Version: October 10, 2004
THOU, O Son of God, the Christ Child, Who radiate Light from Thy throne: Thou, O builder of worlds, Who sendest forth that inner energy of love and compassion that man may find his way back to Thee through the maze and entanglement of his lower creations:
Awaken man's heart that Thy Christly forces may enter the dark places and bring hope, encouragement, and peace that Thy children may hear the song of the New Day now faintly dawning amidst the world's confusion.
Purify the hearts filled with hatred, envy, distrust and jealousy, so that at this hour of the Christ's Day they may hear, feel and heed the words,
"PEACE ON EARTH, GOOD WILL TOWARDS MEN!"
In today's world we are faced with seemingly insurmountable crises that challenge each of us, every day. In the face of information overload about the wars, death, disease, and destruction in the world today, what can we do? There is a plan, a Divine plan, and we CAN do a lot to alleviate the pain, the sorrow, and suffering. We begin with asking ourselves, "How much am I doing to help on this glorious plan of redemption? How much unselfish love am I putting forth, and how much hate and other lower qualities am I transmuting into light and love, thus adding to the sum total of good which the Divine Ones may use as a matrix in and for the Great Work for the humanity of which I am an integral part?"
Dr. Dower, co-founder of The Temple, told us, "We live in a world of shadows and illusions, groping blindly for light. The lower planes of existence are unstable and wavering, blinding our vision and tripping us, entangling our feet, our understanding, as we seek for the realities back of this shifting outer panorama of changes." We are crystallized in our modes of thought, in our use of words; and it is difficult to break away from old forms and habits. "But as the great Master has said, if we can attune ourselves to the One Great Reality, the One True Light, `Then Thy shadows shall flee away, and Thou shalt behold the King (Divine Truth) in His Beauty and Holiness.'"
So let us endeavor to do our very best to help the world, friends, neighbors, people everywhere. Our seemingly slight efforts do indeed add to the total of Good as we make ourselves channels through which mighty forces can flow for the Good of All.
-- Eleanor L. Shumway
Guardian in Chief
During the first week of August each year, The Temple holds its annual Convention during which we have meetings which focus on the spiritual side of our work, social events that give us a chance to interact with each other in ways that express our sense of community, and periods of quiet during which we absorb and bring into alignment the radiant force we feel welling up from within. Dr. Dower brings into sharp focus exactly what happens to us on the plane of forces at Convention: "Our yearly convening creates a magnetic matrix through which the force of the Masters radiates to all points of the compass to members on the outside and, through them, to the world of humanity. Those who are here are charged with this force and, when they go away to their homes, they carry the force with them and radiate it in terms of force and light independent of any religious or philosophical truth they may carry otherwise. There is a time in the orbit of each planet in the solar system when it is nearest to the Sun." So these yearly conventions bring members nearest to the Temple Sun, to the Masters who energize our work who tell us: "Warriors of Light, Warriors of Truth, I salute you in the name of the Great White Brotherhood. Go forth to battle with the Powers of Darkness, Armed with the sword of the Spirit of God, the breastplate of Righteousness, the helmet of Eternal Truth! See to it then that no stain rest on that armor, no rust on that sword, that ye may become one with Us. On that Great Day, be with Us, be with Us."
How do we best prepare for the incoming force? How do we move through it during the week, and then precisely how do we carry it with us as we go forth to battle with the Powers of Dark ness, armed with the Spirit of God, with Righteousness, and Eternal Truth?
Are there any easy answers? No, but perhaps this whole complicated process is best broken down into very small, more manageable steps. You know, the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time! We might begin by examining the Master's words to this Convention. We often act as if we can go through life alone except when we get into difficulty, and then we look around and yell for help, preferably from a higher power, forgetting that that radiant power is ALWAYS with us. He tells us, "As in countless years gone by, I repeat: Know you not I am always with you?" Of course, then He spoils it by adding: "Although I will never forsake you, I must trust you to try your own strength, to put into decisive action all that we have taught you. This is your responsibility." Great! What kind of comfort or help is that? Such a statement brings on a whole new line of reasoning; as if we are involved in a partnership, rather than a parent-child relationship. We are now being asked to be a part of the solution. He tells us clearly, "Now is the time when we expect you to stand without support; when we plan to turn to you for help in the distressing circumstances of everything that besets humanity at large. Our work is with all humanity, and we need your help."
That statement could very well bring on an attack of feelings of superiority. We are being asked to help with humanity, so let us not forget we are a part of that humanity and we can and do help each other. He goes on, "In your daily, hourly practice of the principles of occult living, you generate an energy that We use in our work. We charge you to pay close attention to how you demonstrate your grasp of what we have given you, and your motives for such demonstration."
