Waiting for Spring- 9th April 1999

THERE are a variety of ways a man can present himself in the world, and with ordinary means it is most difficult to determine whether or not the inner development is consistent and causal to the display we are shown.

A man may appear inordinately affectionate or disaffectionate, yet the soul/egoic condition be remarkably the same. Unless one is gifted with an exceptional perception it is difficult and even dangerous to attempt a causal judgment of any other. Supposing is not reliable. The mystery of a man is given to a privacy within his own permits and is for no other to know, unless asked to do so. Even a spiritual emeritus has not by qualification alone, been afforded the right to make suppositions about the condition of another's interior self.

Therefore we are cautioned to this before attempting even the broadest of discernments as to the character (or displacement thereof) of another. Having said that, we can endeavor to study that which may pertain to our own natures, and assist with others' studies. As students in common, we can come to this work out from out own dilemmas and problematical inquiries, with such an honesty of validity to be had in the subjective, that we may be guided by a self-assessment, instead of an abject judgment of another.

And so we now continue:
There is a useful proverb:

The clearer the pane, the sharper the glass.

Today's discussion will try to examine the several contributing factors in that of the esoteric student who has lost much kindness to criticism in that process of sharpening his consciousness through observation and discrimination. Such characteristic coldness can come from:

1. Refined sensibilities whereby the inner tolerance & outer resistance have been compromised by an all too swift development

Development of any kind is rarely manifest in equal apportions of progressiveness. Nature spurts and spills, with shoots and runners, propelling into life when the decision is so made. We go from 'nothing', to bud, to blossom, and each stage is so very distinct it may almost appear unrelated to the preceding one. Coming in from a spiritual design, out from the originating realms, much appears 'all of a sudden' with all episodes clearly contrasting one another as they further the reality. Of course much time aforehand may well contribute to the eventuality we experience; however, even that time is not equally represented.

There is nothing equal about development, and for that matter, there are no in-betweens (unless you count those periods of 'non-being' when manifestation is withdrawn entirely).

Further to this, in certain conditions both without and within, an individual may be subjected to an accelerated stride of new attainment. This is not uncommon amongst those who have re-entered upon the path and come to realize their inner preferences there. Phenomenally a man need not awaken into the spiritual work at any particular age, especially when karmic duties have called his attentions within the worldly activities requiring him to participate to the very fullest aforehand. It may well be that much later in life he consciously begins to 'catch up' to those inner knowings he worked for in previous lifetimes, and then seemingly 'all of at once' he has changed remarkably.

In reaction to this spirituality now come upon them, there is also a quickening of perception, as well as the subliminal material now conversing along with the awakened inner sensibilities. New experiences rush in to greet this consciousness, as the ego also extends its call out into the world to truly know it - wishing to investigate and cohabit with substance, fellow and god.

This is a special time therefore of compromise occurring, when the mainframe constitution accordingly reacts to the now new tensions straining to meet with the excessive life. Conjunctures are responsive all over the being; comprehension is attempted, signatures are sought after, curiosity enlivens and then, understandably, it stops.

It is a magnetic anomaly, yet also an astral gastritis. Too much too quickly and we begin to evacuate even before the necessary processing. We can see individuals who have gone from mundane to enlivened and then into nihilism resulting ... and from this position there can be then two ways to go.

If the enlivening was self-earned then the man or woman will begin to reassert themselves in relation to the spirituality, and the 'coldness' to the world will thaw with the warmth of their true inner life restabilizing itself once again in respect to its natural audacities.

If the enlivening was artificially induced then the indifference will continue.

