Q & A - Institute of Applied
Metaphysics
What are the Central Benefits of
Studying the Universal Laws?
In this section the specific benefits of our program
of study are discussed in some detail. Like the section called “Decision”, the importance of knowing the Self
first as a foundation for all study is stressed.
The Masters taught so that even the illiterate could gain from them, and the individual with
more understanding could gain on a higher level. There is virtually no end to
the benefits and levels of understanding possible when it comes to the Universal Laws. Our objective has been to make
this study attractive to any individual who wants to know more, to the perplexed who are seeking answers, and to
searchers who want a system that is understandable as well as applicable to their
lives.
In this program, you can come to know, as opposed to laboring to
believe. This
should be at the forefront of your decision to study with the Institute. Finding the confirmation from life
experiences that allows one to know is the beginning of understanding.
We teach you a way to know, so that you can believe and by
believing - create. The more understanding one develops, the clearer it is that faith and knowledge are two sides of
the same coin. When we focus on the basic teachings of the Great Masters we come to understand that it was their
desire and purpose for us to know and understand the Universal Laws of Life. It was never their intent that we
be lost in a maze of beliefs but that we understand “belief and knowledge” on a new
level.
Why should
I study the IAM Catalogue?
We can read all of the ancient texts in the language in which they were
written. We
can read every “new age” book that comes down the pike, listen to CDs by speakers who command huge fees, council
with our most insightful ministers, follow the greatest evangelists of our time, sit at the feet of the most
renowned teachers, and our best psychics, but if the foundation has not been laid by the process of
identification and verification of the Universal Laws in our lives, we will only be perennial seekers. We must
do the work on Self. There are no substitutes.
This is a brief introduction as to the benefits derived from the IAM-COR approach to the most
important of studies, the process of knowing the Self. “Just the facts mam” was the
dry comment of the policeman to the chatter of the witness in the old Dragnet television
series. There
is a great deal of “chatter” in the metaphysical, philosophical and religious arena. We want to state the facts as
we have come to understand them from personal experience and you can take it from there. If it makes sense to you, by
all means, proceed at your own pace with your study of the first level. If it does not makes sense to
you, very little time will have been wasted.
1) You can travel to
the furthest recesses of any continent, endure years of discipline, have personal time with a Master Teacher, learn
to develop psychic capabilities and experience intense visions, but sooner or later, the Universal Laws must be
consciously identified and verified from your life experiences in order for you to begin to know your Self and
Universal Being. This process is our mission.
2) You can memorize
the Kama Sutra, but without personal experience, you do not know. You can memorize the Bible, the
Vedic writings, the Dhammapada and the Tao Teh Ching, but if you do not recognize and see the Laws in them and in
your life, you cannot know. With IAM-COR you can start now wherever you are and whatever you are
doing.
3) Every time Jesus
and the Great Masters of wisdom are recorded as speaking, they were defining, illustrating or in some manner
teaching one of the Universal Laws.
Yet, their own students and disciples did not understand until the process of
identification and verification of a Law from their life experiences was realized. The Bible is full of such
examples. This
is what is meant by “Their ears are dull of hearing and their eyes are closed.” The understanding on a conscious
level is necessary to the process.
4) There are
hundreds of thousands of priests, preachers, monks, mullahs and rabbis ready willing and able to tell us how we are
different. This study program draws specific comparisons as to how all the Great Masters’ teachings were alike as
opposed to how they were different.
5) Each student
works through three levels at IAM based on the 13 Universal Laws as taught by the Masters who are revered by the
world’s major religions.
6) There is no
statement of faith, doctrine, creed, code, or ritual to be embraced at IAM-COR. There is only a process of
identification and verification of each of the Laws from your own life
experiences.
7) There is no
required timetable or level of understanding for which you are tested. The lesson questions mark your
passage as having completed a book or course.
They are part of the learning process and not a test of your
memory.
8) Once the Laws are
identified and verified you are operating on knowledge instead of faith because you have been there and done that.
It is based purely on your experiences and not on any tradition or belief system. Faith only becomes a factor when
it is time to do something about what you know.
9) Once you know, no
matter what book you read, speaker you hear or teacher’s seminar you attend, you will know whether they know or
not. You will know whether they are talking about what they “know” or about what they have been taught. You will
know whether they are aware of their core being or really do not know themselves. Emerson said,
“Don’t say things. What you ARE stands over the while and thunders so that I
cannot hear what you say to the contrary.”
