CHAPTER 3
THE JOY OF CARING
FOR OUR BODIES
In
this age of mechanization, every new thing we purchase comes with a set of
instructions as to how it should be put together and cared for to get the best
results.
So
far we’ve given out the information about the physical and ethereal bodies, how
well balanced our body and Spirit are and how they work together. Now we must learn how to guard and care for
ourselves, to put everything together.
This
process is called “protection.” It is a
tool we instinctively use every day as a routine habit. If we were to put this protective gift
aside, here are some of the changes that could occur: 1) we wouldn’t naturally
brush our teeth regularly; decay and pain would result. We would be unattractive and need help. 2) We wouldn’t cleanse our skin with equally
dire results. Our pores clogged with
oil, acne would blossom. Like things
would occur over all of our body. 3) We
wouldn’t wear suitable clothing. We
might go to work or skiing in formal clothes, or at the other extreme, in a
bathing suit.
Think
of our food for body and soul. With a
poor diet we could be unbecomingly heavy or too thin while the later would
destroy our intellect and inner growth.
We
can make up the balance of pictures of the challenges our ordinary life would
contain if we didn’t naturally use rules of protection learned as a child from
our parents or our own experiences. If
neither happens, we suffer the consequences.
Several years ago, in a small continuation high school with students who
had a hard time graduating, one young man had a severe sore throat, bad enough
the school nurse felt he should visit a doctor. His reply? “Oh no, ma’am! Our family always has this. It’s the way we’re made!” He felt he had to have the infection like his
relatives had.
This
will give us a glimpse of how necessary it is to continue to give care to the
physical body with the intangible Spirit it contains lest it should be
endangered by harmful thoughts or actions of one’s self or another.
There
is a special group to work with us called the Angels of Protection. The great Archangel known in the Judaic and
Christian faiths as Michael and in Islam writings as Mika’ll is head of this
group. He is in charge of several
departments but his work of Protection is one of the most important.
This group of
angels is located in Yosemite Valley in California and in the mountains around
there. This location was chosen because
there was never any bloodshed or war in the area.
. His
mighty Sword of the Spirit can cut us free from any danger. His presence may be sensed when the
fragrance of the Lily of the Valley is in the area and yet no flowers are
visible. This Archangel is also in charge
of all Guardians Angels, one of which we are assigned at birth. He is available at any time that we ask for
his assistance. Angels, like people, are limited in what they can do for us
unless we give them permission (ask them for help).
The
care of our higher bodies and the mystical portion of our body which is
necessary to keep them free from harm and let them be available for use is
called “Spiritual Protection.” Our
representation of these two words must, of course, have our own interpretation
but it would seem unwise to eliminate the word “spiritual” from any protective
statement made in regard to our universal vital forces that give us life.
A Standard
College Dictionary put out by Harcourt, Brace and World defines “spirit” as 1)
“the vital essence or animation force in living organisms, especially man,
often considered divine in origin.”
2) “The part of a human being
that is incorporeal and
unseen is characterized by intelligence,
personality, self-consciousness and will.
It is the mind.” 3) “The substance of universal aspect of
reality regarded as independent of and opposed to matter.”
The oldest
expression of protection that we’ve found is the statement, “Ring-Pass-Not”
(origin unknown). Flower A. Newhouse,
one of recent time's true mystics, says in
The
Drama of Incarnation, “spiritual knowledge acts as this Ring of Light about
the lower nature of man.” Eleanore M.
Thedick, another of today’s mystics recently transported, says in Light on
Your Problems, “Long before Paul’s day” (St. Paul, the Christian
missionary), “the Mystics taught their students the laws of protection called
“the Ring-Pass-Not.”
Geoffrey
Hodsen, author of The Kingdom of the Gods goes much farther and says The
Ring-Pass-Not is the outer auric system, which serves to insulate our planet
against intrusion of foreign vibrations and substances. In turn he places these words around each of
us as the Solar System in Macrocosmic creation. This circle of Light thus becomes a speedy help in times of
unexpected danger. Only four words, but
four powerful ones. Accept them as a
usable tool!
