2006-8-21 05:39:00
[Editor's Note: The text of the original article was edited by JJ Dewey and re-published below.]
To see the point of truth between the two extremes of the Pendulum Principle takes another principle -- The Principle of Discernment.
In particular the disciple should seek the power to discern beyond physical seeing so he can see the difference in effects from the astral and/or emotional world, the mind and the world of the soul.
Discernment or correct seeing is difficult enough in the physical world. Just go to any courthouse and listen to two witnesses describe the same event. Sometimes there will be small differences and other times great ones, but always there will be differences. Then even with physical observation a witness may believe he sees more than is there. For instance, the witness may believe he sees evil intent or guilt or he may see innocence or a "nice guy" in the defendant.
The problem with correct emotional seeing is that many try and discern it by physical evidence only. These people are easy to fool by an unscrupulous salesman or a con artist. The reason is that sometimes outward actions are a reflection of inward intent, but other times they are not. Unless the person can discern true emotional feeling he will find himself to be wrong quite often when he sizes up a person's inner nature by outer evidence.
So how does one learn to discern the true feelings and intent of others? The answer is he uses the principle that "energy follows thought." Concentrate on reading people's feelings and energy will follow your thought and eventually establish an emotional link that allows for consistent emotional communication.
Another key is to nurture the feeling of empathy. Seek to identify with the feelings of others, as with your own feelings and the communication link will increase.
As the emotional communication link becomes firm the pilgrim will suffer some disturbing, somewhat painful adjustments to his own emotional body. After the adjustments are made the storms will settle down and stability and added sensitivity will be the result.
The next step up is to establish a mental link. This will cause the seeker to develop the essential key of "reading between the lines" of what the other person is doing. When pure reason is developed the other person does not have to be physically present or even alive. The perceiver can merely study his words and discern many of the writer's thoughts and intentions.
This mental discernment is invaluable when studying inspired works such as the scriptures. Those who go by a black-and-white interpretation only will always be in error. On the other hand, those who discern by the power of mind and reason can gain many more truths and with greater accuracy than those who are merely memorizing data.
Finally we come to the great key of discernment through the soul. Here the person comes in contact with the Oneness Principle and grand vistas of knowledge and principles become available. He who is in the soul feels a vibration of confirmation whenever truth is spoken and discernment is greatly enhanced.
Copyright © 2006 by J.J. Dewey, All Rights Reserved