10)
Once verified and understood even on a superficial level, as you experience life or reflect
further, you will understand the Laws in ever increasing depth. Spinoza wrote,
“God and the Universal Laws of structure and operation are one and the same
reality.”
In summary, you are not being asked to believe anyone or anything. We are suggesting that you can
identify and verify the Laws for yourself in time. Alone, you may be unable to
complete this process with all 13 of the Laws on a deep level. You simply may not recognize them for what they
are. On the other hand, you may come to the conclusion there are more Laws and deeper meaning than any of the
illustrations we give. It is our responsibility to share what we have come to know. You are responsible for what
you do with this knowledge.
This introduction defines the Institute
of Applied
Metaphysics’ program of study, and the basic premise upon which the
Church of Revelation was established. When you are lead to enter this
study we stand ready to assist.
May the light and wisdom within you guide you in the process of
unfoldment.
What is the Institute of Applied Metaphysics? What is its purpose?
Who were the ones who revealed the Universal
Laws?
IAM is an educational institution dedicated to providing materials and instruction related to
the Universal Laws. These Laws, in place before time, are the only recognizable aspects of the Divine
Self-expression.
The study of Universal Laws as taught by
all the Great Masters is a study of Self. It is not a study of comparative religions, doctrines or rituals.
It is not a matter of choosing one belief system over another. It is really not about religion.
The unknown author of Introduction to Dao (Tao) notes, “Dao is actually the headwaters of all religions. It embraces the essence of
all the preaching and teachings.
And yet, it is superior to the system of belief. It is the nature, the
universe itself. “Dao” or “god” represents the highest authority and power of nature. It is also the headstream
and superior to all. It is the unchangeable
principle.”
Fritjof Schuon in his book, Islam, states, “Islam then is in essence a truth and a law - or the Truth and the Law – the former answering to the intelligence and the latter to the
will”.
Swami Bhaskarananda, in
The Essentials of Hinduism, refers
to what he calls “supersenuous” or “metaphysical truths” as
“the foundation of Hinduism.” They are, as the Swami said,
“apaurusheya” – not man
made.
Buddha’s wisdom clears one from the
illusions of life and reveals to us both the significance and insignificance of this
world. It
brings to life cause and effect.
One seeks his Buddha Nature in the
Dharma, the
Path, and its principles are the Universal
Laws, which Buddha wisdom refers to as “The Middle Way”.
In the Hebrew texts, the Universal Laws,
which were poured out before there could be so much as a clod of earth (Proverbs 8:22–31), had to be in place
before there could be life on this vibratory level. Therefore, any higher manifestation of God in man would
express these Laws.
Jesus refers to the Christ Consciousness
as “the way, the truth and the
light”. John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was
God.” What does it mean that Christ was the
Word? It means the Word was made manifest and the Laws
explained by example, on our level of understanding.
The revelation of these Laws was the primary purpose of the Great Masters who are revered as
founders of the world’s major religions.
While the truths they revealed can be categorized as thirteen invariant
principles, the doctrines developed by their disciples after the Masters were gone are quite
different. The resulting layers of cobwebs century after century have buried the original teachings of
the Masters. The primary purpose of the Institute is to foster individual effort focused upon the
identification and verification of these principles in our life
experiences.
How do the objectives of the Institute differ from religion? Why is individual
responsibility so important?
Who can benefit by this study?
There is an urgent need for the development of systems for
assisting people in accepting individual responsibility and work on Self. It is important that there be
processes that do not rely on the trappings of religion. Organized religion has its role
but the fact is many, whether religious or not, can come to a new understanding of Universal Being and the
Universal Laws. The demand is so great for this kind of knowledge that it is easy for the money motivated writer
or the charismatic leader to benefit while having no real capability or desire to help. Almost all such writers and
evangelists claim affiliation with some type of religious organization, and many will have their axes to
grind. The
Institute assist with knowledge that allows Self-discovery, attacks no one, and creates no new doctrine or
creed.
Who May Qualify for the Institute of Applied
Metaphysics?
The Institute may be utilized by anyone
from any religious or philosophical background.
This includes those who are locked into very narrow
belief systems. Your affiliation with a particular
organization may be due to your family affiliations and/or what your friends espouse. This does not, however, mean that you are not a
searcher.
No doubt there will be some who will not be open to the facts
presented in the course, but all are free to accept and benefit or not. Since the subject matter includes
philosophy, religion, politics, science and ethics, there may be ample grounds for confrontation.
