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 Rotten......................6
Hence no painful eruption is needed to destroy rotten structures. This will reveal the stark reality to 183 THE SPIRITUAL MEANING OF CRISIS
quality. Some is defective, a cheap imitation, and rotten. When these two incompatible types of material become 197 ENERGY AND CONSCIOUSNESS IN DISTORTION: EVIL
inextricably mixed, the structure cannot stand. If the rotten material can be extricated without tearing down the 197 ENERGY AND CONSCIOUSNESS IN DISTORTION: EVIL
movement of the soul substance tears down the rotten structure, even if this means that temporarily all 197 ENERGY AND CONSCIOUSNESS IN DISTORTION: EVIL
trust and faith cannot be built on the rotten foundation of distrust and lack of faith. If 213 THE SPIRITUAL AND THE PRACTICAL MEANING OF LET GO, LET GOD
that you have a stake in maintaining a rotten structure, a structure that you need to eliminate 257 ASPECTS OF THE NEW DIVINE INFLUX: COMMUNICATION, GROUP CONSCIOUSNESS, EXPOSURE
 
 Rough.......................7
one horse -- though this is but a rough explanation -- would represent one aspect, and so 17 THE CALL -- DAILY REVIEW
that I can give you only a very rough outline of all this. This touches the very 21 THE FALL
that my words can only give you a rough outline. They have to be squeezed into the 34 PREPARATION FOR REINCARNATION
ledges and cliffs. At times the going is rough and tedious, the way steep and stony. At 60 THE ABYSS OF ILLUSION -- FREEDOM AND SELF-RESPONSIBILITY
your personal work. Let this lecture be a rough sketch of the picture we shall slowly complete 62 MAN AND WOMAN
it in your conscious brain. This is a rough outline or plan for this working season. The 175 CONSCIOUSNESS: FASCINATION WITH CREATION
at times doubt this when the going gets rough. But when this is so, it is not 256 INNER SPACE, FOCUSED EMPTINESS
 
 Round.......................21
a beam that meets itself in an eternal round, as everything spiritual must move in circular completeness 2 DECISIONS AND TESTS
often think, symbols. It is the other way round: the earthly things are symbols standing for spiritual 12 THE ORDER AND DIVERSITY OF THE SPIRITUAL WORLDS-THE PROCESS OF REINCARNATION
In other words, it is the other way round. Now, due to the series of lectures I 24 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
two normal people would not argue whether a round table in front of them is round or 34 PREPARATION FOR REINCARNATION
a round table in front of them is round or square--as though this were a matter of 34 PREPARATION FOR REINCARNATION
possibly be understood completely from having made the round only once. When you complete the first round 36 PRAYER
round only once. When you complete the first round, you start again. Each time you start again 36 PRAYER
reach this perspective, you have to repeat the round often. At the beginning this seems to you 36 PRAYER
at one point. Every time you conclude one round and start the next, you follow an upward-winding 36 PRAYER
With other people it is the other way round. But to say, You have to accept Jesus 63 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
roundness, it does not mean it is a round form, like a ball. The surface of the 111 SOUL-SUBSTANCE -- COPING WITH DEMANDS
it must now be cultivated so as to round out not only your progress but your personality 169 THE MASCULINE AND FEMININE PRINCIPLES IN THE CREATIVE PROCESS
matter of fact it is the other way round. Only when you can truly give to creation 212 CLAIMING THE TOTAL CAPACITY FOR GREATNESS
With other objects it is the other way round. They never work out well. You hate them 217 THE PHENOMENON OF CONSCIOUSNESS
You have heard this and experienced it. Each round of the spiral is a new layer, and 235 THE ANATOMY OF CONTRACTION
new layer, and at the entrance of each round a new and deeper commitment needs to be 235 THE ANATOMY OF CONTRACTION
