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 Acquisition.................4
or so one hopes. Whereas in kleptomania, the acquisition of things has nothing to do with actual 61 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
the two sides, as well as to the acquisition of any new skill. You need to create 178 THE UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLE OF GROWTH DYNAMICS
incorporate the new skill into your personality. The acquisition of a new mastery always means overcoming an 178 THE UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLE OF GROWTH DYNAMICS
contribute to the ultimate task of self-transcendence. The acquisition of new knowledge and skills also demands the 199 THE MEANING OF THE EGO AND ITS TRANSCENDENCE
 
 Acquisitiveness.............4
me the answer to a question of compulsive acquisitiveness on the part of one who already has 61 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
reactions may bring them to do that. Compulsive acquisitiveness in those who have what they need may 61 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
symbolic meaning, will show that it represents an acquisitiveness. This may come from a distortion of the 84 LOVE, POWER, SERENITY AS DIVINE ATTRIBUTES AND AS DISTORTIONS
come into being, again according to character structure: acquisitiveness; reaching out to grab and receive in a 85 DISTORTIONS OF THE INSTINCTS OF SELF-PRESERVATION AND PROCREATION
 
 Act.........................530
in truth. They no longer know how to act in the right way. Often their own inner 1 THE SEA OF LIFE
rightly, but the thoughts run another course; people act rightly because they comprehend that otherwise they would 1 THE SEA OF LIFE
to God's Plan of Salvation, in which each act of cooperation counts so much. And then further 1 THE SEA OF LIFE
and fulfillment, in divine intervention and guidance, and act and feel accordingly, will also be able to 1 THE SEA OF LIFE
correctly and will allow this driving force to act through them and even lead them into mistakes 2 DECISIONS AND TESTS
Others, who have recognized these basic truths, will act differently and direct their aim toward spiritual progress 2 DECISIONS AND TESTS
and thus be ready to receive it and act accordingly. The needed recognition will come to you 2 DECISIONS AND TESTS
You have to stand your ground alone, and act right out of your own will. And then 2 DECISIONS AND TESTS
you build your future life on earth. Every act, thought, feeling has its form, which then builds 3 CHOOSING YOUR DESTINY -- THE WILL TO CHANGE
the necessity of this change will make you act. As long as you deceive yourself into believing 3 CHOOSING YOUR DESTINY -- THE WILL TO CHANGE
you can manage without it, you will not act but amble along as before. The pursuit of 3 CHOOSING YOUR DESTINY -- THE WILL TO CHANGE
price than they are initially aware of. They act contrary to spiritual law and so their higher 4 WORLD WEARINESS
conscious mind wants the good and wants to act right; one part of the unconscious, the higher 5 HAPPINESS FOR YOURSELF OR HAPPINESS AS A LINK IN THE CHAIN OF LIFE
to contribute to the Plan of Salvation, will act according to the law and become a link 5 HAPPINESS FOR YOURSELF OR HAPPINESS AS A LINK IN THE CHAIN OF LIFE
yield to their temptations, and will certainly not act them out. There are, however, many people who 6 THE HUMAN ROLE IN THE SPIRITUAL AND MATERIAL UNIVERSES
but none of you should force themselves to act in one way or another. Be ready to 7 ASKING FOR HELP AND HELPING OTHERS
rise to the unhealthy soul currents. You may act right because your conscience says that you must 7 ASKING FOR HELP AND HELPING OTHERS
I let myself be guided? When must I act by myself? These questions can also be asked 8 MEDIUMSHIP -- HOW TO CONTACT GOD'S SPIRIT WORLD
mothering principle which does not create with one act but is continuously affecting everything, and that simply 10 MALE AND FEMALE INCARNATIONS: THEIR RHYTHMS AND CAUSES
case the masculine elements in the woman will act in contradiction, leading to great inner conflicts that 10 MALE AND FEMALE INCARNATIONS: THEIR RHYTHMS AND CAUSES
in itself. When put into relationship it can act favorably or unfavorably. It can be formed in 10 MALE AND FEMALE INCARNATIONS: THEIR RHYTHMS AND CAUSES
broken that order, again voluntarily, and by that act they have created unhappiness and disharmony for themselves 11 SELF-KNOWLEDGE -- THE GREAT PLAN -- THE SPIRIT WORLD
is recognized and treated by meditation, than to act unsustained by your inner nature. If you can 11 SELF-KNOWLEDGE -- THE GREAT PLAN -- THE SPIRIT WORLD
