THE MYSTIC LIFE
An introduction to mysticism and a clear exposition of its meaning, its scope and its importance in the daily life. Just the thing to place in the hands of one who is beginning to aspire and think for himself.
“The Path (to Mastery) is the Path of Renunciation; it is also a path of glorious achievement. Upon it you will find many things to comfort you during the long nights of darkness and the days of combat, many resting places, many joys. . . . The renunciation must be the renunciation of the dominion of the lower self and the disciplining and training of its desires and appetites.”
Contents
- Contains chapters on How Mysticism Solves the World’s Problems
- The Path of Discipleship
- Illumination
- The Mystic Christ
- Recommendations for Daily Living
Full information for gathering small groups of those interested to form study classes for mutual help, understanding and fellowship.
A short cut
Both intellectual development and heart development are necessary, but, if the heart is first developed and a conscious union made with the Christ within, all things are revealed unto you. This is, as it were, the short cut to Mastery.
It is a singular fact that none of the Great Teachers—Krishna, Buddha, Jesus, etc.—ever wrote a word, or were, in Their day, looked upon as great intellectual teachers, but the example of Their lives lives in the world to this day, and can never die, because They made this divine correlation, literally manifesting God in the flesh. It is neither the words you speak nor the routine of your life that affects the world, but something more. It is the power of that which is “the way, the truth, and the life.” In other words, both that which you teach, and the example of your life must prove conclusively that it is the Christ within you that worketh through you both to will and to do.
It must not be a mere lip-service, it must be so true and so convincing that it will radiate from you rather than be a garment assumed before the world or a mere intellectual cloak that blinds your own eyes, for the Christ within you must be the Truth as well as the Way and the Life.
Recapitulation
If there is any doubt left in regard to the Path we point out to reach this attainment, we will briefly recapitulate.
- Think only constructively if you desire spiritual growth.
- Do cheerfully and well the duty that lies nearest.
- Conquer the little faults as they show themselves.
- Never let a day close without its period of self-examination, meditation, and communion with the Divine before going to sleep.
- Do unto others as ye would that others should do unto you.
- Learn to love in its truest and grandest sense.
- Do not criticize others, even though your criticism seems just; for to do so you must dwell mentally in the conditions you criticize.
- Be not afraid to face and recognize your own faults.
- At the same time be not discouraged.
- Have perfect confidence in your power ultimately to conquer through the Christ within.
- For the voice of the Christ declares, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”
The “Mystic Christ” within is often called the First Begotten Son of God, the Spiritual Self, the Real Self, the Higher Self, the I Am Presence, the God within, the Christ-within, the Name of God, The Word, etc.