In that moment, you have entered a new round on your spiral and find yourself on a 235 THE ANATOMY OF CONTRACTION
grow, it enters a new spiral phase or round. On that level, expansion may become positive and 235 THE ANATOMY OF CONTRACTION
about this new phase on this new spiral round. I come up for trial in two weeks 235 THE ANATOMY OF CONTRACTION
are also entering now into a new spiral round of beautiful unfoldment. Many, many more of you 235 THE ANATOMY OF CONTRACTION
In reality it is just the other way round. Thus you struggle against the innate fate of 257 ASPECTS OF THE NEW DIVINE INFLUX: COMMUNICATION, GROUP CONSCIOUSNESS, EXPOSURE
 
 Roundabout..................6
ultimate justice, even when it comes in a roundabout way. Such experiences will make you feel that 5 HAPPINESS FOR YOURSELF OR HAPPINESS AS A LINK IN THE CHAIN OF LIFE
cannot always be discovered right away. In a roundabout way scientific improvement must lead to the same 40 MORE ON IMAGE-FINDING: A SUMMARY
such, even if it manifests in a very roundabout and hidden way, the manifestation of it is 47 THE WALL WITHIN
of half-truth, this often happens in a more roundabout way. An outer influence may temporarily fortify a 61 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
and consequently returns to you, often in a roundabout way, until these negative forces are exhausted. If 65 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
circles; see yourself almost willfully pursuing the same roundabout, narrowly confined channels of thinking and never venturing 175 CONSCIOUSNESS: FASCINATION WITH CREATION
 
 Rounded.....................6
your personality, so that you will become well rounded. A new finding usually does not fit into 39 IMAGE-FINDING
will maintains a slow and even flow, always rounded. This will again show you the need to 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
or mind, both conscious and unconscious, as a rounded form. The more evolved and developed a person 72 THE FEAR OF LOVING
point. In the healthy soul the form is rounded, very smooth, and even. The substance is elastic 111 SOUL-SUBSTANCE -- COPING WITH DEMANDS
your inner personality. You will gain a more rounded picture of your total person and of your 139 DEADENING OF THE LIVE CENTER THROUGH MISINTERPRETATION OF REALITY
be more relaxed, more meaningful, more harmonious, more rounded. As you deliberately set the activating principle in 169 THE MASCULINE AND FEMININE PRINCIPLES IN THE CREATIVE PROCESS
 
 Route.......................5
a little back door open as an escape route, a reservation; you are ready but at the 8 MEDIUMSHIP -- HOW TO CONTACT GOD'S SPIRIT WORLD
are easier to trace. Others take a longer route, but the fact remains that nothing happens in 18 FREE WILL
other than God's will. Only by taking this route in your everyday life will there be no 28 COMMUNICATION WITH GOD -- DAILY REVIEW
not lifeless. It merely pursues an inverted, indirect route. The disintegration of matter will bring it together 226 APPROACH TO SELF -- SELF-FORGIVENESS WITHOUT CONDONING THE LOWER SELF
to reach inner space. You take the other route in which you go right through what seems 256 INNER SPACE, FOCUSED EMPTINESS
 
 Routine.....................8
of an opposite extreme -- the extreme of routine. Routine is always apt to become the pitfall 36 PRAYER
an opposite extreme -- the extreme of routine. Routine is always apt to become the pitfall for 36 PRAYER
You have to find a proper balance. By routine I mean that you go on praying for 36 PRAYER
the temptation of making your prayer into a routine. It will then remain alive, ever changing according 36 PRAYER
I think that this leads rather to the routine against which you warned us. Which is right 36 PRAYER
and a pleasant life together with a well-established routine outweigh the unrest of the soul, and the 44 THE FORCES OF LOVE, EROS, AND SEX
is learned, one has to guard against the routine of prayer which makes it rigid and devoid 50 THE VICIOUS CIRCLE
