BEINSA DOUNO

METHODS FOR SELF-IMPROVEMENT Beinsa Douno

METHODS FOR SELF- IMPROVEMENT

Collection of Lectures

BIALO BRATSTVO PUBLISHERS SOFIA, 2011 Compilation and translation by Maria Braikova Graphic design by Steve Eagle

Acknowledgments CONTENTS This book is a result of the collective efforts of many people who helped in one way or another for bringing it into reality. Home of the Human Soul ...... 7 The Desired Peace ...... 22 The Purpose of Life ...... 40 Copyright © 2011 by Bialo Bratstvo Publishers The Human Ideal ...... 54 ISBN 978-954-744-157-6 Methods for Self-improvement ...... 69 Biographical Information about Printed in Sofia, Bulgaria the Master Beinsa Douno— All rights reserved. Dates and Events ...... 85

For more information about Beinsa Douno and Explanatory Note: The Generic “Man” ...... 93 available materials: visit the following Web sites: http://www.beinsadouno.org http://www.everabooks.com HOME OF THE HUMAN SOUL

veryone talks about their unattained ide- Eal, yet they continue to strive toward it. The child attends school in order to learn read- ing and writing. Passing unnoticeably from one grade to the next, the boy becomes a young man and finishes the university. Then you will hear him saying, “I finally achieved my ideal and graduated from the university.” What has he achieved? He has just learned the alphabet and the usage of letters for making syllables, words, and sentences. If a young man has finished a 8 9 musical academy, he would say, “I have reached everything has changed: you, the audience, and my ideal by learning to sing and play an instru- the surroundings too. When you are hungry, you ment.” What has he learned? The musical notes sing in one way; when you are full, you sing in and their combinations. another way. When you are young, you sing in Ask yourself, everyone of you, “What is the one way; when you are grown up, you sing in ideal of my life?” If all people have an ideal, another way; and when you are old—you sing why are they unhappy? Someone is not happy in a very different way. It is good to have diver- with being short, so he strives to become taller sity in your life, otherwise you would have died and that is his ideal in life. Why is he short? It untimely. The monotonous existence does not is because he did not eat enough. Can a drop of bring Life, but debases it leading to premature water make a river? Can a thread make a whole aging. Only the new brings Life. rope? The tall person is not happy with his height Remember: as long as you live on Earth, you as well, so he wants to become shorter. Why has should move in all directions: east, west, north, he become tall? It is mostly because his nour- and south. If you build a house, which side will ishment was plentiful. Has anyone experiment- you place the front door? The house facing north ed to find out the number of spider web strands will be lit by the Sun from above where the Sun needed to form a thick regular rope? Even if is; the house facing south will be lit from be- one’s wish of being the desired height is ful- low; if the house is facing east, it will again be filled, this person will be not satisfied either. lit from above; and lastly if it is facing west, Why are people discontent? It is because it will be lit from below, too. In houses facing they have a very monotonous life. Without be- east the Sun is always rising, and in those fac- ing aware of it, they repeat things until getting ing west—the Sun is always setting. What do quite bored at the end. Nature does not allow you prefer: the ever rising or the ever setting any repetition whatsoever. As much as you Sun? If you should get your money back from might repeat a song, you cannot sing it twice someone, you would prefer the Sun to shine in in the same manner. Why? The reason is that order to find your debtor. But in case you owe 10 11 someone money, you would like the Sun to set misunderstandings. Therefore, the human be- so that your creditor could not find you. ing lives in four houses simultaneously: in the And so, regarding the four directions of the houses of one’s mind, heart, soul, and spirit. The world, we have in mind the four stages, or in houses of all people differ from one another. If other words, the four key points of conscious- you are in the physical world, you live in your ness. The necessity of the moment dictates physical body. Going into the mental world you which point to choose. How will you determine leave your physical body and enter the mental the priority of each bounty: bread, water, air, or one. In this manner one moves in four bodies: light? If you are hungry, you will want bread; physical, emotional or astral, mental, and caus- if you are thirsty, you will choose water; if you al, in other words—one lives in the mind and are suffocating, you will strive for air, and if heart, in the soul and spirit. you are in darkness, you will need light. Which The four directions of the world represent is the must for a person in a sinking ship? Life- the four homes in which people live. If you con- vest. What does one need in the winter? To go nect these four points, you form a square. As out, one needs warm clothes and shoes. the square is in constant motion, the four points What is the difference between the four di- trace a circle. To move from one home to anoth- rections of the world—or the four points of con- er is a natural process. You cannot remain at the sciousness? East refers to the good conditions same point forever; neither can you keep your of life; the Sun rises in the east to bring Life. wealth forever. Sometimes you will be rich, West is related to the night, when the Moon is sometimes—poor. When passing through those shining. East implies a sunlit-house; west—a varying conditions, you constantly bend down moonlit house; north—a house placed on a vis- and rise again. If someone says that he does not ible place; and south—a house placed on a well want to bend down, it shows that he does not traveled road, where many people will stop by, understand life. If you are poor and you have eat, and drink. Some of them will pay, while been hungry for a few days, when you see a others will not, which may cause quarrels and golden coin in front of you, will you not bend 12 13 down to take it? You will certainly bend down, related to food and it is a symbol of the word pick up the coin and then rise. Therefore, reach- of wisdom. Water along with the food or bread ing for the coin on the ground means bending. passes through the mouth and goes to the stom- Bending is appropriate, only when one attains ach. Thus bread and water go to the same place something precious. Otherwise, to bend down and act together. Air is in relation with the nose for a trifle makes no sense. What will happen, if and lungs: it passes through the nose and goes two people see the golden coin at the same time? to the lungs. Light, on its turn, is related to the They will both bend down: the first will grab eyes. the one end of the coin and the second one—the People often get depressed; they feel indis- other. As long as the coin has not been shared, posed and do not know how to help themselves. both will stand close to each other. Dividing the They are surrounded by bounties, yet they do coin, they will immediately move apart: the first not know how to make use of them. For such will take one direction, the second—another, cases the Bulgarians have a proverb, “He is continuing on their ways. Therefore, people are wading into water and he is walking thirsty.” close to one another until they divide their life- Four elements can change the indisposition and provided bounties. After distributing the goods transform it from negative into positive. These among themselves, they move apart and follow are: light, air, water, and bread. When you know their own paths. the reason for the indisposition, you can apply How many are the blessings of Life? They are one of the four elements corresponding to the mainly four: bread, water, air, and light. Which current situation. The reasons for one’s indispo- one will you prefer at any given moment? If you sitions may vary—they could be hidden in the are hungry, you will ask for bread; if you are physical, emotional, mental, or causal world. thirsty, you will ask for water; if you lack air Imagine that you meet an elementary school and suffocate, you will ask for air; and if you are teacher. You speak to him, but you feel that he is in darkness, you will ask for light. Which part dissatisfied with something. What is the reason of the human body is food related to? Mouth is for this discontent? He wants to get a higher po- 14 15 sition and become a high school teacher. What and then let him go free. Therefore, criticism is is the difference between an elementary school useful only when it is coming from a wise, just, teacher, high school teacher, and a professor? I and loving source. think that the position of an elementary school People of today are not happy with their teacher has an advantage in one particular as- life, because they cannot achieve their wish- pect. Which is this aspect? It is the highest level es. Nevertheless, they should still be happy. of trust of the students in the first grade. In the Why? It is because they have the opportunity to middle school the students trust their teachers work more. By working and working, they will much less. The trust of students in their teach- eventually have some achievements. In reality, ers goes down even more in the high school; people become unhappy when the good things whereas the university students often criticize in their life are not repeated. However, this is their professors and argue with them. impossible. Nature does not like monotony and What is the criticism like? It is like skin rub- repetition. You cannot sing a song in the same bing. When you visit a public bath of Turkish way second and third time. If the first time you type it is good for you to be “criticized,” in oth- have sung it well, the second time you will sing er words, to have someone who will exfoliate it either better or worse as the situation and your dead skin and remove the dirt from you. the moment will differ. For example, you can However, after getting a good bath you are clean make bread if you have flour, water, and salt. and you do not need blunt criticism anymore, If you are given flour, cheese, water, and salt so if you are still criticized, this will cause you next time, you will not make bread again, but pain. Nature also uses such “massages,” but she you will prepare banitsa1 instead. This is what knows when and how to apply them. When she meets someone who is not clean, she takes out the exfoliating sponge and says, “Come to me, 1. A traditional Bulgarian baked pastry prepared by layering a my child, I am going to clean you now—you crumbled feta cheese and other optional ingredients between need this.” She massages and cleans him well, brushed with butter or vegetable oil filo pastry sheets. 