Why Are We Here?

1. Why Are We Here?

2. An Assumption We need to make an assumption. That assumption is whether the universe is logical or chaos—with a reason or happenstance. I do not think either side can be proven. If chaos then there does not need to be a reason for anything. If logical then there needs to be a reason for everything—even if we do not presently know the reason. (And, believe me, most things I do not know the reason for.) I have made the assumption that the universe is logical. But this is an assumption which I cannot prove.

3. Based onLogical Universe Assumption: Why Are We Here?

4. My answer is: To develop spiritually.

5. Can this be done in one lifetime? Put another way: Do you know anyone who has reached the spiritual level of Christ or Buddha? I don’t!

6. And, if the universe is logical, does it make sense that many people are born in suffering whereas others seemingly have an easier life, e.g., wealth, health, looks, etc? It does not to me if we are here for only one life, but if for many then it’s more understandable.

7. Okay we are here for our spiritual development and it takes more than one lifetime to do so. (Probably many, many more then one lifetime.) Why?

8. My belief is, at the beginning, we were a part of God and, in fact, each of us still are. But for some reason (we got bored? it’s hard to understand what we thought in our complete God-consciousness) we decided that we needed to relearn the lessons we knew to become spiritual. In order to do so we gave up our God-consciousness temporarily to learn thousands and thousands of lessons. And we are learning those lessons —some faster, some slower, some in one area, some in another. In fact I expect that everyone is more spiritually advanced than I in one area or another and I in other areas are more advanced they they. Of course that does not include Christ or Buddha or any of the Masters.

9. Live So how do we learn these lessons? Many lessons can be learned just through living. From my perspective our soul knows the lessons we need to learn and between lives, after reflecting on what we learned our last life, chooses for our next life the best possible life for us to learn our next lessons. We are always advancing. As humanity is always advancing—just look at where humanity has come in the past 50 years, 500 years, 5000 years?

10. Yes! Are there ways to speed up these lessons? There are several ways. A main way seems to be via one of the three phrases carved into the Temple of Apollo at Delphi’s, that being “Know Thyself”. The Temple is from before recorded history—possibly the 9th century BC, possibly before. The other two phrases are: “nothing in excess” and “make a pledge and mischief is nigh”. (This last possibly dealing with non-attachment.)

11. “Know Thyself” In Esoteric Philosophy this is also referred to as building the Antahkarana Bridge [or Rainbow Bridge]—the link between the higher mind and the enclosing soul.) It can be done in many ways.

12. This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.
Farewell, my blessing season this in thee!Polonius, Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 3, 78-82 In my opinion this is the most important quality anyone can use for their spiritual development. As with many qualities there is a problem that being who, or what, is “thine own self”. Suggestions? “Thine own self” should be one’s soul, but until that Antahkarana bridge is built many times it’s one’s personality. In fact, in a very undeveloped individual it could even be their physical or emotional selves.

13. Have a hard life. Take psychological tests—or any instrument which might aid you in understanding yourself. Find someone you can open up to and will open up to you. Someone who will help provide insights into yourself as we are all too close to ourselves to see ourselves clearly. Meditate and reflect. Study philosophy and religion. Anything else one can do? This is not quite true, but could help. When we are going through a difficult period we ask ourselves tougher questions, e.g., what am I doing wrong? what’s wrong with me? what could I do different and better? Those questions lead to insights which aid in our growth. On the other hand one’s soul has determined what life and experiences in life are the best for one’s spiritual development. Thus if one’s soul has chosen an easy life—or, at this moment, an easy time—then accept it.

