Of Serpents and Doves

“Behold I send you out as sheep amongst wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves . (Matthew 10.16)

In this well known quotation from the Christian tradition we are given the best of advice. Like the disciples, we can benefit our lives by attempting to follow it because in  that simple statement lays the key to healthy management of our outer life.

Those two qualities mentioned – wisdom and harmlessness- form the two pillars of a gateway leading to control of the personality.
The injunction here is the Delphic one: Know Thyself. This is the wisdom which we normally associate with old age and a degree of life experience. Yet we are encouraged to actively pursue it as a way of life. It is the kind of wisdom that allows us to see the qualities and attributes of our being exactly as they are.

There is real virtue in taking that first step of standing to one side as the observer of our own activity and asking: What does this action I am taking say about who I am? Who am I and why do these thought arise in my mind? What is the source of this feeling?

In all wisdom traditions the student is advised to take stock of himself first and foremost. He is asked to hold a mirror before him and see there both his virtues and his vices with an unflinching eye.
Why so?
The reason is that fundamental occult truth that what one perceives and experiences in life reflects that which is within.
It follows then that if we are to improve our life and the quality of our experiences we must work first to know and understand the strengths and weaknesses of the inner ground of our being.


The second aspect here is harmlessness. The dove is used to symbolise this quality because of its association with peacefulness and love.
This is not the passivity of a person lacking self assertion. Being harmless is more the power of a non-combatant life.
It means to do no harm to one’s own life as well as to do no harm to others.

Being able to navigate this ethical minefield brings us full circle – back to wisdom. For how can we know what action or omission is the harmless one if we lack understanding of who we really are?

In the West we have historically abrogated the responsibility for self control and self knowledge to Church, State and the prevailing cultural paradigm. The trouble with that approach is that it substitutes blind allegiance for authentic expression. Invariably this climate produces a conflict of duty within us.

Does the pursuit of wealth, for example, really satisfy our search for meaning?

If the hand of Fate should sweep our material wealth away over night would we be less worthy because of that event?

How are we to solve those incessant ethical issues which require us to “trade off” duty to provide and duty to ourselves in this materialistic culture?

Only by going within. Only by taking back responsibility, by taking the time to reflect, by seeking out what is meaningful and right for our Selves. Only then are we equipped to navigate those choices.

Ultimately these two pillars of wisdom and harmlessness call us through to the place where our activity reflects our inner values, for there we stand in our own Light.

Sunlight in the Domain Conservatory

Have you noticed how the days seem to be passing more quickly, with more to do than you have time for?

There is a good deal of comment amongst spiritual workers at present concerning this accelerated rate of light and energy now operating. Even those who are not aware of operating intuitionaly notice how their pace of activity has increased. These observations have a basis in actuality. Our world really is changing.

For many of us this activity brings an emotional roller coaster too. Spikes of pain in relationship are just one manifestation of our increasing receptivity. We seem to be swept from one issue to the next and perceive ourselves as too pressured to stop and process the sweeping changes. Life seems full of dramas.

The activity seems to centre around relationships because the energy which powers it all is Light. Consider the words Love, Light and Energy as synonyms. Love is the energetic force that lies back of All That Is. What is called love in modern parlance is a sentiment- an emotional activity which veils this potent fiery force.

This increased rates is causing distress to some of us because it is bringing to our conscious awareness all that limits, all that hinders growth.

While this is going on in our personal lives it is also happening to lives of every kind. The planet Herself is healing and growing in great cathartic waves, bringing dramatic natural events such as earthquakes and great storms. These events have always occurred, but their increased prevalence is now notes and remarked on by the scientific community.

There is in fact plenty of time. There is plenty of all we require, but the rate is now such that the laws which order our universe operate swiftly and far more efficiently than was the case for previous generations.

It is possible to adjust rather than let ourselves be swept along by this shift. It is also possible to harness this Love-Wisdom to effect positive growth in our lives.

The first step to managing this change is to stop, be still for a moment and recognise that it is not Personal. This activity that seems to undermine our home ground is a process. It is universal and general. It triggers group activity and group pain, even though it feels like the most personal thing in the world.

From that place of stillness ask yourself: What is this activity pointing to? What is it showing me I could usefully release from my life? Look for synchronicity – coincidences are often clues. Observe yourself and your activity as dispassionately as you can. Is there a pattern emerging?

Recognise that personality is colouring our perceptions. Not only is it not personal, we are really reacting to a shifting astral field which is essentially illusory. By watching to see when pain is pushing us to create drama we can nip it in the bud. Humour works best. It sounds trite but looking for the funny side in your situation really does help. It will be there, because that is our essential soul nature – light, loving and joyous.

Energy follows thought and there lies the opportunity to make the most of this increased rate. If we focus on what we want to see more of in our life, with gratitude for the signs of it already present, we can attract more that energetic substance we desire. This works as well with a quality as it does with a form. So, focusing on our competence, for example, attracts to us more of the same.

This awareness can be used in a general way too. By deliberately placing our attention on what is right in our world we grow more good things, rather than the trouble which is its polar opposite. In relationships then, we can notice what is working, what is loving between us rather than the “issues” as we perceive them to be.

Go Lightly friend. In this moment where you are All is Well.