Reaching for the Stars: Weaknesses Transformed into Strengths

Characteristic Weaknesses Transformed into Strengths:

Virtues are natural to Man, and when desired, when called upon, when prayed for sincerely, deliberately and needfully induced, their messengers will beckon and their characteristics shall be grafted to our being. The weakness shall be restored into that which it was originally destined to become, as follows:

Warehousing falsehoods and conducting meaningless occupations, denotes inner and outer deficits in discernment, and in subsequent knowing. When redeemed through learning which brings satisfaction, results and further inspiration, the ability to be and to do ‘nothings’ becomes a virtue of Serenity; afforded to the individual, who regardless of multiple disappointments (through poor investments of self) still makes the effort to go forward onto substantial striving.

For the fellow who has sought to mischievously promote falsehoods, disseminating that which they inwardly know to be incredulous and incomprehensible, there becomes such stern consequence during subsequent lifetimes (namely, imbecility) that they are eventually awakened to the moral life, tasting the virtues of Goodness. Cunning is stripped off them, and also the ability to lie … for it is common to universal prudence, that for those who misrepresent the truth wilfully, they shall be annihilated unto their own stupidity so promoted. “We must tame the viper (the tongue) of its poisons and deceits, and redeem it well with sweet words, pure kindnesses, and praisings of the Lord!”

The indulgence in falsities – passionless mundane thinking, foregoing discrimination for frivolity and laziness, indulging in the trivial – these aspects of uncouth behaviour do transmute (eventually) into virtues of being purged.

Curiously there is a benefit to spiritual and physical chaff – it makes for good roughage, a good cleansing. Frivolities are not in themselves malevolent characteristically, they are simply without nourishment. When we take to ourselves that which will not bear purpose or prove satisfying, we evacuate the substance or the concept fast from us. This process does also assist the same evacuation of the more undesirable properties as well, and so the blessing here can be that the sinister is swept away, alongside the unsubstantiated maya, in great naivety.

The Knight of the Starry Complex gives of himself to that round table (the Earth) and its great cause (Our Christ) with temerity and lasting service.
On a quest, behalf of Humanity
to find and to prove Absolute LOVE
he comes to the one CERTAINTY for all,
and because of that knowing
glorifies the World.

THE END

Chapter 14- Reaching for the Stars: Meditation

Meditation – Grace

Grace – the first and highest Law

Of our Father’s Kingdom

Here on Earth.

A thing so totally pervasive

As to be almost unseen.

For in truth, what seed have I planted

That has not blossomed beyond belief?

As you sow, so shall ye reap …

Reap the seed of Karma’s bonds?

Never, no!

Rather shape hedge, cut flowers

Shade near young Oak,

From our seeds seedlings and acorns

Have grown,

It cannot be otherwise,

He decreed.

And even when pruning comes

Those doomed parts make way for greater growth

Toward the light,

‘tis Grace too

For naught is lost

Not even death

But transformed be

To Mother Earth

Who too is soon to bloom.

He whose faith is diminutive

As the mustard seed

Has the greatest faith of all

Thru Grace.

Then plant and speak and send the seeds,

The thoughts, the arrows swift

While Grace abounds.

Chapter 14- Reaching for the Stars, Exercise 2

Exercise 2

• Make a careful list of all of your certainties.
• Create a poem or song around these certainties.
• Create also a prayer, which gives thanks for these certainties.
• Recall them every morning upon waking, and just before slumber for an entire month.

Chapter 14- Reaching for the Stars, Exercise 1

Exercise 1

Tools required:

• A Questionnaire
• A conversational partner

Concluding a conversation, ask the person you have been in dialogue with if they would attempt to answer some questions you might have for them.

Prepare the questionnaire ahead of time – you may choose the samples below, or work from your own – and do not, by any accounts react in a discouraging way to the fellow you are probing, no matter what answer is given! When people answer something candidly, they do so in good faith, and so we must endeavour to remove criticism from our hearts and minds before and after any pertinent discourse, else do not ask them for their honesty, as this is a betrayal of confidence.

After the questionnaire has been fulfilled, compare your own thoughts with answers you may have guessed for them, privately. Ponder your accuracy or inaccuracies in this matter.

Thank the participant.

