Excerpts from
LIFE AND ITS MYSTERIES
by
Frank L. Hammer
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Book Description
This book attempts to
explain in a clear and logical manner some of life's deepest mysteries.
Mystery, of
course is only absence of knowledge, for when we understand a thing it
ceases
to be a mystery. But since we never will know all, there will always be
mysteries.
Contents
Birth, Mind, Thought, Telepathy, Truth, Free Will,
Miracles, Equality, Affinity, Individuality, Reality, Immortality,
Future Life of Animals, Questions and Answers.
Chapter
1
BIRTH
Strange,
indeed,
that people who have implicit faith in life after death should imagine
the soul
to be new at birth. They do not reason deeply enough. If the soul lives
after
death it must, of necessity, live before birth, as the circle of
immortality is
not complete unless the living come from the "dead" as well as pass
to them.
The
soul has
lived before, and is merely awakened when it comes to earth, being
borne from
another state to continue its development. Physical birth clothes the
soul
with a body of flesh, and countless people think this body the real
man.
"I am tired," "I am hungry," "I am sick," etc.;
are common yet erroneous expressions, for it is the body clamoring for
rest,
food or attention.
And
in this
article we are confining our statements to man, the spirit;
therefore,
there need be no conflict with the theories entertained as to his
physical
origin. There are scores of volumes on anthropology, and every theory
supported
by an imposing list of authorities.
Questions
most
frequently asked pertaining to Birth we shall try to answer in this
chapter.
Those who believe that man's ancestry is animal usually ask this
question:
"At what stage of evolution did man come into possession of a soul, and
evolve from an animal into a human being?" Man has always been man and
a
human being. But it was many ages before the soul spoke and the man
heard, and
in appearance resembled the brute more than the present form of
humanity. But
no one, regardless of animal propensities or aspect, ever was or is
devoid of
soul. Man is a child of God, not an offspring of a monkey. Both his
origin and
destiny are spiritual.
"Does
the
soul enter the body at conception, during gestation, or at birth?"
There
is a wide divergence of opinion on this subject. The truth is the union
of soul
and body begins at the time of conception, but is complete only at the
moment
of birth. The soul is related to the body as a cause to an effect, and
is the
matrix from which the body is formed. The cry when uttered by the
infant
announces that memory and thought have united, and that he is now
numbered
among the living. But it is only by growth and gradual development that
he
learns the use of his earthly instruments, the brain and the body.
"Were
all
souls created at the same time?" There is no age to the soul. It was
never
born; it can never die. It is part of the Deity and partakes of His
Nature,
changeless, eternal and indestructible. When occult students say: "He
(or
she) is a very old soul," they have reference to experience and wisdom.
On
earth the soul acquires experience through its entanglement with
matter. And it
is truly amazing how some people can live so long and learn so little!
Knowledge
and
truth are never forced on anyone and individuals can either hasten or
retard
their progression. Some souls evolve slowly, others rapidly, and the
choice and
consequences are theirs. Alas, years do not necessarily make a man
wiser, only
older.
Mysterious
as are
the ways of Deity, we do know that He operates through and with
immutable and
natural laws. Consequently, how, when and where one is born is in
accordance
with law, and not an accident. "Oh, why was I ever born?" we often
hear people lament. The answer is: "Most likely they desired it, or
else
needed the lessons of the flesh."
Others
insist:
"I didn't ask to be born!" They probably did, only they don't
remember it. Most of us imbibed too freely of Lethe water,
forgetfulness ensued
and, temporarily, memory of our heavenly home has been mercifully
dimmed. Most
souls are not rebellious at coming to earth, but when told their time
of birth
has arrived have submitted; even though some would probably have
preferred
remaining on the other side for a season.
Plato
tells us:
"The soul knows all things, learning is only recollection." He
discovered that latent knowledge of mathematics and the sciences could
be
elicited from unlearned men. In other words, the soul exists prior to
the body
and has opportunities for acquiring knowledge and skill. These it
brings to
earth in the form of latent capacities and potential aptitudes.
Whenever an
individual possesses an extraordinary endowment of creative powers, a
native
ability or aptitude for literature, art or the sciences, we can be
absolutely
certain it is prior knowledge. The preparatory work was done by the
person
himself before birth, on other planes of existence, and are not gifts
of God as
erroneously called. Deity has no favorites, nor does He promiscuously
shower
unearned powers on anyone.
While
education
undoubtedly excites, exercises and determines the application of
talent, it
never has nor can produce a genius such as Pope, much less a
Shakespeare or a
Milton. Nor does genius arise from heredity, for different members of
the same
family with the same training in every respect will develop different
talents.
