Austerity:
n : The trait of great self-denial (especially refraining
from worldly pleasures.)
Severe and rigid economy.
Stern:
adj. stern·er, stern·est
Hard, harsh, or severe
in manner or character: a stern disciplinarian.
Firm or unyielding; uncompromising.
Inexorable; relentless:
stern necessity.
Stern and inflexible stand My guards. LOMG2 VII
7.
Sometimes sternness is mistakenly seen as hatred. People
view resolute actions by great reformers in this way, but these actions are essentially stern and far from hatred. Let us
not judge the reasons for their sternness. SMD3 635.
When the radiation is the radiation of love, the resultant
words and actions can be stern without hurting. That is pre-eminently a lesson which you need to learn. Your need is also
to awaken to the fact that it is one of service; those who represent us are alive and active in the work to be done but are
not interested in personality modes of reaction. DINA.
One could easily destroy a useful foundation and bring
for a long time a harmful confusion. Therefore We commend a resolute prudence and deplore the luxury of destruction. NEC 214.
The present world conflict is analogous to the stern
conflict which is going on within the hearts and lives of all the world aspirants and disciples and is inevitably a sign that
they are setting their feet upon the Path of Conscious Discipleship. DINA1 772.
This is not a hopeless condition, for it carries within
it the seed of resolute decisiveness. At each turn of the path, one feels this tension. SMD2 262.
Sternness and cruelty are quite different concepts.
But people do not know how to distinguish the harmony of sternness from the spasms of cruelty.
Sternness is an attribute of justice, but cruelty is
misanthropy. From cruelty there is no path leading to Brotherhood. Sternness is expressed as a circle, but cruelty is the
sign of madness. Bro 65.
It is better to have stern knowledge than to be moved
by sentiment.
I teach the truth of life. You must know before you
are able. You must be able before you can manifests anything. And you can manifest only what is justified in spirit. LOMG1.
The shield of an Agni Yogi lies in his consecration
to world evolution and in the stern banishment of prejudice from his heart. AY 171.
These must be brought about by you through keen interest
in and love of others, and by stern mental control and unfoldment. DINA 732.
The previously mentioned bloody sweat of these self-sacrificing
Guardians is not a metaphor or hyperbole, but stern reality. LHR2.
A yogi ignores seeming misfortune because he discerns
the causes and effects of unforeseen events. What people usually see as accidental is the result of influences persisting
from the past, even the most remote. And where others will turn away from misfortune with disdain, a yogi perceives the true
possibilities. Do not be amazed if the yogi's heart responds to the most pitiful dog in which he sees the seeds of devotion,
or if he suddenly calls the humblest child to be a future co-worker.
No sooner do people call a yogi stern and cold, than
he will unexpectedly perform an act of true love and compassion. Most probably, the intent of this act will be falsely judged
by onlookers. Being called a deceiver is an honor for the yogi, because evolution is an abomination to the ignorant. AY 187.
Benevolence and austerity are one and the same concept.
Formerly We sent the olive branch of peace. Formerly the dove was Our symbol; now it is the chalice of achievement. Yes, each
age has its symbol. LOMG2 pt3 04.
Austerity of labor has nothing in common with a censorious
attitude. Only limited people condemn. Not out of condemnation is perfectment born. Bro 41.
The determined facing of the factual life and the stern
recognition of truth - coldly, calmly and dispassionately - will greatly facilitate the calling in of the flood of illumination
which will suffice to dispel glamor. Glam 145.
It is not a process of "killing out desire" as some
schools of thought teach, but is a process of gradually eradicating desire by stern discipline and hard trained work and this,
incidentally, involves the dissipation of glamor. Glam 211.
Men and women everywhere are attempting to rid themselves
of glamor by the power of clear thinking, stern discipline and common sense, and by a recording consciously of their relation
to the whole - which prompts them to eliminate out of their lives all that could hinder others or increase world deception
through glamor. Glam 214.
