Re:The test true spirituality -- what is universality ?
Mar 26, 1998 06:20 PM
by Rodolfo Don
>March 26th 1998
>
>Dear Rodolfo and Thoa -- can I also observe:
>
>If we take the view as the VOICE OF THE SILENCE does, that the Inner
>Self ( HIGHER SELF) is ideally an immortal ray, or an eternal spark
>of the UNIVERSAL SELF -- individualized, and personalized so that
>we can exist in the physical world with our physical-brain-minds, and
>yet always have an inner connection with the great SELF of all
>Beings, because of its residence within us. Would this not be a
>point of resolution ?
>
>Further if the entire Universe is made up of sentient beings, each in
>one way or another, it is a piece of the "hologram" of the whole,
>then, would not everything from a sub-atomic particle to a Galaxy
>mirror in some way, as an "ideal," the WHOLE within its innermost
>consciousness ?
>
>I think we are all somewhat confused or deluded by our present
>physical senses. We limit our thinking in terms of what we see,
>taste, smell, touch, feel or think, and in reality there is an
>inexhaustible ocean of further contacts, of perceptions that can be
>made. Some are very "old." Others are very "far." Some are so
>remote' that we have difficulty visualizing them.
>
>So I come to the questions, in my mind: What am "I": ? What is an
>"atom ?" What is a world ?" What is a Galaxy ? How "old" are these
>? ( Well, if the physical changes constantly, there is something
>invisible but strong, behind the physical, which holds shape and
>togetherness, and gives them permanence.)
>
>And so on ... Why should not part of the program of evolution afford
>to the "physical" atom, or molecule an eventual opportunity to mirror
>outside of itself its own powers of awareness and of consciousness ?
>
>Another view is one that I like to adopt in regard to myself. If we
>start looking into one's own mind (this may be possibly a kind of
>meditation) do we not first encounter our thoughts and memories,
>then our hopes and fears for the future, then we can catalog the
>abilities or the disabilities, and the lacks we know we have.
<color><param>FFFF,0000,0000</param>This is a very big challenge
Dallas. If you decide to look into your mind, of course that you are
going to find your thoughts, memories, hopes and fears for the future.
But that is not meditation. Meditation has nothing to do with the mind.
It has to do with determination, desire to know the truth in order to
do what is right. It has to do with conviction that Truth can never be
found outside of oneself: books, somebody telling me what is true. Once
you are convinced that only the "Universal Self" is the holder of
truth, you stop looking for answers outside of yourself, and begin to
look for answers within yourself, always with the motivation to get to
the truth, and to put into practice your findings.
</color> When this is done we know that "WE" and our "Mind" are two
separate
>things. The Mind is seen to be indeed a many faceted tool which "I""
>/ "We" can use or direct. How do we do this ? Does this not lead to
>the mysterious power of the "Will ?"
>
<color><param>FFFF,0000,0000</param>The mind is truly the slayer of the
real. You said before: the mind is our thoughts, memories, hopes and
fears for the future. It has the ability to project itself into the
future and go back to the past and look at the present with clouded
judgement. Pure attention needs a quite mind able to reflect like the
waters of a lake.
</color>>Now that is a challenge. What is the "sill" -- we know that
once we
>adopt a plan or make a decision, it employs all our faculties,
>visible and invisible to achieve a chosen goal. If we aim at some
>physical goal of potential achievement, we can devote a life-time to
>the acquisition of the necessary skill to produce that result. Then
>what ? Death comes. Is the skill or talent obliterated ? Is all
>the effort wasted ? I do not think so, and so I acclaim the idea of
>reincarnation," based on a law that demands that wisdom and ability
>be continued somehow. This invokes the concept of karma, universally
>applied to all beings including "mankind." It also implies a goal,
>distant, of potential "perfection" for all those beings involved in
>the evolutionary process. That is if this is a coherent and
>reasonable situation.