The
Judaic scriptures in the second chapter of the book of Zachariah give us an
unlimited Wall of Flame of the force that Moses experienced when the bush was
aflame with God’s fire but did not burn.
We may choose to put that flame around us no matter what religious persuasion
or scientific bent we follow. We
remember that One Mind creates us all.
With this common heritage, we can learn from the teachings of each
other.
In
the Hebrew story of Zachariah, the first four verses tell of his encounter with
an angel who says he is going out to measure the length and breadth of the City
of Jerusalem so that a wall may be built.
As
that angel goes out to measure the city, another angel meets Zachariah and he
says, “Run, speak to this young man saying, ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as a
town without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein. For I, said
the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about and will be glory in the
midst of her.’”
If
our Creator who in this instance is called God can build a wall of fire of
protection around an unwalled city the size of Jerusalem, cannot that same
protection be put around each of us, individually?
The
laws of protection are inviolate. The subject refuses to go away. We are so intricately made and inconceivably
connected with each other we must use them to cover ourselves and those persons
may be touched by our words. We can
always do this by making our bodies or auras that we are cleansing and
protecting into a focal point for the work to go out to others on a local, national,
international and cosmically interrelated scale.
Thus
we use the four quick words “The Ring Pass Not” in times of crisis and add the
assurance that a Wall of Fire can be built around us. Here is how we may ask for this:
“In the special name of my own High Holy One let a Wall of Flame be
built around me to completely protect me.”
At the same time ask that this same protection shall be put around those
whom we held dear; over governments of any nation, any individual or
Special interest groups we may have such
as schools, hospitals or peace organizations.
In fact there is nothing that can’t be enveloped in the Wall of Flame
for it protects without injury to us.
It allows good to come into all but keeps away that which would harm
us. We are especially wise if we put
this around any person or persons or organizations with which we have an
arbitrary relationship.
Stop
to think about that statement. If we
feel anger toward anyone, we’re emanating unkind thoughts. These act as boomerangs that come right back
to us. If instead we surround them with
good wishes, their harmful thoughts toward us can’t get out of the circle of
kindness. They can not do us ill.
For
both of these protective methods we express appreciation with a simple “Thank
you, Dear One.”
Just
as we have accepted the words of the Hebrew scriptures let us now become
willing to have the auras which surround our physical body made pure through a
message from the Christian New Testament.
In St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians he told the
converts: “You are the temple of the
Living God; as God has said, ‘I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will
be their God and they shall be my people.’”
Inasmuch
as we accept that the High Holy One is ours and nurtures us in the same manner,
no matter what Path we follow, listen to the first verse of the Seventh Chapter
of the Second Letter to the Corinthians.
We realize that these words can be used to cleanse the powerful auras
that surround us, that are also part of us and feed us as well as heal us. “Having therefore these promises, (mentioned
above) dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the
flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
So
that our purpose may be served, we say, “In the Name of our own High Holy One,
we ask 'Let my aura be cleansed of everything undesirable through the Pure
White Spirit of my Sacred Source.'”
Mentally we go through our emotions, thoughts, decisions, likes and
dislikes, our honesty, faith and any other factor which may be a
challenge. Permit the White Light to
cleanse every bit of us. We give thanks
for the good results and go about our day, secure that we are cleansed from
head to toe.
Learn
that the Wall of Flame and the Cleansing of the Aura may be used for others
with sureness and that only good can go to them from the work. We aren’t
impinging our own personal will on them in any way but are simply holding them
up for our Creator to help. When the
good shows itself to them, it is their decision as to whether or not they shall
accept the gift.
Prayers
offered in this way which may be turned away by the intended recipient go into
a “prayer bank” which can be drawn upon at any time. No rightly intended, unselfish prayer is wasted.
Despite
all of the work we have done for our auras, there is a chance that our own
personality light, that reflection of what we have accomplished this time
around may shine too brightly for those whom we meet at home, at work or
socially. The persons we meet may also
blind our eyes to their good points through their strong personality that puts
us off.