Here we are yet again being reminded that motives count in every single thought, word, and deed -- every hour of every day. And, furthermore, we had better get busy and practice the principles of occult living. What are those principles? Are they some kind of privileged information or instruction that only we have? Quite the contrary, for in different degrees they form the foundation of every society ever known to humanity. They have to do with the everyday practice of love, will, wisdom, knowledge, faith, hope, truth, justice, loyalty, honesty, service and obedience. Those twelve principles are built into the Temple's Ten Rules of Discipleship, into the Ten Commandments, into the Buddha's teachings, and so on.
In this increasingly complex world when everything seems to be falling apart, humanity yearns for a savior to banish the darkness and evil and restore harmony and light among all the peoples of the earth. It is true we need teachers and guides, but we are the other half of the equation. Grace Knoche has a wonderful analogy in her book To Light a Thousand Lamps: "Just as the growing child must be allowed to find his or her own strength, so humanity as a whole needs time and space to reach maturity through its own efforts. We are much like the adolescent who rejects the help that is available and then, feeling alienated, seeks foolish and sometimes destructive means to fill the loneliness. In consequence, while there is currently an extraordinary yearning for higher guidance, there is also an astonishing lack of discrimination as to what is sound and what is spurious in matters of the spirit." Through our own intuition and imagination, we must develop our powers of discrimination. All of this is within us.
Over the years it has become almost an "in joke" to remind each other, "Remember, there are no little things!" We should be asking ourselves just why the Master brings that point up so very many times. Again this year, "Over the years I have told you countless times that you must observe how far-reaching is the influence of nearly any apparently insignificant action and how that influence practically never ceases to exist. Thus must you ever bear in mind the importance of little things." We often play mind games with the idea that we can "get away" with a small thought, word or deed because no one is watching, or cares, or it isn't important, or any of the other self-justifications for avoiding something. But that statement of "the influence [of some little thing] practically never ceases to exist" gives me pause. How about you?
-- Edwin Eberman
I began by asking how best to prepare for the radiant incoming force, how to move through it during the week, and then how to carry it with us as we go forth to battle with the Powers of Darkness, armed with the Spirit of God, with Righteousness, and Eternal Truth. This sounds as if far more important deeds are called for than simple, everyday, little things. After all, we have worlds to conquer, battles to fight, Righteousness and Eternal Truth to wrestle with. Why should we dither with washing and ironing, shopping and food preparation, gardening and keeping our homes in order, or being thoughtful and present for each other? And yet, He is very clear when He tells us, "It is not dramatic deeds that count in time of crisis, either nationally, universally, or individually. It is duty well-cared for, distress eased in seclusion, love administered in faith, and compassionate silence that conquers all. Tactfulness is but another name for kindness, and it embodies justice through finer sensibilities. These are the elements that enlarge the consciousness, that make it possible for us to use you -- to draw upon you for reinforcement day or night, sleeping or waking, whenever the call of need rings out, summoning us for relief and succor."
There are mornings when we wake up almost more tired than when we went to bed, or days when, seeming to do very little, we experience a weariness far out of proportion to what we actually physically accomplished. In this active partnership with the creative forces of the Universe, we are being drawn upon interiorly to hold a point that no one else can hold, to help the evolution of the humanity of which we are an integral part. This is what is meant by the statement, "This is what you oft times feel when your natural forces are low. You will learn to brace and reinforce yourselves, if you will but study the techniques we have lavished upon you. Be patient and remember that true growth is always slow growth, and you must not lose faith in yourselves, each other, or in the Love which has loved us all into being." In learning to imbue all we think, all we say, and all we do with love, will, wisdom, knowledge, faith, hope, truth, justice, loyalty, honesty, service, and obedience, we are answering the call to active partnership with that Love. We cannot do it all at once; but, having become aware of the process, we can and must take the first steps. As our awareness grows through practice, our steps become more sure and our responsibility deepens.
We are each responsible for our own steps, even though we can (we think) see the steps of another so much more clearly. How many times have we looked at someone else's life and thought,"If they would only do it my way, they would have no more problems! I could tell them how to do it." Perhaps that is why the Master told us, "Each must, however, judge his or her own actions in the Light of the Higher Self. No one can do it for another. No one must do it for another. I charge you to walk lightly when you cross the path of another, whether it be diametrically wrong to your own sense and comprehension, or not. When you do so, you walk the more securely on the path of your own choosing. No one has the power to throw discouragement or reprimand upon you because you have not moved according to another's formula, unless you yourself permit it by your attitude of negation. Each to his or her own method, so long as you are honest, sincere, and actuated by the qualities of obedience, defense, and devotion to the principles to which you have obligated yourselves in the highest and holiest ideal of service to your brothers and sisters. Your first and last thought each day must be that of holding together as one family, one consciousness, one heart, and one mind, with personality lost in the ocean of love and service."
