Theos-Talk Archives (April 1999 Message tt00160)

In a message dated 4/17/99 9:12:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
asisson@zaz.com.br writes:

<< Greetings from Brazil. I have two questions to you.
 
 First, let us supose that you are right in writing that:
 "the transformation of the personality is the single most
 important piece of business on the planet today. " The
 question is how to do it? As it is easy to see, thousands
 and thousands of people talk/write about it, but very few
 seem to realize that task. So, I ask your view on how
 should one perform that difficult task?
 
 Second question is: what is Peter's new assignment?
 
 Sincere Best wishes from,     Arnaldo. >>

Hello Arnaldo, 

I am happy to make your acquaintance. After a couple of years of playing with 
it every day, I still get excited when I see the power of the Internet. Is 
there anything, that contributes to global awareness and the "oneness 
(brotherhood) of humanity" like this?

In regard to your questions, I can only point to probabilities and 
possibilities because there are no universal constants when it comes to the 
matter of self transformation. That is, the conscious act of becoming aware 
of self, as SELF, at least some of the time. The critical issue here is that 
we, as a global society, have become too much "outward turned" so that our 
Identity has become affected by the limiting things of the senses. We must 
learn to infuse our consciousness with another kind of awareness. We need to 
educate, so that we come to know the value and use of an interior reality. To 
become aware on the inner planes, while being outward turned, is an exercise 
well worth pursuing. It is one which will help to keep the personality from 
becoming lost or damaged. 

As to how to do it? That has been the focus of the sacred wisdom of every 
culture throughout history. The rules have been, and mostly still are, 
esoteric for very good reasons. Essentially it is a problem of individual 
readiness. Not everyone is in the same place and not everyone could benefit 
by the instructions if they had them. For the most part, like the SELF 
transformation that must take place, the rules have to be SELF discovered. 

I can only suggest an observation that I have made over the years, regarding 
a process that seems to apply to many theosophists particularly well. We hear 
so much about the spiritual benefits of the mystical exercises known as 
meditation. We hear practically nothing about the spiritual benefits of 
another kind of exercise, known as contemplation. In my opinion, many 
theosophist are naturals for this form of enlightenment. The focus is so 
strong on traditional "Quieting" meditations, that the experience of 
illumination and transformation through the intellect is all but lost. Yet 
every one of us "bathe" in that experience whenever we read and are touched 
by Blavatsky. Aside from all the speculation about who or what she "really 
was," one thing is certain. She was a giant illumined intellect. Intellect, 
because that is WHERE she affects her reader's. Illumined, because that is 
WHAT her readers are experiencing, when in her company.

My last suggestion is one that is sure to raise some orthodox theosophical 
eyebrows. Every one, could benefit by stopping the bickering and 
rationalizations between parties, factions, organizational sects, who has the 
right theosophy and who has the wrong.
We deny ourselves some very powerful theosophy when we limit our studies to 
one body of work and exclude others. Early Rudolf Steiner, Annie Besant and 
Alice Bailey to name just a few have some very important contributions to 
make and shutting them out in whole or in part is, in my opinion, a huge 
mistake. Much of their work is inspirational and to become inspired is the 
first step on our journey of SELF TRANSFORMATION. 

Let me close with the lines that adorn a a little picture of Christ that I 
keep in my study. The image of a traditional, bearded, gentle and 
compassionate Jesus looks out as he says: "I never said it would be easy. I 
only said it would be worth it."

Louis.

PS: Peter is now the chief editor of Blavatsky Net study course. 



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