The Rosicrucian Philosophy
In Questions and Answers
Volume I
by
Max Heindel
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Table of Contents
SECTION VI
QUESTIONS CONCERNING CLAIRVOYANCE
DIAGRAM NO.14:
The Vehicles of the Highest Initiates & Ordinary Humanity
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CLAIRVOYANT,
AN INITIATE AND AN ADEPT?
ANSWER: What a man sees depends upon the
sensitiveness of his eye. Some people can distinguish objects at a distance
which makes them invisible to other people. Artists perceive shades of color
which ordinary people cannot distinguish and some people are color blind; there
are even those who cannot see at all--they are blind.
The people who can see the farthest or
distinguish the most delicate shades of color are more CLAIRVOYANT, or
clear-sighted, than the rest.
The majority among us are able TO SEE most
things in our environment, but we know very little about the things we see just
because we see them. WE HAD TO BE INITIATED into the use of the telephone, the
bicycle, automobile, piano, etc.
But, though we may know how to use these
instruments under ordinary circumstances, we are not so thoroughly familiar with
their construction that we are able to build or repair them when they have
become disabled. Before we become qualified for that work we must take a course
of special training, and if we apply ourselves with our whole heart, we may
become ADEPTS in our special line.
If we apply this illustration to the problem
before us, we may understand that A CLAIRVOYANT is a man whose sense of sight
has become so extended that he perceives another world, which is invisible to
most of us, and that he IS ABLE TO SEE everything there.
But he does not "know all about"
the things he sees there by the mere fact of perception any more than we know
all about the things we see in this world. He must apply himself to gain that
knowledge. Then, by degrees, he will become AN INITIATE, who UNDERSTANDS THE
THINGS HE SEES, and may be able to manipulate some of them under ordinary
circumstances, as we are able to play upon a piano or ride a bicycle when we
have learned these arts.
It will require further training to enable
the Initiate TO EXERCISE POWER over the things and the forces in the invisible
world as AN ADEPT.
Thus the Clairvoyant is one who sees the
invisible world; the Initiate both sees the invisible world and understands what
he sees, while the Adept sees, knows and has power over things and forces there.
WHY IS IT THAT TRAINED CLAIRVOYANTS DO NOT
OFFER TO LEND THEMSELVES TO SOME SIMPLE BUT CONCLUSIVE TESTS CONDUCTED BY MEN OF
SCIENCE WHICH WOULD CONVINCE EVERYBODY OF THE REALITY OF FACULTIES TRANSCENDING
THE ORDINARY SENSES?
ANSWER: In the first place, trained
clairvoyants have no axes to grind; they are not concerned in the smallest
degree whether people believe or not; while it might make a great deal of
difference to the people themselves were they to believe, it makes no difference
whatever to the trained clairvoyant. He never seeks for money, or any other
consideration that the world could offer him if convinced; he has no wish for
worldly power, he never flaunts his faculty or boasts of it, but always speaks
of it with exceeding modesty when he does so at all. If he does deeds that are
meritorious, perhaps, in helping his fellow men, he does not care to have these
facts known. He usually does not let "his left hand know what his right
hand does."
A blind man does not see the colors and the
light, although they are everywhere about him, and if he should come to us and
ask us to submit to tests which would prove to him beyond a doubt that we
perceive light and color, we should wonder what tests could possibly convince
him of those facts. So does the trained clairvoyant wonder what tests would
convince EVERYBODY. There has been no test devised yet that would not be open to
some other explanation in the minds of some people, and the unfortunate
clairvoyant who should lend himself to such tests would have to keep on and on
forever, and yet generations of skeptics would denounce him as a fraud. He would
be required to submit to the tests of every single one of the scientists, and
scientists do not even believe their own eyes. If their reason says a thing is
impossible they refuse to believe, though shown. Scientists are forced to be
content to experiment under the laws of nature, when conducting their researches
in chemistry, etc., of which they know something, but arrogate to themselves the
right to prescribe conditions when testing superphysical matters of which they
are confessedly ignorant. When mediums demand a darkened room for their
experiments, the scientists usually say, "Ah, yes, that at once shows that
they are frauds; they want the room darkened so that they can play their tricks
undetected." The mediums usually do not know WHY the room should be
darkened and therefore cannot explain, but a law underlies the demand of the
medium.
It is this: Light rays set the ether into
violent vibration and make it difficult for the communicating entities to work
with it in that condition, to mold it into a body, a vocal organ, a hand, or
other material manifestation. The darker the room the less the ether vibrates,
and the easier it is for these entities to use it as required for the
spiritualistic phenomena.
There are numerous other laws affecting
superphysical phenomena, of which science has no conception, and this ignorance
at once disqualifies the scientists for prescribing conditions. The way is
always open for them, however, to know at first hand. They say to us, procure a
number of lenses, ground in a certain way, place them in a tube in a certain
manner, point that tube with your lenses in a certain direction in the sky and
you will see eight moons revolving around Saturn. If we comply with their
directions, we shall see that what they tell us is to be found there. If we
refuse to provide the necessary instrument we cannot see the moons of Saturn. We
say to them: live the life and perform the exercises, so that you may evolve in
yourselves that faculty of which we speak. Then you will see that we have spoken
the truth, and you will be compelled to assert the things we assert. If they are
unwilling to comply with our directions, they may remain as unconvinced of the
existence of super-physical realms as the man who will not procure a telescope
may doubt the existence of the Saturnian moons, for all that the trained
clairvoyants care.
IF CLAIRVOYANCE IS SUCH AN ACCURATE MEANS OF
INVESTIGATION, SUCH A HIGH SPIRITUAL FACULTY, WHY DO WE USUALLY SEE IT IN
POSSESSION OF PEOPLE OF LITTLE EDUCATION AND COARSE BREEDING; WHO HAVE SEEMINGLY
VERY LITTLE SPIRITUALITY AND WHO OFTEN TELL LIES?
ANSWER: There was a time in the far, far
past when the human body was a very much less complicated organism than it is
today, before the cerebro-spinal nervous system had been evolved to give man
voluntary control over his body. At that time the sympathetic or involuntary
nervous system took care of the purely animal functions, much as it does today.
Then man was a much more spiritual being than he is now, and his means of
perception of the Spiritual Worlds were organs which are now temporarily in
disuse. We have a number of organs in our bodies in various stages of
completion, some of which are atrophying because they have served their uses.
The muscles which move the ears in animals, for instance, are also present in
man, but they are no longer needed and, therefore, most of us have lost the use
of them. Other organs are in a state of development, such as, for instance, the
heart, which is an involuntary muscle, but is being invested with cross-stripes
like the voluntary muscles and will, at a future time, be capable of regulation
at any desired speed.
Another class of organs are simply in a
state or dormancy, and among these are THE PITUITARY BODY and THE PINEAL GLAND.
If they were not to be used in the future, they would surely atrophy, as do all
other organs when they have ceased to be useful. In the far past these organs
were connected with the sympathetic system and invested man with involuntary
clairvoyance, and because of their connection with the cerebro-spinal system
they will in the future enable mankind to effect a contact with the Spiritual
Worlds at will.
It is easier to roll a stone down hill than
to roll it up hill; retrogression is more readily accomplished than progression,
and when people seek for development in a negative condition they readily renew
THE NEGATIVE ACTIVITY of the pituitary body and the pineal gland, and become
negative clairvoyants. But as any faculty which is exercised by means of the
involuntary nervous system cannot be exercised by the power of the will, this
faculty is, of course, sporadic in mediums. At times, when the power is on, they
can contact the Spiritual Worlds in a limited way. At other times, when the
power is off, they are unable to see. Therefore, they often simulate in order to
earn a needed fee.
The man who consciously evolves his
spiritual faculty controls the vibration of the two little organs named by will
power and has no "off" days. The power to see is his at any and all
times. Thus, in his hands, clairvoyance is an accurate means of investigation,
but it should be understood that as it is necessary to investigate in this world
before we know, so it is also in that world. Many people are foolishly skeptical
concerning the existence of superphysical worlds and senses, but people who
think that when a man "sees" in the invisible worlds he at once knows
everything about them are equally foolish. A blind man who has acquired the
faculty of sight by an operation affords an illustration of the fact that we
must learn to see here in the Physical World, for at first he very often shuts
his eyes, declaring that it is easier to walk by feeling than by sight, because
he has not yet learned to gauge distances. The infant which reaches for the moon
or for something on the other side of the room also demonstrates this fact. As
above, so below; before a man has been trained, the mere fact of clairvoyance is
not of much use to him, and the idea that BECAUSE HE SEES, HE NECESSARILY KNOWS
EVERYTHING, is gratuitous. We who have seen here all our lives do not know all
about everything in this world; neither do the people who "see' know all
about the other world. Besides, the forms here are stable and do not easily
change, while the matter of sight and knowledge is complicated in the Inner
Worlds by the plasticity of the forms there, for they often change in the
twinkling of an eye in response to the thoughts of entities who function there.
To evolve voluntary clairvoyance is an
arduous task, and this faculty, therefore, is possessed by few, while negative
clairvoyance, unfortunately, has been developed by many who had no high ideals
to prevent prostitution of their faculty for gold.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY INITIATION, AND WHY ARE
ONLY MEN INITIATES?
ANSWER: The ordinary idea of initiation is
that of admittance into a secret order, usually IN CONSIDERATION OF AN
INITIATION FEE, but occult initiation is very different.
When a person has endeavored to live the
higher life for some time, has purified his vehicles by mental, moral and
physical endeavors, he emits a light in the invisible world and accumulates a
power within. In time a point of culmination is reached where this power must be
given vent. Then there appears in his life a teacher who shows him the power he
has cultivated, often unconsciously to himself, and its use. This demonstration
is called initiation. It may take place in a temple or not; it may or may not be
accompanied by a ceremony, as the circumstances demand. Let it be clearly
understood that no ceremony can give to the candidate the powers which
initiation teaches him to use, any ore than pulling the trigger of a pistol
which is not loaded can cause an explosion. The initiatory ceremony would be
worthless save as a culmination to the life of discipleship.
