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 Paint.......................4
image form and around it, outside the image, paint the many-colored cosmic forces in beautiful, harmonious motion 41 IMAGES: THE DAMAGE THEY DO
not overcome any psychological obstructions and yet they paint beautifully. ANSWER: Of course. That has nothing to 63 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Whether you create an object, compose a symphony, paint a picture, write a novel, cook a meal 185 MUTUALITY: A COSMIC PRINCIPLE AND LAW
or more developed than the other. Let me paint a picture of the woman in the New 229 WOMAN AND MAN IN THE NEW AGE
 
 Pair........................3
you. This is the great battle between another pair of opposites. One is the surging spirit going 81 CONFLICTS IN THE WORLD OF DUALITY
For when you seek one side of a pair of opposites, you must oppose the other side 144 THE PROCESS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF GROWING
have attempted to show you that even a pair of opposites like health and sickness does not 164 FURTHER ASPECTS OF POLARITY -- SELFISHNESS
 
 Palpable....................4
then will you perceive this help as a palpable reality. This, in turn, will increase your feelings 5 HAPPINESS FOR YOURSELF OR HAPPINESS AS A LINK IN THE CHAIN OF LIFE
increasingly feel and take in. It is a palpable life force. For us, in our world, it 226 APPROACH TO SELF -- SELF-FORGIVENESS WITHOUT CONDONING THE LOWER SELF
endeavors and your beautiful struggle will become more palpable reality for you as your vision grows. Be 243 THE GREAT EXISTENTIAL FEAR AND LONGING
would lose yourself. But now you find, as palpable reality, that Jesus' words are true: You must 245 CAUSE AND EFFECT ON VARIOUS LEVELS OF CONSCIOUSNESS
 
 Pamper......................4
and the expectation that God will indulge and pamper you. Now the question arises how to dissolve 52 THE GOD-IMAGE
how you give in to the temptation to pamper yourself by the very strong reaction of hurt 109 SPIRITUAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH THROUGH RESTITUTION FOR REAL GUILT
lower self. Question yourself: Do I wish to pamper myself? Do I wish to be in self-pity 109 SPIRITUAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH THROUGH RESTITUTION FOR REAL GUILT
as impatience or irritation, parents may overindulge and pamper their child. The child may experience this as 117 SHAME: A LEGACY OF CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES, EVEN FAVORABLE ONES
 
 Pampering...................7
clear eyes and an open, unbiased mind, not pampering the lazy self that likes to wallow in 21 THE FALL
if one appears stronger to begin with. The pampering and indulgent God-image is not simply added to 52 THE GOD-IMAGE
whether you reject self-responsibility and expect an indulgent, pampering god to fix your life, make decisions for 52 THE GOD-IMAGE
freedom without self-responsibility. Thus you wish for a pampering, indulgent god, like a parent who spoils his 60 THE ABYSS OF ILLUSION -- FREEDOM AND SELF-RESPONSIBILITY
They may overindulge their children. Such spoiling and pampering may be an overcompensation and a sort of 73 COMPULSION TO RECREATE AND OVERCOME CHILDHOOD HURTS
circumstances, such as growing up in a permissive, pampering, indulgent environment, are. The psyche gets accustomed to 117 SHAME: A LEGACY OF CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES, EVEN FAVORABLE ONES
for it and therefore will not provide such pampering. The inability to repeat what one once had 117 SHAME: A LEGACY OF CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES, EVEN FAVORABLE ONES
 
 Pangs.......................6
and you do love, but differently, without the pangs of the ego, without the shadowy side that 13 POSITIVE THINKING: THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG KIND
you will not have any unconscious or subconscious pangs which hamper the free flow of your willpower 18 FREE WILL
at yourself and the world for these vague pangs of conscience. Take any of the aspects we 109 SPIRITUAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH THROUGH RESTITUTION FOR REAL GUILT
to affirm, any negation would be experienced with pangs of hesitation, doubt, uncertainty and guilt -- even 164 FURTHER ASPECTS OF POLARITY -- SELFISHNESS
totally dominant in their manifest human personality, no pangs of conscience exist. A temporary negative unity exists 181 THE MEANING OF THE HUMAN STRUGGLE
your striving and goodwill is beautiful. Even your pangs of conscience, notwithstanding the misplaced guilt, spring from 184 THE MEANING OF EVIL AND ITS TRANSCENDENCE
 
