NevilleGoddard

ORDERYOURCONVERSATIONSARIGHT

Tonightssubjectis,OrderYourConversationsAright.Aswearetoldinthe50thPsalm:To himthatorderethhisconversationsarightwillIshowthesalvationofGod(Psalm50:23,King JamesVersion). Haveweanyinstructionsinscriptureconcerninghowweorderourconversationsaright?Wedo haveitinthe4thchapterofEphesians.Wearetold:Putoffyouroldnaturewhichbelongsto yourformerconversationsandputonthenewnature(Ephesians4:22,24,RevisedStandard version,exceptforthewordconversations,whichoccursonlyintheKingJamesversion). Iftheoldnaturebelongstotheformerconversations,thenthenewnaturehastohavenew conversations.Putonthenewnature,createdaftertheimageofGod. Wellnow,whatisthisnature?Natureistheprincipleuponwhichwedependforsamenessof formintransmittedlife. Ifmyconversationsdeterminethethingsthatprojectthemselvesuponthescreenofspaceinmy world,untilIchangemyconversations,Icannotchangetheforms.Forthatistheprinciple uponwhichmandependsforthesamenessofformsintransmittedlife.Iftheseformsthat comeoutgood,badandindifferentaretheresultsofmyconversations,thenImustchange myconversations. WearetoldinanancientbookabookwrittenintheFirstCentury,Ihaveatranslationby WalterScott;itiscalledTheHermetica,andinitissaid:Godhasgiventwogiftstoman alone,andtonoothermortalcreature.ThesegiftsareMindandSpeech.Andthesegifts,ifused rightly,willdifferinnothingfromtheImmortals.Nowwhenmantakesoffthebody,When hequitsthebody,theywillbehisguides,andbythemhewillbeledintotheTroopoftheGods, andintothesoulsofthosewhoattaintobliss. OnlytomanisthegiftgivenofMindandSpeech.NowIcouldtellyouthestoryofhoweasyit istodo;butinthedoing,mayItellyou,itreallyisdifficult.Youwillthink,whycertainly,Ican changemyconversationsofhabit. SoShakespearecouldsayintheTheMerchantofVenice,whereheputthewordsintothe mouthofPortia:Iftodowereaseasyastoknowwhatweregoodtodo,thenchapelshadbeen churches,andpoormenscottagesprincespalaces.Itisagooddivinethatfollowshisown instructions;Icaneasierteachtwentywhatweregoodtobedone,thantobeoneofthetwentyto followmineownteaching.(Act1,SceneII)

Soitssimpleonthesurface,butinpracticeitisnotassimpleasitappearstobe.Butifman could only take an inner conversation and control it, a conversation which implies the fulfillmentofhisdream,andremainfaithfultothatinnerconversation;thisinnerdialoguea controlledinnerdialoguepossiblycouldbethemostfruitfulconversationinyourlife. Mantalksalldaylonginwardly.Hemayrestraintheimpulsetosayitoutwardly.Hemayfeel likesayingit,buthewascultivatedhesaneducatedperson;hefeelshimselfunderrestraint. Hemightfeelliketellingyoutogotothedevil,butherestrainstheimpulsetosayitaudibly.But hehassaidit.Itwasbornwiththeimpulse. IfIcouldonlynowtakemyobjectiveinthisworldanddaretoassumethatIveachievedit,and then carry onconversations inner conversation from the premise ofthat assumption, I shouldputthistothetestandproveit.Woulditreallyachieveachangeofforminmyworld?I amtellingyoufrommyownexperience,itdoes.Itobviouslydoes. AswearetoldinIsaiah,the55thchapter:Andthewordthatgoesforthfrommymouthshall notreturnuntomevoid;itmustaccomplishthatwhichIpurpose,andprosperinthethingfor whichIsentit(Isaiah55:11). Butyouwillsay,thisistheLordspeaking,andcertainlytheLordcandothat.Wellnowletme quotethelastwordsofDavidassaidinthe23rdchapterofIISamuelandthesearethelast wordsofDavid:TheSpiritoftheLordisuponme,hisworduponmytongue(IISamuel23:2). TheSpiritoftheLordheneverhadthatrevelationuntilthatmoment.Herealizesnowthat allalongeverythingonhistonguewastheLordspeaking. TheLordspeaksbymeandhiswordisuponmytongue.ThewordLord,aswetoldyou earlierinthisseries,ifitinanywayconveysthesenseofanexternalsomething,externalto yourownbeing,youhavethewrongLord.IfthewordsJesusChristconveythesenseofan existentsomethingoutsideofman,youhavethewrongJesusChrist.ForJesusChristisinus; andifHeisinus,andbyHimallthingsaremadeandwithoutHimwasnotanythingmadethat wasmade,andHeiscalledtheWordofGod,"andyouunderstandthattheverywordwas createdbytheWordofGod,andDavidtellsusthatGodisuponhistongue.Theverywordof Godisuponhistongue.Thenwearetold:IamtheLord.ThereisnootherGod.Besideme thereisnogod(Isaiah45:5). Isittrue?WellyouandIarecalledupontoputittothetest.CanIactuallynow,thisvery moment, constructasimpleconversationwhich,ifitweretrue,willimplythatIrealizemy objective?CanIthenbefaithfultothatconversation,orwillIwanderfromit?WellImtelling you,itsverydifficult.Itseemssosimple.Icertainlycouldtakealittleconversationbetweena friendandmyselfinadialogueandtellhimthatallthingsareasIwouldlikethemtobe;thatI havethisgoalandthatgoal,andDoyourealize,Ihaverealizedit?Itallcamesosimplyandso naturally;itallfellintoplace.Couldyoureallybelievethat?