One can be a genius, the other most mediocre, although gifted children
are
sometimes born in families capable of providing the requisite
organization and
facilities for its cultivation. However, when a man has genius, he
manifests
his natural superiority in spite of the greatest obstacles arising from
circumstances, heredity or education.
Neither
birth nor
any of its attendant conditions are ever accidental; the inequalities
and
injustices arise from the opportunities or lack of them when born. To
be
well-born appears to have many advantages, but history does not bear
out that
it is of the greatest importance. One need only read the lives of
illustrious
men and women to learn that humbleness of birth and station have never
been
deterrents to fame and success. The shining immortals with few
exceptions
labored under tremendous difficulties, yet despite them achieved glory
and
acclaim. How one begins life is not important, but how one ends it is.
It is no
disgrace to be born in the gutter, but it is a disgrace to die there.
It
is only too
obvious that all men are not born with equal mental capacities; for
there is a
wide disparity in the degree of knowledge and skill with which people
are
endowed. One vast intellect like Newton's fathoms the profundities of
science,
while the mind of another can scarcely grope its way through the daily
occurrences of life. These differences do not arise from external
circumstances, but from conditions prevailing before birth. The same
analogy is
true when we leave this life. As our status here was determined to a
major
degree by our innate intelligence and ability, our standing in the
community to
where we are going will likewise be governed by the amount of wisdom
and
experience acquired on earth. This is all we take with us.
Entirely
too much
significance is given to the relative influence of heredity and
environment.
Some authorities have gone so far as to say heredity determines
destiny; others
maintain that environment is the controlling factor in an individual's
life.
There is no doubt these factors contribute to the formation of
personality
traits and habits, but there is a force stronger than either of these
and that
is character. Character, or lack of it, is the determining power of
life. Many
a strong, determined character has overcome the worst kind of heredity
and
unfavorable surroundings.
All
spiritual
thinkers are convinced that the powers of the mind and soul are derived
from
their Celestial Progenitor. There is slight reason for believing that
mental
and moral characteristics are inherited although many scientists make
this
claim. Mozart did not inherit what neither of his parents possessed,
nor does
any genius. Every man is his own ancestor so far as mental and
spiritual
endowments are concerned. Spirit is forever master and responsible for
the
incident of birth.
The
belief that
parents are the creators of their children is one of the greatest
fallacies
entertained by man, even some biologists. God is the Architect of the
soul, not
parents, who fashion the body only. The individual is a sovereign unit
and not
at the mercy of his predecessors. He inherits himself, and gravitates
to the
right parents, environment, organism for the manifestation of his
tendencies.
Every individual is integrated, a center himself from which he
operates, is
responsible and capable of selection and choice.
The
lack of
affinity between relatives puzzles many people of earth, for it is not
uncommon
for brothers and sisters, parents and offspring to feel deep antipathy
toward
one another. When parents and children meet for the first time on earth
often
there is but little affinity. Occasionally they are old friends brought
together again through birth and then there will be genuine affection.
Antagonistic souls, those who have violent hatred for each other have
met
before birth and accrued karma which they are now expiating. They have
not been
permitted to choose their environment, and this explains in some
measure why
you find such odd persons in groups where they do not seem to belong.
They
actually do not belong there, yet in order to have earthly expression
take the
opportunity open for birth, and come in an environment that is not the
best for
them.
We
often see, in
families of several children, one who has peculiar traits of character
and
personality entirely foreign to the others. The soul in that body
desired
earthly expression and came to an alien family, where he is usually
misunderstood. Unfortunately, these odd persons seldom realize that
this
relationship exists only for the duration of earth-life, and that there
are no
deep, binding ties for such a one.
The
blood tie has
no permanence or significance unless augmented with spiritual kinship.
Those
who have relatives for whom they feel no affinity should make every
effort to
discharge whatever obligations were incurred by birth and relationship,
thus
obviating the necessity of future association.
While
color and
race begin on earth, they often persist for many years after the change
called
death, for the soul has learned to function through that particular
channel.
However, all race consciousness is gradually obliterated and the
universal
consciousness accepted.
There
is no break
in the chain of eternity and no interruption in the law of cause and
effect.
Not chance but justice rules our life. The soul is not new at birth,
and is not
much older at death, and will be born many times in spirit that it may
attain
perfection.
Man
himself is the greatest mystery of all.