Thus it is evident that Initiation is the
inevitable result of merit. It is never sold for money, though there is no lack
of unscrupulous charlatans who offer to initiate anyone into the occult arts of
which they know nothing themselves; nor are gullible fools wanting, or dishonest
persons who hope to gain a sinister power over their fellow-man by purchase. If
Simon, the sorcerer, merited the scathing rebuke of Peter when he attempted to
buy a spiritual power for gold, we wonder what condemnation is adequate to meet
the case of those who advertise them as commercial wares, particularly when, in
the nature of things, they are unable to deliver the goods offered for sale. The
inquirer is under a misapprehension when he believes that only men are
Initiates, at least so far as the Lesser Mysteries are concerned. There are
women Initiates and sometimes even Initiates of the Greater Mysteries take upon
themselves a feminine body for the sake of a special work which they desire to
accomplish. It is true, however, that those who have advanced so far that they
have a choice regarding sex usually prefer a male body, and the reason is not
far to seek. Woman has a positive vital body but a negative dense body and is,
therefore, somewhat at a disadvantage in the world as at present constituted.
Striving for the higher ideals and living the higher life, we spiritualize the
vital body and transmute it into soul which is always positive--a power usable
regardless of sex--and when the Initiate wears a masculine body also, he is
thoroughly positive in the Physical World and has a better chance for
advancement than when using a feminine vehicle.
IS IT NOT THE DUTY OF ONE WHO IS INFORMED ON
SUBJECTS CONCERNED WITH THE HIGHER LIFE TO GIVE INFORMATION AND HELP TO THE LESS
INFORMED?
ANSWER: Certainly, knowledge is the one
thing which we may give to others and still retain ourselves. In fact, when we
help others by disseminating our knowledge we are helping ourselves and
increasing our own store. For no one really knows a thing until he has told and
explained it to someone else, and we should understand that whatever knowledge
we may obtain is not our exclusive property, but is to be used for the universal
good. If we selfishly hoard it and refuse to enlighten others, it will act upon
us in the same way as if we continued to eat physical food without getting rid
of the ashes. There would come a time when we could hold no more and we would
become sick. So with people who obtain knowledge concerning things of the higher
life. When they hoard it up instead of using it for the benefit of others, they
are very apt to become recluses, and may become insane.
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS ARE NECESSARY TO BECOME
AN INVISIBLE HELPER? MUST THE WHOLE LIFE BE GIVEN OVER TO SPIRITUAL ENDEAVOR?
ANSWER: No, not at all; in fact, no one is
justified in giving his whole life to spiritual endeavor unless he has first
fulfilled whatever material obligations he may have to others. The duties in the
family are means of being VISIBLE helpers, and the man or woman who shirks duty
here can surely not be depended upon to fulfill the duties of an Invisible
Helper on the other side.
Therefore, A PATIENT CONTINUANCE IN THE
PERFORMANCE OF ALL OUR EARTHLY DUTIES to the very best of our ability is the
first and most essential qualification of the aspirant. As a further
qualification, we may mention SELF CONTROL. While we are living and working on
our dense bodies, the desire body is in a measure held in check by imprisonment
in dense, physical matter. If we lose our temper here, the result may be
dangerous to ourselves and to those around us, but it is not a circumstance to
the peril attendant upon loss of temper in the other world, for our desire body,
as we know, can wreck our physical body in a fit of temper so that it may
sometimes be sick for weeks as a result of a few minutes' loss of temper. But
when outside the dense body, if its force were directed against anyone else, it
could instantly kill an army.
KNOWLEDGE is also requisite to the aspirant.
Unless we have studied conditions after death and are familiar with the scheme
of evolution, have a comprehensive idea of the constitution of man and similar
subjects it is impossible for us to instruct those who are less informed, and to
set us the tasks of an Invisible Helper and instructor would be analogous to
sending an ignorant boor to teach school.
Last, but not least, the Invisible Helper
must be imbued with AN ALL EMBRACING LOVE OF HUMANITY. We cannot be callous to
the sufferings of our fellow creatures HERE and at the same time be filled with
love and a desire to help in the other world, any more than a man who does not
know a note in earth life can become a proficient musician by the mere fact of
dying, or acquire such a passion for music that he is anxious to spend eternity
tooting in a horn or playing on a harp. Therefore, we reiterate that to become
an Invisible Helper THERE, we must first qualify by helping HERE.
WHAT PURPOSE HAS THE PERSON IN GOING OUT OF
HIS BODY?
ANSWER: At the present stage of our
evolution, the greater part of humanity are tied to their bodies during earth
life. They are placed in a small and narrow environment because certain lessons
may be learned there which can best be mastered by practically shutting out
every other place and condition from view. But there comes a time when man has
grown sufficiently in knowledge to make it desirable that he should have a wider
scope for his activities. Then the body becomes a clog and a fetter which it is
expedient to leave at times, and accordingly he is taught by the Elder Brothers
to extricate himself at will. They themselves have been helped in the past by
more advanced beings from other planets until they have now become capable of
teaching the less evolved among humanity.
The purpose in going out is to gain a wider
knowledge. But that knowledge in itself is only a means to an end, namely, to
help others progress. Therefore, those who are capable of leaving their bodies
are known as Invisible Helpers. Their work is to help both living and dead,
according to ability.
IS IT ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY TO LIVE A LIFE OF
ASCETICISM IN ORDER TO BECOME SPIRITUAL AND ENDOWED WITH PSYCHIC POWERS?
ANSWER: That depends upon what the inquirer
means by asceticism. Some people in the East creep into a barrel of spikes and
roll themselves about in order to mortify the flesh, or lash and maim themselves
in various ways to attain a realization of spiritual powers. That, assuredly, is
not right. They may and do at times become clairvoyant, but that course is as
reprehensible and its results as transitory as the effects obtained by crystal
gazing, the drug habit and similar methods.
We should realize that this physical body is
our most valuable instrument, and that it is our duty to give it all reasonable
care under conditions which are conducive to its health and well-being. Now
power obtained by maltreating our body is of the highest kind, and therefore is
neither lasting nor fully efficient.
But some people mean by asceticism,
"living a clean and pure life." They want spiritual power without
sacrifice of animal propensities; they desire to soar in the clouds at will,
while at other times they claim liberty to wallow in the mire. They want to
continue feeding on coarse food, to gorge themselves on meat, alcohol and
tobacco, to indulge their passions and sensual desires in every direction, and
at the same time they want to have spiritual powers.
That cannot be done. Our bodies are our
tools. A good workman appreciates the value of good tools and keeps them in the
very best condition--sharp and clean. When our senses have been dulled by
alcohol and tobacco, when the system is forced to exert all its energy to digest
or eliminate coarse food, is it to be expected that the man should be a
sensitive? We cannot serve God and mammon; ours is the choice. If we want
spiritual powers we must pay the price of clean lives; we must give our bodies
pure food and conform to the rules of the simple life; we must abstain from
everything that dulls the senses--alcohol, tobacco, and similar abuses. If that
is called "a life of asceticism," then asceticism is absolutely
necessary.
ARE ALL CHILDREN CLAIRVOYANT UP TO A CERTAIN
AGE?
ANSWER: Yes, all are clairvoyant at least
during the first year of their life. It depends upon the spirituality of the
child to a great extent, also upon its environment, how long it will keep the
faculty, for most children communicate all they see to their elders and the
faculty of clairvoyance is affected by their attitude. Often children are
ridiculed, and nothing so hurts their sensitive little natures. They soon learn
to shut out the scenes which engender the ridicule of their elders, or at least
they will learn to keep such experiences to themselves. When listened to, they
often reveal wonderful things, and at times it is possible to trace a previous
life by information from a little child. This happens particularly, of course if
the child died as a child in its previous life, for then it would only have been
in the Invisible World from one to twenty years, so that it is possible to
verify its information. Children who, in their previous life, died as children,
are much more apt to remember the past and to be clairvoyant than other
children, because the desire body and vital body are not born at the same time
as the physical birth of the child, but at seven and fourteen years of age,
respectively, and what has not been quickened cannot die, so that if a child
passes out before birth of the vital body or of the desire body, it will not go
into the Second and Third Heavens, but will stay in the Desire World and will be
reborn with the same desire body and mind that it possessed in its previous
life, and therefore it will be very much more apt to remember what happened
then. The writer came across such an instance a few years ago in Southern
California.
One day in Santa Barbara, a man by the name
of Roberts was walking along the street when a little child ran up to him, put
her arms around his knees and called him "papa." Mr. Roberts thought
someone was trying to foist a child upon him and indignantly freed himself. The
mother of the child was also indignant at its action and took it away. But the
child kept crying, "It is my papa, it is my papa." On account of
circumstances which will appear later, the incident preyed upon Mr. Roberts'
mind, and he went to a gentleman whom we will call "X". Together they
sought the house where the little child lived with her parents, and after some
parleying were allowed to question her. As soon as the little girl saw Mr.
Roberts she ran to him again and called him "Papa." Then, in answer to
intermittent questioning during the afternoon, the child told the story, which
we give here connectedly.
Once upon a time she lived with Mr.. Roberts
as her father and another mama in a little house by a brook where flowers grew
(here she ran out and fetched some pussy willows). There was a gang plank across
the brook which she was forbidden to cross, lest she fall in the water. One day
Mr. Roberts left her mama and herself never to return. After some time her mama
laid down and moved no more. "She became so still, and she died."
Then, said the child, "I died too; but I didn't die, I came here!"
