Reworking the Breathing System- 28th December 2001

FIRST principle: Anything which offers a relatively rapid effect within the constitution has an action which can be equally as deleterious as it is helpful. The more sudden the consequence, the less likely the body itself can adapt to suit itself. 

One should bear in mind, if possible, that the physical body does not respond or behave like a machine in any respect, and nor does it value the dictates of one.

Light-headedness from oxygen deprivation can be as toxic as any narcotic. If one is forcibly driving the forces out which ordinarily and rhythmically work their own matrix without undue issue, there is a 'relief' experienced from the head (temporarily) which also invites death rather than life.

***

 "The human etheric body is bound to the physical body by oxygen." -Rudolf  Steiner in conversation with Georg Groot

Christmas Gathering- 2001

Imbecilic joy…

The two faces of both natural wisdom and wisdom-yet-to-be…

Gravely reliving the moment's conspirations;

Touching and tasting the freshly delivered sunlight.

In foyers crowded and anterooms amassed,

The multi-multitudes of beings gather together to worship at Christmas;

All rare and exceedingly curious variations of life,

All dear beings whose form may appear but parody to human;

Yet clear-eyed and clear-hearted,

They have spindled or twirled into the community party.

The children of this world have joined along too -

At slumber time, with heads heavy on their beds,

Their dream spirits have run along (and some have flown) to be at this party -

The party of Christ.

Question on Pacifism- 10th November 2001

Dear Brothers,

Undoubtedly the message of the Gospels is one of pacifism:

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Matthew 5:38-44

We have had your detailed message on the importance of not killing, and respecting life. The question I have is though, is war ever justified at the present time? If not, could a tyrant, such as Hitler, just have his way with the world? 

If pacifism is the philosophy we need to follow, then is it possible that the Christian religion could be prevented from being practiced?

- Bruce

THE forces of antagonistic chaos tire of themselves very quickly. The angry soul will deplete himself, all of himself, because he has deflected the very life that would sustain him ordinarily. He has substituted truths for hatreds, and such vile calamities which then flow forth in thought, word and scheme, are little good to invest in.

Desolate places,

Sand swept and now imprisoning oases,

Knife-sharp grasses,

Storms, winds and consuming seas,

Poisons,

Insincerities,

The parched,

The dulled,

The cynical,

The mutings,

Night-starts,

Venomous blue-bloods,

The vile, the foul,

The reckless-regardless,

Pain,

Monsters,

Sea-monsters too,

People monsters, demon imbibed,

Violence - of word, of thought, of threat, of act,

Carnivorous plants,

Frostbite,

Bad fairies,

Fallen angels,

Disturbed and humorless people,

Rumors and insinuations,

Aggrieving criticisms,

Wood-rot in growing trees,

The expression for the desire to cease a life - of self or other,

Insanity,

Devil-worship,

Striped socks!

Death dies. Evility does not thrive; it exists, corrupts and then falls to its own design. Hatreds are self-inflicting. Even the wars in Heaven are but a thumping and a clanging of but a toy drum and cymbal to the serene and holy hierarchies.

By their own nature those who offend Father God by their intent, by their behavior, will be unarmored, incapacitated and laid victim to the same ranks they themselves have led through their short-lived victories.

Then let them step amongst the slush of once flesh, and feel the edge of every tendon, every sinew - for each sightless eye, twisted or dismembered limb, for any premature and violent end, they too, in trade, shall be thus unendowed.

Where now the strength that once was arm?

Cannot the finger point, or curl -

Or hold thy heavy crown?

One could say that our fleshy bodies, warm, supple, yet as imperfect as they are at the present, are merely bodies, lesser cousins to the spirit within and almost disregardable to the spiritual worlds and their realities. But this is not so.

The mysteries surrounding, encouraging and enrapturing the human frame have not even, as yet, begun to become what they can and shall know. This world and its manifested comprise, is not just some cosmic experiment or artistic trial; and nor is it sinful, for that matter.

The ensheathment of ourselves in flesh often presents an element of compromise. We know, because of the current condition, limitations and difficulties which the ethereal bodies simply never comprehend. The tasks are many, and fundamentally we are called upon for much courage to persevere with this existence as it compacts upon our ego and soul life within. 

Also, in complement to this somehow, the world at large is often perceived to be cumbersome and difficult, detracting from the higher realms realities and inherently sinful in this. 

Today we are going to separate off some concepts and distinguish them more thoroughly, to look at the world and the existence of the mortal man in its most noble of aspects and regard what it means to decry them. 

The nature manifest and the nature underpinning (the physical and the etheric worlds), is very innocent and intrinsically spiritually pure throughout. When an animal, fish, plant or elemental copulates, it does so within the streams of life - higher life - and never in 'sin'. There is nothing debased about creation creating. 

In human life too, this is the same. If there is sin present it is occurring outside, although adjacent, to the physical and etheric existence. Neither the physical nor etheric condition is blameworthy of sin, although they are affected and impressionable to it. 

With human copulation there are divine powers operating and cooperating from the very highest of influences (which, by the way, can experience some of themselves through the perfect act). There are outstanding differences between Man and the lesser kingdoms in relation to everything because it is Man himself which hosts the higher powers, draws them in and enables all other creation to be revivified through him.

There is something of a whimsical paradox when it has been said, in relation to sin and to copulation, that a man or a woman is behaving like an animal. Whilst it is true to say that the animal nature within the flesh appears to respond sometimes independently to the ego, it is in fact life-driven and without sin - the sin itself residing elsewhere, entirely different.

