The Curve of Development

Books by Daniel W. Fry., Ph.D.

 

The White Sands Incident To Men of Earth

Steps to the Stars

Atoms Galaxies and Understanding

 

The Curve of Development

By Daniel W, Fry, Ph.D.

Copyright 1965 by Daniel W. Fry

All rights reserved

Manufactured in the United States o f America

 

INTRODUCTION

For hundreds of generations, the more intelligent members of the human race upon this Planet, have been accumulating bits of knowledge, wisdom and philosophy which they apply or attempt to apply, to their own lives in their effort to make their lives more productive and meaningful, as well as pleasant.

The greatest obstacle to success in this attempt lies in the fact that too often these bits of knowledge, wisdom and philosophy are isolated bits with no readily apparent connection between them. And so we continue during most of our lifetimes to gather and to store in our minds

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these isolated bits without any serious attempt to create from them any comprehensive patterns which could readily be grasped and under-stood. It is however, possible to create such patterns, and once they are created and understood, they do make life far more meaningful, and in many cases more productive and pleasant.

The text found between the covers of this book is the result of one attempt to create a pattern of development that could be understood by anyone who would devote thereto a reasonable amount of thought and consideration.

It includes and coordinates many bits of knowledge and philosophy which are known to almost every student of life and its significance, but which are seldom put together in any understandable pattern.

In its essence, it is a road map of the development of the human soul, showing the point at which that

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development begins, the direction and nature of its journey, its final goal, and a description of a number of waypoints which will be encountered enroute.

The references and quotations used are taken from among the best known and most authoritative sources which history affords, including the philosophy of Aristotle of Thrace, the teachings and the demonstrations of Jesus of Nazareth, and the mathematical concepts and formulas of Dr. Albert Einstein.

The text is not an attempt to create a new religion, nor even to modify any existing one.

So far as the author can determine, the pattern does not come into conflict with any tenet of any known religion, or with any accepted rule of science, but does bring them into a more understandable relationship with each other.

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THE CURVE OF DEVELOPMENT

Science has been defined as "the orderly and intelligently directed search for truth."

Under this definition, science as a whole may be divided into three principal parts for the purpose of discussion and of understanding. These three principal parts may be defined as follows: One, the physical or material science, which deals with the needs and desires of the physical body of man, and the nature of the physical Universe in which he dwells,, In this division we find the study of Physics, Mathematics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Etc., as well as the manufacturing and distribution

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of the endless number of material products necessary to the wellbeing, the comfort and the pleasure of man.

Two, the social science, which deals with the relationship which exists between man and his fellow man, and with the means by which that relationship may be made successful, productive and progressive. In this division are found the studies of Government, Society, and the non-material phases of economics, etc.

Three, the spiritual science, which deals with the relationship between man and the great creative power and intelligence which pervades and controls all nature, but which is still somewhat beyond the analysis and the understanding of man. We usually refer to this power and intelligence as GOD.

All of science in the Universe will come under one of these three headings, although we cannot draw a

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sharp line between them, because the divisions overlap, and because the fundamental laws which govern all three divisions are the same laws-,"

It may be difficult for the reader to accept the proposition that the basic laws of physics are identical with those which govern the development of the human soul, and so a part of this text will be devoted to the illustration of a few of the common reference points which demonstrate that the proposition is indeed a fact.

The illustrations will be created upon a single chart which we will draw a line at a time with appropriate explanation of each line as it is drawn.

In the year 1905 A. D, a young German mathematician named Albert Einstein presented to the scientific world a technical paper which he called "A Theory Of Special Relativity." In the first serious

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consideration of this paper, a group of some 22 of the most prominent scientists and mathematicians in the world examined and discussed the paper. They reached the unanimous decision that the concepts and the mathematics presented in the paper were "erroneous, invalid, absurd" and that the paper" represented only an arrogant attempt upon the part of a callow youth, (Einstein was 26) to instruct his elders in a field in which they were far more advanced than he." Nevertheless, as the years went by, more and more value was found in Dr. Einstein's concepts, and some of them became tools which are now in daily use in every physical laboratory.

One of the best known, and least understood of these concepts is that which results in the formula E= MC². The concept points out that there is a simple relationship between pure matter (or mass) and pure energy. That a given quantity of one may be

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converted into a precise quantity of the other, following a precisely defined curve of conversion:

The formula E = MC² means simply that the quantity of energy (measured in ergs) which is inherent in each gram of mass, is equal to the square of the quantity C. The quantity C is defined as being the velocity of light (in centimeters per second) which is equal to 3 multiplied by the tenth power of ten. The square of this number is of course equal to 9 multiplied by the twentieth power of ten, or an amount of energy equal to about 25,000,000 horse power hours per gram of mass so converted. Since an ordinary penny weighs al-most three grams, its conversion into pure energy would result in the release of about seventy-five million horse power hours of equivalent energy. It was this realization which set the feet of science upon the path which led to the nuclear weapons which now have all of the earth's

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civilization standing upon the brink of total annihilation.

