JERUSALEM – Jerusalem is revered worldwide as the cradle of the three monotheistic religions. Moslems, Jews and Christians – all view it as a holy ground. Thus, full respect for the rights of all three – one that is based on mutual understanding and recognition – is an inevitable requirement on the [...]]]>

JERUSALEM – Jerusalem is revered worldwide as the cradle of the three monotheistic religions. Moslems, Jews and Christians – all view it as a holy ground. Thus, full respect for the rights of all three – one that is based on mutual understanding and recognition – is an inevitable requirement on the road to peace.

Source: Common Ground News Service (CGNews), 22 July 2010, www.commongroundnews.org
Copyright permission is granted for publication

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Australian Election 2010 – Demonisation of the “Boat People”

 Leoni Hodgson August 2010

    This article takes a [...]]]>

A

Australian Election 2010 – Demonisation of the “Boat People”

 Leoni Hodgson August 2010

    This article takes a brief look at the stream of racism which flows through Australian history from its earliest period as a penal colony, to the current 2010 election.    

  Australian "boats people" 2010

The Original Boatpeople were White Convicts Shipped from England.

The climate of Australia is harsh, particularly inland – the hottest place on earth, and this atmosphere seems to have made its imprint upon the people who live here. From 1788 to 1823, the Colony of New South Wales was officially a penal colony comprised mainly of convicts, marines and the wives of the marines. Stories about the fight to survive, and harsh treatment and actions of the time, paint a picture of a very hard and difficult birth for the new nation.

To astrologers this is not surprising. The Sun Sign of Australia was set for the birth date of the Australian Federation chart in January 1, 1901 – and it is Capricorn. Australia is ruled in its personality nature by Capricorn and by Saturn. When taken to extremes, Saturn represents a harsh aspect in nature and man – the authority who is hard, heartless, exacting and cruel, and the same applies when it rules a landscape. Hence the pitiless nature of the Australian outback to those who venture there unprepared. There is no pity given when this force is in power and is being wielded by a people who are functioning at the personality level of consciousness, and who driven egotistical, selfish and material concerns.

We can sense how hard it was for all concerned in those early settlement days. These were hard men – jailers who had a tough job, far from the moderating eye of kindness, who had power of life and death over the convict population. Were they cruel and exacting? Most likely! Then the life of a convict, torn from the dampness of England to the dry and harsh climate at the bottom of the world – they must have suffered horribly. But this is how it is under the hard side of the Capricorn and Saturn influence. A penal colony? How apt.

Racial Prejudice in Australia in the Past

Although Australia’s hard “penal” birth has given fortitude and courage to the Australian character, it has also left a taint. There is a racist element in the Australian character which persists today. As we know, this taint is present in all unenlightened souls on earth. It flares up when moral leadership is weak, and avaricious and cruel people hold the reins of power and exploit this ugly side of human nature for their own selfish ends. Then it dies down again when men and women of strong moral fiber teach the masses about the evil nature of prejudice, bigotry and injustice – and then ashamed, people push these thoughts back down where they belong.

Albert Einstein said that “It is easier to denature plutonium than to denature the evil spirit of man.”

Such strong moral leadership has often been missing in Australian leaders and politicians, and the effect has been devastating for the indigenous Australians – the Aborigines.

  Cruelty and the Aborigines  

According to esotericist Helena Blavatsky, the original Australians – the Aborigines, are part of the ancient 3^rd Lemurian Root Race. When he is seen in his native desert setting, standing tall, black, proud – and very still, one gets a sense of the vast periods of time which have passed since his race first peopled the earth.

When members of the 5^th Aryan Race – the English, arrived in Australia – in increasingly large numbers from the 18^th century onwards, then a people who had virtually no contact with the outside world, were suddenly confronted with a hostile and alien force. They were forced out of their traditional homes, hunted like wild animals, poisoned or shot, and confined to the harshest and most desolate climes. The effect of British settlement upon these people led to near extinction within 120 years. [1]

Then there were the Stolen Generations

This is a term used to describe children of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent who were forcibly removed from their families under acts of parliament between approximately 1869 to the 1970s, so they could be reprogrammed psychologically with European values and habits, and be forced to work for white settlers. [2]  The effects of this cruel and inhumane treatment and the continuing refusal of the political leaders of the day to make an official apology for this ugly period in Australian history, has also been devastating for Aborigines. This apology came in 2008 under a left wing Labor Party when PM Kevin Rudd said “sorry”. Watching the emotions play across the faces of Aborigines as they heard the kind and beautiful words, and seeing the tears which fell, one senses that perhaps now this hard and dark chapter in the history of Australia has been closed.  

The White Australia Policy

The White Australia policy comprises various historical policies that intentionally restricted "non-white" immigration to Australia from 1901 to 1973. The end of the White Australia policy was in 1975.

 Racial Prejudice in Australia Today 

Pauline Hanson and being “Un-Australian”

"Un-Australian" is a term which is increasingly being used today by bloggers and in political email circulations in Australia by far-right conservatives who use the term in a sense, as a "badge of honour" when criticising political actions or agendas which they do not agree with. Such people sometimes call themselves “real Australians”.

