The Sermon on the Mount

Emmet Fox (1886-1951)

I particularly like the teaching style of Emmett Fox. Myself, not belonging to any secular denomination, I was instantly intrigued and motivated to examine myself. I was contempt prior to investigation regarding my spirituality. I learned that it makes no difference how I regard Jesus Christ. Whether I consider him the son of god or just a delusional fanatic the fact will remain that the life and death of Jesus Christ has influenced the course of human history.

The objective of "The Sermon on the Mount" by Emmett Fox is to be a practical manual of spiritual development to be used through out your life.

I learned first off to realize religion and spirituality have nothing to do with the church or any organized sect.

My goal is to understand and put into practice the Spiritual Key. The Spiritual key is that I have dominion over my perception. What does that mean?

"And the truth turns out to be nothing less than the amazing but undeniable fact that the whole outer world-whether it be the physical body, the common things of life, the winds and the rain, the clouds, the Earth it self-Is amenable to man's thought, and that he has dominion over it when he knows it. The outer world, far from being the prison of circumstances that it is commonly supposed to be, has actually no character what so ever of its own, either good or bad. It has only the character we give to it by our own thinking. It is naturally plastic to our thought, and this is so, whether we know it or not, and whether we wish it or not."
-Emmett Fox

Although I believe this excerpt fully is self explanatory of what the outer world is I will reiterate it in my words of being everything external...Our reality.
Not long ago, I had the job of holding a sign in front of Circuit City saying "going out of business" I made 35 dollars for five hours. the first day I was embarrassed and felt degraded and thought that I was too good to be doing something like this. I had negative thoughts and in return I had a miserable five hours. The next day I thought to my self they are actually paying me to get a sun tan catch up on some reading and listen to music. I had positive thoughts and in return I had a great day. Both days were virtually the same day only my mental attitude made them completely opposite. I'm 37 years old and I finally understand the little engine that could...better late than never.

Knowing the Spiritual key is just half the battle, to fully understand and have dominion over your perception you must incorporate the eight Beatitudes into your life. It is not enough to know the eight beatitudes...you have to live them!

THE EIGHT BEATITUDES OF JESUS

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Keep in mind the the Bible is a Textbook of metaphysics, a manual for the growth of the soul, and it looks at all questions from this point of view.

Also keep in mind that the dialect used when the bible was written is quite differint than in modern days and must be translated accordingly.