If we wished to illustrate the mass-energy concept in the simplest possible way, we would begin lay drawing a horizontal line across the bottom of our chart, calling this line "matter." Near the top of our chart we would draw another horizontal line which we would call "energy." Between these two parallel lines we would then draw a curved line starting near the left hand end of the line designated as matter, and curving upward and to the right until it meets the energy line at the right hand edge and parallel to it. (See chart above)

This graphic representation of the relationship between matter and energy is implicit in the mathematics of Dr. Einstein, but was by no means new or original when presented to the world in 1905 A.D. The same concept has been presented by a number of great philosophers, some of whose

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work dates back almost as far as the written history of this planet. In each case the basic concept could best be illustrated by the use of the same graph, although the language was different, and various terms were used to denote the matter and energy levels, and to describe the relationship between them.

In the year 384 B.C, a son was born to Nicomachus, who was, at the time, the personal Physician to King Amyntas II of Macedonia. This son, who was given the name of Aristotle, was destined to become one of the most prolific and at times, one of the most controversial writers of philosophy that has ever lived.

He developed, almost from birth, a highly introspective nature, and as soon as he had learned to speak, he began to question his parents and their friends concerning the nature and purpose of life and its environment.

At the age of seventeen he was

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sent to Athens to continue his studies. Here he became a member of Plato's Academy, where he remained until the death of Plato in 348 B.C.

After Plato's death, Aristotle, in the company of Xenocrates, moved to Assos where he undertook to establish a special type of community under the auspices of Hermias, the ruler of Atarneus, It was here that the nature of his work changed, perhaps for the first time, from analysis to synthesis. That is, he began to create and to teach his own philosophy. Here also he began to write the first of the two great works for which he is principally remembered, and with which we are somewhat concerned in this text.

In 344 B.C. he married Pythias, the daughter of Hermias, and moved to Mitylene on the island of Lesbos, where he completed his first great work, and where he first met Theophrastus who later became his most ardent disciple.

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The first great work to which we refer is that which in present day English translation is titled "The Physics." Its text, written in the style of Aristotle's day is exceedingly verbose and somewhat difficult to follow by the beginning student, but if reduced to its basic principals, it is in most respects, virtually identical with the average text book on Physics today.

It names and describes the basic principles or factors of the Universe, beginning with "Matter" or "Material Essence"; energy, which is de-fined as "Cause" or potential. The text goes on to relate the effects upon matter which are created by the application of energy, whether that energy be in the form of light, heat, momentum, or any other form in which energy may be applied to matter. (see chart below)

In the writing of this thesis he created the embryo science of physics, and also coined the name by which it is still known today.

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In the year 342 B. C. Aristotle was summoned to Pella by King Phillip of Macedonia, to educate his son Alexander (who later became known as "Alexander The Great.") This task occupied him until about 335 B.C. when he returned to Athens and founded his own school which was known as "The Lyceum." During the years which had passed since his writing of "The Physics," Aristotle had grown a little bit wiser as well as a little bit older, and it had begun to occur to him that in writing "The Physics" there were perhaps a few things which he had left out, and that perhaps lie had started from the wrong end of the curve. He then decided to write a sequel to his first work. In this sequel he pointed out that matter, instead of being considered the starting point should rather be considered as the final manifestation of something that began at a much

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higher point. He, therefore, began his discourse with a line drawn at the top of the chart, to which he applied a number of names, among which were -- energy, cause, Spirit and God. He pointed out that energy is the cause of all changes which occur in the Universe and therefore, the words energy and cause are synonymous; that Spirit is the active principle of change and that without these principles, the Universe could have no demonstrable existence or significance whatever; and that these principles are, therefore, obvious attributes of God, and must be shown at the point where anything begins.

He then proceeded to draw his curve of development from the top line downward toward matter, pointing out that matter without energy can have no significance and is simply an "essence" from which something of significance can be made only by the application of the creative principle.

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The curve illustrated by Aristotle's discourse proved to be identical with that which he had created in his first text, but because he had started at the top in his second work and because it was a sequel to his first, he gave it the name of “Meta-Physics" (above and beyond his first text which he had called Physics.) In thus naming his texts, Aristotle coined two terms, and presented two courses of Philosophical inquiry which are still described by those same two terms. (see chart above)

The student who begins with the statement "matter is," and then considers the changes which occur with the addition or the subtraction of energy, is studying the science of Physics. If his study is successful and he becomes a scholar, he is known as a Physicist. If on the other hand, he begins with the statement--Energy, Cause and Spirit are the creative attributes of God, and therefore indicate the point

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where everything begins, he is said to be a student of Metaphysics. If his studies are successful, he becomes known as a Metaphysician. It is seldom, however, that the Physicist or the Metaphysician fully realize that they are both following exactly the same path except that they have started from opposite ends of that path.

Because of their failure to recognize this simple fact, a rather surprising lack of respect for each other's work is frequently observed. The physicist is often heard to say that he cannot concern himself with the work of the metaphysician because he (the metaphysician) "is working in a field where there are no proofs." This is the usual excuse given by the physicist for his disinterest in metaphysics. Yet when the physicist makes this statement he is exposing the fact that either he has never studied the history of Physics or else he has forgotten

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what he learned.

