HIGH ON A MOUNTAIN
OVERLOOKING THE VALLEY
TWO MEN STAND LOOKING DOWN
UPON THE PLACE OF REFUGE
ONE OF THEM, THE YOUNGER OF THE TWO ASKS
“ARE THE EAGLES ALL HERE ?
ARE THEY ALL SAFE ?”
THE OLDER ONE, WITH WEATHER-BEATEN FEATURES
DRESSED IN FARMERS CLOTHES
RAISES HIS RIGHT ARM AND MAKES
A WAVE-LIKE MOTION TOWARDS THE SKY
THE AIR IS SUDDENLY FILLED
WITH A MULTITUDE OF SHINNING FIGURES
SOME SO BRIGHT, THEY SEEM NEXT TO INVISIBLE
BEAMS OF RAINBOW COLORED LIGHTS
FLASH TO THE OLDER ONE
AND THEN HE SAYS
“YES, MY SON, THE EAGLES ARE ALL SAFE
THE EAGLES ARE HOME, FOR THE NIGHT.”
... MENNO PAULS
IF YOU CAN KEEP YOUR HEAD WHEN ALL ABOUT YOU ARE LOSING THEIRS AND BLAMING IT IN YOU;
IF YOU CAN TRUST YOURSELF WHEN ALL MEN DOUBT YOU, BUT MAKE ALLOWANCE FOR THEIR DOUBTING TOO;
IF YOU CAN WAIT AND NOT BE TIRED BY WAITING, OR, BEING LIED ABOUT DON’T DEAL IN LIES,
OR BEING HATED DON’T GIVE WAY TO HATING, AND YET DON’T LOOK TOO GOOD, NOR TALK TOO WISE;
IF YOU CAN DREAM AND NOT MAKE DREAMS YOUR MASTER;
IF YOU CAN THINK AND NOT MAKE THOUGHTS YOUR AIM,
IF YOU CAN MEET WITH TRIUMPH AND DISASTER AND TREAT THOSE TWO IMPOSTERS JUST THE SAME;
IF YOU CAN BEAR TO HEAR THE TRUTH YOU’VE SPOKEN, TWISTED BY KNAVES TO MAKE A TRAP FOR FOOLS,
OR WATCH THE THINGS YOU GAVE YOUR LIFE TO, BROKEN, AND STOOP AND BUILD THEM UP WITH WORN OUT TOOLS;
IF YOU CAN MAKE ONE HEAP OF ALL YOUR WINNINGS AND RISK IT ON ONE TURN OF PITCH-AND-TOSS,
AND LOSE, AND START AGAIN AT YOUR BEGINNINGS, AND NEVER BREATHE A WORD ABOUT YOUR LOSS;
IF YOU CAN FORCE YOUR HEART AND NERVE AND SINEW TO SERVE YOUR TURN LONG AFTER THEY ARE GONE,
AND SO HOLD ON WHEN THERE IS NOTHING IN YOU EXCEPT THE WILL WHICH SAYS TO THEM “HOLD ON !”
IF YOU CAN TALK WITH CROWDS AND KEEP YOUR VIRTUE, OR WALK WITH KINGS NOR LOSE THE COMMON TOUCH,
IF NEITHER FOES NOR LOVING FRIENDS CAN HURT YOU,
IF ALL MEN COUNT WITH YOU, BUT NONE TOO MUCH,
IF YOU CAN FILL THE UNFORGIVING MINUTE WITH SIXTY SECONDS WORTH OF DISTANCE RUN,
YOURS IS THE EARTH AND EVERYTHING THAT’S IN IT
AND WHICH IS MORE;
YOU’LL BE A MAN MY SON.