 Panic.......................5
cannot help feeling threatened, endangered. Deep within, you panic as though your life were at stake whenever 85 DISTORTIONS OF THE INSTINCTS OF SELF-PRESERVATION AND PROCREATION
them as one unconsciously hopes -- there is panic. One fights for one's life, and feels losing 125 TRANSITION FROM THE NO-CURRENT TO THE YES-CURRENT
requires the opposite, your reaction can often be panic, resentment, struggle, resistance, and at times even a 192 REAL AND FALSE NEEDS
these thoughts of truth -- without struggle and panic, without fearful ideas of finality -- will make 211 OUTER EVENTS REFLECT SELF-CREATION -- THREE STAGES
is, tragic that an animal needs to endure panic and pain in order to serve the total 254 SURRENDER
 
 Parables....................6
parallel to the reason why Jesus spoke in parables and why the Bible is symbolic? ANSWER: Part 76 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (Compiled from Private Sessions and Earlier Lectures)
not entirely. The reasons why Jesus spoke in parables are manifold too. For instance, humankind at that 76 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (Compiled from Private Sessions and Earlier Lectures)
very abstractly and not at all in these parables. Parables were easier for the masses to understand 76 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (Compiled from Private Sessions and Earlier Lectures)
abstractly and not at all in these parables. Parables were easier for the masses to understand then 76 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (Compiled from Private Sessions and Earlier Lectures)
picture language used for children or used in parables has nothing to do with the picture language 76 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (Compiled from Private Sessions and Earlier Lectures)
because the truth was presented in symbols and parables, but because the person's understanding was not sufficient 78 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 
 Parade......................3
away the other person, even if the demands parade under the guise of giving. Those who are 107 THREE ASPECTS THAT PREVENT LOVING
can be distorted and become untrue, although they parade under the flag of their true version. This 110 HOPE AND FAITH AND OTHER KEY CONCEPTS DISCUSSED IN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
is destructive. Crass injustice and cruelty could often parade as a righteous cause, while the truly meaningful 120 THE INDIVIDUAL AND HUMANITY
 
 Paradise....................6
in the story of Adam and Eve in Paradise. Actually this happened in a very different way 20 GOD: THE CREATION
limitations. Once they are shed, one by one, paradise can be on earth, just as hell can 125 TRANSITION FROM THE NO-CURRENT TO THE YES-CURRENT
Adam and Eve. The nakedness of reality is paradise. For when that nakedness is no longer denied 152 CONNECTION BETWEEN THE EGO AND THE UNIVERSAL POWER
it begins to dissolve. And this opens up paradise on earth. There are many, many degrees in 156 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
of such rich living. You can indeed create paradise on earth if you do not shy away 222 TRANSFORMATION OF THE LOWER SELF
hides anything from anyone else? Is that not paradise? This is the direction in which evolution moves 252 PRIVACY AND SECRECY
 
 Paradox.....................21
find that you have given up nothing! This paradox is veiled in a cloud of unknowing, which 37 ACCEPTANCE, RIGHT AND WRONG WAY -- DIGNITY IN HUMILITY
a negative way. This may sound like a paradox, my friends, but it is not. Life force 52 THE GOD-IMAGE
it has nothing to do with the apparent paradox; yet when you think more profoundly about it 60 THE ABYSS OF ILLUSION -- FREEDOM AND SELF-RESPONSIBILITY
has very much to do with the apparent paradox that you cannot be harmed by other people 60 THE ABYSS OF ILLUSION -- FREEDOM AND SELF-RESPONSIBILITY
the subconscious is not in some way a paradox and may not lead to forcing the subconscious 72 THE FEAR OF LOVING
it. I am sure it is not a paradox, but in what way is it not? ANSWER 72 THE FEAR OF LOVING
same while you change. This sounds like a paradox, my friends, but it is not. To remain 75 THE GREAT TRANSITION IN HUMAN DEVELOPMENT FROM ISOLATION TO UNION
may seem so, it may seem like a paradox on the one hand, or a correction on 78 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
the other also. So it sounds like a paradox. ANSWER: Yes, if not taken in its superficial 78 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
even unconsciously, if I may use this seeming paradox -- of what is a healthy and legitimate 92 REPRESSED NEEDS - RELINQUISHING BLIND NEEDS - PRIMARY AND SECONDARY REACTIONS
of unhealthy motives. This may appear like a paradox, but do you follow what I mean? QUESTIONER 97 PERFECTIONISM OBSTRUCTS HAPPINESS -- MANIPULATION OF EMOTIONS
to present what may indeed sound like a paradox: are you finding yourself on such a laborious 123 LIBERATION AND PEACE BY OVERCOMING FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN
process of extended self-alienation. This explains the apparent paradox that giving up control leads to better control 138 THE HUMAN PREDICAMENT OF DESIRE FOR, AND FEAR OF, CLOSENESS
your own destructiveness are necessary. It is a paradox: Identify with the destructiveness and yet be detached 182 PROCESS OF MEDITATION (MEDITATION FOR THREE VOICES: EGO, LOWER SELF, HIGHER SELF)
important paradoxes. For instance, let us examine the paradox of desire. Both desire and desirelessness are important 182 PROCESS OF MEDITATION (MEDITATION FOR THREE VOICES: EGO, LOWER SELF, HIGHER SELF)
prevents you from meditating. This sounds like a paradox, but it is not. If you hold incorrect 194 MEDITATION: LAWS AND VARIOUS APPROACHES-SUMMARY (MEDITATION AS POSITIVE LIFE CREATION)
Feel it and know its presence. The apparent paradox is that the more you hide from the 201 DEMAGNETIZING NEGATIVE FORCE FIELDS -- PAIN OF GUILT
verities, the concept of desire contains an apparent paradox: The right kind of desire must become so 206 DESIRE: CREATIVE OR DESTRUCTIVE
of view, may be undesirable, to use a paradox. For too much desire, intense desire, subjective desire 217 THE PHENOMENON OF CONSCIOUSNESS
include temporary suffering. Thus we have the apparent paradox that glimpsing ultimate reality in a false way 253 CONTINUE YOUR STRUGGLE AND CEASE ALL STRUGGLE
am saying here sounds indeed like a great paradox: only when you give yourself over can you 254 SURRENDER
 
