All Considering

Manifestation of intention through visualisation in theosophy

Katinka - Spirituality — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:50:33 +0000

I’m very glad to note that Pablo Sender had an article published in The Theosophist about a topic that’s VERY relevant to today’s world. Since he always gives me permission to publish his articles on my site, I just did. I’ll leave it to you all whether he understood today’s spirituality well enough. Anyhow, he tackles the issues that I’ve tackled here a few times as well: when does visualisation become selfish? What responsibilities come with growing thought power? Etc.

Manifestation of intention through visualisation

The central quote from the article is this:

To this end, they work through “affirmations” that must be repeated together with a visualization of oneself enjoying the desired object. Some of these affirmations are: “I love and accept myself”, “I am unique and loving, loved, and free”, “I am safe and always feel protected.” These affirmations are obviously self-centred and seek to make stronger the psychological self, which cannot lead to real happiness. But also, there are affirmations for abundance: “I am a success in all that I do”, “Everything I touch returns riches to me”, “I am constantly adding to my income”. And all that is mixed with so-called “spiritual affirmations” of the kind: “I am always connected with the Divine Love in the Universe”, “My inner vision is always clear and focused”, or “I have given myself permission to be at one with the Universe.” 10

It is unnecessary to say that this cannot bring that happiness that comes through the forgetfulness of one’s own personality and its childish desires. But worst of all, this is just more or less unconscious black magic, although advertised as a form of spiritual life!

Of course he quotes extensively from Blavatsky, Leadbeater, Subba Row and other theosophical classics to make his point. Well worth reading.

New spiritual pages on squidoo August 2010

Katinka - Spirituality — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:52:09 +0000

As you can see, I had another busy month. There are a lot of spiritual gift ideas here, as well as pages on famous people and one quotes page.
Interfaith Jewelry – letting all religions coexist: A lot of people are worried about the way different religions antagonize one another. It’s an old story, but one that humanity can no longer ignore. Islam is the black sheep at the moment. For those who want to show their allegiance to tolerance bet…
Buddha Jewelry: It’s perhaps become too often seen: the image of Buddha is everywhere. I even saw a picture of Buddha-shaped containers somewhere online. Still, these Buddha-shaped pendants and earrings are pretty as well as inspiring. One of the easiest ways of say…
Hamsa home decor and wall decoration: The Hamsa is a sacred symbol of luck and health throughout the Middle East. This symbol unites Muslims and Jews in a common cultural heritage. On this page you will find Hamsa clocks and wall decoration. Pretty, unique and bringing good luck – what m…
Albert Low zen quotes, books and biography: Albert William Low is best known as authorized Zen master in the Sanbo Kyodan school, and internationally published author. He has a background as a human resources executive. He has lived in England, South Africa, Canada, and the United States and h…
Thich Nhat Hanh Books: Anybody interested in Buddhism today knows about Zen Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh. His lectures, books and videos are wildly popular. I’ve found you the 10 most popular of his books.
The Lives of Sri Aurobindo: Reviewed in the West as the only decent biography of Sri Aurobindo Goshe, from politician, to poet and guru. This guy lived a fascinating life and Peter Heehs describes as many aspects of it as the Sri Aurobindo archives can help enlighten us on. In…
Sri Aurobindo and the Mother: Together they built Auroville, an ashram in Southern India (south of Madras). He was the reclusive yogi, she his outward manifestation or shakti. That is: she taught, she organized, she was there for people to related to. He sat in his room and kept…
Integral Yoga: Sri Aurobindo’s Teaching & Method of Practice: This is a fascinating book. I’m constantly finding things that are different or the same as Blavatsky’s theosophy. Her teachings are my spiritual home base, which doesn’t mean I’m not open to other paths – or blind to Blavatsky’s defects. The reason…
Search for the Soul in Everyday Living, The Mother: Inspiring and thought provoking view on the spiritual path. A bit dated in places, but not less fascinating for it. There are real gems here though – things you’ll find rarely anywhere else. Though in places this book is evidently rooted in a time b…
Coleman Barks, Rumi translator and poet: Coleman Barks (born 1937) is an American poet. Although he neither speaks nor reads Persian, he is nonetheless renowned as an interpreter of Rumi and other mystic poets of Persia. Barks is a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee. He attended the Universi…
The Law of One Quotes: Though we see a world of change and contrast all about, it’s one of the ancient esoteric insights that all is One. That is: everything is intimately connected, from Divine to mortal. From heaven to earth. From black to white. One of the ways in whi…

Last months spiritual stuff

Katinka - Spirituality — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:46:10 +0000

I try to keep you updated on what I put online elsewhere on the web, when it relates to spirituality and religion. However, since I’ve changed my newsletter technology, it amounts to this: I forget to share the essentials, till it’s time for the next one to come out. I’m fine with that actually, because if you all really want to know as soon as it’s posted, you’ll just have to subscribe to my spiritual newsletter Lucifer7 yourselves.