by the slow process of development, people often act as though they were already unselfish. But they 14 THE HIGHER SELF, THE LOWER SELF, AND THE MASK
hate the pressure of their higher selves to act contrary to the desires of their lower selves 14 THE HIGHER SELF, THE LOWER SELF, AND THE MASK
selves, but feel compelled to put on an act, which disturbs their inner peace, since it does 14 THE HIGHER SELF, THE LOWER SELF, AND THE MASK
just a sham. In other words, the right act is entirely unsupported by the unpurified feelings, and 14 THE HIGHER SELF, THE LOWER SELF, AND THE MASK
the person is at war within. The proper act becomes an act of necessity, of compulsion, instead 14 THE HIGHER SELF, THE LOWER SELF, AND THE MASK
at war within. The proper act becomes an act of necessity, of compulsion, instead of free choice 14 THE HIGHER SELF, THE LOWER SELF, AND THE MASK
it. Do not fool yourself if you still act according to the necessity to protect yourself and 14 THE HIGHER SELF, THE LOWER SELF, AND THE MASK
world, is it not preferable to do and act right, even if it is a mask, than 14 THE HIGHER SELF, THE LOWER SELF, AND THE MASK
nature. At the same time you can still act in accordance with the standards of your society 14 THE HIGHER SELF, THE LOWER SELF, AND THE MASK
of your lower self and know that you act according to necessity and your own convenience while 14 THE HIGHER SELF, THE LOWER SELF, AND THE MASK
goal. A more highly developed person will not act that way because he knows that crime is 16 SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT -- WILLPOWER
that you have so far put on an act, that you have not given yourself as you 17 THE CALL -- DAILY REVIEW
conscious of this, you will be able to act as you really are, my friends, and without 17 THE CALL -- DAILY REVIEW
a murderer, a man who has committed an act not only against divine law but also against 18 FREE WILL
and has had amnesia since having committed this act. So he finds himself in prison without knowing 18 FREE WILL
them. At one time you freely chose to act and think in a way that brought about 18 FREE WILL
unhappy, and discontented with your life. Begin to act now so that in every inner stream you 18 FREE WILL
either to live within divine law or to act against it. At one time, one spirit fell 20 GOD: THE CREATION
time, one spirit fell under the temptation to act against it. You can find the symbolic explanation 20 GOD: THE CREATION
you to recognize the will of God and act accordingly. Be in peace, be in God! 22 21 THE FALL
every thought, every feeling, every ambition, and every act is formed in spirit and thus creates a 22 SALVATION
something big and important. Often, the smaller the act, the better it is for you. The less 24 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
ever be accomplished suddenly or with one single act. It can only grow in constant endeavor, in 24 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
have to know about it. You have to act according to the laws of God with everyone 24 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
knowing all this and actually being able to act on it are two different stories. You may 25 THE PATH: INITIAL STEPS, PREPARATION, AND DECISIONS
not want to harm anybody, ever. You may act kindly toward another, but you cannot force yourself 25 THE PATH: INITIAL STEPS, PREPARATION, AND DECISIONS
will and are thus directly controlled through an act of will. You will also discover trends in 25 THE PATH: INITIAL STEPS, PREPARATION, AND DECISIONS
of purification of emotions not influenced by an act of direct willpower. This cannot be emphasized enough 25 THE PATH: INITIAL STEPS, PREPARATION, AND DECISIONS
You may be able to perform a good act and consider this a good deed. Yet it 26 FINDING ONE'S FAULTS
yourself. At the same time you offer an act of love to the other person whom you 26 FINDING ONE'S FAULTS
own stubborn convictions, unless it is through an act of God's grace that may only come in 26 FINDING ONE'S FAULTS
made an inner change and therefore you will act differently in an outer situation as a result 27 ESCAPE POSSIBLE ALSO ON THE PATH
because feelings cannot be changed by a mere act of will, but they will change if you 27 ESCAPE POSSIBLE ALSO ON THE PATH
revolt against this state of affairs. In the act of revolting you set an active force in 29 THE FORCES OF ACTIVITY AND PASSIVITY -- FINDING GOD'S WILL
purification is already taking place. With such an act, you have already raised your consciousness to a 29 THE FORCES OF ACTIVITY AND PASSIVITY -- FINDING GOD'S WILL
would ever consider committing an antisocial or sinful act, the decisions you are faced with could be 29 THE FORCES OF ACTIVITY AND PASSIVITY -- FINDING GOD'S WILL