<>
Chapter
2
MIND
PART 1
No
study is more
fascinating or of greater benefit than the subject mind. It has engaged
the
most powerful intellects of all ages, from the days of Aristotle down
to the
present. However, during the last two thousand years, that is with the
exception of the last one hundred years, not much progress has been
made in
this department of science. Anatomists and physicians have studied the
brain
and ignored the mind, while psychologists have studied the mind and
ignored the
brain. The human mind cannot, by itself, become an object of
investigation; it
needs the medium of an organic apparatus.
It
is mind which
distinguishes man from the animals and man from man. While there is not
much
difference between one cow or one cat from another, the difference
between one
man and another is vast. In man the scale extends from the lowest point
of
idiocy to the highest endowment of genius. On the one side you have a
Newton
who can solve the most abstruse of problems, and on the other a man who
can
scarcely grope his way through ordinary life. The world has always
recognized
and paid tribute to greatness of intellect. A man is measured by what
he is,
and not by what he has.
"What
is the
difference between the brain and the mind?" It is astonishing how many
people believe the brain and mind to be synonymous and use the terms
interchangeably. While the relationship between the brain and mind is
intimate,
there is not the slightest similarity either in appearance or function.
Their
composition and activities differ as widely as the radio from the ether
waves.
The brain is a human radio, a receiving station or instrument. The mind
is
analogous to the ethereal atmosphere surrounding it.
Yet
another
comparison. The brain is the organ of the mind just as the eye is the
organ of
vision, or the ear of hearing. Naturally, the perfection of seeing or
hearing
will be in relation to the perfection of its organ. The same analogy
applies to
the mind.
Thought
does not
originate in the brain, nor is it created by the brain. And it is the
mind
which remembers, not the brain cells. It is the Ego, the "I," which
thinks; mind is the substance which "I" uses, and thoughts are the
tools. Thoughts are transmitted to the brain from the mind, and it
therefore
follows that the brain influences and determines the type and quality
of
thoughts received.
The
matrix is
unalterable. We know we have the same identity we had as a child, and
throughout eternity we shall be the same.
Furthermore,
the
brain is physical and subject to evolution. The mind is spiritual and
already
perfect. The brain is personal and individual. The mind is universal.
These
distinctions are of primary importance for a correct understanding of
mind.
We
shall not
burden you with a description of the brain. For our purpose here,
merely let us
state that the brain is the term applied to that part of the central
nervous
system which in vertebrates is contained within the skull. The brain
readily
lends itself to analysis and examination; not so the mind, although
some
philosophers have gone so far as to say mind is a product of matter.
This is
another error made by those who seek a material basis for all mental
phenomena.
"What
is the
nature of mind?" Mind is a substance similar to the ether, which is the
finest form of matter known; or it can be compared to a vast field of
magnetism. This substance pervades the entire universe, and all
particles of
matter are held together by it. The molecules of the body never touch,
but
remain quite a distance from each other, and are also held in place by
it.
There are forces of repulsion between them which prevent contact, and
they move
freely in this ether or mind substance.
The
ability of
states of matter to interpenetrate and exist within other states is one
of the
great secrets of Nature. Higher states come into contact with the
lower, and
are harmonized into one single organism. Man cannot combine the lower
forces with
the higher, but Nature can, and this makes living organisms.
This
is also the
explanation of the so-called fourth dimension, which means the ability
of a higher
state of matter to interpenetrate and exist within a lower state. The
fourth
dimension is not measured at angles, length-breadth-thickness, but
proceeds
directly through matter.
In
reality there
is no definite line of demarcation between matter, mind and spirit, as
they are
the same substance at different rates of vibration.
Emerson
gives us
the clearest and most concise description of mind. He says:
"Mind
is an
ethereal sea, which ebbs and flows; which surges and washes hither and
thither,
carrying its whole virtue into every creek and inlet which it bathes.
To this
sea every human house has a water front. But this force-creating
nature,
visiting whom it will, withdrawing from whom it will, is no fee or
property of
any man or angel. It is as the light, public and entire to each, and on
the
same terms."
"Where
is the
mind located?" There is considerable diversity of opinion on this
score.
Many believe that the mind is within the skull. We said previously that
mind is
a universal substance permeating the universe. Emerson spoke truly when
he
said: "No man or angel has a monopoly on it, but is equally free to
all."
The
sum total of
mind is fixed, although, like matter and energy, many changes can take
place within
itself. All the knowledge that ever has been or will be in the world is
in it
now. Our inventions and discoveries are but re-inventions,
re-discoveries.
Truly, there is nothing new under the sun. It is man's duty and
privilege to
develop his instrument, the brain, and draw unto himself whatever
knowledge and
power he desires.
