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Chapter 3

    Book1 - A Search for God

Overview

Cooperation

1.    Keep the affirmation (Prayer) for;the chapter in mind and see where it leads.

2.     Apply:  Think not unkindly of anyone, rather think and speak kindly of all (pg 24, par 3, Method) or Seek to give self in cooperation so as to bring light, strength, health and understanding to others.  (pg 24, par 2 Method)

3.    Select an individual in your office, neighbourhood or home surroundings with whom you have been having difficulties or who, for any reason, has become a source of irritation to you.  For one week pray each day for a better understanding of this individual.  During the second week make a daily, conscious effort to think about a good quality or a talent possessed by the individual who has been the object of your prayers.   Carefully avoid (push out of your mind) additional critical or destructive thoughts at those periods.  Write a letter or make a point of speaking in a friendly and constructive manner to this individual.  You will be able to observe definite changes in the other person and yourself.  Repeat if necessary.

4.    Examine how one can cooperate in the following areas:
        a.    the laws of the land; driving, income tas payments, observing the principles of the     Declaration of Independence, paying bills promptly.
        b.    the laws of God: the Ten Commandments; the precepts of Jesus, etc;
        c.    community and nation; voting intelligently, being aware of government activities, etc;
        d.    the Church; giving time to service and participation.
        e.     the family; sharing family responsibilities; working as a unit, etc.

  5.    Work with the check sheet, One Week of Cooperation.

Know Thyself

Reflect thoughtfully upon the affirmation.

Examine the implications in the five sentences in the introduction to the chapter on Know Thyself.

When we are asked the question "Do you know yourself?" why is it that we cannot answer "Yes"?  Within each of us there are certainly great storehouses of abilities and capacities which we have never used.   We would understand the real functions of our physical bodies in relation to our mental and spiritual bodies.  Until we are better acquainted with ourselves, we are barriers in the way of our own development.

1.    When we are asked the question "Do you know yourself?" why is it that we cannot answer "Yes"?  Click the link to see the questions.

2.    Within each of us there are certainly great storehouses of abilities and capacities which we have never used. Click the link to see the questions.

3.    If they were manifested, we would see ourselves in a different light.   Click the link to see the questions.

4.    We would understand the real functions of our physical bodies in relation to our mental and spiritual bodies.

For, the entity is body, mind and soul. The soul is eternal, - it is individual. The mind is the builder, and weaves that into the being of the soul that it, the soul-entity, presents to its Creator as the usage of the talents given. The body is merely the channel through which there is material activity. 2550-1

Then that our mind dwells upon, that our mind feeds upon, that do we supply to our body-yes, to our soul!   1567-2

...thy body is the temple of the living God, and...there...He will meet thee-and His promises to not fail.    2173-1

5.    Until we are better acquainted with ourselves, we are barriers in the way of our own development.

(1)    Are we aware of our inherent grandeur?
...ye are part and parcel of a universal consciousness or God - and
thus all that is within the universal consciousness, or the universal awareness; as the stars, the planets, the sun, the moon. Do ye rule them or they rule thee? They were made for thy own use, as an individual - yea, that is the part, the thought thy Maker, thy Father-God thinks of thee.   2794-3
(2)    What barriers block us off from this realisation?
(3)    How can we remove the barriers and reach our potential's?

Self-Examination for Self Development  Click the link to see the questions.

What is my Ideal?

1.    In choosing and in analysing self and the ideal, do not merely carry these in mind but put them, as it were, upon the paper in a manifested form. Write PHYSICAL. Draw a line, write MENTAL. Draw a line, write SPIRITUAL.  Put under each, beginning with the spiritual, (for all that is in mind must first come from a spiritual concept) what is thy spiritual concept of the ideal,...5091-3

2.    After you have worked with discipline No.1, take another sheet of paper and label it:  What I am going to do about my ideals.  Draw the some lines and label the Physical, Mental and Spiritual.   Set down the specific things that you are going to do to accomplish your ideal, keeping this quotation from the readings in mind:

These as we find should be studied, analysed, thought through; and, no matter WHAT the cost may be, they should be lived up to, in accordance with that ideal.
And we will find that it will bring harmony, contentment, and sufficient of EVERY worldly, spiritual, material thing necessary for thy soul development.
Then, what thy destiny is depends upon what ye will do with thyself in relationship to thy ideal.   2021-1

3.    Question yourself as to what your desires are.  Let your spiritual desires determine your activities.

4.    Study and review your past and see if you can discern a definite patters which emerges, that which you have been expressing.   In other words: What has been my ideal?     To get a better practical concept of what an ideal in action is, study the life of Jesus and see if you can see a definite patters emerge.  Compare the four Gospels.

5.    List a series of steps which will bring you toward your ideal.  Repeat these daily before retiring at night.  You may use the following pattern as a model.
a.    I will sit in silence for at least fifteen minutes.
b.    Outside thoughts shall not intrude on my silence.
c.    I will read a portion of the Bible.
d.    I will take time to pray for others.
e.    I will not judge or criticise others in thought, word or deed.
f.     I will be humble and control my desires for self-glorification.
g.    In my work I will concentrate on what will help others, not what will inflate my ego.
h.    I will enjoy fifteen minutes of vigorous exercise as essential, minimum care for a temple of the living God.
i.     I will eat that food which is beneficial to my system.
j.    The desires of my heart, the desires of my body, the desires of my mind will be Thy will, O God. 

Faith

1.    Make a list of all the spiritual laws that you know about.  Every week choose one, apply it, and report the results to the group.
2.    List all recalled experiences wherein you applied faith.
3.    Draw out a friend or acquaintance on the questionable difference between faith and confidence, while offering personal ideas from the chapter of Faith.
4.    Look back over the past and find instances where you lacked faith.  Examine your present activities and look into the future to see whether there are opportunities to apply this 'inner knowing'.
5.    Work at overcoming some fear, making it as concrete as possible: fear of accidents, illness, death, economics, travel, animals etc.  Use prayer and meditation in order to understand the fear origin and the best way to overcome it.  Report your recorded progress to the Study Group.  (If the cause is due to a previous life experience, it may be relived and thus wiped out).
6.    Live a line from the chapter Faith
7.    Study the many excellent references to 'faith' and its fruits found in the Bible.

Virtue and Understanding

1.    Virtue is defined as 'to be true to that which is pure in our purpose'.  (a)    Think back over the paset 24 hours.  Select some action or conversation and ask yourself how single was its purpose.   (b)    Question yuourself continually during the day as to the purity of your purpose in doing the things that you do.   What is your purpose in yourwork?  in your friendships?   your attitudes toward people?  Ask yourself  'Why do I eat what I do?' 'Why do I have a certain type of voice?' 'Why do I do a particular thing?'     Find new direction for your life by knowing the virtue (the 'innerness') in your actions.

2.    After applying the concept of virtue as defined in A Search for God give reasons for agreeing with the statement: "Understanding is the reward of virtue."

3.    Look for the purity of purpose in the lives of others (we contact) and in the process experience the virtue on ourselves of seeking to see the good in others.

4.    In what way does virtue have the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit?   In what way is it a defense against temptation?

Fellowship

1.    "The brotherhoof of man is but a shadow of fellowship with the Father."   Examine carefully your relationship with some individual of your acquaintance, a friend or even a member of the family.   Then ask yourseld,  "What am I doing about being my brother's keeper?:  In re-examining your relationship with this person think of some specific way in which you can be of help to him and give this help as simply and as quietly as possible.

Patience

The Open Door

In His Presence

The Cross and the Crown

The Lord thy God is One

Love

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