Joel taught that rising in consciousness to realized Christhood is not ultimately for our own benefit, but the means to uplift the consciousness of mankind universally and dispel the ignorance of truth that is at the root of all human trouble. He spoke often about how we as individuals can be an influence in bringing that freedom to the world.
On the first of each month, we post an excerpt from Joel’s writings on this topic. The following excerpt is from the book A Message for the Ages, Chapter 5, “Infinite Way Pearls”
Automatically a whole new consciousness of prayer evolves because now when a person who knows this truth [that evil is universal hypnotism and not a power] prays, the first word that comes into his mind is omniscience, and with it comes a smile: “What have I to say to the All-knowing? What am I here for? Omniscience is the omnipotence, and this is the All-power, so I am certainly not here to get any power to do anything to some other power. This omnipotence is omnipresence, so I do not have to go anywhere for that.” When we have finished with that, prayer becomes a listening attitude and in that altitude of prayer, that which is necessary comes through.
It may not come through in any way that we are aware of at the moment, but it will not be long before we will see the fruitage, and then we will say, “The Presence did go before me to ‘make the crooked places straight’ (Isaiah 45:2). Omnipotence is omnipotence. That which appeared as the other power is not around. Omnipresence is the truth. Therefore, the truth I know in my consciousness is powerful in any city or country in the world. The omnipotence which is my consciousness is made manifest in Europe, Asia, or Africa, because it is my consciousness that is omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence, and it is a consciousness which does not have to be manipulated by human thought or power, but rather in quietness and in confidence it manifests itself.”
All we have to do is sit quietly in a room and know this truth and it must function in what is called this world. So, in our world work, we must see that our consciousness is the power, but it must be consciously realized, and in our present state of development it has to be a specific activity. When the threat of war arises, the threat of strikes, or the threat of infection or contagion, at that moment we must specifically turn within. It will not be necessary in the ages to come when the Christ will be the realized consciousness of the individual. Then there will be no ground where infection, contagion, war, or hate can operate. As long as there is a human consciousness in which the illusions of sense can operate, the “ten righteous men” have to pray, and they must pray specifically at the time when the appearance touches their consciousness.
In the absolute it would be enough to say that God constitutes individual consciousness, but that will not do anything until the time when God is recognized as individual consciousness universally and Christ-government reigns on earth. To the extent that we have recognized God as individual consciousness and to the extent that we have recognized that spiritual power does not destroy anything, that it cannot be used but that it dispels illusion, to that extent are we individually Christ-governed or God-governed. Our individual realization of this truth helps to bring God’s government on earth as it is in heaven.
For this reason when serious students are made aware of impending discord in their community, there is a need for immediate work. At other times, their world work must include the other side of the stick. They must not be fooled by good weather, good health, or good supply. They must consciously realize that they are not aiming toward achieving good supply, good health, or good government. They are concerned only with the middle path, Christ-harmony, Christ-supply, and Christ-weather.
Students must be alert not to get hooked on rejoicing in good humanhood, but must always remember that they are on the middle path. They are not here to change bad humanhood into good humanhood: they are to realize Christhood. This constitutes our “pearl.”