Discovering the True Nature of Spirit

Have you ever gazed at a breathtaking sunset or stood in awe of nature's grandeur and felt a profound connection to something greater than yourself? Moments when the beauty around you stirs something deep within, and you wonder, "Is there a universal force of Love and Beauty that permeates everything?" Perhaps you've sensed that there's a higher power at work, guiding the harmony and splendor of the world.

In our last video, Part 15: The Mind and the Universal Mind, we delved into the incredible potential of aligning your individual consciousness with the Universal Mind. We explored how training your intuition and harnessing your imagination can bridge the gap between the finite and the infinite, unlocking new realms of insight and creativity.

Now, in Part 16 of our modernization of Thomas Troward's Edinburgh Lectures on Mental Science, we'll embark on an even deeper journey. We'll explore the profound nature of the Supreme, All-originating Spirit—God. We'll uncover how Love is the prime moving force of creation and how Beauty is its natural expression. Together, we'll learn how recognizing and aligning with these principles can lead to personal transformation, greater harmony, and a deeper understanding of our place in the universe.

Get ready to embark on a journey that transcends the ordinary. We'll delve into the eternal interplay of Love and Beauty, and how these forces shape not only the cosmos but also your very being. By the end of this video, you'll have new insights into how to cultivate an awareness of these principles in your daily life, empowering you to become a conduit for the Spirit's creative power.

So join me as we explore Part 16: The Spirit. Let's unlock the mysteries of the universe together and discover how embracing Love and Beauty can elevate your existence to new heights.

The ultimate truths await. Let's discover them together.

The Eternal Interaction of Love and Beauty

What must the Supreme, All-originating Spirit—God—be in itself? That's the question before us.

Let's start with one undeniable fact about this Spirit: it is creative. If it weren't creative, nothing could exist. Therefore, we know that its purpose—or natural tendency—is to bring individual lives into existence and surround them with a suitable environment.

A power whose inherent nature is to create and give life must be kind and benevolent. The Spirit of Life, seeking expression through individual lives, can have no other intention toward them than that they might have life and have it more abundantly. To think otherwise would be contradictory. It would imply that the Eternal Principle of Life is acting against itself, expressing the opposite of what it truly is. But if it were expressing its opposite, it wouldn't be expressing itself at all.

Therefore, it's impossible to imagine the Spirit of Life acting in any way that doesn't promote and enhance life. If it did, it would be contradicting its very essence—much like expecting a flame to produce cold instead of heat. However, we may not fully recognize this truth yet because of our limited understanding and lack of conscious unity with the One Eternal Life. Just as someone might be unaware of the air they breathe, we might not fully perceive our deep connection to this life-giving Spirit. As we grow in awareness and become more attuned to this unity, the life-giving nature of the Spirit will become increasingly evident to us.

When we consider the fundamental principles of existence, we can't avoid the conclusion that the All-originating Spirit is inherently affirmative and life-giving.

So, what name can we give to this inherent desire to add fullness to every individual life—to make it stronger, brighter, and happier?

If this isn't Love, then what else could it be?

Therefore, we're philosophically led to the conclusion that Love is the prime moving power of the Creating Spirit.

But expression is impossible without form. What form, then, should Love take to express itself?

By its very nature, Love couldn't find expression in forms that are hateful or repugnant to it. Therefore, the logical counterpart of Love is Beauty.

Beauty isn't yet universally manifested for the same reason that Life isn't—namely, our lack of recognition of its principle. But the principle of Beauty is inherent in the Eternal Mind, as demonstrated by all that is beautiful in the world around us.

These considerations show us that the inherent nature of the Spirit consists of the eternal interaction of Love and Beauty as the active and passive polarities of Being.

• Active Polarity (Love): Represents the initiating, dynamic force—the driving energy that seeks to create, to give, and to express.

• Passive Polarity (Beauty): Represents the receptive, formative aspect—the capacity to receive, to shape, and to manifest the active force into form.

Together, these polarities create a balance that allows for the manifestation of all things. Just as a composer (Love) creates a symphony and the orchestra (Beauty) brings it into audible form, the Spirit's Love initiates creation, and Beauty shapes it into reality.

Becoming Co-Creators with the Spirit

This dynamic interplay is the power for which our soul faculties are specially designed. When we recognize this purpose, we begin to understand how our intuition, imagination, and will should be exercised.

• Intuition: By training our thoughts to habitually focus on this unity of Love and Beauty, our intuition becomes more sensitive to ideas emanating from this supreme source.

• Imagination: Our imagination learns to form clear images that correspond to these divine ideas.