Next, Mr. Roberts told his story.
"About eighteen years previously he had lived with his father, a brewer, in
England. He fell in love with their servant girl, but the father refused
permission to marry. The young people ran off to London, were married, went to
Australia, where he cleared a little farm in the bush, and built a house by a
brook where pussy willows grew. There was a gang plank over the brook. A little
child was born to them, and when that child was about two years of age, Mr.
Roberts went one day to a clearing about a mile from the cabin and while there
an officer of the law approached him with a gun and arrested him for a bank
robbery committed on the night he left London.
"He protested his innocence, begged
leave to visit wife and child to take care of them, but the officer feared a
trap to get him into the hands of confederates, and drove Mr. Roberts to the
coast at the point of the gun. He was taken to England, tried for the robbery
and found not guilt. Not until then did the authorities listen to his constant
ravings about a wife and child who must surely have starved in the wilds of
Australia. A telegram was sent, a search party organized and in due time the
answer came. They found the skeletons of the deserted ones, and Mr. Roberts
departed for America, a heart-broken man."
The child was then shown a number of
pictures, in a casual way, among them being two photographs of Mr. Roberts and
his wife. Mr. Roberts' appearance had altered very much since that photograph
was taken. Nevertheless, when the child came upon the picture, she joyously
shouted, "Oh, there is Papa!" She also recognized the picture of her
mother in the previous life. The little child was only about three years of age
at the time when Mr. Roberts found her, and could not possibly have made up such
a story. Later the case was investigated by one of the foremost newspapers in
Southern California, the Los Angeles Times, and the facts found to be as here
related.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHITE AND
BLACK MAGIC AND WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF THE PRACTICE OF BLACK MAGIC UPON THE SOUL?
ANSWER: Magic is a process whereby we may
accomplish certain results not achieved by means of laws ordinarily known. Some
men have investigated laws of nature unknown to most people, and have become
adepts in manipulating the finer forces. They use their power to help their
fellow man, where that can be done in harmony with the laws of his growth.
Others, having studied the laws and become capable of manipulating the hidden
forces of the universe, use their knowledge for SELFISH ENDS to gain power over
their fellow creatures. The first named class are WHITE Magicians, the latter
are BLACK. BOTH OF THEM USE AND MANIPULATE THE SAME FORCES, the difference being
the motive which prompts them. The White Magician is prompted altogether by love
and benevolence. Although he is not actuated by thoughts of reward, a soul
growth wonderful to contemplate results from his use of magic. He has put his
talents out to usury and is gaining interest a hundredfold. The Black Magician,
on the other hand, is in a sad state, for it is said that the "soul that
sinneth, it shall die," and all we do contrary to the laws of God
inevitably results in a deterioration of the soul qualities.
The Black Magician by his knowledge and art
may, sometimes for several lives, maintain his position in evolution, but
eventually there comes a time when the soul disintegrates and the Ego reverts
into what we may call savagery.
Black magic in its minor forms, such as
hypnotism, for instance, sometimes causes congenital idiocy in a future life.
The hypnotist deprives his victims of the free use of their bodies. Under the
law of consequence he is then tied to a body with a malformed brain, which
prevents his expression. We must not infer, however, that every case of
congenital idiocy is due to such malpractice on the part of the Ego in a past
life; there are also other causes which may bring congenital idiocy as a result.
YOU SPEAK OF THE WESTERN AND THE EASTERN
SCHOOLS OF OCCULTISM. IS NOT THE WESTERN SCHOOL THE BETTER, AND IF SO, WHY?
ANSWER: There are a number of different
races upon earth at present. The Hindus are the FIRST race in the present Aryan
Epoch, and the Anglo-Saxon is the FIFTH. Naturally the latest teaching is given
to the most advanced people. Therefore the western religion, Christianity, is
far superior to the Hinduism and Buddhism of the East. The mystery teachings of
the East are not as advanced as in the West either. In the East, great stress is
laid upon subjection of the body in order to cultivate the spiritual faculties.
They place the body in certain positions while undertaking arduous breathing
exercises and other physical exercises not necessary by the western method. In
fact, the western body is not at all responsive to those methods. Besides, the
pupil in the East is under the absolute control of his teacher, whom he calls
"Master," and whose commands he must obey to the most minute detail,
without asking why. In the West, we follow the teachings of the Christ, who said
to his disciples, "Henceforth, I call you friends, for the servant knoweth
not what his master doeth, but I have taught you all things which I have learned
of my Father." (John 15:15.) Therefore, the teacher in the West is on terms
of the most intimate friendship with his pupil and always ready to answer his
questions so far as compatible with his stage of development.
There are, of course, some very advanced
people in the East, people who are far advanced in the teachings of their
school, but a corresponding stage is usually reached by the western method in a
shorter time and with less effort.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ETHERIC
SIGHT, CLAIRVOYANCE AND THE SIGHT PERTAINING TO THE WORLD OF THOUGHT?
ANSWER: When we look at a man with etheric
sight, we first see his outside clothing, then the lining inside, his
underclothing, his skin, ribs and the various organs of his body along the line
of our vision; then the spinal column, the back of the ribs, the flesh, the skin
and the clothing on his back. In other words, we see THROUGH him. By the etheric
sight a man can see through books, papers, letters, walls, or anything else for
a short distance. In fact, this faculty may be called X-ray sight. Only one
substance is proof against its penetrative faculty. Glass is as opaque to
etheric sight as a stone wall to ordinary physical sight for the same reason,
perhaps, that glass is such a splendid insulator for electricity.
When we look at a person or a thing with
ordinary clairvoyant sight, we see their desire bodies and the counterparts of
their other vehicles inside and out--every particle at the same time. It is
rather difficult to read a book or even a letter with etheric sight, because we
must look through other pages which blur the one we wish to read. When we use
ordinary clairvoyance it seems as if the book or letter is spread out so that we
can ready any age or part without having to look through any other part. But
when we look at an object with the sight pertaining to the four lower regions of
the World of Thought, and the writer has personal knowledge of no higher realms,
we find that instead of FORMS there are HOLLOW SPACES or molds, which SPEAK TO
US and tell us about themselves. The necessity of investigation is eliminated
from that world. THERE WE KNOW AT ONCE EVERYTHING ABOUT WHATEVER BECOMES AN
OBJECT OF OUR ATTENTION. There is, however, a curious drawback to the knowledge
gained in that manner--it dawns upon us ALL AT ONCE. The sum of this knowledge
is a WHOLE, and has neither beginning nor end. It is therefore usually a
herculean task to unfold it into an orderly, sequential concept which may be
comprehensively stated to ourselves and others.
IS IT SAFE FOR A PERSON IN A GREATLY
DEBILITATED NERVOUS CONDITION TO TAKE OCCULT TRAINING GIVEN BY THE ROSICRUCIANS,
OR IS IT NECESSARY FOR SUCH A PERSON TO FIRST RECOVER? IS HEALTH REGAINED BY
OCCULT TRAINING?
ANSWER: The only exercises given PUBLICLY by
Rosicrucians are the morning and evening exercises. The evening exercise
consists of a retrospect of events of the day IN REVERSE ORDER. During this
review the aspirant aims to cultivate a feeling of the most sincere contrition
for anything he may have done amiss, and also TO FEEL intensely glad when he has
been able to better his previous conduct in any act during the past day. The
morning exercise consists in concentration upon a high ideal, the Christ, for
instance.
If a person of a nervous temperament will
endeavor to calmly and quietly perform these exercises, he will experience a
very beneficial effect, particularly if he will strive to RELAX EVERY MUSCLE of
the body during the exercises.
The attitude of a cat watching a mouse hole
affords an excellent illustration of relaxation. It sits in a perfectly easy
position; CALMLY AND QUIETLY IT WAITS for the appearance of the mouse. No energy
is dissipated by fretfulness or anxiety. It quietly persists in the faith that
sooner or later opportunity will come. All its strength is reserved for the
supreme moment when it springs to secure its prey. If the pupil will completely
relax his muscles, calmly and quietly review the day's happenings in the evening
exercise and concentrate upon a high ideal in the morning exercise, the
nervousness will gradually disappear, and one day the opportunity will come; the
spiritual sight will unfold.
A SOUND BODY BEING NECESSARY FOR SPIRITUAL
UNFOLDMENT, WHAT DOES THE ROSICRUCIAN TEACHING HOLD OUT TO ONE NOT AT PRESENT IN
THE BEST PHYSICAL CONDITION? WILL PERFECT HEALTH BE ONE RESULT OF THE STUDY OF
THIS PHILOSOPHY, AND IF THE TEACHING IS PRACTICED, WILL IT TEND TO KEEP A PERSON
IN GOOD HEALTH?
ANSWER: The inquirer starts with a
misconception, namely, that a sound body is necessary to true spiritual
unfoldment, and, probably, also forgets the distinction between
"SOUND" and "SENSITIVE." Many people of low development have
a most sound and healthy physical body, but are not at all sensitive with
respect to spiritual vibrations. An illustration will elucidate: The writer has
had an alarm clock, a low-priced time-piece, for a number of years. It has been
packed at times in a trunk handled by baggage men, porters, etc., in an
exceedingly careless manner, and yet when taken out of the trunk, after all the
shaking up and ill-usage, it will still go and keep time after a fashion, that
is to say, if one does not mind a few moments' variation one way or the other.
Such a time-piece is strong and SOUND but not ACCURATE.
On the other hand, a chronometer used on
board ships is an exceedingly delicate time-piece. it rests upon balances which
always keep it in a horizontal position and compensate for the slightest motion
of the ship, so that the chronometer may keep perfect time, for thousands of
lives are at times dependent upon the extreme accuracy of that instrument. A
captain launched upon the trackless ocean knows how far east or west he is from
Greenwich, England, by means of this accurate time-piece--the chronometer. When
he calculates the difference between noon of the place where he finds himself
and the time shown by the chronometer he has a correct gauge of his location, a
gauge to which he trusts the lives of all his passengers and the millions of
dollars' worth of property in his care. A comparison of the sensitive
chronometer and the rough and ready alarm clock illustrates the difference
between "sensitive" and "sound."
