At the Feet At the Feet of the Masterof the Master

A sharing of thoughtsA sharing of thoughts

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Quezon CityQuezon City

J. KrishnamurtiJ. Krishnamurti

““These are not my These are not my words; they are the words; they are the words of the Master words of the Master

who taught me. who taught me. Without Him I could Without Him I could have done nothing, have done nothing,

but through His but through His help I have set my help I have set my

feet upon the Path.” feet upon the Path.” - Alcyone - Alcyone

““When the student is ready, the When the student is ready, the Master appears.”Master appears.”

Not by goodness alone. Not by goodness alone.

Not by knowledge alone. Not by knowledge alone.

Not even a combination of these two. Not even a combination of these two.

But a “spiritual tone, But a “spiritual tone,

an element of wisdom or an element of wisdom or

a true understanding of the purpose of life a true understanding of the purpose of life

and an acceptance of Elder Brethren and an acceptance of Elder Brethren

as Guides and Teachers” (Arundale 18-19).as Guides and Teachers” (Arundale 18-19).

At the Feet of the Master At the Feet of the Master

serves as a guide to those serves as a guide to those

who are willing to take the Path. who are willing to take the Path.

As students, we stand at the feet of the As students, we stand at the feet of the Master Master

to gain wisdom, will and cultivate love to gain wisdom, will and cultivate love

not for ourselves but to be used not for ourselves but to be used

as “channels” of service (Arundale 205).as “channels” of service (Arundale 205).

At the Feet of the MasterAt the Feet of the Master, which is just a , which is just a Portal to the Temple of Divine Portal to the Temple of Divine Wisdom, outlines four traits or Wisdom, outlines four traits or

qualifications:qualifications:

11 DiscriminationDiscrimination

22 DesirelessnessDesirelessness

33 Good conductGood conduct

44 LoveLove

DiscriminationDiscriminationWe must be able to sift We must be able to sift the fine from the gross. the fine from the gross.

Let us not be lazy to use Let us not be lazy to use our faculties and our faculties and

conveniently designate conveniently designate the act of discerning to the act of discerning to

any body, and be any body, and be impatient to the impatient to the answers to our answers to our

questioning. Recognize questioning. Recognize the real from the the real from the

unreal, essential from unreal, essential from the nonessential.the nonessential.

““Ignorance is not a Ignorance is not a crime but a stage of crime but a stage of growth” (Arundale growth” (Arundale 30).30).

Ignorance is a state of Ignorance is a state of being asleep or blind.being asleep or blind.

““All knowledge is All knowledge is relative, and you must relative, and you must bear in mind the bear in mind the Master’s words: Master’s words: ‘However wise you ‘However wise you may be already, on may be already, on this Path you have this Path you have much to learn’” much to learn’” (Arundale 30).(Arundale 30).

““Do not mistake your bodies for Do not mistake your bodies for yourself—neither the physical body, yourself—neither the physical body, nor the astral, nor the mental. Each nor the astral, nor the mental. Each one of them will pretend to be the one of them will pretend to be the Self, in order to gain what it wants. Self, in order to gain what it wants. But you must know them all, and But you must know them all, and know yourself as their master” (know yourself as their master” (At At the Feet of the Masterthe Feet of the Master).).

Be aware of the trappings, illusions and Be aware of the trappings, illusions and pretenses of the personality.pretenses of the personality.

Example:Example:The actor (higher self) in the movies puts on the The actor (higher self) in the movies puts on the

persona (lower self) of the character he plays, but persona (lower self) of the character he plays, but he knows that he is just a character. But because he knows that he is just a character. But because the actor is good, he is able to use his skills to the actor is good, he is able to use his skills to make the character come alive (self-mastery). make the character come alive (self-mastery). The actor remains separate from the character. The actor remains separate from the character.

For the Occultist, there is only choiceless For the Occultist, there is only choiceless choice. Between right and wrong, good and choice. Between right and wrong, good and evil, there is no choosing. He simply does the evil, there is no choosing. He simply does the right and the good.right and the good.

““At whatever apparent cost, that which is right At whatever apparent cost, that which is right you must do, that which is wrong you must you must do, that which is wrong you must not do, no matter what the ignorant may not do, no matter what the ignorant may think or say. You must study deeply the think or say. You must study deeply the hidden laws of Nature, and when you know hidden laws of Nature, and when you know them arrange your life according to them, them arrange your life according to them, using always reason and common-sense.” using always reason and common-sense.”

Discrimination: Practical Discrimination: Practical ApplicationApplication

PhysicalPhysical: stewardship of the body so it will : stewardship of the body so it will always be healthy and ready to carry out always be healthy and ready to carry out duties (e.g., Am I hungry or just thirsty?)duties (e.g., Am I hungry or just thirsty?)

