Fundamental Facts About Humans
The question that arises is: what is the great central fact in human life, corresponding to this vast central fact of the Universe, which lies behind all things and from which all things proceed? From what has been said so far, the answer becomes almost self-evident.
The greatest central fact of human life, the great central fact of your and my lives, is to consciously and vividly realize that we are one with this infinite Life, and to completely open ourselves towards the divine influx. This is the greatest central fact of human life, and everything else is contained within it, and arises from it. To the extent that we consciously realize our oneness with infinite Life, and open ourselves to this divine influx, we actualize the nature and power of infinite Life within ourselves.
Then, what does this mean? Simply put, it means recognizing your true essence. It is about aligning your life with the same great laws and powers that were embodied by prophets, seers, sages, saviors, and truly great and powerful people throughout world history, and opening yourself to the same great inspiration they possessed. As you attain this realization and connect with the infinite source, higher forces can work through us, act upon us, and manifest within us.
We, like most people, close ourselves off to this divine influx and these higher powers due to ignorance, preventing or even hindering the manifestation of that power through us. We can also intentionally reject its workings, depriving ourselves of the very forces we are inherently meant to inherit. On the other hand, if we vividly realize that our true self is one with this infinite life, embrace this divine influx, and completely open ourselves to the workings of higher powers, inspiration, and abilities, then we truly become worthy of being called "god-like beings."
What is a "shin-jin"? It refers to someone who, while being human, possesses the power of a god within them. No one else can define the limits of such a person. The only limitations that exist for this individual are those they themselves impose.
A friend of mine has a farm with a beautiful lotus pond. The property, which he always calls his "farm," has a natural depression that is supplied with water from a reservoir located in the foothills of a nearby mountain. There are sluice gates on the main waterway that carries water from the reservoir to the pond, allowing him to regulate the flow.
It is a place of unparalleled beauty. In the perfect days of summer, fully bloomed lotus flowers float on the clear water surface. Roses blooming in June and other wildflowers are constantly in bloom along the banks. Birds come to drink water and bathe, and their songs echo from morning until dusk. In the wildflower garden, bees work tirelessly. A beautiful forest with wild fruits and various ferns spreads out as far as the eye can see towards the depths of the pond.
This friend is a human being. No, more than that, he is a divine person and someone who loves their fellow beings. That's why there are no signs like "Private Property, No Trespassing" or "Trespassers will be prosecuted" on his property. Instead, at the entrance to the beautiful path leading through the forest to this enchanting place, there is a sign that says, "Welcome to the Lotus Pond, everyone is welcome." Everyone loves this friend. Why? Because they cannot help but love him. He deeply loves everyone, and what he has is for everyone.
Here, it is common to see a group of cheerful children playing. Tired-looking men and women also frequently come here. And when they leave, for some reason, their expressions change. It's as if a heavy burden has been lifted. I have often heard them say, in a faint voice that sounds like chanting blessings, "May God bless our brotherly friend." Many people call this place the "Garden of God." One friend calls it the "Garden of Souls" and spends hours here in quiet contemplation. After everyone else leaves, I often see him walking back and forth, sitting on an old, simple bench, and breathing in the fragrance of wildflowers under the clear moonlight. He is a person with unadorned beauty. He says that he experiences life's truths here, and that his greatest and most fruitful plans are often conceived as flashes of inspiration right here.
The entire area is filled with a sense of kindness, tranquility, goodwill, and bright joy. Even the cows and sheep that come to the edge of the forest, looking at this beautiful place, seem to be enjoying it just like people do. They feel a sense of contentment, as if they are smiling. Or perhaps, it appears that way to the eyes of those who look at them. When you see cows and sheep that appear content and happy, you can't help but smile yourself.
The water gate of the pond is always fully open, and abundant water constantly flows in. This water overflows from the pond and nourishes a small stream that runs through the fields below. Cows and sheep grazing there can drink clear mountain water. The stream then flows further to the fields of our neighbors.
A while ago, my friend went away for a year. During that time, in the common parlance of the world, he rented his farm to a man with very "practical" ideas. This man did not spend any time on things that would not directly bring him profit. The water gate connecting the reservoir and the lotus pond was closed, so clear mountain water no longer flowed into the pond, and it stopped overflowing. The sign my friend had put up saying "Everyone is welcome to enjoy the lotus pond" was also removed, and groups of children and men and women no longer gathered at the pond. Great changes occurred in everything. Without water that nurtures life, the flowers in the pond withered, and their long stems lay on the mud at the bottom. The fish that used to swim in the clear water soon died, emitting a foul odor to those nearby. Even the flowers along the bank no longer bloomed. Birds stopped coming to drink water or bathe. The buzzing of bees was also gone. Moreover, even the small stream that flowed through the lower fields dried up, and cows and sheep could no longer access the clear mountain water.
