La Iniciación (GIDEE) — Vol. 6, No. 63 — July 1947
English·1942–1947·trans. The Collective Press (machine-assisted)·29 passages
The text · part 2 of 2
Subbhamastu SarvajagatamPeace to all the Universe
THE DEEPER MEANING OF SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
The comments above on attention and observation in spiritual practice reveal profound truths about the nature of consciousness and its development.
When we begin any spiritual exercise, we are not merely performing a technique. We are entering into relationship with the vast intelligence that governs the universe. Every breath, every moment of attention, every act of will is a form of prayer, a way of aligning ourselves with the divine current that seeks to express itself through us.
The apparently simple act of observing one's breath becomes a doorway into the mystery of consciousness itself. Through patient attention to this most fundamental life function, we discover layers of awareness we never knew existed.
THE ROLE OF THE SPIRITUAL DIARY
The keeping of a spiritual diary is not merely record-keeping but a form of meditation in itself. When we write down our observations, we are forced to become conscious of what we have experienced. This process of conscious reflection deepens the value of the practice and accelerates development.
The diary also serves another purpose: it creates a record of our journey that can guide us and others. The patterns we observe, the obstacles we encounter, the breakthroughs we experience - all these become part of the collective wisdom of the spiritual path.
THE PRESENCE OF INVISIBLE HELPERS
The reminder that no sincere practitioner is ever alone touches upon one of the most important truths of spiritual development. The universe is not a mechanical system but a living intelligence, and this intelligence responds to our sincere efforts toward growth and service.
When we approach spiritual practice with reverence and dedication, we invite the attention and assistance of those beings whose evolution has carried them beyond the limitations of physical existence. Their help comes not through miraculous intervention but through the subtle influence they can exert on our consciousness when we make ourselves receptive through practice.
THE BALANCE BETWEEN EFFORT AND RECEPTIVITY
True spiritual practice requires a delicate balance between personal effort and receptive surrender. We must apply ourselves with discipline and consistency, yet we must also remain open to experiences and insights that come from beyond our personal will.
The examples given show how this balance works in practice. We make the effort to sit regularly, to maintain attention, to observe carefully. But the deeper experiences - the spontaneous regulation of breath, the natural timing of practice sessions, the arising of inner vision - these come as gifts when we have prepared ourselves through faithful effort.
THE INTEGRATION OF SPIRITUAL PRACTICE WITH DAILY LIFE
But the deeper experiences - the spontaneous regulation of breath, the natural timing of practice sessions, the arising of inner vision - these come as gifts when we have prepared ourselves through faithful effort.
THE INTEGRATION OF SPIRITUAL PRACTICE WITH DAILY LIFE
One of the most important points made in this teaching is how spiritual practice illuminates our understanding of daily life. As we develop the capacity for sustained attention and careful observation, we begin to see the subtle connections between all aspects of our experience.
The state of mind we bring to practice reflects the state of mind we maintain throughout the day. The quality of attention we develop in meditation becomes available for all our activities. The inner peace we cultivate in silence begins to permeate our interactions with others.
This is why spiritual practice is not an escape from life but a preparation for more conscious and effective living. Through it we develop the qualities of awareness, compassion, and wisdom that enable us to serve others more skillfully.
CONCLUSION
The path of spiritual development is simultaneously the simplest and most complex undertaking possible for a human being. It requires nothing more than sincere attention to the present moment, yet it can transform every aspect of our existence.
Those who undertake this path with patience, dedication, and humility will discover that they are not alone in their efforts. The entire universe conspires to assist the soul that genuinely seeks to know and serve the highest truth.
The practices given by authentic spiritual traditions are time-tested methods for awakening consciousness and developing our divine potential. But they work only through our consistent and intelligent application, guided by wisdom and motivated by love.
May all sincere seekers find in these reflections encouragement for their own journey toward the light that shines within every heart.