• Will: On a physical level, the structure of our brain and body adjusts to better generate the energies that manifest the Originating Principle outwardly.

Thus, the whole person is brought into harmony with themselves and with the Supreme Source of Life. In the words of St. Paul, we are being "renewed day by day in the image of Him who created us."

Our immediate, personal recognition of the All-originating Love and Beauty will manifest as:

• Peace of mind

• Health of body

• Wisdom in managing our affairs

• Power in carrying out our endeavors

As we expand our understanding of the infinite possibilities of the Spirit of Love and Beauty, we'll discover that our individuality is evolving, and we're becoming more authentically ourselves than ever before.

The question of how each individual can best be guided to recognize their true relationship with the All-embracing Spirit of Life is of utmost importance. However, it's such a vast topic that even sketching its broad outlines would require an entire volume.

Therefore, I won't attempt to delve into it here. My present purpose is simply to offer some insights into the principles underlying that wonderful unity of Body, Soul, and Spirit that we all experience.

We are only at the beginning of the path that leads to realizing this unity in the full development of all its powers. But many others have journeyed this path before us, leaving behind wisdom and experiences from which we can learn.

Throughout history, enlightened individuals and spiritual teachers have explored these profound truths, sharing their insights through teachings, writings, and examples. They have shown us that by cultivating Love, seeking Beauty, and aligning ourselves with the highest principles, we can tap into the boundless potential of the Spirit.

As we follow in their footsteps, embracing the journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth, we open ourselves to the transformative power of the Spirit of Life. By doing so, we not only enrich our own lives but also contribute to the greater harmony and evolution of the world around us.

In exploring the inherent nature of the Supreme, All-originating Spirit, we've discovered that Love is its prime moving power, and Beauty is its natural expression. By aligning ourselves with these principles, we can enhance our intuition, imagination, and will, bringing ourselves into harmony with the Source of Life.

As we grow in this understanding, we not only transform ourselves but also contribute to the unfolding expression of Love and Beauty in the world. By embracing these principles, we become co-creators with the Spirit, helping to manifest a world filled with greater harmony, joy, and fulfillment.

By contemplating this question and applying its insights, you embark on a journey toward unity with the Spirit, allowing Love and Beauty to guide your path. This alignment not only enriches your own life but also contributes to the collective evolution of humanity.

Reflecting on Our Transformative Journey

As we conclude this transformative journey through Thomas Troward's Edinburgh Lectures on Mental Science, let's take a moment to reflect on the profound insights we've explored together.

We began by examining the foundational relationship between Spirit and Matter, understanding that all physical manifestations originate from a higher, unseen reality. We recognized how the Higher Mode of Intelligence Controls the Lower, illustrating that our higher consciousness can direct and influence the material world.

We delved into The Unity of the Spirit, the dynamics between the Subjective and Objective Mind, and how our thoughts and beliefs influence our experiences. We learned about The Law of Growth, Receptivity, and the interaction between the Universal and Individual Minds.

We explored the power of Intuition, the principles of Healing, and the importance of exercising our Will with intention. We unlocked the immense power of the Subconscious Mind, re-examined The Body as an extension of the mind, and delved into The Soul, connecting us to the infinite.

Finally, in The Spirit, we recognized that Love is the prime moving power of the universe, and Beauty is its natural expression. By aligning ourselves with these principles, we bring ourselves into harmony with the Source of Life.

Throughout this series, we've uncovered profound truths about the nature of reality, the power of the mind, and our intrinsic connection to the Universal Spirit. We've learned that by aligning our thoughts, emotions, and actions with the principles of Love and Beauty, we can transform not only ourselves but also contribute positively to the world around us.

Carry These Insights Forward

• Embrace the Unity of Spirit: Recognize that you are connected to all of existence, and your thoughts and actions ripple out into the universe.

• Harness the Power of Your Mind: Use your subjective and objective minds consciously to create the life you desire.

• Cultivate Receptivity and Intuition: Stay open to the wisdom of the Universal Mind, allowing intuition to guide you.

• Align with Love and Beauty: Let these principles be the foundation of your actions, bringing harmony and joy into your life and the lives of others.

• Exercise Your Will with Intention: Direct your willpower towards growth, healing, and the manifestation of your highest aspirations.

Remember, you are a co-creator in this vast universe, endowed with the ability to shape your reality and contribute to the collective evolution of humanity.

Thank you for joining me on this transformative journey through Thomas Troward's timeless wisdom. May these teachings inspire you to live a life of greater awareness, purpose, and fulfillment.