Lesson 6 -- Christ on Practical Living

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LOOKING OVER THE CONDITIONS obtaining all over the world, we see, unless we are blind, that the wicked prevail over the just. Injustice is the rule rather than the exception. The crooked get the money, the girls and everything besides. Everywhere, there is hunger and want, pain and misery. In addition, we see the travails of the righteous, how they suffer. Honesty pays no dividends and the principled end up penniless and friendless in the end. It is no wonder then that many people find it ridiculous and clearly against their own self-interest to live according to God’s teachings of selfless love and righteousness.

02 Worldly men who assess life based exclusively on earthly considerations cannot but inevitably arrive at these sad conclusions. However, if we can only be more open to spiritual realities, we would be able to judge more accurately concerning life.

03 The man of the world considers only the things of this world, those that he can see and touch. He believes that he is his physical body; and, therefore, he thinks that whatever happens to it, happens to him. He believes only in this life. He lives this life to the fullest, thinking that with death, everything ends. He is so entranced with the things in the world, too preoccupied even to consider that there could be something more to life. Not being able to see beyond the world around him, he pursues only his own physical needs and desires.

04 However, the truly spiritual person is deeply aware of spiritual realities. He understands his real nature. He looks forward to the life that is to come. He knows he will live on even though his body may die. He has obtained to some understanding of the conditions of life in the hereafter and is fully cognizant of the meaning and purpose of life on earth.

05 Consequently, he gives emphasis where emphasis is due. He focuses on his true spiritual objectives. Similarly, we, too, should prefer the things of the spirit. We should strive for righteousness first in order to gain everything else (1, 2, 3).

06 Experience is the best teacher. And in order to progress, we need to undergo all the necessary experiences. Consequently, in this world, we shall, all of us, experience trials and tribulations. However, we should look at life in a more positive light. We should see these trials and tribulations, not as the world sees them, but as they really are. In fact, these experiences are the special opportunities given to each of us in order that we may advance in our development.

07 Even so, life can be really hard. Therefore, we should strive to learn the ways whereby we could wade through life’s many difficulties wisely and effectively. Those who have attained to some enlightenment have evolved a better approach to life. Based on their own analysis of actual conditions, they have found that the spiritual way is the more practical way of life.

08 God loves all of His children. He knows everything about them and He is aware of their every need. And to Him, nothing is impossible. Therefore, we need not worry about anything at all. We need only to put our faith and trust in Him. He will never allow us to come to any harm (4, 5).

09 God created the world and everything in it. Because He loves us, He desires only what is best for us. Consider the whole of the Universe. In it, there is order; there is total harmony. God is fully in control of every situation. All things are proceeding according to His Divine Plan.

10 Everything comes from God. However, because of sin and ignorance, man is unable to comprehend God’s divine plan. First, man must strive to free himself from sin and advance towards righteousness before he can begin to understand God’s divine ways. But there is always a valid reason behind everything that happens. There is no accident in the Universe. It is for each of us to fathom the reasons, why (6).

11 Being young and ignorant, we don’t know what we really need, but God knows. He sends us only the trials He knows we can handle. He sends us no problems that we do not have the capacity to solve. No one is given more than he can cope with. No one is tested beyond his own limits. All these tribulations are sent our way in order that they may be overcome (7, 8).

12 Such is the true nature of this world. While the people of the world continue in pursuit of elusive and temporary earthly pleasures, the spiritually wise realize that, quite the contrary, it is the pain and misery that afford us so much spiritual benefit. The enlightened ones have learned the hard way, from their own personal experiences. They know now that many things should not be changed. This knowledge enables them to accept life’s harsh realities.

13 And because they understand better than others, they are able to simply let things be as they are. Where nothing more can be done, they are able to let go by surrendering everything to God. And, calmly and patiently, they are able to endure every hardship, confident in the knowledge that even these must all pass away (9, 10, 11).

14 They fully realize that God is a good Father to His children. Being all knowing, all just and all-powerful, He sends us only the very best, everytime. He provides for everything that is needed. He gives to all who ask and even to those who don’t ask. All these He does, because He loves us and He loves us all equally (12).

