingaccomplishedallthatyouwantedandfeelinghappyandcontented.If
thereisasituationthatyouwillencounterlaterinthedaythatisofconcerntoyou,spend
afewmomentsimaginingtheoutcomeyouwishtoexperience.Theseimaginalactivities
willnowadvanceintoyourfuturetorevealtheharvestyousowiselyplanted.

DESIRE

DesireisagiftofGod.Manisrequiredtodonothingmorethanacceptthegiftbysimply
givingthanksfortheunseenrealitybeforeheobservesitinhisouterworld.Through
desire,Godbeckonsustoliftourawarenesstohigherandhigherlevelsofconsciousness.
Duringourjourneythroughthisdreamoflife,itisnecessarytoexperienceallpossible
statessothatwemayreturnasGod,theFather,butenhancedbyhavingexperiencedboth
goodandevil.Thedesiretodomore,tobemore,andtohavemorethanyouarepresently
expressingistheurgeforexpansion.
YoumayquestionwhetheradesiretokillorinjuresomeonecanbeinspiredbyGod.The
answeristhatnomanactuallydesirestokillorharmanother.Hemaywishtobefreefrom
thatseemingotherand,throughhislimitedunderstanding,hefeelsthattheonlywayhe
canachievesuchfreedomisbydestroyingtheother.Mandoesnotrealizethatthedesire
forfreedomcontainswithinitselfthepowerandthemeanstofulfillitself.Becauseofhis
lackoffaith,mandistortsthesegiftsfromGod.HedoesnotrealizethatGod,thewisdom
andpowerwithinhim,haswaysthathe,asman,knowsnotofandthosewaysarepast
findingout.
Learntobegratefulforthedesiresyouhavebeengiven.Theyalreadyexistandareready
forembodimentinyourworld.Youarenotcalledupontodoanythingtoaidtheir

realizationexcepttofreeyourmindofanydoubtastohowtheywillcomeaboutand
completelyacceptthemasyouwouldagiftfromalovedone.

BEOBSERVANT

Theimportanceofobjectivelyobservingyourthoughtscannotbestressedenough.Itis
easytoslipintothoughtpatternsthatcanhinderusinachievingourdesires.Itthen
becomeseasytoblameothersorattributeourfrustrationstosecondcauses.
Beingaratherimpatientperson,IamusuallyanxioustogethomeafterworkandI
particularlydislikewaitinginlines.IbegantonoticethatnomatterwhattimeIchoseto
pickupafewitemsatthemarket,Iwouldencounterproblemsatthecheckstandsuchas
pricechecksneedingtobedone,peoplewritingcheckswhohadtroublelocatingtheir
identification,andvariousotherkindsofdelays.Ifoundmyselfdreadingtheseoccasions,
andIwantedtodosomethingaboutthisannoyingsituation.AsIbegantoobservemy
thoughts,Ifoundthat,whilestandinginline,Iwouldsaytomyself,Ialwayshaveto
wait.ThenIrealizedthatthosestatementsmadeoverandoveragainhadcreatedthat
whichIdidnotwishtoexperience.Iconsciouslychangedthatstatementto,Nomatter
whenIstopatthemarket,Ineverhavetowait.Ofcoursethatnewstatementhas
workedjustaswellastheoldnegativeone.
Asyoubegintoobserveyourthoughts,donotbediscouragedifyoufindthatyourinner
conversationsdonotmatchthewayyouwouldfeelifyouhaveachievedyourgoal.You
mustfirstbecomeawareofwhatyouaredoingwithyourcreativepowerbeforeyoucan
begintochangeit.Iaskyoutogodowntothepottershouseandseewhatheisdoing.
Ifthevesselisspoiled,thenreworkitintothekindofvesselthatwillpleaseyou.
Asyoubeginobservingyourthoughts,youcannotavoidtherealizationthatyoualoneare
thecauseofallthatcomesintoyourworld.You,alone,canchangeit.

