Each year the esoteric student celebrates the Full Moon of Taurus, the most powerful Full Moon of the year. Over the course of time, people of all faiths are becoming increasingly more cognizant of this powerful celebration. One month later, we will then celebrate World Invocation Day, the keynotes of which are Goodwill and Humanity.
The Wesak Festival is the New Year for the Hierarchy. During the Full Moon of Taurus cycle, each of us may, without expectation, reach out in love to our family and friends, our business associates and coworkers, our group brothers and sisters. We can take advantage of this time, with loving and enlightened thoughts, by expressing our gratitude in concrete ways to those world servers who have given us a greater vision for the future of humanity.
During the exact time of the Full Moon this May, each of us must endeavor to participate in the objective and subjective festival of Wesak. Subjectively, prior to and during the five days of the Full Moon, we must endeavor to prepare ourselves in purity, beauty and in silence, enabling us to receive the Wesak energies of enlightenment and the will-to-good at the moment of contact. Objectively, we must try to participate in a Wesak celebration, either with our group, if possible, or in our homes with our family and friends. The five days of Wesak this year extend from May 9 to May 13.
This year, World Invocation Day, the day of the Full Moon of Gemini, occurs June 9, except for those time zones that include Geneva, Darjeeling and Tokyo, which will celebrate the Full Moon on the 8th of June. We are told that World Invocation Day has three primary features, which are
Shanti,
Joleen D. Du Bois, President
Christ and Heart
by Colleen Fitzgerald
O Great Heart!
O Mighty Heart!
How can I conceive
Of You?
The Sacred Fire of
Your Heart burned so
brightly, that It consumed
the world’s karma and
enabled humanity to step
again onto the path of achievement.
Your Love was so strong that
it propelled You past all
obstacles to freedom; and
once free, You chose again to
walk among us, and to sacrifice
Your triumph for us, who are still
bound in the chains of illusion.
On Golgotha, You watched those
whom You loved treat You with scorn,
as worth only Your clothes.
You, whose great sacrifice was
beyond human comprehension.
Yet, even then, You asked for
God’s forgiveness of Your
beloved tormentors.
What is this fire of heart that
rends the veils of illusion and
frees the spirit to love without measure?
What is this deep longing I feel to
be near this fire, to warm my being,
and to burn away all obstacles
to Your presence?
Can this longing overcome my fears of
suffering, of losing the edifice I have
built for my protection against the world?
Is the path of love You have walked
a path that I can walk as well?
Will I be able to bear the pain?
Will You be nearby, to help me
when I stumble?
O Fiery Heart, how can I hesitate
when I hear Your song and feel Your warm breath
upon my face?
The joy of Your presence
will overcome fear and suffering.
Lead on O Christ,
I will follow even in the
darkness of night, for I know
Your light will shine the way.
Brave Heart. Great
Heart. Good Heart. We use Brave Heart to describe the fearless warrior;
Great Heart to describe 
the
Saints who have walked among us, and who have shown compassion for the
sick and destitute; Good Heart to describe a true friend, or one who suffers
for loving the undeserving. Even in this age of materialism, we value Heart
above all other measures. Christ’s heart encompassed all of these aspects
and much more. Christ’s achievement is the greatest achievement of humanity.
He began like any other man, but He did not become ensnared in the traps
of the material world, the world of desire. His burning desire was to unfold
His true Self, and fueled by that desire, He sped past all who would hinder
Him. He used obstacles as stepping stones on the path of achievement. A
great Vision was the magnet that pulled Him ever onward. This Vision had
kindled the fire in His heart, and as He strove against all obstacles,
the fire grew brighter and so hot that it melted away all impurities. The
doors of the Father’s House opened to Him, and He was greeted as the Son
of God, the Father.
It was He who chose to walk among humanity, to give us a vision of what it means to be a child of God. St. Luke said that Christ caused a burning in the disciples’ hearts. Christ taught that the Kingdom of God is ruled by Love. He showed that God’s Love is not exclusive, but is given freely to each person. Each person must discover the Kingdom of God within his heart and demonstrate the principles of Love in his life. Each step on the path of Love is a step closer to God. There are no limits to our potential beingness. We, too, shall walk in the Father’s House.
To be a disciple of Christ, we must walk the path of Christ. It is the path of joy and tears. It is the path of compassion and self-forgetfulness. It is the path of beauty.
Thou canst not travel on the Path before thou hast become
that Path itself. Let thy Soul lend its ear to
every cry of pain like the lotus bares its heart to drink the morning
sun. Let not the fierce Sun dry one tear of pain before thyself hast wiped
it from the sufferer’s eye. But let each burning human tear drop on thy
heart and there remain, nor ever brush it off, until the pain that caused
it is removed.
Discipleship and
the Heart
by Mary Lin Ruiz
Since the beginning of humanity there have been those rare individuals whose lives are possessed with a deeper sensitivity, compassion, and vision than the norm. In past ages these saints, geniuses, poets and mystics were the few who had unlocked the secret of greatness, that profound power hidden in the heart of humanity. Through their lives and work these individuals revealed truth and beauty in ways that forever changed the course of history. These forerunners demonstrated the path of the heart.
