Some Light On The Path

Welcome to the Temple of the Living Fire, and episode three of our journey into Hermeticism. This episode is a look at the work by the theosophist Mabel Collins, called “Light on the Path.” We will explore this work over the course of seven episodes. ---------- MAGUS INCOGNITO speaks: Dear Unknown Friend, today we will introduce a commentary by Yogi Ramacharaka, called “Some Light on the Path,” which is examining the precepts outlined by Mabel Collins, in her manual, “Light on the Path.” We thought it well to present this work, as everyone on the Path will find they encounter certain challenges that are universally experienced; the commentary will provide reassurance, and aid in cultivating a healthy mental attitude in the aspiring Hermeticist. M. I. reads: “Some Light On the Path” - We will take for the subject of our first lesson the Way of Attainment—The Path. And we know of no better method of directing the student’s steps along The Path than to point out to him the unequaled precepts of the little manual “Light on the Path,” written down by “M. C.” (Mabel Collins, an English woman) at the request of some advanced mind (in or out of the flesh) who inspired it. We will quote from the little manual, precept after precept, following each with a brief explanation. In this connection it may be as well to state that “Light on the Path” is, practically, an inspired writing, and is so carefully worded that it is capable of a variety of interpretations—it carries a message adapted to the varying requirements of the several planes and stages of life. The student is able to extract meanings suited to his stage of development. In this respect the work is different from ordinary writing. One must take something to the book, before he is able to obtain something from it. In “The Illumined Way” the work is interpreted, in part, upon the lines of the psychic or astral plane. Our interpretation will be designed to apply to the life of the student entering upon The Path—the beginner. It will endeavor to explain the first several precepts in the light of “Karma Yoga,” and will then try to point out the plain meaning of the precepts, pertaining to the higher desires; then passing on to an explanation of the four “Some Light on the Path” precepts, relating to the unfoldment of Spiritual Consciousness, which is indeed the key‑note of the little manual. We will endeavor to make a little plainer to the student the hidden meanings of the little book—to put into plain homely English, the thoughts so beautifully expressed in the poetical imagery of the Orient. Our work will not contradict the interpretation given in “The Illumined Way''—it will merely go along side by side with it, on another plane of life. To some, it may seem a presumptuous undertaking to attempt to “interpret” that gem of occult teaching “Light on the Path”—but the undertaking has the approval of some for whose opinions we have respect—and has, what means still more to us—the approval of our Higher Self. Crude though our work may be, it must be intended to reach some—else it would not have been suggested. “These rules are written for all disciples. Attend to them.” These rules are indeed written for all disciples, and it will be well for us all to attend to them. For the rules for the guidance of occultists have always been the same, and will always remain the same—in all time—in all countries—and under whatever name the teaching is imparted. For they are based upon the principles of truth, and have been tried, tested and passed upon long ages ago, and have come down to us bearing the marks of the careful handling of the multitudes who have passed on before—our elder brothers in the Spirit—those who once trod the path upon which we are now entering—those who have passed on to heights which we shall one day mount. These rules are for all followers of The Path—they were written for such, and there are none better. They come to us from those who know. “Before the eyes can see, they must be incapable of tears. Before the ear can hear, it must have lost its sensitiveness. Before the voice can speak in the presence of the Masters, it must have lost the power to wound. Before the soul can stand in the presence of the Masters its feet must be washed in the blood of the heart.” Before the eyes can see with the clear vision of the Spirit, they must have grown incapable of the tears of wounded pride—unkind criticism—unmerited abuse—unfriendly remarks— slights—sarcasm—the annoyances of everyday life—the failures and disappointments of everyday existence. We do not mean that one should harden his soul against these things—on the contrary “hardening” forms no part of the occult teachings... ----------- Visit www.templeofthelivingfire.com ---------- #hermeticism #hermeticphilosophy #thehermit #lightonthepath #mabelcollins #theosophy #somelightonthepath #yogiramacharaka #thepath #magic #templeofthelivingfire #philosophersofthelivingfire

