Steady as you go

I've been reading Robert Crookall's book The Interpretation of Cosmic and Mystical Experiences (1969). In an appendix titled "The Implications of Mystical Experiences," Crookall meditates on the Biblical advice, "Set your mind on God's Kingdom and His justice before everything else, and all the rest will come to you as well" (Matthew 6:33).

His treatment of this topic includes some interesting quotations. Here's an excerpt.

[John] Ruskin held that genius, in the arts or any other field, is distinguished by its "perpetual, steady, well-directed, happy and faithful labour in accumulating and disciplining its powers, as well as by its gigantic, incommunicable facility in exercising them ... Therefore, literally, it is no man's business whether he has genius or not: work he must, whatever he is; but quietly and steadily; the natural unforced results of such work will be always the thing that God meant him to do, and will be his best. No agonies or heart-rendings will enable him to do it to do any better. If he is a great man, they will be great things; if a small man, small things; but always, if thus peacefully done, good and right; always, if restlessly and ambitiously done, false, hollow and despicable".

William James similarly pointed out: "A man becomes a saint in the moral, and an authority and an expert in the practical and scientific spheres, by so many separate acts and hours of work. If he keep faithfully busy each hour of the working day, he may safely leave the final result to itself. He can with perfect certainty count on waking up some fine morning to find himself one of the competent ones of his generation, in whatever pursuit he may have singled out. Silently, between all the details of his business, the power of judging in all that class of matter will have built itself up as a possession that will never pass away... Young people should know this truth in advance. The ignorance of it has probably engendered more discouragement in youth's embarking on arduous careers than all other causes put together". ...

Anne Manning Robbins, an American legal reporter who undertook psychical research in connection with Mrs. Piper's mediumship, said: "As I look back, I can see many events which apparently happened, yet it seems to me now that nothing really ever happens. That is our word for something which seems to come by chance, but which may, in reality, have been a long time in preparing. If one has a purpose in life, or a serious intent, the person and the events are somehow brought together when the time is ripe for the accomplishment of the purpose or the furthering of the intent... It is only in the conscientious performance of the daily duty, without undue anxiety about the future, that desirable changes are brought about. We bring them about ourselves. We work steadily towards them and, by some occult law, we draw to ourselves that which we really need, that of which we are deserving and for which we are prepared. Outward affairs, in the life of a serious-minded person, seem to follow and correspond with inward change and growth."

In the constant striving that characterizes modern life, it might be wise to follow the lead of these sages and slow down, trusting that the path we follow will eventually, in an unforced and natural way, take us where we hope to go.  

Comments

[william]

“That is our word for something which seems to come by chance, but which may, in reality, have been a long time in preparing. If one has a purpose in life, or a serious intent, the person and the events are somehow brought together when the time is ripe for the accomplishment of the purpose or the furthering of the intent...”

When I look back on my life it appears that fate played a much bigger hand than the choices I made. Michael Newton’s books journey and destiny of souls states that many souls actually plan out this fate to learn lessons in life.

Could this plan out this fate during their human life that Newton’s patient’s reveal under hypnosis explain the statement “somehow brought together when the time is ripe”?

Keeping spiritual values in mind (set your mind on God's kingdom) is always good advice.

Going with the flow or creating your own reality using the power of thought are two different spiritual paths.

They can both be fine as long as you are guided by spiritual values and you exercise judgement when you decide which path to take.

If you are a student, you need to study. If you are an entrepreneur don't let your desire for success lead you to do things that harm others. Some people may need to slow down, others may need a kick in the seat of their pants. Different people are here for different lessons and need to learn from different types of experiences.

[Wax Frog]

I understand my attraction to this blog better now than ever before. So often MP posts on matters I have in mind, this last especially. Dare I call it synchronicity? :o)

[Kevin]

These quotes, particularly Ruskin's, resonate very powerfully with me. This is the essence of my paintings, which I deliberately and accurately refer to on my website as "involuntary images", symbolic visuals which come to me without effort or prompting. The distinct possibility that the source of these subconscious promptings may be, for example, what Jung referred to as the "Collective Unconscious" is a large part of what has compelled me to produce these works rather than something which may possibly be more commercially viable. I can only judge them from my own perspective, making absolutely no claim to the "greatness" or "genius" Ruskin writes of (and happily, too, as I believe the expectations created by such hyperbolic evaluations would be impossible to live up to). But I truly understand when he describes the results to feel "good and right". Personally, knowing of Ruskin's dogmatic advocacy for art which faithfully reproduces the natural world (to the point of obsessively detailed renderings of the geographic and botanical elements of a landscape, as with the Pre-Raphaelites), I doubt he'd approve of my work, but he would be able to commend the spirit with which I create it.

[Greg Taylor]

Thanks MP, I think I needed that post!

[Michael Prescott]

I hadn't realized you're an artist, Kevin. You do very beautiful and original work.

[Art]

I too have been thinking along the same lines. I have 30 graduate semester hours from the University of Tennessee towards a Masters degree in Holistic learning and teaching. I was also tremendously interested in physical anthropology and science in High School and undergraduate school, and thinking back on my life (I'm now 55 years old) it's as if everything I've ever studied has played some kind of role to synthesize my beliefs about life after death. It's as if it's all been directed towards formulating that one goal.

[Art]

Wow Kevin! It's as if you painted one of my dreams!

http://www.kevinlouiswright.com/large-view/The%20Others/63446-5-0-4472/Painting/Symbolism.html

It looks like the meadow I sometimes meditate on when I'm trying to lower my blood pressure. It's a picture of my meadow! Very nice.

[Jim Clark]

I've found personally that there appears to be certain things in my life which I'm destined to do. Exactly how I do that is my free will, but if I stray to far from the path something happens to bring me back.

Conscious striving towards goals are very important, however we must not forget to enjoy the journey as well. If we can stay clear and present in each moment than we can do that.

Taking time out to meditate helps us enjoy activities more, enabling us to stay calm regardless of the circumstances.

[MarkL]

More and more I see ways we are all linked together beyond our understanding of physical causality. I don't believe that means that we should give up using reason to make plans but I have come to understand that sometimes there is something beyond causality which guides us toward possible futures.

[Marcel Cairo]

This post is like a written gem, the kind you get from a Chinese fortune cookie.

Now what are my lucky numbers? :-)

Thanks, MP.

[Hrvoje Butkovic]

"Going with the flow or creating your own reality using the power of thought are two different spiritual paths." - Anonymous

I have found it useful to do a bit of both - intentionally pursue the overarching goals, and then go with the flow when it comes to their realisation.

[Kevin]

My thanks to MP and Art on their generous comments. As previously noted, I cannot say whether the source of these images is "strictly" subconscious or Jung's Collective Unconscious or whatever else. Considering the topics we discuss on Michael's blog, I suppose it is possible that I COULD HAVE painted Art's meditation meadow in some way, at least by intention. Perhaps a subconscious source shared through the combined mediums of painting and computer image distribution, creating a sense of resonance. I think I enjoy exploring the mystery as much as any other aspect of creativity.