Читать книгу Edgar Cayce's Twelve Lessons in Personal Spirituality - Kevin J. Todeschi - Страница 14

Individually and collectively we have a tremendous impact upon our present situation and our surroundings. When we interact with one another without a spirit of cooperation, we actually create disharmony in our lives and in our world. In other words, a non-cooperative attitude with just one other person affects the entire planet. Although at first this might be difficult to comprehend, as an analogy we can look at the human body. When any one part of the physical system is ill, or broken, or dis-eased, it actually affects the functioning of the whole. In the same manner, each of us is an integral part of the whole world and our thoughts, feelings, and activities have an impact upon all others. In the language of the readings:

Though there may be many approaches, cooperation in the activities—as in the Universe—brings the harmony of the universal activity; as does cooperation in human experience bring harmony and peace; while egotism and self-assertion and self-exaltation and self-indulgence bring inharmonious experiences, and the activities of turmoils, wars, strifes. 1297-1

By working with cooperation, we have the opportunity to positively affect all of materiality. The readings state that there are universal principles of harmony and unity that are trying to manifest into the third dimension. Even one person can make a difference. This manifestation is only possible through us as we attempt to become selfless channels through which the spirit can flow. Cooperation is a necessary step in bringing this about. Without cooperation, disharmony and chaos reign in our world environment. With cooperation, everything becomes possible. In fact, in one reading (262-4), the first study group was told that cooperation brings about harmony, and “harmony makes for peace; peace for understanding; understanding for enlightenment.”

From Cayce’s perspective, thoughts are as powerful as deeds in their creative potential. For this reason, both the mind and the body are necessary for true cooperation. Cooperation at the mental level deals with a unity of purpose. Cooperation at the physical level requires a harmony of activity. Cooperation within ourselves, as well as in our interactions with others, is necessary for the achievement of any outcome or for the attainment of any goal. We are told that “without that whole-hearted cooperation and oneness of mind and purpose, irrespective of position, condition, relation one with another, there may not be expected the result desired.” (254-42) Therefore, true cooperation allows for a oneness of mind, a oneness of purpose, and a oneness of result. It allows for the manifestation of the Creator’s laws and precepts in the earth—laws which are our natural heritage.

We are responsible for ourselves as well as for what we contribute to the whole. Every thought, every desire, every act that we put forth can’t help but influence another—even someone on the other side of the world. Through cooperation we become aware of this interconnectedness with one another. True cooperation is not for the advantage of self, but rather for the advantage of the whole:

In cooperation is the offering of self to be a channel of activity, of thought; for as line upon line, precept upon precept, comes, so does it come through the giving of self; for he that would have life must give life, they that would have love must show themselves lovely, they that would have friends must be friendly, they that would have cooperation must cooperate by the giving of self to that as is to be accomplished—whether in the bringing of light to others, bringing of strength, health, understanding, these are one in Him. 262-3

In this regard, cooperation is not so much an activity of consensus as it is one of selflessness. It is not the demeaning of self, but rather purposefully choosing to use self as a channel of assistance to someone else. Ultimately, cooperation is best expressed through an attitude of loving service to others.