The Logos

Compilations from the transcripts of the original Michael Teachings group.

• The transcripts of the original Michael Teachings group have been determined to be in the public domain. Any content or commentary added by the author/compiler is copyright: CC by NC-ND and please attribute adeptpath.net.
  

What is the Logos?

Logos is one of the most difficult concepts in Greek Philosophy, let alone in Michael Teachings where it exists as a set with “Tao” and “Infinite Soul.” It is a Greek word, which extends far back in time, and to the early Greek philosophers even then it had several meanings. The earliest uses had to do with: opinion, a plea, a “ground” for other discourse, an argument, expectations, reason, an account. With the philosopher Heraclitus (ca. BCE 500) the term became used to mean: a principle, order, harmony or knowledge. Later Stoic philosophers would broaden the term to denote the divine animating principle that filled the universe. In time, Judaism acquired the term under Hellenistic influence via Philo of Alexandria (ca. CE 50) where the cosmos is an image of the Logos, and God is known to man indirectly through the Logos. The early founders of Christianity would have to wrestle the term Logos out of the hands of Greek philosophers in their attempts to battle mysticism, paganism, gnosticism and just about anyone else not working out of their playbook.

I would say that most Western mysticism derives from the work of Plotinus (ca. CE 250) and the Neo-Platonic school. This is because Plotinus would influence all of Western thought, be it philosophical or religious, from those arguing either for or against him. So, no matter the source of the mysticism – Christian, Jewish, Islam or secular — Plotinus comes in somewhere:

• “Plotinus used a trinity concept that consisted of “The One”, the “Spirit” and “Soul”. The comparison with the Christian Trinity is inescapable, but for Plotinus these were not equal and “The One” was at the highest level, with the “Soul” at the lowest. For Plotinus, the relationship between the three elements of his trinity is conducted by the outpouring of Logos from the higher principle, and eros (loving) upward from the lower principle.”  See Wikipedia on Logos.

Further, Christian apologetics are filled with ideas of the Logos. But the term itself rarely filtered down to daily use among the faithful and, in general, evokes blank stares when used in modern conversation. In the late 19th century a movement of mystical thought into open use would again draw on Neo-Platonic ideas as a mode of expression. Hermetic thought, Christian mysticism, Theosophy and Spiritualism among others would revisit both Platonic and Neo-Platonic ideas available to them in many different versions.

The importance of the term “Logos” in TOMG comes from the fact that the group understood the concept as something that could be both taught and shared. Their use of the word predated their contact with the Michael Entity on the Ouija board. For instance, the very first occurrence of this word is on Tuesday, July 3, 1973, one of the earliest sessions we have transcripts for and the source channeled is Soleal:

Richard meditated silently on the question of whether or not, if we got heavily involved in propagating the Logos, and were arrested for our activities and incarcerated, there would be a possibility of rescue. Sarah and Richard both acknowledged that they had no fear of being gassed or hung, but did fear long imprisonments.

• We can do it

RH: I would like to ask Soleal – because of studying Gurdjieff, I’ve come to believe that the only possibility for anything is through individual personal growth, and not through trying to change things like political systems. I would like to know if this is correct.

• Not entirely. Someone must teach the Logos in the first [place]. As the population grows, the teachers increase. Some people need much more personal direction. Reading will not help them. Are you ready to take on that task?

The next time the word Logos occurs it is used by the Michael Entity, Aug 21, 1973:

Question: What are allies [a term used by Don Juan in the Carlos Castaneda books]?

• Allies was a word used by a relatively unlettered being to describe the forces manifesting. Some he created and combated. This enabled him to override the heredity of superstitions and open himself to positive experience. His “man of knowledge” means the same as the “one in whom the Logos resides.” [snip]

It is not readily clear what the meaning of the term Logos was for the original group, but it is used several times throughout the transcripts, and was rarely elaborated on indicating pre-existing knowledge. From here this compilation will attempt to organize the occurrences of the term Logos by the general form of the discussion. This is not necessarily the best way to arrange this compilation but in the interest of students meeting the concept on their own ground it will have to do.

 

Understanding the Logos

What is meant by [Jesus] saying He was the Son of God?

• You are all sons of “God.” This man, before the Infinite Soul manifested, referred to himself as the servant of man. The Infinite Soul said, “I am the Word.” The Infinite Soul manifested during a period of intense meditation and fasting, and “the sermon on the mount” was the first uttering of the Infinite Soul.