Hmmmm -- first and last thought each day of holding together as one family, one consciousness, one heart and mind, losing personality in the ocean of love and service. Yes, but -- if only my neighbor would keep their dog at home, if only my neighbor would turn down the stereo, if only my child/mate/brother/sister would be more loving, more considerate -- it would be much easier to follow these directions of holding together. The truth of the matter is that our job is to try to do as we are asked because it is the right thing to do, and to try and try and try again -- not beating ourselves up for failing, but clearly seeing where we can do better, forgiving ourselves, and forging onwards. After all, our loving Father/Brother tells us, "Again, I repeat that more of value than you know has been accomplished by you through your self-disci pline, helpful, courageous, and brotherly attitude one to another, and the general sharing of responsibilities and efforts."
Like any family anywhere, we squabble and fuss with each other; but we can and do put on our company manners, entertain our guests, and clearly demonstrate the principles we are trying to live by. And then, when the company leaves or moves here to become one of the family, we squabble and fuss family-style, taking actions and reactions for granted, and assuming that other family members know we honor them, love them, and will do anything for them if they will but ask. Apparently we need to take a careful look at these assumptions, for the Master spoke so deliberately to each and every one of us: "Another important point I would put before you before leaving is the one upon which I have laid stress time and time again: that of your conduct, your daily voice and tone of living, toward one another. It may seem overemphasized to you. You may think your acts and words should be understood by each other after long years of comradeship together and permit of a certain gruffness, familiarity and crudity. It should not be so. If you cannot apply the spiritual qualities -- if you cannot give that loving voice, the understanding helpfulness to one another with whom you have worked and associated in season and out, under fire and torment, as well as in hours of gladness and ecstasy -- how can you expect to feel the soothing hand of the Christ upon your own brows or hear the joyous voice of spiritual happiness within your hearts and souls? We administer justice, the seed of which must be planted in your own minds and hearts and lived out in your lives."
We could continue the adolescent behavior Dr. Knoche referred to and be resentful at the seemingly constant picking at our faults and exhortations to be our better selves; but with self-respon sible insight we can -- indeed, we must -- see and feel that the Love that loved us into being loves us so passionately that It will never let go, never let us self-destruct, and never take Its arms from around our hearts and souls.
"-- I leave you, knowing that deep within your hearts lies the earnest desire to mount to the Throne of Life by love, simplicity, and purity of living. Now you must assimilate what has been given you for your benefit, encouragement, and guidance. Heark en well that you may hear the song the stars are singing, and which will fall clearly upon your inner ears if you can but still the waves of outer emotion, and the turbulent waters of the lower spheres.
"My blessings and love to you. Peace be to you, joy and power as well, to win in all that is before you.
"Your Father-Brother, Hilarion."
-- Eleanor L. Shumway
Let go, my child! This seven-fold world is far too heavy for thy hands to hold. It will not pass into the Silence of the Great Abyss because thou sittest idle for a moment's spell, forgetful of the toil, the long-drawn agony of souls, the fierce unrest, the warring hosts of hell. Thou canst not bear the burden if thou wouldst, alone, for each one is a part and, if he will or nay, must put his shoulder to the mass, and push with each recurring cycle round.
So rest awhile and see the Father's hand outstretched to thee and Me. God's great completeness flows around our uncompleted parts as flows the deep wide ocean round the rocks scattered in wild profusion in its wondrous depths, silent save for Nature's undertone. And so my Child, sit thee still and let the waters pass o'er thee and bring thee Patience, Faith and Power with which this whole wide world to bless. For one is truly wondrous wise, a Mas ter midst all My children, who knoweth how and when to wait.
Seven things are necessary for building the Temple of God in Humanity: the materials, foundations, knowledge, devotion, work, experience, and the blessing of the Master.
1. The material consists of the forces with which we are endowed by nature, and which we must learn to control and render subordinate to our design. All these forces are substantial, because what we call "force" and "substance" are only two aspects of one and the same principle. Even our highest aspirations, if they are real, are not empty creations of fancy, but motions of spiritual life, causing the eternal substance of the soul to grow and expand. The Temple of God is as clear as crystal, and cannot be made of impure heterogeneous material. Therefore, our aspirations and motives must be elevated and pure, and the first labor of the artisan is purification. Without this, all other labor is worse than useless.
