Court Decisions
So much has been said, and is still being
said, written, aired on radio and television, and argued in the courtrooms about
abortion these days that one is inclined to believe further mention of the
subject is obnoxious to most people. However, the decision in regard to this
matter by the Supreme Court of the United States, which in effect nullifies
restrictive abortion laws in the various states, makes the student of the deeper
truths of life and being more uncomfortably aware than ever of the imperative
need for added understanding of the factors and deplorable consequences involved
in this un-Christian practice which has become so alarmingly casual and
frequent.
Formerly, in most places abortion was
legally permissible only if the welfare of the mother required it. That it was
often illegally and unscientifically performed by unqualified people is well
known, this no doubt being one of the factors in bringing about the movement to
legalize abortion in the United States. Of course, making it "legal"
in no wise lessens the moral implications, even though it may reduce the
proportion of cases where physical harm to the mother occurs.
In its historic decision the Court held
that the State's prohibition of early abortion would be an unconstitutional
invasion of a woman's privacy, since the sole legitimate interest of the State
in this matter is to make sure that abortion, as a "medical process,"
takes place under circumstances which provide adequately for the safety of the
patient. This would naturally require the services of a licensed medical
practitioner. Furthermore, in the opinion of the Court, the State can
constitutionally take steps to protect the unborn child only after the
developing fetus has reached the stage of "independent life." Avoiding
the crucial question as to just when "independent life" begins in the
forming body, the Court went on to add the following: "When those trained
in the respective disciplines of medicine, philosophy, and theology are unable
to arrive at any consensus, the judiciary, at this point in the development of
man's knowledge, is not in a position to speculate as to the answer."
Since this matter is of such vital import
to all of the human race, both now and in the future, and its consequences so
far-reachingly deplorable and contrary to spiritual unfoldment, it would most
certainly benefit every adult individual to consider it open-mindedly in all its
physical and spiritual aspects. The Court's reference to "this point in the
development of man's knowledge" must surely refer only to the knowledge
which is "accepted" by the general public. Fortunately, there are
human beings who have progressed far enough spiritually to have acquired
knowledge not yet accepted by the majority of mankind. Among those advanced ones
are the Brothers of the Rose Cross, Adepts who work constantly for the welfare
of humanity, and who have given out the Western Wisdom Teachings in their
efforts to counteract the insidious effects of materialism and to further
spiritual evolution in general.
Laws of Rebirth and Consequence
Prominent among the truths in this Teaching
are the twin laws of Rebirth and Consequence. The doctrine of rebirth teaches
that each Ego is an integral part of God, enfolding all divine possibilities;
that by means of repeated existences in gradually improving bodies the latent
possibilities are developed into dynamic powers; that none are lost by this
process, but that all mankind will ultimately attain the goal of perfection and
reunion with God. What we are, what we have, all our good qualities are the
result of our actions in the past. What we lack in physical, mental, or moral
excellence may yet be ours in the future. As we sow, so shall we reap. Each life
provides us with experiences essential for our progress. If we are not allowed
to incarnate in a physical body, we do not have the experiences.
The generally accepted idea about
"killing" (except by the very materialistic mind, which accepts only
form) is that "life" is terminated, simply because the body is no
longer able to function. This is a mistake. Life is eternal, as both the Bible
and occult science teach, and the individual Spirit inhabiting a body, or
beginning to inhabit it, cannot be destroyed. However, of course, the form in
which it has to live on Earth in order to gain the experience necessary for its
progress can be, and too often is, destroyed. To do this is just as
reprehensible as it is to break any other of the spiritual laws governing our
universe. "Thou shalt not kill" is a basic law for humanity, even
though it refers only to the form, and those who defy it, by abortion or
otherwise, must at some future time pay a heavy penalty.
Holy Creative Force
Another most vital point to be considered
in connection with the practice of abortion is the sacredness of the creative
power in the human being. This is the Holy Spirit aspect of God and man,
referred to in numerous places in the Bible (Matt. 1:18, Mark 1:8, Luke 1:15,
John 14:26, Acts 2:4, etc.), the power that is used to create not only physical
bodies that is used to create not only physical bodies but also, on a higher
level, mental and emotional accomplishments in literature, poetry, art, music,
science, etc. To misuse this holy power for gratification of the senses is the
"great transgression" spoken of in Psalm 19:13. This is the
"sin" (action contrary to spiritual law) that is not forgiven, but
must be expiated through suffering in diseased and incapacitated bodies and
minds. As Christ Jesus said explicitly: "All manner of sin and blasphemy
shall be forgiven unto men; but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not
be forgiven unto men." (Matt. 12:31).
