CONTENTS
For September 1959
WORK
OF THE SAUCER GROUPS ........................................................................... 2
PEACE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS ................................................................................. 4
INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS OFFICE OPENS ......................................... 8
COSMUFOLOGY ............................................................................................................ 11
POSITIVE THINKING PROVIDES ............................................................................... 13
SELF EFFORT AND DESTINY .................................................................................... 15
INVITATIONS TO CORRESPOND .............................................................................. 17
BOOKS RECOMMENDED ........................................................................................... 17
——— ♦ ———
THE STAFF
EDITOR .................................................................................................. DANIEL
W. FRY
ASST. EDITOR .................................................................................... hope
troxell
CIRCULATION MANAGER ........................................................ norman
druliner
ART WORK BY ................................................................................. RALPH
HUFFMAN
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UNDERSTANDING
VOL. IV SEPTEMBER,
1959 NO. 9
By Daniel W. Fry
(Reprinted
from the FLYING SAUCER REVIEW)
There are, within the United States today, approximately
one thousand groups of people who meet at frequent intervals to consider and
discuss the nature and purpose of the aerial phenomena which have been given
the name of flying saucers.
It has been conservatively estimated that there are now
more than five thousand such groups throughout the world, and that this number
is increasing each day.
Newspaper reporters and radio commentators who, when these
groups were small and few in number, preferred to ignore them completely or to
dismiss their activities with a few sarcastic words, are now beginning to
realize that, whatever their personal opinion concerning the basic premise of
the saucer groups, the phenomenal growth of these groups throughout the world
has become important news. If the size and number of these groups continue to
grow for three more years in the same geometric progression which has prevailed
during the last three, they will become a very potent factor in the economics,
the politics, and the religions of the world.
Perhaps the most amazing thing about these saucer groups
which have sprung up, and are continuing to spring up in every country on
earth, is the complete similarity of their thinking, and their complete unity
of purpose. They defy and ignore all the artificial barriers of color, race,
creed and political ideology which have been erected between man and his
fellowman. They have easily bridged the geographical barriers of oceans,
deserts and mountain ranges, and are rapidly overcoming the barrier of
language.
Each group extends the hand of fellowship and brotherhood
directly to every other group, ignoring and by-passing the petty bickerings and
power aspirations of their respective governments.
It has been well said that, "in the age of nuclear
weapons, there must be one humanity, or no humanity at all," but with the
passing of the years, it has become obvious that world unity of mind, spirit
and purpose, can never be achieved by governments as they are now constituted.
Even the most democratic form of government requires the concentration of the
will and the rights of the many into the power and authority of the few. The
government inevitably becomes an entity unto itself, full of stiff-necked pride
in its position, jealous of its power and authority, and fearful of the
possibility of their loss. And so, governments, however necessary they may be,
and however fairly they may be constituted, must fail as a means of bringing
about unity and understanding among the peoples of earth.
All of the major religions of this planet have large areas
of mutual agreement, but, unfortunately, they also have minor points of
disagreement which are continually emphasized and magnified. The followers of
each religion are required to accept all of the dogma of that religion, and are
denied the right to consider the merits of others. And so, however much good
the present religions of the earth may accomplish, they also must fail as a
unifying force.
The physical or material science of earth has the largest
and most precisely defined area of mutual agreement, of any of the sciences.
All of the principal rules or laws of physics are accepted by all physicists,
regardless of their nationality, or of their social or political beliefs. It
might be assumed, therefore, that the physical science should be a great
unifying factor. There is, indeed, undeniable evidence that this would be true
if it were not for the fact that our neglect and failures in the social science
continually distort and misdirect the course of the physical science. It fails
as a unifying force, only because its products are constantly diverted into
paths of destruction, and presently constitute the greatest threat to the
continued existence of humanity, which that humanity has ever faced..
With the failure of government, religion and science to
provide the unifying factor, thinking people in all parts of the world have
come to the realization of the desperate need for a common denominator. To
millions of people, in all parts of the globe, the advent of spacecraft,
controlled by intelligent beings not of this earth, has become that link. Since
neither the craft nor their operators are indigenous to earth, the study and
appreciation of them is not hindered or inhibited by the barriers of
nationality, creed or colour which work so much havoc with all attempts to
rally around an earthly cause or goal.