When we understand the higher philosophies,
when we live the life that is taught by them, our body becomes extremely
SENSITIVE and must be given more care than is necessary to the body of an Indian
or a Negro in the wilds of Africa. They have no delicately organized nervous
system like the white race. Those who are interested along the lines of
spiritual development are particularly high-strung, therefore, as we progress it
becomes necessary to take more and more care of this instrument. But we also
learn the laws of its nature and how to conform to them. If we apply our
knowledge it is possible for us to have a sensitive instrument and keep it in
comparative health.
There are cases, however, when a sickness is
necessary to bring about certain changes in the body which are precursors of a
higher step in spiritual unfoldment, and under such conditions, of course,
sickness is a blessing and not a curse. In general, however, it may be said that
the study of the highest philosophy will always tend to better one's health,
because "knowledge is power" and the more we know the better we are
able to cope with all conditions, provided, of course, we bring our knowledge
into practice and LIVE THE LIFE--that we are not merely hearers of the word, but
doers also, for no teaching is of any benefit to us unless it is carried into
our lives and lived from day to day.
IN WHAT WAY WILL IT HELP US IN THE LIFE
AFTER DEATH IF WE HAVE CULTIVATED CLAIRVOYANCE IN THE PRESENT LIFE?
ANSWER: In a number of ways. In the first
place, many people have A GREAT FEAR OF DEATH; the very mention of the word
death sends the cold shivers down their backs, and they always avoid the
subject. Fear of death generates thought forms of a hideous nature and when a
person leaves the body at death to enter the Invisible World, he sees those
dread forms surround him as so many fiends, and they sometimes drive him almost
insane. They are his progeny, however, and he cannot rid himself of them until
he learns that they have no power over him and fearlessly bids them be gone.
Then they vanish as dew before the sun.
The man who has cultivated clairvoyance
during earth life is sometimes also tormented on his first entrance into the
Invisible World by various elemental entities which take upon themselves most
hideous forms. They recognize in the neophyte a possible future master and seek
to sway him from his purpose by intimidation, but as he is usually helped by a
teacher and is taught that these beings have no power over him, he very quickly
overcomes fear. When later he leaves his body at death and enters the Invisible
World, he is already familiar with many of the sights and scenes there; above
all he has no fear to hamper him.
WOULD THE CONTEMPLATION OF THE GOD WITHIN,
IF PERSISTENTLY CARRIED ON, AID ONE IN SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND BRING ONE TO
ADEPTSHIP?
ANSWER: We are living at the present time in
the WORKADAY Western World, where it is our duty to fill whatever niche is ours.
Each of us has a work to do, and if we shirk it for the sake of a morbid
introspection, we shall not only not grow, but we shall degenerate spiritually.
Some people, unfortunately, think themselves
justified in leaving their earthly duties when they imagine spiritual progress
calls them, but until we have fulfilled every duty here, there can be no true
spiritual advancement; whatever may seem so will in the end turn out to be dust
and ashes.
The far Eastern countries illustrate, by
horrible example, the evil results of neglect of material duties for the
indiscriminate pursuit of what they imagine to be spiritual power. There people
emaciate and deform the body by such practices as holding an arm above the head
until it withers. That is not true spirituality which does not promote the good
of the whole world. It is sometimes said, that "every herring must hang by
its own gill and every tub must stand upon its own bottom." But it is also
true that what does not tend to life all will never lift anyone. A deep-seated
and heartfelt desire to further the common good is the only valid justification
for expending the effort incident to cultivation of spiritual power. Stories
have been told of mothers attending mothers' meetings to discuss how best to
care for home and children, meanwhile leaving their children in a most untidy
house without care. These stories are not merely exaggerations and jokes; they
contain more truth than poetry. And the people who prate of spirituality, who
desire to contemplate the angel within, to the neglect of their families and
other obvious duties, are on a par with such mothers. The sooner we awake to a
realization of the fact that no present duty, however humble, may be neglected
with impunity for spiritual work, however exalted, the better for ourselves and
all concerned. We would advise the inquirer to read Longfellow's poem, the
"Legend Beautiful." It is very much in point: A monk is kneeling upon
his floor of stone, when a beautiful vision of the Christ appears to him just as
the noonday bell summons him to the gate where the poor are waiting for alms
which it is his duty to give to them each day. There arises in the monk's mind
the question, shall he stay and commune with the Blessed Visitor, or shall he
leave Him for the sake of a parcel of hungry beggars? But a voice within him
says,
"Do thy duty, that is best,
Leave unto thy Lord the rest."
He follows the behest of that voice, leaving
the Vision in his cell wondering if it will be there when he returns. Yet he
feels it is right to do his duty to others regardless of loss to himself, and
when, after having dealt alms to the poor, he returns to his cell, the Vision
greets him with the words: "Hadst thou stayed, I must have fled."
HAS IT NOT BEEN RECORDED THAT CERTAIN
INDIVIDUALS HAVE DEVELOPED SPIRITUAL POWER, CLAIRVOYANCE, SIXTH SENSE, OR
WHATEVER WE WISH TO CALL IT, BY LIVING A CLEAN LIFE IN HARMONY WITH NATURE'S
LAWS, AND DO NOT THE TEACHINGS OF MODERN OCCULTISTS WITH SO MANY TERMS OF
TECHNICALITY HAVE A TENDENCY TO CREATE CONFUSION RATHER THAN BRING THE DESIRED
RESULTS?
ANSWER: The path of development in all cases
depends upon the temperament of the aspirant. There are two paths, THE MYSTIC
and THE INTELLECTUAL. The Mystic is usually devoid of intellectual knowledge; he
follows the dictates of his heart and strives to do the will of God as he FEELS
it, lifting himself upward without being conscious of any definite goal, and in
the end attains to knowledge. In the middle ages people were not as intellectual
as we are nowadays, and those who felt the call of a higher life, usually
followed the mystic path. But, during the last few hundred years, since the
advent of modern science, a more INTELLECTUAL humanity has peopled the earth;
the head has completely overruled the heart, materialism has dominated all
spiritual impulse and the majority of thinking people do not believe anything
they cannot touch, taste or handle. Therefore, it is necessary that appeal
should be made to their intellect in order that the heart may be allowed to
believe what the intellect has sanctioned. As a response to this demand modern
systems of occultism aim to correlate scientific facts to spiritual verities.
The materialistic attitude of mind is, of course, particularly adopted in the
West, and the Rosicrucian Order was founded in the 13th century to prepare an
antidote for poison of materialism which could be administered in doses to suit
the exigencies of the case. Paracelsus, Comenius, Hellmond, Bacon and others
gave in a more veiled manner the teachings now being definitely promulgated to
demonstrate that science, art and religion are a trinity in unity which cannot
be separated without distorting our view.
TRUE RELIGION embodies both science and art,
for it teaches a beautiful life in harmony with the laws of nature.
TRUE SCIENCE is artistic and religious in
the highest sense, for it teaches us to reverence and conform to the laws
governing our well-being and explains why the religious life is conducive to
health and beauty.
TRUE ART is as educational as science and as
uplifting in its influence as religion. In architecture we have a most sublime
presentation of cosmic lines of force in the universe. It fills the spiritual
beholder with a powerful devotion and adoration born of an awe-inspiring
conception of the overwhelming grandeur and majesty of Deity. Sculpture and
painting, music and literature inspire us with a sense of the transcendent
loveliness of God, the immutable source and goal of all this beautiful world.
Nothing short of such an all-embracing
teaching will answer the needs of a large and growing class, therefore the
technical-devotional religion is absolutely necessary at the present time.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO CULTIVATE CLAIRVOYANCE BY
THE USE OF DRUGS, BY CRYSTAL GAZING OR BREATHING EXERCISES, AND DO THESE METHODS
NOT BRING RESULTS QUICKER THAN THE METHODS YOU ADVOCATE?
ANSWER: Yes; it is possible to cultivate a
certain kind of clairvoyance by any of the methods mentioned, but when a man
cultivates the sixth sense by such means he is not master of his faculty; the
power of producing clairvoyance is vested in the crystal and not in the man. He
is in a similar position to one who learns horsemanship at a riding-academy
where the horses are trained to allow themselves to be ridden. The pupils
acquire no ability to deal with intractable animals, but simply ride by
permission of their mount.
If a man learns to break a wild horse he
can break others, and rides by virtue of his own power to master his horse, and
when a man has used will power instead of drugs or a crystal to subdue his body
and cultivate clairvoyance, he has acquired a soul quality which enables him to
exercise his faculty in all future lives. But the crystal gazer and the drug
fiend have lost their power at death, and must wait till they can obtain drugs
or crystals in the new life to train the new body, and thus a great loss of time
and effort results from the use of such methods. When we take into consideration
the fact that drugs and breathing exercises have a dreadfully destructive effect
upon the body, it will be seen that these methods are altogether undesirable.
Many a man is today in the insane asylum or in the grave of the consumptive on
account of breathing exercises, and the effects of drugs are well known.