These terms almost have a religious fervour, being used to stake out the moral high ground and to separate out the true believers from the unbelievers who should be condemned for their sacrilege. They parallel the use of terms such “I am a Christian” versus paganism, or “I am a Muslim” versus the infidels.

In modern usage, "Un-Australian" has similar connotations to the US term un-American, originating from Joe McCarthy's vilification of accused Communists as being "un-American". But the un-Australian term appeared as early as 1855.

With the exception of the United States, Australia is alone in its use of an "un-national" term. Researchers have not found similar terms in other countries. For instance there is no such thing as "un-Welsh" or "un-New Zealand".

Its modern usage in Australia was popularised during the 1990 political campaigns by One Nation Party founder Pauline Hanson with the intention of igniting racial prejudice in the general public to increase her political support. Hanson railed against special treatment for Aborigines, immigration policies which swamped Australia with coloured people, and against multiculturalism (“Asians' not assimilating and living in ghettos”: “Africans bringing disease into Australia), and it worked. One Nation stormed home victorious in elections taking 18 per cent of the vote, the largest swing in the nation.

Ex Prime Minister John Howard and being “Un-Australian”

Liberal Party leader and longest serving Prime Minister of Australia – John Howard, was not far behind. Seeing that Hanson supporters mostly came from his camp, he quickly adopted the vernacular and did more to popularise the term “un-Australian” in the 1990’s – and therefore to divide the country, than did Pauline Hanson. He used it to describe striking workers, anti-globalisation, anti-war protestors and Opposition proposals to withdraw the country's military from Iraq. In short, against those who opposed his political agenda.

Both Howard and Hanson democratised the use of the term “un-Australian”, and by their words and actions gave permission for Australians to voice racist views. In response, a stream of ugliness reared its head and racist taunts and bashings spilled loose across the community.

Ex Prime Minister John Howard and the “boats people”

There is another area of modern Australian life which John Howard had a dark influence upon, and this is the demonisation of refugees or people who try to reach Australia on small boats sailing from Asia. These people are commonly called “boats people” or illegal immigrants.

 In October 2001 John Howard’s government was tottering. The “boats people” were on the political agenda and the Labor Party were taking a moderate line. To shore up his support, Howard lied to the public by claiming that asylum seekers had thrown their children overboard in order to manipulate the Australian Navy to pick them up and take them to Australian territory. He said 'I don't want people like that here'. Promising tough action to stop “people like that” from getting into the country, he won the election and Labor lost.

He and his close aides – those hard eyed men Phillip Ruddock and Robert Hill, educated the public to differentiate between those people who arrive by planes and with official immigration permission – and illegal immigrants, even if the latter most likely are genuine refugees. As a result, over 80% of Australians welcome genuine refugees to settle in their communities. But the reverse is the case for the “boats people.” Australians have been educated to vilify these people, and any politician who tries to take a strong moderate line in Australia today in support of “boats people” risks losing his seat in parliament.

As a consequent, Howard’s anointed server Tony Abbot, but also the Labor leader Julia Gillard, are trying to present themselves to this racist element as having the toughest policies.

But karma has its sting. John Howard was bundled out of Australian political life in the previous election, losing his seat to a newcomer. A humiliating defeat for this proud man. Then in 2010 his nomination by the Australian Cricket Council for the vice president’s position on the International Cricket Council was ignominiously rejected by the Asian element because of his “racist views.” Pauline Hanson lost her support long ago – clawed back by John Howard, and lost her seat in parliament. To be fair to the Australian public, she and her views were widely condemned.

What is the esoteric perspective of this movement of people?

There is a constant and ceaseless migration of peoples from one place to another and from one country to another..  This tends to produce an inevitable fusion, blending and producing inter-racial life, thus constantly offsetting and negating what has been called "racial purity."  [3] Alice Bailey

The beneficial side of migration which Bailey touched on in this quote, is that it tends to counter-balance racial prejudice.

This is needed very much in this instance in Australia. The numbers of “boats people” are really negligible in number, but such is the over-reaction whipped up against them, Australians who buy into this type of thought are acting as if the food will be taken off their plates, or they will be raped in their beds. If the people on these boats had white skin, I think attitudes would be different.

The One Soul of humanity

The goal of the One Soul is to integrate all the races in the world into one integrated whole – bringing about the blending of all the people and bloods on earth.

The world today is very, very small and men are discovering (sometimes for the first time in their lives) that humanity is one and that all men, no matter what the colour of their skin or the country in which they live, resemble each other. We are all intermingled today.  [4]

We can see this working out on the internet. This web – the manifestation of the rapidly integrating etheric web of humanity, circles into every part of the globe, binding humanity more closely. This will inevitably work out on the physical level as people move across borders. Global warming may very well be the catalyst which breaks down nationalistic protective barriers. It would be very hard to stop millions who are fleeing death as a result of nature’s harshness.

A More Tolerant Attitude

There are many in Australia who are not racist. These are the more spiritually advanced people who identify with the race of man as a whole. Responding to Jesus Christ’s commandment “Love others as I have loved you”, they welcome more tolerant laws and assistance to help the “boats people The following song is beautiful, and captures the true spirit of the Australian people – "We are one, but we are many." Pauline Hanson tried to use the song for her One Nation party theme, but the owners of the song banned her from doing this – did not want it used in a racist manner. Click on the title to hear the song.