The history of the development of the science of Physics is replete with cases where the metaphysician working in a field where there were no proofs, nevertheless managed to obtain some proofs which were so satisfactory to the Physicist, that the material and the proofs were seized upon and made an integral part of the science of Physics.

Of course, if the work of the metaphysician is adopted by the science of Physics, it is usually expedient to adopt also the man who created it. And so we find, in Physics textbooks, the names of many "great early Physicists" who, according to their own biography were actually Metaphysicians in every true sense of the word.

In the year 1901 A.D. a German Physicist named Max Planck took a principle direct from Metaphysics and made of it a tool which is now in constant use in every nuclear

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Physics laboratory in the world. In his "Law of Radiation" Max Planck postulated that the level of energy upon which any nuclear particle or atom exists at any given moment is directly proportionate to its frequency of oscillation, and that the energy level of any body of matter is, therefore, proportionate to the mean frequency of its particles.

This postulate has been accepted by the science of physics for a little more than sixty years, yet it has been known to, and taught by every metaphysician for at least two thousand years,, The Metaphysician states that the level of energy, spirit or potential upon which any particle, any body of matter, or any being exists at any given moment is directly proportionate to its rate of vibration. A rate of vibration, and a frequency of oscillation are obviously synonymous, and the concepts are identical.

The evidence of this great natural

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truth is found at a point which is very high on the curve of development. It is quite close to the line of energy, so that the physicist, starting from the level of matter has a long way to go before he becomes aware of this truth.

Since the Metaphysician starts from the level of energy, however, this truth becomes manifest to him almost at once.

The foregoing example is quoted only because it is one of the many mutual reference points which demonstrates that the path is the same regardless of the direction in which it is traveled.

Dr. Albert Einstein was described during most of his adult life as a mathematician, and so was able to evade the question as to whether he was a Physicist or a Metaphysician. During the latter years of his life, however, he was questioned several times concerning the desirability of the study of Metaphysics. In each

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case he gave the same answer. 'Anyone who pursues Physics far enough is eventually forced into Metaphysics because if we examine matter closely enough it disappears and we find nothing but a frequency of vibration."

Having considered the significance of our basic chart from the standpoint of Physics and Metaphysics, let us now consider how it may be used as a road map to illustrate the route followed in the development of the human soul.

It will not be necessary to change any of the terms which we applied to the chart, since these terms, as well as the chart itself are basic to all of the three principal divisions of science. We will however, add a few synonymous terms to the top and bottom lines in order to make the concept more readily understandable.

When the soul first finds itself in a material body, the body itself is

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pure matter without significance and without ability to manifest itself. It is, as Aristotle postulated, mere essence which can be given significance only by the application of the creative principles. The soul within the body however, represents the application of spirit which is defined as the active principle of change or as the motivating force. It is, therefore, the spirit which impels the material essence up the curve of development through stages of constantly increasing significance and manifestation.

We will outline in this text, only the major stages through which the development takes place and the reference points which enable the separate stages to be recognized. We feel sure that the reader, when he has read the text and grasped the full concept, will be able to interpolate many subdivisions of the major stages together with their points of recognition or reference.

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The science of electronics has produced instruments which duplicate all of the human senses. That is, we have built electronic instruments which can see, feel, hear, smell, and taste. These instruments react far more rapidly, and in most cases more precisely than any human sense. We have also developed computing and feedback system which absorb and correlate the signals received from the sensing instruments, and instantly transmit appropriate electronic "commands" to servo-systems which in turn perform complex physical actions. In short, we can and do, create robots which can duplicate almost all of the abilities and the functions of the human body. There is, however, one thing which we cannot put into any robot. This is the realization that it exists. No matter how rapidly or precisely it might respond to any applied stimulus, it would never say "I AM," nor would it ever wonder Why! The

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expression "Cognito ergo sum" can originate only from a combination of body and soul.

We will, therefore, define the starting point of the curve of development as the "I AM" point, or the point at which the material essence becomes conscious of its own existence. (See chart above)

As soon as the body becomes conscious of its existence, it also becomes aware of certain needs. The body requires material nourishment and so must be fed frequently. The body is sensitive to temperature, and so requires clothing if it is to be comfortable. When the weather is inclement, the body needs shelter to protect it from the extremes of the elements, etc. As the consciousness expands the body becomes aware of a multitude of physical needs and desires. It is the attainment of these needs and desires that becomes the first goal of the developing consciousness.

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We will, therefore, place a dot upon the chart to indicate this first reference point. We will name it Gold, because gold is the commonest and best recognized symbol of the needs and desires of the body. For most individuals, this goal is the only one which is visible during the first stage of development, and virtually all of the effort of which the individual is capable, is directed toward its attainment.

The goal may be said to have been reached when the individual is able to provide for himself the physical necessities and a reasonable amount of the physical comforts of life, with the expenditure of from one-half to one-third of the total effort of which he is capable. The remaining capability may then be directed toward the attainment of the next stage of development.

