It is O.K. to laugh during prayer, as much as one may also exhibit all manner of emotions which do surface - but one would not make jest, one would not confer cunning, one could not bring malice, spite or great vengeance, into this form of inner speak. We become transfixed in the world, and we may err relentlessly in countless ways; but when we turn our eyes and thoughts inward, and set our heart upon meaningful examination, we find that those attributes unworthy of God fall from us, and are denied 'time', denied expression. And so apart from that which prayer does invoke, it does also enhance a man by the practice of altering into more perfect accord, with appropriate behaviour and good attitude of spirit.

It is O.K. to feel impotent whilst in prayer - for in truth, we come to realise that should ever the Heavens release us from their care, we are as impotent and would live not, for one moment. And so, for those who are uncomfortable in this, let them take comfort that it is a credit to true and comprehensive perspective; that all are humbled when confronted by God.

It is difficult to sustain prayer for very long periods, as the world and its ways require much attention from us. But, however, one solitary prayer does by itself enter into the new day ahead, and does make a difference. Even though we may be quickly forgetful, even though the two worlds appear not to meet - it is the gesture and the relaxing of inner tension, which allows for participation to be welcomed, by these our higher worlds. That we may be responsive, that we also too submit, that the single act of welcoming such higher determination, sets and revolves around our daily activity.

It is not to say that a man is 'empowered' all the more, but that he becomes knowing of that empowerment. For the communion of prayer is such, that indeed all prayers are answered - in time. To enter into prayer is to hold the faith that prayer does permeate - to release oneself into trust, into the line of light. It is within the realm of prayer that the creative powers of man are best defined, and shall become quite perfect. It is not fancy, it is not imaginative, but of the true practice, which will one day become the greatest and most important determination within a man. Imagine if all the attention and time given to peripheral studies was directed to prayer? How quickly the student would advance! This is not a statement of selfish endeavour - for even if it were to be seen as such by the student, it would be better that the student was indeed practised and conversant, and would therefore have all folly, in time revealed. How little it is often aspired to, or exclaimed, "Oh, if only I could develop myself in prayer, and work more often, give frequent practice, and persist!"

It is not that prayer is to be regarded as simply an exercise, but, it is also the most important exercise within a man - who, if practiced and practiced with stern intent, shall come to perceive the inner worlds and their gravity upon the fate of Man.

To begin the new day, and before retiring, to seal the day past; we refer inwardly, to maintain our marriage of both worlds. And whereupon the student does confer, in this way, at the beginning - it shall be that during the day's activity also, he may slip into his inner devotions, and take nourishment thereby. It shall become as natural as any other conversation.

There may be many a worthy exercise for all aspiring students, and trials a'many, throughout the day's activity, which provoke and poke at a man until he becomes quite weary. There are enchantments everywhere, not the least which is that of the misgivings that we hold - the illusions of self, the images of self, in relation to the world. And it is to the practice, and art of geniality, and of virtue, that is recommended in all fiery activity. And second to this, and to that, is the practice of prayer - for the rays which envelop a man, and reach out towards all that he does touch, bring Heaven herself a little closer to the Earth, and unite, reunite, all of those beings who cannot otherwise be embraced by us.

For herein is our true family - those of the loving, most loveliest of souls. They, who we carelessly abandon, when in ignorance, ignore them so. In prayer, they may draw close, and it is quite possible to recognise their presence - a multitude - all personal friends, of many a station, character and degree. And it is these souls, from many many kingdoms who are responsive and eager to commune and assist with a man. Without the condition of prayer, it is as they are so blocked and 'put out' by all manner of gorgonic and demonic, inharmonious, chaotic, reckless, and immature beings; who thrive on the inconsistencies of man, and also his impressionability to upset, chaos, and disharmony. They live in argument, they live in illness, they sit on the backs of the greedy, they chew on the ear of the insensitive and unsympathetic - they laugh and jeer and provoke many an accident; they sit aside the smug and self-satisfied; they thrive too on covetousness, on astralities of desiressness; in habit, in fear, in bony frame, in jagged glass. However, when a man enters into prayer, regardless of how feeble his attempts, the door to these saturated beings is slammed shut. They are thrown off, they are hushed, they are dismayed, they cringe and croak - for herein the man refers all he has and is, to those beings whose statue renders all imps benign. They are, what they are, only as significant as man himself does make of them. And with prayer, they are exiled, flung out from his being, stripped of their sustenance.

And it is not with malice, or anger, that we should confront these urchins of the world, and lower spheres, but that we should be so consistently pure within ourselves, that they may enjoy a much improved future also, and be transformed. But because such consistently is slow, and tedious, and does not of itself makeover a man with a handful of good desires, and also, we dwell in a world so utterly confused with the magnitude of impure thoughts and relative fiends, we should but be overcome, were it not for the heavenly graces and the conferences in prayer.

I am in Thy Hands my Father,

I do live in each of my brothers,

I wish only to serve He who loves best,

and no other,

and by this, I shall love too, whom He loves,

and from the highest expectation,

I shall come to my true station,

and in humble gratitude, renounce all costly sins.

One does in fact have many a personal Angel and guide - although not necessarily so individually allotted as to be inextricably bound - there are associations which span eons, and caringly enveloping a man, or his brethren fellowship, family, or race. We are not in isolation as is depicted by our blindness towards Heaven - we may approach many an individual being and call upon them through prayer directly advancing to them, because of our having such a previous relationship. Remembering also, that it is because we are of Christ, and of the Father, that we too know them and have parley and discourse and be so heard upon call.

It is through common interest, a shared affinity, in which souls are drawn. And it is sad, that heaven has become so indistinct unto the world. But with what we do have, and all that we are, we may broach the unseen realms in solitude, in happy prayer, and come so close - you know that the brilliance, and the numeracy is so great indeed, and difficult to encompass, that a man must learn also to withstand so much beauty, so many wonders - lest they too will consume him. It is a delicate balance indeed, that we may absorb and expend - not to be broken by sin, nor crushed by wonder - for it is those places known to us, in deep memory, of outstanding beauty, that would claim us, and we them happily, but do only frequent, as with each, temporarily. And it is painful to leave, but is painful also to remain; unless, by the effort of progressive development, we are so enhanced that each stay be yet a little longer ... with further insights revealed, and so managed - having been incorporated within our own beings, and therefore interpreted without rendering ourselves impotent by such experience.

Paradise is grand, but is deadly also to the ego. If we are to claim paradise for ourselves, then it must be done that we are also of that substance, of beauty and grace, in spirit, refined. Only, our higher selves may make that pilgrimage, and each time is nourished and impressed - but does grieve for that which it could not take into those realms, and returns to recover other aspects immature. The 'forced' initiations held glimpses into profound spaces, where certain aspects within the nature of a man could not be reconciled, and the man was caused much grievance by this. This is the damnation of Hell - it is the perception of Heaven, without the means to make entrance - and no greater Hell can there be!

Bless all, and ask only for those things which are lasting and of value. Discard your worldliness, your worries and your grievances. Submit all that is difficult to the divine, and be at peace with this.