Thoughts Along the Road - 51

 The Sun and the Moon Are Our Brethren

Carlos Cardoso Aveline

The ficus, a fellow spiritual pilgrim

  
 
 
* Peace is not to be found on the surface of life. The way to inner balance consists of harmony with one’s own conscience. However, this is a highly probatory road, for obeying the voice of the conscience means saying no to the one thousand and one voices of the world and their false promises of short term comfort. Therefore having peace means being prepared to face the conflict between truth and illusion; wisdom and ignorance; self-responsibility and blindness.
 
* When peace exists during the battle, the battle tends to be won.
 
* A few questions deserve daily examination. One of them is “How can I detach myself from any useless thoughts, feelings and words in the next 24h?”
 
* Another one is “What can I do to improve the quality of the way I eat, drink and have sleep, from now on?” 
 
* Finally: “How can I improve my daily life so that it becomes worthier of my higher self, my immortal soul?” There is no need of any self-inflicted conflicts about those questions in one’s personality. It is enough to calmly think about them. A sane practice of self-observation is helpful in itself.
 
* We cannot save much time by accelerating our activities. Once it becomes a habit that speed is a priority, hurry establishes itself as a false law, and quietness disappears. Hence one’s decision to act slowly must be unconditional. We need to stay away from the routine of superficial anxiety. 
 
* As to the rhythm of his actions, the sensible citizen keeps in tune with the growth of forests.  He could be inspired by the timing of lettuce germination, and by the secret breathing of the avocados in their trees.
 
* Theosophy says that the living process of friendship is not limited to the human realm. This is why in the Christian legends Francis of Assisi - a pantheistic saint, and a forerunner of Luther’s Reform - sees the Sun and the Moon as his brethren, and talks to beings living in all realms of Nature. Universal friendship is a Pythagorean concept.
 
* Like millions of persons around the world, my wife and I cultivate a feeling of personal friendship with cats and dogs in the streets of the city where we live. We know we are spiritual companions of the birds.  We listen to non-verbal advices from the Sun, the wind, the rain. We are aware of the fact that the Brotherhood among all realms is as old as Nature itself.
 
* The dipladenia is our colleague in living and learning. The ficus benjamina - also known as weeping fig, benjamin fig or ficus tree - is a native of Asia and a fellow spiritual pilgrim. We know that Blavatsky wrote about the intelligence of the mimosas.[1]  As we walk, we listen to the music of the wind, flowing through the leaves of our brothers and sisters, the Eucalyptus trees. The whole universe is filled with the most diverse forms of life, which the theosophist learns step by step to understand and cooperate with.
 
The Horizon of Freedom
  
* By being able to stand alone in the outer world, one gathers magnetism. He who in the visible realm is too afraid of solitude, has little energy of his own.
 
* By deepening one’s sense of calm, the unity of all is seen. He who has a wide horizon is free from thousands of forms of delusion. One purpose of suffering is to widen our view of life.
 
The Substance of One’s Agenda
 
* Once that which is of fundamental importance in our life is OK and in good shape, secondary things will be easy to handle.
 
* However, if the most important issues are not OK, dealing with things of less importance will not help much. Therefore: tackle the issues of your agenda according to their real significance to you. As long as you reject unreasonable short term pressures, there will be no major waste of time or energy.
 
NOTE:
 
[1] Click to see HPB, on the Intelligence of the Mimosas. 
 
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“Thoughts Along the Road - 51” was published as an independent text on 27 April 2021.   An initial version of it, with no indication as to the name of the author, is part of “The Aquarian Theosophist”, October 2019 edition, pp. 13-14. The September 2019 edition of “The Aquarian” had no “Thoughts Along the Road” but it included (on p. 4) the notes “The Horizon of Freedom” and “The Substance of One’s Agenda”, which were written by CCA and are now part of the above article.
 
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See other writings of Carlos Cardoso Aveline.
 
