The Talents- 19th May 1991

For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away.

-Matthew 25 v.29

MUCH ability is acquired and not brought into life with instantaneous mastery. Even those privileged who enter a life with a given set of abilities that come naturally to them, must work to better their talents and develop them accordingly. No one should suggest otherwise.

This work that enhances the individual's abilities may be shunned or welcomed. When shunned and no development ensues, not only are the talents themselves as fruit on the bough, left to shrivel and wither - being void of vitality, putrefy - but also the whole individual with missed opportunities gives up an entire course of life; takes the alley, so to speak, rather than the road.

Talents of any nature can be put to good use within any occupation. However if there is little or no expression of such gifts, it is small wonder that they exclaim "something is missing from my life!” for it is the essence of creativity and right application that is sorely exchanged for the mundane existence.

Interestingly enough, there is a much greater virtue in the very application of the individual who attempts with constancy to master a particular talent, rather than the physical achievement as consequence to such labor and endeavor. For creativity, striving and application, brings together both past and present strivings, building for the future and future worlds. This is essential to future existence. Not only where the individual is concerned but as a collective, humanity must employ themselves daily that they may build the qualities of existence for the days ahead.

The old woman who drives her fingers deftly to crochet on and on, adding the multicolored pieces, arranging them so, laboring daily with constancy, creativity and application: this woman is laboring not only for a rug, and the love of labor imbued in each thread, but for an existence two, ten or perhaps even one hundred thousand years away. A fine contribution with active expression!

Already there are so many gifts which man is given, that lie uncherished and underused. If this is the case, how should he be bestowed with yet more which he would not know the value?

In fairy stories you will often come across a passage where a character is met along the roadside by a beggar of sorts. If this beggar be given what is asked for, the character is returned a gift, later which he finds to be of immeasurable value. This is the lesson of the talents.

The talents, alike to the virtues, have each their spirit which presents itself and manifests through the expressions and strivings of Man. Although such presence comes to us veiled, each with individual streams of inspiration can assist in the acquiring of learned skills and understanding of their cosmic fibers that connect the cosmic creations.

Therefore an opportunity wasted is denial of oneself. Idle pursuits are encouraged by the laggards who now know nothing more, who in refusing such wealth of experience would have all men follow such a smug and defusing course during existence.

There are creatures that come from the realms of certain virtues, who in their very being represent, quite the opposite of such virtues: beings of jealousy and vanity, that present themselves when their corresponding Angels of virtue have been turned away, that they might give of only what they know and are, and offer such persuasions to suggest that this is the reality of the true and correct perception of the world and its labors. For one must actively choose one or the other, and take into oneself the Angel of talent/virtue, or the demon of sluggishness and vice. Often it is a case that a man is misguided in intention alone, and concentration is interfered with, purpose of goal has been replaced by frivolous desire.

Laboring to better any talent is to be enjoyed wholeheartedly; one should miss the point sorely if one believed that these endeavors require arduous suffering. It is therefore to find that which excites and awakes the heart and mind and pursue it further, rather than feed the lower passions whose requests are endless and are never satisfied until the higher man is totally consumed.

It is as though men today were used to disappointments and their expectations have become so limited and inhibited that they should not dare want for quality of experience. Their yearnings of soul are so quietened, for a little voice cannot be heard or answered and they suffer a world with meager satisfaction as though this was their lot and they should hope for no more.

So much competes for one's attention. So many distractions fill the day and bombard the feeble intellect. But the soul shall call for awakening, for it does not sleep; and when the spirit of Talent calls also, Man shall welcome her in and give of what she asks.

***

The day is long,

The hour small....

figuratively speaking.

Heaven- 1991

MUCH has been alluded to in the speculative compromises which outline Heaven, given in the form of stories and pictures in an effort to manufacture some exquisite representation for all of those who know of it not with firsthand recollection.

Although the word 'Heaven' usually refers to an after-death experience - and certain realizations are apparent only after crossing the portals of earthly existence - one may not presume that Heaven itself may be immediately interpreted, nor that it denotes only the vast workings of Cosmic interplay- which we also refer to as 'the Heavens' with all of the menagerie that is encompassed within the grand scheme. For one might suggest that the Father's Mansion does have many, many, rooms, all of which go to make up the Heavens. 

However, that which He does keep especial to Him, whereby our approach and our entry must be with humble servitude and due reverence, from where the light streams from with all goodness condensed, unshackled and unrestrained, the veritable heart and mind centre, that which is, not that which was - this we may term as Heaven.

Within the Cosmic order of the Heavens there is constant flux and flow, much change around that which is the pivot, being Heaven. So many identities, so many inhabitants, so many individualities, remarkably going about their expressions and experiences. One could explore for an eternity and yet not shake the hand of each and every one. . . . and Man is free to go out and participate, for there are tastes and accomplishments waiting, with keys offered to every door.

But in this, the Heavens, one may also go out in singular notion and choose limited company and spectrum. One may also be confined or may cleave to a select society - for this too is freedom, the freedom of Cosmic dispassion.