The difference between this current place and the lotus pond when my friend was taking care of it became immediately apparent because the water gate was closed, and no more water flowed from the reservoir on the hill, which is the source of life. When that source of life was cut off, not only did the appearance of the lotus pond change completely, but also the surrounding fields lost their flow, where cows and sheep used to come to drink water by the stream.
It is possible that the same thing can be seen in human life as well. By recognizing that we are one with and connected to the infinite spirit of all things, and by opening ourselves to divine influence, we harmonize with the most elevated, powerful, and beautiful aspects found everywhere. And according to the degree to which this happens, those who come into contact with us are also influenced by our enlightenment. This is what that friend, Lotus Pond, loves: everything true and good in the universe. Conversely, if one does not recognize that we are one with this infinite source and closes oneself off from divine influence, one falls into a state where there is no goodness, beauty, or power. And when that actually happens, those who come into contact with us receive harm rather than benefit. This was the appearance of Lotus Pond when the farm was in the hands of the tenant farmer.
There is a difference between the lotus pond and our lives. The lotus pond itself does not have the power to open gates, like the water gate that allows water from the reservoir, which is the source of life, to flow in. In that sense, it is powerless and relies on external forces. However, you and I both possess within ourselves the power to choose whether to open or close ourselves to this divine influx, according to our will. This is a spiritual power, endowed by the workings of thought.
There is a soul's life that comes directly from God. Through it, we are connected to the infinite. There is also a physical life. Through it, we are connected to the surrounding material universe. The life of thought connects these two. It works between them.
Before moving forward, let us briefly consider the essence of thought. Thought is not often what it is perceived to be: an ill-defined abstraction or something similar. Rather, it is a living force, and among all the forces in the universe, it is the most vital, subtle, and irresistible force.
The experiments being conducted in the laboratory are increasingly demonstrating a profound truth: thought is power. Thought has form, nature, substance, and force. And we are beginning to understand that there may be something akin to a "science of thought." Furthermore, through the power of thought, we have begun to see that we possess the ability to create. This is not merely metaphorical; it is a real creative power.
Everything in the material universe surrounding us, everything that has been known in the universe so far, first began with thought, and then took form. Whether it's a castle, a sculpture, a painting, or each individual machine, everything originates from the mind of the person who shaped it, and is expressed as matter only after that. Even this very universe we live in is the result of the power of infinite spirit, the thoughts of God. Our true selves are also essentially the same, and if they are one with this infinite spirit, then the more vividly we realize this amazing fact, the more we understand that we too possess the power to create, in the same way, through the workings of our inner spiritual force.
Everything appears in a visible form, but before it manifests and becomes realized, it first exists in an invisible place. In this sense, the invisible is what truly exists, while the visible is not real. The invisible is the cause, and the visible is the result. The invisible is eternal, while the visible changes and passes away.
"The power of words" is, in the literal sense, a scientific fact. Through the working of the power of thought, we possess the ability to create. The words that are spoken are nothing more than an external manifestation of the workings of inner power. Therefore, in a certain sense, words are a means of gathering and directing the power of thought. In order for that power to manifest externally or in material form, it is necessary to concentrate and direct one's thoughts.
The act of "building castles in the air" is often talked about, and those who do so are not always viewed favorably. However, to build a castle on the ground and live there, one must first build a castle in the air. The problem with people who indulge in fantasy is not building castles in the air. It's that they stop at that point and fail to progress to realizing the built castle in life, personality, or material form. They are doing part of what needs to be done, but another equally important part remains undone.
The power of thought has, in a sense, the ability to attract things. The great law that works here is one with the universal principle of "like attracts like." We are constantly attracting forces and states most similar to our thoughts from both visible and invisible sides.
This law is constantly at work, whether we are aware of it or not. For example, we all live in a vast ocean of thought. The very air that surrounds us is filled with the power of thought, which is constantly being emitted and sent out as waves of thought. We are all, consciously or unconsciously, influenced by this power of thought to varying degrees. And the more sensitive our temperament, and the more active we are, or the more passive and open we are to external influences, the greater the influence that will enter into the realm of thought, and thus into life itself.