It is shocking to see how the dwellers of Earth have
obstructed their own way. It is not prayer but stern labor that is needed. This must be repeated, again and again. AY 249.
Austerity brings order. Softness brings creation. Let
us look into the empty basket too, to see whether a seed of life is not hidden even in the bitterest bark. AY 557.
One's assigned tasks will become a joy, as if they
were one's own chosen labor. It cannot be otherwise. Of course, this joy is not expressed in goat-like frolics. A true understanding
of one's surroundings may provoke a stern face, but one's life is nevertheless transformed. AY 273.
Austerity in daily life directs people to the future.
SMD3 582.
The hour will approach when you will tenaciously insist
on questions on the part of the one with whom you speak. But the first questions must come from you. And first of all ask
what has drawn him to you. And then ask him to tell when for the first time he felt the worthlessness of contemporary life;
and then let him relate how the first conception of the Teacher arose in his consciousness.
Let him tell how he understands achievement. Does he
feel the difference between the evidence and the reality; and can he realize the community within his consciousness? Thus,
it is necessary to get at the weeds of desires and dreams.
Be not afraid to appear stern; certainly far worse
are soft, rumpled cushions. Sternness will produce roots, and if there be also an indication of intensity, then will be created
the manifestation of the bridge. NEC 209.
In them lies hidden the secret of the true magic, and
in their comprehension will come to the man who has spiritual intuition, purity of life and motive, altruistic intention,
and a stern self-control and courage. IHS 160.
Many years did the Prince spend with Maitri, calling
her at times Stern One, or Glowing One, or Warrior, or Seeress of the Wisdom of Nagi. Cross.
The comment you mentioned of one of your defamers that
"in the books of the Living Ethics there are too many threatening warnings and this is not the method of Christ," it could
be answered that this person probably does not know, or does not understand, the Teaching of Christ, a Teaching which is severe
in its attacks against hypocrisy and in its full striving toward self-denying service to humanity.
Also, one might point out many stern warnings in the
words of Christ. Of course, faint hearts prefer to cover their most disgusting vices with the all-forgiving smile of an Image
of Christ, which they themselves have sacrilegiously created. How unjust, cruel and insignificant would be such an all-indulgent
and all-forgiving love! LHR1.
Thus, people often repeat the proverb, "One alone in
the field is not a warrior," but the real, profound, and stern meaning of these words does not penetrate petrified hearts.
I suggest that you emphasize in your work the
extent to which the esotericism in the Teaching of Christ is not understood and is passed over in silence, even in the gospels.
Also, you could mention that the first ray of the New Epoch will radiate a new understanding of the Teaching of Christ. LHR2.
The task ahead of everybody is to take that body, realize
its defects and requirements, and then deliberately set in and build a new body that may prove more adequate to the need of
the inner spirit. This is a task of large dimensions and involves time, stern discipline, self-denial and judgment. The man
who undertakes the practice of occult meditation literally "plays with fire." LOM 102.
"Again the Word went forth: Drop on the ground all
that you hold, and enter free.
"But three revolted from that stern command. The rest
obeyed. They passed within the gates, leaving the three outside. Many were raised unto the heights of joy. The three remained
without the gates, holding their treasure firm." EP1 396.
But the cosmic forces themselves come to the rescue,
and after stern fiery purification the human spirit will cry out and will strive to comprehend the spiritual foundations in
all manifestations of Being. LHR2.
Stern emotional and physical control. SM 132.
The very austerity of labor can acquire a beautiful
meaning by the elimination of all coarsening effects and the introduction of the concept of cooperation. It must be remembered
that coarseness is contrary to all laws of nature. Every coarse action creates such a hideous vortex that if people could
but see it they would certainly be more careful in their conduct. The karma of coarseness is extremely heavy.
With broadening of consciousness people become especially
sensitive to any and every coarseness. Thus, one may be assured that coarseness is most inadmissible. Bro 58.
One should know how to conquer the illusion of contradictions.