has to become more active, so you can act. At other times it has to become more 29 THE FORCES OF ACTIVITY AND PASSIVITY -- FINDING GOD'S WILL
QUESTION: In the case of war, is the act of killing by a soldier contrary to divine 29 THE FORCES OF ACTIVITY AND PASSIVITY -- FINDING GOD'S WILL
world, the real motives count more than the act, and judgment is not passed generally or collectively 29 THE FORCES OF ACTIVITY AND PASSIVITY -- FINDING GOD'S WILL
your reactions are surely not just. You may act in justice, that is true, but that may 30 SELF-WILL, PRIDE AND FEAR
has the courage to live without pretense and act according to the real self. It is not 31 SHAME
open up to another person, you risk an act of humility. At that moment with that person 31 SHAME
piece of advice. Your spirit suffers when you act against its laws. And you feel better all 31 SHAME
emotional health, my friends. In that way you act as a mature being and your soul must 32 DECISION-MAKING
instead of yourself is no guarantee that you act spiritually; just as the mere fact that thinking 33 OCCUPATION WITH SELF -- RIGHT AND WRONG FAITH
you are capable of giving real love, your act of unselfish giving will bring you a feeling 35 TURNING TO GOD
does not pray will never be able to act or experience fulfillment like the person who has 36 PRAYER
on praying for the same things and the act itself gives you a certain satisfaction, as of 36 PRAYER
you do not give up anything, but the act of giving up, which is how this surrender 37 ACCEPTANCE, RIGHT AND WRONG WAY -- DIGNITY IN HUMILITY
passivity is called for on your part. The act of sacrificing for God and overcoming your self-will 37 ACCEPTANCE, RIGHT AND WRONG WAY -- DIGNITY IN HUMILITY
happen because you are angry at yourself and act in a spirit of defiance, against yourself as 39 IMAGE-FINDING
how you pray. You cannot say of any act that it is selfish or not without examining 39 IMAGE-FINDING
it - - that in itself is an act of purification. And if you pray for strength 39 IMAGE-FINDING
may do a good deed, a single unselfish act, but cannot possibly make another person happy. Therefore 39 IMAGE-FINDING
criminal kills someone, this is not an unconscious act and you cannot speak about an image when 41 IMAGES: THE DAMAGE THEY DO
contains desires and conclusions that more primitive people act out in consciousness. QUESTION: What happens in a 41 IMAGES: THE DAMAGE THEY DO
it was a necessity. His was the greatest act of love. You all know about the Plan 42 CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS -- OBJECTIVITY AND SUBJECTIVITY
the deed of Jesus Christ as the greatest act of courage ever? It is already an act 42 CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS -- OBJECTIVITY AND SUBJECTIVITY
act of courage ever? It is already an act of courage for a human being to go 42 CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS -- OBJECTIVITY AND SUBJECTIVITY
of your pride so much that you either act more secure than you feel, thus being untrue 42 CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS -- OBJECTIVITY AND SUBJECTIVITY
the opposite behavior. Such a person may always act against public opinion from the same motive as 42 CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS -- OBJECTIVITY AND SUBJECTIVITY
of Jesus Christ, who has accomplished the greatest act of love and courage for you personally, trust 42 CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS -- OBJECTIVITY AND SUBJECTIVITY
they remain in their own extreme. They thus act from a wrong conclusion. Led by the wrong 43 THREE BASIC PERSONALITY TYPES: REASON, WILL, EMOTION
change your feelings and emotional reactions by an act of will. You can use your will to 45 THE CONFLICT BETWEEN CONSCIOUS AND UNCONSCIOUS DESIRES
how different you are and how differently you act with certain people, with your family, or friends 45 THE CONFLICT BETWEEN CONSCIOUS AND UNCONSCIOUS DESIRES
if you acted toward person A as you act toward B. You can go through the whole 45 THE CONFLICT BETWEEN CONSCIOUS AND UNCONSCIOUS DESIRES
role. I will continue to perform the good act, but I will not deceive myself that I 45 THE CONFLICT BETWEEN CONSCIOUS AND UNCONSCIOUS DESIRES
a higher degree of consciousness than when you act without understanding why, merely rationalizing it, while remaining 45 THE CONFLICT BETWEEN CONSCIOUS AND UNCONSCIOUS DESIRES
QUESTION: Is it preferable to perform a good act with a bad motive, or should one refrain 45 THE CONFLICT BETWEEN CONSCIOUS AND UNCONSCIOUS DESIRES
refrain. One should merely recognize that the good act contains a bad motive, without self-deception. The mere 45 THE CONFLICT BETWEEN CONSCIOUS AND UNCONSCIOUS DESIRES