 2. Beings of complicity complicating religiosity with pseudo-seriousness

Wherever there is a body of men working together there are also the beings who oversee that one body, and come to rely energetically upon the efforts of that group. With spiritually placed organizations there can be very protective beings who begin their wardship as faithful, deliberate hosts. They attend and cooperate at gatherings, they inspire a like-mindedness and shadow feeling of fellowship; they may become great and useful providers of much truth shared and experienced (partially creating the spiritual realities they promulgate).
However, such beings do not encompass the human empathies. They may be very powerful and persuasive as far as their divine knowledge is inspiring (there are dark path entities also, but we are speaking of the goodly variety) and yet, because they are limited to a 'higher' perspective as it were, they are all too distant from the condition of men.

Now in Anthroposophy there can be such a dedication to the leading being of the inner society that the very sensitive of individuals who are pouring themselves into the work are becoming responsive to its 'higher nature' in such a way that they are divorcing out from the world in general. This is not to say that they are no longer effectual within their lives and loves etc. But it can be seen in countenance and attitude that many are disabled from some aspects of individual character, replacing it with an assumed sense of divinity. 

This being is not that of Dr. Rudolf Steiner, and nor is it the Elijah Spirit* which he himself has emulated. It does not belong with the Rosicrucian stream (a rowdy bunch at best); and in principle does not belong with the future episodes ahead of Man as entertained by Christ.

This can be proven in respect firstly to the exclusive nature of the Society Being, as promulgated by its recipients. Formally it is an entified organization, and this being was called in during the first gatherings of the Esoteric Section with the precise purpose of setting such ordinances in place, and keeping them there.

This detachment may well be preferred and chosen by those who participate. It is not, in itself, irrevocable, and in many respects it affords a great comfort for those sensitive individuals who are trying to make their way in the world, negotiating the many forces within.

In relation to point one, it can be understood how rapidly a soul can wish for some stability to invisibly set their axis upon, that the influx of new experiences and information can cause an ancillary need which may then be answered by the providence of that governing angel whose wings we may ride upon with inspiration, with such divine love akin to its kind.

A. Rosenkrantz 

This is no criticism but comment, to say also that the Man-Wisdom Anthroposophia, is coincidentally supported and maintained with an invisible presence which is not of Man. We do not believe that the strength of this being's effect was predecided. It is noble, it is determined, but limited in conveying much of the human condition as it exists today about the Globe.

Seriousness and gaiety do go hand in hand. The very lightness of spirit pertains to gravity as known. The better informed an individual is, the more capable he is of true seriousness. Experience, study, empathetic reasonings and resultant love, all bring the ego of Man closer to the reality without. This knowing of reality, in turn, makes a man strong. Such strength then offers

• resistance (when chosen);
• discrimination (re-identifying)
• and comprehension (an expanded consciousness).

We are better equipped with our humanity if we are understanding it. We are less likely to shy away from those aspects which appear overwhelming to our inner sensibilities if we have won some resistance, discrimination and mindfulness about ourselves.

It would be perilous to believe ourselves and solely ourselves, to be so strong or comprehensive so as not to need the assistance and guidance of the higher beings in all that we do. It would be equally misplaced if we bethought ourselves tough enough to resist the many incoming forces and entities that would try us tomorrow, were it not for the protection of Christ and His emissaries.

But what we are saying here is that the emphasis within the operating consciousness of the Society can prove itself too persuasively geist-like, rather than of Man.

[*Elias Artista: Elijah the Artist:

Nothing is concealed that shall not be revealed. There are many more secrets concerning the transmutation, though they are little known, for if they are revealed to someone their fame is not immediately common. With this art, the Lord bestows the wisdom to keep it secret until the advent of Elias Artista. Then shall be revealed what has been concealed.
- Paracelsus, Book Concerning the Tincture of Philosophers]

The Heart & Zodiacal Fields- 7th May 1993

Question:
We have a query about the heart and its twelve lotus petals and their relation to the twelve Apostles. Also, there is a sixfold path of development given by Rudolf Steiner in relation to six of the lotus petals - namely: 1. Thinking 2.Will 3. Positive Attitude 4. Equilibrium
5. Open-mindedness 6. Harmony.


Could you please comment?

