New Plantings
Mystics have discovered there’s a natural law of cause and effect underlying all of creation.
You can apply the law of cause and effect toward a finer life.
Which seed causes would you like to plant?
Hi, again!
Are you inspired and looking forward to a new Mystery? Are you ready for new revelations about creating a better life and world?
In this Mystery we’ll look into some of the most wonderful means by which a person becomes a creator, a partner in the universal process of creation.
If you can now recognize the play of cause and effect in your life, you are ready to actively employ this great law to make important changes for yourself and others.
In this Mystery, you will find ways to generate new causes — seed causes — and enjoy the manner in which Universal Law operates upon these causes to manifest more fulfilling effects.
Your life won’t change much unless, and until, new causes are initiated. This month you’ll discover how to plant the seeds which will grow into the life you’ve so long sought.
Mystics have studied life through the millennia. We’ve discovered there’s a natural law of cause and effect underlying all of creation. We submit that what you presently — today — experience in your life and daily world is a vast complex of effects which were caused moments, days and years ago. If you like and delight in what is happening to you now, positive causes must have been initiated in your past in order to bring about these fine effects you are enjoying.
On the other hand, if you don’t like or enjoy what is happening to you today, these effects also have causes. What you thought, felt, said and did in the past has resulted in these present negative experiences.
Your individual participation in cause and effect is not experienced in a vacuum, however. You live your life in a particular family, neighborhood, nation and culture. The people around you are busily living in a world of cause and effect too. Perhaps the people in your family, neighborhood, nation or culture are lovingly and wisely influencing your life by bringing many wonderful effects into your community and home.
On the other hand, you may be doing your part to create a better world while others in your area may be planting seed causes of prejudice, hatred, arrogance or superstition. Their combined behavior affects your life too.
You live with and near many people. They are impacted by your life — by your causes and effects — and you, in turn, are heavily affected by their “planting and reaping,” their combined causes and effects.
What You Now Have
Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.
—Epicurus, Vatican Sayings (3rd century BC)
Say to Yourself
First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.
—Epictetus, DISCOURSES (2nd century)
You are so influenced by the causes of your ancestors and contemporaries that it’s often difficult to realize that you personally have a right to initiate new effects for yourself, that you are not living in a crowd or a mob. You can generate new causes and live a finer life whether those who surround you seek a better life or not. You may have more to overcome than others due to oppressive influences, but you have the birthright to plant new causes in the Infinite and realize finer results from life. You are endowed with the right to consciously apply the law of cause and effect toward a finer life and a more loving, peaceful world.
When I first learned the wondrous truth of cause and effect, I was ecstatic for days. But then I returned to my regular despair that life was terribly unjust and unfulfilling for so many people. Especially I wondered why so many are born into poverty, hunger, disease and miserable lives.
If you have similar questions about life’s myriad apparent inequities, I should mention one explanation for this which may help you. Then again, only your personal experiences and insights will bring you the understanding you seek. Here is something to consider, however.
The mystic theory of reincarnation — which is esteemed by about half the world’s population, mainly in the East — further develops the law of cause and effect. It holds that our conditions at birth are based on our having lived before. Our conduct in past lives causes our birthplace, parentage, wealth or poverty, health or illness, our talents and deficits, and our character strengths and weaknesses.
The theory of reincarnation answers many questions about life, but it also raises others. For example, why does the Infinite not intervene or suspend some of the more cruel results of the law of cause and effect? That’s the main perplexing question most people ask when they begin to think about the possibilities of this theory. (Of course, one discovers that the Infinite will intervene surprisingly often when lovingly invited, but we’re getting ahead of ourselves a bit here.)
The main thing that helps you to see the beauty and goodness of the Infinite through this theory is to experience some of your own past lives which will likely happen when you become more advanced. (We’ll explore past lives next year.)
For now, contemplate the theory of reincarnation when you’re troubled about the injustices of the world and take hope that every big or little unfairness will be worked out in time.
Again, it should be mentioned that many practice cause and effect while not considering (nor agreeing, necessarily) with the theory of reincarnation. One can still practice cause and effect and personally experience its reality without having come to a conclusion one way or the other.
