2006-8-28 04:50:00
[Editor's Note: The text of the original article was edited by JJ Dewey and re-published below.]
This principle comes from these words of the Master:
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)
I remember first hearing this scripture when I was young. I thought this was a wonderful promise because I had many questions. But then to my disappointment I found that just asking God for an answer did not seem to work. Finally, I found the following scripture, which gave me encouragement. Here it is in a modern English translation:
Jesus said:
"Suppose you went to a friend's house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You would shout up to him, 'A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit and I've nothing to give him to eat.' He would call down from his bedroom, 'Please don't ask me to get up. The door is locked for the night and we are all in bed. I just can't help you this time.'
"But I'll tell you this; though he won't do it as a friend, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you everything you want; just because of your persistence. And so it is with prayer; keep on asking and you will keep on getting; keep on looking and you will keep on finding; knock and the door will be opened. Everyone who asks, receives; all who seek, find; and the door is opened to everyone who knocks." (Luke 11:6-10 New English Translation)
I received encouragement when I read this. This seemed to be a key. Obviously, one does not immediately receive that which he seeks, but must be persistent over a period of time. This is what I decided to do. I would ask and seek until I received even if it took a significant period of time. Sooner or later I would find out if the principle worked.
I thus set about seeking various mysteries that appealed to me. For quite a length of time not much seemed to happen but then in quiet moments when I was not expecting anything the inspiration began to come. At first the inner voice was so still and so small that I thought it was my imagination. Other times principles seemed to come to me as if in a blaze of glory, but over time I began to balance the intense with the inner quiet and to my delight I found that the answer to any question pertaining to principles could be acquired. Some just took longer than others.
There are many questions that I have not yet received the answer to, but most of these I have not sought to know with intensity. Those things that I have sought to know with great energy have always been answered over time.
This brings us to:
The point of tension is a point of stress that precedes all creation as well as advances in knowledge and intelligence.
If you take a model airplane and wind up its propeller, the rubber band will incur more and more stress or tension until it becomes taut. At first it may seem like little is happening, that no tension is being built, but if the person persists the tension will indeed come. The flyer must use judgment and reach the right point of tension. If he winds too much the band will snap and disaster will occur. On the other hand, if he winds the right amount he can constructively harness the energy of the tension to fly the plane.
Another, but different example of the point of tension is the adding of sugar to a glass of water. If you add a small amount the sugar it seems to disappear as if nothing is happening because its particles go in the empty spaces between the water molecules. But if you keep adding sugar the space between the molecules fills up and a point of tension occurs in the water. When this point of tension is reached the sugar becomes visible and some of that which was hidden materializes along with the added sugar.
This corresponds to finding what you seek. As you put attention on that which is sought and send energy to it, it may seem that nothing is happening for a period of time. But when the point of tension is reached an almost miraculous materialization will occur. This may come in the still small voice, a fiery confirmation or a flash of intuitive knowledge.
Rest assured that the parable of the persistent neighbor is true. If you keep on seeking, that life which is higher than yourself will finally yield and give you what you want.
"Three things the Pilgrim must avoid. The wearing of a hood, a veil which hides his face from others; the carrying of a water pot which only holds enough for his own wants; the shouldering of a staff without a crook to hold."
-- Djwhal Khul (DK)
Copyright © 2006 by J.J. Dewey, All Rights Reserved