Besides, there are various kinds of
clairvoyants. There are some who have a faculty of such a nature that the
clairvoyant may be likened to a prisoner who sits in his cell behind bars. The
window in his cell opens upon a certain view; he cannot escape seeing whatever
comes into the range of his vision, for he cannot turn away. There is also a
shutter before his window which he cannot control either. Thus at all times when
that shutter is open he must see whatever passes outside his window whether the
sight pleases him or not. A faculty of that nature is an unmitigated curse, for
sometimes the most dreadful scenes are enacted before the vision of such a
clairvoyant. The writer remembers the case of a certain gentleman, who possessed
that kind of a faculty. Lecturing before a certain society at the time of the
War in the Philippines, a battle scene presented itself before his gaze. An
encounter was taking place at that moment between Filipinos and our soldiers. He
saw horses ripped open and falling with entrails on the ground, our men being
hewn to pieces by the bolos of the natives, etc. Unable to shut off the vision,
he turned deathly pale, but exercise of will-power enabled him to finish his
lecture without attracting attention from the general audience.
There are other clairvoyants who have only
a partial control of their sight and who cannot count on the power at any time.
To this class belongs the ordinary medium who prostitutes the faculty for a fee.
At times, when the power is on, she may give exceedingly good readings and tell
the truth, but at other times, when the power is off, there may be a temptation
to secure the fees needed for office rent and personal expenses by simulating.
The only safe way to cultivate the faculty of clairvoyance is by means of
exercises given by the mystery schools, but these exercises and lessons in the
development of the higher faculties are never sold for gold or any material
consideration. They are always given without money as a reward of merit. The man
who possesses this faculty, cultivated by their method, has no off days, but he
will never consent to use it to gratify anyone's curiosity, for tests or other
frivolous purpose. He directs all his energy to aid in uplifting humanity.
WHAT TIME IN THE MORNING IS BEST FOR
CONCENTRATION?
ANSWER: The object of the exercises, both
morning and evening, is to bring the pupil into conscious touch with the
invisible worlds, and there is no time so good as the morning, for during the
night the spirit withdraws from the dense body and enters the invisible world,
leaving the body asleep upon the bed; and it is the return of the spirit in the
morning which causes the body to awake and focuses our consciousness upon the
material world Through the sense organs. Wordsworth says in his beautiful
"Ode to Immortality":
"Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:
The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star,
Hath had elsewhere its setting, and cometh from afar:
Not in entire forgetfulness, and not in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come from God, who
is our home:
"Heaven lies about us in our infancy!
Shades of the prison-house begin to close
Upon the growing Boy,
But He beholds the light, and whence it flows,
He sees it in his joy.
"The Youth, who daily farther from the east
Must travel, still is Nature's Priest,
And by the vision splendid
Is on his way attended;
At length the Man perceives it die away,
And fade into the light of common day."
During the life of a person, the Inner
Worlds are closest to him in childhood's years, as Wordsworth says, for that is
life's morning, and so it is with us; when we waken in the morning we are in
closer touch with the Spirit Worlds than at any other time of day, and then it
is easiest to return to them. Therefore, THE PUPIL SHOULD COMMENCE HIS EXERCISES
THE VERY MOMENT HE WAKENS, without allowing his mind to rest upon anything else.
He should be particular to relax his body perfectly so that no muscle is tense
and fix his mind upon a high ideal or upon the first five verses of the Gospel
of St. John, either sentence by sentence, or as a whole. That will put him in
touch with cosmic vibrations. He should still the senses so that he can hear
nothing and see nothing in his room. When he succeeds the scenes of the Desire
World will present themselves to his inner vision. First spasmodically, later
more and more clearly, as practice makes him perfect.
For most persons, however, the evening
exercise is of the greater importance and will probably bring results quicker,
because that works upon the life we lead and ennobles us in a way that the
morning exercise cannot.
IT IS DIFFICULT FOR ME TO REVIEW THE EVENTS
OF THE DAY IN REVERSE ORDER WHEN DOING MY EVENING EXERCISES. IS THIS ABSOLUTELY
NECESSARY, AND IF SO, WHY?
ANSWER: In the evening exercise the pupil
reviews and judges his life for that day. He is then doing the work ordinarily
reserved to Purgatory and the First Heaven. There the life is lived backward
from effects to causes in order that we may see HOW AND WHY suffering results
from our mistakes. Reviewing our daily life, in reverse order, from effects to
causes, we note that our troubles and trials have all been caused by previous
acts during the past day or some other day of our life.
It is our task to find that cause and to
analyze the reason which leads up to every development, so that we may know in
future how to take advantage of opportunities for soul growth and avoid evil.
Thus if we follow up the day's experience in reverse order we profit by the
experiences gained right away instead of waiting until we have passed out of
this life and are FORCED to reap the fruits of our deeds in Purgatory and the
First Heaven.
WHAT VALUE ARE BREATHING EXERCISES IN
DEVELOPING BODY AND MIND?
ANSWER: The value of breathing exercises
depends upon the knowledge of the person who gives them. Breathing exercises
given in books and by so-called teachers, who advertise courses in psychic
development, are exceedingly dangerous and many a person is in the insane asylum
today on account of having attempted to use them, or, perhaps, sleeps under the
sod in the grave of a consumptive.
Every human being is an individual and
needs individual exercises. The appropriate exercises can only be given by a
person who is clairvoyant and also able to watch the growth of certain etheric
organs in the physical body of his pupil. He must also know what this growth
should be in each individual case. Anyone who has the ability to thus give this
individual exercise also knows how to check undesirable developments. But such a
teacher does not advertise psychic developments for so much per lesson. Such
exercises are never sold for money, but are always given for merit.
The reason is evident. One who has the
faculty of clairvoyance at command has an enormous power; if misused it can work
more harm than any earthly weapon. it could cause a panic in the markets of the
world, bring about wars and enmities among people anywhere and everywhere, and
thus the possessor would become a scourge to society unless he were also of such
a mind that he would never use his faculty save for good. The powers behind
evolution, the Elder Brothers of humanity who have developed these powers and
are capable of teaching them, take exceeding good care that no one shall attain
to this power until they have given proofs of unselfishness and have been bound
by vows and restrictions. Therefore it may be said that no one should undertake
breathing exercises unless prescribed by the proper teacher, and neither is it
necessary to run about the world seeking such a teacher. The aspirant ought
rather to strive to do good and use the faculties which he now possesses in the
environment where he is, for that is the only proper stepping stone towards a
higher power. When he has sufficiently fitted himself, the teacher will appear
in his life and he will not for a moment be in doubt of the genuineness of the
teaching that will then be given. In this respect we may quote a little poem
that is exceedingly beautiful:
"Don't waste your time in longing
For bright, impossible things;
Don't sit supinely waiting
For the sprouting of angel wings.
Don't scorn to be a rushlight,
Everyone can not be a star;
But brighten some of the darkness
By shining just where you are.
"There's need of the tiniest candle
As well as the garish sun,
And the humblest deed is ennobled
When it is worthily done;
You may never be called on to brighten
Darkened regions afar,
So fill day by day your mission
By shining just where you are."
IS NOT THE INVISIBLE WORLD OF WHICH YOU
SPEAK VERY UNREAL AND SHADOWY IN COMPARISON TO THIS WORLD IN WHICH WE NOW LIVE?
ANSWER: God is the Prime Reality. The
Desire World and the World of Thought are one and two steps nearer to that
central source of energy and hence they are more real. By "real" the
inquirer presumably means that in this world the forms are stable and do not
easily change, whereas in the Invisible Worlds they are more than plastic and
change with the rapidity of thought, but THE LIFE within is the reality and not
THE FORM. Stability is not a mark of reality. Everything in the world which is
now crystallized and stable has first existed in a plastic condition in the
Invisible World. Everything which has been made by the hand of man was first a
thought form in the mind of its maker.
When an architect desires to build a house,
he first thinks it out. He seeks to form an idea as clearly as possible of what
the house is to be. Could the workmen see the thought form in the mind of the
architect, they would be able to work from that without plans, but the
architect's idea is hidden from them by the veil of flesh and, therefore, it is
necessary for the architect to put his idea on paper and make a plan. This is
the first stage of crystallization; afterward the workmen build the house in
iron, wood and stone.
According to the ideas of most people this
house is much more real than the thought form in the mind of the architect, but
in reality that is not so. The concrete house may be destroyed in a moment by
earthquake, by dynamite, or in other ways, but THE IDEA in the architect's mind
will last as long as he lives and from that idea a new house, or a dozen, may be
built at any time, yes, even after the death of the architect the house will
still exist as a model in the ether, and any clairvoyant capable of contacting
the Invisible Worlds and reading in the memory of nature is capable of seeing it
there at any time, though millions of years may elapse. Thus the Invisible World
is the source and everlasting record of all that is or was here, hence it is the
prime reality.
SECTION VII
QUESTIONS CONCERNING ASTROLOGY
DIAGRAM 17:
The Path of the Unused Sex Currents in the Mystic, the Occultist & The Adept
IS IT POSSIBLE THAT ASTROLOGY AND PALMISTRY
CAN BE TRUE, INASMUCH AS WE COULD AVERT COMING DISASTER BY BEING FOREWARNED IN
THAT MANNER? AND WOULD THIS NOT INTERFERE WITH OUR DESTINY?
ANSWER: The destiny which we generate under
the law of causation by our own acts may be divided into three kinds. In the
first place, there is the destiny which from the very nature of the case we
cannot expiate in the present life; for instance, when a man commits murder,
whether he suffers the penalty for it here or not, the prison life usually does
not have the effect of making him more mellow and kind. Sometimes it does the
reverse; it makes him bitter and turns his hand against all. Before nature will
be satisfied, he must learn that he may not deprive a fellow being of his form;
he must learn to SERVE. Thus the case is not satisfied until he has had the
opportunity at a future time to render service of importance to his previous
victim.
A second kind of destiny we reap from day
to day; it is, we might say, as a cash transaction, we pay as we go. If we
overeat, we have indigestion; if we go out without sufficient clothing, we take
cold, etc.
