The Life-Light was the real thing: Every person entering Life he brings into Light. He was in the world, the world was there through him, and yet the world didn’t even notice. He came to his own people, but they didn’t want him. But whoever did want him, who believed he was who he claimed and would do what he said, He made to be their true selves, their child-of-God selves. These are the God-begotten, not blood-begotten, not flesh-begotten, not sex-begotten.

— John 1:12-13 

The Message 

“Reaching For The Light”

Know Thyself … p 67

The premise is not a new one; quite the opposite in fact, for it has been known from earliest recorded history. Much more recently, about 450 years before the birth of Christ, the Stoic philosopher Zeno summed it up in two words: “… Know Thyself … .” This divine insight — for such it is — need be our sole guidepost throughout life.

Knowing ourself means disencumbering the crass materialism that burdens the soul. All too often this only manifests itself when we are at our lowest, in a state of utter hopelessness and despair. It is, nonetheless, a time when our cries are heard; when, by the grace of God, we find the Way.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

And they saw him, and worshipped; but some of them doubted.

— Matthew 28:17 

Wycliffe Bible

“Reaching For The Light”

Self-Doubt … p 66

Self-doubt is of human construct. If allowed to take root in the seedbed of the mind it erodes our sense of self-worth. It is a dissonant sound that lays waste to harmony of mind, body and soul; a noxious weed that beguiles the mind. And it is a force ever at odds with our overall well-being; one that demands to be uprooted. Only then may the blooms of our own God-given Goodness flourish in the Light of our true inner self: a perfect child of God.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

Believest thou not, that I am in the Father, and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you, I speak not of myself; but the Father himself that dwelleth in me, [he] doeth the works.

— John 14:10

Wycliffe Bible 

“Reflections From Infinite Mind”

There is but 

One TRUTH … p 62

There is but One TRUTH, God’s TRUTH, that which glorifies itself within the spiritual realm, our true inner Being. 

There are other so-called truths, each an emotional response, which arise out of the five senses. As a product of mortal mind, such ‘truths’ become that assigned to them by whomsoever. They are but fixed beliefs, not truths, and might properly be called convictions. To be sure, such beliefs which do not defy common sense serve as guideposts in our day-to-day life. 

Through a selfless process of seeing only the good in others that we may love our neighbour as ourself we are transformed. Concern for worldly matters falls away; we are subsumed by our own spirituality, becoming one with God: Thus do we know His TRUTH.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

[ Jesus speaks of personal freedom ] So Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, “If you are faithful to what I have said, you are truly my disciples. And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free!”

— John 8:31-32 

J.B. Phillips New Testament 

“Reaching For The Light”

Truth … p 65

Truth, as a first Principle, is the foundation of our Being; a manifestation of our own spirituality. It is the catalyst which enables the transcendence of mortal mind into the realm of God’s immortal presence; that which sets us free.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

— Matthew 6:10 

New International Version 

“Reaching For The Light”

God’s 

Healing Power … p 64

Who am I? Why am I here? are questions we sometime ask ourself. Questions that all too often go unanswered, ofttimes at our own peril. Reason alone throws little light on the matter. If we are to rid ourself of that lingering sense of unease and despair; feelings that bedevil us and can but lead to ill health, we must probe deeper than mere thoughts of the mind. Salvation lies in the healing power of God, He who is ever present within us.

We have but to acknowledge God’s presence and, in stillness of mind and body, ask that His will be done. In thus surrendering to God we are as well unburdened of the many-layered veils that darken the soul, allowing us to love ourself and our fellow-man. Our spirituality is reawakened: We know with certainty who we are and why we are here. And we know true and abiding happiness.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight for living.

— Psalm 19:8 

New Living Translation

“Reaching For The Light”

Spiritual Insight … p 63

Even though life may not be all we could hope for, we can change it. We begin by being honest with ourself, by facing up to that which bedevils our thoughts and darkens the soul. Truth ever offers succour in times of distress. No less so does Truth provide insight into our spiritual self, the nurture of which frees us of fantasies of the mind while at once revealing the superficiality of all things worldly.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

Hear this, all ye people; give ear, all ye inhabitants of the world: Both low and high, rich and poor, together. My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

— Psalm 49:1-3 

King James Version of the Bible

“Reaching For The Light”

Thought’s Life-Changing Power … p 62

The power of thought we know to be a life-changing force for good or ill: we all experience it. What may be less well known, and all too often overlooked, is the fact that we alone are responsible for our thoughts and their outcome.

