Читать книгу Edgar Cayce's Twelve Lessons in Personal Spirituality - Kevin J. Todeschi - Страница 16

Since true cooperation is choosing to become a channel of blessings to the world around us, how well are we doing? If we were to suddenly become aware of all the thoughts we hold in mind, do they most often create an atmosphere of peace, harmony, and understanding; or, do our thoughts give rise to anger, conflict, and disagreement? In our activities, how often do we remember to place another’s needs before our own? Cultivating an awareness of our interactions with others is one of the best opportunities we can have to see our weaknesses as well as our strengths played out before our eyes. In fact, the readings state that each of us learns best about ourselves through our interactions with other individuals. Becoming aware of how well we are doing at attempting to manifest cooperation in our lives is an integral part of discovering who we are as well as what we need to learn.

Determine the aims and purposes. The purpose must be other than the glorifying of an individual’s abilities, an individual’s gifts, an individual’s wishes or desires—but rather that individuals may become, through that cooperation of others, a greater channel for blessings, and the blessings coming from God! 254-57

In our relationships with others, whenever we choose to lose sight of our personal motives or selfish interests, cooperation can be the natural result. Cooperation is the consequence of awareness, service, self-sacrifice, and attunement. In fact, it may simply be the difference between looking for what we have in common rather than where we may differ. The common end that unites us all is our responsibility to one another. Interestingly enough, Cayce believed that every person in our lives is there for a constructive reason—just as we are there for them:

. . . be in the position of fulfilling the purposes whereunto one is dependent upon the other. For it is a unison of desire that brings a seeking at any time for expression, and not in combative reactions at all! For when there is the combative self-assertion, egotism and selfishness rise to the forefront as that ordinarily known as self-protection—which is a first law. But as long as there is kept that unison, correct—as long as there is that great activity which all should know. If the world will ever know its best, it must learn cooperation! 759-13

As we learn to express the best that is within us, giving others a sense of hope, a sense of peace, and a sense of understanding, we allow a portion of the Creative Forces to enter into their lives through us.

From a practical standpoint, if we are having difficulty with another individual, how might we best begin? Perhaps it can be as simple as replacing our negative thoughts with more positive ones. Have we ever stopped to think that even our own worst enemy has a best friend? What positive quality exists in the person that we’ve been somehow unable or unwilling to see? Instead of thinking unkindly about an individual with whom we’ve been having difficulty, let us instead discover if there is not something more positive to say. Perhaps we might go out of our way to show some small act of kindness to someone in need. What can we begin to do or to think that has somehow been neglected before? The readings’ approach is to continually practice kind thoughts and actions toward even those who may have hurt us. Just as we desire to be treated (and thought of) by others, we need to begin dealing with those around us in the same manner. Only through this approach may we find the inner peace that comes with true cooperation.

For as has been given, do today that thou knowest to do, having little thought of the needs of the tomorrow, and on the morrow is given that ye have need of. How does He give? “Give us today our daily bread,” not only the material but the mental and spiritual. “Direct me as I direct my fellow man, forgive me as I forgive.” And thus we see cooperation, brotherly love, patience, long-suffering, gentleness, kindness, coming as manifested experiences into the hearts and minds and lives of others. And these are the fruits of the spirit of truth. Then as ye mete these day by day, ye find them becoming not only as stepping-stones for thine own self but the ladder of truth upon which others may climb. Ye cannot ask others, then, to do what ye would not do thyself. What ye propose, then, ye must do—in body, in mind, in spirit. 165-26

Through our own positive thought-processes we can put cooperation with others into action. Like begets like. If we would have friends, we must be friendly. If we wish to be loved, we must be loving. Whatever it is we wish to experience in our own life, we must be willing to give to others. If we would have harmony and cooperation in our experience, we must attempt to give them to someone else.

The entity should project self more in the way and manner of service to others, remembering that to become selfish, self-centered, self-satisfied, is belittling the Spirit that manifests within, for in cooperation with the Spirit from within may self be magnified, pacified, peacified, glorified! 2675-4

When the needs of others surpass the needs of selfishness, cooperation will be the natural result. Our bodies and our minds will function more perfectly, because our intent will be for the good of the whole. The will of the Creator, which ever seeks to be manifested through His children, will find expression in the earth. In order to best cooperate:

Do with all thy might what thy hand finds to do. Let this mind be in you as was in Him, “Not as I will but Thine will be done in earth as it is in heaven.” Make thine self a channel of blessings to someone; so will His blessings come to thee, as an individual, as an integral part of the group. “They that seek my face shall find it.” 262-3

True joy and happiness can only be found in service. Let us begin to seek the essence of cooperation that the Creator has placed within each one of us.