16 17 you will usually do as you tend to avoid repeti- out.” As that one did not like remarks, he did tions. Then, why should you be discontent with not acknowledge the fact as it is, but looked at Life and Nature, when they do not allow you to himself and said, “I did this on purpose. So far I repeat the same things over and over? have worn my vest with the face out, but today You say that these are ordinary things. You I turned it with its back out to see how I would are not suffering because you do not have bread look like.” His friend was a delicate person and and banitsa, but because you have not fulfilled did not want to argue anymore, so he replied, some great idea or sublime desire of yours. For “Yes, this can be a kind of research.” In reality, example, someone might be unhappy, because he the first scientist put his vest on the wrong side has not become knowledgeable. And yet, what by mistake as he was absent minded. As he did is the essence of knowledge? Is someone with not think about any scientific experiments, his a big mental baggage considered to be knowl- mind was preoccupied with finding some way edgeable? He is telling how the world was cre- to pay his pending debt. ated, how the plates of Earth were folded, how In one of the American universities there was life came into existence, and so on. His head a very strict professor with whom the students is full of theories, but after him comes another often joked in order to provoke him. One day scientist who disputes his theories and creates they rearranged the wheels of his carriage plac- new ones. Who of them is closer to the Truth? ing the front gears on the back and the back Genuine scientist is the one who brings forth gears—on the front. When the professor mount- the absolute and never-changing knowledge. ed his carriage, he noticed that something was There were two scientists who often had sci- wrong, but did not want to look fool before the entific discussions. One of them was very self- students and said, “My carriage was for a repair respecting and did not allow to be criticized. the previous days and obviously the mechanic One day, he unwittingly put his vest on with the had made some mistake.” He knew that the stu- wrong side out. He met the second scientist who dents had done the prank, but did not want to told him, “Dear colleague, your vest is inside acknowledge this. 18 19 Such displacements happen in everyone’s highest good. She does not promote or debase life. When they are in the physical world, it is anyone, but places all and each of the living be- easy to be corrected. However, displacements ings in their places. The one who comes to un- in the spiritual world are difficult to be put right derstand her, waits for his time and enjoys his and comprehended. That is the reason why peo- achievements. The one who does not understand ple suffer, face difficulties, and fail to solve their her, suffers and faces a lot of difficulties. Nature assignments. Someone may suffer because he looks at him and whispers: wait a bit more, your is behind in his development and everyone has hour has not come yet. When a mother nourishes gone ahead of him. In reality, he does not un- her children, which one will she give food first? derstand the Law. If twenty strong people come The youngest because this infant needs only to wrestle, who will begin first? The weakest little food. The little one will be satisfied with will be first on the stage against another weak. just little milk or bread. When the older are con- Afterward the stronger wrestlers will show and cerned, things get more complicated: you need the strongest will go at the end. It means that to set a table with glasses, plates, to serve more the strongest ones, or the heroes, remain behind bread, more food, and so on. The older ones eat and they are the last. The true hero remains the more and are more pretentious. Which is better: last, so that his strength could be tested. Nature to have a laid table before you or to eat without acts in the same way. She lets the weak wrestlers a table like an infant or traveler? If you are in go first to the stage and keeps the strong ones the mountains and you are hungry, will you be for the final. Nature does not hurry, neither she looking for a table? gives things the moment when someone wants You are travelers who visit the Earth for some them. The strong person remains last, behind all studies. When you are aware of this, you will not others. As he comprehends the Law, he awaits require to have a table in order to eat. Strive not patiently his time to come. for the first place either. There are no leaders And so, when you know all this, do not crit- while traveling. Having made just one step and icize Nature. Whatever she does, it is for the the first position could become the last. What is 20 21 before you—that is the first position, what you is not clean, it is not hygienic to wear it. A good have already passed—that is the last position. dress is that one, which has the qualities of all Rejoice that you have walked a certain path and elements: of the solid matter like thickness, as have acquired some experience in the process. well as the qualities of water, air, and light. For And do not consider that the place you are at the same reason I say that every thought, ev- present is not good as this is only for a moment. ery feeling, and every action should have four Once you move a step forward a new, better qualities: the quality of bread—to satisfy hun- place is waiting for you. The future usually ger; the quality of water—to quench thirst; the brings something better, brighter, and greater. quality of air—to improve breathing and the You need to have the appropriate knowledge to blood circulation; and the quality of light—to be able to see the good side everywhere in life. illuminate even the most hidden places of the If you have a long journey ahead, it is prefer- human body, to open your path, and to liberate able to have with you saccharin instead of sug- you from delusions and contradictions. Every ar. One kilogram of saccharin is equal to five food that does not have the qualities of solid, hundred kilograms of sugar. However, sugar is liquid, air-like, and light-like matter [earth, wa- more nutritious than saccharin. ter, air, and light] is not healthy. People often strive for some exquisite things Choose healthy foods and strive for healthy and great ideas without realizing that this is sac- thoughts, feelings, and actions. charin, not sugar. A silk dress is beautiful, but Only the Luminous Path of Wisdom leads to it is not appropriate for the winter. If you wear the Truth. it in the winter, you will catch cold. A silk dress The true life is hidden in the Absolute Truth. flows elegantly around the body, but it should be put on in the summer. A dress which cannot preserve the warmth of the body is not good for Lecture given by the Master Beinsa Douno, your health; a dress which cannot preserve the August 27, 1943, Izgrev, Sofia. light is not good for your health either, and if it 23 to realize later the falsity of this concept. The spiritual workers of today are striving for the world peace, so that new humankind and broth- erhood among nations could be born and estab- lished. These new human beings will be bear- ers of love among all people and nations. As a result all nations will live for one another as in a family: big nations will be the big brothers, and small nations—the little ones. They will THE DESIRED all have peace and harmony among themselves. This is the Will of God, Who is the Creator of PEACE the Universe. You ask when this time will come. It will come in the near future. eace is needed in the modern world more Modern humankind is at the threshold of a Pthan any time before. Why? Peace pro- New epoch as the Solar system has already en- vides conditions for the greatest achievements tered the realm of the Divine Dawning. When of culture. That is why humankind is on its way this time comes, there will be no conditions for to secure peace. There are more enlightened peo- the existence of malevolent people. They will ple today than any time before, who are aware perish one after another and the Earth will get that peace is the first and foremost condition for rid of them. the normal development of humankind. For this The new conditions that are coming will ad- reason all conscious and advanced people make mit no malice. Moreover they will bring to its efforts today for attaining peace. destruction. The darkness will raise its curtains In the past times and civilizations the leaders and go somewhere else. The dark forces will of humankind believed that the world could be take their capitals and will go to another place set right only through war. Many of them began to establish their banks and offices. It is enough 24 25 to read the Scriptures to get convinced that the Therefore, when all nations, religions, and New epoch is not far away. Today everyone countries leave off thinking they can set the should have a mindful, conscious belief system. world right, then the Son of Man will manifest How will you recognize the coming of the New Himself on Earth with His knowledge. Everyone epoch? In the same way as you recognize the will see Him without any need for proof. Why sunrise. Do you need to prove to someone that should you prove to someone that the Sun is sunrise comes after the day break? By the time rising? Sunrise needs no proof. It is enough for the Dawn of a new life breaks, the Sun has al- you to look through the window or go outside to ready begun to rise. It is said in the Scriptures be convinced that the Sun is really rising. that with the beginning of the New epoch on You should give preference to the new heart Earth, the Sun will be darkened and the Moon in you, which is made of soft material and not will not give its light—then the Son of Man will of stone like the present heart. The soft heart is reveal His knowledge on Earth.1 We refer the woven by the fabric of compassion. Therefore, words about darkening of the Sun to the time whoever has a merciful heart is a candidate for when people will overcome their concept about the new humankind. The softness of heart is that the domination of one nation over another by of the features characterizing the new human force. By “the Moon will not give its light” we being—that of Love. It is said in the Scriptures, understand coming of the time when religions “I shall take their hearts of stone and give them and belief systems will stop trying to set the new hearts.”2 The hearts of stone will be used world right. for paving the streets, while the soft hearts will

