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Evil19 Sep 2001 There is at present much talk of evil in the media and between individuals, but what exactly is evil, that the Self creates and PFC says to "resist not"? What happens when we resist what we think is evil? Nothing arouses righteous opposition like what we call evil. Is it the product of the devil as the the source of all bad things as fundamentalist's believe? What is the esoteric definition of evil, if any? I have never seen one. If the Self is the creator of evil, what is it and for what specific purpose are we experiencing it? I trot out my old song of "no quotes--your own words and opinions" on this. Think deeply, this can be a very clarifying exploration for us. Joseph ______________________ OK Joseph, You've smoked me out of my hiding place once more into making more foolish comments, so here goes: What is called evil is that which seems to stand in opposition to what we want. [long post follows] Therefore, evil is relative to the point of view of the one who wants. It is also relative to what it is the person is wanting. Thus from God's point of view (the Divine Paradox again), there is NO evil, since the ONE is getting what it wants, continuously. ("I recognize the manifestation of the undeviating Justice in all the circumstances of my life") From Man's point of view, there are innumerable relative evils. HOWEVER, note that what is called "evil" is in many cases, actually beneficial since the "standing in opposition to" creates a specific field or box within which experience and growth takes place where one can learn discrimination. In other words, the beneficial aspects of limitation. As we can see from the Tarot, Saturn (limitation) rules Capricorn (K15, devil). Examples: A locked medicine cabinet stands in opposition to a child's desire to eat all the pretty candy in the bottles. The field of limitation helps the child learn discrimination and self control. A child gets into an unlocked medicine cabinet and overdoses. The resulting sickness and hospitalization acts as a field of limitation within which the child learns (the hard way) discrimination and self control. An fundamentalist religious group feels hemmed in by another group. The resulting field of limitation prompts the religious fundamentalists to lash out and attack the other group. The resulting counter-attack and repercussions form a more intense field of limitation within which the fundamentalist group learns discrimination. A large group which has expanded its wealth and influence is attacked by a small radical group which feels oppressed. The resulting halt to the large groups unhindered expansion, creates a field of limitation within which the larger group can re-examine it goals and aims, and learn discrimination. And finally: K15 (Devil) is followed by K16 (Tower). What is the Tower K16 showing? The Power of 6 (Discrimination) acting through the agency of 1 (self-consciousness). From K16: 16 is the power of 6 acting through the agency of 1. Discrimination acting through self-consciousness. Seeing clearly and truly discerning the reality which is present, is destructive to error, egotism and all thinking based upon the falsehood of separation. Discriminating action is the lightning bolt which destroys, in order to set aright. So to sum up, evil is the apparent bondage which goads us to overcome it. Mars is exalted in Capricorn. Finally, 16 (Discrimination in action) points out the error of Bin Laden. Indiscriminate killing of innocents indicates a lack of discrimination (note that K15 is a parody of K6) in the application of liberating Mars energy. The key element is that the United State's response has to be in the DISCRIMINATING use of the Mars force. Thus one way of showing love for our enemies is to act to strike down the error as accurately as possible while minimizing collateral damage. In practice this can be done by:
All these things are shown in K11 (Justice). Restoring balance also means rebuilding new forms in accordance with our highest understanding of Truth (K17-K18) Stopping now, before I write a book. RL ______________________ Sorry, Red, the correct response is always the other side of the Tree. My personal opinion. The rest of your post was utterly fascinating. I very often enjoy your thinking. Perhaps there is a shred of vengeance hiding in your soul that is leading you to think that the correct response is "more mars". This isn't a judgement, it's a suggestion, as I know that you are on a path of purification and are seeking truth, even if it means that you are holding onto an erroneous thought. So, it's just a hypothesis. I'd be interested in what you find at the end of that ball of string called, "what do I want?" in this instance.....and "what would it mean I wanted if I were to seek to apply more mars?". You can tell that I subscribe to the philosophy that the human race murdered the human race, last Tuesday, and that until all violence is eradicated from the inside of me, it will continue to be seen in my external world. More work, then, for me to do. love L. ______________________ I expected a good one from you. RL. I take it further. We deem evil that opposition we have not yet seen as liberating--when the darkness before the dawn is still just darkness. Joseph ______________________ L. writes: > Sorry, Red, the correct response is always the other side of the Tree. Red Lion is incorrect! The correct response is always to do the opposite ! ? However, with one's correct response reduced to a formula, there's no need for any pesky listening to one's own inner teacher then, or even to use one's own faculty of discrimination. Guess my HGA (Holy Guardian Angel or Higher Self) was just pulling my leg. RL > My personal opinion. The rest of your post was utterly fascinating. I
