Sparing details, what was the appearance of Phyris after the flight of the years? When I left she was a bright, beautiful maiden, in the budding days of womanhood, having the divine, spiritual glory which characterizes the higher race of the perfect Human grade. How looked she now? Different only in the maturity of rounded womanhood, the prime which in Venus withers not with age, because there the animal is subdued, and there are no excesses, indulgences, nor any of that feverish grasping after unattainable things which the "children of a larger growth" who dwell in the human-animal plane of Earth to-day. Phyris, the dark-haired, starry-eyed girl who was yet more than a girl, was a woman divinely fair, was again before me. Again I beheld the sweetly natural, dignified mien that reminded me of the first time I ever saw Mol Lang, that air of quiet, but marvelous power. Enhanced by this appearance, as is a gem by its setting, her sweet, pure selfhood shone forth, that sweet spirit which in Phyris was divine, yet had lost none of the human characteristics which have rendered Jesus so dear to mankind. The spirit was there, the perfect human, also, but the animal, the nature of Man on Earth, was reduced to its place of servitude. When I met the fair, beautiful woman I was abashed. At that moment the tide of the years overflowed my soul and awed me. Sometimes I had known of Phyris when the Hesperian astral controlled me. But far oftener of later years, the years of duty, this astral did not come, and then I knew Phyris only as an ideal, and with the attributes of that ideal I tried to endue Elizabeth, and the failure was agony to me.
Briefly, how did Phyris appear after the passing years? When I left, she was a radiant, beautiful young woman, just entering adulthood, possessing the divine, spiritual splendor of the higher, perfected Human race. How did she look now? She had only changed in her maturity as a woman, reaching her prime—which on Venus doesn't fade with age. This is because there, the animal nature is controlled, and there are no excesses, indulgences, or frantic pursuit of unattainable things that plague the "grown-up children" living on Earth's human-animal level today. Phyris, the dark-haired, starry-eyed girl who was always more than just a girl, stood before me as a woman of divine beauty. Again, I saw her natural, dignified demeanor that reminded me of when I first met Mol Lang—that air of quiet yet remarkable power. This appearance enhanced her sweet, pure self, like a gem in its setting. Her spirit in Phyris was divine, yet retained all the human qualities that have made Jesus so beloved by mankind. The spirit was there, as was the perfect human, but the animal nature of Earth-bound Man was reduced to its proper, subservient place. When I met this fair, beautiful woman, I felt humbled. In that moment, the weight of the years overwhelmed my soul and filled me with awe. Sometimes, when the Hesperian astral controlled me, I had known Phyris. But more often in recent years—years of duty—this astral didn't come, and I knew Phyris only as an ideal. I tried to project those ideal attributes onto Elizabeth, and my failure to do so caused me great anguish.
Wonderingly, wholly delighted, I looked on Phyris now, nor deemed it lack of propriety that she should kiss me and 'whisper, "Home again," her eyes lighted with the peaceful joy reflected from my gaze.
Amazed and filled with delight, I gazed at Phyris. I didn't consider it improper when she kissed me and whispered, "Home again." Her eyes shone with the same peaceful joy that reflected in my own gaze.
No passion was in me, no prompting to be sentimental--no, that was gone with Earth's feverish dream.
I felt no passion, no urge to be emotional. Those feelings had vanished along with Earth's fleeting illusions.
