Meditation- 4th July 1992

IT is paramount to all concerned with parachutes and impending falls, planned or spontaneous, that they check their connections - all vital cords - afore leaping.

We may form a 'mental' parachute, one which may shelter ourselves and take rise upon the free-falling terrain, that our journey through this sky may be delayed in time enough to capture some of the scenery, rather than rush to meet with an otherwise unfriendly bed of earth below. One's parachute does fit snugly away; it is quite a contrast of area to mass, once opened. And we are not confined to white either. What would the design be? You might ponder this through until comfortable with a personal hue or appliqué. And remembering also of its radiance as so lit, between you and the Sun.

In a Hans Christian Andersen story, there was a little boy who would hold a magic umbrella to sleeping folk. . . and they would dream; dreaming dreams of pictures and visions, as were best coming to them: Ole Lukøje. And this child would visit bringing his small dome of imaginings to their bedside, and they would be sweet, untroubled and picturesque. 

As smoke which curls and spirals and wafts and wavers and drifts and dissipates until dissolved, one may look to the sections of their overhanging parachute and see whereupon, such visions unfold in this and that section; in color, in format, in imaginings played out. For this be our special parachute; the one which affords us the time to envision the skies intimately.

Here is an old favorite:-
There is a world we see,
and then a piece of ground: a mountain.
On the mountain there is a forest, in the forest we go to a tree.
Atop a tree a tangled nest.
In the nest an egg, upon does rest.
And in the egg a bird springs forth,
and opens mouth.
His voice rings out and out and out.
It flies from the egg, from the nest, from the tree.
It calls from the forest and the mountain, to the sea.
It goes twice around the planet, and comes back to me.

Within this presentation we find the action of the focusing pupil within the eye - which, by the bye, shall be physically strengthened by such inner contemplation; for we may actually direct our thoughts in ways of exercise which give to our systems a rhythm or a re-establishment of a kindred inclination. We are powerful in our imaginings, and hold sway over all related functions.

The parachute imagery may help one to begin, begin into the sky-dome meditative state, until it becomes easier to unfold one's parachute, or conversely, fold it back up and pack it away again.

What of meditation? Meditation is a conscious step out of time whereby the individual who looks inward has forgone the world and its limitations, and allowed time to be afforded for this rest, repose and concentration, out of time.

It is not that we are to be at all times 'carefree', nor that this is the main feature of any practiced meditation. However one can say that if an individual lends himself to such practice, he shall benefit from the 'slack' - from the conditions of such great rest which do accompany his meditative endeavors. And this is a result which is not to be bypassed as purely relaxation, but moreover a relaxation of inner tension (inner, inner tension), in alignment with all other tensions, the whole way through.

The first happy result comes from the fact that one has given time to it at all. For this is special time, the veritable 'quality time' permitted to self, by self. Furthermore it is not as an escape from the world, insomuch as a mutual bonding with those aspects of the world unnoticed by the 'fast fall, nose-dive'.

One need not become as the extreme yogi who almost disincarnates with shallow breath and sublime extraction, with merely a fine thread remaining earthbound so attached. This meditation which takes us to those moments after waking or before slumber, will produce a slowing of the pulse, and of the breathing quite naturally; but does not need in any way to be severe to effect enormous change.

Folk may be daunted by suppressed pictures, resurrected memories or challenging, nagging thoughts, all which present and impinge upon the quiet times. Even the quietest of conditions may be interrupted and made noisy. It is important that one remains in good humor throughout, without the stressful attempts to make an aggravated peace with such presentations. For in patience they too will quieten; and yet having said this, such reflection and examination, real examination, is very good of itself. That one may be awake enough to project into that which is before the mind's eye and meet with it and commit it to an orderly place once and for all.

Too often one may try impatiently and proclaim "Well let's get to the good bit" (meaning the deeper aspects of a meditation), and then feel most abashed when sleep calls and no immediate results, result. If we are to observe something about development it is this: any results which occur instantaneously in a large manner are good for a short time only, or are more trouble than they are worth.