But were one to enter into the Heaven where our Father does reside, one may not turn face from He who is ever-present; and the undeniable realities from which we are all surely born out from, do with distinct non-variable bliss, renew and restore us completely. Consciousness then, as we understand it, is but limited to the limitless: given over to such completeness. 

Whilst living an earthly existence, many seek more mistakenly to annihilate the consciousness, seeking representative experience equal to that which is commonly referred to as Devachan: of our Father's Heaven. Although one may in ecstasy be persuaded that this is surely the condition of the Heaven that we seek and know so well, it is but a shadowy hinterland which in semi-reproduction does whisper cunningly in the ear of the desperate, in imitation, but not in reality. For one is called and invited there into, one does not manipulate the invitation, but earns it. And to earn such is to labour so that replenishment is not due reward, but due necessity.

The Heavenly Cosmos, little and large, is brimful of the most exciting of communities. This too, may seize the imaginations of men so as to tantalize and torment those who are unhappy with their present lot. But perceptions are often entrances into future modes of experience, and we do harvest the future from the seeds of our wonderings, our impulsed desires, created and formed as of now.

Not one speck is left in isolation. The party of Creation is on perpetual holiday, commemorating the moment. For a holiday is indeed a holy day - given to exact importance. And every day has great significance and is duly celebrated so.

There are many wise beings whose wisdom does stream from eons and eons of certain experience particular to them. The Cosmic community is not to be disregarded, but respected throughout. Many of a particular realm lend themselves, their designs, their experiences unique to their kind, to our world and our patterns; which from hierarchy to minor are gleaned and set. Most offer most generously, they do not guard their knowledge. In fact there can be an abundance, and a well trained ear serves well. If one ever thought that their elders gave too much advice, eagerly giving of themselves, just wait until you begin to journey again throughout the Cosmic regions! It can make journeying difficult indeed, and visitations are somewhat limited to certain timings and returns. Many do not get far, as they are held up quite close to the Earth, and enjoy such company, partaking in much that relates to this or that community.

All sorts of beings offer sublime assistance to Man - some of course, are by opinion of greater concern than others; they give what they can, sharing of that they know. But the company one keeps can have vast ranges of differing perspectives and may or may not be in accord with that vision which is yet to be realized in Man.

One must acknowledge that even the lowest of the demons, offers to Man what he has and experiences thereby. However, it is a cordial arrangement and although this is paramount to acquiring a certain discernment, it is pleasing to understand that essentially, the community of the Hierarchies all mean well and offer themselves.

It is because Man has been afforded much freedom to pick and choose and is very young in the formative character which sets his future, that 'evil' is so acutely realized; much more pertaining to the evolution of humanity, than as regards the Cosmic order without. For everyone has their place, however Man's is not quite fixed yet, and in being so malleable is often open to conjecture and fright, argument and design, as to which characteristics will eventually prevail, which forces and impulses shall infill his being and so forth. This is the way of freedom. This is where the dramatic contrasts occur, and are not such an issue within the many communities who are what they are, so attracted and placed and held within each other’s field of magnetism, suspended in friendly cohabitation.

This is very exciting, as you can well imagine. This is particularly why many should seek a word in your ear. Active creation. As the drama unfolds many a kingdom should be pleased to see that of their own propagated within the constitution of Man. Further to this there are systems outer to this system inner, which too has its emissaries of advisers and advice. Remember that it is natural to offer those aspects of yourself, for one has little else to offer.

This is not to say that the opportunities of Man are unique to Man. Man is unique to Man, but not the opportunities afforded for design. There have been many past who have gone before, who have now settled into a progressive compilation of what is so developed; and there is no reason not to presume that there shall be others with similar opportunities given. In fact in local terms, there is the animal kingdom directly beneath our system of cyclic endeavors. Although in this case the beasts are directly associated and of the making of Man, but are at least an indication of other periods where souls shall be given similar, not same, but similar opportunities.

All in all, the Heavens are a nice place. One may not be familiar with every aspect or come to know every soul; but the fear, or more correctly the bewildering apprehension about the place, is basically because of our uncertain standing within the larger community.

As for the Heaven, Heaven itself, we are all afforded time-out to pay homage and rejoice in that which is uniquely of the Father's. In this we are brought home to a common station, whereby all communities are so aligned, and may have mutual experience without being mutually inclined. We cannot describe buildings and trees and so forth- forms pertain to the Cosmic Heavens, whilst the light which lights the forms, streams through from Heaven. 

Our Father’s Heaven is more interpreted as a condition, and as yet the visible characteristics are unreported. This would be interesting to hear of, granted. There are beings who do claim that they have had privy to a glimpse; whether or not you are inclined to take their word for it is another matter. Usually it is something of a relationship to the Cosmic Orders rather than the secret door. For the ways of unconsciousness afford dreamlike representations and recollections at best, which are most personal and not necessarily reflective of reality at that level.

