Behind the Visible Appearance of Things

Have you ever sensed a mighty Presence, a purposeful beingness, behind the visible appearance of things? Perhaps looking at the expanse of the ocean or a breathtaking view of a landscape vista, or a view of a great city as the poet, Wordsworth, described: “Ne’er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep! … And all that mighty heart is lying still!”

Such moments draw us into our own presence. When we withdraw our sense of being into the dynamic stillness and point of pure awareness deep within us we enter into our essential “presence”. Whirling thoughts and worldly reactions are stilled, and we enter a state of knowing and seeing that is all-encompassing, clear, accurate and understanding. Here we can become aware of our true being, the Angel of the presence, and can see through all that stands between summed into the Dweller on the Threshold.

Through unfolding of events around the world, we can increasingly see humanity’s collective “Dweller” and begin to glimpse the glory of the solar Angel which is the true “human nature.” It is now time to focus on the Angel and make our way across the threshold into that glorious Presence. Some 80 years ago, the Tibetan Master wrote of the shift now occurring:

(Orthodox religion) has been preoccupied with the Dweller on the Threshold and the eyes of the theologian have been held upon the material, phenomenal aspect of life through fear and its immediacy, and the fact of the Angel has been a theory and a point of wishful thinking. The balance is being adjusted by the humanitarian attitudes which are so largely coming into control, irrespective of any theological trend. These attitudes take their stand upon the belief of the innate rightness of the human spirit, in the divinity of man, and upon the indestructible nature of the soul of mankind. This inevitably brings in the concept of the PRESENCE, or of God Immanent and is the result of the needed revolt against the belief in God Transcendent. This spiritual revolution was entirely a balancing process and need cause no basic concern, for God Transcendent eternally exists but can only be seen and known and correctly approached by God Immanent—immanent in individual man, in groups and nations, in organised forms and in religion, in humanity as a whole and in the planetary Life Itself. Humanity is today (and has been for ages) battling illusion, glamour and maya. Advanced thinkers … have reached a point where materialism and spirituality, the Dweller on the Threshold and the Angel of the PRESENCE, and the basic dualism of manifestation can be seen clearly defined.” Glamour a World Problem, page 162

Our inner Presence is the true Thinker, thinking truth. The Agni Yoga teachings remind us of “inner thinking” and to:

…recognize the various strata of thinking. It is usually believed that the exterior layer of thought is the most perfect one, for it is more easily expressed in words, but that idea is incorrect. Far more significant is the inner layer, which is expressed through feeling. This layer has a much stronger hold on man; from it rise the actions that affect one’s karma. The sensitive, elevated consciousness knows how to heed the inner thinking. It needs no words and knows that ascent is forged in the hearth of silence….
The Thinker used to say, ‘Teach me to hear the Voice of Silence.’” Supermundane, 710

Thought has creative power; when we think, we create. The quality and effectiveness of our creations reflect the source of our thinking: the point of inspiration and motive that initiates it. Wherever we focus our thought our living expression follows. And so we create our worldview – our reality. This is a discipline we are learning through trial and error.

Everything responds reciprocally within the interconnectedness and interdependence of the One Life in Whom we live and move and have our being. Our thought life reflects in our active living and its influence can spread far beyond what we are aware of. We might ask ourselves what thoughts are we radiating, is our mind focussed on what is deteriorating in our world or on the human soul awakening through outer happenings?

We are more powerful than we may realise, and more responsible for our lives – and our world – than we may wish to accept. When we are fully present in our true being, our inner divine presence, our thought creates according to divine intention and in harmony with the whole, whereas thinking reactively and indiscriminately scatters thoughts with potentially harmful impact and so muddy the thought currents flowing through human consciousness.

…It has been said many times that man is the co-worker of creation. It is precisely so.
Every thought impresses a mental image. This creativeness is indestructible, and it is time for people to realize their responsibility for this creative work.
Many lightminded and harmful mental obstructions pollute space. People do not usually believe that their feeble thoughts could leave any trace in space, but they must be reminded that even a fleeting feeling can inscribe an indelible hieroglyph there.
Only a full understanding of the meaning of thinking can lead to luminous daring. Do not think that this word has anything in common with audacity; in audacity there is rudeness, but higher daring is always benevolent. It opens ways to beautiful, mental creativeness.
Each beautiful thought must be safeguarded. Let it expand in space. It is a real gift to the structure of the Universe. But people must begin to think about the Supermundane World as natural and sense its touches in everyday life.
… The Thinker used to say, ‘Realization of the Supermundane comes not only from without, it is also born within ourselves. Let this sign of daring glow in the heart.’” Supermundane, 714

Understanding the nature and power of thinking helps us to realise our part in the planetary scheme of life, our responsibility within the divine Plan. We can be mindful and test our thinking, before allowing it to flow into words and actions, by placing it on the altar of the heart. In this way we can begin to think in the heart – the doorway through which the Angel of the Presence enters the world. In the heart we think of what serves the Whole, the One Life that sustains us all. It is where divine thought flows through us into expression in the world.

’In the evening he placed the thought upon his heart, and in the morning he rendered his decision.’” … an entire Teaching is conveyed in the maxim, “He placed the thought upon his heart.” The thought cannot be transformed anywhere else but on the altar of the heart.
…a person who has sensed the altar of the heart will also grasp the discipline of the spirit. … We send calls of unity to seekers whose hearts have sensed the music of the spheres…” Heart 394

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