Ponder on This
"This universe of ours, what is it really? Here we are, centres of consciousness, surrounded by a buzzing confusion which we must try to understand. But we are of the selfsame stuff of the universe -- perhaps ultimately a cloud of energy interacting with other clouds of energy -- and on that account we are in the role more of participants than observers. We cannot distance ourselves from our ambient, hold it at arm's length for impartial scrutiny. This fact has been heavily underlined by modern physics since it sets limits to our knowledge. What we experience is not external reality per se but our interaction with it, so that in a very real sense we are constructing our universe from ourselves."
"The evolution of man is the evolution of his consciousness, and "consciousness" cannot evolve unconsciously. The evolution of man is the evolution of his will, and "will" cannot evolve involuntarily. The evolution of man is the evolution of his power of doing, and "doing" cannot be the result of things which "happen."
A Bit of a Bio:
Astro Inquiry is published in Washington State -- beaming out from Vashon Island, where I live with two cats: A bengal named Lili, and a black alley cat named Jojo. In 1970, when I was 14 years-old, I made the dogged effort to write to as many astrologers in California as I could, seeing which, if any would take me on as a student. I lucked out with my teachers Ivy Goldstein Jacobson and Margaret Latvala. continues
Book Recommendations
I read regularly. It's like eating bran, tackling superlative syntax keeps the upper system running smoothly. Unfortunately many astrology and spiritual books are poorly written (I should know, I've trawled thousands over the years, or so it seems.) With my constantly refreshed list below (categories include astrology, Tarot, Fourth Way and Gurdjieff, and A. H. Almaas' Diamond Approach and the occasional odd duck) you'll find what's captured my attention as of late, or what I consider so classic you'll want to add it to your own library too. Also, I'm always open to a good read, so please send me your recommendations.
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William Segal: Opening to the Force of Attention
“Attention is the quintessential medium to reveal man’s dormant energies to himself. Whenever one witnesses the state of the body, the interplay of thought and feeling, there is an intimation, however slight, of another current of energy. Through the simple act of attending, one initiates a new alignment of forces.
Maintenance of a conscious attention is not easy. The movement, the obligations of day-to-day existence constantly distract. With no base of operations, no home in one’s organism, the attention serves random thoughts, feelings, and appetites which conflict and tyrannize each other.
Sensation of parts or the whole of the body can anchor the attention; provide it with a kind of habitat. The structure, becoming more sensitive, helps to unify attention, so it is less liable to veer into mental channels that consume its power. In turn, perceptions and sensations are quickened, insights are multiplied.