Re: [E-Theosophy] Studies in Self-Development - The Necessary Heart Qualities Dear Friends, Thanks to Steve. This is an excellent material for all theosophists. We now learn theosophy is theoretical and the more practical side of theosophy is practical occultism. And the latter is indicated by 3 qualities of the heart (that makes a theosophist): of pure, unselfish life, who finds more joy in helping his neighbour than in receiving help himself; one who is ever ready to sacrifice his own pleasures for the sake of other people; and who loves Truth, Goodness and Wisdom for their own sake, not for the benefit they may confer... HPB. Kid regards, Noel Emmanuel Ikan Astillero 1592 Camino de la Fe St. Guadlupe Nuevo Makati 1212 PHILIPPINES Mobile Land On Mon, Jul 7, 2014 at 12:31 PM, Steve Levy levy0676@aol [E-Theosophy] < E-Theosophy@yahoogroups> wrote: > > > > Studies in Self-Development - The Necessary Heart Qualities > > We begin our studies in Self-Development by considering the full text of > the article, “Practical Occultism,” by H.P. Blavatsky. > > The purpose of this article as stated by H.P.B. is to clarify the > essential difference between theoretical Occultism, or what is known as > Theosophy, and practical Occultism, or Occult Science. Additionally, for > those who are looking for practical instruction in Occultism, she tries to > be clear as to the difficulties involved in the study of the latter. > Fortunately, there is hope. Even the philosophical doctrines of > “theoretical Occultism” can be very practical in everyday life. > > She begins the article by describing what it takes to be or become a > Theosophist. On this path of Self–Development, the intellectual capacities > are not nearly so important as the heart qualities. However, it is > important that the intellect be inclined to consider and study the > metaphysical side of the human being and nature that is beyond the limited > range of the physical senses and has more to do with the ideal causes of > existence rather than the resulting phenomena of life. > > She identifies three heart qualities that most characteristically describe > a Theosophist and need to be cultivated by those who aspire to be a > Theosophist in reality, and not just one in name. > > The first quality is a pure and unselfish heart. In order for the heart to > be pure it must be cleansed of all malevolent thought and feeling, and all > selfish motives. As the devotional books repeatedly inform us, this > cleansing can best be accomplished by inwardly renouncing all desire for > personal reward from the results of action. Our motives run deep and our > personal desires may be very subtle. Daily self-examination of motives and > desires in the light of our highest ideal should be attempted. > Self-Discipline is required so that we do not neglect this important part > of the inner work. The result of this Self-examination and Self-discipline > is a better understanding of the personal and transient part of our nature > compared to the impersonal immortal part.We learn best by contrast. > > The second quality is a profoundly joyful and content heart. This state of > inner bliss comes from sacrificing ones own pleasures and desires for the > sake of the needs of others. Self-sacrifice is its own reward. This does > not mean that the heart will not bleed and the path will be free of > suffering. Until the heart is purified by the Self-Discipline of > sacrificing what is dearer to us for what is better for another, the path > is one of woe. In order to really understand what is better for another, it > is necessary to know what is beneficial to the human heart in general. This > can only be accomplished by Self-Knowledge of ones own heart. One needs to > look at the truth of ones nature steadfastly and sternly in the face. > > The third heart quality is the love of Truth, Goodness, and Wisdom for > their own sake, and not for the benefits they confer. These three objects > of love are actually inseparable for one cannot love or obtain one without > the other. There are many objects of love, including these three, which may > be sought after for the benefits they bestow upon the person. However, of > all the objects of love, only these three are self-existent, constant, > eternal and universal. They cannot be given or taken away. They are not in > fact objects separate from us. They are woven indelibly into the fabric of > our spiritual being and spiritual life. To have a love of these qualities > is to live in the Self-knowledge of the potential of ones spiritual nature. > The Self-discipline required is the will to devote oneself to that which we > sense we are in potential, so that we may develop the full potency of that > Truth, Goodness, and Wisdom within for the benefit of others. > > H.P.B. states that it is easy to become a Theosophist. It may be easy > compared to becoming a practical occultist, or even becoming suitable to be > instructed in the practical application of the occult sciences. Becoming a > Theosophist is easy for some and harder for others. Nevertheless, what > every sincere traveler on the path to Self-development can do is take the > first step. If one should falter or stumble on the second step - the best > thing to do is to just keep trying. It is effort that makes us what we are > and what we become on the spiritual plane of being, and that is the real > enduring plane of Self-development. > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > > Excerpt: > > PRACTICAL OCCULTISM > > Important To Students > > “AS some of the letters in the CORRESPONDENCE of this month show, there > are many people who are looking for practical instruction in Occultism. It > becomes necessary, therefore, to state once for all:-- > > (a) The essential difference between theoretical and practical Occultism; > or what is generally known as Theosophy on the one hand, and Occult science > on the other, and:-- > (b) The nature of the difficulties involved in the study of the latter. > It is easy to become a Theosophist. Any person of average intellectual > capacities, and a leaning toward the meta-physical; of pure, unselfish > life, who finds more joy in helping his neighbour than in receiving help > himself; one who is ever ready to sacrifice his own pleasures for the sake > of other people; and who loves Truth, Goodness and Wisdom for their own > sake, not for the benefit they may confer--is a Theosophist.” > > Sent from my iPad > __._,_.___ > ------------------------------ > Posted by: Steve Levy > ------------------------------ > Reply via web post > > • Reply to sender > > • Reply to group > > • Start a New Topic > > • Messages in this topic > > (1) > Visit Your Group > > > - New Members > > 5 > > [image: Yahoo! Groups] > > • Privacy • > Unsubscribe > • Terms of Use > > . > > __,_._,___ >
Posted on: Mon, 07 Jul 2014 09:43:33 +0000
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