Thomas Troward's The Dore Lectures on Mental Science,
Chapter Ten...The Shepherd and the Stone
Chapter 10 of Thomas Troward's The Dore Lectures on Mental Science, 'The Shepherd and the Stone,' is a lecture that draws upon an ancient esoteric interpretation of a biblical reference to synthesize his core principles regarding the true, self-sustaining nature of the Divine Life (the Shepherd) and the individual's role in realizing that life (the Stone).
1. The Shephard (The Source of Supply)
Troward's use of 'The Shepherd' refers to the Universal Spirit of Life—the all-providing, all-sustaining, and self-sufficient Source of all existence.
In a metaphysical context, the Shepherd symbolizes the Principle of Eternal Supply that perpetually moves to express itself more fully through all channels of life.
The Shepherd (Life Principle) is never in want because it is the originating cause of all things. It does not need to receive anything to exist; it only needs to express itself.
The realization of this truth—that the ultimate source of one's life is a Shepherd that wants for nothing—is the foundation for overcoming the fear of lack and insufficiency in the individual's life.
2. The Stone (The Fixed Principle)
The 'Stone' refers to a hidden principle or foundation upon which the Shepherd's operation rests.
This metaphor often relates to the "stone which the builders rejected" becoming the chief cornerstone, which Troward interprets as the unshakable, fixed truth of the self-sufficiency of the Spirit.
The Stone represents the absolute, fixed Law of Being—the unwavering principle of the Great Affirmative—that Life is inherently Good, Unlimited, and always seeking expression.
To stand upon the Stone means to rest one's belief entirely upon this unwavering principle rather than upon the shifting sands of external conditions (facts and appearances).
3. The Union and Practical Application
The union of The Shepherd and the Stone provides the individual with the practical formula for demonstration:
Look to the Shepherd (Conscious Thought): The individual must consciously look to the Principle of Infinite Supply as their true source, detaching their thoughts from material lack or current limiting circumstances.
Rest on the Stone (Subconscious Belief): The individual must embed the certainty of this Infinite Supply into their subconscious mind (the Stone), making it an unshakable foundation of belief.
By adopting this mental attitude, the individual's mind becomes the perfect channel for the Shepherd's abundance to flow and manifest externally, based on the fixed, unchanging law of the Stone. The individual is thus lifted out of the law of averages and into the law of divine provision.
The lecture is a powerful reminder that our success is guaranteed not by our striving, but by our alignment with and trust in the Universal Law of Life and Good, which is always providing and sustaining itself through us.
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