APPEARANCES

Thatwhichisconfrontingyouinyourworldnowistheresultofyourpastthoughts,
beliefs,feelingsandimaginalactivity.Theseappearanceswillcontinueinbeingaslongas
yougivethemlifethroughyourconsciousawarenessofthem.Youmustdisregardthe
evidenceofyoursensesasitpertainstoanyundesirableconditioninyourlife.Youmust
imagineandfeelthatyouhavealreadyattainedthatwhichyouwanttoexperiencerather
thanthatwhichyoudonotwanttocontinueinbeing.Thismayappeardifficult,yetyou
haveprobablyexercisedthisprincipleunconsciouslytoproducenegativeresults.
WhenIwasinmyearlytwenties,Ifoundmyselfinasituationthatwasveryunpleasantto
meandIwantedtogetoutofit.AfterattendingalecturebyNeville,Iwaitedtospeakto
himafterwards.Ibrieflytoldhimofmyunhappycircumstancesandwashopinghewould
offersomeadviceastohowtochangethem.Hesmiledatmeandsaid,Dontacceptit.
AtthattimeinmylifeIdidnotfullygraspwhatNevillehadbeenteaching.Ithoughthe
hadmisunderstoodmyquestion,andItriedtoclarifymyproblembystatingthatIhad
alreadymadethechoicetobeinthesituationInowfoundsounpleasant.Nevilleagain
smiledandsaid,Dontacceptit.Ilefthispresencequitefrustrated,thinkinghehadnot
understoodmyproblem.IcontinuedtoreadthetwobooksIhadbyNeville.Igradually
understoodthatregardlessofthecircumstanceswhichsurroundedme,Ididnotneedto
acceptthemasfinal.IbegantoimaginewhatIwantedratherthanfocusmythoughtson
mynegativesurroundings.AneventtookplacetwoweeksafterIbeganmyimaginalacts
thatwasinstrumentalinbringingaboutmyheartsdesirefivemonthslaterthatofa
brandnewhome.Meanwhile,thesituationthathadbeensodepressingtomeimproved,
andIspentthenextfivemonthsplanningwhatIwoulddoinmynewhome.
Thinkaboutsomepastdisappointmentyoumayhavehad.Perhapsyouwerelooking
forwardtoattendingaspecialeventwithsomeone.Inyouranticipationofit,didyou
think,Thisistoogoodtobetrue,somethingwillprobablyhappenedtospoilit.
Somethingprobablydidhappentocreateconflictortocauseyoutomissitentirely.Man
findsitrelativelysimpletodisregardthepromiseofsomethinggoodbythinkingofallthe

reasonswhyhecannotachieveit.
Peoplearoundyoumaybequicktopointoutthatyouarebeingunrealisticwhenyou
mentionadesirethatappearsdifficultorimpossibletoreach.Weshouldallbeunrealistic
inthefaceofthearmyofdoubtifwewouldexperienceourwishfulfilled.Wearecalled
upontodisregardthefactswhichwoulddenytheachievementofourheartsdesire.
Habitistheonlythingthatkeepsourthoughtsmovingalongtheoldfamiliarnegativeruts.
Noonecanchangeyourthoughtpatternsand,therefore,yourlifebutyou.
Itisworthalltheeffortitmaytaketocenteryourattentionandfeelasifyoualready
possessthatwhichyouwantinplaceofthingsastheyare.Consciousnessistheonlycause
andtheonlyreality.Everynegativeexperiencewasproducedbyfirstgivingattentionand
feelingtothatcondition.Whatconsciousnesshasmade,itcanunmake.Your
responsibilityistoimpressuponyourmindthechangeyouwishtoexpress.Your
imaginationisthecreativepowerthatcanandwillaccomplishtheendwithouteffortand
inanaturalway.
Appearancesconfirmourformerhabitualpatternsofthought.Thatwhichyouimagine
yourselftobetodaywillprojectitselfinyourworldtomorrow.Persistenceinassuming
thatyouarethepersonyouwishtobe,despiteyourpresentcircumstances,istheonly
conditionimposeduponyoutoembodythatideal.

INNERCONVERSATIONS

Allofusarementallyspeakingwithinourselveseverywakingmoment.Ourinner
conversationsmustmatchthewishfulfilledifwewouldrealizeourdesire.Ifourdesireis
forabetterjobandweimagineourselvesbeingcongratulatedbecausewearegainfully
employedinawonderfulposition,wemustalsomakeourinnerconversationsconformto
thatend.Wemustbecertainthatwearenotsayingwithinourselvessomethinglike,That
bossofminedoesntbelieveinpromotingpeopleorItwouldbedifficulttofindanyjob
atmyage,nevermindabetterone,orsimilarstatementsthatwouldimplythatwedonot

havethatwhichwedesire.Wemustpersistinthefeelingofourimaginalactbymaking
ourmentalconversationsconformtowhatwewouldsayhadwealreadyrealizedouraim.
If,forinstance,wewishedtoownanewcar,wecouldimagineanewcarparkedinour
garageorimagineourselvesdrivingit,orimagineourfriendsadmiringit.Wemustthen
makeourinnerconversationsreflectthetypeofconversationswewouldengageinwere
wereallytheownerofanewcar.Ourconversationscouldconsistofdiscussingournew
carwithfriendssuchastellingthemofthewonderfulfuelmileagewearereceiving,or
hearingourfriendstellushowmuchtheyenjoyridinginournewcar,etc.
Ourinnerconversationsarejustascreativeasourdeliberateimaginingofthewish
fulfilled.Infact,iftheyareoftheoppositenature,theycannegatewhatwehave
imagined.Youmustwatchwhatyouaresayinginternallytomakesurethatthese
conversationscoincidewithyourwishfulfilled.Ifyoubecomeawarethattheseinnertalks
contradictwhatyouwouldliketoachieve,revisethemsothattheyfollowalongthetrack
thatwouldindicatethatyoualreadyhavewhatyoudesireorarealreadythepersonyou
wishtobe.

