I
COOPERATION
[Based on Edgar Cayce readings 262-1 through 262-5]
The First Original Chapter From
Introduction
Cooperation in the physical is
defined as acting or operating jointly with others, concurring with others in
action or effort. It the spiritual
it is more. It is losing sight of
self and becoming a channel through which blessings may flow to others.
The blessing is cooperation in action.
Whether in the spiritual or physical, action is necessary to put
cooperation into operation – thus those who would come together for a common
cause must have united action in the pursuit and realization of a common end.
The best in life is ours, not at the expense of others, but in harmonious
cooperation. In every successful organization the law is in effect.
The heavens declare the Hand which formed them was the Hand of unity,
order, and harmony. All nature follows the same law.
Each part of the human body performs its duty without a thought of the
other, yet fully depending on the other.
When self is lost in the Ideal, cooperation is the natural result.
It is the natural consequence of self-service, self-sacrifice,
self-bewilderment in Him.
In whatever state we find society, let us meet it upon its own level; as
we look up, we lift it. That is
cooperation.
Need for Cooperation
We must put cooperation into action in our thinking.
Our adverse thoughts have such a paralyzing affect that they will not
only retard our own development, but also will build barriers for those who
might seek to aid us. The Master
could do no mighty works in His own village because of the people’s unbelief
in Him. Thoughts are deeds and may become crimes or miracles in their
application. It is necessary for
the accomplishment of any aim, for the reaching of any goal, and for the
attainment of any blessing for self or humanity that we have one mind, one aim,
and one purpose.
As
we seek, in our way, to cooperate in being of service to others, we are lifted
up. Let us, then, express the
Creative Force within us in such a way that it may bring hope, peace, and
understanding into the lives of others, that they too, in their way may seek to
be channels of blessings.
Then,
let us attune ourselves to the highest spiritual Force. This will come when we
are in accord with His will.
Let
us exercise our conscious mind by holding these two thoughts before us:
1.
We must lose
ourselves in Him.
2.
Our every
thought and our every deed must be in harmony with the intent and purposes of
the best that is within us.
What is the mind of the Christ that we should seek?
As
we open our minds, our hearts, and our souls, that we may be channels of
blessings, we then have the mind of the Christ who took upon Himself the burden
of the world. So may we, in our little spheres, take upon ourselves the
burdens of our world. The joy,
peace, and happiness that may be ours are found in doing for the other person.
Gaining an understanding of the laws that pertain to right living in all
its phases makes our minds in attune with Creative Forces. (See A Search for
God, Book II, pp. 224-225.) We
have the mind of the Christ by putting into action that which we know.
Now,
the questions arise: How may we
accomplish this? How may we work as
individuals whose purposes will be in accord with His will?
To answer these we must look within to the little things that go to make
up our very nature. We must guard
our daily thoughts and acts, and must, through meditation, awaken our inner
selves.
In
the daily walk of life let us take stock of our thoughts and acts, for
cooperation is the offering of self to be a channel of activity, of thought.
It is not attained at once, but comes line upon line, precept upon
precept, through the giving of self. We
must realize that they who would have life must give life; they who would have
love must show themselves lovable; they who would have friends must be friendly;
they who would have cooperation must cooperate by giving self to that which is
to be accomplished, whether in bringing light, strength, health, or
understanding to others. These are
on in Him.
Let
us replace our negative thoughts with positive ones, thinking not unkindly of
anyone but speaking and thinking kindly of all.
Let us practice thinking kind thoughts of those who have hurt us, letting
no opportunity pass to do a little act of kindness that will lighten the burden
of another. We should live as we
know He would have us live. Begin
now. Work!
Work diligently and consistently. Let
us take thought continually of the attitude of mind we hold; for it makes for
that which gives birth to peace, harmony, and understanding; or it brings for
the contending forces that make for unrest and trouble.
We will find, when we would do right, that the spirit of unrest is ever
present; but day by day this should be put out of our minds and more and more
replaced by thoughts of peace, harmony, and understanding – not the latent
kind, but an active force. This is
the manner in which we give expression to that being sought.
