title: The divine spark, and The great pyramid, a temple of initiation;
text: V V r- '<W ;• ,4 o» . < "OK "W *k ' 5*„ - ? >i^L> > <*> *o„o* ^ + O 'of 1 ^ * O > •-S •'* 4 '/ /X ltt° A 'III' /\ _ V*0* v A°« ^oK v*o v ^ ' ^°^, I .^ ^ ■, "P \/ : \ ,0 p*..^. ^ < . vTrr ,.. V N* •, % *:*°* ' ■^o* '*< »u* •^^n p % «, '"/\^,^/ 1 *„ "^v AT* V o V V V* -? o 0^ *o 1 »*VL' •-**• ->*\^/V /.^%"\ ^\.'^/^ c * ° J* !^.T' .o-" * 5> 4 O 4? -Vf. * «v ^ V ** *<* • .„.• ^ & ,. • * **0« ^ *S. A° ^ W 4> *W J, * 4? ^y <± A G % ••" tf ^> -I V« ;iv^ V y ••fife'- ^ ^ *isM,°o V> :i ^ ..V^ ^> V ^r ^ %-"^"^ v * ^' \ / °o ,• ^ ..-•. •** •^-d« o*.iitf. -> V ..i-.. <^ .•^•/v^;i«\%^\-aK-. ^. ^s-' ^q* ,; ^ v % °JJf^ /\. *a(K' y •^o 4 J- ^. *-.%_ y..-^..*> ^ s ^ *W ^q, * *► / * 6 0° .* ■ ^ -«»^'.- .^ " *:^ ' • ♦ s \ * ««* A - . *^> THE GREAT PYRAMID ATEMPLEOFINmATION Two <M-Ticles K wbicb *ppe*fe'd i rs. The M^awzirve "The Inifi^Tev a^ndfoY which ^ greetf demkrvd b^s developed 5 • PRINTED BY JHZ PHILOSOPHICAL PUBLISHING CO. .ALLENTOWN, PA. price: 10 cents. ?<l* INTRODUCTORY The two articles making up this booklet formerly ap- peared in the monthly magazine, "The Initiates and the People." The demand for these articles in book form has been so great that it ha,s been considered wise to issue the bock- let, to be used as propaganda work. In fact, so great has been the interest in these particular articles that one student, a Mason of high standing, has ordered 1,000 copies of the booklet, which he promises to sell to his fellow Masons. This, coming at the present time, is to be viewed as an encouraging sign — a time in which the peoples of the na- tions seem utterly to forget their God and to accept nothing except what eye can see and touch feel, a time in which the nations are torn asunder in the most bloody warfare that has ever been known to man. Why has this cruel warfare between the nations be- come necessary? The reason for this is to be traced to the fact that the people^ of one nation had forgotten their God, had lost sight of the true and living God and had become enamoured with the idea of a material god, the god of war, the god of materialism. This people, well meaning and home loving, as time went on, came to accept the philosophy of its savants. And so cleverly had this pagan philosophy foeen inculcated that its adherents little realized to what limits it would lead and to what extremities of disaster it would tend If this destructive philosophy were confined to one Copyrighted 1914 by The Philosophical Publishing Co. 2 THE DIVINE SPARK country alone, the situation would no:t be so bad. But as it is, here in America, our large Universities are under the in- fluence of these teachers. Their philosophy is not the phil- osophy of the ancient wise men. If it were, all would be well But, sad to say, the prevailing ideas and principles are the outgrowth of pagan philosophy — a philosophy that advocates the necessity of war in order that one nation may become great at the expense of other nations. It is admitted that the present war has become a neces- sity. And why? Because one among the nations, under the influence and power of pagan teachings, accepted the doctrine that if mil- itarism should rule (and they implicity believed that mili- tarism is the true ruling power), men in great numbers would be necessary Thus it was that during many years of peace the propagation of offspring was encouraged. The impulse was obeyed, with the result that, as years went by, the population became so great that an outlet had become unavoidable. Not how good and how great the children, but how many, was the cry. Nature became outraged. There had to be an outlet, for Nature always evens things up, as her Law is Balance and Equilibrium. There are several ways by which Nature may effect the balancing of conditions. One way is through famine; another through pestilence; another still through war. Her own inherent wisdom directs Nature to use the easiest method. She well knew that the powers ruling on this mundane sphere hungered for war, and that they had, in both thought and deed, been preparing for war. War, then, became the easiest and most natural method by which to reduce the population of the earth, by which to restore balance after a period of stress and strain in the world of human thought and desire. Terrible as /the war is, under the circumstaces, it had become necessary. And when it is over, militarism will be DEC 24 1914 _ ©CU397967- THE DIVINE SPARK 3 no more. No longer will the cry be for "the god of war and destruction," but for the God of love and peace and ad_ vancement through development. No longer will the cry be for more children, but for "better and nobler children," though fewer of them. No -longer will men clamor for ma- terial power and mere physical prowess, but the cry of the heart will be for life and power on the higher plane of de- velopment and service to others. The philosophy that has exalted the god of material- ism and militarism is at last doomed. Men, both in this and in other countries, are awakening. Even in those coun- tries in which religion seemed to have died out, there are evi- dences of a great and mighty awakening. And there is