Theos-Talk Archives (December 2006 Message tt00862)

Dear Friends,
 
As we know, there are several dangers along the narrow path to wisdom and Universal Brotherhood. 
 
One of them uses to emerge when there is a lack moderation in our critical sense of things.
 
Of course, one should not be gullible. Criticism, once it is   based on realism and common  sense,  is most important.  We must make our own evaluations of things.  
 
We also must not exaggerate in individualism, in  criticism or in anger, and should  avoid groundless suspicions or an irresponsible, ‘hearsay based’  or speculative condemnation of others. 
 
A systematic lack  of confidence in others is often but the result of a lack of confidence in ourselves.  Other times, it results from personal pride.  In fact, both  confidence in Life and confidence in others, depend on the degree of confidence we have in ourselves.  Self-confidence allows us to be more optimistic about Life and about other human beings.  
 
One cannot say that the wise balance between the two extremes of angry criticism, on one hand,  and credulous  acceptance of everything and anything, on the other hand,  is an easy principle to express in our lives.   Yet we can TRY  to keep that principle  in mind, and then will learn from observing the results of our attempts to act wisely.  
 
A  Mahatma wrote some  most important words  on groundless suspicions:  
 
“We are not permitted — come what may to offer a remedy against, or to cure people from suspicion. They have to  earn it for themselves, and he who will not find our truths in his soul and within himself — has poor chances of success in Occultism.   It  is certainly not suspicion that will mend the situation for  it is —  ‘ . . .  a heavy armour, and with its own weight  impedes more than it protects’. ” (1) 
 
In another letter, the Master says: 
 
“Beware then, of an uncharitable spirit,   for  it will rise up like a hungry wolf in your path, and devour the better  qualities of your nature which have been springing into life.  Broaden  instead of narrowing  you sympathies ; try to identify yourself with your  fellows, rather than  to contract your circle of affinity.”  (2) 
 
The practical adoption of  the universal truths referred to in the philosophy of Theosophy is not always an easy task in  daily life. 
 
The student of esoteric philosophy  has to get beyond  conventional and  superficial Systems of  Blind Belief, while carefully avoiding the sad  trap tended to him  by the Systems of  Blind Skepticism ( which are in fact but  Negative Beliefs ). 
 
The student gets rather alone in his lower or outer  self,   in the same proportion as  he gets in conscious unity with all Life at the  higher  or inner levels of consciousness. 
 
He must develop a respectful and friendly  detachment with regard to people.  Detachment is not rejection, as it is not any kind of gullible and dependent attachment. 
 
Everyone makes mistakes  while walking along the path  of  learning wisdom,  equilibrium and truthfulness.  It is better to be honest and admit that.  Time, the great Teacher of life,   leads us along the Road.  
 
We all are perceiving new lessons  all the time, and we can do that in an ever more conscious and effective way.  
 
The theosophical movement is not a community of people who “know”.  It is a community of people who learn. 
 
Best regards and happy pre-Christmas Time to all,   
 
Carlos. 

 
NOTES:
 
(1) “The Mahatma Letters”, T.U.P., Pasadena, CA, USA, 1992, 494 pp., see Letter LXII, p. 355. 
 
(2)   “The Mahatma Letters”, T.U.P., see Letter LXVI, p. 367. 


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