It
is a oneness of mind, a oneness of purpose, which we must all seek; the virtue
in the knowledge of God – His laws, His precepts – not to the advantage of
self, but for others; not for self edification, but that power and strength may
emanate from us to others less strong. Let
us seek harmony, for harmony makes for peace, and peace makes for understanding,
and understanding for enlightenment.
We
of ourselves can do nothing; so let us, in meditation, seek the knowledge of the
inner Light. Set aside a time each day for prayer and meditation,
preferably at sunrise; quiet the physical body, purify the emotions, and wait on
the Lord. Let us draw nigh unto God
and He will draw nigh unto us.
As
we enter into meditation, let us visualize the force of harmony and love in
action. As we put into practice
that which we know of cooperation in deed and in thought, there will come to us
His peace which passes understanding, and the realization of being His channel.
He has promised that power, strength, joy, life, and light will not be
withheld from those who seek this oneness in His name.
As the realization of perfect cooperation in Him comes to us, there will come also the knowledge of our oneness with the Creative Force of the universe. Self-interest will be eliminated. Joy and happiness, found in service, will reign in our hearts. Our bodies and our minds will function more perfectly, because the Creative Force, which ever seeks expression in all, has been aroused in us. Understanding will come as quietly as the silent shadows of night, and His everlasting peace will live in our hearts.
There is perhaps no better way to illustrate this realization than to
quote a few of the experiences of those who have sought light and understanding
through cooperation.
“In experiencing cooperation I have been led into a greater field of
spiritual understanding and realize that I am a channel through which His will
may be done.”
“I experienced in my trials a feeling of cooperation from our study
group, in that through their prayers and meditations I realized that nothing but
good could come to me. All fear was
allayed. I knew that justice and
mercy would prevail. There came to
me a feeling of contentment, a willingness to leave all in His hands, and a
realization that all was well.”
“With the cooperation of our study group, I have been better able to
understand my own individual purpose in relation to the whole purpose of life.
At times, when our cooperation was greatest, I have been able to feel
myself being a perfect channel through which God manifested.
During the nights following such attunements, I have had visions and
dreams that were testimonies to me of growth and development.”
“I have realized that faithful repetition of efforts which make for
cooperation brings at times a feeling of unity with all with whom I work, and a
nearness of His presence, which shows that His promise, ‘Where two or three
are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’ is
sure.” (Matt. 18:20)
“In my meditation I have seen our study group come together and form a
complete circle, each member of the group being represented by a dot.
Each one in the circle seemed to call the others by name and bless them.
The circle now turned to a wheel, the dots becoming spokes.
Each spoke represented a member of the group.
Each spoke became a channel, leading outward from the hub, where was seen
the Christ light. As the blessings
of love, harmony, peace, and understanding flowed from the Christ through the
channels, the wheel was able to turn. This
was cooperation in action. As the
wheel revolved, members of the group or channels were able to turn other wheels,
which were helping to bring the world to light, love, harmony, and true
understanding.”
These are the goals for each of us to reach in our varied experiences:
unity of purpose, oneness of mind – in that His will, not ours, nor our
personalities, may be manifested in all that we do and teach.
Let us be patient and untiring in seeking this cooperation, for we will
be preparing ourselves to go on in the study and understanding of spiritual
forces, and will become active channels for these higher forces.
We will be better husbands, better wives, better neighbors, and better
friends. The little world in which
we live will be happier for our being part of it.
We will bring more joy and happiness to those about us and will be
manifesting God’s love for us.
The way is being opened for all who will to have a part in the redemption
of humanity. We must keep our hearts singing, not in sorrow but in
gladness of purpose, for all those chosen of Him we should be happiest.
May our united efforts go through the ages to those yet unborn,
regenerating them to that awakening which makes all souls safe in the knowledge
of Him who made all things, for “without him was not any thing made that was
made.” (John 1:3)
Not my will but Thine, O Lord, be done in me and through me.
Let me ever be a channel of blessings, today, now, to those that I
contact in every way. Let my going in, my coming out be in accord with that Thou
would have me do, and as the call comes, “Here am I, send me, use me.”
262-3
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