Chapter 6: European Spiritual Revival and News Bulletin
EUROPEAN SPIRITUAL REVIVALEchoes of the "World Spiritualist Congress"
The Circle of Studies "PROGRESO ESPIRITA," of Buenos Aires, has published a Spanish version of the conclusions of a World Spiritualist Congress, held in the middle of last year in Brussels (Belgium) and which, gladly, we reproduce below:
SPIRITUALIST CHARTER OF HUMANITYApproved by the "World Spiritualist Congress" celebrated in Brussels
"The World Spiritualist Congress" that took place on days 10 to 13 of August 1946, taking into consideration the gravity of the times and the dominant consequences in the current world, declares:
a) That the epoch of total war that has just ended, without precedent in history as to its extension and the destructions provoked by it, has demonstrated that vilely utilitarian considerations, as well as principles of separation, narrow nationalism and totalitarian domination must be extirpated and it is necessary to replace them with new motives and new directives of the life of peoples;
b) That the Society called Christian, has been conducted to the edge of the abyss for having systematically abandoned the rules of human solidarity and pursued only material interests, completely neglecting the superior claims of the spirit;
c) That the inviolable laws of the Spirit must finally be recognized as constituting the only bases of the durable happiness of citizens and nations;
Consequently, the Congress proclaims the declaration of the following Principles and Rules, constituting the "Spiritualist Charter of Humanity."
PRINCIPLES. Religion:
1st) There exists, above and outside of the different churches, spiritual movements, a Universal ideal Religion, formed by the union of all those who believe in the reality of a Supreme Power (called God, Heavenly Father, Universal Life, Providence, Cosmic Energy, or otherwise), in the reality of an interior direction of Humanity, and in immortality of the Soul.
2nd) This Supreme Power, eternal, immutable and permanent is the Creator, the Director, the Conserver of everything that exists. Everything returns to its own Essence, and the finality of all Life is the manifestation of the highest perfection to be reached in time and space.
3rd) There is a similarity of doctrine between the fundamental principles of all religions and those of the highest moral. The Kingdom of the Spirit proclaimed by them is none other than that of the Mystery of Life, sacred by itself, and which ceaselessly opens deeper perspectives.
4th) Believers belonging to constituted Churches, have as duty to consider their common doctrine of faith and deepen the veiled side of their Scriptures, this in order to better practice the law of universal love within mutual esteem and comprehension.
PHILOSOPHY:
5th) There exists a Unity of Life, interdependent between all beings. Each being is a microcosm, image of the macrocosm, endowed with all the divine qualities of Universal Life, manifested or in way of development.
6th) There exists a law of spiritual evolution, to which all beings are subjected. This law governs all creation, through the different kingdoms of Nature, toward final perfection.
7th) Man, given his divine origin, is a triune being, composed of body, soul and spirit; he carries within himself the source of his conscience and the foundation of human dignity.
8th) Real greatness can only be reached through comprehension of the Mysteries of Life and the practice of the superior Laws that govern all existence.
SCIENCE:
8th) Real greatness can only be reached through comprehension of the Mysteries of Life and the practice of the superior Laws that govern all existence.
SCIENCE:
9th) Positive Science in consideration of its exclusively mental nature, cannot direct its investigations and experimentations toward any other domain than that of the world of space and time, leaving entire the domain of Faith.
10th) The latest discoveries of physical-biological science have proved the existence behind the apparent manifestations of matter, of an energy which is, in reality a spontaneous and internal manifestation, that is, spiritual, of the Mystery of Life.
11th) Science has as supreme finality that of reuniting and applying its knowledge of the world of phenomena to the material and moral benefit of all beings.
12th) In view of the full development of Civilization, Science must be coordinated with Philosophy and Religion.
RULES.Religion:
1st) Reaching the highest perfection in all branches of Life should be the finality of the diverse Religions and Schools of Teaching.
2nd) An entire spiritual freedom should be guaranteed to men, without considering their religion or their creed. Wherever and whenever this freedom were refused, the evolution of the individual, in the same proportion as that of the collective body of Humanity, would thereby be hindered.