very Thanks for the bone, L! May my foolish errors provide you with both entertainment and food for thought. :-) RL > Perhaps there is a shred of vengeance hiding in Red Lion is a vengeful soul, the poor deluded bastard. :-) The vengeance, however, is not in my words. The vengeance is in you. (all of us, actually). RL > This isn't a judgement, it's a suggestion, as I know that you are
on Red Lion is in error? I don't doubt it for a minute. However, by bucking the trend, I can also prompt a more discriminating examination of the principles involved. The test of course is in our own application of discernment in action (6 acting though 1 = 16). Is Red Lion a vengeful, error filled, Mars junkie? (Please try again) RL > > So, it's just a hypothesis. I'd be interested in what you find
at the end Applying mars then means that one is seeking vengeance? Interesting hypothesis L., but you're missing a key ingredient that I mentioned. Here it is more plainly: The application of Mars energy in an undiscriminating fashion can be linked to fear/anger and revenge. The discriminating application of the Mars energy is an act of LOVE in action. (16= 6 acting through 1) (another paradox for you). Here's a concrete down-to-earth example of what I mean: ACTION: Your child is horsing around in the living room and knocks over a valuable lamp, breaking it (immature expression of Mars energy). VENGEANCE RESPONSE (Applying Mars in an undiscriminating fashion): You beat the living crap out him and lock him in the closet for 3 weeks. LOVING RESPONSE (Discriminating application of Mars): You sit him down and explain to him how his actions have hurt the family and you also require him to make restitution. Thus by educating him on how his actions have hurt others, you help to AWAKEN him from his isolation. Thus you strike at the error, and not the person. RL > > You can tell that I subscribe to the philosophy that the human
race murdered I agree with you on this L. Non-Violence in one's thoughts and deeds is critical. However, Awakening (Mars energy) need not be violent. Once again the issue is with the undiscriminating application of the Mars energy. In Tarot symbolism, this undiscriminating application of mars is symbolized by torch in the Devil's left hand (see K15). Until one can say "SO BE IT" to all that was, is, and will be, one will continue to see evil. For this to occur, what one wants has to become identical with what IS. Truth (Hod) and Desire (Netzach) interacting and balancing via the path of K16 (see tree of life). You want to eradicate all violence, therefore you will continue to experience violence. Accept this shadow aspect of yourself, however, and you may find it transformed into something beautiful. Let's see now, who is it on the list who's always talking about the shadow? (You, maybe?) Therefore Accuracy counts. The more accurate one strives to be in their thinking, speaking, doing, and writing, the more transparent they can be as agents for awakening, and the less collateral damage they will cause to themselves and others - this is an act of loving-kindness. RL ______________________ L. writes: > Red, To grasp a concept (K10), one must actively discriminate (6 acting through 1 = 16) in order to eliminate error. The Emperor (Northeast) is "He who sets in order" and does so via the application of Mars (Discriminating action / North) to Venus (Imagination/ East). Accuracy matters. RL > > It's OK if you don't see what I thought I saw, a shred of vengeance,
or Here's a few concrete down-to-earth examples: I love my ship. It strikes a reef and begins to sink. I am so attached to it that I go down with the ship. I love my tribe. My tribe goes to war. I am so attached to, devoted to, and love my tribe, that I do not care if it is right or wrong and I gladly go to defend it. As a result, I lose my life. I love my belief system. I am so attached to it, that when it is questioned I fly into a rage and defend it at all costs. As a result I stay stuck in my tower of denial until . . . . .Crrraaakkk ----BOOM! If I see a principle, I do not shy away from describing it relative to the situation. I also realize that this will threaten some people's treasured beliefs and that they will question or even attack me. The only defense, is to have nothing to defend. This is accomplished by applying the sword to oneself first - applying discrimination to one's own thoughts & feelings & beliefs - 6 acting through the agency of 1. As a result, I find nothing to disagree with. Thus I am not disturbed. I walk
through the fire and actually find it pleasurable. What some would see as an
adversarial flame , for me actually tickles my funny bone - go RL >If I were to say the words that you said, inside of me, the motivation
would have RL > RL
>
FINAL QUESTION: ANSWER: RL ______________________ L. writes: > Dear brother, L, I understand the difficulties and I thank you for making the attempt. ______________________ Evil is what goes contrary to my personal Constitution. Some time ago, when I discovered this, I couldn't do more than just laugh at myself. In an analogy I can say that when I am immersed in myself I can only see my shadow. But at some point it is this shadow what makes me turn back and see what it really is behind. Evil is the biggest joke, and a tool of appreciation and understanding. And this has leaded me to not being afraid of saying that I Love You.Bruce T. It seems that understanding our own personal evils is necessary to being at peace with ourselves. A damn good answer, IMO. Joseph ______________________ J. S.writes: > How strange that we term the prime teaching device--the agent of change--as "evil" and our enemy. Fighting it comes from a resistance to understanding it as part of our own makeup. Given the circumstances that stimulated another to evil, I would be one of the bad guys too. RL, I hope your very apt definition of evil sinks in. Merge with it! Mankind in general does not yet realize that the Life Force has us in a learning mode; through