Taking Things as They Come, And
Dealing With Them Singly Day to Day
Dealing With Them Singly Day to Day
Robert Crosbie (1849-1919)
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The following fragments were selected from
“The Friendly Philosopher”, by Robert Crosbie,
Theosophy Co., Los Angeles, 2008, 415 pages. The
numbers of pages are indicated at the end of them
in parenthesis. The text was first published at “The
Aquarian Theosophist”, June 2019, pages 16-18.
(CCA)
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1. The Wise Man and the World
The wise man does
not try to regenerate the world by any one course, but having obtained
knowledge, lives according to it as best he can under any conditions, using his
energy and knowledge in the world and for the world, by presenting what he sees
to be truth. (p. 59)
2. A Theosophical View of Mistakes
We should be glad to be able - and be able - to correct erroneous views and
applications. In that is our strength; our personal weaknesses and troubles are
but bubbles on the stream of time, which our “strength” will safely carry us
through and over. This thought, which comes from inner knowledge, should make
us stronger, better able, surer of victory. (p. 60)
3. The Message Written in a Stone
I had a little stone once, upon which was engraved,
“Even this will pass away.” It served many a time to remind me of the
transitory nature of all trials and troubles. The motto is a good one and may
serve many others, if used when need arises. (p. 84)
4. The True Goal is Self-knowledge
Intellectual acquaintance is well enough for those who
are entertained by that sort of thing, but those who seek self-knowledge, who will not be satisfied with anything else, go
not by that road. Self-knowledge is the first desideratum; the other is
incidental, and useless without the first. The first requires
whole-heartedness, self-discipline, constant service, unflagging determination.
It is undertaken only by determined souls and continued by increased heroism - of
such are the immortal heroes of the ages. The second can be followed by any
schoolboy, and is necessary to some extent, as an equipment for the sake of
others, but unless subservient to the first, it is useless as a means of
growth. The general tendency is toward “intellectualism,” and it is easy to
follow that line of acquisition. The effort should therefore be to present and
practice the study that leads to growth, using the “process” only to assist the
understanding. The opposite is too generally the practice. There are
Theosophists in name and Theosophists by nature; they are different. (p. 162)
5. When Full Confidence Abounded
I have found it helpful to go back to the time when
full confidence abounded, if obstacles pressed hard and insistently. It often
appears to us that obstacles that meet us need not be; that they have no
relation to the great task we have set before ourselves; yet due consideration
of what we have learned must show that nothing can possibly occur which is out
of that relation. We often say to ourselves, “If this thing were only
different, or proceeded or occurred in this other way, it would be better,”
failing to perceive that if it were
different, it would be different. The
key to conduct, then, seems to be - taking things as they come, and dealing
with them singly day to day. We find this hard, yet the “hardness” will
continue in degree as we become
“confirmed,” until all is easy. The harder the effort, the greater the strength
acquired. I used to look calmly and dispassionately at the very worst picture I
could conjure up as happening to myself, and found it helpful in getting rid of
“fear of consequences.” I mentally took account of the very worst, saw myself
in it with all that it entailed, went through it in all its parts leaving
myself alone, dishonored, stripped of
everything. Those very things have happened to me, but I knew them, had
outlived them, and went on undismayed. Had I not done it, I would not be where
I am to-day. (p. 85)
6. The Independence of Theosophists
The Messengers have left all that is necessary - for
us and for others - in the way of direction; it is for us and for them to apply
the right things at the right times and in the right way. Some may think this
discouraging; so, many are looking for “orders and instructions” from Masters
in ways and means. This would not do any good, even if it were possible, for if
directed in everything, how could we
grow in discrimination, judgment and power? We would be but automata, and would
never fill the necessary place. No doubt They help all sincere men by
adjustment rather than direction; so we should not look for the latter, but
using our own best Theosophical judgment move forward, feeling sure that if our
understanding of the nature of the task is good, and our motive pure, the right
way will appear to us. This will be guidance of the right sort - one that leads
to growth. In the meantime we live and learn, and should not forget that They
and we are working in the present for the future, and for the same great end.
(pp. 381-382)
7. Masters Do Not Direct; They Adjust
Masters do not direct; They adjust. There have been
and there are those who think and say, in effect: “the Master will do
everything.” All such are bound to go wrong, by not considering what is the
right thing and the right way, by not using all the powers they have to
determine the right procedure and conduct. We trust to the great Lodge and to
the Law, but use the powers we have to the best of our ability: what we cannot
do, we know They will do when necessary. We have to present this idea for the
better guidance of all. (p. 382)
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The above article
was published as an independent item in the associated websites on 7 December
2020.
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In case life is not
always easy and comfortable to you, consider studying “Stoicism in the Esoteric Philosophy”,
by CCA, and “Fragments From Stoic Philosophy”,
by Musonius Rufus.
Does ancient
philosophy help modern theosophy? See the article “Helena Blavatsky’s Self-Criticism”.
For those who feel that
much unnecessary suffering results from materialistic delusion, we recommend “Why One Should Disdain Hardships”
and “Musonius: No Need of Much Evidence”,
both by the same ancient philosopher.
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Helena Blavatsky
(photo) wrote these words: “Deserve,
then desire”.
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