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Context in the Ra material; Left and Right-Hand Paths - Bring4th_Austin - 08-09-2013
There are many instances in the Ra material where Ra relies on the context of the conversation to relay specific information. With the amazing resource of LOO.info and the nature of discussion on these forums, it can be very easy to pluck a specific quote out of the context in which it belongs and change its meaning entirely. I recall one instance of a poster creating an in-depth thread on the nature of the Higher Self and in the process found some quotes from the hypothetical discussion between Don and Ra about a wanderer being placed in negative time/space. Being taken out of context, it seemed to read that all wanderers here on Earth now are in negative time/space. Understanding the implications of being in negative time/space shows how important context was in this case.
Not to say that a majority of the Ra material can't be dissected and understood in segments regardless of context, or that sometimes context is so obvious it doesn't need expressed. Ra did their best to ensure minimum distortions in the material yet they were still under the constraints of time, energy, and our own clunky language. Fortunately, thanks to LOO.info, context for any quote may be found easily. Whenever someone is in doubt of how a quote is being attributed, we can go and find the original session to see if it is actually relevant.
That said, something I've never been able to grasp in the Ra material is understanding the right and left-hand paths based on this quote:
Quote:44.15 Questioner: Well, does the left-hand path of this represent the service-to-self path more and the right-hand path the service-to-others?
Ra: I am Ra. ...This is incorrect. These stations are relationships. Each path has these relationships offered. The intent of the practitioner in working with these powerful concepts determines the polarity of the working. The tools are the tools.
It appears here that Don is referring to a wide definition of right and left-hand paths, and Ra is correcting his assumption that these paths may correlate to the service to others and service to self paths, claiming that this isn't the case.
However, many other times in the material, Ra themselves make this direct correlation between the left-hand - service to self path, and the right-hand - service to others path.
Just a few examples:
Quote:93.8 Ra: ...In the image you will note a suggestion that the offering of the illusion will often seem to suggest the opportunities lying upon the left-hand path or, as you might refer to it more simply, the service-to-self path.
Quote:94.12 Questioner: It seems to me that the Experience of the Mind would act in such a way as to change the nature of the veil so that catalyst would be filtered so as to be more acceptable in the bias that is increasingly chosen by the entity. For instance, if the entity had chosen the right-hand path the Experience of the Mind would change the permeability of the veil to accept more and more positive catalyst, and also the other would be true for accepting more negative if the left-hand path were the one that was repeatedly chosen. Is this correct?(Don makes the connection between positive and negative interpretation of catalyst upon right-hand or left-hand paths, Ra explains the exact correlation for the service to others or service to self paths.)
Ra: I am Ra. This is not only correct but there is a further ramification. As the entity increases in experience it shall, more and more, choose positive interpretations of catalyst if it is upon the service-to-others path and negative interpretations of catalyst if its experience has been along the service-to-self path.
Quote:95.21 Questioner: In Card Four [in the] last session we spoke of the shape of the skirt and it has occurred to us that the skirt of the entity representing the archetype of Experience is extended to the left to indicate that other-selves would not be able to get close to this entity if it had chosen the left-hand path. There would be a greater separation between it and other-selves, whereas if it had chosen the right-hand path there would be much less of a separation. Would Ra comment on that observation?
Ra: I am Ra. The student is perceptive.
Quote:99.8 Ra: ...Those who choose separation, that being the quality most indicative of the left-hand path, are protected from other-selves by a strength and sharpness equivalent to the degree of transformation which the mind has experienced in the negative sense.(Ra consistently defines the service to self path as one of separation.)
The explicit correlations between service to others and self, and the right and left-hand paths, seem to be at odds with the first quote which seems to explicitly deny these correlations.
However, browsing the material yesterday, I noticed the context I was missing for that first quote. The context for the question starts with the previous question, where Don asks a question about the Kabbalah Tree of Life. Though I know very little about the Tree of Life, looking at the diagram it is obvious there are distinct pathways in the tree, going up the left-hand side and the right-hand side. Just as importantly, there are stations upon these pathways. These stations have relationships between them, the most obviously being the relationship of the pathways to the left and right.
