Tenrikyo Spirituality: Tenri Forum 2006
SOLUTIONS - The Service
The solution to the problem of how to realize the promise of God's free and unlimited workings and a joyous life is the the same in all circumstances. For the truth of origin to be known and understood the obstacle that is the self-centered imagination (dust, God's regret) must be removed. What it is completely removed what remains is single-heartedness with God. To be known and understood, that state of mind must be recognized for what it is.
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When this dust is completely swept away. |
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nothing will remain but universal salvation. |
How then to proceed with the removal of the self-centered imagination is the question. The work or effort required to remove the self-centered imagination from one's own mind, or to help others to do the same is called the "performance of the service". When one's own mind awakens to the knowledge and understanding of the truth of origin and by extension when all minds in the world awaken to the truth of origin that is called the "completion of the service". Over a period of perhaps fifty years God the Parent modeled several different services. Though the services are all different, they all have some common fundamental elements.
First: They are all designed with a single intention, that they result in single-heartedness with God through the removal of the self-centered imagination.
Second: They are all designed to be appropriate for a mind or minds in a particular time, place and for a specific level of spiritual maturity.
Third: They are designed to attract a mind or minds to their performance.
Fourth: They are designed to work quickly.
Fifth: They are designed to be easy to learn.
Sixth: They are designed to reflect the joy of living. Their performance is intended to be enjoyable.
Let it suffice to say that careful reflection will reveal that performing the Service is "service to God the Parent," and spreading the intention of God is "service to all humankind." The 3rd Shinbashira