How Democratic Is Truth?

Where is the “Blessing” in Persecution?

Reading and Affirmation for August

From the book The Beatitudes: Their Inner Meaning by Swami Kriyananda

Truth is one and eternal. Realize oneness with it in your deathless Self, within.

The following commentary is based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda.

We live in an age when people assume that knowledge should be available equally to all. In matters susceptible of judgment by normal common sense, however, everyone knows there are exceptions. Access to a control room for intercontinental missiles is limited, by universal consent, to a very few. Access to the controls of a passenger airliner is limited to those with the necessary knowledge for operating them, and also to those with the proper authorization. If people don’t see the disadvantages of making more subtle knowledge universally available, it is only because they are ignorant of the risks involved.

In the case of subtle knowledge, the main disadvantage in making it universally available is the harm it might do to the person himself. True, by mocking truth he might undermine the faith of a few truth seekers. But then, such tests can also be beneficial, as a means of strengthening faith. Again true, the clever doubter’s misrepresentation of those truths may dissuade a few seekers from following the spiritual path. But if a seeker really is sincere, he will recognize the truth eventually because it resonates with his own being.

No, the greatest problem accrues to the shallow doubter himself. To give him an opportunity to affirm his ignorance might only estrange him even more from the truth, delaying the time when he will turn – as all people must, eventually – to the light.

Thus, the Scriptures advise, not secrecy, but discretion in the sharing of truth. Jesus Christ says in the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 7:

Give not that which is holy unto dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

And Sri Krishna says in the eighteenth Chapter of the Bhagavad Gita:

Never speak of these truths to one who is without self-control or devotion, who renders no service, who does not care to hear, or who speaks ill of Me.

Thus, through holy Scripture, God has spoken to mankind.

Whispers From Eternity

31. Prayer-Demand asking God to be the President of the United States of the World

Our Father, President of the United States of planets, galaxies, stellar systems, and universes, Thy democratic rule of free choice and individual evolution is bringing Thy citizen-children nearer and nearer to Thy high ideals.

Born in Thy states of democratic free will, we inherited our celestial birthright of eternal, everlasting freedom. But, alas! we squandered that inheritance, though receiving it would have meant attaining omnipresence, and imprisoned ourselves in debt-consciousness behind bars of sense-enjoyment, evil deeds, selfishness, and small-minded, narrow patriotism.

Teach us, Father, to melt the fancy-frozen boundaries of family, society, and national identity with the warmth of our love and understanding.

Bless us, O all-wise Father, that we may live in a United States of the World with Thee as our President, elected for eternity by the free choice of all good citizen-qualities of our hearts, ruling ourselves through our own self-clarifying discrimination.

Teach us to enrich our souls, our abundance, and our understanding by broadening the circle of our patriotism to include all earth’s inhabitants, of every caste, creed, position in society, and color.

O Cosmic President, bless us that we obey Thy laws of life, and respect with kindly hearts the freedom of all Thy children, fellow citizens with us: not only the good, but the error-intoxicated — ‌even the animals, birds, and fishes, the frail flowers, the mute grasses and jungle weeds, low crushed by the tread of cruel, unheeding feet.

Paramhansa Yogananda

Inspiration from the Rays of One Light

Give not that which is holy unto dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Matthew 7:6

We will take these meaningful words into our meditation together for deep reflection and contemplation. But firstly, we will listen to the beautiful Psalm of David, sung by Mary Kretzmann.

Psalm of David

Reflect, Meditate and Listen to Instrumental Music

Reflection from the Rays of the One Light

Peace Sangha

This week, I was moved by the words of Matthew 7:6 from the Rays of the One Light

Give not that which is holy unto dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Here is a poem I created called “Pearls of the Inner Light”.

Pearls of the Inner Light

Divine Mother whispers

Guard the holy light inside of you

Guard the pearls your tears have made

Through healing prayers and the nights you prayed

Not every soul can see your shine

Not every heart can read the signs

Protect your temple deep inside

Guard what God has blessed inside of you

Do not place it where hearts are untrue

For moments touched by Heaven’s glow

Are fragile gifts the pure only know

Truth is bruised in minds not clear

It bends beneath a heavy fear

Truth is not for fight or claim

But for awakening hearts that don’t blame

Christ protecting the disciples

The ones who walk His way

From needless hurt and harsh decay

For Truth is Christ himself

The inner guide

The holy presence kept inside

Truth is not a spoken word

Don’t cast your light so thin

To minds too loud to let it in

Do not share your sacred sight

With hearts not ready for the Light

Hold your Self-Realisation close and bright

A pearl of grace, a candle flame in the night

Offer it only where love can see

The holiness and pure you have come to be

Aum Peace Amen