every reason to believe that the pagan philosophy of mater- ialism and militarism is doomed forever This mighty scourge of warfare among the nations is the culmination of certain conditions, the death blow to an age in which negative and destructive philosophies have held sway in men's minds. The ideals and standards of heart and mind have been false and perverted. It is only to be expected that the reaction of perverted principles phould be disastrous. Through the mighty force of their own recklessness and turmoil, a bitter crisis is necessitated. To be sure, the articles reissued in this booklet had in their inception no specific connection with (the war that is raging. Indirectly, however, there \s a connection of no trivial import. The war, with its destructive effects, must necessarily lead to an awakening. The wanton destruc- tion of the treasures of the earth, occasioned by the war spirit, has also had the effect of making the cry for this type of literature felt, and thus it is that the war indirectly affect,s the Great Work which this booklet represents. When men once come to know that temporal power is not desirable unless it also confers eternal power, then will they change their mode of life, and this change will affect all the people. 4 THE DIVINE' SPARK But this awakening will not come until men have been taught, and have come to realize, that they are more than flesh and blood. They must understand that within the house of flesh and Mood there is a mighty Being, potential- ly powerful, loving, kind, and immortal. They must un- derstand, further, that this potential Son of God does not awaken and come forth by himself, but that he must be awakened by the man of flesh and blood. And it is this awakening, this mighty philosophy, that the Illuminati would teach, not only to its members, but to people generally. It is for this reason, furthermore, that the article on "The Divine Spark" was written, that there might be an awakening, that man might seek and find "the Way, the Truth, and the Life." The article, "The Divine Spark," contains fundamen- tal teachings of {the Temple of the Illuminati, and that the philosphy of the Illuminati i,s practical and well re- ceived is proved by this other fact, namely, that there is a demand, an ever growing demand, for it. The other article forming part of this booklet is as important, in its way, as is the first one, and for many rea- sons. That the Great Pyramid was a Temple of Initiation is a fact that concerns Masonry. It has been well said, how- ever, that Masonry ha,s lost the key to its own mysteries. The vast majority of its members know nothing but the Ritual, and have not even an idea that beyond the Ritual there is a mighty, a sublime Philosophy, and that in it is contained the very foundation of Religion itself, as well as the basis of all true Science. But thousands of the craft are beginning to ask, "Why is Masonry?" And these thousands will not give up until they know. In this article the author attempts to show not only that Masonry is as old as mankind, but that it has been the guiding hand of the ages past, though then under a M-- THE DIVINE* SPARK 5 ferent name. A careful study of this treatise on the Great Pyra- mid will reveal many sublime truths. Especially ,should the sincere lover of Masonry be amply rewarded for a careful perusal of these pages. The devout Mason may well be overpowered by the sublimity of the symbology and the ritualistic ceremonies of his craft and creed. This article contains fundamental teachings of the Fraternity, "Sons of Osiris," an Order not Masonic, but Philosophical, and dating back to the time of Egypt. The Fraternity is philosophical in that it teaches a religious system — not contrary to true Christianity, but individual and mystical — and explains much that would be profitable for all Ma,sons to know. It is admitted by the most serious of the Masonic students that, if Masons, the majority of them, could be awakened to the sublime philosophy, to the mighty truths contained in its symbolic lessors, Masonry would become one of the most powerful factors for bringing about a higher civilization. We are informed that "our anfceient brethren wrought in both operative and speculative" masonry, "while we work in speculative." But there is no reason why we can- not become operative as well as speculative, as our an- cient brethern were. Operative, in the sense of practical freemasons, builders of our spiritual buildings, "that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." From the outset we were presented with our working tools and ex- plained their uses, yet how many freemasons of to-day make u^e of their working tools, how many care to under- stand what is meant by "the working tools ?" The Temple of the Illuminati teaches the meaning of the working tools, and how to use them to build your spir- itual temple. This is only hinted at in the ma,sonic ritual, and while it reveals, it yet so conceals that the explanation ha,s become ''lost." The temple of the Illuminati has the 6 THE DIVIN© SPARK "key" that will unlock the mysteries of freemasonry. We teach you how to become practical freemasons, how to de- velop the innate, latent