14. Here is where “esoteric philosophy” can come in. My belief is that at their core all religions are the same. They are not the same when it comes in many exterior areas: Hinduism has as many as 330 million gods! (In fairness the most significant gods—often viewed as three parts of one whole—are Brahma, the creator; Vishnu, the preserver of creation; and Shiva, the destroyer—and this three-in-one idea isn’t a foreign one to Christians, since they understand God in terms of three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. But at their core they all seem to be same when it comes two areas: “know thyself” (just mentioned) and (some form of) right human relations. Study philosophy & religion

15. Know Thyself

16. Three more quick points here: Christ said: “Physician, heal thyself”. Luke 4:23 The Prophet, Mohammed, said, “He who knows himself knows his Lord.” (FM II 308.22; C.312) – Hadith. What of all the rules that the Buddha has passed down to us over the centuries? Accounts have it that just before his death the Buddha entrusted his monks to discard all minor rules, saying he knew they were able to discern the essence of dharma. Overcautious, the monks decided they couldn’t decide, and kept all the rules. In effect, they denied the Buddha’s last wish. Had Krishnamurti sat in the place of the Buddha, and had he made but one rule, it might have been “know thyself”, and all other rules would have been declared to be minor and therefore to be discarded.

17. Right Human Relations

18. “An eye for an eye” – in the old testament - Exodus 21:22–27 and Leviticus 24:18–20? But what about … Except the expression “an eye for an eye” does not occur in the Hebrew Bible. The verses where the expression occurs list situations for which fines are imposed to compensate injury and state that each and every injury must be compensated. The Talmud (in Bava Kamma, 83b-84a), argues against the reinterpretations by Saducees that the Bible verses refer to physical retaliation in kind, using the argument that such an interpretation would be inapplicable to blind or eyeless offenders. Since the Torah requires that penalties be universally applicable, the phrase cannot be interpreted in this manner.

19. In Islam the Shariah—which is the code of law derived from the Koran (Qur’an) and from the teachings and example of Mohammed—controls, rules and regulates all public and private behavior. For example: Other religions … • Haram describes anything that is unacceptable under Shariah law. It is considered inappropriate for a Muslim investor to profit from any activity that violates Islamic principles. Certain industries, including alcohol, pornography, gambling, pork, and conventional financial services, are inherently haram. • Nisab is the minimum amount of wealth a person must have in order to be responsible for charity payments, or zakah. Nisab generally refers to the amount needed to support one’s family for a year. • Purification refers to getting rid of unacceptable profits. Shariah prohibits Muslims from profiting, even indirectly, from unacceptable practices, so investors are expected to account for and give away any income derived from riba or other haram sources.

20. Other religions … Buddhism has the Noble Eightfold Path } Right View Right Intention Right Speech Right Action Right Livelihood Right Effort Right Mindfulness Right Concentration Wisdom } EthicalConduct } MentalDevelopment

21. Other religions … Hinduism has Dharma • Dharma (Sanskrit: धर्म dhárma, Pāḷidhamma) is a multivalent term of great importance in Indian philosophy and religions. In the context of Hinduism, it means one’s righteous duty, and a Hindu’s dharma is affected by the person’s age, class, occupation, and gender. The word dharma translates as that which upholds or supports, and is generally translated into English as law. According to the various Indian religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, beings that live in accordance with Dharma proceed more quickly toward dharma yukam, moksha or nirvana (personal liberation).

22. Other religions … Hebrew • Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:34 But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. Christianity Luke 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

23. That covers most religions

24. Study energy! What types of energy? What else can one do? I would say all since all is energy. But, in particular, those energies which affect you the most and the vehicles they affect: Normal astrology. Esoteric astrology. The Seven Rays. Your various vehicles. Due to time limits I’m not going to discuss Normal Astrology (sometimes referred to as Astrology of the Personality) or Esoteric Astrology (sometimes referred to as Astrology of the Soul.)

