Silence

Silence as a form of worship is practiced in most religions, the discipline of inner and external silence bringing a special depth of communication with God. The awareness of the presence of God, both in private and in public worship, occurs in and produces silence, as, for instance, during the expectant silence of the Quakers and at the sacramental presence of God in the Roman Catholic Mass. The practice of silence is said also to give great discrimination about when to speak, so that what is spoken is directed right to the point and has great power.   S.E.

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S.,

Interesting post on silence.

In my experience, the most valuable "silence" is inner silence (stopping the wandering camel of the mind), not necessarily "outer" silence (audible sound).

The place where my mind is most silent, is when I'm playing music! When sight reading and playing music (violin), the mind is totally focused in the moment, and the mind, emotions, and body are all coordinated with unity of purpose - that of creating beauty. It's my form of mantra yoga.

JC

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John,

With regards to silence, there is a place for it. Silence helps to conserve and concentrate energy to apply towards what you want to do. However, depending on the situation, I may be silent, or I may engage in conversation with someone - even knowing that they are very different from myself in their outlook on life.

For example, not 5 minutes ago, a work associate was in my cube here at work, and we were talking about cars/stereos and life in general.  My friend Ben is twice divorced and has some harsh outlooks and opinions on life that he has based on his own experience.

Also, Ben's best friend and mentor (Dave) works as a software contractor supporting his girlfriend Paula (an ex nude dancer), Paula's husband (a drug addict) and her two children (who are in the custody of her husband). Ben frequently talks with reverence about Dave's lifestyle of high dollars $$ and 3-way sex with exotic dance goddesses.

Now, would you attempt to engage in a philosophical conversation with this man, expressing what you know about the True Reality in the face of all the above?

I not only would, but I do so without hesitation!

That's because I can see Ben as a man who has built his own prison and who is in great pain.  By talking and interacting with him, I can see DIRECTLY the interplay of the various cosmic forces (symbolized in the Tarot) as they work themselves out in his life.

Now I DO NOT talk about the Cabbalah or the Tarot, or anything else esoteric with Ben.

What I DO is use the PRINCIPLES as I recognize them. 

For example, in talking with him, I can see how he is using a Principle /Law/Outcome in it's negative sense. I then reflect back to him (for him to consider) that Principle/Law/Outcome in it's positive sense, so he can understand how he is currently using his consciousness and causing his own problems/opportunities.

For example, when Ben said that you can never trust anyone except for yourself, I merely suggested that the real issue may be one of discrimination since things are not as they appear. This lead him to comment that he can trust himself because he knows his own mind, and you can never know someone else's mind. I then pointed out that he was right in placing importance on knowing his own mind, since many of our motivations are subconscious and that's how we often sabotage ourselves.

In other words, by engaging with a crusty person like Ben, I'm helping him to see things more clearly.

So interacting with others is a WIN/WIN situation. NEVER NEVER hide or place your wisdom on the shelf when interacting with others in the so called "Real World".

For me it's a powerful meditation on Cosmic Law IN ACTION, and of these two patterns on the Trestleboard:

I recognize the manifestation of the Undeviating Justice in all the circumstances of my life.

In all things great and small, I see the Beauty of the Divine Expression.

For Ben, it's also a win, because I can give him food for thought.

So for me, engaging all of life is critically important as I strive to incorporate these principles of ageless wisdom in everyday life. And that means engaging in relationships, friendships, and conversations with those around you.

So when I come upon a crusty crustacean of a person, I don't say "oh no" and slink away. Instead I say "Right On!", because I see this "problem" as an "Opportunity".

My Holy Guardian Angel has brought me into contact with this person for a reason, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to express the One Will where it's needed most.

JC

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So what do I do when it is necessary to interact with the office Neanderthal? Here are a few phrases I say silently to myself which seem to help others. I use them, depending on what the situation calls for:

When asked for advice by someone, I make every effort to help them come up with their own choices, from which they may choose their own destiny, while never revealing that I may have some special insight; for it is important to me that they believe that they arrived at their own solutions on their own, thus freeing themselves from need to seek me out again.

As a last resort, like this document, I might share with others what I might do if in their situation, if I could.

Here are some things I watch out for:

These are a few of mine. Perhaps you can add a few of your own, if you get the idea of what I believe is the power of silence.  Can I know you by your works alone, without you needing to tell me what I might see for myself?

C.F.

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C.F.,

Thank you for your thoughtful posting.