the painful experiences of learning to form our conclusions on the reality behind appearances. The Path of Return recognizes that fact and cooperates, hastening the process. Evil--schmevil! Joseph ______________________ 22 Sep 2001 Evil America Vs. Evil Terrorists? Each group is demonizing the other. Why is it necessary to demonize? Because it is a short-cut means for a group to generate the internal energy, enthusiasm, and Will to mobilize its resources to defend against or attack the other group with whom it is clashing. How about this for a radical interpretation: None of the players in this saga are "good". Nor are they "bad". The conflict playing itself out, simply IS. In many ways, each group represents an obstacle to the other group's desires: Terrorism is an obstacle to the American vision. It seems that each group is focused on the "Shadow" aspect of the other group. For Fundamentalist Islam, they are reacting to the shadow aspect of America - Imperialism. For America, it is reacting to the shadow aspect of fundamentalist Islam - Terrorism. This whole saga, looks like an excellent opportunity for each group to help the other group see their shadow, and integrate it. The Western world helps the Third World transmute its terroristic tendencies, and the Third World helps the West transmute its imperialist tendencies. This CAN be a WIN-WIN situation. The question for the US is "are we willing to see our shadow?" (without scape-goating those who's approach to economic/political/cultural/religious self-realization differs from ours) The question for the fundamentalists is "are they willing to acknowledge their shadow?" (without scape-goating Zionism or Western Imperialism) RL See also: the shadow and Groups
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13 Aug 2001 To the receptive consciousness, the One Self is found in the meanest substance, person, circumstance and act. We know the key, but how is one brought to that degree of receptivity, if only momentarily? I speak not of belief, but realization. Your turn now. Joseph ______________________ What's it take to be receptive enough to see the One Self in even the meanest substance [or most evil act]? It starts when the desire to look and be present becomes greater than the desire to turn away or deny. Knowledge about where desire comes from reduces anxiety about the process. Conflict between our conscious and subconscious desires hinders our ability to discern the face of the beloved behind the mask of the adversary. To truly see, Inner harmony must be a fact. A healing is necessary. Knowledge about just who it is that brings about this harmony/healing reduces anxiety about the process. That which leads us into temptation also delivers us from evil. Knowledge about just who the "tempter" and "redeemer" really are, reduces anxiety about the conflict between "good" and "evil". Given all this Irony, having a sense of humor is essential; especially the ability to laugh at one's self. The Joke's on us. What a Relief! RL
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Date: Wednesday, December 22, 1999 7:40 PM I can't see P.C.'s aphorism, "Resist not Evil" as meaning for man to do nothing, to not respond in any way to evil--considering just what evil is. Evil is the expression of "dis-equilibrium''--out of balance--INJUSTICE RATHER THAN JUSTICE. The basic law of a whirling system--a merry go round, a flywheel, a universe or a galaxy, is that it be in balance or it will fly part--disintegrate. Each person, in essence is a whirling system and therefore seeks equilibrium in his/her whirling for harmony of being. We constantly adjust our lives, our laws, our work, play, eating and our thinking to establish balance in our minds and bodies and justice to our fellow man. We are mightily aroused by injustice of any kind and strive to correct it in any way possible. A new consciousness of "human rights" is extant in the world of law! To see evil as the way the Self leads us into greater equilibrium is to be at peace with the expression of evil and our actions to correct it. Evil is a pre-equilibrium condition. The problem is the enormously heavy load of emotion attached to the concept of evil so that it comes out as "anti God" and to mass mind thinking--and God needs defending by killing those who offend His so-called laws. "I create evil" thunders the Book--a page ordinarily skipped from the pulpit. Seeing what we term evil as simply arising from the law of equilibrium will ease our almost constant expressions of little evils--failures be fair in our dealings with others. Comments--I am sure! N.J. ______________________ N.J. writes: Do you think any degree of unbalance is anti-God, especially considering WHO caused it and it is self-correcting and more instructive than what we call "good?" ______________________ I look at every circumstance in my life as a particular dealing of God with my soul - especially since I got that $250 speeding ticket last week. jc ______________________ NJ: IMO, not having the Regal Rules of proper response tattooed on my hide, I think our job is to respond as we WANT and develop our judgment. Of course, it's much safer to have the proper spiritual formula for every situation and exoteric religion tries to supply that insecurity, with esoteric religions leaving us freer to do as we wish--not as someone says we "should." ______________________ An excellent comparison. jc ______________________ Tell me about your unpurified desires, JC. I'll bet mine are more evil, at least in some eyes, but not in the mind that put them there. NJ ______________________ Fast cars, beautiful women, loud music, and not one ounce of Guilt! jc ______________________ Just what is the "problem" about evil that everyone's seems to
accept? Is there really a problem? Is it how to abolish/get rid/overcome evil or
is the mystery the very nature of evil? I don't follow your questions, JC.
