WEB 4 -  ARCHIVE

Commentary 17 - Page  9

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Beginning to become free from the world

It is only after we have accepted an awareness of our limitations, implies Palamas, that we can begin our real education, the education of the psyche. But first, something else is necessary. Before we can be drawn to God, we not only have to discover our own limitations and develop discernment, we also have to begin to overcome the pull of the world.   This is a process of magnetisation to God. The result is a reconciliation to God, and this leads to illumination, he tells us. But for this to happen we have to go deep into our own psyche, and we cannot do this as long as we are all the while entangled in all these external things. Here we meet a confusion: it appears as if Mouravieff was talking about our being entangled in internal processes within the psyche, while Palamas, a monk, an archbishop, and later a saint, says the opposite. He talks about our being entangled in external things. It is at this point that we need to remember the words of certain of the early fathers of the church, where they tell us that the fathers must be read with care, because often they intentionally confuse between inside and outside, psyche and body. (The purpose of this is of course to prevent our understanding too easily, for they regarded easy understanding as no understanding.)

This activity has always happened on very rare occasions in people’s lives, but now it begins to happen more often, and lasts for longer periods of time. This is a definite change in the functioning of the psyche, and can be recognised in our inner experience by the fact that suddenly we find ourselves taking control over the processes of the psyche. Until then, these processes happened to us without any real volition on our part.

Whereas the formation of a Temporary Magnetic Centre that occurs at the beginning of the individual’s spiritual awakening is driven by self-love, and has no staying-power against the divine test of the withdrawal of the support of this love, a Magnetic Centre based on the rock of a trained True-Self-Will is stable, and so it can grow to completion.

Now the associative process stops happening in the same way; our usual lack of control is suspended.

At this time, and for this time, suggests Saint Anthony, the lower functions of the psyche pass under the control of the nous.

As you begin to form these active inner links to replace the passive links of your previous state, you begin to be able to choose which activity of the psyche you will express in your life.

Previously, 'it' had chosen, and you unwittingly – that is, without knowing why – had obeyed. Now, you begin to choose and it begins to obey you.

MAGNETISATION

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Spiritual crisis of the West  

Notices to Readers