The cases you illustrate are all examples of giving to others in order to get something in return (a sense of importance, or of being right, etc..) It only appears like giving or helping, however. Actually these are examples of using others and stem from the attitude/illusion of separatism. It's trying to be in control (K1) and manipulate (K8) others resulting in the situation we see in K15.

The examples you site include:

Now I agree with you that much of what goes for "helping others" these days, is actually a case of giving for the wrong reasons. In this regard I recall that the name of Key 8 (Strength) is the "Intelligence of the Secret of Works." The secret of works is to do something because it is the right thing to do, and not be attached to the results. It's the difference between "preaching to the Neanderthal" trying to get him to change his ways, verses sharing and expressing who you are as a person because you're overflowing with love that just has to express itself and flow out. Love, be it in the form of friendship, mercy, or in a relationship, is never in vain.

I agree with you when you write:

"When asked for advice by someone, I make every effort to help them come up with their own choices, from which they may choose their own destiny."

For me, speaking to principles IS the most effective way to help them come up with their own choices. By giving them my attention and empathy, I'm also showing them by example that they are important and not alone. It's a process of sharing who you are "with" a person, not preaching "to" them.  Sharing stems from Unity (K9), while preaching / telling stems from separatism (K15).

You are correct in pointing out that possibly the greatest challenge in choosing to engage in works of mercy is the problem of removing any attachment to results.  I myself struggle with this attachment frequently, but it's a learning process.

When you're young and full of steam you try to change the world and change others to your liking (1-8-15).  But you reap the results(11) and get wiser. Then you let go (13) of the foolish notions of what you think must be, and instead you learn to just "be yourself" and let others be themselves as well.  Being yourself and accepting others is what allows the Uniting Intelligence(2) to break down the walls that keep people apart (2-9-16).

So still I say, Let your light shine, and engage!

JC

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The Crawdaddy and the Bombshell 

Date: 97-03-08 21:11:53 EST 

Kara,

I agree with you. Other than using a pejorative like Neanderthal, I like using the term "crusty" - like the crustacean (crawfish) in Key 18 (The Moon).

A crustacean wears its protection on the outside like the suit of armor in Key 7 (The Chariot).

Now if you pay attention and observe "crusty" people, you can see the same thing. They're hard on the outside, but soft and vulnerable on the inside. Like my friend Ben who is hard and crude on the outside, but is hurting on the inside. He wears his attitudes like an exoskeleton to protect himself.

I experienced this same thing myself back when I was in the Navy. Submarine life was so mission oriented, uncompromising, crude, coarse, and unsympathetic that I grew a very thick and tough skin. However, I soon realized that the burden of carrying a warrior's armor was slowly turning me into a troll, and when my tour of duty was over, I left that life behind me. Now I choose to travel wearing lighter mental accouterments. Yet I can empathize and relate to those still laden with that armor, because I was there myself.

The experience has also given me the ability to easily and comfortably communicate at that level when I choose to and thus act as a transducer (K1) and to share some love/friendship/mercy/light with my crusty pals, and learn from them as well.

By the way, as you can probably tell by now, I am NOT one of those who believes that as you grow you should only associate with those of your vibration and higher. When I see someone who's hurting or is asking for help, I'll help them even if it's just by being there and listening to them.

You don't see Mother Teresa hanging out with just the priests and contemplatives do you? She's doing God's work with those crusty souls who need it the most.

I'll share with you another real world example and of the Challenges (Testing - K14) therein:

My next door neighbor Jeanie, is a single mom with two young boys. We've become friends these past two months, and I've been helping her sort some things out in her personal life.

In the case of my friend Ben (with the harsh attitudes about life), my challenge (I believe) is to be a friend and not be attached to results(K8), and accept him as he is, crusty attitudes and all.  Learning to let it be and accept those who are different is our HGA (Holy Guardian Angel) pouring water on the Lion of Key 14 (Temperance).

With Jeanie, however, my challenge is the same with the added challenge of not getting emotionally involved with someone who's not yet ready for a healthy relationship. Jeanie, for example, deals with the world by using her sexuality/desirability to get things done, yet she is struggling with trying to get through the superficial stuff (the bars, and the meat market atmosphere) to find a healthier way of relating after a lifetime of dysfunctional relationships with men. In some ways she's just as crusty as Ben, except for her the task is to find a more positive channel for the creative Sex-Force so that she can create a more healthy emotional/physical/mental future for herself and her children. Learning how to purify our driving procreative nature is the HGA pouring fire on the Eagle of K14. My challenge is the same. Jeanie trusts me, yet there is that constant temptation to get more "involved" than would be wise with someone of her emotional maturity.