What is the meaning of, “I am the Word”?

• The Logos, the truth, the absolute, the order of things.

[Can you comment on the saying] “Thy kingdom come, (when you hear the Word,) thy will be done.”

• The Word is uttered, the way is made known; if you chose the path, evolution will occur. [11/22/1973]

 

In regard to Christ, when the Ouija board said, “When the teacher dies, the teaching dies,” did they mean Christ?

• The descent of the high Mental body supersedes all that has gone before. The high Mental body does not live in the sense that you know life. When the ‘Avatar’ descends, the Logos is brought to bear. This is not a teaching. When the avatar descends again, the Logos will again be brought to bear, but in the language of today. Teachings are interpretations of the Logos. They must be updated, not because the Logos changes, but because language does.

What is “Logos”?
Sarah Chambers: THE knowledge.
RH: “In the beginning was the word. The word was God.” [John 1:1.]
Sarah Chambers: They are saying the teachings aren’t the Logos; they are just the interpretations of the Logos and the interpretations have to be constantly changed. [09/08/1973]

 

RH: When love is turned on, this in itself puts you on a high. Maybe that’s “man #4” [balanced man] according to Gurdjieff and it is not permanent.

• The love of the Logos or agape permeated the being of Jesus even prior to the manifestation. He lived for the Word. The quest for spiritual liberation took precedence over all things, sometimes to his despair. Prior to manifestation this was an Emotionally Centered Mercury-Saturn. He was passionate and sensual. When others rejected his opinions, he was astonished. [10/06/1973]

 

Did Christ know about atomic theory when He was in the physical body?

• Not as an Old Soul, but when the high Mental body manifested, it brought the sum of the Logos to bear. [10/08/1973]

What is the difference between meditation and concentration?

• Meditation is the emptying of the mind of maya. Concentration is the active acquisition of higher knowledge: the Logos. [09/08/1973]

How can we tell what is from Jesus and what is the Logos?

• This teaching should enable you to differentiate. [01/20/1974]

 

Teaching the Logos

We have also been wondering if there was anything else that had not been communicated yet by the teacher.

• As for new information, we endeavor to present some new information whenever we have your attention — new in the sense that perhaps you have never thought of it in quite that light before. However, dear students, you have heard all that there is to hear. Our task, as we see it, is to continue to present the body of this Logos until a student grasps at its meaning and begins to apply it and teach it to others. We will continue to present it and since we are not limited by physical time, we can serve it up to you in an infinite variety of frames. Perhaps we have just not hit upon the winning combination. After all, yours is, as you have said many times, a verbal culture and the words are eventually what you will hear, and then they can be translated into the action. RH has hit upon the meaning of this teaching, but his understanding is still basically intellectual and philosophical rather than emotional and transcendental. [11/04/1977]

 

I have a complaint and comment and a question. I don’t seem to be able to change knowledge into being and I don’t feel any different.

• [Snip] Your life is not geared for understanding, just toiling. We know that this is difficult for RH and RC. However, Jesus was trying to tell this same truth two thousand years ago. We keep telling you: you must choose your path. If that [chosen path] is spiritual liberation, then you must eliminate the distractions of maya. If the goal is different, then the path will be different and you are correct in assuming that we don’t care [which path you choose]. We impart the Logos dispassionately. It is yours to accept or reject. [10/06/1973]

 

I am concerned about the slow growth of the group. It was said that we should spread the Logos.

• It is the manner in which it is being presented that frightens many. Arrange the data in some suitable form and teach it yourselves. We will be with you to keep you from embellishing. [10/13/1973]

 

ES: If I understand the Logos correctly, there seems to be four features dominant in each of us. My question is, is there one more important than the other? I see the four: (l) the constitution you are born with, Essence or if you are born with brain damage; (2) the level [Age] of the soul; (3) Centering; (4) Body Types; (5) Roles. Is there a line of relationship that we can be guided by? Is there one more important than another?

• Socrates said, “Know thyself.”

ES: He’s avoiding the question.

• All of these overlays come into play. You must learn their significance. A by-product of this will be a far deeper understanding of the others, which must be learnt before you can truly feel agape. [10/23/1973]

 

TW: What can I do?

• Make substantial strides toward affecting [effecting?] the synthesis.

EM:  With the out-of-the-body experience, we can contact them directly on the Astral Plane?

• Just listen to us when we talk to you. With Priests, that is easy.

TW: I hear. What can I do with this?

