Theos-Talk Archives (June 1999 Message tt00086)

In a message dated 6/25/99 9:55:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
Nick.Weeks@worldnet.att.net writes:

<< >  "In such a great work as this Movement no one should expect to find his
 >  associates all congenial, intuitive, prudent or courageous.  One of  the
 >  first proofs of self-mastery is when one shows that he can be kind and
 >  forbearing and genial with companions of the most dissimilar characters
 and
 >  temperaments.  One of the strongest signs of retrogression when one shows
 >  that he expects others to like what he likes and act as he acts.  You
 know
 >  whom of you the cap fits."
 >
 >  Words to live by -- don't you think?
 >  Nicholas
 
 > The problem is Nicholas, that often, those that show signs of the
 > retrogression that "M" mentions here DO NOT know it. Indeed, some think
 they
 > wear no cap at all.
 > Louis
 
 
 Dear Louis,
 
 That is what  friends are for Louis,  if we cannot see our faults (or
 virtues),  ask a friend for his opinion.
 But it is such a simple characteristic M mentions -- to *expect* others to
 like what we like and act as we act -- I think nearly everybody can see
 themselves plainly against that standard.  Of course, they first have to
 know the standard.
  >>
Hi Nicholas,

In essence I couldn't agree with you more, what you describe is the way 
things SHOULD work. The masters comments are all about the way things OUGHT 
to work. However, what gets manifested on the physical plane is rampant 
ignorance of spiritual laws and the comforting safety of modern "clique-ism." 
The clique not only "expects" its members to like what everyone else likes, 
etc., but rewards them for it. As a matter of fact, individuals who are 
against that standard, often get punished for it.
I am not talking about just teenage subculture groups here, but "in groups" 
of every kind. Domestic, educational, social, occupational, political, all 
have their "good old boy" cliques. And the expectation IS that everyone will 
act the same and like the same things. All wear the "same hat" as it were. It 
leaves one wondering what M would be saying about today's forms of increased 
retrogression. 

Louis

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