I Am / We Are Australian

I came from the dreamtime from the dusty red soil plains
I am the ancient heart, the keeper of the flame
I stood upon the rocky shore
I watched the tall ships come
For forty thousand years I'd been the first Australian.

[2] I came upon the prison ship bowed down by iron chains.
I cleared the land, endured the lash and waited for the rains.
I'm a settler.
I'm a farmer's wife on a dry and barren run
A convict then a free man I became Australian. 

[3] I'm the daughter of a digger who sought the mother lode
The girl became a woman on the long and dusty road
I'm a child of the depression
I saw the good times come
I'm a bushy, I'm a battler
I am Australian

[chorus]
We are one, but we are many
And from all the lands on earth we come
We share a dream and sing with one voice:
I am, you are, we are Australian
I am, you are, we are Australian.

[4] I'm a teller of stories
I'm a singer of songs
I am Albert Namatjira
I paint the ghostly gums
I am Clancy on his horse
I'm Ned Kelly on the run
I'm the one who waltzed Matilda
I am Australian

[5] I'm the hot wind from the desert
I'm the black soil of the plains
I'm the mountains and the valleys
I'm the drought and flooding rains
I am the rock, I am the sky
The rivers when they run
The spirit of this great land
I am Australian

[chorus]

We are one, but we are many
And from all the lands on earth we come
We share a dream and sing with one voice:
I am, you are, we are Australian
I am, you are, we are Australian.

This article is generally directed to those who study theosophical writings, particularly those of Alice A. Bailey.

 Should People Who Regard Themselves as Spiritual,
Involve Themselves in Politics or War?

Leoni Hodgson, PMAFA, MSE (Psych), PhD Esotericism

This article is generally directed to those who study
theosophical writings, particularly those of Alice A. Bailey.

(NB. Several new paragraphs were inserted on 4th of June)

There are many who believe, that to be involved in politics, to side with one side or the other in a conflict, is to be “unspiritual” – that politics is a dirty and bloody business, and to willingly involve oneself in any way is to add to the evil of it all.

Many whose thoughts tend in this direction believe that pacifism is the only correct option for those who consider themselves to be on the spiritual path.

Pacifism is defined as: 1. The belief that violence, war, and the taking of lives are unacceptable ways of resolving disputes. 2. The refusal to take up arms or participate in war because of moral or religious beliefs. 3. The belief that international conflicts should be settled by negotiation rather than war.

Although the latter point is listed under pacifism, since the Second World War, the attempt to settle disputes by negotiation so as to avoid war, has become a moral imperative, and the United Nations generally was created upon this notion.

But still, when it comes to politics opinion is divided. There are those who wage in, in an attempt to interpret events esoterically, or to assign a greater degree of “rightness” to one side or the other, throwing their support behind the “right” side. Then there are those who hold the conviction that the only right way to be involved is through prayer or meditation.

List of comments from those who believe “spiritual” people should not get involved in politics:

1.      Spiritual people stay completely neutral where both good and evil are concerned. The minute you find yourself taking sides you are not being spiritual.

a.      A disciple stands in the middle always. Anti-anything is a polarized field – it means one is taking sides.

b.      To take sides would only create greater separation than what already exists.

c.      The spiritual are neutral, do not take sides they stand in the middle always.

2.      Disciples must exercise an unprejudiced attitude. Criticising someone creates harm.

3.      There is no problem in the world which cannot be solved by love. // Just keep your heart open in love, stay aligned with God/ Heaven/ Jesus/ the Hierarchy, and all will be well.

4.      Disciples must only work on the higher level – in meditation.

5.      The spiritually inclined, the New Group of World Servers (NGWS), do not get involved in politics. Master Djwhal Khul says so.

In summary:

1.      Spiritual people – should always remain neutral/ never take sides.

2.      Spiritual people – must never criticise.

3.      Spiritual people – should only love, love will solve all problems.

4.      Spiritual people – should stay above the fray, and only meditate or pray.

5.      Spiritual people – should not be involved in politics – Master Djwhal Khul says so.

To get this argument into its correct context, I will repeat the former points, but this time adding the phrase “even if war threatens”. There are generally good moral arguments which can be made to support any of the former statements in less challenging situations. But this article focuses on the moral dilemma which faces good people when war looms – such as the recent invasion of Iraq by America.

1.     Spiritual people should always remain neutral – even if war threatens.

2.     Spiritual people must never criticise – even if war threatens.

3.     Spiritual people should only love – even if war threatens.

4.     Spiritual people should only meditate or pray – even if war threatens.

5.     Spiritual people should not be involved in politics – even if war threatens.

1. Spiritual people should always remain neutral – even if war threatens?

The greatest wars of modern history were the two World Wars, and the movements towards in pacifism/ appeasement/ neutrality were particularly strong as Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party rose to power. However, once countries were engaged in war, the movements generally declined. British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain who promoted the appeasement approach, was later accused of weakening Britain’s position at the same time Hitler was preparing for war.