The essence of the law of cause and effect is often illustrated in the seemingly simple teaching: The seed becomes the tree. That is, all trees were once seeds. Tree seeds have the potential to become trees. Acorns become oaks. Spruce seeds grow into spruce trees; elm seeds into elms. Tiny redwood seeds grow into grand sentinels as mighty Redwoods.
This is basic cause and effect — the seed becomes the tree. All trees were once seeds. A giant tree is an effect caused by natural law and the placement of a tiny seed.
Using this analogy, one can observe the kind of seed directly brings about the kind of result, the effect: wheat kernels become wheat stalks (not oat stalks); oat seeds are needed to become oat stalks. The kind of seed determines the kind of result.
Similarly, our lives and all parts of creation express an unceasing relationship between cause and effect. Indeed, it is maintained that the very power of creation, the Infinite’s method of manifestation, is eternal, intricate, glorious cause and effect.
Now I ask you the big question: Which seeds would you like to plant?
Planting New Seed Causes
As a human being, you are magnificently endowed with the ability to initiate new causes and experience new effects. Your thoughts, feelings, words and actions can all be new causes if you choose.
If you find that you don’t like your life, or a certain part of your life and the way it’s going, you can now join the millions of mystics who regularly enter the process of renewed creation.
1 — Determine those factors in your life you’re unhappy with, those conditions which cause sorrow to yourself and others.
2 — Now think of these factors, attitudes, behaviors, circumstances, problems, frustrations, inadequacies or menaces as effects. Think of them as effects, each of which has had a cause or, often, several causes.
3 — Reflect: Select one of the effects in your life (or in the world) which you do not like and wish to change. Consider what you would rather be experiencing than this effect you are suffering. Think:
Instead of this effect, I would much rather experience ___________.
That is, ponder and determine what you would ideally like to experience in this area of your life rather than the effect which presently troubles you. For example:
Instead of smoking cigarettes, I’d like to be breathing well, be healthy, happy and poised.
Instead of suffering deep apprehensions about giving this speech in public, I’d like to enjoy speaking and communicating with each and every one of these people.
Instead of being so lonely, I’d like to have deep relationships and good friends.
(Use your own particular words, concepts and effects.)
4 — After reflection and selection you become clear about the seed, the new cause, you wish to plant in the Infinite. Determine thoughtfully the new seed you wish to plant. What is the new cause you are about to initiate, the new ideal creation?
5 — Plant the seed in the Infinite — through prayer, affirmation, creative imaging — or with the following “planting” technique which combines all three.
Planting a New Cause
Your third eye, the spiritual energy center in the lower central forehead (approximately one-half inch above the juncture of your eyebrows), is a point of connection between yourself and the Infinite. In placing a new cause clearly in your third eye, you are powerfully planting the new seed in the Infinite, as well as within your subconscious mind.
Here’s a fine method of seed placement and planting:
Sit before a desk so you can rest your elbows on the desktop.
Set a timer so it will beep you in 15 minutes. (If your timer has a jarring sound, put it under a pillow to partially muffle the harshness of its tone).
Practice 5 to 7 deep breaths.
Picture — creatively image — yourself experiencing the new effect vividly and happily.
Also, form an affirmation which expresses that you are now experiencing and enjoying the new effect. For instance:
It is so wonderful to _____________ (be at peace; give this speech so well; realize this goal; be so well loved and understood, etc.)
Use your own words. Be sure they are truly affirmative about the new ideal effect, not about finally getting free of the old, negative effect. (You want to affirm an ideal, not fight the old problem.)
For example, in regard to giving up smoking, affirm:
I’m healthy, at ease, and taking good care of myself.
Don’t say, “I don’t need to smoke anymore,” which puts attention and emphasis on your health problem (smoking) and not on your ideal of health, wholeness and wellness of body, mind and spirit. Correct affirmations affirm; they do not deny.
Now the task is how to place this creative image and affirmation in the Infinite where it can grow (as opposed to allowing it to become mere fancy in an already cluttered mind).