I feel as though these two opportunities are a type of test for me. My HGA is testing and tempering me to see if my mettle is up to acting as a transducer (K1)and as a servant (K9) without succumbing to power drives or other misuses of that trust and energy.

So there you have it. Whether we decide to actively engage in works of mercy, or to remain silent - they are both tests (K14) of how we RESPOND to the One Life in all it's manifestations. My crawdaddy office mate, and my buxom bombshell neighbor in the thong bikini are both fellow souls searching and struggling along the path of return just like the rest of us.

It's been said that Superficial observation and hasty generalization lead to bondage(15). It's discrimination (1+5 = 6) that makes the difference and helps us to see beyond the superficial masks (whether that mask be ugly or sexy ) to the real persons underneath. And it's to that real soul underneath that we should be RESPONDING to when we engage and relate with others.

It's not easy, but I've come to recognize the opportunity for what it is, and I thank my Holy Guardian Angel for giving me the initiation.

JC

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Lately there has been a discussion on this group that has touched on the issue of elitism. This is a often recurring argument against occultism used by the profane (a term I prefer before 'Neanderthals'). All I can say is that the profane are right about this. Occultism holds views that are no more or nor less than elitist. Occultists believe in evolution, that is, in progression from lower levels of existence to higher. This is applicable in comparing species against each other, but also in comparing individuals of the same species. What is the consequence of the analogy of transmutation from lead to gold applied on humanity? Yes, that some individuals are more integrated as personalities, have more awareness of and control over themselves and their environment, etc. compared to their contemporaries. As occultists we should belong, or want to belong to this more exempt class of individuals. Let's not be hypocritical about this issue.

This is not the same as saying that we are better than the profane. This is not an issue about so highly subjective and culturally conditioned values as "good" vs. "bad", "better" vs. "worse", etc. It isn't about values at all, but about plain facts and understanding of natural laws and dynamics.

Our duty as occultist, being honest about ourselves and our profane relatives, is to work, in silence and solitude, for the evolution of mankind.  Therefore I do not agree with JC when he is saying:

"as you grow you should [not] only associate with those of your vibration and higher. When I see someone who's hurting or is asking for help, I'll help them even if it's just by being there and listening to them.  You don't see Mother Teresa hanging out with just the priests and contemplatives do you? She's doing God's work with those crusty souls who need it the most."

While I of course agree that one should help an individual in distress, I still don't think that Mother Teresa or any of her kind is a model for those dedicated to the Great Work, anyway not as occultist generally define it. The physically serving Christians are doing their good work, but it is not ours. 

We should doing what we are best at, serving Christ on the inner planes and making ourselves more fit vehicles for Him, at the same time living a life as normally serving citizens (but not necessary more), i.e. not making such a big issue about it before the profane. Altruism is a spiritual path, but not the only, and I dare say not at all the occult path, anyway not as altruism normally in it's narrow sense is regarded in the eyes of the profane. 

Doing God's-work in our Temples is altruism in another sense, not acknowledged by the profane. But why should we adapt ourselves to their value-systems?  T.S.

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My motto is to ENGAGE life, for without verification of these principles in our everyday life (K14) and relationships with others, Occult theory is worse than useless.

You'll note that in this vein my last few postings to this list have related some very practical real life experiences of mine (Crusty Ben, Sultry Jeanie and Key 14) and how these experiences were in fact a personal VERIFICATION of Occult principles. It is my hope that we on this list can share more practical experiences of this nature, and be just a little bit less abstractly theoretical.

It is my personal belief that one of the main reasons people fail to demonstrate is that they don't apply the theory to everyday life. I feel that for any system of knowledge to be practical it must be practiced, and not kept on the shelf only to be used for study or theoretical discussion with other like minded theoreticians.

The study of theory serves a preliminary function, and like a map, it can get you pointed in the right direction, but then it must be coupled with practice, and to me that means not only meditation, but also by engaging and relating with others.

Can you become a good pianist without practicing on the piano? (Occult study and meditation can be looked at as practicing your scales)

Can you become a good golfer without playing on the golf course? (Occult study and meditation can be looked at as practicing at the driving range)

Can you transmute and perfect your vehicles (personality) without getting practice and experience in those planes in which your vehicles operate? The choice to engage or not is the choice between Dominion and Slavery. See Key 21.

And look at the key combination 7-14-21. Verification - engaging in the trial and error process of life (14) is the Law that enables us to use our Vehicles (7) to achieve dominion (21).

Or as (in Star Trek, Next Generation) Capt. Jean Luke would say to Lt. Cdr Riker, "ENGAGE, number One".

JC