25. This is whereEsoteric Philosophycan be of benefit.

26. What is Esoteric Philosophy? Let’s break is down even further.

27. What is Esoteric? • restricted to or intended for an enlightened or initiated minority, especially because of abstruseness or obscurity - an esoteric cult • difficult to understand; abstruse – an esoteric statement • not openly admitted - private esoteric aims HIDDEN

28. What is Philosophy? • Love and pursuit of wisdom by intellectual means and moral self-discipline. • Investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical reasoning rather than empirical methods. • A system of thought based on or involving such inquiry: the philosophy of Hume. • The critical analysis of fundamental assumptions or beliefs. • The disciplines presented in university curriculums of science and the liberal arts, except medicine, law, and theology • The discipline comprising logic, ethics, aesthetics, metaphysics, and epistemology. • A set of ideas or beliefs relating to a particular field or activity; an underlying theory: an original philosophy of advertising. • A system of values by which one lives: has an unusual philosophy of life.

29. So Esoteric Philosophy is? A system of values by which one lives which is difficult to understand – or limited to an enlightened or initiated minority.

30. History In some ways the above is true, esoteric philosophy has been limited to an initiated minority. But that has been rapidly changing over the past 150+ years with the likes of people like: • Helena Blavatsky (1831-1891) - Theosophical Society - founder • Helena Roerich (1879 – 1955) – Agni Yoga - founder • Alice A. Bailey (1880 – 1949) – Alice Bailey School - founder • Annie Besant (1847 – 1933) - Theosophical Society - president • Geoffrey Hodson (1886 – 1983) - Theosophical Society – teacher & author • Rudolf Steiner (1861 –1925) – Anthroposophy - founder • A.E. Powell - Theosophical Society - author • C. W. Leadbeater (1854 - 1934) - Theosophical Society - author • Roberto Assagioli (1888 – 1974) – Psychosynthesis - founder

31. History There have others mentioned from the past: • Hercules (c8000 BC) - Greek • Hermes (c7000 BC) - Greek - Messenger of the Greek Gods • Jesus – Mid-East - Christianity • John the Baptist – Mid-East - Christianity • Lee-tse (570-490 BC) – China - Taoist • Moses (12th Century BC) - Hebrew • Plato (c427 – 347 BC) - Greek • Zoroaster (628 – 551 BC) – Iran - Zoroasterism • Buddha (c563 – 483 BC) – India - Buddhism • Confucius (551 – 479 BC) – China - Confucianism • Enoch – Hebrew/Islam– Enoch is noted as one of two humans (the other being Elijah) who, according to Christian tradition, were assumed into heaven – he’s also in the Quran

32. So what are some of the tenets of Esoteric Philosophy? We have mentioned two: Know thyself Practice “right human relations” But there are others. One being that there are “Seven Rays”.

33. These are energies mentioned in esoteric philosophy. The Seven Rays Ray I: the Ray of Will and Power Ray II: the Ray of Love and Wisdom Ray III: the Ray of Creative Intelligence and Adaptability Ray IV: the Ray of Harmony Through Conflict Ray V: the Ray of Concrete Knowledge and Science Ray VI: the Ray of Devotion and Abstract Idealism Ray VII: the Ray of Organization and Ceremonial Magic You will note that each has two components. I’ll briefly mention some of their characteristics.

34. Ray of Will and Power Ray One Strengths: power to direct and govern, power to synthesize, strong sense of purpose, truthfulness arising from absolute fearlessness. Weaknesses: domination, destructiveness, violence, isolation, hardness, cruelty. Type A: Steadfastness and Endurance. Type B: Dynamic Liberation and Freedom. Vocational Indications: Positions of leadership and authority. Chief executive officers, leaders in government and politics, the military and law enforcement, etc.

35. Ray of Love and Wisdom Ray Two Strengths: loving understanding, compassion, love of pure truth, wise and intuitive comprehension, clear perception and intelligence. Weaknesses: over-sensitivity and vulnerability, fearfulness and self-pity, tendency towards inferiority complex, too great an attachment to people. Type A: Loving-Understanding. Type B: Wisdom & Complete Understanding. Vocational Indications: Positions where love and a wise understanding of people are required. Teaching, religious and spiritual work, psychotherapy, human resources development, etc.

