Theos-Talk Archives (March 1998 Message tt00214)

March 23rd 1998

Why anticipate trouble, opposition or strife ?

The truly spiritual is inclusive and not divisive.   It views all
living things as part of one vast Unit, hence "brotherhood,
cooperation, and compassion."

It provides equitable answers and explanations for all problems.

It is giving and not taking.  It demands nothing in return for
offering that which is common property and which anyone who desires
can apply as a method for self-governing or self-reform if that is
necessary.

Since it views all living beings, from the atom to man, and from Man
to perfected beings, as IMMORTALS,  there need be no fear at all --
of the dark, or the evil.

And while recognizing that many at times (not always) err, and make
serious selfish faults, they generally trouble themselves most of
all.  for them we ought to have pity, and be ever ready to extend a
helping hand when asked (if we know what to do, or how to express
constructive sympathy).

So the practice of spirituality would seem to demand continued
attention to the best means of helping others, and thereby helping
ourselves to a wider, deeper and more altruistic view of the
evolutionary pursuits we are all engaged in, wherever we may be.

If we continue to consider we are isolated, or that we have to do
something strange or special to "protect" our personal selves, we
ought to inquire why we do that.  Why do we have such fears ?  For
how long do we desire "protection ?"  From whom ?  How much of this
is of long-term value, and what are the time and space limits we are
thinking of, and currently concerned with ?  If we are dissatisfied
with our present environment and situation, have we analyzed the
components of this mental and emotional set ?  What is important in
it ?  With what we have, as virtues or talents, what can we do, and
where should we go ?

Simply enduring without understanding is useless waste of energy, and
time.  To be truly spiritual is to know ones' self, and one's
capacities, and then to act to do something about it.

It is rare to be able to measure with exactness our present
situation, spiritually, or otherwise, but it can be done by detaching
ourselves from it, and viewing it as impersonally as we can.  We all
have that faculty, but need to put it to work.  That is the dynamic
aspect of Theosophy -- as we can find in HPB's KEY TO THEOSOPHY from
p  227 on to the end of the book.  That is basic information w ought
to have and use.

These ideas are of course my own and I am responsible for them.  I
hope they are of some help in this matter.					Dallas

==========================================
----------
| From: "Thoa Thi-Kim Tran" <thoalight@aol.com>
| Subject: The test of life
| Date: Sunday, March 22, 1998 11:30 AM
|
| There's also another way of looking at this.  I used to belong to a
group
| which was headed by a couple.  The woman was constantly in conflict
with
| everyone, criticizing them, and telling them how they could be
better
| spiritual people.  And the subject of her attacks are good and kind
people.
| Eventually, people would leave the group in droves.  What was the
couple's
| response?  That the people who left are not as spiritually advanced
and
| that "all good work evokes opposition."  As I always say from
living in the
| U.S., this is America, and we don't have to put up with anything
that feels
| bad.
|
| Perhaps one should look at opposition and analyze why there is
opposition,
| instead of making blanket statements.
|
| Thoa :o)
| 				S N I P				DTB
| .com.