IN A SPIRITUAL STATE OF MIND

At the end of one of his classes, professor Rohden was approached by a student who asked him if in the reality there exists a historical certainty about the resurrection of Jesus.

Answering it as it suited him, and according to his knowledge, Rohden realized that the student was not very convinced.

Finishing his teachings and after the student left, he felt wrapped in thoughts about the issue, asking: Why is it clear to some individuals what is obscure to others? For there must be a certain climate, an atmosphere where in certain people the seed of spiritual certainty germinates without any argument, debate, heated and even violent discussion.

Is one person a natural believer, who usually accepts the realities of the spiritual world, while the other is naturally nonbeliever, sceptical?

It happens that in some people there exist an environment conducive to the acceptance of the existence of the spiritual world, and therefore, they easily see the facts that have an affinity with their thoughts; all its nature, even unconscious, is favourable to the acceptance of the fact. What determines man's acceptance of this existence is not this or that analytical argument, which is merely a catalyst, but man's inner Self, a comprehension, which is like dry wood that catches fire with the simple flame of a matchstick, whereas in someone else, that wood is still damp and does not react to the approach of the flame.

To comprehend does not mean to have heard or read; comprehending is not an isolated, disconnected act, but it entails a long series of acts until these acts form an attitude. Finally, when the whole environment is saturated with a favourable attitude, this mysterious and indescribable thing that is called comprehension arises.

This comprehension does not come from evidence, demonstrations, analytical arguments - which can serve as firewood, but firewood, however dry, does not catch fire on its own. All of these conscious preliminaries are necessary - but none of them is sufficient for the final ignition or comprehending. Something of the extra-conscious must happen so that the conscious, like wood, catches fire.

It is, therefore, of paramount importance that a favourable environment is developed and established in the soul so that the things of the spirit are strengthened, for it is only in this way that when "the disciple is ready, the master appears" ...