There are some people who have a much more sensitive constitution than others. Their physical bodies are made in a way that is more delicate and sensitive. Generally, these types of people are constantly influenced by the temperaments of those they interact with and spend time with, to varying degrees. My friend, who works as an editor for a major newspaper, is particularly sensitive. When she attends receptions or gatherings and talks to many people throughout the evening, shaking hands with each person, she cannot help but receive some information about their mental and physical state. This influence is very strong, and it can take her two or three days to regain her own sense of self and find her optimal working rhythm.
Some people may think that being a highly sensitive person is unfortunate. That is not the case. It means becoming more open and receptive to higher-level impulses from within, as well as to all kinds of higher-level forces and influences coming from outside. This is a good thing. However, it is important to recognize and develop the ability to protect oneself from harmful or undesirable influences, and to maintain an active stance. Without this ability, such a constitution can be inconvenient and even become extremely troublesome. This power can be acquired by anyone, no matter how highly sensitive they are.
This power can be acquired through the workings of the mind. Furthermore, there is no habit that is more valuable to anyone, regardless of their strength or weakness in sensitivity. From time to time, adopt and maintain the following mindset: "I close myself off. I take an active stance against all things of a lower nature, and open my heart to receive all influences of a higher nature, everything that is superior." If you consciously adopt this mindset from time to time, it will eventually become a habit. And if you work on it seriously, a quiet but subtle and powerful effect will begin to take place. In this way, undesirable influences coming from both the visible and invisible realms are repelled, while higher influences are invited in. They enter according to the degree to which they are welcomed.
What does the invisible side of life refer to? First, it refers to the power of thought, which is the mental and emotional state that exists within the atmosphere surrounding us, created by people who are manifesting through physical bodies in the material world. Second, it refers to the same power being expressed through different kinds of bodies by those who have shed their physical bodies or had them removed.
"The individual existence of a human being begins in the sensory dimension of the material world. However, as the inner divine life and power are constantly unfolding, it ascends through successive stages to ethereal realms and celestial regions, heading towards a destiny filled with indescribable grandeur and glory. Within and above every material planet, there exists a corresponding ethereal planet, namely the soul world. Just as there is a corresponding ethereal body, or soul body, within and above every physical body, and the physical body is merely its external counterpart, a manifestation in matter. The first place where humanity resides after ascending beyond the physical body is this etherialized planet, or soul planet. From there, within and above these realms, further realms rise and deepen infinitely, reaching heights of spiritual existence that are completely unimaginable to humans who rely on their senses. Therefore, there are two forms of being clothed: the physical body, which is merely a temporary shell, within which, through which, the truly real and enduring ethereal body takes shape and is completed as an individual. It is similar to how 'the fruit grows full in the ear,' and when the fruit has grown, the husk is no longer needed. Through this imperishable ethereal body, and its corresponding ethereal environments and realms, and social life and relationships among people within those realms, individuality and personal life are eternally preserved."
In any form, the fact that life exists means that life continues, even if its form changes. Life is the only eternal principle in the universe, and it will continue to exist regardless of how the medium through which it manifests changes. "My Father's house has many rooms." And indeed, there is no evidence that life does not continue as before simply because an individual sheds their physical body and departs from it. It doesn't start anew – it never ceases – but rather begins in another form from precisely that point where it departed. All life constantly evolves step by step, without skipping any stages or making leaps.
Therefore, those who live in different forms also have various states of mind, just like those who live with a physical body, and they have corresponding ways of living and influence. If the great law that "like attracts like" is constantly at work, then we are constantly attracting influences and conditions from this side of life that are most similar to our own thoughts and way of living. Some people might say that it's an unsettling idea to be influenced in such a way. But it is not necessarily so. All life is one, and we are all connected within the same universal life. Especially if you consider that ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide what kind of thoughts to hold in their mind and what kind of influence they will attract as a result, then it becomes even more clear. Unless we choose to be so, we are not simply beings who bend like willow trees in the face of circumstances.
In our inner life, we can firmly grasp the helm and determine which course to take and where to stop. Otherwise, we will be swept away and blown this way and that by passing winds. Therefore, the idea mentioned earlier should rather be welcomed. Through it, we can invite the influence and help of the greatest, noblest, and kindest people who have lived on earth, regardless of what era or place.
Those who have worked to uplift people with love in this world, I believe there is no other reasonable way to think than that they are still working in the same way. Perhaps, they are working even more diligently and with a greater power.
"Elisha prayed, 'O Lord, please open his eyes so that he may see.' And the Lord opened the young man's eyes. Then he saw, and behold, the mountains were full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."