If development ensues over time with steady preparation and results, in its own time, which is conducive to the rhythms and the constellations and one's personal aspects, then it is to be regarded as substantial progress. Therefore one shall not find immediate results in meditation, but a gradual strengthening and wellbeing shall follow slowly behind.

To give time to oneself for renewal and for discipline, for exercise and general improvement of all of the constitution, is an attitude of 'caring' for oneself. The vitalities respond far more deftly with precision, with tenacity, because of this consideration. The 'time out' is never forfeited, for it is actually extended and furthered (in terms of years) to each and every person. The fact that some may live very long indeed, may give you an idea of that which is invoked by this 'living out of time'- an actual extension of worldly time, physical worldly time, afforded by this practice (made perfect!).

It is because one's constitution has a limited capacity for assimilation. Life is ceaseless assimilation: worldly life requires that we incorporate worldly substance within our being's being. And to an extent this is a sufferance. Of course one does not mean to say in grim terms, that the privilege which is life is of suffering. However there are tensions within a man that do protest the cohabitation of certain demanding conditions, which may be viewed at times within the world particularly to conflict, or be in argument, rather than conducive to all aspects which comprise a man.

Now as regards assimilation, we are only 'good for' a limited capacity of worldly material before there calls the need for assimilation in higher requirements. And as we know, the body does tire within the world, and ages from this calling of the higher man. However in the case of meditation we are actually submitting to an assimilation which does please our higher being and nourishes it, relaxes the tensions which are from level three down (explanation later); and have lost nothing in the practice at all. For it is the assimilation of oxygen, the ability to do so and combust, that makes for incarnation, and this time-out will afford us ability to take in yet more time, as one does work with the other.

Conversely we may examine the deathly impact of a relaxation of the lower aspects and the tension thereof as regards alcoholic beverages and the like. Here the aspirant (good word, 'aspire'; also as in breathing) becomes as a perspirant (from the Latin persparare: to blow, from per- through + sparare to breathe); whereby the regulation of such assimilation of time is as with meditation, but not as is with meditation. For in the one case the aspirant may actually enhance his ability to incorporate the world within himself upon return from meditation, and in the other, the perspirant does not of himself so 'give over' to this timely consideration, but rather has forced himself from his shell and cannot assimilate time well at all. And the illusion of timelessness is because of inability - a no-man's land, which in the long run detracts from such abilities in later life to work the constitution thoroughly, adeptly and with precision.

One may be sufficiently 'relaxed' in death, but this does not mean to say that total relaxation is desirable. This is why meditation and meditation's accompanying contemplations are referred to as exercises; for in truth the individual who makes effort to manage himself in these realms of behavior, shall be qualified in subsequent tension also. That one becomes strong from the ability to venture in and out of these conditions at will.

One could be with such strength from these exercises that any conditions as set by the world, would inflict little pain, if any. And though we might weep for those who are imprisoned: be it jail or in withering limbs, one may readily see the benefit derived from the abilities to enter into meditative contemplation, and withdraw and re-enter accordingly.

If after twenty years of such practice one could say, "I now really feel the benefits!", then how wonderful it is - especially when one considers, that in twenty years hence the benefits may be well needed! Enough humor! 

Meditation on meditations is recommended to all men and women. The only but or hesitation we would add is that meditation as used for magical purposes is undesirable. For we find that if there is a 'forcing' within that relaxation of inner tensions, the unguarded may find that the resultant tendencies become obsessive and overruling. That, that which is adopted as practice may be indeed difficult to shake, and negate decisions of will in relation to the strength of experience. In other words, we may all try so hard and so well, that we develop into living fixations, that only one particular spot on the parachute be illumined.

If I am to contemplate the Holies, the Mysteries or the natural wonders, I am to throw myself out from myself and be cast into those qualities which I seek to know. But if I am determined by a desire to invoke a magic or a phenomenon within myself, then I am not at liberty to submit to the higher knowledge of these mysteries, as I am taken up with the effecting of properties as pertaining to myself. There are totally different results from this. The necessity of perspective is a large issue to the would-be aspirant.