3rd) The contempt of principles of interdependence and human dignity, seen from the angle of the Spirit, can only lead the world to decadence and destruction.
Science:
4th) The discoveries of Science should be put at the disposition of Humanity, with the end of elevating Peoples and Nations toward a superior level, from material and moral points of view.
5th) True Religion is the divine language by means of which the Soul of the Universe speaks to the Soul of Man, true Philosophy is its grammar, true science is its technique and true Art its demonstration. Science should thus cooperate with Religion and Philosophy to demonstrate the necessity of obeying the laws that govern Life.
6th) Society has as duty that of protecting all Nature and creatures against destruction. One should, then, condemn the death penalty, vivisection experiments, as well as all practice of cruelty toward men and animals.
Education:
7th) The progress of Society demands that the creation of great Universal Centers of Spiritual Science be encouraged, based especially on the study of experimental parapsychology, in view of a better comprehension of the Mystery of Life and of the laws that govern all existence as well as Liberation from amoral materialism.
8th) The education of youth should be based on the physical, mental and spiritual constitution of man. It should tend to his interior culture, developing the sentiment of the beauty of life, enthusiasm for existence and the highest ideals for respect of order and protection of the weak.
8th) The education of youth should be based on the physical, mental and spiritual constitution of man. It should tend to his interior culture, developing the sentiment of the beauty of life, enthusiasm for existence and the highest ideals for respect of order and protection of the weak.
9th) The means of development and application of internal latent qualities should be provided to each child, without taking into account the social and financial condition of his parents. All education systems should tend to awaken in pupils a greater conscience of their duties and responsibility in order to be elevated to the rank of citizens of the World in the noblest sense, and to have admiration for great men, benefactors and benefactresses through all history.
10th) A personal discipline, a free judgment and respect of others' opinions, on condition that they are not harmful to the collectivity, constitute the foundation of individual culture.
Art:
11th) Being Art a manifestation of inspiration and creative power, servant of ideal beauty, and conceived as the splendor of the true and the pursuit of perfection, it should be an elevating, social force, tending toward a more complete expression of the divine Spirit, sublime source of all creation. To this title, Art will occupy a more extensive place in teaching programs.
12th) Music, reflection of celestial harmonies, is the language of the Spirit. It makes man penetrate into the deepest Mysteries of Life, and should be cultivated with this end.
SPRING OF LOVE
With primordial budsThe white lilies love God.You were, oh you, Goddess spring,Who offered them love.
The meadow drunk with perfumesDressed with fineryAnd an enamored magnoliaSang ballads to father sun.
Sweet and harmonious was the voice:Its language, so enchanting,That its song intoxicated the forestAnd ecstatic, spoke to the buds:
Illusion is the sap of being,The branches are the ideas,And the fruits that give eternal lifeAre given by the triumphal tree of love.
Sócrates
NEWS BULLETIN(from 25/5 to 25/6/1947)
G.I.D.E.E.
I - Conferences: The conferences at GIDEE in Montevideo continue with the usual interest: Dr. Jehel each first Tuesday and Dr. Asuri Kapila each third Thursday.
II - Gidee of Buenos Aires: We are informed that some professors of Gidee of Buenos Aires, whether in the character of collective team, or in that of individual collaboration, will shortly begin courses of various subjects at the Ateneo of Buenos Aires, Lavalle street 885 (1st floor) local in which other professors who also kindly lend their collaboration to the work of the Ateneo will also give courses of Chirology and Stenography.
MARTINIST ORDER
I - Protocol of the Great Council: Documents from No. 8,530 to 8,618.
MARTINIST ORDER
I - Protocol of the Great Council: Documents from No. 8,530 to 8,618.
II - Martinist Corporations of Buenos Aires and Province: Presidents and Secretaries of said Corporations are reminded that, in view of the extinction of the Buenos Aires Delegation, according to publication in the preceding News Bulletin, said Presidents and Secretaries should communicate and understand directly with the Great Council, directing all correspondence to "P.O. Box 317 Montevideo."