AS aforementioned, it is by way of the heart that a soul may connect with the world, that the unfolding of all expression pertaining to the true life of the soul enspirited, is heart inclined. In this sense we may separate the parent and the child within the form/expression of Man. 

For example: the mind may indeed work independently of the heart, but that we have a mind at all is reliant upon the heart firstly, for the soul itself ordains the active body which in turn is responsive to the soul's directives. Therefore those qualities which are essential to the characteristic physical expressions, must necessarily unravel from capabilities the soul itself knows to dictate. 

The heart - esoterically speaking of course - is the primal body of a man, of which the rest of a collection of forms adheres to. Men are indeed walking hearts! (Thus the pictures of the hearts flying, with wings attached.)

In the embryo-man the first seed of manifestation sits in the heart. The first form, before the shell, before all other, is the heart. Later on when the form becomes complete, there are many bodies within bodies which may do as they know, and behave independently of soul for a time, before dissolution. However, the parent force of life inspired comes firstly through those regions of the heart, equipped to bear example of future expressions intended.

There are centers of focus within the body which may be made active depending upon the conduct of a man, and to what he places his vitality into. These centers may shift activity, may be deleterious or healthful, depending upon the direct resonance in relation to the heart itself.


One must ask, what is the point of living if the soul is to be denied the life. In other words, so much activity which works within a man may frustrate or thwart a soul from actually making its way into the expression and comprehension of the world. The heart has been closed as it were, like a shunt, and the body takes to it the ghoulish aspects of pretence pretending to be an example of divinity, behaving on levels which are only satisfying to it, rather than God.


It is all very well to nourish oneself, and marvelous also to relish a taste and know satisfaction; these experiences of themselves are good and intended, being neither injurious or sinful as indulgences. However, there can be no true nourishment from the food or the experience if at the time of consumption/assimilation, the heart is as separate to the activity. Food will become as poison, function will begin argument and 'life' will eventually overrun the constitution. For the heart must lead all phases of being. This is intended literally, to be understood that there is much sense in poetry which has been telling Man for years of the importance owed to being faithful to one's soul.


We may begin divining life anew. We can turn back our concentration and our efforts into those valves, those depositories, of divine inclination. The parent example, the great master, one's 'higher self', does manifest in the wisdom of the soul - on the other side of the heart itself. It is not, moreover, that we are duty bound to acknowledge this, rather we are life bound.


It can be said, needs be said also, that certain death forces which are invited into the constitution deny the heart intolerably. Remember again that we have maintained that the body or the mind, the belly or the genitals for that matter, may actually conduct activities separately for a time, discordant to both heart and soul.


There is a point upon which men have suggested that beverages which alter their thinking processes and make slack their muscle system can be useful in connecting them to the world- that by surrendering to the will of the ferment, they shall be enlightened or enlivened beneficially. This cannot be so, for it is a process of excluding the man from the man - it is an experience of disincarnating and playing with death, to become intoxicated to the point of stupidity. To imply the release of the heart is but the fool-utterings coming from the nature of the insolentrial ferment in the first place.


There is much that we do which is injurious to our being and it is not expected that a man should come all at once to an understanding of perfection. However where possible we endeavor to cross the 't's and dot the 'i's that one may in due course, decide for themselves with full knowledge of the way to betterment. Severity in the extreme is never helpful either. Mainly because it may never be maintained - severity by nature is short-lived. It is a contrast, quick and mean. We hope that men may ease their way toward those conjunctions of the heart, that by proof within, shall contest such things as 'proof' from without.


Returning to the question: All that we are, everything we have, is as 'on loan'. We had not the ability to draw upon the know-how or the substance to create or build upon ourselves. Existence, existing, is intrinsic to our being, but the actual means of description has been afforded us by the One who is prototypical to us.

Small wonder that Christ is confusing, configuring in all that He is. One can actually meet Him however, and in the simplest of meeting His permeations become oh so evident. Perhaps one of the greater mysteries is that there is such a Face and an image of Man at all.


