On June 17, we will begin studying the book The Realization of Oneness: The Practice of Spiritual Healing, which is the collection of the 1964 Infinite Way Letters. While Joel made his transition in June of 1964, because of the lead time required to publish the monthly Letter, it seems that he had already prepared the copy for the July and August Letters and personally written the “Across the Desk” segment. So the Letters from January through August are especially precious because they are the last ones that Joel himself reviewed and edited.
At the beginning of 1964, Joel said this about the Letters to come that year:
“…The Infinite Way Monthly Letters of 1964 consist of an entire series devoted to spiritual healing in accord with the principles of The Infinite Way. That may not be spiritual healing as somebody else understands it; that is only spiritual healing as it is practiced in the message of The Infinite Way. This series will include both aspects of spiritual healing that are included in The Infinite Way; that is, the metaphysical and the mystical.
The mystical approach to spiritual healing cannot be accomplished by anyone until the metaphysical principles of The Infinite Way are so much a part of them that they have become like flesh and bones unto them. In other words, the mystical consciousness is developed through the metaphysical, and more especially through Infinite Way metaphysical, because we do have specific, consistent principles which develop consciousness. In other words, we do not have a system that says one day that your wrong thinking produced your troubles, and then the next day that your wrong thinking isn’t a cause. We do not give you a treatment one day for muscles and brain and heart and the next day give you another kind of treatment for something else.
In other words, the metaphysical principles of The Infinite Way are absolutely consistent, and they are based on this: That God is Consciousness, the infinite Consciousness, and that man and the universe is this Consciousness formed, expressed, and therefore, since God is incorporeal Spirit, man and the universe is incorporeal spirituality.”[1]
So our realization of oneness is essential to the practice of spiritual healing. The basis of Infinite Way healing work is “abiding in the realization of One: one presence, God; one wisdom, God; one power, God; and no other powers.”[2] Joel said that these 1964 Letters would “pound and hammer” at these specific principles, so that we may develop the consciousness of the message. We look forward to sharing and studying this inspiring book and these marvelous recordings with you.
[1] Recording #551, 1963 Instructions for Teaching the Infinite Way, Tape 7, Side 1: “The Simplicity of the Healing Truth” (Note: This class was actually given early in 1964, but was included in the group of classes called “1963 Instructions for Teaching the Infinite Way.”
[2] A Message for the Ages, Chapter 8
Beginning this month, we will suggest two Wisdoms for contemplation with the monthly world work recording. The prompting to do this has come from several different directions, and it seems to be “an idea whose time has come.” The monthly Wisdoms will be posted on the World Work Recording page of the website.
What are the Wisdoms?
For anyone unfamiliar with The Wisdoms of The Infinite Way, they are a collection of 132 deep statements of truth that came to Joel over a period of two years. During that time, he was frequently awakened during the night with the strong sense that he was to get up and pick up a pen and paper. Then one, two, or three Wisdoms would come through.
Joel recognized that these Wisdoms were not of man, but were given to him by the Spirit of God. He also realized that some degree of spiritual wisdom would be required to fully understand them. Today, they do not seem shocking, but at that time, Joel realized that the Wisdoms were much too radical for the world to accept, and that he could not simply publish them. So first he gave them to twelve of his most advanced students. These students worked with them for two years to prepare consciousness to receive them. Then they were released publicly in 1956 as a new chapter in The Infinite Way. Each Wisdom conveys a message, although sometimes several Wisdoms appear in sequence with a unifying idea.
Joel’s advice for studying the Wisdoms
Joel encouraged students to work with the Wisdoms, saying, “Study the Wisdoms earnestly. Live with them day in and day out. Meditate on them and they will open up a way before you—the way of fulfillment.”[1] He suggested that we take them one at a time and treat each one as if it were a separate teaching, fully absorbing it before going on to the next. He said that just because the words seem familiar, we should not assume that we understand the meaning, and emphasized that there is a depth of meaning in the Wisdoms that will change our entire experience on earth if we perceive it.
Using the Wisdoms in World Work
In The Infinite Way, every individual directs his or her own path. Those of you who have chosen to do world work will choose the approach that feels most comfortable for you. Joel has recommended the three daily meditations. You may have individually discovered unique ways to do world work as well. On this website we offer the monthly world work recording, which invites practice of the principles given in it, occasional excerpts from the writings on world work, and now the suggested monthly Wisdoms. These are resources available for you to incorporate into your world work practice as you wish.
It has been our experience that working with just one Wisdom for several weeks is a very effective way to develop the consciousness of that Wisdom. In using the Wisdoms in world work, we have found it helpful to read the wisdom thoughtfully and ask, “How does this apply to world work as I understand it?” If you choose to use the Wisdoms as part of your world work, we suggest that you focus on the first one for the first two weeks of the month, and the other for the second two weeks. In this way, those who are using the Wisdoms will also be united in consciousness around one Wisdom, lifting one another higher in realization and lifting the consciousness of the world. As Joel has said, we are not building the higher consciousness for ourselves alone, but for the world so that the Christ consciousness will become the consciousness of mankind. Then new generations will not have to individually attain the enlightened consciousness. They will simply be born into it.
Downloadable Wisdom cards
While the Wisdoms are incorporated in the book The Infinite Way, many students find it helpful to have the 132 Wisdoms on cards for study and contemplation. Acropolis Books offers downloadable files for making your own set of Wisdom cards. To access these downloadable files on the Acropolis Books website, click here.
[1] January 1958 Letter