2. The foundation. The Temple of God in Man is not a castle in the air, but must be built upon a firm foundation. This foundation is the truth, and not the idle creations of the brain. Truth is that which is real and unchanging, and the recognition of truth is the cornerstone of the building. Everything in nature grows from a center within; and thus the real recognition of truth is not a merely intellectual perception of the brain, but a realization by the soul itself. It is the heart which feels and realizes the truth; the brain-mind only acts as a spectator and investigator. When the truth realized by the heart is confirmed by the brain, there arises that firmness of conviction which cannot be shaken by doubts and opinions, and in this consists the solidity of the foundation.
3. Knowledge may therefore be divided in two parts -- theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge. Theoretical knowledge is necessary because we cannot accomplish a work without having some conception of how it ought to be done. But unfortunately, there are millions who mistake the knowledge of theories or mere "science" for a realization of truth and therefore never outgrow the plane of opinions, and perform no real work. What would we think of an architect who would spend all of his life in studying how the bricks of a house might be put together if a house were to be built, but who would make no effort to carry out the plan? There are many persons acting as teachers in the spiritual field who have no knowledge of their own. They are like guideposts on the road, showing the inscriptions that have been written upon them by another, be they true or false; but the guidepost itself has no experience of its own, and never makes any progress.
Now, it will be asked by many: How can a knowledge of absolute, eternal truth ever be attained by mortal man? Who can lift the veil of the unknowable mystery? Some base their beliefs upon the assertions of some supposed authority; others doubt or reject ev erything which they cannot grasp with their brain; but a blind belief and a blind unbelief are both enemies of true knowledge. Blind belief is afraid of seeing the truth and does not desire it, but hides its head in the dogmas which it has chosen and from which it does not dare to emerge. Blind unbelief seeks to dissect, analyze and destroy everything; and for the doubter, the truth, being one and inseparable, does not exist. Between these two monsters, superstition and doubt, walks man, and is captured sometimes by the one, sometimes by the other. Real knowledge of truth is only attainable when the truth itself becomes manifest in the heart. The truth is God, and the word of God speaks continually in the center of our own being; it is the Christ crucified between the two thieves called credulity and doubt; it is that reality which in our innermost beings says: "I am the truth;" it is our own real self, and there is no real knowledge attainable except through the internal recognition of the voice of God in His Temple within ourselves.
4. Devotion. How could we find God or the Truth in ourselves, if we were not devoted to it? The seeking of one's own soul is the most difficult of all labors. We all live too much outside of ourselves and not in the Temple. Men and women seek for refuge in outward things, in the things of this earth, or they let their fantasy fly towards heaven and imagine themselves to be with God; but they refuse to enter within the sanctuary of their own heart, although experience teaches that we can find nowhere true rest, peace, spiritual knowledge and happiness except at that center where, upon the altar of devotion, burns the flame of Divine Love and shines the Light of Truth. How can we find that which we do not love? Love attracts, fear repels. Love not only binds creatures together, but unites man with his God. True love and true knowledge are one and the same thing. Labor performed without love is without true knowledge, and is therefore imperfect. Without love, the Temple of God in humanity cannot be made.
5. Work. Love without action is a power which is not used, and is therefore unproductive. Love, to be useful, must give birth to works of love. True love is pure and simple -- that is to say, it has only one object and is not mixed with secondary considerations. It is undivided and therefore unselfish. If we love God for the sake of our own personal progress, we in reality love our personality and seek to make God subservient to our selfish purposes. But the illusion of self, the delusion that we are in reality that bundle of personal desires and conceptions which we have created by our own spiritual ignorance, is the greatest hindrance for the manifestation of the light of truth in us, and the more we seek to make our false Ego great and prominent, the greater will be the obstacle which prevents the realization of the true Self in our soul. Therefore, all our work should be not "our" work, but the work of love, performed by the power of love and wisdom in us and through us as intelligent instruments in such a way as it is taught in the Bhag a vad Gita and by all the sages and saints.
-- Edwin Eberman
6. Experience. All the above is easily said, but it is difficult to be realized as long as we have not attained that higher consciousness which enables us to discriminate between the true, immortal Self and the illusive, mortal self. Ever and ever have we to pass through the circle of birth and death and go through the school of life until we have learned, by repeated experience, that the illusions of our senses are really nothing else but illusions, and that there is no salvation from ignorance except in the realization of truth. Our external and our internal selves are one; nevertheless, they differ from each other as the flower differs from the soil upon which it grows. Our external self with its material and intellectual acquisitions is like the soil; the consciousness of our real self is the germ planted therein, from which may grow the tree of Divine Wisdom, the real knowledge of self.
