ABOUT LOVE, TEACHERS AND LEARNING
~dedicated to Eros Apollonious~
Who of us has not, at some or other point of our lives, wrestled with the issue of whether or not the “Gods” exists? Eventually we all reach our personal conclusion but this only happens through full immersion in a confusing ocean of information and interaction with folk who have diverse ideas with regards to who or what is behind the Great Big Universe. Intellectuals shun the idea of the Divine. As I see it, they live out their prejudice and allow intellectual arrogance to limit their openness to alternatives and their sciences inevitably suppress their desire for true understanding. On the other hand, “believers” demonstrate their own form of prejudice because they believe without enquiry. They believe because they have been told to believe and in what to believe and how to believe. Being caught up the dilemma generated by these two stances, I decided to adopt an enquiring attitude.
What “titanic accident” is responsible for having designed this complex and highly organized Universe? Our bodies? The lay-out of the Universe? The kaleidoscopic mechanism of the human eye? Is there not Supreme Intelligence behind this nothingness which contains it ALL? I say “nothingness” because it is only the total summation of its intricate parts. Is there a plan behind this entire marvel that arouse out of chaos? Must there be a motive? Is the mere fact of existence, BEING, not sufficient unto itself? Must there be a reason? Must it all be rationalized in human terms? Take a look at us, we are but aware of the three dimensional world we live in. What about the other myriad of worlds, dimensions and the Universes beyond our senses and the sensations in the perpetual reality of flux?
We are the microcosm reflection of the macrocosmic whole.
We are simply the consciousness which witnesses all the drama which envelopes our limited awareness. The drama and games which amuse us in our perennial state of dreaming with eyes wide open. And time and time again we fall for the tricks of this Greek Tragedy we’re trapped in, identifying ourselves with the protagonist of our own Hollywood production, the mask developing tentacles which suck onto our real faces, ego expanding with the “importance” of the role assumed. And then when things go “screwy” miserableness sets in with its infantile menagerie of consequences and behavioural patterns.
But who are we really? The real “we” is unfaltering, unchanging, and infinitely true to its “all-embracing” self. It is ever-blissful, ever-blessed consciousness, hence the Delphic injunction “Know thyself!”
In our life’s meandering walk we eventually come upon the pillars and the gateway to the Inner Temple, there where Truth resides. There where we awaken to the infinitude of Being and where we are overwhelmed by the Beauty of the undeniable Oneness, the irrefutable interconnectedness of the ALL and the bliss of Love enters our heartfelt understanding making us “Whole”, healed, ecstatically Aware. Awake at last, fully conscious of the undeniable thread of Divinity running through the entirety of existence.
When we come across this Sacred Gateway, like all of those who went before us, and who have crossed the threshold to blissful endlessness, we should remember to hold the priceless gem of Awareness dear to our heart of hearts, desisting from all pretence and holding onto the REAL “us” and the happiness that brings, like those in whose fortunate footsteps we will be following.
Yes, happiness is not an impossible "chimera" which has to be found in some distant, exotic land. It is carefully guarded by the dragon of our egotistical insecurities, deep in the intimate cavern of our very Being. It is closer to us than our own skin. It is our TRUE SELF. That spark of the Great Cosmic Fire which ensouls all, there in the flawless and clear mirror of your HEART, whence our inner God looks back at us, filling our being with the light of Love, with the light that instills peace and joyous serenity which reaches out to touch our other kin around us and finally reaches out to the four corners of the Universe, spreading peace, love and happiness.
And how do we get to this point of being able to recognize the gateway to the Temple? There will be teachers, or a teacher to guide us. Wise folk who have walked the walk before us, those willing to share their knowledge, sometimes wisdom and experience with us. From some of these people willing to share with us, we will learn but for a day. From some for years. From others for a lifetime. They will love us, gently break us and re-mould us again. Some will test our patience. Pythagoras was said to have knocked on the doors of the Mystery Schools in Egypt for a full seven years. He persevered. He did not give up. He demonstrated tenacity and won the Teachers’ trust. It is vital that our teacher trust us. Love and the merging of the Teacher and the Taught into the act of Learning happens solely through trust. Be ready to speak the Truth and to learn the Truth in the spirit of Love and surrender to the spiritual metamorphosis which frees our heart and allows for the marriage between our Psyches and their Beloved Eros.
Let us therefore be patient and fearless in our quest for Self-discovery, letting the confusion of “generation” (spirit imprisoned in matter) prevent us from earnestly aspiring to sincerity, discernment, diligence and devotion. The best way to honour our Teachers is to put what they have shared with us and entrusted into our care, into practice. In this manner we honour the WHOLE.
Once we have learned to love ourselves, and have learnt the Love of ALL in which the Gods abide, let us declare this Love from the rooftops and be one with the Beauty that surrounds us. Through this we will be inspired to further Love and further Beauty and get to know the Good which everything aspires to.
We are entitled to test our teacher before we accept them as such. Let us reflect on their words and actions and make our decisions based on such qualities as integrity, troth, moral strength, balance, poise and inherent goodness. Thereafter, let us treat them with the utmost RESPECT.
May we all have the fortune of finding such a BEING to guide us on our Path to spiritual evolution.