
The Necessity of Striving
Earlier we discussed forces of Selection, and how these are part
of the automatic mirroring mechanism of reality - an effect of the
Principle of Reflection. We mentioned that all of man’s thoughts, words,
emotions and actions are mirrored back by manifestation, resulting in a
composite picture which in Time conforms perfectly with his nature. We
also mentioned that such reflection is magnified or accelerated, so that
the resulting picture is made really clear and stark to the inner eye,
where nothing is possibly missed in its detail. We will now discuss some
consequences of this inherent magnification resulting from the forces
of selection.
In terms of pure physics, it is well known that
the action of a force results in the acceleration (or deceleration) of
an object. As long as a force is applied, the object will continue its
acceleration or deceleration. A similar result may be perceived in the
workings of the forces of selection. The net effect of these forces and
their magnification ability is perceived as change.
That is to say, nothing is able to stay static and unchanging for
indefinitely long periods of time, and must either progress or regress
(in human terms). Some folks like to say that ‘change is the only
reality, for that is the only thing that doesn’t change’. Behind this
curious statement lies this reality or law that we may now call the law of acceleration
- one which proceeds naturally from the Principle of Reflection. We
discussed this law and some of its effects in detail in the chapter
‘Chaos’ of our book ‘The God Principle’. We also discussed what this law
means to the human race, the role of the Christ, and offered an
understanding of His message of salvation that proceeds naturally from
the law of acceleration.
But suffice it to state here that the forces of selection, including
the acceleration (or deceleration) we described, is fundamental to the
evolution of Being, in ensuring that the process does not get stuck
indefinitely, selection occurs, and that all fragments of Being may
ultimately return autonomously from Diversity back to Unity.
Now the last point is of great significance and requires a discussion
in and of itself. The law of acceleration may be interpreted, in the
human context, as the law of striving. Simply put, one
cannot ever rest on one’s laurels for any indefinite periods of time.
Life forces all individuals and states of being, and knocks one out from
any form of extended complacency so that evolution proceeds and the
ultimate return can occur. Quite often this forceful change happens in
the form of negative circumstances. For if you do not progress, then you
must regress. The ultimate regression is to return
back to Unity in the least conscious form, through progressive break
down and dissolution. This was discussed in the chapter ‘Chaos’ in our
book.
Any Being at this level of manifestation must strive in order to
accomplish its goals, and complacency can result in failure and
regression. The latter often comes in the form of difficult
circumstances which inherently forces Being to move ahead. This
mechanism is at work in every aspect of human experience and endeavor
without exception. It may be considered the very corner-stone and the
prime motivator that enables progression of all fragments of Being
toward the ONE, and thus the completion in Time of all purpose and
experience.
When we use the word strive, we do not mean it in
any negative sense. Striving is simply making effort, and efforts bring
results. By the law of acceleration, the effort becomes easier and
easier (or progressively more difficult to go the other way) as a
specific path through manifestation is attempted. This is reflected in a
poignant scriptural assertion : “To those who have, more will be given.
To those who have not, even what little they have will be taken away.”
Effort in itself need not be painful, or pleasurable, or required to
carry any specific characteristic - only that effort is a must to
progress. In fact there is a whole system of religious philosophy (known
in the east as karma yoga, which literally means union through work)
which exhorts its practitioners to direct all their efforts without any
sense of attachment to results - but efforts must be made, and made as sacred duty or dharma as it is called. The intention here is to attempt
what is perceived as a shorter return path to the Godhead. We state
this as an example, and not necessarily an endorsement, for every Being
is different and unique, and must choose its own path toward the ONE.
The ultimate return can be prolonged but it simply cannot be avoided.
This striving also means something significant for the race as a whole. By the law of striving, the progress of the race is unstoppable and inevitable. It may take many byways and detours from its ideal path, but in the long run, progress it must. And it is through you, the individual, that the human race progresses in its goals. It is through your efforts
and contributions that any difference that can be made is made. This
does not however mean that every individual may partake of that
movement. The decision whether to move along with humanity, or to take a
wholly separate path is left to you, the individual. As we discussed in
the chapter ‘Chaos’ in our book (The God Principle), there still exists
a great possibility that the life stream we know as humanity may crack
in two, with a portion of it choosing to regress and with the rest
moving ahead. Indeed, the race will move on by virtue of collective effort - from its phases of experiencing darkness onward to much grander vistas of light - with you or without you! If this sounds like a warning, it is! Do not miss the train!
In the next section we will take a brief look at human sexuality,
i.e. the purposes behind the division of the sexes into male and
female. This division plays a major role in ensuring that human beings
do strive.