1. See also Mark 13:24-25, “But in those days, after that tribu- lation, the Sun will be darkened, and the Moon will not give 2. See also Ezekiel 36:26, “I will give you a new heart and put its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of heavens will be shaken.” your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” 26 27 remain to beat and show the world the greatness who reveals the noble features in human faces and beauty of the Divine Life. For this day spe- is a true painter and the one who rectifies hu- cifically the Scripture says that God will impart man errors is a sculptor. Hence, everyone who His Spirit in the soft tender hearts of people and creates something valuable which ennobles, el- all—both young and old—will come to know evates, and brings joy to others is in the right Him. The human consciousness is gradually place. A mighty power is hidden in the word of awakening in the same way as flower buds burst all writers, poets, scientists, and philosophers! open in the spring in order to blossom and bear The word has a great power! fruit. Once a young man fell in despair and de- The great in people’s life is presented in the cided to commit suicide. He put a revolver in awakening of their consciousness and removing his pocket and went to a forest in order to ful- the difficulties and adversities they encounter fill his intention. However, a young woman had now. There are thousands of things in life which followed him without his knowledge. At the may disturb you, but also thousands of things moment when he was going to kill himself, she which may please you. Whoever comprehends came to him and whispered a word into his ear. the Great Divine Laws will be glad to meet a When the young man heard this word, he im- good, intelligent, and learned person; to meet a mediately cast the revolver away and said, “I poet, writer, musician, painter, farmer, stone-cut- am not going to commit suicide. I will live for ter, and so on. Rejoice when you meet someone myself, my fellowmen, and humankind. Life is working for the advancement of humankind. If meaningful and it is worth living!” you do not truly understand what a certain per- Which is the word the young woman whis- son represents, you behave slightingly, and say, pered to the young man? You know this word, “This one is a farmer, that one is a stone-cutter.” no need for me to tell you. There are moments The one who brings forth the abundance of the when only one word is sufficient to relieve earth is a farmer; the one who makes use of the someone from his present grave situation. It is qualities of the stones is a stone-cutter. The one not necessary to speak a lot to a person. One 28 29 word will do, if it is Divine. Then what is ut- will instantly overcome any obstacles coming tered will come true. God said, “Let there be into his path. Thus he will set an example of Light!”—and there was Light. During the six [manifesting] Divine Love. Wherever he goes days of Creation, God said one Word daily, but all doors will be open for him. The person of as these were Words of the Divine language, Love can increase at will not only his body they had enormous Power. All said by God temperature, but also his inner light, making came into existence. On the seventh day He said it a thousand times brighter than the solar one. nothing as He was at rest. Such light will blind even the most numerous It is time already for the unification of all and powerful army. People cannot imagine yet people through their minds, hearts, and good- a light that is a thousand times brighter than the will, so that to work together for the introduc- solar one. One can achieve anything with such tion of peace. All—religious or not—should light. Whoever has warmth of ten thousand de- embrace the idea of peace. It is said in the grees and light a thousand times brighter than Scriptures, “But he who endures to the end shall the solar one can open the safes of all banks, be saved,”3 or in other words, “He who wins the warm all frozen hearts, and remove all obsta- battle for peace, will be saved.” cles, placed by the human egotism. The religious people of today speak about Great warmth and light are coming into the Love, but do not apply it. The person who has world. These are Divine forces, which will warm Love within can increase and decrease his body and enlighten the human hearts and minds. temperature by the degrees desired and at will. When the warmth and light of Love come into Who can oppose someone with a body temper- the world, they will melt and burn out all ma- ature of ten thousand degrees? Such a person levolent, criminal aspects of people, while the good and righteous ones will remain; thus it will be clear that one cannot mess about Love. It is not allowed to play with Love. People of 3. See Mark 13:13. today are terrified by the idea of being submit- 30 31 ted to a temperature of ten thousand degrees. As a matter of fact, in the future people will Yet what will be their state, when Christ comes eat from the fruits of Divine Love and attain to Earth? Then the temperature will be much immortality. These fruits will be bearers of the higher than ten thousand degrees. Christ says: New life. Wherever you go in the world, you “Peace I leave with you!”4 It implies that Christ will meet representatives of the New life. They is for peace too. He is for that peace which is can be recognized by the soft, pleasant light based on Love and brotherhood among all na- coming from their eyes. We call them “brothers tions, societies, and individuals on the face of and sisters of humanity,” bearers of the Divine. Earth. Manifestations of brotherly and sisterly Christ is one of these new humans. He said, “I love at present are nothing else but branches of did not come to do My will, but the will of the the future Culture. This love is more elevated One Who had sent me. I came to bring peace to than motherly love. It does not matter how great the world.”5 Before the coming of Christ Jews motherly love could be, it still contains an ele- followed the Law of Moses to the letter. They ment of egotism in it. Take for example the love slaughtered lambs, sheep, and oxen as a sacri- of a tigress to its cubs. It is ready out of love for ficial offer to God. However, their life changed them to kill at any moment any living creature completely with the coming of Christ. He de- crossing their path. In this sense motherly love stroyed the old life in one stroke. The Jews represents the roots of life, while brotherly and came to the awareness that good thoughts, feel- sisterly love—its branches. ings, and deeds represent the true sacrifice. Fruits on the Tree of Life represent Divine What is the essence of the new religion? Its Love. They are result of the roots of motherly first creed states: I believe that the love of my love and the branches of brotherly and sisterly mother and father represents roots of the Tree of love. Great Life—the Life of Love. The second creed

