(Q) What should be our approach for the preparation of this
lesson?
(A) That each may be conscious of that stated and implied in
the affirmation.
Knowledge is power, yet power may become as an influence that
brings the evil ways. For the expression of self is that
which hinders man in the knowledge of the more perfect way.
Hence becoming more and more aware of that desire, that
purpose within self, that as was given of old, "I am
determined to know nothing save Christ and him crucified."
As He in His death in the earth exemplified that HIS BODY was
broken, we - too - must put away SELF that we may indeed KNOW
God. For knowledge is being - BEING - the channel through
which God, that influence, that force, manifests in - and
motivates the earth.
For as the heaven is His throne, the earth is His footstool,
so may we at His feet learn, know, become aware of, the
knowledge of His ways. For He is not past finding out. For
is God, the Father, so far away that He answers our pleas,
our prayers, as from afar? Rather is His presence felt when
we become aware of His force, His power, His love; the
knowledge of His presence in our lives, our experiences, our
undertakings in His name.
(Q) What should be the basic principles in our thought on
this lesson?
(A) Knowledge as of God; knowledge as a workable experience
in the affairs of individuals, of groups, of nations; that
may ARISE from the motivative forces of the knowledge and
power of God. Knowledge as a material experience, and how
that knowledge as pertaining to the laws of a universal
nature adds to the conditions in the experiences of man, even
as to the conveniences of man; and how that the
misappplication, the misinterpretation of such knowledge
brings into the experiences of individuals, of groups, of
nations, that which exalteth man's power and he forgets God.
The correct evaluation then of knowledge in all its phases of
man's experience and the application of that knowledge in his
relationships and dealings with his fellow man.
Study these. Make thyself more practical in the application
of that thou hast attained. Know that each step, each lesson
as a step, has opened and does open the way for each student,
each individual, to apply the next lesson, to make the next
step.
These, with all those experiences that will be in the life of
each as you study are worthy of acceptation; and most of all
keep them in thine own heart and ponder them well.
We are through for the present.
BACKGROUND
Subject of Reading 262-95 - "Norfolk Study Group #1."
REPORTS
4/17/36 Mrs. [
903], visiting the Group and meditating with us
on the lesson GLORY, had this Personal Experience during
meditation on the lesson:
"I realized that the soul (made aware to us by or through its
longings, its needs, its urges) is not contained in the body;
it is not contained in the mind. The I am that I am is in
accordance with the state of consciousness I have attained,
but I know that my soul is that centralized part of the Great
I AM, which finds expression through the instrument which is
my mind and body. I realized that if I could live IN the
realization that there is only that one source of light, I
would be living in a state of cosmic consciousness - or
glory."
