the dore lectures on mental science(脑科学讲座)-第11节
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different standpoint。 It is always the principle of Beingthat which is； as
distinguished from that which is not； but to grasp the true significance of
this saying we must understand what is meant by 〃that which is not。〃 It is
something more than mere non…existence； for obviously we should not
trouble ourselves about what is non…existent。 It is that which bath is and is
not at the same time； and the thing that answers to this description is
〃Conditions。〃 The little affirmative is that which affirms particular
conditions as all that it can grasp； while the great affirmative grasps a
wider conception； the conception of that which gives rise to conditions。
Cosmically it is that power of Spirit which sends forth the whole creation
as its expression of itself； and it is for this reason that I have drawn
attention in the preceding lectures to the idea of the creation ex nihilo of
the whole visible universe。 As Eastern and Western Scriptures alike tell us
it is the breathing…forth of Original Spirit； and if you have followed what I
have said regarding the reproduction of this Spirit in the individualthat
by the very nature of the creative process the human mind must be of the
same quality with the Divine Mindthen we find that a second mode of
the Originating Spirit becomes possible； namely that of operation through
the individual mind。 But whether acting cosmically or personally it is
always the same Spirit and therefore cannot lose its inherent character
which is…that of the Power which creates ex nihilo。 It is the direct
contradiction of the maxim 〃ex nihilo nihil fit〃nothing can be made out
of nothing； and it is the recognition of the presence in ourselves of this
power； which can make something out of nothing； that is the key to our
further progress。 As the logical outcome of the cosmic creative process；
the evolutionary work reaches a point where the Originating Power creates
an image of itself； and thus affords a fresh point of departure from which it
can work specifically； just as in the cosmic process it works generically。
From this new standpoint it does not in any way contradict the laws of the
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cosmic order； but proceeds to specialize them； and thus to bring out results
through the individual which could not be otherwise attained。
Now the Spirit does this by the same method as in the Original
Creation； namely by creating em nihilo； for otherwise it would be bound
by the limitations necessarily inherent in the cosmic form of things； and so
no fresh creative starting point would have been attained。 This is why the
Bible lays such stress on the principle of Monogenesis； or creation from a
single power instead of from a pair or syzegy； and it is on this account that
we are told that this One…ness of God is the foundation of all the
commandments； and that the 〃Son of God〃 is declared to be 〃monogenes〃
or one…begotten； for that is the correct translation of the Greek word。 The
immense importance of this principle of creation from a single power will
become apparent as we realize more fully the results proceeding from the
assumption of the opposite principle； or the dualism of the creative power；
but as the discussion of this great subject would require a volume to itself；
I must； at present； content myself with saying that this insistence of the
Bible upon the singleness of the Creative Power is based upon a
knowledge which goes to the very root of esoteric principles； and is
therefore not to be set aside in favour of dualistic systems； though
superficially the latter may appear more consonant to reason。
If； then； it is possible to put the Great Affirmation into words it is that
God is ONE and that this ONE finds centre in ourselves； and if the full
meaning of this statement is realized； the logical result will be found to be
a new creation both in and from ourselves。 We shall realize in ourselves
the working of a new principle whose distinguishing feature is its
simplicity。 It is ONE…ness and is not troubled about any second。 Hence
what it contemplates is not how its action will be modified by that of some
second principle； something which will compel it to work in a particular
manner and so limit it； but what it contemplates is its own Unity。 Then it
perceives that its Unity consists in a greater and a lesser movement； just as
the rotation of the earth on its axis does not interfere with its rotation
round the sun but are both motions of the same unit； and are definitely
related to each other。 In like manner we find that the Spirit is moving
simultaneously in the macrocosm of the universe and in the microcosm of
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the individual； and the two movements harmonize because they are that of
the same Spirit； and the latter is included in the former and pre…supposes it。
The Great Affirmation； therefore； is the perception that the 〃I AM〃 is ONE；
always harmonious with itself； and including all things in this harmony for
the simple reason that there is no second creative power； and when the
individual realizes that this always…single power is the root of his own
being； and therefore has centre in himself and finds expression through
him； he learns to trust its singleness and the consequent harmony of its
action in him with what it is doing AROUND him。 Then he sees that the
affirmation 〃I and my Father are ONE〃 is a necessary deduction from a
correct apprehension of the fundamental principles of being； and then； on
the principle that the less must be included in the greater； he desires that
harmonious unity of action be maintained by the adaptation of his own
particular movement to the larger movement of the Spirit working as the
Creative Principle through the great whole。 In this way we become centres
through which the creative forces find specialization by the development
of that personal factor on which the specific application of general laws
must always depend。 A specific sort of individuality is formed； capable
of being the link between the great Spiritual Power of the universal and
the manifestation of the relative in time and space because it consciously
partakes of both； and because the individual of this class recognizes the
singleness of the Spirit as the starting point of all things； he endeavours
to withdraw his mind from all arguments derived from external conditions；
whether past or present； and to fix it upon the forward movement of the
Spirit which he knows to be always identical both in the universe and in
himself。 He ceases the attempt to dictate to the Spirit； because he does not
see in it a mere blind force； but reveres it as the Supreme Intelligence： and
on the other hand he does not grovel before it in doubt and fear； because
he knows it is one with himself and is realizing itself through him； and
therefore cannot have any purpose antagonistic to his own individual
welfare。 Realizing this he deliberately places his thoughts under the
guidance of the Divine Spirit； knowing that his outward acts and
conditions must thereby be brought into harmony with the great forward
movement of the Spirit； not only at the stage he has now reached； but at all
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future stages。 He does not at all deny the power of his own thought as the
creative agent in his own personal world；on the contrary it is precisely
on the knowledge of this fact that his perception of the true adjustment
between the principles of Life is based； but for this very reason he is the
more solicitous to be led by that Wisdom which can see what he cannot
see； so that his personal control over the conditions of his own life may be
employed to its continual increase and development。
In