Now, if the animals, plants, fish (yes, even the terrible ones), insects, elementals, feed off one another, if they are predatorily, violently, disconcertedly, even enjoyingly vicious, they are, nonetheless, free from sin in their acts. There is no outstanding karma amongst them. There is no sin within their expression. Only in Man can we look and find expressions of the weight of the associated sin; and not within the etheric or physical world, but outside of it.

There have been periods where darkness has encapsulated the Globe. These periods have been so dense, that penetration out or into has been difficult and almost threatening to cause a permanent disabling. However, the Heavens, the lesser gods and all of the angelic domains, have always loved this world - at every corner, in every space, in every way.

The physical life, as it is and as it could be, is cherished, admired and well thought of. 

There are mysteries which cannot even be hinted at here, except to say that locked within the human body itself are all things cosmically much further afield. We present a symphony of powers in our very stature. Our physicality is perceived very differently to the powers without us. They see many things occurring, which as a sunrise may enliven and inspire us, we likewise inspire them.

When it is put to us or said by us, that verily Christ is in us, this is not meant figuratively but completely, utterly, literally. The angelic beings can see this. They can see this in us. Every act of man is significant. Every word and deed is holy. 

Therefore also are we chief inspirers to the world around us. Our descent into matter is an acceptance of the virginal condition. We enter into purity and very quickly it is either enlivened by us or defiled. Within our humanity, and from moment to moment, we do both. This is life as we know it.

Both Etheric and Physical substance is angelically compliant to the directives of the motivating forces and personas working in and upon them. The Earth is the living jewel set upon the Crown of Christ, responsive to His every thought and desire, and Known by Him entirely. 

As worlds within worlds, we represent both Him and The World as well. When the animals copulate they are driven by Creation to further yet more creation. They move as the life moves within the world, expressing such life, loving such life. It is one act relived by a many, second-by-second within the one world, expressing the action of one world. Life enters in, life departs.

In the first instance, a man and a woman who are fertile and capable of offspring are enlivened too with this global drive for further life. This is not an act of sin amongst the child-bearing, ever. On the subject of children we can look and see what has been expressed above … proof positive of the purity of the physical and etherical condition as it is. The sweet infant and his means into life, holds the dignity of all existence within its being, explicit in its manifestation.

At the heart of Motherhood and Fatherhood is the highest expression of Humanhood made possible. The path to arrive at Motherhood and Fatherhood is holy. The act of conjoining in a fertile couple awakens an action responsive to Life in a way that cannot be achieved with couples who are not capable of offspring as a result of their intercourse. Now, there are higher conjoinings available to other unions where fertility is not present; there are differing occurrences which can be either holy or perverse. 

This is not to say that sainthood cannot be achieved by the childless, because it can, but the qualities of the motherhood or fatherhood will be what is brought forth in that sainthood regardless. It is more to explain that for all of those individuals who do have children, their spiritual giving within the world is already incredibly established and worthy. They may never profess a formal faith, yet the attributes which accompany the parenthood they manifest are divine.

It is to say that intercourse with fertile couples who give themselves to the divine possibility of welcoming life in their act, do not sin – whether married or no. The act is the union blessed by the life they give and receive and further offer.

It is not to say that infertile relationships hold no value in spiritual terms in relation to the act (by infertile this can mean even using pregnancy preventatives, or same sex relationships for example), but that the impetus comes from differing forces which may or may not be especially worthy. Some physical combinings will be holy, some significant spiritually to the partners cooperating in copulation, whilst some are devoid of soulic union and therefore 'at odds' with the being and nature of the individuals within. 

If there is no fertility there becomes a vacuum for other forces to become present. The same forces, which would ordinarily support life in the individuals participating and further life beyond them, can turn upon them, being destructive to their physical and psychical wellbeing. This therefore can be 'sinful' for one or both of the individuals concerned.

Copulation as described between fertile couples is the first and primary act which the Cherubim concentrate upon. Even when there has been no actual physical fertilization occurring, there is always a spiritual seeding which takes form (many forms follow on from this in point of fact), which 'takes' within the female and lives on into the etheric given forth. 

There can be a secondary form of copulation which is not procreative, but is spiritually formative. This act draws in the attention of the Seraphim that concentrate upon the living soulic connection between the individuals who have divined their beings in spiritual mutuality and likeness. This act needs to be discriminated from only physical expression, where there is no possibility of children and etheric birth resulting. Casual acquaintances or unequal relationships cannot communicate intimacies upon the soulic level, for the ego today requires qualification in all that it does, and knows when something so vital is hollow and unsatisfactory. Also, where there is selfishness for only self-gratification amongst the act (from one or both) there is sin apparent.

One of the reasons that young boys were called upon by black magi who used them for copulation was to draw in forces, which were in contradiction to the creative powers and redirect the forces into forming demonic beings. 

Demonic beings of themselves, do not invoke karma either. Through their conjuring and use, many tyrants have found ways to escape the repercussions of their meddling through their employment. This is part and parcel of the 'advancement' some may have made, without the usual hindrances one would expect to intervene, however usually one of two things often follows from such behaviors. Firstly the black adept creates powers and beings which eventually consume him; that grow beyond his willing and turn back upon him; or secondly he cannot help but participate in those things directly which do incur karmic response, and he is quickly undone. His successes can make him careless and eventually, because of the demonic consciousness, he will mistake himself into believing that there are no personal consequences for that which he does. As he negates his own human empathies and conscience, giving over to the powerful and anti-human motivations, he loses his caution, yet still must answer to all that he is responsible for. 