Put away mundane thoughts that serve only to darken the mind and imperil the soul. Instantly replace them, simply by giving thanks to God; that which ennobles our very Being. Remember that God’s supreme indivisibility is shared equally by all, each in his own way. For this reason alone we may give thanks. Even more, in acknowledging God’s presence in our life we have taken that first step whereby we may fulfill our Purpose: manifesting God’s Goodness and Love by daily living the golden rule.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

And God made of nought a man to his image and likeness; God made of nought a man, to the image of God; God made of nought them, male and female. (And so God made out of nothing a man in his image and likeness; God made out of nothing a man in the image of God; yea, God made them out of nothing, male and female.)

— Genesis 1:27

Wycliffe Bible

“Reaching For The Light”

Our True Being … p 61

That we are made in the image and likeness of God affirms that our true Being — that which is Life itself — is divinely spiritual: God in us and we in Him. Ipso facto we are, each one of us, the very embodiment of God’s Goodness and Love. To the extent we both live and breathe these God-given traits, ever mindful they are Life’s providential guideposts, we come to know peace within.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

Treat others as you want them to treat you.

— Luke 6:31

Living Bible

“Reaching For The Light”

Selflessness … p 60

Selflessness is, firstly, an expression of our own Goodness. It is a human trait both necessary and desirable for personal well-being.

Selflessness means not putting ourself first; rather, letting others be themselves and wishing them well.

Selflessness reflects a mind free of jealousy and envy: traits that forever nag at inner harmony.

Selflessness, in short, is the divine manifestation of that age-old edict: “Do unto others as you would have them do to you.”

— Garry D. Kilbourn

I have heard that you have the spirit of the gods within you and that you are filled with insight, understanding, and wisdom.

— Daniel 5:14 

New Living Translation

“Reaching For The Light”

Mystic Insight … p 59

When speaking of supernatural Beings from the night of time, Mme. H.P. Blavatsky, nineteenth century Russian intellectual and theosophist, uses a phrase both curious and revealing: revealing in the sense that it speaks of a spiritual power that we, who are neither supernatural nor superhuman, yet possess: “… their essence cannot assimilate itself to that of worlds beyond our solar system.” (Secret Doctrine, Vol. II. p 700)

“Essence,” meaning our inner Being, or, in other words, our divine life-giving soul, is of course the key word in Mme. Blavatsky’s discourse. Put in a positive context, our (human) essence can, and does, assimilate itself to that of others. That is to say, we possess the innate capacity to communicate with others on a spiritual plane by way of our intuitional “third eye”.

In order that we may rise above our worldly plane of matter — that enmeshed in materialism — we quiet the mind and become still within that we may give in-depth attention to the other. We become vulnerable, which in turn gives rise to mutual trust. Together, we become immersed in a state of mystical insight.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind: … Who gives intuition to the heart and instinct to the mind? 

— Job 38:1, 36 

New Living Translation

“Reaching For The Light”

Spiritual Senses … p 58

Acknowledging our own spiritual nature — our inner self — as distinct from our mortal being, is made easier when we question all that we see and feel going on around us.

Our five senses are uniquely adapted to enable our physical survival. What we all too often fail to recognize (hence, our lingering disquiet) is that we are innately empowered with two other senses, albeit on a higher, spiritual plane, namely: intuition and understanding. Only when we avail ourself of the power of these otherwise dormant spiritual senses can we reveal our divine life-giving soul and, in the doing, come to know peace within.

That which is worldly is manifestly ephemeral and, despite its temporal pleasures, is assuredly not soul-satisfying. That of the soul means reacquainting ourself with the very essence of our Being: It is who we are.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

[ Paul’s Final Greetings ] Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

— 2 Corinthians 13:11

New Living Translation

“Reaching For The Light”

At Peace Within … p 57

Wouldst that we were forever in that wondrously idyllic state midst heavenly Elysian Fields, mind at rest and at peace within. Fallible though we may be, even so, this is a state of being accessible to all.

In repose, we begin our journey by going within to reveal God’s presence. Knowing that He lives in us and we in Him, we concentrate the mind on the Light of the soul suffused throughout our entire Being; an all-enveloping white Light assuring us of God’s presence, while at once giving longed-for peace and comfort to the soul: our true self.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

— Ephesians 3:19

New Living Translation 

“Reaching For The Light”

Life 

Well-Lived … p 56

A life well-lived,

Of this there’s no doubt,

Has its natural genesis

Within, not without.

Going within brings

God to mind,

His presence infusing

Our Being.

’Tis our Inner Self

Made quiet now and

A Light that beckons

Our healing.