Sample Questionnaire 1

• During our conversation did I appear to be attentive?
• What was the most interesting thing I mentioned (if anything)?
• What was the most striking thing that came to your mind that you shared with me?
• What was the most striking thing that came to your mind that you did not share with me?
• Were you at ease in my presence?
• Was anything left unsaid that should have been said?
• During our dialogue did you feel:
• present, in the moment
• distant, distracted into thought elsewhere
• Eternal Grace
• something else?
• Do you have any questions you should like to ask me, in return, before we conclude?

Sample Questionnaire 2

• During our conversation, could you feel the Presence of Christ?
• What, if anything, did He say to You?
• Did you hear Him speak to you through me at all? What was it that was said?
• If you had a question to ask Him today, what would that be?
• Do you perceive Him to be:
• present, in the moment
• distant, some place elsewhere
• in Eternal Grace
• somewhere else?
• Before we conclude, do you have any thing you feel should be said from Him to me, that you could speak of?

Chapter 14- Reaching for the Stars: Recommended, Part 2

The flying of kites and banners and flags announces manifestation! 
The kite says: “We reach heavenward, but our string is held tight”, the banner says: “We want the world to know of us”;
whilst the flag says: “I am”.

There are many ways aside from yelling that we may announce our firm presence within the world – and amongst some of these ways, there can be return benefits that help us to re-establish our place and position as we go. One of these ways is through the flag or the banner.

A banner can be something exposed to the elements outside, but it can also, in this context, be a material depiction affirming a reality we want reinforced within this world. 

In other words, a banner can be considered also as perhaps a framed poem, or single word, a symbol or a photograph which is displayed … showed for the purpose of reaffirming, reasserting, the reality it represents. 

It is not an invocation as such, because that would imply that it is something of the future which we wish to call in - something which is not already present. Rather than that, it is moreover something of an existing reality for which we wish to proclaim, recreate or make permanent. 

One can therefore ask themselves what it is that they seek to further and perpetuate. All visual hangings imbibe their surroundings with a certain presence (and ‘broadcast’ this presence permanently). It is suggested that we take a careful note of our residence in this regard and ask ourselves if the pictures and banners are representative of our chosen selves utterly – and keep this in mind for future choosings as well. Also, we can consciously regard the banners of others quite carefully within their homes and workplaces, asking ourselves for some quick discernment along the way.

The flying of kites offers us a happy insight through the physical practice itself, of our relationship to both the solid ground beneath us and to the depths of the sky above us. Rarely do we perceive the sheer height that there is, vaulted above, simply because the atmosphere is too constricting to permit a direct sensation of this wonderful expanse – however, and accordingly we do not gauge either, just how high we can reach when assisted by the winds and a little cloth sail! 

Part of the process of discernment begins in finding out what it is that we are not, what it is that we do not know – that we may begin to ask the relevant questions and pursuits to recover the deficits once recognised. Esoterically we work out from strengths all of the time, and the ability for self-review (even if it is a harsh critique) is a strength to be exercised. Our manifold talents embrace the prospect of yet further development and do not despise ideas or yearnings for improvement. The inherent nature of Life-universal is creative – it aspirates upon improvement, not static.

We can help navigate our kite, but are reliant upon the winds which uphold them. There is only so much skill a kite-flyer may rely upon, before he realises that the factors beyond are too vast and too great to predict more than a moment to moment judgement – and as alarming as this may be, it is something which is joyful to admit to. For we are not responsible for the winds, and we are not controlling the length and breadth of the skies, and we have no more than a little thin string connecting us to what is up there!

Meeting Faith halfway: Knowledge is the ego’s wisdom, whereas wisdom is the soul’s knowing; and what we cannot know within the ego, but rather in the soul, requires Faith for us to maintain consciously. 

The egoic consciousness may suspect that there is more to be known that it already has experienced … that the soul indicates this, and whispers of its view. For we are often curious about something, yet have no real basis to feel or believe ourselves so; we are encouraged by the soul’s perspective continually, yet do not have the language to translate or transcribe. Certain events needs be played out and experiences made quite real, before we can grasp with clarity just what it was that originally hearkened us from the inner vantage. And it has required a measure of faith to facilitate the leaping from this innate wisdom to acquired and experienced knowledge.