![[Image: tree-of-life.jpg]](http://0.tqn.com/d/altreligion/1/7/c/0/-/-/tree-of-life.jpg)
Now, if we take this into account and take the full context of the first quote:
Quote:44.14 Questioner: I was looking at the diagram of the advancement of magical practices starting from Malkuth and ending at Kether. I was wondering if these corresponded to the colors or the densities, with Malkuth as one, Yesod as two, Hod and Netzach being three, Tiphareth four, and so on. Is this correct?
Ra: I am Ra. This is basically incorrect although you are upon the correct track of thinking. Each of these stations has a complex number and shading of energy centers as well as some part in various balances; the lower, the middle, the high, and the total balance. Thus there are complex colors or rays and complex charges, if you will, in each station.
44.15 Questioner: Well, does the left-hand path of this represent the service-to-self path more and the right-hand path the service-to-others?
Ra: I am Ra. This will be the last full query of this working.
This is incorrect. These stations are relationships. Each path has these relationships offered. The intent of the practitioner in working with these powerful concepts determines the polarity of the working. The tools are the tools.
When Don asked about the right and left-hand paths in 44.15, he was referring specifically to the pathways upon the Tree of Life, not the paths discussed in the rest of the material, specifically in regards to the tarot. It was Ra's intention to convey the left-hand path as negative/service to self and the right-hand path as positive/service to others in the tarot. Any use of these terms outside of this instance where the paths are specifically discussing pathways upon the Tree of Life are in fact correlations.
I know this is may not a surprise to a lot of people. Perhaps it was obvious from the get-go for many. However, it's been a point of contention within my own mind, trying to understand the inconsistencies I saw. I know that I have "corrected" many people in the correlation between the two paths and their positive and negative natures by pulling up the quote from 44.15, completely out of context and irrelevant to the discussion, but seemingly relevant without proper context.
This thread is not just for pointing out this specific instance of contextual confusion, but to show how confusion could be caused in a broader sense. It's a reminder to me to stay diligent in the study of this material and to stay open to the idea that I may have interpreted the material incorrectly.
Edit: clarification
RE: Context in the Ra material; Left and Right-Hand Paths - Adonai One - 08-10-2013
Your understanding is still basically incorrect. The application of the terms is still just as broad because the terms originated from the Tree of Life. In fact, such terminology was non-existent when the original tarot was made and does not apply to the individual hands but just the left-side and right-side of the cards. If you look into the material, you will discover that the terms were first brought up BY THE CHANNELERS which assumed the bias of connoting them with polarity, when in fact that is not the true nature of the cards nor the terms.
I stand-by my use of the terminology and will not be connoted with the STS polarity due to my use of the left-sides of the cards and left-side of the Tree of Life.
If that is how this forum interprets the archetypes, then it has a very shallow understanding and use of them.
(08-08-2013, 07:05 AM)Adonai One Wrote: My sources indicate that at the time these cards were made long ago, the concepts of left-hand and right-hand were non-existent. It seems due to biases of the channelers, which Ra seemingly accomodated (why?), this concept was unneccessarily applied to the hands as opposed to the sides of the cards at times during the work.
So for all intents and purposes, it's more like left-side and right-side rather than applying to the hands themselves.
Yeah, Ra doesn't even bring up such terminology regarding the hands. The channelers did. Heheheh. I think the use of those words distorted everything.
I thank Ra for introducing these concepts as they are; however, they unequivocally failed at actually defining the symbology. In fact, they would have been better off giving a general methodology rather than this haphazard approach that exists today.
There is a key available but finding the lock is still very hard due to this non-sense. It's a travesty that such confusion still lies dormant here further leading any potential practictioner astray.
Also, this is the only time I am going to say this:
"My sources" a good portion of the time is Ra himself. You are free to disbelieve this. You are free to ban me over it. My goal is simply to make these cards useful.