In this fourth episode on hermetic thought, we will be continuing where we left off in episode three, the presentation of the essay “Some Light on the Path,” the commentary by Yogi Ramacharaka on Mabel Collins’ “Light On The Path.” Today we will delve deeper into the four precepts from Mabel Collins. ---------- MAGUS INCOGNITO: Dear Unknown Friend, this presentation, “Some Light on The Path”, when thought of in the context of the Holy Cabbala, is helpful to the aspiring student in his or her quest to develop the Upper Ruah level of Soul. These words serve as helpful aids in the process of what is called Theosis… Theosis describes three stages of progress in The Great Work we are engaged in – that of Purification, Illumination, and Union. It is this stage of purification that we must approach first. In the teachings of the Philosophers of the Living Fire, the stage of Purification is related to the swords suit of the minor arcanum of the tarot; the stage of Illumination to the chalice suit; and the stage of Union to the wands suit. These stages of Theosis are also related, respectively, to three of the four Cabbalistic universes, or Olamot, known as, Olam Yetzirah, Olam Briah, and Olam Aziluth. The majority of human beings at this time have attained the stage of development known as the Lower Ruach. This stage of evolution in consciousness, while possessing the capability of reason, imagination, and a greater degree of self consciousness, it is greatly influenced by the animal soul or instinctual mind, known as the Nefesh. Hence it can succumb to the illusion of materialism, and the lower desires very easily. The Higher aspect of this level of soul, known as the Upper Ruach, is in contrast, sensitive to the emanations from the Neshama, or spiritual mind. In The Kybalion, a similar concept of stages of development is taught as… "The Plane of Human Mind, in its seven sub-divisions, comprises those manifestations of life and mentality which are common to Man, in his various grades, degrees, and divisions. In this connection, we wish to point out the fact that the average man of today occupies the fourth sub-division of the Plane of Human Mind, and only the most intelligent have crossed the borders of the Fifth Sub-Division. It has taken the race millions of years to reach this stage, and it will take many more years for the race to move on to the sixth and seventh sub-divisions, and beyond." With this in mind, let us continue with the essay, “Some Light On the Path…” Much of the occult truth is written in the form of paradox— showing both sides of the shield. This is in accordance with nature’s plan. All statements of truth are but partial statements— there are two good sides to every argument—any bit of truth is but a half‑truth. Hunt diligently enough and you will find the opposite half—everything “is and it isn’t”—any full statement of truth must of necessity be paradoxical. This is because our finite point‑of‑view enables us to see but one side of a subject at a time. From the point of view of the infinite, all sides are seen at the same time—all points of a globe being visible to the infinite seer, who is also able to see through the globe as well as around it. The above mentioned four precepts are illustrations of this law of paradox. They are generally dismissed as non‑understandable by the average person who reads them. And yet they are quite reasonable and absolutely true. Let us consider them. The key to the understanding of these (and all) truths, lies in the ability to distinguish between the “relative” or lower, point of view, and the “absolute” or higher, one. Remember this well, for it will help you to see into many a dark corner—to make easy many a hard saying. Let us apply the test to these four precepts. We are told to: “Kill out ambition.” The average man recoils from this statement, and cries out that such a course would render man a spiritless and worthless creature, for ambition seems to be at the bottom of all of man’s accomplishments. Then, as he throws down the book, he sees, in the fourth precept: “Work as those who are ambitious”—and, unless he sees with the eyes of the Spiritual Mind, he becomes more confused than ever. But the two things are possible—yes, are absolutely feasible as well as proper. The “ambition” alluded to is that emotion which urges a man to attain from vainglorious, selfish motives, and which impels him to crush all in his path, and to drive to the wall all with whom he comes in contact... ...Occultism preaches the “Simple Life.” It teaches that when a man has too many things he is apt to let the things own him, instead of his owning the things. He becomes a slave rather than a master. “Be happy as those are who live for happiness.” ---------- Visit www.templeofthelivingfire.com ---------- #hermeticism #hermeticphilosophy #lightonthepath #mabelcollins #theosophy #yogiramacharaka #thefourprecepts #thesimplelife #templeofthelivingfire

