Christ & the Holy Mysteries, & Pledges- 15th April 1994

Questions:

1. What is the significance of a pledge which is physically signed? This morning I heard of a program for wayward children, where contracts were given, their [the children’s] signature too, promising this and that; and I wondered what the underlying reality behind the signing of our names was.
2. Why do I hesitate to ask certain questions of you, particularly of those pertaining to Christ and the associated Holy mysteries? Instinctively I feel like I should lower my 'voice' (inwardly) and tread very softly, and also that perhaps I am not entitled to know many things of which I might ask for myself, or on behalf of someone else. Can you comment on this please?
   

THERE is a Promise of promise, which is because of those laws as set down by God Himself; and that has set the lesser pattern, for which we too are bound and made accountable to honor. The larger Promise made to Man was one wherein all suffering and need was to be compromised and addressed throughout time.

There was much which became unavoidable. The progressive man sought the experiences which would enrich and fulfill his own ego-knowledge and subsequent incorporation. And it has come to pass also that treacherous influences have raged upon the oceans of innocents too, and that many do suffer the total of their kind and are promised compensation.

The promise of all wish’s fulfillment is given to Man for he is so loved; and in similar measure a man must make good all of his promises also, and is given the opportunities from lifetime to lifetime to honor such pledges. There is no need to be uneasy at this thought. When one stops to question just how many such promises have been issued in the forum of an unremembered past, there is no concern warranted, as one is only oath-bound to those things which are intrinsically spiritually enhancing. Never is one obliged to carry forth with a promise which is destructive, threatening, insulting or unwittingly harmful. Such issues are not substantial within the spiritual realms; they leave nothing to build upon if in the business of unmaking.

Then there becomes the question of those who do offer their selves or their souls in service to some authority. Essentially we are drawn to return to those beings or souls to whom we have had commerce with; and there becomes a significant rapport with a certain few, who through the unveiling aspects of mutual love, become receptively obedient to the other’s influence.

There can be a recognition of past promises whereby each individual is confronted inwardly, and the seeds for continuance so planted may actually rise from many eons passed. So it may be acknowledged that the promises one may give to another can be more than well-meaning, but also well spent and carry forth into future circumstance as preliminaries for creative outcome.

Now the question so asked of the written signature in application, implies a conscious act of will which has underlined that which we have expressed our pledge to. It may be difficult to comprehend, but the degree of conscious effort and of willing really does make much in spiritual aspect. For although not always, the physical world, generally speaking, follows after the formations as applied in the nuance of the spiritual worlds; and in thus coming after it is amassed with influences of varying determination. One of the most potent influences is in the calling of a man, when he does consciously drive his will into spiritual aspect, for he may stimulate the higher innate forces merely by correct concentration, and summon all manner of influence thereby.

Holy water becomes activated, beginning with the conscious design and calling of the man so willing as to call forth its majesty. The water's powers were always there afore the man, however there is indeed a physical transformation as well as an etheric empowerment, when the man acts knowingly, with direct intention that the blessings be called forth.

In other words, there may be a spiritual definition given by a man, if indeed he consciously works his imaginative powers and wills it be so. Equally as powerful is a promise as given, to which we incorporate our name.

The writing of one's name is most especial to us and significant after death. During our episodes of residual review, we are given to great clarity reviewing those circumstances in which we actually signed our name. It is an exercise in self-consciousness to do so, firstly. Secondly, if it has been to seal a promissory commitment, we are obliged to review in all accuracy the conditions as given at the time; and then also we are presented with what may or may not have come of it. 

The post-death effect is exactly the same when it comes to a promissory handshake also. It becomes a wonderful reminder to what one has pledged and what did become of it. It is of solemn significance and no light matter that we enter into any agreement which commits our future activities and being. It can work well and be of supreme usefulness, that there are provisions for reminders for the soul which at times advances into shadowy domains, and is thereafter prompted to recall that which was previously significant and entitled to pursuance.

We are not answerable to all undertakings in the immediate however, as there are considerations as to those 'promises' as borne by the soul in terms of personal karma also. This variety of promise does not need a conscious affirmation to be binding, but rather is presuming because of past conduct alone. The workings of karma - the greater and the personal - are ceaseless. How could they stop? There is no provision for rest or for lack of contribution, as long as we negotiate the many influences within and without us. Motion summons karma. The very slightest movement awakens karma. For it must make compensation in the great shuffle - where one moves we all move, and must make adjustment. Can you picture that? That there is effect everywhere by everything, and it is ceaseless!