All lofty thought makes for good material substance for meditative contemplation, for it is through the avenues of such inspiration that we may travel the paths to the essential wisdom of which they are offspring; and by their nature, invocations will vary. Furthermore, the aspirant himself is always the better judge as to the quality and the representation of any given meditative contemplations.

Commentaries are useful and enlightening, and for the beginner much treasured as candles illumining the visions. And potent visions will come as soul pictures. The aspirant will learn of the nature, the direction, and the action that such pictures take. It is not dissimilar to one's own dreams, whereby the best interpreter in the world is oneself.

Canons are very sure of themselves, but have no personal sense of direction.

The Pursuit of Knowledge- 1st July 1992

THE conjecture about 'Black Holes' is interesting because it exhumes a study of something, which by definition, is not there. Such studies are at best difficult, and suffice to say more properly, that there are most definitely gateways between this realm of our perception leading into that which may not be encompassed by our senses or by instruments, or otherwise directly accessible to Man. This would be a large concession if the scientific world could extend their theories to accommodate those prospects of there being worlds layer upon layer, related and unrelated to our own; albeit unseen and unexperienced.

The point of such conjecture may be brought into question. There is actually no war against a comfortable and smug materialism. For if something is beyond recognition and comprehension it is only reasonable to accept this, and put it down to the 'unknowable'. Therefore we may only begin our studies with that which we may know, or have opportunity for coming to know - expectations of otherwise need re-examining.

This does not in any way detract from a Spiritual Science, however, one's nous, one's knowing, might be better defined. Regardless of popular opinion, knowledge does not rest on consensus but on fact and the subjective experience of such facts as are there. Agreement as to facts is secondary and good for substantiation, but not reliable.

If I set about to know something and to test it for myself, I must satisfy myself that I shall know how to begin, and how to identify the result with which I am satisfied. Furthermore I shall do this, having a history - of which I am aware of - of many 'wrong' assumptions, whereby in confusion or misapprehension I have mistakenly gauged a situation and have been incorrect in my judgment. Nonetheless, with great optimism I endeavor time and time again to be the better judge, and make for opinion.

This is no cynical treatise on the gleaning of knowledge. Indeed, it is a wondrous endeavor in which curiosity inflames and men seek to discover the unknown. It is primal, it is essential - in some, deterred, quashed and broken - and yet such assimilation carries on regardless.

The ingestion of knowledge is reliant upon a being that is capable of expanding and infilling with the veritable 'stuff' which comprehension is made of. We are told that there is the capacity there for one to encompass all knowledge at the one time; and have provision for this, in breadth, in strength, in expansion - very stretchy! Although, we have never seen it done!

The pursuit of knowledge appears second only to the pursuit for love; and so often they are definitely one and the same. It is fine to see a student aspire towards the truth, as a truth, as was eons before; and also to remain candid about the differences between the unknowable, and the knowable unknowable!

The vistas of discovery do widen with each grand step - wonderment with anticipation, wonderment which comes with the privilege of knowing, the holding, in this the entrustment of those finest of treasures: the truth. This is because the TRUTH, is what IS: of our Father - that which is complete, most perfect, uncontaminated, without compromise, out of time, in actuality, the quiescence of isms, perpetual and everlasting.

From the Truth we find streams of fragmented expressions, of persuasions, of manifestations, because the creative impulses are deviant in respect to that which has never been, that which is new. For out from the unfolding of such Truth, there are possibilities. And possibilities are given Time, for a time, in which they may or may not become incorporated in Truth. They must be worthy. They must become in accord with the almighty presence and power of the Truth.

When the carpet of time is rolled up and away once more, some are taken with it, whilst some may remain in the bosom of our universe. Creation herself withstands and remains, for she and her Nature are inherent to the Truth. Some designs require a little working on! "Not enough Time" they cry - out comes the carpet again. Her helpers pick through to find the lost jewels - and recover them they might: Lost worlds and lost souls, as gnats, as fireflies. 