Mind
cannot be
separated or divided, although in appearance it may seem so. Each
individual
mind is connected with universal mind. Every mind is in constant
contact with
all other minds and its Divine Source. That one mind is ever separate
from
others is pure illusion and the major cause of man's suffering.
Everyone knows
how contagious thoughts are and how easily communicated. All are living
in this
vast ocean of mind where the waves of other minds are passing on all
sides.
"How
is the
mind connected with the body?" Practically all philosophers and
thinkers
have believed the activities of the mind to be in close connection with
the
brain. But that the brain is the sole seat of the mind is as erroneous
as the
belief that the mind is in the skull. There is no clearly defined spot
of which
we can prove that here, or there, at this place, the mind comes into
relation
with the cerebral organ. The mind exerts its influence through the
parts of the
brain, which differ according to the muscles or functions to be
employed. All
the parts of the brain are connected, but there is no common center
through
which all these activities pass.
The
brain is the
primary, but not the only vehicle of mind. The brain is the physical
instrument
without which no mental act is possible in a material world. There are
no
faculties so purely mental as to have no connection with the body. The
primary
seat of consciousness is in the brain, but there is a secondary one in
the
solar plexus.
Mind
is dependent
on the body, not for existence, but for the power of acting in the
material
world. Mind can function without the body, but not the body without the
mind.
In reality the mind functions much more actively and freely without the
impediment of its physical instrument. This is demonstrated during the
dream
state, hypnosis, trance and astral traveling. "The mind, though
intangible, is the real structure, like a field of force," says
Stromberg,
the famous scientist and astronomer.
Prophecy
is no more wonderful than memory.
PART
II
"How
many
minds have we?" Much confusion has arisen due to the different
terminologies by which mind is designated and the numerous minds man is
supposed to have. One hears expressions such as subconscious,
unconscious,
superconscious, conscious; animal and human mind; lower and higher;
subjective
and objective, that the layman gets bewildered, and fails to progress
as he
otherwise might.
Man
has one
mind, not numerous or several minds; but one mind capable of
functioning in
manifold ways. The simplest differentiation of mind activity we have
found to
be the conscious, subconscious and superconscious. One frequently hears
the sub-conscious
spoken of as the unconscious mind. These terms are a contradiction and
an
impossibility. Mind is always conscious. Because we, the self or ego,
are not
conscious of its activities does not indicate that mind is not
functioning or
that it is "unconscious."
We
are aware only
of that phase of mind manifestation to which the self is identified,
but the
entire mind is conscious all the time. The mind is fully awake during
sleep,
anesthesia and when the brain is unconscious due to injury or disease.
The
brain may not be receiving impressions, but nevertheless they are
registered in
the subconscious mind.
No
manifestation
of mind is more alert and active than the subconscious. It never rests
or
sleeps. It is the storehouse of all experiences and race memories. It
is this
mind which takes care of the vast demands of the physical body,
regeneration
and healing. It can be trained to become a most efficient and helpful
servant.
But it is capable of being only a servant, and should never be
permitted to be
master.
"Is
memory in
the brain or the mind?" Memory is not in the brain cells or neurons,
but
in the mind. Memory is a faculty of mind using the brain for its
instrument.
Memory is that faculty which stores every impression made upon mind and
retains
it as subconscious knowledge of previous thoughts, sensations,
perceptions or
other mental experiences, capable of being returned to consciousness.
This
process of
returning memory records of former experiences is properly called
recollection,
and may be voluntary or involuntary. Memory is the storing function.
Memory is
the library in which life's volumes are stored. The librarian is
recollection.
Plato said: "The soul knows all things, learning is only
recollection."
The
imperishable
mind substance records every wish, desire, thought and act of life.
Nothing is
ever lost but is registered for eternity. The thoughts and acts are
reproduced
on the sensitized mind substance similarly, as music on a disc; of
course with
this exception, phonograph records can easily become damaged or broken,
while
it is impossible in any way to deface or destroy what is engraved on
the mind
substance. Because something may be forgotten does not mean it is out
of mind.
A great many forgotten memories can be revived with hypnosis and
frequently
come to the surface during delirium and anesthesia.
Life's
imperishable record has various names; the orthodox referring to it as
"The Book of Life." Others, "The Judgment Day," the
"Akashic Record," or the "Astral Light." It is this record
which is man's judge when he comes before that Higher Tribunal where
absolute
justice is meted out, and which determines his place in the heavens.
