The Middle Way Principle

1999-10-1 09:11:00

The Molecular Relationship, Chapter 27

THE MIDDLE WAY PRINCIPLE

Some will have a hard time seeing the Middle Way, just as they do in all matters. The general thinking among people is that we either need to set up an authority, or a "God without," that we need to follow without question, or we need to think entirely for ourselves by using our own reasoning powers and never follow anyone or give anyone any authority over us.

The Middle Way principle teaches us that extremism and the black-and-white attitude is wrong, that the correct path is between the two extremes. We must look at both sides of all things and use the power of decision and judgment to make a decision somewhere down the middle.

This principle applies to authority just as it does to anything else. To completely reject all authority is just as wrong as it is to "trust in the arm of flesh" [see 2 Nephi 4:34] or to accept authority without question or Soul confirmation. Where is the Middle Way here? How do we determine when to accept authority and when to reject it?

Those who are truly on the Middle Way path will need no explanation, but, nevertheless, we must proceed to explain, for few have their feet securely on the path and we must make it as clear as possible. Some who are caught up in the black-and-white world will not understand, no matter how lengthy or detailed an explanation is given.

For the person on the Middle Way, there still exists the power of authority. An example of such recognized authority for him or her is the Spirit of God Within. The voice of God speaking through the Soul is the ultimate authority for the disciple. He finds it to be basically infallible in so far as he can relate it correctly. The question to consider is this: Why is the authority of the Spirit recognized? Let us list the reasons:

(1) The vibration of a person's Spirit is much higher than his personality, and it is logical that the higher would be more reliable than the lower.

(2) The disciple who has tested previous information given through the Soul has always found it to be reliable.

(3) A certain inner knowing and peace accompanies the revelations through the Soul. If the revelation feels wonderful and uplifting then it is logical that we will benefit by following it (keep in mind here that such a revelation produces the opposite feeling when taught to those who do not have Soul contact.)

After a long period of testing the Spirit and finally bowing to its direction, the disciple does indeed accept it without question as an authoritative source. He may still question its direction in search of a full mental understanding, but he will never again question its authority.

We must keep in mind that this is not blind acceptance, but an intelligent one. We must never place ourselves in the closed-minded position of rejecting all authority either on the inner or outer planes.

What authorities are we to accept on the outer plane? The highest authority in the human kingdom should be one who has taught us a principle which has been confirmed by our own Souls. This means that such a person knows the power of Soul contact himself and, unless he has forgotten, ignored, or denied this power, he should be able to receive it again. Therefore, if he teaches us a second or third principle that may not seem to make sense to the personality self, we should still consider his doctrine and check with the Inner Spirit for verification. If the Spirit verifies his teachings again and again, then it becomes logical to grant the person more and more authority. The authority that we give such a person will open our minds and hearts to a greater power of receivership so we can consider the teachings with little resistance, making it easier for us to receive verification from our own Souls.

Nevertheless, we should never give any man, woman, disembodied entity or even Master the same authority as our Souls, for we should always do our best to check the truth of all teachings with the Spirit of God which dwells in us.

We call this authority we are talking about here an earned authority. If someone proves himself to be centered in the Soul time and time again, then he has earned the right to have some authority in our minds when he teaches. This can be a valuable help to us when we find it difficult to receive Soul confirmation on a matter. Perhaps your Soul has decided it wants you to use your own power of discretion and is leaving you on your own. In this case, an authority who has earned your respect can be a valuable person to assist you.

All leaders, or senders, in the Molecule should carry some authority over those who are receivers. The leaders should be "earned authorities," or people who can be trusted to make wise decisions. We should trust them with a certain amount of latitude to make decisions for the group, but at the same time keep them posted on the amount of input that we, as individuals, desire to have in the leadership process. If we cannot trust a leader with any power of authority, then he or she should be replaced with someone who we can trust.

The problem in seeing the Middle Way in leadership is difficult.

On one extreme, we have those in the top-down government thinking who put all their trust in their leaders, whether that authority is earned or not. This results in a bland, watered-down journey to nowhere.

On the other extreme, we have the group who rejects all leadership and authority. This group will be very sluggish and slow to move forward or make decisions. The group as a whole will be frightened by any innovative path.

A leader centered in the Soul who has authority with his peers is able to overcome these hurdles and move the group forward to stimulating new horizons.

Think about it. If the apostles had given no authority to Jesus, how could he have created and unified the first Molecule? If George Washington had no power to give orders, how could he have won the Revolutionary War? If we give no support to those who have vision and Soul contact, what good does it do to have them around, or how could we prepare to accept Christ when he comes? If we recognize no authority at all then we will be too closed-minded to allow the Master of us all to prove himself when he comes.

Would it not be sad to find ourselves in the position of the ancient Jews who rejected their Christed One because of misplaced authority? Let us follow the Middle Way and not mindlessly follow unearned appointed authorities, but lend support to elected ones and initiators who have a desire in their hearts to serve their fellow humans. Give the servants of the race power to serve without questioning and restricting their every move, yet at the same time continually check with the soul to make sure the Purpose of God is being followed.