The great problem which arises at this point, and which often inhibits further progress, is due to the fact

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that the desires of the body tend to increase with each fulfillment so that there are always a number of unfulfilled material wants and desires, even though the needs of the body have long since been met.

This situation tends to trap the individual upon the gold level, and may even cause him to lose sight of the more important goals still ahead. Some individuals achieve great success upon the gold level, and linger there for years without realizing that they have taken only the first step in their development.

Andrew Carnegie, the Scotch-American steel manufacturer who built the Iron and Steel works which became the largest in the world, admitted in his own writings that he had lingered longer upon the gold level than was good for any man; that he had built too much of his steel empire and his personal fortune upon the exhausted bodies of his employees and the ruined hopes of

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his competitors; that it was only just and proper that he now devote his efforts and his acquired gold to the task of helping others to escape the trap of the gold level, and to achieve more readily, the higher levels of development.

In his sojourn upon the gold level, however, Andrew Carnegie labored so mightily and so successfully that he, was able, in his later years, to contribute more than three hundred and fifty million dollars for the endowment of institutions of learning and of human relations.

In his founding of more than twenty-eight hundred public libraries plus the Carnegie Institution in Washington and the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, he assisted greatly in speeding the progress of humanity toward the second level of development which we will call KNOWLEDGE.

Knowledge may be defined as an accumulation of facts and information.

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 Each fact or bit of information is a potential tool, but unfortunately the mere possession of a large box of tools does not, of itself guarantee that the owner will be able to use those tools successfully in any worthwhile project. Other factors are required beyond the mere possession of tools. Some individuals who fail to realize this fact become trapped upon the knowledge level and may remain there for a very long time without making any attempt to go on.

These individuals, though few in number, may readily be recognized. They are frequently found in colleges, universities and other seats of learning, where they are often referred to as "Fossils" or "Old Fogies." They are usually regarded by their fellows with a certain amount of tolerant affection but with comparatively little respect. They possess an almost unlimited supply of tools but seem to be unable to

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accomplish anything of significance with them.

Above the level of knowledge, there is a level which we will call WISDOM and above that there is another which we will call UNDERSTANDING. Because the two levels are so often confused, we will discuss both of them at the same time, although, in the actual development of the individual, a considerable degree of wisdom is often achieved long before there is any true approach to Understanding.

In Noah Webster's first American Dictionary of the English language published in 1828, the word Wisdom is defined as "the right use of knowledge" or "the choice of laud-able ends and of the means to reach them." Thus we see that the word wisdom implies the ability to use the tools of knowledge for the selection and the planning of desirable goals. There is., however, a considerable gap between even the best

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road map and the successful completion of the journey which it out-lines, just as there is an equally large gap between the best set of blueprints and the finished edifice which they represent.

If we are to be successful in reaching laudable goals, and in moving up the curve of development, we must attain and use the factor which we have called Understanding. The word is defined as "the faculty of the human mind by which it apprehends the real state of things presented to it" or by which it receives and comprehends the ideas which others express and intend to communicate. The necessity of achieving Understanding as well as Wisdom was pointed out many times by Solomon. In his Proverbs to his people, Solomon repeatedly stressed the need of both Wisdom and Under-standing. "Therefore get Wisdom but with all thy getting, get Understanding. "

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Note that through all of the stages prior to the level of Understanding, the journey of the individual has been essentially a solitary one. The ego remains intact as a separate entity. At the level of Understanding, however, the individual ego must and does begin to blend with Universal consciousness.

If it is difficult for the average person to distinguish between Wisdom and Understanding, it is almost impossible for anyone who is still in the vicinity of the gold level to see or comprehend any of the stages of development which lie beyond Understanding. Yet it is very important to the progress of the individual that he be able to see and to comprehend the various stages through which he will pass in his upward journey.

It was for this reason that the greatest teacher and master who has ever appeared upon this planet devoted the major portion of his time and his efforts to the task of

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explaining and demonstrating the stages of development which are beyond Understanding.

This great teacher who is known to us as Jesus of Nazareth, or Jesus, The Christ, explained and demonstrated, both by word and by deed, the stages through which, sooner or later, everyone must pass, and the order in which the stages will be reached.

In the study of material phenomena, Understanding is near the upper limit of the area of learning which is normally covered by the term Physics. When we go beyond this point on the curve we are entering the area described originally by Aristotle, and by his students ever since as, "Metaphysics." The dividing line is an arbitrary one, and has little significance except that below this level, matter or material essence as Aristotle called it, is dominant, and all changes are relatively minor ones produced in matter

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by the application of varying degrees of energy and spirit. Above the level of Understanding, it is energy and spirit that are dominant and matter becomes of relatively little significance. In fact, the nature and characteristics of matter may readily be altered above this level, by the simple application of the energy-spirit combination which was de-scribed by Aristotle as the principle of "Cause."

