Theos-Talk Archives (March 1996 Message tl00065)

All you can do is to prepare the intellect: the impulse toward
"soul-culture" must be furnished by the individual. Thrice
fortunate they who can break through the vicious circle of modern
influence and come up above the vapours!... We have one word for
all aspirants: TRY.  [KH in ML #35]
________________

O Raama, listen to what I [Vasistha] am about to say, which
instruction is sure to remove the darkness of ignorance.

In this world, whatever is gained is gained only by self-effort;
where failure is encountered it is seen that there has been
slackness in the effort. This is obvious; but, what is called fate
[or God] is fictitious and is not seen.

(The word used in the text for fate is "daivam" which also means
"god".)

Self-effort, Raama, is that mental, verbal and physical action
which is in accordance with the instructions of a holy person well
versed in the scriptures. It is only by such effort that Indra
became king of heaven, that Brahmaa became the creator, and the
other deities earned their place.

Self-effort is of two catagories: that of past births and that of
this birth. The latter effectively counteracts the former. Fate [or
God] is none other than self-effort of a past incarnation. There is
constant conflict between these two in this incarnation; and that
which is more powerful triumphs.

Self-effort which is not in accord with the scriptures is motivated
by delusion. When there is obstruction in the fruition of self-
effort one should examine it to see if there is such deluded
action, and if there is it should be immediately corrected. There
is no power greater that right action in the present. Hence, one
should take recourse to self-effort, grinding one's teeth, and one
should overcome evil by good and fate by present effort.

The lazy man is worse than a donkey. One should never yield to
laziness but strive to attain liberation, seeing that life is
ebbing away every moment. One should not revel in the filth known
as sense-pleasures, even as a worm revels in pus.

One who says, "Fate [or God] is directing me to do this" is
brainless and the goddess of fortune abandons him. Hence, by self-
effort acquire wisdom and then realise that this self-effort is not
without its own end, in the direct realisation of the truth...
_________________

-- ~The Supreme Yoga~ (~The Yoga Vasistha~) translated by Swami
Venkatesananda.

--
Nicholas <> am455@lafn.org <> Los Angeles
 First of all, love truth for its own sake, for otherwise no recognition of
  it will follow.  HP Blavatsky