In our time, the “secret” known by these forerunners is
no longer reserved for a select or chosen few. Today thousands and perhaps
millions of people are taking on the challenges of living as a student,
or disciple, on the path of heart.
The Qualities of the Heart
The heart is the seat of consciousness, the center of every being from the Sun to an atom. In humanity the actual organ is said to be the outer correlation of the center of consciousness existing on inner, energy levels. It has been said that the heart of each being, from the tiniest atom to the planets, is connected with a silver thread to the heart of One Life, whose outer expression we see as the Sun. One beautiful way of understanding this is to say that our individual hearts are “borrowed” from the One Life, and as such we must use the heart wisely and with care. Many wise teachers have described the human heart center as a lovely, twelve-petaled golden lotus with a pure blue flame in the middle, approximately four- to six-inches behind the actual physical organ.
The activities of the physical heart—the distribution of fluids, oxygen, and nutrients to the body—are symbolic of the heart’s function of receiving and sending forth love energy and the other qualities essential to life. Heart consciousness is characterized by love and a deep realization of the unity with all Creation. This consciousness is expressed in twelve qualities, symbolized by the twelve petals. They are Patience, Tolerance, Sympathy, Service, Humility, Compassion, Wisdom, Sacrifice, Inclusiveness or Group Love, Synthesis, Identification, and Life.
When we begin to develop these qualities, we do not even understand what many of them are. As we progress on the path, the petals—and our understanding—unfold in a natural sequence of revelation. We recognize that the heart is, in reality, an “organ of vision,” for through it we begin to see the Reality of life that was hidden to us.
The heart is also an organ of healing in its truest sense. As its qualities deepen, we become increasingly magnetic, attracting Higher and purer gifts of love. We become more radiant, raying forth these blessings in healing service. Our intelligence and skills are greatly enhanced and we find a new courage to manifest the visions we have contacted. As we realize the great power of good that we are capable of sharing, we make a deepening commitment to refining our responsiveness to the heart. This commitment is known as discipleship.
Discipleship
– The Union of Heart and Mind
To live the path of the heart is to be a disciple (translated from the Latin as “a student”) of the great mystery unfolding within. A disciple recognizes that these promptings come from an inner teacher, the Master in the Heart. A disciple strives at all times and with ever-increasing determination to manifest these qualities. A disciple works to realize a vision of a world where every sentient being has the opportunity to reach his or her potential, and where the natural world is in harmony and is well cared for.
It is easy, and even comforting, for many to feel that such a holy path is far beyond our reach. In fact, many are surprised to realize how well prepared we are to follow this path.
Humanity has been prepared in two significant ways. The first is through the examples and teachings of World Teachers like the Buddha, the Christ, Krishna, Moham-med, Moses, and Hiawatha, who manifested in their lives the Realization of the divine Teacher within. Much of the wisdom of these Elder Brothers on the path has been transmitted and interpreted through the world religions.
We have also been prepared by the educational systems on every continent and in nearly every country. Reading, writing, logical and symbolic thinking, concentration, and planning are taught in schools all over the world. Many schools also teach an appreciation of art and beauty, which refines the mind to discriminate subtleties. Education in the history of human progress and achievements stimulates a sense of wonder, which leads to a deep, some would say spiritual, curiosity. While these skills are valuable to help us get along in the world, find a good job, or qualify for college, they also focus and organize our minds for a practical interpretation of the more refined knowledge of the heart.
In the inevitable progression of human evolution, development of the mind is ever the precursor to revelation of the heart. When the mind is capable of perceiving both suffering and great beauty, this stimulates a profound questioning of the reason and nature of existence itself. These questions lead us into dialogue, and eventually communion with, the divine spark of Love and Infinite Wisdom within each of us. The questions that arise in this process of “feeling with the mind” can only be answered by evocation of assistance and a great power, which we did not heretofore know that we possessed. This is the ability to “think with the heart.”
When we think with the heart, we call upon intuition, wisdom, and creativity, of a power and clarity we never imagined. Love without the discriminating faculty of the mind tends to foolish ineffectuality; mind without love can be cruel and dangerous. To “feel with the mind and think with the heart” is to reveal true wisdom, true genius, true love. As the petals of the heart center open, a magnetic response is called forth from “the heart center within the head,” that core of the mind that responds to and works in complete union with the heart. It is now that the true power of genius that resides in each of us is revealed.
Throughout history the process of revealing the heart’s wisdom has earned many names, and countless paths have developed to facilitate it. Some call it soul searching, prayer, meditation, or philosophy. At the heart of all of these paths is the one essential truth of the heart; there is in reality no division or separation, no “I” and “thou,” but merely aspects of the One Heart, One Being, One Life.
The Challenges of the Heart
Regardless of the details of the path that one follows, there is only one thing which is assured: ultimate success. Once our hearts have begun to open and we allow the Master within expression, there is no turning back.