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A Prophecy on Judaism and Christianity

And What the Masters of the Wisdom
Think About the Writings of Eliphas Levi

Carlos Cardoso Aveline

 
 
 
In the 19th century, a Master of the Eastern Wisdom wrote about Eliphas Levi, the famous Western Kabalist who was born in France in 1810:
 
“Except in so far, that he constantly uses the terms ‘God’ and ‘Christ’ which taken in their esoteric sense simply mean ‘Good’ - in its dual aspect of the abstract and the concrete and nothing more dogmatic, Eliphas Levi is not in any direct conflict with our teachings.” [1]
 
Later in the same text the Raja Yogi of the Himalayas asks:
 
“...Why it should be maintained that what is given by Eliphas Levi and expounded by H.P. Blavatsky[2], is ‘in direct conflict’ with my teaching? E.L. is an Occultist, and a Kabalist, and writing for those who are supposed to know the rudiments of the Kabalistic tenets, uses the peculiar phraseology of his doctrine, and H.P.B. follows suit.” [3]
 
While taking this into consideration, let us see now what Eliphas Levi had to say about Judaism and the future relation between Jews and Christians. Speaking of the Western world, he writes:
 
“Judaism is the oldest, the most rational and the truest of religions. Jesus, who set himself the task of reforming Judaism, never advised his disciples to abandon it. The reform of Jesus, unacceptable to the heads of the synagogue whose legitimate authority was never contested by the Christian master, has become a heresy which has invaded the entire world.”
 
Strong words.
 
Eliphas proceeds:
 
“At first mistreated by the Jews, the Christians, once the power was theirs, outlawed and persecuted the Jews with the most shameful and cowardly assiduity. Their books were burned instead of being studied, and the precious philosophy of the Hebrews was lost to the Christian world.”
 
At this point he adds a prophecy:
 
“The apostles, however, were correct in their feeling that the Gentile ministry would last only so long and that the new faith would one day weaken. Then, they said, salvation will come again to us from Israel, and the great religious revolution that will reunite us with our fathers will be as a passage from death to life.”
 
Writing in the 19th century, Eliphas suggests therefore that the salvation of the West ultimately depends on humbly learning from, and making an alliance with, the Jewish wisdom tradition - and with Israel.
 
A prophecy does not reveal a fact: it points to a possibility. However, it makes sense to think that the unspeakable, centuries-old Karma of anti-Semitism must be dealt with and removed in its Causes, having its roots destroyed, before the West (and Middle East) can take its next step in spiritual - and sociological - evolution. This is most probably not a historical task that the West can avoid.
 
Eliphas Levi writes:
 
“The Hebrews are in possession of a science whose existence St. Paul suspected and which St. John, initiated by Jesus, both hid and revealed within the immense hieroglyphs of the Apocalypse, borrowing for the most part from the prophecy of Ezekiel.” [4]
 
Significant remarks. And one may ask: “How theosophical was Eliphas Levi?”
 
Of course he made mistakes. On the other hand, the masters who created the modern theosophical movement closely observed and helped his work, which was informally part of the preparation for the founding of the modern theosophical movement, in New York, in 1875.
 
The above quoted Master of the Eastern Wisdom writes in Letter 20-C:
 
“To reconcile you still more with Eliphas, I will send you a number of his MSS. - that have never been published, in a large, clear, beautiful handwriting with my comments all through. Nothing better than that can give you a key to Kabalistic puzzles.” [5]
 
Eliphas had access to exclusive sources of knowledge and wisdom.  The master himself took part in “half a dozen” meetings with Eliphas and a few other Occultists in London around 1860, as the Mahatma writes in a letter.[6] Yet Eliphas’ books are not always easy to read and demand careful study. The Eastern teacher clarifies:
 
“... The little I am permitted to explain, may, I hope, prove more comprehensive than Eliphas Levi’s Haute Magie. No wonder you find it cloudy, for it was never meant for the uninitiated reader. Eliphas studied from the Rosicrucian MSS. (now reduced to three copies in Europe). These expound our eastern doctrines from the teachings of Rosencrauz, [Rosencreutz] who, upon his return from Asia dressed them up in a semi-Christian garb intended as a shield for his pupils, against clerical revenge. One must have the key to it and that key is a science per se.” [7]
 