AstralAstral: distinguish want from need, be aware : distinguish want from need, be aware of feelings that arise in you and how they of feelings that arise in you and how they can take control of you (e.g., I feel insulted. can take control of you (e.g., I feel insulted. Why?)Why?)

MentalMental: discern things with the Master and : discern things with the Master and his work in mind (e.g., What will I tell them? his work in mind (e.g., What will I tell them? Is this according to the Master’s plan? OR, Is Is this according to the Master’s plan? OR, Is this a right choice?)this a right choice?)

On a spiritual levelOn a spiritual level: :

Recognize the God in every one and Recognize the God in every one and every thing, regardless of every thing, regardless of

appearances. appearances.

Appeal and arouse the Divine Life Appeal and arouse the Divine Life

in every one so you can help your in every one so you can help your brother brother

and save him from wrong (and save him from wrong (At the Feet At the Feet of the Masterof the Master).).

DesirelessnessDesirelessness

““[Krishnamurti says] those who think [Krishnamurti says] those who think there will be no self left if their desires there will be no self left if their desires are taken away ‘are only they who have are taken away ‘are only they who have not seen the Master; in the light of His not seen the Master; in the light of His holy Presence all desire dies, but the holy Presence all desire dies, but the

desire to be like Him’” (Arundale 114). desire to be like Him’” (Arundale 114).

““Master points out that ‘discrimination has Master points out that ‘discrimination has already shown you that the things which already shown you that the things which most men desire, such as wealth and most men desire, such as wealth and power, are not worth having; when this is power, are not worth having; when this is really felt, not merely said, all desire for really felt, not merely said, all desire for them ceases’” (Arundale 115).them ceases’” (Arundale 115).

In order to come to right desires, In order to come to right desires, strengthen the power of discrimination strengthen the power of discrimination (Arundale 117). (Arundale 117).

Be on guard against the following Be on guard against the following desires:desires:

To see resultsTo see results To expect rewardsTo expect rewards To have psychic powers (“Better for To have psychic powers (“Better for

you to be without them.” It is for the you to be without them.” It is for the Master to decide.)Master to decide.)

To appear clever and wiseTo appear clever and wise To meddle in other people’s businessTo meddle in other people’s business

““Do not fall into the error of desiring Do not fall into the error of desiring heaven, or personal liberation from heaven, or personal liberation from rebirth. ‘If you have forgotten self rebirth. ‘If you have forgotten self altogether, you cannot be thinking when altogether, you cannot be thinking when that self shall be set free, or what kind of that self shall be set free, or what kind of heaven it shall have’” (Arundale 118).heaven it shall have’” (Arundale 118).

““All selfish desire binds, however high may All selfish desire binds, however high may be its object, and until you have got rid of be its object, and until you have got rid of it you are not wholly free to devote it you are not wholly free to devote yourself to the work of the Master” yourself to the work of the Master” (Arundale 118). (Arundale 118).

Good ConductGood Conduct

1.1. Self-control as to the MindSelf-control as to the Mind

2.2. Self-control in ActionSelf-control in Action

3.3. ToleranceTolerance

4.4. CheerfulnessCheerfulness

5.5. One-pointednessOne-pointedness

6.6. ConfidenceConfidence

Self-control as to the Self-control as to the MindMind

Control of temper and of nerves, Control of temper and of nerves,

and calmness of mindand calmness of mind

““An agitated thought inevitably reacts on An agitated thought inevitably reacts on the astral body, and, since the mental the astral body, and, since the mental body is more powerful than the astral, body is more powerful than the astral, the effect of a disturbed mental body is the effect of a disturbed mental body is largely to increase the disturbance of largely to increase the disturbance of

the astral” (Arundale 135). the astral” (Arundale 135).

““The world is in a whirl of excitement, The world is in a whirl of excitement, [despair, anxiety] and unless one has [despair, anxiety] and unless one has sufficient power to steady oneself against sufficient power to steady oneself against the whirling forces, one hardly knows the whirling forces, one hardly knows whether [these are] from within or from whether [these are] from within or from without” (Arundale 136).without” (Arundale 136).

That is why we are advised to meditate: to That is why we are advised to meditate: to quiet and calm the mental and the astral quiet and calm the mental and the astral bodies. bodies.

Calmness also means courage and Calmness also means courage and steadiness. steadiness.

Pay little attention to worries and Pay little attention to worries and troubles for they are the result of our troubles for they are the result of our past and we cannot do anything about past and we cannot do anything about them, but bear them with cheerfulness.them, but bear them with cheerfulness.

Do not let your mind be idle and to Do not let your mind be idle and to wander. Keep to good thoughts.wander. Keep to good thoughts.

