Theos-Talk Archives (March 2002 Message tt00029)

--- In theos-talk@y..., "adelasie" <adelasie@s...> wrote:
> We may discover that we value selflessness in ourselves and others,
> based on our studies and our observation/experience of life. We may
> be more likely to consider seriously the teachings of those who
> live their lives in a selfless manner.

Dear Adelasie,

It's interesting that you brought up the value of selflessness 
because it is a valuable characteristic to gauge a potential 
teacher's authenticity. As one teacher stated, selfishness is 
Satan's other name. Selfishness is one of the qualities that 
separates the light from the dark.

Understanding human psychology is also another good subject for the 
serious student. The most prevalent ones I have found regarding 
messengers, mediators and mediums are narcissistic personality 
disorder, paranoid schizophrenia, megalomania and multiple 
personality disorder. I've known some "messengers" who have insisted 
that they are not mediums but mediators. Then again, you have 
those "goody-goody" people with their "airy-fairy" attitudes who are 
still trapped in maya, glamors and illusions believing that they 
truly are messengers of light. As far as I'm concerned, it could be 
entirely possible for mediators to fall prey to certain mental 
disorders because of their egos, vanities, and pride.

Knowing what one is dealing with can help one discern the difference 
between the Sons of Light who are on the right-hand path and the 
Brothers of the Shadow who are on the left-hand path.

According to The Occult Glossary by G. de Purucker, "...The Brothers 
of the Shadow...stand in sharp and notable contrast with the white 
magicians or the Sons of Light who follow the pathway of self-
renunciation, self-sacrifice, self-conquest, perfect self-control, 
and an expansion of the heart and mind and consciousness in love and 
service for all that lives."

"The existence and aims of the Brothers of the Shadow are essentially 
selfish. It is commonly, but erroneously, supposed that the Brothers 
of the Shadow are men and women always of unpleasant or displeasing 
personal appearance, and no greater error than this could possibly be 
made. Multitudes of human beings are unconsciously treading the path 
of the shadows and, in comparison with these multitudes, it is 
relatively only a few who self-consciously lead and guide with subtle 
and nefast intelligence this army of unsuspecting victims of maya. 
The Brothers of the Shadow are often highly intellectual men and 
women, frequently individuals with apparent great personal charm, and 
to the ordinary observer, judging from their conversation and daily 
works, are fully as well able to "quote scripture" as are the Angels 
of Light!"

Oftentimes, knowledge comes through first-hand experience as you have 
stated previously, "I would say that the first step is to accept 
responsibility for our process. If we are serious students, applying 
our lessons to our own lives and beings, we discover through 
experience what 'works' and what does not."

Sincerely,
Monica N. Suzuki