Now as to the subject of violent death, returning to the concept of the importance of our physical existence to the heavenly worlds, and also, to the further idea that each man and woman is a world within a world - and being partial to Christ Himself - we can contemplate with a sadness equal to this truth, what it might mean to bring about an unnatural death to the physical body and the spiritual pain that is caused by this. It is a very deep hurt to expire anybody thusly. Abortion is in this category of course. Anywhere, any place, where the once perfect body which is intact and warm one minute has had its life severed unlawfully and unnaturally before its own time, is assaulted not only materially, but spiritually as well.

When folk speak about periods of incarnation and of death, it is easy to think kindly of both processes with a gathered detachment. We know that the spiritual worlds harbor homes for us, and that a single lifetime within the earthly sphere is by comparison very brief indeed. One could attempt to be philosophical about war and those who have left abruptly to re-enter the spiritual realms. It could be possible to imagine that because 'life goes on' (and it does) that although war is terrible, it is endurable and only really played out in some bizarre heroic upon life's stage.

Yet we tend to look to deeper and sterner consequences - we know that pretty much all things are endurable, and concede to this with both relief and happiness at that comfort. However, to study a'further, we can also come to a gravity as is experienced from the wider circle which embraces humanity, and gain a little perspective there as well.

Earlier the concept of sin was introduced and it was done so to give over to the principles that both the Earth and the Etheric existence are uncorrupt and treasured realms. Sin itself will be visited many times by all of us in varying ways - sometimes we may even choose to sin knowingly, and granted that we assume the responsibility for this sin then it is ours alone to deal with and for naught else to judge. Our lives are not determined by outer directives - even the fanatic who would live according to creed rather than credential must refer inwardly for guidance. We choose daily, and 'choose' is the word implying a level of consciousness, of confrontation, of reaffirmation or reformation to follow. 

The impulse of Life is more important than just energy or some faceless continuum. It pours from the highest being down and reticulates back. If there is an interruption to Life, or a refusal to Life, then it is that the whole ecology of beings is sickened because of it. 

When a man ordinarily dies it is within his own timing, and there has been the opportunity for the aspects of his being to make loose from the frame and begin to withdraw from his connections. Not only does this free the ego from its involvements within the system, but also gives the physical body some time as well to adjust to the changes which will soon befall it.

The workings of the organs within the physicality are reliant upon many, many beings that in the higher astrea are responsible for the starry interchange between the physical matter and the planetary persuasions. The organs themselves operate according to their own system, whilst are also responsible and relating to the extraordinary star system we relate to as the Zodiac.

A little portion of place corresponds within us. Our bones store much of our memories (even those of the previous lifetimes within incarnation here). Our fluidic systems manifest our desires and emotions, and even our thoughts as well. Our fibers are woven with both an etheric and astral nerve which corresponds to both. Our senses are angelic receptors - requiring that we sense our interpreters that they may intercede between ourselves and all of that which is outside of ourselves.

Our glands respond to other people - they are our 'people receptors' supplying the empathetic resonances. Our ethers expired, help to form and future the world. These finer expirations bear our characters and concepts which pertain to our own individual persona (they also have an astral counterpart of a differing emanatory influence). 

Our bodies, when we are given to sleep, are contained and protected by an angelic sheath. You see nature herself does at all times entrust much care and concern to every human body- even the failing ones, the aging ones, the frailing ones. The form which is inflicted with disease often brings with it a great number of bright angels for both day and both night, consoling the condition and the soul who struggles within. Anyone who has witnessed the peace of the very sick will know these angels.

When we are mortally threatened by another person who sets about to attack us there is initially an immense response of disbelief, for it is exactly as though one were injuring themselves to hurt another, and it seems incredulous to anticipate that this would occur.

Then, when this disbelief has been overtaken by the immediate sense of danger now apparent, there is a period of gathering within the being - of assessing what is there and accounted for and intact in the present moment, and then an attitude of rechecking the prospect of danger.

We gather, we check, we gather, we check. Now in part we may do this as a matter of course throughout any given day; but the atmosphere of this stocktake is alarmed and defensive - not informative, now more protective. 

[Unfinished]

Inversion… a Condition of an Oblique Astrality & an Etheric Conjuring Out-of-Control- 3rd November 2001

Two steps forward and one step back.

THE process of inversion is natural to the processes involving manifestation. There are etheric tides which change direction, and yet higher impulses which likewise do the same. The rings in a tree mark this (otherwise there would be no defined line), whilst the change from leaf into bud into flower into fruit - the very openings for change itself - occur at the point of transversal. (Remember the spiraling layers of the heart tissue which changed direction layer upon layer?) 

[See Lawrence Edwards, The Vortex of Life]

Inversion occurs. Some periods are predictable, some are responsive to certain conditions, some are determinable (or at least the effects can be contained and maintained) whilst some relate to a higher order of consequence. 

There can be all kinds of episodes of inversion. As the word implies there is an impulse, an action, a motivating force outside (and inside) of the regular activity, in which the entire direction changes and whether momentarily or not, what 'was' and 'is' does change direction for apparently no reason according to itself. 

There are microcosmic instances of this happening in episodes so fractionally small that they could not be measured in the process. There are times when these gaps for change and tidal shifts are utilized by higher determinations for a set purpose and are very much apparent. 

Both time itself and our perception of time is subject to episodic inversion. The very nature of time works on this principle of course, and when men have been given the experience of life moving at slow-motion, or the slowing of time has given them a passage into safety or reaction, the process of inversion has been exploited to the point where temporarily its ordinary processes have been reversed and held there. 