... by RUDYARD KIPLING
GO PLACIDLY AMID THE NOISE AND HASTE, AND REMEMBER WHAT PEACE THERE MAY BE
IN SILENCE. AS FAR AS POSSIBLE WITHOUT SURRENDER BE ON GOOD TERMS WITH ALL
PERSONS. SPEAK YOUR TRUTH QUIETLY AND CLEARLY; AND LISTEN TO OTHERS, EVEN
THE DULL AND IGNORANT; THEY TOO HAVE THEIR STORY. AVOID LOUD AND AGGRESSIVE
PERSONS, THEY ARE VEXATIONS TO THE SPIRIT. IF YOU COMPARE YOURSELF WITH
OTHERS, YOU MAY BECOME VAIN AND BITTER; FOR ALWAYS THERE WILL BE GREATER AND
LESSER PERSONS THANYOURSELF. ENJOY YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS AS WELL AS YOUR PLANS.
KEEP INTERESTED IN YOUR CAREER, HOWEVER HUMBLE; IT IS A REAL POSSESSION IN THE
CHANGING FORTUNES OF TIME. EXERCISE CAUTION IN YOUR BUSINESS AFFAIRS; FOR THE
WORLD IS FULL OF TRICKERY. BUT LET THIS NOT BLIND YOU TO WHAT VIRTUE THERE IS;
MANY PERSONS STRIVE FOR HIGH IDEALS; AND EVERYWHERE LIFE IS FULL OF HEROISM.
* BE YOURSELF * ESPECIALLY, DO NOT FEIGN AFFECTION. NEITHER BE CYNICAL ABOUT
LOVE; FOR IN THE FACE OF ALL ARIDITY AND DISENCHANTMENT IT IS PERENNIAL AS THE
GRASS. TAKE KINDLY THE COUNSEL OF THE YEARS, GRACEFULLY SURRENDERING THE
THINGS OF YOUTH. NURTURE STRENGTH OF SPIRIT TO SHIELD YOU IN SUDDEN
MISFORTUNE. BUT DO NOT STRESS YOURSELF WITH IMAGININGS. MANY FEARS ARE BORN OF
FATIGUE AND LONELINESS. BEYOND A WHOLESOME DISCIPLINE, BE GENTLE WITH
YOURSELF. YOU ARE A CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE, NO LESS THAN THE TREES AND THE
STARS; YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO BE HERE. AND WHETHER OR NOT IT IS CLEAR TO YOU, NO
DOUBT THE UNIVERSE IS UNFOLDING AS IT SHOULD. THEREFORE BE AT PEACE WITH
GOD, WHATEVER YOU CONCEIVE HIM TO BE, AND WHATEVER YOUR LABORS AND
ASPIRATIONS, IN THE NOISY CONFUSION OF LIFE KEEP PEACE WITH YOUR SOUL. WITH ALL ITS
SHAM, DRUDGERY AND BROKEN DREAMS,
IT IS STILL A BEAUTIFUL WORLD.
BE CAREFUL. STRIVE TO BE HAPPY.
... FOUND IN OLD ST. PAUL’S CHURCH, BALTIMORE, DATED 1692
IN WHATEVER RELIGION YOU HAVE BEEN TAUGHT, HOWEVER YOU HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP,
AND HOWEVER YOU HAVE UNDERSTOOD YOUR TEACHERS...
ON THESE LEVELS YOU WILL UNDERSTAND AND GRASP THIS MESSAGE.
IT IS NOT ENOUGH THAT THIS MESSAGE BE BELIEVED. IT IS A MESSAGE TO BE LIVED.
THE ESSENCE OF UNIVERSAL RELIGION IS PEACE AND TRUTH,
WITH LOVE FOR AND KINDNESS TO ALL THE CREATURES OF THE EARTH.
NOW IS THE TIME TO EXPRESS THIS ESSENCE IN YOUR OWN LIFE.
A BEGINNING MUST BE MADE, AND THE PLACE TO BEGIN IS WITH AND IN YOURSELF.
YOU WOULD REFORM THE WORLD? BEGIN WITH YOURSELF, BROTHER!
THE MESSAGE OF THE UNREFORMED REFORMER SELDOM INSPIRES REFORMATION.