4. See John 14:27. 5. See also John 12:44-50. 32 33 reads: I believe that the love of my sister and that he has forgiven him his debt in the name of brother represents branches of the Tree of Great brotherhood, acknowledging him for his broth- Life—the Life of Love. The third creed reads: er. When two persons fraternize, their debts fall I believe that Divine Love represents fruits automatically away, their arguments cease and of the Tree of Great Life. The outcome of my all misunderstandings disappear. I would like mind and heart will be transformed into fruits people to argue only about one thing: who will of Love. Whoever eats from these fruits will at- give more in order to help his brother. If you tain immortality. Christ said, “Whoever eats My notice that your brother is very tired and cannot flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life.”6 It lift the hoe anymore, you will take it from his implies that whoever eats from the Tree of Life, hand and do the work instead. If you notice that in other words, from the motherly-fatherly and your brother breaks down under the weight of brotherly-sisterly love will bear life within. his burden, you will take the load from his back, Now, becoming aware of the new creed in put it on your back and continue side by side, essence, you should be brave and daring in ap- speaking friendly to each other. When you meet plying it. Many people are looking forward to a brother in the street and realize that he is hun- something new. The new is in the reconciliation gry, as he has not taken anything to eat for three among people. The new reconciles all existing days, you will invite and treat him well at your contradictions. How could the reconciliation home, feed him well, and invite him to come among people be achieved? It is very simple. again. These are brotherly relationships. Whoever has something to take, let him forgive People are waiting today for the second com- the debt of his brother. Whoever has something ing of Christ on Earth, so that the world could to give, let him be ready to pay his debt. When be set right. No, the world cannot be set right he goes to pay his creditor, let the latter tell him from outside. Christ needs to come from within each and every one of you. Only in this way will the world be set right. If you place millions 6. See John 6:54. of iron shavings together, they will not unite 34 35 and become one. However, if you heat them up yet accessible to earthly people. One can go to to a certain temperature, they will melt and fuse the Sun in a mental way, but not in reality. Do with each other, forming one liquid substance. you know anything about the inhabitants of the In this case the fire is that inner power which Sun and their life? Do you know anything about solders the iron shavings making them form one their language? It is enough for us that we have whole. Therefore, Christ needs to come into the the possibility of benefiting from the solar rays. human hearts and minds as an inner power that If you want to heal yourself, expose your back will unite them. Love is this inner power which to the early morning rays. If you want to attain brings life to the human souls. People can work inner peace, expose your back to the setting Sun and live in harmony only through Love. Those with your face turned to the east. Thus, you will who do not understand Love are ready to criti- feel deep peace within yourself and will real- cize it. ize that it is not worth to worry about trivial, Now, when I am speaking about Love, I know petty things. The inhabitants of the Sun live in the extent to which you can apply it. In fact, I great abundance, so they do not worry about am aware which things are applicable today and anything. Their assignment is to send bounties which are not. For example, modern people are all over the Solar system. They determine the not able to go to the Sun no matter how much budget of its planets and living beings, includ- they know about it and about the opportunities ing the entire humankind: all people, nations, to visit it. Why? The physical characteristics of and countries. the Sun are completely different from those on When I speak to you about the Sun, I do not Earth. There is no way for the human beings to want you to take my word for it. I am not in- go to the Sun in their present body. The aver- terested in whether you believe me or not. I am age human body of sixty kilograms will weigh interested only in one thing: whether what I am millions of kilograms on the Sun. How could telling you is one with the Truth or not. Believe one move there with such an enormous mass? in what God has created. If you believe in His There is a beautiful life on the Sun, but it is not creation of Heaven and Earth with all luminaries 36 37 and living beings, then you will believe in their And so, many are striving for Divine knowl- Creator too. If one believes in these things, one edge which purpose is to teach you value your should study both Heaven and Earth. You need inner sun, because through it your soul can learn to examine the Sun, Moon, all stars in the sky and develop. If someone says that his soul is in as astronomers and scientists do. People need to darkness, it is an indication that his inner sun find their own inner suns first to be able to un- has ceased to shine. As long as the Sun shines, derstand life on the Sun. Everyone has a small the human being thinks and feels right. If one’s inner sun in the center of the brain. The size of inner sun ceases to shine, the human mind and this sun is different for each individual, depend- heart will both darken with it. That is why in ing on the size of the other inner planets. In fact, order to avoid darkening of the inner sun, one it is through this inner sun that the soul acquires should lead a meaningful life. The malevolent knowledge. The astronomic Sun and the planets life expressed in negative thoughts, feelings, in the sky are similar to the inner sun and inner and deeds causes adversities which darken one’s planets in humans: in terms of their rising, set- sky where the inner sun shines. ting, and so on. If one’s inner sun ceases to rise, Many people—whether learned or ignorant— the outer Sun also loses its meaning for this per- are not aware of the great influence of thoughts son. It is a sign for the existence of a certain and feelings on the inner life, and consequent- connection between the outer Sun and the inner ly on the human health. That is why they seek sun. If this connection is interrupted, the person their happiness in a unnatural way. They want will not possess any inner light. When both the to become rich, to marry a beautiful woman, to inner sun and outer Sun shine, one has the op- acquire a lot of knowledge, without even sus- portunity to perceive light. If one’s inner sun pecting that in this way they themselves pre- stops shining, the person becomes blind as he is pare their misfortune. There is nothing wrong deprived of the conditions to see and perceive in acquiring knowledge, power, beauty, wealth, the Divine knowledge. but one should know how to use them. There is a Turkish saying, “It is a blessing to see beauti- 38 39 ful things.” Indeed, the human beings strive for all his desires. All trials, difficulties, and suf- beauty and its inspiration is quite natural, but ferings humankind is going through today will not the attempts for appropriating beauty. Both become conditions to come to know God and beauty and ugliness have their place in Nature the Great in the world. God will be with you in the same way as light and darkness. Light in all your ways. Then you will say: “We are reigns until the Sun shines. When the Sun sets, happy to live in an epoch when we can experi- darkness comes. Yet stars cannot shine without ence and come to know God’s Love, when we darkness. Therefore, darkness is necessary, so can become workers in His field.” that virtues—the stars—may be revealed in the Rejoice and be happy to attain the ideals of human life. your soul. It is up to you when you can attain Now, when I am speaking about the Divine them even today. One Divine day is equal to a in the world, some of you become discouraged thousand years. So, after a thousand years you thinking they cannot attain it. God promised the can attain what you wish today. Conscious work human beings to come and dwell in them, so is required of everyone! The Divine is already that they would not be discouraged. The future on the threshold of your home. Open the doors kingdom will be established from within, not of your hearts and minds to let the Divine light from without. All God’s plans will be fulfilled and warmth in. through the love of entire humankind. To achieve this, workers are needed. All people of today Lecture given by the Master Beinsa Douno, should work in this aspect and become bearers August 28, 1938, Izgrev, Sofia. of the Divine ideas, so that when God enters into their suns to be able to reveal Himself out- wardly. A special mission is assigned to every person—to be a bearer of Divine Love, Wisdom and Light, of Divine Truth and Freedom in a specific, unique way. Only thus one can achieve 41 way, someone becomes perfect after attaining Love, Wisdom, and Truth; and when possessing Knowledge, Life, and Freedom. Some people think that perfection means the end of further development. This is not so. In reality, the per- fect ones need to work the most. Serving oth- ers, they see the level of their advancement and what is still needed. In the absolute meaning of the word, perfec- tion does not exist on Earth. The perfect one has THE PURPOSE opened up, but he says as Apostle Paul did that we only know a part of the answer and yet we OF LIFE like to philosophize upon it. Perfecting oneself is not a mechanical Reflection process. You say, “I want my eyes to open, I want to become perfect.” This is quite pos- uman life will complete its development sible. However, “opening the eyes” in its true Hon Earth when people attain perfection. meaning requires inner work. Jesus said to the Just at hearing the word “perfection” some get woman of Samaria, “God is Spirit, and those immediately discouraged. Being perfect is a who worship Him must worship in Spirit and very high ideal. How will you achieve it? It lies Truth.”1 The meaning of this is to have commu- in your attitude. When is a house considered nion with God—nothing can be attained without ready and finished? Only when it has been lime this communion. How will an ailing person get washed on the outside and inside, and has been duly cleaned, mopped, and furnished, so that people can move in and live in it. In the same 1. See John 4:24. 42 43 well, if he is deprived of air? No matter what of humankind is far from it, but one day when you tell him, there is no life without air. You people connect with God, they will become per- may encourage him, recommend him books to fect. read and study, yet he will not achieve anything God has been revealing Himself through hu- as long as he is bedridden. His illness will con- mans, but He is not abiding in them yet. His tinue to trouble him. He says, “I am ill, so I am promise is, “I shall abide in you and you will not interested in the future.” First, he needs to become one with Me.”3 This implies perfection. free himself of the illness that makes him suf- Today every person gets sometimes disheart- fer. You have all experienced this. While you ened, discouraged. Why? It is because of un- are suffering from some illness, you go through achieved perfection not only by the individual, various states every day—and you change ev- but also by all humankind. People are intercon- ery moment. This applies even for the most ad- nected as one whole. For this reason, they bear vanced ones. The inner torment that is endured their joys and sufferings together. Therefore, cannot be explained. Even angels are unable to one cannot experience joy alone. The joy of one completely free themselves from suffering and is related to the joy of all. If someone in the fam- from time to time are affected by it. Of course, ily—either mother, father, or child is ill, can the that refers to the imperfect angels. others be joyful? They may pretend, but deep Christ says, “Therefore you shall be per- inside they will feel anxious and worried. This fect, just as your Father in Heaven is perfect.”2 is due to the anguish of all humankind. Fallen Are humans capable of being perfect as God? spirits also turn to people and ask for help, thus If left on their own, they can never be perfect. bringing great sufferings to them. Their thoughts However, in oneness with God the human be- are received as by radio and make you sad. Will ing can attain perfection. The contemporary life