It is true that all disciples must face challenges. When we first enter the path of discipleship, the obstacles of the heart are related to the materially obsessed, competitive (versus cooperative), and fearful nature of the lives we have led until now. As we progress on the path of the heart, we continue to allow temporary amnesia about our true purpose and intentions, helplessness, and the crises and stresses of ordinary life to eclipse time for discipleship work. It is even possible to allow the vibrant energy of the opened heart to atrophy or decay, through neglect of our newly-found awareness. The rise in heart disease in many parts of the world can be seen as the result of the sufferings of sensitive, intelligent people whose hearts are grappling with these deadly impurities in themselves, their surroundings, and the earth itself. Wisdom is power, and engenders responsibility for its wise and frugal use; thus, the suffering of the decaying heart is twofold. Our sense of responsibility for our failure to maintain our vision compounds the loss of vitality and other negative consequences that inevitably follow a turn from grace.
In truth, all of these obstacles are just faces of the one illusion: the fear of being separate from the One Heart and the One Life. This is the great illusion, which the truth of the heart reveals and dissipates. As the inclusive vision of the heart grows within us, we recognize that each of our negative tendencies is in reality a teacher, and the suffering caused by our inertia and self-imposed limitations stimulates us to try harder. We realize that these teachers are designed to lead us from the darkness of negativity to the lighted path of service and the One Reality, and our skill in mastering these obstacles outfits us for greater and deeper service. Delay and failure are merely temporary illusions.
Each of us eventually discovers that nothing interests
us but the path of the heart. It is then that we then apply ourselves with
renewed courage—which literally means “of the heart”—to the work of revealing
the Heart of Unity within all of Life.
After our daily labors,
let us gather to discourse about the heart. It will lead us beyond
the domains of Earth toward the Subtle World, in order to bring us closer
to the sphere of Fire. (Heart 1932, Preface)
Surya-Vidya—thus was the Teaching of the Heart sometimes called. In this definition was indicated the fieriness, the sunlike quality, the centrality of the heart. Verily, anyone who wishes to cognize the heart cannot approach it as only a part of the organism. First of all, one should recognize the centrifugal aspect of the heart and study outward from it, not inward toward it. The solar plexus is the antechamber of the temple of the heart. The Kundalini is the laboratory of the heart. The brain and all the centers are the estates of the heart, because nothing can exist without the heart. Even the brain can be supplemented to a certain degree. Even the Kundalini can be somewhat nourished by a manifestation of electricity, and the solar plexus can be strengthened by blue light. But the heart stands as the temple of humanity. One cannot conceive of the unity of humanity by way of the brain or the Kundalini, but the radiance of the heart can bring together the most seemingly varied organisms, even across remote distances. This experiment, of the unification of hearts across distance, awaits its workers. (Heart 1932, para. 339)
It will be asked, Which
energy is assumed when one speaks of the heart? Of course this is the same
Aum, the psychic
energy of all three worlds. But in studying it one can establish that the
precipitations are multicolored. Certainly the precipitations may be red,
purple, or blue, but approaching the heart, they lose their coloring. The
crystal of the heart is white or colorless. Of course, this resonance
of the heart is not often observed, but one should strive toward it. The
ancients advised the placing of one’s hand upon the needles of the young
cedars, in order that the condensed prana might penetrate through the fingertips.
There are many ways of receiving psychic energy from the vegetable kingdom,
but the one regarded as best is that of the open heart when it knows the
direction of striving. (Heart 1932, para. 14)
...Thus My Advice once again is to transform the Teaching
into a daily necessity. My Advice is to observe the extent to which
one’s surroundings become successful. In small groups mutual thoughts should
be especially watched in order not to burden and interrupt the current.
Many teachings advise this simple discipline, but each book should give
a reminder of it, because that which is most vital, most needed, is not
applied in life. And it is a great happiness for Us when We have as complete
confidence in someone as in Ourselves. Thus, powerful is the citadel of
the open heart. (Heart 1932, para. 16)
To behold with the eyes of the heart; to listen with the ears of the heart to the roar of the world; to peer into the future with the comprehension of the heart; to remember the cumulations of the past through the heart; thus must one impetuously advance upon the path of ascent. Creativeness encompasses the fiery potentiality and is impregnated with the sacred fire of the heart. Therefore, upon the path to the Hierarchy, upon the path of Great Service, upon the path of Communion, synthesis is the one luminous path of the heart. How can the manifested rays be radiated if the flame is not affirmed in the heart? It is precisely the quality of the magnet that is inherent in the heart. The highest creativeness is imbued with this great law. Hence, each consummation, each union, each great cosmic unification is achieved through the flame of the heart. By what means can the foundation of the great steps be laid? Verily, only through the heart. Thus the arcs of consciousness are fused by the flame of the heart.
Thus, we shall keep in memory the beauteous attraction
of the magnet of the heart, which links all manifestations. Verily, the
silver thread that links the Teacher with the disciple is the great magnet
of the heart. The union between Teacher and disciple affirms the essence
of all evolutions. (Heart 1932, para. 1)
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