Alice A. Bailey said that pacifism has no place when human rights and higher spiritual values are at risk. In the following quote she challenges those who would pray for a peaceful outcome when evil forces are being unleashed – such as they were by the Nazis:

Will you use prayers for peace, and then patiently wait for the forces of good to fight your battle and for God to do the work? Are you going to issue forth from the safe security of your pacifist alibi and gratefully acknowledge what they have done and grasp your share of the gains which they have purchased at such a cost? [1]

Many who claim to be pacifists are actually afraid to have their comfortable life disrupted, or believe their businesses or livelihoods will be impaired if they get involved. Such people selfishly count on other people to make the needed sacrifice.  

Bailey went on to say that the spiritual Hierarchy – those ascended Beings who guide mankind’s destiny under the leadership of the Christ, are definitely not neutral, and side with the right element in every nation and against greedy materialism. Bailey said that people are confusing an unwillingness to take sides, with brotherly love, and that they forget the words of the Christ who said that

He who is not with me is against me. [2]

Some pacifists claim that the spiritual teachings demand complete un-involvement and neutrality where both good and evil are concerned, and this assertion has some support. Buddhism teaches harmlessness, and the Bible (Matthew) asks us to “turn the other cheek”. These are the most likely sources of modern pacifism. But there are many more passages in the Bible which encourages action to be taken against evil.

When viewed against the backdrop of the greater whole – humanity is one organism or centre in the planetary field, it is truly a unity and its sufferings are one. Bailey said that those who do not grasp this important fact will suffer for their deliberate non-participation in the fate of the whole. [3] I assume Bailey was referring to karma and the fact that in a future situation, such people will find themselves on the receiving end of injustice, and without any aid or support.

Finally in this section – although it is generally understood that whatever a man may think in his mind, then that thought will eventually make its appearance on the physical plane – neutrality does not fit into this category. Bailey said that there is never neutrality in thought [4]. We can see the truth of this as far as the lower mind  is concerned. It is the separative element of man, the “slayer of the real” as it is called by Helena Blavatsky, and only when consciousness is focused on the higher plane of unification – the Buddhic Plane, is true union possible. So neutrality as manufactured by the unillumined mind of man, is a creation designed for his own comfort, and is given some sense of “rightness” by those who seek to justify their lack of participation in the crises which beset man.

2. Spiritual people must never criticise – even if war threatens?

Criticism, debate, argument, and the expressing ideas, these are all sanctioned techniques by the spiritual Masters. Helena Blavatsky attributed the following quote to Gautama Buddha:

The lord Buddha has said that we must not believe in a thing said merely because it is said; nor traditions because they have been handed down from antiquity; nor rumours, as such; nor writings by sages, because sages wrote them:  nor fancies that we may suspect to have been inspired in us.. nor on the mere authority of our teachers or masters. But we are to believe when the writing, doctrine, or saying is corroborated by our own reason and consciousness..  then to act accordingly and abundantly.[5]

As evolving consciousnesses, we are expected to ask, enquire and debate, in order to develop discrimination, and therefore the ability to ascertain the truth of things. Realisation is brought about by the soul beginning to practise discrimination, at first theoretically and intellectually

.. hence the great value of the present era of criticism and polemical discussion. [6]

When the ability to discern higher truths and values has not been developed, and neither has the ability to love impersonally as a soul, then people may start to interpret moral injunctions such as – standing up for spiritual values/ loving all men/ expressing the spirit of goodwill, as meaning that they must not criticise or fight for principles or values. [7] Bailey said that this was an erroneous belief. [8] But it is easy to see why the error would be made.

When impersonal love has not been developed, then criticism is usually personal and issues forth from a sense of superiority, a love of fault finding, and as a defensive attack. Recognising that criticism at this level is not something to be proud of, such people then project their own limitations onto others. So the general belief forms that to criticise is to be unspiritual – and it is at the lower level, because the judgment is coming from a spirit of separativeness.

Another reason why public debate over the morality of aggressive acts of war is so essential, is because the large majority of people on earth – the masses, are unable to distinguish the truth of things for themselves. They gullibly accept whatever appeals to them emotionally, whatever is repeated to them time and again by the loudest public leaders, and then they throw their force behind such people without a proper examination of the true motives.

Mass psychology and mob determinations have been exploited down the ages, for the unthinking and the emotional are easily swayed in any direction, and hitherto this has been turned to their own advantage by those who do not have the best interests of humanity at heart. [9]

Even with this brief examination, it is clear that the statement “spiritual people must never criticise” is an erroneous assumption.

3. Spiritual people should only love – even if war threatens?

There is a potential truth in this statement. We live in a system in which love is being developed – Christ came to teach the lesson of love, and one day love will be the most powerful force in existence. But this is not the case today, and at humanity’s present level of development, there are not enough people who are able to love impersonally as souls, to bring about the needed changes. What most people interpret as love is actually selfish sentiment.

Love for many people is.. a mixture of the desire to love and the desire to be loved, plus a willingness to do anything to show and evoke this sentiment, and consequently to be more comfortable in one’s own interior life… It is this pseudo-love, based primarily on a theory of love and service, which characterises so many human relationships.[10]

It is very clear when the social climate of humanity is studied – the high divorce rate, the aggression expressed so often within families, the selfish self-centredness of so many parents and spouses, that humanity is a long way from being able to use the pure energy of love to stop world aggression.  