You can accept
or embrace the Universal Principles to what ever degree you are capable of receiving the facts and
understanding the concepts based upon your experiences.
The basis for
the establishment of the Institute can be found in the Renford Books. There is a way to identify the Universal
Laws and come into harmony with them that will be of benefit in your career, business and private
life. Most importantly, there is a way to know the
truth, or lack of it, in the thousands of philosophies, religions and ideas vying for your
attention. The Institute is, therefore,
designed to provide basic training for life.
The extent to which we can be of service is dependent on our gaining understanding of the Laws. On any level, whether reading a Renford Book or reading
LIGHTWAYS, the members’ monthly newsletter, our objective is to
help you help yourself .
The Renford Books, and the texts utilized by the Institute,
demonstrate how you may, without adopting anyone’s creed, come to an understanding of the Universal Laws and
Universal Being. The Institute has an equally clear vision of its mission. We make a distinction between
accepting anything on blind faith and the process of coming to know.
For the books and the Institute to be beneficial, the study must be
approached in a questioning manner.
You are not expected to accept anything on faith. In fact, what you have accepted on
faith and any preconceived ideas you may have will be difficult for you to overcome. Whatever belief system you bring
is yours and our objective is not to add to or subtract from it. We assist with the process of
coming to know and you
determine how this fits or changes your beliefs. What you will receive, while not
new, is truth in a package you can understand, verify and apply. Understanding and harmony with the
Universal Laws benefit you as no other knowledge can possibly do. There is no witness like one who
has actually experienced learning.
What is the Mission of the Institute? What is its Agenda and What
will you Learn?
After the presence of a Great Master, there was the development of centers of learning and
there were the organization builders.
Why?
There had been an explosion of light. The illuminators had brought
the “good news” that man was in the very image of God, that there were powers within man that he could draw upon
if he would but do so. This “good news” was to be taken to the whole world. Jesus gave what is referred to
as “The Great Commission”. He said, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the
gospel to every creature.”
The word “gospel” means good news. This “good news” was
hijacked by the organization builders.
They made a cult of personality as opposed to embracing the truth that makes
one free. This can be seen in the portion of Christianity that came under the control of the Emperor
Constantine. It was those who were most removed from the light that destroyed the gospels that were a
threat to them. During this period the basic doctrines of the Roman Church were created, and new
interpretations of what the “good news” was, took root.
For the traditional Christian the “good news” became the death, burial and resurrection of
Jesus. It
became “whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not
believe will be condemned.”
Some placed the emphasis on good works, some on belief and others on
grace. One
of the most popular creeds today specifies that the “good news” is that all one has to do is
believe. Now, each Christian denomination recruits from other Christian denominations and from other
world religions, each with their own interpretation of what the “good news”
is.
Jesus was clear and unequivocal about what the “good news” is, and his “good news” was of a
very different nature. He gave us insight as to what and where the kingdom of heaven is. He told us that it was at hand
– close – within. He told us how important it was to seek and find it, and stated that if we sought it first,
everything else of importance would come with it. “You shall know the truth
and the truth will set you free.”
This was and is the “good news”. This statement specified
shall. In other words, that there
was no question of it. There were no if, ands, buts, maybes or wherefores, just the affirmative statement
“shall”.
The second key word “know” specifies that the truth is not perceived by faith
in what someone says but in the knowing , the personal experience being the only way we can know anything. The truth refers to who and what
we are – sons and daughters of the light.
The third key word is “will”. With this knowledge, which
we shall have, there
will come
freedom. When one experiences truth,
the truth will set one
free.
What are we to have freedom from? It is freedom from
fear. Why freedom from
fear? Because
fear is at the root of all failure,
all negative thoughts and attitudes, all disease, and all it’s by products, such as hate, anger, selfishness,
greed and death.
Mission Statement
To bring to all who have ears to hear, awareness of the Universal Laws, a set of principles or
truths, which constitute the Divine Self-expression.
To foster within all students the recognition of individual responsibility for the life they
are creating and thus responsibility for their own purpose, happiness and
fulfillment.
To provide through a course of study a way to find harmony with the Laws and maximize personal
evolution and unfoldment.
What
the Institute teaches is timeless.