REVISION

Yourpresentworldreflectsthesumtotalofallthatyoubelievetobetrueofyourselfand
others.Thatwhichyouimagineyourselftobetodaygoesforwardandwillconfrontyouin
thefuture.Ifyouhaveforgottenyourimaginalactivitiesofthepast,thatwhichyousee
appearinginyourworldindicatesthekindofseedsyouhavepreviouslysown.
Assumingthefeelingofyourwishfulfilledisusingyourimaginationcreativelytobring
intoyourworldthatwhichyoudesiretoexperience.Youcanusetheartofrevisionto
changetheeffectsofpriorthoughtsandbeliefs.
If,forinstance,youhadgonetoaninterviewforajobyoutrulywantedbutlaterlearned
thatsomeoneelsewashired,youcanrevisethatnewstomakeitconformtowhatyou

wishyouhadheard.Ifyoureactbyfeelingdepressedorassumeanyothernegative
attitude,youwillthenexperiencethesametypeofrejectioninthefuture.Yourreactions,
whetherpositiveornegative,arecreativeoffuturecircumstances.Inyourimagination,
youcanhearwordscongratulatingyouongettingawonderfulnewjob.Thatimaginalact
nowgoesforwardandyouwillencounterthispleasantexperienceinthefuture.
Asyoureviewyourday,itisimportanttoreviseeachnegativereactionsothatyoucan
rememberitaswhatyouwishedhadhappenedratherthanstoringthatmemoryasitdid
occur.Whatyouthinkofwithfeelingoremotionisanactualfact.Thatwhichyou
experienceinthephysicalworldismerelyashadow,reflectingtherealityofyourimaginal
activity.Therefore,whenyoureviseaconversation,anunhappyexperience,oraquality
aboutyourself,youareliterallyexperiencingitinreality(yourconsciousness).Theouter
worldisadelayedreflectionoftheinnerandisconfinedtoadimensionofspacewhere
eventsoccurinatimesequence.Revision,then,literallychangesthepast.Itreplaceswhat
occurredintheouterworldwiththerevisedversion.Therevisedscenethengivesoffits
effectbygoingforthtochangefutureevents.
Dwellingonpastirritationsorhurtsperpetuatesthemandcreatesaviciouscirclethat
servestoconfirmthesenegativeemotions.Thecirclecanbebrokenbystartingnowto
reviseanythingthatyounolongerwishtosustaininyourworld.Byrevisingthepast,you
ridyourselfofanyeffectitmayhaveonyourfuture.Revisionistrulythekey,whichcan
beusedtounlockthedoorsthathavekeptyoutrappedinaparticularstate.Beye
transformedbytherenewingofyourmind.

STATESOFCONSCIOUSNESS

Allstatesexistandareafixedpartofcreation.Anyonecanenterastateconsciouslyorfall
intoastateinadvertently.Youmaymoveintodifferentstatesthroughoutyourlifetimeor
youmayoccupyasinglestate.Desireiswhatusuallymotivatesustomovefromonestate
toahigherlevel.Sinceastateistotalandcompleteinitself,whenweenterastateweare
compelledtobehaveinamannerdictatedbythatstate.Forinstance,inthestateof

poverty,wewouldfindourselvesconstantlyinneedoffunds.Wewouldhavedifficulty
makingendsmeetandhavenowaytoenjoyluxuries.Shouldwebegivenalargesumof
money,ifweremaininthestateofpoverty(fillingourmindwiththoughtsoflackand
limitation,)wewouldsoonfindourselveswithoutfundsandagainexperiencingthesame
difficulties.Thereversewouldbetrueifweoccupiedastateofwealth.
Whenweareinastateweseeonlythecontentsofthatstateandarecompelledtoactin
accordancewithallthatthestateentails.Whileinaparticularstate,youbelievecertain
thingsaretrueandwouldfinditdifficulttounderstandanotherpointofview.Inthestate
ofpoverty,itiseasytofocusyourthoughtsontheproblemsofprovidingfood,shelter
andclothing.Whenyousucceedinmovingoutofthisstate,younolongerfinditdifficult
toacquirethesethings.Mostpeopleattributethischangeoffortunetoachangein
circumstances.However,unlessyouhavemovedfromthestateofpoverty,nochangein
circumstancewouldbepermanent.Rather,movingoutofonestateandintoanotherin
yourimaginationautomaticallycreatesachangeinyourouterworld.
TheBiblehaspersonifiedeverytypeofstateandcallsthesestatesbynamesknowntous
asMoses,Noah,Job,Peter,Andrew,andJesus.Throughoutourjourney,weenterthese
statesandexperienceallthattheyoffer.ThelaststatewewillenteristhestateofJesus
Christ.Inthisstate,webecomeawarethatweareGod,theFather,andthatwehaveason
symbolizedasDavid,whopersonifiesthesumtotalofallhumanity.Thejourneybegins
withAdam,whofellasleepanddreamedthedreamoflife,andthenenteredthemyriad
statestogaintheexperiencesnecessarybeforeawakening.Whenyouenterthestateof
JesusyouknowyourselftobeGod,andyourjourneyintothisworldofdeathisthen
complete.

