PROBABLY everyone who has walked along the seashore at low tide has noticed the small round gray calcareous shells of the barnacles. In many instances they cover the surfaces of large rocks, the piling of wharves, and whatsoever other objects are washed by tidal waters. This tiny form of marine growth fastens itself so tenaciously upon the object to which it has been attracted that it becomes almost a part of it. A somewhat different form of barnacle, which fastens itself with equal tenacity to the sides and keels of ships, greatly reduces the speed of the boats, until ultimately, perhaps at considerable expense to the owners, it has to be removed.
Mortals journeying on their way from sense to Soul sometimes wade through the waters of mortal belief when these appear calm and serene. Skies seem bright, waves sparkling, and the air clear and balmy, so that no particular attention is given to the barnacles of wrong thinking, superstition, and false beliefs, which are apt to adhere tenaciously to mortal thought. Sooner or later, however, one may see that the proper advancement is not being made. Then it becomes apparent that the barnacles of wrong thinking, false reasoning, and petty shortcomings, although heretofore not recognized as likely to interfere with progress, have nevertheless been slowly accumulating until at last their presence is made manifest in slackened progression. These subtle influences against spiritual advancement are manifold; and although so-called mortal mind is loath to admit that they are impeditive, and may even maintain that they are harmless, and that it is not necessary to destroy them, they must sooner or later be grappled with and removed from consciousness.
How many of our shortcomings are directly attributable to some form of selfishness! Like barnacles, the suggestions and inclinations of self-love, self-will, self-righteousness, self-justification, self-aggrandizement, self-pity, self-condemnation, self-satisfaction, and a host of other forms of error, oftentimes seem to be stubbornly resistive when an effort is made to dislodge them from human consciousness. Unquestionably, selfishness greatly hinders spiritual advancement; and full speed ahead is maintained only in proportion as love is expressed in kindness, charitableness, and a true sense of service. True happiness is experienced when selfish aims and purposes are surrendered and one's efforts are dedicated to the service of good. Physical healing or financial aid oftentimes comes quickly as the reward of true selflessness. Full freedom from selfishness is not easily or quickly attained; but the constant seeking, the constant striving to lose self in a larger service and greater love for one's fellow men insures progress, and inevitably draws one more and more closely to God.
