2000-4-17 11:29:00
I have started a new endeavor, my friends, and created an e-mail newsletter that will have some of the best of my teaching posts. I just sent the first issue out to 2,800 on my mailing list so this should help expand the influence of the teachings. I also plan to start a physical newsletter. We will have to charge something for that to cover costs, but it will allow many to have a good clean hard copy of the best of the teachings.
I'm sure there are some on this list who have received the newsletter by e-mail. If you do not want to receive it because you have read all the archives or for some other reason, let me know. On the other hand, if you do wish to be on the newsletter list just send me an e-mail and let me know. Write SUBSCRIBE in the subject area. If you wish to receive a free copy of the physical newsletter (for those in the US) also send along your physical address.
Glad to see you delving into Alice A. Bailey, Craig. That was a good quote. What was there in particular that impressed you?
Geoffrey made an interesting list I thought I would comment on briefly:
"I have been part of this list for about a year but I still do not feel that I am one of you. My life is different from most of yours."
As far as I am concerned Geoffrey you are pretty close to me. Note my comments in parenthesis following yours.
I do not have allergies (Nor do I)
I do not have rashes (Nor do I)
I have never been suicidal (Nor have I)
I do not have major illnesses (Nor have I)
I have had no major accidents (Had one but it was a great learning experience)
I do not smoke (Nor do I)
I do not drink (This is where I have one up on you. I am a moderate drinker and studies show that moderate drinkers, especially of red wine, are healthier - and perhaps happier - than teetotalers.)
I do not take drugs of any kind (Nor do I)
I do not use the Bible to back up what I say (I use whatever people believe in to assist with the assimilation of the truth, but of course, you may use a different approach than you do now if you presented the amount of material that I do. It is understood here that the final authority is always the soul.)
I am still happily married to my first wife (You couldn't be happier than I am to be at a distance from my first wife and with my current sweetie)
I run my own business (And I too)
I am too busy to write often here (So am I but I just push myself and write while others are sleeping. Right now it is 3:30 AM and I'm just getting started)
I have no financial problems (I pay all my bills and can always buy a new pair of underwear when I need some so I guess I'm OK here too)
I have no relationship problems (Neither do I, but there are some that have a relationship problem with me)
I really enjoy a beautiful life (I would describe mine as interesting rather than beautiful. I like the word "interesting.")
I am not paying off any karmic debts, so what am I doing here? (How do you know this my friend? I've had fun paying off some of mine.
For instance, I'm paying off karma by teaching this group and am enjoying it immensely. Also about one life in seven is a Sabbath and fairly carefree so this may be your time of rest and relaxation. Maybe you'll find yourself working much harder in the service of mankind in the next life.)
I have not been through the Dark Night nor do I intend to. (All go through this sooner or later whether they intend to or not. If this life is your Sabbath you won't have to be concerned about it at present)
I try to live with the Christ Consciousness (I think all of us on the list do this)
I am really grounded (I consider myself fairly grounded also.)
I listen to my intuition (I'm with you here too).
I need to work on my modesty (Some think I need work here too, but I don't think or concern myself much about this).
I am trying to learn by other peoples mistakes (We're in harmony here).
I must be doing something wrong somewhere as I am much too happy, or maybe we are allowed to just enjoy this life.
JJ:
We are certainly allowed to enjoy life my friend. I am glad we are both enjoying the ride here.
Everyone has their ups and downs and I'm sure I have had my share of problems, but even in the darkest night I find things to enjoy and a future to look forward to.
I think most people on the list have a pretty positive attitude. Check out Craig for instance. It's just that if a bee stings you, your attention is drawn to that small part of your body that hurts to the exclusion of the 99.9% that is feeling fine.
Conclusion:
Overall Geoffrey, we are much alike and I know I have much in common with many on the list. Thus you probably do too. Thank you for your unique post.
Thank you, Claire and Sanna for clarifying your thoughts. In this case an exchange of thoughts brings us closer to agreement, or at least understanding.
There are two points in Sanna's post I will comment on.
(1) "I don't remember who, but somebody said that karma is created when one or both (or several) parties have any energy involved. If nobody cares, nothing happened. For example, I don't think any of you cares what kind of toilet paper I buy."
Karma is usually defined as either a debt to be paid or a positive balance from which one may draw benefits. Thus the mere act of caring has little to do with the creation of karma.
I believe I know the teaching you are referring to, however, and I believe it to be a true one. It goes something like this.