are rooted in weakness and fear. And an act or an attitude that comes from weakness and 47 THE WALL WITHIN
infinitely more strongly than a consciously recognized attitude, act or motive. In other words, if you are 47 THE WALL WITHIN
other people than when you do the same act, have the same motives and attitudes, but recognize 47 THE WALL WITHIN
own law-upholding tendency. Thus you will make an act of strength out of an act of weakness 47 THE WALL WITHIN
make an act of strength out of an act of weakness. You will remain on the side 47 THE WALL WITHIN
half-hearted attempt. Try to forget yourself. Try to act on your adversary's behalf as though you actually 48 THE LIFE FORCE IN THE UNIVERSE
existence is no reason for feeling guilty. You act on a misunderstanding when you attempt to eliminate 49 OBSTACLES ON THE PATH: OLD STUFF, WRONG GUILT, AND WHO, ME?
truths. So you will often find people who act outwardly according to the universal truths, yet you 49 OBSTACLES ON THE PATH: OLD STUFF, WRONG GUILT, AND WHO, ME?
tempted to go to the other extreme and act out the part you discover behind the first 49 OBSTACLES ON THE PATH: OLD STUFF, WRONG GUILT, AND WHO, ME?
as if you were the person who would act and live out all these unruly feelings. Discover 49 OBSTACLES ON THE PATH: OLD STUFF, WRONG GUILT, AND WHO, ME?
cannot change all at once by a mere act of will. It shows the humility and patience 49 OBSTACLES ON THE PATH: OLD STUFF, WRONG GUILT, AND WHO, ME?
gradually reveal more and more wrong conclusions. Each act of recognition will help you further to break 50 THE VICIOUS CIRCLE
pure. Then the compulsion will be gone. The act will remain the same, but the motive will 51 IMPORTANCE OF FORMING INDEPENDENT OPINIONS
to the crude feelings. Having performed a right act out of wrong motives, you will think the 51 IMPORTANCE OF FORMING INDEPENDENT OPINIONS
not have to commit a harmful and selfish act to be honest. It is sufficient that you 51 IMPORTANCE OF FORMING INDEPENDENT OPINIONS
whole personality that wishes to commit the selfish act. It can only be a part of you 51 IMPORTANCE OF FORMING INDEPENDENT OPINIONS
In the interim stage, after you cease to act in self-deception and compulsion and before you are 51 IMPORTANCE OF FORMING INDEPENDENT OPINIONS
self, you may continue to do the right act while realizing how you feel and that your 51 IMPORTANCE OF FORMING INDEPENDENT OPINIONS
past and present motives. Second, continue the right act for itself even though you cannot love yet 51 IMPORTANCE OF FORMING INDEPENDENT OPINIONS
you cannot love yet. To do the wrong act is being no more true to yourself than 51 IMPORTANCE OF FORMING INDEPENDENT OPINIONS
more true to yourself than was the right act so far. Because as long as you are 51 IMPORTANCE OF FORMING INDEPENDENT OPINIONS
does not mean to give up the right act. In this way, gradually, something will grow and 51 IMPORTANCE OF FORMING INDEPENDENT OPINIONS
and bloom in you. By doing the right act without self-deception, in the hope that one day 51 IMPORTANCE OF FORMING INDEPENDENT OPINIONS
entirely at one with yourself in doing the act, you will develop the force of light and 51 IMPORTANCE OF FORMING INDEPENDENT OPINIONS
the choice of an obviously selfish or unselfish act. The other problem you bring up is a 51 IMPORTANCE OF FORMING INDEPENDENT OPINIONS
last analysis only contributes to your self-contempt. The act of giving up the intention to cheat life 53 SELF-LOVE
the inability to give up the desire, you act out of fear and out of a pressure 54 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
occasionally my decisions will turn out wrong, I act according to my best ability, trying to consider 54 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
and so to your fate. By the mere act of saying yes you are ready to dissolve 54 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
resurrection that Jesus Christ showed in the symbolic act he demonstrated, apart from the spiritual meaning I 54 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
accused of having perpetrated a disloyal or dishonest act of some sort. The pain of the accusation 57 THE MASS IMAGE OF SELF-IMPORTANCE
in you. Your conscience neither allows you to act in accordance with the temptation, nor does it 57 THE MASS IMAGE OF SELF-IMPORTANCE
as though I had actually committed the wrong act? Isn't the most important thing that my actions 57 THE MASS IMAGE OF SELF-IMPORTANCE
attitude, whether conscious or unconscious, is a definite act. But the more unconscious it is, the greater 57 THE MASS IMAGE OF SELF-IMPORTANCE