in many respects to remain in a rigid routine. If your prayer does not vibrate any more 50 THE VICIOUS CIRCLE
 
 Routines....................3
task. In an advanced stage even the daily routines of living, such as eating, getting up, cleansing 108 FUNDAMENTAL GUILT FOR NOT LOVING -- OBLIGATIONS
tense and obsessed, afraid and anxious when established routines cannot be met -- that is a reliable 205 ORDER AS A UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLE
over time. They will never deteriorate into fixed routines. The sexual encounter is a true fusion of 251 THE EVOLUTION AND SPIRITUAL MEANING OF MARRIAGE -- NEW AGE MARRIAGE
 
 Rudimentary.................3
you have not even understood the most basic rudimentary elements of this work. It is time for 94 SIN AND NEUROSIS -- UNIFYING THE INNER SPLIT
not necessitate this in any but the most rudimentary form. Love for ideas and principles is certainly 115 PERCEPTION, DETERMINATION, LOVE AS ASPECTS OF CONSCIOUSNESS
sufficiently developed, you could not undertake even the rudimentary steps of such pathwork. You would be incapable 165 EVOLUTIONARY PHASES IN RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN REALMS OF FEELINGS, REASON, AND WILL
 
 Rule........................105
so -- to other fallen spirits, where they rule more or less independently. Only in specific cases 6 THE HUMAN ROLE IN THE SPIRITUAL AND MATERIAL UNIVERSES
on earth, beings who are directly under Lucifer's rule, that is, they are from Hell, while others 6 THE HUMAN ROLE IN THE SPIRITUAL AND MATERIAL UNIVERSES
task and learned from it. You see, the rule is not always the same. Think about this 7 ASKING FOR HELP AND HELPING OTHERS
matter. One cannot set up a generally valid rule for establishing the right middle ground; everything depends 8 MEDIUMSHIP -- HOW TO CONTACT GOD'S SPIRIT WORLD
Yet it is not possible to establish a rule valid for everyone without exception. For a few 9 PRAYER AND MEDITATION -- THE LORD'S PRAYER
and solely time and place vary. As a rule, regularity is advantageous. Human beings have difficulty concentrating 9 PRAYER AND MEDITATION -- THE LORD'S PRAYER
human understanding are too limited. Therefore, as a rule I do not even like to talk much 21 THE FALL
higher. ANSWER: It is this way: As a rule, they cannot see it. As a manifestation from 23 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
circumstances that warrant these measures. Yet as a rule, whenever a higher being manifests to beings of 24 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
that? ANSWER: Oh, you cannot possibly make a rule on that. In the majority of cases, there 24 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
what exists in the spirit world. As a rule, I do not like to talk about this 25 THE PATH: INITIAL STEPS, PREPARATION, AND DECISIONS
of these different phases varies. There is no rule governing which phase comes first and which follows 34 PREPARATION FOR REINCARNATION
character; on many circumstances. One cannot make a rule. QUESTION: But to start the day with prayer 36 PRAYER
harbors. There are practically no exceptions to this rule unless we think of the very few purified 40 MORE ON IMAGE-FINDING: A SUMMARY
on all others, or to make a general rule of it. The unfoldment of the universal forces 40 MORE ON IMAGE-FINDING: A SUMMARY
many levels in one sweep. But as a rule you can be sure that one mass-killing causes 41 IMAGES: THE DAMAGE THEY DO
is much happier in the beyond, as a rule, than on earth. We cannot generalize about animals 42 CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS -- OBJECTIVITY AND SUBJECTIVITY
Then you will not need an external, forceful rule to find the right attitude for different situations 49 OBSTACLES ON THE PATH: OLD STUFF, WRONG GUILT, AND WHO, ME?
right attitude for different situations in life. Such rule is a crutch. Once you know your unconscious 49 OBSTACLES ON THE PATH: OLD STUFF, WRONG GUILT, AND WHO, ME?