Continue by praying to the Infinite, or the Lord of your heart:
Beloved ______, rather than merely drifting and living under the tyranny of old causes, I now humbly ask you to preside over and receive this new seed cause into your creation and my life.
Please reveal to me if I may proceed or if I need to further clarify and develop this seed cause before planting it.
Pause here. If no ideas or intuitions cause you to stop and revise your thinking and approach, continue.
Gently rest your elbows on the desktop if you are not already doing so. Then gently place the thumb and first two fingers of each hand on your closed eyelids. Right thumb tip and fingertips on right eyelid; left thumb tip and fingertips of left eyelid. You can feel your eyeballs under the eyelids. With practice the eyeballs will remain comfortable, relaxed and very still under your fingers for the duration of this practice.
Now, with your eyes still and your mind focused on the third eye (one-half inch above the juncture of your eyebrows, in the middle of your lower forehead), place your image and affirmation in the third eye.
Picture your new image in the third eye or feel that you are viewing the whole new image before you from the vantage point of your third eye. That is, see the ideal image, the film clip of your new life, through your third eye.
Once you can picture and maintain the new image, add your affirmation. Repeat your affirmation, with emotion, with a flow of positive, strong feeling.
Now, simply maintain your focus on the new image and the repetition of your affirmation. Do this steadily until your timer sounds.
You will know you are making definite progress and that a planting is taking place as both the creative image and affirmation become clearer and freer of other thoughts or sensations. Also, a feeling of increased energy, joy or exaltation may further encourage you. When warmth or pleasant pulsing in the third eye occurs, you are doing very well.
When your timer sounds, inhale and release the seed cause to the Infinite, into Its power of manifestation.
You may wish to conclude with a prayer like this:
In this, and in all things, may Your loving and perfect will be done.
Exhale and release. Let go of both image and affirmation. Turn your awareness to other things. Let go the seed completely. Leave it in the rich soil of the Infinite. Don’t dig it up again with worry or curiosity. Once it’s planted, leave the seed cause planted. Let the Infinite do Its part.
Go about your day and be open to the guidance and manifestation of the Infinite.
You can plant new seeds each day — even concerning closely related issues — but remember to leave them in the Infinite and be confident they are growing. They really are, as you will find to your delight and wonder! (By the way, thoughtful walks are very helpful for life inventories and as a means to receive inspiration from the Infinite about new causes and new effects.)
Your study of cause and effect will enable you to take positive action again and again in your daily life. You will become a philosopher and a problem solver. And when you add a consideration of First Cause — the Cause of the Universe — you will become a mystic as well. (We’ll explore First Cause and the mystical field of metaphysics next year.)
Why have I let this grow and grow? I could have planted so many things much more useful and lovely.
Man Unites Himself
Man unites himself with the world in the process of creation.
—Erich Fromm, THE ART OF LOVING (1956)
Dear Friend
May all be well with you!
Have you planted a good number of seed causes this month? Isn’t it fun?
Have any of your seeds sprouted yet? Is it too soon to tell?
Let’s review the high points of this mighty mystery.
About 2,200 years ago the great yogi and mystic Patanjali said our lives will continue in the same momentums unless we introduce an “exciting cause,” a seed cause, which changes our momentums.
In other words, you’ll continue to be depressed, lonely, or unsuccessful until you introduce an exciting cause for change. Your habits will go on and on and on — unless you bring an exciting cause into your life.
Fortunately, exciting causes can come to us from other people as insights and blessings as well. Sometimes someone else gives us an exciting cause. What a gift!
It is also fortunate that our momentums of happiness, health and fulfillment will go on and on unless an exciting cause — the death of a loved one, a betrayal, a stock market crash, for example — is allowed to change our momentums.
Contemplate your life in terms of its momentums. What are your glorious momentums?
Contemplate your destructive momentums too. Identify them and consider which exciting causes might change their destructive flow.
Also, if you are a praying person, ask the Lord of your heart for an exciting cause to redirect each momentum you seek to change. One breakthrough is all you need to see how amazing exciting causes, seed causes, can be.
I wish you a breakthrough in an important area of your life this month!
Plant new crops and reap new harvests.
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