15 In the course of our development, we must pass through every stage of learning. We cannot turn spiritual without fully comprehending the principles governing material existence. First, we must learn all the lessons of this world. And only then can we move on to the more advanced and spiritual lessons. We should, therefore, not be too concerned with haste; instead, we should be more thorough and strive to be fully knowledgeable concerning each phase of life before leaving it and moving on to the next.

16 The move to the spiritual should never be as an escape from one’s difficulties. Rather, it should be because one has actually outgrown one’s desire for material or physical things. It should come about as a natural progression, physical existence having ceased to provide any further and meaningful challenges, it having been thoroughly learned and mastered.

17 Nevertheless, while we are yet in the world, we should strive for practicality in all things. We should lean towards the spiritual but we should not neglect our other needs. Still, we should not be so attached to physical things; instead, we should strive to be desireless where they are concerned (13, 14).

18 We should be reasonable and understanding concerning our efforts. While we are imprisoned in the flesh body, we are helplessly vulnerable in so many ways. The poor steal just to eat. Prostitutes sell themselves to survive. Businessmen corrupt to remain in business. The needy and the desperate lie and cheat to keep their jobs and submit to every evil whim of their superiors. The weak are compelled to disavow their principles. And protagonists kill so as not to die.

19 These are just some of the many things we do that we would not even think of doing, were we not, otherwise, so constrained. The flesh is weak. We must, therefore, learn to be more gentle and lenient with ourselves. Provided we sincerely desire to do what is right, the way back to God will be revealed to us (15, 16, 17).

20 The levels of righteousness to which we must attain before we can enter heaven have already been laid down. However, we don’t and we can’t attain to these high standards, immediately. "Rome was not built in a day." And to spirit beings, time is eternal. "A thousand years is as one day to the Lord," according to Peter. We can, therefore, make haste, slowly and easily, in patience, but with determination. It is enough, for now, that we point ourselves in the direction of divine righteousness and everything else will follow in good time.

21 Many people are out to reform the world. In the first place, as has already been pointed out, many things should not be changed. Instead, we need only to understand, to learn. Moreover, in reality, no one can change anyone else. Rather, we should reform ourselves so that by our example, we may encourage others to reform themselves. In effecting changes, therefore, we should begin with self.

22 Regarding some things, there is so much that we can do; but concerning many others, we can do nothing. We should learn the difference between the two. Rather than spend our time and efforts fruitlessly on matters which do not really concern us and which we cannot help resolve in the very least, we should concentrate our energies on those matters wherein we can be of some help. In so doing, we will have minimized our exertions and we shall be able to conserve our strength for use where it can do the most good.

23 They also serve who only stand and wait. Much of life is study and preparation. Before anyone can serve effectively, one must first learn the ways. To prepare for future and greater service is a very worthwhile and ceaseless endeavor. And when one is ready to serve, he will always be given the opportunity to do so.

24 Everyday affords a new beginning. However grave our past failings, it is counter-productive for us to feel guilty when all we need to do is to fare better each time around. Certainly, we should be guided by our past mistakes, but we should not allow ourselves to be held down by them. Instead, we should be more aware of the many opportunities provided us daily. We should not dwell on our past failures, or even on our past successes. Neither should we worry needlessly about the future. Instead, we should focus on what we can and should do today, now (18).

25 Everyday brings its special opportunities to everyone. There is always something to learn. There is always some quality to further develop. Were it not so, we would not be here. On the road to perfection, much remains to be done. Therefore, no one should ever be content.

26 Everyday provides new insights into life. Provided we are open, our faults and weaknesses will be revealed to us. If we are sincere in our desire to pursue the path of righteousness, then we should be able to realize our shortcomings.

27 Daily, the opportunities are there for us to learn and practice selflessness, acceptance, forgiveness, understanding and love. We are given the opportunities to repent of our sins and mend our ways. We are provided the means whereby we can fare better than before. If we are alert, we should be able to recognize the possibilities for rendering service to others. And in the process, we should continue to learn and develop necessary skills and talents.

28 We should not so much mind the hardships and troubles because they will always be with us. Instead, we should keep to the positive. We should ever be alert to our daily lessons and opportunities. And let us avail of them as much as we can. These are the good things our Father continually provides for us. And in time, provided we persist, we shall be able to attain to the perfection, which is the destiny of all men.