powers of the soul, which lead to- ward real "mastership." Will Masonry awake? Will Masons accept the truth when it is presented to them? These are mighty, these are important questions. The author believes that Masons will gradually come to accept and understand the truth embodied in their sublime ,symbology. He has faith in them and their Fraternity. May this little booklet do much good; may it be the means of awakening many. This is the one desire of the author. Fraternally, R. SWINBURNE CLYMER "Beverly Hall," October 14, 1914. THE DIVINE SPARK When in normal and perfect condition, a human being is a complete and finely adjusted engine and electric motor for generating power, force, vitality — call it what you will. An engine require,s several things in order that it may run smoothly and perfectly, and in order that it may gen- erate the maximum amount of power. Two of the most important requirements are the spark and the suction of air. On examining the engine run by gasoline and the elec- tric coil, we find that that which causes the engine to run is the spark produced by the spark plug in the cylinder cf the engine. Here, when the two points come together through the revolution of the wheel, the spark is created; and when the spark is created, or when ignition takes place, the gasoline drawn into the engine is set afire. Thus a force is produced, which causes the engine to run. Every new spark gives new life, and there is a steady motion of the engine, a steady generation of power, which continues as long as there is a spark and as long as there is gasoline to give life to the engine. There is another important factor in the generation of power, or in the running of an engine. Though this fac- tor is something that is entirely free, yet it i,s none the less necessary, just as necessary as the spark and the gasoline. For, without it, and even without just the right propor- tion of it, the engine either will not run at all or, if it does run, will not produce the maximum amount of power. This important factor is air. At each revolution of 8 THE DIVINE SPARK the wheels, at each movement of the cylinder, back and forward, a certain amount of air is taken into the cylinder at the same time that gasoline is drawn in or up; and the gasoline mixing with the air produces gas, which is ignited and which, when set afire by the spark, produces the power. This much concerning the engine, for the reason that the gasoline engine is, in principle, an exact prototype of the human body, and, exactly as power is generated in the engine, so it is generated in the human body. As already stated, the engine must have air in order that it may produce power. Furthermore, it must have the proper amount of air in order to produce the maxi- mum amount of power. If there is too little air, the en- gine will not produce the proper amount of power. Or, with an insufficiency of air, it may smoke or manifest other "contrary ways" of a gasoline engine- Other conditions also may interfere with the perfect running of the engine and with the generation of the highest amount of power. The batteries may be weak, so that the current producing the spark is weak. In this case, there will be missing sparks, and the energy is there- by reduced. Again, the spark point may be coated with smoke. In this case also, there will be missing of sparks and reducing of energy. Indeed, the spark plug may be coated to such an extent that it is no longer possible for the contact to produce a spark, and the engine may stop run- ning altogether, or its running may be so unsteady that there is practically no power. In the human body, we find conditions exactly like those of the engine. And it is for the purpose of better explaining the Divine Spark in man that the engine has been taken as an illustration. In fundamental respects, the analogy between them is perfect. Let it be clearly under- stood, however, that the illustration is used as an analogy merely, and that analogy is never absolutely exact in all details, Therefore, the reader must not pre,ss the cor^ THE DIVINE SPARK 9 responding features too far, lest he become bewildered in a maze of questions that might occur to his mind. The Divine Spark is the name by which Initiates des- ignate the soul in embryo. Few people understand the mystery ,surrounding the soul of man. In fact, it can- not be understood through mere intellectual comprehen- sion. Growlth and development of soul itself is necessary to a ^satisfactory grasp of the mystery surrounding the Di- vine Spark. Nevertheless, the analogy existing between conditions on the material plane and those on the spiritual furnishes a reliable basis from which to view the subject. To some minds especially, the analogy existing between the human organism and the engine and electric motor is suggestive and helpful. It has already been noted that the condition of the spark plug in the cylinder of the engine has much to do with the generation of power. If the spark plug is cov- ered over with soot or smoke or other foreign matter, the action of the machinery is impaired. Creation of the spark is the secret of generating power; consequently, the spark plug, or the instrument by