It has become apparent that the beings who are so frequently
ob-serving us from our stratosphere, and occasionally landing upon our surface,
have achieved a considerably higher degree of progress than we, in all phases
of material, social and spiritual development. It has also become apparent that
these beings or their ancestors have been paying us occasional visits over a
period of time which extends as far back as our written history can trace, and
even into the legends which precede our written history. The fact that, as a
race, we have remained unaware of these visitations is evidence of the
tremendous conceit of the human ego, which persistently ignores and denies any
evidence which would tend to place it in a secondary position in the universe.
We have been trained from birth to believe that we, as earthman, are the
supreme products of this universe.
Earthly Explanations
Most of us subscribe to the great central power and
intelligence, wisdom and love which we call God, but we like to believe that we
come next. It is true that if we say that we come next after God, we must admit
that we run a very poor second. Nevertheless, it is exceedingly difficult for
us to make room in our consciousness for other races which may have achieved a
somewhat higher degree of development than we. And so, throughout the centuries,
whenever evidence of a visitation by superior races has come to our attention,
we have always sought means of escape from the conclusion toward which this
evidence has led. We have created "earthly explanations." Usually
they were not very good explanations, because it was necessary to ignore, deny
or distort much of the observed data, in order to make the
"explanation" fit. We have taken refuge in sophistry. We have
employed ridicule. We have taken any conceivable course of thought or action
which would enable us to escape from the realization that we were not alone in
the universe, and were by no means supreme.
Now the situation is changing. While earthman has not yet
reached a level of intelligence which will permit him to solve his basic
problems, he is rapidly being forced to the realization that he needs help.
Since his understanding of God is not yet sufficient to fill his needs. he
requires the advice and assistance of other physical beings who have long since
solved the problems with which we are now struggling. When earthman reaches
this realization, his eyes are opened and he becomes aware of sources of
assistance which have long been available to anyone who is able to recognize
their existence. Once he becomes aware, it is obvious that he can never again
be unaware, and so the progress is all in one direction. The rate of growth of
this awareness is such that within a few more years the knowledge should become
as general as the size of the earth, or the distance to the moon. Then, and
then only, may we begin to utilize to its fullest extent the great assistance
which we have been offered, and then only may the earthman achieve his rightful
place as a citizen of the universe.
(The above article was first. written for the "Flying
Saucer Review" of England, and was printed in their July-August issue.
However, since the article concerns Saucers Groups all over the world, it is
felt that it should receive the widest possible distribution. All other
publications are invited to copy this article if their editors feel that it
might be of interest to their readers.)
♦ ♦ ♦
(Written after my 1,000 mile pilgrimage through California.)
DEAR FRIENDS OF PEACE:
During the winter season of 1959 I walked a 1,000 mile
pilgrimage through California. I walked in an oval from Los Angeles to San
Francisco to Sacramento to San Diego to Los Angeles. I also visited many
places off my walking route. Below is an article I wrote as I walked out of San
Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge. Musing beside an old fort, I
wondered what it would say to the people of the world if it could speak.
4
AN OLD FORT SPEAKS
When I was built much time and money was spent on me,
because it was thought that I would defend the city against all invaders. Now I
stand forlorn, since it does not require great wisdom to recognize that I am
obsolete. But I am not the only material defense which is obsolete. Even the
most modern of them are obsolete now, although you in your fear and your
bewilderment still cling to them. But while in your immaturity you lavish your
time and your treasure upon them, you know in your hearts that they cannot
defend you against anything. You know that you stand, seemingly defenseless,
facing a new age, while the nuclear bomb says to you, "Make peace or
perish!" But are you really defenseless because all material defenses have
crumbled as they were bound to crumble? Have you forgotten the defense which
cannot crumble, the defense which lies in obedience to a higher law? Down
through the ages your best teachings and your best selves have been telling you
that evil can only be overcome by good, and experience has shown that if you
want to make friends you must be friendly. When will you have wisdom enough to
forsake the path to annihilation and turn to the defense which is timeless and
ageless and changeless? People of earth, the decision is before you'. You can
still choose life, but you must choose quickly!