It is needful on the one hand to cultivate kindheartedness and on the other to understand austerity. For many, such a task
is completely insoluble; only the heart can prompt when the two qualities will not contradict each other. The heart will prompt
when it is necessary to rush to the help of one's neighbor. The heart will indicate when to stop short the madness of a fierce
animal. It is impossible to express in a word of law just when the necessity of this or that action becomes evident. Unwritten
are the laws of the heart, but only therein does justice dwell, for the heart is the bridge of the worlds.
Where are the scales of self-abnegation? Where is the
judge of achievement? Where is the measure of duty? The sword of knowledge flashes at the command of the heart. For the heart
there will be no contradiction. Bro 121.
Only reckless courage can turn the structure upwards
into strata untried and beautiful in the maintenance of new elements. Therefore, I speak and shall say again that outworn
forms must be avoided in the structure. Sinking back into the old receptacles is inadmissible. The understanding of the New
World in all its austerity is needed. NEC 66.
In each book there must be a chapter about irritation.
It is imperative to expel this beast from the house. I welcome austerity as well as decisiveness. I enjoin you to abolish
jeering jests. Each one should be helped to get out of entanglements. One should nip each bud of vulgarity. Each one must
be permitted to have his say, and patience must be found to listen. The empty rumor must be cut short, and ten words must
be found against each word defaming the Teacher. Indeed, remain not silent at an arrow directed at the Teacher. NEC 78.
I do not see a single detail of dialectics or methodics.
We know only the austere flowers of necessity. And it is necessary to reach Us carrying a realization of immutability. Austerity
is not insensibility, and immutability is not limitation. NEC 89.
Manifest austerity, know how to respect secrecy so
as not even to repeat a date to oneself be as a wave which washes away a stone but once. NEC 99.
Think, ponder sternly on the immutability of the community.
The best joy emanates from austerity. NEC 191.
Deeply laid is the foundation. The builders laying
the base know not the height of the future towers. But the architect already has designed their height. Some structures grow
only in austerity, and with great difficulty. LOMG1 215.
The key to the next attainment is the most difficult
step on the path. Therefore, many beginners consider the path of an Adept like galley slavery. Not a flattering opinion, but
I prefer the austerity of the spirit's drive. IX LOMG2 13.
In all there is joyous, yet stern goal-fitness. AY
94.
Let the best warriors of the Holy Grail assemble for
the achievement. Above all joys is the smile of achievement. Smilingly, accept the baptism of achievement. Smilingly, pronounce
the sternest command.
The Teacher walks beside you. In the battle He will
support your arm, and in the council will indicate the solution. Everywhere guardians are walking behind you. Time flies hurry
to store up knowledge! Joyously accept the austerity of achievement. X2 LOMG2 02.
What I indicated about obsession and Satanists, you
yourselves now observe daily. Without complaint and sternly on guard you will attain victory. Let sternness be like a sharp
sword. Thus, all who blaspheme must be punished. Heart 218.
Urusvati practices austerity and courage. Both of these
attributes should be developed through attention to the examples of heroes. One should be reminded of those who overcame superhuman
obstacles, and understand the complexity of the circumstances that surrounded them. History did not record all the dangers
that threatened them from near and far. People suppose that heroic deeds are performed spontaneously, without preparation,
but in reality many thoughts must take form before a firm decision to carry out a selfless act can be made.
Our Abode is the focal point of stout-hearted decisions.
But We have to practice great patience so that these decisions do not interfere with free will. Thus, with regard to Our patience,
We can be considered examples. SMD1 98.
After your meditation, say the following obligation:
"I play my part with stern resolve, with earnest aspiration; I look above; I help below: I dream not, nor I rest; I toil;
I serve; I reap; I pray; I mount the cross; I tread the Way; I tread upon the work I do; I mount upon my slain self; I forego
peace; I forfeit rest, and in the stress of pain, I lose myself and find my Self, and enter into peace." DINA1 561.