 Paradoxes...................6
difficult for me to explain how these apparent paradoxes still hold true. However, I will attempt at 60 THE ABYSS OF ILLUSION -- FREEDOM AND SELF-RESPONSIBILITY
on realistic considerations, instead of wishful thinking. The paradoxes and opposites that you constantly deal with in 182 PROCESS OF MEDITATION (MEDITATION FOR THREE VOICES: EGO, LOWER SELF, HIGHER SELF)
like to discuss a few of these important paradoxes. For instance, let us examine the paradox of 182 PROCESS OF MEDITATION (MEDITATION FOR THREE VOICES: EGO, LOWER SELF, HIGHER SELF)
Then desire and desirelessness will not be irreconcilable paradoxes, but complementary attitudes. Similarly, it seems paradoxical to 182 PROCESS OF MEDITATION (MEDITATION FOR THREE VOICES: EGO, LOWER SELF, HIGHER SELF)
more blissful. I have pointed out these apparent paradoxes often and I believe that many of you 190 IMPORTANCE OF EXPERIENCING ALL FEELINGS, INCLUDING FEAR - DYNAMIC STATE OF LAZINESS
life. Avoidance of feelings always creates such dualistic paradoxes of false doubt and false hope. Many years 190 IMPORTANCE OF EXPERIENCING ALL FEELINGS, INCLUDING FEAR - DYNAMIC STATE OF LAZINESS
 