Wellthethingistotryit.Seehowlongyoucancarryonthatconversationwithoutwandering away.Ivetrieditoverandover.EverytimethatIamsuccessfulinkeepingittowhereIdemand inwordsbutagaintoquoteShakespeare:Itisagreatvirtue,andtheonewhocandoit,itisa noblevirtuetofollowyourowninstruction.SoIcanteachyou.Itiseasyfareasiertoteach twentywhatweregoodtobedone,thantobeoneofthetwentytofollowmineownteaching. ButnowletmesharewithyouastoryIknowwell,thestoryofmyfather.Hewasbornavery poorwhitemanintheIslandofBarbados.Mymotherwasbornpoor.Shehadnothing;hehad nothing.Andtheyproceededtohavechildren.Twelvechildrenwereborn;twodiedatbirth,ten survived.Hehadnothing.Howhegotholdofthis,Idonotknow,butthefirsttimeheheardme speakinNewYorkCitywasaSundaymorning,andwhenwewentbacktotheapartment,he said,Youknow,everythingyousaidhismorningistrue.Butwhydoyoutellthepeopleto close their eyes? Dont close your eyes. Keep them partly shut. You can control your imaginationandyoucancontrolyourattentionbetteriftheeyesarenotcompletelyclosed. Whenyouseemeinthemorningafterbreakfastreclininginmychair,youmightthinkthatIam justsleepingitoff,becausehesheavydrinker,youmightthinkImsimplysleepingitoff. Iamnotsleepingoffanything.Iamdoingmydaysworkthen.Ibringbeforemymindseyethe menIwanttodealwiththatday,andIcontroltheconversation.ItellthemexactlywhatIwant totellthem,asthoughitweretrue.Iletthemtellmeconfirmthatitistrue;andthenwhenIam completelysatisfiedwithmyinnerconversation,thenIgototown.Anditworksthatway. Nowhestartedbehindthe8ballHehadhimself,mymother,mygrandmother,andthetenofus tofeed,plusafewservants.Itwasnoteasy.Butwhenhediedin1959,hecouldleavehisten childrenbecausemymotherprecededhimbymanyyears,andheneverremarried.Shediedin 41and hesaid,No;Ivebeensoblissfullyhappywithyourmother,Icouldnoteverget marriedagain.Soheremainedsingleuntilhediedattheageof85.Butwhenhedied,thatpoor mancouldleaveafamilyoftenindependentlywealthyeach,notjustcollectively.Hegaveit toeachindividuallyasablockofstockinthecompany,justtothetenofus.In1951itwasequal toanindependentincomeforeachofus.Ithastripledsincehegaveittouswhenhediedin 1959,underthecontrolofmybrotherVictor,whopracticesthesamething. Victordoesntsmokeandhedoesntdrink;buthesitsalone,andinhisroomhetooiscarrying onhislittleinnerconversationspremisesofdesiresfulfilled.Andhecancompletelycontrol thatimaginationofhis.Hecancompletelycontroltheinnerconversationandthethingswork justashehasdeterminedthem.Henevergoestochurch.Hesareligiousmaninthetruesense oftheword.Hegivesgenerouslytocharityandtoallpeopleyouwouldneverknowhow manypeoplehehelpsintheIslandbecausehedoesntpublicizeit.Thatworksforhimbecause hehasfoundoutthatinnerconversationswilldoit. Sothenwearetold:Tohimwhoordershisconversationsaright,Iwillshowthesalvationof God(Psalm50:23).Thenwearetoldhowtodoit:Putoffyouroldnaturewhichbelongsto your former conversations (Ephesians 4:22). And you know how, day after day, there are certainpeoplewhowillrunthesamethinglikerecord,anddoitoverandoverandover;and whenyoumeetthemtheystartjustwheretheyleftoffthelasttimethatyoutalkedwiththem.

Theywilltellthesamestoryoverandoverandover,howrottensheistome,orhowrotten heistome. AndafteronesolidyearwhenyoureturntotheCity,theytakeupjustwheretheyleftoffbefore. Andtheywonder,whyarethesethingshappeningtome?Wellhereinthegreatestbookinthe world we are told why.For ifmy conversation determines my nature, my nature is that principleuponwhichIdependforthesamenessofformsintransmittedlife,howcanIchange theformwhentheformisdependentuponmyinnerconversation? Somyinnerconversationisactuallydeterminingtheentirething,butmanthinksitwasonly someexternalbeingcalledGodwhosewordcouldnotreturntohimvoid;thatithadtoprosper inthethingforwhichitwassent(seeIsaiah555:11),becausehehasdivorcedhimselffromGod. GodsnameforeverandforeverandforeverisIAm.Hesaid,Thatismynameforever,andby thatnameIshallbeknownthroughoutallgenerations(Exodus3:!5). WellbeforeyouweregiventhenameJohnorMary,youhadGodsname.GodsnameisIAM. ThatshouldprecedethenameyounowuseasJohn,forshouldIaskyou,Whatisyourname? beforeyousayJohn,youaregoingtosay,Iam;andyouaregoingtosay,IamJohn.So youprecededthelittlemaskcalledJohnanddeclaredthatIam.WellthatsGodsname.Sothat istheOnespokenofinscripturewhosewordcannotreturnvoid,butmustaccomplishthatwhich Hepurposed.ItmustprosperinthethingforwhichHesentit. Youmaysay,Howsimplethisthingis.Youmean,Icouldstarttonight?Idontgotochurch;I amnotareligious person.Ihavedonenothingintheworld.Butdoyoumean,Ihavethat talent? IsthisthebeingofwhomHermesspokewhenhesaid,Godgaveagifttomanandtonoother creature.AndthisgiftisMindandSpeech?WellIcantalk,andIhaveamind.Andthenhetells methatspeechreflectsmind,andmindreflectsGod;thatasman,soisGod.AsisGod,soman. AndifGodreflectsmymind,andmymindreflectsmyspeech,tochangeanyproductioninmy world,Ivegottochangethespeech. Soitissimplythatthemindreflectsit.AndthemindreflectsGod.SomyGodgoesback,then, tomyspeech.SoIamsimplyreproducingthesameoldstoryinmyworldwhenIcouldeasily changetherecord. Backin1953mywifehadavision.Itwasanaudiovision.Shejumpedoutofbedandcameinto thelivingroom.Ialwaysriseearly.Shecamebargingthroughlookingforthedictionary,and shesaid,Ivejusthadthemostwonderfulexperience.Isawnothing,butIheardthemost wonderfulvoiceavoiceofauthority.Andthevoicesaidtome:Youmuststopspendingyour thoughts,timeandyourmoney.Everythinginlifemustbeaninvestment. Soshewantedtoseethedifferencebetweenspendingandinvesting.Accordingtothedefinition inthedictionarythatshehadatthetime,whenyouspend,yougiveoutwithouthopeofreturn;