Inversion is not of death, though often makes the opportunity for some action to halt, some course to change and another to cease. It is a lively, cooperative force, inspired from the very highest of motivating impulses. This is not (in our context today as a fundamental operating principle) implying a dark double, a threatening edge or an upsetting interference to life itself, but is rather life-on-life, pulling backwards and forwards in an almighty tide of pendulous rhythm. 

The faerie folk of the etheric realm often display their intimate relationship to understanding this process through their laughter and contrariness. Within our own experiences we know what it is like being given over to that impulse of laughter which changes the direction of what was hitherto being considered. It may be such a relief to halt that direction and move in reverse (if only momentarily), that joy is given also to the experience. Many jokes are structured so that end piece which brings on the laughter has caused such a reverse shift in the thinking. Also, the comical and nonsensical is so by definition, because it departs from the rational which is expected, sequential and reasonably anticipated.

However, inversion interrupts what is reasoned, assumed and ongoing. It doubles back and changes the direction, in ways so small they can be undetectable or ways so large the consequences will be different to the original course first predicted and set upon.
 

We can observe this materially, karmicly (yes that is interesting) etherically (working upon the physical) and within the realm of consciousness and relationship within this world also.

Inversion occurs in and out of other cyclical determining factors. It operates responding to and in accordance with the highest law in any given particular. Being truly spiritual in its operating life, it is not merely subject or subjecting, but rather an emissary being answerable to many, many considerations.

For example, how many times has a therapist witnessed a successful practice or procedure lose (overnight) its efficacy of treatment? Commonly an individual may be treated in a particular way or adjust his diet or take in a medicinal supplement, whereupon he improves his condition for a time, only to regress, often rapidly, finding that the same regime has no benefit for him. 

This is a period of inversion which has worked in upon his constitution in relation to the properties of this therapy. It can happen at any point, and it does happen (depending upon the frequency of employment). It just may be sidestepped very quickly (almost unnoticeably) and revert back into being health promoting, or it may manifest as a small slide back in health which is then still recovered; or it may lose its power of property entirely because of a higher determining factor in the consideration of that individual's general wellbeing. 

Oddly though, at this point of our being, in this world today, it would not be enough to simply exist in 'perfect health'. The perfect health of the body in many ways implies a certain stubbornness over the soul. Whilst the soul is 'breaking in' the body, so to speak, there is (albeit painful) a presiding authority, which could not be maintained at present in a body which was indestructibly healthy!

Fortunately the only folk who have earned such immortality have had the virtuous attributes worked for, and attained to strengthen themselves and affect their beloved animalia likewise. 

The definition of a man whose body dominates presence over the consciousness - egoic and soulic awareness - is a vampire. The body lives to maintain itself and its desires, moving around without a living connection reciprocal to life in the giving. This does not lend itself to anything lasting, but there are two points to come of this which may be of value. 

Firstly, returning to the previous paragraphs, we can respect that if an inversion has happened during a time of healing and/or remission, and inexplicably there is a degenerative regression which occurs, we can assume that the determinings of that individual were inwardly such, that there was still important work to be furthered in that realm which was affected. 

Although we hope and pray for good health in general to be enjoyed by all, and we may attempt many different pathways to this objective, we must also recognize that piece-by-piece we are all reworking our bodies over many, many lifetimes. Each time we incarnate anew we bring to our bodies further wisdom, further imbuing, and mastery over those quadrics which are cosmically and virtually cooperative. 

Different folk have different ways of effecting changes. Illness and disease currently introduce into the community of being, forces which are definitely characterized according to beneficent gods. Even mania and depression present to Man as a gift given, inspired from a higher source. You see, bacterial viruses of themselves can be as unwelcome and interfering as any other cold-hearted devil, however the illness experienced within the body is in response to this presence - it is beneficent in its workings always. 

So one should be very careful and cooperative, mindful of and thankful to these higher helpers manifesting even within an expulsive illness - and furthermore to know that this assistance is determined within the being of an individual and never by an exterial source.

Injury to the body is another matter, but even then the benevolence of shock will enshroud the assaulted body with angelic covering.
(The second point about vampirism will be made later.)

Now, as said, every practice - diet, discipline, every meditation, medication and even eurythmy - can invert and work to the opposite effect, be it short or protracted, and it is wise to look out for such times and rest the practice during that period. Added to this we find also an exaggerated problem with the practice of eurythmy itself. 

Let us explain:

(It is a little like the tiger story, running around the pole, turning into butter.)

We have described a process whereupon the natural order of something manifest turns back upon itself for a time and is reversed of its own action. We have suggested that three possibilities live within this occurrence, that this episode may be so small as to be inconsequential to the original order, may temporarily interrupt the order or may offer irrevocable change as from the next position assumed. We also have maintained that there is always a conferring wisdom as to these periods in timing and consequence. 

However, picture if you should, how different all of this is when the human will begins to direct these forces intentionally, and with remarkable effect welcomes the powers of inversive persuasion. Remarkably, inversion itself is so very dominating that there is little the will of a man or a woman can do actively to even cooperate with it, let alone fight it. Taking the will into this occurrence is dangerous. Not even the consciousness could find its way back.

When the practitioners of change try to call forth certain vitalities with invoking inversion they are using the period which comes just prior to the inversive process itself - this period is the opening for the 'chaos' explained. Ordinarily in natural consequence, there is always a Guardian Angel at that doorway, and associated with that being there is also a higher cause and consequence awaiting the sequence of events to follow.

In this we always refer to the Will of our Father. During these times we can trust that although the active pathways are flipped over and drawn back, far back to His Calling and for His Review, we are usually relaxed in our ego to this transversal. If anything, our consciousness is calmed; our sense of urgency driving into life is sufficiently quietened. 'Thy Will' can be done, and we are content in this. The difficulties arise when it is that our own will contests the process - and worse still brings it in through ritual divining.

