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PaulBruntonPhilosophicFoundationhomepage>NotebooksofPaulBrunton>Category11:TheNegatives>Chapter4:
InThoughts,Feelings,ViolentPassions
InThoughts,Feelings,ViolentPassions
Theirpresence
1
Thereistoomuchcriticismabroadtoday,toolittleaffirmation.Millionsofmenthinkand
livelargelyonnegatives.
2
Itisbecauseallhumanityisapproachingthethresholdofanewera,abetterera,thatall
thedevilsoftheolderaputforththeirfiercestefforts,whilstthereisyetalittletime,to
degradehumancharacter,todragitdownintothehellsoftheworstforcesandemotions
hate,envy,aggressiveness,andbrutality.
3
Ifthereisphysicalpollutionintheatmosphere,thewater,andtheearth,thereisanother
kindinhumans,amoraldepravityandmentalbasenessnotlessrepellent.
4
Ifthereissomuchfriction,violence,andtensionintheworld,itisonlybecausesomany
individualpersonsthemselvesareinwardlyexperiencingthesethings.Theyfillthe
world'saurawithbadthoughtswhich,ifsustained,prolonged,andstrongenough,break
outonthephysicallevelintoundesirableorevilhappenings.Ifthereissolittlerealpeace
intheworld,itisonlybecausethereissolittlerealpeaceintheindividualswholivein
theworld.Theirthinking,theiremotions,andtheirpassionshaveaffectedthemental
atmosphereoftheworld.
5
Themostviolentselfishpassionsandthemostaggressiveofemotionalurgesaboundin
thisdecadeonlybecausetheyhavebeenbroughtuptothesurfacethebettertoattackand
curbthem.
6
Justasassociationwithamasterthrowsthedisciple'svirtuesandvicestothesurface,so
contactwiththehigherforcesbeingreleasedintheworldbringsbothgreatevilandgreat
spiritualitytothesurface.Theevil,inthedisciple'sasinhumanity'scase,mustmanifest
itselfsothatitmaynotlurkuntouchedbutmaybegotat,grappledwith,andeventually
destroyed.Letusnotmisunderstandappearances,therefore.Sincelastcentury,things
havebeengettingworseonlytogetbetter.Todaymostpeoplefeelfrustrated,restless,
anddiscontented.Theysearchforhappinesshereandthere,inthisthingorthatthing,
throughonepersonoranother,orbymovingfromexcitementtosensation.Allthisis
theirunconsciousreactiontothenewspiritualforcesarisingintheirmidstanddestinedto
bevigorouslyactiveinacoupleofhundredyears.
7
Todayhumanityhaslargelylostfaithinitself,doubtsitsgoodness,worriesaboutits
future,andisbewilderedaboutitspresent.
8
Compulsivefearsandcorrosiveanxieties,enfeeblingdoubtsandneuroticcomplexes
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troublethemindsofsomanymillionsinourage,asthwartedhopesandenchaining
environmentsdepresstheirhearts.
9
IdealismpressesthemtobecomeservantsofGoodpassiondistortedintodestructive
violencedeceivesthemintobecomingservantsofEvil.
10
Thethoughtswhichhavegestatedunspokeninmen'smindsandthefeelingswhichhave
fermentedunexpressedintheirheartshavebeenandarebeingthrownuptothesurface
throughtheupheavalsofourtimes,externalized,asitwere,intheirevents.
11
Humanitydidnotcomeintoitspresentgrievoussituationbychance.Thewholepicture
ofthoughtsandtheirconsequences,passionsandtheirevils,actsandtheireffects,must
beseenunderthelightofimmutablekarmiclaw.
12
Thepolicyoffearandsuspicionhasnotbroughtpeacenearerbut,onthecontrary,
pusheditfartheraway.
13
Weliveinaworldwhich,today,ispopulatedwithtoomanymadmen,toomany
unbalancedmaladjustedpersons.Butbecausetheyarenotactuallyravingandjumpingso
aseasilytobeidentifiedforwhattheyare,thisisseldomunderstood.
14
Racialantipathyleadingtoactualviolenceisnotlimitedtoman,althoughitisonlythe
lessevolvedhumanswhoresorttoit.Inthetropicsoneseesblackantsfightingthered
ones,mutilatingandevenkillingeachother.
15
ThisisthefinaltragedyofMan:thatheletshimselfgoalongwithdestructiveforces
whichintheendcouldgravelyinjurethewholespecies,whenhecouldgoalongwiththe
constructiveones.
16
Thisfleshlybody,inwhichweliveandmoveandhaveourbeing,has,throughsexand
sport,becomeaculttothemodernworld.Wefallinourmillions,prostratevotariesatits
shrine,forgetfulthatitsquickgrowthisfollowedbyquickdecay,thatouridolisdoomed
tocrumble.Toomanymomentsofhighestenthusiasmonthepartofyouthareoften
reservedforthenewreligionsport.Awholetheologyhasbeenbuiltuparoundthe
strokesofabatandthethrowsofaballhardhittersarenowcanonizedassaints.Hewho
throwshisballfarenoughmayyetsendhimself,withit,tothenewheavenlyJerusalem!