Sound in the Ether- 27th June 1992

TELEPORTATIONS, precipitations and rappings, used in the past to be a common occurrence. The ethers, audibly, tangibly, could carry those sounds as given out; whilst also as steady and as coherent as to allow transportation of far flung objects. Neither of the two phenomena occurs today; certainly nothing so significant. However these occurrences were usually blamed upon the nixies or the dead; depending upon it being a 'knock on wood' or a saucepan flung at the head!

The sub-physical properties of the ethers, and also concurrently, those within immediate range thereof, do vary from location to location, dependent upon: hemisphere, climate, proximity to sea, altitude and interference (from a number of influences). Much the same as the quality of the air may be measured, so too may the finer attributes of uncontaminated atmospheres, impressionable or fully impressioned, be actually, measurably significant. Just as visibility through crystal is superior to transparencies otherwise, so too the properties utilized within the ethers translate impressions back to men with defined resonance and clarity, marginally affected.

It is interesting is it not, that people often speak of 'clearing the air'. Of course this usually refers to honesty, but is as good a colloquialism to cite as any. In this instance 'clearing the air' shall refer to the attempt to actually improve those conditions of surrounding and immediate ethers, that they might be in accordance with those aspects most suitable to wholesome, healthy, enlightening discourse, meditation or prayer - that the atmosphere be relieved, be unencumbered. Of course this should be a tall order particularly if one were to approach this task as a fanatic; but we talk in terms of improving conditions rather than seeking complete purification. 

Of the favored practices today, we find that folk do often sprinkle the water, light the candle and incense, ring the bells, the gongs or whatever, chant, incant, cut the air in imaginative motion, sit in circles, etc. etc., and or pray.

Now the practice of the above list is fine and quite helpful, and certainly does make a difference (which we shall outline in a moment). However it is the last consideration which is of the greatest difference; and as one may often start with an opening prayer, it is advisable to include in this conferment, the wish and the need for a 'clearing of the ethers'. Because the very sobriety of prayer does indeed clear the room of unsavory influences to begin with - those which cannot tolerate prayer evacuate readily - one is halfway there to the whole job done. Furthermore, conditions surrounding one may be altered and attuned; but only if asked for, envisualized and concentrated upon. For not all have the good fortune to sit acrest a mountain top or bathe in the crystalline air of the sacred. One is impinged upon by influence upon influence; nothing which would particularly upset or hinder a man of itself, but does not make for a good response time, set in the spaces between a man and his thought. 

The singer will know this. That as the words issue melodically, there is a marked difference in perception on behalf of the singer, and for that matter any others who may be in proximity.

The spoken word is melodic in part, but with a predetermined meter and such inflections that are designed to be impressioned by the man speaking them, but also to be received cordially. One may usually sense the boundaries of such, although some have a problem with this. We may look at the differences and implications of each. There is a range of projection, not so much as from loudness to silence (although this of course does make similar exchange), but from melodic to monotone. The difference of delivery style and its subsequent understanding from those who receive is not only because of their perception in relation to melody or drone, but also how exactly the veritable ethers are subjected by such an issue.

Melody quickens, melody weaves in and out with each note enlivening and enlightening (like highlighting) those aspects of the ethers which are responsive to those particular notes - thus making for ready impression for those within proximity to experience it. A drone, on the other hand, stimulates only a small and concentrated portion with little impact, very little attractive impact, and the men concerned do not respond, because the droning has not stimulated those etheric notes which are to men inspiring. One may be able to gauge from this that the practice of clearing the ethers does also enable one to impress and receive a more accurate and clear response to that sympathetic resonance as described.

It is not that the music permeates all of the ethers, but that they are enlivened and stimulated, sympathetically throughout. Conversely, particular notes within particular ranges do belong to particular ethers, so that the family are held within the multiphased vitality-fluids which circulate within specific ranges.

