The Completeness of Each Minute in Time
Carlos Cardoso Aveline
Through the beauty of self-sacrifice, human beings may levitate above egotism
* An undivided, healthy mind creates a better future. Let us suppose we think about the power of order and peace in our lives. If the thought is deep enough and sincere enough, and if it endures for a time that is long enough, then peace, order and happiness will naturally emerge as unavoidable facts.
* Peace and plenitude must be found in the void. By striving to acquire something, we lose inner equilibrium. Through the practice of renunciation, balance is attained unconditionally and action can be performed in that which makes an actual difference.
* Simplicity of heart – a necessary condition in human well-being – is the opposite of personal ambition. From ambition, fear and anger result; from humbleness, a sense that life is complete as it is now; and a perception that the Now and the Eternal coexist and work intimately together.
* Space, time and silence are sacred. Space contains objects, silence contains sound, and time includes and transcends all cycles of universal life. The sacredness in the three of them is similar. They are essential to the music of the spheres; to the evolution of globes; and in the practice of mantras.
* The immortal soul – being altruistic and wise – is free from the gross materiality now imprisoning many on Earth.
* Through the beauty of self-sacrifice, human beings may levitate above egotism. Good will and mutual help belong to celestial life. Even a small act of kindness will uplift the soul of the giver and make it easier to reach higher levels of perception.
* People who live in selfishness can only help the world by peacefully identifying the movements of egotism in their own souls and eliminating their foundations. The world needs people who can stop their lower self mental discourse about “objective” facts and look at things from the point of view of the wordless, integrative levels of the soul. On these levels a friendly detachment presides over cooperation. The whole world gets to peace, when the soul is at peace.
* It is clearly stated in the Mahatma Letters that life is about magnetic energy. The first step to expand one’s inner strength and moral force is not to waste them. The pilgrim becomes stronger through the practice of self-control. As one stops throwing his energy away, the magnetism of life grows and gets purified. Learning about life means reducing the waste of time and energy.
* The search for wisdom helps us know how to dedicate our minds to that which is worthwhile, and not to focus on that which is harmful, or useless, from the point of view of a spiritual purpose.
* Attaining to peace in one’s soul and preserving it regardless of circumstances allows one to be in harmony with higher ideals. Our commitment to outer conditions should not be exaggerated. Depending on them is the same as losing inner peace. The opposite of anxiety is happiness. The completeness of each minute in time should be a constant, first-hand experience.
* Whoever wants to seek for universal truth will have to come to terms with the need of self-knowledge and total renunciation regarding illusory images of oneself and others. Understanding the process of self-delusion brings about liberation from ignorance. It usually starts after one dedicates his life to a noble, transcendent and long-standing goal.
Empty Words or Practical Example
* Since the 20th century, one of the frequent mistakes to be found in the theosophical movement is the “descriptive approach” to esoteric philosophy. “Descriptive” is thus meant as “describing or classifying [the teachings of theosophy] in an objective and non-judgmental way.”
* Since Pythagoras it is well-known in the West that any effective way to teach philosophical tenets must include the example. It is therefore not enough to offer theosophy as a mere “description” of beautiful theories. Philosophy and Theosophy must be spread as a testimony, as a narrative which explains the facts of life, as a way of living. It is not a collection of words. It constitutes a method of action, a practical strategy to reach wisdom and that inner freedom which dispels ignorance.
* The abstract description of the Cosmos will only be understood by one who does his best in learning the practical side of universal wisdom and ethics.
Strengthening the Will
* Paradox is part of life. Although discerning true and false things is far from easy, the task is unavoidable to him who wants to expand his will-power. On the other hand, strengthening one’s will is also necessary if one wishes to expand his discernment.
* As the student of theosophy makes a constant effort to learn the art of living, some mistakes become more painful than before. Other ones are seen sooner than previously, and he can correct them in easier ways.
* A strong will is stable. It is higher in substance, because it aims at a more elevated goal. However, persevering is not the same as being stubborn. One must walk with open eyes. The pilgrim’s effort is constant, yet he never stops learning. While his goal does not change, the ways he walks to it get more effective and more intelligent all the time.
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“Thoughts Along the Road – 42” was published as an independent text on 29 January 2020. An initial version of it, with no indication as to the name of the author, is included in “The Aquarian Theosophist”, August 2018 edition, pp. 08-09. The notes “Empty Words or Practical Example” (page 04 of that edition), and “Strengthening the Will” (p. 07) were also written by CCA and are included in the present article. It must be said that there was no “Thoughts Along the Road” in the “Aquarian” editions of May, June and July of 2018.
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See other writings by Carlos Cardoso Aveline.
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