Ananya Sri Ram – USA
The author
From the very beginning of our theosophical studies, a student is encouraged to understand that life does not just existent in the physical realm, but in the unseen worlds as well. For the serious student, occultism, or that which is hidden, is not a myth, but a fact. A myriad of intelligences dance and swirl, coming together, drifting apart, melding as one, becoming two, and so on. Life unseen is designed, imprints are made, physicality is filled in with structure, form, and color. For some, it is only when they can see something physically that they believe “life” is present. What they often do not understand is that which remains invisible to the human eye and one’s awareness is well and truly alive.
Invisible and unseen, does not mean absent or empty. For those who know this to be true, daily life takes on a different meaning.
In the preface of his book The Inner Life, Charles Leadbeater writes about the atmosphere of Adyar. He says:
Nowhere else in the world at this present moment [July 1910] is there such a center of influence—a center constantly visited by the Great Ones, and therefore bathed in their wonderful magnetism. The vibrations here are marvelously stimulating, and all of us who live here are therefore under a constant strain of a very peculiar kind, a strain which brings out whatever is in us. Strong vibrations from other planes are playing all the while upon our vehicles and those parts of us which can in any sense respond to them are thereby raised, strengthened, and purified. But it must be remembered that there is another side to this. There may well be in each of us some vibrations the character of which is too far removed from the level of these great influences to fall into harmony with them. . . its effect on those who are constitutionally unable to harmonize with its vibrations may be dangerous rather than helpful.
While this quote refers to the power and atmosphere of Adyar which is “bathed” in the magnetism of the Elder Brothers who helped found the Society, the thought arises as to what kind of magnetism we create around ourselves, and whether such a vibration is possible to unveil, especially when we do not live near a center like Adyar.
Throughout Madame Blavatsky’s teachings she has stressed the need for members of the Theosophical Society to be in harmony with one another. We may not always agree with each other’s viewpoints, but that should never stop us from feeling a sense of wonder and compassion for the being standing before us. We, as members, are to be the nucleus of universality. When such a harmonization takes place, the energy can be palpable. Many of us know this feeling on a smaller scale when we work selflessly and joyfully together as a group. There is a sense of “at-one-ness,” which Joy Mills often mentioned in her writings.
In section three titled “The Theosophical Attitude” of Leadbeater’s book, he states that:
… occultism may indeed be summed up in this way: it is the study of much that is unrecognized by the ordinary [hu]man—the acquisition therefore of a great multitude of new facts, and then the adaptation of one’s life to the new fact in a reasonable and common-sense way.
Therefore, common-sense must be held “above all things and under all circumstances” for any student. Leadbeater is speaking from an occult point of view when mentioning the multitude of new facts, but for many who begin the spiritual path, study of the inner self can often bring things to the forefront that one did not recognize before. Invisible, but not absent, habits, behaviors, repetitive thoughts, prejudices and so on, can slowly make their way to the surface where they can be observed.
According to Online Etymology, the term “common sense” is said to have been coined by Aristotle “to describe a sense that unites the five outward senses” and allows us “to perceive objects cohesively.“ It is an internal sense that “processes sensations into coherent experience.” Eventually, common sense came to be considered “ordinary understanding.” Meaning that one had sound judgment and a “basic mental capacity” not to appear “foolish or insane.” (One could write a whole other article about foolishness and insanity, but that is for another day.)
It is interesting to observe how much of what happens within the human being is internal and therefore unseen. And yet, far from absent. To discover the world we live in, to understand the forces and energies that make up the natural world, to gather the new facts, we must discover and use ourselves as the microcosm of the macrocosm. Until we understand ourselves through self-study, navigating the depths of this amazing world or one another becomes difficult.
Self-study is a fine balance. On either side lies the possibility of becoming self-centered through either too much focus on oneself or none at all. It requires the common sense that Aristotle describes, using the internal sense so there is a coherent experience. To constantly spend time observing oneself without strengthening one’s weakness or allowing one’s weakness to rule the roost, does not provide any kind of stability in one’s life. An initial good practice is to just observe what arises without reaction and letting it go. As one does this more often, an intuitive guide within can often deepen one’s practice and help direct one forward.
Coming back to the thought about creating a magnetism of tranquility within our lives and environment when not living near a spiritual center like Adyar, self-study is the key to creating such a center within ourselves and, in turn, transforming our surroundings into places of peace. As mentioned before, much of what takes place within us is often unseen but not without affect. Our thoughts and emotions are like radio waves that affect everything around us, including ourselves. Biofeedback studies show that the mind is a powerful tool and that we all vibrate at a particular rate. Those sensitive to such vibrations often “feel” comfortable or uncomfortable depending on whether the vibration they are exposed to resonates with them or not.
Leadbeater, as many know, was well-known for his clairvoyant research. He warned students to be mindful of such things as selfishness, criticism, gossip, and prejudice. Regarding prejudice, Leadbeater states to “beware of the beginnings of suspicion: it will distort everything.” Such things cause disharmony within one’s mind as well as create a feeling of separateness from oneself and others. He states that prejudice “is a kind of growth upon the mental body, and of course when a person tries to look out through that particular part of the body they cannot see clearly. It is, in reality, a congested spot in the mental body, a point at which the matter is no longer living and flowing, but is stagnant and rotten.” The words used here seem harsh until we look at the world today with the severe prejudices we have toward those who speak another language, live another lifestyle, pray to a different God. We cannot say we are not prejudice. If we weren’t, the suffering of various of populations of people would not exist. Nor would the suffering of sentient beings around the world.
Focusing more on thoughts of compassion, peace, non-reaction, gentle words, and kind deeds are all ways to raise our vibration, creating a magnetic charge filled with love and wisdom which spreads its quickening fragrance among the many. This is why so many are attracted to the atmospheres of spiritual centers because such practices are done daily by those living there. Such centers become channels for the power of the Holy Ones, thus enhancing theosophical work. However, we can all become channels of peace and love when we commit ourselves to the work and offer ourselves wholeheartedly.