Intelligence can only explore territory upon its own level. Science and intellectualism alone cannot find that which it cannot provide the means to identify. Yet the life which preceded all intelligence, and that which encapsulates its knowing cannot be comprehended by it – at least not in its complete and magnificent form. This is why some sciences of the world are destined to bring less than half-truths into their thinking – as conformative to their rationalisations as they may be, they will be incomplete if confined to that level alone.

The wearing of glasses (sunglasses or optical lenses) has a direct affect upon our thinking, and our reviewing processes. Firstly in this, it becomes an act of deliberation to put on a pair of eyewear and adjust our viewing, and secondly, whenever we change over from our own eyes’ focus to a modified view, we are corrupting the exchange which the eyes truly ‘sense’ in the reality passing before them – and for what lies in between. However, and having said this, this intervention is regarded by the thinking processes as something of a ‘wakeup’ – the effects are not of confusion, but of a sharper clarity. Folk who wear reading glasses will know the overall feeling of concentration being enhanced and of readiness, when they first put their spectacles on. The very same applies also for sunshades as well. 

(We do not recommend that you use focus altering lenses if you do not need them. As an alternative coloured spectacles with true-to-life refraction can be useful also.)

Chapter 14- Reaching for the Stars: Recommended

Activities Recommended:

• Walking with a walking stick
• Flying kites & banners & flags
• Meeting Faith halfway
• The wearing of glasses

Walking with a walking stick used to be a preferred way of trekking, or taking a nature walk; being not only so wonderfully useful for steadying, shying and probing, but also as an aid to enhance the relationship the individual has to his or her surroundings.

Via the stick, there becomes a correspondence between the hand and the earth beneath us: the forces which emanate out through the fingers are directed specifically into a rod which carries them through to the ground. (This will occur via metal or wood.) This staff not only conducts itself the one way, but receives into it also immediate emanations from the ground up as well, which are translated and read by the sensitivities connected to the hand.*

The effect is twofold and results in our bonding with our environment in a way which is more informed and well focused. Our own egoic forces are somewhat constrained and channelled thus, being directed through the rod and are involved with the stern reality beneath the feet. This is especially helpful for people who are ‘wandering’ within their thinking, having difficulty being aware of the reality begging around them; and of course for finding one’s way on bushwalks!

*Note: The forces as described are not examples of the entire output of egoic emanatory efforts, but relating to those meridians which express themselves through dynamic effort and out into the world through the fingertips themselves.

Chapter 14- Reaching for the Stars: Contraindicated, Part 2

The Playing of Jazz Music is listed here to characterise those activities (such also as Waxing Lyrical) which go on and on to no particular end. Such activities invite both mind and being into stupefaction, simply because no real finale (or desire to end) is sensed.

In conversation – in either language or music – we intuitively comprehend much before it is presented or acknowledged consciously. It is not difficult to second-guess most repartees – as such is our participation, on many levels unspoken and ‘unheard’, yet known by us completely.

However, there is much confusion when there is no conclusion! And, without much ado, thus ends this subject!

Habitual Actions fraught with Compulsion and Impossibility:

There is a pretence amongst some folk that they can achieve certain things by their own actions, which are in fact, an impossibility. This pretence can take many guises and amongst all of us there are countless instances which can be cited upon review. If you are prepared to be candid about your own behaviours in this, you will be surprised throughout the course of a week the number that you shall come across: ranging from the meagre misconception about one’s own self-worth and capability, through to the extreme of illusory pride imagining oneself to be King of the World.

Accompanying such pretences shall be habitual compulsions which beg their reaffirmation. In other words, not only will we exaggerate our own value with something, but do so repeatedly, and to a point of obsession.

There are a few reasons why this is so, but the relevant one here belongs to the transverse properties of Star-Reaching when we believe that we have arrived at a hoped-for destination before we have actually got there. Holding a positive projection about who we are and how effective we can be in the world is extremely useful – however, it becomes a hindering vanity when future improvements are dismissed because we are believing our projections before the actuality. This is one of the difficulties of having faith in a destination we do not know of. Quite possibly many pilgrims have asked “are we there yet?” when they haven’t already left their compounds.