THE HEART OF ALL RELIGION IS LOVE;
AND RIGHTEOUSNESS, WHICH IS LOVE IN ACTION, IS THE FULFILLMENT OF RELIGION.
LOVE NOT ONLY FAMILY AND FRIENDS! FOR LOVE LIMITED IS LOVE DENIED.
SEEK PEACE WITHIN YOURSELF AND SEEK, TOO, WITHIN YOURSELF THE DIVINE BREATH OF LIFE.
PERSIST IN THESE THINGS! DO NOT LET UP FOR A SINGLE MOMENT!
THROUGH YOUR FAITH AND THROUGH YOUR DEEDS YOU SHAPE YOUR LIFE AND HELP SHAPE THE LIVES OF OTHERS, AS WELL.
WHAT A RESPONSIBILITY!
THE SPIRIT FINDS IN YOU ITS AGENT AND ALSO ITS PARTNER;
AND TO THE DEGREE THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF THIS AND ACT ON IT, YOUR LIFE IS ENRICHED.
A REVELATION WILL OCCUR TO YOU...A REVELATION HIGHER THAN YOUR MOST EXALTED DREAMS.
THE NEW AGE IS COMING, AND IN IT THERE WILL BE A REALIZATION OF THE ONENESS OF ALL.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE VARIOUS RELIGIONS WILL DISAPPEAR.
THE GOOD, WHICH IS IN EACH OF THEM, WILL BE FUSED AND WILL BECOME THE COMMON GOAL OF ALL MANKIND.
KNOW THAT YOU HAVE THE POWER TO CHOOSE!
CHOOSE LOVE, NOT HATE;
CHOOSE GENTLENESS, NOT VIOLENCE;
CHOOSE HOLINESS, NOT EVIL!
DARE TO BELIEVE THE REIGN OF LOVE AND PEACE IS COMING SOON!
READY YOURSELF FOR IT! READY YOURSELF FOR IT WITH DEEDS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS!
RIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE THE DOOR-OPENER, AND BEYOND THE DOOR IS LOVE.
MAY POWER DIVINE ENTER EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR LIFE ENDOWING IT WITH THE REWARDS OF MATERIAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS,
THE TREASURES OF PURPOSEFUL EXISTENCE, AND THE ETERNAL LIGHT OF SPIRITUAL ACHIEVEMENT!
... OLD SAINT PAUL’S CHURCH, BALTIMORE; DATED 1693.
LISTEN TO THE EXHORTATION OF THE DAWN
LOOK TO THIS DAY !
FOR IT IS LIFE !
THE VERY LIFE OF LIFE
IN ITS BRIEF COURSE LIE ALL THE VERITIES
AND REALITIES OF YOUR EXISTENCE
THE BLISS OF GROWTH
THE GLORY OF ACTION
THE SPLENDOR OF BEAUTY
FOR YESTERDAY IS BUT A DREAM
AND TOMORROW IS ONLY A VISION
BUT TODAY WELL LIVED
MAKES EVERY YESTERDAY A DREAM OF HAPPINESS
AND EVERY TOMORROW A VISION OF HOPE
LOOK WELL THEREFORE TO THIS DAY
SUCH IS THE SALUTATION TO THE DAWN
OUT OF THE NIGHT THAT COVERS ME
BLACK AS THE PIT FROM POLE TO POLE
I THANK WHATEVER GODS MAY BE
FOR MY UNCONQUERABLE SOUL.
IN THE FELL CLUTCH OF CIRCUMSTANCE
I HAVE NOT WINCED NOR CRIED ALOUD.
UNDER THE BLUDGEONING OF CHANCE
MY HEAD IS BLOODY, BUT UNBOWED
BEYOND THIS PLACE OF WRATH AND TEARS
LOOMS BUT THE HORROR OF THE SHADE
AND YET THE MENACE OF THE YEARS
FINDS, AND SHALL FIND, ME UNAFRAID.