So here goes. I had quite an active month, as there was a Theosophical World Congress and I found I had a lot to say about that. However, if you were interested in that, you probably already saw it. This is the OTHER stuff I was up to:

New spiritual ‘lenses’ – pages on squidoo

Aug 04, 2010 09:36 am

In July I made the following new squidoo lenses relating to spirituality: Susan Seddon Boulet Goddess Paintings An artist whose art is still popular in the pagan scene, Susan Seddon Boulet will mostly be remembered for her goddess art. The mystical style of her paintings (mostly, but not exclusively, water color) strikes a core in …

The Lives of Sri Aurobindo, Peter Heehs

Aug 03, 2010 02:52 am

Reviewed in the West as the only decent biography of Sri Aurobindo Goshe, from politician, to poet and guru. This guy lived a fascinating life and Peter Heehs describes as many aspects of it as the Sri Aurobindo archives can help enlighten us on. In India this is a controversial book. It’s even been banned …

The Web of Creation: Theosophy and Art, from Lauweriks to Mondriaan

Jul 28, 2010 02:39 am

I’m reviewing a Dutch book here today: Het Web der Schepping, Theosofie en Kunst in Nederland, van Lauweriks tot Mondriaan, by Marty Bax. I won’t be repeating that exercise often, however in this case it’s really worth it. There are few good books about the history of theosophy in the Netherlands. It’s obviously a niche …

God’s hat – a theology joke

Jul 20, 2010 09:43 am

Chocolate Frosting and Garbage, Thubten Chodron Buddhist quote

Jul 14, 2010 09:41 am

Creating Bridges: Spirituality & Philosophy: Spirituality in Daily Life, Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron A kind heart is one of the principal things we are trying to develop. If we run around childishly telling others, “I’m this religion, and you’re that religion. But, mine is better,” it is like turning chocolate frosting into garbage: what was delicious …

Spiritual teachings best fresh?

Katinka - Spirituality — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:08:45 +0000

I dreamt of fruit going bad last night, so I wonder… are spiritual teachings best ‘consumed’ fresh? What do you all think… are classic spiritual books for instance of the same value as say the fresh teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, Eckhart Tolle and the Dalai Lama?

Comment Zen:

I’m not asking for dream analysis here. I’m just asking you all a question and wondering at your answers.

The certainty of truth

Katinka - Spirituality — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 13:49:23 +0000

Many people believe in old myths that contradict other beliefs and scientific evidence, and this causes division. Religious dogmas and myths were created before people had the benefit of modern science. Science attempts to objectively discover how life works, and religion attempts to subjectively find a way to live in harmony with life, so they both have pieces to the same puzzle. The organization’s main project, Truth Contest, aims to combine the objective and the subjective to find and define the underlying truth in everything, thereby uniting science and religion toward a common goal. For the first time, people will know right from wrong for certain. This will present a certain morality which will serve as the foundation for a united world.

Quoted from a correspondent who wanted a link from my site. Well – despite me not really liking the website – I guess they got their link now.

Seriously, I think there’s a big misconception here. Science is all about accepting uncertainty, and open questions and seeking for the few things that ARE certain. Most people can’t live like that, which is why even scientists turn into atheists sometimes. They feel there is no proof for a Divine Something, so they choose to just believe there is No Divine Something (usually called God). But the real scientist just realizes that the existence or non-existence of God cannot be proven, so it’s not science’s problem.

The students who wrote the above press release for their site missed one thing: certainty is not something we can have in this life. We can want it, look for it, etc. However ultimate certainty is a mirage. No certainty we find can be ultimate, except perhaps this one: that all is uncertainty.

Well, perhaps I’m overdoing it. There is the certainties science brings. The law of gravity for instance. But plains and birds still fly. No simplistic way of looking at the world can solve all questions. Can I prove that? No. Of course not. It would be a disproving of my statement, were I able to prove it.

However, centuries of science knocking down every truth people thought they had certainly adds to my conviction. And a few years ago rising stock markets seemed a given. Now we know it wasn’t. Ethics – they’re obviously human constructs, culturally dependent. Sure – in a globalising world, cultures may grow together a bit more. But what’s honesty to one person, is indiscretion to another. One person things human rights are the primary value, another that poverty and economic development are more important. Should we focus most on green energy, or on social welfare. Is safety more important, or the freedom to carry guns? There are few ethical questions that people universally agree about. I even had one correspondent tell me the Dalai Lama was ethically wrong in being peaceful about how to approach China.

That’s it for now – I’m not feeling too well and am still more busy than I thought I’d be. So I’m not promising to keep this up. Hope you all enjoyed.