explained away either by coincidence or by the act of a monstrous god-of-your-image who arbitrarily favors a 60 THE ABYSS OF ILLUSION -- FREEDOM AND SELF-RESPONSIBILITY
If you are not genuine or if you act out of a level of pride, the other 60 THE ABYSS OF ILLUSION -- FREEDOM AND SELF-RESPONSIBILITY
need. ANSWER: Exactly. It is a symbolic outer act. The other cases may have a similar origin 61 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
into a less irrational, although perhaps more unethical act. QUESTION: Where is it combined with elements of 61 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
to help accelerate development for all, by an act of supreme love as has never been witnessed 61 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
spreader of light and truth by the very act of your search into your own soul. Your 61 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
I explained before. Hence, every good and right act, most of all the act of self-unfoldment, makes 61 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
good and right act, most of all the act of self-unfoldment, makes you an instrument of grace 61 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
highest of all created spirits performed the greatest act of love. Let us think of Him with 63 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
showed the way, will have done this greatest act of love truly for all of you. For 63 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
of many human beings to think that any act, even the greatest act of love, could be 63 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
to think that any act, even the greatest act of love, could be sufficient for them to 63 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
I explained at length in what way the act of Jesus Christ constituted salvation for all the 63 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
and subordinate them because of such misconceptions, you act from erroneous and unhealthy motives from which no 63 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
be a compulsion. It would be an unfree act and nothing would be accomplished. You should all 63 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
does not occur to you to choose to act upon your healthy impulses; instead, you pick the 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
in and day out? Not doing the unselfish act makes you feel guilty, doing it seems to 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
will and conviction. It cannot be a free act, independently chosen. Whenever you do something out of 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
force it upon yourself; as long as you act in the right way because you think you 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
it still seems to you that the selfish act would be more desirable, contemplate the following: An 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
the free will to decide for the unselfish act rather than be driven to it as before 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
a choice between a selfish and an unselfish act. The unselfish act does not seem to bring 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
a selfish and an unselfish act. The unselfish act does not seem to bring you benefit, at 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
a full and wholehearted decision for the unselfish act. Decide for it only because you are convinced 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
selfish. I said before that performing an unselfish act for a reward turns the act into a 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
an unselfish act for a reward turns the act into a selfish one. However, if you do 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
that it is all-important whether or not you act unselfishly because you truly want to or because 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
with this subject? QUESTION: When doing an unselfish act and knowing that it doesn't come from your 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
a sign that you still do the unselfish act against an inner conviction, and really out of 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
you still feel deep inside that the selfish act would be to your advantage. Thus you force 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
made only after you realize that the unselfish act is to your advantage, while the selfish one 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
you do not want to do the unselfish act, and why. You have to become aware of 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
