One of the things that really impresses me [about the Cosmic Masters] is their complete detachment from the expectations of society… They had no attachment whatsoever to the vanities of this world; to money, beauty, power… [Dr. King] could do worldly things… but it didn’t mean anything to him – not really. Or it only meant something insofar as it served his spiritual purpose.

[Mark] When I look at the lives of the Cosmic Masters, quietly, and try and look at what is different between me and them, obviously the list is endless, and in a way, it’s an absurd question. But it’s quite a useful question, at least as a starting point, as well, so that we can begin to see what we are and what they are, and begin to bridge that tremendous gap.

And one of the things that has come to me quite strongly when I think about Dr. King and the Master Jesus – in different ways because they’re very different intelligences – one of the things that really impresses me is their complete detachment from the expectations of society.

They had no attachment whatsoever to the vanities of this world; to money, beauty, power. These things, which, okay, good people have detached from to a large degree, yes. I mean… and also most ordinary people are not particularly power mad etc., but nevertheless the values of this world are to value those qualities, primarily power, of which the other things are a manifestation really.

I tried to do a contemplation once in Dr. King’s bedroom, which is obviously a holy place by its very nature, to try to tune into his mind. And I had no preconceptions of what I was going to get really, and the image I got was of an expansive meadow – a plowed field up to the horizon that was empty. And this to me was symbolic of just having no worldly desire whatsoever. So he could do worldly things. He could wear a tweed jacket. He could have a drink. He could enjoy a meal, stay at a hotel, have a joke but it didn’t mean anything to him – not really. Or it only meant something insofar as it served his spiritual purpose.

And it was very helpful to me because it illustrated the difference… It began to illustrate that great gulf. Because that’s my problem. And I think that’s probably your problem and the problem of most people on Earth is that we are attached to worldly values. Even if we’re good people; even if we’re doing good things; even if we’re active in service, a part of us still has those worldly desires for worldliness’ sake.

[Darren] I think the other part of what you’re saying in being attached to worldly values is that it’s also being attached to what the world thinks about you and what you’re doing.

[Mark] Absolutely. The two are inextricably linked.

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