We will, therefore, place another point upon the curve which we will call "control over matter." When this stage is fully reached by the individual, he will be able to bring about any desired change in the nature of matter. For example, he can, if he wishes, convert water into wine, or he can cause five thousand people to be fed to repletion from an original food supply of five loaves and two small fishes, and gather up twelve basket loads of residual food from the meal. These two examples

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are used in this text only because they were two of the practical demonstrations used by Jesus of Nazareth to illustrate the power and ability which is inherent in this level of development.

In his discussion of this level Jesus spoke of the power of "Faith" to cause a mountain to be removed from its place and to be cast into the sea. Such a demonstration would have been much more dramatic and forceful and undoubtedly have been better remembered. However, the removal from its place and the casting into the sea, of any mountain would have been an act which would certainly have resulted in loss and tragedy to some other persons. The achievement of this level of development, prevents the individual from performing any act which would result in detriment to others.

The faith referred to by Jesus of Nazareth was not, however, the sort of wistful hope or even hopeful

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confidence that we usually think of when the term "Faith" is used today. The term used by Jesus which was translated in the Bible as "Faith" actually referred to a state of complete and certain knowledge of the ultimate laws of cause and effect. It is the level at which these laws are mastered that we define as being the level of "control over matter."

Most present day students of physics sense the existence of the level of control over matter. A large group of these students known as nuclear physicists are making strong and sustained efforts to acquire this ability from the level of knowledge, without having fully reached the level of wisdom, and with almost no approach to Under-standing. These men have succeeded in dividing most of the more complete elements into simpler forms, and in fusing some of the simplest elements into more complex ones. Because they have not actually reached the

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level of control over matter, how-ever, even these simple effects are possible only with the aid of large and complex machines, and with a tremendous expenditure of energy. Such attempts to ignore and to bypass the normal stages of development are always futile in the long run, since each stage must be fully mastered before the next stage may be fully reached. The attempt to skip stages is also fraught with a considerable degree of hazard to the development of the entire race.

A specific warning of this hazard is found in the story of the "Tower Of Babel" (chapter 11 of the book of Genesis). The story, probably allegorical, describes the plans and the efforts of a group of men, (the descendants of Noah) to bypass all levels of development by building a tower from the earth (the level of matter) directly into heaven, (the highest level of development). Note that the tower was to be made from

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earth formed into bricks by the work of man's hands. The word Babel is a combination of the words Babiler meaning the "Way," or "The Gate To God," and a root word meaning to confuse. Thus the actual meaning of the word Babel was intended to be "a confused or futile approach to God." This attempt to short-circuit the natural laws of progress ended, of course, in frustration and chaos, as such attempts always do. The lesson and the warning are plainly stated and not difficult to understand, yet they are apparently being ignored by those who are making the same attempts today.

Beyond the level of "control over matter" we find another area of achievement which we will describe as "Control Over Spirit in Matter." This is the second of the three levels of development which were specifically explained and repeatedly demonstrated by Jesus of Nazareth during his earthly ministry.

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In his effort to bring about a clearer understanding of the path which everyone must follow, Jesus pointed out over and over again that his principal purpose in coming to earth was to make of his life a pattern of progress which could readily be followed and understood. In the Book of St. John alone there are at least a dozen references to this fact. For example, in St. John 12:35, Jesus said unto them, "yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light lest darkness come upon you, for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth." In chapter 14:5, Thomas saith unto him, "Lord, We know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?" Jesus saith unto him "I am (the living manifestation of the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father (the level of spirit, creative energy, or heaven) but by me."

When the level of control over

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Spirit in Matter has been reached the advancing soul is approaching the threshold of Godhood and now can begin to deal with spirit as well as with matter. At this level the individual can instantly heal the sick, the lame and the blind, or overcome any infirmity which may afflict any human being. Such an act requires more than the mere ability to control matter, because the human being upon whom the act is performed is a being of spirit as well as of matter. When illness or disability overcome such a being, it is an indication that a weakness or a partial separation has developed in the bond between spirit and matter.

It is true that very few of the physicians who treat the body, or the spiritual healers who appeal to the spirit have actually reached the level of control over spirit in matter. The physician assists the body in repairing its own failings or strengthening its weaknesses. At least 98% of

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those who consult physicians would eventually recover, even though no treatment were given, and of the remaining 2% a certain number will fail to recover regardless of the nature or extent of the treatment. While the services of the physician are frequently desirable and some times necessary, they usually result only in stimulating or facilitating a process which would have taken place in any event, although perhaps at a much slower rate.

If the partial separation of the bond between spirit and matter becomes chronic, a disability is created which will not respond to any form of purely physical treatment. Such a disability can be corrected only from. the level of Spirit in Matter, (although the individual who applies the corrective principle is seldom actually occupying this level when the correction is made).

The level is one in which the energy, and, therefore, the frequency

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is so high that a being occupying it might not be visible or audible to anyone at a much lower level. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the spirit is spirit. The wind bloweth where it listeth and thou Nearest the sound thereof but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth: so is everyone that is born of spirit." St. John 3- 8.

Jesus repeatedly pointed out that it was necessary for him to descend to the level where he could be seen and heard by his disciples and by those at even lower levels of development. "And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not, but the word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld the glory."