which the spark is cre- ated, is a crucial feature in connection with the genera- tion of electric power. Similarly, the condition of the Divine Spark in man is the crucial test of his power. If the soul is covered over with the soot and smoke of ig- norance, materialism, and unbelief, there can be no true power. The engine in itself may be in satisfactory order; yet the one item of dust or smoke or soot clinging to the,spark plug may be the one thing that prevents proper generation of power. A similar state of affairs may exist in the human organism. The body may be in good condition, healthy and strong and functioning properly; the vital or- gans, the muscular system, and the telegraphic network of nerves may be true, each to its particular part in the in- tricate mechanism of the human frame; the lungs, which 10 THE DIVINE SPARK correspond to the air-intake of the engine, may be in a normal state ; the vital forces, which correspond to the bat- teries, or the current that gives the spark, may be of full strength — yet, if the Divine Spark, or the soul in process of awakening, is smouldering under a heavy coating of ig- norance and carnality, the highest power is impossible. For let it be remembered that only soul power can be classed as the highest power in man. Now, in this condition, unlike the engine, the human machine keeps on running. So far as material conditions are concerned, it may do good work. Though, to al! out- ward appearances, it may do satisfactory work in propel- ling human interests, yet this wonderful machine may be producing only a minimum amount of power because it is running on low pressure, running on a force that is pure- ly material or physical. Under these conditions, the great spark which gives the maximum amount of power is miss- ing- In case the engine misses sparks and does not generate the highest power, we at once proceed to take out the spark plug and clean it, brightening the points — and lo, there is a pure white spark, a ,spark of fire, which, igniting, pro- duces the desired amount of power. In like manner, man should examine the igniting point within himself. He should cleanse the Spark of Divinity within his own nature. He should free it of hate, envy, jealousy, malice, and every form of ill-will toward any creature. He should free it of materialism and unbelief. He should polish and brighten it by recognizing himself as a being of Godlike possibilities. As he succeeds in doing this, he sets the Divine Spark free from the smoky and sooty accumulations that have been reducing its power and force. Further, as in the case of the engine, there is another item of exceedingly great importance in generating the highest amount of power As it is necessary for the engine THE DIVINE SPARK 11 to receive a sufficient amount of air in order that proper combustion may effect satisfactory results, so is it impera- tive that man shall take into his organism a sufficiency of vitalizing air. This is the more necessary in proportion as be frees the Divine Spark of the debris that has been cling- ing to it. For soul power is generated in proportion to the cleansing of the Spark. And, as greater power i,s gen- erated, a greater amount of vitalizing air is necessary to enable man to make proper use of the energy at his dis- posal. Man has been able to invent, to perfect, and to use, machinery that is patterned in every fundamental point after the human mechanism. Then, how much more does it behoove him to use, in regard to generating power with- in his own organism, such wisdom as he is compelled to use as a machinist. The electrician learns to note, with exacting care, whether the valves are properly adjusted for admitting a sufficiency of air. So must the student and the practitioner of the Sacred Arts open his eyes to the importance of proper breathing. The time is past when one is considered a fanatic because he claims that correct breathing has a close con- nection with salvation of soul. The artificial thinker or the one who wishes an easy path to mastership and attain- ment may regard the subject lightly; but the one who goes deeply into ,soul development becomes thoroughly con- vinced of the absolute necessity of cultivating correct hab- its in this regard. Now, more than ever before, man sees geiore his eyes the time-honored command: "Man, know thyself." And he is beginning at least dimly to comprehend that all crea- tions of human skill, all machinery, whether the engine or the wireless outfit, i,s truly a prototype of himself, and that the force that runs the engine is the same force that is within himself, and that it works in the same manner so far as fundamental principles are concerned. And, just 12 THE DIVINE SPARK as air, and plenty of it, is necessary to run the engine, so is air, and plenty of it, absolutely necessary to run the human machine perfectly. More than this, air is necessary to the welfare of the Divine Spark and to the generating of soul power. It is impossible for the Divine Spark to manifest the white fire of vital energy and soul force un- less it is fed with the AEthereal essences extracted from the air. Through the act of breathing, the human machine ob- tains from the air