Nothing can be found in the courses or books that are new. It is all very old; in fact,
so ancient it predates the development of world religions. It is the teachings of the
Great Masters in its pure state before the organization builders. Once introduced to the Laws through
publications such as The Mysteries Revealed, The House That Namuh
Built or The Laws of
Material Wealth, you will recognize your existing knowledge of
these Laws.
We are often uncomfortable with anything unfamiliar or anything we
cannot immediately label. It will be to the advantage of students to resist the urge to label any aspect of this study.
Once we put our label on something we have it in a neat little box, filed away, generally thinking we know what it
is all about. We
rarely do because we have categorized and labeled it before we have all of the facts or know how it relates to
other studies and disciplines.
If we keep our attention on the process of identifying the Universal Laws in
our life experiences the big picture will come into focus.
We live in a world of fear, yet we were not meant to live
fearfully. Many religious organizations thrive on fear of Satan, evil, heresy, the end of time and an eternity of
hell. The litany
of negatives is almost endless.
We are even told that we should fear God who Jesus said is love!
The Institute has no doctrines and dogmas for you to
believe. In
fact, we do not ask you to believe anything.
We ask you to verify from your life experiences each of the Universal Laws to
whatever degree you are capable of doing so.
The Institute is a place of learning, and our students study because they want
to know. At IAM, only the student has an agenda and a
schedule.
There is a distinction between what is important to know and what
it means to be educated with generic knowledge. We are clear about the differences
between traditional education and what can be gained at the Institute. You will learn of the four fields
of knowledge and the truth that lies beyond what is traditionally available. Above all, you learn to recognize
the difference between knowing facts and gaining understanding. Without knowledge and
understanding of the Universal Laws, you are simply entering or continuing in the game of life without knowing all
the rules.
The more you know how to utilize the knowledge you gain at the
Institute, the more ways you will find to use it. If you do not understand or
appreciate the value of the education to be gained, why would you enroll? You become aware of the fact that
you are receiving a greater value than a purely physical science approach because the physical sciences involve the
study of a physical manifestation, the effect and not the cause.
The Law of Righteous Self-interest illustrates that we can only
give to those who have the capacity to receive. You must have an expandable
container. A
five-gallon container will fill a quart jar and the rest is wasted on the ground. If you are not willing to expand
your container, this program of study is not for you. If your mind and heart is open, a
five-gallon container is only a drop in your ocean.
Is the Institute of Applied Metaphysics accredited or recognized by any
association?
The Institute of Applied Metaphysics is a private educational institution with a specific mission. It has made no effort to
seek accreditation with any agency.
Furthermore, it is unlikely in the foreseeable future due to the subject matter.
While there are numerous organizations that teach esoteric and metaphysical courses, we are not aware of any
association or accrediting agency in existence specific to metaphysics. The judgment by the individual
student is all that matters to either the Institute or the student.
Is there an association of Metaphysical schools?
We are aware of other metaphysical, paranormal, esoteric and philosophical schools that we
would consider to fit into this category, and there may be eventual grounds for cooperation in such an
association, but for the time being, we know of no such effort on behalf of Metaphysical
schools.
How would one find “outside” verification of the teachings found in the Renford
Books
and the course of study developed by the Institute of Applied Metaphysics?
There are segments of this study that any number of experts might verify, but if the
individual is not a graduate of the Institute, he may or may not be qualified to pass
judgment. At
the same time, the Institute cannot and will not seek or accept pronouncements upon its program of study by any
similar organization. If the Board of Governors and founder of the Institute of Applied Metaphysics had considered existing
organizations to be sufficient and complete, there would have been no need for the establishment of the
Institute. We
would simply have joined the existing organizations. This does not mean that we are
unwilling to cooperate or disapprove of any of these organizations. It does mean that we do not
think that any other program addresses all of the questions that need to be addressed or are operating in the
manner most beneficial to the seeker.
This attitude in itself, some would claim, is elitists but it is given only as an
explanation as to why the Institute was founded. You will find no attacks being
made on any church, philosophical group or metaphysical school. We do point out differences in
views where they are clear but the means and methods are in place for students to confirm everything for
themselves.
Is the Institute of Applied Metaphysics connected to any religious organization? What faith would it have most in common
with?
The Institute of Applied Metaphysics is about KNOWING.
We ask no student or reader to accept any principle on
faith. The Church of Revelation (COR) shares the mission and objectives of the Institute of Applied Metaphysics but it is not a church one
joins. Upon completion of the first degree level of the Institute Council Membership in COR is automatic. The
Institute is the recognized seminary for COR. Neither the Institute nor
COR are looking to create a quantity of followers based on faith only. Neither organization
recognizes great value in blind faith.