Practical ApplicationPractical Application

Think of someone in trouble and send Think of someone in trouble and send loving thoughts to that person.loving thoughts to that person.

Plan your day and follow your schedule.Plan your day and follow your schedule. Engage yourself fully to a task at hand. Engage yourself fully to a task at hand. Raise your thoughts to the highest you Raise your thoughts to the highest you

can think of, you may think about a can think of, you may think about a saint or a Master or a virtue. And make saint or a Master or a virtue. And make this thought a habit.this thought a habit.

Self-control in Action Self-control in Action

““To be useful to mankind, thought To be useful to mankind, thought must result in action. There must be must result in action. There must be no laziness, but constant activity in no laziness, but constant activity in good work.”good work.”

Let us take up our own work with Let us take up our own work with much eagerness and cheerfulness much eagerness and cheerfulness because we are at the service of the because we are at the service of the Master. Master.

Even if we are engaged in ‘higher work’, Even if we are engaged in ‘higher work’, we must not neglect our ordinary we must not neglect our ordinary duties every day through which we will duties every day through which we will progress in the Path.progress in the Path.

““Until the ordinary duties of life are Until the ordinary duties of life are done, we are not free for other service. done, we are not free for other service. Notice that He uses the word ‘other’ Notice that He uses the word ‘other’ and not ‘higher’” (Arundale 148)and not ‘higher’” (Arundale 148)

Practical ApplicationPractical Application

Do little things extraordinarily well. Do little things extraordinarily well.

Give your best effort even in little Give your best effort even in little things.things.

It is not so much what is being done, It is not so much what is being done,

but more of how and the spirit but more of how and the spirit

with which it is being done.with which it is being done.

““The man who manages the affairs of The man who manages the affairs of State lazily and carelessly has much State lazily and carelessly has much to learn from the crossing-sweeper to learn from the crossing-sweeper who is careful to keep in the utmost who is careful to keep in the utmost cleanliness the crossing upon whose cleanliness the crossing upon whose

cleanliness his attention is cleanliness his attention is concentrated” (Arundale 151) concentrated” (Arundale 151)

ToleranceTolerance

“’“’When I was a child, I spake as a child, I When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man I put child; but when I became a man I put

away childish things.’ away childish things.’

Yet he who has forgotten his childhood and Yet he who has forgotten his childhood and

lost sympathy with the children is not the lost sympathy with the children is not the man who can teach them or help them. man who can teach them or help them.

So look kindly, gently, tolerantly upon all; So look kindly, gently, tolerantly upon all; but upon all alike, Buddhist or Hindu, Jain but upon all alike, Buddhist or Hindu, Jain

or Jew, Christian or Muhammadan.”or Jew, Christian or Muhammadan.”

Practical ApplicationPractical Application

Be adaptable to the changing of times.Be adaptable to the changing of times.This means that we should be well-This means that we should be well-

informed about things happening informed about things happening around us and be able to adapt to the around us and be able to adapt to the situation, and that we can recognize situation, and that we can recognize

the signs of the times.the signs of the times.

We must not be quick to judge other We must not be quick to judge other beliefs, other’s experiences, other beliefs, other’s experiences, other

religions, other persons.religions, other persons.

CheerfulnessCheerfulness

Let us bear our karma cheerfully and Let us bear our karma cheerfully and do our tasks gladly.do our tasks gladly.

There should be no feeling of There should be no feeling of possession or attachment. If there is, possession or attachment. If there is, be ready to part and stand on your be ready to part and stand on your own, and be a lamp unto thine own own, and be a lamp unto thine own self.self.

““The apparent drudgery of selfless The apparent drudgery of selfless service is due to ignorance. The great service is due to ignorance. The great principle of life is that nothing which principle of life is that nothing which is needed to be done has in it the is needed to be done has in it the essence of drudgery” (Arundale 149). essence of drudgery” (Arundale 149).

The fear of selfless service comes from The fear of selfless service comes from the lower self reacting to the the lower self reacting to the awakened higher self.awakened higher self.

One-pointednessOne-pointedness

This means being focused on what you This means being focused on what you have set out for yourself to do.have set out for yourself to do.

This also means that once you have This also means that once you have decided to set your feet on the Path, decided to set your feet on the Path, nothing should have you turn away nothing should have you turn away from it. “To break away from it would from it. “To break away from it would be to break away from yourself be to break away from yourself because you, the Monad, have decided because you, the Monad, have decided to enter the Path” (to enter the Path” (At the FeetAt the Feet).).

The Path is everywhere. The path is the The Path is everywhere. The path is the life with and for the Master so that life with and for the Master so that anywhere you are at anytime, every anywhere you are at anytime, every activity must link you to the Master activity must link you to the Master (Arundale 161-162).(Arundale 161-162).