We are all overwhelmed by the Father's presence, for who could match minds? Who could sit at that table? But we are content to take the offerings which are digested according to our frail abilities, predigested, alike to the milk from a mother.

Perceptions in the Modern World- 14th May 1991

WHEN a child chooses a toy - an object that is concentrated upon and experienced - the form of that object makes an impression upon the expanding consciousness of that child. Frequently the child must come to know the object and grasp it in two hands or between two teeth, and is loathe to let the object be taken from them until the child herself has fully come to absorb every detail into her order of perception.

Children have the ability to perceive colors as brighter and more vivid, almost radiant, as opposed to the adult, in perception and cognition. Tones of color and of their source, whether cold or warm, bright or dull, natural or synthetic: these colors assist in building the fiber, as it were, of the child's subtle bodies. They translate them into the system of assimilation, the digestive processes, and flow back through the senses, through which they first made recognition. 

It is paramount therefore, that a child may be given access to experience the wonders of the natural world, and have a home that is aesthetically pleasing in the sense of good and proper taste. From this one can surmise that the child of the country is blessed with an advantage that the child of the flat-dweller in a large city, has not.

The perceptions of early childhood will mark or enhance the ability for perception, deduction and imagination, for the rest of their days. Deprivation in early childhood leads to an underdeveloped, quite handicapped adult who has not the ability to see through his eyes, hear through his ears, and so forth; as the world becomes almost indistinguishable to the perception- a haze and a muddle, as it were. 

The treatment for such a handicap in later life is to re-establish one's relationship with the outer world, rather than by trying to hide within an introspective consciousness of the world one lives in. The temptation is of course, when one has not the ability to discern true beauty as opposed to fashion or tizzyness, is that the individual tries to surround themselves (often expensively) with the material requisites which unfortunately in reality, come no closer to enhancing their soul perception of the true nature of the world around them. 

It is therefore a wonderful therapy for all to be creative when making an environment, be it garden or house, to be pleasing to the souls of the individuals who encounter it; if done in the proper way. This of itself is not an indulgence, but can be quite an inspiration in finding the ways and means of this artistic endeavor, and can be beneficial to all concerned.

Elemental Man- 14th May 1991

IN past mythology there were many beasts that featured in certain tales: reptilian of the watery element; those with the breath of flame-throwers, of the fiery elements; creatures endowed with feather and wingspan of the air, and heavyset hardened-skull, cave and darkness dwellers of the earth.

Also corresponding to such mythology were the angelic doctrines of the elemental faerie host: those that inhabit and dwell amongst their elements with both higher and lower faculties, from sprite, sylph, nymph, elf, salamander, gnome, dwarf and so forth. Each elemental being had an elemental beast or group of beast-like brothers and powers from the garden of the world, being like representation of their particular element from which they originally sprung.

Alike to parents, the higher realms of the Angelic Host would look on, with visitations and guardianship over their correspondingly significant concerns, moving in either the air, water or fire, but not the earthly realms.

Man in his relation to the Zodiac is placed (in loose terms today) under the influence of one particular element. And the corresponding natures of these elements hold keys to the advantages and disadvantages that might present to the personality during that period in which he comes under their influence.

However, a man may bring with him a temperament that does not fit the present one, under which influence he is currently determined by. In fact this is most often the case, as the former may well help to balance the latter, redistributing attributes and essential qualities, re-establishing a different relationship within the cosmos.

Therefore one might be choleric in temperament and come into the world demanding to be fed, but be born into the watery aspect which in time, will too, have its influence on the building and expression of the future nature and personality of that particular individual.

So it goes also with the sanguine, melancholic and phlegmatic. In regards to health there is a direct relationship between the treatment and effect on an individual, depending on both past and present elemental aspects that dominate their personality characteristics, largely because the organs are stimulated by such aspects, as too the astral body, in which both etherical forces permeate or cosmic qualities are received within. The balance of the temperament plays an essential role in the determining of such wellbeing and harmony within the whole constitution, rather than just one aspect.

The phlegmatic individual might feel compelled to seek a diet, for example, that encourages this disposition. This of itself would better be corrected by a menu which selectively did not promote the nature of the watery element but instead brought the influence of the sanguine or the choleric.

Although the sanguine might enjoy in indulgence of sugars and tea drinking, there may be benefit in the consumption of complementary foods and beverages (although try and make a true sanguine ingest lemon, bitters, salt and spice!)

However, these contrasting foods may assist with health deficiencies, although moreover, the inclinations within a particular temperament and their relation to the perception of the outer world play a far greater role in the general wellbeing of the individual.

That is not to say that one should dismiss the qualities that one is endowed with, however at the bottom of one's lower nature there is a serpent, a slug, a dragon, vulture, and so forth, to be contended with. Similarly too, a John, Luke, Matthew and Mark: representing the qualities of higher elemental persuasion.

(Also, by the bye, one might have a phlegmatic St. Bernard, a choleric German Shepherd, a melancholic Bloodhound, or a sanguine Setter!)