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Post by paul on Nov 9, 2011 10:58:10 GMT 9.5
As Masons we say we seek the Light and perhaps that we are Sons of Light. What role then does Darkness have in the spiritual path?
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Post by LorrB on Nov 9, 2011 14:31:13 GMT 9.5
From the clash of material forms inevitable results the spark. When we raise our consciousness above the concrete, we then see and realize the universal One-ness of life behind the illusional evil. This realisation is one of the first steps on the path of wisdom. Maybe we need Darkness - Manley P Hall believed that evil was illusional.
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Post by paul on Nov 9, 2011 14:36:18 GMT 9.5
Darkness and evil may not be the same. Indeed evil may be a perspective rather than a reality.
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Post by paul on Nov 9, 2011 14:42:06 GMT 9.5
Dion Fortune considered that darkness constituted a thrust block against which we can push in order to work effectively with light.
Meanwhile the New Testament tells us: Resist not evil.
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Post by LorrB on Nov 9, 2011 15:31:01 GMT 9.5
No wonder we humans are so confused..
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Post by tamrin on Nov 9, 2011 17:57:20 GMT 9.5
Meanwhile the New Testament tells us: Resist not evil. Some poetic licence appears to have been used in translating Matthew 5:39. The Greek word translated as 'evil' more correctly translates as 'that which is hurtful' ('evil' is not even an alternate meaning for it, whereas there is a Greek word for 'evil' which could have been used if meant). Evil is to be resisted!
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Post by paul on Nov 9, 2011 18:56:28 GMT 9.5
Resisting dark entities often feeds their strength, so more subtle techniques may be better.
Resisting evil is somewhat problematic as what is evil on one level of existence or meaning may not be on another
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Post by tamrin on Nov 9, 2011 19:27:02 GMT 9.5
Resisting dark entities often feeds their strength, so more subtle techniques may be better.
Resisting evil is somewhat problematic as what is evil on one level of existence or meaning may not be on another Granted, one needs an appropriate strategy (one that will not backfire) and one needs to careful define and identify what is "evil." Still, evil is to be resisted.
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Post by paul on Nov 9, 2011 20:46:32 GMT 9.5
...Still, evil is to be resisted. How do you know that to be true?
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Post by tamrin on Nov 10, 2011 0:00:38 GMT 9.5
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Post by stewartedwards on Nov 10, 2011 1:48:36 GMT 9.5
It is my experience that darkness is distinct from evil. Each of us has light and darkness within us, and that light can help us be good, and that darkness can st the extreme lead us to be evil. But darkness itself is useful. Darkness helps us to see ourselves for what we really are. It helps, with some practice, enable us onto greater things. It can be used, again with practice, as a fuel source for good or sadly evil. But it can also blind us and distract us and hinder our progress. I myself openly admit that a dozen plus years ago now I fell into darkness. I never saw it coming. While it would be true to say that some people who really should know better led me there, most of it was my own doing, mainly because I knew no better. The end result was me becoming worn out with life and giving up (not suicidally or depressed, simply having had enough of the cr@p and loosing my spark so to speak, being lost). That said it was from the depths of this darkness that I literally woke up one day, knowing that I was missing something, and from which I began to walk myself to where I am today, learning all of the esoteric lessons along the way, the hard way in real life. This is why, or at least one reason why (some masons have suggested to me that in a past life I was probably senior in the masonic world, but if that causes you problems take it with a pinch of salt for it matters not to me in this life) I can see the darkness in large parts of masonry today. Something that to many a mason is simply impossible (to accept or admit to). Yet it fills me with hope for from such darkness I know that reillumination can be found, for I did it myself. Sadly darkness is sneaky and silent, and it can be hidden in plain sight. Tis is evidenced in all sorts of ways in everyones daily life. Anyhow just some thoughts from a bloke who has a level of experience in the field, and who still kicks himself when he fails to spot it at work
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Post by Henka on Nov 10, 2011 5:13:24 GMT 9.5
This is why, or at least one reason why (some masons have suggested to me that in a past life I was probably senior in the masonic world, but if that causes you problems take it with a pinch of salt for it matters not to me in this life) I can see the darkness in large parts of masonry today. Something that to many a mason is simply impossible (to accept or admit to). Yet it fills me with hope for from such darkness I know that reillumination can be found, for I did it myself. Stewart, you really need to stop making statements like this.
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Post by LorrB on Nov 10, 2011 7:21:15 GMT 9.5
Why?
I have seen some appalling behaviour from masons (and I am not particularly referring to masonic forums). Orders do not splinter for no reason.
Of course, we have very many excellent and wonderful people in the various orders also. These various orders each shoulder their own share of dark and light? The friction might be needed to smooth the stones?
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Post by paul on Nov 10, 2011 12:22:18 GMT 9.5
How do you know that to be true? I would say it is almost a matter of definition (evil is not good). Hopefully your approach is correct, otherwise it may make matters worse. The Middle East comes to mind.
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Post by LorrB on Nov 10, 2011 13:09:51 GMT 9.5
It is the quality of discrimination between the higher and the lower, between the real and the unreal, which has enabled the candidate to pass scatheless through these regions of the astral world. The J.D., seeking passage for his charge, tells the elementals that he is a blinded child of mortality, seeking immortality. Passing through their regions in the course of his pilgrimage to the higher planes, the candidate is prepared to give up all that belongs to them - all that matter which appertains to these levels, earth to earth and water to water. www.freemason.com/library/hidden08.htmDoes this blindness have anything to do with the darkness?
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Post by paul on Nov 10, 2011 14:23:22 GMT 9.5
I am reminded of Inanna who gave up her possessions in order to enter the Underworld. (The legend is of course inconsistent with the common interpretation of the Underworld as some sort of astral hell)
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Post by LorrB on Nov 10, 2011 15:38:26 GMT 9.5
I have always thought that our existance is the underworld... and heavenly creatures (the eternal us) lose our memories of who and what we are at birth apparently. Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting: The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star, Hath had elsewhere its setting, And cometh from afar: Not in entire forgetfulness, And not in utter nakedness, But trailing clouds of glory do we come From God, who is our home: Heaven lies about us in our infancy! Shades of the prison-house begin to close Upon the growing Boy, But he beholds the light, and whence it flows, He sees it in his joy; The Youth, who daily farther from the east Must travel, still is Nature's priest, And by the vision splendid Is on his way attended; At length the Man perceives it die away, And fade into the light of common day. www.bartleby.com/101/536.html
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Post by LorrB on Nov 10, 2011 15:40:41 GMT 9.5
Darkness is ... the light of common day ?
Light is ... the vision splendid which on his way attends ?
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Post by paul on Nov 10, 2011 17:31:04 GMT 9.5
The god Ea (Ja?) of the fall of water has a palace in the freshwater ocean of the Underworld
The ocean is called Apsu - from which we get the symbolism of the Abyss.
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Post by paul on Nov 10, 2011 17:33:18 GMT 9.5
Darkness is ... the light of common day ? Only in the sense that spiritual sight was disabled by default in humans hence their common day is spiritual darkness. For most of the other kingdoms with which humans interact that statement is not true.
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