N.J. The "problem" is not yet being able to see the face of the beloved behind the mask. Things "appear" evil because I'm not seeing what's really there. Thus from the perspective of the Primal Will to Good (God), there is no problem. The problem is mine (which by the way , is a good thing). JC. ______________________ S.E. writes: Why do you see the face of the Beloved BEHIND a MASK? Because usually when I first encounter something, I'm only seeing my own
vanity reflected in the form, and am thus fooled by "appearances". Does the Beloved need to be behind any of masks, or is that Personality
talking, who seems to require them in order to understand? I don't know. I'll ask her and let you know what she tells me :-) Isn't the beloved that which we are? Why go looking for it when it is already
present...and without masks? Because I have a problem with my eyesight. When I see the Beloved it often
looks like the Devil! I think this all starts with becoming aware of how The Beloved FEELS.
Making the Beloved visceral and tangible in our own earthly forms grants us many
opportunities for the attainment of that State conducive to Awakening or
Remembering who and what we are. Once we open to The Beloved, we begin to
understand and it is that understanding that requires no defense, being what it
truly is... a Selfless Expression of the Infinite. (this is entirely the opinion
of the writer.) Yes, and a romantic relationship definitely helps too. We need to understand
it (Love and discovering the Beloved) on the personal level before we can really
understand it on the Universal Level (and so says Ann Davies in her course on
Sexual Polarity). Thus from the perspective of the Primal Will to Good (God), there is no
problem. The problem is mine (which by the way , is a good thing).
No, the problem is OURS for whatever you do affects us ALL. Believe it or
Not?! Can't argue with that. However, how others see "my problem" is their problem since their discernment is dependent upon their "values" which may or may not be in equilibrium with what IS which in turn is my problem since their problem with my problem also affects me. JC
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N.J., I think the difference between "evil" and "out of balance" (or equilibrium) is just a matter of degree. The more out of harmony (balance, equilibrium) with God's Will something is, the more evil it is. From the standpoint of our own emotional reaction to evil - the question becomes - "what to do, or not do about it." Where we see an imbalance, is it out job to respond to EVERY instance? And what constitutes enough of an imbalance that it crosses the threshold of evil? Even then, at what degree of "evil" do we become obligated to respond? This is the arena of Morals or Right Action. We can discuss the underlying considerations for Moral action. Personal Welfare, Universal Welfare, Personal Freedom, Universal Freedom, direct consequences, indirect consequences, Ends, Means, etc.... (these things are all discuss-able) BUT When it comes to applying the principles in ACTION, the decision will depend upon the individual's hierarchy of VALUES, which are typically non negotiable - ( I mean, have you ever tried to argue with someone about their values? Might as well try to tell them that what they desire is wrong too.) So what we each see as evil and not evil depends upon our hierarchy of Values (which is individual to each of us, and which is typically non discussible) For example: If I value "personal freedom" above Universal Welfare, then I am NOT likely to view abortion as evil. Instead I might see it as a necessary evil - required in some cases to preserve my primary value - personal freedom. If I were to place personal freedom/liberation foremost, then there would be little point discussing it from a rational point of view. How can one rationally discuss personal values? So what do values have to do with (relative) Evil? EVERYTHING. The more out of kilter my values are, the LESS likely I'm going to notice something equally out of kilter as being "out of equilibrium or evil". Also, the more out of kilter my values are, the LESS likely I'm going to view something Good (truly in harmony with Universal Will) as being Good. Here's some more examples: If I value Universal Freedom above Universal Welfare, then I am Less likely to view assisted suicide as an evil. Someone else may value Universal Welfare foremost, and thus may see assisted suicide as immoral (evil). If someone values Personal/Racial/Tribal/National welfare above Universal Welfare, then they are less likely to see aggression upon / oppression of / exploitation of / (inferior) others as evil. We can all probably agree on what evil is in the extreme cases, but before we can really talk about evil (in those situations where we're more likely to personally encounter it), we need to consider the necessity of establishing equilibrium in our values first. Discrimination in values is what K6 is all about. Another way of looking at it is: What do you Value? = What do you Want? Thus values