On Calvary & Sparrows

The birds have long memories. If you talk to a bird he can relate all of his family's recall, for he knows what the birds of ages then knew, and it is because of this that they especially remember the coming of Christ and His overcoming of Death.

And it is the little chaps, the sparrows, who were especially endeared to our Christ. Of all it is these who boast the great love and knowledge of our Lord; and it was they who last attended Him in his final solitude. It was they who mourned His ill-treatment and His suffering; it was they, who even though humble and very tiny indeed, came to His attention time after time, being bearers of His comfort and delight.

Little sparrow, little chap, we too are your friends and admirers!

Easter 

On the Kinship of the Exalted

The 'Immortals' (not so long ago as is imagined) met freely with men to converse and teach directly. Those of you with special affinities for teachers shared this time in previous lives whereupon the relationships were open and not so mysterious.

It was however, a most sought-out society; still is for that matter, but neither then nor now was it desirable for men to only become their elders' shadows.

Our fraternity shoulders that of our equivalents beyond these immediate spheres. There are men who have gone on, passing through this World and resettled outside its reaches. Although this was a decision of abandonment in the strictest sense, they are nonetheless our brothers directly, and have chosen this advance for their own reasons.

They are not separated or lost, but given to address and have kept in contact. They are our extended family, which too is yours. At times, when they confide locally, it may even be that the essence of a work piece or essay is related by one of these Elders. Intrinsically they are still men even though they have departed from the influence of this Globe, and it can be remembered also that such islands can quite possibly conserve remnants of a time which cannot otherwise remain.

As for our Teachers there are many depositories, many places around and about which we and they can go. There are also those places for which we are ill at ease - largely because everything is increased perceptibly and the adjustments are consumably tiresome if the men or environments are thick with evil.

But when thoughts are turned towards us and we may share in a mutual love as we do, then our company so welcomed is immediate and our attention complete. We can never be preoccupied with keeping track of a man in his day to day affairs. It is rather that he should call upon us when and if he feels so inspired that we may unite in some fine considerations together.

To some we are just as old friends living in distant places, and to those who pledge their like-minded concerns and commitments we offer back in return all that we can. It will not ever be in the form of a guaranteed lottery ticket or such windfall, but it shall bring its miracles and a fun association!

On 'Food Parcels' & Fresh Springs of Inspiration

We offer what we can from our table. Those who share their plate get pudding for dessert. Those who don't won't, and they'll complain forever and a day after that they never ever feel satisfied!

On the Gentle Path & of Quiet Moments - Tracing

Tracing will relax a man. The best example of this was with Japanese script and brush. Using a rice paper imposed upon it, the brush would be trailed along the path of the character beneath it. In this the will of the fellow did relax, and in place of what would have been effort he was given to concede into the message that he deliberately followed.

The script of many monks was traced for this purpose; and their learning of the Gospels, in the hand-printing was greatly accentuated.

You may try this for yourself: in taking a favorite contemplation that you wish to absorb - one that is healthy we warn. Ask another (preferably someone who holds good picture comprehensions of this thought) to write or brush it out quite largely onto paper. Then, as you copy over with an intent to follow only the lines over and over and into a monotony, there is a switch that ensues that we may experience the words to which we work upon and their full meaning.

It is very nearly impossible for a man to exert himself with a thought (by speaking out loud for example) and directly experience that which he is expressing at the same time. He may, if well practiced, synchronize his expression and pause that he may do both one after another, but not in concurrence. This is because the act of will which cooperates with the speaking or the conveying (the writing perhaps) takes the consciousness along its own path, and so the actual essence of the thought is temporarily pushed out.

With tracing we are excusing ourselves from the same distractions of practice, and if our first writer holds a wonderful comprehension, then also their nature in this matter may be adopted.

One warning though: do not scribe another's signature.