When Jesus performed his acts of healing, he made it plain that the power or ability to do such works came from a much higher level than that of the physical body which he

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occupied. "Of myself I can do nothing, but of the power which cometh down from my Father (the level of spirit) in heaven, do I do these things."

It should be made clear, however, that the individual is created with the inherent right of self determination. No aid or remedy can be thrust upon the individual from any level of development. If any person is to receive assistance from any source, he must first accept completely, both the assistance and the source.

There is one final point in the curve of development, which we will call "control over Spirit,." It is the highest of the various levels of attainment which were explained and demonstrated by Jesus. It represents the final mastery of the individual over his environment, and the ultimate manifestation of the creative spirit whose presence in the original body-soul combination impelled the individual upward.

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When the level of control over spirit has been reached, the individual has crossed the threshold of Godhood and is able to deal directly with spirit, and to bring spirit and matter together.

In a previous statement it was pointed out that when a weakness or partial separation develops in the bond between the physical body and the spirit, an illness or disability is created. If the separation should become complete, the bond some-times referred to as the silver cord will break and death of the physical body will take place.

Although the spirit portion of the individual is essentially unchanged by this event, the material body immediately begins to deteriorate: Within a single hour the body will become totally unfit for habitation by spirit, and will be beyond the power of any material physician to mend. Yet after Lazarus of Bethany had been dead for a period of four

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days, and after his body had reached a state of advanced decomposition Jesus demonstrated that from the level of control over matter is was possible to restore the body of Lazarus to a condition suitable for occupation by spirit, and from the level of control over spirit he restored the spirit to the body and re-established the bond between them.

As the final lesson of his earthly ministry Jesus repeated the demonstration this time using his own life and his own body so that the lesson might become more widely known and understood. ("I lay down my life that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me but lay it down of myself. I have the power to lay it down and I have the power to take it again. This commandment (control) I have received from my Father (the level of spirit) in heaven."' St. John 10:17

By allowing three days to elapse

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between his death and resurrection Jesus demonstrated that at the highest level of development, the spirit is not only independent of the material body but is able to exercise all of the power inherent in its ultimate level including the ability to restore the body and to reincarnate within it.

The life and the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth were designed to serve and did serve two tremendous purposes; first, to point out and to light the path which leads to spiritual fulfillment. ("I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life.")

His second purpose was to relieve humanity of the tremendous burden of sin and guilt which had accumulated as a result of the doctrine of retribution which had been followed for generations.

The laws of Moses which demanded "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth"

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were obviously based upon the postulate that two wrongs made a right, or that evil can be cancelled by repetition. All feuds and vendettas among families and all wars between nations are the result of the belief that evil must be repaid with evil.

In his journey through the various stages of development, the individual is certain to make some errors of judgment or of direction. Some of these errors will cause loss or injury to others. If these losses or injuries must be repaid with similar losses or injuries, then chains of evil are created which can never be broken as long as the doctrine of retribution is followed.

Jesus described the only successful method of dealing with evil when he said, "Ye have heard that it hath been said, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you that ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if

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any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said: Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate throe enemy, but I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven; for he maketh the sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye ? Do not even the Publicans the same ? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the Publicans so ? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."

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In this manner Jesus was pointing out that the only successful way to combat evil is to destroy it by neutralizing it with good.

At the time when Jesus began his ministry the burden of guilt among men was so great that men resorted to desperate expedients in the at-tempt to relieve their conscience of some of its weight. A common practice was to slaughter innocent animals as a sacrifice, on the theory that, since the animal had never sinned, and since neither the animal nor its kin would retaliate, the suffering and death of the innocent animal would absorb and neutralize a certain amount of the guilt of man. The idea that man can escape from the results of his own misdeeds by causing an innocent being to suffer in his stead, is one which, to many people- of today, seems to be totally without logic or reason. Many of these people therefore reject or ignore the most vital portions of the

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Bible because they seem to be based upon this principle of vicarious atonement.

It should be understood that when Jesus offered himself as a human sacrifice, it was not because any law of God or of spiritual development demanded the sacrifice, but rather it was the conscience of man himself which cried out for means of escape from the burden of its own self-imposed guilt. At that time humanity was literally walking in darkness. Even the most advanced spiritual leaders, other than Jesus, had little or no understanding of the basic purpose or the final goal of life. Mankind was prostrate under the crushing load of its sin, and the constant need to propitiate, and to abase itself before a proud and vengeful God.

When Jesus said, "I am the lamb that taketh away the sin of the world," he did not mean that the sin would be removed from the mind of God, for

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sin does not exist in the mind of God. It exists only in the heart and conscience of man.

Note that the effectiveness of the sacrifice is dependent upon the belief of the individual. If any person will accept completely in his own mind and heart the fact that the sacrifice was made voluntarily, that it was made for him and that it will remove his sin, then that person's con-science is immediately freed of its burden of guilt and he can proceed without hindrance, on the path of spiritual development.

