>>> Continued from previous message
REALIZING THE IMMORTALITY AND INVINCIBILITY OF THE EGO.
While the majority accept on faith the belief in the Immortality of the
Soul, yet but few are aware that it may be demonstrated by the soul
itself. The Yogi Masters teach the Candidates this lesson, as follows:
The Candidate places himself in the State of Meditation, or at least in
a thoughtful frame of mind, and then endeavors to "imagine" himself as
"dead"-that is, he tries to form a mental conception of himself as dead.
This, at first thought, appears a very easy thing to imagine, but as a
matter of fact it is impossible to do so, for the Ego refuses to
entertain the proposition, and finds it impossible to imagine it. Try it
for yourself. You will find that you may be able to imagine your body as
lying still and lifeless, but the same thought finds that in so doing
You are standing and looking at the body. So you see that You are not
dead at all, even in imagination, although the body may be. Or, if you
refuse to disentangle yourself from your body, in imagination, you may
think of your body as dead but You who refuse to leave it are still
alive and recognize the dead body as a thing apart from your Real Self.
No matter how you may twist it you cannot imagine yourself as dead. The
Ego insists upon being alive in any of these thoughts, and thus finds
that it has within itself the sense and assurance of Immortality. In
case, of sleep or stupor resulting from a blow, or from narcotics or
anesthetics, the mind is apparently blank, but the "I" is conscious of a
continuity of existence. And so one may imagine himself as being in an
unconscious state, or asleep, quite easily, and sees the possibility of
such a state, but when it comes to imagining the "I" as dead, the mind
utterly refuses to do the work. This wonderful fact that the soul
carries within itself the evidence of its own immortality is a glorious
thing, but one must have reached a degree of unfoldment before he is
able to grasp its full significance.
The Candidate is advised to investigate the above statement for himself;
by meditation and concentration, for in order that the "I" may know its
true nature and possibilities, it must realize that it cannot be
destroyed or killed. It must know what it is before it is able to
manifest its nature. So do not leave this part of the teaching until you
have mastered it. And it is well occasionally to return to it, in order
that you may impress upon the mind the fact of your immortal and eternal
nature. The mere glimmering of this conception of truth w ill give you
an increased sense of strength and power, and you will find that your
Self has expanded and grown, and that you are more of a power and Centre
than you have heretofore realized.
The following exercises are useful in bringing about a realization of
the invincibility of the Ego-its superiority to the elements.
Place yourself in the State of Meditation, and imagine the "I" as
withdrawn from the body. See it passing through the tests of air, fire
and water unharmed. The body being out of the way, the soul is seen to
be able of passing through the air at will-of floating like a bird-of
soaring-of traveling in the ether. It may be seen as able to pass
through fire without harm and without sensation, for the elements affect
only the physical body, not the Real "I." Likewise it may be seen as
passing through water without discomfort or danger or hurt.
This meditation will give you a sense of superiority and strength, and
will show you something of the nature of the real "I." It is true that
you are confined in the body; and the body may be affected by the
elements, but the knowledge that the Real "I" is superior to the
body-superior to the elements that affect the body-and cannot be injured
any more than it can be killed, is wonderful, and tends to develop the
full "I" consciousness within you. For You-the Real "I" are not body.
You are Spirit. The Ego is Immortal and Invincible, and cannot be killed
and harmed. When you enter into this realization and consciousness, you
will feel an influx of strength and power impossible to describe. Fear
will fall from you like a worn-out cloak, and you will feel that you are
"born again." An understanding of this thought, will show you that the
things that we have been fearing cannot affect the Real "I," but must
rest content with hurting the physical body. And they may be warded off
from the physical body by a proper understanding and application of the
Will.
In our next lesson, you will be taught how to separate the "I" from the
mechanism of the mind how you may realize your mastery of the mind, just
as you now realize your independence of the body. This knowledge must be
imparted to you by degrees, and you must place your feet firmly upon one
round of the ladder before you take the next step.
The watchword of this First Lesson is "I." And the Candidate must enter
fully into its meaning before
he is able to progress. He must realize his real existence-independent
of the body. He must see himself as invincible and impervious to harm,
hurt, or death. He must see himself as a great Centre of Consciousness-a
Sun around which his world revolves. Then will come to him a new
strength. He will feel a calm dignity and power, which will be apparent
to those with whom he comes in contact. He will be able to look the
world in the face without flinching, and without fear, for he will
realize the nature and power of the ''I." He will realize that he is a
Centre of Power-of Influence. He will realize that nothing can harm the
"I," and that no matter how the storms of life may dash upon the
personality, the real "I" the Individuality-is unharmed. Like a rock
that stands steadfast throughout the storm, so does the "I" stand
through the tempests of the life of personality. And he will know that
as he grows in realization, he will be able to control these storms and
bid them be still.
In the words of one of the Yogi Masters : "The 'I' is eternal. It passes
unharmed through the fire,
the air, the water. Sword and spear cannot kill or wound it. It cannot
die. The trials of the physical life are but as dreams to it. Resting
secure in the knowledge of the 'I;' Man may smile at the worst the world
has to offer, and raising his hand he may bid them disappear into the
mist from which they emerged. Blessed is he who can say
(understandingly) 'I'"
So dear Candidate, we leave you to master the First Lesson. Be not
discouraged if your progress be slow. Be not cast down if you slip back
a step after having gained it. You will gain two at the next step.
Success and realization will be yours. Mastery is before. You will
Attain. You will Accomplish. Peace be with you.


         MANTRAMS (AFFIRMATIONS) FOR THE FIRST LESSON.

    "I" am a Centre. Around me revolves my world.
    "I" am a Centre of Influence and Power.
    "I" am a Centre of Thought and Consciousness.
    "I" am Independent of the Body.
    "I" am Immortal and cannot be Destroyed.
    "I" am Invincible and cannot be Injured.

-!-
 * OLX 2.2 * aham brahma asmi
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