Our dear soul [person in question] who is suffering at present, has described a problem of unbearable grief through from waking and into the morning, and is understandably upturned from the usual bearings one might find in the first light. Incarnating is unspeakably difficult - returning consciousness into the body and beginning a new day takes a remarkable effort - but more than this alone, there is an unfortunate condition of a being which feels so shattered and weakened within that it can no longer bear whichever way the tides of life may stream. 

Doggedly one may try to hold and fix onto some measure of the past - especially because of the alarm now experienced, for the change in moving forward and the spaces in between, leads to more employment of the will, once again where will cannot go. 

Equally it is that relationships (one-to-one) have specific times for creativity and productiveness which are also given to inverted periods allowing each individual good time to return to themselves (and to their relationship with the Father); and the stronger and more defining this relationship is, the more these forces will be compelled to intervene. 

If the desire and the mutuality prevails over these episodic reversals then the friendship will persist and remain. Yet there are also conclusions which naturally occur, and if one soul does not desire to conjoin similarly and the pattern is changed thereafter, then the inverted process has freed both the individuals for regaining a sense of yet another direction they should prefer.

So just as the gateway to death yawns on occasion and offers us the possibility for release from incarnation, one can say that the very strong attachments which we have past worked within are loosed from us, and from those to us, also in episode, during which time choices are made.

The same applies for our career pathways and choices for association with various groups and their cooperating beings. There will be periods where we work comfortably and with constancy - assuming all will continue unto eternity perhaps - and then shall come that inverted time which will offer review for us and release also from the group entities for which we otherwise had been quite devoted to and contained within.

Even though it may appear that it is sad to say that relationships which have been strong and powerfully helpful may also be dismissed quite quickly, one can also know that we are frequently brought back into the magnetic field of each and every one of our significant partnerships and given the opportunity for renewing the cooperative effort.

Just as the planetary being manifests a review performance of that which has gone before, characterizing cyclic events (a little like an inverted review of the day or the life, a review which takes up the end to make the beginning) we also have our soul-mates come before us, and nothing has been lost where love itself has been the living currency. This is not a karmic compulsion however - of which there are many such re-acquaintances also (many more than the first variety).

As difficult as it may seem, the cessation of a certain relationship, by one or both of the parties concerned, is preferable by far to the extraordinary damage that one individual can cause another by forced communication. The reason for this is the fact that the two have gathered signature keys which profoundly affect one another. Now if there is one which wishes to be free from the orbit of the relationship and the other is compelling them to stay, there becomes an act of will in amongst this which turns against the both of them. 

This will be particularly noticeable during a period of inversion. Without a mutual consent there can be no real mutual cooperation. Without mutual cooperation there is a conflict of wills which will now attempt to settle the matter of authority - one over the other.

Returning to the vampires: in the ordinary sense a vampire is a synthetic being whose original life has withdrawn from them. Their soul has removed itself because of death, but the astrality has refused to desist and dissolve and turns back upon the physical keeping it alive, sustaining it artificially so that it may remain intact, connected to the corpse.

Now a relationship where one individual has withdrawn, for whatever reason that they may personally have, can become vampiristic where the other individual persists to keep that corpse intact and will not allow the life-forces to break it down… and the vitality used is drawn directly from the partner that it may continue. This is why we say to you that it is preferable for both individuals to depart company and resume lovingly at some later stage, rather than try to reanimate something which has lost its original verve, and risk contaminating their soulic kinship with the complications of a drooling pretence. 

No good or worthy relationship ever 'ends'. You can be assured that if it is good you can pick up from where you left off. There is nothing better for the beloved Elohim themselves to witness, than a dynamically creative, passionate and caring, substantiating and fulfilling, cradling and even compelling relationship between two longstanding friends. Divinely coerced and even to be elaborated on, worthy relationships are continually being reunited and protected for all time. The difficulty arises when, for whatever reason (we say this because reasons are immaterial and individuals are entitled to be motivated differently, firstly according to their own deciding), one needs to part company and does not, and little by little the relationship deteriorates into something harmful for both.

There are multifarious ways to give grief the old heave-ho. Firstly, even grief itself will be given periods of respite - times of inversion, times to be thereafter discharged. When folk cry they are relieved of their own will, for at the point of tears they are at those walls where they can go no further and do know it. The ego desires to go beyond itself to effect a change, but cannot. The tears actually relieve the will of its trying (amongst other things). These tears are decidedly helpful in this. If there is grief however, without the deferment to tears, then the will is still straining to intervene.

It is not of itself, unlawful or vain to desire, to want or to hope. By design and by creation, our wills are more powerful than even we can imagine at present. Our imaginative powers are not as yet developed enough to realize the full extent and powers of each individual will. Nonetheless, we impact the spiritual worlds and also the material realm tremendously.

This can be useful, constructive and inspirational. Wonderful. Every effort one makes towards anything worthy will be continued and realized at some point, somewhere. It is understandably, so very difficult when a person is gravely disappointed that life has not continued on with some joyful episode or meaning that was once known. 

Yet life itself cannot honor and reward just one person's willfulness in entirety. Amongst the magnitude of community we face there is no possibility of just one soul truly being favored above and beyond another, suppressing the desires of others. If a beloved departs this life and leaves us, we might grieve their passing and will it were otherwise, but the calling out from this world could not have been delayed one moment more than it was to favor our time above theirs. It may seem irreconcilable, but in truth, it is what it is - exactly that. 

