Week 4 Who are you?
I am that I am
We all say things like “I am so stupid” “I am so forgetful” “I am not good at that”, in fact it would make an interesting exercise just to spend a day or two being observant of ourselves and how many times we actually put the words “I am” before anything we say. Why bother? Because the words that you say straight after this seemingly harmless opening phrase can change your whole life.
Something that really struck me as I was reading this Chapter 4 of Haanel’s Masterkey System this week was the meaning of the word ‘individual’. Like most people I thought I knew what the word meant.
‘Individual’ meaning’ single or separate, would be the normal response if you asked most people what the word meant. But I decided to break it down after reading these first two paragraphs in this weeks reading.
‘The “I” of you is not the physical body; that is simply an instrument which the “I” uses to carry out its purposes; the “I” cannot be the Mind, for the mind is simply another instrument which the “I” uses with which to think, reason and plan.’ (Haanel 4:1)
‘The “I” must be something which controls and directs both the body and the mind; something which determines what they shall do and how they shall act. When you come into a realisation of the true nature of this “I”, you will enjoy a sense of power which you have never before known.’ (Haanel 4:2)
In – used to indicate inclusion within a space, a place, or limits
divi – (verb) to divide, distribute
dual – composed of two usually like or complimentary parts; double. Having a double character or purpose.
This gave me a whole new perspective! Last week I discussed the ‘vagus nerve’ and how it is critical to the human body as it keeps many of our vital organs working. But also, as the vagus nerve travels down inside the body ‘…..it loses its outer coating and becomes identified with the nerves of the Sympathtic System, so forming a connecting link between the two and making man physically a “single entity”. (recap from last week Haanel 3:3)
We have learnt that the Sympathetic System is the organ of the Subconscious Mind, which is connected to Universal Mind. So we consist of two divided like or complimentary parts. Our physical body consisting of blood, bone and flesh, and our Spiritual body consisting of feelings, emotions and thoughts. The one cannot survive without the other. As Haanel so rightly says, ‘….the essence and soul of all things is spiritual and that the spiritual is the real, because it is the life of all there is; when the spirit is gone, the life is gone; it is dead; it has ceased to exist.’ (Haanel 4:23)
The Spirit dwells Within, within us, with you, within me, and without it you/me/we are dead. You cease to be. You are a deceased parrot! 🙂 Therefore, when you say the words “I am” before anything you are actually describing both your physical and spiritual parts, because they are one. And if our Spirit is connected to Universal Spirit that is the basis of all life, then wouldn’t it make sense that we should be careful over the words we choose to describe ourselves!? Doesn’t this make the famous biblical words “I AM THAT I AM” make a LOT more sense!?
‘Science goes a little way in its search and stops. Science finds the ever-present Eternal Energy, but Religion finds the Power behind this energy and locates it within man. But this is by no means a new discovery; the Bible says exactly the same thing, and the language is just as plain and convincing: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of the living God?”, then, is the secret of the wonderful creative power of the ‘World Within.’ (Haanel 4:20)