THE PRACTICE OF A LIFETIME
 

  The powers of nature never cease to act throughout an entire cycle of manifestation. The creative, preservative, and regenerative forces are sustained by divine will manifesting in all departments of nature. “Behind will, stands desire.”  Universal will is the reflection of the all embracing divine desire, called Kamadeva in the Vedas, for universal good and love for all that lives. “Desire first arose in It, which was the primal germ of mind…”  Are there powers of the human nature that can be sustained by will and desire for the good of all throughout a lifetime’s meditation.?  What is the common sustained aim and purpose of all those who desire to fit themselves to be better able to help and teach others throughout their lives?

  After one has made this vow or promise to oneself, that idea must be propelled repeatedly with the force of desire. This propelling power has a positive and negative aspect. The negative aspect is to never lose continuity in training oneself regardless of outer circumstances or conditions favorable or unfavorable. The positive aspect is to continuously cultivate oneself at all times, in all circumstances, without distraction or deviation. Remembering that the force of desire has a repulsive and attractive nature, it is important to acknowledge and sustain that which we will never do and that which we will always do. Progress of this sort throughout a lifetime is not for the lukewarm or faint of heart.

  Positive actions come from positive thoughts. The positive seed ideas that one should continuously plant in the field of the mind are those of the virtues, such as are enumerated in devotional books like The Voice of the Silence.  However, the power of seed ideas to produce positive actions can only manifest if one continuously strives to find opportunities for the application of these virtues in every event favorable or unfavorable. Positive seeds can only bear fruit in the field that has been cleared of weeds. Even as one desires to continually dwell on the virtues and apply them, one must also continually eradicate weeds that are their enemy.                                                                                   

  The power of eradication can be used to remove the cause of all defects and suffering.  These weeds were previously planted long ago.  They go very deep within human nature. They are the desire to cherish and protect only the personal self and the desire to achieve happiness only for the personal self. They are the original desire for good and happiness distorted and gone astray, the fruit of selfishness and separateness. How are they to be eradicated? The power of sacrifice eradicates selfishness and separateness, sustained by a desire that is also positive and negative in its aspects. The negative expression of this desire is never for an instant, under any circumstance, to consciously or willfully seek the personal self’s welfare without regard for others. The positive expression of this desire is to consciously dedicate the performance of all virtuous activities to the benefit of others.

  The propelling power of intention, the power of seed ideas, the power of eradication, and the power of sacrifice are natural to all human beings. Sustaining   these four powers, by the will and desire for the good and happiness of others, is the practice of a lifetime. However, only a few choose to apply them consistently. They become the teachers and benefactors of Humanity.

                      QUOTES
If you would cure anger, do not feed it. Say to yourself: 'I used to be angry every day; then every other day; now only every third or fourth day.' When you reach thirty days offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the gods.  - Epictetus

The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.
- Charles Du Bois

In this life we get only those things for which we hunt, for which we strive, and for which we are willing to sacrifice.
- George Matthew Adams

There are fine things which you mean to do some day, under what you think will be more favorable circumstances. But the only time that is surely yours is the present, hence this is the time to speak the word of appreciation and sympathy, to do the generous deed, to forgive the fault of a thoughtless friend, to sacrifice self a little more for others. Today is the day in which to express your noblest qualities of mind and heart, to do at least one worthy thing which you have long postponed... The present is yours to do with as you will.   - Grenville Kleiser

Practicing the Golden Rule is not a sacrifice; it is an investment. - Unknown

He who would accomplish little must sacrifice little; he who would achieve much must sacrifice much; he who would attain highly must sacrifice greatly.    - James Allen

Sacrifice, which is the passion of great souls, has never been the law of societies.   - Henri Frederic Amiel
 
The Roots of Violence:
Wealth without work,
Pleasure without conscience,
Knowledge without character,
Commerce without morality,
Science without humanity,
Worship without sacrifice,
Politics without principles.
- Mohandas Gandhi

Love for others leads us to accept accountability (in contrast to feeling guilt) and motivates our search for ways to end our complicity with structures of oppression.  Solidarity does not require self-sacrifice, but an enlargement of the self to include community with others.  - Sharon Welch

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows achievement and who at the worst if he fails at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.
- Theodore Roosevelt

   “Theosophical Independence” is produced monthly by Associates of The United Lodge of Theosophists in Philadelphia.  Comments, questions and contributions for publication may be sent to The United Lodge of Theosophists, 1917 Walnut Street,   Philadelphia, PA  19103.
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