VARIETY IN CALIFORNIA
It is a joy to walk through California in the
winter-through the warm sunshine of an irrigated desert, atop a cliff
overlooking the blue Pacific or along a beach, through orchards and vineyards
and nut groves and cultivated fields, over scenic mountain passes. California’s
mountains are majestic and lofty and often snow-capped, so if you wish you can
ski in the morning and come down to the ocean for a swim in the afternoon. In Southern
California trees seem sparse, although palm trees line the city streets,
eucalyptus trees line the desert highways, there are live oaks on the hills,
cottonwoods in the arroyos and graceful pepper trees near the houses. Northern
California, with its massive redwoods, seems to be a land of trees. Just about
anything can be grown in California, from citrus fruit and tropical dates to
apples and vegetables that are usually grown in the north. California is a land
where seasons are not very pronounced--far in stance, in San Diego, sometimes
called the City o` Eternal Spring, it is always warm in the daytime and cold
enough for a coat or a blanket at night. In this seasonless land flowers often
disregard the proper blooming time. It is not uncommon to see chrysanthemums,
poinsettias and jonquils blooming happily with geraniums, petunias and other
summer flowers. In some sections no house is complete without a garden, and
there are flowers everywhere. About April the desert comes to life, and blooms
with a profusion and a beauty that defies description.
NEW CALIFORNIA
When you realize that California's chain of missions was
started nearly two hundred years ago, the state does not seem very new, but
actually most of the growth is new and most of the people are new Californians.
The pioneer spirit still survives sufficiently to make new things welcome, so
many interesting new things have established them-selves in the Golden State.
Some seem quite worthwhile-others seem transient. Since it is in the process of
rapid new growth, California faces some new problems. Most acute among them is
the smog problem, which is centered in the Los Angeles area. At times I
encountered smog so thick I could not see across the street and so irritating
to my eyes that tears ran down my cheeks. Probably all industry in this area
will need to be muzzled with smoke consumers or moved, all home heaters that
send smoke into the air will need to be changed, and even cars will need to be
equipped with devices to eliminate fumes. California’s southern seacoast is
worth reclaiming-it could be an earthly paradise. When I arrived in Los Angeles,
at the end of the Nevada nuclear tests, radioactivity was also a problem,
having risen to more than 200% of what a human being can tolerate for an
extended period of time. The Mayor of Los Angeles was phoning the President
about this while the testers were trying to get the deadline extended. This
indeed a new age problem, and one which may have devastating effects.
LETTERS TO CONGRESSMEN
In answer to numerous inquiries, I would like to say that
I do believe in writing letters to Congressmen, and below is a letter I
recently sent to my Congressmen
I have never met a modern military man who did not realize
that 6
military victory is a concept which became obsolete with
the coming of the nuclear age, and most civilians realize this also. We now
face the problem of eliminating physical violence in this immature world where
psychological violence still exists. If we who conquered the atom by applying
scientific principles cannot create a peaceful world situation by applying
psychological principles we will all perish together.
Congressmen in this crisis period have a great
responsibility, for they cannot avoid making momentous decisions. They can make
choices that surviving remnants will condemn them for or choices that
flourishing future generations will extol them for. May they prove equal to the
new age!
The new age demands higher value:. These who spoke of
peace were once called idealists, but in this nuclear age the idealists have
become the only realists. We have always thought of ourselves as having high
ideals. Let us apply some of them in this crisis situation and lead mankind
away from annihilation toward a golden age of peace.
Let us end the draft, inform other nations of our action,
and ask them to do likewise.
Let us establish a Peace Department to do extensive
research on peaceful ways of resolving conflicts, inform other nations of our
action, and ask them to do likewise.
Yes, let us prepare for peace! With the instinct of
self-preservation pushing strongly in that direction, it may break out at any
time and find us totally unprepared!