A third kind is called "ripe" or
"mature" destiny. It is the result of our actions in past lives or in
our early years, which has matured into effect so far that it is embodied in the
pictures shown a spirit as the panorama of its coming life when starting toward
rebirth. Once the spirit has chosen a certain life with the 'ripe" destiny
allotted for liquidation by the Recording Angels, it is bound by its choice. the
TENDENCIES to act in a manner conducive to adjustment of this mature destiny are
inherent in the body and inscribed in the stars, for the stellar influences are
the source of man's activity, and therefore this mature destiny may be seen from
the horoscope at birth, standing out with exceeding clearness, so that it is
very plain and patent to the spiritually minded astrologer or palmist. He can
also see the other kinds of destiny and may sometimes mistake one kind for the
other and hence be wrong in his view as to whether an event can be avoided or
not. If it is "ripe" destiny, it will be impossible to avoid it
despite all warnings, as perhaps the following instance may serve to show:
In 1906 the writer gave some lessons in
astrology to Mr. L., a well known lecturer, in Los Angeles, using the
gentleman's own horoscope for purposes of instruction, as that enables the pupil
to check the truth of the interpretations of the symbols so far as the past is
concerned, and lends more interest than when using the horoscope of a stranger.
It was found that Mr. L. had had a number of accidents; these were figured to
the day when they happened. An impending accident, due to occur at the time of
the new moon, July 21, 1906, was also noted. Mr. L. was, therefore, warned to
stay in the house on that day and the seventh day after, the latter date being
regarded as the more dangerous. He was told that there would be danger of an
accident to the lower part of the head, the neck, breast and arms, in
consequence of a short journey by bicycle, buggy or electric car.
Mr. L. was much impressed and promised to
stay at home on the dates named. The writer went North and from there wrote
reminding Mr. L. of his danger just before the time it was due. He received a
letter assuring him that Mr. L. would be careful.
The next communication regarding the matter
came from a mutual friend and stated that Mr. L. had gone to Sierra Madre to
lecture on the twenty-eighth of July and had been hurt in the places mentioned
in the prediction by a collision with a locomotive. The writer wondered why his
instructions had been so disregarded, and the answer came three months later
when Mr. L. thanked him for the information which had been very valuable to him,
as he said, in proving the truth of astrology. The reason for the accident was
that he had forgotten the date. He wrote "I thought the 28th was the
29th."
This case, in the estimation of the writer,
shows that MATURE destiny cannot be interfered with and that we may safely do
anything we can to avoid impending danger without fear of interfering with the
law of causation. There are invisible agencies around us to counteract any move
upon our part which would interfere, and in the opinion of the writer they were
responsible for Mr. L.'s confusion of dates.
IS IT WRONG TO USE PALMISTRY, ASTROLOGY OR
PHRENOLOGY AS A MEANS OF LIVELIHOOD?
ANSWER: What is right or wrong depends upon
the viewpoint of the individual. Less than fifty years ago it was thought right
to kill a refractory Negro. His master could do so with impunity as he may
nowadays kill a hog or a horse. Today we would consider that murder. Some people
today look upon astrology as merely a matter of calculation and upon palmistry
and phrenology as material sciences, without any spiritual significance. Who
thus views these sciences would be blameless if he used them as a means of
livelihood, while anyone who had obtained an idea of the spiritual side of these
sciences would, in the estimation of the writer, be prostituting his knowledge.
Besides, no one who thus belittles these spiritual sciences can ever give the
highest and best advice to his clients, for the glimmer of gold will always
obscure the judgment. Such has been the experience of the writer and many others
who hold the same views. The inquirer, at any rate, would do wrong to use his
knowledge of these spiritual sciences for a livelihood, for his question shows
that he must have misgivings; and then he is already judged from within if he
prostitutes his talent.
There is a reward that is much more than
gold. If we use our knowledge to heal and to help we shall never lack means of
living and we shall be laying up treasure in heaven where neither moth nor rust
corrupt. Greater and better opportunities for service will be ours if we devote
our talents to unselfish service.
ARE MARS, JUPITER AND OTHER PLANETS
INHABITED; IF SO, ARE THOSE PEOPLE SUPERIOR TO THE PEOPLE ON THE EARTH; DO THE
SOULS FROM THE EARTH EVER REINCARNATE ON OTHER PLANETS AND VICE VERSE?
ANSWER: All the planets in the solar system
are inhabited and are fields of evolution for different classes of spirits at
various stages of development. The planets nearest to the sun support the beings
which are most evolved. Jupiter forms an exception to this rule; it is peopled
by a humanity slightly higher than that of the earth.
The principle is this: The highest
vibrations exist in the central sun, which at one time contained all the beings
now dwelling upon the different planets. But not all were able to sustain the
terrific vibrations of that central firemist; therefore, a crystallization took
place at the poles; gradually the crystallized matter gravitated toward the
equator and was expelled, with the spirits dwelling thereon. That first
emanation became Uranus. Later on other classes of spirits have crystallized a
part of the sun and been expelled to move in orbits at varying distances from
the central source, according to the rate of vibration necessary for the
unfoldment of the spirits upon them, forming eventually the solar system as we
know it now.
Each class of spirits stays in its
environment, being under the direct tutelage and guidance of one of the
Planetary Spirits whose body is the planet where they dwell. As the spirits have
been incarnated on different planets because they are at widely different stages
of spiritual unfoldment, they do not usually incarnate upon the other planets,
save that at times some from the inner planets are sent as teachers' to the
outer spheres. This, at least, was the case when our humanity needed teachers,
embodied and visible. Then some of the beings from Venus and mercury were
brought to the earth to guide nascent humanity. They were known as messengers of
the Gods and these lords from Venus were the first kings and rulers over the
human race. Later on the most precocious among human beings were turned over to
the lords of mercury who initiated them into the mysteries and these, in turn,
became the rulers over their brethren. They were then truly kings BY THE GRACE
OF GOD, ruling the people for their upliftment and good, regardless of power and
self aggrandizement.
DOES NOT THE NEBULAR THEORY ACCOUNT FOR THE
EXISTENCE OF THE UNIVERSE IN A MUCH MORE SCIENTIFIC MANNER THAN THE CREATION
STORIES OF THE BIBLE?
ANSWER: THE NEBULAR THEORY WAS REJECTED BY
HERBERT SPENCER BECAUSE, LIKE THE BIBLE, IT POSTULATES A FIRST CAUSE.
Viewed briefly, the theory is this, that at
one time there appeared in space a firemist, SPONTANEOUSLY. Within that
firemist, currents started, ALSO SPONTANEOUSLY, and that under the impact of
these currents, the firemist took a spherical shape, revolving with intense
rapidity. The centrifugal force caused it to throw off a ring which
disintegrated, the fragments coalesced and became a planet revolving in an orbit
around the central mass. Thus different planets were brought into existence one
after another. They cooled gradually, and at last the solar system was complete.
Upon one of these planets at least, there appeared, SPONTANEOUSLY, Life, or
protoplasm, which gradually evolved through the different classes of Radiates,
Mollusks, Articulates and Vertebrates, finally flowering in man, who is the
highest Intelligence in the Cosmos, lord of all he surveys.
This the scientist says, with a wise mien,
and may also add: "Don't you see how simple and reasonable this is? If not,
let me show you by a demonstration." He may then take a basin full of water
and pour a little oil upon the surface, the water to represent space and the oil
the firemist. He may then take a needle and commence to stir the oil in
imitation of the currents generated in the firemist, and under his stirring the
oil will take a spherical shape. Gradually the sphere will bulge at the equator,
a ring will be thrown off and shape itself into a planet which will revolve
around its primary and the scientist will then triumphantly say: "There,
don't you see how natural it is, not the slightest need for your God!"
We only wonder that the men who have a mind
capable of conceiving this splendid demonstration can at the same time be so
dull that they do not see that they, themselves, take the place of God, who
thought out and brought into being the universe as the scientists conceived
their demonstration, and carried it into execution. God by his power preserves
our universe and moves the planets as the scientist moves his oil-planet, and
were God to cease his activity for a single moment, cosmos would instantly
resolve itself into a conglomerate chaos as the oil-sun and planet cease to be
the moment the scientist discontinues his operation.
Therefore, so far from refuting the
assertion of the Bible that God is the Creator and sustainer of the cosmos, the
nebular theory demonstrates the necessity for divine interference most
thoroughly, and when properly understood, there is no essential difference
between the scientific and religion conception.
WHAT ARE COMETS?
ANSWER: Contemplating the wisdom of the
Great Creative Hierarchies as compared with our own, we would naturally feel
inclined to think that they are above mistakes; but upon second thought it
appears reasonable that as they are yet evolving, though learning lessons far
beyond us, they must at times make mistakes. They are active in the Macrocosm,
the "Great World," the Body of God, as we are working in the
Microcosm, the "Little World," composed of our different vehicles, and
just as we make mistakes in handling our affairs and in learning the lessons we
are learning, so also the Great Creative hierarchies at times fail in their
labors.
We know that when bringing a child to birth
there may be a miscarriage. The fetus is then expelled from the system and at
once commences to decay. There is a similar risk when a world is in the making,
namely, that it crystallizes or sets before it has completed the period of
gestation in the Desire World. Then it has not been properly molded, and may be
likened to plaster of Paris mixed by a sculptor to form a beautiful statue, but
set before it was molded--a shapeless, useless mass. When this happens in the
making of the world, we have what is known as a comet, and the elliptic orbit
which it travels is the path of a current in the Desire World. We have something
similar to the comets in the appearance of the Ego before it enters the womb of
the mother. Then that is also such a bell-shaped thing with a nucleus at the top
and a great deal of material flowing behind it similar to the tail of the comet.
And these bell shaped reincarnating Egos also traverse elliptic orbits around
the earth, until it is necessary for them to enter the womb of the future
mother.
DOES THE MOVEMENT OF A PLANET THROUGH SPACE
CREATE A NOISE?