 Paradoxical.................36
and No. It is one of those apparently paradoxical cases where both answers are correct. I will 19 JESUS CHRIST
from these conflicting desires. Become aware of the paradoxical state of affairs within you. The only way 29 THE FORCES OF ACTIVITY AND PASSIVITY -- FINDING GOD'S WILL
furthers your pride even more. This may sound paradoxical at first. Let me explain it this way 31 SHAME
movement in no movement. This may sound utterly paradoxical according to human logic, but I cannot explain 55 THREE COSMIC PRINCIPLES: THE EXPANDING, THE RESTRICTING, AND THE STATIC PRINCIPLES
are a dozen or so which almost sound paradoxical. This raises the question of authority, whether or 59 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
become aware when you are hurt. This seems paradoxical yet is not. As you experience for yourself 73 COMPULSION TO RECREATE AND OVERCOME CHILDHOOD HURTS
I may express myself in such a very paradoxical way. The West is the goal. The East 87 THE NEXT PHASE ON THE PATH; QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
only if you accept your own imperfection seems paradoxical. But if you really think about it, you 97 PERFECTIONISM OBSTRUCTS HAPPINESS -- MANIPULATION OF EMOTIONS
also indicate resignation or stagnation. This may sound paradoxical, because I just finished telling you that an 98 WISHFUL DAYDREAMS
inner no against loving may at first sound paradoxical. People who have this aspect predominantly have such 107 THREE ASPECTS THAT PREVENT LOVING
the harm of perfectionism. This may seem quite paradoxical. For, on the one hand I invite you 109 SPIRITUAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH THROUGH RESTITUTION FOR REAL GUILT
may appear. This may, at first sight, seem paradoxical, but when you look more closely, you are 110 HOPE AND FAITH AND OTHER KEY CONCEPTS DISCUSSED IN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
self. The more aware of yourself you become, paradoxical as this may seem, the more concerned with 120 THE INDIVIDUAL AND HUMANITY
resented, tiring effort. People put themselves in the paradoxical position of wearing themselves out in a non-existent 128 LIMITATIONS CREATED THROUGH ILLUSORY ALTERNATIVES
is yours. This may sound complicated and quite paradoxical, but if you deeply think about it, you 130 FINDING TRUE ABUNDANCE BY GOING THROUGH YOUR FEAR
the consequent inferiority feelings. This may sound almost paradoxical. Superficially viewed, it certainly seems possible to think 133 LOVE: NOT A COMMANDMENT, BUT SPONTANEOUS SOUL MOVEMENT OF THE INNER SELF
you choose it with your own free will. Paradoxical as this may seem again, the more you 133 LOVE: NOT A COMMANDMENT, BUT SPONTANEOUS SOUL MOVEMENT OF THE INNER SELF
own power. There is a strange and apparently paradoxical balance: the more egocentric the little child within 142 THE LONGING FOR AND THE FEAR OF HAPPINESS -- THE FEAR OF RELEASING THE LITTLE EGO
Whatever the case may be, the following preposterous, paradoxical situation arises in the human soul. You fear 147 THE NATURE OF LIFE AND HUMAN NATURE
means annihilation. Thus you put yourself in the paradoxical position of believing that life comes from opposing 149 COSMIC PULL TOWARD UNION -- FRUSTRATION
the involuntary processes. Humanity finds itself in the paradoxical position of deeply yearning for the fruits of 152 CONNECTION BETWEEN THE EGO AND THE UNIVERSAL POWER
of others, and of self. It might sound paradoxical that I call this level reality at all 162 THREE LEVELS OF REALITY FOR INNER GUIDANCE
only then, can you really transform these traits. Paradoxical as this may seem, the total self-rejection, the 174 SELF-ESTEEM
conscious as your positive attitudes and will directions. Paradoxical as this may seem, the more this happens 181 THE MEANING OF THE HUMAN STRUGGLE
in you and that in fact is you. Paradoxical as it may seem, the more you can 182 PROCESS OF MEDITATION (MEDITATION FOR THREE VOICES: EGO, LOWER SELF, HIGHER SELF)
irreconcilable paradoxes, but complementary attitudes. Similarly, it seems paradoxical to postulate that both involvement and detachment must 182 PROCESS OF MEDITATION (MEDITATION FOR THREE VOICES: EGO, LOWER SELF, HIGHER SELF)
is attached to admitting one's fallacy and distortion. Paradoxical as it may seem, the more helpless you 193 RÉSUMÉ OF THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE PATHWORK: ITS AIM AND PROCESS
seen as the only truth. This may seem paradoxical, as is so often the case. But when 197 ENERGY AND CONSCIOUSNESS IN DISTORTION: EVIL
toward union. The ego assumes a preposterous and paradoxical position. It is intrinsically unhappy, precisely because of 199 THE MEANING OF THE EGO AND ITS TRANSCENDENCE
overcomes the temptation to stay put. But the paradoxical position of the ego is that it fights 199 THE MEANING OF THE EGO AND ITS TRANSCENDENCE
responsible for the other. One of the apparently paradoxical truths of spiritual reality is that you are 202 PSYCHIC INTERACTION OF NEGATIVITY
parts of you which you wish to hide. Paradoxical as this may seem at first glance, the 211 OUTER EVENTS REFLECT SELF-CREATION -- THREE STAGES
illusory reality, if I may coin this apparently paradoxical phrase -- is reality. I now come to 215 PSYCHIC NUCLEAR POINTS CONTINUED -- PROCESS IN THE NOW
aspects of your real perfection. It may seem paradoxical, but accepting humbly your imperfect state and looking 234 PERFECTION, IMMORTALITY, OMNIPOTENCE
you never knew before. This will appear almost paradoxical. Deep down you always feared that by giving 245 CAUSE AND EFFECT ON VARIOUS LEVELS OF CONSCIOUSNESS
dualism of either/or. Let me present these three paradoxical aspects: (1) Only you yourself can effect your 258 PERSONAL CONTACT WITH JESUS CHRIST-POSITIVE AGGRESSION-REAL MEANING OF SALVATION

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