brings out the selfish desires, which they now act out, going from one wrong extreme to another 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
does not advance. It is not necessary to act out selfish impulses. You have more options than 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
become aware of why you are doing an act and what you feel when you are doing 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
you are convinced that you do an unselfish act and you hate it without being aware of 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
you find your hate and rebellion for this act. You will further find that you probably blame 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
that you reconsider why you are doing this act and what your real motives are. In most 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
you would really much rather do the selfish act. When asking yourself why, the answer will be 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
you will have to recognize also that the act in question was selfish, compulsive, and unfree, especially 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
because you wished approval. Therefore your apparently unselfish act was really selfish. The selfishness has merely shifted 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
then decide whether or not you wish to act as before. In the course of this work 64 OUTER WILL AND INNER WILL -- MISCONCEPTION ABOUT SELFISHNESS
selfish and unselfish compulsively and in neither way act out of your true, honest, self. Thus the 65 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
to find where, in your own surroundings, you act in ways that are similar to the actions 65 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
You now unconsciously consider his or her very act of giving as a weakness that deserves contempt 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
as well as against your innermost self. The act of betrayal is so very subtle, my dear 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
overt deeds can be found to prove the act of betrayal. If you are not truly desirous 66 SHAME OF THE HIGHER SELF
of self-responsibility which is spiritually the most harmful act imaginable. We are concerned less with the discomfort 67 QUESTION AND ANSWERS
You think you have to do, think, feel, act and express in a way generally prescribed by 68 SUPPRESSION OF POSITIVE AND CREATIVE TENDENCIES - THOUGHT PROCESSES
implied here that puts overimportance on the outer act and often diminishes the importance of the inner 74 CONFUSIONS AND HAZY MOTIVATIONS
that a person does not ever commit an act of unfaithfulness, but the motivations for faithfulness may 74 CONFUSIONS AND HAZY MOTIVATIONS
be real faithfulness. So, you see, the outer act, out of context and by itself, cannot be 74 CONFUSIONS AND HAZY MOTIVATIONS
is reached -- is in itself a selfish act. If you believe that, then it would seem 76 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (Compiled from Private Sessions and Earlier Lectures)
do a certain good deed, a single unselfish act, but cannot make another person happy. So if 76 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (Compiled from Private Sessions and Earlier Lectures)
of action, and therefore also re-action. As you act and react, so will be given onto you 78 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
here. It does not merely refer to the act of physical killing. As you rightly said, thoughts 79 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
This, for instance, is a typical and frequent act of emotional killing. There is only one way 79 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
to take the consequences upon yourself. When you act out your idealized self, you dread nothing more 83 THE IDEALIZED SELF-IMAGE
awareness of what you really feel, why you act in certain ways as a result. Even if 85 DISTORTIONS OF THE INSTINCTS OF SELF-PRESERVATION AND PROCREATION
full impact. That does not mean one should act upon it, but one has to become aware 85 DISTORTIONS OF THE INSTINCTS OF SELF-PRESERVATION AND PROCREATION
these childish emotions does not force you to act upon them. This is constantly being misunderstood. People 85 DISTORTIONS OF THE INSTINCTS OF SELF-PRESERVATION AND PROCREATION
incorrectly, that to recognize a feeling and to act accordingly are the same. Actually, this wrong conclusion 85 DISTORTIONS OF THE INSTINCTS OF SELF-PRESERVATION AND PROCREATION
exerts its rules, dictating to the personality to act accordingly. A should is sometimes not even outwardly 85 DISTORTIONS OF THE INSTINCTS OF SELF-PRESERVATION AND PROCREATION
