Thursday 28 January 2021

The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso on Universal Brother/Sisterhood 2

The 14th and current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, belongs to the first generation of Tibetan Buddhists who have become more prominent actors in the globalized post-colonial modern world. In his impressively open, tolerant, cosmopolitan perspective, many a Theosophical idea has been adopted, not the least being the notion of universal brother/sisterhood, to which he gives a distinctive Mahayana touch based in a deep consideration of the value of compassion. Below are some of his reflections, taken from his Twitter page, from the year 2020.

 Wherever I go, I always feel the people I meet are the same as human beings like me. Scientists have also observed that we human beings are social animals. We have a sense of community. Right from birth we have the same feelings of closeness to those around us. (Jun 19, 2020)

What is important is not so much how long you live as whether you live a meaningful life. This doesn’t mean accumulating money and fame, but being of service to your fellow human beings. It means helping others if you can, but even if you can’t do that, at least not harming them. (Jun 22, 2020)

Regarding other human beings as our brothers and sisters can make our lives happier and more meaningful. Some people think that when we cultivate compassion and affection for others only they benefit—in fact, we ourselves derive great benefit and satisfaction from such conduct. (Jul 13, 2020)

To me, all these features that differentiate us, like wealth, position, status, and so on, are secondary. I truly believe we can learn to relate to one another on the basis of our shared humanity. And if individuals can learn to do that, there’ll immediately be a basis for trust. (Aug 28, 2020)

HHDL tells the G7 climate crisis conference we should think of the the whole world as interdependent and of the entire 7 billion human beings as one human community. Global warming is very serious. Many people suffer. We must pay more attention. (Sep 12, 2020)

As human beings we essentially belong to the same family and we have to think of each other as part of ‘us’. To develop peace in the world, we have to educate people to understand that we are all the same in being human. (Sep 18, 2020)

Today, the world is interdependent as never before, which is why we need a keen sense of the oneness of all human beings. We have to take the whole of humanity into account. We have to understand what we have in common with everyone else. (Oct 2, 2020)

Wherever you live, try to create a happy community. I pray that every human being, indeed every sentient being, should be happy. So, if you come across individuals facing problems, help them. Share their problems and try to bring them peace of mind. (Oct 23, 2020)

We are truly brothers and sisters. We all face the same kind of problems and we all have the ability to overcome them. That means putting our human brains to good use, combined with a strong sense of warm-heartedness. (Nov 2, 2020)

Ask children whether they prefer smiling faces or stern ones. Obviously, the way to bring about harmony and friendship is to smile. We need to cultivate such childlike attributes that are the basis of human values and remember that we are the same and have to live together. (Nov 6, 2020)

When you think about the difficulties you face in your life, think about all the other people who have a similar experience of suffering. We need a keen sense of the oneness of humanity, remembering what we have in common with everyone else. (Nov 13, 2020)

My dedication is to serve the 7 billion human beings on this planet and the other creatures with whom we share it. If you can, help and serve others, but if you can’t at least don’t harm them; then in the end you will feel no regret. (Nov 27, 2020)

We can learn how to cultivate peace of mind. Then, we can apply our intelligence to extend a compassionate attitude on an individual, family, community and global level. It’s our nature to be compassionate, so education can teach us to appreciate that we’re brothers and sisters. (Nov 30, 2020)

We must learn that humanity is one big family. We’re all brothers and sisters: physically, mentally and emotionally the same. But we still focus far too much on differences instead of what we have in common. After all, every one of us is born the same way and dies the same way. (Dec 14, 2020)

Wherever I go, I try to cultivate a sense of the oneness of humanity. I see everyone I meet as being essentially the same. And people respond positively to this. Animals too. Fear leads to isolation, so it's helpful to be open to others. (Dec 29, 2020)

I regard a compassionate, warm, kindhearted person as healthy. If you maintain a feeling of compassion, loving kindness, something automatically opens your inner door, through which you can communicate much more easily with other people — you'll find that they are just like you. (Jan 11, 2021)

Best wishes for the inaugural  International Day of Human Fraternity  February 4, 2021.

