Destiny is our Friend

There seems to be an impetus to change moving through the world – a sort of pressure to move up to the next level of potential and possibility; to intuit and perceive more expansive goals that will guide our thought, energy and resources into a new civilisation, one that lives in interdependent awareness within the whole of the world, of life and its animating spirit. Perhaps it is even an urgency to draw back from the brink towards which the trajectory of the past seems to be carrying us. For a growing number of people the motivating power and the quality of the change they are experiencing is new and very different – no longer motivated so much by fear for the survival of the familiar and desired, but inspired instead by a kind of shared joy in supporting and sustaining the planetary life with all its varied and interdependent forms, and heartened by the beauty of our world in its wholeness, floating jewel-like to adorn the space of our solar system.

This new sense of wholeness brings a clarity that extends beyond the immediate local sphere of activity and rides on the ripples of an expanding awareness to bring new eyes to bear on the past and its current effects in the world. This is the trigger or the bow that directs the arrow of vision into a very different future. In response there are many initiatives blossoming throughout the world to identify the limitations of past modes of thought and to inspire with a new vision and way of living in the world – as a whole. One such is the Shift movement to change the way we think, feel and live in the world. See: www.theshiftmovie.com

And with these newer ways of seeing our world, as a whole, we find the heart’s compassion is being dynamically stimulated by the pain and trauma of so many people, animals and treasured environments. The potency of this expanding compassion is immersing us in a more humane and humanity-wide response. It’s as though a tide is rising up and forming a new wave that brings to life such heart initiatives as the latest Band Aid 30 project to fund the eradication of Ebola. The increasing groundswell is slowly and surely mobilising the human heart to expand until we can embrace all within our care.

A new kind of striving is emerging such as we have been told in the Agni Yoga writings:

Urusvati knows the true meaning of striving. People often fail to distinguish between the spiritual striving of the heart and the physical tension of the reasoning mind. Unfortunate misunderstandings can bring disastrous results. One can beat one’s head against cold stones, but the descent of creative energy will not take place.

You may wonder how one learns to distinguish between the various energies. In order to accept the current of higher tension, it is necessary, first of all, to refine one’s consciousness through lofty thinking; thus will come the expansion of consciousness and the kindling of the fire of the heart. This illuminating state can come upon one quite unexpectedly.

More than once have We reminded you that the measures of the Supermundane World are different from the earthly ones. Only by understanding this can one grow accustomed to the Supermundane World. No routine practices or exercises are needed; only thought can elevate man. Only during focused thinking can man feel the presence of the inner fire.

In the ancient teachings can be found indications about the precious talisman that is found in the heart. Truly, it is possible to compare the fire of the heart, kindled by supermundane energy, to a talisman.

People should not think that they must retreat to the life of a hermit in order to properly develop their consciousness. Amidst daily life on Earth can be found beautiful striving, and such podvig will be even more wonderful. But the striving must be sharpened, like the arrows of an experienced archer.

Teachers in schools should speak about the power of lofty striving. Moments of silence should be introduced, when children can direct their thoughts to the Beautiful. Such moments may evoke the fiery sparks in their hearts.

The Thinker advised people to gather together, and in silence to direct their thoughts to humanity.”
Supermundane IV, verse 853.

While it may be true that we have a long way to go to change the trajectory of our current thinking, it seems that that “way” is opening up and becoming more clearly defined. We live in a whole system and we are thinking and creating increasingly within that whole context. And so we are beginning to make whole the world in which we are an interactive part – no longer separate or passive but affecting, and affected by, all the life and lives that flow through it.

In the latest issue of The Beacon magazine, the article, From Millennium Goals to Sustainable Goals, the United Nations and the Building of the New Civilisation, Steve Nation ends with these words:

The Four Freedoms played a hugely significant role in shaping the purpose and direction of human affairs after the Second World War. This enunciation was of initiatory significance for humanity. There is a possibility that the new Sustainable Development Goals will play a similar role. It all depends on what happens as the process of defining the new goals proceeds throughout this year. One key factor is the extent to which the energy of the new group of world servers and people of goodwill can be focused on achieving the goals. Will people of goodwill be inspired to achieve the goals? Will they inspire you, your friends, your family, and your work colleagues? So much depends on this question of inspiration.” Steve Nation  See: www.lucistrust.org/en/books/the_beacon_magazine/table_of_contents

The general groundswell for sustainability is a powerful new dynamic that is colouring and changing how we see our world, how we think about it and how we live in it. “Sustainable” is a word in everyone’s vocabulary now – rather than just the visionary few of past decades. It is slowly replacing “growth” in the shifting value of ideas. It implies sharing and sustaining the flow of life-sharing energies, rather than acquisition and exploitation. “Saving” now means saving the whole, rather than saving the part irrespective of the whole. And we recognise that by saving the whole we save the intrinsic, atomic part we, each and every one, are.

There is a sense of time speeding up as we seem to be racing downhill to the “logical conclusions” of past values, purposes and directions.  And, at the same time, it is speeding upwards as the arrow-flight of vision carries us beyond the past limitations of thought, creativity and identity and into the oceanic Life of the One in Whom we live and move and have our being. We are moving from self-consciousness and concern to whole consciousness and love.

The little self is being transfigured within the greater Self and moving towards a re-birth whose quickening was heralded by all the great Sages and Souls who have descended into the world to draw us up with them into a realisation of a vaster reality. And this mighty awakening was begun with the birth of a small child in Bethlehem 2,000 years ago.

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As we approach this Holy Holiday season may we express and experience the deepest warmth of gratitude which blesses both he who gives and he who receives, immersing us all in the radiatory power of life shared.

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