When one considers the intricate and
awe-inspiring process which takes place in the invisible worlds, involving the
activities of the Angels and their helpers, to bring an Ego back into a physical
body, and all of the past causes and effects that enter into this event, he or
she surely must hesitate to destroy the infant vehicle, even if it had been in
formation for only a short time. Let us recount briefly how occult science
describes this process.
Ego's Preparation for Rebirth
After having been strengthened in the
ineffable harmony of the higher world called the Third Heaven (mentioned by St.
Paul in II Corinthians 12:2), the Ego has a desire for new experiences in the
Physical world and begins to contemplate a new birth. This conjures up a series
of pictures before the vision of the Spirit--a panorama of the new life in store
for it, containing the principal events which begin at the cradle and end at the
grave. In some cases several panoramas may be shown, so that the advanced Ego
has a choice.
Having chosen the life it will live, the
Spirit, possessing only the forces of the four seed-atoms (the nuclei of the
dense, vital, and desire bodies, and the sheath of mind), the Ego begins its
descent into the Physical World. The forces of the mind of the last life are
awakened from their latency in the seed-atom, and begin to attract materials
from the Region of concrete Thought for which it has an affinity. The same then
occurs for the desire, the etheric, and the dense bodies. This material forms
itself into a great bell-shaped figure, open at the bottom, with the seed-atom
at the top. When the proper time comes, the building of the new body and its placement
in the proper environment is done by the four great Beings known as the
Recording Angels, or Lords of Destiny. The vital body is built by the
inhabitants of the heaven world and the Nature Spirits in such a manner as to
form a particular type of brain. However, the returning Ego itself incorporates
therein the quintessence of its former vital bodies, and in addition to this
also does a little original work.
The vital body, having been molded by the
Lords of Destiny, will give form to the dense body, organ for organ. This matrix
or mold is then placed in the womb of the future mother. The seed-atom for the
dense body is in the triangular head of one of the spermatozoa in the semen of
the father.
When the impregnation of the ovum has taken
place, the desire body of the mother works upon it for a period of time from
eighteen to twenty-one days, the Ego remaining outside in its desire body and
mind sheath, yet always in close touch with the mother. Upon the expiration of
that time, the Ego enters the mother's body. The bell-shaped vehicles draw
themselves down over the head of the vital body and the bell closes at the
bottom. The Ego broods over its coming instrument, asserting its individuality
and resisting formation by the mother of the nucleated blood cells. The old
cells gradually disappear, so that when the silver cord is tied at the
quickening, all nuclei have disappeared, and the Ego is absolute autocrat of its
vehicle, a precious heritage.
Transmuting the Sex Force
Thus we see that abortion, while it does
not kill the Spirit, which is eternal, does destroy the form essential for its
use on Earth to gain necessary experience, and is therefore a most sinful and
degrading act. It matters not at what stage of its growth the fetus is
destroyed, the dire consequences are the same.
What is the sensible solution to this
immoral practice? Simply put, it is self-control. Human beings will at some time
have to learn to master the Luciferian urge and not allow the power of lust to
direct their lives. A high ideal, yes, but upon its achievement depends the
welfare of the race.
However, it should be thoroughly understood
that the mere suppression of sexual attraction is not a virtue in itself. The
creative force must be used-- directed into higher channels.
Instead of seeking physical gratification
when conscious of the surging impulses of the lower nature, if the individual
will focus his thoughts and imagination upon something he or she desires to
create--a poem, an invention, a picture, a musical composition, or some material
demonstration such as a poem or a new business venture--he or she will find that
a double purpose is served. The objective demonstration will be accelerated and
the process of transmutation or regeneration within his or her body will, at the
same time, be noticeably stimulated. Physical exercise alone is also of help,
but when accompanied by creative thoughts is more effective.
Meditation upon high and inspiring subjects
has power literally to transform forces impregnating the sexual fluids, for
these fluids are really carriers of etheric force, the true creative agent. An
inspiring poem or passage from the scriptures can be the channel for immediate
direction of the thoughts and creative power into uplifting currents. By
consciously directing pure love currents from the heart into the creative
centers of the brain, sexual activity may be transmuted into activities of mind
and spirit, with a corresponding birth upon the mental and spiritual plane.
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