THEPLAY

AsShakespearesaid,Alltheworldsastageandallthemenandwomenmerelyplayers.
Theyhavetheirexitsandtheirentrancesandeachmaninhistimeplaysmanyparts.
Thisworld,whichseemssoreal,isasmuchadreamasthedreamsweencounterwhile

asleep.Ourwakingdreamseemssorealbecauseithascontinuitywhileourdreamsat
nightappeartoberandomsequences,takingplaceinunfamiliarsurroundingsand
situations.
Godisthedreamer,dreamingtheplayintoexistence,andGodplaysalltheparts.
EveryonewhoappearsinyourworldisGodplayingthatpartforyou,theauthor.No
mancomesuntome,saveIcallhim.Eachofusiswritinghisorherownscript.Ifyou
aredissatisfiedwiththeplay,itisuptoyoutorewritethescripttomakeitconformto
yourideaofwhattheplayshouldbe.Youcannotdemandthattheactorsinyourplay
changethecharactertheyareportraying.Allchangesmusttakeplaceinthemindofthe
author.
Ifthereissomeoneinyourworldwhoisthesourceofannoyanceorirritationtoyou,that
personhasnochoicebuttoplaythepartcalledforinyourscript.Thereisnothingyoucan
doontheoutsidetobringaboutchangesinanother.Youcanusetheartofrevisionto
changealineofdialogue,toreplaceacertaincharacterwithanother,andtowritehappy
endingstothesubplotsoftheplay.
Whenyoubegintoviewthiswakingdreamobjectively,youwillbeabletoverifythatyou
havebeentheauthorofboththepleasantandunhappyactsinyourplay.Youcanradically
changetheplaybyusingyourimaginationcreatively,byassumingyourwishfulfilled.You
canchangethescriptonadailybasisbyrevisingthescenethatdidnotpleaseyou.The
characterwhodisturbedyoutodaywillnotdosotomorrowifyouwritethedialogueyou
wishtohearandalterthatroleinyourimagination.
WhenyouawakentoknowthatyouareGod,theFatherandauthorofthismagnificent
play,youwillunderstandthat:eachmaninhistimeplaysmanyparts.

YOURREALPURPOSE

GodbecameyousocompletelythatheforgotthathewasGod.Inbecomingman,God

reachedthelimitofcontractionandopacity.GodtotallyforgetsthatheisGodinorderto
becomeandanimateHiscreation,man.Godthengoesthroughalloftheexperiencesof
knowinggoodandevilandevendeath,inconfidence,thatmanwilleventuallyawakefrom
thisdreamoflifetoonceagainknowthatheisGod.ThereisonlyGodintheuniverse,
fragmentinghimselfashumanity,andGodplaysallthepartsinthistimespacedream.
YourownwonderfulhumanimaginationisGodinaction.IamisChristinyou(your
savior).AndChrististhePowerofGodandtheWisdomofGod.
Godspeakstousthroughdesire,urgingustoreachhigherandhigherlevelsofawareness.
Exercisinghisownwonderfulhumanimaginationtoachievethesedesires,manisactually
experiencingGodinaction.Throughfaithinhisimagination,manwilleventuallyconclude
thatChrist(thePowerandWisdomofGod)iswithinhimashisimagination.Attheendof
thisfabulousjourneyordreamoflife,manwillawakentorememberthatheisGod,the
Father,enhancedbytheexperiencesheputhimselfthroughwhenheforgotthathewas
God.Manssolepurposeistoexperiencescripture(allofthestatesofconsciousness
personifiedasmenintheBible).
MansgoalistoreachthestatecalledJesusChrist.Thenhewillknowthathereallyisthe
Father(Jesus)andthathissonisChrist(allofhumanityfusedintoonebeing).Manmay
havemanygoalsinthemeantimetoaccumulatepossessions,tobecomepowerful,to
becomefamous,ortoexpressanythingthathedesires.Eventuallythehungertoknow
Godwillcomeuponhim,andhewillthenhavetheexperiencesthatarenecessarytobring
tohisremembrancethathetrulyisGod,theFather.

CASEHISTORIES
ThisStoryconcernsawoman(whowillbereferredtoasMrs.A.B).Sheknewthat
imaginationcreatesrealityandhadtaughtthisprincipaltoherthreechildren,ages12,
10,and6.Shehadpracticedthisprincipalforyearstoobtainthethingsshedesired.

Althoughherhusbandhadalsoheardthisteaching,hehadnotputitintopracticeand
actuallywasquiteskepticalaboutresults.OneSundayafternoon,thisfamilywentfora
driveandcameuponanewtractofhomesforsale.Asthiswasalovelyruralarea,they
stoppedtolookatthenewmodels.Theyalllovedthearea,andthehomeswerelargeand
beautifulwithallsortsofmodernamenities.Onthewayhome,theytalkedabouthow
wonderfulitwouldbetoownanewhomeinthistract.Theyalreadyownedahome
however,theyhadborrowedmoneyonitandhadverylittleequitythatcouldbederived
fromitssale.Thehusbandsaidthatalthoughhewouldliketobuythehome,itwasnot
possibleastheycouldnotraisethemoneyrequiredforthedownpayment.Evenifthey
soldtheirpresenthome,therealestateagentscommissionwouldequalthelittleequity
theywouldrealize.
Mrs.A.B.toldherhusbandthattheonlywaytheycouldobtainthedownpaymentwould
betoselltheirhomeontheirown,therebykeepingthecommissionforthemselves.The
husbandwasverypessimisticaboutthisbuttoldhiswifetogoaheadandplaceanadin
thepaperalthoughheknewitwouldntdoanygood.Hewassurethattherewasno
chanceofsellingthehouseinthisway.Thewifeplacedasmalladinthenewspaper
advertisingtheirhouseforsale.
Afewnightslaterwhenthehusbandhadgonetobedearly,sheandherchildrendroveto
thetractofnewhomes.Shefeltthatifshecouldwalkthroughthenewhouseandcapture
thefeelingofactuallylivingthere,shewouldobtainherdreamhome.Itwasdarkwhen
theygotthere,buttheyfoundoneofthehousesunlocked.Sheandthethreechildren
walkedthroughthehouse.Thechildrendecidedonwhichbedroomeachwouldoccupyif
theyactuallylivedthere.Themotherinstructedthechildrentoactuallysleepinthenew
houseintheirimaginationthatnight,andsheintendedtodothesame.Forthenextfew
days,theyimaginedlivingintheirnewhomeandtakingwalksinthewoodsthatwere
adjacenttothetract.
Thatsameweek,amanansweredtheadinthepaper.Hedidnotseemveryenthusiastic
aboutbuyingthehousebutreturnedlaterthatdaywithhiswife.HetoldMrs.A.B.that