3. See also 1 John 4:12, “If we love one another, God abides 2. See Matthew 5:48. in us, and His Love has been perfected in us.” 44 45 you be calm, if you catch an SOS call from a will be easy for you to speculate. Back to the sinking ship on your internal “radio”? You are story, the rescuers finally succeeded and saved far from the ship, let’s say ten kilometers away; the first American who was on the rock. but you hear the passengers’ cries and you can- Modern humankind is likewise on the top of not help them. How will you feel then? a rock. If no rescuers come, the human race is People of today are much like those two going to listen to the roar of the waterfall with- Americans who faced a grave accident when out hope for salvation. You ask how the first boating at Niagara Falls. They were drunk and American was saved. The rescuers threw a ca- lost control over the boat. The boat hit a rock ble from the shore to the rock. Then they pulled and smashed to pieces. One of the Americans the person to the shore and saved him. climbed onto the rock which pointed at the two Do not hold that gloomy picture in your mind. countries: Canada and USA. The second one Why? It is because the darkness comes when- was swept by the current over the waterfalls. ever one is ill and suffering. The true Life is There were people watching him from the shores where there is not the least darkness. However, and although they wanted to help him, they diseases exist both in the physical and spiritual did not know how to do it. They were search- worlds: the point is to heal yourself without any ing for some way, but were afraid of drowning trace of the illness leaving a remnant on you. themselves and that made them indecisive. The It is said in the Scriptures that whoever stands situation got really terrible. The first American upright must be careful not to fall. stood on the rock amidst the rumble and roar of the water. He saw his friend being swept by the I ask why they did not save both Americans, waves and being totally helpless. I ask: what but only one of them. You say that God can save have these two Americans experienced? If you us all, if He wants to. That is true. God wants have never been caught in similar situations, you the salvation of all, but not all can be saved. The cannot really imagine the effect of the waves of second American was so drunk, that the rescu- Life. If you are far away from the waterfall, it ers could not help him. The American who was 46 47 on the rock was soberer and held on until he of becoming literate. Otherwise, if after learn- got help from the shore. Sometimes people get ing how to read and write, you give up further so intoxicated that no one can save them from studies, that will hold up your development. misfortune. They wander here and there blind- Continue to read and write. You must commu- ly. One day someone disappears and cannot be nicate with your mother, your father, and with found. What has happened? You will say: he has your friends, too. “But can I not continue with- passed to the World beyond. We know where out this?”, you ask. No, it is not possible. When he is—buried in the ground. His relatives and you can read and write masterfully, you will friends say though that he has gone to Heaven. also lead a meaningful life. Beautiful handwrit- It means that the visible person—the physical ing implies that you lead a pure, beautiful life body—is in the ground, while the invisible one which reflects the written content. Therefore, is in Heaven. what we write is the content of our lives. All You say, “I do not want to live.” Why? It beautiful things we insert are saved in our inner is because you do not understand the Laws of archives. Whatever is written on Earth follows Life. The outcome is determined by people its author. Whatever you put down, create, and themselves. One should not be forced, but live do remains with you. No one can deprive you by a natural impulse and free will. That is the of your creations and achievements. Whatever Will of God. That one will be saved who abso- you learn from others is helpful for your devel- lutely observes God’s Will. Therefore, whoever opment. But only what you have achieved by has a profound inner desire for salvation only yourself is truly important for you and makes that person can succeed. Every mindful human you strong. Only in this way does one become desire is an expression of God’s Will. God man- perfect and free. ifests Himself through our desires, and the One Many people ask me various questions, but Who awakens the desires in us is God. I do not always answer them. “Why should we I have told you many things today, which trust God and love Him?”, you ask. I will not you need to apply like the one who makes use answer you. Why? It is because the trust and 48 49 love for God is in the natural flow of things and possible? It is possible for the perfect one, but does not need speaking out. When you love God, not for the imperfect one. you will study. “I love my teacher, but I do not A young man was walking to a country wed- want to study”, a student says. This cannot be. ding. On the route it started raining heavily. You cannot love your teacher without studying. To avoid getting wet he stripped himself na- If you love him, you will study his subject with ked. When he was about to enter the village, he love. Learning cannot be replaced by love. Love dressed in the nearby forest and continued his is love, but you should study. “I love this per- way. People in the village asked him how he son.” If you love this person, you should study. could remain dry in the heavy rain. He replied, Love and learning go hand in hand. True, when “I walked very fast, so fast that the rain did not you love, you can learn; if you do not love, you reach me.” In reality, he had found a smart solu- cannot learn. Learning is not possible without tion to this problem. But he hid the truth not to love which leads to my conclusion: whoever admit that he walked naked. It is curious how he does not study does not love. got the idea to take off his clothes and prevent And so, Love for God is a great power for them of getting wet. Adam also became aware achieving perfection. It is actually impossible of being naked, but only after his wrongdo- to describe what Love is and what perfection ing. Therefore, one needs knowledge to avoid is. Can you take a picture of the entire Earth? wrongdoings in the same way as the young man This is as possible as the description of Love protected himself from the rain. and perfection. If you can photograph the one What do people of today need? Growth and hemisphere of Earth, the other one will be miss- development. This is the ideal of the human soul. ing. However, there are Beings of such an ex- Perfection of the human being comes through panded consciousness that they can embrace the spiritual growth and development. All who fol- entire Earth. They see it simultaneously from lowed the path of the high ideal became per- all sides and even penetrate into its core. Is this fect. Christ came to Earth to fulfill His mission. Thus he attained true perfection. The one who 50 51 wants to become perfect should fulfill the mis- ask, the answer is one: suffering is inevitable. sion which God has assigned to him. We have You may say that the devil makes an excep- the example of Christ for a sublime service. tion. The devil suffers too—he also walks the Christ said to His disciples, “I have food to eat path of suffering. Someone has broken his leg. of which you do not know.”4 What is this food? Still, he needs to move forward. You say, “But Doing God’s Will. Everyone should have such he cannot walk.” When his leg gets better, he a powerful idea, serving as a focal point for his will continue on his way. The important thing spiritual world and keeping his life in balance. is the correction of one’s errors. Someone says, Such a sublime idea will really empower the “I do not feel well, I am nervous, I was born human being. It is a foundation and fortress for like that.” Rejoice that you were born that way. the human life. It makes one strong and unshak- How would you live, if you had no nerves? The able. Without holding such an idea one sways in distinguishing feature between humans and ani- life as a ship rocked by the waves which causes mals is the nervous system. “I am neurasthen- seasickness. A medication against seasickness ic.” There is nothing better than this. “I have was recently invented in Italy. Modern people become very sensitive.” But that is what makes should not sway any more. you human. “I think a lot.” That is even better. Now I introduce to you the path walked by “Where will all this end?” It is not your con- the perfect ones. You will walk the same path cern—because God is the beginning, you are the facing many contradictions which you should end. When you unite with God, this will be the ignore. When you read about the life of Christ, end. It is just the beginning now. Therefore, the Job, the prophets you see examples and ideas of human being should take the last place, in other how to move forward. Why did Christ suffer? words, the end. Everyone should be the end, or Why did Job suffer? Whatever questions you the Omega, while God is the Alpha, or the be- ginning of things. You say, “But I do not want to be at the rear.” The best thing is to be at the rear, or to be the tail. The tail is that directs the 4. See John 4:32. 52 53 movement of the fish. The propeller that drives Christ says, “But the hour is coming, and now the ship is at the back. Hence, the humankind is it is, when the true worshippers will worship the end of things, and the human being is who the Father in Spirit and in Truth; for the Father puts the Divine Ideas into action. is seeking such to worship Him.”5 And now, I Apply this: serve God in Spirit and Truth and would like you to reflect all day long upon the be perfect. You ask, “Can we be perfect?” It is idea of serving God in Spirit and Truth. up to you. Where there is a beginning and end, The manifested Love of Spirit, the manifest- there is perfection too. Where there is neither ed Wisdom of Spirit, and the manifested Truth beginning nor end, perfection cannot be ex- of Spirit bring the full and abundant Life of pected either. Since God has sent a soul to the God, of the One Eternal God of Life. Earth, it is capable of becoming perfect. When you become perfect, you will enter the World of Morning lecture by the Master Beinsa Douno, Ascended souls. Your Advanced Brothers will April 30, 1933, Sofia, Izgrev. recognize you there as being perfect. If you do not become perfect, you will need to study for a long time on Earth. You will descend to Earth, and ascend to Heaven until you finally finish your development. The Wheel of Incarnation will turn and turn over until you attain per- fection. Only through perfection you will free yourself from this Wheel. In other words, you will incarnate and be physically born until the day of your perfection. The person who is tight- ly attached to Earth will need to incarnate many times until he finally begins to desire perfec- tion. 5. See John 4:23. 55 God is the third subject that is most impor- tant, but typically misunderstood by human- kind. This word translated in understandable language represents the Love that brings life and eternity to the human soul. For this reason it is written in the Scriptures, “God is Love.”1 Therefore, the ideal of the human being is to un- derstand oneself and the angels, in other words, the luminous, pure thoughts; and lastly, to un- derstand God—or Love. If one has understand- THE HUMAN ing of these three subjects, that one will be able to create a positive philosophy of life. IDEAL People of today suffer from misunderstand- ing and ignorance how to put things together. If he earthly life has three important sub- one cannot arrange things as they were created Tjects to consider. As we live on Earth, by Nature and God, that one will come into a the first and foremost is to understand the hu- big inner conflict. It is like you set a fire in- man beings, if we want to understand their life- side your house, but somewhere on the floor style. and not in its proper place—the fireplace. What The second important subject, which we will happen then? The entire house will catch need to understand, are the angels. Translated fire and will burn—you will burn with it too. in a common language they represent the hu- man mind and thoughts. When we say “angel,” we usually have in mind a luminous being. 