THE CHOICE IS OURS
We are living in a crisis period. We who are living in the
world today must make a choice between a nuclear war of annihilation and a
golden age of peace. Those who do nothing are choosing war-in which direction
the tide of world affairs is strongly drifting. Those who do some-thing
meaningful for peace become a part of the stirring and awakening in that
direction and help to accelerate it. We cannot stay where we are, and as to
which way we go---the choice is ours!
COMMEND THE GOOD
May I suggest a peace project which everyone can undertake.
When-ever you learn that someone has done something on the good side, commend
him and give him moral support. This applies to those around 7
you, of course, but it also applies to those in your
government and in the United Nations. All not-good things are transient
things-containing within themselves the seeds of their own destruction. They
will fade away if the good is strengthened, so let's commend the good and
strengthen it!
Best love and best
wishes,
PEACE PILGRIM, Cologne,
N. J.
♦ ♦ ♦
THE SONG OF LIFE
Into an ocean of limpid beams.
God is the flower-the scent of
the rose.
God is the wind and the trees.
God is the river, as it. gently
flows,
God is the valley-and the
rain.
The sand. The sea and the
foam.
God is the mountain--and the
plain.
God is all things and home.
God is the heart of the kind,
The light in the eyes of the
pure.
God is Love. Enshrined,
With-silence-as the core.
These things I interpret as I
meagerly can,
As the Christ who lives.
Yet I know nothing-except I
am,
And most of all GOD IS.
From the unpublished
works of
Beverly Catherine
Brown
April 8, 1958
9
by Cleve Twitchell
UNDERSTANDING'S International Headquarters Office has
opened at 313 E. Orange Grove Avenue in Pasadena, California.
The office, which includes an attractive window display,
flying saucer and metaphysical books, reading room and headquarters office,
opened to the public on Saturday, September 19, 1959.
The following day, officers of all the Soul hero California
Understanding Units and other dignitaries in the field gathered for a cornmemorative
reception.
The office was ten weeks in forming, two weeks hard labor
in getting the building ready, the other eight in equally hard brain and
procedures work.
The story began on Sunday. July 12 at the Amalgamated
Flying Saucer Clubs of America convention at the Statler-Hilton Hotel in Los
Angeles.
In the late afternoon, Hope Troxell, president of the
Pasadena Unit of Understanding experienced a personal contact with a higher
being, several of whom had been at. the convention earlier, who gave rapid
instruction for the benefit of Understanding and man's development in the
world.
He said, "Understanding must grow in the world - and
grow fast... Man must work with man - and groups must work with groups - that
nations shall work with nations - that the world shall learn to work with and
return to the cosmic system."
There followed ten minutes of more detailed instruction,
with emphasis throughout on the importance of TOGETHERNESS and the assertion
that Pasadena could become the hub of the wheel.
From that day. working together, members of the Pasadena
Unit aided by volunteers from other Units put the message into fact.
Mrs. Troxell spent the first three nights pacing the floor
of her home. The first problems were to train a nucleus staff and find an
office for them to work in. The overwhelming volume of mail pouring in to
Understanding and Dan Fry had produced a large accumulation of un-answered
letters. These needed an answer as soon as possible.
The staff was quickly gathered from volunteers. They
drilled for two weeks at Mrs. Troxell's house on evenings and Saturdays. Mail
began to get answered.
The selection of an office also was progressing, but the
first few possibilities all had something not quite right about them - too high
a rent, difficult landlord. not easily accessible, etc.
On the afternoon of Thursday, August 20, as the deadline
was approaching when a decision had to be made, Mrs. Troxell received a
telepathic impression that a place would very shortly be found, close to the
downtown area of Pasadena, for less rent than any of the other choices and
available immediately.
Later the same day she was referred by a friend to a
stationery store and print shop at 317 E. Orange Grove Avenue where one might
obtain stationery supplies at a reasonable price.
The curb in front of 317 E. Orange Grove is a no-parking
zone. And so when Mrs. Troxell appeared the following day she had to park a
little farther down the street - in front of 313 E. Orange Grove.
It was not until she returned to her car, after finding
the print shop much to her liking, that she noticed the FOR RENT sign in the
window of 313 E. Orange Grove.
