To Light a Thousand Lamps - The Theosophical Society

Western Occultism / 109
with certain natures, not only of becoming deflected from
our goal but, unhappily, of getting our principles out of
alignment.
If without strain or any sense of pride we o¤er ourself
deeply and sincerely in the service of our inmost self, then
the light from the highest ātman — the ātmic subprinciple
of our ātman — will illumine our whole being from above
downwards. We will remain in alignment because our psychic
and intellectual and other centers will be irradiated
with the supreme ātmic light, and there will be a transforming
influence on our lives.
The popularization of meditation practices in the West
has had certain positive results and helped many to handle
their deep-seated anxieties. Stilling the mind and calming
the emotions for a few moments every day is therapeutic: by
deliberately dropping our worries, we become free inwardly
and can refocus ourselves for our life’s task. On the other
hand, high-powered promotion of meditation may be selfdefeating.
For example, one is put o¤ at the start when
money is charged for a mantra that purports to raise one to
cosmic awareness. No one needs a mantra in order to lift his
consciousness unto the hills of the spirit and receive the
benediction of momentary communion with the highest
within.
There are ways and ways to meditate, and ways and
ways to attain a higher awareness. When we become inwardly
still, our inner voice may be heard in those quiet yet
clear intimations that move the soul. Every night upon
retiring we can open the way for the intuition by stripping
the nature of all resentments and irritations, ridding the