One Solitary Life

Introduction

We have concluded Book One of this trilogy within which we explored a host of issues that would act as prologue to the far more complex metaphysical topics that will occupy our attention here in Book Two, all to be culminated in Book Three, where we shall attempt a synthesis of it all employing the life of Jesus as the embodiment of the Cosmic Process we are examining. Among others, we’ve explored the traditions and belief systems that must be addressed in traveling the Path of spiritual evolution including the dogma and religious tenets that occupy the thinking of so many of us and with which we have been struggling. Also, there are the states of mind that hinder our passage as we proceed that must be confronted if progress is to be made. We’ve defined our field of inquiry, as the “Spiritual Journey” in which we are all involved, and some of the terms and concepts that will achieve greater clarity here in Book Two.

I’ve posited for your consideration the existence of an arcane body of knowledge, a “Perennial Philosophy”, the “Ageless Wisdom” or “Secret Doctrine” that has been the root system of the “Tree of Knowledge” and has provided man with the guidance necessary to, first: live honorably and responsibly in the world into which we have all incarnated and, ultimately, as a road map outlining the Path of return for the migrant, prodigal soul in search of a return to Its Source. We must learn to live intelligently and harmoniously in the world as honorable, loving and compassionate human beings in preparation for and as prelude to the journey ahead. The “Journey” begins where we currently stand and is assisted or hampered by our character, attained level of consciousness and incessant attitudes.

I’ve insinuated a Cosmic Process that has given birth to various Kingdoms of Nature, from the mineral, to the plant, animal and human, and suggested the existence of an emerging Fifth Kingdom that lies before us, and the Path that must be followed if entrance into this exalted state is to be achieved. The universe is in a constant state of genesis, an ongoing process of creation or re-creation if you prefer, called evolution. If evolution, in some form, is a fact, we must ask, with respect to mankind, evolution into what? The Fifth Kingdom, the Kingdom of Souls provides the answer. As we proceed

in the following pages we shall flesh out the nature of all to which I have thus alluded.

Additionally, in the hopes that you will find it useful, I’ve shared some of the experiences and struggles that have shaped my thinking and positioned me for the Journey ahead and further, the awareness and understanding that has served me well as I’ve progressed along the Path. All of this, I remind you, has been done with no sense of authoritarianism. The faith that depends upon authority is no faith at all. Each individual must take responsibility for his own decisions and the growth of his own consciousness. The spiritual Process is a very personal and lonely one.

Upon the underpinning thus provided we may now build our temple of true metaphysical knowledge and wisdom. We shall explore issues of great depth and complexity that have taxed my mental and intuitional faculties for many a year. I will make them as clear as my understanding and language will permit. The pursuit of Divine

Knowledge (Gnosis) can take many forms; thus, the many different schools of Yoga. Unlike many current methodologies which seem to favor a devotional approach to spiritual awareness and understanding, our approach shall be more intellectual in nature (Jnana Yoga), exploring complex and sophisticated realms of metaphysics that will tax the full capacity of your mind, both conceptually and abstractly. Read with intent and deliberation. This is food for thought, but it is not “fast food” and will require that you masticate slowly and consciously. In the fi nal analysis it must be digested and, in the words of “A Stranger in a Strange Land”, you will have to “grok” or merge with the essence that lies hidden behind the verbiage you are about to encounter. That is the nature of mystical awareness. Proceed slowly and cautiously and, above all, with openness and integrity.