This group discusses the practical applications of the theosophical philosophy and the therapeutics of the wisdom of the ages.
Resources: http://www.universaltheosophy.com/art-of-living/
The art of living study group intends to discuss the relevance and connection of theosophical ideas to the challenges and hurdles of daily life. This group will focus on the ethical issues, psychological challenges and artistic applications of theosophy to the daily round and the common task. While the other three groups freely move back and forth between the universal and the particular, the theoretical and the practical, this group will make an attempt to stay focused on the practical side of the art of living equation.
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Weekly Theme for Contemplation: Head-Learning and Heart-Wisdom
- This topic contains 15 replies, has 6 voices, and was last updated by
Pierre Wouters 9 months ago.
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Topic
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Weekly Theme for Contemplation:Head-Learning and Soul-Wisdom
“Action based upon spiritual insight has a moral simplicity that neither can be understood nor imitated by the lower mind.”
— Aquarian Almanac
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Weekly Theme for Contemplation: Head-Learning and Heart-Wisdom
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ModeratorTN
July 15, 2017 Weekly Theme for Contemplation: Head-Learning and Soul Wisdom
Can I see another’s woe,
And not be in sorrow too?
Can I see another’s grief,
And not seek for kind relief?
— WILLIAM BLAKERembrandt van Rijn 1606
Thomas Bulfinch 1796
Inquisition ended (Spain) 1834-
Shen Rampersaud
A tough dilemma.
To assist another with empathy and effectiveness requires feeling the right amount of woe and grief. Too little leads to apathetic inaction and too much incapacitates both parties all the same. A balance is necessary, and the barometer for balance can only be felt.
Bearing personal sorrow without drowning is a requisite. This is where soul wisdom is essential in understanding the hollow nature, transience, and silver lining of sorrow as one of many human experiences. This gives way for the detachment that enables people to respond appropriately for themselves and others.
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Pavel Axentiev
Interestingly, in Buddhism, as far as I understand it, the compassion (karuna), empathetic joy (mudita) and loving-kindness (metta) have to be balanced with equanimity (upekkha). These four comprise the brahmaviharas (“the four immeasurables”), while the latter two (metta and upekkha) are also included in the paramitas (“perfections”).
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Mark Casady
Reminds me of a verse from another poet, the Sufi Saadi: “Human beings are members of a whole, In creation of one essence and soul. If one member is afflicted with pain, Other members uneasy will remain. If you have no sympathy for human pain, The name of human you cannot retain.” (Gulistan 1, 10)
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Shen Rampersaud
This is a good point, Pavel.
Detachment without indifference is a delicate skill, but an essential one in being engaged and responsive. With upekkha, one is not swayed by the daily current of stimuli.
Upekkha demands some of the qualities of nekkhamma (renunciation), as one of the perfections. Arguably, equanimity lies on this foundation.
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Pierre Wouters
Shen, you said: “To assist another with empathy and effectiveness requires feeling the right amount of woe and grief”.
How would you relate that “right amount of woe and grief” in turn to the idea of non-attachment as – for instance – explained in the Bhagavad Gita?
In the Voice of the Silence, the Viraga Paramita speaks of “indifference to pleasure and to pain, illusion conquered, truth alone perceived”.
Of course, as few have reached that exalted state of “indifference” or equanimity, do you see this “feeling the right amount of woe and grief” as an intermediate state?
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Shen Rampersaud
The response to feeling woe and grief is one of either non-attachment or clinging. Clinging is a result of identifying with the many reactions to feelings. And this obscures truth.
Being touched by pain is not a sign of attachment. The deterrent to non-attachment is the spiral of thoughts, emotions, fruitless meaning, reactive actions, etc. that proceeds feelings. Identifying with them is immobilizing and illusory. In regards to the Viraga Paramita, I believe that indifference to our reactions to pleasure and pain is a great necessity to dissolve their impact.
Upekkha is subtle and delicate; it is neutrality and a non-reactivity without being emotionally shut off. Because equanimity is not indifference, I don’t see “feeling the right amount of woe and grief” as an intermediate state. Great question, Pierre, and I hope this helps.
We don’t need to feel pain over and over just to serve others. Figuratively, we touch a hot skillet on a stove, and must let go quickly! The burning sensation is understood and there is no need to hold on. We leave this experience with a core understanding to assist those who have similar or greater “burns.”
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ModeratorTN
July 16, 2017 Theme for Contemplation: Head-Learning and Soul-Wisdom
To cling to the Void and neglect compassion
Is to fall short of the highest path.
— DOHAKOSAThe acquisition of Brahma Vidya is entirely dependent upon the development
of a feeling of universal love. — D. K. MAVALANKAR -
ModeratorTN
July 17, 2017 Theme for Contemplation: Head-Learning and Soul-Wisdom
Believe to the end, even if all men went astray and you were left the only one
faithful; bring your offering even then and praise God in your loneliness.
— FYODOR DOSTOYEVSKYWhere my heart lies, let my brain lie also. — ROBERT BROWNING
First photograph of a star 1850
Where there is ‘I’ there is bondage, where there is
no ‘I’ there is release. — ASHTAVAKRA GITA -
ModeratorTN
July 18, 2017 Weekly Theme for Contemplation: Head-Learning and Heart-Wisdom
Blessed are the pure of heart; for they shall see God. — JESUS
‘Tis wisdom sometimes to seem a fool. — THOMAS FULLER
Fundamental theorem of the calculus (Leibniz) 1677
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ModeratorTN
July 19, 2017 Theme for Contemplation: Head-Learning and Heart-Wisdom
Knowledge is proud that he knows so much;
Wisdom is humble that he knows no more.
— WILLIAM COWPERLearn to unlearn. — BENJAMIN DISRAELI
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ModeratorTN
July 20, 2017 Weekly Theme for Contemplation: Head-Learning and Heart-Wisdom
To be able to say how much you love is to love but little. — PETRARCH
It is the province of knowledge to speak, and it is the privilege
of wisdom to learn. — OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES, Sr. -
ModeratorTN
July 21, 2017 Weekly Theme for Contemplation: Head-Learning and Heart-Wisdom
‘Great Sifter’ is the name of the ‘Heart Doctrine’,
O Disciple. — THE VOICE OF THE SILENCELogic is a matter of mere intelligence, which cannot apprehend
things that are clear as crystal to the heart. — M. K. GANDHI