RE: Context in the Ra material; Left and Right-Hand Paths - anagogy - 08-10-2013
(08-10-2013, 12:38 PM)Adonai One Wrote: If you look into the material, you will discover that the terms were first brought up BY THE CHANNELERS which assumed the bias of connoting them with polarity, when in fact that is not the true nature of the cards nor the terms.
Except that there were plenty of occasions where Ra would correct them on their wrong interpretations of the archetypes and even correct the symbology expressed visually in tarot, so it doesn't really make sense that Ra would cater to a bias in the questioners at the expense of truth. Why correct some distortions in conceptualization and then let other distorted conceptualizations go?
That's not the Ra I've come to know through the transcripts.
The left hand, and right hand concepts, in regard to polarity is, of course, a symbolic expression (as is virtually everything). The fact that Ra didn't "correct" it, is because they were validating it as an accurate symbolic expression of the polarities.
Also, where do you think the "channelers" got the "left-hand/right-hand" terminology? They didn't just pull it out of their @$$, it's been used for a long time.
Left and Right Hand Occult Symbology
Also, you are saying the hand symbology was not part of the "original" cards. Even if that was the case, that doesn't mean anything. That could just mean the original cards weren't conveying the archetypes as well. The tarot pictures that Ra helped convey to Carla, Jim, and Don were the corrected (the "new and improved!" if you like) images to convey, as accurately as possible, a visual depiction of the archetypes.
I think that is worth considering. Especially if your goal is truly to make the cards useful. Because that was Ra's goal too, and this is the visual depictions they came up with to facilitate that goal.
RE: Context in the Ra material; Left and Right-Hand Paths - Unbound - 08-11-2013
Om mani padme hung.
RE: Context in the Ra material; Left and Right-Hand Paths - reeay - 08-11-2013
I may digress bit from the main point..
Zenmaster highlighted this quote when I asked about catalyst:
Ra Wrote:There is no outward shelter in your illusion from the gusts, flurries, and blizzards of quick and cruel catalyst. However, to the pure, all that is encountered speaks of the love and the light of the One Infinite Creator. The cruelest blow is seen with an ambiance of challenges offered and opportunities to come.
Would someone who experiences positive interpretation of catalyst be able to reframe an issue in ways that promote growth, thus making each opportunity a learning and growing opportunity?
Austin said in another thread:
(08-07-2013, 06:23 PM)Bring4th_Austin Wrote: Awareness of that which we judge I think is the key to accepting it with this judgment. If we can maintain awareness of those characteristics which we'd prefer not to express (our shadows), then we can consciously offer love to these aspects of ourselves and others. Realizing that within each person is the entire Creator, and more specifically the entire spectrum of human behavior, we can accept that even the bad people are just as human as we are, just as much of the Creator.
If we deny that these characteristics exist within us and ignore our ability to behave in ways which we'd prefer not to, we are abhor parts of the Creator itself, and thus we abhor ourselves. All parts of the Creation deserve our love and acceptance, but without judging what is right and what is wrong, how would we be able to move at all?
It seems like in order to make positive interpretation of catalyst, understanding & accepting own shadow aspect seem relevant. The shadow aspect of self, when not attended to, may take over in distressing situations... e.g., the energies are so strong person has difficulty pulling 'brakes' or perhaps chooses not to pull the brakes with intent to dominate... There are those who identify more with this shadow aspect over time and this aspect of one's personality may become dominant. Just a hypothesis. I am also thinking that psychopaths (for example) are different from those who just act out of own pain or whatnot. According to one study psychopaths are able to switch empathy on-and-off (biologically we are talking about 'mirror neurons'). They consciously choose to shut-off their ability to understand another's emotions & thoughts. So the element of choice would be significant.
What happens to shadow aspect for those who choose the path of service-to-self. Do they consciously and/or unconsciously project their shadow, or 'become' this aspect of self? Would negative-interpretation of catalyst be more akin to external blaming thus disowning one's responsibility to work with one's catalyst? Blaming, shaming, and scapegoating (attributing problems to external sources) may be ingredients to creating discord and or even violence within relationships.