The Raja Yogi makes it clear that Eliphas Levi, although imperfect, was in touch with real Wisdom: 
 
“…When you complain of being unable to comprehend the meaning of Eliphas Levi, it is only because you fail like so many other readers to find the key to their way of writing. On close observation, you will find that it was never the intention of the Occultists really to conceal what they had been writing from the earnest determined students, but rather to lock up their information for safety-sake, in a secure safe-box, the key to which is - intuition. The degree of diligence and zeal with which the hidden meaning is sought by the student, is generally the test.”[8]
 
There is, however, a close inner relation between Judaism and classic Pythagoreanism. The master says:
 
“Speaking of ‘figures’ and ‘numbers’ Eliphas addresses those who know something of the Pythagorean doctrines. Yes; some of them do sum up all philosophy and include all doctrines. Isaac Newton understood them well; but withheld his knowledge very prudently for his own reputation (...).” [9]
 
As one tries to understand the present moment of human evolution and planetary transition, these are a few points to ponder upon, regarding complex factors like Israel, the West - and the wisdom of the East.
 
It seems it is not a baseless assumption, but an objective fact, that the Land of Israel and its divine wisdom hold a significant key to the spiritual future of our Western civilization. 
 
NOTES:
 
[1] Letter 20-C, page 127, in “The Mahatma Letters”.
 
[2] The first time HPB is mentioned, I have used her complete surname in this transcription. (CCA)
 
[3] Letter 20-C p. 129, in “The Mahatma Letters”.
 
[4] “The Book of Splendours”, by Eliphas Levi, Appendix by Papus, foreword by R. A. Gilbert, The Aquarian Press, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, Great Britain, Copyright 1973/1981, 191 pp., see p.  15.
 
[5] Letter 20-C ML, to A. P. Sinnett. p. 134, “The Mahatma Letters”.
 
[6] On the meetings, Letter 28, page 210, “The Mahatma Letters”.
 
[7] Letter 49, p. 280, “The Mahatma Letters”.
 
[8] Letter 48, p. 279 in “The Mahatma Letters”.
 
[9] Letter 49 pp. 280-281 in “The Mahatma Letters”.
 
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The above article was published by the associated websites on 20 April 2021. It is also available in the theosophical blog at “The Times of Israel”. 
 
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Read more:
 
* Israel as a Utopia.
 
* Israel, the Old New Land.
 
* The Arab Wisdom in Israel.
 
* Blavatsky, Judaism and Nazism.
 
* Theosophy and the Second World War.
 
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Thoughts Along the Road - 50

Obtaining An Accurate View of Life
Depends On Having the Right Purpose

Carlos Cardoso Aveline

 

* The truth-seeker must examine once and again the premises and foundations of his opinions. He will constantly discover new layers of maya or illusion, and new levels of truth, in his own views of life as well as in the viewpoints of others.

 

* A sense of full responsibility for one’s own thoughts and feelings is necessary in esoteric philosophy. However, a large portion of human actions occur by automatic or semi-automatic decisions based on mere habit, obedience, desire for applause or emotions like fear, ambition, attachment and rejection.

 

* The loss of illusory views may seem too painful to those who prefer believing, instead of learning. In fact, being able to walk towards truth and leave ignorance gradually aside is one of the deepest forms of happiness available to humans.

 

* He who listens to his conscience has no reason to fear the future.

 

* By sowing that which we would like to harvest, we develop a powerful source of peace within our own aura.

 

* Whoever is a friend of eternal law finds contentment.

 

* Obtaining an accurate view of life depends on having the right purpose.

 

* An intention that is noble and free from wishful thinking gives us the patience necessary to look at things and situations without distorting them. This makes it possible to examine life from various elevated points of view. From above one sees better, with wider horizons.

 

* An excess of visible kindness in daily life is often seen as a sign of weakness, and invites people to develop a distorted idea of things. On the other hand, a constantly rigorous attitude generates a frozen image which is equally false. As every habit tending to automatic repetition, the mask of severity prevents a creative interaction with life.