itsawastetospend.Whenyouinvest,youexpectareturnonyourequity.Soyoumuststop spendingandeverythingyoudofromnowonmustbeinvested,anditstatedwhattheyare: yourthoughts,yourtimeandyourmoney.Thesearethreethingsthatmanthinkshehasin abundance,andheisspendingthemmorning,noonandnight.Hewasteshistimeintrivia.He wasteshisthoughts.Hewasteshismoney. Soifthisvisionofhersisactuallyputintopracticeandsheisthefirstonetoadmitthatshe doesnotpracticeit;shewastheinstrumentthroughwhichitcame,butshewouldbethefirstone toadmitthat,raisedasshewasinthemostconservativeenvironment,thatshedoesntreallylive it,becauseshelivesarestrainedlife.Shewouldthinkitonlybecomingaladytoexpressherself well,Iwouldsayopenly.Shefeelsit,andsheknowsnowthatshewasthinkingofsayingit, butsherestrainedtheimpulse.Shesaiditanyway,andsheknowsnowthatherbodyisan emotionalfilter,anditbearsthemarksofherprevalentemotions. SoalldaylongyouandIaremakinglittletinyspeechmovementsarebeingmadeinus.We arenothearingthemaudibly,buttheinnerearhearsthem.SoIneednothearthemonthe outside,andnooneneedhearthem;butIseetheresultsinmyworld.Mywholevastworld couldnotbearanythingotherthanmyspeech.ThatswhattheBookteaches:Imustputoffthe oldnature;itbelongstomyformerconversations.Andthenittellsme,nowputonthenew nature. Theoldnaturebelongstomyformerconversations;thenewnaturebelongstomynew conversations.CanIputonthenewandmakeitsonaturalthatIwilldowiththatasIdidwith theformerone?AndcanInow,socompletelychangetherecordandplayitoftenenoughthatit becomesahabitwithinmeasIwalktheearth,sothatthingsareperfect?Sothatthingsareeasy? SothatwhenIreadtheheadlineofthemarketcrash,itdoesntdisturbme?SowhenIreadthe headlinethatsomethinghasgonetopot,itdoesnotdisturbmeinwardly? Sincethisisbasedonprinciple,itdoesntmatterwhathappensintheworld,becausetheworldis simplytheoutpouringoftheconversationsofmenandwomenintheworld.IfIchangemy conversationinthemidstofadepression,Iamstillgoingtobesuccessfulinmyworld.There arementodaythatwerehugelysuccessfulwhenmillionslostsomuchduringthedepressed market.Theyarenotconcernedaboutthemarket;theydontwatchthemarketatall.Butthey mustbecontrollingtheirinnerconversation. Iknowinmyfatherscase,hewasalivingexample.MybrotherVictorisalivingexampleof thistechnique;butIdontthinkmyfathertaughtittohim.Hereallygotitinnately,becausehe toldmethatwhenhesawthesignonabuildingthathadthenameF.N.RoachandCompany,he madeitspellJ.N.Goddard&Sons.Whenheconfidedtomymother,mymothersaid,Vic, dont do it. We have no money, and its only going to hurt you. You can never own that building.Twoyearslaterthebuildingwasupforsale.Thebusinessthatwasinitfailed. Atotalstrangercamein.WhenIsay,totalstranger,heknewusonlyasafamily,buthehad nevercometoourhomeforacupoftea.Wewereneverentertainedinhishomeforacupoftea,