Many people think that an emotional reaction and clamouring outcry of horror at what has overtaken the world (in WW2) indicates love and spiritual sensitivity. It is far more likely to indicate self-centredness and personal discomfort. [11]

True love is an unsentimental and unemotional force which takes into consideration the needs of the whole, and then which acts for the good of the whole. Universal Love.. is, predominantly an identification with all beings. . it is that synthetic, inclusive grasp of the life and needs of all beings. [12]

4. Spiritual people – should stay above the fray, and only meditate or pray- even if war threatens?

In times of trouble, prayers to God or to other divine forces surge up from mankind. And while this is beneficial in a sense, it is obvious that God is not going to issue forth on chariots of fire with trumpets blazing to save the righteous. Man – working in alignment with spiritual guidance, must work his way out of the troubles he himself has created. There are many who believe that spiritual people should stay above the ugliness of war, and that intense meditation or prayer is the only method which should be rightfully used. But while there is a potential truth in this, the fact is that there are not enough people in the world who are able to work at this higher mental level, to stop atrocities occurring on earth at this point in our history.

The truth is, we are told in many spiritual texts that the spiritual goal is to “establish the Kingdom of God on earth”, and to this end disciples are asked to be active on all levels.

There are esotericists who hold that to be an esotericist means that one holds oneself aloof from mundane affairs and that esoteric students should take no part in the affairs of humanity.. they should be active in spiritual and mental realms. If the physical plane and its affairs lie outside the sphere of influence of spiritual livingness, then there is something basically wrong with our interpretation of truth; if the goal of the spiritual effort is to establish the Kingdom of God on earth, then all physical plane events become the concern of all spiritual people everywhere. [13]

This instruction to be involved on all levels goes right down to “grass roots” level I believe, and for example to the front line of military action in times of war. The military is but the will of the collective mind of a nation, put into action on the physical plane. Soldiers who may be unconscious of spiritual principles, but who will go to war to “fight for their country” are actually aligning themselves with the highest of spiritual ideals – they are prepared to sacrifice their lives for the safety and well being of their loved ones. Compare this to people who claim spiritual superiority but who hide behind neutrality or pacifism to avoid having their lives disrupted.

The purification of the political arena is high on the agenda of the spiritual Hierarchy, and to bring this about, disciples – overshadowed by their souls and therefore being agents for the forces of Light, need to be working in these fields. For example, Bailey said that Franklin Roosevelt was a disciple [14], and he was a political war leader!

I have no use for mystical visionaries and esoteric students who love to wander in the high realms of abstract thinking and amass details of occult or mystical information, but who refuse to understand that the changing of the old order, the awakening of humanity to the new possibilities and the purification of the political and economic arena are today the factors of the greatest spiritual value.” POH 247

Politics and the military are valid fields for discipleship service, but not everyone is suited or able to work in these areas. A potent direction in which spiritual workers can effectively direct their energies, is to seed the lower collective mind of man with thoughts and ideas which are founded on the higher spiritual ideals of - all men and women are children of God, and, love your neighbour as yourself. This means entering into the battle ground of public debate to argue human rights’ issues – a perilous thing to do when the prevailing attitude is partisan and warlike. The task in this case is to fight to take the reins which guide the masses of humanity – out of the hands of the selfish and materialistic people of the world, and place these reins in the hands of Christ and of the Masters of the spiritual Hierarchy.

5. Spiritual people (the New Group of World Servers) should not be involved in politics – Master Djwhal Khul says so.

This misconception amongst students of Bailey writings is attributed to the following quote:

The New Group of World Servers..  It is not interested in politics, [15]

The New Group of World Servers is the main channel of expression for the Hierarchy, and is composed of all world disciples and working initiates, and many of these are involved in political service. The field of service for the Ray 1 Ashram governed by the Master Morya, is politics. [16] So taking the previous quote literally, is to take it out of context of the body of teachings of the Master Djwhal Khul as a whole, and the thrust of his teachings which encourages active discipleship involvement in all human fields – which includes politics. A qualifying statement which throws light on this subject, includes the world “partisan”:

The New Group of World Servers.. They belong to no party or government, in the partisan sense. [17]

A good definition for partisan politics is.

Those partisan and nationally minded persons who.. exploit the world situation for their own immediate ends and for the benefiting of their particular nation or group.. are selfishly motivated; they do not care for humanity as a whole and have no liking or interest in anything or anyone but their political party and the reactionary interests of some national group. They.. engineer moves which will benefit an individual, a class or a nation.. (to) attain their narrow ends, no matter at what cost to the rest of the world. [18]

It is partisan politics and selfish nationalism which is repudiated by the Hierarchy. The following quote is from a co-worker who has summarised the problem nicely.