Karma is always on our side, whether bad Karma is always on our side, whether bad or good, because every action is an or good, because every action is an opportunity to step to the ladder of opportunity to step to the ladder of perfection (Arundale 161-162).perfection (Arundale 161-162).

ConfidenceConfidenceIf you have seen and recognized the Master, If you have seen and recognized the Master,

your confidence will be as a rock (Arundale your confidence will be as a rock (Arundale 165).165).

Trust yourself and trust the Master so that Trust yourself and trust the Master so that perfect love and power can flow (perfect love and power can flow (At the FeetAt the Feet).).

Confidence here is used as will and Confidence here is used as will and determination. “’What man has done, man determination. “’What man has done, man can do. I am a man, yet also God in man; I can do. I am a man, yet also God in man; I can do this thing, and I will.’ For your will can do this thing, and I will.’ For your will must be like tempered steel, if you would must be like tempered steel, if you would tread the Path” (tread the Path” (At the FeetAt the Feet).).

Practical ApplicationPractical Application Trust in your abilities and skills (e.g., when you Trust in your abilities and skills (e.g., when you

are assigned a task, trust that your skills can are assigned a task, trust that your skills can complete it).complete it).

Trust your decisions (Whether, in the end, your Trust your decisions (Whether, in the end, your decision may prove to be wrong, trust that it will decision may prove to be wrong, trust that it will be right.)be right.)

Trust in the goodness of other people (God is in Trust in the goodness of other people (God is in them.)them.)

Trust that, in the end, everything will lead to Trust that, in the end, everything will lead to our perfection.our perfection.

This trust is shines the most in our independence.This trust is shines the most in our independence.

LoveLove

If the quality of love is strong enough If the quality of love is strong enough in a man, ‘it forces him to acquire all in a man, ‘it forces him to acquire all the rest, and all the rest without it the rest, and all the rest without it would never be sufficient’ (Arundale would never be sufficient’ (Arundale 171). 171).

If we must try to become like the If we must try to become like the Master, we must be filled with Master, we must be filled with selfless love as He himself is selfless.selfless love as He himself is selfless.

Practical ApplicationPractical Application

““Do not hurt.” Do not hurt.”

Three things that hurt: Three things that hurt:

gossip, cruelty, superstition.gossip, cruelty, superstition.

GossipGossipGossip are done in the absence of a Gossip are done in the absence of a person. When we gossip, we hurt the person. When we gossip, we hurt the person who cannot save himself from person who cannot save himself from the rumors spread about him. the rumors spread about him.

1. We fill the thoughts of person with 1. We fill the thoughts of person with negative things about another person.negative things about another person.

2. Your wicked tongue may strengthen the 2. Your wicked tongue may strengthen the evil in him or make him do the wrong evil in him or make him do the wrong you are thinking.you are thinking.

3. You fill your thoughts with negative 3. You fill your thoughts with negative things. things.

CrueltyCruelty

Both intentional and nonintentionalBoth intentional and nonintentional

This is why many have become vegetarians. This is why many have become vegetarians. They have felt the connection of the They have felt the connection of the

human life with the life of the animals.human life with the life of the animals.

For example: physical punishment, torture, For example: physical punishment, torture, cruelty in speech, thoughtlessness, cruelty in speech, thoughtlessness,

tactlessnesstactlessness

SuperstitionSuperstition

Those beliefs that lead us to hurt Those beliefs that lead us to hurt others (e.g., racial superiority, others (e.g., racial superiority, religions that claim that they are the religions that claim that they are the only true religion, beliefs that bring only true religion, beliefs that bring about discrimination and division).about discrimination and division).

The Masters are our Elder Brothers and The Masters are our Elder Brothers and we can be their younger brothers if we we can be their younger brothers if we share the common sentiment of serving share the common sentiment of serving humanity (Arundale).humanity (Arundale).

““That which is the One Life in the Master, That which is the One Life in the Master, is also the One Life in me. Life in Him is also the One Life in me. Life in Him may be more perfectly unfolded, but only may be more perfectly unfolded, but only because He has gone further along the because He has gone further along the path which I am treading” (Arundale path which I am treading” (Arundale 169). 169).

Works CitedWorks Cited

Arundale, George. Arundale, George. Thoughts on ‘At the Thoughts on ‘At the Feet of the Master. Feet of the Master. 1919. 1919. Theosophical Publishing House. Theosophical Publishing House. California. Web. California. Web.

Krishnamurti, Jiddu.Krishnamurti, Jiddu. At the Feet of the At the Feet of the Master. Master. 1910.1910. Web.Web.