Course XVI - Teaching 4: Heavenly Ladder

When the Son perseveres at prayer, the Master drives away the shadows of ignorance and fills him with holy happiness.
The Son asks the Master to discover His presence, and as soon as His Divine Image appears clearly before his mind, affections and holy wishes flow from his heart. Purposes and new promises seal this hour, and sometimes the soul leaves as if enraptured and filled with a new breath of life.
Then, works and somber struggles of men are too far away!
So, carried away by a loving yearning, the soul beseeches:
“Beloved Master, I understand that all is transient and illusory, and that the only reality is the Divine. But during my daily work, even this so great bliss is sometimes darkened by tasks and worries, and ups and downs of life”.
“I try to tread in the mud and to keep my white raiment stainless, but not always I get away with it; sometimes there are splashes in my soul. Your Divine Image fades away, and as I think over it, I am dazed and frightened because I cannot find You!”
Again the Master teaches his disciple the mystery of the Divine Presence:
“Learn how to stay always with Me by means of prayer. Prayer is a sure weapon to overcome all those enemies wishing to drive you away from My side. One day without prayer is a wasted day.”
“Hours run rapidly when you do not pray; and in the end of the day you are tired and unaware of the usefulness of your time.” “From tomorrow, as soon as you wake up, pray. Raise your thought to Me as soon as your mind, out of the night veils, recovers the consciousness. Get up rapidly and nimbly in order to stay with Me longer.”
“Think about this: whatever you do, do it for Me, and offer Me beforehand your works, sorrows and joys.”
“The whole night I watched over you and I long for your offering of love and charity. As soon as possible, enter the chamber of our secrets, enter the tabernacle of prayer. This is the most intimate union of your soul with Me.”
“Oh soul of mine, sometimes I see you intending to avoid the prayer exercise because your heart feels dry. But I am nearer to you when you experience this suffering and pain. I ask and beg you: absolutely, do not leave your prayer. Do not avoid this exercise by looking for any excuse.”
“Why do you call me and leave me expecting, oh soul? Why do not you come on the time promised since the Eternity, where you soul looks for Me?”
“Pray to the Divine Mother so that you be attentive to this duty; in your living, nothing should be so important that makes you abandon this duty and forsake Me. Then your soul shall touch daily and continuously those so yearned and wonderful shores of the eternal sea, where the true happiness dwells. So, may your prayer be your heavenly ladder to reach the Divine.” So, a new force touches and fills the soul, and makes the latter understand the Divine Teaching and expect fervently the time for a new meeting.
From his abyss and desolation, where usually he was sunk, the Son starts climbing ineffable regions of pure and mystical bliss; these are a source where, as a convalescent child, he shall become stronger in order to start his new life.