theyhaddecidedtobuythehouseforthepriceshewasasking.WhenMs.A.B.expressed
concernastohowtheywouldgoaboutplacingthehomeinescrow,hetoldherthathe
wasarealestateagentandwouldgothroughthecompanyheworkedfor.Thisfamily
receivedtheexactamountofmoneynecessaryforadownpaymentontheirnewhome.
Theescrowwasveryshort,andthefamilymovedintotheirnewhomeamonthlater.
Mrs.A.B.knewthatifsheimaginedherselfsleepinginhernewhome,shewould
eventuallysleepthereintheflesh.Herchildrenalsolearnedhowtoobtaintheirhearts
desirethroughtheuseofimagination.
********************
Mrs.C.D.hadrecentlybeendivorcedandneededtoworktosupportherchildrenasher
husbandrefusedtopaychildsupport.Althoughherlawyersuggestedtakinghimtocourt
fornonpayment,thewomandidnotwishtodothis.Aspartofthedivorcesettlement,
shewasawardedaveryoldandnotveryreliablecar.OneFridaynightasshewasdriving
homefromwork,itwasrainingveryhardandmostintersectionswereflooded.Shewas
aboutamilefromherhomewhenshestoppedataStopsign.Atruckcomingtowardher
fromtheoppositedirectionwentthroughtheintersection,sprayingagreatdealofwater
ashedrovepast.Theengineofthewomanscardiedandshewasunabletostartitagain.
Sheremovedhershoesbeforesteppingoutofhercarasthewaterwasmorethanankle
deep.Sheraisedthehoodandbegantodryoffthedistributorcapwithherhandkerchief.
Shewascryingatthispointandhertearsmingledwiththerain.Shefinallygothercar
startedandmanagedtogethometoherchildren.Sherealizedthatitwasnecessaryto
haveadependablecarifshewastoworkandsupportherchildren.Shehadnomoneyfor
adownpaymentonanewercarandshedidnotearnenoughtomakecarpayments.
ShewenttoworkthefollowingMondayandacoworkeraskedhertogotolunch.The
coworkerhadjustpurchasedanewPontiacTempestandinsistedthatMrs.C.D.drive
hernewcarbacktotheoffice.AlthoughMrs.C.D.protestedthatshedidnotwishto
drivesomeonesnewcar,shedidgetbehindthewheelanddrovebacktowork.Whileshe

wasdrivingthenewcar,shecapturedthefeelingthatthiswashercarandshefeltthethrill
ofowningit.Fortherestoftheweek,whileshedrovebackandforthtoworkinherold
car.Mrs.C.D.imaginedthatshewasdrivingabrandnewcarofherown.
ThenextFriday,Mrs.C.D.sexhusbandcalledandaskedifshewouldliketohaveanew
car.Thiswasthefirsttimesincetheirdivorceseveralmonthsearlierthathehadofferedto
doanythingforher,includingpayingchildsupport.Theexhusbandwasnowworkingfor
anewcardealershipandtoldherthat,asasalesman,hewaseligibletobuyacertainmake
ofcarfornomoneydownandwithverylowmonthlypayments.Hesaidhewaswillingto
makethemonthlypaymentsinlieuofchildsupportandaskedhertocometothe
dealershiptopickoutthecolorshewanted.Itjustsohappenedthatthemakeofcar
eligibleforthisspecialdealwasaPontiacTempest,thesamemakeandmodelasthecar
shehaddriventhatbelongedtohercoworker.
Mrs.C.D.wasabletoobtain,throughheruseofimagination,whatshecouldneverhave
obtainedthroughherowneffortsatthattime.Herexhusband,whohadofferedherno
monetarysupportformonths,wastheavenuechosentoprovideherwiththecarshe
needed.
********************
ThisisthestoryofMrs.E.F.,whohadadesiretoliveneartheoceanandusedher
imaginationtofulfillherdesire.Shedidnotwishtosellherpresenthomebutwantedto
leaseitforayearbeforemakingthedecisiontomovetothebeachpermanently.Mrs.E.F.
toldtwoofherfriendsaboutherwish.Onefriend,whohadusedtheprincipleof
imagination,toldMrs.E.F.thatshewouldimaginevisitingheratthebeachinhernew
home.Oneweeklater,Mrs.E.F.traveledtoHawaiiforascheduledvacation.Whilethere,
shereceivedacallfromafriendwholivednSanDiego.ThisfriendtoldMrs.E.F.thata
perfectlittlehousehadjustcomeonthemarketasayeararoundrentalandshethought
thishousewouldbeperfectforMrs.E.F.Herfriendalsosaidthatthiswasavery
desirablerentalandthatMr.E.F.wouldneedtomakeadecisionimmediatelyastherental

