Behind the Mask

The Master Key System  is a book written by Charles Haanel  published in 1912. There is lots of information available regarding both the book and the author (see links) so it isn’t necessary to spend time discussing either here. What has been on my mind from my reading this week is the question of who we are. In case you missed it, in Week 22 and Week 22a we were asked to spend some time in Silence with the aim of discovering who is behind our mask, who we really are. 

“…man is not a body with a spirit, but a spirit with a body, and that it is for this reason that his desires are incapable of any permanent satisfaction in anything not spiritual. Money is therefore of no value except to bring about the conditions which we desire, and these conditions are necessarily harmonious. Harmonious conditions necessitate sufficient supply, so that if there appears to be any lack, we should realise that the idea or soul of money is service, and as the thought takes form, channels of supply will be opened, and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that spiritual methods are entirely practical” (Haanel 22:22)

Have you ever stopped to consider who you really are? Does it really matter? Is it a waste of time trying to figure out if there is more to man than the skin and bone of his physical body?

This is something I have been thinking about quite a lot this week. Some of the happiest people in the world have no money and few possessions. On the other hand, having no money can also make many, many people feel anxious, uncomfortable and lacking in life. In balance there are many who have millions in the bank, big houses and loads of friends, yet feel more lonely and miserable than those with no money or material goods. This phenomena indicates that there must be more to what makes humans happy than money and possessions.

‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho is one of my favourite books and tells the story of a shepherd boy who decides to follow his heart and find his treasure. The adventures, the people and the lessons he learns on his journey are profound and it highlights the burning desire humans feel within to accomplish something significant in their lives. It is our Spirit that we must first seek to satisfy, to grow and develop. Money in itself can not do this. Money enables the body to have things that make life comfortable, interesting, exciting, and less stressful, and the amount of money humans want differs from person to person. But pursuing money alone will not bring inner peace and satisfaction.

This is why it is so important to pursue your passion first. I recently watched a fascinating TED video by John Scherer that explained this very well, and how so many people have been conditioned to live life backwards. We believe we must Do in order to Have so we can Be. But the truth is we need to Be then Do so we can Have. When we ‘Be’ who our Spirit is, and do what feels right in our heart, life takes on new meaning. And guess what!!!!……what our Spirit desires is not money!!!!!…… Shock!…..Horror!…… Has she gone nuts? Is that just being naive?

Logically, we know a body without a Spirit is dead. It does not matter what your personal beliefs regarding any particular religion or your views on an after life. Every single one of us knows that when the Spirit leaves the body we physically cease to be and all that is left is a lifeless carcass which must be buried or cremated. Therefore, our Spirit is the essence of who we are, and if that is so then surely discovering what satisfies our Spirit first and doing those things is a good way to spend our life.

The body lives and breaths as we think. Shall I visit Aunty Jane today? Shall I make a cup of tea? Where shall I get the water for my tea? The nearest water hole or the kitchen tap? How am I going to pay the bills this month? Have I missed anything vitally important or inspirational on Facebook????!!!!! ……..Oh c**p!!!!! 

We think, therefore we are. We are because we think. “Thinking is the true business of life, power is the result. You are at all times dealing with the magical power of thought and consciousness. What results can you expect so long as you remain oblivious to the power which has been placed within your control?” (Haanel 20:4)

Money is the stuff humans use to buy and sell goods and services. Obviously we all want good service and quality goods and to exchange something with the person who can supply us. Some exchange time or goods, but most exchange money. Therefore money is only a form of energy, a means to an end. What are we really exchanging or paying for? Do we want a new car just to put it in the garage so we can tell people we have it, or are we purchasing the pleasure of driving on the open road, safety, comfort, excitement? When you really think about it everything we purchase or make an exchange of time or goods for is a feeling, which is a spiritual aspect of our humanity. It has to be, because we can not feel anything once we are dead! So revealing the spiritual treasure your heart desires allows us to find greater fulfilment than anything money can buy.