to deceive.” (3084-1) Deceit, even in an attempt to help others, brings disturbance to one’s soul. For the purpose with which we sow is the purpose that we reap.7
If we can understand that our purpose is often father or mother to our spirit, then we are helped in determining the kind of seed we are sowing. If we ask ourselves, “What is my true purpose?” and honestly answer the question, we will know what kind of seed we have created. We must, however, be careful not to deceive ourselves! Had the tribe’s leader asked himself that question, he might have answered, “My purpose is to save my people,” and thus ignored his purpose to deceive. Be skeptical of your own answers; look for any additional, hidden agendas. Your true purpose determines the nature of the seed and of the harvest you will reap.
MEANS AND ENDS
The above example of the tribe member also illustrates the error in thinking that the end justifies the means. It does not. By this law the means (what we sow) determines the end (what we reap).
The reason most of us are not clearly aware of the direct relationship among our thoughts, words, and acts and what is happening to us is because we don’t realize that these things carry that seed of spirit and purpose in them. Furthermore, there is usually a delay—just as in nature—between sowing and reaping. In human affairs we don’t connect the two, so it seems that many things happen to us without reason.
Also, because the law operates on all three levels, what you hold on the spiritual or the mental level will eventually manifest in the physical. Since we are often not conscious of what we are carrying on those levels, we do not realize that we are the cause of what is happening to us. For example, the deep unconscious beliefs we hold often contribute to our thoughts and actions in ways of which we are not aware.
Not understanding these factors tends to obscure the relationship between the seeds we plant and the harvest we reap. Being aware that there are such factors enables us to more clearly observe the working of the law in our lives.
MANIPULATING THE LAW
We may be tempted to try to manipulate the law for personal advantage by planting seeds of “nice” thoughts and actions for others so that others would do nice deeds for us. That is the right idea, but the wrong purpose. The spirit of that “nice” deed is a selfish desire to receive, rather than to love. The result will be selfish acts toward you by others. The readings warn us that God is not mocked—the true motivation or spirit is always known and the laws operate accordingly.8
If you “use,” “work,” or “manipulate” the Universal Laws for selfish purposes, that spirit, that purpose, will come through and you will reap detrimental results.
THE SPIRIT IN WHICH WE ACT
Since the key to this law is the spirit (seed) with which we sow, let’s look at a practical example:
Two people can perform the same act with opposite results. Each could bake a cake to surprise a friend, each one feeling it would be a nice action to do. Their basic spirit (purpose), however, might be quite different. One might act in the spirit of love, wanting to bring the friend joy and happiness. The other might act in the spirit of self, hoping to impress the friend or to gain attention for self.
In each case the same act occurred, but two different seeds were planted. One will return a loving fruit; the other selfish acts. The law is impartial. It works equally to multiply negative or positive seeds. Witness the abundance of weeds in our gardens. If we express (plant) in a spirit of hatred, envy, doubt, or fear, we eventually will have to face these things—in abundance! Seeds of discord and malice will eventually return a harvest of contention and despair.9 On the other hand, as we feel or express in a spirit of gratitude, kindness, joy, or other positives, we are sowing seeds in that spirit, which—by law—will bring even more of it to us. The law does not judge what should or should not be done. It produces from the seeds sown, just as in your garden the weeds and flowers grow without partiality. The words “as you sow” are simple, clear, and deeply significant without any qualifications and without ifs, ands, or buts. The law will reproduce exactly as you sow.
WHERE DO WE SOW THE SEEDS?
Are we, by the spirit of our thoughts, words, and deeds, sowing the seeds in the other person? That is possible, depending on their interest and perception of us. More important is the fact that the seed—the spirit—in which we think or speak or act is sown in our own inner self; there it grows. The more often we think or act in a particular spirit, the greater the energy given to that seed, and the stronger it becomes in us. Eventually, that energy creates in us the results of that particular seed. There is one point we need to recognize, to repeat, and to emphasize: It is through our attitudes toward others that we sow the seed in ourselves. Consider this example:
Assume that you lack self-confidence and wish to develop it. The way to create it in yourself is to find and have confidence in others. As you think and act in that spirit and with that purpose toward others, the seed will gradually grow in you. As it does, by the operation of the law “like begets like,” others will come to have confidence in you. This, in turn, will add to your self-confidence.10
This procedure works for the development of any attitude. It offers great potential for developing positive, constructive attitudes in ourselves. But be careful; it will also build negative and destructive attitudes when we hold those same attitudes toward others.
TIME AND PATIENCE
Let’s assume you have planted a loving spiritual seed. You do something for someone—maybe it’s a prayer or a loving thought or you look for and praise the good you see in the other person. Once you’ve planted the good seed, like a farmer, you wait. Don’t dig it up to see if it’s growing. These readings explain why:
… man may only sow the seed of life—God alone can give it life! He gives the increase! (1152-4)AR
For it is the law that as you sow, so shall you reap. And you are the sower; but leave what may be the results to your Father! (1529-1)AR
These readings set out a requirement for patience. It is during this time—as you are patient—that the Creative Forces do their work. We need to acknowledge that it is not up to us alone, but that we are co-workers with the Creator. Once we have done our part in planting the seeds, the Creative Forces do their part in providing the growth. In whatever we do, there is both a time for action (the sowing) and a time for nonaction (patience or rest and waiting), while the Creator carries out the growth. This, too, can be a time for our own growth in spirit through prayer and meditation, to attune ourselves to the coming changes which we have initiated.
Our only requirement during the time of growth is to be sure that our spirit, our purpose, is right, that it does not change, and to check it each day or each hour, if necessary. If we have planted seeds of love, keep loving; if seeds of peace, stay peaceful. Beyond that, it is up to the Creator. Our worry or anxiety only causes difficulties for us. Knowing that we have put the Creative Forces to work, there is no need for worry or anxiety, and we can wait patiently for the results.
Charles Fillmore, a contemporary of Cayce’s, was a prolific writer, a modern mystic, a great spiritual teacher, and a co-founder of Unity. He expresses similar concepts:
Thoughts are seeds that, when dropped or planted in the subconscious mind, germinate, grow, and bring forth their fruit in due season. The more clearly we understand this truth the greater will be our ability to plant the seeds that bring forth desirable fruits. After sowing, the plants must be tended. After using the law, we must hold to its fulfillment. This is our part. God gives the increase. You must work in divine order and not expect the harvest before the soil has been prepared
