Changes

91:3.1 [[Children]], when first [[learning]] to make use of [[language]], are prone to [[think]] out loud, to [[express]] their [[thoughts]] in [[words]], even if no one is present to hear them. With the [[dawn]] of [[creative]] [[imagination]] they evince a [[tendency]] to converse with imaginary companions. In this way a budding [[ego]] seeks to hold [[communion]] with a fictitious [[alter ego]]. By this [[technique]] the child early learns to [[convert]] his monologue conversations into pseudo [[dialogues]] in which this [[alter ego]] makes replies to his verbal [[thinking]] and [[wish]] [[expression]]. Very much of an adult's [[thinking]] is mentally carried on in [[conversational]] [[form]].

91:3.1 [[Children]], when first [[learning]] to make use of [[language]], are prone to [[think]] out loud, to [[express]] their [[thoughts]] in [[words]], even if no one is present to hear them. With the [[dawn]] of [[creative]] [[imagination]] they evince a [[tendency]] to converse with imaginary companions. In this way a budding [[ego]] seeks to hold [[communion]] with a fictitious [[alter ego]]. By this [[technique]] the child early learns to [[convert]] his monologue conversations into pseudo [[dialogues]] in which this [[alter ego]] makes replies to his verbal [[thinking]] and [[wish]] [[expression]]. Very much of an adult's [[thinking]] is mentally carried on in [[conversational]] [[form]].

91:3.2 The early and [[primitive]] form of [[prayer]] was much like the semimagical [[recitations]] of the present-day [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toda_people Toda tribe], [[prayers]] that were not addressed to anyone in particular. But such [[techniques]] of praying tend to evolve into the [[dialogue]] type of [[communication]] by the [[emergence]] of the [[idea]] of an [[alter ego]]. In time the alter-ego [[concept]] is exalted to a superior [[status]] of [[divine]] [[dignity]], and [[prayer]] as an [[agency]] of [[religion]] has appeared. Through many [[phases]] and during long ages this [[primitive]] type of praying is destined to evolve before ''attaining'' the level of [[intelligent]] and truly ethical [[prayer]].

91:3.2 The early and [[primitive]] form of [[prayer]] was much like the semimagical [[recitations]] of the present-day [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toda_people Toda tribe], [[prayers]] that were not addressed to anyone in particular. But such [[techniques]] of praying tend to evolve into the [[dialogue]] type of [[communication]] by the [[emergence]] of the [[idea]] of an [[alter ego]]. In time the alter-ego [[concept]] is exalted to a superior [[status]] of [[divine]] [[dignity]], and [[prayer]] as an [[agency]] of [[religion]] has appeared. Through many [[phases]] and during long ages this [[primitive]] type of praying is destined to evolve before ''attaining'' the level of [[intelligent]] and truly ethical [[prayer]].

91:3.3 As it is conceived by [[successive]] [[generations]] of praying [[mortals]], the [[alter ego]] evolves up through [[ghosts]], [[fetishes]], and spirits to [[polytheistic]] gods, and [[eventually]] to the One [[God]], a [[divine]] [[being]] embodying the highest [[ideals]] and the loftiest [[aspirations]] of the praying [[ego]]. And thus does [[prayer]] [[function]] as the most [[potent]] [[agency]] of [[religion]] in the [[conservation]] of the highest [[values]] and [[ideals]] of those who pray. From the [[moment]] of the conceiving of an [[alter ego]] to the [[appearance]] of the [[concept]] of a [[divine]] and heavenly [[Father]], prayer is always a socializing, moralizing, and spiritualizing [[practice]].

91:3.3 As it is conceived by [[successive]] [[generations]] of praying [[mortals]], the [[alter ego]] evolves up through [[ghosts]], [[fetishes]], and spirits to [[polytheistic]] gods, and [[eventually]] to the One [[God]], a [[divine]] [[being]] embodying the highest [[ideals]] and the loftiest [[aspirations]] of the praying [[ego]]. And thus does [[prayer]] [[function]] as the most [[potent]] [[agency]] of [[religion]] in the [[conservation]] of the highest [[values]] and [[ideals]] of those who pray. From the [[moment]] of the conceiving of an [[alter ego]] to the [[appearance]] of the [[concept]] of a [[divine]] and heavenly [[Father]], prayer is always a socializing, moralizing, and spiritualizing [[practice]].

