---

On the Commandments of God and the Purification of Souls

During the first days of the young men’s life in the Master’s house, He would often tell them about the difference between the rules of behavior invented by people — and the ethical Commandments of God:

“You asked me questions about the injustice and suffering in this world. And today we will begin to search together for the answers to them.”

“Do you yourself not know the answers?” — the young men were surprised by the words of the Master.

“I did not say that. But I would like you to make your own efforts to understand them, to deeply think over them yourselves. And for this, it is not enough just to listen to Me and believe My words.

“Have you ever thought about the existence of those rules of behavior, which have been commanded specifically by God?

“These rules exist, and they are the same for all peoples on the Earth.

“There are also some rules that were invented only by people. Such rules can be very different from one country or religious tradition — to another.

“God’s Commandments have been pronounced many times for people, being expressed in different words. You probably heard about them at least partially. We will talk more than once about these Commandments, but, briefly, the main ones can be formulated as follows:

“Love God — the Creator of all that exists!

“Love your neighbors!

“Do unto others, as you would like them to do unto you!

“Love all beings — the creatures of God!

“Be grateful!

“Do good! Do not do evil!

“Do not kill!

“Do not steal!

“Do not lie!

“Do not covet!

“Do not envy!

“Do not be angry!

“Do not be jealous!

“Do not cause harm — as far as possible — to other creatures!

“These ethical Commandments of God, intended for all people, were repeatedly brought to Earth by Divine Messengers. Most of the religious Teachings began this way. But gradually, after the departure of the Messiahs and prophets, the Teachings became inverted into the dogmas of some priests. The meaning of the Commandments was distorted.

“Moreover, sets of rituals and rules did not at all come from God, but from those priests... The prerequisites that were invented by them allowed the priests to receive income for performing rituals. And even terrible religious wars arose more than once — because the rules of worshipping God, invented by different groups of priests, were different. And this allowed certain rulers to ‘justify’ themselves when seizing other country’s lands and wealth.

“Such a distortion by people of the Divine Laws, according to which everything in the universe should develop, leads to a very deplorable formation of destinies for individuals as well as for entire human communities.

“It should be noted that the performance of certain rituals can be useful for beginners in religion. There are rituals that calm the mind. There is also a benefit from the fact that, by performing rituals, one learns to overcome fatigue, laziness, concern with the earthly, and always remember God.

“In your own cases, for example, such rituals helped you not only to avoid becoming robbers, as some people from your village did, but it also prompted you to seek the Truth.”

“How do you know about this, Master? Can you see the past of any person?”

“It’s not difficult: God always opens the necessary knowledge before us!

“But now let us not be distracted from the topic. Believe only that what now seems surprising to you — will be very simple, when you yourselves learn this!

“This is similar to how a person, who does not know anything about the ability to read and write words with the help of letters, will think that such a skill is a miracle! But the one, who can read, does not consider this as something surprising!

“Now we must also think about the following: why do people in most religious traditions, even knowing the ethical Commandments, not execute them? Why do people not live as God has commanded them?

“This happens, first of all, because the rules of behavior, created and prescribed by the priests, are very much at variance with truly virtuous behavior!

“There are also other reasons why the commandments of God are not fulfilled by many people. Even those, who would like to live righteously, do not always succeed. They cannot feel heart love to their neighbors, cannot resist the emotions of resentment or anger, condemnation or jealousy — even if they want to! They do not know how to defeat bad habits and emotions in themselves — and therefore they consider their sinfulness... natural and inevitable! And there is an opinion that ethical purity is only for special persons: Saints and prophets; and that it’s not a rule for the life of everyone.

“... Souls come to the Earth many times... Over the course of a long and difficult series of lives, they learn love and kindness, how to fall in love with each other, how to raise children, and how to take care of the destinies of the inhabitants of their country or of all humanity. They make a lot of mistakes that make their lives filled with suffering and disappointment...

“But there are ways to purify and transform the soul, which can help that person, who wants to begin the spiritual Path.

“Throughout the history of existence of mankind on the Earth, there were certain devotees, who — with God’s help — created methods that can quickly teach others to control their emotions and — as a result — live in heart love.

“You have always aspired to be righteous before the Face of God — and this is very commendable! But, in order to truly experience what is love for Him and what is the happiness of a life with such love, — it is necessary to purify the soul and body, and to open the spiritual heart. Only then can one stand before God and not be ashamed!

“... The first and primary way to begin purification of the soul is accepting and executing the ethical rules that are commanded by God.

“But, in addition to the understanding and acceptance of these rules, you can do simple exercises that will help in purifying the bodily energies and in opening the center of heart love.”

The Master suggested going out onto the terrace, from which a beautiful view of nature and the surrounding area could be seen. Everything was filled with gentle morning light, as if even the smallest particles of air carried the energy of the rising sun!

The Master continued:

“There is a very simple initial method of purification for the energies of the body and for the state of the soul.

“In many religious traditions, it is customary to perform ablutions. Yes, it is very useful to do this every morning!

“But it is possible to wash the body and soul in the same way with the Divine Light, Which is similar to the morning sunlight.

“All space is permeated by this Divine Light! If you have not yet learned to see Him, you can ask God to help in this.

“Let us now cup our hands and feel that they become filled with shining Light, Which pours into them like water! And, with the help of the hands of the soul, connected with the hands of the body, you can wash your face with this Light.

“Then the movements of the hands of the soul can become wider. And this Light, pouring from above, can be taken again and again by the palms and poured on the body: from the head — to the soles of the feet. Let streams flow gently, washing the body and soul!

“We can also stand under the waterfall of this Light, so that we are washed and ready to live and work for God on this day.

“You can also raise your hands up, catch this Light in the palm of your hands, then ask Him to flow through all the cells of the body and fill all the corners of the soul — so that no dirt and darkness remain!

“While doing this, we are filled with gratitude and love for God — for the bliss that He gives!

“Find the place in the body where this bliss is born: it is about where everyone feels the center of himself or herself during an inhalation.

“Next, let us try to give away love, peace, gratitude, and tranquility from these centers — to all beings: the children of God who are around us. At first, let us embrace with love and peace those who are nearby, and then — let us send the waves of love and peace to all beings, further and further!

“In the beginning, it is helpful to use the hands of the body when sending such waves of love. But later — gradually — it will be possible to learn to perform these exercises, acting only with the hands of the soul, which will become larger, stronger, and more tender!

“Such exercises are easy to perform, but this does not make them less important or less useful on the spiritual Path. Just do not be lazy in performing them every day.”

“And what: do we now have to do these exercises instead of the morning prayers?”

“You don’t have to do anything! I only suggest that you master these exercises. And if you want to continue to habitually address God, uttering the standard words, then your personal choice should be made independently.

“When you can talk with God directly — then you can ask this question to Him yourselves!”

“Talking with God?! Is it possible for ordinary people? Only the great Messiahs and prophets could speak with God!”

“Ask those who live in this house! And at the same time, let them help you to master these new morning exercises,” — the Master replied with a smile.

... The exercises were simple and surprisingly enjoyable! The young men mastered them with ease! The feelings of joy and purity in the soul, which could be felt after each of such exercises, stayed with them for a long time!

And when the older disciples showed and explained to them how best to do all this, the young men were amazed that all this can be learned so easily! And that meant that it was possible to maybe master even more! Perhaps they, too, could even learn to hear and directly understand God! For this, we should transform ourselves as souls — and live a life as wonderful as the life lived by the disciples of the Master in this house!