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Saying 63
Jesus said, "There was a rich man who had much money. He said, 'I shall put my
money to use so that I may sow, reap, plant and fill my storehouse with produce,
with the result that I shall lack nothing.' Such were his intentions, but that same
night he died. Let one who has ears hear."
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Now it is an obvious truth that, when death comes, regardless of our intentions and however
noble they might have been, all is said and done. What has not been done and not been said
remains unsaid and undone, and we take with us only what we have sown and therefore
reaped from this life. Life is short and it is best to make the most of it, especially in terms of
refinement and evolution of the soul. Life is precious. It must be understood that, while
incarnation again and again into the material plane of existence is, in a certain sense,
bondage and exile, at the same time it is a great blessing, for it is in the material plane of
existence that the soul has the greatest possibility for swift refinement and evolution.
Although, according to the masters of all Wisdom Traditions, these times in which we live are
extremely dark and degenerate, at the same time they tell us that incarnation in these times
holds more potential for conscious evolution than times past. Although some degree of
advancement in the development and evolution of the soul can occur in more subtle realms
and worlds -- such as those in astral, mental, causal, and spiritual planes experienced during
the transition through afterlife states -- what progress might be made is very slow and
happens only over the course of vast spans of existence.
Typically whatever is accomplished in more subtle dimensions must ultimately be embodied in
the physical or material plane to be brought to fruition. In truth, the actual advancement of the
soul happens through incarnation in the material plane, whatever is attained here in the
physical plane being a true and lasting attainment. When we understand this, we become
aware of why this life in the material plane is considered so precious by initiates of the
mysteries, for they know life not only in the ordinary and mundane context but in terms of its
vast potential for conscious spiritual evolution. If one truly realizes this greater purpose and
meaning of life to the soul-being, one certainly is not so inclined to squander such a priceless
opportunity upon vain and worldly things, but will naturally direct more time and energy
toward one's psychic and spiritual evolution and the attainment of the kingdom of heaven.
Frankly, just as one does not know the hour of one 's death, one also does not know when
one will again have the opportunity for swift and radical advancement of the soul. The truth is
that, if one incarnates rapidly into the material plane following this life there is no certainty of
what the conditions of the next life will be, whether they will afford auspicious circumstances
for spiritual practice and spiritual living that lead to advancement or instead they will be very
inauspicious circumstances. Likewise, rather than a swift return into incarnation in the
material plane, the soul could get caught up into incarnation within the domains of the cosmic
forces on another plane, the duration of which could last a very long time. While some
incarnations of this nature may prove relatively pleasurable, they could also prove dread and
terrible as in the case of the entrance of the soul-being into one of the realms of hell. Even in
the case of a pleasurable incarnation in more subtle realm or world, the possibility of the
advancement of the soul would most likely be very slight, if at all. Departing such an
incarnation might prove to be a deeply sorrowful and painful thing -- so much so that it could
lead to a vital recoil, producing of a far less favorable incarnation because of the violence of
the vital nature as the time of death or transition. Thus, the opportunity of this present
incarnation is something you cannot be certain will come again so soon in the future, and it is
most special in the case of a noble soul who has encountered their holy tzaddik and has
consciously entered into the path of ascension. The wealthy individual that the Master is
speaking of is the disciple. Teachings and initiations, the opportunity to invest the precious
good fortune in actual practice and life, is a great wealth and treasury -- an enlightenment
treasury. Since one does not know when they will be so spiritually wealthy again, it is best if
they make the most of the opportunity while they have it, lest in not making use of it, they lose
it and do find it again for a very long time. Now is the time to generate and manifest the Body
of Light, to realize the resurrection and eternal life. Now is the time to seek to receive your
Ruach and Neshamah, to embody your heavenly soul and unite yourself completely with the
indwelling Christ.
Now is the time to make for yourself a place in the kingdom of heaven and to build your
heavenly mansion, the reward of good and noble works. Now is the time -- there is no other --
for if you do not accomplish these things in life, then you will not attain them in the afterlife.
You will receive in the afterlife the fruit of your labors. If that labor was only for vain and empty
things, then vanity and emptiness -- poverty-- will be yours. If, on the other hand, that labor
was for things good and noble and Spirit-filled, then good and noble things will be yours, and
you will receive the Divine fullness and be wealthy in the Holy Spirit What is spoken here is a
simple truth that, if you search your heart, somewhere deep inside yourself, you already
know. Thus, let your holy intention bear the good fruits of righteousness and holiness and
good works, investing what the Lord has given you wisely, so that you might receive yet more
and have more to share and to give. Fill your storehouse with good produce and treasure
now, so that you may have them with you when you seek and need them. Bear this in mind:
Whatever you attain now, you will have always. Whatever you do not attain will not be with
you when you depart this world. Let those who have ears, listen and hear!
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From The Gnostic Gospel of St. Thomas: Meditations on the Mystical Teachings
by Tau Malachi (c) 2004, Llewellyn Publishers.
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