ANSWER: Pythagoras spoke of the harmony of
the spheres, and he did not use that expression simply as a poetical allusion.
There is such a harmony. We are told by John that in the beginning was the word
. . . and without it was nothing made that was made. That was the creative fiat
which first started the world into being. The familiar experiment of placing
sand upon a glass plate and creating geometrical figures by bowing the edge with
a violin bow, illustrates the creative ability of sound. And we hear of
celestial music, for from the point of the heaven World, everything is first
created in terms of sound, which then molds concrete matter into the
multitudinous forms which we see around us.
In the occultist's sphere of vision, the
whole solar system is one vast musical instrument, spoken of in the Greek
mythology as "the seven-stringed lyre of Apollo, the radiant Sun God."
As there are twelve semi-tones in the chromatic scale, so we have in the
heavens, twelve signs of the zodiac, and as we have the seven white keys or
whole tones on the keyboard of the piano, we have seven planets. The signs of
the zodiac may be said to be the sounding-board of the cosmic harp and the seven
planets are the strings; they emit different sounds as they pass through the
various signs, and therefore they influence mankind in diverse manner. Should
the harmony fail for one single moment, should there be the slightest discord in
that heavenly band, this whole universe as such must crumble. For music can
destroy as well as build. This has been well proven by great musicians. For
instance, the grandson of the immortal Felix Mendelssohn has for several years
been experimenting with the power of sound in that direction. He has come to the
conclusion that once we find the keynote of a building, bridge or other
structure, we may raze that structure to the ground by sounding that not
sufficiently loud and long. An illustration in point occurs to the writer:
"A few years ago a band of musicians
were rehearsing near an old ruin outside the city of Heidelberg, Germany. At one
point in their exercises they came to an extremely high pitched and long
continued note, and as they sounded it the massive wall of the nearby ruin
tumbled to the ground with a tremendous crash. They had struck the keynote of
that wall and it fell." In view of these facts, our supercilious smiles of
bygone days when listening to the story of Joshua and the walls of Jericho are
no longer in place. The sound of the ram's horn undoubtedly struck the keynote
of those walls which had been much sensitized by the rhythmic tramp of his army
in preparation for this final climax. The rhythmic tramp of many feet will
destroy any bridge, and therefore soldiers are instructed to break step when
crossing a bridge. So that we may say in answer to the question that every plant
gives out a certain keynote which is the sum total of all the noises upon it,
blended and harmonized by the indwelling Planetary Spirit. That sound can be
heard by the spirit ear. As Goethe says:
"The sun intones his ancient song
Mid rival chant of brother spheres;
His prescribed course he speeds along
In thunderous way, throughout the years."
This, from the first part of Faust, the
prologue in heaven. And also in the second part of Faust, spirits of air greet
the rising sun with the words:
"Sound unto the spirit ear proclaims the new born day
is here;
Rocky gates are creaking, rattling,
Phoebus' wheels are rolling, singing--
What sound intense the light is bringing."
WHAT IS THE ESOTERIC SIGNIFICANCE OF THE
USE OF THE NAMES OF THE TWELVE SONS OF JACOB IN CONNECTION WITH THE TWELVE SIGNS
OF THE ZODIAC, AND ARE THESE USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE EARTH'S ZODIAC OR THE
SUN'S ZODIAC, OR BOTH?
ANSWER: There is only one zodiac, the
twelve constellations which we call Aries, Taurus, etc. These are the stars,
located in a narrow belt about eight degrees each side of the ecliptic, or the
sun's path, as viewed from the earth. The twelve sons and one daughter of Jacob
are identified with the twelve constellations, because Josephus mentions that
the Israelites wandering in the wilderness carried emblems of these twelve
groups of stars on their banner. In the 49th chapter of Genesis and the 33rd
chapter of Deuteronomy, are pronounced blessings upon his twelve sons in such a
manner that it is impossible to one who knows astronomy not to see a resemblance
between the description of these sons and the twelve signs of the zodiac.
Also, if we regard the manner of pitching
the camp of the Israelites--grouping the twelve tribes around the tabernacle
where the seven branched candlestick was--we see again a reference to the
astronomical disposition of the twelve signs of the zodiac outside of the seven
planets, which are the lights of the solar system, the House of God.
The spiritual reason of the analogy between
Jacob, his wives, their children and the cosmos, may be found in the hermetic
axiom, as above, so below. Jacob, with his four wives, symbolize the sun and the
four phases of the moon, which are the givers of life to all that live upon
earth; the twelve sons and one daughter symbolize the Creative Hierarchies,
which have been active in the evolution of our solar system and have brought not
only humanity but also all the various other kingdoms to their present stage of
evolutionary attainment, and are working with them now in order to still further
develop them into spiritual beings. It was they who made man in their likeness.
Even to this day humanity is stamped with the characteristics of the twelve
celestial signs. Therefore the original Semites, who were to be the progenitors
of a new race, were divided into twelve classes by their leader, each class
representing one of the constellations.
CAN YOU GIVE AN IDEA OF THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN HELIOCENTRIC AND GEOCENTRIC ASTROLOGY? IS THE GEOCENTRIC CONCERNED ONLY
WITH THE AFFAIRS OF THIS EARTH THE MATERIAL LIFE, AND THE HELIOCENTRIC WITH THE
SOUL OR THE SPIRITUAL SIDE? THE SUN, BEING THE SPIRITUAL PLANET AND THE RULER OF
OUR SOLAR SYSTEM, WOULD LEAD TO THIS CONCLUSION, INASMUCH AS WE USE THE SUN'S
ZODIAC IN HELIOCENTRIC ASTROLOGY AND THE EARTH'S ZODIAC IN GEOCENTRIC. CAN
PREDICTIONS IN THIS LIFE EVER BE MADE BY THE SUN'S ZODIAC, OR IS THE LATTER
SIMPLY CONCERNED WITH THE SPIRITUAL SIDE OF A PERSON'S NATURE?
ANSWER: One of the objections raised to the
ancient system of astrology is that it regards the earth as the center of the
solar system in the same manner as the ancients did, and that since Copernicus
showed us that the planets move around the sun, many people regard astrology as
"an exploded science," a palpably proven fallacy, and in order to
overcome this objection, certain astrologers in modern times have invented what
is called "heliocentric Astrology," which regards the sun as the
center of our solar system and the planets as moving about it.
It is perfectly true that, scientifically
speaking, the geocentric system of astrology, which regards the earth as a
center, is incorrect. And it is wrong when we say that the sun is in Cancer when
it is really the earth traveling in its orbit that has come to the sign
Capricorn and, therefore, it appears to us here upon the earth as if the sun
were in Cancer. But that is not the crux; it really does not matter which of the
two bodies has moved, THE ASTROLOGER JUDGES BY THE POSITIONS OF THE PLANETS
RELATIVE TO THE EARTH. And it is much more convenient to regard the planets as
moving round the earth as the center than it is to use the opposite system, for
in the geocentric system we note the relationships of the planets AS THEY APPEAR
FROM OUR EARTH and note the effects upon various people at the time when such
planetary influences were felt, and so, BY EXPERIENCE, we have come to our
present system of judgment, which is, therefore, as true today as it ever was.
"The proof of the pudding is in the eating," says the homely old
proverb. The proof of astrology is in the truth of its predictions, and no one
who has honestly studied this science and has tried to test it for himself can
fail to find this truth.
Predictions sometimes fail because the
astrologer misinterprets, but even allowing for the fallibility of the
astrologer, there is, nevertheless, such a mass of predictions which come true
that it is quite beyond explanation as a coincidence.
The geocentric system is correct and takes
in all sides of man's nature, not only the material manifestation but also the
spiritual side. The heliocentric system, on the other hand, has been trumped up
by people who aim to conform to science and have no concern with the spiritual
side of nature, therefore that is the least satisfactory. Besides, while those
who have used the geocentric astrology for many centuries have recorded their
observations of the effects of the planets from that standpoint, there is very
little of such empirical knowledge from the standpoint of the heliocentric
system, which we would advise the inquirer to leave alone.
HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO GET ON GOOD TERMS
WITH SATURN? THE INQUIRER HAS BEEN UNDER HIS INFLUENCE ALL HIS LIFE. SICKNESS,
POVERTY, LOSS OF INHERITANCE AND ACCIDENTS ARE BAD ENOUGH, BUT CAN SATURN ALSO
CAUSE US TROUBLE SPIRITUALLY; CAN HE PUT BARRIERS UP FOR OUR UNFOLDMENT WHEN OUR
SPIRIT IS STRUGGLING FOR THE GOOD, AND ARE WE LIBERATED FROM HIS INFLUENCE WHEN
WE PASS OUT AT DEATH?
ANSWER: Materialistic astrologists speak of
Uranus, Saturn, and Mars as evil, while Venus and Jupiter are called good. in
God's kingdom there is nothing evil. That which appears so is only good in the
making. Neither must it be imagined that the influences from any of the planets
operate TO HARASS MEN. We have come into this world in order to get certain
experiences necessary to our spiritual unfoldment, and when we seek to
understand the stellar influences we shall find that they are potent factors in
helping us to gain just that experience. Saturn is the chastener. When we have
gone astray from the path of righteousness, willfully or unwittingly, we are not
allowed to continue in evil, for Saturn comes to stop us. Perhaps we have gained
an inheritance; we misuse and squander it in every direction. In doing so, we
usually abuse our body as well. Then comes an aspect to Saturn, a sickness
ensues and we are laid low. We are forced to diet and to give our system a rest,
and as a result we arise from our sick-bed a new man or a new woman. But the
question is, have we learned our lesson? During our repose upon the sick-bed, we
have had time to think over the life we have been leading. Have we analyzed our
life, so that we understand the causes that brought us low? If so, we have
profited. For then we shall know how to do better and avoid the pitfalls that
caused our sickness in the future. Or, our inheritance being altogether
squandered we stand with empty pockets upon the street. Perhaps we can turn
nowhere for help; we are then forced to think and to break a way for ourselves.