andhewasnotadrinkingpartnerofmyfather.Heknewhim.Thedayitwentupforsale,he cameinandsaidthathewouldbuyitforus.Allhewouldtakeascollateralwasoursignature, forwehadinvestedinitourhonestyandthebankassuredhimthatifwepledgedourselves,we woulddoit.Ifwehadtostarvetopayhisnote,wewoulddoit. Hesaid,ThatsallIneed;soifyouwillsignthispieceofpaper,Illbuythebuilding.Iwill havemylawyerbidforit.IfIbidforit,theywillbidmeup;butifmylawyerbidsforit,he representsmorethanoneclient,andtheydonotknowwhoherepresentstoday.Theywouldnt thinkforonesecondthataplanter,hewasaplanter,thathewouldbidforabusinesson MainStreetwhichcarriesgroceries. SothatdaytheGoddardsownedit,andallwehadtogivewasoursignatureonthatpaperthat wesigned.Andhesaidtoreducetheprincipleintenyears,andasyoureduceit,yousimplypay 6 percent on the principle; if you keep on reducing it every year, in ten years it must be completelypaidoff.Wellitwas.Andwhenhediedtwentyyearslater,hesaidhisgreatestfriend wasVictorGoddard,andhelefthimanestateinexcessofaquarterofamillion,taxfree. EverythingwascompletelypaidoffwhenhegavethattomybrotherVictor.Hesaid,Youhave beenmyfriend. SoIknowthattodaywehaveatleastonememberofthefamilywhodoesnotputthisinto practice.Itrytothebestofmyabilitytopracticeit,becauseIgetrequestsmorning,noonand nightinmymailaskingmetohearthis,hearthat,andheartheother.Ineverfailtohearit.Itry nottodwelluponitafterIhaveheardit.ImustbelievethatwhatIhaveheardmustcometo pass,astoldusintheFirstEpistleofJohninthe5thchapterIfweknowthatHehearsusin whateverweask,weknowwehaveobtainedtherequestmadeofHim(IJohn5:15).Whata challenge. IfweknowthatHehearsusinwhateverweask,norestraintuponthethingsweaskfor, thenweknowwehavetheresthepasttense,wehaveobtainedtherequestsmadeof Him.Readitinthe5thchapter,15thverseoftheFirstEpistleofJohn.Wellwhatafantastic promisetomaketoman. Idonthave,then,tokeepitgoing.Itslikeputtingseeddownandhavingfullconfidenceinthe plantingofthatseed,foritcontainswithinitselfthepowerofselfexpression.ThewordofGod is like the seed of God, and it is planted at that moment that you actually carry on the conversation. SoIbringbeforemymindseyetheonewhohasaskedofmeifIknowthem.IfIdonotknow themIimaginethatIhaveheardfromthem.Theywillnotalwaysconfirmit,butIimaginethey wrotemeandthankedme. Butaswearetoldinscripture:Thereweretenwhoreceivedthegift.Theywerealllepers.Only oneturnedbackandsaid,Thankyou.Buttheninewentonandtheygottheirhelp,butnever turnedbacktosay,Thankyou.(SeeLuke17:1219)SoitdoesntreallymatterasfarasIm

concerned.Idomywork.Theymayneverwritetotellmethatitworked;butquiteoftenImeet them,maybeayearlater,orthreeorfouryearslater,andtheywillsay,Youknow,soandso happened.Iaskthem,Doyouknowwhyithappened?Thentheywillgivemethemeansthat wereemployed,andtellmethatiswhyithappened. Mrs.ArchibaldRoosevelt,whowasjustkilledinanautomobileaccidentinNewYorkCity, shewouldcomehomeonceamonth.Thiswasalwaysaproblemwithherfamilyneverher husband,butherchildrenandinlaws.Onedayshesaidtome,MysonhasreturnedfromEgypt andhehasanenormousbeard,andIamsoashamedtowalkdownthestreetwithhim.Here wasthisyoung,goodlookinglad,nowthiswasbeforethehippieswhenpeoplebegantogrow longhairandbeards.Hewasunique.SoIsaid,NowMrs.Rooseveltyouknowwhatakissof yoursonwouldbelikewithoutthebeard,dontyou?Ohyes,shesaid.Wellkisshimandhe doesnthaveabeard.Putyourarmsaroundhimandkissyourson,andseethenice,smoothskin andfeelit.Well,shesaid,Illdoit. Wellshenevertoldme;butbecauseofherpositionintheworld,Ireadinthemorningpaper onaMondaymorning. Herewasthisbigspreadofawedding.HegotmarriedonSunday;a smoothskinnedlad,Mrs.Roosevelt,ArchieRoosevelt,thebride,thewholegangofthem. Whenshecamethenexttime,Isaid,Youknowyoursonshavedhisbeard.Shesaid,Yes.Do youknowwhy?Youknow,hemarriedagirlwhodislikedit.Becauseshecompletelydislikedit, heshaveditoff.Isaid,Sothatswhyithappened?TellmeMrs.Roosevelt,didyoudowhatI askedyoutodo?AndIremindedherofwhatIhadasked.Shesaid,Ohyes,Ididthat;butwhy hediditwasthegirl.Yousee,theyalwaysgobacktothemeansemployed.Thegirlcouldhave lovedhimjustasmuchwiththebeard;butshehadtoinitiatethedrive.Heshaveditoff,and thenthemothergavefullcredittothegirl. Ihaveseensomanythingshappenandtheyneverturnback,butforget.Wehaveaveryshort memory.Wedonotrememberwhenwesetinmotiontheeventsorwhenweplantedtheseed. So if nothing comes into the world by accident, it is produced by some principle; and the principleistoldinthistalktonight,andtheprincipleissimplyourconversationswhenweare alone.Theconversationwhenyouareputtingonamaskandmeetsomeoneatacocktailparty andyouarealllyingeverybodyislying.Youhaveafewmartinisandthisonelies,andthat onelies.Littledotheyknowthatwhattheyaredoingisalie.ButIdontmeanthat;Imeanwhen youarealone. Knowingthisprinciple,itdoesntreallymatterifwhatappearsnowtobealieyouknow,an assumption,thoughfalse,ifpersistedinwillhardenintofact.Sonowyouaregoingtoputthat principleintooperation.Wewilltakeanassumption.IwillassumethatthingsareasIwantthem tobe.NowIwillcarryonaconversationbaseduponthatassumption,andthatcontrolledinner conversationwillbepossiblymygreatestsuccessmygreatestconversationeverfar,far greaterthantheconversationsthatweholdatadinnerparty.