assert yourself and when not to. You will act freely because you so choose, and you do 86 THE INSTINCTS OF SELF-PRESERVATION AND PROCREATION IN CONFLICT
real self. Consciously you have one desire. You act upon it, but without realizing how an undercurrent 87 THE NEXT PHASE ON THE PATH; QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
occurs where you receive this gratification. People do act according to this desire of yours. Consciously you 87 THE NEXT PHASE ON THE PATH; QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
self-determined action, derived from understanding. It makes people act from their own conviction and never from fear 88 RELIGION: TRUE AND FALSE
out of it unless God intervenes with an act of grace. You do not muster the inner 88 RELIGION: TRUE AND FALSE
stupid, so that you need another being to act and decide instead of you. This other being 88 RELIGION: TRUE AND FALSE
a human authority or church authority claiming to act on behalf of God. Thy will be done 88 RELIGION: TRUE AND FALSE
are not that far developed, you need not act out those impulses but should simply take note 90 MORALIZING -- DISPROPORTIONATE REACTIONS -- NEEDS
the true aim of growth. By the mere act of repeatedly observing your reactions, their strength will 90 MORALIZING -- DISPROPORTIONATE REACTIONS -- NEEDS
second place, I never proposed that people should act out their destructive impulses. It is one thing 90 MORALIZING -- DISPROPORTIONATE REACTIONS -- NEEDS
if I have no way of comparing this act with another act of not stealing? ANSWER: My 90 MORALIZING -- DISPROPORTIONATE REACTIONS -- NEEDS
no way of comparing this act with another act of not stealing? ANSWER: My dear child, if 90 MORALIZING -- DISPROPORTIONATE REACTIONS -- NEEDS
seem to believe that I implied every moral act is moralizing and rigid. All I invited you 90 MORALIZING -- DISPROPORTIONATE REACTIONS -- NEEDS
can be aware of emotions without having to act on them. You also know that if lack 91 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Simultaneously, there will be a simple desire to act on a more mature level -- not because 91 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
fear and anxiety at the thought that you act according to the child in you. This conflict 91 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
you then decide to carry out the right act, it will make you feel resentful, rather than 91 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
the same, though you would not see the act, since the procedure is drawn out. Here you 91 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
wish to do it, or feel it, or act by it. You will quite naturally grow out 91 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
answer is that repressed needs cause you to act contrary to your own best interests as you 92 REPRESSED NEEDS - RELINQUISHING BLIND NEEDS - PRIMARY AND SECONDARY REACTIONS
see what the issues are. Therefore you cannot act in your own best interest. Where it may 92 REPRESSED NEEDS - RELINQUISHING BLIND NEEDS - PRIMARY AND SECONDARY REACTIONS
This, then, is the image, which will later act as a preconceived idea. But the image also 93 THE LINK BETWEEN THE MAIN IMAGE, REPRESSED NEEDS, AND DEFENSES
undefended self manifest. This real self may often act completely against your known outer rules, your principles 93 THE LINK BETWEEN THE MAIN IMAGE, REPRESSED NEEDS, AND DEFENSES
of struggle before you let your real self act, unhampered by your outer levels which are so 93 THE LINK BETWEEN THE MAIN IMAGE, REPRESSED NEEDS, AND DEFENSES
am aware of it. I try not to act upon it. So I am going through a 93 THE LINK BETWEEN THE MAIN IMAGE, REPRESSED NEEDS, AND DEFENSES
are in a painful state because you still act out of obedience, rather than recognition. You somehow 93 THE LINK BETWEEN THE MAIN IMAGE, REPRESSED NEEDS, AND DEFENSES
But the change can never happen by an act of will. If you find yourself beginning to 93 THE LINK BETWEEN THE MAIN IMAGE, REPRESSED NEEDS, AND DEFENSES
are areas in your life where you do act out of your real self, but you do 94 SIN AND NEUROSIS -- UNIFYING THE INNER SPLIT
that counts, but how you do it. An act can be deemed right by the whole world 94 SIN AND NEUROSIS -- UNIFYING THE INNER SPLIT
responsibility, ready to pay the consequences, this imperfect act is more perfect, more according to your truth 94 SIN AND NEUROSIS -- UNIFYING THE INNER SPLIT
true self and the superficial self. Whenever you act out of your real self, you are in 94 SIN AND NEUROSIS -- UNIFYING THE INNER SPLIT