Dispelling grief is achieved through finding the good purpose inside what was the inexplicable or irreconcilable. This can take much work and guidance, but one can hold fast to the fact that there is always good reason motivating us, others, and all of life; and this goodness bears promise, not only for beginnings but for all things to be resumed as well.

Asia interestingly, was the first home of the eurythmic movement. It has long understood the implications of the spirit soulfully motivating both the body and thereby the ethers with an inward positioning - commanding too the other forces. This has been their specialty to the point where the discipline becomes life, and life a formality. Once again the body can eventually dictate to the soul through its strength, but in a transverse manner to what may have once been anticipated astrally in the desire body, in the sensory fulfillment, only to be now the tyrant of the etheric perfection which is as detached and unresponsive to the changes and the promptings of the 'I am' of the man, in the man, in the main.

Do not think that the practice is as far removed as it would say it is. The spirit of one has consumed the other, and the grandchild will dutifully obey its grandparent, no matter how far removed it appears to be or distinguished from in likeness.

On the question of obsessing over suicide: 

Firstly, it will be of great benefit to you to wear a cross. Apart from the cross linking you with quite a broad community of very supportive souls, it will also serve by its form as well, to offer you a 'fixed point of peace' that you may go to. 

You now have the chance to ponder as to whether or not you feel subjected to inversion unduly. Like a boat on a stormy sea rocked this way and that, you may well feel as though these forces you once invoked in hope, are tearing apart all reality, and suicide is the only answer to end the turmoil. However, as you also must know, suicide at this point on the road last life, was the 'option' taken previously by you, and the wraith that remained from that aggressive default still rages upon you, haunts you and pleads with you today. 

This is not as uncommon as it may sound. It can happen for a variety of reasons, yet suffice to say that once again the astral body has struggled for an existence it believed it should have had (which was severed prematurely with the suicide last life) and partially managed to remain undissolved unto this day. Yes, this is very much the theme to this paper today.

Another instance of this occurring is with soldiers who have died violently and withdrawn very rapidly from their astrality, which was contaminated amongst the fear and brutality of their last minutes. The shell of this condition can return back and attempt to rejoin with the now life of the individual who once colored and inspired it. This again is very common. Rather than revisiting the experience of trying to kill oneself again over (like in your instance) the soldier is continually fighting, defending and 'on edge', fearful of the very world as a perceived foe. Everything may translate for him into a life and death battle where at all costs he will justify his own survival before others. It is really the survival of this astral wraith he champions with affectionate ferocity. Added to this, he may well be caught in feeding the astrality, being weakened by its promptings, given to intemperate outbursts and indulgences.

But with the wraith of the suicide there becomes a compulsive prompting to relive the attempt to die (just as the astral body repeatedly lives through the body's demise) and also to fulfill the urge from this astral body to reunite with the soul as it longs to do (having wished to follow it either into earthly life or to Heaven). This now translates also into an overwhelming perception of a 'beloved' being out there that one wishes to reunite with in order to feel whole again.

The question then is as to how to put to peace, once and for all, this character who does not even resemble you any longer, that you may exorcise yourself from all the dark thoughts and happenings which have afflicted you.

Firstly you shall also be relieved of trying to relive the former self alongside the former identities, who also too have now moved on. All of this magnetism never really served any true love that might have been between two living self-conscious souls, but instead went into the fleshless ghosts, who like a marriage deceased also, sucks on the bones of the past.

Instinctively it is very likely that what brought you to the therapies was the need to disassemble this past and disassociate from the cohort. The cohort by his own nature is willful, aggressive, demanding, controlling, impatient, and all of those things which took the life from the individual who was first hurled into chaos at that last breath. This is now the recovery time in which it is important to realize that you regret what part you might have had in it, and that nobody caused this finality, but yourself.

This is not what your ghost would say; his story would be different. But perhaps it is time now to take him in hand and be merciful enough to cease his sorry continuance. 

Entertaining ghosts can be as creatively consuming as any other fixation. They become a natural depository for the conglomerate of thought-beings projected from the individual. They are substantial as a presence, even at times quite visible as well. 

There might possibly be an inward hesitation at the reality of ceasing this relationship, even though you know that this presence is taking your future from you, with no care or concern for your wellbeing, just for its own survival. If you are enabled to leave this shell then this shell will fade its power, in time. This part of the past is not worth keeping, no matter what it may protest; and without it you will be enabled to love so much more, become and live in ways you intuitively long for. Know also, that there have been countless shells we have abandoned in the past, but only one true self which to this point remains.

By Christ we are entitled to decide such things for ourselves, and through Him this is enforced. There is not one being which can distract us away from our true natures, there is no individual who may require more than we can give to summon us; there is no god that can appeal to us without our consent. What a divine protection we have all been afforded! How forever-caring this is, that we can instantly be divorced from that which would consume us were it could! 

It would be easy to confuse this ghost with a portion of yourself and find separating difficult. But the soul of your true self is with you and the elemental which commands its frame has its own destiny to go on to, which it shall. No longer are you going to allow it to see through your eyes and contaminate your sight. No more shall it speak to you through fear or from guilt… or from wanting.

May simple joys return to you, one by one, one on one - little and great goodnesses, blessings known and recognized. May Christ be with you, in both single and dual purpose throughout. 

Feel and be worthy - as you are.

A Question of Perfection - as to the quest & the perfection- 26th October 2001

DIVINITY by its nature, divines and transmutes.