The location was close to downtown. A telephone call
determined that its rent was lower than any other previously found and that it
was available for immediate occupancy.
A crew of volunteers led by Pasadena Unit members built
tables and shelves, painted walls and the floor and put the office into shape. Orfeo
Angelucci did the brick work in front.
The first sight that greets the eye upon approaching the
office is a large blue and white sign that reads INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
with an Understanding insignia. Below this is another sign that reads
UNDERSTANDING. The show window is filled with saucer books imaginatively
arranged on a deep blue cloth.
As one moves through the front door, one enters a reading
room of contemporary furnishings. A reading table; two lounge chairs and a
sales table with the Martian Cross at its ends complete this front room.
Behind the reading room is the working section of the
office. Desks are laid out around the room with small placards above each
designating the capacity of that department. Around the wall they 'read: Mail
10
Gabriel Green, Orfeo Angelucci, Hope Troxell,
Cleve Twichell and Marke Norman.
HOPE TROXELL
In the Reading Room
Joe Ennis & Chuck Hardiman
Members of our efficient
Pasadena Office Staff.
11
Opening; Receipt Desk; Memberships; Recording and Sorting;
Book Orders and Shipping; Outgoing Mail; File Cards and Letters; Assistant
Editor, typing, answering; Form Letters and Forwarding; and The Executive Desk.
Hours are 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. Monday through Saturday, plus
Tuesday and Friday evenings from 7:30 to 9:30 P.M.
Public acceptance of the office and reading room has been
good. 200 press releases were sent out prior to the opening to newspapers,
radio and TV stations announcing the event. The opening was covered by both Pasadena
newspapers, several other papers in outlying areas and many radio and TV plugs.
Perhaps the most interesting result during the first week
of operation was the receipt of a piece of mail addressed to "Flying
Saucer Interested Organization (I don't know the name or address), Chamber of
Commerce, Pasadena, California." It had been air mailed from Wilmington. North
Carolina.
This piece of mail arrived at our office in a Pasadena
Chamber of Commerce envelope, which in turn had been addressed to
"International Headquarters for Understanding, 313 East Orange Grove,
Pasadena, California."
♦ ♦ ♦
VENUS
On Tuesday, 7th July at 3.20 p.m., BST., Venus occluded
the bright star Regulus. This was the first time that a planet has come between
a bright star and the Earth since the telescope was invented and astronomers in
many parts of the world would be observing the event. If successful
observations of the occultation in our Southern hemisphere were possible then a
more accurate figure for the planet's diameter may have been obtained. Perhaps
more interesting from a Ufological point of view is the fact that an analysis
of the light from Regulus as it passes through the atmosphere of Venus may give
scientists valuable information on the composition of the Venusian atmosphere.
The main observation point was Madrid observatory.
Uranus, Vol. 6.
No. 1
12
Being a discourse on New Age Philosophy as released by our
'Elder Brothers' operative from a higher dimension of Cosmic Consciousness via Telethought.
By Rev. MARKE A. NORMAN, M.A.
PART ONE
INTRODUCTION
In our previous series we were treated to certain
information concerning life upon another planet within our galaxy-which
contained basic spiritual and philosophical truisms relative to present and New
Age standards of Understanding. Such were released through the instrumentality
of one ANTRIM of the planet GATO, under the title of "MANY SHALL BE
CALLED." Therein we were given ideals with which we were to concern
ourselves, if we would aspire to become citizens of the New Age.
In this present series we are to learn of the economic, educational,
social and spiritual standards necessary- for New Age preparedness. It is
generally accepted among 'Saucerites,' that when the time approaches for this
planet's cleansing, all those believing in Flying Saucers will be taken up by
space craft to another planet, or offered security in space until such time as
the earth is made ready again for occupancy. Nothing can be farther from the
truth. Whilst it is true that certain advanced individuals. who amongst those
selected as worthy of recognition will be `gathered together' and removed to a
place of safety, the requirements for such recognition entail serious
individual consideration, study and preparedness. As the Great Master explained
it. "Nat everyone who cries, `Lord, Lord,' shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven."