Andasforsex,thepassionsandemotionsoftheyoungaredeliberatelystimulatedbythe
artsofliterature,journalism,cinema,andadvertisingjustattheagewhentheyoughtto
bedisciplined.
17
Howlittlemencollectivelylearnfromthepastisshownbyeverytextbookofhistory,
whichteemswithconstantrepetitionsoftheugliestpassions.
18
Theworldwideconditionofthehumanmass,itshates,ignorance,andviolence,brings
despairtomanyathoughtfulmind.
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19
Violenceisadestructiveforcewhichintheendandwhenexcessivedestroysevenitself.
20
Amongthenegativeemotionswemustincludeprejudiceandbias.
21
Thenegativeemotionsincludearroganceandvanity,cowardiceandmoralweakness.
22
Allthenegativethoughtsandfeelingsshowamisuseofmentalpower.
23
Temptationsandbeguilements,illusionsanddeceptions,besetthepathofordinarylife
justastheydotheinnerlifeofthequest.Butinthelattercasetheymayalsoassumea
subtlerform.Heretherearetelepathic,psychic,spiritualistic,andneuroticpossibilities.
24
Therearetimeswhenapersonismorevulnerabletoattackbynegativethoughtthanat
othertimes.Ingreatemotionalexcitement,anger,orpassionofanykind,wearemost
susceptible.
25
Thesymptomsofneuroticismhavebeenwellanalysedbypsychiatrists.Theyallsumup
toasinglething:intensityofegoisticemotion.Thisisdisturbingtothementalbalanceof
theneuroticpersonandtiringtothosewhohavecontactwithhim.
26
Thenegativethoughtsandfeelingsinclude:excessiveorconstantcriticism,pride,and
conceit.
27
Pridemaypreventtheselfconfessionofashortcomingorablunder.Thusitdoesthe
ego'sdarkwork.
28
Theinhumananddestructiveattitudes,unsympatheticandunpitying,areasignoftheevil
presenceatworkinourmidst.
29
Whilemenseempermanentlyestrangedfromtheirspiritualselves,weneednotwonder
atthedespairandhopelessness,thecynicismandselfishness,whichenterintothemoods
ofsomanypeopletoday.
30
Ignorancebreedsviolenceandviolenceinitsturnbreedsfurtherviolence.
31
Ifourdesireschoketheinnerpeacewhichmightbeoursduringtimesofprosperity,our
fearschokeitduringtimesofadversity.
32
Therearemenwhoareinacycleofgoingdowndeeperintoselfishness,illusion,spiritual
ignorance,andextroversion.Theyhaveyettotouchthebottomofthisdescent,acontact
whichmanyolderegoshavealsomadebefore,butlongagoleftfortheupwardclimb.
Althoughtheredemptivereturnoftheseunseeingentitiesisassured,fortheycannot
eternallyandultimatelydenytheirowninmostnature,neverthelesstheywillrespondto
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theblackestevilduringthepresentphaseoftheirdescent.Theyarecalled"theAsuras"in
theBhagavadGita,"themenofhatred,greed,andlust."
33
Lostreligiousfaithisonelinkinachainofwhichdegradedmoralsisthenext.
34
Thehopelessnesswhichmankind'ssituationnaturallyleadstoisnotlessdivinely
intendedthananyothereffectofdestiny'sturn.
35
ManypeopleinEuropemustfeeltheyhavenofuturetoliveforandonlyanapathetic
presentinwhichjusttoexist,notlive.SinceGodpermitsthis,evidentlyGodperceivesits
valueintheevolutionaryscheme.
36
Yes,thereisodiousevilintheworldmuchofitpettybutsomeofitquitemonstrous.It
takesitsgenesisinthethoughtsofmen.
37
Mentalismsaysthatmostofone'smiseryisinflictedononeselfbyacceptingandholding
negativethoughts.Theycoverandhidethestillcentreofone'sbeing,whichisinfinite
happiness.
38
WhereasallthegreatprophetslikeJesusandKrishnamakeareligionoutoflove,the
demonistsmakeareligionoutofhatred.
39
Thosewhoconstantlyindulgeinsavagecriticismofpersonsorprinciples,whoare
saturatedwithnegativethoughtsandfeelings,haveneverseentheLightnorfeltitspeace.
40
ThereissomethingintheoldZoroastriandoctrinesafterall.OrmuzdandAhrimanare
everatwarfortheworld:StupidityandWisdomareeverstrugglinginbattle.Everygreat
truthhastofightitswayanew.Enemiesareobstinateandentrenched,whilethememory
ofmanisweak.
41
Themind'spowerisbeingunscrupulouslymisusedwhenitseekstoinfluenceothers
againsttheirowninterestandforitsselfishpurpose.
42
Wherethereisfiercehatredormonstrouscruelty,besurethatevilforcesarepresenttoo.