rigid and dead. And you cannot make one rule. There are so many possibilities, and each possibility 52 THE GOD-IMAGE
as satisfactory as if I could pronounce one rule and conduct for all alternatives. The only true 52 THE GOD-IMAGE
distorted and rigidly set up as an inflexible rule, that is the danger of evil. The truth 53 SELF-LOVE
in love with one's life. There is no rule that would define where you may deviate and 53 SELF-LOVE
may and may not be so. Again, no rule can be set up. Realize that you are 53 SELF-LOVE
personally. As I said, you cannot establish a rule as to where the line can be drawn 53 SELF-LOVE
desires healthy and what makes them unhealthy. One rule is that whenever you desire something for the 56 CAPACITY TO WISH -- HEALTHY AND UNHEALTHY MOTIVES IN DESIRE
I do not have the slightest wish to rule over others; that is not true. But what 58 THE DESIRE FOR HAPPINESS AND THE DESIRE FOR UNHAPPINESS
greater or lesser development. There is no fixed rule on that. Each case is a separate instance 61 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
self- importance, pride, vanity, or the will to rule can exist only in the outer, but never 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
to the person who is observing this basic rule. Its observance brings a certain objectivity and detachment 67 QUESTION AND ANSWERS
by other things. Religions have made a rigid rule out of this wise provision and admonition. With 70 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
to give up your autonomy submitting to the rule of another person. Hence only when you recognize 72 THE FEAR OF LOVING
cling to the supposed safety of the fixed rule. You seem to feel as though you could 72 THE FEAR OF LOVING
confusion about self-responsibility. When leaning on the fixed rule, you shift the responsibility to the rule. When 72 THE FEAR OF LOVING
fixed rule, you shift the responsibility to the rule. When you realize that there is no such 72 THE FEAR OF LOVING
there is no such thing as a fixed rule, you are frightened, because you have to determine 72 THE FEAR OF LOVING
a danger to you. The inflexible or fixed rule or law is for the child who cannot 72 THE FEAR OF LOVING
need the strong authority who upholds the fixed rule because then they do not have to be 72 THE FEAR OF LOVING
understand. It wants to lean on dogma and rule, so as not to have to think, to 74 CONFUSIONS AND HAZY MOTIVATIONS
and briefly I may say this: As a rule, when souls return to their spiritual home, they 76 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (Compiled from Private Sessions and Earlier Lectures)
a negative fear as though this is the rule by which one is to be governed and 78 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
if you merely discuss it. There is no rule or formula. You may develop the best theories 80 COOPERATION, COMMUNICATION, UNION
opposed to the great truth. There is no rule or regulation you can lean on here. As 82 THE CONQUEST OF DUALITY SYMBOLIZED IN THE LIFE AND DEATH OF JESUS
realize that other resentments are altogether unfounded. No rule can be made. You yourself will know the 86 THE INSTINCTS OF SELF-PRESERVATION AND PROCREATION IN CONFLICT
represents rules, but of a different order. The rule then may be ruthlessness, dominion over others, selfishness 87 THE NEXT PHASE ON THE PATH; QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
those who do love animals. There is no rule, and every case has to be judged individually 87 THE NEXT PHASE ON THE PATH; QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
happens more as an exception than as a rule. It cannot happen as a rule as long 89 EMOTIONAL GROWTH AND ITS FUNCTION
as a rule. It cannot happen as a rule as long as your emotions remain destructive and 89 EMOTIONAL GROWTH AND ITS FUNCTION
the Sermon on the Mount, or the golden rule? Is that too rigid a rule? ANSWER: In 90 MORALIZING -- DISPROPORTIONATE REACTIONS -- NEEDS
the golden rule? Is that too rigid a rule? ANSWER: In the first place, I distinguished, in 90 MORALIZING -- DISPROPORTIONATE REACTIONS -- NEEDS