Believing and knowing are two sides of the same coin. Neither have value without
the other. Therefore, the student can take one Renford book and from it determine for himself by
verification of his life experiences whether the Universal Laws and what is written about them are true or
not. For
this reason, the course of study is based around the Renford Books with no arbitrary beginning
point. The
student begins from the point where he is and with the book that appeals to him due to his current
situation.
When a student has completed the course of study with the Institute of Applied Metaphysics, what certification does he have and
how may he use it?
If the student’s concern is a paper to facilitate a secular job, the Institute is obviously
not the place to be. While the Institute certifies completion of 3 levels of study, it is purely to signify that
the student has completed the matrix of lessons. The graduating student will
automatically be confirmed as a Minister/Teacher, a Master/Teacher and finally as a
Doctor/Metaphysician. Graduates will be eligible to teach with the Institute, and to receive the ordination by COR
at each level.
What is the profile of the typical student enrolled with the Institute of Applied
Metaphysics and what is the agenda of the Institute?
We welcome the student who truly wants to KNOW. We welcome those on the path
who wish to avoid the arbitrary and often regimented systems that many schools designate. Each individual seeker, and
fellow traveler, is in a unique position.
Each is who they are and cannot fit into a mass mold. One can begin with any one of
the texts of the Institute, complete the lesson questions and move on to the next that speaks to his
needs. Counseling is available but the decision is that of the student. There is no agenda or schedule
but that which is the student’s.
When all the lessons in Section One are completed, the ULS is
awarded. When
all the lessons in Section Two are completed, the MA is awarded. The PhAM may be completed
before the ULS but the awarding of this designation must follow in the proper order to insure that the
foundation has been gained.
What field of study would accurately describe the special category of knowledge found at
the Institute of
Applied Metaphysics?
While the Renford Books are replete with many quotes from great thinkers and Great Masters,
and include studies of many spiritual leaders, the student’s study is centered on the
Self. It
is in this microcosm of the universe that he must find his answers and come to KNOW. Our job is to facilitate
this process and convey the understanding of Renford through his books to each student. The course of study belongs
to the student. The subject matter is ultimately the student. The choices the student
makes are his own. The Institute exists to help the student help “Self”. The student makes the
decisions and must live with his choices. The student will find all
the help he needs but he will not find any judgmental decisions coming from the Institute or any of its
teachers. The student is the teacher, the student and the subject matter. The curriculum is designed
to help the student study Self.
How does one enroll in the Institute of Applied Metaphysics?
When an individual begins reading one of the texts in the curriculum, the process of
enrollment has begun. With the purchase of the ULS
Workbook and submission of the first set of lesson questions, the
reader becomes a student. The Registration and Order Form should be completed to make sure that all contact information
is available to the administration, but the lesson questions have already created a student
file.
How many lessons are there and how much does it cost to complete the course of
study?
Like any good school of higher learning, the curriculum is changing because the organization
is looking to enhance the material for students. The Renford Books are always a
part of the study. Each chapter of the book, each introduction and each closing is a part of the course of
study. If you
went to a university and asked how many lessons there are they would probably laugh at
you. They
will tell you that the degree requires a certain number of hours. We will be a little more
specific with the notation that the numbers will change from time to time. (See the Registration and Order
Form)
What about the cost of Renford Books, specified texts and recommended reading
material?
The books are provided as part of the price of the courses
unless the student is on scholarship or auditing the course to determine whether or not they want to officially
make it a part of their career choice.
The student purchases the Renford Books and texts through the Institute
bookstore. Otherwise, most will be available from Amazon.com or any local bookstore. The publisher of the
Renford Books is IAMPress, which is an independent for profit commercial enterprise. Three of the books were published
in association with 1stBooks Library, now known as Authorhouse (Authorhouse.com). Ten books and workbooks are
available through Lulu.com. All of the Renford Books have been moved into 5x8 or 6x9 formatting for publication.
The ULS Workbook, The Laws of Material Wealth Workbook, The Mysteries
Revealed Workbook and The Unity Principles Workbook are 8.5x11.
Any book is available in manuscript form or as an E-book, even if not yet in
production. The most efficient system is to receive by email or CD and take delivery of the hard copy
when it arrives with no extra charge.
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