Theos-Talk Archives (March 1998 Message tt00229)

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.  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 ?"

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

===========================================

----------
> 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