36. Ray of Creative Intelligence and Adaptability Ray Three Strengths: mental fertility and creativity, capacity for rigorous analysis and reasoning, wide views on all abstract issues, exceptional ability to plan and strategize, skillful communication. Weaknesses: intellectual pride, excessive criticism, vague and overly complex thought and expression, manipulativeness, deviousness. Type A: Abstract Thought and Creative Reasoning. Type B: Activity and Adaptability. Vocational Indications: Positions where considerable intellectual power and resourcefulness are required. Business and finance, academic and theoretical work, creative think-tanks, market speculation, advertising, etc.

37. Ray of Harmony Through Conflict Ray Four Strengths: ability to mediate and resolve conflicts, capacity for “bridging”, love of beauty and ability to express and/or create it, artistic and aesthetic sensibilities, musicality, strong imagination. Weaknesses: vacillation, ambivalence, combativeness, embroiled in constant conflict (inner and outer), unstable activity patterns (fits and starts), too compromising, moodiness, worry. Type A: Creation of Harmony and Beauty. Type B: Involvement in Conflict. Vocational Indications: Positions where a strong sense of harmony and beauty are required. Peacemaking, all the arts, mediation, decoration and beautification, psychotherapy and massage, entertainment, interpersonal skills, etc.

38. Ray of Concrete Knowledge and Science Ray Five Strengths: keen and focused intellect, accuracy and precision in thought and action, mastery of factual detail, mechanical ability and practical inventiveness, perseverance in research. Weaknesses: critical and narrow mentality, mental prejudice, rigid and set thought patterns, excessive doubt and skepticism. Type A: Precise Knowledge and Great Factual Accuracy. Type B: Practical Experimentation and Technical Inventiveness. Vocational Indicators: Positions where great accuracy and a factual, technical and objective point of view are required. Science, research, engineering, accounting, technical specialties, etc.

39. Ray of Devotion and Abstract Idealism Ray Six Strengths: high idealism, intense devotion, single-mindedness, unshakable faith, undimmed optimism, power to envision the goal, unflagging persistence, power to arouse and inspire. Weaknesses: blind faith, rigid idealism, narrow orientation, emotionalism, intolerance, selfish and jealous love, fiery anger. Type A: Devotion and Passive Openness to Guidance. Type B: Fiery Aspiration and Militant Idealism. Vocational Indications: Positions where one must “totally believe in” what one is doing. Religious work, all forms of promotion, involvement in “causes” and special interests groups, activism, charity work, etc.

40. Ray of Organization and Ceremonial Magic Ray Seven Strengths: power to create order, power to manifest, power to organize and coordinate groups, “team playing”; great respect for laws, rules and regulations; refined sense of rhythm and timing. Weaknesses: formalism, rigidity, pompous ceremonialism, excessive conformity (or non-conformity), sectarianism, bigotry. Type A: Preservation of Established Forms and Structures. Type B: Creation and Reorganizing of Forms and Structures. Vocational Indications: Positions in which organization and an understanding of form are paramount. Administration and management, building and construction, religious or ceremonial ritual, etc.

41. That’s a quick summary of the energies associated with the Seven Rays. It’s more complex as each ray has other characteristics: Seven Rays • colors • symbols • chakras • sound • religion • art • source of suffering And then we have the vehicles – or the Constitution of Man.

42. Your Vehicles • Physical • Emotional (Astral) • Mental • Personality • Soul • Monad This topic is really the Constitution of Man, but it’s beyond what we have time to discuss. It should be mentioned that each of the vehicles can have a prominent ray so, as part of one’s understanding of oneself, one should not only understand the rays and the vehicles, but also how the different rays affect the different vehicles.

43. Do we have help in our spiritual development? Certainly! • Our Soul • Masters – although they mainly help humanity as a whole • Other Resources • Books from those mentioned earlier • PIPIIonline.com or PIP2online.com