a current of power, which gives to the body, nerves and muscles, the principle of action and re- action. Through this current of power from the air, the human organism receives "the breath of life." But it ob- tains more than the breath of life. It obtains therewith a certain energy or force, called by Initiates the ABth; and the greater the knowledge of the Initiate, the greater amount of this vital sub,stance he can take to himself- This subtle quality, called AEth, derived from the air, gives en- ergy to the Divine Spark. The record says, "God breath- ed the breath of life into man, and he became a living soul." Thus, it is seen that, through the act of breathing, God accomplishes in man two things — He gives life to the body, and, out of "the 'little point of Divinity within," He makes a living Soul. It i,s a fact — and one held by the Illuminati as an ab- solute principle — that, if man lives right and breathes right, he takes in with every breath not only more of life to the physical being, but also a subtle quality of Living Fire, which feeds the soul and generates a divine power. The AEth, the subtle quality of living fire, is indeed a part of the Godhood; and it i,s this which stimulates and feeds the element of Divinity in man. It is this which raises him above the animal plane and lifts his consciousness to the realm of the gods and angelic forces. It is this which makes him more than man. It is thi,s which gives more vitality and vigor, more energy and force, more conserva- THE DIVINE; SPARK 13 tion of power, and more skill and efficiency in guiding and in making use of the power thu,s generated- Every inspiration of air gives to the blood in the lungs more of the electrical power that is necessary to cause the heart to expand. Under normal conditions, if breathing is as it should be, man breathes one time to every four beats of the heart. The mechanic knows that the machine in perfect running order makes about four revolutions to each explosion, or to each ignition of the spark. If the human machine is not in normal condition, if there is dis- ease, if the Divine Spark is clogged with material foreign to its nature, or if correct habits of breathing have not been established, the intakes of air may be twice as rapid and frequent ; and the result is a loss of power. Another item in connection with breathing is not to be overlooked — that is, the value of exhalation. With every exhalation, a certain amount of dead or waste material is thrown out of the system. Were this wa,ste material al- lowed to remain in the system, its accumulation would in- terfere with the normal and regular creation of "the spark of soul power," as well as with the normal and regular creation of "the spark of physical life." This is the very thing that occurs in far too many cases. In many instances, lack of pure, fresh air in the sleeping room accounts for excessive languor and general debility. The necessity of full, deep exhalation cannot be over-estimated. Correct exhalation of air has much to do with cleans- ing the thought life. The system may become clogged with the taint of destructive thought and feeling- Through full, deep, steady, slow exhalations, the accumulations of dead and poisonous material are thrown out. Much more effective is the process if the individual understands this principle and if he consciously and voluntarily "breathes out" and "lets go of" the tainted atmosphere of destruc- tive thought and feeling. Through deep, full inhalations, the pure AEthic quality of the air cleanses and vivifies the 14 THE DIVINE) SPARK system, and stimulates noble aspirations and pure, whole- some thought and feeling. If man comprehends this principle of cleansing and stimulating the thought life through the power of the breath and if he, practices the art of breathing understand- ingly, with this purpose in mind, in time, the Divine Spark will have become cleansed of the poisonous accumulations which have been surrounding it. Then it will be able to manifest the maximum amount of divine power and en- ergy. In the engine, we can simply unscrew the spark plug and take it out and cleanse it with the proper cleansing agents, and then return it to its place. In the human machine, the process of cleansing the Divine Spark is a different proposition. The cleansing agents are love, forgiveness, and other graces of heart, administered in connection with an abundance of vitaliz- ing air. Exhalation and inhalation are both necessary to the act of breathing. Neither one alone constitutes res- piration. Each is as important as the other; and the full, complete act of respiration requires the one as much a,s the other. Likewise, in the cleansing of the thought life, letting go of poisonous material is not sufficient. Ridding the system of waste matter must be accompanied by a nor- mal intaking of pure, wholesome material. Breathing in . mUjSt supplement breathing out. And an abundance of vi- talizing air is required by him who aspires to power of soul. Welfare of both body and soul demands an abun- dance of vitalizing air. Respiration is not limited to the lungs. The whole system breathes. The air taken in imparts to every struc- ture of the