IT MATTERS NOT HOW STRAIT THE GATE
HOW CHARGED WITH PUNISHMENTS THE SCROLL
I AM THE MASTER OF MY FATE:
I AM THE CAPTAIN OF MY SOUL.
... ERNEST HENLEY
The A B C's of Spiritual Growth
No. 1 A is for ASPIRATION - the key that UNLOCKS the HIGHER LIFE
No. 2 B is for BALANCE - the essential KEY to spiritual LIVING
No. 3 C is for CONTROL - the first lesson is SELF CONTROL
No. 4 D is for DEVOTION - to GOD, to duty, to the GREAT WORK, etc.
No. 5 E is for EDIFICATION - an improvement of the MIND and morals
No. 6 F is for FAITH - the courage to DEPEND on our HIGHER SELF
No. 7 G is for GRACE - a state of ACCEPTANCE, at-one with GOD
No. 8 H is for HARMONY - which results in HARMONIOUS expression
No. 9 I is for INSPIRATION - is an EMANATION from the HIGHER SELF
No. 10 J is for JOYOUSNESS - is an evocation of SOUL energy
No. 11 K is for KINSHIP - links us to the WHOLE human race
No. 12 L is for LOVE - a divine principle embodied by the SOUL
No. 13 M is for MEDITATION - the art of listening to our HIGHER SELF
No. 14 N is for NATURE - here all true powers and LAWS demonstrate
No. 15 O is for OBEDIENCE - to all DIVINE laws and life
No. 16 P is for PATIENCE - the quality of ENDURING with calmness
No. 17 Q is for QUIETNESS - so the “STILL SMALL VOICE” of the Soul can be heard
No. 18 R is for REASON - use this key with BALANCE for sure growth
No. 19 S is for SANCTITY - a pure quality of SOUL; to be treasured
No. 20 T is for TRUTH - by conscious use all mysteries are REVEALED
No. 21 U is for UNITY - of purpose, of ONENESS with the Cosmos
No. 22 V is for VIRTUE - true virtue RADIATES as moral excellence
No. 23 W is for WISDOM - it is revealed by LIVING what we KNOW
No. 24 X is the SIGN OF THE CROSS - a symbol of SACRIFICE and purity
No. 25 Y is for YOKE - the key of the HELPING HAND and SHARING
No. 26 Z is for ZEALOUSNESS - intensity & ENTHUSIASM are contagious
... given by James Tinker to William Balderstone (The Seer Of Buntzen)
INSTRUCTIONS: Memorize all TINKER’S KEYS so that to think of a number automatically brings forth a letter and the corresponding KEY and so fills the mind with the ENERGY and POWER of each KEY; thus crowding out any less worthy thoughts.
Remember we are QUALIFYING (directing) energy every moment of our conscious lives.
How we do this ...is our CHOICE alone.
LET YOUR DAILY LIFE
BE YOUR EXAMPLE
AND YOUR RELIGION
...KAHLIL GIBRAN
YOUR TALENTS ARE
YOUR CALLING
...RALPH WALDO EMERSON
BEING WHO YOU ARE
IS SUFFICIENT
...ERIK HANSEN
THE JOURNEY
OF A THOUSAND MILES
BEGINS WITH ONE STEP
...LAO-TSE
MAN ... KNOW THYSELF
...DELPHIC ORACLE
THE WAY TO DO ... IS TO BE
...LAO-TSE
TAKE YOUR BROTHER’S NEED
AS THE MEASURE FOR YOUR ACTION
AND THUS SOLVE
THE PROBLEMS OF THE WORLD
...DJWHAL KHUL (The Tibetan)
ALL THAT ARE NECESSARY
FOR THE FORCES OF EVIL
TO WIN THE WORLD
IS FOR ENOUGH GOOD MEN
TO DO NOTHING
...EDMUND BURKE
SOLITUDE NECESSITATES A BALANCE
BETWEEN AN ACTIVE EXOTERIC LIFE AND
QUIET TIME ALONE FOR THE INNER WORK
...HAZEL LONG
A typical seven stage format for use in group meditation work - substitute other appropriate seed thoughts
We affirm the fact of group fusion and integration within the HEART center of the new group of world servers,
mediating between Hierarchy and Humanity:
I AM ONE WITH MY GROUP BROTHERS, AND ALL THAT I HAVE IS THEIRS.MAY THE LOVE WHICH IS IN MY SOUL POUR FORTH TO THEM.MAY THE STRENGTH WHICH IS IN ME LIFT AND AID THEM.MAY THE THOUGHTS WHICH MY SOUL CREATES REACH AND ENCOURAGE THEM.”
