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Q: I am aware that we must make personal efforts, but I am not sure as to what they are.A: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Q: Then it is correct to say that all wisdom is really self-wisdom?
A: The kingdom of heaven is within.
Q: What good results can be expected from self-awakening?
A: You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free
Q: I am aware that we can receive these great truths only to the degree that we value them, so please supply a thought to remind us to value them above all else.
A: The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchantman seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Q: I have suspected all this for a long time. If we are to get out of the woods, we need all the guidance we can get. Where can we start our self-awakening?
A: Judge not according to the appearances, but judge righteous judgment.
Q: Life gives us so many things to do, it is wise to place first things first. What is the correct order of procedure for life in general?
A: Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
Q: Only recently have I become aware of the tremendous value of self-responsibility, which has awakened new energies. How does esotericism teach this virtue?
A: Physician, heal thyself.
Q: Maybe I am getting a bit of wisdom after all, for I suspect that I may be the cause of the troubles I get. What spiritual laws explains this?
A: With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured you again.
Q: We need courage beyond ourselves.
A: Let not your heart be troubled.
Q: Am I correct in thinking that the purpose of this thought is to help us to value what is truly valuable?
A: What is a man advantaged if he gain the whole world and lose himself?
Q: As we advance inwardly, no doubt we more and more see such seeming harshness for what it really is -- compassion.
Question: As we advance inwardly, no doubt we more and more see such seeming harshness for what it really is -- compassion.
A: They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
Q: What kind of person can receive these powers of understanding?
A: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Q: I am increasingly aware of the error of compromising with what is truly right for me. What esoteric principle covers this?
A: No man can serve two masters.
Q: So by daring to stand, a man actually learns to stand?
A: I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
Q: Everything seems to depend upon the source we look to for help. What rule can we follow?
A: Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Q: People come into our lives and they exit from our lives. What basic thought can help us to experience these changes in the right way?
A: I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Q: Will you please comment on this form the viewpoint of what is usually called mental maturity?
A: When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Q: How do you summarize the esoteric teaching regarding man-made rules and spiritual rules?
A: Love is the fulfilling of the law.
Q: We are now aware of the false influence of the exterior world. What is right persuasion?
A: Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
Q: In a discussion with friends, someone remarked about the uselessness of fighting against the truth. What statement would verify this?
A: For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. (New Testament)
Q: What else is crucial that we observe?
A: Study to be quiet.
Q: May we hear of a spiritual practice for use when meeting trouble of any kind? (New Testament)
A: Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Q: All of us realize the need for independent mental work, but it is so tempting to simply adopt the poisonous notions manufactured by the masses. Give an antidote for maintaining total mental health.
A: Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Q: Our receptivity to truth is a cause which produces an effect. What is that effect?
A: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace.
Q: Authentic love conquers all things, including fear and trembling?
A: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear.
Q: I wish to be totally free of fear. Can spiritual mental health, in its highest form, provide this perfection?
A: God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Q: I notice how you repeatedly urge us to work for a clear and an understanding mind. Please start us in the right direction.
A: Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.