Our physical heart thumps in repetition to our spiritual pulse of our spiritual heart. The twelve vassals which permit the various expressions of being, become enlivened when the soul may become active in the world. When the thinking becomes 'right thinking' it is aligned with the heart, stimulated by the soul itself. When the will of a man drives his activity and does so in accordance with the will of the soul and its inclinations, then there is accordance and lively creativity flowing through. When a man rises to the perspective of the soul his heart will respond with a positive attitude which concurrently will emanate into the world and beyond. If he is to shelter from the persuasions of the world he may find a certain equilibrium which predicts continuance above all else - as this the soul knows. If a man is to come before the mysterious with open attitude, he is embracing the man before him, as his heart does embrace him, faults and all. Lower man is forever compensated for by the ever-loving heart. Shall a man understand harmony he shall perceive the congeniality of preciseness and the binding nature of love itself.


The six were so named because each principle has its inverted counterpart - the parent and child aspects, so to speak. One is qualified by divine impulse transmuted by the soul through the heart whilst the other pertains to the actual effort and realization of such on behalf of the man in the world. Thus six are regarded as entitlement, whilst six are actively developed in a man.

These characteristic/impulses are however, distinct from the zodiacal respondents transmuting through the physical regions of the astral body. The twelve Apostles are as sentries to particular aspects, which in their own way, may be exclusive to Man. This is why there is a particular area apportioned to the field of zodiacal influence - small and exact, relative to conditions marked for consideration now. There are fields 'without' those regions, in which completely varied radiances exist.


Christ gathered together the essential fields pertinent to our particular development. As positioned, there becomes a music which is particular to their starry placements. This music is an announcement of being, it is deciphered and responded to continually by our starry counterpart bodies which alter in relation to where we are fixed in the field. Imagine this illustration: I am descending to Earth for a further incarnation, I am passing through a favored region - one which I last came through in exit before. I am required to make a personal deposit before passing through, one which I shall recover again on the way back. This deposit is as the pebble left behind to mark the track.


Where I combine in the Cosmos I may easily return to and leave 'pebbles' dropped along the trek; throughout the many ventures. There are twelve distinct zodiacal fields. I may only pass through one aspect of one of these degrees on the way through. I am obliged to drop the pebble (metaphorically speaking) through the gate, and by doing such I am fixed in relation to the Zodiac thereafter. My predominant characteristics shall be firstly those which emanate the stronger in the field my 'pebble' is in. My perspective shall be centered from the mountain view of that particular fixation. Furthermore I shall come to those secondary influences which are nearest to me in relation to the Zodiac and the predominating aspects closer in.

My slide into the axis of the world will be allotted according to the mark of passage that I bear. For at all times that pebble of mine is still connected and apparent, and now registered within that field elected. The planets and the Sun, of course, hold their own marked effect upon the zodiacal fields, which then convertively respond to waves of influence impinging their regions.


The actual zodiacal fields are visually interpreted as one does come to varying landscapes, flowered and characteristic of extreme example. There are 'continents' of such - and experienced in essence and nature as very definite places. The terrain is actually enormous and there are positionings within degrees of any given zodiacal field. The 'pin-pricks' of light mark the divisionings ascribed to a formula which manifests similarly to surveyor's markings along the way.


Which only goes to prove that we can be in more than one place at the one time.

Secret Knowledge- 6th January 1993

Question:
We have read* that it is possible for certain groups or individuals to 'patent' their esoteric findings, and withhold them as they wish. Is this so?

KNOWLEDGE is a tangible commodity in the realm which best pertains to its suitable and relevant manifestation. In other words, it clings to that which it is specific to, therefore manifesting in a multiplicity of expressions right up to such higher knowledge which expressly is what it is- that the essence causes, rather than pertains to.