The UN General Assembly on 21 December adopted a resolution declaring 4 February as the International Day of Human Fraternity. The day is to be observed each year, beginning in 2021. The Assembly invited the Member States, the United Nations system and others to observe the annual day in a manner they would each consider appropriate to promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue.

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2020-12/united-nations-institutes-international-day-human-fraternity.html 

Thursday 21 January 2021

The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso on Universal Brother/Sisterhood 1

The 14th and current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, belongs to the first generation of Tibetan Buddhists who have become more prominent actors in the globalized post-colonial modern world. In his impressive open, tolerant, cosmopolitan perspective, many a Theosophical idea has been adopted, not the least being the notion of universal brother/sisterhood, to which he gives a distinctive Mahayana touch based in a deep consideration of the value of compassion. Below are some of his reflections, taken from his Twitter page, from the year 2020.

I believe all 7 billion human beings alive today are part of one human family. We are born and die in the same way. And what is most precious in our relations with others is warm-heartedness. It yields the peace of mind and inner strength that are fundamental to a happy community. (Dec 20, 2019)

I believe that if we make an effort to develop peace of mind within ourselves and cultivate a proper appreciation of the oneness of humanity, we can create a happier, more peaceful world. What we need is common sense—the positive use of intelligence—and warm-heartedness. (Dec 23, 2019)

As human beings, all 7 billion of us are born the same way and die the same way. Physically, mentally and emotionally we are the same. We all want to live a happy life and avoid problems, but in a materialistic culture we overlook the importance of love and affection. (Jan 6, 2020 )

I don’t like formality. There’s no formality when we’re born and none when we die. In between we should treat each other as brothers and sisters because we all want to live a happy life. This is our common purpose and our right. (Jan 24, 2020)

Sometimes we feel we can’t do much by ourselves, but humanity is made up of individuals; we can make a difference. As individuals we can influence our own families. Our families can shape our communities and our communities form our nations. Together we can make a better world. (Mar 16, 2020)

Even more important than the warmth and affection we receive, is the warmth and affection we give. It is by giving warmth and affection, by having a genuine sense of concern for others, in other words through compassion, that we gain the conditions for genuine happiness. (Mar 20, 2020)

A deep awareness of the goodness of human beings, that they are essentially kind, helpful, and gentle, can give us courage and hope. On a personal level too, such a vision of our basic nature can help promote a greater sense of well-being and connectedness with others. (Mar 23, 2020)

In our world today, we’re heavily dependent upon each other. It’s essential, therefore, that we cooperate with one another—then we’ll be able to solve many problems. Good relations, heart to heart, are important and necessary—everything depends upon our having a good motivation. (Apr 27, 2020)

Change starts with us as individuals. If one individual becomes more compassionate it will influence others and so we will change the world. (May 28, 2020)

People face difficulties in many parts of the world, but since all seven billion of us live on this one planet we should be united and stand in solidarity with each other. When this blue planet is viewed from space, there are no national boundaries to be seen. (May 28, 2020)

Fundamentally human beings are the same. Imagine being lost in some remote place and suddenly seeing someone coming towards you over the horizon. You wouldn't care about their race, nationality or religious faith, you'd be filled with the joy of encountering another human being. (Jun 15, 2020)

Best wishes for the inaugural  International Day of Human Fraternity  February 4, 2021.

The UN General Assembly on 21 December adopted a resolution declaring 4 February as the International Day of Human Fraternity. The day is to be observed each year, beginning in 2021. The Assembly invited the Member States, the United Nations system and others to observe the annual day in a manner they would each consider appropriate to promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue.

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2020-12/united-nations-institutes-international-day-human-fraternity.html 

Monday 11 January 2021

Astrology: Mars square Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto

Since the Mars square Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto aspects can be quite volatile and noticeable (especially the ones with Saturn and Pluto) and we are nearly finished the third and final series of these aspects (Mars (in Taurus)  square Saturn  (in Aquarius)  on Jan. 13, 2021 and Mars  square Jupiter on Jan. 23, 2021), below is a compilation of the astrological posts from last year regarding these aspects.