How familiar all things appeared when at last I was come home. For six Hesperian months [*1] I did nothing but wander in my psychic form in this Elysium, this stellar garden of the Hesperides. In the other time most of my visit was spent in the company of Sohma or Mol Lang. But now Sohma was otherwise engaged. Mol Lang, too, was occupied in the work that attracted him, that of guiding, teaching and helping mankind, en masse, as well as individually; that portion of our race yet on Earth. Unconscious of his agency, or of how, with others equally great, Mol Lang was influencing the affairs of men, these men on Earth went on with their doings, fondly thinking that themselves were doing all. How little humanity on Earth knows that it is thus guided. Yet our Father gives it to His occult children to lead their lesser brethren, just as He gave it to Jesus, one of the Sons of Light, higher than any other, who was an incarnation of the Christ. Perhaps human acts were not, are not, guided individually, as a rule, although exceptions exist. But just as shot, running in grooves, is checked by the leaden pellets before and behind, so the acts of one man depend on the acts of others; these on others still, until finally it appears that the mass is influenced in the whole, and every individual in the mass has his or her acts unconsciously controlled by what are termed circumstances, fates, adverse or propitious, inexorable, the grooves in which they run. That is to say, humanity is ordered in its action by what may be named the Universal Karma. So long as men grope in the dark, ignorant of occult laws, so long must they produce this inexorable karma. It is fate, self-made, running from life to life, incarnation after incarnation, unavoidable, for it is horn of the infraction of the laws of the Creator. Even Mol Lang, before he passed and triumphed at the Crisis, to which I was soon to come, and which he experienced a century ago, was controlled by the great, Universal Karma. But in passing that ordeal he passed from finite life to everlasting, and became a law unto himself. And then, free of karma, he returned to minister to those bound by circumstances. Mol, Lang was become more than man. He had taken of the Tree of Knowledge, also of the Tree of Life. [*1] Such as he utilize the elementals, those non-human, non-embodied powers of the air. They find in mankind the tendency to sin, and use it, so that the erring ones mount the ladder on rungs, each of which is a conquered fault. The great religious movements, wars, and the fields of commerce, all furnish experiences for mankind. Do some seem cruel, evil? Yet each is a part of the scheme of the Creator, each is a tool in the hands of His ministers, and all teach that except a man, as part of the Eternal Whole, works for that Whole, subduing the selfish animal in himself, he can in no wise come to the Father.
When I finally returned home, everything seemed so familiar. For six months, I wandered in my spiritual form through this paradise, this heavenly garden. Previously, I had spent most of my visit with Sohma or Mol Lang. Now, however, Sohma was occupied elsewhere, and Mol Lang was engrossed in his work of guiding, teaching, and helping humanity, both collectively and individually. Unaware of his influence, or how he and others like him were shaping human affairs, people on Earth continued with their lives, believing they were in control. Humanity remains largely oblivious to this guidance. Yet our Father allows His enlightened children to lead their less advanced siblings, just as He did with Jesus, the highest Son of Light, who embodied Christ. While individual actions may not typically be guided, with some exceptions, human behavior is interconnected. Like a string of beads, one person's actions affect another's, creating a chain reaction. Ultimately, the masses are influenced as a whole, with each individual's actions unconsciously controlled by what we call circumstances or fate. This is the Universal Karma. As long as people remain ignorant of occult laws, they will continue to produce this inexorable karma. It is a self-made destiny, carried from one life to the next, unavoidable because it stems from breaking the Creator's laws. Even Mol Lang was subject to Universal Karma before he overcame the Crisis a century ago—an ordeal I would soon face. By passing this test, he transcended finite life and became self-governing. Free from karma, he returned to help those still bound by it. Mol Lang had become more than human, having gained knowledge and eternal life. Such enlightened beings use elemental forces—non-human, incorporeal powers of the air. They recognize humanity's tendency to sin and use it to help people climb the ladder of spiritual growth, with each rung representing a conquered fault. Major religious movements, wars, and even commerce provide experiences for mankind. While some may seem cruel or evil, each is part of the Creator's plan, a tool in His ministers' hands. All teach that unless a person, as part of the Eternal Whole, works for that Whole by subduing their selfish nature, they cannot reach the Father.
"Except by My Path," says the Savior.
"Only through My way," says the Savior.
If Sohma and Mol Lang could no longer be with me as companions, who then could? Phyris. She became my tutor, my guide, and led me farther on towards the point where soon I must take the Key and enter alone on the dread struggle, with only my faith in God to sustain me.