Certain illustrious Masters saw to it that specific 'secrets' remained so. This is not so hard. As you know it can be upon a principle of veiling, as described similarly, in which all others bypass the relevance, having been already pioneered and made secret.

Furthermore, one requires relevant keys in order to interpret any such knowledge- particularly global know-how - those keys being intrinsic to humanhood and a natural part of one's makeover.

It has been mentioned before also, that there have been historical evidences of a certain knowledge being stolen from an entire people. This can be done. Ridiculous as it may seem, in small part this goes on all the time and needs be countered afresh, as whole societies, whole races, close to a particular thought and are mainstreamed downstream into a hazardous persuasion. Some are enabled to remain free from general tides and displacements, but even so if knowledge is withdrawn and withheld it becomes indecipherable.

To arrive at knowledge, 'to be at one with', is to become adhered to the light behind the shadow. Comprehension pulls us out and draws us in, knowledge embraces and is retained intimately.

In a certain respect knowledge is not cast from us. Details are sheathed, upon death however, abilities to come to such knowledge again and recognize the pathways to, such intricate abilities are within our fibers, streaming into our soul.

There are those who argue against perfect knowledge, and they abuse the scholar accusing him of a wretched heart. However, true knowledge, virginal as fresh, is of the heart. To strive for such is basic to divining its source of being; and a true love for knowledge is a love of love. Being that, the more one discovers and has taken to themselves, the more perfect the love. Conversely and greatly, one may arrive at new knowledge by love, for the eyes of love shall see brighter than any other. Therefore of all of the major and most important truths to be discovered, no man can be denied a soul's viewing if he has arrived at them by way of love for them.

Of the category of 'lesser' knowledge: the profound comprehensions of the interior, one can say that such details (many interwoven) are yet to be made public. And we can add, not all are known.

A man could go mad all at once if he were to penetrate the profound realities in an instant. There is a qualifying amount which any man can absorb at one time, in one lifetime or in the thereafter. Having said that, many a man in life and especially after death, has bathed for a time in the sea of 'all-knowing'. This is not illusory, but it is distinct from the usual means of interpretation and cannot enter into the man any more than is there already.

There is a correspondence between a man and what it is he is to know. One part is within: the identifying element, and this exaggerated would be magnified in the all-knowing experience, and yet it does not touch, does not connect with the second half of the circuit! In this way a man may come to experience his inner-knowledge, which is really the ability to receive the exterior truth, without the outer reality impinging upon his being.

Many men have invited beings to instill them with experiences of visions, to share their eyes, so to speak. By this - and there are many ways to effect this - we find that the man has not the conscious bridge into that experience, self-made and therefore self-established. Every time a man invites suppression of his consciousness he treads the dangerous board. For, as one can imagine, we are under usual circumstances, provoked by experience and knowledge. We are driven to develop this ongoing capacity to know. If we consciously take steps to injure our ingestion, we sever our own connections to life and the love therein. One cannot invite stupidity repeatedly without there being permanent consequences. That which veils a man with stupor brings to him such death-forces which deny his spirit. He is 'pushed out' and disincarnating, no longer attuned to the 'hand-in-glove' fit within his body.

One cannot overstep Nature, she will not have it. Many try, many fail, for she is obliging only if you are obedient to those laws which make for perfect sense. Herein lies a greater issue than that of esoteric 'truth' being made hidden.

If a stomach is overfull it is uncomfortable and may heave the lot. We must be content with small, but life-giving portions to digest and assimilate. . . and pass but the rest.

*The Elder Brothers and Knowledge

"Those who are unacquainted with the principles of occult investigation may believe that it would be better if such facts had not previously been made known. But in the spiritual world there is a definite law, the significance of which we will make clear by example. Suppose that in a certain year some properly trained clairvoyant had perceived this or that in the spiritual world. Now imagine that ten or twenty years later, another equally trained clairvoyant could see the same thing even if he had known nothing whatsoever about the result obtained by the first clairvoyant. If you were to believe that this could happen, you would be making a great mistake, for the truth is that a fact of the spiritual world that has once been discovered by a clairvoyant or by an occult school, cannot be investigated a second time if the would-be investigator has not first been informed that it has already been discovered. 