43
Youmaydispensetoothersonlywhatyouhaveyourself.Ifyourmindissteepedin
nihilism,itwillbedespairwhichyouofferthematworst,orselfishcynicismatbest.
44
Menwhoareotherwisecapableofcorrectjudgementandsaneconduct,asintheir
businessactivity,willrevealaparanoidimaginationorperniciousdelusionwhenracial,
class,religious,oraestheticprejudicegetsintotheirheadoreyes.
45
TheuseofbloodinanimalsacrificesisalegacyfromAtlanteansorcery.Itisevil,and
foundonlyamongpeopleswhohavenotattainedtherefinementofconsciousnessand
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developmentofconsciencewhichaccompanyahigherconceptionofGod.
46
Theterriblefactisthatmillionsofsocalledsanemenandwomenaresounbalanced,so
hysterical,andsoobsessed,thattheyarereallyhalfinsane.Theyaredangerousto
themselvesandtosociety.
47
Theaveragepersonwhothinkshebelongstothehumanspecies,hasstillalongwayto
travelbeforehebecomesafullmember.Onlyhalfofhimhasbecomehuman.Therestis
stillananimal,inwhomthekillinginstinctisstillactiveenoughtopunctuatehishistory
withfightingwarsandhisdietwitheatingflesh.
48
Hisanimalancestryhasprovidedmanwiththekillinginstinct.Hishumanclevernesshas
providedhimwiththemosteffectiveweaponstoexpressthatinstinct.Hisspiritual
aspirationhasnotevolvedtothelevelwhereitshouldbeabovetheothertwoand
restrainingthem.
49
Thereareothermanifestationsofthiskillinginstinct,thislusttoslayanotherliving
creature.Weseeitinthechildwhotearswingsoffafly.
50
Brutalityandcrueltyareespeciallylinkedwiththemindsandactionsofthosepersons
swayedbyevilforces,whetherphysicalorpsychical.
51
Thereisenoughunpleasantnessorevilintheworldinwhichwehavetolive.Weshould
avoidgettinginvolvedinitsofaraswecan.Thisappliestoactivityandalsoto
receptivitythroughreading,throughentertainment,andotherusesofleisure.
52
Whenadultpeoplebegintoaccept,andtheiryoungchildrentodemand,entertainmentby
thedailyportrayalofsadisticviolenceorobscenity,whenthosewhofeeloutragedbythis
situationhavebecomeasmallminority,wehavetoassumethatdecadence,badmanners,
andlowmoralstandardsaretriumphant.
53
Theschoolofjournalismandperiodicalfillingthesedaysispreoccupiedwiththeego,
withpersonality:theuniversalandimpersonaldoesnotattractorinterest.Moreover,itis
onlythebestial,thenegative,thepetty,andthesurfacecharacteristicsoftheegowhich
holdtheirscribblers'attention.Prying,meddlesome,trivialgossipandpullingothersto
piecesisafavouritesport.
54
Theremustbecensorshipinaneraofannuallyincreasingcrime.Howmanyfilmsand
stageplays,booksandmagazinesareletlooseonanundisciplinedworldpackedwith
detailedsuggestionsforimmoralityandcriminality.Thisisnotentertainment:itisevil.
Somanycomposedpiecesarealmosttextbooksforthesusceptibleimitativeyoungon
howtostartselfdestructive,antisocial,selfishcareers,howtoyieldtofleshlypromptings
withoutexercisingtheslightestrestraint.
55
Wewouldnotallowfullfreedomofmovementtoplaguecarryingratsinourkitchens
andhomes.Yetweallowthesehumancarriersofmentalplaguethefreedomtoprintand
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publish,declaim,andpropagatetheirpoisonoussuggestionsandnegativeideas,their
pornographyandviolence,theirhatesandmoralsubversion,theirevil.
56
Theyoungworshippersofnewartformsinthepopandrockworldarethesameones
whocontributedtotheranksofdrugtakersand,later,hathayoga.Theyneedviolent
thrillstosustaintheirinterest.Thatis,theyareprimarilypleasureseekers,notspiritual
seekers.Theyaregovernedbymoodsandimpulses.
57
Theromanticrubbishwhichfillstheearsandattractstheeyesofthemodernyoung
throughthecommunicationsmedialeadsthemintofalsepicturesofthelifewhichawaits
themandsointofalsevalues.
58
Whenacivilizationfindsitspleasureinwitnessingplayswhichexploreallaspectsof
pornography,seeingfilmsexploringallaspectsofbrutalityandcrime,permittingsports
ascruelasfoxhunting,ithasbecomelowinmorals,vulgarintaste,andselfdestructive
initskarma.Itwillfall,asRomefell,asfeudalJapan'slastphasefell.
Waysofresponding
59
Thesenegativeemotionsarejustlikephysicalills:theytoorequiretreatment,andarenot
tobeleftinneglect.
60
Thesenegativethoughtshaveahabitofpushingthemselvesintohisconsciousness.He
mustjustasoftenresolutelypushthemoutagain.
