New Era Community (1926) - 261: 261. In the life of every association there may occur a situation wherein a development in one certain direction may bring harmful results. Then the guiding leader must find a path of new tasks, broad enough to absorb the friction. Let us not call the friction rivalry or worse names. In dangerous straits ships go in single file; likewise, in the development of the community there may be need to disconnect the movement of the participants. Instead of possible harm, there may result an acquirement of new domains. When the muscles swell out, know how to provide an outlet for the energy. If crowding of movement is not forestalled, then dissention is assured. Infinity - Book 1 (1930) - 310: 310. The foundation of life is asserted by the attraction of the Cosmic Magnet. The principle which creates in concordance with evolution is so immutable that only the power of Fire can propel it in the channel of action. All other forces can serve only as friction for stabilizing the predestined path. Fiery World - Book 3 (1935) - 7: 7. I give this farewell bidding to the disciple; "Let thy prayer be - 'Thee, O Lord, I shall serve in everything, always and everywhere. Let my path be marked by the attainment of selflessness'." When the disciple realizes in his heart the joy of the path, a path which knows no friction because all is transformed in the joy of Service, then it is possible to open before him the Great Gates. Amidst higher concepts the disciple must remember in his heart the records of Light. Amidst the frightening manifestations the disciple must remember about the records of darkness. There is inscribed upon the Shield of Light - "Lord, I come alone, I come in a manifested achievement, I shall reach the goal. I shall reach it!" And there is inscribed upon the Shield of Light honesty, devotion and self-abnegation. But fearful are the records of darkness. Let the hand of the disciple refrain from inscribing upon these permanent scrolls lie, hypocrisy, betrayal, selfhood. Brotherhood (1937) - 598: 598. Contending for precedence cannot exist in Brotherhood. A natural hierarchy flows out of priority of knowledge and preeminence of spirit. Thus, a most disturbing circumstance to humanity is resolved in the Brotherhood simply, without involving needless quarreling and friction. Where it is realized that priority is a great sacrifice, there can be no wrangling about earthly denominations. So much time and energy will be conserved by the principles of Brotherhood. Let us not becloud the luminous concept by the fact that it has been pronounced at times along with the misunderstood concepts of liberty and equality. Everyone understands the relative value of both these concepts, but Brotherhood based upon the heart's straight-knowledge will be unconditional. Thus, one may regard the Brotherhood as reality. Supermundane - The Inner Life - Book 1 (1938) - 32: You yourself deplore the loss of the strength of character that existed in past eras. This is true, and We can see to what extent psychic energy is degenerating. It is not brought into action, and therefore slumbers, and since there is no friction to call forth the fire it loses its fieriness. Therefore, Our Abode remains remote and all mention of it sounds abstract. Do not regret this. I affirm that the Battle itself is evidence of the strength of the Brotherhood. Great is the Battle in these days of Armageddon. Supermundane - The Inner Life - Book 2 (1938) - 381: Unfortunately, there are too many of these lukewarm ones, producers of cosmic waste who obstruct evolutionary development by their inertia. They fail to benefit at all from their stay in the Subtle World, and We are unable to help them, for they produce no fiery emanations that could serve as a conductor for Our influence. So many benevolent arrows are blunted by the thick skin of indifference. It is easier to strike a spark in a negator than to break through a shield of indifference. Fire can be ignited only where there is inner friction.
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