Principles of Discovery -- Part 3

2006-6-2 05:35:00

[Compiler's Note:  The text of the original article was edited by JJ Dewey, and per his request was re-published below.]

  

Knowledge Dispels Error & Illusion

The Question:

Even though your foundation beliefs are great stepping stones there does come a time when you will discover that some of them are either not true or founded upon partial truth. What makes this discovery possible?

What are some common erroneous foundation beliefs that we see about us?

A student comments:

"When my mind was satisfied, then the new information actually thrilled every fiber of my being! I sat back from studying Strong's concordance and felt a glow growing inside. Now I had to reorganize my belief system(s) but it felt wonderful to do so: freeing; expanding; powerful new vistas."

JJ:

I could really relate to this as it has happened several times to me in my life. It can be very troubling when a foundation belief is disturbed, but then when the barriers are let down there is great joy when higher truth is accepted.

Another student gives examples of illusionary foundation beliefs:

"1.   'We' have a corner on the truth. 'We' have it and you don't.

"2.   You only have one shot at life, you better do it right.

"3.   Evil is more powerful than good.

"4.   I'm not responsible [...] for what happens to me, for what kind of leaders are leading, for the ills of this world, etc., etc.

"5.   It's so screwed up there is no hope."

JJ:

Good point here. Some would say that the truth is that good and evil are equal, but such is not so. Good is the dominate of the two and this is the reason that our progression moves forward as an eternal spiral. If good and evil were exactly equal then we would be going in circles for eternity.

Djwahl Khul speaks of the Law of Dominating Good as follows:

"Disease is the Product of, and subject to, three influences. First, a man's past, wherein he pays the price of ancient error. Second, his inheritance, wherein he shares with all mankind those tainted streams of energy which are of group origin. Thirdly, he shares with all the natural forms that which the Lord of Life imposes on His body. These three influences are called 'The Ancient Law of Evil Sharing.' This must give place some day to that new Law of Ancient Dominating Good which lies behind all that God made. This law must be brought into activity by the spiritual will of man."

A law of "Dominating Good" lies behind all that God has made. That thought registers well with the soul.

How about problem of foundation beliefs on the other side of the fence in the New Age community? Can you name a couple?

Here was one answer:

"1.   Traditional religions and scriptures have absolutely nothing to offer me.

"2.   There is no evil.

"3.   Learning to do (astral traveling, telekinesis, past life regression) is the focus rather than being (kind, loving helpful).

"4.   There are no rules worth following."

These are all excellent observations of New Age traps.

"Traditional religions and scriptures have absolutely nothing to offer me."

This is an interesting one because the left and right take two extremes on this. The "religious right" takes everything too seriously, and literally, and many on the left throw the whole Bible out the window thinking it is like kindergarten and needs to be left behind.

The truth is that great wisdom is distilled in this as well as other world scriptures and is very useful when passed by the soul. In my opinion the highest writings are those of Isaiah, the words of Jesus and the writings of the Apostle John. I think we can find here words of spiritual power that are equal or surpass that of anything available through modern writers.

"There is no evil."

I've had a lot of discussion with various people on the list with this one. Either they or I have some foundation resifting to do in the future.

It is interesting that The Great Invocation, which is accepted by many of those who teach there is no evil, has this in one of its stanzas:

"Let the Plan of Love and Light work out And may it seal the door where evil dwells."

This is not that far removed from the Lord's prayer given 2000 years ago in which He asked to "lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

My question to those who do not believe that we have to be concerned with evil is this. If Christ, the greatest of us all prays that we be delivered from evil, then is it not apparent that our foundation beliefs need to be re-examined if we see ourselves beyond this need?

Suppose you have a guide that is taking you through unknown territory. He has traveled the path before and you have not. He tells you that you will shortly come across quicksand and will have to take a detour. If you do not take his word seriously and imagine there is no quicksand will this erase the danger?

Of course not.

Similarly, if the Master speaks of evil as a real force should we not consider the truth behind his words?

"Learning to do (astral traveling, telekinetic, past life regression) is the focus rather than being (kind, loving helpful)."

Phenomenon does often distract from the needed path of service.

"There are no rules worth following."

This was another good one. For the right of the middle the rules are everything, and for the left there are no rules. Those in the middle realize that some rules are necessary for order but should not suffocated by them.

Here is my rule for rules:  Minimum rules -- maximum free will.

Here is another shaky foundation belief:  "Everything is perfect and should just be accepted the way it is."

I have heard many people on the left and right make a statement something like this as they are struggling to achieve. Sometimes they word it this way:  "If God wants it (or if it's meant to be) then it will happen. If it does not happen then it is not supposed to be." Time and time again I have seen this attitude cause the person to cease making that little extra bit of effort necessary for success.

The truth is that you have power to create what you decide to create and as a reflection of God your creations are God's will. If we want something, all we must do is make a decision to get it and pursue the dream until it is real. If we leave everything up to an outside God we become like a sandcastle exposed to the wind and waves of the ocean. Disintegration will be the result.

Let us sum up a new criteria for discovery:

Seek out true sources of knowledge, study and incorporate them into your life. Knowledge dispels error and illusion.

Thus we now have six criteria:

  1. Take the things you know (for reasonable surety) to be true and use them as a foundation or stepping stones for testing additional truths.
  2. Be willing to let these foundation beliefs be either altered or dropped as some of them are replaced by higher vision.
  3. The teaching should be in harmony with common sense.
  4. It should increase the power of Decision and free will.
  5. It should bring you to a new level of awareness and usefulness.
  6. Seek out true sources of knowledge, study and incorporate them into your life. Knowledge dispels error and illusion.

Jesus gave us another principle to aid in the discovery of truth. He said:

"Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." (John 7:16-17)

What principle was the Master teaching here and how can we use it in the discovery or confirmation of truth?

  

-- End Of Part Three --

  

Go to:

Principles Of Discovery, Part Four

Principles Of Discovery, Part Two

Principles Of Discovery (Index Of Articles)