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