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Chapter 2
A SEARCH FOR GOD - THE SEARCH AND THE FINDING
The lessons in Books I & II are road maps and signs, not vehicles. We are the vehicles and the drivers. An ARE group can stimulate our incentives to be better drivers of better vehicles.
We heal or destroy some part of ourselves and others each day. These lessons can help us to become healers.
The lessons take us as we are, where we are, and show us how to move forward in consciousness.
The approach is - what can God do through us as His instruments and channels?
The ARE group faces the truth that God is found when - and only when - each individual puts into practice that which he discovers as truth for himself. Unless truth is tested and lived it has no value in one's life.
The readings and the groups emphasises personal responsibility - why go to a second-best leader or teacher when we all have available the Christ Consciousness within?
Book I is a work book, with each lesson being the basis for many do-it-yourself disciplines.
A section on Meditation comes first, appropriately, and deserves top priority in group experiences and in personal life. It is suggested that this material in Book I be the accepted method for meditation and that the group not be diverted to pursuit of the scores of other methods available in a variety of publications.
The lessons on Cooperation and Know Thyself deserve in-depth treatment and suggestions can be extended by the groups to the other lessons.
Each lesson should be studied for a month or more, but the group should not linger indefinitely on one lesson.
Book II, which continues with methods of expanding the comprehension of Truth, is more informative that Book I, and can enrich the study.
Rotation of group leadership is essential to avoid dependence upon one individual. Leadership can be assisted by using the suggestions on the following pages: "When It Is Your Turn to Lead the Group Meeting", and "When it is your turn to lead the Group Meditation." These suggestions are not mandatory but should enable those with little or no leadership experience to serve in their turn.
A Format
The outlines which follow were developed by the groups in one of our large cities and are subject to modification by any group which uses them.
In group use, this suggested format is printed on both sides of a sheet which can be folded and inserted in a A Search for God book. The title on one side is "When It is your Turn to Lead the Group Meeting" and on the reverse, "When it is your Turn to Lead the Group in Meditation".
The reason for the titles is that experience indicates it is unwise for one person to become the teacher or authority figure in an ARE group. It should be understood that everyone can and should lead, and while the opportunity may be postponed, each person should take turns leading eventually. No unwilling person should be pressured into leadership but the opportunity it offers for growth and service should be emphasised and later participation encouraged.
The format is helpful in encouraging people to lead the meeting or take their turn in leading meditation. There should be extra copies available for newcomers and visitors.
The preceding and following suggestions offer ways through which individuals and groups can apply this material in daily life - not as dogma, but as guidelines. These exercises and disciplines are proven methods of stimulating the whole mind - conscious and unconscious - and can bring about spiritual growth through service to others. Daily application of spiritual principles at the conscious level can bring inner growth. The redirection of attitudes and emotions can result in more abundant living, more rewarding personal relationships.
A number of suggestions for experiments or disciplines are listed herein. However, it is often discovered that other disciplines are more productive for a particular group. Discussion of material in a particular lesson often suggests more appropriate projects. It is worth emphasising that the reporting of disciplines in the group should be limited, as suggested in the preceding outline for the leader.
Each chapter is preceded by a short affirmation which capsules the thought of the chapter. Before beginning work on any chapter, it is suggested that the affirmation be studied carefully in the group, and discussed as to its full meaning, then memorised and used as a focal point in meditations while that particular chapter is being studied. When the chapter is completed, the affirmation for the next chapter should be studied, memorised and used instead of the former affirmation. An exception to this is the Lord's Prayer, which is the affirmation for Meditation, but may be continued with all later affirmations.
A daily period of prayer and meditation is of the greatest importance to every member of the group. The individual's spiritual growth depends upon it, as does the success of the group study. Each group should make a careful study of the first section in A Search for God, entitled "Meditation.
"...in making preparation for a study group, or a group to perform any given work, there must be the wholehearted cooperation, whether in meditation, in thought, in act, or what; for...the union of strength may accomplish much, even as in the activities that may be accomplished in any phase of life...So, keep in the way and manner as has been outlined, and be faithful - each - to that portion. Think none that their dependence must be upon another. Put rather the dependence in the Father, and as the spirit moves thee to speak express thine self! for thou are a child of the Creator! and each has its portion in that that may be accomplished. In the meditations - we would set as a specific time for all to meditate; for he that may not cooperate one with another has little part in that that may be accomplished; for whether these be much or little, their activity - in accord - keeps harmony; harmony makes for peace; peace for understanding; understanding for enlightenment. In this, then, let all be active. 262-4
Then set definite periods for prayer; set definite periods for meditation. Know the difference between each. Prayer, in short, is appealing to the divine within self, the divine from without self, and meditation is keeping still in body, in mind, in heart, listening, listening to the voice of thy maker. 5368-1
Meditation is as individual a fingerprints. There seems to be no one way but many ways. The productive results seem to depend upon ideals, purposes and goals rather than upon meditation techniques. Many methods are suggested in a variety of publications, and it is easy to become lost in trying many different methods. The meditation chapters in A Search for God will be found to be most useful if the purpose is sincere, and if one persistent. Members of a group will find it helpful to hold daily meditation periods at the same time at least one or two members hold theirs.
The following suggestions may be useful when studying the chapter on meditation:
1. Meditate for at least 15 minutes a day for a week and note any changes on your life that result. Observe the effects of meditation.
2. Choose a problem in your daily life. Pray about it and seek to better yourself. Ask for guidance. Think a positive thought whenever the problem comes up. (Based on pg10. par3, A Search for God, Book 1).
3. Find attributes of God (fruits of the spirit) in other souls. (pg13, par4).
4. Be aware of the unseen forces in your life and try to use them. (pg14, The Forces)
5. Observe your negative emotions; find out what their source is; work to replace them with positive ones.
6. Begin to write down dreams in order to receive guidance. Await hunches by being in a listening state during the day's activities, keeping the mind on Him.