wouldverylikelynotbeavailablewhenshereturnedfromHawaii.Mrs.E.F.toldher
friendtotelltheownersthatshewouldtakeit,trustingherfriendsrecommendation.
UponMrs.E.F.sreturnfromHawaii,shetoldhergrowndaughterthatshehaddecided
torentahouseatthebeachinSanDiego.Herdaughtercalledherlaterthatdayandsaid
thatthemotherofafriendofherswantedtoleaseahouse.Thewomancamebythenext
day,saidshelovedthehouse,andwouldliketoleaseitforayear.Mrs.E.F.gavenotice
atworkandwasabletomovewithinamonth.Sinceshewasanurse,shehadnotrouble
findingawonderfulnewjobatanearbyhospital.Mrs.E.F.hassinceboughtahousenear
theoceanandhasspent17happyyearslivingatthebeach.
Mrs.E.F.imaginedthatshewaslivingatthebeach,andherfriendimaginedthatshewas
visitingherthere.Theydidthisforoneweek.Itisinterestingthatwhileshewason
vacationinHawaii,eventsmovedswiftlytobringaboutherdesire.Shedidnothingtofind
anewhomenordidshedoanythingtorentherpresenthome.Imaginationwasableto
drawthenecessarypeopleintoherlifesothatherwishcouldbefulfilled.
Whatshouldbedoneafterwehaveimaginedourwishfulfilled?Nothing.Youthink
youcandosomething,youwanttodosomething,butactuallyyoucandonothingto
bringitabout.God,ourownwonderfulhumanimagination,knowswhatthingsare
necessarytobringaboutourdesires.Itisonlynecessarytogototheend,toliveinthe
end.Mywaysarepastfindingout.Mywaysarehigherthanyourways.Ifwetrust
ourimagination,itwillaccomplishallthatweaskofit.Imaginationcandoallthings
havefaithinit,andnothingshallbeimpossibletoyou.
********************
Thisstoryconcernsayoungman(referredtoasE.P)whowasawonderfulathleteand
wasgoodatmanydifferentsports.Duringthisparticulartimeinhislife,hebecame
interestedinpaddlingoutriggercanoes.Hejoinedateamandwassooncompetinginlocal
races.Inhissecondyearofpursuingthissport,hewasonateamthatcompetedinthe50
mileracefromMolokaitoHonolulu.TheHawaiianoutriggerteamsusuallytookfirst

placeandwereconsideredunbeatable.E.P.steamcamein7thandthatwasconsidered
quiteremarkableconsideringthegreatnumberofteamsthatcompetedfromalloverthe
worldalongwiththeHawaiinparticipants.Afterthisrace,E.P.beganimaginingthathis
teamhadwontherace.Hespentthenextyearforminganewteam,practicing,and
buildinghisownoutriggercanoe.Hewasconvincedthatifheimaginedhimselfwinning
therace,histeamwouldcomeinfirst.
He,nextyear,histeamandatleastadozenothersflewtoHawaiifromSouthern
Californiatocompeteintheannualrace.Therewereseveralteamswithmuchmore
experiencewhowereconsideredlikelytoplaceinthetopten,althoughtheHawaiians
werestillconsideredthefavorites.Attheendoftherace,E.P.steamfinishedfirst,ahead
oftheHawaiiansandalltheotherteams.E.P.nowholdsapaddleengravedwiththe
wordsWorldChampionwhichwasgiventohimuponhisteamtakingfirstplace.
Afterwinningthiscovetedtitle,thisyoungmanwentontocoachotherteams.Healso
beganmanufacturingpaddlesforoutriggercanoes.Hispaddlesareknownthroughoutthe
worldandareusedbyoutriggerteamswhoareamongthetopteamsintheworld.
E.P.nowmakeshishomeinHawaiiandenjoyscoachingteams,manufacturingpaddles,
fishingandsailinghisownboat.Healsouseshisboatasanescortcraftfortheannual
outriggerraces.
********************
Mrs.J.K.waslivinginhertwinsistershomeafterhavingbeendivorced.Mrs.J.K.had
threechildren,asonandgirlandboytwins.Hersisterandherhusbandhadthreeboys.
Needlesstosay,thiswasacrowdedhousehold.Mrs.J.K.wasverydesirousofgetting
marriedandlivinginherownhome.Shehadbeendatingamanbutdecidedthatshedid
notwishtocontinuetherelationshipandbrokeitoff.Manyofherfriendsattemptedto
fixMrs.J.K.upwitheligiblementheyknew,butshewasnotinterestedingoingon
blinddates.Severalofherfriendscommentedthatifshewishedtomeetaneligibleman,