organism a certain motional or functionary activity. This constant and incessant intaking of air im- parts a subtle quality, which allows the soul-center to throw out sparks and thereby keep the whole machinery running smoothly and in perfect order. THE DIVINE SPARK 15 Here we must note a difference between the material machine and the human organism. In the engine, we have simply a material structure, a material unit, which, with the proper amount of air and fuel and with the proper current, or creation of electric sparks, will run until it is worn out and then stop ( short. Or, in case some particular part of the machinery is brok- en or worn out, it may be replaced with a new piece, made to fit exactly in its place. In the human machine, there is the power to re-create new parts or new cells as fast as they are worn out. The process of re- creation i,s simultaneous w ith, or immediate- ly succeeds, the process of disintegration. Indeed, so re- markable is the process of re-creating worn-out cells and tissues that the highest authorities recognize it as bound- less and endless in possibility; and even scientists of mate- rialistic inclinations admit that there is no rea,son why man should not remake and renew the physical organism in- definitely. Through the infusion of the breath with holy thoughts and passions, man may so energize both body and soul as to make them continually existing. This constant renewing of body and soul constitutes immortality. The choice is ours. The ideal is ours to choose — ■ whether we will have a physical machine as generator of power which runs satisfactorily for a time and then stops, or whether we will constantly infuse into our organism air that has been vitalized and charged with a force that enables the Divine Spark to manifest itself as an immor- tal individuality. The choice is ours — whether we will practice the art of a twofold breathing, thus accomplish- ing a twofold purpose. It is ours, if we will, to breathe in more than mere air which sustains physical life. Si- multaneously with the process of normal physical respira- tion, we may, if we will, breathe in, or extract from the air, a subtle force or essence produced by the thought with which the inbreathed air is charged. This ,subtle quality 16 THE DIVINE SPARK or essence enables the Divine Spark to attain conscious- ness as an individualized soul. There is this difference between the perfect physical being and the perfect soul being. He who is a perfect physical being merely, lives in the material only, and breathes in physical life and strength only. He who lives in the soul also breathes in physical life and strength and may be a perfect physical being; but, in addition, he charges the inbreathed air with (the mighty potency of his thoughts and desires and passions, thereby producing a subtle quality which quickens the element of divinity in his nature into an immortal being. The (Student should make careful note of this princi- ple in the very beginning; for, if he does not, if he thinks it unimportant, he will find in good time that it is nec- essary to retrace his steps and master elementary prin- ciples. The contraction of the brain, which is the creator of mental forces, takes place simultaneously with the inhaling of air. Thus, brain and lungs, or thought and power-cre- ating organs, work in unison. And, as is the depth of res- piration, so is the depth of thought. At the same instant that the cortical glands of the brain are inspiring the nerves with vital force and energy, the lungs are imparting to the same fiber their motion. This rhythmical co-opera- tion between brain and lungs, between thought and breath, is of va,st significance. Harmony of thought, constructive, wholesome thought in unison with the inhalation of vital- izing air gives to the whole being the maximum amount of power and energy. If the thoughts are destructive or agitated and if the mental state is gloomy while the lungs are being inflated with air, inharmony results, and vitality is thereby depleted. Right thinking and right breathing are the two es- sentials of health, perfection, and happiness. Without these two factors, the perfect life is an impossibility. THE DIVINE SPARK 17 For this reason, the true schools of Initiation have always insisted on proper breathing and wholesome think- ing. The u ( se of Sacred M'antrams in connection with ap- propriate breathing exercises is based on the principle of co-operation between brain and lungs. The importance of such exercises cannot be over-emphasized. It is at this very point that students in large num- bers fail. They treat the subject lightly, and consider breathing exercises a non-essential, and even unworthy of the attention of one who is aiming at Initiation, or Soul Development. They have the mistaken notion that ab- stract thought and mysticism alone are sufficient to build up power of soul. They have yet to learn that true mys- ticism recognizes the physical as well as the spiritual, that true mysticism is not weak and inane, and one-sided in its methods. The true mystic is alive, alert, and eager to ap- propriate all that is beneficial to both body and soul. The matter of right breathing and