If,
instead of thinking about personality lights bumping into each other, we
transfer that thought to the idea of two cars approaching each other, driving
with their bright lights on, we understood how the shining is too bright. In the case of the cars, both drivers can
touch their dimmer switches.
Immediately they can see the roadway.
When
we go into a roomful of people (or even when we’re one on one) the light of one
or another may be too strong. In case
that happens, quickly say, “Let the light of my personality be toned down to
what is acceptable to the other (or others) and let theirs be made acceptable
to me.” Both sides are thus shielded,
one from the other, without changing the intelligence or abilities of either.
We
began by protecting our bodies from weather, unhealthy actions and attitudes of
mind . . . all those subconscious factors.
We’ve asked that our outer bodies shall be cleansed and our
personalities shan’t be too strong for others.
Now we shall learn how we may protect ourselves spiritually.
But
first, let us share an experience from a friend’s youth that may let us
recognize a challenge of our own. Her
mother would say over and over that if she weren’t nicer to people who came to
visit or with whom she had to deal, they wouldn’t like her. Her stock answer was, “well, if they don’t
like me, that’s their tough luck! I’m
not going to change.” Suddenly, it was
as though a little voice inside of her said, “If you never show them anything
to like, how can you ever expect them to be friendly?”
She
decided quickly that she’d better develop some understanding and tenderness to
others if she expected to get anything like that back. She tried it. It worked! If that shoe
fits any of us we should know most assuredly that our change will be worth
while.
Now,
how shall we protect ourselves spiritually?
Surely if we think of our tremendous body temple we shall want it as
protected, as were the Knights of King Arthur who went forth into battle,
wearing suits of impregnable armor.
We
ask that our entire body be encased in the Whole Armor of our Highest Holy
One. On that delicate, mysterious,
brilliant God-given cranial area where all knowledge is stored, we are to ask
either verbally or silently: “On my
head let me wear the Helmet of Right Thoughts and Holiness.” This takes care of our craniums, faces and
necks.
Next
we request that the Breastplate of Righteousness shall be placed upon our
torso. This makes our hearts true and
filled with Love. Love is a defensive
quality that arms us against spiritual dangers. The Breastplate of Righteousness is covered by semi-precious
stones, which have protective qualities.
As
we go down to our feet, let them be “shod with Peace and enveloped in the
Living Flame of the Holy Spirit.” They
shall be in tune with the Spiritual Purpose of Universal Mind from which we are
sprung. Permit this guard to come up
the legs to the lower back, thighs and groin and those shall be girded with
Truth. In our left hands we hold the
Shield of Faith which keeps all harm from us.
In the right hands our gauntlets shall carry the Sword of the Spirit of
God.
Put
all together we pray: “Upon our head is
the Helmet of Right Thought and Holiness.
We wear the Breastplate of Righteousness and Love. Our feet are shod with
Peace and enveloped in the flaming Spirit
of Our Creator. Our loins are girded
with Truth. In our left hand we hold
the Shield of Faith and in the right hand is the Sword of the Spirit which is
inviolate. Thus clad we are ready to do
the will of the High Holy One by whom we are created. We give thanks.”
The
vibrations last about eight hours and should be renewed in the afternoon and at
bedtime. At the later hour we are to add
“Please put on me the Robe of Righteousness with the Hood of Humility.” This keeps us safe during our sleep state
when our Spirit may journey to a Temple of Learning or we may be called upon to
do healing work.
The
second high angel who helps protect us does so in the name of Love.
Active in the Judeo-Christian and
Mohammedan religions, his name is the angel Gabriel (Jib'ril in Islamic). The name means "God is my
strength." He is considered the
Angel of Annunciation, Mercy, Resurrection, and Revelation but his highest role
is as the Angel of Love. It is in this
role he also serves as our protection.
He watches over emotions during times of sorrow and confusion. Many times he has brought solace to
individuals, probably including us.
He has often appeared
to Eleanore Mary Thedick, founder of The Christ Ministry Foundation who is
known as The Messenger on the Inner Plane.
She channeled much of the information upon which this book is based. She saw him as over six feet tall, fair,
with dark blue eyes and wavy, golden hair.