shewouldneedtogetoutandgoplaces.Thetwinsbelievedinthecreativepowerof
imagination,andtheyhadafriendwhoalsoknewofthepowerofimagining.Thethree
womendeterminedthattheywouldimaginearingonMrs.J.K.sfinger,whichwould
implythatshewasmarried.Theydidthisforseveralweeks.Duringthistime,Mrs.J.K.
alsoimaginedherselflivinginherownhome.However,whensheattemptedtodoso,she
foundherselfimaginingahomeexactlylikehersisters.
Oneday,Mrs.J.K.receivedacallfromafriendwhoaskedhertocometoherhomeand
helpherwallpaperherkitchen.Mrs.J.K.agreedtohelpherfriendwholivedafewblocks
awayinthesametractofhomes.Whileshewasthere,amaleneighborcametovisither
friend.ThefriendintroducedMrs.J.K.toherneighbor.HelatercalledMrs.J.K.andthey
begantodate.Fivemonthslater,Mrs.J.K.marriedthisman.Theinterestingpartofthis
storyisthatallofthesepeoplelivedinthesamelargetractofhomes.Therewereonly
fourhomesinthetractof1200thathadthesamefloorplan.Yes,thiswomanshusband
ownedoneofthehomesthathadthesamefloorplanasMrs.J.K.stwinsister.Even
thoughMrs.J.K.imaginedherselflivinginherownhome,shehadonlybeenableto
imagineherselflivinginahouseidenticaltohersisters.
********************
Thisisastoryaboutthefriend,Mrs.L.M.,whohadintroducedMrs.J.K.tohernew
husband.Duringtheirfriendship,Mrs.J.K.hadtriedtoexplaintheprincipleof
imaginationtoherfriendwhowasverydoubtfulthatitwouldwork.Oneday,Mrs.J.K.
askedherfriendtocometooneofNevilleslectures.Mrs.L.M.agreedtoattendbutwas
notatallconvincedthatimaginingshehadwhatshewantedwouldresultinobtainingit.
But,shedecidedtoimagineaverysimplethingthereceiptofahandkerchief.She
imaginedthatsomeonehadgivenheroneandthendroppedthewholeidea.Muchtoher
surprise,shereceivedahandkerchiefinthemailfromthemotherofafriendwhocameto
herhouseforlunchwhileshewasintownforavisit.ThiswomansentMrs.L.M.a
handkerchiefwithathankyounote.Mrs.L.M.wasnotonlysurprisedwhenshereceived
thegift,shebecameveryfrightenedasshethoughttherewassomethingsupernatural
aboutit.Mrs.L.M.hadattemptedtodisprovethatimaginationproducesthethingdesired.

Whenshereceivedthehandkerchiefshehadimagined,sheinterpretedittobesomesort
ofBlackMagicanddidntwanttoknowanymoreaboutthisteaching.
********************
Icouldrelatehundredsofincidentsinvolvingdozensofpeopleinwhichimaginationwas
usedtobringaboutthedesiredresults.Ihavechosenjustafewstoriestoillustratethat
imaginationcanbeusedtosolveallmannerofproblemsandbringintoyourexperience
youreveryheartsdesire.

(FromINTABulletin,NewThoughtsummer1953)

FUNDAMENTALS
ByNEVILLE

WITHsovastasubject,itisindeedadifficulttasktosummarizeinafewhundredwords
whatIconsiderthemostbasicideasonwhichthosewhoseekatrueunderstandingof
metaphysicsshouldnowconcentrate.IshalldowhatIcanintheshapeofthree
fundamentals.Thesefundamentalsare:SelfObservation,DefinitionofAim,and
Detachment.
Thepurposeoftruemetaphysicsistobringaboutarebirthorradicalpsychological
changeintheindividual.Suchachangecannottakeplaceuntiltheindividualfirst
discoverstheselfthathewouldchange.Thisdiscoverycanbemadeonlythroughan
uncriticalobservationofhisreactionstolife.Thesumtotalofthesereactionsdefinesthe
individual'sstateofconsciousness,anditistheindividual'sstateofconsciousnessthat
attractsthesituationsandcircumstancesofhislife.
Sothestartingpointoftruemetaphysics,onitspracticalside,isselfobservationinorder
todiscoverone'sreactionstolife,reactionswhichformone'ssecretselfthecauseofthe
phenomenaoflife.
WithEmerson,IacceptthefactthatMansurroundshimselfwiththetrueimageof
himself...whatweare,thatonlycanwesee."
Thereisadefiniteconnectionbetweenwhatisouterandwhatisinnerinman,anditis
everourinnerstatesthatattractourouterlife.Therefore,theindividualmustalwaysstart
withhimself.