If Sohma and Mol Lang could no longer be my companions, who could? Phyris. She became my mentor and guide, leading me closer to the moment when I would have to take the Key and face the daunting challenge alone, with only my faith in God to support me.
One day Mol Lang said, "Phylos, come with me."
One day Mol Lang said, "Phylos, come with me."
I went to his special apartments. There he said:
I visited his private quarters. He said to me there:
"Hitherto thou hast but an astral body, but now thou needest a physical body as a base of action, for now must thou learn of thine own self. Sleep, that I may gather material atoms about thine astral."
"Up until now, you've only had an astral body, but now you need a physical body as a foundation for action. It's time for you to learn about yourself. Sleep, so I can gather physical matter around your astral form."
I immediately slept, as I lay on the couch where he had bidden me recline. When I awoke be was regarding me, and, for a moment forgetful, I sat up.
I fell asleep right away on the couch where he had told me to rest. When I woke up, he was watching me. For a moment, I forgot where I was and sat up.
"Arise," said Mol Lang. I obeyed, and found myself clothed in flesh. Thus I became a Hesperite. I was now of the same apparent age as Phyris, and was thereby seemingly dispossessed of some twenty-five years. Before any lengthy period there came to shine in me somewhat of the Spirit-nature, and as the same ego shone in Phyris, so therefore we grew into similitude of each other. Because of this indwelling Spirit, Nature was become an open book, and occult wisdom addressed me from all sides. Soon I could leave the body at will. Other steps succeeded, and I grew with marvelous rapidity to know many of the minor things reserved by our Father for His aspiring children.
"Wake up," said Mol Lang. I obeyed and found myself in physical form. I had become a Hesperite. I now appeared the same age as Phyris, seemingly losing about twenty-five years. Soon, I began to embody some of the Spirit-nature, and as Phyris and I shared the same inner self, we grew more alike. This spiritual awakening allowed me to understand nature deeply, and occult wisdom spoke to me from everywhere. I quickly learned to leave my body at will. Other abilities followed, and I rapidly gained knowledge of many of the lesser mysteries our Father reserves for His eager children.
With me now was abiding a Voice, [*1] and as it demanded of me, I answered and knew. It said:
A Voice stayed with me, and as it questioned me, I responded with certainty. It spoke:
"What is heredity?"
"What is heredity?"
And I answered from my spirit, knowing this thing:
I replied with conviction, certain of this truth:
"Heredity is the sum of experience which the souls of men carry from one life through devachan into reincarnation. It is in nowise transmitted from parent to child, but its leading trait is attracted by the like trait in the parents. The lesser traits are educed by cultivation, or else lie dormant, according to environment."
Heredity is the accumulation of experiences that souls carry from one life through the afterlife into their next incarnation. It isn't passed down from parent to child. Instead, a soul's dominant traits are drawn to similar traits in its parents. Less prominent characteristics are either developed through nurture or remain inactive, depending on the environment.
Again the Voice said:
Once more, the Voice spoke:
"It is not well; thou who hast reaped, must now saw. I am the Eternal Spirit in thee; obey me. Thou art now able to stand in my presence; able to see; able to hear; able to speak; conqueror of desire, attainer of self-knowledge. Thou hast seen thy soul in its bloom, heard the voice of Peace. Go thou and read my writing in the Hall of Learning, which is My Works. Read.
"This isn't right. You who have harvested must now plant. I am the Eternal Spirit within you; obey me. You can now stand in my presence, see, hear, and speak. You've conquered desire and attained self-knowledge. You've seen your soul flourish and heard the voice of Peace. Go and read my writing in the Hall of Learning, which is My Works. Read."
