Week 20 of the Master Key System is one of my favourites. I love the discussion about Inspiration, and that leads to a discussion of More. Read on to find out what I mean by that.
Last year, when I read this lesson, I was amazed by what Haanel called the Train of Causation. Read more about that here. It was like I was reading it for the first time. Surely that would have made a bigger impression on me the first time through the course? This passage sums up the Master Key, the power of thought.
Every time you think you start a train of causation which will create a condition in strict accordance with the quality of the thought which originated it. Thought which is in harmony with the Universal Mind will result in corresponding conditions. Thought which is destructive or discordant will produce corresponding results. You may use thought constructively or destructively, but the immutable law will not allow you to plant a thought of one kind and reap the fruit of another. You are free to use this marvelous creative power as you will, but you must take the consequences. Charles Haanel, Master Key System, 20:28
Inspiration
I guess that’s why I have been studying this material for several years now, and continue to pick up new bits of information and inspiration. Speaking of inspiration, Haanel had quite a bit to say about it this week.
Inspiration is the art of imbibing, the art of self-realization; the art of adjusting the individual mind to that of the Universal Mind; the art of attaching the proper mechanism to the source of all power; the art of differentiating the formless into form; the art of becoming a channel for the flow of Infinite Wisdom; the art of visualizing perfection; the art of realizing the omnipresence of Omnipotence. Charles Haanel, Master Key System, 20:15
Inspiration is from within. The Silence is necessary, the senses must be stilled, the muscles relaxed, repose cultivated. When you have thus come into possession of a sense of poise and power you will be ready to receive the information or inspiration or wisdom which may be necessary for the development of your purpose. Charles Haanel, Master Key System, 20:18
This is why the ‘Sit,’ which is part of our Master Key Experience practice, is so important. Sitting in silence and relaxing brings us in harmony with our higher power, able to receive that inspiration.
We are told that “In Him we live and move and have our being,” and we are told that “He” is a Spirit, and again that “He” is Love, so that every time we breathe, we breathe this life, love, and spirit. This is Pranic Energy, or Pranic Ether, we could not exist a moment without it. It is the Cosmic Energy; it is the Life of the Solar Plexus.
Image by Anke Sundermeier from Pixabay
Every time we breathe, we fill our lungs with air and at the same time vitalize our body with this Pranic Ether which is Life itself, so that we have the opportunity of making a conscious connection with All Life, All Intelligence and All Substance. Charles Haanel, Master Key System, 20:23-24
Inspiration is literally ‘breathing in’ – Haanel tells us we aren’t just breathing in air, but cosmic energy. I find that a powerful image.
Intuition
There are at least three other powerful ‘I’ words. That’s why I said Inspiration and More! The first I want to share is Intuition. Back in Lesson 17, Haanel told us to give Intuition a royal welcome, so he (or she) will visit more often.
Intuition arrives at conclusions without the aid of experience or memory. Intuition often solves problems that are beyond the grasp of the reasoning power. Intuition often comes with a suddenness that is startling; it reveals the truth for which we are searching, so directly that it seems to come from a higher power. Intuition can be cultivated and developed; in order to do this it must be recognized and appreciated; if the intuitive visitor is given a royal welcome when he comes, he will come again; the more cordial the welcome the more frequent his visits will become, but if he is ignored or neglected he will make his visits few and far apart.
Intuition usually comes in the Silence; great minds seek solitude frequently; it is here that all the larger problems of life are worked out. For this reason every businessman who can afford it has a private office, where he will not be disturbed; if you cannot afford a private office you can at least find somewhere, where you can be alone a few minutes each day, to train the thought along lines which will enable you to develop that invincible power which is necessary to achieve. Charles Haanel, Master Key System, 17:23-24
Intuition, like Inspiration, comes in the silence. Those silent sits are SO important! I believe my Intuitive powers have been expanding since I have been studying the Master Key Experience. I am now taking the time to listen to that inner voice, and find that Intuition does come. Not every time, but sometimes. And when it does, it can be amazing!
Insight
This leads us to Insight. Haanel talked about Insight in Lesson 15, and Insight is my ‘Word of the Year‘ for 2023.
Insight is a faculty of the mind whereby we are enabled to examine facts and conditions at long range, a kind of human telescope; it enables us to understand the difficulties, as well as the possibilities, in any undertaking. Charles Haanel, Master Key System, 15:31
Insight enables us to plan to advantage and turn our thought and attention in the right direction instead of into channels which can yield no probable return. Charles Haanel, Master Key System, 15:31-35
Insight is a product of the world within and is developed in the Silence, by concentration. Charles Haanel, Master Key System, 15:31-35
Imagination
Again with the silence, the Sit. Insight is closely linked to Inspiration and Intuition. It’s all about listening to that inner voice.
Imagination
And there is one more ‘I’ word in my ‘Inspiration and More post – Imagination. All the way back in Week 8, Haanel talks about Imagination.
Cultivation of the imagination leads to the development of the ideal out of which your future will emerge.
The imagination gathers up the material by which the Mind weaves the fabric in which your future is to be clothed.
Imagination is the light by which we can penetrate new worlds of thought and experience.
Imagination is the mighty instrument by which every discoverer, every inventor, opened the way from precedent to experience. Precedent said, “It cannot be done;” experience said, “It is done.”
Imagination is a plastic power, molding the things of sense into new forms and ideals. Charles Haanel, Master Key System, 8:6-10
I would say Imagination is the foundational skill that we need to practice first; then Intuition, Insight, and Inspiration follow. Of course idealization and visualization are part of the formula as well.
And of course, all are dependent upon listening to your heart, being in the present. In other words, sitting in silence and connecting with Infinite Intelligence, the Divine. That’s what I mean by Inspiration and More!