Beloved Students:

May you fully recognize the expanding grace which now seeks to come forth from your expanding hearts. May you know and feel the presence of your purpose at this time, and may you not flinch from the tyranny of the ego in bringing forth your true potential. May the world see you as indeed you are: divine beings. And in so seeing, may it resonate with you in acknowledging the wondrous expansion of pure Essence.

Once again, I greet you at a very powerful time. Are you noticing the full range of energies seeking expansion these days? In truth, probably more than mere “expansion” is trying to happen. As you enter the final quarter of 2005, it is likely that you will sense the deep restlessness of that which yearns to become manifest pushing at the boundaries of your psyches. Of course, that which yearns to become manifest often doesn’t bother to actually mention its identity. Thus, you may feel somewhat pushed and pulled about, perhaps by what seem to be strange or unknown forces. You may even feel as if you are the field upon which some fantastic sporting event is taking place. You feel all the activity, you have a strong sense of the chaotic moments, but your perspective does not allow you to capture the “overview,” let us say, of what the game is really all about.

In truth, one of the things I have paid attention to for much of the past 10 to 15 years has to do with what appears to be a growing inability on the part of many people to take appropriate action in various areas of their lives. While everyone will have moments when there seems to be no clear route, or direction, to take, what I am here addressing is much bigger than momentary setbacks for lack of clear direction. It seems that one of the functions of mind that has been sorely tested, if not lost altogether on many people, is the ability to sustain a focus and work toward a goal. Some would argue that the present generation (those now coming of age) was preceded by a generation overly focused on personal goals, such as the strategies and tasks of a career or sustaining a particular lifestyle over which they felt they had control. Yet in truth, many of these are personally confronted with the seeming epidemic proportions of ADD and ADHD. Of course, part of the problem may lie in the prevalence with which the diagnosis is handed out, along with various medications; but it is clear to anyone who really looks at the situation that something is going on.

Those between the ages of 45 and 60 can scarce remember their parent’s generation having the same difficulty with making decisions, completing tasks, staying on topic, etc., as do they, themselves. Nor do most remember their parents struggling over which career to take up; or suffering because their chosen career was not as good as that of someone else. While these situations did, of course, exist, it would seem a couple of generations ago to be the exception rather than the rule. Indeed, what happened to the human psyche in these few years?

While there are those who would blame toxins for negatively affecting the brain, and there are others who would blame what appears to be diminished brain power on the decline in food quality of the masses, and still others who would blame parents, schools, or social conditions, etc. However, if one is to be ruthlessly honest, one might have to admit at least the possibility that the problem comes as much from within the self as from without. Of course, given creative power by all those projecting minds, all of the above external conditions do exert causative forces with which to reckon. At a vaster level than simply what appears obvious, the diligently inquiring mind must ask, “Is there a timeless or perennial spiritual cure for what ails the modern mind?”

In fact, the modern mind may not be so different from the ancient mind! If you have not done so lately, read again the passage in the Old Testament where Solomon, King of Israel, is lamenting, among other things, that, “The thing that has been is what will be; that which is done is that which shall be done; and,” he concludes, “there is no new thing under the sun.” A bit later in the same text, he continues, “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.” Recognize his feelings? He even concludes the lament with, “For in much wisdom is much grief; and the one who increases knowledge increases sorrow.”

We could conclude from these words that the day they were spoken was probably not one of Solomon’s best days! However, the point he is attempting to put forth is a valid one: the mind is the mind, and that which provokes suffering in one generation will undoubtedly do the same for succeeding generations. Here we come face to face with the truth that Solomon is preaching: no state of mind is new. While different generations may think that the collective mind they experience is unique unto their particular generation, nothing could be further from the truth.

The problem of indecision, doubt, fear and guilt (yes, they are all related) is as old as the human race. Indeed, Lord Krishna instructed Arjuna on these very matters in the text that came to be known as the Bhagavad Gita. In truth, virtually every spiritual path acknowledges the power of fear in deterring the spiritual aspirant along the path. It just so happens that the collective fear is so vast at the current moment on Earth, that virtually everyone must touch it somewhere.

The problem with one’s sitting in a state of indecision is that it prevents the Divine from completing Its purpose, Its mission, through that one. Often I find my students thinking or feeling that if they do not have certainty about the course of action that should be taken in a given moment, that doing nothing must be the best answer. The ego mind wallows in the state of “not knowing,” and convinces the self to sit in “do nothing,” – a state of personal paralysis. The ego mind (so good at rationalizing anything to promote its agenda to block spiritual progress) seduces the psyche with claims that there can be no negative consequence if one just doesn’t do anything – even make vital decisions that could affect self and others for literally generations to come.

In the opening passages of the Bhagavad Gita, the reader finds Arjuna arguing with Lord Krishna along these very lines. After all, Arjuna pouts, “killing is bad business; all the scriptures agree on this… It would simply be better if my enemies came and killed me right here.” What Arjuna is really hoping for is that Lord Krishna will excuse him from doing his duty, or from having to take the action his own destiny requires of him.

Lord Krishna’s “call to action” for Arjuna is, of course, a timeless one. Even today – millennia later – spiritual aspirants still both need and respond to that call. Of course, often the first response is defensive and reactionary, as was that of Arjuna. Even today, spiritual students try to avoid their calling with all manner of excuses, complaints, rationalizations, extraneous issues and diversions. Such is the way the mind works, trying to manipulate the situation, or divert the force of destiny.

Again, this is nothing new. The manner in which collective mind plays it out may differ, but as far as the operation of the mind goes, it is identical to the way minds behaved in Arjuna’s time or in King Solomon’s time. As far as mental diversions go, indeed, “there is nothing new under the sun.” Fortunately, there is a perennial cure for this mental affliction, and there is probably value in researching just what worked in Arjuna’s day (which I will take up in the lecture given below).

Please join me this month in listening to A Thoroughly Modern Yogi, the talk I recorded for you from Glenwood Springs back in September. In this teaching, the focus is on both the conditions that actually support, or bring forth, doubting mind, as well as the means for addressing these conditions. It is my desire that this teaching will aid each of you in those moments in which your own mind attempts to seduce you into doing nothing. Additionally, may it help you more clearly discern between ego mind and Essence mind, and may it spur you on to take the action that is needed in your life. As Lord Krishna said to Arjuna, “Get up and do your duty,” which is to say: Let’s get moving on the work of enlightenment. Likely, such will require you to take action in the world as well as in your mind. May you discover the timeless treasures of cultivating determination and decisiveness in your mind and taking action in the world.

Djwhal Khul