We project a line of lighted energy towards the spiritual Hierarchy of the planet, the planetary Heart,
the great Ashram of Sanat Kumara; and towards the Christ at the Heart of Hierarchy.
Now extend the line of light towards Shamballa, the center where the Will of God is known.
We now stand as a group within the periphery of the great Ashram, Hierarchy.
At this point we are open to the extra-planetary energies now available.
Focussed within the light of Hierarchy, the planetary heart center, hold the contemplative mind open
to the Light and Love seeking to externalize on Earth.
Reflect on the seed thought: “LET LIGHT AND LOVE AND POWER RESTORE THE PLAN ON EARTH”
Using the creative imagination, visualize the energies of Light, Love and the Will-to-Good
pouring throughout the planet and becoming anchored on Earth in prepared physical plane centers
through which the Plan can manifest. Use the six-fold progression of divine Love as the sequence of energy precipitation:
SHAMBALLA / HIERARCHY / the CHRIST / the NEW GROUP of WORLD SERVERS /
MEN and WOMEN of GOODWILL everywhere in the world / PHYSICAL CENTERS of DISTRIBUTION.
Refocus the consciousness, as a group, within the periphery of the great Ashram, HIERARCHY. Together sound the affirmation:
“IN THE CENTER OF ALL LOVE I STAND. FROM THAT CENTER, I THE SOUL, WILL OUTWARD MOVE.
FROM THAT CENTER I, THE ONE WHO SERVES WILL WORK.
MAY THE LOVE OF THE DIVINE SELF BE SHED ABROAD, IN MY HEART, THROUGH MY GROUP, AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.”
Then according to our individual understanding and accepted responsibilities,
visualize the immediate work to be done in establishing the “Pathway of Light” for the coming of the Christ.
As the Great Invocation is sounded, visualize the outpouring of Light and Love and Power
from the spiritual Hierarchy through the five planetary inlets:
NEW YORK / LONDON / GENEVA / DARJEELING / TOKYO:
irradiating the consciousness of the whole human race.
To anchor and distribute the energies contacted say the “GREAT INVOCATION” followed by three “OM’s”.
RECALL THE FACE OF THE POOREST AND MOST HELPLESS MAN
WHOM YOU MAY HAVE SEEN AND ASK YOURSELF...
IF THE THE STEP YOU CONTEMPLATE IS GOING TO BE
OF ANY USE TO HIM.
WILL HE BE ABLE TO GAIN ANYTHING BY IT ?
WILL IT RESTORE HIM TO A CONTROL OVER HIS OWN
LIFE AND DESTINY ?
IN OTHER WORDS, WILL IT LEAD TO SWARAJI OR SELF RULE FOR THE
HUNGRY AND THE STARVED MILLIONS OF OUR COUNTRYMEN ?
THEN YOU WILL FIND...
YOUR DOUBTS
AND YOURSELF
MELTING AWAY...
...M.K.GANDHI
TO WILL THE PREROGATIVE OF THE SPIRIT
TO KNOW THE FUNCTION OF THE SOUL
TO DARE THE DUTY OF THE PERSONALITY
TO BE SILENT THE DESTINY OF MATTER IN RESPONSE TO THE SOUL
Page
288, “A Treatise on White Magic” by A.A. Bailey
“TELL me the weight of a snowflake,” a Robin asked a wild dove.