There are some misconceptions about political service, one of the fields of service of the NGWS.. Of course, we must discern between partisan politics and discipleship work. But if a scientific or a liberal arts education does not prepare the student to discern between good and bad science, or between high and low expression of art, then the purpose and effectiveness of such education should be questioned. Likewise, if esoteric education does not prepare the student to discern between the lower expressions of nationalism and the higher purpose of internationalism then it has failed. A well educated esoteric student should not consider Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms as partisan but as political expressions of a higher PRINCIPLE.. Service for the NGWS comprises seven fields, and political service is one of them. Partisan politics is not political service and we should not confuse them.. The Hierarchy is neither partisan nor politically neutral. The Hierarchy has and will always support the higher political principles and values, such as goodwill (over self interest); such as “the greatest good to the greatest number”. If we keep in mind the difference between partisan politics and the R1 political field of service, the glamour and illusion surrounding this field of discipleship service can be dissipated and dispelled. JB

6. In Summary

The various justifications given at the beginning of the article, to avoid participating in politics or war when human rights issues are at stake, have been analysed and discounted by sections of ideas and thoughts taken from Bailey’s writings. Students of these teachings acknowledge that the author of most of these books was the Tibetan Master Djwhal Khul.

The Tibetan asks us to actively participate in world affairs. Critical debate over issues affecting humanity and the world is vital to offset the propaganda poured forth by materialistic forces and which seeks to sway the public into wrong action. Love on its own is not enough, and must be accompanied by intelligent action.

The world had an opportunity to exercise these options when America contemplated the invasion of Iraq in 2003. It is very pleasing to note that the majority of citizens in the world opposed this action – indicating the presence of higher spiritual values present in the collective lower mind of man. That the invasion went ahead anyway based on lies – with the disastrous consequences we see today is testament to the power of the material forces.

Perhaps if more so-called spiritual people had become more actively involved in debating and supporting the higher moral principles, of - all men and women are children of God, and, love your neighbour as yourself, in relation to the impending action, or did not actually throw their support behind the invasion as a “just war”, a peaceful negotiation could have been worked out, and the attack prevented.

Whatever one may think about the quality of a leader such as in this instance Saddam Hussein, a pre-emptive strike on a nation posing no immediate to threat its neighbours or to the world, violates both current international law [19], and the laws of God. This is what spiritual workers in the world actually debated and fought for at the time.

 Defeat for the forces of darkness and materialistic conservatism, as the USA Health Bill is signed into power on the 23 march 2010

By [...]]]>

URANUS – SATURN OPPOSITION
AND THE USA HEALTH BILL

 Defeat for the forces of darkness and materialistic conservatism,
as the USA Health Bill is signed into power on the 23 march 2010

By Leoni Hodgson, April 2010
PMAFA, PhD Esotericism, www.brisbanegoodwill.com

       The Magician and the Devil.
symbols of higher Uranus and lower Saturn

In 2008 I wrote a paper “Pluto in Capricorn”, in which I highlighted the fact that the universal force called “the arrow of death” (Pluto) , had entered the sign which represents corporate and government power – Capricorn.

This combination predicts the purging of corruption and greed from governments, corporations, and all large institutions which wield power and influence, so that they can serve the masses better. Pluto is also a ruler of the field of finance in the sense that it rules the 8th house – “other people’s money.” So its effect is especially felt in this area as well.

This brings the attention to unregulated capitalism, an economic system which has evolved into one which perpetuates greed. The evil of unregulated capitalism from the spiritual point of view, is that man and his labour has been placed into the market place as another commodity to be bartered over. Due to “over-supply”, his value has been determined by materialists to be zero, and he is treated accordingly – like a slave to be discarded. This has set the standard of measure in the capitalist world – if you have money you are somebody to be respected and admired; if you don’t, you are an unworthy human being. This violates spiritual law which holds that all are children of God, and are deserving of all the bounties of the earth.

So when Pluto entered Capricorn in 2008, the battle began – between the forces of materialism working through greedy corporations and executives, and the New Group of World Servers – people of goodwill in all fields who work for the betterment of humanity.

This is a follow-up to the first article.

The effect of Uranus – the force of rapid and unexpected change

The motive for change in the first decade of the new millennium, came about in an unexpected fashion – through climate change. As the shocking realisation of the adverse effects which were happening on earth dawned in the public’s awareness – such as the melting polar caps and rising sea levels, it brought governments and groups together in an unprecedented way to debate and look for solutions. The results to date may fall far short of that which is required to bring about essential and necessary change, but the shake-up has been good, and has prepared man for deeper change.

This is Uranus at work, the ruler of Aquarius – the sign of universal brotherhood.

Uranus has been moving through Pisces, which esoterically is considered to be a very materialistic sign when its lower forces dominate. The Sun which in the greater zodiac is now moving into Aquarius, was previously stationed in Pisces for two and a half thousand years, and in this period patriarchal and government control, and selfish materialism grew.

Pisces is the ocean wherein (man) is "the fish," controlled by the laws of substance or material existence. [i]

Words for the personality in Pisces: “Go forth into matter.” [ii]

Now two and a half thousand years of Aquarius inclusive brotherliness is possible if man can overcome his gross materialism. And this is what the Forces of Light – working primarily through Uranus and Jupiter, and utilising the destructive power of Pluto, are endeavouring to bring about.

A definition of “climate” is the situation or atmosphere that prevails at a particular time or place. The atmosphere of humanity, the collective biosphere in which it lives, is undergoing a Uranian cleansing, of which the rising water is just the exoteric symbol.