>
>Then when we reach that "goal," are there not other goals and levels
>we can aspire or desire to achieve ? and so on -- But if this
>represents an unending stream of achievement, what is the ultimate ?
>There I begin to bog down. There seems to be no definiteness in such
>a far-reaching view.
>
>I hear of "perfectibility." Of Universal Knowledge or wisdom {
>Keval-gnyan as the Jains might say ) and this is so vast that I
>realize that I am still at the threshold of learning. And that is
>one reason why I think we are always situated mid-way between our
>"beginnings" and our ultimate "goals."
>
>If so, then what steps should I take to secure at least the basics of
>the process of acquiring knowledge ? In Theosophy I think I can
>access some of those. I am struck by the awesome view given to us in
>the SECRET DOCTRINE, see pp. 272-3, 207-210 as an instance. The
>first being a survey of the research that has been going on for
>thousands of years into every department of Nature, and the 2nd being
>a picture of a "perfected Man," who sacrifices his position to be of
>general assistance to those like us who aspire to learn to become
>wiser and better.
>
>I agree that in THE VOICE OF THE SILENCE there are inspiring passages
>that life the inquirer out of the humdrum of life and its short-term
>'goals,' into the wider view of one who perceives that life is
>extensible into eternity.
>
>Is this of any value ?
Dallas
>
<color><param>FFFF,0000,0000</param>Of course it has value.
Best wishes,
Rudy
</color>>===========================================
>
>----------
>> From: "Rodolfo Don" <rdon@garlic.com>
>> Subject: Re:The test true spirituality -- what
>isuniversality ?
>> Date: Wednesday, March 25, 1998 7:02 AM
>>
>> Dear Thoa,
>>
>> Your point is taken, but... try to understand that when a
>connection is
>> made with the "True Self" several things are resolved. One of them
>is the
>> question of "Authority". The saying: "Truth will make you Free" is
>very
>> real, and all our attachments to creeds, our own beliefs, visions,
>> structures (organizations), take their proper place in our list of
>> importance. Our system of values changes, the way we relate to
>others
>> changes, how we use our time also changes.
>>
>> When something like that happens (a contact with our higher self,
>or true
>> self) even if that contact was only a glimpse of the ultimate
>reality, a
>> fundamental change takes place. The person that goes through that
>knows and
>> all he can do is point the way. He or she knows that he/she can't
>give
>> answers to any fundamental questions because one thing is certain:
>those
>> answers have to be reached by every individual going within, not by
>reading
>> Blavatsky, the Bible, or any other book.
>>
>> Even if there is no map on how to make that initial contact, I
>think that
>> the answer lies in the word "Action". Somehow we must put into
>practice
>> what we "know", what we believe. Maybe by putting them into action
>we
>> validate those beliefs and take responsibility, I don't know. At
>some
>> point something happens and things are never the same.
>>
>> I wish I had a copy of "The Voice of the Silence" here with me now
>to quote
>> you a few verses, but I don't.
>>
>> With best wishes,
>>
>> Rudy Don
>>
>>
>>
>> >Dear Brenda and Dallas,
>> >
>> >Thank you for your responses. Yes, ideals are great and we should
>shoot
>> >for them. Maybe we can rely on the laws of the universe to take
>care of
>> >things. However, I'm looking at the concrete aspects of
>interaction. In
>> >particular, I'm looking at individuals deluded with the importance
>of their
>> >contact with the higher self. The problem comes when their lower
>selves
>> >come into their interaction with others. They are so deluded that
>they
>> >cannot see the misery their lower selves are causing others,
>choosing
>> >instead to hide behind the fantasy of their holy connection.
>That's why I
>> >think a strong dose of reality check is in order, in combination
>with our
>> >striving for the higher goal. There is a purpose to the lower
>realm. It
>> >is our place of learning and development. Are we riding on the
>great comet
>> >or are we pitifully committing mass suicide?
>> >
>> ..............<<snip>...................
>> >
>> >Thoa :o)
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>>
>of
>
>
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