7. The blessing of the Master is the Grace of God. It is the spiritual light which is above all necessary for the growth of the soul as the light of the sun is necessary for the evolution of plants. We cannot make ourselves wise without the light of truth; we can only strive to remove the hindrances which prevent the grace of God becoming active in us. If we succeed in purifying our hearts and in removing these obstacles, the light of truth will manifest itself with in our own temple and without any aid or support that we might possibly attempt to give to it; while, without the presence of that divine power, all our efforts would be vain. Therefore, the great teacher Gautama says: "To purify the heart and to avoid doing evil, this is the religion of all the Buddhas." If we do this, we need do nothing more, for the Spirit of God will perform its works of love through us, and we shall be the witnesses of its wisdom.
-- Franz Hartmann, M.D.
Love is a white light of beauty.
It is closing upon the souls.
It is constantly building friendship.
It is shining deeper and deeper understanding, comradeship.
The Avataric Conception is upon us.
It is above us, glory in the heavens;
It is beneath us, embryonic powers;
It is about us, beauty of perception;
It is within us, growth, wisdom's growth.
Out over the universe its marvels spread vastnesses,
Wings of beauty upon each one.
In and through creation it impels love, ever-increasing love.
Over the earth it is flowering wisdom, fructifying that seed.
Within the hearts of men it is the blessing of true love,
high growth, faithfulness.
-- John Varian
Of the Seven deadly sins, anger is probably the most fun. To lick your wounds, smack your lips over grievances long past, roll over your tongue the prospect of bitter confrontations still to come, savor to the last toothsome morsel both the pain you are given and the pain you are giving back -- is a feast fit for a king. The chief drawback is that what you are wolfing down is yourself. The skeleton at the feast is you.
-- Frederick Buechner
Instructions from The Master concerning techniques for meditation
Try to awaken the White and Golden Force in yourself by thought and concentrate them in one spot or focus; that is, when these forces are called together, think of each as one part of a single entity or aura in which you are manifesting. Then when each one desires to pour out that force in any direction, it will go with the combined power of the group. Practice thinking as much as possible of yourselves as one in that aura. Or you can think of it as one aura in which you all are -- as it were parts of a single apple or orange -- when you awaken this golden and white force within yourselves. Then direct a helpful thought inward through that to anyone you wish. Everything is inside you; nothing is outside of you. Point the thought of help interiorly -- that is, from the heart, as though you were sending it further in. Hold the person in mind as inside you. Everything is inside, in that point in yourself. There is much force wasted that is sent out with good intent by directing it exteriorly. If, for example, you can imagine your own body as a rapidly expanding sphere which contains everything, it will help you to catch the idea.
Think of the Golden Force as the White Lodge Force, and when it is awakened within your self it is part of the Masters. The heart center is the best. It is the center of Being. Think of the Golden Light awakening and spreading in it. Call it up in yourselves. By practice, you will soon be able to see it when you generate it and be able to direct it in a straight course. It is the Love Force -- the Universal Love Force. It is also a synthetic force, and is the most helpful you can send forth, no matter for what purpose it is sent. Only desire the very best good for another. If you voice a desire and formulate it not knowing the effect, you might do harm. You should always send impersonal force. Always hold the attitude, "For the best good," not what you desire.
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Imagine the aura about yourself as a mass of iridescent color, globular in form, and try to lose sight of the personality in that aura. When the mental image of the aura has been fully formed in the mind, then begin to form a mental concept of the Great Spiritual Sun as a globe of pure white scintillating light. Then realize as far as is possible (and you will find it growing easier as you make the attempts) that your aura is one atom of the Spiritual Sun; that the Spiritual Sun is you; that you are identified with and cannot be separated from it. Hold yourself in that center, and go into the silence as much as possible. Realize that the Spiritual Sun is the Christ, an entity of which you are a part, and it is above all things Love -- pure Love. In attaining that realization you will, after a while, find a picture of that Sun rising before you; you will realize your identity with it more and more and, if your object be unselfish, pure and holy, you will find the spiritual planes opening to you in a way they have never done before. You will realize, little by little, your oneness with all things and with the Christ. From that vantage ground you are safe. What you see on the psychic and spiritual planes from that vantage ground will almost invariably be reliable.
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Concentrate the thought on a point in space, realizing at the same time that this point is at the center of your own heart. All consciousness should start from this point. Then mentally let the thought go out in Seven Spiral Sweeps, each Spiral larger than the previous one, the last sweep to be as large as the imagination can make it. Then lose all consciousness of the lines that have proceeded from the center to form this circumference.
Make mental images of twelve small globes or balls of colors, three in a group, one red, one blue, one yellow, one violet, and concentrate the thoughts on Light. Then lose all sense of the lines that have held them. Gradually from the center of this globe will spring up a golden light penetrating every atom of Light, penetrating all, a sphere of the most dazzling white light that one can imagine.
Now realize that in this is all Will and Desire, Infinite Will and Desire working through our own Will and Consciousness. In fact, it is our own Higher Self, the Self of everyone.
