Thoughts Along the Road - 95

 
The Alchemical Process of Serendipity 
 
Carlos Cardoso Aveline

* The development of one’s own will is the unavoidable task, if we want to preserve the voice of conscience, or, in other words, Antahkarana, Jacob’s Ladder, that spiritual bridge between Heaven and Earth which is always potentially present within us.

* He whose willpower is not stronger and more enduring than the circumstances around him has to be at the mercy of external stimuli, and often sways to and fro in blind obedience to the changing winds.

* Out of the confusions created by meaningless oscillation, the conscious perception emerges that one must train himself and strengthen his inner purpose.

* The pilgrim who combines reason with the ability to make firm decisions is also capable of overcoming obstacles, or avoiding them - or enduring them, as the case may be. He begins to learn from both victory and defeat, and constantly makes progress in the right direction, whether externally or internally.

* The direct experience of classical philosophy brings about the need to educate our will so that we become able to organize life around the best and the highest. The sensible pilgrim knows that patience, like perseverance, is the mark of a strong will.

* Except for special occasions, one’s efforts should be externally moderate. The sensible pilgrim can easily wait, when obstacles make it necessary. However, one way or another, he never stops making progress along the path to spiritual knowledge.

Practical Sources of Serendipity

* Time is one of the best teachers of the pilgrim. An effective waiting is never inert or motionless. On the contrary: it allows the pilgrim to develop a strong creative action on a higher plane of consciousness. And this is an alchemical process.

* Serendipity can be defined as “the ability to get in tune with the higher magnetisms of Karma”; with that subtle energy of the law of the universe which cures it all, which reconciles, recovers and optimizes every factor of life, while putting them all in a wider and brighter context.[1]

* Are we ready to receive the peaceful patterns of vibration that awaken good karma and expand it? Or are we attached to this and that form of narrowness, in our horizon? 

* It is often difficult to renounce to one’s favorite kinds of suffering. However, when the pilgrim acknowledges the fact that his true nature is blissful, he leaves aside every pointless interaction with pain. 

* It is not enough to practice right action and live in the atmosphere of that spontaneous altruism that comes from within. One has also to learn to stay away from unnecessary negativities.

* A strong will is necessary to do the right thing. An iron will is indispensable to abandon useless habits.

* In their narrow-minded search for money, the Western mass media radically attack the minds of their citizens with daily images of violence, side by side with images of exaggerated personal vanity, futility, and unfortunate egotistic actions. Such a poison has a deadly effect on the connection of the citizen with his own spiritual soul, and must be avoided by every learner of Eastern wisdom.

* A personal independence from collective forms of mind manipulation has to be established. Chronos, the god of cycles, is a loyal friend of truth: in due time, honest journalism will be born again in the West. The first step - here and now - is to remain lucid oneself. 

* Altruism means irradiating positive energy: it does not consist in absorbing destructiveness.

According to the Dhammapada, the seekers of the spiritual path must preserve their own happiness among the many who suffer with hatred and fear.[2] While doing this, truth-seekers can make a calm effort to share the peace of their hearts with those who are potentially open to a brotherly view of life.

* Spiritual victory is about developing forms of syntony with peaceful, elevated vibrations. Thus serendipity emerges in the middle of probation. 

NOTES:

[1] See more on Serendipity, here.

[2] Read the article Lasting Happiness in Eastern Wisdom. 

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The article “Thoughts Along the Road - 95” was published on the websites of the Independent Lodge of Theosophists on 23 April 2026. An initial version of it is part of the June 2023 edition of “The Aquarian Theosophist”, pp. 9-10.

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Read more:

* Pascal’s Sphere.

* The Center of Pascal’s Sphere.

* The Power to Change the World.

* The Practice of Divine Presence.

* The Mahatmas and Christianity.

* Helena Blavatsky’s Self-Criticism.

* Examine the thematic section on Christianity and Esoteric Philosophy.

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Helena Blavatsky (photo) wrote these words: “Deserve, then desire”.

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The Aquarian Theosophist, April 2026

 

The April edition of the Aquarian presents on page one the article The Power of Love for Life. “Biophilia Defeats the Roots of Nazism and Eliminates Other Forms of Spiritual Ignorance.”

On page three, “The Fire and Light” Published in Russia. With its first edition dated 2013, the book by Carlos in defense of the original theosophy emerges in 2026 in the native language of Helena Blavatsky.

Page five presents the text Earth-Heaven, Matter-Spirit: Contrast, Unity and Harmony in Life.

These are other topics:

* The Art of Making Miracles - How to Use Your Power of Thought.

* Focus - The Different Levels of Attention.

* Each One Is Responsible for His States of Mind - Where to Focus Your Attention.

* Balance Between Rights and Duties.

* The Key to Contentment, According to La Rochefoucauld.

* Goodwill Removes Ignorance, and Paves the Way to Victory.