III - Marriage: Our dear friend Dr. Orestes Bernardi contracted marriage on May 26th current, in the city of Salto, with the gentle Miss Velia Alario Laschiavo. All the ideal friends of both shores of the Plata and "La Iniciación" which, so many times, counted on his brilliant collaborations, present to the newlywed couple their best wishes of happiness and prosperity.
IV - Delegation of Minas Gerais (Brazil): In the same way as in Buenos Aires, the Martinist Delegation of Minas Gerais has been cancelled, Presidents of Corporations and martinists in general having to deal directly with the Great Council, for all general matters, except those of Treasury, which, during the absence of dear H. Zanone, will be in charge of H. J. Bonifacio. "La Iniciación" wishes happy and profitable trip to V.H. Zanone.
V - Travelers: We have recently had the pleasure of the visit of several Bros. from Buenos Aires: Zanti, Pasqually, Jemard, Wronski. Bros. Vayuánanda and Isis passed through Montevideo, traveling toward the United States, to whom all the martinists of Uruguay presented their best wishes, through a group that went to the airport to embrace them. At the moment of this news bulletin entering print we are confirmed of the arrival from Rio de Janeiro of H. Lháu, who for the second time comes to bring us the affection of the Carioca martinists and his personal sympathy.
VI - Library Movement: We have received and thank the following publications: Resplandor, Renovigo, Spiritualist, La Fraternidad, Argentine Theosophical Magazine, Astrological Bio-Theosophical, La Idea, World Order, Hygiene and Health, Spiritualist Sower, Brazilian Theosophical Society, Spiral, Editorial Board, The Voice of the Master, Rev. Spirit of Brazil.
SUDDHA DHARMA MANDALAM
I - Spiritual practices: For the exercise of spiritual practices of the Suddha Dharma Mandalam, address: Dr. Jehel, P.O. Box 317 Montevideo.
II - Full Moon of Vaisakh: As published in the corresponding article, of this same number, the commemorations have taken place in the various Ashramas linked to the Guru Subrahmanyananda Ashrama, of Montevideo. The celebration of said full moon seems to have marked a new impulse in the realization by many members of the various Ashramas, about which an internal Circular will be drafted soon that will be sent to those interested.
The celebration of said full moon seems to have marked a new impulse in the realization by many members of the various Ashramas, about which an internal Circular will be drafted soon that will be sent to those interested.
III - Ashrama of Buenos Aires: Having been absent for several years V. H. Isis, Secretary and Officiant of said Ashrama, she has been substituted in her functions by VV. HH. Jemard and Zanti, who will organize the work of the Ashrama in common agreement, as well as the celebration of collective ceremonies.
IV - Designation in the United States: V. H. Isis has been designated with powers to found in the United States of North America one or more Ashramas of the Suddha Dharma Mandalam, under her direct orientation and linked to the Guru Subrahmanyananda Ashrama.
SRI RAMANA ASHRAMA - MAHA BODHI SANGHA
I - Sri Ramana Ashrama Correspondence: All correspondence related to the Ramana Ashrama should be directed to: A. Kapila, P.O. Box 317 Montevideo.
II - Maha Bodhi Sangha Correspondence: Correspondence related to this Fraternity should be directed to: Sister Upasika, P.O. Box 317 - Montevideo.
III - Trip: The venerable Sister Upasika, President of the Maha Bodhi Sangha, has gone on a trip to the Argentine Republic, visiting there various groups of Bros. interested in said teachings, as well as performing acts of service and visiting the Gidee of La Plata, where she put the attendees in contact with her mystical feeling.
KABBALISTIC ORDER OF THE ROSE CROSS
The O.K.R.C. asks all spiritualists in general and especially martinists and members of the O.K.R.C. to endeavor to advise every spiritualist and especially also EVERY PROFANE OF CLEAR MIND AND ACADEMIC CULTURE to reserve his copy of:
METHODICAL TREATISE OF OCCULT SCIENCE. (by PAPUS, doctor and Initiate, who was the Grand Master of the Martinist Order in France), since it is a work in which the scientific foundation of Occultism is PROVEN, in rational, clear form and appropriate to reaffirm or build a spiritual conviction WITH SCIENTIFIC CRITERIA AND REAL APPLICATIVE POSSIBILITIES.