His robe was dazzling, sparkling white and he wore golden sandals.
He
told her: "There are all degrees
of love. Love is the saving grace, the
saving power that will keep this world from destruction.
"The
least kind of love is selfish. It is
weak, small and frail but is still love and better than hate. The more unselfish, the more embracing, the
freer we are, the greater is the power of love.
"Take
a small, selfish love, put in a little faith, perhaps a bit of strength, and add
some peace and protection. This makes a
love that is raised to the sharing of a deep affection that encompasses much.
"Add more love and you will have a
serving love that is trusting and impersonal.
Serving love rises above involvement in
the answer to come and knows God's loving response is always good though
perhaps unexpected.
"Forgiving
love carries power that heals, protects and blesses. Divine love is the power that transmutes darkness into
light. It is active in the celestial
realm. "
Our heart chakra
where we learn to share love is fed from Divine Source through our fourth aura,
the intuitive one. Could it be that the
great learning for many during this incarnation is to learn to love and to use
this center as a sending station for that most wonderful of emotions?
Here is an
example of that. A dear one had gained
a small reputation in a leadership role in a spiritual worldwide group while
working on her spiritual path. She was
aware that something was lacking. She
even recognized that she was often quick of tongue and gave short answers but
didn't seem to be able to change.
While at the
retreat, she was awakened one night about midnight by her own voice saying over
and over, "You need to learn to love." If God felt it important enough to use her own voice to express
His words, she decided she surely should pay attention. Her decision was to continue attending the
retreats but take no active part.
Instead, she turned to the mind located deep within her heart chakra and
recalled that in her childhood there had been no overt demonstrations of love
toward her. How, then, could she know
to express love? Surely that was an
obstacle she needed to overcome. She
meditated and listened intently to her Creator.
Next her query
was about her memory pattern from other incarnations; about karmic debt; other
family traits she may have carried on; even race consciousness. Her biggest job became apparent to her. It was a need to replace judgment with
love. She had to have help with this so
she asked her Creator to turn her personal will over to Divine Will and was
given this saying to learn: "I will to will the Will of God."
What did that
mean? As she studied it, she knew she
was being asked to look at her personal will and to decide what she would
"will" to do with it so she "willed to will the Will of
God."
She found
booklets dwelling on the subject of Love and studied them. For two years she practiced using her heart
center as a "love sending station."
At the end of that time, while standing in a cafeteria line at the same
kind of retreat where she'd received her warning, even among the same friends,
a traffic light flashed before her eyes.
The red light turned to green and the face of Jesus, the Christ,
appeared! Surely she had a
"go" signal. Obviously she
must have learned her lesson.
She was free once
again to take part in the activities that had been such a joy.
Strangely enough during those two years
of study and practice, she was also shown that the power of our Creator is so
great that it can be used too intensely.
We can be so enthusiastic in our expression of any quality that it
overwhelms the giver and receiver and needs to be stepped down to acceptable
measures. The process for this is
called "tempering," which means that the
great power that created the universe can be modulated sufficiently so that we
may use it without doing harm to others or ourselves.
Earlier in the
chapter we learned of the Arch Angel Michael who is in charge of the spiritual
tool called Protection. Protection is a
way to temper anything negative that we meet.
Let's use the rules as we ask that God's power be tempered to what is
right for those for whom we work. We protect ourselves from the intensity of
others' prayers and actions by enclosing ourselves within the Wall of Flame of
which we've learned.
Just as the five
senses of taste, touch, smell, feeling and sight can be used for helpful or
harmful purposes, so can the gift of Love.
If we are too zealous about what we learn and try to push it upon each
one we meet, we intrude into that person's inner being and offend the
individual. We may be so enthusiastic
in our expression of any quality that it overwhelms the giver and receiver.
Our
gain, then, is when we recognize and use this new tool of tempering as a usual
part of us - the Ordinary, instead of the Extraordinary. The Archangel Michael has been our teacher
and helper. His presence may be sensed
when the fragrance of the Lily of the Valley is in the area and no flowers are
seen.
WE ARE BLESSED.