Click for audio: Going Alone
Seek light from the Spirit of Truth within you. Go alone. Think alone. Seek light alone, and if it does not come at once, do not be discouraged and run off to someone else to get light; for, as we said before, by so doing you get only the opinion of the intellect, and may be then further away from the Truth you are seeking than ever before; for the mortal mind may make false reports. –Emilie Cady
In this passage, Cady is elaborating on a way to pray as mentioned by Jesus: “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:6).
Jesus was commenting on those who make a public display of prayer, who are more concerned about how they look and sound than on what actually happens in their consciousness.
Information can come from many sources, some good and some confusing. God communicates through direct revelation, in the silence of our being. When we pray and we see a favorable change in our circumstances, we say, “See, God answers prayer.” If we see the change of conditions as the answer to prayer, then we assume that when conditions do not change, our prayer is not answered. This is usually when we go about seeking the input of others.
The mark of spiritual maturity is seeking God for the sake of knowing God. This we can only do in the inner room of our being. As Cady advises, if the light we seek does not come at once—and it probably won’t—don’t give into the temptation to seek it elsewhere. The light each one of us seeks is the light that is the life of us, the very essence of our being. It would make little sense to think that our spiritual essence would be located in a place other than our own heart and soul.
A good centering statement is the biblical, “Let there be light.” Speak these words calmly and expectantly. Understand that as you speak them the light is working through your consciousness and into your awareness at that very moment. Be patient and be at peace.
Doug, Thanks for the Sunday talk. I realize that the freedom of aloneness invites me, especially at 68 years of age. There is a correlative sadness and fear that leaving behind neo-orthodoxy brings. I realize that for years I have tried to “have my cake and eat it too ” as it relates to theology and beliefs. I have hung on to the trappings of traditional Christian belief, for fear of the final judgment., while dissatisfied with its implications about the nature of God. I would complain about the Fundamentalists while still being controlled be the same fundamental fear.
Releasing neon -orthodoxy is like releasing a large part of who I am, or think I am. So there you have it.
Yes, Allen, as I write about in my book, Native Soul, we’re all involved in an evolution of values. We won’t quite let go of the old till we see the value of the new. The good news is that we travel at our own pace.
Thanks for your input.