Neither shall it be that everyone who professes belief in Spacecraft shall be
saved. There is no such thing as something for nothing, either on this plane-or
any other. Such recognition and security must be earned, for, 'one cannot take
out what one has not put in.' Thus the keynote is 'SERVICE TO HUMANITY' and
those who aspire to responsibility. As a New Age citizen must be of those so
prepared and educated for such responsibility. Hence the theme: MANY SHALL BE
CALLED, but only a few can be chosen. We are now given a respite that we might
qualify for position amongst the 'CHOSEN ONES.' There is work to be done. We
must 'prove' our worthiness by action. Our job now is to spread the 'truth'
abroad to all who listen, and to offer selves as instruments for service in our
Father's vineyard. Lip service alone is not good enough. We must give of our
time and our energy to the furtherance of the PLAN OF THE AGES, which is the
establishment of HIS Kingdom, based on the "FATHERHOOD OF GOD, THE MOTHERHOOD
OF NATURE and THE BROTHERHOOD OF MAN.' This is the triune principal of
spiritual development as symbolized by the TRIANGLE within the Circle. Our
space brothers desire that we give much of our spare time towards this
development so that we may arrive at a better Understanding, not only of
ourselves, but also of others with whom we live, move and have our being.
It would be impossible to erect a new civilization based
on present standards of social and economic principles. Therefore an entirely
new social structure has to be erected before anyone can participate in New Age
enterprise. This will not be based on 'POLITICAL ASPIRATIONS or 'PARTY INCLINATION,'
but securely established on , platform of SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING. Hence the
New Age Philosophy introduced by our 'Elder Brothers' of space will afford such
prepared-ness to anyone desirous of seeking citizenship in the new
civilization. Therefore an opportunity- is now offered all those so inclined.
Through the pages of this magazine will be offered various portals of
enlightenment, inspired and dedicated to mankind, that those privileged to
participate will find that encouragement and incentive they are seeking.
"Seek and ye shall find," is more than a
premise. It is a simple statement of the MASTER whose knowledge of 'Cosmic Law'
impart= to us inspiration for further investigation into its operations. Those
who are selected for positions of responsibility- and authority in the New Age
will be individuals who have reached a Universal Under-standing of Cosmic Law,
and who hold the highest office in its administration. Service is the keynote
of New Age policies, and by this is meant, service to others. We are therefore
now undergoing a period of preparedness that we might be tested as to our
sincerity, our willing-ness to cooperate in the Great Plan of the Ages.
"Understanding," with its many Units of
coordinated activities offers one unified classroom of study. Its information
will be practical, scientific, intellectual and academic-covering every avenue
of advanced study and knowledge, not only concerning SPACE CRAFT from other
planes, but revelations concerning our own planet 'Earth' and its future unfoldment.
To YOU who read these lines may the GREAT ONES inspire you
to immediate action, that you may enthusiastically employ your spare time in
concerted participation in the service of 'UNDERSTANDING,' an international and
interplanetary organization, operative under the principle of 'FATHERHOOD OF
GOD,' 'MOTHERHOOD OF NATURE' and 'THE BROTHERHOOD OF MAN.' And-so-it-is. OM.
To Be Continued
♦ ♦ ♦
UNDERSTANDING OF NUTRITION
By FRA PRUDENTIA
"In one tremendous shattering burst, the night sky
was split by the spectacular, unheralded arrival of the first of a fleet of
sleek space craft from a distant planet-and a new era was born!" That's
the way the headline story in the leading newspapers around the country might
read at any time, now.
The attention of people all around the country and the
world will be turned to the immediate problems concerned with playing host to
visitors whose strangeness to us is now virtually indescribable. The
in-formation which you have been receiving in this publication will then be
sought by people with a desperate, frantic craving. But their interest will come
too late to enable them to cope with the imminent problems at hand.
Those who have made a serious study of the factors
required to communicate, present and absorb knowledge, and relate and convert
this information into useable, practical solutions to our existing problems,
will be the only ones capable of. handling this situation.
