Study Guide 1

Prayer, Meditation and Contemplation

Syllabus

Content:

This study guides contains readings and references in the form of quotes, "seed thoughts," excerpts and passages on the topic of prayer, meditation and contemplation which have been taken from the teachings and writings of Joseph John Dewey.

The topic of prayer, meditation, and contemplation was chosen as the subject of this study guide series as the reader may wish to consider whether, why and how it may be beneficial to have a personal "practice and discipline" if, when and as they prepare for, finish with, and as a follow-through to accompany their study of what could be generally termed as "matters of the spirit".

Like with most things in life, you will only get out of this endeavor what you put into it. Similarly, there is no "right" or "wrong" way--in fact, at present, and for you, doing nothing may be the best path.

Irrespective of what you do or don't do, you do not need concern yourself with any of this, as the intent and focus of this study guide, and other study guides--is to cause you to "pray, meditate and contemplate" not only on what is before you in this study guide, but in all matters which you deem appropriate to place this kind of focus and attention towards.

At this point all you really need is a sincere heart and an open mind.

Later, and after you have gone through this study guide, you may receive additional or even different impressions which you can contemplate on; and if you so choose, you can then modify your preparatory and follow-up "practice and discipline" as you see appropriate.

The basic idea is to make it all as simple and easy for yourself as you can; and at the same time, as unique to yourself as needful to experience a sense of fulfillment or completion which you sense is equal to the time and effort that you have invested.

Learning Objective:

When the Reader completes this Study Guide, they should, through the use and application of prayer, meditation and contemplation:

Have a greater understanding and appreciation of the use of the trinity of prayer, meditation and contemplation, and how using this trinity may increase their ability to learn from, comprehend, discern and retain any principles and facts placed before or presented to them--external to, or coming from within themselves.
Be able to identify if they need to use this particular trinity of tools; and when, where and in what instance they should or should not use them, and what the purpose and expectant result/benefit from each.
Know whether they need to modify and how to modify their present "practice and discipline."
Be able to determine and confirm if this teaching has merit by a direct application in their lives of suggestions not only to this study guide, but to all the study guides which will follow; and equally important is that the Reader should end up with a "practice and discipline" which may assist them in the examination of all other teachings they may encounter outside of this forum, to include and not limited to their own day-to-day circumstances.

Schedule Of Topics and Readings:

There is not going to be any additional schedule of topics or readings outside of what is identified and/or covered in this study guide. However, this does not mean to indicate that the assigned and/or suggested readings or the sources are a complete or total representation of what JJ Dewey has written and taught concerning this topic. Should you be so impressed to study a subject more deeply, then you must search out his writings further. This does not mean that this study guide may not be modified, and if it is we will publish an announcement highlighting the changes.

The intention of the Welcoming Committee and these Study Guides is not only to introduce you to the writings and teachings of Joseph John Dewey, but to stimulate you to study them on your own, gain greater confidence in yourself and your knowledge of them; and having received "a greater light," and in-turn find themselves motivated to actively and more fully participate at, in and with The Keys Of Knowledge discussion group.

With the exception of the syllabus portion of this study guide, all verbiage (quotes and excerpts) contained in this and other study guides are extracts which are taken directly from the writings and teachings of Joseph John Dewey.

The only reading materials which may be quoted, but are not available to you online for free at JJ Dewey's website (www.freeread.com) are "The Immortal II," "The Lost Key Of The Buddha" and, "Eternal Words." We highly recommend that you purchase all of the "Immortal Series" books and read them. You can purchase them (and other related items) from the online store found at JJ Dewey's website.

Points Of Contact:

Should you have any questions and/or comments as it relates to such things as typographical errors, formatting issues and other "instructions" pertaining to the content (messages and/or study guides) posted at the Welcoming Committee at Yahoo, we ask you contact Melva (melvakeys), Chairperson of The Keys Welcoming Committee, and Welcoming Committee group owner, and NOT The Keys Of Knowledge (The Keys) Discussion Group.

However, if you have a question or comment about, on or over a "doctrinal issue," we would prefer you then write an "off topic" message to the The Keys Of Knowledge discussion group at Yahoo. Please insert the letters "OT:" (without quotation marks) preceding description of the subject line of your post. You must be a member to post at The Keys.

Reading Assignments:

The reading assignments (quotes, excerpts, passages and articles) selected from the writings and teachings of JJ Dewey for this study guide are as follows:

Source: Toward The Truth

We often approach new teachings without knowing the percentage of truth therein until we spend some time in study and contemplation.

Source: Prayer, Meditation and Contemplation

There are those who have prayed regularly all their lives, and made sure others did too, yet the closest they have reached to the soul was the solar plexus emotion.