We are told to direct the Force of this concentration to the great work of the Temple and to all Temple members who are in need of help -- also to any we wish to assist or who are in great need. The great Force of Love pours through and IS the Force.
It will take some time to do this work properly, many days and many trials, for we are not trained to concentration. Little by little the power will become manifest to consciousness, if faithfully performed. If it tires your brain or in any way affects you unfavorably at first to follow the lines and sphere which I mentioned, do not try at first, but think of your heart as the center of a sun, the circumference of which extends as far as the consciousness can reach, and realize that the sun or sphere holds within it all of Will, all of Desire, all of Consciousness, and that you are IT.
As time goes by you will be able to do as I have told you and hold your consciousness without permitting all the flitting thoughts that take possession of you at all times to cross the sphere of which I have spoken. You will gradually begin to realize that what I have said to you is true. You can draw to yourself all that is best for you to have; but be careful at such times always to keep the thought in your heart, "If it is right and best for me to desire," whether it be health or any other good thing.
Wouldst thou know God in very truth and, knowing God, lose forever the paralyzing fear, the haunting wish or the craven effort to propitiate the Unknown?
There is but one way by which man may know God. I will teach you if you will listen and heed. Consider impersonally, fearlessly, humbly and devotedly, every kind, loving, just and compassionate impulse which prompts you to a deed of like nature. Connect each impulse with the divinity of the Godhead as the cause of the impulse instead of its effect, as you are now prone to do.
Do not confuse the impulse with the deed which follows. Search the true, the beautiful, the loving righteous roots of the impulses which have prompted you to action, and you will see that the impulses are as the leaves on the cosmic tree in number. Each impulse is a lead from the Heart of God to you, that so you may find the way back.
Mortal man may only truly know that which he experiences, and his impulses furnish the dynamic power by means of which he will experience the final effects of similar deeds. To and fro, from God to man and from man to God, run the lines of life, and man must seek God along the lines Infinity has set if he would know God.
-- From The Mountain Top
November 15, 2002: It is approximately 38,000 days since the founding of the Temple of the People in Syracuse, New York in 1898. Each one of those days is, in one sense, the ever-present NOW, the NOW in which we make the choice for deeper spiritual responsibility, the NOW which is our past, our present and, interestingly enough, our future.
It speaks well for the choices made before today that we are now 38,000 days along in this priceless effort to help ourselves and all humanity to a clear recognition of the interdependence and Divinity of all life. The sacrifices, sorrows, sufferings, and failures; the successes, gratitude, faith, hope, joy, and beauty of each one of those preceding days are the foundation stones upon which we stand -- NOW -- making our current choices. Our future depends on our present thoughts, words, and deeds. Each day literally becomes a BIRTH day, a day in which we demonstrate minute by minute our acceptance or rejection of the Golden Rule. Each day, therefore, is truly the birth day of The Temple within ourselves.
-- Eleanor Shumway
-- Edwin Eberman
God is Love, and Love is the fundamental source of Being. Therefore, if thou sin against Love, that sin is against God.
1. "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and mind, and thy neighbor as thyself." This is the highest law.
2. Thou shalt obey the laws of life. The Higher Law will hold thee accountable for the breaking of every lesser law.
3. Thou shalt not sin against thine own body, nor against the body of thy neighbor, by concupiscence; for the Lord thy God will demand an accounting of thee for all of the Creative Fire enthroned within thee.
4. Thou shalt not needlessly take the life of any thing or creature.
5. Thou shalt not speak falsely, unnecessarily or critically against thy neighbor, and so put in action the converse force of creative sound and word; for the Higher Law will reverse the action of the force thus directed and bring back upon thee, with intensified strength, the results of the broken law.
6. Thou shalt bear constantly in mind the unity of the human race, and treat every member of the Great White Lodge as though he were of blood kin; for unity is the law of discipleship and, if thou sin against this law, thou shalt be greatly hindered in thy progress toward the goal of thy desires.
7. Morning and evening thou shalt lift the eyes of thy soul toward the throne of thy God, with strong aspiration, gratitude and devotion; for according to thy desires -- thy demands -- upon the Center of all Being, desires expressed in purity, thanksgiving and unselfishness, shall the supply be vouchsafed thee.
8. Thou shalt give of thine abundance to all the poor, but of thy poverty, the price of thine own pleasures, and that which would minister to thine own desires shalt thou give to the Great Mother and to the Guardian of the Shrine, through which the Great Mother love of the universe radiates for thine own eternal good.
9. Thou shalt not despise nor ill-treat any thing or creature. Matter, Force and Consciousness are but different degrees of the one eternal, all-pervading principle of Love -- which is God; and he who despises and reviles his body because it does not radiate the light of his soul despises God as certainly as does the man who despises and reviles the soul and spirit of God.