"If therefore, in the year 1900 a certain fact had been investigated and in the year 1950 another clairvoyant reaches the stage of being able to perceive the same thing, he can succeed only if he has realized that someone has already investigated and fathomed it. Therefore already known facts in the spiritual world can be perceived only when their import has been consciously grasped as communications already made.

"This is the law that establishes for all epochs the foundation of universal brotherliness. It is impossible to penetrate into any domain of the spiritual world without a link having first been made with what has already been fathomed by the Elder Brothers of Humanity. The spiritual world sees to it that nobody can become a law unto himself, saying, `I am not concerned with what is already there. I shall investigate only for myself.' None of the facts communicated in spiritual science today could be perceived by individuals, however highly developed and advanced, if they had not been previously known.

"Because a link must be there with what has already been discovered, the theosophical movement had also to be founded on this basis.

"In a comparatively short time from now, many individuals will become clairvoyant, but they would be able to see only unreality, not the truth, in the spiritual world if they had not heard of what had already been investigated. First one must have knowledge of these truths, such as given by theosophy, or the science of the spirit, and only then can they be actually perceived. Even a clairvoyant must get to know what has already been discovered, and then, after conscientious training, he can perceive the facts himself.

"It may be said that the divine beings fertilize a faculty of seership only once in a human soul and if the single, virginal fertilization has been achieved, then other human beings must pay attention to what this first soul has discovered in order to have the right to see it themselves. This law lays the foundations of an inner, universal brotherliness, a true brotherhood of men. From epoch to epoch wisdom has passed through the occult schools and been faithfully harbored by the Masters, and we, too, must help to preserve this treasure and maintain brotherliness with those who have already achieved something if we wish to make our way into the higher regions of the spiritual world. What is striven for on the physical plane as moral law is natural law in the spiritual world." (15, pp. 14-16)

-Rosicrucian Occultism, Rudolf Steiner, Budapest, 4th June 1909 GA109

Ice the Great Magician

Dear Readers,

As an addendum to the recent blog entry on water and karma I have the following:

There was a time when Helena Blavatsky was shunned by some in the Theosophical Society. She still had little study meetings in London with stalwart fans. These are published as Transactions of the Blavatsky Lodge. Here is an excerpt of relevance to our subject:

From H.P.Blavatsky, Transactions of the Blavatsky Lodge:

Q. When Tyndall* took a large block of ice and threw a powerful ray upon it and thence on to a screen, there were to be seen the forms of ferns and plants in it. What is the reason for this?
*(Professor John Tyndall b. 1820)

A. .......Occultism would explain it by saying either that the ray helped to show the astral shapes which were preparing to form future ferns and plants, or that the ice had preserved the reflection of actual ferns and plants that had been reflected in it. Ice is a great magician, whose occult properties are as little known as those of Ether. .....This is well known to the learned Yogis who dwell on the eternal ice of Bodrinath and the Himalayas.

 At any rate, ice has certainly the property of retaining images of things impressed on its surface under certain conditions of light, images which it preserves until it is melted. .... in decomposing the ice with heat you deal with the forces and the that were impressed on it, then you find that it throws off these images and the forms appear. It is but one link leading to another link.

Rudolf Steiner also noted this marvel:

When Steiner noted that the icy crystals that form in winter on the panes of windows are different on a flower shop from those appearing on the windows of a butcher shop, he suggested to Pfeiffer and to another of his early followers, Lily Kolisko, that they experiment in the lab with the formation of crystals as a means of demonstrating what he called the "formative forces" in nature.

- Secrets of the Soil, Tompkins and Bird, 1989

In recent years the late Masuro Emoto has been known for his work in demonstrating the responsive nature of water to human thoughts and emotions.