1. See also 1 John 4:16, “And we have known and believed the However, we will translate “angel” as a “lumi- Love that God has for us. God is Love, and he who abides in nous thought.” Love abides in God, and God in him.” 56 57 In this respect, human feelings are like fire. If thought is quite useless. I live, I think, I feel, people know how and where to direct what they so any external proof is needless. The thought feel, it will bring them the greatest blessings in should be studied as a substantial condition. If life. And vice versa, if they do not know this, a chemist wants to perform a chemical reac- it will cause them the greatest sufferings and tion resulting in a certain compound, he should sorrows. Right thinking is needed to guide hu- know the properties of the elements and the man feelings in the right direction. That is why, laws that govern them. If he takes into consider- thoughts and feelings are of the greatest and ation all this, the reaction and the combination paramount importance for the human being. As of the elements will go correctly. Otherwise, the for the angels, there is nothing more sublime chemist may cause a big explosion and create a than purity—pure feelings and pure thoughts. calamity. In the Divine World there is nothing greater In this respect Life represents a chemical than Love. Therefore, thoughts and feelings are compound consisting of many elements. If a most important in the human world, Purity—in person knows how to combine the elements of the Angelic World, and Love—in the Divine his life, how to combine the thoughts and feel- World. ings, that person will be able to produce prop- I say, no matter how important these things erly a chemical compound, in other words, to are, modern people have not understood them create a meaningful harmonious life. And vice yet, moreover they are still requiring proofs versa, if a person combines inwardly a desire about the existence of God. If this issue is to be with a thought that are both unnatural, in other proven, it loses its sense. Each attempt to prove words, from the combination of a human with God’s existence represents a mechanical pro- an animal desire, an explosive compound is cess. Does it make sense proving to me that I am formed, which might cause an explosion. In this alive? I know already that. Does it make sense respect, one has not come yet to the rank of a proving to me that I can think? I know already true human being. The true human being is to that as well. Proving to me that I have life and be revealed from now on. People of today can- 58 59 not fully control themselves and still have many is this science, which cannot offer them a way animal-based manifestations. All crimes today, of living a meaningful life? What good is this from the smallest to the biggest ones, are com- type of science which cannot formulate the laws mitted under the effect of these bestial elements of human thought nor explain the reasons for in the lower human nature. the existence of good and evil? What are these Now, by “man” or “human being” I refer to social sciences and social order which cannot the total of all virtues. Whoever lacks some of guide people in their life program fulfillment? these virtues has a bigger or smaller predomi- The life of people has become meaningless, be- nance of the lower nature within oneself. When cause neither religion nor science were able to I speak about the lower or animal nature in the give the rules needed for the human develop- human being, I have in mind features from any ment. In reality, the Earth is covered by monu- of the animals: tigers, bears, wolves, foxes, the ments mostly of dead people. Great Beings like various herbivores, insects, and so on. What is Christ have visited the Earth. For two thousand their life like? Life of mutual destruction—they years Christ has been present among people and eat and swallow each other. However, there is He is still with them. one exception among birds—the pigeons. Most You ask, “What is the purpose of suffering?” of the pigeon species are pure vegetarians and There is a great purpose in suffering. Sufferers feed only on grains. Meanwhile, the nightin- are heroes and become true human beings, while gale that is an excellent singer is carnivorous non-sufferers remain ordinary people and noth- and eats tens to hundreds of insects daily. The ing great is expected from them. Great people nightingale is content of its situation especially go through big trials. Christ endured great suf- when it can catch more insects. Yet, the little ferings, thus He left the world a sublime sacred flies it feeds on do not think so. idea that will never perish. His idea did not pass People of today boast of their religion, sci- away, neither did Christ. He was subjected to a ence, and art. I ask: what is this religion that great trial: to be crucified and placed in a tomb, cannot teach them to love one another? What but on the third day He resurrected. The exis- 60 61 tence of Christianity so far is due to the fact that Today all people want to be healthy, happy, Christ is still living among people and will live fulfilling all their desires, and so on. All this forever. If however, some disharmony comes can be achieved. How? By acquiring a healthy up among Christians, the reason is that many body, kind heart, bright mind, and all virtues. of those who consider themselves Christians do Without these attributes people are exposed to not really believe that Christ has risen from the suffering. In this respect, sufferings are excep- dead. They are assumed to be believers, but in tions in life. Why? It is because they should be reality they are not. So, they are in the situation understood and applied well. That is why suf- of those who are regarded as humans without fering increases the faith of wise people, while being true human beings, so far. Indeed, you for the foolish ones, they are the greatest mis- often meet people calling each other with the fortune that can befall on them in life. In the names of some animals. For instance, one per- modern belief system one is born to die. What son says to another, “You are a wolf, fox, bear, is the meaning of death? It is meaningful only tiger, and so on.” When people want to express if one transitions after death to a better life than that someone is foolish, they say, “He is just a the earthly one. The death of a righteous per- sheep”. Many think that the sheep is a foolish son has its meaning. However, the death of a animal, but this is not so. When I studied the wrongdoer is quite senseless. In the same way, structure and shape of its head, I found it out to there is sense for a flower or fruit tree to blos- be one of the intelligent mammals based on the som, but what is the meaning of a bomb to burst measurements and scientific data. Those who open and explode? It is useful to start a fire in study the physiognomy of animals will find the fireplace and cook a meal with it, but to out that in regard of intelligence the elephant start it in the middle of the house and set all on comes right after the human being, followed by fire—such a fire is senseless. Building temples the sheep. One may ask however, where the true for worshippers and schools for children makes human being is in reality. sense, but is there any sense in making bombs and grenades with which people kill each other? 62 63 And after all this you say that God should set is the most important in respect to the Sun? the world right! As soon as God created humans The sunlight and warmth that inspire luminous and inscribed the Laws in their hearts to live by thoughts and noble feelings in the human being. them, He had already set the world right. Even However, this same warmth and light awake in- if people live thousands of years more, they will ferior feelings, instincts, and wishes in the wolf. still divide themselves into learned and unedu- Behind the solar light and warmth there stands cated, rich and poor, religious and non-believ- a Great Mighty Hand that is invisible to people. ers. In reality, if they examine themselves care- You ask, “Where is this Hand?” It can be seen fully, they will see that all of them are alike. as much as you can see the true human being. Both the religious people and non-believers What you see externally and call “human be- serve for money. It is not bad that their service ing” is only an expression of certain thoughts, is for money. But striving for money, people fo- feelings, and actions. The human being is not cus on being well-dressed and living luxurious- that which dies. The negative thoughts, feel- ly, and forget their true purpose on Earth. When ings, and deeds are what passes away in the people want to have nice clothes, they should human being. Sometimes they die, sometimes strive to be dressed beautifully from within as they are uprooted like a tree. well. Everyone can put on a beautiful luminous I say: as you are now in the process of creat- inner garment. Luminous thoughts and noble ing your life, it is important for you to live with feelings are one’s inner garments and no matter luminous thoughts and feelings, with noble and where this one goes, people say, “Behold a true rightful actions. If you do not follow all this, you human being!” Such a person brings the Divine will cause your misfortune yourselves. Creating blessing to any home he visits: he heals the ill, the human life can be compared to the construc- comforts the sorrowful, and nourishes the hun- tion of a ship. How is a ship built? For its good gry. performance all technical rules and laws of Now, what is the most important at sunrise? modern science must be put into action. Only The Sun itself, in other words, its light. What in this way can the ship withstand all storms 64 65 and gales that can occur in the sea. If all these about a great country. However, the present sit- technological rules and laws are not observed, uation of the countries is a token for misinter- the ship with all passengers will be exposed to pretation of life. great dangers. Many think that they have come to Earth to In the same way, people of today are in the spend somehow their lives and then to depart. world as in a stormy sea—and if their ship is not That is a wolf-like way of thinking. The wolf well built, they will be exposed to great dangers. tries to come close to a livestock enclosure in If their ship—the body—and their thoughts and order to steal a sheep and eat it, and that is all feelings are not solid and stable, they could meet the wolf aims. If someone has the same think- with great disasters. That is why the reasons for ing, what is the difference between such a per- a shipwreck should be searched not only in the son and a wolf? Moreover, after eating a sheep, ship performance, but also in its designers and the wolf could be chased and shot. constructors. At the same time, when someone kills from In the future when people reach a higher lev- ten to twenty people in the battlefield, he is im- el of development, they will act according to mediately rewarded and pronounced a hero. all rules and methods of the New teaching in So, afterward this person boasts with his kill- order to create well-organized bodies for them- ing without batting an eyelid. Killing and de- selves that are capable of receiving the Sublime stroying is a crime, not a science. Creating and Divine thoughts and feelings. building—that is a science. As it is necessary to follow certain rules and I say, modern people should think and live laws for the human body creation, the same rightly—as God requires of them. Rightly should be done during the election of ministers means living as brothers and sisters. Besides, it and Parliament members of a country. These are is not necessary for all people to have the same to be the most intelligent, selfless, and virtuous external features and same beliefs. Consider, people of the nation. Only then we could speak for instance, the little child and the mature per- 66 67 son. They differ in appearance, but have some- mine the notion of “a human being.” The human thing in common as human beings. The young being is a combination of virtues, not of crimes. will eventually get old and the old could also When some negativity is rising up from within, rejuvenate. The alchemists have done many ex- it is a sign that the person comes across certain periments in this direction. An old person can negative traits inherited from many generations. be placed in a special chemical device—retort Therefore, even today one should make many and after passing through certain processes he efforts to remove the inherited negative features would emerge entirely rejuvenated. One could and some animal-like manifestations until com- become young not only by alchemy, but also by ing to the state of a true human being. his thought. Many European scientists support And so, when one comes to reveal the con- the theory that a human being can rejuvenate scious, mindful principle, that one will be strong and revive his life by his thought. The sublime and free of all negative and inferior manifesta- thought creates a pleasant atmosphere which tions from within. If a righteous person lives attracts what is pleasant and beautiful in the in a mountain, for instance, the weather will be Living nature and makes one capable of receiv- as he wishes: if he wants snow—it will snow; ing it. Without sublime thought, one does not if he wants rain or sunshine—the weather will know how to interact with the Sentient nature respond accordingly. However, when a wrong- and encounters many problems and misfortunes doer lives in the mountain, the weather will not as a result. Due to this some people have a bad follow his wishes, but will be as Nature dic- behavior—it is a sign that they are bad only by tates—so, the wrongdoer needs to comply with their will and actions, but not in their essence. the weather and not vise versa. You often meet people who will not do even Many people when hiking in the mountains what is for their own good because of their inner are afraid of rain because they think that they disposition, and the so-called malevolent will. might catch a cold. You should know that the The task of modern culture is to study the July rain in the mountains is a great blessing— manifestations of human thoughts and deter- such a “bath” is equal to a hundred regular 68 baths. Each drop of rain in July is imbued with beneficial electromagnetic forces. Now, remember the following thought: hu- man being is the greatest masterpiece of cre- ation on Earth. Rejoice that you bear the name “human being”! Strive to live up to this name! One needs to be good; one needs to think, feel, and act rightly! And then say to yourself, ev- eryone of you, “My life must not bring harm to others. If I want happiness for myself, I want happiness for others too. My thought should be METHODS like God’s thought!” FOR SELF- Now, I wish to all of you: be wise, goodheart- ed, and happy. May your desires come true! And IMPROVEMENT may you become new people from now on! Only the Luminous Way of Lecture by the Master Beinsa Douno, held on July Wisdom leads to the Truth. 12, 1931. The Truth holds Life within.