Even those who crucified Jesus were known for their "long prayers."

So, if many have prayed and many have done meditations all their lives and not received contact should we toss these acts away?

No. The answer is that we must find the key that makes them work. One important key we have been discussing is purity of heart. A good dose of this is essential. But beyond this we must realize that all things that have life or create livingness operate in triads or triangles corresponding to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; Father, Mother, Child; or Positive, Negative, Neutrality.

Unless these three aspects work together there is no creation and no noticeable effect, as if there were only one hand clapping.

Source: Soul Contact, Part V

Many of those who pray regularly believe that meditation is a bunch of New Age bunk and many who meditate see prayer as old fashion and outdated. Both sides leave out an important ingredient, or two important ingredients. We must practice the whole Trinity of prayer, meditation and contemplation.

Prayer opens the door of the soul to gain access to the world of Spirit, meditation takes you through that door so you can receive the Spirit, and contemplation brings the things of the Spirit down into the practical realm of the material world.

There are many who follow the first two steps and forget the third and thus feel the peace, but cannot put anything they sensed into words because without contemplation the experience soon becomes as if it has not been.

Source: The Molecular Relationship, Chapter 30, Part 2

Prayer is often overlooked by many New Age people as being old age, but there is an important point to remember here. The Master of Masters, the greatest of us all, even Jesus Christ, spent a good deal of time in prayer.

There is no faster way to achieve Soul contact than through the offering of a humble prayer.

Prayers rise to several levels depending on their intensity and importance:

FIRST: The Subconscious Mind. The subconscious mind records the prayer as if it were part of a computer program and thus the prayer becomes an aid toward positive thinking and the directing of the entity toward the end purpose of the prayer.

SECOND: The Soul. The Soul or the God Self hears and responds to the prayer if it is directed with energy and sincerity. When this happens, an almost magical process of manipulating universal energy is put into operation to bring the request into fulfillment. The Soul also has power to direct the God Energy to the lower self so the self can feel an assurance that the prayer has been registered.

THIRD: Spirit Guides. There are many entities in the higher realms that are concerned about us on the earth and they sometimes tune into our prayers and assist us in the materialization of our requests.

FOURTH: The Masters. If the prayer happens to touch upon some important purpose in line with the objectives of the Hierarchy, then one of the Masters may take note of the prayer and assist the disciple in his request. This is fairly rare but it does happen.

In receiving an answer to a prayer the name of the Jesus Christ is a powerful tool. While it is true that this English pronunciation is not much like the original that He used in Galilee, the name does have a rich meaning. It is more than a reference to the Master from Nazareth, but it means "anointed to deliver." Jesus did not intend to keep the name just for himself, but advised all of his followers to take the name upon themselves. All enlightened Souls are anointed to deliver those of a lower vibration. When we have been lifted up by someone above us, then it is our mission to lift or deliver others to higher ground also. There is a universal rule which tells us that we cannot go higher until we have given out what we have learned and assisted in lifting our brethren to where we are. When we have done this, then another will come along and lift us to higher ground. This is the principle behind the name of Jesus Christ. To believe on His name is to believe on this principle, that there are higher lives in the Universe waiting to help deliver, or "save" us when we are ready.

This salvation is a mutual effort of the student and teacher. The teacher does not actually do the saving, but provides the tools, example and the knowledge to the student. The student then has the choice to use those tools to take the next step, or to stay where he is for a while longer. If he takes the next step he is "saved" from his past moves into a bold new future.

When we end a prayer "In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen," or "In the name of Jesus Christ, AUMAN" and we ask through the power of belief, then a response must come forth from the Soul or higher lives seeking to help in the name of Christ.

Verily, if two or more people believe in the name of Jesus Christ, and seek an answer in sincerity in that name, they can receive a simultaneous revelation, and unity will be instantaneous and beautiful.

Source: The Synthesis Test - Analysis

⁵ And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily, I say unto you, they have their reward.

⁶ But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

⁷ But when ye pray, use not vain (useless) repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

⁸ Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.
Matt. 6:5-8.

Group prayer and meditation can be good and effective, but most of it done in the world is without purpose but merely part of a routine. However, when a person prays or meditated on his own, and no one else is aware of what he is doing, then at least the purpose behind it is unselfish.

When one uses correct prayer and meditation, he will find all the answers to his problems in advance, even before he asks for solutions, for the "father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him."

Source: Soul Contact, Part 2

In some ways, prayer from the heart is the highest meditation, because in kneeling before God, we formally recognize that there is a higher power present that is greater than our lower self.

