From Sydney Goodwill Newsletter – March

It is spiritual sensitivity that must be cultivated.

Sensitivity to impression involves the engendering of a magnetic aura upon which the highest impression can play.

Dear Friends,

It’s been said so often that life’s crises are also life’s opportunities. We might consider then whether we meet the vicissitudes of life, small or great, as if engaged with opportunities or with annoyances and crises. We’re also often advised to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. So do we constantly do battle with problems or do we put our energy into creating solutions inspired by a new, more positive and empowering vision? How would we respond if asked whether we think our cup is half full or half empty? With a free and enlightened consciousness one might even affirm that “my cup runneth over” [Psalm 23:5]. Whatever forms or formulations prick our attention they are part of a prevailing, impulsing urge to turn around our worldview and all that unfolds through it.

Through the alternative news sources constantly available via internet and mobile access, as well as through the increasing number of offerings by investigative journalists, we find that throughout our world people are deciding that they wish to pursue a better way of living and participating in our planetary life. The shift is happening one by one, community by community. There are many views and visions as to how this might work out but all are being galvanised by a sense of a better, different, more whole and humane mode of living – with ourselves, one another and the natural world. Progress may be hard won at this point in the human journey so long as old modes of organisation are maintained by those who have a stake in them. Existing institutions of government and politics, economics and finance still direct more power and resources to a privileged few and those who strive to join them. And yet more and more of us are “opting out” of that worldview and are pioneering new ways of living together and sharing resources

From small local community initiatives to international movements and even to open rebellions, there is a parting of the ways as the urge to change creates crises, clarifications and new opportunities. Aid programs are emerging which establish self-help initiatives to empower groundswell solutions. Some work for human betterment; some for understanding and support of animals and our relationship with them; some explore a deeper appreciation and nurture of plants; and a growing number research ecologically sustainable ways of interacting with the earth, its mineral riches and water resources, and all the kingdoms depending on them in the great cycle of life. While many are doing battle with problems and crises there are also many pioneers quietly, thoughtfully and bravely changing the way they live and interact with our world. And so a new worldview unfolds through human consciousness.

In this transition time it’s as though there are two layers of consciousness – one in which we find those still identified with and advantaged by the old order (and all the forces associated with it) and another in which an increasing majority are working out a new, more equitable and appreciative way of living (and responding to new incoming inspirational force). Weaving through all these layers there seem to be two trends of complementary focus – one of increasing specialisation as diversification proceeds and another drawn forth by a growing need for a generalist and cross-disciplinary focus to bring meaning, understanding and usefulness to the growing complexity of knowledge. Both trends stimulate and demand an extension of our sensitivity into deeper knowledge and wider contexts of significance and applicability. Knowledge is more freely available and it stretches the imagination and the possibilities of both our worldview and our understanding of ourselves within it.

We are, on the whole, becoming more aware of, more sensitive to, each other and to our world. This growing sensitivity is enabling the unfoldment of the new world and the new civilisation. The coming culture of the soul will eventually manifest through our attune-ment with each other, other kingdoms in nature, other dimensions of being, and with Life’s purpose reflecting through all. Might we imagine a future time when we are so sensitised to everything in the natural world and to the intentional living of our Planetary Being that we won’t need rules, regulations, laws and commandments imposed to order our living? Instead everything will flow automatically through an appreciative, shared knowing.

The Tibetan Master writes of the role of human sensitivity:

“The outstanding characteristic of humanity is intelligent sensitivity to impression. Ponder on this definite and emphatic statement. The work of science is, after all, simply the development of the knowledge of substance and of form; this knowledge will make it possible for humanity eventually to act as the major impressing agent in relation to the three subhuman kingdoms in nature; that is humanity’s primary responsibility. This work of relationship is practically the work of developing or the mode of unfoldment of human sensitivity.” [Telepathy and the Etheric Vehicle, page 128]

“I refer to the capacity whereby you are enabled to expand your consciousness so that you become aware of ever- widening ranges of contact. I refer to the ability to be alive, alert, keen to recognise relationships, quick to react to need, mentally, emotionally and physically attentive to life and rapidly developing the power to observe upon all three planes in the three worlds simultaneously… [and also] alertness to soul contact, impressionability to the ‘voice of the Teacher,’ an aliveness to the impact of new ideas and to the delicacy of intuitional responsiveness. These are ever the hallmark of the true disciple. It is spiritual sensitivity which must be cultivated.” [Discipleship in the New Age I, p47]

“Gradually, as the disciple acquires true freedom of thought and the power to be receptive to the impression of the abstract mind, he creates for himself a reservoir of thought which becomes available at need for the helping of other people and for the necessities of his growing world service…. Later, he becomes sensitive to impression from the [Spiritual] Hierarchy… by the time the disciple is a Master; the Plan is then the dynamic substance providing the content of the reservoir of thought upon which he can draw. This is a statement of unique and unusual importance. Later still, he becomes sensitive to impression from Shamballa [the centre where the Will of God is known], and the quality of the Will which implements planetary Purpose is added to the content of his available knowledge.
… [There is]… a growing reservoir of thought which the disciple has created in response to the many varying impressions to which he is becoming increasingly sensitive; the ideas, concepts and spiritual objectives of which he is becoming aware are steadily being formulated by him into thoughts with their appropriated thought forms, and upon these he learns to draw as he seeks to serve his fellowmen… He finds himself in possession of a reservoir or pool of thought-substance which is the result of his own mental activity, of his innate receptivity, and which provides the material for teaching and the ‘fount of knowledge’ upon which he can draw when he seeks to aid other people… sensitivity to impression is a normal and natural unfoldment, paralleling spiritual development… Sensitivity to impression involves the engendering of a magnetic aura upon which the highest impressions can play.” [Telepathy and the Etheric Vehicle, page 94]

“The Science of Impression… functions through… Humanity [as] radiatory sensitivity.” [The Rays and the Initiations, page 371]

“In studying the subject of radiatory activity, we are dealing with the effect produced by the inner essence as it makes its presence felt through the form, when the form has been brought to a stage of such refinement that it becomes possible… When this realisation is applied to all the forms in all the kingdoms, it will be found possible to bridge the gaps existing between the different forms of life, and the ‘elements’ in every kingdom, and those unifying radiating centres will be found.” [A Treatise on Cosmic Fire, page 1062]

In these turbulent times of change we are challenged to extend our sensitive reach in order to apprehend the underlying truths and guard their emergence into human hearts and minds from whence they may radiate throughout the world. Let us listen to the new thought currents and the new vision they carry.

“Indeed, sensitivity is an inherent quality, but it depends upon the purity of one’s consciousness. Even in the best instances, it must be developed, or more precisely, called forth from the depths of consciousness… Everyone will find within himself his own obstacles; some will be impeded by laziness, some by lack of faith, some by the bustle of daily life. Everyone is hindered by something, but the power of will can overcome anything… Nor should one indulge in wishful thinking, for this encourages one to rely on illusions… Amidst the most ordinary routines of life, one can find opportunities for the sharpening of one’s sensitivity equal to those available in the best laboratories. The Thinker taught,
Supermundane worlds send us the subtlest sensations; let us learn to be receptive to them.”
[Supermundane III, verse 573]

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