SPIRITUAL: HOW TO DEVELOP A SPIRITUAL POWER?

The world is filled with people seeking pleasure, excitement, novelty, and power, but few are prepared to make sacrifices for the acquisition of power and influence. Weak and powerless individuals are swayed by their fluctuating thoughts and impulses, while those with real power and influence are prepared to build up character. To grow in power, individuals must awaken to higher states of intelligence and consciousness. The difference between a man of weakness and one of power lies not in the strength of personal will but in their focus on consciousness. A man can develop power by checking his impulses and selfish inclinations, falling back on higher and calmer consciousness, and steadying himself upon a principle. Realizing unchanging principles in consciousness is the source and secret of the highest power. A man governed by self and not by principles changes his front when faced with threats to his interests, but stands firm on principles. The hour of crisis decides who are the minions of darkness and the children of light.

The epoch of threatening disaster, ruin, and persecution divides the sheep from the goats, revealing the men and women of power. It is easy for a man to persuade himself that he believes in and adheres to the principles of Peace, Brotherhood, and Universal love when enjoying his possessions. However, when his enjoyments are threatened, he begins to clamor loudly for war, showing that he believes in and stands upon Strife selfishness and hatred.

The man of power is the one who endures every word and work, and the after-world honors and worships him rather than deserting the principle of divine love on which he rested and placed all his trust. Spiritual power can only be acquired through inward illumination and Enlightenment, which is the realization of spiritual principles. These principles can only be realized by constant practice and application.

Take the principle of divine love and meditate upon it to arrive at a thorough understanding. Bear this knowledge on all aspects of life, including habits, actions, speech, and intercourse with others. As you persevere, the Divine love will become more perfectly revealed to you, and your shortcomings will stand out in vivid contrast.

As you pursue this love, you will never rest in your weakness or imperfection but will pursue it until you have relinquished every discordant element and brought yourself into perfect harmony with it. This state of inward harmony is spiritual power.

Add other spiritual principles such as Purity and compassion and apply them in the same way. By understanding, realizing, and relying upon these principles, you will acquire spiritual power, manifested in and through you in the form of increasing dispassion, patience, equanimity, superior self-control, sublime patience, and maintaining an unbroken calm amid all duties and distractions of life.

The text emphasizes the importance of self-control, patience, and equanimity in personal growth. To achieve this, one must focus their consciousness on a principle and make numerous attempts to walk unaided. This requires breaking away from custom, tradition, and others' opinions.

To grow in power, one must first stand alone, relying on their own judgment and following their conscience. Despite facing challenges and suffering, one should persevere in faith and seek a principle that resonates with them. By clinging to a principle and standing erect upon it, one can defy the fury of selfishness and its storms.

Selfishness in any form is weakness, death, and indestructibility. Spiritually, it is conservation power and life. As one grows in spiritual life and establishes upon principles, they become as beautiful and unchangeable as those principles. They will taste the sweetness of their Immortal Essence and realize the Eternal and indestructible nature of God within.

A righteous man stands erect amid storms of hate, defying hurt and injury. He stands steadfast in the strength of silent power, sheltered by deathless love and fear. He knows eternity and moves not while the Shadows come and go, calling him Immortal, truth, light, and Splendor of prophetic Majesty.

In summary, the text emphasizes the importance of self-control, patience, and equanimity in personal growth. By focusing on principles and standing erect amidst challenges, individuals can overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.