Regardless of any possible argument concerning the logic of vicarious atonement, there can be no question of its success. Even today, almost two thousand years after the sacrifice was made, millions of men, by accepting its principle, still are able to rid themselves of burdens which would otherwise have inhibited or prevented any further advance toward the ultimate goal of life.  (-that

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whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be s saved.)

Thus we see that, not only was Jesus of Nazareth the greatest master and leader who has ever come down the curve from the level of pure spirit to the consciousness of undeveloped man; not only did he demonstrate the way, the truth, and the life, but he was also the greatest psychiatrist that ever lived, and the only one who, instead of charging a fee, offered his own life to assure the success of the treatment.

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CONCLUSION

In the foregoing text we have followed the path of the developing individual,, from its point of beginning, when the body-soul combination first becomes aware of its own existence, and where the requirements of the body must be met before any other progress can be made. We have considered the problems to be met and understood as the individual moves up the curve of constantly increasing ability and manifestation until at last he reaches the level energy or light, (heaven), where the spirit becomes independent of matter, and the body has little or no significance.

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In conclusion it may be desirable to restate, in the simplest possible manner, a few of the principle points which we have considered. First - the Path is one which every human being must, and will, follow, from one end to the other regardless of the length of time required or of the number of stopovers, detours, or obstacles which may delay the arrival of the traveler at his ultimate destination. When Jesus said, "Whither I go thou canst not follow me now but thou shalt follow me afterward," he was not speaking only to Simon Peter, nor only to his disciples. He was speaking to and of all humanity, wherever it might be. "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold,, and one shepherd."

Second - Everyone must, and will, achieve all of the powers and abilities inherent in the various levels of

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Development, as these levels are reached.

When Jesus illustrated, by the performance of `miracles,' the abilities which are achieved at each level, he repeatedly pointed out to his disciples and to humanity at large that "All of the things which I do shall ye also do, and greater things than these shall ye do. Is it not written in your law, I said, ye are Gods ?"

The implication is that there are still greater abilities to be achieved than the raising of the dead, which was the highest level which Jesus specifically demonstrated. The level of absolute creation, where new life and new universes are created may be one such level. Jesus appeared to be somewhat discouraged by the inability of even the more learned of the time to grasp the simple principles which he outlined and then demonstrated before their eyes. When Jesus explained to Nicodemus

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that before a man can enter into "heaven" he must be born of the spirit; and Nicodemus. said, "How can these things be?" Jesus said, "Art thou a master of Israel and knowest not these things ?Verily, I say unto thee, we speak that which we know, and testify that which we have seen and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things and ye believe not, how shall ye believe if I tell you of heavenly things?'

Apparently Jesus felt that there was no point in going still further with his teaching and his illustrations

since it was obvious that after all of his efforts even his closest disciples still had only the vaguest concept of any of the levels which are beyond understanding. It must have been especially disappointing to Jesus when he said to Thomas, "and whither I go ye know., and the way ye know?" But Thomas answered, `Lord, we know not whither thou

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goest, and how car we know the way ?" Third-the abilities which are achieved at each level of development are not discarded when a new level is reached, but are carried forward as in any course of study or training; at least as long as the abilities are required by the advancing individual. For example: the ability to obtain the necessities of the body, which ability is achieved at the gold level, must continue to be used at least until the level of control over matter is reached, whereupon gold becomes of little or no significance. So, also, knowledge and wisdom must be sought and pursued diligently until the advancing soul begins to blend with Universal spirit when all knowledge, wisdom and understanding be-come readily available to the individual from the Universal source. Then the individual, who is no longer an individual, will no longer see "as through a glass darkly, but will see face to face." "And the light shall

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come forth as a crown of Glory, and all the knowledge and the wisdom of the Universe shall be his; and the Understanding thereof."

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

When the foregoing text was given as a lecture there were several questions which were almost always asked by some member of the audience.

The first of these questions usually was "Who can tell me what point I now occupy upon this curve?" The answer is, of course, that it is totally unnecessary to consult with anyone else in order to determine one's position upon the curve. It is a point which each person can readily determine for himself.

If the reader will consider, carefully and honestly, what percentage of the sum total of his personal

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effort and activity is directed toward each of the various levels of development, he can place himself upon the curve with considerable accuracy, and with equal certainty. For example: If an individual devotes all, or virtually all, of his thought and effort to the satisfaction of the needs and desires of the body, or in the acquisition of the. means by which they may be satisfied, then obviously he is trapped upon the gold level and is not moving up the curve at all. If he is able to satisfy his bodily needs and desires with less than the total effort which he expends, and if the balance of his effort is devoted to the task of accumulating knowledge, then he is moving up the curve somewhere between gold and knowledge. The exact spot will be deter-mined by the proportion of his total effort which is being directed toward the acquisition of knowledge.

If sufficient knowledge has been acquired so that organized patterns

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of thought may be directed into the paths of wisdom, and if the individual is exerting conscious effort to so direct his thought, he will have passed the level of simple knowledge and will be moving up the curve.