Dear Unknown Friend, this episode will be our conclusion of the essay “Some Light On The Path.” For those just discovering our work, please watch parts one and two of “Some Light on the Path”, which you will find on our channel as episodes three and four. Magus Incognito reads: The occultist is the happiest of men, for he has ceased to fear—he knows that there is nothing to be afraid of. And he has outgrown many of the superstitions of the race, which keep many people in torment. He has left Hate and Malice behind him, and has allowed Love to take their vacant places, and he must, necessarily, be happier by reason of the change. He has outgrown the idea of an angry Deity laying traps in which to enmesh him—he has long since learned to smile at the childish tale of the devil with cloven hoofs and horns, breathing fire and brimstone, and keeping a bottomless pit into which one will be plunged if he should happen to forget to say his prayers, or if he should happen to smile at God’s beautiful earth, some fine Sunday, instead of drowsing away an hour listening to some long‑drawn‑out theological sermon. He has learned that he is a Child of God, destined for great things, and that Deity is as a loving Father (yes, and Mother) rather than as a cruel taskmaster. He realizes that he has arrived at the age of maturity, and that his destiny rests to some extent upon himself. The occultist is necessarily an optimist—he sees that all things are working together for good—that life is on the path of attainment—and that Love is over, above, and in all. These things the occultist learns as he progresses—and he is Happy. Happier than “those who live for happiness.” “Seek in the heart the source of evil, and expunge it. It lives fruitfully in the heart of the devoted disciple, as well as in the heart of the man of desire. Only the strong can kill it out. The weak must wait for its growth, its fruition, its death. And it is a plant that lives and increases throughout the ages. It flowers when the man has accumulated unto himself innumerable existences. He who will enter upon the path of power must tear this thing out of his heart. And then the heart will bleed, and the whole life of the man seem to be utterly dissolved. This ordeal must be endured; it may come at the first step of the perilous ladder which leads to the path of life; it may not come until the last. But, O disciple, remember that it has to be endured, and fasten the energies of your soul upon the task. Live neither in the present nor the future, but in the eternal. This giant weed cannot flower there; this blot upon existence is wiped out by the very atmosphere of eternal thought.” The above admonition is a summing up of the first three precepts, as explained by the fourth one. It bids the student seek out in his heart the relative idea of life and cast it from him. This relative idea of life carries with it the selfish part of our nature—that part of us which causes us to regard ourselves as better than our brother—as separate from our fellow‑beings—as having no connection with all of life. It is the idea of the lower part of our mind—our merely refined animalism. Those who have carefully studied our former course will understand that this part of our mind is the brute side of us—the side of us which is the seat of the appetites, passions, desires of a low order, and emotions of the lower plane. These things are not evil of themselves, but they belong to the lower stages of life—the animal stage—the stage from which we have passed (or are now passing) to the stage of the Man existence. But these tendencies were long ages in forming, and are deeply embedded in our nature, and it requires the most heroic efforts to dislodge them—and the only way to dislodge them is to replace them by higher mental states. Right here, let us call your attention to a well established principle of occult training, and yet one that is seldom mentioned in teachings on the subject. ... On the plane of the eternal, there cannot be such a thing as selfish pride—understanding has forever wiped it out—“this giant weed cannot flower there; this blot upon existence is wiped out by the very atmosphere of eternal thought.” ---------- Visit our website for more information: www.templeofthelivingfire.com ---------- #Hermeticism #Theosophy #MabelCollins #LightOnthePath #YogiRamacharaka #WilliamAtkinson #Cabbalah, #Kabbala #ChristianHermeticism #SomeLightOnThePath #Prayer #GoodHabits #HermeticPhilosophy