Added to this there are such impossibilities which no one can overcome. Quite often this may involve some of our deepest wants. For a bereaved individual there may be the impossible “if onlys”, for the healer, and the evangelist there are also a set of ‘if onlys’ – and these conditions make for yet more insecurity in both mind and soul because in truth they cannot and therefore will not materialise into the envisioned eventuality.

Dishonesty renders the soul derelict. Self-compromise pits and pores the egoic shell. Perpetuating dishonest realities impinges upon all who are concerned, holding each and every one within a confused disarray, inhibited from beginning upon their individual destiny.

And so, in this we are saying that if one is given to promoting a dishonest view, even when it comes to self-worth, they will be ineffectual in that which they are trying to be part of, whereas if they can obtain the candid outlook, reality will be far more pliable to their hopes and envisionings.

The futures cannot respond to the unreasonable or to the vain. This is of course contrary to what many may have originally believed: i.e. that the futures are welcomed by the ‘dreamers’ and the non-sensical … when in reality they are as but lost seeds to the wind, if not grounded. (Luke 8:15:  But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.)

And so, it is asked about the severity of statement – whereupon we view dishonesty in terms of those who might simply exaggerate their hopes, or conceal something protectively: What of these dishonesties? What of the positive thinker, and the grafting on of virtue? A man with ideals may become qualified because of them, yet he is still obliged during the time of development to admit to that which he is and that which he is not. This is both for the sake of himself as well as for others. Truity is best - what we are to be known by, regardless of the faults we may confess for the very sake and saving of that honesty about our selves.

False prophets and other such showmen (most of the time) set out to please people. In point of fact, their winningness comes from such a talent, a talent which compromises the truth in its very cunning. False hopes and false promises eventually prove themselves, leaving the disappointed to recover what they can and begin again.

However, such promise-givers do live within our own psyche also … eager to make happy, eager to entertain – introducing an entire repertoire for the song-and-dance of forthcoming “if only’s”.

“If only I was a wealthy man, then I would surely be happy”, and “if only I did such and such, so and so, then I too could be rich like him” and so it goes. All of the ‘happy’ lines within our own minds, the vaudeville patter which, in the long run, is characterised by only the absurd. God save us from these ‘venerable’ vulnerables, we pray.

To have authority – authorship – is to be the originator of that in which you wield the enforceable sovereignty … whilst to be with an authoritarian demeanour is to pretend to such authorship, yet not hold the signature keys for that claim to be rightly so.

There are two prospects within the realm of spiritual teaching which are good. One is that of the man or woman, who through their marvels and findings can go on to share inspirations that they have firsthand explored; with generosity and natural learning being keenly sensed by those around them. The other is far more contrived and deliberate on behalf of the teacher, one who has the authority to make certain presentations because he knowingly bears also the karma for that which he delivers. For the latter to be such a teacher there needs be an immediate perception which tells the individual comprehensively of the very nature of they who are being taught, and exactly what resounds within them as a consequence of further experience and information. This then weighs against more of the same.

Knowledge carries with it a life essence and is fundamentally a living material which evolves within the beings who seek to contain it. When it is passed on from one to another, there is a relationship of signatures which also transpires, an influence of consciousness in the exchange, and a developing relationship of that knowledge as it draws to it associated wisdoms in consequence. So to claim to have full authority within the realms of thinking in this world, it is essential that there is a commensurate faculty of perception which livingly tracks the processes and origins, finding the beneficial, the remedial and also the progressive elements amongst the sloth.

We mention this therefore to caution the would-be teacher, who understands not the differences between that of their own talents and of those who do bear a qualified authority. The latter variety is a condition which will come after much discerning (and also when the very physical condition complies); whilst the former sharings are not to be denied their worth, or thought the less of, just because the perspective is now the more defined.

Chapter 14- Reaching for the Stars: Contraindicated

Activities Contraindicated:

• Eating Oranges
• Playing Jazz Music
• Waxing Lyrical
• Habitual Actions fraught with compulsion and impossibility
• Being Authoritarian

Eating Oranges:

Once upon a time there was an Atlantean King … one amongst many such kings, for in the times that we recall, practically every walking man had royal lineage proven and maintained. And so, once upon a time there were hundreds of thousands of Atlantean Kings, and one in particular we shall speak of, who by his creations marked history and subsequently created a destiny.

