Commandment 15:
Do Not Deviate From Self-study
Self-study means studying the self. Studying the self is in two ways. One is to recollect I Am and see to what extent recollecting I Am is happening in relation to oneself and in relation to the surroundings. This is practical study of the self. The self only is present as the background of oneself and others. The background of all is I Am. The awareness of this background is to be recollected while one is with the events of the day. This is a game of patience that one has to practise. One needs to study how far he is able to visualise the self in the daily events of life.
Even during the hours of contemplation one has to recollect himself as the self distinct from the personality. It is also part of self-study of the first type.
The second type of self-study is to study the teachings of Initiates who also provide thoughts relating to self-study. In the teachings and writings of the Initiates the magnetic touch of the soul exists. This is because they function at all times as soul. It is for this reason their teachings and writings do not die through time. Soul is immortal and the teachings and writings flowing from the soul also remain immortal. One does not do well reading any book and every book. The books on esoteric knowledge coming from Initiates have the status of scriptures. The other books could be bestsellers but suffer mortality. Do not measure by the marketing quality. Go by the soul quality. An insight can be gained to distinguish between the two, if one cares to know the biographies of the writers. What the writers do or did in life would set a parameter to find the quality of the teachings that came through. The lives of Initiates are filled with service to humanity, touching the realms of sacrifice. Such teachings when heard or studied, would awaken the soul. The teachings directly appeal to the soul. The conscience feels directly, what is said is true. Know these before you pick up books to read.
Studying the teachings of Initiates helps activating the soul. The soul feels nourished. The soul feels reinforced. The soul gets inspiration. It gets rid of perspiration. Many are the benefits that the students get through reading the writings of Initiates.
Another dimension to this teaching is, the reader gradually feels the presence of the Initiate whose teachings are being read. The Teacher’s presence is hidden in the teaching. As one reads with intense focus and devotion, one would sometimes even gain the presence of the Teacher. There are many such instances in the past. This is a true phenomenon, which is proved time and again.
It is equally significant to study the biographies of Initiates. This helps building contact with the Initiates. When once the familiarity of presence is experienced the teachings reveal much more than before. Remember that the teachings reveal by layers depending on the state of the consciousness of the reader. But if the presence prevails the revelations happen to the reader not according to reader’s comprehension but according to the teacher’s compassion. This is how good disciples move forward.
Reading the teachings and the biographies of the Initiates is to gain the presence of the soul. More than the information that the teaching contains, presence is of greater importance. Presence is ultimately the one that fulfils, that nourishes and that blooms the souls. Daily if you read a few lines of such teachings either in the fresh hours of the day or in the silent hours of night, the importance of this instruction given by Lord Sanat Kumara would be well understood. Therefore do not deviate from self-study.
… to be continued
Taken from the book
The Teachings of Sanat Kumara
Dhanishta Publications: dhanishta.org
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