Theos-Talk Archives (February 1998 Message tt00087)

At 07:46 PM 2/13/98 +1100, you wrote:
>I hope this is not too long.
>-Bruce

Yes, Bruce, Yes, Yes. This paper is so TRUE to the spirit of theosophy. I
love you and bless you and thank you for preparing it.  Bruce, we can be
thankful for our three objects. Perhaps they were designed for us to AGREE
to and not for us to participate in. Isn't it fun that John Algeo steps
theosophy down to us ( I mean, the human being.)? Brotherhood? Uh - the
masters better be prepared to mankind's dedication to their families and to
their countries. Perhaps the Masters could work for the three objects
through our T.S., but when they work through the country, they use other
ideals.  The family is so CHARACTERISTIC of man. I wonder how adepts live!
Probably in cultural groups of sort. Maybe they don't value family, but we
can still be strongly in support of family because that is what being human
is. Think how much it helps our beloved animal kingdom to develop!

I'm starting to think that the three objects are here for the Masters to
accomplish, not us. What can't it be the masters who form a nucleus,
encourage study, and investigate man, and us human beings can just agree to
let them do it. John Algeo gave us something that we are capable of doing
which is look deep within ourselves and when we do this we can find "The
Masters." We can find the masters living within us and we can love them and
thank them and know them and talk to them and they can make our lives
thousands of times better than they ever were before.

>If our personal view is so concentrated upon what we believe to be our
>weaknesses, then how shall we develop that which is more worthy of our
>consideration? We pay much too much attention to the minor faults and
>disregard the major; whilst forgetting to be forever thankful to the Father
>for the gifts already given.

>Or perhaps the answer might be, "Oh, but I do that already!", without
>reflecting as to whether one can really have done this enough, if in fact
>the blessings have been itemised at all. It is a little like counting one's
>money, only far better. There is meagre satisfaction in counting money and
>checking to see if it is all there. For if one has more than enough, it
>becomes merely an act of counting, and if there is a deficiency it becomes

>more of a worry, because of that shortage.
>
>To some it appears as a painful and arduous task. But if we are to receive
>many gifts in our life, we are firstly to know and use what we have and
>secondly to know of our gratitude for them. By actively doing this our
>entire outlook does brighten, and a certain confidence develops within the
>man, who then stands firmer in the world.
>
>Quite often the remedy to our troubles is there before us and yet unseen. We
>are to refine our attitudes and begin in small measures, seemingly, and find
>that the results are astounding in respect to future changes which will be
>effected, by the enhancement of our personal perspectives.
>
>One may be greatly assisted in the beginning, by actually vocalising those
>blessings, loudly pronouncing in detail to oneself or to another. This is
>not to suggest boasting of course, but to explain the concept of the
>practice of grateful acknowledgment and then to take turns in such
>conversation, expressing as many blessings as one can bring forth. Such an
>interplay will certainly uplift the mood of the party and also be far more
>productive than many an alternative form of conversation!
>
>Beware of opinions and comparisons however! This is not the intent of the
>procedure. We must acknowledge that this is very subjective and not open to
>conjecture, if it is indeed honest in reproduction. Also, one may never
>truly be convinced when bringing to mind our treasured happinesses, this is
>not the point. The point is the stimulation in the revealing and the
>revelation of overwhelming gratitude which weeps from such vital
>stimulation. The very fluids of the spiritual life pour from such
>reverential thankfulness.

Thank you, Bruce, I was very moved by your excellent insight.

Brenda