 

* The decisive factor in determining one’s attitude at any moment must be the vision of what is correct, and not merely a blind attachment or rejection. Whatever one does must be dictated by the voice of conscience. Applause and short term comfort are not the priorities. The intention of the true student of philosophy is kind, indeed, yet his goal is not “to be seen as kind”.

 

* Rigor is necessary in order to be helpful. There is no worse obstacle along the way than hypocrisy. Severity is as unavoidable as the love for truth in itself, or the feeling of altruism.

 

* The Jewish sage Bachya ibn Paquda lived in Zaragoza (now part of Spain) in the centuries 11 and 12. Ibn Paquda wrote, on austerity: “The plain meaning of abstinence is bridling selfish desire and voluntarily refraining (...) from something that is in your power and that you have the opportunity to do. It has been said that one who abstains is one who has the power and does not use it.” [1] And this is, of course, a form of Yoga.

 

NOTE:

 

[1] From “Duties of the Heart”, by Rabbi Bachya ibn Paquda, Feldheim Publishers, Jerusalem - New York, 1996, two volumes, see vol. II, p. 787.

 

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“Thoughts Along the Road - 50” was published as an independent text on 15 April 2021.   An initial version of it, with no indication as to the name of the author, is included in “The Aquarian Theosophist”, August 2019 edition, pp. 5-6. The fragment from Bachya ibn Paquda is on page 10 of the same edition.

 

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See other writings of Carlos Cardoso Aveline.

 

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The Aquarian Theosophist, April 2021

 

 
 
 
These are the main texts of The Aquarian, April 2021 edition:
 
* Lieutenant-Colonel St. Anthony - the popular devotion to a Saint (p.01).
 
* The Theosophical Meaning of Easter Eggs (p.03).
 
* George Bernard Shaw, on Universities (p.04).
 
* The Secret Doctrine in French Language (p.05).
 
* Helena Blavatsky, On Cruelty to Animals (p.07).
 
* Correspondence With Joy Mills - 03 - Evaluating Mistakes and Strong Points in the Theosophical Literature (p.09).
 
* Thoughts Along the Road - Going Slow One Goes Far, Provided That One Knows Where One Wants to Go (p.14).
 
* St. Anthony of Lisbon and Padua, on Prelates (p.16).
 
The edition has 16 pages, and includes the List of New Items in the associated websites.

 

Click Here to Read

“The Aquarian”, April  2021

 
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The entire collection of The Aquarian is available at our associated websites.
 
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If you want to help spread theosophy and ethics in today’s world, send the Aquarian to your friends; invite them to write to the editors making a free subscription of the journal.  
 
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Regarding the path to happiness, one should remember this phrase by Helena Blavatsky (photo): “Deserve, then desire”.
 
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Star Angel Worship in the Roman Catholic Church

 The Christian Adoration
Of Star and Planetary Spirits

Helena P. Blavatsky

Michelangelo (1475-1564) and Amadeus of Portugal (1420-1482)

 
 
 
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The following article is reproduced from
“Collected Writings”, H. P. Blavatsky, TPH,
India/USA, volume X, 461 pp., pp. 13-32. It was
first published at “Lucifer” magazine [1], July, 1888,
pages 355-365. It is also part of the February 2020
edition of “The Aquarian Theosophist”, pages 10-22.
 
(CCA)
 
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Click to Read
Star Angel Worship in
the Roman Catholic Church
 

NOTE:

 

[1] The name “Lucifer” is an ancient term for Venus, the morning and evening star - the “elder sister” of our Earth according to esoteric philosophy. Since the Middle Ages, the meaning of the word has been distorted by superstitious theologians. (CCA)

 

 

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The above article was published in the associated websites on 05 April 2021.

 

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Read More:

 

* Easter And The Inner Rebirth.

 

* Christianity and Anti-Semitism.

 

* Don’t Ask Who Is Born at Christmas.

 

* Easter: a Time of Reawakening.

 

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