With words welling up

As though from the soul

We can but thank God

For just being.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

[ Love Fulfills God’s Requirements ] Owe nothing to anyone — except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbour, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.

— Romans 13:8 

New Living Translation

“Reflections From Infinite Mind”

The Light 

of the Soul … p 61

Life’s calling,

We know to be so,

Dwells in the light,

The light of the soul.

Our anchor, our footing,

Our guidepost withal,

Life’s calling is love

For ourself

And for All.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

— Matthew 7:8 

New Living Translation

“Reflections From Infinite Mind”

Look Within:

Ask, Seek, Knock … p 60 

If, out of the darkness of despair, we wish to change our ways, we alone must bear responsibility for doing so. It means, firstly, and in all humility, emptying our mind of notions that have long held us in bondage. By way of reason and rational thought we then turn our thinking to a higher plane, looking for the good in others, all the while giving thanks to God. The process, which, to our own good fortune, is never-ending, is one of purposefully taking control of the mind.

All too often, we tend to look outside of ourself for solutions to our unhappiness. Much to our regret, as we come to know, this is but false hope. It is we alone who must find our way; we who must face the truth, we who must accept responsibility for our actions and, in time, come to know the person we really are -- our divinely spiritual self, our true inner Being. Thus, at long last, we are at peace, at one with God. 

— Garry D. Kilbourn 

“… he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.”

— Titus 3:5 

New Living Translation 

“Reaching For The Light”

Spiritual 

Rebirth … p 55

If ever we are to know Peace within, we must first look to a Healing of the Soul: an intimate relationship with God. 

We begin our Spiritual Rebirth by attending to four cornerstones essential to the harmony of our whole Being: Love, Goodness, Truth and Happiness. Adherence to these guideposts, which becomes a lifelong pursuit, enlightens the Soul.

We have but to surrender to God in all humility, which is none other than freely giving Him our absolute trust, that He may show us the Way. This is critical to moving our worldly thoughts to a higher plane; one that connects us to our inner self, our spiritual Being: That which gives both meaning and sustenance to Love, Goodness, Truth and Happiness.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

[ We work on God’s foundation ] 

In this work, we work with God, and that means that you are a field under God’s cultivation, or, if you like, a house being built to his plan.

— I Corinthians 3:9

J.B. Phillips New Testament 

“Reaching For The Light”

Foundation and 

Cornerstone … p 544

We are all only too familiar with the discomfort of unwelcome thoughts of the past intruding upon the present. Such thoughts serve no purpose, and must not be allowed to take hold in the mind. Their very presence in our consciousness is but a festering sore, plaguing both mind and body.

As part of the human condition we have within us the strength and the fortitude to cleanse our mind of such harmful thoughts. We alone must make the choice. It becomes a matter of exercising our God-given will.

In full awareness of that which threatens our peace of mind, no less our very soul, we must move our thought process to a higher plane: to thoughts of Love, of ourself and others and, of that which affords our greatest comfort, thoughts of God’s Love.

It is no less important to bear in mind that our past, no matter its many twists and turns, is both the foundation and cornerstone of the present. It is on this alone that we must build our life, that we may come to know Peace within, and Love our fellow-man.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

When we arrived in Macedonia province, we couldn’t settle down. The fights in the church and the fears in our hearts kept us on pins and needles. We couldn’t relax because we didn’t know how it would turn out. Then the God who lifts up the downcast lifted our heads and our hearts with the arrival of Titus. We were glad just to see him, but the true reassurance came in what he told us about you: how much you cared, how much you grieved, how concerned you were for me. I went from worry to tranquility in no time!

— 2 Corinthians 7:5-7 

The Message 

“Reaching For The Light”

Divine Tranquility 

of Soul … p 53

All that we may hope for in life 

is within our grasp 

when we embrace 

Selflessness and Truth 

as our spiritual vanguard 

in the service of others. 

Thus too do we come to know 

divine tranquility of soul.

— Garry D. Kilbourn

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

— I Corinthians 15:55  

King James Version of the Bible

“Reflections From Infinite Mind”

O Death, 

Where Is Thy Sting? … p 59

The Being-ness of Being is the divine gift of the soul, life itself; that which gives us our unique identity while at the same time is forever a part of God’s whole. For good or ill we are one with our fellow-man.

Being-ness is none other than the essence of our Being, the spiritual embodiment of our dualism while on earth, our one true self. It is that which is eternal, without beginning and without end, for each a providential guidepost giving meaning and purpose to life, forever a part of the Divine Source: O death, where is thy sting? 

— Garry D. Kilbourn