other. Any words I could give you, any rule I could pronounce, would be very misleading. But 91 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
if you would all abide by the rigid rule that nothing must be killed, you would destroy 91 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
destructive life-organism is maintained because of such a rule, it would eventually destroy the bigger, more important 91 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
allowing an organism to live due to a rule not to kill, you would kill just the 91 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
you end up doing the very thing the rule forbids. This applies to any truth. Truth carried 91 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
becomes an untruth. Truth is never a rigid rule that can be pursued to the end. It 91 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
courage to examine the issues while forgetting the rule, you cannot come into selfhood, you cannot develop 94 SIN AND NEUROSIS -- UNIFYING THE INNER SPLIT
be worth much more than following a perfect rule -- it is something to meditate upon. The 94 SIN AND NEUROSIS -- UNIFYING THE INNER SPLIT
always between your childish self-will and a rigid rule or principle. Incidentally, the principle may even be 94 SIN AND NEUROSIS -- UNIFYING THE INNER SPLIT
we are able to act according to a rule, that is, to live together. Apart from that 94 SIN AND NEUROSIS -- UNIFYING THE INNER SPLIT
most certainly does not act according to any rule, either a general, outer one, or even a 94 SIN AND NEUROSIS -- UNIFYING THE INNER SPLIT
this work is first, to conform to a rule, and second, to become like a machine, I 94 SIN AND NEUROSIS -- UNIFYING THE INNER SPLIT
words. But, you see, what then becomes a rule is that I, or we, or mankind, must 94 SIN AND NEUROSIS -- UNIFYING THE INNER SPLIT
aim to become oneself. Then this is a rule. ANSWER: No. You can choose to remain infants 94 SIN AND NEUROSIS -- UNIFYING THE INNER SPLIT
when not cannot be determined by a general rule. The difference is too subtle and can only 101 THE DEFENSE
them. What you say is certainly not a rule, but it is possible under certain circumstances if 102 THE SEVEN CARDINAL SINS
has petrified this onetime experience into a general rule and law, then your present and future ability 104 INTELLECT AND WILL AS TOOLS OR HINDRANCES OF SELF-REALIZATION
one extreme to another. When he adopts one rule, good as it may be, in exchange for 105 HUMANITY'S RELATIONSHIP TO GOD IN VARIOUS STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT
this area of your being you wish to rule supreme. You do not want to know another's 116 REACHING THE SPIRITUAL CENTER-STRUGGLE BETWEEN LOWER SELF AND SUPERIMPOSED CONSCIENCE
to be confused with omnipotence. They do not rule, nor are they ruled. Instead, a healthy interdependence 120 THE INDIVIDUAL AND HUMANITY
you may imagine what would happen. It would rule over all those who are weaker and destroy 120 THE INDIVIDUAL AND HUMANITY
misery, and I do not allow it to rule over me any longer. I take the reins 125 TRANSITION FROM THE NO-CURRENT TO THE YES-CURRENT
to give while the most destructive part may rule you unbeknownst to yourself. Fearing your darker side 127 EVOLUTION'S FOUR STAGES: AUTOMATIC REFLEXES, AWARENESS, UNDERSTANDING, KNOWING
You are used to quickly assuming a ready-made rule, without questioning it. You echo something blindly, without 128 LIMITATIONS CREATED THROUGH ILLUSORY ALTERNATIVES
is appropriate must be found. There is no rule, my friends, as to when to emphasize one 131 INTERACTION BETWEEN EXPRESSION AND IMPRESSION
and also receiving the other's self-expression. Since no rule can be made about the rhythm of this 138 THE HUMAN PREDICAMENT OF DESIRE FOR, AND FEAR OF, CLOSENESS
You feel slighted, discriminated against, rejected. As a rule you admit this only vaguely. You may say 139 DEADENING OF THE LIVE CENTER THROUGH MISINTERPRETATION OF REALITY
self, in their feelings, by making a general rule that life is, supposedly, bad. The personal experience 147 THE NATURE OF LIFE AND HUMAN NATURE