61
Ineveryhumandifficultytherearetwowaysopentous.Thecommonwayisfamiliar
enough:itconsistsinreactingegoisticallyandemotionallywithselfcenteredcomplaint,
irritability,fear,anger,despair,andsoon.Theuncommonwayistakenbyaspiritually
mindedfew:itconsistsinmakingsomethinggoodoutofsomethingbad,inreacting
selflessly,calmly,constructively,andhopefully.Thisisthewayofpracticalphilosophy,
thisattempttotransformwhatoutwardlyseemssoharmfulintowhatinwardlyatleast
mustbemarkedlybeneficent.Itisamagicalwork.Butitcanonlybedonebydeep
thought,selfdenial,andlove.Ifthedifficultyisregardedasbothachancetoshowwhat
wecandotodeveloplatentresourcesaswellasatestofwhatwehavealready
developed,itcanbemadetohelpus.Evenifwedonotsucceedinchangingan
unfavourableenvironmentforthebetter,suchanapproachwouldtosomeextentchange
ourselvesforthebetter.Wemustaccept,withallitstremendousimplicationsforourpast,
present,andfuture,thatweareultimatelyresponsiblefortheconditionswhichstampour
life.Suchacceptancemayhelptoshatterouregoismandthat,eventhoughitispainful,
willbealltothegood.Outofitschallengecancomethemostblessedchangein
ourselves.
62
Truthtwistedintoserviceofthelowerpurposesoreventheevilforcesmustbecarefully
inspected,analysed,andlastlycorrectedorrejected.
63
Wheneverastrongimpulsebecomesuppermostandinclineshimtowardsomedeedor
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speechofanegativekind,hehadbetterscrutinizeitssourceornatureasquicklyashe
can.
64
Ayoungofficerworkingonashipwrotethathewouldawakenduringthenightand
discoverhimselfunderanundesirablephysicalandmentalcondition.Heseemedtobe
clearlyinamesmerizedcondition,causedbysomeoneorsomethinggivingthepowerful
posthypnoticsuggestiontowakeupandobey.Theremedyistousethesametechniquein
reverse.Thatis,practiseautohypnosis,givetheselfsuggestionthatonwakingupthere
willbefullconsciousnessandfullrejectionofthenegativeidea.
65
Ifhemusthatesomething,lethimhatehatreditself.
66
Thestormsofviolentpassionaretoberesistedasthesmoothnessofinnerpeaceistobe
invited.
67
Tokeepone'stemperinasingleprovocativesituationmaybeeasy,buttokeepit
consistentlyequableisarealfeat.
68
Lifeisaconflict.Hemustnotletthesenegativefeelingstakeuplodgementwithinhim
longerthanasinglemoment.
69
Allmankindmustawakefromitsmaterialisticapathyandcastoutsomethingofits
selfishness.Itiscalledupontorenounceitsviolenceandmeannesses,itsintolerances,
unkindnesses,andinjustices.Itmusteitheremergefromitsanimalbrutalityorelsesuffer
itselftobeextinguishedbyit.Itmustcomeoutfromtheshadowsofignorance,
selfishness,andmaterialism.Onlythenwillitfindthesunshineofalargerlifethatawaits
it.
70
Itisnotalwayshehimselfwhoactsinaparticularwayataparticulartime.Impulses
fromlowersourcesoroutsidecontactsmaybestrongenoughtopushhimintodeeds
whichareregrettedafterwards.Butthenintuitionsfromhigherlevelsoroutsidesources
mayinfluencehimtowisechoiceswhichblesshisfuture.
71
Wemustnothatethosewhoarebornofthesamedivineessenceasourselvesbutwemay
hatethesinstheyperpetrateandtheeviltheyradiate.
72
Theseekerhastocontendnotonlywithlimitingenvironmentsbutalsowithinternal
enemies.Apathydelayshim,depressionobstructshim,andlonelinessfrustrateshim.
73
Themorehebecomessensitive,intuitive,responsivetothespirit,themoreheis
unfoldingexceptionalpassivity.Butthisputshiminperil,forhefeelsthenegative
presencetoo.Hencethemorehemustrestricthiscontactsuntilhisstrengthisabove
them.
74
Itisprudenttoescapefromasituationwherethereismuchpressuretocommitafoolish
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actionortomakeafoolishdecisionleadingtocalamitousresultsandnotcontinueto
stayinituntilthedangermaterializes.
75
Onewhosepresenceisfelttobeodious,whosepersonalityisregardedasdistasteful,is
betterleftalone.
76
Heshouldneverallowtheactionsorwordsofignorantmentoarouseinhimreactionsof
anger,envy,orresentment.
77
Theyearsaretoofewandthereistoomuchtobedonebothononeselfandforoneself
towastetheminnegative,resentfulthoughtanddecaying,neuroticemotion.
78
Whenhecomestounderstanditsimportance,hewillbegintoexercisesomevigilance
overhisthoughts.
79
Resistbeginningsthatisthemostpracticalwaytodealwithnegatives.