Yousitdownandhereisadinner.Youarenotgoingtotellyourhostthatthingishorrible,are you?Butanyway,youwonderwhatonearthpossessedhertomakethis.Butyoudontsayit becausethatwouldbeunkind.Butyoudidsayitanyway;yousaiditinwardly. ButIamspeakingnowofthisproductiveprinciple.Whenyouarealoneandyouknowexactly whatyouwantforyourselforforafriendorforthecommunity.Thenwhatconversationwould implythatyouhaveyours,shehashersandthecommunityhasits?Wellcarryonwiththat conversation.Ifthisstatementinthe4thchapterofEphesiansiscorrect,thenitshouldprove itself in the testing; that if I could put off my old nature, which refers to my former conversations,dontjustputitoff,becauseIcannotliveinavoid,butputonthenewnature. Iftheoldisrelatedtomyformerconversation,wellthen,mynewnaturemustberelatedtomy newconversation.(SeeEphesians4:2224)Well,Iwillstartanewconversation,andtalkwith mybrotherVictorandtellhimofthesuccessIamhaving.Thisisgoingtoamusehimbecause helikessuccess.HelovessuccessintheworldofCaesar. HethinksthatwhatIdowellhewouldnotsayitsinsanehedoesntunderstandit.Hesays, IhaveonethingtodointheworldofCaesar.Wearealargefamily,butIhavenochildrenof myown.Iamtheonethatsamule,hesays.Allyoufellowsseemtobebulls,butIamamule Ihavenochildren.SoIhavetomakeit,intheeventyoufellowsneedit.Well,wearent goingtoneedit,buthekeepsonmakingit.Soheenjoysmoney.Heenjoysmakingit.Heenjoys actuallydoingthingsinabigway.Hethinksinabigway.Andhedoesitbyinnerconversations. Andhestarted,Idsay,behindthe8ballwhenasapoorwhitefamilyinlittleBarbados,orin anyoftheislandsforthatmatter,becausethewhitemanwhohasitignoresthewhitemanwho hasntanything.AwhitemaninBarbadoshastoputonshoes.ANegroinBarbadoscango withoutshoes;hecangowithoutajacket,andtheywilltoleratethat.Buttheywillnottolerate thatfromapoor,poorwhiteman.SoIknowwhatItalkabout.Wewereaspoorastheycome. TodaynoonetopstheminBarbadosregardingmoney,andtheyallcometohimforadvice. Thosewhothoughttheyhadit,theycometoVictor.Theydontventureanythingnoteventhe governmentuntiltheycometoVictor.Theyvaluehisopinion.Hegetsapieceofitall.Ifthey wantmyadvice,Illtakeapieceoftheirstock.Givemeablockofstockandyoullgetmy advice.Sohehasstockhere,stockthere,stockeverywhere.Andso,thatsVictor.Helovesit. I tell him that I do my work alone, and I love it. I love this as he loves making money. Fortunatelyforme,Idonthavetogotohimforadvice. So here I spoke of two men tonight; my father and my brother; and they do it by inner conversations.ButtheBiblesupportsit.IftheBibledidnotsupportit,Iwouldnttellyou,but theBiblesupportswhattheyaredoing.Howtheyfoundit,Idonotknow.Myfather,theonly bookheeverreadwastheBible.Iwonderifhegotitwhenhereadit. WhenIwrotemyfirstbook,YourFaithIsYourFortune,Isentthefirstcopyoffthepressto my father and mother. When I wrote the inscription, I said, If there is such a thing as reincarnationandIhavetocomebacktothisworldagain,Iwouldaskfornothinggreaterthanto haveyoutwoasmyparents.SoDaddy,becauseofthatinscription,startedtolookatthebook.