Last month’s newsletter

Katinka - Spirituality — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:41:25 +0000

Unfortunately my newsletter got sent out without working links last month. So here’s a new attempt:

And if those links don’t work, here’s the URL: http://lucifer7.katinkahesselink.net/i/2010/7.html

A change in blog policy

Written by Anonymous on Jul 07, 2010 09:44 am

Short spiritual quotes

Written by Anonymous on Jul 06, 2010 10:37 am

H.P.Blavatsky in “Our Cycle and the Next”. For real Theosophy is Altruism, and we cannot repeat it too often. It is brotherly love, mutual help, unswerving devotion to Truth. If once men do but realize that in these alone can true happiness be found, and never in wealth, possessions, or any selfish gratification, then the …

God and the Absolute, theosophy quote

Written by Anonymous on Jul 06, 2010 10:37 am

W.Q. Judge quote, The Theosophical Forum of New York, December 1892, p. 3) “Theosophy holds God to be One and eternal, – Absoluteness itself. The Bible says that man was made in the image of God. Man we understand to be composed of seven principles, – a union of the three higher, the immortal principles …

Newsletter update & New spiritual stuff on squidoo and Katinka Hesselink Net

Written by Anonymous on Jul 06, 2010 09:29 am

For my newsletter readers: It turns out that the way I’ve been sending out this newsletter over the past 7 (!) years is becoming too labor intensive. It no longer fits the way I do my online work. I’ve found a new way to organize this – and don’t worry: I’ll make sure you all …

Blavatsky about the symbolism of the Christian Cross

Written by Anonymous on Jun 30, 2010 09:33 am

One of my Dutch readers wondered after reading my piece about symbols, about the meaning of the Christian Cross according to H.P. Blavatsky. I thought I’d look it up. The closest I could find on the topic was Blavatsky on Crucifixion. She says there that: The cross itself, to which the whole man was attached, …

World Congress: Unofficial powwow about the future of the Theosophical Society

Written by Anonymous on Jun 30, 2010 04:11 am

I think it would be a good idea to set a date / time on our powwow about the future of the TS. There are, so the grapevine tells me, about 400 people coming to the World Congress. That’s huge. I’m also told that the congress in Sidney had workshops that had 80+ people in …

The Wisdom of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras: A New Translation and Guide by Ravi Ravindra

Written by Anonymous on Jun 27, 2010 06:08 am

The yoga sutras are two thousand year old spiritual classic. In India every spiritual teacher of any note has written a commentary on it. Ravi Ravindra is the latest of Jiddu Krishnamurti’s students to do the same. For that reason alone this book will be read in theosophical circles at least. But Jiddu Krishnamurti doesn’t …

Alice A. Bailey Quotes from her Autobiography

Written by Anonymous on Jun 27, 2010 05:56 am

From the earliest possible time we were taught to care about the poor and the sick and to realize that fortunate circumstances entailed responsibility. Several times a week when it was time to go for a walk we had to go to the housekeeper’s room for jellies and soup for some sick person on the …

The Unfinished Autobiography by Alice A. Bailey

Written by Anonymous on Jun 27, 2010 05:47 am

I’m not really into Alice Bailey’s work, nor into that of ‘The Tibetan’, but this autobiography is great. Funny, full of self knowledge and simply fascinating from the point of view of esoteric history. Alice Bailey was born and raised in England in 1880. She lived through both world wars and lived the transition from …

William Quan Judge today

Written by Anonymous on Jun 16, 2010 05:01 am

The Aquarian Theosophist goes on writing about their efforts to get the TS Adyar to recognize Judge. I’m pleasantly surprised at the calm tone of their last post. They report that the German TS website mentions Judge as one of 5 theosophists who get a biography on there. I have to agree that it’s a …

SEO: making your theosophy site get google traffic

Written by Anonymous on Jun 13, 2010 05:16 am

I know some high up theosophical bobo’s read this blog, so I thought I’d share a must read article on THE main Search Engine Optimization (SEO) blog out there: http://searchengineland.com/seo-checklist-of-best-and-worst-practices-part1-43752 These are only the coding things. Send it to your webmaster and ask them to report on any issues not taken care of. These are …

Using spirituality and psychology as a defence

Written by Anonymous on Jun 09, 2010 09:30 am

1) Someone asking me to become a lecturer on an event asked me about karma: I hear people saying, about someone else, that their ill health or poverty is ‘bad karma’. Tell that to the starving child in Africa. She was right of course. 2) I heard a longtime Krishnamurti student saying: Your whole work …

The challenges and opportunities facing the Theosophical Movement

Written by Anonymous on Jun 09, 2010 08:28 am

We had a members meeting in the Dutch TS (Aydar) at the end of May. It was spirited, but business like. That is: we discussed important issues, without scapegoating. I thought I’d share the main issues. I am glad to see that the tabu on discussing these things is leading to important insights coming out …