10. When the law of Love -- of Karma -- has brought thee out of the morass of spiritual darkness to the beginning of the path which leads to spiritual illumination, woe be unto thee if thou obstruct that path for thyself or others by refusing to obey the Master to whose feet that law has brought thee.
Only by implicit obedience to the commands of the Master-Teacher shalt thou be able to lift one foot after another while treading that path of discipleship.
Commune long and earnestly with the God within thyself ere thou darest to make demand to tread that path, for once thou hast entered it, thou canst no more return to thy former state of irresponsibility than thou canst re-enter thy mother's womb.
Behold the Path before thee: a clean life, pure aspiration and unselfish service. Art thou prepared to tread that path?
1. Have I kept the pledge I have given to work in harmony with the law of Love? Do I keep constantly in mind the truth that Love is God, and that only according to my faith in and love for that God, as It is materialized in all Its creations, is it possible for me to know aught of God?
2. Am I obeying the laws of life so far as lies in my power -- the laws of health, the spiritual, mental, moral and national laws, the laws of discipleship? To what extent am I breaking any one or more of those laws? Can I bring myself under subjection to the law I have broken?
3. Am I leading a morally clean and upright life? Am I sinning against my body, or the body of my neighbor?
4. Do I strive to conquer the unclean, impure elemental forces evoked by conscious or unconscious desire, by the only method by which they can be effectually conquered -- that is, by overwhelming them with pure, true and beautiful concepts; by striving to learn if there is any physical cause of the incitement of such forces, and removing the same if possible? Do I always bear in mind that by promiscuous scattering of the life essence in my body, I am calling down much suffering on myself, for I am degrading and wasting the very substance of the God-head Creative Fire?
5. Do I speak falsely, unnecessarily or uncharitably against my neighbor, and so abuse the power I possess for using the high Creative forces of sound and word? Do I take the name of God or the Masters in vain by needless reference in common conversation or profanity? Do I try to speak kindly to and of others; try to give all the help and comfort I can give to those in trouble or affliction, and use any grains of knowledge and wisdom I have gained for the benefit of others? Do I always protest when others speak unkindly, uncharitably or falsely of my co-disciples?
6. Do I try to bear always in mind that the human race is one great family, and that the different divisions, groups, and associations each represent one member of that family; and therefore endeavor to treat all men, and especially my co-disciples, as though they were of blood kin? Are my actions toward them instigated by love and brotherhood, or by what I may selfishly gain from them? Do I permit envy, jealousy or ambition to lead me into wronging others?
7. Do I devote some portion of the morning, or evening, to meditation and aspiration, and to cultivating the attitude of Faith, Gratitude, Humility and Devotion?
8. Am I keeping my vows to give all my available time, means and thought to the upbuilding of the Temple work? Am I giving all the service, the means, the encouragement and protection I have promised to give in sustaining the Agents of the Lodge, or am I carelessly or willfully neglecting to do so, and so robbing myself and others of the advantages, the help and direction we might secure, and at the same time permitting great breaches to be made in the Guardian Wall, through which the enemies of the Lodge may creep to bring death and destruction within the Temple ranks?
9. Do I realize and act upon the truth that Matter, Form and Substance are as much a part of God as is spirit and soul, and that by despising or neglecting to care for my body, or continually longing to be released from its bonds, I am despising and neglecting God?
10. Am I honoring and obeying the directions of the Masters in all respects? Am I striving to learn who among the great historical characters may, or must, have belonged to the Lodge of Masters, trying to profit from their advice and experience, and helping others to do the same?
Am I diligent in making self-examination at stated periods, as I am directed, and doing all that I can to undo any wrong I have done and to increase my efforts to fulfill any law I have disobeyed, before daring to present myself at the table of the Feast of Fulfillment?
Finally, am I striving to make my body, soul and spirit an acceptable offering, in the eyes of God and the Masters of all wisdom?
Temple friend Ann Winston passed on to other planes on September 22, 2002.
Born Ann Burkhardt on January 27, 1908, Ann married John Duffy Comfort. They had two children, Penny and Will. Ann later married Mickey Flynn and added his daughter, Pat, to her growing family.
After Mickey died, Ann moved to Ojai in 1969, and, with two other dedicated Theosophists, began the work that established Meditation Mount which labored worldwide, bringing ideals of brotherhood and the Unity of All That Is to people everywhere. It was at The Mount that she met and married Theron Winston, life long Theosophist. The wedding was held in The Temple in Halcyon.
Six years later, after Theron's death, Ann ended her daily work at The Mount and moved to Santa Maria where she continued her contacts with dedicated workers for the Light worldwide. Her children and grandchildren continued to delight and absorb her. Ann's life was devoted to service, and all who knew her came away refreshed and refocused.
