Harmlessness

© 2010 Lisa Froman – Reprinted with permission from Shining Lotus Metaphysical Bookstore Newsletter Jun 2010/Jul 2010.

Lisa Froman

Many paths lead up the same mountain. “The path” represents the journey which one travels to reach his Divine perfection. The Mountain represents Soul-infusion, Divine perfection and mergence with the One-Self. Each of us travels on a unique path to reach our destination. Our path may be one, which meanders slowly, winding up the mountain with a gentle slope, or it might be a treacherous vertical descent, bordered by precarious cliffs and precipices. The essential concept, which man must grasp, is that no matter what a person’s path is, it is his path and it is in perfect Divine order for who he is at that moment in time and space.

One of the greatest tragedies to plague man has been his own lack of acceptance of the diverse ideology, spiritual and religious beliefs of his fellow man. Fanaticism has been the root cause of endless pain and suffering. Violent spiritual aspiration is often the fuel with ignites the fire of persecution of groups with opposing beliefs. Over zealous enthusiasm, misplaced or misdirected becomes harmful to our fellow man, even if the enthusiasm is based on a virtue.

Man has a tendency to think that his way is the only way and all others better conform or be destroyed. When a man pushes his ideology, beliefs and crystallized thought forms on another, even if they are based on virtues, he becomes harmful to himself and others. Virtues in excess can easily become vices when forced upon others. Esoteric students are not exempt from this rule.

Often, the beginning student becomes overly enthusiastic about his new- found knowledge and virtues and gets trapped in a “holier-than- thou” attitude. His ego swells with a superiority complex as he speaks endlessly about his newfound beliefs. He begins to push his ideas on others in an effort to recruit them into his camp. If the others do not comply, he looks down upon them with disgust and pity. As aspirants and disciples, we must examine ourselves carefully, noting not only our vices, but also our misdirected virtues. We can innocently harm others with our misplaced virtues and values by forcing them on others, even through we have the loftiest of intentions. One of the principle Universal Laws states that no one has the right to stand in the way of another’s spiritual progress or retard their freedom in any way.

We must remain balanced and open-minded and evoke the discipline of silence in our lives in certain situations. Often, the people who make the most noise about their beliefs are the ones who are not really secure in their beliefs or knowingness. Those who know are silent. Those who feel the need to recruit others into their belief system are usually insecure. One must ask them selves when they observe someone pushing an ideology or religion on another; “if the idea is so good, why must it be sold door to door?” A good idea is magnetic. It will attract the right people, of the right vibratory level, at the right time. We must never force, push or coerce others with our virtues or beliefs. We must maintain harmlessness through our words, thoughts and actions, no matter how virtuous are our intentions. Harmlessness is the responsibility of every man and we must respect and acknowledge every man’s unique path up the mountain to his perfection.