"To stand--is to have confidence. To hear--is to have opened the door of thy soul. To see is to have attained perception of My Works. To speak--is to have gotten the power of helping others. To have conquered desire-is to have acquired control of self. To have self-knowledge-is to have come unto Me, whence thou art able impartially to view the personal man that was thyself. To have seen thy soul in its bloom-is to have had a momentary glimpse of that transfiguration which shall eventually make thee more than Man.
To stand firm is to have confidence. To truly listen is to open your soul. To see clearly is to understand My works. To speak with purpose is to gain the power to help others. To overcome desire is to master self-control. To know yourself is to connect with Me, allowing you to view your former self objectively. To witness your soul in full bloom is to glimpse the transformation that will elevate you beyond human limits.
"Stand aside in the coming battle, and though thou fightest, be not thou the warrior. Look for Me, and let Me fight in thee. Obey My orders for battle. Obey Me as if I were thyself. My orders thy desires--for I am thyself, yet infinitely more than thee. Look for Me, lest in the fever of battle thou pass Me. I will not know thee if thou knowest not Me. If thy cry come to Me, lo! I will fight in thee and will fill the void in thee. Then shalt thou be unwearied. Without Me thou shalt fall; with Me thou canst not fall, for I am the Spirit.
Step back from the coming conflict, and even if you engage, don't be the one leading the charge. Look to Me and let Me fight through you. Follow My battle commands as if they were your own wishes—for I am you, yet infinitely greater. Watch for Me, or you might miss Me in the heat of battle. I won't recognize you if you don't know Me. If you call out to Me, I will fight within you and fill your emptiness. Then you'll have endless energy. Without Me, you'll fail; with Me, you can't fail, for I am the Spirit.
"Listen now to the song of life in thy heart. Say not, 'It is not there.' Listen deeper. This song is in every breast; it may be obscure, yet it is there. Not the most wretched outcast but it is in him, for all are children of the Father, which is I. Listen to My Song, for while thou art yet but man, I shall not speak continually, and thy strength must sometimes be in memory of Me. Inquire now of the Earth-matter; of the air, of the water, the wind; and seek the treasurers of the snow. My Peace I give unto thee."
Listen to the song of life within your heart. Don't say, "It's not there." Listen more closely. This song exists in every person; it may be hard to hear, but it's always present. Even the most downtrodden have it, for all are children of the Father, which is I. Listen to My Song, for while you are still human, I won't always speak directly, and your strength must sometimes come from remembering Me. Now, explore the Earth's elements: the soil, the air, the water, the wind; and seek the treasures hidden in the snow. I give you My Peace.
At last I saw; I heard; and, my friend who readeth this, I speak. My words go to the multiplication by types, and then by myriad copies through the world, to be known by those that "seeing, see and comprehend." And with each copy shall go my love and greater, mine eye shall note each hungered seeker for the truth, and, be it in the palace, or cottage, there, too, will I be, not figuratively, but my Spirit.
Finally, I understood. I listened. And now, dear reader, I speak. My words will spread through printing presses and countless copies worldwide, reaching those who truly see and understand. Each copy carries my love, growing stronger. I'll recognize every seeker of truth, and whether in a palace or a humble home, my spirit will be there—not metaphorically, but in essence.
I had gone into a lonely mountain spot to hear this Voice, and now as I walked, a Being not Man joined me. Its presence was one of light and glory and goodness. With it came Mol Lang, saying:
I ventured into a secluded mountain area to listen for this Voice. As I walked, a supernatural Being appeared beside me. Its presence radiated light, glory, and goodness. Mol Lang arrived with it, saying:
"This is one of the Beings of Good. Behold, Phylos, our Father's House hath many Mansions, and in these are Beings created by Him, and endowed with volition like as Man, yet they are not human, never were, nor ever will be. Man shall be perfect when the Spirit of the Father entereth him. Then shall he know all things, and be perfect. What is perfection? Absolute harmony with His Infinite Creation. So there may be perfect men; also perfect Beings which are not Men, as this one with us. This is a Good Being. But there is an opposite in the Things of the Creation. There are perfect Evil Beings, which likewise are not, never were, nor ever will be human. What are these? They are in perfect harmony with the laws of their existence, but those laws and their conditions are absolutely opposed to ours, and to good. Hence such are inimical to our life and so, evil. Yet this sort seek us not, nor we them. In the scheme of Creation evil and good are evenly balanced. What disturbs, harmony with us, therefore, disturbs them by disadjustment of balance. Hence they seek not our harm. But Satan, know ye him? He was an Angel of Light, fallen, and come to so much the greater fall in that his height was so lofty. [*1] He is a rebel, and out of harmony.