80
Thedestructivethoughtsoffearandselfdoubtwhichwhineatyourdoor,whineatthe
doorofeveryman.Butyoucanmakethempowerlesstohurtyou.For
Thereisnochance,nodestiny,nofateCancircumvent,can
hinderorcontrolThefirmresolveofadeterminedsoul!
81
Ifthenegativethoughtpersiststhenhehastowrenchhimselfawayfromitwiththe
assentanduseofallhisbeingfeeling,reason,intuition.
82
Hisownattitudetowardseventsholdsthepowertomakethemgoodorbad,whatever
theirnatureofitselfmaybe.
83
Thosewhoareunabletothinkcorrectlyaboutthistragicworldsituationmustbe
pardoned,butthosewhorefusetothinkcorrectlyaboutitdonotdeservepardon.
84
ThecounselofJesusto"resistnotevil"doesnotapplytoothermen'sactsbuttoourown
thoughts.Wearetoturnasidefromanegativethoughthabitbythesimplemethodof
substitutingtheoppositeandpositiveone.Weneednotspendourstrengthresistingthe
thoughtofmisery,forexample.Wearetosubstitutehopeformisery,wheneverthelatter
appears.
85
Wrongdoingwillbeavoidednotbecauseitispunishedbythelawofrecompenseeven
whenitisnotpunishedbythelawofsociety,butbecauseofthestronginnerconviction
thatrightdoingisitsownreward,itsownsatisfaction.
86
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Thebeautifulisalliedtothegood.Ifwecultivatebeautifulfeelings,evilonesbegintoget
dissolved.
87
Hewillnotriskrebuffsbyexpressinghisviewsanddescribinghisexperiencestothe
uncomprehendingortheunsympathetic.
88
Itiscowardicetorefusetofacethefactthatonehasmadeamistakeandtocontinue
followingthesamecoursebecauseitisdifficulttostopitandreturntotherightroad.The
easierwayistoooftentheworseway,leadingtotroubleforone'sselfandothers.
89
Thereisalimittotheextentofconcessionstoprejudicewemustnotmovebeyondit.
90
Bewareofthosewhosemindisvindictiveandwhosespeechisvenomous.
91
Itisoflittleusetomeetirrationalargumentswithrationalstatementsiftheyarebornof
emotionalprejudiceorpassionatebias.
92
ThecrowdswhichdelightedinthegladiatorshowsofancientRomeand,toalesser
extent,thosewhichdelightedinthebullfightsofmodernSpain,donotseemto
understandhowbestialtheyallowthemselvestobecomeatsuchtimes.Thetruehuman
being,thefullyevolvedman,musthavethequalityofpityinhimifheistobe
distinguishedfromamemberoftheanimalspecies.
93
TheoldChinesesayingthatwheregoodwillexistsagreementwillnotbehardtofind,still
remainstrue.
94
Donotattempttofightevilwithevil.Overcomeitbycallingonahigherpowertobring
outthegoodinyouwherewithtomeetit.InthiswayyouobeyJesus'counsel,"Resistnot
evil."
95
Synesius(fourthcentury):"Thiswouldbethemostextremeofillsnottobeconsciousof
thepresenceofevil.Forthisistheconditionofthosewhonolongertrytorise....for
thisreasonrepentanceisanelevatingmeans...[but]bothdeedsandwords[must]lenda
helpinghand."
96
Aphilosophermaynotignorethenegativesideofhisoranother'slife:hehastodealwith
itbecausecircumstancesforcehim,likeeveryoneelse,todoso.Buthiswaywillbe
different,becausehewilluseallhisfacultiesandcapacities:intellectual,practical,and
intuitive.Hewillkeepcalmandnotletpassionornegativeemotioncarryhimaway.But
allthatdone,hehandsovertheresultstothehigherpower(whichincludesdestiny).His
mindmuststayinThatwhichtranscendsnegativity,sin,evil,evenifhemustgrapple
withthem.
97
Philosophywillnotdisregardthebadinothers,andthesininourselves,buthavingseen
themclearlyitdoesnotreactnegativelyinuselesscondemnation.Instead,itreacts
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constructivelyintryingtorealizethemeaningofevil,theconsequenceofsin,andthen
proceedstocultivatetheoppositequality,thegoodofthatparticularevilashonesty
wherethereisdishonestyandsoon.
98
Wemayregrettheexistenceofthesefaultsinothers,butwemaynotrefusetorecognize
themifpracticaldealingsareinvolved.
99
Amidallthepessimisticreflectionswhichthestateoftheworldsoeasilyinducesinthe
thinkingman,hemayyetbebuoyedupbythehopewhichtheeternalveritiesmustagain
andagaingivehim,thatis,thehopethattheendofitallwillbeimmeasurablybetter.
100
Theexistentialistviewsopopularwithsomanyyoungerpeopletodaythatwebegin
withoblivionandendwithannihilation,thatwhatcomesbetweeniseithermeaningless
ormysterious,withnosolutionstoproblems,noanswerstoquestions,isaviewwhich
thetragedyandevilandcatastropheofourtimestemptustoaccept.Butreligionand
philosophyreleaseusfromthisdespair.
