| The different stages of growth are | | | | they are the language that the souls in |
| absolutely necessary to the attainment | | | | that stage can understand. |
| of purity and perfection. The varying | | | | The next idea that I want to bring to |
| systems of religion are at bottom | | | | you is that religion does not consist in |
| founded on the same ideas. Jesus says | | | | doctrines or dogmas. It is not what you |
| the kingdom of heaven is within you. | | | | read, nor what dogmas you believe that |
| Again he says, "Our father who art in | | | | is of importance,but what you realise. |
| Heaven." How do you reconcile the two | | | | "Blessed are the pure in heart,for they |
| sayings? In this way: He was talking to | | | | shall see God," yea, in this life. And |
| the uneducated masses when he said the | | | | that is salvation. There are those who |
| latter, the masses who were uneducated | | | | teach that this can be gained by the |
| in religion. It was necessary to speak | | | | mumbling of words. But no great Master |
| to them in their own language. The | | | | ever taught that external forms were |
| masses want concrete ideas,something the | | | | necessary for salvation. The power of |
| senses can grasp. A man may be the | | | | attaining it is within ourselves. We |
| greatest philosopher in the world,but a | | | | live and move in God. Creeds and sects |
| child in religion. When a man has | | | | have their parts to play, but they are |
| developed a high state of spirituality | | | | for children,they last but |
| he can understand that the kingdom of | | | | temporarily.Books never make religions, |
| heaven is within him.That is the real | | | | but religions make books. We must not |
| kingdom of the mind. Thus we see that | | | | forget that. No book ever created God, |
| the apparent contradictions and | | | | but God inspired all the great books. |
| perplexities in every religion mark but | | | | And no book ever created a soul. We must |
| different stages of growth. And as such | | | | never forget that. The end of all |
| we have no right to blame anyone for his | | | | religions is the realising of God in the |
| religion. There are stages of growth in | | | | soul. That is the one universal |
| which forms and symbols are necessary; | | | | religion. |