The studies made of actual sound expressions phonetically would be enriched if one understood also the equations of tone/note/sound expression. Sounds have parent notes, but also of course are coupled with the complete range of notes. The example of 'g': guh, the 'g' sound does infer differing meanings, differing expressions, embodied by different notes. For the 'g' sound, as with all other sounds, is the delivery of a note, not a note of itself. It is precisely the form of the delivery which certainly makes up the nature of that given note. However, the note itself will determine the character of the sound.

Now in the case of your friend's therapies*, quite often the men and women concerned would feel their own way into the notes that they were to produce, because it is coming from themselves in order that subsequent remedies for themselves be made way for: Coffee just as you like it!

However, in the case of affecting others than yourself - with a particular point in mind - the relationship of such sound to notes is as important as paint-pigment is to water, is to painting; and too, from where the notes do issue forth. 

One can say that there is always an intrinsic difference between that which is imparted, issued by way of a living, live, emanating being, as opposed to that which is imparted through mechanical or lifeless delivery. Furthermore there shall also be a difference between the notes as given through a trumpet blown by a man and those which are pumped - measurably etherically different. (Although this will not apply to an electronic organ being played, or on remote relay.) The old test with plant growth would clearly establish such differing characteristics as performed in the instance of 'live' noise as distinct from just noise.

In the case of 'live noise' emanating as from a living being, radiating out, as it were, we find that all sound is characteristically imbued by he who does issue. So we find that there is yet another characteristic to our sound/note: it carries a persona of its own. Furthermore, there are only parts or traits, which do correspond with the note issued, and in likeness and in emphasis of the moment, there is but a fragment of the man (or being) delivered with the sound/note determination. 

Communication is basic to the imparting and receiving of these impressions so carried and illumined with the ethers. Whether vocally reproduced or mentally imparted or received, it is sequence and color rather than word, which mark out the notations of communication. It is pure expression, rather than abstract symbolism. Communication imparts that which is, firstly and lastly.

If one wonders how folk communicate otherwise, without sympathy to this, the answer of course is that maybe within their thinking they are indeed clumsy, confused and unsympathetic to their true forms of communication. Which we might add, they do indeed take part in and live by, known to them or not. It is not a matter of acquiring any new talents here at all, but rather signifying that which we do already in reality go by.

It is also true to say that a repressed man will "hold it all in", and there is much would-be expression there, so closely bound to the chest with much pressure besides. For we may measure our activity by way of that which we give out (surrender) of ourselves into the world. 

For some, all movements are forced or as clumsy, which they themselves would testify to, that there is an awkwardness which gives an impression of frozen limbs or a fragmented motion. A child who is silenced excessively may well suffer from this later on into adult life. He may not cry, he may not release, and he may not subsequently endure well. He cannot sing, he is quietly spoken - or drastically overbearing at those times when regulation ceases. He inwardly stutters and hesitates. Many a child was cuffed around the head for 'making too much noise'. This noise is what we give out firstly by way of experiencing 'the water' so to speak, it is the primary and first expression - be it enhanced with joy, with love, and so forth. 

The 'screaming therapies' as undignified as they are, can be profoundly useful to the individual who suffers these inhibitions; providing that one does not direct the screaming at anyone or anything- not even with anger, and not at themselves or the past- just purely creating a din, for a time set by them, in a suitable and convenient place. Controlled outbursts will encourage the individual to begin such release as was stifled in the past. 

Each star in the sky pulses with radiant sound- that sound which it emanates of its own, and that which communicates to it. Such symphonies as are the galaxies, are about our activity within our own microcosmic world, right here in our surrounding ethers; circulating too, through that which makes for the bodily constitution.

An honest word spoken - especially one with kind intent - is issued necessarily from the key of sincerity. Half-hearted ejections are spawned to a wind which flies back into the face of the pronouncer. The two are very, very different indeed. One can test honesty and lies upon a plant also. A man may be made quite ill by keeping in the company of lies. The reason for this being, that there are indeed mixed signals whereby he who meets with a lie can and does distinguish the reality of it, regardless of what the overriding consciousness submits to. To keep balance of the two counter-projections and make accommodation for such within oneself, makes for a strenuous and taxing existence.