To divine is to hold the ability to seek out, to be able to discern what one is seeking out and to know it when it is found, to recognize, to discover and uncover by an inner process which is intuitive, imaginative - of prophesy, of qualification, of knowing, of likeness and higher likeness - with an internal sensing for the goodness, greatness and godness of the inherent, the attribute, and soul of that within.

To transmute is to effect a change which is sequential and somewhat predictable, however needful of a catalyst, a power and a motivation, a governing foresight, an inner calling, a creative willing and cooperating, whilst also not changing the formal structure of the provisions at hand. Where worlds meet, we can find this process at the conjuncture, where there is a mutual exchange occurring.

To divine and transmute as divinity does, is that happening in which divinity recognizes portions of itself in that which is lesser than itself - divining therefore that which it knows - and by its own recognizing and loving powers, motivates the forces within and without to exude that goodness forth, which in turn and by so, affects the substance and condition of the surrounding dross relative to that goodness, becoming then causal to an exceeding and prevailing goodness, seeing that substance then furthered.

The plants seek out the light because the light seeks out the plants and calls to them. This is the working principle in example, and so it also becomes in all phases of evolution. Evolution is only ever effected because of the original design and goodness within a higher being, which calls forth a similar likeness and kindness to become responsive. Sometimes it is entirely a gift from above, so to speak.

As hard a truth as this is, and as vulnerable as it might make us, there is no equality within the spiritual worlds amongst beings as beings; and the lesser beings owe their gratitude for what they are and are to become, to those which are the higher. Father God's Life is borne within each and every one of course, however the actuality of their being which distinguishes them in capability and characteristic is apparent, and is dependent upon the goodness of others, for the place and the bearing that they hold. 

The mission of divinity, as to reform and provide such ongoing encouragement, is therefore evident, and a consideration of the uppermost charity - also self evident within each and every realm. That which is unworthy of the interest of the heavens eventually dies back, falls away and transforms, adjoining with that which has gained more life by divine consideration. 

The divine aspects of man and the reformation of lesser charges are exampled continuously, not only in conduct but by the many and varied processes of incarnating. Throughout the layers of hosts which attend each man, there will be similar involvements. Even the thought-world's population of thought-creatures is furthered in like way through the loving interests of any man.

Likewise to the above description of divinity, also can we parallel completely the multifold man who exhibits all range of cosmic activity within his own being concurrently. The very same processes as are operating in the highest principle of divinity are within him. The faculties which are called upon to discern and divine, and as also to reform thereby, are in working progress.

This is considered high practice. Therefore, suggested on this note alone, a man cannot despise his lower attributes or their appendage, as it is well possible that for him to continue on according to this principle, he will always bear this contrast within his being - relatively perhaps, but nonetheless holding aspects of the less-than-perfect, which are both part and parcel of his selfhood.

The morality of a man and his individuality, are both interdependent upon the amount of love he has come to know and has personally given as well. Not love in words or assumed persona, but in actual remonstration. 

Although a sense of general morality is understood to lend a man an objective and empathetic perspective when called upon, it is driven firstly by love itself rather than by duty, obligation, karmic requirement or social/religious law. Morality is often associated with judgmental pessimisms, whereas true morality of the heart displays affection at all times. Love inspires knowledge and understanding, further empathy and onto a fulfilling morality. Criticism which is negative or condemnatory, often falsely represents a morality in place of the love-driven and love-inspired conduct which is the living morality.

Similarly, with exactness one's own individuality and loyalty to one's true self, is effected through loving and not by condemnation or judgmental criticisms. Self-improvement may be begun with sound reasonings, observations and strivings for certain attributes to be acquired. However, once again this will occur through expressions of and receiving love and not through a shame that shrinks from life or from selfhood.

Expectations from the Divine calling to Man, stream into his being and his consciousness in prismatic concord

There is not just one being which looks in upon us (individually) and calls us forth, but many; with one notable difference for us, contrasting us with many other beings besides - that we do decide much upon the forces and characters that we emulate. 

Sometimes we are stimulated into activity by lesser gods who are persuasive or handsome, but we are privileged enough to hold the will and the deciding to refuse even their expectations of us. A god may shape a plant or foster a flock of creatures, but not own the shaping of a human individual. Neither by same warrant may another human being - parent, teacher or partner - assume the right or the license to shape, change or direct another to fulfill such expectations. People are strange like that. It simply isn't coherent with the freedom of men to ever do more than offer and then graciously withdraw if unrequired.

What of Christ in all of this? He knows us in this moment. In this moment there are no expectations, for we are to become but an experience completely of what we are, in His Love. Transcending the shortfalls, incorporating all and assuming them into His Perfection, His attention is not only for that part of us we may deem worthy, but for all of who we are. He is never frightened or repulsed. His Love is not conditional upon some future deed or perfection gained. In Him we have everything now, should we go to Him and ask to be received (and soothed).

Expectations from Man calling to the Divine often incur a tension within the man

It is not uncommon for an individual to try to effect change within a being, invoking his will this way and that. Innocently even, yet thoughtlessly so, there are many times the priest will go to the sacrament with expectations of a certain fulfillment, not asking, nor realizing his true place in the event about to take place. It is never a given that Father God is willed by us, and all graces, all matters of holiness and every angelic cooperation is directed from above, never from the man himself.

How does Perfection ever become realized in Man? 

There are many philosophies and religious systems which are responsive to the faces of encouragement and direction that would inspire humanity, and all of these would assume a measure of perfection being the goal for the aspirant (in their eyes). 