In previous articles in this series, subjects covered
included the semantics of Positive Thinking, understanding metaphysics,
universal understanding, and others related to the overall project of preparing
the individual for a life apart from the humdrum, monotonous, dull existence
experienced by humans through past centuries.
It is felt that anyone aware of the problems which we now
face will understand the urgency of taking the necessary steps in order to be
prepared when the inevitable events start to occur.
When the purpose of this series of articles is clear, it
becomes readily apparent that certain important subjects are absolutely
essential for advancement and development. As an invaluable aid in assisting
the serious student who desires to get ahead in this exciting new field, the
textbook "THE POSITIVE WAY TO PRACTICAL RESULTS" by FRA PRUDENTIA is
being made available. Acquiring the rudiments of the fundamental understanding
of the basic workings of the universe, is most important and this textbook is
designed to help the student grasp this complex subject.
Consistent with the logical sequence of subjects to be
considered at this time is the study of the basic meaning of nutrition. In the
strictly technical sense, nutrition is the act or process of nourishing or
being nourished, and to nourish is to furnish or sustain with that which
provides life and development.
The basic concept of nutrition should include
acknowledgment of the fundamental actions involved. A serious consideration of
these basic actions leads to the understanding of the general requirements of
nutrition itself. It is then realized that this is a process of acquiring that
which will stimulate and promote growth and development.
Having arrived at this general definition, it then becomes
obvious that this process can be applied to both physical and intellectual
considerations. More specifically, the process of nutrition can be applied to
the acquisition of knowledge and understanding.
These two subjects are not as distantly related as it
might seem at first consideration. For example, we have all heard the
expression "food for thought." In fact, we have hand it so many times
that it has practically lost all semblance of true meaning. (Refer back to the
article on semantics and thought processes.) But actually, the phrase
undoubtedly originally referred to the material which was presented for
intellectual assimilation, as "food," and the underlying process which
was present but never mentioned was that of nutrition.
The very fact that nutrition appears to be such an easily
understood process is indication that it demands careful consideration. It
would be too easy to slip over this. important process without fully
under-standing its universal elements.
The average person living on earth today can slip through
his whole life without ever really understanding any of the processes which
affect him. When things "go wrong" due to his lack of understanding,
he assumes it was bad luck or the act of some imaginary demon.
However, when beings from other planets, who are
sufficiently intelligent to design and construct space craft which will travel
millions of miles through the uncharted emptiness of the universe, arrive here
on earth, they will most likely- insist upon establishing communication only
with those humans who are capable of embracing universal rather than
restrictive thoughts.
Therefore, those who plan to be among the few selected to
participate in this important work must be fully acquainted with the basic
concepts of our universe, and Positive Thinking provides a means of
assimilating these concepts without becoming entangled in the loose snarls of
ordinary human thought. The effort required to learn in a direct, straight
forward system of study- is energy and time well spent, but time devoted to
following in the confusing circles of common human errors, is wasted and can
never be replaced.
Scientifically, nutrition is a process which has
essentially three distinct parts. They are (1) Finding or procuring the vital
material which will promote growth and development, either physical or
intellectual, (2) Assimilating this material, and (3) Using this material.
Step number 1, namely- finding the material required, is
so universal that it is applicable to the simplest one-celled amoeba seeking
sustenance to survive, as well as to the most advanced intellectual being in
the entire universe-one probably abiding on some distant planet.
Each human being desiring to continue to survive in the
days ahead must take the initiative to seek his own material, whether it be
physical nutrients (and they are extremely important) or comprehension
nutrients. Hope can be expressed that individuals will perform this service for
themselves, but in the final analysis, the actual step must be taken by the
person himself.
The second step, namely that of assimilation is important
because simply being exposed to nutrients does not mean that they are taken in
or become a part of the structure of the being.
The third and final step consists of using the material.
After the first two steps have been successfully accomplished, the material
must be used for some constructive purpose. Constructive use will be discussed
more fully in forthcoming articles.
The next article in this series will present the facts
pertinent to the subject "Understanding Reveals the Mechanics of Positive
Thinking."