Pisces + Uranus = unusual and unexpected oceanic movements.
On the higher level, Uranian lightning has shattered man’s illusions about the ability of Nature to maintain climatic balance in the face of his abuse and misuse of the earth and its resources. Greater initiative, cooperative action, and change is required to help Nature restore itself.

An amazing parallel between events which occurred eighty four years ago.

Uranus enters Aries – the first sign of the zodiac, in April 2011. The last time this happened was in the “roaring” twenties of the 20^th century, when mankind really emerged from the lingering hangover of the Victorian era.

But there is an eerie political parallel between events which occurred then and which are unfolding now. Then, Wall Street crashed, the great depression hit, and liberal Democrat Roosevelt came to power bringing sweeping changes to USA law, in an attempt to reign in the rich and greedy, and protect the rights of all Americans.

As Uranus comes to the same range in the zodiac 84 years later, we have another world financial meltdown, a depression as many lose their homes and businesses, and liberal Democrat Obama comes to power with a promise to change laws in order to reign in the rich and greedy, and protect the rights of all Americans.

In esoteric astrology, Uranus is considered to be a very sacred planet, and it distributes high vibrational forces which shatter crystallised forces and forms which entrap the human spirit. The crystallised forms of moment are the financial and economic systems.

Roosevelt was an Aquarian (Age) man, and so is Obama.

The health bill was the first major test of Obama’s presidency. The battle to get the bill written into law was governed by the Uranus – Saturn opposition.

Failure in getting the Health Bill passed would have tainted Obama’s administration as lame-duck, one which would be seen as weak and unable to achieve vital goals or deliver promises. It would have been a win for greed and corporate interests which are concerned with maximising their own profits and interests, and which are unconcerned with the struggle and plight of ordinary man. Failure for the Obama administration at this stage would have made it easier to amass opposition for future administrative goals such as finding a settlement in the Middle East.

So it was a very important and vital victory for Obama and his team, and the bill was signed into effect on the 23^rd March 2010 at 11.56 am.

The battle to get the bill written into law is a result of the Uranus – Saturn opposition.

This dynamic interchange of cosmic energy triggered a battle between the forces of conservatism (Saturn), and the forces of change and brotherliness (Uranus) The process began in September of 2008 and will end July 2010. The main “hits” between these two planets are Nov 08, Jan 09, Sep 09, May 2010, July 10.

September 2008. Saturn and Uranus are within orb of influence, and are now working together. The US government intervened to shore up several US banks, but let Lehman’s crash on September 14. This initiated the domino-like effect which saw the market become chaotic, and financial institutions fall. Through October, dramatic changes take place as the US and UK virtually nationalise banks, and experts declare “capitalism” dead. Positive action is seen as governments unite to find a common solution. The whole situation highlights the inequity between the super-rich and the super-poor, and the lack of health coverage for many Americans comes into prominence again.

November 2008. The US election was held, and Obama was elected upon the wave of change and renewal which Uranus brought in. Obama has Aquarius rising. It is highly likely that he has been selected to be the spear-head of radical change – both within his own country and within the world, which will found the spiritual values of fairness and brotherhood, which the Water-Bearer of Aquarius (Aquarian Christ) demands.

January 2009. Obama is sworn in as the 44^th president of the USA; and the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act, is introduced.

September 2009. Republicans mount a massive public campaign against the Health Bill, and it fails to find passage through congress at Obama’s August deadline. The expected debate in September is delayed. Obama’s inspirational power (Uranus) turned retrograde in July – and Saturn (Grand Old Party – Republicans), gained a temporary ascendency. Obama goes back to ‘grass roots’ to ramp up the campaign.

In January 2010 Saturn goes retrograde, and Uranus turns direct.
The power of the Republicans begins to weaken, and Obama’s influence begins to grow again.

USA Health Bill Mar 2010x

March 22/ 23: USA House of Representatives approves a sweeping overhaul of the $2.5 trillion healthcare system and sends along for Senate approval a package of changes made to the Senate bill.

Astrology: Uranus – Obama’s political power is in the position of power – at the top of the chart conjunct the Sun which is in its exaltation – its most powerful placement.

The Sabian Symbol for Uranus (27 degrees Pisces) is: “The harvest moon rises in transcendental autumnal skies”. Interpretation - complete dominance of circumstances.

This is a blaze of spiritual power and might, a win for spiritual interests over materialistic forces – and Obama was the channel. It is highly unlikely the bill will ever be stopped from full enactment. The public are sick of the business. The Sabian Symbol of the Sun (4 degrees of Aries) interpreted is satiation, the closing of a cycle.

Defeat of the materialistic forces is shown by Saturn retrograde – in a weak position, at the bottom of the chart. This opens the door for future beneficial changes in law – Saturn is in the sign of legislation.

Cancer which rules the masses is also in a place of power – in the east. This was a win for all mankind.

The materialistic forces which hold mankind imprisoned – represented by the Moon, have been dealt a death blow from Pluto (Moon – Pluto opposition), and have symbolically been locked up – the 12^th house.