Source: Clear Purpose

I thought I would respond to this since it is a stumbling block to some members who come along now and then. Some do wish we would teach self help lessons, more meditation techniques and more step by step instructions on a number of items that would perhaps bring enlightenment or higher spiritual contacts. Others wish we would dig up ancient teachings, explore the great pyramid, life in Atlantis, Planet X, the fifth dimension, etc. Still others wish to see some of the world changes hinted at in my writings and want things to happen yesterday.

People come and go for a number of reasons. So the group will not be disappointed or expect that which the list will not deliver I thought I would cover the direction and purpose of the teachings I give to you.

The purpose of the books I have written and will write plus the Keys articles I have written and will continue to post is this:

To touch upon the language of light, or the soul, through the presentation of higher principles thus causing the student to elevate his mind and heart from attention on data to the principle behind the data. It is to elevate the student from attention on the little self and its progress to the principles underlying a greater whole of which he is a part. It is to bring the student through contemplation to soul contact which is subtle contact with his greater group which greater light eclipses the lesser light of self and creates a desire for participation in a greater group life. It is for the Gathering of Lights. Light can only be gathered by shining forth a homing beacon of light in words of light. Light cleaves to light and recognizes itself in others who are prepared.

The writings are to prepare the minds of men and women for the Molecular Relationship which can only be initiated by those who are capable of group soul contact. These must be able to put aside minor personality differences and see as one though the eyes of the soul.

The writings are to stimulate the impulse to serve something higher than oneself or losing thought of self. He who loses self for the sake of Christ will obtain eternal joy in the kingdom of God.

The writings are to plant the seeds of change. Some of these seeds will sprout in the near future, others will come forth later. But if the word is good then it is eternal and will never die but will bring forth fruit in its time, and none can prevent the manifestation.

The writings are direction to aid in the manifestation of true world peace which is the destiny of humanity on this planet. There is great need for stability at this time. Suffering humanity cries out for relief as we relax in our comfortable situations. We have an obligation to follow the highest we know in changing the world for the better. But this must be done with wisdom, for many good-hearted people in the past have done more harm than good with their good intentions and have paved the way for the likes of Hitler and Stalin. Instead we seek to prepare the way for the Master of Masters, the Christ.

The purpose of the writings is to present new principles and ideas which have never been fully realized before and to take the old which was partially understood and add the missing ingredients that lead to full understanding.

What the teachings given here are not:

The teachings here are not a repeat or rehash of teachings given elsewhere. When other useful teachings are found we will reference them, but attempt not to present them as if they are new or unique to the Keys.

Although I have received many comments of how the teachings and the Song of the 144,000 have helped individuals in their personal lives, the teachings are not designed as self help aids. They are designed to lead the student to the soul and when he arrives there he will have all the help he needs.

Although meditation may be discussed periodically I do not have plans to initiate classes on the subject. There are already plenty of classes available on the internet and through numerous organizations which teach many aspects of it. I have plenty of material yet to write that has not yet been given to humanity that is much more important to get on paper than to replicate meditation techniques readily available to all.

I do, however, seek to activate the principle of contemplation in the student which is a higher form of meditation than taught in most classes. He who can contemplate and receive a flash of light that allows vision of a principle has achieved more than one who has a visitation of a spiritual being or attained bliss though negated thought.

The purpose of the teachings is not to resurrect data from the past but to reorient the eye of the seeker to the future. When the principles of the future are comprehended, the data from the past will fall in place.

The criticism mentioned at the beginning of this post indicated that we should be teaching meditation techniques to raise consciousness. Meditation techniques are useful if wisely applied, but by themselves will do little to raise consciousness. Consciousness must be raised through the understanding and application of principles, taking them from spirit and applying them in the real world of matter. Who had the highest consciousness, Winston Churchill or Peter the Hermit? Abraham Lincoln or the Maharishi? The monk seeking enlightenment for himself, or the servant seeking to share light with others?

True enlightenment is found, not by retreating into the self, but by taking the highest you know and radiating it in the service of others. When the disciple becomes a light unto others he then becomes a light unto himself. He buries not his light under a bushel but lets it shine upon a hill until all partake equally of the glowing flame.

Source: The Questioning Attitude

Plant a seed thought in your mind and heart, and feed this thought with contemplation and meditation. Observe the fruit that comes forth, and accept that which is sweet and registers with your soul.

Source: Recognizing Higher Contact

A busy person in the West, such as me, has little time for meditation so I have to learn to go within, in the mist of work, turmoil, noise and even conflict.

Source: Understanding Djwahl Khul (DK)

Are you so attached to your meditation on non-attachment that you cannot let go of it and try something else? If you are attached to non-attachment then you are not truly detached, are you?

Source: Soul Revisited

Meditation does not necessarily bring soul contact. There are those who meditate all their lives and never achieve it. More important than meditation is contemplation. Contemplation is a positive aspect of meditation and is more active and takes a person in the direction of the soul if attention is used and the heart is pure.