101
Insuchcriticaltimesastheseevensomefaithintheexistenceofahigherpower,and
someaspirationtowardsservingit,hasprotectivevalue.
102
Trust,nottension:trustinthehigherpowerproducingserenityratherthantension
becauseofthepressuresoflifethisisagreatneedtoday.
103
Howeverdarkordesperateworldhistorymayseemattimes,wemustalwaysremember
noonecandisruptthedivineWorldIdea,orspoilitsmanifestation,orpreventits
gloriousoutcome.
104
Fearofthepowerandcunningoftheseevilopponentscausesthemtorelyonobviousbut
ordinaryhumanforcesandweaponsforprotection.Theyforgetthedivineforcesthey
could,andshouldinthiscrisis,callonandneglectthesuperhumanandextraordinary.
105
Toexpressahalfamusedcontemptfortheintelligenceofourtimeisnotatallthesame
thingastomakeajaundicedindictmentofit.Towitnessthemagnificentparadeofa
civilizationofalmostunredeemedtrivialityislesslikelytoarousebitternessinthesoul
andmorelikelytogiveitagoodhalfhour'samusement.
106
Ontheonehand,carriedawaybytheidealisticenthusiasmandmillennialpromisesof
merelyemotionalistcults,somebelievethataspiritualteachinghasonlytobepropagated
anditwillspreadtriumphantlyeverywhere.Ontheotherhand,confrontedbythe
formidablespectacleofawholeworldplungedinignorance,consciousthattheordinary
individualcandosolittletoupliftit,othersdriftintobewildereddefeatismandactually
donothingatall.Butthissecondattitude,althoughmuchmoresensibleandmuchmore
justifiablethanitsoppositeone,isnotquitephilosophical.
107
Accordingtotheoldclassicalfable,wehadtolookfortruthinthebottomofawell
todaywehavetolookforitinthebottomofabitterdisillusionment.
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108
Inthedismalworldconditionsoftodayitisaparamountnecessitytoobtainsome
glimpse,howevermeagre,ofthedivineplanwhichisworkingoutforallourlives.Only
inthiswaycanwecooperatewithitunderstandinglyandadequately.
109
Insteadofrelyingonflightintotheunknownanduncertain,itisbettertorelyonGod.In
thefirstcasehemaybemakingafalseescapeanddupinghimself,butinthesecondcase
heopensthewayfortrueguidanceinthematter.
110
Withpeaceinthemindandharmonyinthefeelings,bothcompletedbyknowledgeofthe
universalpresenceofdivinitywhocouldharbourevilthoughts,hatreds,ordestructive
plans?
111
Everyevilpersonwhocrossesourpathprovidesanopportunity,intheinjuryheattempts
todous,tokeepourselvesfrombeingprovokedintoretaliation,anger,orresentment.If
wesucceedinovercomingourownfeelings,wemountupwardastep.
112
Inanegativesituation,wherenegativecriticismsandnegativeemotionsarerampant,
otherpersonsmaytrytoinvolvehiminit,oratleastgethimtosupporttheirattitudeand
endorsetheircriticism.Butafeelingmaycomeoverhimpreventinghimfromdoingso.
Ifso,heshouldobeyandremainsilent.Withtimetherightnessofthiscoursewillbe
confirmed.
113
WhenConfuciuswasaskedhisopinionoftheinjunctiontoreturngoodforevil,he
answered,"Withwhatthenwillyoureturngood?Returngoodforgood,butjusticefor
evil."Isthisnotwisercounsel?Doesnottheotherpushgoodnesstoanextremist
position,renderingitalmostridiculousbycondoningbadconduct?
114
Innerandouterdifficultiesareoftenrelated.Whatappearstobeanuglystateofaffairs
maywellbeadefiniteattackofcertainevilforcesusinginterestedhumaninstruments.In
suchasituation,theindividualshouldneverpractisenonresistanceinanyway,but,on
thecontrary,shouldfightthemoffashardashecan.Atthesametime,hemustremember
thatweaknessinselfcontrolcangivetheseevilforcesanopeningwhichtheymightnot
havehadotherwise.Hemustbeonhisguardifhewishestoemergevictoriousinthe
struggle.Ifhedoesnotthrowoffthiscondition,he,himself,unwittinglyerectsabarrier
throughwhichthedivinehelpsenthimfindsitdifficulttopenetrate.Althoughthe
temptationtoseekreleaseatsuchatimethrough,forexample,theeasywayofdrinkis
understandable,hemustneverthelessrememberthedutyheowestohisspirituallife,to
hispersonalinterestontherelativeplane,andtoothers.
115
Althoughthestudentmustforgivethosewhomistreathim,heneednotthinkthat
forgivenessimplieshehastoassociatewithsuchpeoplethereafter.Wheneverthethought
ofthem,ortheirabuse,comesintohismindhemustexerthiswillpowertodriveitout,
andimmediatelydirecthisthoughtstowardGod,ortowardanyinspiredindividualin
whomhehasfaith.
