willing to take us by the hand and lead us on.  The Higher Self is doing the best it can for our development and welfare, but is hampered by the confining sheaths.  And alas, many of us glory in these sheaths and consider them the highest part of ourselves.  Do not be afraid to let the light of the Spirit pierce through these confining sheaths and dissolve them.  The Intuition, however, is not the Spirit, but is one of its channels of communication to us.  There are other and still higher planes of mind, but the Intuition is the one next in the line of unfoldment, and we should open ourselves to its influence and welcome its unfoldment.

Above the plane of Intuition is that of the Cosmic Knowing, upon which we will find the consciousness of the Oneness of All.  We have spoken of this plane in our lesson on the Unfoldment of Consciousness.  When one is able to “conscious” on this plane—­this exalted plane of mind—­he is able to see fully, plainly and completely that there is One Great Life underlying all the countless forms and shapes of manifestation.  He is able to see that separateness is only “the working fiction of the Universe.”  He is able to see that each Ego is but a Centre of Consciousness in the great Ocean of Life—­all in pursuance of the Divine Plan, and that he is moving forward toward higher and higher planes of manifestation, power and individuality, in order to take a greater and grander part in the Universal work and plans.

The Cosmic Knowing in its fulness has come to but few of the race, but many have had glimpses, more or less clear, of its transcendent wonder, and others are on the borderland of this plane.  The race is unfolding gradually, slowly but surely, and those who have had this wonderful experience are preparing others for a like experience.  The seed is being sown, and the harvest will come later.  This and other phases of the higher forms of consciousness are before the race.  The individuals who read this lesson are perhaps nearer to it than they think; their interest in the lessons is an indication of that hunger of the soul which is a prophecy of the satisfaction of the cry for spiritual bread.  The Law of Life heeds these cries for aid and nourishment and responds accordingly, but along the lines of the highest wisdom and according to the real requirements of the individual.

Let us close this lesson with a quotation from “Light on the Path,” which bears directly upon the concluding thought.  Read it carefully and let it sink down deep into your inner consciousness, and you will feel the thrill of joy that comes to him who is nearing the goal.

“Look for the flower to bloom in the silence that follows the storm; not till then.