- Fishing
- Involvements with the Stock Market
- Karaoke singing
- Four & Five star hotel stays
- Parrot speak of popular wisdoms
- Inordinate interest in celebrities of the day
- Managerial positions, or committee heads
It is a joyous experience to pluck a new catch, gasping and writhing, flipping and flapping out from the glistening waters ... it is the ecstasy of seizure, the surprised affirmation of the vision, it is the satisfaction of the ‘technique’, it is the feeling of the voluptuous abundance to be drawn from out there within a nature, yet huge and undefinable.
Many
folk aspire to take for themselves - take for themselves without
fully appreciating that which they are taking from. This tendency, in
esotericism, often leads to the desire to be given many powers or
spiritual bestowments, without having actually worked the development
accordingly.
In
the list abovementioned there is also cited “the
inordinate interest in celebrities of the day”
and once again this can be offered forth, that individuals all too
easily can assume that the greatness of one may be transferred to
another merely by association. We see this with the prominent
spiritual leaders and magicians who manifest physical miracles which
amaze the simplest of observers - who suggest, by material
consequence, that somehow their own being can effectively enhance the
life and being of their followers - whether collectively or
individually - and they do feed upon the greediness of the eager
many, who would take for themselves what life that they might take,
without even asking the price in return.
When
the ego of a man is complacent about the modernist trend toward
collective thought it is usual that various associations and
affiliations are formed which mistakenly elevate certain identities
whilst missing those of a higher calling who are radiating yet far
stronger impulses of will and being – albeit of the gentler and
more kindly variety, however, there does come a ‘growing up’
within the ego’s own consciousness which begs for selfhood in
preference to any other individual - no matter how grand or assuming
they are.
This
is such an important time for those who come to it - and
interestingly enough, it is often soon challenged when that realization has first been made. We are tempted very quickly with
ideas that promote the easy path, the easy take, the pluck from the
ocean (which, by the way does not assist the economically deficient
in their conceptualization of ‘wholeness’ when taking one from
the many as in this case it is). Yes, we can be immature enough to
presume that the magic dust or dandruff which falls upon us as the
great ones pass, might actually transform us with a little of their splendor.
Of
course there is, in part, an occult truth to this. The truth being
that there is
much which is spiritually and psychically conveyed to us simply by
the associations which we choose to furbish our lives with. This can
and does colour us considerably. But there are two further issues
here than that: what are the long term results from such
associations? Are they lasting, if not of our own making at some
point? For
example, are
they progressive or deformative? Secondly, do we have the right
to take that which we may hasten to have? It is therefore good
practice to ask both of these things.
There
are many attractive, glamorous
and persuasive
individuals to which we may feel by contrast quite belittled, and yet
the reality is that much of this is veneerial only. One finds with
those worldly souls who have advanced to the point of gathering so
much around them (like a dust-collecting nebulae) that sadly the
inner life can give way to the very maintenance of that very public
self. To be recognized and worshipped by the world is but a terrible
pain to the soul within - who eventually, in many ways, becomes quite
crippled by it. So you see if we are searching a worldly individual
for inner qualities to yet impart to us, one can remember that they
themselves do need all the reserves that they have remaining.
Although
eastern teachers have worked in pyramid sales regarding their support
systems in the past, (and magicians likewise) there have been many
changes since the advent of Christ. An individual who would feed from
the synthesis of the vitality from a group-following becomes hollowed
out - or more precisely sucked
out, by the very
vacuumous activity he has begun. These old ways have been replaced
and now man to man, and Man to Christ, we are renewed. Teachers and
students do not feed upon each other -
they cannot even suckle.
Can you realize in your own wholeness, as it is today, that there is
no lesser or greater than your own self?
Karaoke
singing is
usually conducted with a playfulness alongside its performance value
... and the man or woman who sings with the most basic of
accompaniments is probably
involved with the music in something of a less-than-serious manner.
We could expect that a more formal approach to an instrument or
singing might be regarded as serious, whereas the karaoke delivery is
tending towards the frivolous end of the artistic endeavor?
For
those who are economically maladjusted it would be preferable that
they could experience a live band of musicians - each with their
instrument’s part - playing together, instead of a recording. One
of the gifts mentioned in relation to the virtue of economy is that
of having a most useful and eloquent ability to converse. A wonderful
attribute of being conversant is in that of the actual melody
as expressed in the tone and inflection of the words imparted. The
subtleties of speech are conveyed by that rhythm and music given to
the speaker. Being conducive to the thought and the intent, the music
of the words powerfully transfers much of the unspoken word.
And
so, with no particular aspersion to karaoke itself (and the fun of
it) it should be pointed out that by preference one could involve
themselves in artistically orientated recitals (contemporary if so
loved of course) rather than the singular experience of some crass
rendition given to the mimics of a popular song. Also in this we can
see an example of the pirate and the plagiarist who would attempt to
sound similarly to the popular artist, rather than try for their own
style and material. In itself it does not have consequences worth a
mention, but it does hold key characteristics which would be better
corrected for the sake of this deficit we are working with.
Four
and five star hotels: Economically
there is an equation one can make within their own country (or the
country that they are staying in) - and it goes as follows:
considering the wealth of the populace establish just what percentage
do you yourself belong to. For example, if in your country you happen
to be in the wealthiest five percent or that sector, or that which
financially groups in the fifty percent bracket - calculate by that
of your holdings, savings and investments, how do you qualify? If you
leave your home environment to stay overnight elsewhere, then it is
preferable that you experience life as your countrymen live. (By
countrymen it is meant whatever country you are in at the time.)
If you are in the top ten percent of the wealthy we suggest that for every one night spent in a four or five star residence you spend nine other nights in places which are considerably less embellished. From this you may receive an initial picture into life outside that of your own dwelling, and consider well what it is that the folk who live around you have provided. If you are of the ten percent poorest, then if the opportunity arises, you may stay for nine nights in such comfortable places, and one in the lesser. This is just a suggestion, but does offer the idea that many individuals all too easily divorce themselves from the realities of the economy that they live in, and simply because they themselves can afford a particular lifestyle does not mean that in the long run it is helpful for themselves to indulge in it. When we are out in the world it befits us to live as our brother does - not to the point of such poverty as starvation, but in respect to those conditions and standards which make up his worldly life. There is much to be well learned by this.
The
parrot speak of
popular wisdoms detracts
from the firsthand experience one can offer in the world. When we
exchange ideas from one to another it is often the ‘tired line’
that puts an end to the conversation - you can see it, just how many
times the communication is ceased by that one popular remark which is
relatively lifeless in the delivery.
The
more conscious we are in the thinking, in the choosing of the words,
in the freshness of the ideas and inspiration - all of these things
contribute to a lively and meaning-full exchange - and it is this
which other individuals do hunger for from us. It is true that common
phrases are used as ‘openers’ to further talk etc. but are also
the keynotes to closure when repeated again thereafter. This can be
observed.
It
goes without saying that managerial
positions are
too difficult for those who are economically unsound. It is almost
impossible for such an individual (until they have made progress) to
comprehend just how and what they are managing when they have not the
wherewithal to conceptualize the entire ecology of transactions
before them. If they are placed with such responsibility it will
invariably lead to further temptations of personal gain (as seen in
local governments etc.) - and given the circumstances may almost
become predictably corrupted. Therefore it is unwise for such
involvements until the strength is manifest and the capability
assured.