There are also mechanical landmarks that are spoken of:

• stages accomplished,

• chakras ignited and enlivened,

• schools of initiation and consciousness,

• spheres traveled to and known,

• temptations resisted

and so forth, which inspire the levels of perfection worked for. However and exceptionally there is also the paradisiacal perfection hearkened after or alluded to, which is often vague though imbibed with much meaning.

This end-of-the-journey Master/God/and Christ type of perfection is characterized in the thinking as being a 'pure' individual, a still-water soul, a saintly yet impenetrable ego, a calm-at-all-times rather dependable character - magical, if not an all-powerful nature-loving, adorable man or woman, adorned with wings and emblazoned with light. This description seems to be what most would probably come up with if formulating their thoughts as to the future individual they should progress into at some later stage. 

They picture themselves to be

• benevolent (yet not wanting),

• charitable (yet rich enough to give without it hurting),

• sympathetic (higher than those they are feeling sorry for),

• humble (and proud of the fact, considering their position),

• joyful (there is no pain at the stage they have arrived to - or if there is they shall overcome it by some extraordinary means which means little at all),

• incredibly attractive (but beyond the sensory urgings),

• loved by life (with a saintly distance) and demi-god in the very least.

Their place of residence is an all time Golden Age, fragrant and sweet, equal to their own beauty - plentiful, opulent, luxuriant: a six star club of permanent abode for perfect citizens who enjoy a friendly environment with gentle breezes, even temperatures and like-minded souls. The animals never bite, the insects never sting, and the fountains bubble melodies to accompany the gentle whispers of their polite and complementary conversation. 

Is this your ideal of perfection?

Conceit and sloth, conceit and perfection

The term 'perfection' often denotes an arriving - an arriving at a completion in which there is no more to be done or achieved once perfected. How closely related the concept of perfection can be to the sloth which does not promote the striving. There is a paradox. If one is not careful they can be striving for a slothful condition which renders itself static - not moving forward anymore or leaving room for greater possibility to ensue. This we find implied in the very notion of an attained perfection.

True love in freedom is as common as it is rare. All of Creation is an immediate expression of Love - living love - and we know this firsthand. We experience it within our beings uniquely. 

The love that the higher beings hold for us brings only good things and teaches us to do the same. The love that the higher beings hold for us and demonstrate to us is given freely from them to us.

Now, the funny portion… 'love in freedom' - comment:

All love (true love) is freely given - all of it - given in freedom, not enslaved, and freely given without price, both.

Breaking from expectations and false divining as a practice

As explained, it is natural for us to look for the good in something or someone. It is natural for us to draw out such goodness and affect the surrounding nature into the bargain, for the better. However, there are times when these divine principles become a little off balance and are misguided - that we divine something which is not, expect something which is refused or inadequately provisioned; and we become deflated in ourselves and our instincts because of it.

An example of this becomes in the expectations a father might hold for his son. In earthly terms (not speaking of the spiritual realities here), it is understandable for a man to seek out in his offspring that which he would commend within himself - hope and watch for it to manifest - particularly at his prompting, loving and guidance. How very natural, when understood in the light of the divine principle of this working within our own individuality and throughout every being around. 

Yet, as discussed beforehand, the son may refuse even the best of envisionings for himself. The father tries to find himself in the son and is not permitted. He may or may not be there in part. The constant disappointment is tremendous. It appears to go against the divine principle, in that it doesn't work! How can this be? How can the unresolvable be resolved?

Now to the spiritual, to Father God Himself, to our Christ, how must it follow that a man should refuse their love? Their trust? Their investiture? Their part of Themselves living within him? One cannot suggest that Their Love is ever misplaced or misguided. In point of fact the key to it lies in the fact that it is there and apparent regardless of whether we refuse it or not. We may be entitled to do many things which would not be the way or will of our Father or of Christ, but Their Love is always there for us keeping us alive here and in the hereafter. 

So we do learn that expectations which are focused on actions - on deed, words, declaration and commitment - are quite separate to our loving and being loved. 

In relationships we have a range of perfect and imperfect sharings. If we are free to exhibit both and still be loved, then we know an exceptional Love as given through the Son and the Father. This is the most intimate of loving, a true accepting, a true knowing, as they know us. 

We can strive for this mutual honesty and consideration. Usually when folk hide the truth about themselves it is not because they consider themselves unworthy of love, were that their real self was known, but rather there is a measure of contempt for 'allowing' the other person to become honest about themselves in return. They believe themselves unable to love that person fully if their real nature was revealed in just response (which may or may not happen). 

In other words, they can come to believe that love is threatened were that the other person was exposed (by their response to the truth put before them). It is a process of concealing the other by concealing oneself. This is an example of misplaced perfectionism.

Confusing self-divining with the Spiritual Hierarchy 

Spiritually there can be a further difficulty encountered when individuals turn their perspective inward and see such potentiality within their microcosm; it defers their outer life out of existence! Certain periods of history feature distinct problems, this is not a time when this occurs to any great extent. There is far more of a difficulty for individuals to be impassioned or excited with the spiritual enthuses to be had, rather than be lost amongst the wonders of their outer or inner realities!

Expecting nothing and getting nothing. Expecting something wonderful and getting more …

Psilos Jim

Did a very silly thing,

He caught a fair bird,

And then plucked off her wing.

He then stuck wax and goo,

Shiny polish, feathers too,

Onto the hinge of her shoulder,

Hoping his invention the better.

And the bird made a nest on his head,

Sitting hot there it hatched a bright egg!

The egg broke revealing its life,

First two legs and then two shiny eyes.

With a squawk and a squeak it gave forth,

This tiny bright bird given birth;

To its mother it brought a spare wing -

Immeasurable love for its dad, 
Psilos Jim.