right thinking seems to the student simple and elementary, hence he regards it light- ly. The methods that aim at right thinking and right breathing are indeed simple; but in simplicity there is power. A student manifests profound wisdom in trying to perfect himself in the art of right thinking and right breathing. And, when he becomes thoroughly interested in the work, he will find that to establish habits of right thinking and right breathing is not such an easy under- taking after all, but that it demands as much skill and power of execution as any other fine art. The thought, the mental state, may be changed, modi- fied, by the type and the quality of one's respiration. Every mental state has a respiration answering to it, or corre- sponding to it. Who does not know the short, quick breath that accompanies an excited state of mind, the sus- pended breath of fright, and the steady, even inhalation and exhalation of the mind that is calm, peaceful, and happy? By exercising voluntary control over one's rqs- 18 THE DIVINE' SPARK piration, it is possible to make practical use of the law of correspondence existing between states of mind and types cf breathing. To induce the habit of calm, even, regular breathing, tends toward the habit of calm, reposeful think- ing. To cultivate habits of deep rhythmical breathing, is to cultivate habits of constructive, harmonious thought. The man who breathes deeply and rhythmically is the man who is gradually developing and manifesting the greatest possible amount of true life and power. He who be- comes proficient in thought-control and in breath-contro 1 ! is on the road to Initiateship. He who can accompany in- halation and exhalation each by an appropriate thought manifests mystic power. Whenever you find a human being that is weak, men- tally or physically, you are almost sure to find a human being that breathes superficially, one that does not take in enough air to mix with the energy-giving material. Con- sequently, there is an improper combination, there results a certain amount of energy and life, but there is also a large amount of unused material, which clogs the system and covers the Divine Spark, reducing the ignition spark. And usually, pqssibly without exception, you find that the artificial breather is one who takes in an over-suffi- cient amount of food. In this we have an exact parallel with what takes place in case of the engine. Through the inexperience of the operator, the engine is given too much gasoline and not enough air. The result is, while at every ignition of the spark there is a certain amount of energy produced, yet there is al,so, on account of the improper combination, the imperfect ignition, a certain amount of smoke. Not only does the improper ignition fail to pro- duce the full amount of power, but the smoke gradually coats over the ignition point so that in time it is complete- ly covered over, and the spark can be no longer produced, then the engine stops short and there is no power at all. Now, food is to the body what gasoline is to the en- THE DIVINE SPARK 19 gine. And he who does not breathe sufficiently, but takes in an unnecessary amount of food, gradually congests the system. The center of life-giving spark becomes coated over with waste material, and disease and suffering result. Furthermore, the Divine Spark, the soul itself, becomes more and more sluggish, and incapable of manifesting its individuality. From these comparisons, let us review the most im- portant points- First, in order to reach the highest stage of devel- opment, it i,s necessary for the student to practice deep, full breathing; for this is an essential, the very foundation of a'll power, both physical and spiritual. Second, one must learn to free the mind of evil, de- structive thoughts, desires, and passions. He must .substi- tute in the place of undesirable mental states Sacred Man- trams, and constructive, holy desires and thoughts. Third, the student must learn not to take in more food than the system requires in order to form a perfect com- bustion and give the greatest amount of energy with the least amount of waste. As the electrician or engineer finds it wi,se to use the best grade of gasoline, so must the as- pirant after soul power give attention to his food in re- gard to quality, and select only the best and the purest. Would we not consider him a foolish man, who, having bought an expensive . automobile, uses a cheap gasoline, mixed with water or other energy-reducing material? We well know that in this way he would reduce the power and the speed of his machine. And yet, thi^s is just what the majority of mankind is doing with the human machinery. No longer is it. regarded foolish to teach that correct breathing is an essential, the first essential to immortality; for we are learning a few things of importance from the skilful electrician. THE GREAT PYRAMID A TEMPLE OF INITIATION There has alway ( s been, among people generally, more or less of a mystery attached to the Great Pyramid of Egypt. This will continue to be, except among the few who have given serious study to the problem. There are, one might say, two "schools of belief" con- cerning this wonderful piece