We will miss her, but know that her service continues from the inner realms.
Comings and goings: Over the past several months many residents have taken trips away from the Center. Susie Clark spent a week in Mammoth with friends; Eleanor Shumway, driving with her sister Gloria and brother-in-law Bill Quale, visited family in Spokane, Washington, and Denver, Colorado, and everything in between; Maryalice Mankins went kayaking on the Colorado River, houseboating on Lake Powell, and on visits to Mt. Shasta, California, and to Michigan; Barbara Ricardo spent seven weeks in Anchorage, Alaska, taking care of her new granddaughter, Naomi Wells; Marti Fast and Kathy Headtke drove across country to Vermont, visiting National Parks and Headtke family reunions along the way; the Carlsons had a wonderful week in the Canadian Rockies at Banff National Park; Roy Willey visited family in Nebraska, saw the latest on Broadway in New York, and spent time in Glacier National Park; Verona ReBow visited family in Germany; Mindee Thyrring attended a photography workshop in Washington; Annie and Will Dunbar helped his sister, Jenny, and family move from Portland, Oregon, to Buffalo, New York; Willy Gommel visited family for a couple of weeks after retiring from his work; and Dawn Goodman visited friends in Anchorage, Alaska.
Equally impressive was the number of visitors to the Center: Johanna Brkovich's daughter Jo Anne from Texas spent time with her mother; Bill Lowman's brother Bob and sister Ailene came from Pennsylvania; Larry Abrahamsen and Richard Jukes came from the Bay Area, as well as Svetlana and Alexi Kravtsova; Kodi Coyote from near Chico; Ivan and Eva Ulz from New York City; Cathy Greer from Riverside; Simon and Olga Bokman from San Francisco; Debra Rowlands from Tracy, California; Aleksandr Smirnov from Maryland; Alan and Nancy Cash , Oakland, came to be married in The Temple; and Valerie Blustin of London, England, spent a week here.
Other events of note: Mike Sears has become the Superintendent of Lucia Mar Unified School District; Aureliano Rodriguez is working on his Master's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning; Jerry Sabol has rescued a homeless burro which is now enjoying life at the Dana Adobe Historical Site in Nipomo; Barbara Ann Clark married Jay Busik, bringing the Lentz and Clark clan together in a special way; Natasha and Simon Rykman came from Miami to make their home here as did Damian and Zoe Rollison from Virginia; Bruce Autolitano moved from his home on Dower Street to one on Hiawatha Lane; Karen White is retiring from the Santa Maria Times after thirty-nine years and looking forward to some quality time in her beloved garden. Maya DeLaLuna graduated from University of California at Santa Barbara and has her sights set on something in the field of law; Joy DeLaLuna has graduated from high school and is now at Cuesta College. Mary and Don Forth have retired and come to live full time in their home in Halcyon. From Hawaii, Gordon Nelson and his family returned to live in the Nelson home here. There have been new paint jobs, roofs, gardens and general repairs happening all over town.
Temple groups: There are groups in New York City and London, England, as well as several in locations in Germany. Anyone wishing more information about these groups can call the Temple offices in Halcyon.
William Quan Judge Library serves Temple members, residents of Halcyon, and friends with an interest in Theosophy or who are doing research involving some of our special collections. Our library is staffed by volunteers; hours are Mondays, 9-11 a.m. and 6-8 p.m., and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Other hours are by appointment through the Temple office.
The University Center Gallery is open by appointment. Please call the Temple office at (805) 489-2822 for information. This year the exhibition consists of paintings by Harold E. Forgostein, fourth Guardian in Chief of the Temple. This exhibit, "The Refreshing Green of Nature," features both watercolors and oils depicting Harold's deep insights into the the world of nature about us. Also on display are many interesting articles and artifacts accumulated through Temple history.
The Temple Healing Service is held at 12:00 noon each day in the Temple. All are welcome to attend. A Meditation Meeting is held in the Temple on Sunday evening from 7 to 7:30.
Study Classes under the auspices of Temple Officers and various Temple Orders are held regularly in the University Center on Tuesdays and Fridays at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Sunday Services are held at 10:30 a.m. in the Temple. The Feast of Fulfillment (the Communion Service of the Temple) is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month. The last Sunday of each month is a prayer and meditation meeting. Other Sundays are speakers' meetings. The public is cordially invited to all services.
Speakers in the Sunday services were: September 8: Damian Rollison, Metaphors and the Secret Life of Words; September 15: Annie Dunbar reading Theosophy Explained by Ernest Harrison; September 22: Eleanor Shumway, Aspects of God; October 13, Eleanor Shumway, Inner Planes.
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