A few days ago, when I went out with a friend on transportation, we were talking about how people everywhere are showing a strong interest in more fundamental aspects of life, and how they are eagerly seeking to understand their inner power, and the desire to know themselves and have a true relationship with something infinite is increasing. We talked about this great spiritual awakening that is rapidly progressing all over the world, where we can clearly see the beginning towards the end of this century, and which will spread even more in the early years of the next century. I said, "Oh, how wonderful it would be if Emerson, who was far ahead of his time and worked so sincerely and fearlessly to bring about such a situation, were here today to witness all of this. How happy he would be!" Then my friend replied, "How can you know that he is not seeing all of this? Moreover, how can you say that he is not contributing to all of this? Perhaps he is lending even greater power now than when we saw his presence here." My friend, thank you for reminding me. Indeed, "are they not serving spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?"
Today, as science has sufficiently shown us, what we can see with our eyes is only a very small part of what exists. The truly living forces that work within ourselves and in the world around us are invisible to ordinary eyesight. But these are the causes, and everything visible is merely the result. Thought is power. Like attracts like. Therefore, controlling one's thoughts determines one's life.
A person who deeply understands the essence of things says: "The law of correspondence between spiritual and material things works with surprising accuracy. A person dominated by gloomy feelings attracts gloominess to themselves. Those who are always depressed and discouraged will not succeed in anything, but simply live as a burden to others. People filled with hope, confidence, and cheerfulness attract elements that bring success. The courtyard or backyard of a man's house outwardly expresses the mood that dominates him, depending on how it is maintained. A woman living at home expresses her mental state through her clothing. Sloppy women show a lack of hope, carelessness, and a lack of order, which are moods that dominate their minds. Rags and torn clothes or dirt always exist in the heart before they appear on the body. The thoughts that are most often emitted outwardly crystallize visible elements around you, just as surely as a visible copper piece attracts invisible copper within a solution, and this literally happens. A mind that constantly holds hope and confidence, is determined to move towards a set goal, and maintains that purpose will attract things and forces suitable for the purpose from the surrounding elements."
"Every single thought you have, in every way, has literal value for yourself. Your physical strength, your mental fortitude, your success in work, the joy that being with you brings to others – all of this depends on the nature of your thoughts. ... Whatever mood you place your mind in, your spirit receives a corresponding invisible entity. This is as much a spiritual law as it is a chemical one. Chemistry is not limited to just the elements we can see. The number of elements that are invisible to the naked eye is ten thousand times greater than those we can see. The teaching of Christ, 'Do good to those who hate you,' is based on scientific facts and natural laws. Therefore, doing good attracts all the forces and elements of goodness within nature to yourself. Doing evil, conversely, invites destructive elements. If one opens their eyes, from a feeling of wanting to protect oneself, we would stop all bad thoughts. Those who live by hatred die by hatred. That is, 'those who live by the sword will die by the sword.' All bad thoughts are like swords drawn against those they are directed at. If the other person draws their own sword in response, then for both parties, things only become worse."
Furthermore, another person who understands what I am saying has said this: "The law of attraction operates universally in every dimension of life, and we attract what we desire or expect. If you want one thing but expect something else, you will create internal conflict and division, leading to the ruin of your own being. Resolve firmly to expect only what you desire. Then you will begin to attract only that which you wish for. ... Whatever thoughts you have, hold in your mind things you love. As long as you maintain this, no matter how far you wander on land or sea, consciously or unconsciously, you will constantly draw to yourself only those things that correspond to the nature of your dominant thought. Thoughts are our own, and by continually recognizing that we have the power to adjust them, we can completely shape them according to our desires."
So far, I have been discussing the power of attracting things to oneself. Belief is simply the power of thought working in the form of a heartfelt desire accompanied by an expectation of realization. The more consistently one maintains this heartfelt desire, which is belief, and cultivates it with firm expectations, the more likely it is that what one desires will be drawn to them, or that invisible things will become visible, and spiritual things will transform into material ones.
When doubt and fear intrude, the power that would otherwise be great is negated, and it does not come to fruition. If we constantly maintain it and continuously nurture it with certain expectations, it becomes an irresistible and unwavering force, a drawing force. And the degree to which this force is unwavering is directly proportional to the certainty of the results.
Today, as we are rapidly beginning to understand, the great things that have been spoken about in terms of beliefs, and the great promises associated with them, are not merely vague sentiments, but will eventually be understood to be based on great scientific facts and unchanging laws. Even in experiments conducted in laboratories, we are beginning to discover the laws that underlie these forces and govern them. Now, at least some people are starting to use this power, not blindly as they often have in the past, but with understanding.