If you could see back into that age you would find (amongst many, many other things besides) that there was a prevalence of magic, of great and vast conjurations, inpouring into the world – much faster than the technology produces new images in the sober-cyberspace we have today! Quicker than you could download some animated and talented cartoon, you could actually create one – manifest one – you could make one.

Now the Atlanteans have a wonderful reputation for being quite intimate with the plant kingdom, or more specifically, in using their powers. In one parallel paradise story we find that Adam-Man comes forth representing the new age which is yet to come, and Yester-Eve is produced out from the memories and times before, (from him as recollect within his bones) – and presents Adam-Man with an orange.

The rape of the ecology within this world is nothing new to the memory long-held within our beloved plant-kingdom. One way or another there has been a counter-urge amongst a great few men to change and control forces belying the very wellbeing of the planet – venturing where it was not their place or kinship to go, attempting to sub-create alongside armies of imported elementals.

We all know how the story of this war concluded – quite simply, Nature won. She toppled and trashed, deluged and sank their arrogance from far beneath them.

But before the tumultuous happenings cracked and screamed, before the magicians grew too strong and too proud believing themselves quite real; before the Kings were dethroned and their servants returned into freedom … the colour (and the fruit) orange did not exist.

Firstly, the quality of the light and of the sun was quite different during those earlier conditions. Deep browns and reds, pale yellows and certainly bronze golds were plainly visible – even perhaps a darker tangerine, or citrine, topaz or mustard soil. But not the carrot, the pumpkin, bright mandarin or synthetic orange orange. These were not available, until our King procured the colour and the fruit from a much older and sulphurous planet which we had once inhabited as a race of spiritual men.

In the orange we find a blend of sun-forces today - those which were hidden during times of an ancient world, those which were paling, yet existent in forces during a much earlier episode; those of today, and something too of the future. We also have a certain tension within this fruit because of this extraordinary synthesis.

Can you imagine the marvelling at the manifestation of a very new colour? As immediately as it was apparent and incarnate within the fruit on the tree, it became quite visible elsewhere and all over! Shortly after this mystical pioneer was given deity status. Folk began wearing robes entirely of orange, denoting the ‘new age’ and their love for their ingenious master.

Millenniums later, the oils, the blossoms, the pulp and the juices were given to still be a token of opulent invention. Instinctively folk knew also that this colour did not yet belong in the world … that it is here, but not here – was with us, will be with us, but today is not quite here – although seen.

This King of this story … his name was Beelzebub. He caused kingdoms to divide amongst themselves, by disrupting the etheric world with his own designs – designs which combined with influences out of sequence, out of a specific timing. The fruit itself may appear fresh when it is rotten and decaying etherically within. The colour itself expires more light than it receives according to its merit. Initiated by the fantastique it is a reminder of the beginning of the undoing amongst Men, when a great race was broken through the interfering of a counterfeit other.

Today the colour – bright orange – has been received and taken up by the plant kingdom with a good naturedness and good nurturedness, commanding a future place in both floral and vegetably. The world itself finds the colour to be humorous (not to be taken seriously), those incarnate devotees of B’bub still wear it and revere it as a promise to some kind of new future, whilst the incarnatees of an older Atlantis shun its presence accordingly.

Whilst the fruit should not be deigned as evil, it can not either be classified as good. For about it, although lessened, are opposing forces which are not conducive to the health or inner ecology of Man. Christ’s presence is there, as is the Sun of today – however, it is remonstrate of a false promise made real – something to be a’feared much more than the false promises which dissolve upon their uncommitted utterance.

ORANGE: (RED/YELLOW)
How active a colour! You can feel it jumping up and down, pulling at the hem of your garment! This is the colour of youth. Dynamic, ceaseless, vibrant, the impulse of hope activated with great and motivating desire.

Chapter 14- Reaching for the Stars: Prayer

Iris Sullivan

 A Prayer for Navigation

Beloved Christ:
We are Curious
 We are Wondering
We very much need to Know
Yet We are hesitant
We are faltering

And we very much need You now.

Beloved Christ:
We are Excited
We are Desirous
We are alive with Life
That very much needs to Grow
Yet we are tired
We are complaining
And we very much need You now.

Beloved Christ:
We have been Pondering
We are so Longing
We have great Wanting
And have need to become much more
Yet We are nonsensed
We are perplexed
And we very much need You now.