ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS.

BY JENNIE H. CROFT.

189. In the expression, "I am the image and likeness of the Father," just what mental picture or thought should we hold? Does not "image" carry with it the idea of form? If so, in this case, how can "the Father," which means to us the all-pervading Spirit, Power, etc., etc., have form? Perhaps "image and likeness" here used mean about the same thing. Please explain. -A. C. T.

The word "image" does usually convey the idea of form, but as this conception cannot be true of Spirit, Power, Love, etc., we must look again for the meaning of this word. Metaphysicians have a way of dividing a word, of separating it into its parts, that they may arrive at a clearer understanding of its meaning. Following this plan, we find that the first syllable of the word image — "im”—is an abbreviation of I am, and the last syllable, "age" means, quality of of like nature. Hence the word meansquality of I AM, or, of like nature to God. This, then, is the idea we should hold when we use the word "image," and quality is not limited by form.

190. How are we to distinguish the spiritual "I" from the personal "I"? - Mrs. M.

By their fruits are they known. The spiritual "I" is the power of love, goodness and truth within the soul, and prompts deeds of kindness, of love, and takes knowledge of only the lovely, the pure, the good and the true. The personal "I" is selfish, seeking its own, and often bears malice and uncharitableness in its heart. If the motive of our lives is to know the will of God and to do it, then we may know the spiritual "I" is the ruling power. If we are what is called "sensitive-our feelings easily hurt; if we seek self-glory and the "chief seats in the synagogue," if we indulge the appetites and desires of the flesh, then the personal "I" is in dominion. The personal "I" is full of discord, the spiritual "I" knows only harmony and peace.

191. Ought one to have a headache after being in the Silence a short time? I have what seems like a nervous headache just above the forehead, and I feel it when reading Truth. Also, I should like to know how to demonstrate over self that I may remove certain undesirable conditions which have appeared — gray hair, etc. -A. G.

The pain in the forehead when concentrating, either in the Silence or when reading subjects which require thought, is caused by too much intellectual striving. Cease striving to gain understanding through reason and intellect alone. Let the Spirit lead you into the Truth. "If ye lack wisdom, ask of God who giveth abundantly and upbraideth not." Still the human brain and listen to the voice of the Spirit; think through the heart, think love to all, and your silence will be full of peace upon which no pain can intrude.

You can demonstrate over self by declaring, with firm conviction, that you are Spirit; that your vitality is not material, but spiritual; that the life which fills your whole being is the changeless life of God.

192. What thought should we hold that we may not be struck by lightning? I do not wish to make a "lightning-rod " of myself, but how am I to avoid it?

-G. H.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of His wing and "no harm shall come nigh thy dwelling." Claim your oneness with Omnipotence, and know and affirm that this power is your guide and guard. Cast out all fear of the lightning, and dwell in the consciousness that the above promises are fulfilled in you.

..

193. Jesus said, If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them." Why are two or three more effectual? The prayer of one is answered, is it not? -E. A. F.

Yes, the prayer of one is answered, but a greater power is generated and set into operation through the united prayers of two or more, and the desired result more quickly accomplished. You turn on on

electric light and you have light in your room, but if you turn on two or more you have a flood of light. So it is with concerted action along any line, and, thought being creative power, the combined thought force of several people creates the thing desired by drawing from the universal energy the properties necessary for that purpose.

When we attain control of the different centers of the body, will we think consciously from those different centers as we do from the brain in the head? I understand how I may control those centers, but will I be as consciously aware of living from the other brain centers as from the one that represents intelligence? — R. C. J.

Brain cells are the creation of thought, and intended to think through; consequently we should be consciously using them for this purpose, and that we are not doing so is a result of ignorance. When we have re-established ourselves in our organism, every brain centre will respond instantly to the thought to which it is tuned. For example, if we are thinking or talking about power, a strong vibration and purple light will be active in the throat; if the thought is of love, a warm glow will proceed from the heart centre and a pink effulgence be present; if the conversation is of life, an electrical energy and a red light will pervade the whole body aura. This is but a modicum of the increased capacity of the human body under this all-round development. In the present race consciousness man thinks coherently through his head only, and he uses but a small portion of his brain at that. It is true, stray thoughts do find expression in the various body centres, but they are so inharmonious and undisciplined that they are as apt to disturb as help. When we think from the standpoint of the Spirit wholly every brain in the body will be active, and life will mean very much to us, and living be a continual joy.-C. F.

Wherein does occultism, as taught by the mystics and adepts of India, differ from the principles expounded in Unv magazine?

This question has often puzzled me, and I should esteem it a favor if you would give me your views upon the matter.-C. W. B.

The occultism of the mystics and adepts of India differs from the teachings of Jesus Christ, which are set forth in UNITY, principally in their application. Fundamentally, they are almst identical. Oriental schools represent the negative, while Jesus Christ and his followers are positive, and teach the overcoming and mastery of every condition with which man has to do. Buddha taught that the world was illusion, and man should devote his efforts to the acquirement of spiritual things, denying all materiality as maya, that is, delusion. This thought has had its result in a devitalization of the dominion of the Hindu race. Even Nature has felt its effects, and refuses at times to give forth its bounty.

Jesus Christ, the greatest of all adepts, came proclaiming the acceptable year of the Lord; that all things both within and without are given unto man, and that he can have whatever he desires, if he will only believe. This teaching has made man master of all conditions, and we are now entering upon a time when its fulfillment, as Jesus proclaimed, is to be demonstrated in the redemption of the body from death. This has never yet been attained by any school of adepts in its ultimate degree. The Hindu masters dominate and stop the disintegrating processes of the organism through force of will, and retain the body for long periods of time, but eventually they have to give it up. Jesus Christ, through purification, redeemed the body, and put it in its right relation to Divine Mind, which is the only true overcoming. — C. F.

Several requests have been made for UNITY'S explanation of soul, mind and Spirit. - B.

Spirit always comes first in all descriptions of man's being. It is his identity in both the unmanifest and manifest. In the unmanifest it is designated as the Christ, or the Supreme Ego; manifest, it is I AM.

Soul is the first emanation of Spirit, and may be roughly designated as the emotions, appetites, passions, desires and forces of man's being. It has its higher and lower degrees; as spiritual soul, human soul, and animal soul.

Mind is the realm of reason, comparison and understanding. It also has its various planes of consciousness, viz.: spiritual mind, intellectual mind, and mortal mind, which direct and control the unreasoning forces of the soul.

We should remember that all of these are but manifestations of one Universal Being, although they seem to be separate identities, and frequently, in performing their various functions, become opposed one to another. This is caused by a lack of intelligent dominion by man, the directive I AM.— C. F.

Do you not know that the Spirit of Truth and of Power can only come to those who keep their minds quiet, and open to the inflowing of its teachings? Do you not know that in order to be used and to be led by the Spirit, one must be as passive as a little child? Let your brain but be led by the Spirit of Intelligence, and you will be led very quickly to the goal of your aspirations. The place for you is ready and waiting; let your mind be wholly acquiescent and you will be brought into the channel of light, and bright pathways will open to you so suddenly as to both surprise and delight you. Let your mind from this time forth be as untroubled and unperplexed as the sunlight on the earth's surface, and you will quickly come into your own vibrations of joy and pean, wherein lie power to actualize the spiritual riches, which are yours, into material possessions.

Let all personal feeling and desire pass away, and only the pure soul be felt, then you will know the Father's will concerning you. It is enough to know that He will lead or keep you in perfect peace; so let your mind be stayed on Him and not on another. - PETER BROADBOOKS.