At certain conjunctions within an individual's lifespan there become aspects highlighted, as it were, incorporated within the active man. And he is as new, given many challenges all throughout this course, that he may enter into the marvels of the world with variations in his tapestry of experience. There was a question as to whether or not a man might disband those affectations of past karma and begin afresh within a single lifetime. It must be credited from the first, that so very much of one's ongoing circumstance is directly related to some past acquaintance or involvement or experience. 

You are in this respect, always inseparable to the past. There can be no severance and no acquittal. The fresh opportunity to go forth and forge anew is there at all times, also. This needs be afforded and is the Grace of God (literally) that this is so - it is complete forgiveness in actuality that we may be released from the otherwise all consuming ties of past karma sufficiently that we may effect change out from such and into improvement.

Now when it comes to the age of forty-nine and after, there becomes a substantial shift - which began at forty-two or thereabouts - that stands determinedly upon the outer earth and now looks skyward. Traveling through the years, it is as though the wherewithal within the worldly sophistication has only just reached culmination and the individual actually feels now equipped to progress further, into whatever direction their lives have thus brought them to. (One hundred and forty-two is quite a milestone too.)

However, at no time is there alteration in the periphery of pervading and cradling karma, for it is karma also which causes us to be allowed for; it is karma which provides the space for our expression of individuality, and it is karma which defends our being.

Physical karma need not translate with physical ramification. "An eye for an eye" was descriptive of the way in which karma used to operate when it came to the individual being answerable for every blight and scourge he did cause. (And we mean every.) The circumstances were that a murder was definitely and unalterably commissioned for any who did murder, that the physical consequences were commensurate with the act of cause, and that a man might live the experience he invoked upon another, having need of that experience from the other angle.

However, this obvious example among many, proved to be the first law of prophecy as worked over by Christ. Much future prophecy is kept guarded and prepared by the Lords of Karma. Prior to the transmigration of beloved Christ, the walls surrounding the fate of men were engraved so heavily by their past digressions into mishap, that the entire world would have been bound to repeat and suffer the sorrow until the planet's expiration.

For this reason alone there was need for a higher command which might elevate the conditions of rebounding karma into spheres attributable within the spiritual worlds firstly. That a man could play out his judgments - which we might add, are imposed and created solely by self - during the interlude between death and rebirth, and work in and around the ensuing presentations in due time and in differing ways.

The precept of an "eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" was not meant as criterion for retaliatory conduct, but rather as an explanation of the then workings of a strictly defined karmic system. Further to that, comes the question of bearing the karma of another, that the weight of the account be so burdened as to be unbearable by the individual, but may be alleviated by the loving sacrifice of another soul who has intentionally taken it upon themselves to arrest the consequences. This sacrifice is indeed possible once again in the light of the new law (as made by Christ) which has surpassed the exactings of the obstinate tax-man (old Karma), and has been effected through great love, charity and sympathy in the extreme.

To a lesser extent we may alleviate another's ledger of debt with the very issue of forgiveness, which shall determine that the individual concerned may be offered great opportunities to address his actions in a positive way. In other words, karma would have us learn and learn well. It is not merely the indiscriminate force that compels compensatory action and reaction- it is determined by those who are involved. Therefore one who forgives another (where there is reason) has altered the relationship to begin with. For on the most important level of all, there is already a degree of quiet, of peace, and this does release the other from anguish that would otherwise come to him.

There becomes a certain necessity, that thoughts which begrudge or accuse, condemn or stingingly rebuke, are to be calmed and set to ease, rather than perpetuated. For rightly or wrongly, with just cause or without, the ongoing armory of insult inflicts unseen pain upon the person to whom they are directed, and aggravates their station in the world. The overall remedy for every soul is the cessation from such calamity, either offered or received.

On the lighter side also, one might be mindful of those who we choose to contest with arguments left unresolved; that it shall be with these people to which we are entangled with in conflict, that conflict itself will oblige resolution, and we shall be assured of many dealings with them further on. Therefore if one does not wish for a protracted association, they are well advised to be peaceable, and resolute to pray for that man's salvation, rather than demise.