Our talents were useless while we were squandering our money. In poverty they
are turned to account, we are forced to use them in doing our share of the
world's work. We have lost our inheritance, but the world has gained a worker,
and if we have learned our lesson in that way, then the influence of Saturn has
been a blessing in disguise.
And so it is with everything in the
horoscope that may appear evil. Besides, the more spiritual we grow the less
will these so-called evil planets or evil aspects affect us adversely. They are
transmuted to good. Saturn will not give disaster to the spiritual man, but
persistence; not sickness, but strength; and thus, by conforming to the laws of
nature, BY LIVING OUR LIVES IN HARMONY WITH THE STARS, we rule them and change
our lives as we desire.
The greater part of humanity drifts with
the tide and acts according to the tendencies implanted by the stellar
influences. Therefore, the astrologer can predict what they will do with
wonderful accuracy. But the more a man or woman lives the spiritual life the
more he becomes a factor to be taken into consideration, and the predictions of
the astrologer will fail as far as he is concerned in a measure corresponding to
his attainment.
The stars are our helpers in evolution.
They are not dead bodies of matter but the living, throbbing and vibrating
bodies of great spiritual intelligences called in the Christian religion the
Seven Spirits before the throne. As we change, their influence upon us changes,
but we do not escape from that influence by the mere incident of death. When the
morning of a new life dawns for us, we shall arise with a new horoscope, and if
we have aimed to grow spiritually, to learn the lessons that the Star Angeles
have aimed to teach us in the past life, we shall have new aspects and new
positions of the planets to help us further along the path of evolution. On the
other hand, if we have "kicked against the pricks" in a previous life,
we shall find that THE SCREWS WILL HAVE BEEN PUT ON A LITTLE HARDER, that we
will have been placed under influences a little stronger, so that in the end we
must learn the lessons. And the quicker we do so, the better for us.
HOW MAY WE PRAY TO OR ADDRESS SATURN WHEN
HE IS IN THE RULING STAR CAUSING US TROUBLE AND SORROW?
ANSWER: To understand what prayer is, let
us use the illustration of an electric power house with wires to the different
houses in the city. In each house there is a switch and when we turn that, the
power which was hitherto outside in the wires and in the power house, enters our
dwelling, illuminates it or runs motors, ACCORDING TO THE LAWS OF ITS
MANIFESTATION. We may say that God primarily and the Seven planetary Spirits
secondarily correspond to the power house which is wired to everyone of us, and
prayer may be said to be the switch whereby we put ourselves in touch with the
divine light and life, allowing it to flow into us and illuminate us for our
spiritual uplifting.
It is a law that electricity will flow
readily along copper or other metals, but is barred by glass, and before we can
get the electricity into our houses we must have a switch MADE IN CONFORMITY
WITH THIS LAW, a copper switch. If we used a glass switch we would obtain no
electricity; the glass switch would be a most effective way of altogether
barring the electric fluid from our dwelling. In similar manner, if our prayers
(which correspond to the switch) are in conformity with the laws of God, the
divine purpose can manifest through us and our prayers are answered, but if we
pray contrary to the will of God, naturally, such a prayer would operate in a
similar manner to a glass switch in an electric circuit.
As a great nation sends its ambassador and
plenipotentiaries to other nations, so there are also ambassadors from each one
of the great Star Angels present upon our earth. Their names are as follows:
Ithuriel is the ambassador from Uranus.
Cassiel is the ambassador from Saturn.
Zachariel is the ambassador from Jupiter.
Samael is the ambassador from Mars.
Anael is the ambassador from Venus.
Raphael is the ambassador from Mercury.
Michael is the ambassador from the Sun.
Gabriel is the ambassador from the Moon.
The moon is our satellite and is not in the
same position as those of the other planets. The ambassadors from those planets
are Archangels, while Gabriel is an Angel.
Ordinarily humanity prays to God. These
prayers are at the present time mostly SELFISH and ignorant. The prayers of such
people cannot receive attention from the ambassadors who have charge over the
different departments of life, but are generally attended to, as far as may be,
by the Invisible Helpers who work for the upliftment of their brethren. The
occult astrologer, however, who knows what he wants and is able to work in
harmony with the stellar forces, addresses the ambassadors of the Star Angels
directly and obtains his desire more easily in that way. He studies the
planetary hours when those stars have rule and at that time proffers his request
which is usually for someone else, or for spiritual illumination concerning
certain matters to be used for the common good.
SECTION VIII
QUESTIONS CONCERNING ANIMALS
WHY DO ANIMALS, WHICH ARE A LOWER
EVOLUTION, HAVE AN INSTINCT WHICH SEEMS SO MUCH MORE RELIABLE THAN THE REASON OF
HUMAN BEINGS?
ANSWER: The answer to that question has to
do with the descent of the Ego into matter, but in the first place, we must
differentiate between the separate animal spirits and the group spirit, which is
their guardian. The separate animal spirits are as yet not SELF-conscious, hence
they act without question according to the suggestions of the group spirit. The
latter is an entity belonging to a different evolution, and it functions in the
Invisible Worlds where things are much more apparent than they are here. It
follows, therefore, that what we call instinct is really the suggestions of the
group spirit in the Invisible World which guides the animals.
The human spirits, on the other hand, have
descended directly into the Physical World and are, consequently, blinded to a
certain extent by the denser matter of this plane of existence. An illustration
may perhaps serve to elucidate the reason of the fact that although the spirit
is exceedingly wise in the higher worlds, the increased materiality which it
attains on account of its descent necessarily obscures that wisdom.
The hand is the most valuable instrument of
man and its dexterity is perhaps nowhere more apparent than in the case of a
musician. A master musician may produce from his beloved instrument the most
soul stirring melody by the caressing touch of his well trained and sensitive
fingers, but let him put on a pair of gloves and at once the delicate touch has
vanished; if he adds a second pair of gloves over the first pair and these are
thicker and of heavier material, he will probably be unable to produce even a
melody, and should he finally put a pair of mitts over the gloves, he would be
unable to play at all, but would produce discord should he make the attempt. The
various gloves on the hand of a musician find their counterpart in the different
vehicles which the spirit puts on in its descent into matter. The mitt
corresponds to the physical body.
Anyone seeing the musician attempt to play
with the mitt on his hand, and who had not heard him play before he put on
gloves, might suppose him incapable of playing, but the inference would be
wrong. The human Ego is in a similar position, its spiritual powers have been
obscured by the vehicles in which it is at present incased, but there will come
a time when it has learned how to use these vehicles properly and then its
spiritual power will shine forth in a splendor at present unimaginable.
CAN YOU THROW SOME LIGHT ON WHAT OUR
ATTITUDE TOWARD THE LOWER FORMS OF LIFE SHOULD BE?
HAVE WE THE RIGHT TO KILL ANYTHING
HARMLESS, SINCE EVERY LIVING THING IS IN A SENSE OUR BROTHER?
HOW ABOUT THE VENOMOUS INSECTS AND
REPTILES?
ANSWER: There is only One Life in the
Universe, which is God's life. "In Him we live, and move and have our
being." And not only we, but all that lives is thus a manifestation of God.
We are in time to become creators, as He is a Creator. But so long as we
brutally destroy the forms of other beings we are hindering ourselves. The
inquirer is right when he says that the lower animals are our brothers, but, sad
to say, instead of caring for them and inspiring them with confidence and love,
we have managed to make ourselves feared by every animal upon the face of the
earth by the ruthless destruction we have spread among them, and it seems but a
just retribution that we, ourselves, should be in constant fear of microscopic
life in the form of bacilli, which cannot be killed by gun or knife.
As for the destructive insects and
reptiles, they may in many cases be said to be an embodiment of our own evil
thoughts and produced by our own unclean habits. Science has shows us how by
proper sanitation we may get rid of them, at least in a very great measure,
without the necessity of killing them. The larger reptiles, such as snakes, are
not as dangerous as they are often thought to be. In the temples in India, where
certain classes of people have cultivated an attitude of absolute harmlessness
by refusing to kill even the smallest thing, one may see as a daily occurrence
venomous snakes crawling among the people congregated there, never doing them
the slightest harm, and if we would cultivate a harmless attitude toward the
lower creatures they would soon learn to trust us as they now fear us. Stories
are on record of sailors who went to desert islands where man's foot had never
before trodden, and found the birds there perfectly devoid of fear until a
number had been killed by the invading ruffians. Then the birds learned to fly
away at the approach of man.
We have also made human beings into beasts
of prey--thieves and robbers we call them--who waylay their fellow-men, deprive
them of their goods and often harm them bodily, even to committing murder, and
all as a result of our harsh treatment which is dictated by fear. If we had love
we should have no fear, "for perfect love casteth out all fear"; and
if we had no fear, nothing could harm us, for the fearless and trusting attitude
is a safer protection than pistol and lock. Therefore, we should cultivate that
attitude of love for everything that lives and breathes; we should cease killing
the lower animals by the million for food, and for sport, which is the worst
form of cruelty. An attitude of love toward our fellow men would generate in
them similar emotions and locksmiths and gun makers would very soon be useless.
We complain of the enormous taxes necessary to support a strong police force,
the machinery of the courts, great jails and penitentiaries, but all of these
institutions would disappear as if by magic IF WE WOULD REPLACE FEAR BY LOVE.
The Bible pictures to us a time when the lion and the ox, the little child and
the venomous reptile shall all play together in peace. That may indeed become a
fact, for the beasts of prey have not always been carnivorous. In the far past
man had his share in their development, and in the future it will be his task to
change these conditions.
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