RE: Context in the Ra material; Left and Right-Hand Paths - Bring4th_Austin - 08-14-2013
(08-11-2013, 02:01 PM)rie Wrote: I may digress bit from the main point..
Zenmaster highlighted this quote when I asked about catalyst:
Ra Wrote:There is no outward shelter in your illusion from the gusts, flurries, and blizzards of quick and cruel catalyst. However, to the pure, all that is encountered speaks of the love and the light of the One Infinite Creator. The cruelest blow is seen with an ambiance of challenges offered and opportunities to come.
Would someone who experiences positive interpretation of catalyst be able to reframe an issue in ways that promote growth, thus making each opportunity a learning and growing opportunity?
I believe this is so, as for the catalyst to be considered useful then the interpretation includes an application of conscious intent to interpret and apply it in ways that promote unity and harmony (STO) or separation (STS). Using catalyst to discover the true heart of self from which love flows allows for the harmony of the Creator to shine through an entity in a situation where it previously was not realized. Personal learning and growth leading to discovery of the unconditionally accepting Creator within every moment of our experience and every aspect of our awareness, I think, would be considered positive polarization.
Quote:Austin said in another thread:
(08-07-2013, 06:23 PM)Bring4th_Austin Wrote: Awareness of that which we judge I think is the key to accepting it with this judgment. If we can maintain awareness of those characteristics which we'd prefer not to express (our shadows), then we can consciously offer love to these aspects of ourselves and others. Realizing that within each person is the entire Creator, and more specifically the entire spectrum of human behavior, we can accept that even the bad people are just as human as we are, just as much of the Creator.
If we deny that these characteristics exist within us and ignore our ability to behave in ways which we'd prefer not to, we are abhor parts of the Creator itself, and thus we abhor ourselves. All parts of the Creation deserve our love and acceptance, but without judging what is right and what is wrong, how would we be able to move at all?
It seems like in order to make positive interpretation of catalyst, understanding & accepting own shadow aspect seem relevant. The shadow aspect of self, when not attended to, may take over in distressing situations... e.g., the energies are so strong person has difficulty pulling 'brakes' or perhaps chooses not to pull the brakes with intent to dominate... There are those who identify more with this shadow aspect over time and this aspect of one's personality may become dominant. Just a hypothesis. I am also thinking that psychopaths (for example) are different from those who just act out of own pain or whatnot. According to one study psychopaths are able to switch empathy on-and-off (biologically we are talking about 'mirror neurons'). They consciously choose to shut-off their ability to understand another's emotions & thoughts. So the element of choice would be significant.
What happens to shadow aspect for those who choose the path of service-to-self. Do they consciously and/or unconsciously project their shadow, or 'become' this aspect of self? Would negative-interpretation of catalyst be more akin to external blaming thus disowning one's responsibility to work with one's catalyst? Blaming, shaming, and scapegoating (attributing problems to external sources) may be ingredients to creating discord and or even violence within relationships.
I think that for someone on the Service to Others path, an unrealized shadow might be seen as blockages within the lower chakras. To realize and accept these aspects of shadow could be recognizing and clearing blockages. The idea that the shadow will eventually bleed through in our actions if it goes unrealized seems to be the same idea that a blockages in the lower chakras may be expressed without our awareness when we are confronted by catalyst which meets this blockage. Accepting the shadow would lead to clearing the blockages. As Ra puts it, "Each acceptance smoothes part of the many distortions that the faculty you call judgment engenders."
Determining how the shadow works in a Service to Self polarizing individual might be a bit more tricky. These behaviors within our cultural shadow are what the STS entity would strive to control rather than accept. An entity polarizing negatively would not be the entity who lashes out in anger as a result of their unrealized shadow bleeding through, but rather an entity realizing the shadow in the perfect situation to maximize control of a situation and benefit for the self.
That's not to say that lashing out in anger and embodying separation isn't in itself a polarizing act that we are not responsible for, but the path of polarization is a choice, or rather a series of choices, which continues to shape our perception more and more. I think continually choosing in full awareness to embody separation would be true negative polarization.