“NOTHING more than nothing,” was the answer.
“IN that case I must tell you a marvelous story,” the Robin said.
“I sat on the branch of a fir tree, close to its trunk, when it began to snow, not heavily,
not in a raging blizzard, no, just like in a dream, without any violence.
Since I didn’t have anything better to do at the time, I counted the snowflakes settling on the twigs and needles of my branch.
Their number was exactly 3,741,952.
When the next snowflake dropped on the branch – nothing more than nothing, as you say - the branch broke off.”
HAVING said that, the Robin flew away.
THE DOVE, since Noah’s time an authority on the matter, thought about the story for a while and finally said to himself:
“PERHAPS what is lacking for justice and peace to come about in the world is for just...
... ONE MORE PERSON TO SPEAK OUT.”
(Can be used as guided group meditation)
Assume a relaxed sitting position and take a deep breath. As you exhale feel all the tensions in the body dissolve. Take another breath and as you exhale this time see and feel your emotional body become as calm and serene as a still mountain lake.
Now take another breath and as you gently release it see in your mind’s eye the LIGHT of the SOUL breaking like a sunrise on the inner horizon.
Allow this LIGHT to rise and come closer. Know that this bright light emanates from your TRUE SELF.
Now IDENTIFY with and become ONE with the LIGHT.
You are now conscious...as a SOUL.
At this point we are ready to be of GROUP SERVICE on the plane of mind.
Know that each member of the group is a SOUL and a LIGHT.
See in your mind’s eye a beam of light flowing from you to one person in the group and being returned to you.
While still recognizing this flow of heart energy to the first person, visualize another strand of loving light energy flowing to a second person in the group and being returned.
Now a third person... and so on until you have consciously acknowledged the strands of LOVING ENERGY that connects us all.
Now let any thought of individuals fade from your mind and visualize only the many streams of light that exist... from every member of the group, crossing and interlacing each other.
This is the LIGHT BODY of this group..this is the GOLDEN CHALICE.
This GOLDEN CHALICE is built out of our RELATIONSHIPS to one another and strengthened by our COMMITMENT to be of loving SERVICE to each other.
It is through this subtle CHALICE of energy built on our SERVICE in RELATIONSHIPS to one another that the DIVINELY DIRECTED PLAN for our group is revealed.
Next, affirm the strong connection that exists with other serving groups...each a GOLDEN CHALICE responding in it’s own UNIQUE way to it’s accepted task within the DIVINE PLAN.
Let us expand further on this vision and see a WORLD CHALICE composed of all the streams of loving energy connecting and inter-connecting the many selfless groups serving throughout the world.
See these shimmering golden strands as lines of force composed of dedication and commitment to WORLD SERVICE.
Now see this PLANETARY GOLDEN CHALICE being filled by the constant outpouring of LOVE from HIERARCHY in response to the INVOCATION of a committed HUMANITY.
Let us now hold and energize this vision in silence and in UNITY.....during the...
....MEDITATION PERIOD.... (held in silence)..
Having anchored the vision in our hearts of a Planetary Golden Chalice..now take a moment and let each of us respond to our own inner direction and visualize the NEXT STEP we are prepared to take to serve our GROUP and our community.
Gently bring the meditation to a close and gradually refocus the consciousness here with your group and as an instrument for service together sound the Great Invocation.
Forgotten in the dust,
The Old, in darkness lies hid beneath,
It waits, taunting through the cracks.
Fear fans the flame...of doubt,
And shadows they become;
On our backs the monkeys grow;
Sow....we reap….
Experiences burdened through the ages.…
‘Til at last there comes a knowing
A faint flickering candle - glowing.
Remembered in the light
The new in shining from above
Reveals the truth below.
With courage anew It calls...
To challenge...in the darkness
And Lo!
The shadows scatter before the radiance bright.
The Soul - The Flame.
The One who holds the lantern above the door...
lights the way to the future,
yet, in the present,
‘Til at last we know...
we know.
...Erik Hansen