In locating one's own position upon the curve some confusion may be created by the fact that a child is usually supported almost entirely by his parents during his early years. His attention and his principal efforts are directed toward the level of knowledge before he has achieved the ability to obtain for himself the needs of his own body. The child is, in effect, standing upon the gold level achieved by his parents. This support may be maintained for the first twenty or more years of the child's life, thus enabling him to work simultaneously toward the levels of gold and knowledge. This procedure may be quite successful providing that the developing individual does work consciously toward both levels.

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and that the support is not prematurely or unexpectedly withdrawn. While it is possible for the individual to make a successful approach to both gold and knowledge simultaneously, there can be but little achievement of wisdom, and virtually no approach to understanding until the first two levels have been mastered by and for the individual himself.

The second question usually asked by the members of a lecture audience is: How can I move up the curve with greater speed? The answer to this question is that the speed of ascent is limited only by the determination and the faith of the traveler. There are, however, a number of aids to a rapid and successful journey. Perhaps one of the most important of these is the possession of a good road map. If the map is clearly and accurately drawn the traveler will know at all times exactly where he is, where he

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is going, and what landmarks he can effect to pass along the way. Thus, there is no danger. that the traveler will become lost or sidetracked, and he will always know how to direct his efforts in order to achieve a maxi-mum of progress.

(This text has been written and published with the hope that it may become a helpful road map for many travelers)

A condition of absolute faith would enable anyone to reach the top of the curve, or to manifest the abilities of any level at any time. However, the `faith' to which reference is made in biblical statements is not synonymous with simple confidence, acceptance, or a belief. As we have previously pointed out in this text, the word which has been translated as faith, actually referred to a state of complete and certain knowledge of the laws of development. The man who jumps from a tall building

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with only the hope or the belief that he will not fall will soon lie crushed upon the pavement below. But the man who steps from the roof with the certain knowledge that he will not, and cannot fall because he is acting from the level of control over matter, will remain in the air as long as he may choose to do so.

Jesus walked upon the water because he knew that he could. Simon Peter sank because he only hoped that he could duplicate the ability which Jesus had demonstrated, and was depending upon Jesus for the ability. Note, that as soon as Jesus had stretched forth his hand to Peter he was able to walk upon the water also, not because Peter knew that he could, but because Jesus knew that Peter could.

The objection may be made that such demonstrations of power and ability are seldom, if ever, seen in the present-day world. It has been said that, “The day of miracles is

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past." It is true that such overt manifestations are rarely performed in public. It is seldom that an individual who has reached the level of control over matter finds it either necessary or desirably to demonstrate his ability before those who are still upon a lower plane. Secondly, when such acts are per-formed in public and witnessed by others, as does sometimes occur, it is easier and simpler for the general public to dismiss the report of the witnesses as imagination, hallucination, or hoax, than to accept the report and be faced with the necessity of explaining something that is not understood. (It must be remembered that at the time that Jesus performed his miracles' very few people, except those who had actually witnessed them, accepted the fact that they had occurred).

Thirdly - one who has fully reached the level of control over matter is largely independent of the physical

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body and so may, or may not, be apparent at any given moment to those who are at a lower level of development.

The final, and one of the most important of the questions concerning the curve of development, is the question of multiple opportunity. The question is usually expressed in the following way: Can anyone hope to achieve the highest level in the life-time of a single body; and if the individual has not reached the top of the curve when the body dies, how can the journey be completed?

The answer to this question cannot be given in a simple statement since it is actually a complex question whose answer may vary with each individual. Apparently the journey, at least as far as the level of control over matter, must be made in a physical body. While it is perfectly possible to reach the top of the curve within the lifetime of a single body, it is probably only rarely that

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it actually occurs. ("For straight is the way and narrow is the gate that leadeth to salvation, and few there are who find it.")

Since the spirit is imperishable and since it must make at least a part of its journey in a physical body, it follows that a body will be available to the spirit as long as one is needed.

When Jesus said to Nicodemus, " Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God," he was not implying that the entire journey must be made in a series of physical bodies, but that a physical body must be used until the individual has been `born of the spirit,' after which a physical body is no longer essential.

The exact nature of the area or the environment in which the traveler continues his spiritual growth beyond. the level of control over matter has long been a subject of speculation and some controversy.

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There are some who describe the change in environment by saying that the developing individual moves to a higher plane,' others say that the move is to a higher frequency' or 'rate of vibration.' Still others feel that the change is best described as a move to a higher dimension.' There are also many persons who feel that because there are undoubtedly many other planets upon which life, intelligence and spiritual development has progressed considerably beyond the average level which has been achieved on earth; that perhaps the earth human may at some stage of his development take up his residence upon a more advanced planet where the environment may be more conducive of rapid progress.

All of these speculations and partial definitions are the result of man's attempt to rationalize or to understand an area which is still somewhat beyond our understanding.

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Whatever the truth may be it is probably too complex to be explained in any words which are now in our vocabulary. We can, however, press onward with the complete assurance that the I Path, the Way and the Light' do exist; that we are all upon the path; that we will all find the way; and that the light and love that are beyond understanding will continue to grow in brilliance and in warmth with every step of our approach.

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