Paying Attention

2007-1-30 04:52:00

JJ: The next letter is to the seeker in Sardis.

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. (Revelation 3:1)

JJ: The seven Spirits represent seven great creative entities representing the seven rays. They are said to be the seven spirits before the throne of God. (See Revelation 4:5) The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, or the aspiring disciples in their various stages of progression.

There is another correspondence, however. The seven stars represent the lower natures of the seven groups and the seven spirits, who are also called "lamps of fire," represent the higher natures, or higher selves of the various seekers. Visualize the faint light of a star and a blazing lamp of fire and we get an idea of the difference between the two.

Even so, a twinkle of light is still a light and a beginning of the igniting of a greater light that will later shine as a sun. Therefore, the Master does nourish the little lights for a star is merely a blazing sun placed at far distance.

The inner Christ makes an interesting statement. He says he "hath" both the seven Spirits as well as the seven stars. He is saying that the dim light in the seeker is the same light that blazes in our higher natures, which is one with God. Both the high and the low are contained in the mind and heart of God.

Why does the master start this letter by telling the seeker this? It is because at this stage of the journey he is tired and sometimes feels that God has forsaken him. He begins to question if the far away reward is worth all the effort and trouble. If he is diligent he hears the inner voice when he reaches this stage - "I have not forsaken you. I hold you close to me and call you my own just as I do the archangels before my throne."

The voice continues:

"I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead."

JJ: The seeker has a living name that represents the Christ or God within. This tells us that he has "the name of God in his forehead" and is attempting to do a living work that will assist the forces of light and love to manifest on the earth. Even though he intellectually knows he is following the right path he feels that God has forsaken him and begins to get discouraged and has doubts about many things that previously enlivened him.

It's been a while since he heard a clear communication from the inner voice. Perhaps God is discouraged with him and has cut him off, or maybe he just imagined the inner voice to begin with.

He searches within one more time in desperate need of instruction and finally hears the voice again telling him how to get back on track.

Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. (Revelation 3:2)

JJ: He learns that one of the reasons that he lost some sensitivity to the inner voice is that the quality of his works has been low. This is what happens to the seeker when he becomes weary of the journey and loses faith. He then just goes through the motions of service. If his heart is not really in it then the quality of his works will suffer.

The solution: The first piece of advice is to: "be watchful."

This harmonizes with the advice of Socrates. He said, "The unexamined life is not worth living." One of the reasons the seeker feels dead to the spirit is he has been negligent in examining himself and watching, or paying attention to the inner voice. The truth is that the Inner Christ did not leave him. Instead the seeker got lazy and drifted away from his Source.

The second word of advice was to "strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die."

He has gained many good qualities and principles on his journey, but has not been watchful and taken his attention off them. Therefore, much of the good that he has gained so far is in danger of dying to him. He must take immediate steps and strengthen his hold on all the spiritual qualities he has gained. Above all he must re-establish communion with the Inner Christ.

The advice continues:

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. (Revelation 3:3)

JJ: The advice is concise. The seeker must ever remember "how" he has received and "hold fast." How does he receive instructions from the inner voice? By watching or putting consistent attention on it. He must hold fast to this process or he could suffer a spiritual death. He is told to "repent." In other words, return to his core principles, which have served him well.

If he does not restore his spiritual base the next time he receives an inner communication it will not be to console him, but will be something alarming that he is ill prepared to receive.

Here are the final instructions to Sardis:

⁴ Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

⁵ He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

⁶ He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Revelation 3:4-6

It is the right use of this same energy which makes fusion with the Hierarchy possible. These are points worth considering, and will convey to you some understanding of present world conditions. The underlying Principle of Fusion and of group endeavour is right and part of the divine plan; its implementation by grasping, greedy and ambitious men, or by deluded disciples, is terribly wrong and will lead to disaster. This disaster the Hierarchy is seeking to avert, but the Masters are handicapped (as usual) by the relatively few upon whom They can depend, and by the lack of understanding amongst the masses of well-intentioned people. These, through their ignorance rather than through their planned ill-doing, know not how to stem the tide of evil.
DK - Discipleship in the New Age,
Vol 2 Pages 353-4