________________
358
THE KEY OF KNOWLEDGE.
The 'Creative Power' in man begins to re-arrange the molecules of the body and brain, and to re-mould the emotions, when there is a sincere repentance of sin. The process of elimination of wickedness, however, requires a belief in the ability of the Creative Power' to accomplish this beneficial change. Hence, when you have no faith in the ability of this Power itself, how can you invoke its aid, or allow it to do you any good ? In plain language, spirit or soul is an entity which is capable of attaining the highest ideal of perfection as well as of falling into the lowest state of degradation and helplessness. Pure consciousness, i.e., intelligence, by nature, it is affected by its beliefs, so that its attainment of its high and sublime Ideal is really dependent on its own faith, which may electrify the individual will into omnipotence to sweep away all obstruction from its. path, or throw it into the gutter of impotence and ineffectiveness, according as it is inspired by true wisdom or by false and untrue notions about itself. Will being, thus, the source of all good, it is impossible to undo the effect of belittling its power; for an impotent will is. incapable of doing good, and nothing but impotence can result to will hy holding it in derision. It is, therefore, the only sin which cannot be forgiven, and the punishment of which is eternal 'damnation, that is, being lost in the ocean of transmigration.
The notion of baptism, which we now proceed to consider, is also a profound doctrine. The world now merely looks upon it as a sacrament; but it was something so difficult to understand that one of the Pharisees, a man Nicodemus by name, who was a ruler of the Jews,
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org