Meditation and the Four Freedoms1
Good evening friends.
Our theme for this evening is "Meditation and the Four Freedoms." As ever, whenever we address any theme, it seems to me that there is always the good news and then there is the challenge. With each step that each of us as well as the collective humanity take towards evolutionary progress, so we recognize how much more we yet need to strive in order to realize the fuller vista, the greater vision that ever presents itself.
On the global stage, this year, Freedom House a non-governmental organization that tracks the status of freedom around the world reported that 2.54 billion of us, or 41 percent of our humanity, live in 86 countries that this organization calls free. This is the highest percentage since Freedom House began issuing its report. That is a piece of good news. It is heartening to know that as a global society we are moving towards greater freedom.
On the other hand, that which poses a challenge is visible all around us and detailed by the media and the publications of the many organizations that today track humanity's plight.
For example, 100 of the Nobel laureates in a statement made at the recent Nobel Peace Prize Symposium affirmed that the most profound danger to world peace in the coming years will stem not from the irrational acts of states or individuals. Rather, it will stem from the legitimate demands of the world's dispossessed-the poor and the disenfranchised who cannot be expected to await the beneficence of the rich. The statement goes on,
"If…we permit the devastating power of modern weaponry to spread through this combustible human landscape, we invite a conflagration that can engulf both rich and poor."
This brings us to this month's theme of "freedom from want."
These laureates affirm what is becoming an increasingly accepted modern truth-a truth that the esoteric wisdom has taught since the appearance of humanity on this planet. In the words of the laureates, "As never before, the future of each depends on the good of all." This same realization was echoed by Secretary-General Kofi Annan as he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on December 10th.
As he succinctly stated, "humanity is indivisible."
In his acceptance address Kofi Annan also re-committed the UN to the planetary implementation of the four freedoms; that is, freedom from fear, freedom from want, freedom of expression and freedom of worship or conscience, referring to these in terms of the sanctity and dignity of every human life.
As he stated, "In the 21st century, I believe the mission of the UN will be defined by a new, more profound awareness of the sanctity and dignity of every human life, regardless of race or religion."
We thus turn to the question, how does the implementation of these four freedoms on which we monthly focus, effect the spiritual destiny of humanity? And what is the relationship of meditation to these freedoms?
As we have stated, humanity is actually one body. According to the esoteric wisdom, Humanity makes up one of the three great centers of consciousness on our planet. Counting from above below, or from the innermost depths to the outer realm, humanity is the third center of Creative Intelligence. In the grand chain of Life, the other two planetary centers superseding and having evolved from humanity are the Hierarchy of Love-Wisdom, the 2nd center of consciousness and Shamballa-the custodian of Will and Purpose or the 1st center of consciousness.
Humanity's task, ultimately, is to become aware of the unimpeded relationship existing among all centers and states of being and then relate "that which is above and that which is below." For as the scriptures of the world have long foretold, humanity is intended to become the planetary saviour. Acting as a mediator and transmitting light, energy and spiritual potency to the animal, plant and mineral kingdoms, humanity's high destiny is to play its part in transforming planet Earth from a non-sacred to a sacred planet where the spiritual energies of light, love and the will-to-good prevail.
However, the implementation of the four freedoms on a planetary scale is a fundamental and most basic first step. For, until the four freedoms become a realized fact for all of humanity, the unmet needs of the bulk of humanity and the resulting anguish and suffering will continue to create a state of constant turmoil, conflict and war. The emotional body of the One humanity as a result is as a darkened prison house, keeping out the sun of heightened consciousness. The Tibetan Master, one of the Masters of the Hierarchy of Love-Wisdom describes the state of humanity's current emotional or astral body. He writes,
"Looking…at the astral body of the planet, could you but do so, you would see…a murky ball of seeming steam and mist and fog. This fog is of a density and thickness which would indicate not only impenetrability but also those conditions which are unfavourable to life."2
It is this murky "sea of fog" that eclipses or prevents the lighted energies of the higher or more inward spheres from being registered within the consciousness of humanity.
The implementation of the four freedoms on a world scale would allow for the creation of what UNESCO and others have referred to as a culture of peace. The resulting tranquillity would make it possible for new energies and new ideas to impress humanity, and it would bring about those conditions which make it possible for the higher reasoning or meditative functions to thrive.
The implementation of the four freedoms as we have often said, is really a first step in the spiritual liberation of humanity. And, liberation is a result of initiation into more inclusive and enlightened states of consciousness-a promise for the bulk of humanity who is destined in this Aquarian Age to take the 1st and 2nd initiations.3
The esoteric wisdom teaches that the Path of Initiation is the Path of Liberation. And, it is liberation or freedom from the limitations of matter that initiation confers. It is a liberation that will allow the unfoldment of the Soul and its attendant powers.
Through meditation, we turn towards the spiritual principle, towards the inner vital sun-the Soul. In the same way that a plant turns its leaves and flowers towards the radiant physical sun, which evokes its growth, so does meditation allow the individual and the group to tune to the silent but powerful emanations of the subjective inner realms.
When successfully accomplished, meditation opens the door into the world of Reality. If we can hold the mind steady in the light, then our thoughts vibrate temporarily to the measure of the concept upon which we are focusing. Over an extended period of time, the vibration becomes permanent and thus the personal self, the group or the collective humanity, is eventually brought into a condition of receptivity and vibratory response.
When the personal self, the group, or humanity, and the spiritual principle, the Soul are vibrating to the same frequency, and the interplay is rhythmic, then awareness of the inner subjective realms is possible and over time, the Soul can express itself through the form. The Solar Angel can then manifest and spread its healing grace upon our planet and calm the troubled waters, dissipating the murkiness, the suffering and tragedies that today exist.
Thus, step by step we are able to leave behind the darkness for the light, the unreal for the real and we thus move from "death [that state of un-awakened consciousness] to immortality."
Keeping in mind the spiritual law that states that "two concordant thoughts increase the power seven times,"4 can we now turn to our meditation and meditatively apply our thought power to the "Spiritual Work of the United Nations and the Liberation of Humanity"?
1A talk given by Ida Urso, Ph.D., at the meditation meeting on "The Spiritual Work of the United Nations and the Liberation of Humanity" on Friday, December 28th, 2001.
2 Glamour, A World Problem by Alice A. Bailey, Lucis Publishing Co., New York, p. 70.
3 For information on initiation, the reader is referred to the books, Initiation, Human and Solar and The Rays and Initiations by Alice A. Bailey. Also, several of the Diamond Light articles discuss the subject of initiation.
4 Leaves of Morya's Garden, Vol. II (par. 7, p.78) Agni Yoga Society.