cholars, and especially those occupied Swith geometry, deal with geometrical figures and bodies. Meanwhile, ordinary and uneducated people do the same in everyday life, only that they are not able to give definitions to these figures. For instance, who, whether 70 71 learned or ignorant, is not familiar with the cir- Eternal and Unfailing Light. In reality, that is cle? Does a farmer’s treshing field not represent the Light, which is true and genuine, as it never a circle itself? changes or fails. In this sense, we call “real” that However, it is not so important to be ac- which is everlasting. How real are human feel- quainted with the properties of the circle as a ings, beliefs, and decisions? For example, today figure, as it is to know how to apply it. Many you are cheerful, the next day you are sorrowful. have knowledge about coal and its origin, but Which is real: your joy or your sorrow? Today this knowledge is worthless if they cannot use you believe that there is a God, the next day it as fuel. Many are familiar with the proper- you do not think so. Which of your two views ties of water, but it will be much better if they is true? Today you decide to take an exam, the can transform the aquatic energy into electricity next day you change your mind. Which of these and light. The more transformations a particular two intentions are you going to fulfill? Reality type of energy undergoes, the better it gets for is everywhere and nowhere. Reality is neither humans. For example, we benefit from the sun- sustained nor denied. Whoever has good sight shine due to the transformation of solar energy and sees well will recognize the Sun. But the into light. You may say that the sunlight comes Sun cannot be recognized by those who cannot directly, without being transformed from its see, which is quite normal. The blind people do source which is a celestial body. Go to the Sun not acknowledge the Sun, because they cannot to see what it is in reality and then make your see it and no relation is formed to it. Reality be- comments. In fact, the light we receive with our comes knowledgeable by its manifestations. If eyes does not come from the physical Sun that it does not reveal itself to us, it will remain un- we see. Really and truly, the physical Sun emits known. What idea could we have of the Sun, if certain energy that is transformed several times it does not reveal itself to us? We see the Sun as until perceived as light. Light is produced by a physical body and as a result, we perceive its the higher consciousness, so, behind the physi- light and warmth. That is why we say that the cal Sun, there is another “Sun,” emitting the Sun is real for us. Thus we call “real” anything that we can feel, think, and speak about. It is 72 73 unusual for someone to accept something which the ground and will eventually become food for is only thinkable as real. Not that it is unusual, a person, bird, or animal. If maiden’s soft, ca- but people are simply not aware that thoughts ressing hands take it from the ground, the apple create forms in the same way as feelings and will be happy. But when it goes among the girl’s actions do. Forms can be physical as well as strong, hard teeth, the apple will wonder at the mental and emotional—corresponding to the change: how it is possible for someone with respective worlds and distinguished by the dif- such soft hands to have such hard teeth at one ferent density of their matter. Physical forms and the same time. As spiritual students, you are the densest, emotional are less dense, and are required to obtain a clear idea of how all is mental are the least dense. To a clairvoyant the arranged, and you should apply your knowledge mental and emotional forms are as real as the and abilities as methods for self-improvement. physical ones. To a seer, life is uninterrupted With this consideration, you should not be puz- and wholesome in all its forms and manifesta- zled why a girl may have soft hands, but hard tions. But to those who do not see clearly, life teeth—just put every single thing in its place. seems to be interrupted and consists, as they When someone is in prison, sentenced to say, of different ages as different phases of life, death, his younger sister needs to go to the ruler which have no points of contact. They will tell [pasha—in Turkish] who has passed the sentence you that what was in youth was quite differ- and appeal for her brother’s liberation. Which ent from adulthood and disparate from old age. method is advisable in this case: the soft hands Actually, life is wholesome and uninterrupted. or the hard teeth? Definitely, the soft hands are As a child you depend on your mother’s care, better. If the young woman wants to appeal for as a grown-up you separate from your parents, her brother’s life, she should be wise enough and finally, when you become an adult, you live to apply the softest and kindest attitude toward entirely on your own. However, these are dif- the person in charge. If the ruler appreciates her ferent phases of one process that is in progress. kind and tender approach, he may pardon her As long as the apple is green, it is on the branch brother. But if the sister uses the other meth- of the apple tree; but after ripening, it falls on 74 75 od—the method of hard teeth, instead of attain- both give and both receive. When one gives, ing a pardon for her brother, she will quicken the other pays in return. The first, for example, his death. So, it is much better to apply the soft is a merchant who offers high quality goods; and tender approach toward someone who has the other is a buyer who pays for the purchases a heart of stone. In conclusion, the above men- regularly and generously. The roles then switch: tioned forces are equal, but they are acting in the first buys and the second sells. Therefore, opposite directions. What will happen to a body to be able to maintain good relationships, you exposed to the effect of two equal, but opposite should pay off your old bills and correct your forces: the heart of stone and the kind attitude? past mistakes. The old is like a thorn in your The answer is that this body will remain immo- foot. It is small, but nevertheless, you need a bile. In other words, the young woman’s brother needle to pick it out. You need to gather your will remain alive and healthy as the sentence courage and probe with the needle until the torn will not be applied to him. is removed. If you do not do this, you need to Every young woman who succeeds to release wait for about ten days, so that the thorn may her brother from prison is beautiful and wise; soften and go out by itself. Regardless of which in other words, she has knowledge and power way of treatment you prefer, with or without a to apply her methods. Beauty represents the needle, the thorn must come out. People of to- Truth in human beings. The ruler cannot with- day are afraid to strike their inner balance. For stand the young woman’s knowledge, power, example, someone has a negative opinion of his and truth; that is why he yields. The woman has neighbor, but he is afraid to find out why. It is softly touched his heart of stone and as a result, awful to keep negative thoughts about anyone he will discharge her brother. No one can resist in your mind. Moreover, you should consider Truth. Love is where the Truth is. Where Love the objectivity of your opinion: is it based on reigns, there the relationships are as they should real facts or not? If untrue views accumulate in be. Where there is Love, the exchange between your consciousness, they will bring you adver- two beings is genuine and harmonious: they sity and suffering. Negative thoughts will make you nervous and indisposed. To avoid negative 76 77 thinking, you should make efforts toward your should be careful to avoid unconscious touch- self-improvement and also learn from experi- ing of the different parts and centers on your ence. head. If you act on some center needlessly, you What do you understand by “self-improve- can cause yourself great harm. But if you treat ment? It means unassisted nourishment. On the a given spot on your head with knowledge and path of self-improvement you need to try many when necessary, you can improve your health. ways in order to find out the method which is This knowledge can be used for self-improve- appropriate for you. In this way you will work ment. As spiritual students, you need to consid- out the right feelings and thoughts, which will er the sacredness of your body. Each time you create your own experience. Thoughts, which treat it, you should remember that it is a part are attained through personal experience, are of the Great cosmos. Therefore, it is through genuinely precious. For example, you real- your body that you have a relationship with the ize that to become a scientist one must apply Cosmos. That is why every disharmony caused persistence and diligence; to become a singer, somewhere in your body introduces a discord one needs a properly developed larynx, love for in the entire Cosmos. For this reason, it is bet- singing, and a good teacher. To be truly beauti- ter sometimes not to touch certain body centers, ful, one must be in touch with lovely images and because unintentionally you could produce a inspiring people. To become smart, one needs to whole “explosion” in yourself. Only the initi- be in connection with the thoughts of Sublime ated know when and how to treat their body Beings. To attain the Great Love, one needs to centers properly. The control of body language come into communion with God. Divine Love will help you to avoid such unconscious inner is received through the crown chakra at the up- “explosions.” So, it is good to avoid any un- per part of the head. On the other hand, physical aware and chaotic movements striving for con- love passes through the back side of the head. scious and thoughtful ones. In this respect, self- In general, each brain center is related to cer- improvement is achieved through conscious tain forces of Nature. When you know this, you living. Self-improvement implies to make your 78 79 movements conscious and give way to your in- personal ability. A person may have one or ner wisdom. another physical make-up, but by conscious Let’s say you are observing a young woman work and self-improvement, the negative fea- making some movements under an apple tree. tures and planetary aspects can be overcome, If she bends down and then straightens up with- while the positive ones are strengthened. The out doing any useful work, you will say that her crabapple can be grafted in such a way as to movements are not conscious and meaningful. bear good fruit. Similarly, the mindful person But if with each movement, she picks apples can be grafted with what is good and valuable. and places them in a basket, her movements are Many say that their living conditions are bad; conscious and they are also approved by the that they cannot manifest their goodness, and so apple tree. Even when the young woman eats on. These are only mental beliefs typical for an some of the apples, the apple tree does not re- ignorant person. Whoever is knowledgeable is gret it. The apples would be sorry only if the also responsible to keep on working, practicing, woman eats them with the seeds, as they are applying, and gradually improving the self. It is bearing new life. The apples expect their seeds not easy, but neither it is impossible. Through to be sown, so that to grow up again. Good re- intensive conscious practice you can overcome lationships with plants and animals are a sign your weaknesses and strengthen your innate of good relationships with people and also with good. It is hard to tame an elephant, but it is not God. Only in this way are favorable conditions impossible. Things can get scary when it gets created for the manifestation and further devel- angry. When this happens, the trainer pushes opment of the good that is invested in human the elephant to the ground and rolls it over a beings. few times. Getting up, the elephant will become as meek as a lamb. Sentient nature treats hu- As soldiers exercise physically to become mans in the same way. While someone is stand- stronger, so every person should exercise in ing upright on his legs, he is brave and decisive. doing good. Exercises and efforts are needed But when he is thrown on the ground and rolled for the development of each body center and over and over, he gets tamed and humbled. Thus 80 81 Life serves Nature. When someone is head- yourself you can change your old ways of living strong and stubborn, Life pushes him down on and enter a new life, where things are set right. the ground and rolls him over few times. When Someone gets angry and thinks that the appro- this person gets up, he has already learned a les- priate way to change oneself and others is by son and he would probably think before getting showing power and control. In fact, nothing can angry again. Nature applies the same methods be achieved through anger and violence. There to stubborn, headstrong, and unruly people as is only one kind of anger that could be help- to animals. Even the most vicious dog can be ful: only when and if it comes from the power tamed, if caught and twirled around and around of the Divine source. If the Divine is not tak- by its tail. However, Sentient nature can apply ing part in your actions, you will easily fail. A on people some other methods as well. She can man was walking through the forest when a big display her own advanced methods to them and bear appeared in the distance. He took a thick leave them to self-improve. Those who apply stick and said angrily, “May it dare come to her methods will have good results. There are me!” Nevertheless, the bear was approaching specific methods for the development of any slowly and calmly toward him. Seeing this, the living species—fishes, birds, mammals, and man threw his stick aside and quickly climbed so on. Similarly, there are specific methods for the nearby tree. What did he do with his anger? the education and self-improvement of every- First he did get angry with the bear and took one—either learned or ignorant. As a whole, a stick to stand against it, but then he quickly if someone wants to apply proper methods for changed his mind and backed up. Certainly, you self-improvement, he needs to apply the meth- have some reason to be cross and angry with ods of sages and saints, who have drawn their a bear coming toward you, but if you decide knowledge from Sentient nature. Observe their to fight it, you should comply with your deci- life and see their routines: how they go to bed sion. Therefore, if you have a certain thought, and get up, how they wash themselves and which you can use against evil, do not throw it dress, how they pray and work. By improving aside, but make use of it. Because if you throw 82 83 it aside, it shows that you are a weak person. mic law, or in other words, under unfavorable Always sustain the view that what is imbued in limiting conditions. Under these conditions he you is meaningful, that Life is meaningful, and will complain of his destiny, get discouraged, that you can use the methods of Nature for your and will not be able to develop properly. self-improvement. The insufficiency of true As students of the Sublime life you need to knowledge should not bother you, but if you do exclude the word “discouragement.” You should not make efforts to acquire it—that is what can- know that even under the most difficult circum- not be excused. All people suffer, because they stances you can evolve spiritually. The human do not utilize the conditions they have. You may being is changeable in body, yet steadfast and say, “But we make errors.” It is not an excuse stable in spirit. Give priority to the Spirit in you either. If you have errors, you need to correct in order to avoid mistakes. Ceasing to trans- them. The Scriptures say that you will give ac- gress, the wrongdoer extends his life. And vice count for every empty word.1 Every empty word versa, if a righteous person begins to transgress, is a debt which you must pay together with in- his life is shortened. Do not think that you are terest. If you have collected a debt in the morn- king’s sons who have come to Earth for plea- ing, review your accounts during the day, and sure. You all need to work both for yourselves arrange it all, so that when the night falls, it will and for your fellowmen. Work is one of the im- find you to be with paid debts, without any due portant methods for self-improvement. If you interest. The unpaid debts are nothing else, but do not work willingly, you will be ordered to do the karma that everyone is afraid of. That one it, but then you will get different results. True who does not pay his debts will fall under kar- work implies working out of Love and without any force. If you work in this way, you will re- joice at the results achieved. If someone works without Love, the results will be a disaster. 1. See also Ephesians 5:6, “Let no one deceive you with empty Whoever studies with Love rejoices in success. words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those Only such a person can become learned. who are disobedient.” 84 Apply Love as a method for your self-im- provement and you can develop even the small- est of gifts imparted to you. Love excludes any kind of discouragement. No matter how many times you may fall down, you can stand up again. No matter that you have lost your prop- erty or your health, you can gain it anew. The person of Love can lose something only tem- porarily, but he is going to regain it. There are only gains and achievements in Love. As spiritual students, hold an optimistic view BIOGRAPHICAL of life. Whatever befalls you, accept it with joy. Address your difficulties consciously to be able INFORMATION to discover the precious gifts hidden in them. Every trial and sorrow will bring you certain ABOUT blessings. Use the blessings, which joys and THE MASTER sorrows bring to your life. See the manifesta- tions of Great Divine Love, Wisdom, and Truth in all that is. This is the right method to apply BEINSA DOUNO— for your self-improvement.