• Propagate the Logos. This isn’t trite. We expect this teaching to reach others. We are not just hollering down the rain barrel. [12/31/1973]

 

MJ: I’d like to ask about a dream I had last night. I was dancing and became dizzy. I have a feeling I could use dancing in my therapy.

• That is valid. You could make significant contributions from Essence.

I’d really never given it much thought before.

• Because it brings you pleasure of a sensual sort and you cannot translate this into “work.”

I would like to know if there is somewhere I could go for this training, and if I could use it to help people.

• That is valid. You could conceivably bring this to an entire community that would be receptive to this in the near future. You can learn the Sufi dances and also folk dancing helps some to act out their fantasies. This can be the most valuable for essentially nonverbal, strictured souls.

BJ: Does this mention of Alexandria in Egypt have anything to do with the “White Brotherhood”?

• By all means.

• We wish for you the opportunity to propagate the Logos. How you do it should be as comfortable as possible, so that you can devote yourself best to growth and not to struggle. [01/22/1974]

 

Sarah Chambers: I am seeking a way of life within the group, not to become more effective in the milieu.

• There is a way, you know, that this teaching can serve the needs of all who seek, and you have it within the original nucleus to perform this service. Those who have the need for intensified personal searches can arrange for this. Those who are not certain of their level of commitment may find that the general session is adequate for them. The smaller sessions are most valuable for the more committed students and definitely should be reserved for that purpose. There is some merriment derived in the general session merely by pursuing some of the less dedicated students’ personal agendas, and this will benefit all. We still see the tendency in all of you to expect of the others and to be disappointed when the anticipated reaction does not come about. This cannot be avoided unless much intensive work is done. We could do this with you, and we are always available for this. There is a need for some diversification here now with all of the parts contributing toward a greater whole in the end.

• We have not suggested that the nucleus of this teaching expand to the point where needs are no longer being served. We are concerned only that you share the knowledge once it has been assimilated and verified.

• We have a method by which all of you can choose to achieve a modicum of growth on a spiritual plane. Many of you can even use it as a springboard toward becoming an Adept. This is entirely up to you. We will find many vehicles through which we can teach the Logos — this does not present us with a problem. We answer all calls for this teaching.

What is the method?

• We have been transmitting this to you, but many have not heard. This teaching has implicit within it the method of which we speak.

NC: The method is to live the teaching in an attitude of love.

• Individual verification of the given material is perhaps the most vital precept upon which this teaching is based, for this process alone opens the door to expanded perception, which is, of course, necessary in order to experience agape, and thus grow spiritually. [02/24/1974]

 

Question: In order to teach the Logos, must we get rid of problems, such as cultural problems, before we teach?

• We would agree with that. Where major conflicts stand as significant barriers between the students and the Logos, then the student can seek the guidance group. Most of you, though, are in a position where you can begin to look at your own conflicts, and with our help work through them. [03/27/1974]

 

In CIF and EST we were exposed to much knowledge. What is the purpose of these for us?

• This answer would be much the same for all in this room. That is, to synthesize and verify this knowledge so that you can be in a better space to promulgate the Logos. [06/19/1974]

 

Could Michael give us some of JB’s Agreements on the Astral Plane?

• This student has elected to reach a large number of souls with what he discerns as the Logos. This to us represents a good beginning, although on the surface this may seem to be a commercial venture, the observations are at a deeper level, and the Essence here has more influence than you would think. Although he is still quite “asleep” [a Gurdjieff term for those not fully in contact with Essence], he does follow many intuitive drives. [11/20/1974]

• [snip] The role of observer will be the best choice by far, and the continuing offering of insights. Both are able to look at their Overleaves and choose to alter them into workable ones, but the vocabulary and the groundwork is simply not there for the expression and grasping of the teaching in the same intellectual fashion that is being given to these students here. In this case, the preliminary concepts must be expressed, and this in a sense will make the eventual reading more valuable to beginners on the path. One does not have to see the Logos in terms of the synthesis that you have received, in order to see it. [Source is not Michael, but another Causal Entity, per Sarah Chambers]. [01/31/1975]

• [snip] Yes, they can write books and the like to promulgate the Logos to other scholarly souls. You can express the Logos through the arts. We would have you review the prophesy we have given this world, as well as others. The technology will expend itself of its own accord, perhaps not in the lifetime now, but it will. This is only a start. We have seen this happen before and all we ask is that you look dispassionately at the alternatives now open to you. That you may accelerate this, if you wish, is the essence of which we speak. [02/12/1975]

• [snip] Please stop associating religion with the “church.” Religion is the ecstasy of the Logos. In your society, the church is a business in Artificial Space. One is of the Essence; one is not. One is in Real Space; one is not. Preparing an altar for the experience can be third line work of the highest order, or it can be a drudge — or even worse, it can be a mockery. Or better yet, for those in the work, it can be the gift of higher expression. [02/16/1975 Soleal]

 

What is the Agreement?