are not concerned with the appearance of your act in the eyes of others, or about principles 94 SIN AND NEUROSIS -- UNIFYING THE INNER SPLIT
aspects of this truth. They have begun to act and react according to it. For those of 94 SIN AND NEUROSIS -- UNIFYING THE INNER SPLIT
meditate upon. The superficial self may perform an act which is right by all known standards. Yet 94 SIN AND NEUROSIS -- UNIFYING THE INNER SPLIT
you concentrate on the outcome and the physical act, believing one choice must be right and the 94 SIN AND NEUROSIS -- UNIFYING THE INNER SPLIT
understand ourselves, the more we are able to act according to a rule, that is, to live 94 SIN AND NEUROSIS -- UNIFYING THE INNER SPLIT
self -- and this most certainly does not act according to any rule, either a general, outer 94 SIN AND NEUROSIS -- UNIFYING THE INNER SPLIT
being. Slowly but surely you will begin to act and react from your core, rather than from 95 SELF-ALIENATION AND THE WAY BACK TO THE REAL SELF
the erroneous and distorted superimpositions. Only when you act and react from the core of your very 95 SELF-ALIENATION AND THE WAY BACK TO THE REAL SELF
fulfillment. You strive for all this through an act of receiving. In your emotional awareness it seems 95 SELF-ALIENATION AND THE WAY BACK TO THE REAL SELF
want to change, yet in doing the right act you don't feel good either. Now, I heard 95 SELF-ALIENATION AND THE WAY BACK TO THE REAL SELF
you have an intuitive knowledge from within. You act in truth without fear. When you reach this 96 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS; COMMENTS ON LAZINESS AS SYMPTOM OF SELF-ALIENATION
your consciousness. This does not necessarily mean to act on them, but when the feelings show themselves 97 PERFECTIONISM OBSTRUCTS HAPPINESS -- MANIPULATION OF EMOTIONS
hostility and destructive impulses. Another benefit is daydreams act as symptoms. How can you ever find a 98 WISHFUL DAYDREAMS
-- those which cannot be seen. You may act outwardly in the right way, but inwardly the 99 FALSIFIED IMPRESSIONS OF PARENTS: THEIR CAUSE AND CURE
is ready to cross the threshold. But the act of crossing it is painful in the beginning 100 MEETING THE PAIN OF DESTRUCTIVE PATTERNS
is something you cannot learn by a voluntary act. Attempting that would amount to a manipulation of 100 MEETING THE PAIN OF DESTRUCTIVE PATTERNS
not mentioned? ANSWER: Because fear is not an act. It is an involuntary emotion. It is a 102 THE SEVEN CARDINAL SINS
any other reason do not execute the sinful act, does this still count as sin? ANSWER: Jesus 102 THE SEVEN CARDINAL SINS
believe. This happens especially when not committing the act is due to fear and not to love 102 THE SEVEN CARDINAL SINS
you can somehow become yourself by a direct act of will, and by directly using your thought 104 INTELLECT AND WILL AS TOOLS OR HINDRANCES OF SELF-REALIZATION
bring out the real self by a direct act of will and thought. The highest stage of 104 INTELLECT AND WILL AS TOOLS OR HINDRANCES OF SELF-REALIZATION
that genuine creation is not determined by an act of will or by a thought directed into 104 INTELLECT AND WILL AS TOOLS OR HINDRANCES OF SELF-REALIZATION
your self-moralizing and self-justification, they diminish by the act of observing them. The problem will be resolved 104 INTELLECT AND WILL AS TOOLS OR HINDRANCES OF SELF-REALIZATION
them. The problem will be resolved by the act of understanding it and observing yourself. But the 104 INTELLECT AND WILL AS TOOLS OR HINDRANCES OF SELF-REALIZATION
understanding. Confusion is not eliminated by a forceful act of tearing it out. This only makes you 104 INTELLECT AND WILL AS TOOLS OR HINDRANCES OF SELF-REALIZATION
love come into being by discipline, by an act of will? Can any creative process come into 104 INTELLECT AND WILL AS TOOLS OR HINDRANCES OF SELF-REALIZATION
up a process of self-alienation by the simple act of discouraging your natural, warm feelings and artificially 107 THREE ASPECTS THAT PREVENT LOVING
in reality, not be identical at all. The act may be the same, but the individuals are 107 THREE ASPECTS THAT PREVENT LOVING
traits may be different. Their reactions after the act may not be identical. Consequently the effect -- 107 THREE ASPECTS THAT PREVENT LOVING
You still evaluate yourself and others by an act, by an outer manifestation, and you disregard what 108 FUNDAMENTAL GUILT FOR NOT LOVING -- OBLIGATIONS
times, can in one instance be a loving act -- and a liberating experience for all concerned 108 FUNDAMENTAL GUILT FOR NOT LOVING -- OBLIGATIONS
many times when selfish motives induce you to act selfishly, you do not see it at all 108 FUNDAMENTAL GUILT FOR NOT LOVING -- OBLIGATIONS

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