All Rights Reserved
♦ ♦ ♦
(From "Yoga- Vasishtha,"
by Dr. B. L. Atreya)
Destiny is nothing but what inevitably happens as the good
or bad result of our efforts already put forth.
The attainment of the fruits of our labors is destined,
and so it is termed "destiny."
Actions previously done with will and determination and
now ready to fructify are our destiny.
Expressions such as "It shall be so" and
"It is thus determined," in cases where the results of our efforts
are completely and surely predictable, have given rise to the conception of
destiny.
Ignorant people have, on the basis of such expressions,
come to believe in the reality of fate as a self-subsisting entity, in the same
way as one perceives a snake in a rope where there is none.
The real fact it that there is no other destiny than our
past efforts, fructifying now in good or bad results.
As one endeavors, so one achieves.
He is a great fool undoubtedly, who relies on fate, or
believes that God will throw him capriciously in hell or heaven.
He who believes that there is some other agency which is
compelling him to think evil thoughts and to do undesirable acts, and, so,
gives up his own effort, which is so palpable, is a very wretched man.
There is none among the brave, the successful, the learned
and the wise, who ever waits for destiny.
is
They who always depend on fate, lose all their merit,
wealth and enjoyments. They are, in fact, their own enemies.
The fools who believe that everything is in the hands of
destiny are utterly ruined.
There is no other way to bring about the end of all misery
than one's own effort.
There is hardly anything in existence which is not
attainable through right and earnest effort.
If anybody aspires for anything and proceeds to attempt to
achieve it, he shall have it, provided that he does not retrace his steps back
on his way.
Through effort alone the wise always come out of dangerous
situations, and not through the absurd belief in destiny.
One gets only what he has striven for; nothing is ever
achieved by sitting idly.
Everyone is one's own friend or enemy; if one does not,
save oneself, there is no other to save one.
One should, therefore, learn to be active along the right
direction. The hypothesis of fate is unwarranted, for everywhere we see that
activity alone brings about results, and where activity is absent, as in the
case of a corpse, no agency of fate is ever observed to produce anything.
Fate does not do anything; it exists only in imagination.
Apart from being a consolatory contrivance, destiny has no
reality of its own.
The efforts already made in some direction (now our
destiny) and efforts now being made in a contrary direction oppose each other
like two contesting rams; and those (efforts) which are stronger will surely
vanquish the others.
One should, therefore, set to overcome his undesirable
destiny by having recourse to greater effort with unflinching and strong
determination.
There is hardly any doubt that the evils which are the
legacy of the past, can be absolutely destroyed by efforts in the living
present.
--Reprint from
"Divine Life"
Dr. Atreya's "Philosophy of Yoga-Vasishtha.")
(For a detailed study on the subject, please refer to
19
(Reprinted from
"THE VOICE"
No. 5 IRAQ
Sir, I'm a student of 18, attending secondary school for
commerce and also a P.O. mechanic. My hobbies are music, sports, stamp and card
collecting, travel and pen friends. I live in the capital city of Baghdad. Like
my fellow countrymen, I'm very anxious to have friendship with all nations and
build the foundations of a sure and lasting peace, based upon freedom and
friendship.
I pledge myself to help in any way possible these ideals.
I can correspond in English, French, Arabic. Russian and Turkish languages.
Harbi M. Altai.
Mechanic Telegraph, G.P.O.
Central Office, Baghdad, Iraq.
No. 6 INDONESIA
Sir-I read "The Voice" through a copy sent to a
friend, and found it contained much to stimulate interest-especially the Young
People's page and the many significant ideas presented within the newspaper as
a whole.
I am a student, aged 21 years-in Gadjah Mada University
and studying commerce and economics and am anxious to correspond with young
people throughout the world.
Hardiman
Dr. Soetomo GKG/86, Jogjakarta,
Indonesia.
♦ ♦ ♦
UNDERSTANDING
If you can get the picture of all persons striving in
their own Way, often without light, to get along in this world, you will have
more sympathy for those who stumble, those who complain. You will have more
love for the one you need to help if you see that his misdeeds, his
selfishness, and his unkindness come because he is working without proper light
or understanding.
-Frank B. Whitney
20
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