Jesus said, A city being built on a high mountain and fortified cannot fall, nor can it be hidden. (32)
Each of us is a city according to various spiritual traditions, so we can apply this verse to ourselves.
If we would be successful as human beings, we must build our city–establish ourselves–on the heights of spiritual aspiration, inspiration, and realization. Elevation of consciousness is the only way to do this, not through abstract theorizing and endless word-gaming. Spiritual practice is the way of constructing our life as a city of God.
This city must be protected from the dangers of this world and the forces of ignorance, material and metaphysical. Therefore it must be walled about by the scrupulous practice of discipline and right conduct. This will result in a strength and stability that cannot shaken. One of the best means for this is the Eightfold Path expounded by the Buddha:
- Right view
- Right intention
- Right speech
- Right action
- Right livelihood
- Right effort
- Right mindfulness
- Right meditation
The material world is preceded by the spiritual world; in fact the material world is an extension of the spiritual world. It is necessary, then, that spiritual development and evolution should result in the development and evolution of the outer life. It cannot be hidden if it is real. That is why when a Brahmin met Buddha right after his enlightenment, he was struck with awe at his very appearance. The entire outer life is changed when the inner life is changed. It is inescapable.
Read the next article in Gospel of Thomas for Yogis: Speak It Out