Dear AQ Readers
This issue brings a selection of some of the best articles to pass over your desks and those of the Editors, and so comes with a warm thanks to all who contributed.
Don’t miss the short piece on Optimism below, nor the superbly illuminating second part of “Buddhist Meditation” that follows from May, a reprint from the ever-fresh Theosophical Movement magazine of Mumbai, India.
There the claim is made that when this system is practised and has become ”a firm foundation of one’s character, eleven advantages can be expected: One sleeps at ease, wakes up at ease, sees no bad dreams, he is dear to men, he is dear to ghosts, and is protected by the gods. Also, he is not affected by fire, poison and sword. He is able to concentrate his mind quickly, his features are serene, he dies un-bewildered, and even if he may not penetrate any further, he is one who goes up to Brahmaloka or Brahma’s world”
…. such are the effects of adopting such an outlook of “loving kindness”.
Sceptical about reincarnation? Then you may like to read an impartial review of the work of the late, most genial Dr Ian Stephenson by the then Editor of the Washington Post, on the meticulous way he documented evidences of recovered past-life memories in children…. on p 2.
There’s much more besides these gems, here is the index:
~ ~ ~
So we encourage our readers to a take a little time out, print off a hard copy, and settle into some contemplative reading… and do pass it on to others when you’re finished.
Yours ever, The AQ Editors
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Optimism
The question of optimism in Theosophy should be examined.
It must be clarified that theosophy – as every true philosophy- is about happiness. Thus a natural optimism emerges from the perception that inner (not apparent) happiness or bliss is the natural result of life, when life is lived in a correct way.
The noble eightfold path is in fact the path to happiness or nirvana.
Theosophy can only be seen as the path of woe from the point of view of lower self, which is illusory.
True, suffering is part of life. No doubt about that. This is so because life implies illusions and therefore brings about pain and frustration for those vehicles or principles that move at the level of illusion.
Dukkha, pain or suffering , and more literally “insatisfaction” or affliction, is the first noble truth of Buddhism.
This is so because it is the starting point of the path towards happiness, bliss, liberation, nirvana.
Therefore Optimism in theosophy does not deny probation or suffering. Just the opposite. It enables us to understand tests and frustration, and to learn from them.
True optimism does not distort facts in the vain hope to deny suffering or confirm one’s naïve expectations, pet illusions or vain attachments.
Optimism in theosophy consists in recognizing the fact that for each pain there is a lesson, and often more than one; and that these lessons can be learned in a conscious way, if one sincerely looks for the causes of suffering.
There is no naïve idealization in true Optimism.
Any lasting Optimism is based on Discernment. Optimism is that confidence in Life that makes one live in peace amidst the perspective of natural disasters that may significantly reduce human population, with no exceptions granted to ourselves or our friends.
True optimism can appear to be severe because it is deep and therefore does not have to appear on the surface for everyone to see and supposedly applaud.
Optimism, or confidence in the Future, is a deep source of the feeling and of the understanding that sustain long-term self-sacrifice. One needs to have true optimism to make a vow to dedicate one’s life to an ideal, and also to be loyal to such a vow, leaving aside any expectations for short-term and illusory results, including avoidance of personal pain.
Optimism in esoteric philosophy is therefore the ability to see and to get in harmony with the essence of Life, for essence is the territory of Law, and Law is both the vehicle and the source of bliss.
