Wisdom Teachings From The Gospel of
Kailedy – The Book of the Illuminator of the Nazarine
Man can break free from the fetters of
time, to spread wings of the spirit and fly to eternity, borne upward
by an inspirational strengthening out-flowing from God.
May the doorways of your heart be ever
open to admit the light of truth and knowledge, that the inner
chambers of your being be so enlightened you may there perceive your
own soul in the fulness of its glory and power.
What is man? He appears suddenly out
of the darkness, entering the light of a well-lit performing arena
where, for a brief moment, the role is played. He flashes in an
illuminated moment of eternity before vanishing back into the
unknown. Briefly, he dances like a shadow cast by flickering
candlelight, to merge back with the surrounding darkness where the
candle burns no more.
Yet I grieve no more than duly, for his
spirit has cast off the restrictions of the body and, taking upon
itself a form of glory, flies on ghostly wings to the Circle of
Radiance. He has left this dull world of heaviness and is now
attired in garments of glory. He has departed to a haven free from
the sordidness of earthly struggle. He has flown beyond our sight
and hearing, yet he is not far distant, dwelling in the free world of
compatible spirits.
Fear no man, especially the rich and
powerful, for they live in servitude to their possessions and
position. Do not covet riches, for though few men possess them, all
who do are not free and are themselves possessed by their wealth.
Charity is giving a hand to a blind
man, or soothing the wounds of those smitten by the
spirit-strengthening sword of life. It is good to help those in
distress or those who cannot help themselves, but sometimes giving
does more harm than good. Many give because is eases their
conscience or raises their self-esteem. Such giving is not goodness.
But when giving entails self-sacrifice, then it is better to give
than receive, for the benefit lies in the sacrifice made and not in
the thing bestowed.
All things a man possesses, his talents
and his skills, are gifts bestowed by the grace of God. The
inheritance received by anyone should be regarded as something
received in trust, and it is true that if they deal with it
wrongfully or selfishly, payment will be required. One of the
greatest of life's tests is the challenge of wealth or position, and
few are those who successfully meet it. Therefore, do not envy those
with wealth and position unless they deal with them wisely;
otherwise, pity them, for they have failed to rise above their test.
The rich are responsible for providing
the needs of the poor, whether by work or food. This above all is
the prime responsibility of wealth. And if a rich man say this he
cannot do, then his riches witness against him. For if a poor man
have a loaf of bread, he will share it with he who has none; and a
beggar at the door of a poor man receives better treatment than he
does at the doors of the rich, yet the rich have the most to give.
And this is the true sin of the wealthy.
Riches of themselves, are not sinful;
it is what they make of men that brings them into ill repute. If
they were properly regarded as something permitting the possessor to
study the Books of Wisdom and to redress the wrongs of the poor, then
they would serve a good end. Let the rich ask themselves with
sincerity, 'Am I not wealthy because of my lack of charity and the
exploitation of others? Is it not because I love myself more than my
neighbor?
A man without the Light places his
faith in gold, burying it in the ground so it will support him in
adversity. Yet what benefit does it bestow if he never needs it? He
worries continually and must be constantly on guard, lest he be
robbed. And when he dies his inheritors spend it. Yet by charitable
deeds and self-restraint, a greater treasure which cannot be taken by
robbers or dissipated by others can be laid up openly and without
fear.
Life must be lived to its fulness, and cannot be unless it is utilized to make a beneficial contribution to the lives of others.
Life must be lived to its fulness, and cannot be unless it is utilized to make a beneficial contribution to the lives of others.
In the days of freedom, love dwelt
graciously in a house of beauty, erected by the highest aspirations
of men. They paid manly homage outside her door, those granted entry
displaying justifiable pride in their achievement. Love, for which
noble-hearted men and pure women would once have gladly die, now is
so frail it withers at the first breath of adversity, or departs at
the luring call of lust. Love and beauty are the reflections of God
in the mirror of man; but the image once reflected in radiant
loveliness is now distorted to ugliness.
To love one another without malice or
envy, with goodwill and forbearance... The first step is to love
yourself less, and by doing this you will find more love to give. If
any say, 'I like being loved', that person is wrong, for rather you
should say, 'I like loving'. Do not seek to take love, but to give
it; for have I not said it is better to give than to receive?
Strive always to rise above your
circumstances, for in striving you gain strength. The man whose path
through life has been easy is never as good as one whose path has
been difficult. Life has two purposes only: to test and teach; and
for that, Earth is perfect.
Love your enemies, but not their
faults. Love those who hate you, but concede nothing to their
wickedness. Give without expectation of return; then only can you
lay claim to goodness and be called a servant of God.
Is not the world a place of temptation
so each may discover his own strength or weakness? Untested you can
know neither and must always remain in a state of doubt. If
uncertainty and doubt were removed from life, then it would be of
less value for its purpose. Things are as they are because so they
must be.
Words alone or deeds done which benefit no other or purposeless restrictions do not indicate true love of God. Show your love of God by working in his cause and making the world a better place. Do something requiring action where you may risk unpopularity or scorn.
Words alone or deeds done which benefit no other or purposeless restrictions do not indicate true love of God. Show your love of God by working in his cause and making the world a better place. Do something requiring action where you may risk unpopularity or scorn.
Act toward others as you would have
them act towards you, and love your neighbor as yourself. Never
utter curses against God or the powers about him, nor speak
immodestly to exalt yourself. Do not act fraudulently, and never
exaggerate. Always maintain an even temper, and do not act hastily.
Never use violence unnecessarily, nor do anything causing unnecessary
sorrow. Avoid anything to do with lewdness and obscenity. Commit
no slander, and speak no gossip. Never make mischief so strife is
brought into the lives of others. Tell no lies. Be humble without
being servile, and be clean in all ways. Whatever you do to earn
your bread, do to the best of your ability. Fulfill all your daily
obligations, and, in the time left to you, serve a cause which is
good.
And so it is.
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