Strong emotion such as love or hate, desire or repulsion, fear or protectiveness creates not karma, as we understand the term, but an energy link that will bring you into repeated contact with the person with whom you share such emotion. If such emotion carries with it any degree of attachment then this person must be faced in relationship again and again, life after life, until you learn to let go of him and the emotion connected with the relationship.
Even the lower octave of love creates this problem. Love from this angle would be defined as: "the desire to keep another in relationship because of what they do for you rather than what you can do for them as the prime motivator."
This is why forgiveness is so important. If you hold a grievance and do not forgive, then that negative feeling creates a link that will draw that person back into your life until you do learn to forgive him on all levels.
Imagine the future consequences if you have a dozen people in your life that you have not forgiven. In a future time or life you will have a dozen annoying people in your circle of work or friends and be beside yourself as to how you could have such bad luck in choosing associates.
If you merely have a feeling of attachment toward another a real debt (karma) is not created. Thus you can free yourself of the link instantly at the moment you let go of attachment. This concept is probably why some believe that you can release yourself from karma with a decision - because they have mistakenly called the linkage of attachment a karmic debt. Instead the linkage we have to others because of attachment merely holds a lesson to be learned.
Karma is different. You can learn your lesson, but still owe the debt just as happens in real life. You can run up your credit card balance too high and learn the lesson not to let that happen again, but the sinking in of the lesson does not pay the bank. You often find yourself making payments long after you have learned to not over extend yourself.
The linkage because of emotion creates no karmic debt, but is immediately dispelled by forgiveness or the release of the binding emotion.
(2) In response to my comment on breaking promises Sanna states: "There again, humanity has made a collective judgment that it is wrong to share sexual partners with others. That is not the ultimate truth in my mind, but something we have made so."
The main point I was making was not around sex, but around the subject of honoring your commitments and your word. If a person makes a promise to not eat peas and another is depending on this promise for some reason then he should honor his word. If he does not want to honor it then he should seek a release from the person to whom the promise was made. This has little to do with whether peas are good or bad for you.
If we are to learn to be one with God and establish reliable soul contact through that oneness, then we must all learn to honor our word when it is given to another. This is especially true if it would create pain or harm to this trusting person if the word is broken. If we wish to obtain liberation then we must learn to be as the Spirit of God within, and keep our word in all matters. When we become like the Spirit, we commune with the Spirit.
Because I understand this principle I have always been very selective about giving my word. The breaking of our word does create definite effect and karmic debt that must be dealt with in a future time.
If you have an uncommitted relationship and have sex with another person with the understanding that multiple partners is part of the agreement, then you are not responsible for your friend's hurt if he should take offense. But when you make a promise to another soul and that person places trust in you because of that promise then the breaking of that promise can create tremendous pain, pain that would not occur if both parties were true to their word.
If you thus betray a loved one through the breaking of your word, the time will come that one with whom you have placed your trust and given your heart will betray you.
The pain through the betrayal of a loved one has little to do with attachment. You can be very detached from a spiritual point of view yet suffer pain through the broken word.
But don't we suffer pain in relationships because of attachments? Not necessarily. In a romantic relationship there is a bonding through the circulation of energy, for the two become one as the scripture says. Now you may figure that you are not attached to your little finger and could live without it, but this detachment does not spare you any pain if someone were to rip it out of your hand. Similarly, in a committed relationship the other person becomes like an extension of your body and this severing of half of that which makes up a greater life is very painful no matter what state of detachment you have reached.
The Christ Himself, the greatest of us all, formed a greater life out of the twelve disciples and because of the flow of energy and the betrayal by Judas, suffered enormous pain and came close to dying in the Garden of Gethsemane as a result.
One, who is detached, as the ancient wisdom teaches, can release any person from any relationship and let them go their way. But he will realize the principles involved and work with the energies so the pain on all sides is at a minimum.
Question: Do you think that honesty and the keeping of your word will have a positive effect on health? Why?
Chris and others have indicated that we should not put a lot of weight on past writings like the scriptures, Blavatsky or Alice A. Bailey. What do you think? If a writing or teaching is confirmed by your soul does the passing of time lessen the value of the teaching?
Is Chris right in this statement:
"To hold onto these words as the truth rather than as a stepping stone to greater understanding is, IMHO a retrograde step which denies the possibility of greater unfoldment."
Copyright 2000 by J.J. Dewey, All Rights Reserved