This is a Being of Good. Understand, Phylos, that our Father's realm has many dimensions, inhabited by beings He created with free will, like humans. However, these beings are not and never will be human. Humans will achieve perfection when the Father's Spirit enters them. Perfection means complete harmony with His Infinite Creation. Thus, there can be perfect humans and perfect non-human beings, like the one with us. However, there's an opposite force in Creation. There are perfect Evil Beings, also non-human, that exist in harmony with their own laws, which oppose ours and what we consider good. These beings are harmful to our existence, yet they don't seek us out, nor we them. In Creation, evil and good are balanced. Disrupting our harmony also affects theirs, so they don't actively try to harm us. But Satan is different. He was once an Angel of Light who fell from grace, his fall greater because of his former glory. He is a rebel, out of harmony with Creation.
"Life, Phylos, is limited, for it is but the action in the Mansion of Human environment. But existence is not limited. Hence this Good Being with us is not Life, but of Existence. See, It goes. This is Its symbol, and the name of Its Mansion tri. And when thy trials are thickest, draw about thee on the ground that figure and stand in it; go not out, but call on the Father. He will send His tri Beings to aid thee. Peace go with thee."
"Life, Phylos, has boundaries, as it's merely action within the realm of human experience. Existence, however, is boundless. This benevolent being with us isn't Life, but part of Existence. Look, it's leaving. This is its symbol, and the name of its realm is tri. When your challenges become overwhelming, draw this symbol on the ground and stand within it. Don't step out, but call upon the Father. He'll send his tri Beings to help you. May peace be with you."
Mol Lang disappeared, and I was alone.
Mol Lang vanished, leaving me by myself.
Men dread most those insidious diseases, which attack not openly, but the weakest and most unguarded point. So, in the last, final Trial of the Crisis, I should be likewise insidiously attacked by the Satanic hosts. Earth has tried me during many lives; now was to come a trial greater than Earth. The attacks of mere human error differ from that of the well-organized, intelligent assault of those to whom evil has become natural, to Lucifer and his fellow-rebels.
People fear hidden diseases most—those that strike unexpectedly at our weakest points. Similarly, in the final test of the Crisis, I would face a subtle assault from Satan's forces. Earth has challenged me through many lifetimes, but now I faced a trial beyond earthly struggles. The mistakes of humans pale in comparison to the calculated, intelligent attacks of those who embrace evil—Lucifer and his rebel allies.
Of what nature is this Trial of the Crisis? [*1] It is the deciding whether in the long series of incarnate lives the soul has improved its opportunities for good; if it, in the main, followed the Path which Jesus pointed. If so, it has or will have strength to cope with the best efforts of the Satanic foe. If not, it must fall and die the second death. [*2] His incarnate life made the soul forgiving of all wrongs, forgetful of selfish interests, helpful to those having less light, more gloom, misery and sin to encounter, a self-contained nature? Has it become like the Man of Sorrows, full of faith, hope and charity? Then it hath beard the Voice, and will not fail. But if the soul is not like that, then, although it have the prophetic sight, and knoweth all things, though it have faith to removing mountains, yet shall it be only the more like Satan, and the worse its fate.
