The Immortal - Book 1
-- by Joseph John (JJ) Dewey
Hints and the First Key - Chapter 5
I gathered my forces and inquired, "So, how do we go about
doing this?"
"If I were to just tell you the keys your understanding
of them would be quite limited and you would not appreciate the
depth of knowledge that lies behind them. Instead, we will use
what is called the Intuitive Principle. I will give you
pieces of information, or hints, and you contemplate where they
are leading you and give me your intuitive feedback. Then I give
you more hints until you come to an understanding of the principle.
Sometimes that understanding comes gradually and other times it
comes instantly in a flash of light."
"So, are you going to give me a hint now?"
"Yes. Your first hint is the question: WHO OR WHAT ARE
YOU? Or if you put it in the first person you ask WHO OR WHAT
AM I? Each time you are given a hint you are allowed to ask enough
questions to get the direction of the hint settled in your mind
so your intuition can foment. Do you have anything you want to
ask?"
"I might as well take a stab at the answer. It seems easy
enough. I am a human being."
"That is the definition of your physical presence, but
the term human being is just a vibrating term that tells
you nothing of what you are. Think again. WHO OR WHAT ARE YOU?"
Obviously, John was not going to let me off easy here so I
reflected for a moment and replied, "If I recall correctly
the scriptures tell us that we are supposed to be sons of God.
Is that what we are?"
"It is true that you are a human being. You are also a
son of God as the scriptures teach. But just saying you are human
or a son of God, Godlike or angelic means little. It is just an
expression of words with little meaning to most. Let me ask you
again... WHO OR WHAT ARE YOU, really?"
This sounded easy at first, but I was beginning to get the
idea that this may be harder than I thought. I thought a moment
of every teaching I could think of about whom I was and then responded.
"Some say I am Spirit or Soul. Is that who I am?"
"And what is Spirit or Soul?" said John.
"Well, I guess it is me without my body. Perhaps that
which continues after death."
"If I were to tell you that you are Spirit does that tell
you anything about who or what you are?"
"Well, yes. I guess so."
"What does it tell you?"
"It tells me that I... that I'm.... that I'm, well, some
type of spirit essence.."
"Didn't you learn in Basic English that you are not supposed
to define a word with the word you are defining? You do not define
red by saying it is red. You do not define spirit by saying it
is spirit. Now let me repeat. If I say you are Spirit, what does
it tell you?"
I was about to define Spirit by using the word Spirit again,
but caught myself and thought a moment. "I guess if I am
Spirit then I am not physical."
John then reached toward me and grabbed my wrist. "But
I can feel your physical self. So are you really Spirit?"
"Well, I guess I am a physical being with a spirit."
"Let me explain something that you must remember throughout
this course. I will always speak to you precisely. I did not say
that you have a spirit, but I asked you what it would mean if
you were Spirit?"
"I guess it would mean that I am not physical."
"Progress at last!" said John. "But if you are
not physical, then what is left?"
I thought a moment. "Spirit, I suppose."
John sighed. "Again I ask, what is Spirit?"
"I'm not exactly sure... Perhaps life, essence, vibration.
It is what we are when we are not physical."
"But if you are Spirit it is also what you are when you
are physical. If you are Spirit then you are always Spirit. Do
you think you alter between being Spirit and not being Spirit?"
"I guess not."
"You now have food for thought. Think about this question
for the next week. We will then meet in seven days and review
your thoughts and give you more direction. Please repeat the question
for me again."
"What is Spirit?"
"No, my friend. That followed the question. If you are
to get the correct answer you must contemplate the correct question.
What is the question?"
"Who am I?"
"Not quite. Think again. What is the question? Remember
what I said about exact wording."
"Was it What am I?"
"Think again."
I thought back to the beginning. "Was it WHO OR WHAT
AM I?"
"That is correct, my friend. Now contemplate that exact
wording and the direction of our conversation during this next
week. Make notes of what comes to your mind no matter how out
of place or ridiculous the thoughts may seem. Also keep this thought
in mind as we progress. Sometimes the hints will help you discover
the direction you are not supposed to go, or wrong answers, so
eventually only the way of truth is left."
"Interesting," I nodded in appreciation.
"Now let me ask again. If I were to tell you that you
are Spirit, does that tell you anything about who or what you
are?"
"I guess in reality it doesn't tell me a whole lot."
"You are correct. Even if the statement is true it means
very little to you or anyone else in your present state of understanding.
When and if you get the first principle you will at least have
some understanding along with it."
"Fascinating." I felt like Spock on Star Trek observing
an advanced alien race.
"Time is about up. I should be on my way."
"John. I have one more question."
"Yes…"
"Can I share what I have learned with my wife?"
"If you are successful you will share your knowledge with
the world. Because the destiny of male and female is to become
one, you should share all things with your trusted wife. But do
not tell anyone else of your experience until the time is right
or you will be cut off from further teachings. Here, let me get
the tab."
"It seems strange to have John the Apostle buy me coffee.
I would have thought someone of your status would just materialize
what you need."
"How little do you realize the correct use of power, my
friend. When in the world of man interacting with man, I must
be as a man just as you are. You will learn more about power later."
He shook my hand. "Good-bye for now."
"Where and when will I see you again?"
"I am working as a bell ringer seven days a week at Albertsons
supermarket. I am easy to find. Come back in seven days, next
Thursday, and we will continue class."
"OK. Sure," I said as I watched him pay for coffee
and walk out the door. I half expected to blink my eyes and watch
him disappear as he walked down the sidewalk, but he did not.
He just looked like a normal older person strolling down the walk
until he was out of sight.