* Thoughts Along the Road - Inner Knowledge, the Self-Enquiry Meditation.

* The Invisible Will, and the Divine Thought - Selected Fragments from “Isis Unveiled”, by Helena P. Blavatsky.

* Examining One’s Soul - Loyalty Along the Path.

* Three Factors in Life - Discernment, Detachment, and Goodwill.

* A Selection: Short Talks About The Daily Practice of Theosophy.

The April edition has 23 pages. 

  

Click Here to Read

“The Aquarian” for April 2026

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The above edition of The Aquarian was published on 16 April 2026. 

The entire collection of the journal is available HERE.

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The Aquarian Theosophist --- https://www.youtube.com/@theaquariantheosophist845.

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Helena Blavatsky (photo) wrote these words: “Deserve, then desire”.

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Ancient Wisdom in Russian Proverbs

 
Think, Decide, and Work Until Victory
 
Carlos Cardoso Aveline
 

1. Sadness and Joy

“Where there is joy, there is sadness”, according to a traditional Russian saying:

“Где радость, там и горе.”

And the approximate pronunciation is “Gdê rrádost, tam y gôrie”. [1]

In other words, Life is electromagnetic and operates through two poles everywhere.

The infallible seesaw of Karma establishes an equilibrium between the positive and negative poles. Thus, both pleasant and painful experiences must be improved in their inner substance, to begin with. Contentment (радость in Russian, sounding like rrádost) and sadness (горе, or gôrie) become nobler and more elevated as we learn to live better.

One’s duty includes regularly examining his feelings: is our joy wise or foolish? Are your reasons for sadness altruistic, or are they merely selfish? The gradual evolution of these feelings toward Light expresses one’s real spiritual progress.

Once the pilgrim understands the constant alternation between frustration and contentment, the process of detachment can emerge. He begins to experience the luminous moments without euphoria, and with gratitude instead. He now faces pain with more courage and confidence. He knows that nothing is eternal in life - except the Law.

In Raja Yoga, detachment means looking beyond and transcending the process of blind attraction and automatic rejection. The eternal law of symmetry regulates day and night, work and rest, trial and victory, planting and harvest. One must understand the whole cycle in order to act correctly. [2]

2. The Law of Persistence

All spiritual projects involve long-term goals. In theosophy as in life in general, easy and immediate results usually don’t last. In fact, as soon as you begin to seriously strive for a noble goal, the practical results often place before you a long line of seemingly insurmountable difficulties. Hence the importance of this popular Russian proverb:

“Начатого дела не бросай.”

Approximate pronunciation: “Náchatogo dyla nyi brasay”. [3]

Once you have started something, don’t give up.

Such is the law of continuity. Good karma takes time to ripen. If one’s endeavor is spiritual, there will be tests and trials, and some of them may seem “absurd”. The best kind of progress occurring in the soul cannot always be seen or identified.

Use the law of cycles and take a rest when necessary.

Although the tests and obstacles are very visible, victory is often imperceptible. Don’t give up, for silent progress is worthwhile: it changes everything for the better as if nothing changed. Remember: happiness uses to be invisible.

3. Think, Decide, and Work Until Victory

Another Russian proverb says: “If you buy a cow, get a milk-pail.” Which means: “if you set a goal, take steps to achieve it”.

This is the proverb in Cyrillic alphabet, with the approximate pronunciation in parentheses:

“Взял корову – возьми и нодойник.” (Vzyal karovu – voz’me i nadoynyk.)

It would be a waste of time to pretend to yourself - or to others - that it’s possible to make progress along the spiritual path without changing your routine. You need practical instruments to attain your goal. It’s essential to overcome laziness and eliminate the dispersion of efforts. Various illusions must be abandoned if the pilgrim wants to live according to the precepts of divine wisdom.

A popular Russian proverb says:

“Once you have taken on a task, don’t say you can’t do it.”

In Russian:

“Взялся за гуж, не говори, что не дюж.”

Approximate pronunciation:

“Vzyalsya za guzh, nie gavari, chto nie dyuzh.” [4]

Calculate your strength and assess the time needed to achieve your goal. Prepare yourself for victory, and work hard. Don’t make elegant excuses for not winning. Defeats may happen, but you must do your best. Along the spiritual path, each defeat is a seed of future victories.

4. Sowing In Order to Harvest

Hard, persistent work is the father of happiness and contentment, and a Russian proverb says:

“The days of spring sustain you all year long.”

The original saying in the Cyrillic alphabet is this: “Весенний день целый год кормит.” [5]

The lesson present in the sentence has to do with the good law of Karma. Spring is the time for planting. If you want to have something to eat in the future, you must plant in a correct way at the right time. The idea applies to all aspects of life.

Take advantage of the easy tides and make provisions in advance for the not-so-good moments that may come later.

In her article “Chelas and Lay Chelas”, H.P. Blavatsky recommends:

“Deserve, then desire.”