of work. One school holds to the belief that the Pyramid was pimply a burial place. The other teaches that it was a place of secret Initiation, that in every detail ft represents a system whence all true Initiation takes its origin. The fact is, the Great Pyramid was a dual institution. It was a burial place for Initiate-Priests. It was also a Temple of Initiation, the highest form of Initiation ever known to man. More than this, the pyramid was a sym- bol, a representation, of man. The Great Pyramid, often called "Cheops," stands directly at the center of the land surface of the entire earth. At one time in the year, the sun shines on the apex of this wonderful structure, and no shadow is cast on either side- It is then bathed in the rays of the sun, and there is neither shadow nor darkness. Why was the Pyramid built at the center of the earth? Or why built in Egypt? It is a remarkable fact that Egypt has never been subject to floods or earthquakes, cataclysms or devasta^ tions by the elements, such as other lands have known., w This consideration alone makes Egypt a suitable spot foij THE GREAT PYRAMID 21 the erection of a Temple that was designed to ,stand through the centuries as a monument of power and wis- dom. Call to mind the exalted type of civilization and learn- ing which characterized Egypt during the period in which the Temple was erected and in which it was the center of power. This consideration also makes Egyptian soil the spot of all spots the mo,st appropriate for yielding a prod- uct that was to endure the tests of time. No one, not even the most extreme materialist, questions Egypt's right to the title often given it, "Egypt, the divine, the land blessed cf God and the gods." Who denies Egypt's superiority in wisdom? Much can be said in favor of the keen intel- lects of modern mathematicians, much can be said in favor of their mathematical instruments and mechanical devices and of dexterity in the use of them; but what has been added to the Laws of Geometry since representatives of Egypt formulated them? Egypt was the cradle of material and spiritual arts. Hers was the art of colors. Hers was the art of work- ing in brass. Hers was the art of burial of the dead. What people pretends to claim ma,stery of the art of em- balming as was Egypt master of it? But, in an especial manner, wa,s she master of spiritual arts. Her Initiate- Priests were permitted to come into direct touch with the fountain of Wisdom. They held communion with the an- gelic hosts. Adept,s they were in the science and the art of Hierarchic Invocations. Healers of the afflicted, and teachers of wisdom and spiritual truth were they. They understood the laws of nature, and realized that their land was the spot to be honored with a material token of wis- dom, which should stand undisturbed by the elements through the centuries. This material token of wisdom they constructed with such precision and with such solid- ity that, even though their civilization might fall, the struc- ture itself, as a symbol of their mighty civilization, might 22 THE GREAT PYRAMID endure, faithful witness to the truth embodied in its work- manship. A great task, an exalted undertaking, is assigned to him who, by nature and by training, is best fitted for it. P'or this reason, the divine economy of the universe metes out to Egyptian wisdom and dexterity the honor of per- fecting an enduring symbol of man in his work of redemp- tion- Likewise, the wisdom that "causes all things to work together for good" 'locates a monumental symbol in the land in which, for reasons physical, climatic, and at- mospheric, it is most likely to endure. The brief consid- eration already given to these two points answer the ques- tion as to why Egypt t should have been chosen as the land of pyramids. But there is another, a deeper, reason why the Great Pyramid, the mighty Temple of Initiation, should be lo- cated at the center of the earth's land surface, and why its apex should annually mark the sun's direct rays. In this respect, the Pyramid is a perfect symbol of man when he has reached the state called Illumination of Soul, or Soul Consciousness. After man has passed through a system of training in self-mastery, after he has endured the tests and the ordeals of such a training, and has perfected in his nature the qualities of love and for- giveness, he comes to the point in his experience in which the Sun of Righteousness shines upon his Temple and casts no shadow either to the right or to the left. The soul within man has become the Sun of Righteousness and Perfection. Its rays fall upon the Temple, the puri- fied body, and neither is there shadow nor is there dark- ness. Man reaches this state only through living the ex- alted life, and through enduring the tests and the strug- gles and the experiences necessary to the purification of his nature. Once more, corresponding to the fact that the Great Pyramid stands at the center of the land surface of the THE GREAT PYRAMID 23 earth, let it be stated briefly, that the physical seat of soul power in man is also situated at the center of his physical frame, thu,s giving him greater advantage and greater pow- er and greater possibilities. 