. . . "What really counts is the degree of earnestness with which we are seeking Truth. Can we agree that we are no longer seeking a demonstration of things but are seeking the CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD and a willingness to LET the things be added?
"In that earnestness we will develop. That is why on this path I have said there are three very necessary things: the first is a Teacher who has caught some measure of It and who can keep listening and listening and guiding and guiding; the second is inspirational reading, metaphysical reading, Scriptural reading . . but only that which appeals to your own path and not because the reading is good for somebody else - the reading that is good for YOU; third, taking the opportunities to gather in groups who - like ourselves here - have not a selfish motive". . .
from the original unedited Metaphysical Notes, 1948
Tape 7C side 2 Joel S. Goldsmith
"The price is high.
"The Master said that when you found Truth, sell all that you have in order to buy the Pearl. And very few people are willing to sell all they have to buy It, especially if It can be bought with spare change.
"Can't be, but they'll keep trying.
"The Master also said, "Leave mother, father, sister and brother for My sake." The Master also said, "I come not to bring peace, but a sword. To divide households."
"Well now, I don't think He meant actually to come around and break up a lot of homes and communities. But He meant to break up our clinging, our faith and reliance on person, place and thing.
"To the extent where, at least, we could walk into the next room and have our privacy, without offending members of our family. Or going away for a weekend by ourselves without having them think that we've met somebody else.
"Everyone on the spiritual Path must develop some degree of inner awareness that compels them to go off in a room for an hour or two at a time. And let the families know that they're not neglecting them, and it isn't because they want to get away from them.
"It's because they need a little opportunity to commune with God, with the inner Reality.
"Just the same as someday we will all be brave enough to say to our husbands and our wives, "I'm going away for the weekend. But I'm really going away alone."
"And mean it too.
"Why not?
"Each one of us is an individual.
"Family life, as it's known today, has broken down that individuality and made us, virtually, slaves to family life. So that we can't leave mama or papa or child. We can't leave brother or sister.
"And we're always doing an injustice to somebody, even to go away for ten nights for class instruction. Some member of the family is brooding about it and kicking about it.
"It isn't right.
"And it can't go on in our experience. I tell you that.
