Nature of the Soul
By Lucille Cedercrans
Lesson 2
We are now ready to consider the manner in which the Soul manifests itself in
form. Much can be learned by a study of the lower kingdoms in nature. We find
cycles of manifestation; certain forms coming in and going out according to a
cyclic ebb and flow. This great Law of Cycles is the rhythm of all manifestation
- that of the Soul incarnating into form, and the activities of the form itself.
Each time the Soul comes back into incarnation, the form will be built of a
finer grade of matter - be of greater conductivity, and therefore more capable
of Soul expression.
The individual, by inquiring into his own cycles of ebb and flow, will discover
how to rebuild his instrument into one of greater usefulness. By observation you
can discover when is the natural period for a great deal of outer activity, and
when it is the natural period for inactivity - for gathering in of your life
energies, rather than an expulsion of them. This each one must do for himself,
for all individuals experience different cyclic patterns.
There are, however, certain universal cycles which can be utilized by all. The
time of the full moon, for instance, is a great period of Hierarchial activity.
It is the easiest time in which a Master can be contacted by his students, for
it is then that his thoughts are turned outward to his group.
The student can take advantage of this period by stilling physical activity and
entering into the state of aspiration. To accomplish the contact, the vibratory
activity of the student must be in harmony with the vibratory activity of the
Master the student desires to contact. This is most easily established by
stilling the physical instrument, calming the emotional nature and aspiring with
the alerted mind. If the student could fast or cut down on his intake of food,
abstain from social activity, and refuse to become involved in emotional
problems, he would be greatly aided in his attempts to contact his Master.
I want you to understand that these instructions do not constitute an order,
they are merely suggestions for those who wish to follow them.
The early morning is another period which should be used by every student as the
time of meditation. At sunrise and for some time afterwards, the Soul turns it's
attention to it's instrument. By going into meditation at this time the student
receives a down flow of Soul energy, which will see him through whatever the day
has to offer. Often he is able to make a contact with his Soul and receive
communication in the form of realization. Later he will be able to blend his
personality consciousness with that of his Soul, during high moments of
meditation.
We find, when we study the vegetable kingdom, it's type of Soul expression in
it's harmony of color, it's uniformity of size and it's service to man.
In comparing man to vegetable we find expression of color which manifests as
quality, uniformity in brotherhood and service to the life indwelling form.
It is always wise to make these comparisons, because in doing so one learns much
anent the Laws governing manifestation. In studying the ways of nature, one
begins to grasp the Law of Cause and Effect, and is therefore closer to the
heart of Being.
The Soul, when it is building it's vehicle, forms it according to the needed
experience, colors it with the necessary qualities to draw, under the Law of
Attraction, the needed lessons and so grows rich in understanding. Each
succeeding form, or vehicle is capable of greater Soul expression, until finally
the Soul builds a form of such a high vibratory frequency that it can carry the
full consciousness of the Soul, and so manifest perfection.
What characteristics do we find in the highly developed form? We find, of
course, those inherent characteristics of the Soul itself which it is attempting
to manifest. They are enumerated and explained as follows:
1. DIVINE WILL: This is not to be confused with the little will of the separated
self, which is a distortion of reality. Divine Will manifests first as motive,
the Will to Good, and it motivates all of the activities of the disciple.
You may ask, what is a disciple? A disciple is one who has come into conscious
awareness of himself as a Soul. He sees all about him in the Light of the Soul;
recognizing the Soul in all others, identifying all as one. His activities are
based upon the motivating impulse of the Oversoul, which is the evolution of
consciousness.
Divine Will manifests secondly as purpose. The disciple is aware of the definite
purpose in the manifesting conditions about him, and that purpose is identified
as service. He recognizes those about him as Souls with whom he has long been
associated and to whom he is indebted in some way. He seeks to serve in whatever
way he is called upon to do so, and he does this cheerfully with no thought of
self.
It might be well to insert here what is really meant by service. A group of
individuals will come up with as many different ideas as to the meaning of this
term, as there are members of the group, causing an overall distortion in the
group consciousness.
1. Service karma is indicated by the manifesting environment. One does not need
to go out into the world, so to speak, in order to find his particular field of
service. Your service you will find where you are, so let us dispel all the
illusions of glamour which so often blind the aspirant.
2. Service is not an activity of sticking one's nose into another's business; of
censoring or reprimanding another for his morals; nor is it an act of giving
advise when it has not been asked for.
The disciple serves his environment by manifesting that which he is.
He brings harmony into the lives of others, by becoming a living example of
harmony; he shares his wisdom by manifesting that wisdom which he is, and within
all who contact him he stimulates Divine Love, because he is Divine Love.
Service is an act of calling forth the perfection of the Soul within all forms.
By recognizing perfection, he aids the Soul in bringing it to the attention of
the mind; by calling it forth he aids the Soul in manifesting a perfect vehicle
of expression.
An important concept for the aspirant to grasp is that within each heart,
regardless of manifesting conditions, there is Divinity; that which some call
good and that by concentrating upon that good it's manifestation is aided. The
attitude of criticism is not a part of the accepted disciple, but rather
complete tolerance.
3. Manifestation of Divine Will is perseverance, and it is a needed asset in the
life of any disciple. He must learn to work without noting immediate results in
the world of form and this is a difficult task. The disciple is so enthusiastic,
he has sensed the vision and grasps a portion of the Divine Plan. Very often in
the beginning he feels an urgency, a need for haste. In his attempts to manifest
the Plan as he has seen it, he meets with seeming failure; many times. Often he
does not realize that there is no real failure but that out of seeming failure,
success is one step closer.
In his first attempts he makes many blunders, many mistakes and in viewing these
he feels a certain self-disgust, an inadequacy to meet the need of the times. He
forgets that all through this period of trial and error he is being watched, and
trained and aided wherever possible. He forgets that he will pass out of this
period a skilled worker, one of the dependable disciples upon whom the Masters
pin their hopes for mankind.
There is another factor here to be considered and that is the Law of Cause and
Effect. Cause originates on the inner planes, in the world of thought, and
effect is the manifestation of activity in form. We find that every situation is
an effect of a state of consciousness, and that to change the situation it is
necessary to change first the state of consciousness which is its cause.
Therefore, the disciple must learn to work from above downward. He must learn to
extend his awareness into the mental plane. He has sensed a portion of the
Divine Plan; he then works to establish this as a state of consciousness in the
mental plane, a condition in the astral, and eventually intelligent activity in
the physical.
Very often there will be a period of apparent chaos manifesting in the physical
plane as a result of his efforts, and this is where the beginner becomes
discouraged. The wise disciple realizes that often change will manifest in just
this manner, as karma is precipitated and adjusted. He continues his work,
maintaining his strength in the calm assurance of his Soul that all is well. He
perseveres until his goal is achieved.