Only the Revealed Divine Love, Wisdom, and Truth will bring a full and abundant life.

Lecture held by the Master Beinsa Douno to the Youth Esoteric Class, February 6, 1931, Sofia, Izgrev. 86 87 August 1888: Peter Deunov left for the Unit- ed States and enrolled at Drew Theological Methodist Seminary in Madison, New Jersey. October 15, 1890: He finishes a preparatory course in theology at Drew Seminary, Madison, Dates and Events New Jersey. 1891–1893: Peter Deunov attended the Fac- ulty of Theology in the University of Boston 1864: Peter Konstantinov Deunov was born as a full time student. He graduated on June 7, th th on the 11 of July (29 of June by the Julian 1893 with the graduation thesis “The Migration calendar—Saint Peter’s day) in the village of of the Teutonic Tribes and their Conversion to Hadurcha (present day Nikolaevka), near the Christianity.” Black Sea in the district of Varna. He was the third child in the family of the Orthodox priest February 3, 1894: He completed a one year Konstantin Deunovski and Dobra Georgieva. course in medicine at the University of Boston. 1872: Peter Deunov entered the Elementary 1895–1900: Peter Deunov returned to Bulgar- school in Nikolaevka. ia, but refused to become a Methodist preacher or an Orthodox priest in Varna. He spent time 1878-1883: He studied and obtained his sec- in seclusion and meditation, in prayer and pro- ondary degree in the all-male school in Varna. found inner work. 1886: Peter Deunov graduated from the 1896: He published the book “Science and American Theological School in Svishtov. Education” in which he analyzed the human 1887–1888: He was a teacher in the village path in the world drama and coming of the New of Hotantsa, Ruse district. culture. 88 89 1897: On March 7, at the age of 33, in the vil- fia (1926-1941), the Rila Mountains, and Mount lage of Tetovo, Ruse district, Peter Deunov had Vitosha. a mystical experience that divulged his spiri- tual mission together with his spiritual name— 1901-1912: The Master traveled across Bul- Beinsa Douno. The same year he published his garia to hold lectures and performing phreno- mystic booklet Hio-Eli-Meli-Mesail. This year logical research studies of the Bulgarian char- was the turning point in his life—the beginning acter. of his work as a spiritual Teacher. 1904: He settled in Sofia, at 66 Opalchenska 1898: The Master gave the talk “An Appeal Street, where he began to deliver his Word in to My People—Bulgarian Sons of the Slavonic the form of talks. Family” before the members of the Charitable 1912: Beinsa Douno worked on the Bible in Society “Mother” in Varna as a message for so- the village of Arbanasi, near Veliko Tarnovo and cial and spiritual self-determination. completed “The Testament of the Color Rays of 1899: Peter Deunov wrote “The Ten Testi- Light” which was published in September the monials of the Lord” and “God’s Promise.” same year. 1900: The Master summoned his first three 1914: He began to give regular Sunday lec- disciples: Penyo Kirov, Todor Stoimenov, and tures to the general public in Sofia. These lec- Dr. Georgi Mirkovich to a meeting in Varna in tures were recorded in short-hand by his ste- July. It was the First Gathering of the Brother- nographer disciples. Later, they were decoded, hood of Light which he called meeting of the edited, and published in the series of lectures Chain. “Power and Life”, which presented the funda- mental principles of the New teaching. 1900-1942: Annual gatherings were held, usually in August, at different places: Varna 1917-1932: Beinsa Douno held a Special (1900-1908), Veliko Tarnovo (1909-1925), So- spiritual course for married women in Sofia. 90 91 1917-1918: During the First World War he Spiritual School there became a tradition for the was interned in Varna under the pretext that his followers from Bulgaria and abroad. Nowadays teaching was weakening the spirit of the sol- they take place every year in August with thou- diers at the front. The followers of the New sands of participants. teaching increased in number after the war and reached approximately forty thousand people in September 21, 1930: The Master began a the late 1930s. new series of the Teaching called the Sunday Morning Lectures, which continued up to April February 24, 1922: The School of the Uni- 1944. versal Brotherhood of Light was opened in So- fia with two classes for spiritual students: the 1934: He presented Paneurhythmy (The Cos- General Esoteric Class and the Special (Youth) mic Rhythm of Life)—a series of 28 exercises Esoteric Class. The Master delivered his lec- containing music, lyrics, and movements. Later tures before the two classes twice a week in the on, he added two more parts: “The Rays of the course of 22 years until December 1944. Sun” and “The Pentagram”. The Paneurhythmy was finally completed in 1942. 1927: A settlement called Izgrev (Sunrise) was established near Sofia (today a residential 1944: Beinsa Douno with a group of disci- area of the city) as an intentional spiritual cen- ples spent the hardest months during the Sec- ter for Beinsa Douno’s followers. The Master ond World War (January 11, 1944-October 19, settled permanently there, where he lectured on 1944) in the village of Marchaevo, near Sofia, various subjects in a hall specially built for this in the house of Temelko Gyorev. This house is purpose. preserved and functioning now as a museum. 1929: The first summer camp was carried December 20, 1944: The Master delivered out at the Seven Lakes in the Rila Mountains. his lecture “The Last Word” to the General Eso- The gatherings at the Rila Mountains and the teric Class. 92 December 27, 1944: The Master ended his earthly path in Sofia. By the ordinance of a spe- cial permission he was laid to rest in the Izgrev quarter. This sacred place is now turned into a beautiful garden which is open daily to the pub- lic. The Master Beinsa Douno has left an invalu- able spiritual heritage contained in his numer- ous talks and lectures; prayers, formulas, and songs; physical and breathing exercises; spiritu- Explanatory Note al methods and practices for personal and group work, for self-improvement and conscious liv- The Generic “Man” ing. n previous publications the following sen- Itence: “Man—a term used to denote an in- dividual (male or female) of the human race” was included to explain the use of this word throughout. However, recent comments on the sexist language led to the decision to elaborate much more on the subject of the use of the ge- neric “man,” “he,” and “his” in this book. In the Bulgarian language, there are different words for a human being. Chovek is used for Homo sapiens regardless of gender, mazh—for a male and zhena—for a female. When Peter Deu- 94 95 nov became the Enlightened spiritual teacher on: “The traditional approach has been to use Beinsa Douno and spoke the Word of Wisdom, the masculine pronouns he and him to cover all he often used chovek to address any human people, male and female alike.” being; and because this word is in the mascu- In a similar line of thinking, we decided to in- line form, it led to the use of gender specific clude this note as an explanation in the hope that words like toy (he) and negov (his) throughout the readers will focus on the meaning and depth his lectures in case of substitutions. However, of the Message brought by the Master Beinsa in English the word “man” is used with both Douno, rather than being distracted by the form meanings: as a generic term for Homo sapiens of some words. We replaced in many places, and as a term denoting an adult male. This has where appropriate, man with person, someone, led to many controversial discussions regarding one, individual, but this was not always pos- how to avoid the use of a word which could be sible to do without changing the meaning of the considered sexist by some readers. Our purpose Word spoken by the Master. Therefore, except is to keep the language as close as possible to where we specifically describe a female person, the original, but at the same time to make clear the generic masculine pronoun is mainly used what is the exact meaning in order to avoid con- throughout the book to include both sexes. In fusion. a similar manner: “Brothers of Light” refers to In Garner’s Modern American Usage, Uni- Beings of sublime consciousness and “Brother- versity Press, Oxford, 2003, Bryan A. Garner hood,” to Fellowship of brothers and sisters in writes on page 717, “But does avoiding sex- a spiritual community or to people living in a ism mean resorting to awkward devices such fraternal way in love and harmony. as he/she? Surely not, because that too would distract many readers. What you should strive for instead—f you want readers to focus on your ideas and not on the political subtext—is a style that does not even hint at the issue.” And further BEINSA DOUNO Methods for Self-improvement

First edition

Compilation and translation by Maria Braikova Graphic design by Steve Eagle

Bialo Bratstvo Publishers 1113 Sofia, 24 j.k. Izgrev Gen. Shterio Atanasov Str. #6 tel. (+359/02) 9634313; 8668955

http://www.beinsadouno.org http://www.everabooks.com