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From Nordan Symposia
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===Praying With Others===
===Praying With Others===
1. Until the second level at least begins, one cannot share in prayer. For until that point, each one must ask for different things. But once the need to hold the other as an enemy has been questioned, and the reason for doing so has been recognized if only for an instant, it becomes possible to join in prayer. Enemies do not share a goal. It is in this their enmity is kept. Their separate wishes are their arsenals; their fortresses in hate. The key to rising further still in prayer lies in this simple thought; this change of mind:
1. Until the second level at least begins, one cannot [[share]] in [[prayer]]. For until that point, each one must ask for [[different]] things. But once the need to hold the other as an [[enemy]] has been questioned, and the reason for doing so has been [[recognized]] if only for an instant, it [[becomes]] possible to join in prayer. Enemies do not [[share]] a goal. It is in this their enmity is kept. Their separate [[wishes]] are their [[arsenals]]; their [[fortresses]] in [[hate]]. The key to rising further still in prayer lies in this [[simple]] [[thought]]; this [[change]] of [[mind]]:
We go together, you and I.
:''We go [[together]], you and I.''
2. Now it is possible to help in prayer, and so reach up yourself. This step begins the quicker ascent, but there are still many lessons to learn. The way is open, and hope is justified. Yet it is likely at first that what is asked for even by those who join in prayer is not the goal that prayer should truly seek. Even together you may ask for things, and thus set up but an illusion of a goal you share. You may ask together for specifics, and not realize that you are asking for effects without the cause. And this you cannot have. For no one can receive effects alone, asking a cause from which they do not come to offer them to him.
2. Now it is possible to help in [[prayer]], and so reach up yourself. This [[step]] begins the quicker [[ascent]], but there are still many lessons to learn. The way is open, and [[hope]] is [[justified]]. Yet it is likely at first that what is asked for even by those who join in prayer is not the [[goal]] that prayer should truly seek. Even together you may ask for things, and thus set up but an [[illusion]] of a [[goal]] you [[share]]. You may ask together for specifics, and not realize that you are asking for [[effects]] without the [[cause]]. And this you cannot have. For no one can receive effects alone, asking a cause from which they do not come to offer them to him.
3. Even the joining, then, is not enough, if those who pray together do not ask, before all else, what is the Will of God. From this Cause only can the answer come in which are all specifics satisfied; all separate wishes unified in one. Prayer for specifics always asks to have the past repeated in some way. What was enjoyed before, or seemed to be; what was another's and he seemed to love,–all these are but illusions from the past. The aim of prayer is to release the present from its chains of past illusions; to let it be a freely chosen remedy from every choice that stood for a mistake. What prayer can offer now so far exceeds all that you asked before that it is pitiful to be content with less.
3. Even the joining, then, is not enough, if those who pray [[together]] do not ask, before all else, what is the [[Will of God]]. From this Cause only can the answer come in which are all specifics [[satisfied]]; all [[separate]] wishes [[unified]] in one. Prayer for specifics always asks to have the past repeated in some way. What was [[enjoyed]] before, or seemed to be; what was another's and he seemed to [[love]],–all these are but [[illusions]] from the [[past]]. The aim of prayer is to release the [[present]] from its chains of past illusions; to let it be a freely chosen remedy from every choice that stood for a [[mistake]]. What prayer can offer now so far exceeds all that you asked before that it is pitiful to be content with less.
4. You have chosen a newborn [[chance]] each time you [[pray]]. And would you stifle and imprison it in ancient [[prisons]], when the chance has come to free yourself from all of them at once? Do not restrict your asking. Prayer can bring the [[peace]] of God. What time-bound thing can give you more than this, in just the little space that lasts until it crumbles into [[dust]]?
===The Ladder Ends===
===The Ladder Ends===
1. Prayer is a way to true humility. And here again it rises slowly up, and grows in strength and love and holiness. Let it but leave the ground where it begins to rise to God, and true humility will come at last to grace the mind that thought it was alone and stood against the world. Humility brings peace because it does not claim that you must rule the universe, nor judge all things as you would have them be. All little gods it gladly lays aside, not in resentment, but in honesty and recognition that they do not serve.
1. Prayer is a way to true humility. And here again it rises slowly up, and grows in strength and love and holiness. Let it but leave the ground where it begins to rise to God, and true humility will come at last to grace the mind that thought it was alone and stood against the world. Humility brings peace because it does not claim that you must rule the universe, nor judge all things as you would have them be. All little gods it gladly lays aside, not in resentment, but in honesty and recognition that they do not serve.