Don’t give up – Theosophy Quotes

Written by Anonymous on Jun 08, 2010 01:38 pm

[B]e not discouraged, but try, ever keep trying; twenty failures are not irremediable if followed by as many undaunted struggles upward; is it not so that mountains are climbed? (Blavatsky Collected Writings, Vol. 12, Esoteric Instructions) With each morning’s awakening try to live through the day in harmony with the Higher Self. “Try” is the …

New spiritual ‘lenses’ – pages on squidoo

Katinka - Spirituality — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 13:36:43 +0000

In July I made the following new squidoo lenses relating to spirituality:

Susan Seddon Boulet Goddess Paintings: An artist whose art is still popular in the pagan scene, Susan Seddon Boulet will mostly be remembered for her goddess art. The mystical style of her paintings (mostly, but not exclusively, water color) strikes a core in many.
Stunning Islamic Jewelry for Women: Don’t you love wearing a bit of silver and gold -that also expresses your faith? I’ve found you hamsa pendants, star and crescent rings and everything in between.

The following book isn’t quite spiritual – just thought I’d include my review here, because it’s a fascinating book that helped keep my head safely near the ground at the Theosophical World Conference.

Martin Meredith: The State of Africa: A thorough historical, economical and political look at all the nations of Africa over the past 50 odd years. From dictators to AIDS/HIV, from disappointed hopes to fears of the future… realistic, scary and insightful. You’ll learn how hunger is t…

God’s hat – a theology joke

Katinka - Spirituality — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 13:43:05 +0000

There were two tribes dwelling near each other. God decided to walk between them. But God wore a two colored hat. One side was red; the other side was blue. So when the two tribes discussed this visit by God, they ended up in argument. “God wore a blue hat. No! God wore a red hat.” To make matters worse, on the walk back, God rotated the hat, so that the blue side would always be facing one tribe and the red side would always face the second tribe. So that each tribe was sure that they had seen both sides of God’s hat.

Chocolate Frosting and Garbage, Thubten Chodron Buddhist quote

Katinka - Spirituality — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:41:55 +0000

Creating Bridges: Spirituality & Philosophy: Spirituality in Daily Life, Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron

A kind heart is one of the principal things we are trying to develop. If we run around childishly telling others, “I’m this religion, and you’re that religion. But, mine is better,” it is like turning chocolate frosting into garbage: what was delicious becomes useless. Instead, we would be much wiser to look inside ourselves and apply the antidotes to intolerance, pride, and attachment. The true criterion of whether we are a religious or spiritual person is whether we have a kind heart toward others and a wise approach to life. These qualities are internal and cannot be seen with our eyes. They are gained by honestly looking at our own thoughts, words and actions, discriminating which ones to encourage and which ones to abandon, and then engaging in the practices to develop compassion and wisdom in order to transform ourselves. Invisible cities, mirages, dreams.

Random posts

A change in blog policy

Katinka - Spirituality — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:44:19 +0000

To make things a bit easier for me to manage, I’ve set my newsletter Lucifer7 to combine the posts in my various online blogs. But I had planned ahead quite a lot of material to be posted on that newsletter. Most of this will be posted on either All Considering or My Spiritual Quotes. This will mean that on All Considering the percentage of material by me will go down: quotes by others will take a larger place. I hope you all won’t mind.

All Considering

Manifestation of intention through visualisation in theosophy

Manifestation of intention through visualisation

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New spiritual pages on squidoo August 2010

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Last months spiritual stuff

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Spiritual teachings best fresh?

Comment Zen:

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The certainty of truth

Related Posts

Last month’s newsletter

A change in blog policy

Short spiritual quotes

God and the Absolute, theosophy quote

Newsletter update & New spiritual stuff on squidoo and Katinka Hesselink Net

Blavatsky about the symbolism of the Christian Cross

World Congress: Unofficial powwow about the future of the Theosophical Society

The Wisdom of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras: A New Translation and Guide by Ravi Ravindra

Alice A. Bailey Quotes from her Autobiography

The Unfinished Autobiography by Alice A. Bailey

William Quan Judge today

SEO: making your theosophy site get google traffic

Using spirituality and psychology as a defence

The challenges and opportunities facing the Theosophical Movement

Don’t give up – Theosophy Quotes

Related Posts

New spiritual ‘lenses’ – pages on squidoo

Related Posts

God’s hat – a theology joke

Related Posts

Chocolate Frosting and Garbage, Thubten Chodron Buddhist quote

Creating Bridges: Spirituality & Philosophy: Spirituality in Daily Life, Bhikshuni Thubten Chodron

Random posts

A change in blog policy

Related Posts