Source: The Four Levels Of Meditation

There are four basic planes that we normal humans can use as a medium for meditation.

The first is the physical. In this world we use the power of meditation through the power of paying Attention. This can be done through paying attention to a physical teacher, speaker or book, to gazing into a crystal ball or flame. As we meditate on the physical plane the mind and heart may be stimulated to bring forth images or ideas that will assist us. If nothing else meditation on the physical level will help focus us on the real that exists here so we do not turn into impractical dreamers.

The second is the emotional or astral and attention is a factor but in addition to this visualization comes into play. Overall females are better than males at visualizing because this is accomplished through female energy. You'll notice that females are reporting greater success at following this guided meditation because it works in the direction of their natural energy. Now many men are also good at it, but overall the female has the advantage here.

The third plane of meditation is the world of the mind and this is accomplished through imagination. Mind and imagination are polarized in the male energy so us guys have the advantage here. It's easy for us to imagine things, but it takes effort for us to visualize.

So what is the difference between visualization and imagination one may ask?

Let us say the object we want to bring into focus is an apple. To manifest it in the physical world we put attention on our physical desire for the apple and go and retrieve it from the refrigerator.

To make it manifest in the astral we tune in to our emotional; body and feel or sense the apple before us. If we are so in tune the apple will appear almost as real as one on the physical plane and may even stay suspended before the meditator for a period of time.

To manifest the apple on the plane of the mind the mental faculty of imagination is used. Forms filtered through the imagination may not produce such real or lingering images as does the astral, but the images become as real as necessary to communicate the essence of the meditation on this plane to the physical brain.

Thus, the imagination may flash an image of an apple to the brain that may linger less than a second whereas the power of visualization may cause the apple to linger on for minutes. Then on the physical plane it lasts even longer - until it decays or is eaten.

The apple is made of real substance on all of these planes, but as we go up the planes substance becomes more rarefied and time is compressed. This is why we have more time to see the visualization and much less to examine the thing that flashed into the imagination.

It takes contemplation to absorb all that the imagination brings down. This is why those who do not contemplate that which is imagined are often led astray by imagination.

Even though there are several levels of formless realities we shall lump them into one category here for practical purposes. This fourth level begins in the realm of ideas. An idea comes in at an even shorter instant of time than a thing imagined. An idea has no form, but as it passes down through the mind it takes form by stimulating the imagination. Next it will clothe itself with desire and its form will be seen through visualization. Finally, if the intensity is strong enough it will manifest in physical reality.

He who meditates in the formless worlds sees nothing and knows nothing while in the meditation. Instead he throws "seed thoughts" into this formless void and goes there through meditation and waits for the seeds to sprout and send their fruit in the form of inspired ideas that filter through ideas to the imagination down through visualized desire and finally into physical reality.

The first formless world requires that we be female or receptive in polarization to tap into it and thus the female has an advantage again. Nevertheless, through the power of attention all the levels of meditation are available to both physical sexes.

If you are not a great visualizer then find out where your power is. Someone suggested making a tape for physical assistance. This is an excellent idea. You can also bypass visualization temporarily and use the imagination at first, but later cloth the imagination with desire to bring it into focus through visualization.

Finally, you can also use the formless worlds by casting a "seed thought" into this reality. This seed thought would be centered on what you want to accomplish in meditation. If done successfully, the essence from this higher world will send you ideas and inspiration that will enable you to fulfill your desire.

Source: Higher Telepathy

Contemplation is the highest form of meditation.

Source: White Magic Lesson Two Continued

Contemplation on something is like planting a seed. If you take an idea and plant it in your mind and it grows and the soul light nourishes the seed then suddenly at an unexpected moment you will achieve enlightenment.

Source: The Oneness Principle

The way to discover knowledge and develop ability to commune through the oneness principle is through the meditative state called contemplation.

Source: The Hierarchy of Gods

Contemplation and tuning into the Oneness Principle can often lead to greater light than the reading of books.

Source: Time on our Side

Disciples today make life their yoga. Is there a lot of noise in the background trying to distract you? Learn to tune it out as you would ignore your stretching legs in the lotus position and focus on the goal. Do you have three kids vying for your attention? Learn to give them what they need while maintaining your inner peace. Had a fight with your friend, boss or lover? Learn to direct that anger to a harmless place and proceed with your prime direction.

The disciples in the West today have an even more difficult yoga than do those in the east. The number of distractions of the present age is legion and provides opportunities for discipline as never existed before.

Source: Seek and Find

When you have reached a dead end the final step is to ask God through prayer, meditation, contemplation, or preferably all three.

(END OF STUDY GUIDE)

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