• It has to do with the rendering of a service. Yes, it will be your way of expressing the Logos. Yes, the three of you are ideally suited to his task. [Undated private Session for ET]

 

The Logos Brought to Bear

Sarah Chambers: The Transcendental and Infinite Souls do not manifest in a physical body.

• That is essentially correct. The high Causal body [Transcendental Soul] manifests only in times of social or religious unrest. Then if the revolution does not come about, the high Mental body [Infinite Soul] manifests and brings the Logos to bear. The Mature Soul can also accelerate within the cycle. Young Souls can burn karmic ribbons rapidly, sometimes, and accelerate. Elizabeth Blackwell and Florence Nightingale are examples; Louis Pasteur, Walter Reed, Marie Curie, [and] Frank Lloyd Wright accelerated. [09/18/1973]

 

EM: Can you explain reality and unreality?

• The ‘realities,’ of course, depend upon the perceiver. This session itself is a good example. Some in this room perceive us as real; others do not. The same could be said of unidentified flying objects and most unexplained phenomena. Another concept of ‘reality’ begins with widespread agreement that a certain object is real. We think that Bishop [George] Berkeley had a few words on this subject. There is, of course, an ultimate reality that is absolute. This can only be glimpsed when the Logos is brought to bear.

• Physical things are very real on the Physical plane, and should be respected as such in order to avoid possible serious collisions with doors that are really and truly there. On the Astral [plane], things are truly real on the Astral plane. In another frame of reference, the same admonition [to be careful of ‘real’ things] holds true. We on this plane also perceive certain Causal phenomenon as ‘real’ and there is agreement. We believe that holds true for the high planes. This same subject has been occupying philosophers happily now for many thousands of years. There is, oddly enough, always an opposing opinion that goes something like: accept that nothing is real. Does this suggest anything to you? [11/08/1973]

 

Could we ask for a general comment?

• Honesty without guile, simplicity without poverty of soul, love without material expectations, emptying the life of all nonessential considerations, the endless cycles of evolution with the Physical Plane being the crudest and roughest — these are the things emphasized in the true teachings of Christ [as the Infinite Soul].

Whereby Jesus’ statement “I can do nothing”?

• He could do nothing. That is true of all, without the other forces holding the universe together — all of these combined are necessary to perpetuate the cycles. Knowing how it happens does not give you cart blanche to go and do it. Many people were disappointed in Jesus because he did nothing physical about their woes. This will be the case again. The Infinite Soul does not come to lead the troops. The Infinite Soul comes to bring the Logos to bear. It is up to you to listen and take your own action. [11/22/1973]

 

Could you explain the Sermon on the Mount. I do not understand it. All my life I’ve been asking people.

• [Ed. Note: Snipped explanation of the Sermon on the Mount, which was the first manifestation of the Infinite Soul.] Greek thought had much influence on the man Jesus, particularly Epicurus, but it would have been impossible for him to espouse the words of this pagan philosopher from the porticoes of the temple. Then when the Infinite Soul manifested, the Logos was brought to bear in the language of the times, transcribed by a Roman tax collector [Matthew] and an Emotionally Centered Greek physician (Luke). Epicurus had a most profound influence on all of the philosophy of the time, surpassing that of the Stoic, Zeno. This philosophy was made to order for the Sadducees, who also appealed to this young man’s sensitive nature. The Epicurean thought pattern is what you all are striving to accomplish. [12/25/1973]

• [snip] All of you now have the chance again to hear the words and be a part of the manifestation of the Logos; also, a chance to sit at the feet of the master. All of you also now have the opportunity to participate in a movement toward peaceful world dominion — this time without the bloodshed of the past. [snip] [10/19/1974]

 

Misc Mentions of Logos

I would like to know the relationships between the caste system of India and Roles?

• There was [a relationship] in the beginning when Sri Krishna brought the Logos to bear. This has since become blurred by ambition and material desires. [11/15/1973]

What does the Scholar seek?

• The Scholar seeks to define the Logos.    [10/01/1974]