As We Leave
Superficial Factors
Aside, We Strengthen Our Inner Will
Aside, We Strengthen Our Inner Will
Carlos Cardoso
Aveline
The student of esoteric philosophy must thank
life every day, if he faces difficulties and obstacles, because these are sure
signs that he is putting aside the path of illusion. On the other hand, whenever
his life gets too comfortable he must regret the fact and expand
alertness.
No practitioner of theosophical
philosophy can know of what substance his soul is made, if he is not willing to
confront difficult moments.
Laziness and indulgence are
serious problems, often disguised under the appearance of “common sense” and
“moderation”. They can be easily removed once a comfortable routine is broken
and challenging tests appear.
Self-discipline is the
voluntary abandonment of superfluous elements in life. It strengthens one’s
will. It makes external difficulties easier to understand and reduces their
power. Once the student renounces indulgence, he starts to easily achieve goals
which others see as extremely difficult.
A self-disciplined pilgrim
is happy with a modest life, but nothing is enough to the lazy person. When one is not able to accomplish any
significant goal, his desires and wishes get exaggerated. If an individual does not limit himself, he
will be limited by life.
Whenever our difficulties
seem too harsh, we are probably being too soft on ourselves. Self-discipline is
a safe source of humility and peace. It leads to bliss. Thanks to it, lucid
persons embrace voluntary simplicity.
Self-restraint in daily
habits enables one to hear the voice of his own conscience. In order to attain
inner simplicity, true self-knowledge is necessary. The knowledge of our
spiritual soul results from correct action and a fundamental (not necessarily apparent) harmony with all life.
The combination of
simplicity and knowledge produces an open mind and an honest heart, and stimulates
a sense of inner freedom. Ultimately, self-discipline leads to freedom, while non-discipline
paves the way to the absence of liberty.
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The above text was published as an independent item in the associated websites on 18 April 2022, being reproduced from “The Aquarian Theosophist”, May 2021, pp. 1-2.
Although “The Blessing of Self-Discipline” it not a literal translation, it presents the same contents of the Portuguese language article “O Papel da Autodisciplina”.
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See the text “A Prayer for Those Who Heal”.
Read other writings of Carlos Cardoso Aveline.
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Helena Blavatsky (photo) wrote these words: “Deserve, then desire”.
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