Ithas26chaptersandeachchapterbeganwithaquotefromtheBible;soheclosedthebook. WhenIwenthomeafewyearslater,Iasked,Daddy,didyoureadmybook?Hesaid,Oh whyshouldI?Youtook26littleversesfromthescriptureandwroteabookof200pages.I knowthe26verses.Sothatshowhesaidit.WhyshouldIreadit?Iknowthoseverses.And itstheonebookhealwaysreads.Perhapshedidfindit,Idonotknow. Butwearetoldtoalterouroldconversations;andifwedoit,Hewillshowusthesalvationof God.Blake,whomIamalwaysquoting,inhisbook,Jerusalem,hesays,Oh,WhathaveI said?WhathaveIdone,OAllPowerfulHumanWords.Yourealizethatyoucannotpullthem back;soyousaidthem.Thenhowareyougoingtopullthemback? Nowtonightitshouldnttakeyoulongifyouknowitstrue,andIknowitstrue,tochange theentireworldifyouputonanewrecord.Andyoucaneasilyputonthenewrecord.Justwhat woulditbelikeifitweretrue?Andifitweretrue,wouldanyoneknow?Yes.Mywifewould knowitfirst,mydaughterwouldknowit,andthenmycirclewouldwiden.Thenmycircleof friendswouldknowit.Wellstartwiththeoneyouknowbestfirst.Mywidewouldknowit;I shareallthingswithher,andthenmydaughterwouldknowit.SoIcarryonaconversation,first withmywifeandthenwithmydaughterVicki;andthentrytomakealastingconversationso thatitbecomesahabit.Insteadofgoingbackintothenegative,makeitapositivestatement,and trytomakeitsonaturalinyourselfthatitseasytopickupthatrecordandputiton.Andsee howitworksinyourworld.Itdoesntcostyouanything.Itcostsnothingtodoit.Andthisis whatscriptureteaches.AnditcannotbutreturntoyouifyouknowWhoyouare.AndIam tryingtoconvinceeveryonethatIreachthattheyareGod.Itsashocktothem,becausethey havebeentoldtheyarelittleworms.Youarentalittleworm.YouareGodwearingagarment offleshforeducativepurposes.ButyouareGod.YouhaveHisname,andHewillnotgiveHis nametoanother.ButHeputsyouthroughthefurnacesofafflictiontoreceiveHisname.Youare goingthroughthefurnaces. AsBlakesaysinthestatementspeakingofthosewhocallGodanonexistentbeing,hecalls themfoolssowearetoldinthePsalm:Thefoolsaysinhisheart,ThereisnoGod.(Psalm 14:1andPsalm53:1)ButBlakecallsthefoolBabel. Babelsays...thereisnoGodorSonofGod. ThatThou,OHumanImagination,ODivineBody...arealladelusion; butIknowThee,OLord,whenThouarisethuponMywearyeyes, eveninthisdungeonandthisironmill... Thoualsosufferestwithme,althoughIbeholdTheenot. (Wm.Blake,fromJerusalem) YoucannotseeyourimaginationandheequateshumanimaginationwiththeDivineBodyofthe Lord and the Lord. These three are one in the eyes of Blake, in this marvelous poem, Jerusalem.

Soyoucantseeimagination;youseethefruitsofimagination.SonoonehaseverseenGod, becauseyouaretherealitycalledImagination.Andyoudontseeimagination,butyouseethe evidence;youseethefruitofit. ..AndtheDivineVoiceanswers: ...Fearnot:Lo,Iamwithyoualways.(eventotheendsoftime) Onlybelieveinme,thatIhavepowertoraisefromdeath.. ThybrotherwhosleepsinAlbion. (Blake,fromJerusalem) Sowhoisthebrother?Youarethebrother,Iamthebrother,humanityisAlbion.Andthen, buriedinhumanityistheLordJesusChrist;andthisoneisspeaking,saying.Ihavepowerto raisefromthedeadthybrotherwhosleepsinAlbion.Buthehasnotforonemomentdeniedthe humanimaginationastheLord,theyareequated.Theyareallone.YouhavetheLordalways withyou.Youcanttakeimaginationandputitoutthere.Whereveryougo,youarealways imagining.YoucannotleavetheLordbehindyou.Youcannotsithereandwishimagination awayasyoucanthebody.IcanstandhereandassumethatIamattheendoftheroomand imaginethatIamlookingatthisone.ButwhereamI?Iaminimagination.Icanlookatthe body as something that I have put away for a while. I return to it. But I cant put away imagination. I cannot get away from the Lord, because, being all imagination, I must be whereverHeisinimagination.So,ifInow,inimaginationfeelthingsasIdesirethemtobe, thatstheLorddoingit.AndbecauseAllthingsarepossibletotheLord,Imustbelieveinme; ImustbelieveitistheLorddoingit,aswearetoldinthelastwordsofDavid. NowthesearethelastwordsofDavid:. . .TheLordisuponme,hiswordisuponmy tongue.(IISamuel23:1,2)Thenhediscoversthatthatswhyhewasvictorious.Heneverlosta battle.Whenthegiantputonthearmorandhehadtheswordandhewasagiant;andlittle Davidcomesoutonlywithfivefeathers.Theywerenotstones.Hetookfive.Wellfiveisthe numberofgrace,andgraceisGodsgiftofHimselftoman.Whatotherarmordoesheneed, otherthanthegiftofGod?Sohegoesonwiththat.Whatgiantcouldstandbeforehimwhenall heneedsisthegraceofGod?So,hegoes,andthegiantcomesdown.Soherealizesthenthat everythinghedidwasdonebecausehewentinthegraceofGod. Sowhereveryouareyouareinabar,thatsaholyplace.Why?Becauseyouarethere.If yougointoanyplacethattheworldwouldjudgeharshly,itisholybecauseyouarethere.And youcansitanyplaceintheworld.Youdonthavetogointoachurch.Youcansitathomein anyroom;sitinthegarden;sitanyplaceinthisworldandjustcarryonaconversationwith yourself,thiscontrolleddialogue.Thismayturnoutonedaytobethemostfruitfulconversation thatyouveeverhad. Soweallneedsomethingtonight.Wealldo,eventhosewhohaveabillion.Theystillwant more,andIwouldntjudgethemharshly.Theywantit.Letthemhaveit,iftheywantmore, becauseasBlakesaid:More!More:isthecryofthefool;Allornothing.(Wm.Blake,from