According to Robert Hand: ‘’Mars is an energy planet. Specifically it rules the energy that an individual uses to maintain himself in the face of pressure from his environment… Mars is also connected with work and physical energy, and often its transit signify a day when you feel very energetic and vigorous. In fact one way to ensure that a Mars transit  will not cause disputes or arguments with others, which is a sign of malfunctioning Mars energy, is to have plenty of hard work to do. The negative side of Mars most often manifests itself when there is no other outlet for its energies…The only real danger with Mars is that its energies, when sublimated to the physical level, can signify accidents, specifically from burns  or fire, and illnesses involving fever and infection. This is often the result of frustrated ego energies, although you may have to dig around in your psyche to realize this. You must learn to express your resentments and anger, for they are a legitimate part of your being’’ (217-218).

Mars square Jupiter

1-      Can be very energetic and successful, if one avoids tendencies for reckless impulsiveness and wild optimism.

2-     Forward looking, can further new projects, temptation to overextend, overtax oneself, risk of accidents

3-     Desire for expansion and growth, can lead to domineering and egotistical behavior, both qualities and flaws are amplified.

Mars square Saturn

1-      Frustration and irritation, sense of inadequacies, blocked assertion, inhibitions, overwhelmed by imaginary inner fears.

2-     Negative reinforcement and discouragement from authority figures, need to learn to act with knowledge of who you are.

3-     Not a good time to start new initiatives - need to proceed slowly and cautiously, thorough and careful.

Mars square Pluto

1-      High energy level, highly ambitious, time for creatively transforming world around you.

2-     Fierce power struggles and disagreements, opposition, ego conflicts, conflict between individual versus  group, powerful authority figures.

3-     Unfinished loose ends can cause failure and unravelling; temptation for ruthlessness and deceit. Victims of ruthless, dangerous attacks, violence.

Mars square Jupiter (Aug.4, 2020)

A huge explosion killed at least 100 people near the port of the Lebanese capital Beirut, with more fatalities feared. This provoked protests that led to the government resigning. More than 4,000 others were injured. Belarus protests and Chicago protests began. Tropical Storm Isaias pushed up the East Coast spawning tornadoes and killing at least six people.

Mars (in Aries) square Pluto (Aug. 13, 2020)

Belarus is still in upheaval after the weekend's controversial election that led to an alleged landslide victory for longtime President Alexander Lukashenko. Police have been cracking down on protesters, and authorities say 6,000 people have been arrested and one person was killed. The protests in Lebanon escalate with large street protests. Seventeen Chicago police officers were injured and at least 24 people were arrested during protests downtown that turned violent. Israel and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to normalize relations in a historic truce.

Mars square Saturn (Aug. 24, 2020)

Protesters in Kenosha, Wisconsin, took to the streets to vent their anger over the shooting of Jacob Blake by police. Buildings and cars were set on fire last night. Blake, a 29-year-old Black father, was shot in the back multiple times by an officer on Sunday as he tried to enter an SUV. A 17-year-old from Illinois has been arrested and charged with homicide in a fatal shooting that left two dead during protests Tuesday night in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The police chief there said the teen "was involved in the use of firearms to resolve whatever conflict was in place." Nationwide, the unrest stemming from the police shooting of a Black father, Jacob Blake, over the weekend has crystallized into serious action.  Tens of thousands of Belarusians defied a warning from the military and demonstrated in the streets of Minsk on Sunday, demanding that the country's longtime President Alexander Lukashenko step down after winning re-election in a disputed vote.

Moreover, the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has already smashed records for the number of named storms so early in the season, but the record 2005 hurricane season was much worse this early in the season in large part because of its substantial impact in the U.S. and elsewhere. The Summer season has seen record-breaking forest fires in California and many other regions.

Mars square Saturn (Sept. 29, 2020)

Protests in Louisville, Kentucky and other cities erupt after Breonna Taylor case decision, China announces repressive policies towards Uyghurs in Xinjiang, chaotic first US presidential debate, violent clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Coronavirus deaths reached one million worldwide, reports of resurgeance in Covid cases, severe wildfires in California, Yemen's warring parties have agreed to prisoner swap.

