Theos-Talk Archives (September 2001 Message tt00276)

Tuesday, September 25, 2001

Dear Friends:

In recent days some discussion about CONSCIOUSNESS, SOUL, MIND
and REALITY have had our attention.

An elder student of theosophy had this to say about them:


CONSCIOUSNESS -- SOUL -- MIND -- REALITY


"There is only one Perceiver, the sights are modified by the
channels through which the Perceiver looks. It is the same Soul
in any and all modifications. " p. 50

"The power of seeing is the Soul; the power of the Soul goes
into the seeing, hence what It "sees" are to It real because
seen; as sights, each is a reality; but the nature of Soul is
different from any and all "sights." p. 50

"The nature of the Soul is unmodifiable -- must be grasped; then
each sight is perceived as a relativity...We concentrate upon
some things, automatically...this automatic habit has to be
changed, and control substituted. It is effected by trying to do
it, by keeping at it." p. 50

"The Mind as at present constituted is attracted or repelled by
externalities, and the power of the Soul flows in the direction
of concentration, be that long or short.... Mind has to be
adjusted by knowledge of essential nature of causes, and by
analogies and correspondences. The views held in regard to
existence constitute the Mind and direct the Soul's energy in
that relation." P. 50

"There is just "consciousness" and its "states," which are
conditioned consciousness. We speculate on conditions; we
cannot on Consciousness itself, for we are that.... We must have
knowledge in order to use power rightly, but we must know that we
are neither knowledge nor power; they are ours; to imagine that
we are any given knowledge of power is illusion.: p. 50-1

"It might be said that there are two kinds of
knowledge--knowledge of any and all conditions, and knowledge of
the Self. Knowledge of the Self is beyond relativity;
relativity cannot be known by relativity, but only by that which
is beyond all relativity." P. 51

"To blend thy Mind and Soul" is to make the Mind subservient to
the purposes of Soul, and instrument for use, not a cage of
relativities in which to imprison ourselves." P. 51

"Right basis is the compass..." p. 51

"...the Perceiver is One and Impartite, and...the "seeing" is
looking directly on Ideas [Pat. 25]
is the basis of consideration." P. 51

"No idea is real. For on "looking" at it, motion is caused which
spells "change." [ a change in the mode of seeing]... We are so
liable to imagine the change is external, and endeavor to adjust
externalities to internal change--an eternal and ineffectual
struggle. We seek one of the pair of opposites, instead of
finding the basis of their unity, because of our desires." P. 51

"Kama-Loka means the plane of Desire. Doubt and Desire seem to
go together. For wanting a thing implies the doubt of getting
it, and intensity of doubt is expressed in fear." P. 51

"When we desire anything, the thing itself is not what we want,
but the feeling that the thing gives us; if the thing gives us
no "feeling," we would not desire it. To do service is also
"feeling," but how different in its effects--beneficial instead
of harmful reactions." P. 51-2

"Masters...are living Men." P. 52.

"To abstain from condemning others" is a course to be continually
striven for; it is vital.... It should be granted that each one
is trying to do his best--the best that he knows... so actions
are no safe basis to judge from." P. 52-3.

"We feel annoyed at the circumstances, really, not the person;
although we foolishly confuse the two....If someone annoys you or
irritates you by manner or action, it is to be assumed that he is
not doing it on purpose to annoy.

Try to understand his viewpoint...most people consider it
perfectly proper to make their likes and dislikes a basis for
action, ...This... is altogether wrong...We are not called upon
for judgment, but for right action; to act rightly ourselves,
and by precept and example induce it in others....we cannot
assume rightly unless calmly...Calmness is like a rock...It comes
from "resting in the Real," which is never moved, but moves all
things, sees all, without being involved." P. 53

Extracted from THE FRIENDLY PHILOSOPHER -- R. Crosbie.


DTB

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