116
Onlythesageisentitledtodismissevilandtodenyitsexistence:allothersmustlookitin
theface,understandit,andovercomeitbyslowgradations.
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117
Itisbettertokeepoutofthewayofevilmen,especiallywhentheyareinpoweras
Buddhaadvised,untilorunlesswearedrivenbythenecessityofcircumstanceorthe
inwardvoiceofdutytoopposeourselvestothem.
118
Itisalwaysacertaintythatthepracticeofactivegoodwilldirectedtowardthosewho
regardhimharshlywillbenefithisowndevelopment,whileitisalwaysapossibilitythat
thispracticemaydissolvetheharshfeelingagainsthim.Itisallgainandnoloss.Thisis
onepartofthecaseforJesus'advicetoreturngoodforevil.
119
Itisatechniqueofthisevilpowertoparalyseitsintendedvictimsbyfrighteningthem.If
wegivewaytofear,wegiveaidtoitseffort.Itcannotbebeatenwithoutopendefiance
andreadyvalour.
120
Youmustrememberthatyouwillmeetwiththoseindividualswhoarethemselvesthe
bearersofantagonisticforces,instrumentsofdarknesssometimesconsciously,mostly
unconsciously,peopleusedbyevilforces.Sofaraspossibleyoumustavoidsuchpeople.
Certainlyneverenterintointimateassociationwiththem,whethertherelationbe
businessorpersonal.Ifyoudoyouwillfindthatsoonerorlatersomeoftheirunfortunate
karmawilltumbleonyouandyouwillhavetosufferwiththem.Thesepeopleare
opposedtoyourquestandallthatitstandsfor,althoughtheymaytalkasbelieversin
spiritualthingsindeed,theyoftenbelongtosomecultorother.Buttheydonot
understandtruthorliveit.Theycannothelpyouandyouarenotstrongenoughtocarry
them.Soleavethemalone.Andthatisnotalwayseasy,becauseoftentheyarepeopleof
akindthatforcethemselvesintoyourlife.Sometimesyoucanknowthembythis
hallmark,bythisaggressivewaywhichtheytrytoentangleyou.Itmayevenbe
necessaryattimestodealwithsuchpeoplewithafirmhand,evenmercilesslyand
relentlessly.Ifso,donothesitate,butdoitwithoutanypersonalfeelingofanykind.
121
Menwhoarewhollyselfish,cunning,combative,ambitious,andunscrupulousrepresent
thedarkprincipleandbecomedangeroustosociety.
122
Sentimentalityisnotspirituality.Itistruewegiveourgoodwilltoallmankind,andsowe
giveittothosewhoaretheinstrumentsofdarkforces.Butthatdoesnotmeanweakness
orfoolishnessinourdealingswiththem.Lifewillteachthem.Leavethemalone.
123
"Brotherhood?No,bethethoughtfarfromme.TheyareAdam'schildrenalas,yes,I
wellrememberthat,andnevershallforgetitthisrageandsorrow.Buttheyhavegone
overtothedragonstheyhavequittedtheFather'shouse,andsetupwiththeOldSerpent
tilltheyreturn,howcantheybebrothers?Theyareenemies,deadlytothemselvesandto
meandtoyou,tillthentillthen,whilehopeyetlastsIwilltreatthemasbrothersfallen
insane."Carlyle,LatterDayPamphlets
124
Thosewhohavescientificallyengagedinpsychicalresearchknowthatapsychological
beltwhereinahostofevilearthboundspiritsarecongregatedsurroundsthisplanet.
Psychicalresearchersareawaretoothatsuchobsessingentitiesbecomemostactiveat
night,asanyonemaydiscoverbywatchingtheconductofapossessedperson.
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Thewisemanrefusestoacceptremovableevilsandavoidablesufferings.
126
Ahumanbeingcanbeinfestedastrallywithpsychicverminashecanbewithphysical
vermin.
127
Ifhefindshimselfbroughtbycircumstancesintothesocietyofevilmindedpeople,the
firststeptoselfprotectionshouldbetoswitchthemindinstantlyintoremembranceof
thewitnessselfandtokeepittherethroughouttheperiodofcontact.Toturninwards
persistentlywheninthepresenceofsuchdiscordantpersonsistonullifyanyharmfulor
disturbingeffecttheymightotherwisehaveonourthoughts.
128
Thisinstantandunhesitatingturninginwardisalsoaneffectivemethodofinsulating
oneselfagainstthecurrentsoffear,despair,andweaknesswhichmisfortuneoften
generates.
129
Ifthestudentfeelsevilforceshaveattackedhimfromtimetotime,lethimprayearnestly
everydayforselfpurificationandmakethesignofthecrosswheneverhebecomes
awareoftheirpresence,atthesametimeinvokingthehelpofwhateverpoweror
personagehefeelsinspireshimmost.
130
Intimesofterribledangerheshouldsticktohisfaithinthedivinepowerasaprotective
talisman.Wheneverheisindifficultyheshoulddropallfearandtroubletemporarily
fromhismindandimaginehimselfhandingthemovertohishigherSelf,thereby
surrenderinghimselftoitswill,help,andprotection.