Not
only man but
everything which exists has its own imperishable record. Animals,
plants and
minerals are likewise surrounded by their auras. And it is a
comparatively
simple process for one whose spiritual faculties are well developed to
read
this record of life in both animate and inanimate forms. He can look
into an
individual's life and read any page therein. The first hour of life is
just as
easily read as yesterday's.
To
explain this
process more fully we will quote from a famous seer of the last century:
"The
spectral
forms of the long ago are indelibly fixed in the 'astral light,' which
is the
spiritual atmosphere of the universe, where myriads of forms hang on
the
gallery walls in an imperishable world of spiritual entities. Nothing
that ever
has been is lost to the vision of the seer; nothing that now is can be
hidden
from his piercing gaze; nothing that shall be is wholly veiled from his
prophetic glances."
A
few years ago a
prominent motion picture producer said over the radio, that he saw the
possibility, through the law of vibration, of getting in contact with
any event
of the past, no matter how remote. For example, instead of reading
Lincoln's
Gettysburg speech, or The Sermon on the Mount, we could get in rapport
with those
particular vibrations, and see and hear the great Emancipator and wise
Master
just as they were then. Impossible, you say? Not at all. This was a
prophetic
vision of an inspired and advanced mind. However, one thing is
certain—when
this occurs, histories both Biblical and secular will have to be
rewritten.
"Do
animals
have mind?" Most people at some time or another have speculated on the
degree of intelligence possessed by animals, particularly the dog,
horse,
elephant and ape. All animals manifest some degree of mind. Plants too,
show
wonderful ingenuity in devising plans for catching light and moisture,
attracting fertilizing insects, preserving and scattering their seeds.
"Appetency" is the term usually applied to mind in the vegetable
economy.
"Chemical affinity" is the operation of mind in the mineral kingdom,
while "instinct" is referable to the intelligence displayed by
animals.
Animals
live in
the same ocean of mind substance as does man, but they have not man's
complex
nervous system, or his highly developed brain. Animals are equipped
with the
type of brain best suited for their specific requirements, no more nor
less.
All creations are provided with the organization most compatible with
their
needs.
However,
there is
a vast difference in the amount of intelligence possessed by the
highest level
of animal life and the lowest level of human life. Human beings have
extra neurons
which make culture and progress. Man has the power of modifying and
altering
his environment and circumstances, which in turn will act upon him in
the
future. He has the power of choice, of free will; he can anticipate the
future.
The animals cannot. No one can, for instance, imagine a dog or an ape
sketching
out for itself what it is going to do tomorrow.
It
has been
pointed out that birds’ and insects’ reflexes are so perfect and
numerous that
they can evolve much further in a progressive way. They do it all
because they
cannot help it, like a machine set in action. Birds build their nests
in the
same way, with the same materials as their ancestors, and make as good
a job of
it the first time as the last. All their actions are in regular
sequence, one
action being the predecessor and initiating cause of the following
event.
How
differently
this faculty operates in animals and man! The beaver has constructed
his dam
the same since the first beaver was placed upon earth. The swallows
build their
nests exactly the same. The spider spins his web, without the slightest
deviation from the original pattern. But man, what a contrast between
the first
dwellings, places of mud or stone, to the mansions of the present! The
magnificence of architecture and beauty of design!
Human
class has
progressed due to knowledge that is passed on from one generation to
another—knowledge of structures, arts, music, books, etc.; which belong
solely
to the human class of life. The accomplishments, however progressive,
in the
life of an individual animal are lost to the rest of its species at
death.
Speech
and
language have also had enormously important roles in the evolution and
advancement of man. Plus speech man has associated with his body an
immortal
principle or spirit which is denied animals.
The
gift of
immortality, bestowed on no other form of life, proves conclusively
that man is
a separate and distinct creation, and possessing a Divine force. It is
impossible for man to have evolved from an animal not having this
force. Man
has the power, when he learns to use this force, to place himself in
rapport
with the Infinite Being. Men are not hybrids but sons of God. There are
no
"missing links" in the Divine plan of creation. Mind is the
connecting link between dust and Deity.
The
rock on which
many scientists have wrecked their ships is materialism. In their
studies they
have eliminated this Divine force or spirit, and its workings, saying:
"A
force is the result of atomic movements." True, all forces are—except
the
force which first starts the atomic movements.
Man,
like God, has
the power to create. He is the architect of his character and the
moulder of
his destiny. Thoughts are the tools man uses to bring about whatever
condition
or change he desires.
The
lowest
manifestation of mind is sensation—the highest, imagination. There are
beings
higher than man as man is higher than an insect. All are partakers
of
universal mind.
There
is only
mind—Universal Mind. Our mind is the use we make of this mind.
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