ThereisNoNaturalReligion,secondseries)1AndIhavecoveredthe50thchapterofPsalms tonight,andthatsthechapteryoureaditcarefully:IfIwerehungry,Iwouldnottellyou; becausetheworldismineandallwithinit(Psalm50:12). Thecattleonathousandhillsaremine(Psalm50:20).Butwhoisspeaking?Asaphisspeaking, andAsaphmeanstogathertogether.Hehasbeenrecalledherecordsallthehistoryof Israel.Fromthefamous67thPsalmhesays:Iwillopenmymouthinaparable;andutterdark sayingsfromofold(Psalm78:2).AndherecordstheentirehistoryofIsrael,andhowinspite ofallthegreatthingstheLorddid,Israelwentastraytofalsegods.Thenwecometotheend, andDavidappears.TheLordawokeasoutofsleep,likeamanfromastrongdrink;andHe appointsDavid.Buthereistheentirehistoryinaparable,thewholehistoryofIsraelisaparable. Itisastorytoldasifitweretrue,leavingtheonewhohearsittodiscoveritsfictitiousnatureand thenextractitsmeaning. SotheentirehistoryofIsrael,asrecordedinscripture,isnotsecularhistory,butitisdivine history.Youhavetofindoutwhatitmeansbehindthatstory;andwhenyoufindout,itisthe mostthrillingthingintheworld.Itsallaboutyou!Aswearetoldinthe40thPsalm:Inthe volumeofthebook,itisallaboutme(Psalm40:7).Ihavenotrestrainedmylips(Psalm 40:9);IscreameditfromthehousetopswhenIdiscoveredthewholethingswasallaboutme! Thewholebookisallaboutyou.Itsallaboutyou.Butitisadumbrated.Thewholethingisan adumbration.NowwhenwecometotheNewTestament,ittakesonacubicreality.TheOldisa roughsketch,buttheNewTestamenttakesonacubicreality,anditalltakesplacewithinyou, theindividual.ThenyouwillrealizethewholethingisallaboutyoueverythingintheBible.It isnotunderstoodintheOldTestamentbecausethatisaforeshadowing;itistoldinanot altogetherconclusiveorimmediatelyevidentway.WhenwecomeintotheNewTestament,and Hetellsitallabouttheindividual,thatsnotwhatwearelookingfor.Theywerelookingforan externalsavior,onewhowouldcomeanddestroyaphysicalenemyofIsrael.Sothatsnotit.He comesfromwithin.Andthisiswhatwasmeantintheverybeginningofdays.Hecomestousas oneunknown,butonewhointhemostmysteriousmannerletstheindividualexperiencewhoHe is.Andwhenyouexperienceit,youexperienceitasyourself.YouaretheOnespokenof. NowifallthingsarepossibletoHim,remembernow:youaretheOnespokenofinscripture. AndifwhatIhavequotedearliertonightcanbeputtothetestandproveninthetesting,dont hesitatetodoit.Youcanspeak.YouhavethetwogiftsspokenofbyHermes,andwearetold thatnomortalcreaturehasitbutman;andthesearethegiftsofMindandSpeech.Soifyouuse themrightly,youwilldifferinnothingfromthegods.Andwhenyoudropoffthebodyandyou quitit,thesewillbeyourguides.Theywillleadyouintothetroopofthegodsandintothesouls ofthosewhohaveattainedtobliss.Youwillhavethesamemind;youwillbeusingMindand youwillbeusingSpeech.

More!More:isthecryofamistakensoul;lessthanAllcannotsatisfyMan.(Blake,PropositionV,fromThere IsNoNaturalReligion,SecondSeries)

So you will find all through scripture the words: And the Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah.(Jeremiah1:2,9,13;2:1;11:1;14:1;16:1;18:1;21:1;30:1;32:1;33:1;34:1;35:1; 40:1;46:1;47:1;etc.)TheWordoftheLordcameuntoEzekiel.(Ezekiel1:3;3:16;6:1;7:1; 11:14;13:1;15:1;16:1;17:1;18:1;21:1;etc.)AllthesearetheWordoftheLord,andyouare theonespokenof. SotonightinasimplewaythisiswhatIwoulddo.Iwouldbebrutallyfrankwithmyself,and dontmodifyit.IfthereisnorestraintonwhatGodoffers,andyouhaveadesire,nothingis impossibletoGod.Soknowexactlywhatyouwant,andbehonestwithyourself.Nowifitwere true,whatwoulditfeellike?Andifitweretrue,couldIrestraintheimpulsetotalkaboutit?No, Icouldnt.Iwouldhavetotellit.AswearetoldinJeremiah: IfIsay,Iwillnotmentionhim, orspeakanymoreinhisname, thereisinmyheartasitwereaburningfire. shutupinmybones, andIamwearywithholdingitin, andIcannot.(Jeremiah20:9,R.S.V.) Welldoit.Hehastotalkaboutitwhenhediscoversaprinciplethatworksandprovesitselfin theperformance.Now,dontmodifyyourobjective.Youknowwhatyouwant?Wellthatsit. Nowwhatwouldthefeelingbelike,andwhatwouldIsay,andtowhomwouldIsayit?Well now,carryonthatconversationfromthepremiseofthewishfulfilled,andtrytokeepitupuntil itisnaturalfeelsnatural.Whenittakesonthetonesofrealityandthefeelingofnaturalness, youvegotit.Thethingisworkingnow. Youcanplayitoverandoverasyouplayanicerecord.Ifyoulikegoodmusicyounevertireof listeningtoit.Youcanplayiteverydayandseveraltimesadayandnevertireofgoodmusic,if youappreciateit.Youcouldgettiredofthebeebop,buthowcouldyouevertireofthebeautiful classicalpieces?IknowIdont;soIcouldlistentothemeveryday,andIdowhenIamathome. Weturnonourradiotoacertainstation;andits24hoursadayofclassicalmusicKFAC withverylittleadvertisingandasmalllittle3minutenewscastonthehour;andthenthroughout the hour unbroken hour, wonderful music; piano music between 9:00 and 10:00, the BeethovensandtheBrahmsandtheBachsforonesolidhour.Ijustenjoyitfeastuponit.Well youcantakearecordyourownrecordanddothat,andthenletitcomebackintothisworld bearingfruit. SoIdohopethatyouwilltakemeseriously.Youhaventathingtoloseandalltogain.Thats whyyouarehere,andthatswhyIhavebeensenttotellyou.ThereisaLaw,andthereisa Promise. ThePromiseisgoingtocome,regardless;butwhileyouarewaitingforthePromise,youcould makelifemorecomfortablewiththeuseoftheLaw,becausetheLawmustbeoperated.Weare