The intricacies of karma are all digested and comprehended by the being of each and every man. The soul knows the reasoning behind every charter; and we are fulfilled completely, having craved the very avenues of experience as are brought before us.

For the more advanced men upon this Globe, the hosts of Karma and the ribbons of consequence are equally enforcing; and we deliberate with caution in obedience to the law. But even the most advanced have their times of being caught in double-sided decisions, and rest on the issue of the heart before the law and wear the consequences willingly.

As to the second question: concerning your general apprehension: we too are delicate in this approach and know that the level of understanding may be undertaken, but very slowly. Great truths, those truths which are associated with Christ and the Christ Being are so very wonderful, but very terrible in the strength of their power as it works in the realities. You must recognize that already there are those things which you know, that if you would take but one of them and treasure it in full contemplation daily, there would be so much made apparent thereby, and enough to keep you occupied and enlightened in this life.

It is not really even a matter of reward - although reward is what it is - that when an individual really works upon a spiritual truth, applies it, digests it and becomes it, he becomes ready for another on a vastly different level than before; and so it goes. All of the knowledge, all at this once, would not be beneficial or attributable, but be as only jargon.

Worse than that is the violation of the truth when it is mistaken and abused. This is not to say for one moment that the Christian Mysteries are at risk with this with the consideration of faithful students. However, to say that they are simply placed would be a lie in itself, for they are not. The explanations as to the events leading up to and proceeding, are not easily assimilated - our scribes are still reeling from the massive tumultuous changes which turned much around in but an instant.

The destinies of one man or many men are watched with curiosity, and in part may be predictable insofar as there are only so many roads open to them that they may travel. However when Christ entered into this World and reclaimed the mass in all its entirety, much of what was to be then following was unpredictable and totally unknown. For this was He and the great plan was His - in consultation, that is.

So it is understandable that you should be respectfully cautious before asking of this or that; but it may also be said that any question phrased in earnest is welcome and worth honoring. If it cannot be explained sufficiently there shall be a time given in the future to the inquirer, in which the reality shall be put before them.

A reliable key into the events of the past - and in particular the Christ-events - is in having a direct connection. Of course this excludes many who could not be in the vicinity at the time and therefore have not the ability to enter into the memory of what transpired. Quite often a higher vision is offered by angelic representation - how it was as they did witness - and such pictorial images leave wonderful soul imprints and are historically loose as to actual words passed and towns trod. They are more as from the view from the spiritual worlds, where souls who were met with along the way could be seen to respond in a manner which would send ripples of joy through the angelic onlookers.

Another mystery of this Mystery is that much of the actual happenings whilst Christ did stride the Earth have been concealed, as it were. The record is not there. In the Akasha, He does not represent. The men to which He had dealings are visible (and those who are here can make good account too), but in review of the Akashic memory they can be seen to be talking to the air rather than to an identity.

We do have a way to go, and with patience shall we get there. (And that was not intended as a pun.)

Goodnight

Rudolf Steiner on the Akasha:

"Let us imagine these words congealing somewhat as water congeals to ice by sudden, intense cold. In such a case the words would descend to Earth as congealed air and we could recognize each word by its form.

"And now, instead of a process of densification, let us imagine the reverse. We know that matter can pass through the most solid to the most rarified states: solid, liquid, gaseous. Matter can be subtilised to a point at which we are led over to `negative' matter — Akasha. Events on Earth impress themselves into this akashic substance and can be rediscovered there even those which occurred in far remote ages of the past.

"Akashic pictures are not static and immobile. They unroll before the eye of the seer as living tableaux where objects and persons move and even speak. The astral form of Dante would speak as he spoke in his own milieu. It is almost invariably this kind of image that is seen in spiritualistic seances, where it is thought to be the spirit of the dead.

"Our task is to learn how to decipher the pages of this book of living images and to unroll the innumerable scrolls of the `Chronicle' of the universe. This can only be done if we are able to distinguish between appearance and reality, between the human sheath and the living soul. Daily discipline and long training are necessary if false interpretations are to be prevented.

"Definite answers to questions, for example, might be received from the form of Dante thus perceived. But they do not emanate from the individuality of Dante, for the individuality continues to evolve; they emanate from the ancient figure of Dante,`fixed' in the etheric milieu of his time."

