Messages to the E-Group E-THEOSOPHY
Leslie Royce Pochos
It is strange, isn't it, that often we think that if we are not perfect or excellent or beyond average we are not of possible genuine use to the Theosophical Movement.
Yet this quote from Robert Crosbie reminds us it is our motive and our ability to stay on our feet that can lead to victory. If only we could remind ourselves of this when we are “most heavily pressed and tried”:
“In the work which we have undertaken together, it matters not whether `we' fail or succeed: Our purpose has been and will be that the Work shall go on. We can throw - each one of us - our best into the effort; the rest is in other and stronger hands. Our `best' may not be great, but if the motive is there, even to hold our ground is victory in some contingencies, for where there is no standing army, the art of fighting has to be learned; the recruits have to do the fighting, the older teaching and leading the younger. With no concern but to keep in fighting trim, our best work is done when most heavily pressed and tried.” [1]
40 years ago, when I was first called upon to present Theosophy from the platform at ULT, I had a job in that relatively new field of computers, doing housing assignments for an ivy-league university; there were constant challenges and failures and many all-nighters. How could I do my best when I could not even find time to sleep. I felt ashamed and guilty that I was letting down the very people who had helped me to understand the philosophy; worse, I had no idea what my best could be when I did have the time and energy to devote to it, pushing myself harder and harder and still feeling guilty that it was not enough.
“In the work which we have undertaken together, it matters not whether `we' fail or succeed: Our purpose has been and will be that the Work shall go on. We can throw - each one of us - our best into the effort; the rest is in other and stronger hands. Our `best' may not be great, but if the motive is there, even to hold our ground is victory in some contingencies, for where there is no standing army, the art of fighting has to be learned; the recruits have to do the fighting, the older teaching and leading the younger. With no concern but to keep in fighting trim, our best work is done when most heavily pressed and tried.” [1]
40 years ago, when I was first called upon to present Theosophy from the platform at ULT, I had a job in that relatively new field of computers, doing housing assignments for an ivy-league university; there were constant challenges and failures and many all-nighters. How could I do my best when I could not even find time to sleep. I felt ashamed and guilty that I was letting down the very people who had helped me to understand the philosophy; worse, I had no idea what my best could be when I did have the time and energy to devote to it, pushing myself harder and harder and still feeling guilty that it was not enough.
Then an older student put it all in perspective with this very simple advice:
DO THE BEST YOU CAN UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES. FEELING GUILTY ONLY DRAINS YOU MORE; FEEL DELIGHTED THAT YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE, ACCEPT THAT THE CONDITIONS MAY NOT BE PERFECT BUT NOBODY ASKED YOU TO BE PERFECT. DO THE BEST YOU CAN UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
A few years later, dragging myself on campus to the computer center, one of my janitor friends called out: “How are you?” to which I replied - “I am having such a terrible day!”
A few years later, dragging myself on campus to the computer center, one of my janitor friends called out: “How are you?” to which I replied - “I am having such a terrible day!”
He looked stunned and I have treasured what he then said every day since, and I often use it in talks; it has become a mantram for me:
“I AM SURPRISED. I THOUGHT YOU KNEW, YOU MAKE THE DAY, THE DAY DON’T MAKE YOU.”
And the Art of Being Wealthy
I am often asked why I spend so much time studying Theosophy.
A few of my acquaintances have remarked that I could get much more return for my effort in any other group, even with half the effort. I have tried to explain but it just causes head-shaking. Perhaps, next time, I will say: Did you ever study something because it explained things so perfectly that you had to know even more? Did you ever wonder if there was a way to take charge of yourself, to understand all those competing elements in you and in others? Do you think life is chance or is it possible to understand and predict? And then I will quote W. Q. Judge:
“It (Theosophy) is not a belief or dogma formulated or invented by man, but is a knowledge of the laws which govern the evolution of the physical, astral, psychical and intellectual constituents of nature and of man.” [2]
It is very simple; I want to know those laws and become capable of trusting myself to live by them. And while I am learning and trying to use what I learn, I want to be able to share it with any and all. No one would guess it but I know I am a very wealthy woman. __._.___
It is very simple; I want to know those laws and become capable of trusting myself to live by them. And while I am learning and trying to use what I learn, I want to be able to share it with any and all. No one would guess it but I know I am a very wealthy woman. __._.___
NOTES:
[1] “The Friendly Philosopher”, Robert Crosbie, Theosophy Co., Los Angeles, 416 pp., 1945 / 2008 editions, p. 365.
[2] “The Friendly Philosopher”, Robert Crosbie, p. 405.
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Always visit www.esoteric-philosophy.com and www.filosofiaesoterica.com/english .
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If you want to have access to a daily study of the original teachings of Theosophy, there is an E-Group you can join. Write to lutbr@terra.com.br , with copy to lutportugal@gmail.com and ask for information on the e-group E-THEOSOPHY.
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