Itisone'sselfthatmustbechanged.
Man,inhisblindness,isquitesatisfiedwithhimself,butheartilydislikesthecircumstances
andsituationsofhislife.Hefeelsthisway,notknowingthatthecauseofhisdispleasure
liesnotintheconditionnorthepersonwithwhomheisdispleased,butintheveryselfhe
likessomuch.Notrealizingthat"hesurroundshimselfwiththetrueimageofhimself"and
that"whatheis,thatonlycanhesee,"heisshockedwhenhediscoversthatithasalways
beenhisowndeceitfulnessthatmadehimsuspiciousofothers.
Selfobservationwouldrevealthisdeceitfuloneinallofusandthisonemustbeaccepted
beforetherecanbeanytransformationofourselves.
Atthismoment,trytonoticeyourinnerstate.Towhatthoughtsareyouconsenting?With
whatfeelingsareyouidentified?Youmustbeevercarefulwhereyouarewithinyourself.
Mostofitsthinkthatwearekindandloving,generousandtolerant,forgivingandnoble
butanuncriticalobservationofourreactionstolifewillrevealaselfthatisnotatallkind
andloving,generousandtolerant,forgivingandnoble.Anditisthisselfthatwemustfirst
acceptandthensetabouttochange.
Rebirthdependsoninnerworkonone'sself.Noonecanberebornwithoutchangingthis
self.Anytimethatanentirelynewsetofreactionsentersintoaperson'slife,achangeof
consciousnesshastakenplace,aspiritualrebirthhasoccurred.
Havingdiscovered,throughanuncriticalobservationofyourreactionstolife,aselfthat
mustbechanged,youmustnowformulateanaim.Thatis,youmustdefinetheoneyou
wouldliketobeinsteadoftheoneyoutrulyareinsecret.Withthisaimclearlydefined,
youmust,throughoutyourconsciouswakingday,noticeyoureveryreactioninregardto
thisaim.
Thereasonforthisisthateveryonelivesinadefinitestateofconsciousness,whichstate

ofconsciousnesswehavealreadydescribedasthesumtotalofhisreactionstolife.
Therefore,indefininganaim,youaredefiningastateofconsciousness,which,likeall
statesofconsciousness,musthaveitsreactionstolife.Forexample:ifarumororanidle
remarkcouldcauseananxiousreactioninonepersonandnoreactioninanother,thisis
positiveproofthatthetwopeoplearelivingintwodifferentstatesofconsciousness.
Ifyoudefineyouraimasanoble,generous,secure,kindlyindividualknowingthatall
thingsarestatesofconsciousnessyoucaneasilytellwhetheryouarefaithfultoyouraim
inlifebywatchingyourreactionstothedailyeventsoflife.Ifyouarefaithfultoyour
ideal,yourreactionswillconformtoyouraim,foryouwillbeidentifiedwithyouraim
and,therefore,willbethinkingfromyouraim.Ifyourreactionsarenotinharmonywith
yourideal,itisasuresignthatyouareseparatedfromyouridealandareonlythinkingof
it.Assumethatyouarethelovingoneyouwanttobe,andnoticeyourreactions
throughoutthedayinregardtothatassumptionforyourreactionswilltellyouthestate
fromwhichyouareoperating.
ThisiswherethethirdfundamentalDetachmententersin.Havingdiscoveredthat
everythingisastateconsciousnessmadevisibleandhavingdefinedthatparticularstate
whichwewanttomakevisible,wenowsetaboutthetaskofenteringsuchastate,forwe
mustmovepsychologicallyfromwherewearetowherewedesiretobe.
Thepurposeofpracticingdetachmentistoseparateusfromourpresentreactionstolife
andattachustoouraiminlife.Thisinnerseparationmustbedevelopedbypractice.At
firstweseemtohavenopowertoseparateourselvesfromundesirableinnerstates,simply
becausewehavealwaystakeneverymood,everyreaction,asnaturalandhavebecome
identifiedwiththem.Whenwehavenoideathatourreactionsareonlystatesof
consciousnessfromwhichitispossibletoseparateourselves,wegoroundandroundin
thesamecircleofproblemsnotseeingthemasinnerstatesbutasoutersituations.We
practicedetachment,orinnerseparation,thatwemayescapefromthecircleofour
habitualreactionstolife.Thatiswhywemustformulateanaimandconstantlynotice
ourselvesinregardtothataim.

Thisteachingbeginswithselfobservation.Secondlyitasks,"Whatdoyouwant?"And
thenitteachesdetachmentfromallnegativestatesandattachmenttoyouraim.Thislast
stateattachmenttoyouraimisaccomplishedbyfrequentlyassumingthefeelingofyour
wishfulfilled.
Wemustpracticeseparatingourselvesfromournegativemoodsandthoughtsinthemidst
ofallthetroublesanddisastersofdailylife.Noonecanbedifferentfromwhatheisnow
unlesshebeginstoseparatehimselffromhispresentreactionsandtoidentifyhimselfwith
hisaim.Detachmentfromnegativestatesandassumptionofthewishfulfilledmustbe
practicedinthemidstofalltheblessingsandcursingsoflife.
Thewayoftruemetaphysicsliesinthemidstofallthatisgoingoninlife.Wemust
constantlypracticeselfobservation,thinkingfromouraim,anddetachmentfromnegative
moodsandthoughtsifwewouldbedoersoftruthinsteadofmerehearers.
Practicethesethreefundamentalsandyouwillrisetohigherandhigherlevelsof
consciousness.Remember,always,itisyourstateofconsciousnessthatattractsyourlife.
Startclimbing!
Neville