Today, much is said about will. Will is often spoken of as if it were a force in itself. But will only possesses power to the extent that it is an expression of the power of thought. What we call "will" focuses and directs thought. And according to the degree to which thought is focused and directed in this way, it exerts its power on the work it seeks to accomplish.
In a certain sense, there are two kinds of will: the human and the divine. The human will is, for convenience's sake, what can be called the lower self. It is the will that finds life only in the realm of mind and body, a will based on sensation. It is the will of someone who has not yet awakened to the fact that there is life far beyond intelligence and physical sensations. Even when living with this higher form of life, one's intelligence or senses do not disappear or diminish. On the contrary, they are led to their highest fulfillment and develop the power to experience joy most keenly. The divine will is the will of the higher self, the will of someone who recognizes that God and oneself are one, and as a result, harmonizes their own will with the divine will and works together with it. " He who dwells within you , your God, the Lord, is mighty."
Human will has limitations. The law says, "This far and no further." Divine will knows no limits; it is the highest. It declares, "All things are open to you, and all obey you." Therefore, as human will transforms into divine will, harmonizing with the divine and working together, it too becomes the highest. At that time, "What you decree shall be accomplished for you." Thus, the great secret of life and power lies in consciously building and maintaining a connection with this infinite source.
The power of each individual life, the very essence of life, is determined by what it is connected to. God exists beyond us, but also dwells within us. Today, and always, God creates, works, and governs this universe, your life, and my life, in exactly the same way as before. We tend to see God too much like an absentee landlord, a being who has set things in motion and then left.
However, to the extent that we recognize God as being both transcendent and immanent, we can partake of His life and power. By recognizing God as the infinite Spirit of life and power that works within all things and through all things, even in this moment today, and by realizing that this life is one with ourselves, we can partake of it and manifest the qualities of God's life within ourselves. To the extent that we open ourselves to this flow of life that dwells within us while also being transcendent, we become a channel for infinite intelligence and power.
Through the workings of the mind, we connect the true life of the soul with the life of the body, allowing the life of the soul to manifest and function through the body. The life of thought must be constantly illuminated from within. This illumination comes through the mind, and it is proportional to the degree to which one recognizes that they are one with the Divine. Each individual soul is a manifestation of its own unique aspect of the Divine.
By this, an inner guidance called intuition is obtained. "The role that intuition plays for spiritual qualities and understanding is essentially the same as the role that sensory perception plays for sensory qualities and understanding. Intuition is an inner spiritual sense by which a person becomes open to revelations received directly from God, knowledge about God, and the secrets of nature and life. Furthermore, it leads one to become aware of unity and communion with God, and to realize oneself as a child of God, recognizing one's own divine qualities and the supreme nature of existence. Through the development and completion of intuition under the inspiration of God, the spiritual elevation and illumination thus obtained provide complete inner vision and direct insight into the essence, characteristics, and purpose of everything to which attention or interest is directed. ... Again, while physical senses are opened outward, this is a spiritual sense that opens inward. Because it has the power to directly perceive, grasp, and know truth without relying on any information from outside, we call it intuition. All teachings inspired by spirit and all spiritual revelations are based on the recognition that the soul possesses this spiritual ability and the capacity to receive and make them one's own. ... The conscious unity with the Father in spirit and purpose, born of an infinitely strong desire and trust, opens the human soul through this inner sense, allowing it to accept inspiration and light directly from God's omniscience, and also the all-powerful force of God working together. Under such circumstances, a person becomes a seer and a master."
"To live with a physical body while being aware of spiritual life, in this higher dimension, the mind maintains a posture detached from personal interests and operates with freedom unconstrained by anything, possessing an unbiased perspective. It grasps truth directly, without relying on any information obtained from outside. When approaching all beings and things from their divine side, they appear within God's omniscient light. The purpose of God contained in them, and therefore the truth about them that is in God's mind, are revealed by this light coming directly from God's mind. The soul opens inward to God's mind through this spiritual sense, which we call intuition."
Some people call it the voice of the soul, others call it the voice of God, and still others call it a sixth sense. This is our inner spiritual sense.
As we come to know our own true selves, and realize that our life is one with infinite life, and open ourselves to this divine influx, the voice of intuition, the voice of the soul, the voice of God speaks clearly. And as we acknowledge that voice, listen to it, and follow it, it becomes increasingly clear, and eventually, there will come a time when its guidance is never wrong, absolutely never wrong.