Mars square Pluto. (Oct. 9, 2020)

A  nationwide increase in vigilante and militia activity in the US, China imposes a repressive national security law in  Hong Kong, the UK, France and Germany impose sanctions on Russia after the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny, Turkey launched its military offensive into northeastern Syria, a German gunman's attack on Synagogue kills two, a bus heading to a Buddhist temple collided with a train in central Thailand, killing at least 20 people,  Hurricane Delta dumped more than 15 inches of rain in the US, the United Nations' World Food Program wins the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize.

Mars square Jupiter (Oct. 19, 2020)

Protesters rioted in Chile's capital, Santiago, ahead of a referendum on scrapping a dictatorship-era constitution, Muslim extremist decapitation of a high school teacher in  France, violent demonstrations in  Lagos, Nigeria, protesting against police brutality, Iran-backed militias attack north of Baghdad left eight dead and four missing. Coronavirus cases reached a new high, a wildfire spread rapidly in Boulder County, Colorado, prompting the evacuations of at least 3,000 people, NASA's Osiris-Rex spacecraft briefly landed on  asteroid Bennu.

Mars (in Aries) square Pluto (in Capricorn) (exact on Dec. 23, 2020)

This aspect brings control issues, being hard to please, a tendency to bully and confront, power struggles, suppressed matters emerge, passions run high. It is good to remain flexible and to develop compromise strategies.

Because of the retrograde, Mars will begins its third square aspect to Pluto, Saturn, and Jupiter, the other exact dates are:

Mars  (in Taurus)  square Saturn  (in Aquarius)  Jan. 13, 2021

Mars  square Jupiter  Jan. 23, 2021

Wednesday 6 January 2021

Top 15 posts of 2020


Here are the stats for the previous year (minus the astrology posts)- the reader's have spoken - for which we thank you. It's always interesting to see what were the most popular topics. 2020 was definitely a challenging year. We did out best to keep posting on a regular weekly basis and include posts related to the different problems society as a whole was faced with. About half of the posts on this list deal with universal brother/sisterhood, epidemics, and mortality, which were designed to address today's issues.

For 2021, we will be moving from a weekly frequency to a bi-weekly pace. Six years is a pretty respectable run for a weekly blog, therefore we think its good to slow down a bit in order to adopt a more reflexive strategy for this year, once again trying to post articles that reflect the current concerns and challenges. We feel that the idea of universal brother/sisterhood is especially relevant in today's world and we will continue with posts on that topic. All the best for 2021.

1- Blavatsky on Moral Epidemics

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/04/blavatsky-on-moral-epidemics.html

 

2- Hierocles the Stoic's Concentric Circles of Cosmopolitanism

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/02/hiercoles-stoics-concentric-circles-of.html

 

3- Theosophy Basics: What is Theosophy?

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/12/theosophy-basics-what-is-theosophy.html

 

4- The Mahatma Letters on Universal Brotherhood and Love of Humanity

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-mahatma-letters-on-universal.html

 

5- Jean-Louis Siémons on Theosophy, Reincarnation and Near Death Experiences (NDE) Part 1/2

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/02/jean-louis-siemons-on-theosophy.html

 

6- Theosophy and Family Life

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/06/theosophy-and-family-life.html

 

7- Theosophy and the Trikaya 4 (Nirmanakaya, Sambhogakaya, Dharmakaya)

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/03/theosophy-and-trikaya-1-nirmanakaya.html

 

8- Theosophical Basics: The Astral Light and the Astral Body

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/01/theosophical-basics-astral-light-and.html

 

9- William Q. Judge on Universal Brother/sisterhood and the Astral Plane

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/05/william-q-judge-on-universal.html

 

10- Theosophy Basics: What is a Theosophical Society?

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/12/theosophy-basics-what-is-theosophical.html

 

11- Patanjali's Yoga Sutras - Book 1 - Rama Prasad

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/09/patajalis-yoga-sutras-book-1-rama-prasad.html

 

12- Theosophy and Epidemics, Physical and Moral

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/04/william-q-judge-on-theosophy-and.html

 

13- 15 Great Christian Mystics

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/08/15-great-christian-mystics.html

 

14- Walt Whitman on Universal Brotherhood

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/08/walt-whitman-on-universal-brotherhood.html

 

15- Seneca - On the Shortness of Life

https://theosophyproject.blogspot.com/2020/04/v-behaviorurldefaultvmlo.html