Stimulating
the Growth of That Which is Good
Carlos Cardoso
Aveline
A view of Machu Picchu, in the Andean Cordillera
* Wisdom in life includes regularly examining the source
and foundation of one’s view of reality. Only alertness and an unhurried
attention allow one’s horizon to constantly expand. The very substance of the
road changes for the better at each new step - and other obstacles emerge.
* Brotherhood does not need perfection. It rejects
artificial unity of form or sameness of ideas. The foundation of international
dialogue is in the ability to accept cultural differences. The self-respect of
countries is as important as mutual respect among them all.
* Theosophists meditate on the best for the nations
which face political and institutional crises in the complex worldwide transition
we now live. Although obstacles are many, there is progress in human soul and
society.
* Those who deny the need to fight ignorance in their
own lives are but surrendering to collective illusion.
* Disguising one’s failings is not helpful: every
mistake must be corrected, so that the good seeds germinate. It is by
self-purification that one attains self-knowledge and self-liberation.
* Obtaining freedom means getting rid of irresponsible
childishness. Truly free are those whose pleasure is in impersonally fulfilling
their sacred duty regarding all beings.
* Vain people have no elevated goals. For this reason they
often consider themselves higher than others.
* He who looks at the universe can see that his
personal existence is not a great event in the life of our galaxy. It is only
the immortal principle present in him that has the same substance as the entire
universe. He knows that the bridge to his spiritual soul must be strengthened.
* The daily efforts of a determined student of
theosophy constitute a conscious “walk” through time and towards an awakening
of spiritual will. Through small steps the pilgrim makes progress from the
world of pain and ignorance to the blissful regions of impersonal, universal
understanding. If considered from the external world, his effort is poor, weak
and seemingly illusory. However, the pilgrim knows in his heart that such a
limited progress is real; and that this humble fact is blissful enough, to say
the least.
* Self-control is the curtailing of useless habits and
harmful attitudes, so as to stimulate the growth of that which is good, true
and morally beautiful. As soon as the voice of the conscience is clearly heard,
two facts occur. Balance and moderation tend to become spontaneous, while
neurotic struggles cease.
* The daily effort that forms a theosophical
self-discipline cannot unfold in the age of the Internet exactly as if we were
living - for instance - in the final decades of the 19th century. But the
difference is mainly external. The spiritual and theosophical project is essentially
the same now as in the days of Pythagoras, Epictetus, Lucius Seneca or Helena
Blavatsky, not to mention Patanjali.
* Certain places and parts of nature silently help us
grow as human beings, in various ways. The Andean cordillera is one of the
regions of the world which emit vibrations of goodness and stimulate the wisdom
of the heart. Helena Blavatsky wrote many a page on the Andes. She visited the
cordillera personally and wrote that one of the centers of the Masters of the
Wisdom exists in its mountains. In a letter to Alfred Sinnett, Blavatsky said
that the Andean disciples and Adepts are great friends with the disciples and
Adepts who live in the Himalayas (LBS, TUP, p. 85).
* The real practice of universal wisdom transcends
outer form and circumstance. It relies on Raja Yoga and Jnana Yoga. In other
words, its foundation is a decision made by the individual to elevate himself
to a metaphysical realm of contemplation and creative action regarding life around
him. Such a view is shown in the works of thinkers like Samuel von Pufendorf,
Francis Hutcheson, Maine de Biran, Immanuel Kant, Baron Holbach and many
others. The Mahatma Letters bring us key documents if we want to understand the
unfoldment of the humanistic project as it evolves across millennia.
* In the age of the Internet, the necessary Isolation
for the purpose of self-training in Yoga and Theosophy is as possible as in any
other century, except for the superficial levels of human mind. Isolation does
not occur necessarily on the physical plane. Now as in any other epoch, the
true temple is mainly within. It remains available to us any time, anywhere. It
can be reached during sleep as well as waking hours.
* The present materialistic society suffers from a
severe Karmic fever. This is no problem. Every karmic fever paves the way to
wider and higher states of mind. In due time all obstacles to the progress of
the soul are recognized as illusory.
* The right change can take place Now. By getting in
union with our own essence, we see the unity between human mind and the eternal
Law. From this vision a spiritual will emerges which creates (or reveals) the
proper order in daily life and external matters.
The Sociology of Wisdom
* Lin Yutang wrote that morality leads to good
manners, while a lack of it paves the way to uncontrolled aggressiveness. [1] Indeed, lust, hypocrisy and hatred are
often associated. They are but different expressions of an exaggeration of
animal instincts. On the other hand, ethics, friendliness and self-control come
together. There is a natural affinity between a clean life and being kind to
the others.
* China and Taiwan have a rich wisdom tradition, and Confucianism
teaches us both moderation and good manners, in Politics as well as in social
life. The lesson has a decisive importance in our century. A reasonable degree
of good manners stimulates lucidity, while a culture of personal aggression and
disrespect for one’s opponents opens the door to irrational action.
NOTE:
[1] “Between Tears and Laughter”, by Lin Yutang, Blue
Ribbon Books, N.Y., 1943, 1945, 216 pp., see Chapter 10.
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“Thoughts Along the Road - 48” was
published as an independent text on 06 August 2020. An initial version
of it, with no indication as to the name of the author, is included in “The
Aquarian Theosophist”, May 2019 edition, pp. 12-13.
The note “The Sociology of Wisdom”, included in the present article, is on pp.
2-3 of the Aquarian, May 2019 edition, and was also written by CCA.
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See other writings of Carlos Cardoso Aveline.
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