Many actors fall prematurely ill or to despair for this reason. Of course in the case of an actor he does unwittingly pronounce lies - in the sense of his adopted persona - but even this is enough to cause a reality of conflicting soul impressions, as well as altering the etheric make-up sufficiently to cause much damage.

What of the speechless monk? In humility he says to the world "I shall be no more significant than a flea on the dog's back of community!" But because of such silence he is not stronger in those aspects which would have been to the good had he not weakened his potencies of production. For one must draw from the well that the well might replenish; this is the law as regards all inexhaustible gifts of the soul. In the case of silence we find that a man who withholds intentionally as prerogative, places such limits which become incorporated as habit to him and that there will come a day of no choice. However, if in open prayer or psalm or quiet mutterings, he does keep in practice, then the explicit words stream into the ethers with greater intensity. 

*Philophonetics

The Grim Troubadour, part 2

A mission of Christ was to free any man afflicted by a 'seal', by an 'imprint', by a mark which claimed as the mule. What on Earth do people imagine that our beloved Christ came particularly to do? And what is there, that he cannot do for those who abide with Him?..... The old Egyptians would have their ways! They stalk, they pace, defile, degrade and then disgrace!

We cannot speak of seals in great detail. To do so would become a prescription for such - and that is not desirous. However, what may be said is that this attachment within a man does not dissolve and does not become incorporated within his being after death. One does not bear artificial appendages that are 'withdrawable' - transferable, yes, withdrawable in and out of incarnation, no. 

The 'Keeper of the Seals' was the term given to the chief hierophant, who, during spells of initiatory ingestions required that the subservient pupil would allow such seals afforded to them, as a mark of their lodge, of their school, of their faction; and such were imposed, given and known only to the hierophant whose jurisdiction prevailed. In times of initiations into spheres, venturing into planes, such relationships were as linkages, from pupil to master - like a lifeline from one to the other, and thus they stayed. Such seals did however have definite form given to them, and had power to override the will of the pupil in those times, as necessary - depending upon who was the keeper. Much the same as the 'learn to drive car' which has two steering wheels, two brake pedals. As one can well imagine much trust was mandatory on behalf of the pupil as to who he may trust....

Some would only understand that to be seen to be good, is as good as being good - however, this is an unwholesome reality. One is either good or not good, in whatever aspect that is chosen to review. It is not enough to be seen to be priestly, but rather to be made of the stuff in which priests are made of. That is: to be administrators to men, servants of God and His people - Minister: to administer - whatever it takes, in the calling, in the service, and in the glory remonstrated by the celebrations....

To some, at one time, the world was darkened, in a claustrophobic, constricting sense which stifled the aspirant, weakened and overshadowed even the most pious. This darkness consumed the air and many saw only demons - invisible, and within men - and trembled throughout the incarnation. One might well understand an unswerving and determined individual who, by today might be seen to be 'pigheaded' to say the least, not understanding the needs of the day and the plight of those who were awakened enough to perceive the ghoulish grip upon the hearts of men.

-B.Hive 

It is only a small number of people in each case who understand all these things. For as a rule these societies are organized in such a way that the ceremonial magic they practice influences only those who are unaware of the implications, merely desiring to make contact with the spiritual world by means of symbolic ceremonies. There are many such people. And those who have this desire are by no means necessarily the worst. They are accepted as members of the circle of ceremonial magic among whom there are then a few who simply use the rest of the members as instruments. Therefore one should beware of all secret societies administered by so-called higher grades whose aims are kept hidden from the lower grades. These administrative grades usually comprise those who have been initiated to a stage at which they only have a vague idea of what I have just been explaining to you. They comprise those who are to work positively in connection with certain goals and aims which are then realized by the wider group of those who have been merely inveigled into the circle of ceremonial magic. Everything these people do is done in such a way that it leads in the direction required by the higher grades but is strengthened by the forces which come from ceremonial magic.

-Rudolf Steiner