Neptune (the esoteric ruler of Cancer and of the chart is in Aquarius 8^th house) is using its divine and spiritual influence to purify man’s consciousness, it is dissolving individual selfishness and enhancing a sense of universal connectedness and brotherliness.

May 2010: This should see another important victory for Obama as direct Uranus powers ahead, and Saturn continues in its retrograde and weaker position.

July 2010: The Saturn – Uranus opposition meets and separates for the final time – as momentously – Saturn passes into Libra, the sign it rules on the highest spiritual (hierarchy level), while Uranus passes into Aries – the sign it also rules on the highest spiritual level, beginning a new 84 year cycle of change).

The true ramifications of this bill are yet to be revealed in terms of what it could lead to in the future. Potentially, the overhauling of policies and institutions so that the greater public good and need are served.

Jupiter’s Beneficial Influence

When its higher force is released, Jupiter’s force represents the ultimate spiritual blessing. Its conjunction with Uranus from April 2010 to Jan 2011, is one of those periods. The first exact conjunction is 11 June 2010 and all things of a higher and finer nature around this period are possible. But during this whole period, Obama’s influence should be maximised. Especially from April 2010 to July 2010, and then in December 2010 and January 2011 – when the two planets are direct and therefore at maximum power.

A new battlefront emerges as Pluto comes into prominence again

During the Saturn – Uranus interchange, Pluto’s influence has not been prominent. That changes in the coming months as the major planets move into a confrontational T-square pattern – perhaps a potential or real terrorist threat, or inhumane laws or actions will trigger events. Whatever, people’s attitudes will harden and conservative – liberal battle lines will once again be drawn.

But now Saturn’s force will have more beneficial results. Saturn’s higher influence is more pronounced whenever it is in Libra – the sign of legislation, so its occupation of this sign until XXX is important for the greater good. It will encourage conservative politicians to join their more liberal fellows, and to bring in higher and fairer laws and policies. However, this will not occur without a tremendous fight. Pluto is a “non-sacred planet” and it tends to galvanise and bring forward man’s dark side. Destruction cannot occur until a target reveals itself.

In recent days a bill has been introduced in the state of Arizona which harshly targets Latinos as if they were criminals. This could ignite a battle over human rights in the coming months, and if so, one hopes that Americans will seize the opportunity and ensure that human rights are protected from the reactionary fear of misguided or even evil people.

Uranus is the planet which brings sudden and radical change, and all three planets are in cardinal signs which also promote activity and rapid movement forward. So the period around August 2010 will be a significant period, an opportunity, when major activity is to be expected

In Summary: The Uranus – Jupiter conjunction opens up a channel for beneficial divine interference in the affairs of man. We can maximise the potential of this period which lasts until January 2011, by throwing all our weight on the side of goodness, by visualising and meditating upon good things for man and the planet.

Neptune in the sign of Aquarius, and its message for man contained in the Sabian Symbol of Neptune’s degree at 28 Aquarius, is a good note to finish on. “Huge pile of sawed-up wood insures heat for the winter.” Interpretation: A rich contribution of nature to all who work with foresight (Obama and all who supported the bill). Intelligent preparation (would win the day). Calm yet potent faith in Providence (would enable Divine forces to intercede, and implement an important step in the Divine Plan for the upliftment of humanity).

There is no doubt that the battle to get the Health Bill through the USA House of Representatives was a major victory for the Forces of Light over the Forces of Materialistic Darkness.

by Kurt Abraham

They had reached that level of arriving

The Messenger

Poetry

by Kurt Abraham

They had reached that level of arriving

in the comfort of a known fragment.

I came with a singular and simple purpose

much in the manner of a Western Union messenger.

How do you say when people get carried away

with themselves and move off center—Narcissistic?

I waited patiently for their stories to end.

All three, at the very same time, became conscious of their extensions.

Observe now how the mechanism works:

In the kind of laughter that emulates friendship

they asked me to share similar such stories

that they might then smile and gloat in the passing of the fool.

But in this very intent the fool still rode high on their shoulders.

It is said, even clinically now, that laughter heals.

If vultures (and I have nothing against these great birds) cackle-laugh

before they pick the bones, then I laugh with them.

After the laughter, that long moment …

Not easy to remain so centered when they wanted

the energy to swing pendulum-like.

Have you ever overflowed with the kind of love

that is tinged with nothing lower?

This love sought a connecting object quite automatically.

I found in that room a dog in the corner.

Look at that dog! I said, truly in wondrous exclamation.

One of the three now doubly aware and re-centered got up and left the room.

Eventually I found the moment when I could impart the message.

I had been compelled to carry it, hence the purpose, the joy.

They must have thought that I had come out of egoism,

but I was allowed to utter the words only simply

and only once.

 Having pervaded this entire universe with a fragment of Myself, I remain… Shri Krishna

 A New Commandment I Give Unto You: "That you love one another, as I have loved you.  Christ, the World Teacher

 Having pervaded this entire
universe with a fragment of
Myself, I remain… Shri Krishna

 A New Commandment I Give Unto You:
"That you love one another, as I have loved you. 
Christ, the World Teacher

 A generous heart, kind speech, and a
life of service and compassion are
the things which renew humanity… Gautama Buddha