And there is a reason why these words by HPB were adopted as a motto by the associates of the Independent Lodge of Theosophists.

NOTES:

[1] The proverb is on page 48 of the book “Russian-English Dictionary of Proverbs and Sayings”, by Alexander Margulis and Asya Kholodnaya, copyright 2000, McFarland & Co., Inc., Publishers; Jefferson, North Carolina, US, and London, UK; 487 pages, proverb number 330.

[2] See the article The Law of Symmetry.

[3] Proverb 1257 on page 139 of “Russian-English Dictionary of Proverbs and Sayings”.

[4] These two proverbs are on page 31 of the “Russian-English Dictionary of Proverbs and Sayings”: proverbs 149 and 150.

[5] “Russian-English Dictionary of Proverbs and Sayings”, Proverb 140, p. 30.

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The above article is available on the websites since 30 March 2026.  It was first published - with no indication as to the name of its author - in the September 2025 edition of “The Aquarian Theosophist”, pp. 14-17.

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Visit the channel of The Aquarian Theosophist on YouTube:

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Read more:

* Eight Russian Proverbs.

* Slavophilism and Theosophy.

* Three Russian Prophets, by Nicolas Zernov.

* History of Russian Philosophy, by N. O. Lossky.

* A History of Russian Philosophy, by V. V. Zenkovsky, volume 1.

* A History of Russian Philosophy, by V. V. Zenkovsky, volume 2.

* The Mahatmas and Christianity.

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Helena Blavatsky (photo) wrote these words: “Deserve, then desire”.

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Thoughts Along the Road - 94

 
Being Constantly Aware of the Divine World
 
Carlos Cardoso Aveline

* Turbulence is external, peace and order must come from within.

* Anxiety occurs on the surface: the true meaning of the facts is perceived on the plane of the Soul. While noise and “spectacular events” are often used in order to deceive others, a calm understanding of reality takes place in silence.

* Every day it is worth remembering: those who are at peace with themselves also live in harmony with the ever-changing reality of facts.

* Bliss is potentially omnipresent: the task of the pilgrim is to expand his connection with it.

The Active Side of Renunciation

* A superficial view of life will tell you that the practice of abstaining from wrong and unnecessary actions is only a negative form of discipline, and leads us to isolation.

* In fact, by abstaining from needless actions the pilgrim performs the positive creative action of concentrating magnetic power. Wise people maximize potentiality and prefer acting on the plane of Causes.

How to Produce Inner Strength and Magnetism

* The Christian tradition speaks of the need to educate one’s will.

* If we want to “please God” - or to live in harmony with our own spiritual soul -, we need to control ourselves so as to actually produce and expand an inner affinity with the divine law.[1]

* That means a constant struggle against our lower nature in its blind aspects, and a stable effort to educate animal instincts.

* Even during the performance of highly noble actions, the lower nature of the pilgrim will search for some kind of “acceptable pleasure”. By not satisfying such inclinations, the practitioner will gather further magnetic force and spiritual will, and expand his independence from mere circumstances.

* The desire for comfort is like a river: by containing its course, one obtains a corresponding amount of electrical or magnetic energy, which can be used by us in helpful activities. When the members of a theosophical group generate such inner magnetism by being consciously independent from circumstances - both pleasant and unpleasant -, their will gets stronger, and they become more efficient.

Four Qualities in Bhakti Yoga

* Swami Sivananda sees four qualifications as necessary for the pilgrim to become a true student of Bhakti Yoga, the Yoga of Devotion: 1) To be humble as a blade of grass; 2) To have the forbearance of a tree; 3) Not to desire praise or respect for himself but to praise and respect others, and, 4) Always repeating Lord’s name.[2]

* In theosophy, the fourth condition above would mean “being constantly aware of the divine world, keeping a permanent acknowledgement of the divine presence beside us and everywhere”.

NOTES:

[1] Examine for instance the book “The Spiritual Combat and a Treatise on Peace of Soul”, by Dom Lorenzo Scupoli, TAN Classics, 2010, 247 pp., p. 31. Dom Lorenzo Scupoli was born in 1530. This work was first published in 1589.

[2] “Sadhana”, by Swami Sivananda, The Divine Life Society, 2019, 702 pp., see page 337.

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The article “Thoughts Along the Road - 94” was published on the websites of the Independent Lodge of Theosophists on 17 March 2026. An initial version of it is part of the May 2023 edition of “The Aquarian Theosophist”, pp. 13-14.

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Visit the channel of The Aquarian Theosophist on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@theaquariantheosophist845

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Read more:

* Pascal’s Sphere.

* The Center of Pascal’s Sphere.

* The Power to Change the World.

* The Practice of Divine Presence.

* The Mahatmas and Christianity.

* Helena Blavatsky’s Self-Criticism.

* Examine the thematic section on Christianity and Esoteric Philosophy.

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Helena Blavatsky (photo) wrote these words: “Deserve, then desire”.

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