91:3.4 The [[simple]] [[prayer]] of [[faith]] [[evidences]] a mighty [[evolution]] in human [[experience]] whereby the [[ancient]] conversations with the fictitious [[symbol]] of the [[alter ego]] of [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_86#86:7._THE_FUNCTION_OF_PRIMITIVE_RELIGION primitive religion] have become exalted to the level of [[communion]] with the [[spirit]] of the [[Infinite]] and to that of a [[bona fide]] [[consciousness]] of the [[reality]] of the [[eternal]] [[God]] and [[Paradise]] [[Father]] of all [[intelligent]] [[creation]].

91:3.4 The [[simple]] [[prayer]] of [[faith]] [[evidences]] a mighty [[evolution]] in human [[experience]] whereby the [[ancient]] conversations with the fictitious [[symbol]] of the [[alter ego]] of [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_86#86:7._THE_FUNCTION_OF_PRIMITIVE_RELIGION primitive religion] have become exalted to the level of [[communion]] with the [[spirit]] of the [[Infinite]] and to that of a [[bona fide]] [[consciousness]] of the [[reality]] of the [[eternal]] [[God]] and [[Paradise]] [[Father]] of all [[intelligent]] [[creation]].

91:3.5 Aside from all that is superself in the [[experience]] of [[praying]], it should be [[remembered]] that [[ethical]] [[prayer]] is a splendid way to elevate one's [[ego]] and reinforce the [[self]] for better living and higher [[attainment]]. [[Prayer]] induces the [[human]] [[ego]] to look both ways for help: for [[material]] aid to the [[subconscious]] reservoir of [[mortal]] [[experience]], for [[inspiration]] and [[guidance]] to the [[superconscious]] borders of the contact of the [[material]] with the [[spiritual]], with the [[Mystery Monitor]].

91:3.5 Aside from all that is superself in the [[experience]] of [[praying]], it should be [[remembered]] that [[ethical]] [[prayer]] is a splendid way to elevate one's [[ego]] and reinforce the [[self]] for better living and higher [[attainment]]. [[Prayer]] induces the [[human]] [[ego]] to look both ways for help: for [[material]] aid to the [[subconscious]] reservoir of [[mortal]] [[experience]], for [[inspiration]] and [[guidance]] to the [[superconscious]] borders of the contact of the [[material]] with the [[spiritual]], with the [[Mystery Monitor]].

91:3.7 [[Enlightened]] [[prayer]] must [[recognize]] not only an external and [[personal]] [[God]] but also an internal and [[impersonal]] [[Divinity]], the indwelling [[Adjuster]]. It is altogether fitting that man, when he [[prays]], should strive to grasp the [[concept]] of the [[Universal Father]] on [[Paradise]]; but the more [[effective]] [[technique]] for most [[practical]] [[purposes]] will be to revert to the [[concept]] of a near-by [[alter ego]], just as the [[primitive]] [[mind]] was wont to do, and then to [[recognize]] that the [[idea]] of this [[alter ego]] has evolved from a mere [[fiction]] to the [[truth]] of [[God]]'s indwelling [[mortal]] man in the [[factual]] [[presence]] of the [[Adjuster]] so that man can talk face to face, as it were, with a real and genuine and [[divine]] [[alter ego]] that indwells him and is the very [[presence]] and [[essence]] of the living [[God]], the [[Universal Father]].

91:3.7 [[Enlightened]] [[prayer]] must [[recognize]] not only an external and [[personal]] [[God]] but also an internal and [[impersonal]] [[Divinity]], the indwelling [[Adjuster]]. It is altogether fitting that man, when he [[prays]], should strive to grasp the [[concept]] of the [[Universal Father]] on [[Paradise]]; but the more [[effective]] [[technique]] for most [[practical]] [[purposes]] will be to revert to the [[concept]] of a near-by [[alter ego]], just as the [[primitive]] [[mind]] was wont to do, and then to [[recognize]] that the [[idea]] of this [[alter ego]] has evolved from a mere [[fiction]] to the [[truth]] of [[God]]'s indwelling [[mortal]] man in the [[factual]] [[presence]] of the [[Adjuster]] so that man can talk face to face, as it were, with a real and genuine and [[divine]] [[alter ego]] that indwells him and is the very [[presence]] and [[essence]] of the living [[God]], the [[Universal Father]].

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[[Category:Paper 91 - Evolution of Prayer]]

[[Category:Paper 91 - Evolution of Prayer]]