what you really think and feel. As a rule you look away from it and you are 162 THREE LEVELS OF REALITY FOR INNER GUIDANCE
these two universal forces. Since there exists no rule for exactly when and how to switch from 163 MIND ACTIVITY AND MIND RECEPTIVITY
is too alert to allow the destructiveness to rule and precipitate negative actions. The individual does not 169 THE MASCULINE AND FEMININE PRINCIPLES IN THE CREATIVE PROCESS
is overwhelmingly negative, should be severed. As a rule, the more highly developed person should assume the 180 THE SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIP
approaches. As I said, there is no outer rule to determine when to change from one into 193 RÉSUMÉ OF THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF THE PATHWORK: ITS AIM AND PROCESS
disorder and creates discomfort in the soul. This rule applies as much to a person's outer habits 205 ORDER AS A UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLE
commonly created sphere of temporary reality. This same rule applies of course to this earth sphere, with 211 OUTER EVENTS REFLECT SELF-CREATION -- THREE STAGES
when pride, selfwill, and fear are allowed to rule the consciousness. The moment you have exposed, owned 211 OUTER EVENTS REFLECT SELF-CREATION -- THREE STAGES
practical guideline. You all know that as a rule psychological reality stops short at the self-creating aspect 211 OUTER EVENTS REFLECT SELF-CREATION -- THREE STAGES
conscious actions. You also know that, as a rule, spiritual reality in the way it is mostly 211 OUTER EVENTS REFLECT SELF-CREATION -- THREE STAGES
free will. Let us further suppose you then rule by possessiveness, domination, jealousy, coercion, and demands. Remember 213 THE SPIRITUAL AND THE PRACTICAL MEANING OF LET GO, LET GOD
overt or covert way and that you can rule just as much by dependency, blaming, and making 213 THE SPIRITUAL AND THE PRACTICAL MEANING OF LET GO, LET GOD
you, he or she will submit to your rule, but also will resent and blame, hate and 213 THE SPIRITUAL AND THE PRACTICAL MEANING OF LET GO, LET GOD
energy system in which you directly or indirectly rule, coerce, pressure, command, demand, and manipulate -- and 213 THE SPIRITUAL AND THE PRACTICAL MEANING OF LET GO, LET GOD
give to the negative self that rejects any rule but its own. The negative self does not 220 REAWAKENING FROM PRE-INCARNATORY ANESTHESIA
always has the choice to allow it to rule you. But you can also take the reins 222 TRANSFORMATION OF THE LOWER SELF
it; you do not allow those aspects to rule you, nor do you cast them out and 222 TRANSFORMATION OF THE LOWER SELF
This means labor, courage, search. Obeying the outer rule prevents this. So what I have shown you 227 CHANGE FROM OUTER TO INNER LAWS IN THE NEW AGE
this polarization was an inevitable byproduct of the rule system -- rules which the primitive consciousness required 227 CHANGE FROM OUTER TO INNER LAWS IN THE NEW AGE
punishment that would hold them back. No rigid rule will apply to everyone alike. Each person will 231 NEW AGE EDUCATION
open and knows no formula and no rigid rule. Inner freedom and security make it possible for 234 PERFECTION, IMMORTALITY, OMNIPOTENCE
of your own lower self that wants to rule selfishly and cruelly. In hiding this tendency you 240 ASPECTS OF THE ANATOMY OF LOVE: SELF-LOVE, STRUCTURE, FREEDOM
mask self that is now the generally accepted rule and pretended necessity for political life and politicians 242 THE SPIRITUAL MEANING OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS
is by no means so, as a general rule. Usually the longing is suppressed and repressed. It 243 THE GREAT EXISTENTIAL FEAR AND LONGING
is erroneous. Test once again a new ground rule of life and begin gradually to discard the 250 INNER AWARENESS OF GRACE -- EXPOSING THE DEFICIT
patterns. Their reaction should not be your inflexible rule to abide by but should make you thoughtful 252 PRIVACY AND SECRECY
absorbed unless you surrender to the teacher. This rule applies to the most mundane things you wish 254 SURRENDER

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