So if Dante can speak to us from the Akashic Chronicle, what about Christ Jesus? Of course it has never been done. It is impossible because He is not there. And what an immense tragedy it would be if Christ allowed a double of Himself to be available in this way.

As discussed, the akasha is only one form of memory manifest. There are many systems of memory that operate concurrently- the Astral Light, the Etheric (memories of blueprints), being others. Apart from the "dead" systems of memory there are the memories of spiritual beings- Angels have long memories.

In the dead systems of memory we can find the `who', `where' and `what', but the `why' is no longer there. The Akashic Chronicles in themselves, are not self-conscious. Though the image of say, Goethe is there, and he may impart new poetry and answer questions, the "living
image" is essentially one of death.

Christ has the power to alter the Akashic Record:

"If one surveys the course of human evolution since the Mystery of Golgotha and approaches the Akashic Record without being permeated with the Christ Being, it is easy, very easy indeed, to be led into error, for one will find records which very often do not coincide with the karmic evolution of the individuals concerned. For example, let us suppose that in, say, the year 733 some man lived and incurred heavy guilt. The person now examining the Akashic Record may at first have no connection with the Christ Being. And behold — the man's guilt cannot be found in the Akashic Record. 

Examination of the Karma of this man in a later incarnation reveals that there is something still in his Karma which he has to wipe out. That must have existed in the Akashic Record at a certain point of time, but it is no longer there.

"A strange contradiction! This is an objective fact which may occur in many cases. I may meet a man today, and if through grace I am permitted to know something about his Karma, I may perhaps find that some misfortune or stroke of fate that has fallen on him stands in his Karma, that it is an adjustment of earlier guilt. If I turn to his earlier incarnations and examine what he did then, I do not find his guilty deed registered in the Akashic Record. How does this come about?

"The reason is that Christ has taken upon Himself the objective debt.

"In the moment that I permeate myself with Christ, I discover the deed when I examine the Akashic Record. Christ has taken it into His kingdom and He bears it further, so that when I look away from Christ I cannot find it in the Akashic Record. This distinction must be kept clearly in mind: karmic justice remains, but Christ intervenes in the
effects of the guilt in the spiritual world. He takes over the debt into His kingdom and bears it further. Christ is that Being who, because He is of another kingdom, is able to blot out in the world our debts and our sins, taking them upon Himself."

The Foundations of Esotericism:

"For example, Caesar conceived the idea of crossing the Rubicon and this roused in him certain feelings and desires. What took place at that time corresponds to a combination of astral impulses. The physical deeds on the physical plane have vanished for all eternity.

Caesar's advance can no longer be seen in the Astral Light, but the impulse which drove him to it has remained there. The karmic (astral) correlations with what takes place on the physical plane remain in the Astral Light.

One must accustom oneself to look away from all physical perceptions and only to see the karmic impulses. One must hold fast to these and consciously transpose them back into the physical. There is no purpose in looking for something which might be seen, as though one were looking at a photograph.

The greatest impulses of world history can however no longer be read in the Astral Light, for the impulses of the great initiates were passionless. Whoever therefore reads only in the Astral Light, for him the whole work of the initiates is absent: for example the content of the book `The Great Initiates' by Edouard Schuré could not have been found in the Astral Light. Such impressions are only inscribed in the Ether. What one can read in the Astral Light in connection with what the initiates have done is based on an illusion, because one can only read the results of the lives of the great initiates in the impulses of their pupils. Pupils and even entire peoples have experienced strong and passionate emotions in regard to the actions of the great initiates and these have remained in the Astral Light. But it is so difficult to study the deepest motives of the great initiates because they are only present in the ether.

"Cosmic events — metamorphoses such as those of Atlantis — remain at a still higher level, no longer in the Ether, but in the actual Akasha.

"That is the Akashic Chronicle. This latter is nevertheless connected in a certain way with the most earthly concerns of mankind. For the human being is connected with the great happenings of the Cosmos.

"Every single person is to be found sketched, as it were, in the Akashic Chronicle. What is present there continues further and works its way into the Ether and the Astral Light. The individual human being becomes ever more clearly discernible the more one seeks for him in the lower spheres. And one must study all these spheres in order to understand the real mechanism of Karma."

-Rudolf Steiner