131
Whenthereisevidenceofbeingobsessedbyaspiritentity,theonlyradicalcureis
exorcism.Unlessonehastheguidanceofanadept,thefollowingissuggested:First,he
shouldtrysleepingwithagreencolourednightlightburningthroughoutthenight.It
shouldbeplacednotmorethaneighteeninchesfromthebed.Ifthisfails,thenan
ordinarynoncolouredelectricbulbmaybesubstituted,thusgivingastrongerlight.The
inconvenienceoftryingtosleepwiththebedroomilluminatedwillonlyexistforafew
daysorafewweeksandwillvanishastheeyesbecomeaccustomedtothenewhabit.It
mayevenbeavertedbycoveringtheeyeswithablacksilkbandage.Inadditiontothis,
hemustpray,andcombinethiswithcreativemeditation,whereinheactuallypicturesthe
freedconditiondesiredduringthenight.Heshouldalsoprayandmeditatepriorto
retiring.
132
Onemustlearntocontrolhisthoughtsdeliberatelydrivingoutthememoryof
undesirablepsychicexperiencesorofanyindividualpossessing"evilpowers."Heshould
taketheprotectivewords"LoIAMWithYouAlways"andrepeatthemtohimself,
tryingtorealizetheirtruthandmeaning.
133
Thestudentwhohasgotinvolvedwithsorceryorblackmagicmustcutoffeverypossible
connectionandcommunicationwiththesourceofevil.Then,hemustdestroyorgetrid
ofanyarticlesorwritingsinhispossessioncomingfromit.Hemustexpressrepentance
forhiserrorsofjudgementandprayforguidanceinthefuture.
134
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Heneedsforsuchpsychicencountersthefaith,thecourage,andtheknowledgewhich
maycomewithtimeandgrowth.HeneedssuchanattitudeasGeorgeFoxhadwhen,
thrustintoacellhauntedbytheghostsofmen'smurderers,heexclaimed,"Itoldthemif
allthespiritsanddevilsinhellwerethere,IwasovertheminthepowerofGod,and
fearednosuchthing."
135
Hewhoisconfrontedwithachoiceofevilsmustcallinthehelpofthehigherpower.
136
Eventroublecanbeturnedtoselfeducativeuses,andsomekindofbenefitgainedoutof
theexperience.Butthiscanhappenmoreeasilyandmorequicklyonlyifthewillingness
tolearnisthere,andonlyifacorrespondingsurrenderofselfispresent.Itisthenthatso
calledevilisconvertedtosocalledgood.
137
WhatJesustaughtnearlytwothousandyearsago,andwhattheBuddhataughtnearlyfive
hundredyearsbeforehim,isstilltrueevenmoretrue,ifthatcouldbe,forithasthe
proofsaffordedbyallhistoryduringthattime:hatredcannotendbybeingreturned,
nothingwilldissolveitsaveagenerousandpatientgoodwill.
138
Afriendwhohasturnedagainstyouandbecomeanenemycanbemetinabetterway.
Insteadofgettingangryorresentfulforhisunkindwordsoractions,trytoturnhimover
benevolentlytothehigherpower.IfyousucceedinenteringtheStillnessforaperiod
withyourlastthoughtbeingsuchawishforhim,thiswillbe,intheend,moreeffective.
Itwillmakeitpossibleforhisattitudetobemodifiedandforyourownhurtfeelingsto
calmdown.ThemoreyouforgethimintheStillness,thebettertheresultwillbeforboth
ofyou.
139
Zoroastrianreligionassociatesgriefwiththeevilprinciple,andthereforeshunsit.
140
Summonthestrengthtorefusetoreceiveotherpeople'snegativeopinions.Sayplainly
thattheyarecertainlyentitledtotheirviews,butyouwouldrathernotdiscussthemand
wouldprefersomeothersubjectprovidingitispositive.
141
Insteadofhatingyourenemy,andmeetingbombswithyourbombs,hissinwithyoursin,
tryanotherway,Christ'sway.Thisinvolvesrealrisk,moralcourage,andmental
flexibility.Itrequireswillingnesstoendureandsufferforwhatisright,atrustinspiritual
principleratherthaninbrutepower.
142
Heiscompetenttodealwithlifewhoequipshimselftodealwithitsdarkersidesaswell
aswithitsbrighterones,withitsdifficultiesandsufferingsnolessthanwithitsjoysand
successes.
143
Wecannotignorethespiritofourtimeswithoutinvitingfailure,andwecannotdespiseit
withoutinvitingdanger.Wemustneedsfaceitsreality.
144
Throwoutnegativefeelings,expelresentmentsagainstotherpersons,andyouwillbea
betterandhappierperson.
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145
Everynegativethoughtaboutothersnipatoncebyasmiletoyourself,lookingatyour
higherSelfdealingwithit.
TheNotebooksarecopyright19841989,ThePaulBruntonPhilosophicFoundation.
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