theoperantpower.Itwillnotoperateitself.ButthePromiseiscoming.Youcantstopthe Promise. ThePromiseisthatyouaregoingtobeGod.ThatsthePromise.Youaregoingtowakeupone dayandknowthatyouareGod,andallthesymbolismthatconfirmsitwillstandbeforeyou,and thenyoullknowwhoyouare.HisSonwillcallyouFather,andyouwillknowthatyouare GodwhenHisonlySoncallsyou,Father.Youwillknowthatheisyourson,andhellknow thatyouarehisFather. SothePromiseiscoming.ButwhileyouwaitforthePromise,taketheLawanduseit.Iquoted verymuchthisnightontheLaw,whichistheinnerconversation.Useyourinnerconversations, becauseifyoudo,youwillhavethesalvationofGod.Andbecauseyourformerconversations wererelatedtoyouroldnature,andHetellsyoutoputitoff,youcanonlyputofftheold naturebyputtingofftheoldconversations,becausetheyarerelated.Theformerconversations wereproducingtheoldnature;andifthenatureistheprincipleuponwhichmandependsfor samenessofformintransmittedlife,thesameformisgoingtobetransmitteduntilyouchange theformerconversations.Whenyouputonthenewrecordthenewconversations,youare goingtochangeyourworld;andpeoplewillmeetyouandwonderwhathashappenedtoyou. Why,henowismovinginthemostmarvelousmanner.Thingsarejustgoingperfectlyfor him.Why?Hechangedhisnature.Howdidhedoit?Hechangedhisinnerconversations. Butdoyouknow,therearepeoplemymindgoesbacktothelastwarWorldWarII;andthis young man afine chap,anonly child; andhe toldme quite innocently that heso hated Rooseveltthatinthemorningwhileshavinghetoldhimoff.Hetoldhimexactlywhathe thoughtofhim,bawledhimout.Isaid,Whydoyoudoit?Dontyouknowyouareonly hurtingyourself?Hesaid,Iknowit.Butoh,ifItoldyouwhatathrillIgetoutofit.You know,hewouldntchangeit.HesodespisedthemanhedidntknowRoosevelt,hedidnt know any member of his family; but he simply disliked him. And inwardly not on Mr. Roosevelt,itworkedonhim.Andheknewwhathewasdoing.Ifhedidntknow,thatsone thing;buttoknowandnotdoit,thatisjusttheopposite.Wellthatiswhathedid. He said, WhyNevilletheshowsonBroadwaytodayare$10aseat.Thereisnoshow on BroadwaythatcouldgivemethethrillofthosefifteenminutesinthemorningwhenIshave.He justsimplydelightedintellingoffsomebodythathedidntevenknow.Andifhethoughtforone momentheshouldntdoit,hesaid,Wellletmefinishthissentenceanyway.Well,peopledo that.Theyknowtheyaredoingthewrongthing,andyettheyvegottocompletethesentence. Itsastupidthing. SoIaskyoutotryit.Butworkitradically,andyougototheveryrootandputonthenew record.Youcandoit.Iwarnedyouearlier,itisnottheeasiestthingintheworldbecauseweare creaturesofhabit.Butwhenyoucatchyourselfgoingbacktotheoldrecord,justputonthenew recordagain;andthenewonewillbecomejustaseasytoplayandasnaturaltoplayastheold oneisnow.

Nowletusgointothesilence.

NowIwillbeherethefivenightsnextweek.Mondaynightwillbethepracticalnight;andwhat willbeinthenextfour,Idonotknow.Thetitlesarethere,buthowIwillpresentthem,Idonot knowyet.ButMondaynightwillbeaverypracticalone.Icalltonightsapracticalone. Nowarethereanyquestions,please? ALADY:HowcouldIknowthedifferencebetweenifIamdaydreamingorifIhavethereal innerconversation? NEVILLE:Wellmydear,tryit.Youstartwithadaydreamanyway.Thedressyouarewearing hadfirsttobeimagined.Peoplecallallimaginationadream.Itfirstwasonlyimaginedbeforeit becamewhattheworldcallsafact.Whatisnowknownassomethingprovenwasfirstonly imagined.Thisbuildingweareinhere,allthebuildingsintheCitywereonlyimagined.Andall theworkersthatseemtobetheactiveinstrumentstoputthemuptheyaretheunconscious instrumentsofmenwhoonlydreamed.Thearchitects,theyhadtheirblueprintandtheirdream; andtheworkmentheycomeoutallright,theyaredoingtheirjob,andtheyseemsoactive, buttheyaresimplytheunconsciousinstrumentsofthosemenofimagination. Yougointobattle.Thousandsarefalling.Theyaretheunconsciousinstrumentsofthemenwho plotthewar. Arethereanyotherquestions,please?Ifnot,Iwillsay,goodnight.