are related to desires. So "Do what you Want" is equivalent to: Find out what you Want, Find out what's Valuable (to you), Find out what's Good (and what's not), But the reason it's hard to define "good" and "evil" (except in the extreme cases such as murder, etc..) is because we all have differences in what we personally value, because we have differences in our personal wants and desires, because our desires are still RED, and not WHITE. And hopefully (for the spiritual aspirant) Personal (wants, values, goods) will eventually get transmuted into Universal (wants, values, goods). Seems to me the only way to truly know what's Good (in harmony) and what's not (not in harmony) is to make the connection with the Universal. So the reason we don't know what's Good is because we're still seeing Vanity - still seeing through the lenses of our as yet unpurified desire nature. So the whole issue of good/evil and values relativism is really all about the personal vs. the universal. Or about RED vs. WHITE - about personal desire vs. Universal Desire/Will - so once again we're back to the Divine Paradox. The interesting thing about all this is that (theoretically at least), the Personal IS an expression of the Universal. Thus the issue of good/evil is really all about the perfection of the vehicles though which the "One Will to Good" expresses. So to solve the problem of Evil, one must find out what they truly Want (and why). JC ( Still seeing Vanity, but at least I feel bad about it.) See also Responsibility ===================================================== S.E. writes: The true battle between good and evil is played on the Battlefield of Mind.
The Light Saber of Discriminating Wisdom held in the Hands of a Jedi can only
bring health to the disease of Mind.<< Nor should you, for whether we work in the light or veiled in shadow, the task before us ALL is to restore "Balance" to the Force. May the Force be with you... Darth ===================================================== Date: Fri, 10 Jan 97 15:26:29 EST Dear J, In looking at what's out of harmony in the world, I'd like to look at the large scale themes, ideologies, and thought forms that have been running the modern world. These thought forms are most easily observed in the institutions that embody them. Basically, many institutions are based upon the false principle of placing Matter in supremacy over Spirit. Exposing the abuses of these institutions raises consciousness and chips away at the authority and credibility of these entities, exposing them to ridicule, and making it progressively easier for a breakdown of the institution to occur. This breakdown is of course shown in the progression from Key 15 to Key 16. The Tower of False Ideology is destroyed. Systemic evil: Large scale institutionalized acts based upon the illusion of separatism, on the separation of matter and spirit, and on materialism (the denial of spirit). To me, the constructive way to approach issue of systemic evil to expose the
false ideas, systems, and ideologies that currently enliven these
organizations. K15: Expose the Sins of the organization and open it up to ridicule. So, with that first step (exposing forms of bondage and abuse) in mind, some of the more obvious errors are: Corporations: Where governing economic systems are based primarily on money and materialism, the vehicle for collective attainment is the corporation. Their errors: Pollution of the environment, and exploitation (people forced into demeaning, dangerous, or soul damaging work). Orthodox Religion: Based upon separating Spirit and Matter into two opposing and separate entities. Some of their errors: Promoting prejudice, Controlling people in order to enhance the institutions power, money, etc.. Governmental Institutions: The most heinous crime is the crime of genocide. Governments running on powerful (but false) ideologies are the worst offenders. It's the underlying false ideology that's the problem. Other errors include: bondage, exploitation, fostering harmful economic climates which further limit and harm the cultural and spiritual lives of people. Ideology is a false tower built with words. Thus another way of looking at evil is to look at the underlying ideas which drive it. Systemic Evil is driven by false Ideologies (a.k.a. killer creeds) : Some of the more obvious ideologies are: Communism - based on the concept of man as a purely "Economic" being, thus denying the sprit, and is based on a hive mentality (centralized planning) and of making us all the same whether we like it or not. Nazism/Nationalism - based on the concept of the supremacy of one's own tribe and/or race. Based on the superficial "appearances" of others. Pure Capitalism - based on the concept of man as a purely "Economic" being, thus denying entirely the Spiritual component of humanity. It is based on the luciferic quality of separative individualism - the little ego rules. All these ideologies (false towers) have been used to justify exploitation, bondage, and worse. Those who believe in absurdities commit atrocities. |