an excerpt from

Unity - The Dawn of Conscious Civilization

The Ecstatic Fire of Now

The essential purpose of all religious discourse is to provoke a thirst for freedom. Rarely does spiritual growth happen just by reading books or listening to teachers; it requires immersion in the fire of Now.

The fire of Now is dangerous for those who are attached to toys and illusions. These include your desires, your need for attention, success or approval, and whatever pulls you outward away from your centre.

 You are programed by Source to desire and to achieve. You are addicted to dreams of the future and memories of the past. The primary illusion is identification with your mind as 'me'.

Immersion in the fire of Now burns away your obsession with these illusions of the mind. The fire of Now is fueled by the eternal energy of Source. It is cosmic awareness and unconditional love. The fire of Now reveals your true identity: transcendental consciousness.

Consciousness is the alpha and the omega; it is the means to purify your soul of attachment to illusions and, ultimately, it is what you really are. The fire of Now burns the primary attachment to your ego-self. All secondary attachments disappear when the root is cut.

You are attached to you: me, myself and I. My life, my feeling, my guru. I like, I don't like. I want, I don't want. Every time you use the words 'me' or 'my' or 'I', enquire: To whom is this 'I' referring? If it is your body and its real needs, this is necessary even for enlightened ones.

Mostly, if you observe closely, you will find that it is your ego, the false centre that has been programed to create your sense of separation by trying to get the best for you.

Ego is needed only when you don't trust that Source always gives you what you really need. Trust arises from deeply understanding the set-up. One of the primary purposes of this book is to provide a rational basis for trust.

Trust is supported by understanding that your life is a gift from God and is always perfect for the complex needs of your soul's epic odyssey of evolution. You can see part of the picture. Source sees all: your past, present and future at the same time. He knows what He's doing. Let Him manage the big picture; you focus on transformation through immersion in the conscious energy of Now.

You will still take care of the basic practicalities of life. God needs your hands to tie your camel, but there is no value or utility in worrying about your future and old age. Every event in your life and all existence was ordained by Source before the universe existed.

Now it is time to live this understanding. This challenge brings you to the fire of Now. Surrender your ego to the fire of Now at your centre. Let your pain, your fear, your resistance burn in awareness and unconditional love. Let the gaps of silent awareness grow deeper and deeper.

Call off the search for anything that pulls you away from the primacy of Now, including enlightenment in the future.

Face yourself as you are. Meet each divine moment with awareness, equanimity and acceptance. Open to the ecstatic fire of Now. Let it burn your toys and illusions.

Be free.