Series 2 - Lesson 10 - Annotation 14
Explain the text "the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and men of violence take it by force" (Matt. 11:12).
14. The kingdom of heaven is an expanding consciousness of the Kingdom of God (realm of divine ideas) producing harmony in mind, body, and affairs. Due to the many negative states of consciousness in which man has allowed himself to indulge, he is able to attain this harmony or peace of mind only by making very positive affirmations of Truth.
The root meaning of violent is "strength, force." We have added the thought of "unpleasantness" to this word in our language use. As the lesson brings out, the German translation interprets this text as concerned with the strong, positive assertion by the will. Only through willing to be spiritually minded are we able to train our thinking and feeling phases of mind (soul) to be strong and positive. The subconscious (feeling) phase of mind is reeducated and thus able to produce that which is good and true, so the whole man is brought into a state of spiritual fulfillment.
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Preceding Entry: What has free will to do with expression?
Following Entry: What is the difference between mental suggestion and spiritual realization?