What is the nature of the Trial of the Crisis? It determines whether, throughout many lifetimes, the soul has made good use of its opportunities. Has it generally followed the path Jesus showed? If so, it has or will have the strength to face the best efforts of evil. If not, it must fall and experience the second death. Has the soul's journey made it forgiving of all wrongs, selfless, and helpful to those facing greater challenges, darkness, and sin? Has it become self-reliant? Has it grown to resemble the Man of Sorrows, full of faith, hope, and charity? If so, it has heard the Voice and will not fail. However, if the soul lacks these qualities, then even if it possesses prophetic vision and great knowledge, even if it has faith strong enough to move mountains, it will only become more like Satan, and its fate will be worse.
"Go into the Holy Place." [*3]
"Enter the sacred area." [*3]
And I, knowing obedience, went into a room built of stone, apart from the house. Then was I in the Presence where I had been as Zailm when Priest Mainin was blasted: It was the Presence of the living Christ. It was Man, yet more, for it [SYMBOLIC PICTURE IN THE "HOLY PLACE"] was the Spirit; as much more than Man as the sun is more than a glow-worm. Then a wondrous Voice said:
Obeying the command, I entered a secluded stone chamber separate from the main building. Suddenly, I found myself in the same Presence I had encountered as Zailm when Priest Mainin was struck down: the living Christ. It was both human and divine—a being as far beyond mortal man as the sun outshines a firefly. Then, a remarkable Voice spoke:
"Be not afraid; it is I."
"Don't be afraid. It's me."
Around that Holy Place were forms of fire. Ink and paper can give little idea of the semblance. Yet look at the picture and try, with my aid, to see. The bolt blazed as a thing of flame, so also the Great Star and all the lesser ones. The Leaf was as life, and the cross the open Way, to the House thereof, while the Ring, I knew, symbolized the Eternal One, endless, beginningless. The Book was the Word, and it blazed with scintillant, crimson flame. But over all, a Personified Presence, was the Eye, the Eternal, sleepless, omnipotent omniscient Supervisor. So stood I in the presence of the Father, made manifest for me. As I remained, I knew all things of His Works, for the Spirit entered in. But not to abide, for as yet the Trial was not come to pass.
Surrounding that sacred place were forms of fire. Words alone can't fully capture the sight, but examine the image and try to envision it with my guidance. The bolt shone like a flame, as did the Great Star and all the smaller ones. The Leaf represented life, while the cross symbolized the open path to its dwelling. I understood the Ring to represent the Eternal One, without end or beginning. The Book embodied the Word, blazing with sparkling crimson flame. Above all, personifying a presence, was the Eye—the Eternal, ever-watchful, all-powerful, all-knowing Observer. Thus I stood before the Father, made visible to me. As I remained there, I gained knowledge of all His Works, for the Spirit entered me. But it didn't stay, as the Trial was yet to come.
For weeks I stayed in the Holy Place, and came not out to eat or drink, for I was wholly sustained by the Spirit. At the day of the Great Peace this Spirit must enter in and I be in It and It be in me forever more. But no guide could exist, no law for the Trial, except my strength of ages. Even the Spirit would be veiled in that ordeal.
For weeks I remained in the Holy Place, sustained entirely by the Spirit, without need for food or drink. On the day of the Great Peace, this Spirit must become one with me, and I with It, for eternity. Yet, in this Trial, I would have no guide and no rules to follow, relying solely on my age-old strength. Even the Spirit would be hidden during this challenge.
Footnotes
Notes
^377:1 About 112 terrestrial days. The solar year of Venus is 224.7 earthly days.
Venus has a solar year lasting about 225 Earth days. This is equivalent to roughly 112 days on Venus itself.
^378:1 Revelations xxii; 14.
Revelation 22:14
^379:1 St. John xvi; 13.
John 16:13
^381:1 St. Lake xii; 48.
Luke 12:48
^382:1 St. Luke: xx. 35-36.
Luke 20:35-36
^382:2 Rev.: xx. 15.
Revelation 20:15
^382:3 St. Luke: iv, 2.
Luke 4:2