PERMANENT COMMITTEE OF SPIRITUALIST RELATIONS
Day of Reincarnation (June 24th of each year):Celebrating the first celebration of the "Day of Reincarnation," instituted by the Congress of Buenos Aires last year, the Committee held on said date of the current month an interesting evening whose program is the following:
First PartARGENTINE NATIONAL HYMN (Recording)CONFERENCE: REINCARNATION AND THE DESTINY OF MAN
Second PartDurand - Chacona — Massenet - AragonesaPiano: Nélida ZipmanALLUSIVE POETRY by Dhyana
Third PartRimsky Korsakow Hymn to the SunSarasate - ZapateandoViolin: Haydée Zipman Piano: Elena Zipman
Said act was carried out in the Lasalle Theater Hall, kindly ceded for such purpose. (Cangallo 2274 Buenos Aires at 21 hours)
GIDEEINDEPENDENT GROUP OF ESOTERIC STUDIES(Founded in January 1942) MONTEVIDEO
METHODICAL COURSES OF WESTERN AND ORIENTAL ESOTERIC SCIENCES
(Cangallo 2274 Buenos Aires at 21 hours)
GIDEEINDEPENDENT GROUP OF ESOTERIC STUDIES(Founded in January 1942) MONTEVIDEO
METHODICAL COURSES OF WESTERN AND ORIENTAL ESOTERIC SCIENCES
Dr. JEHEL: Cosmogony, Kabbalah, Alchemy and Magnetism: Tuesday - 20 hoursDr. ASURI KAPILA: Yogas, Dietetics and Palmistry: Thursday 19 "Br. SURYA: Astrology 2nd year: Saturday - 17.45 "Sister MARTHA: History of Hermetic Traditions: Tuesday 19 "Sister UPASIKA: The doctrine of Buddha: Thursday 20 "Sister S. DEVI: Astrology 1st year: Wednesday 20 "Brother SURYA: Astrology, 3rd year: Wednesday 20 "
These diverse subjects are taught in series that constitute "degrees" of knowledge in each one of them, to lead students to realize practically.
COURSES AND INFORMATION: At the Headquarters, Avda. 18 de Julio 1018, 2nd floor. daily from 18 to 21 hours, except Fridays and Sundays.
CONFERENCES: 1st Tuesday (Dr. Jehel) and 3rd Thursday (Dr. Asuri Kapila) of each month, at 19. Free entrance.
"GIDEE" of La Plata (R.A.)(Founded August 22, 1943)Information: Mr. B. Rodríguez Meitín, Calle 4, No. 639
MARTINIST LIBRARY(Works published by Publicity "Ateneo," 15 de Noviembre 1149 - Buenos Aires)
PUBLISHED:1. ELIPHAS LEVI "The Book of the Wise" $ (arg.) 4.-2.-PAPUS "The Tarot of the Bohemians" 10.-
IN PREPARATION:3.-PAPUS "The Divinatory Tarot"4.-E. SCHURE "The Divine Evolution"5.-J. CASTELLOT "Treatise on Alchemy"
Write reserving your copy to P.O. Box 317 Montevideo
LIBRARY OF THE KABBALISTIC ROSE + CROSS ORDER(Works published by "Editorial Kier," Talcahuano 1075. Buenos Aires)
PUBLISHED:1.-SEVAKA - "The Son of Zanoni" $ (arg.) 4.502.-JAMES M. PRYSE "The Apocalypse Unveiled" 3.50
IN PREPARATION:3. PAPUS - "Methodical Treatise of Occult Science"4.-P. SEDIR - "Hindu Fakir-ism and the Yogas"5. FRANZ HARTMANN - "At the Threshold of the Temple of Wisdom"
Write reserving your copy to P.O. Box 317 Montevideo