Red Flags

2000-7-14 12:00:00

Larry asks:
...If we are to flee to the mountains (a Bible symbol of cities)

From where do you get that "mountains" are a "Bible symbol of cities"??

JJ
A mountain is a symbol of higher consciousness. This is the reason that many adepts in ages past have had their sanctuaries in mountainous areas, for the view of mountains speaks of higher awareness to the inner mind and helps inspire the aspirant in that direction.

So when the scriptures tell us to flee to the mountains for salvation, they are really telling us to go to where higher consciousness is. Now remember that each scripture has at least three accurate interpretations on different levels. On a non-physical level this would mean that on an individual level we are to obtain salvation by raising our consciousness, or in today's terminology - raise up the Christ within.

On a physical level, however, it would mean to "flee" to the physical location where there is the most intense gathering of people who have higher consciousness.

Today the Lights of the planet are pretty well mixed with average humanity, but when the time comes that cities of light are created, these would be the "mountains of the Lord" as prophesied in scripture for there will be a physical gathering of those who have higher consciousness.

The Questions:

Name three earned authorities in your life who have assisted you in attaining higher realization and briefly give the reason why you have reasonable trust in them.

Three trusted earned authorities my own life have been
(1) The Scriptures
(2) The Writings of Alice A. Bailey as transmitted by Djwahl Khul.
(3) The Soul

I have found the soul to be virtually infallible and the scriptures and Alice A. Bailey writings to be extremely reliable. They are all earned authorities with me because they have proven themselves time and time again.

Question:
If you find yourself in disagreement with an earned authority why is it wise to take a second look at your thoughts to make sure they are accurate?

This has happened to me a number of times with all three earned authorities, but when it does happen I have found it wisdom to give these authorities a lot of weight. In order to do this with fairness, I have found I have had to release myself from that natural desire we all have to be right, and then ask myself this question: This source has proven itself accurate time and time again so what makes me think it may not be right this time?

After I ask that question I then seek the answer in a way that registers in all of my make-up. In the end, to fully accept a thing it must make sense and it must feel right. Our preconceived notions often prevent us from considering a truth so its realization can dawn upon us.

Fortunately, there have been numerous times in my life that an earned authority has proven right over my protests and preconceived notions. Several times my ideological world had been turned upside down and this would not have happened if I had not had several reliable earned authorities to stabilize me on the path.

Question:
Even though earned authorities are helpful, why is it an error to consider them infallible?

Gloria gives a good answer here:
"They are "only human", and even though they might be right MOST of the time, it would be foolish to expect them to be right 100% of the time about everything. I just might even have more insight into something than they do, about a particular item, unless we have walked 100% of the same path, and that's not likely."

In the case of my authorities even the prophets were human beings like you or I and subject to error. Djwahl Khul is a Master of Wisdom, yet even a master can make a mistake. More likely though is that his spokesman may ineffectively communicate his thoughts or I may misunderstand them.

The soul itself is infallible yet our interpretations of the impressions of the soul may not be accurate or we may communicate them incorrectly.

The important thing is to balance off a healthy skepticism with a considerable weight given to earned authorities to come up with the truth to the extent that it registers with your soul, mind and heart.

Time to move on to the next principle of discovery:

(17) Put your attention on finding that which is true rather than that which is in error.

Many people seek to prove a thing true by looking for errors and flaws. The idea is that if they find no error then only the truth is left. Why is this approach not reliable? Why is it easier to find truth by looking for truth?

Perhaps we could ask it this way. Is it better to look for red flags or the light that reveals?