In the theme of "The Standard"—the effect of which is *election*—we learn to will, to nourish our will with love and truth. The Standard is a symbol of protection. Whoever raises it holds it higher than their head; that is, symbolically, the standard waves above reason. It is a form of call to establish a bond between the celestial and the earthly, between the soul and the divine.
The three previous Themes of Meditation—"The Lady of the Black Veil," "The Abyss," and "The Two Paths"—led us step by step to see with new eyes, to analyze the facts of our lives and our interpretations of them, using our vocation as a measure. "The Lady of the Black Veil" taught us a new way to describe reality; "The Abyss" created a comparison and contrast between the fleeting light of the vocation's beginning and an instinctive, selfish life; "The Two Paths" showed us, through "yes" and "no," that a life in the service of our attachments is a deviation from our vocation of union with the Whole.
Through these three Themes, we learned to loathe what draws us away from our path of development; we learned to feel desolation when finding ourselves at the mercy of our instincts, passions, and ignorance; and we learned to feel detachment regarding the winding path of suffering and endless experiences. Yet, our pilgrimage toward development is far, very far, from reaching its end.
Have we, perhaps, learned to move from detachment to liberation? Is detachment liberation? We can venture to state, without fear of error, that detachment is not liberation; it is simply a step in the indicated direction, but we still have much to do to liberate ourselves. Detaching ourselves from our bonds means, in a sense, training ourselves to think and feel that we do not desire what holds us captive. This training consumes a great deal of our energy; it comes at a cost, and we are not always entirely convinced that the object of our attachments is, in fact, limiting. This work of detachment falls within the realm of the pairs of opposites.
In order to discern the Path, we have divided reality into two, learning that some things belong to one side and others to the opposite. As an exercise in discernment—as training to act rightly—this is both indispensable and necessary. Yet, it is not the end of the Path.
The Divine Mother grants us the Standard of Love—a love so sublime that it does not submit to reason, but rather reigns over it. She also provides us with two Keys—one of steel, the other of platinum—with which we may harmonize the pairs of opposites: spirit and matter, good and evil, the individual and the collective—all while keeping our ultimate goal, that of union, in sight. Now that we have learned to loathe what separates us from Her, to feel the desolation of our own state of ignorance, and to detach ourselves from our bonds, we possess sufficient inner strength to direct our vital energy in a way that is both harmonious and liberating.
The human mind can harbor wisdom, yet it is not wisdom itself. Through reflection, the mind invites and cultivates wisdom, but it does not own it. The mind analyzes and dissects emotions, sensations, and ideas; it comprehends and reasons, but it does not *know*.
To truly know, one’s entire being—mind, feeling, and action—must be fully engaged. When the mind acts alone, it risks losing its way, constructing rationalizations and excuses to satisfy needs it cannot otherwise manage; it may fall into materialism, disbelief, or sophistry. One may even fall into separativeness, into fierce selfishness. That is why the Divine Mother gives us a Standard that flies far higher than our reason—a Standard that never bows before anything: Love.
The keys of steel and platinum represent an enigma to be solved. In our case, this enigma is represented by the pairs of opposites. It is worth noting that a key can serve both to open and to close; it can open the doors to realization, or it can shut them. The symbol itself speaks to us of these pairs of opposites.
The steel key symbolizes invincible strength—the unyielding nature of our love.
The platinum key symbolizes the unalterable, pliable, and tenacious character of our love.
This love takes us by the hand and leads us, in silence, through the play of the mind—allowing us to clarify, understand, and harmonize—while always shielding us from the serpent that hides behind the fruits of the mind.
The Standard of Love leads us to the door that shall be opened by the key the Divine Mother has placed in our hands: Renunciation. We learn to discern based on an understanding of the consequences that arise from how we use our energy. We learn to take responsibility for what we do with a life that is not governed by independent laws, but by the law of Renunciation—the law that leads us from the complex to the simple, from selfishness to participation, and from ignorance to union with the Divine Mother. There is always only one choice to be made: the wise use of energy.
The three previous Themes of Meditation—"The Lady of the Black Veil," "The Abyss," and "The Two Paths"—led us step by step to see with new eyes, to analyze the facts of our lives and our interpretations of them, using our vocation as a measure. "The Lady of the Black Veil" taught us a new way to describe reality; "The Abyss" created a comparison and contrast between the fleeting light of the vocation's beginning and an instinctive, selfish life; "The Two Paths" showed us, through "yes" and "no," that a life in the service of our attachments is a deviation from our vocation of union with the Whole.
Through these three Themes, we learned to loathe what draws us away from our path of development; we learned to feel desolation when finding ourselves at the mercy of our instincts, passions, and ignorance; and we learned to feel detachment regarding the winding path of suffering and endless experiences. Yet, our pilgrimage toward development is far, very far, from reaching its end.
Have we, perhaps, learned to move from detachment to liberation? Is detachment liberation? We can venture to state, without fear of error, that detachment is not liberation; it is simply a step in the indicated direction, but we still have much to do to liberate ourselves. Detaching ourselves from our bonds means, in a sense, training ourselves to think and feel that we do not desire what holds us captive. This training consumes a great deal of our energy; it comes at a cost, and we are not always entirely convinced that the object of our attachments is, in fact, limiting. This work of detachment falls within the realm of the pairs of opposites.
In order to discern the Path, we have divided reality into two, learning that some things belong to one side and others to the opposite. As an exercise in discernment—as training to act rightly—this is both indispensable and necessary. Yet, it is not the end of the Path.
The Divine Mother grants us the Standard of Love—a love so sublime that it does not submit to reason, but rather reigns over it. She also provides us with two Keys—one of steel, the other of platinum—with which we may harmonize the pairs of opposites: spirit and matter, good and evil, the individual and the collective—all while keeping our ultimate goal, that of union, in sight. Now that we have learned to loathe what separates us from Her, to feel the desolation of our own state of ignorance, and to detach ourselves from our bonds, we possess sufficient inner strength to direct our vital energy in a way that is both harmonious and liberating.
The human mind can harbor wisdom, yet it is not wisdom itself. Through reflection, the mind invites and cultivates wisdom, but it does not own it. The mind analyzes and dissects emotions, sensations, and ideas; it comprehends and reasons, but it does not *know*.
To truly know, one’s entire being—mind, feeling, and action—must be fully engaged. When the mind acts alone, it risks losing its way, constructing rationalizations and excuses to satisfy needs it cannot otherwise manage; it may fall into materialism, disbelief, or sophistry. One may even fall into separativeness, into fierce selfishness. That is why the Divine Mother gives us a Standard that flies far higher than our reason—a Standard that never bows before anything: Love.
The keys of steel and platinum represent an enigma to be solved. In our case, this enigma is represented by the pairs of opposites. It is worth noting that a key can serve both to open and to close; it can open the doors to realization, or it can shut them. The symbol itself speaks to us of these pairs of opposites.
The steel key symbolizes invincible strength—the unyielding nature of our love.
The platinum key symbolizes the unalterable, pliable, and tenacious character of our love.
This love takes us by the hand and leads us, in silence, through the play of the mind—allowing us to clarify, understand, and harmonize—while always shielding us from the serpent that hides behind the fruits of the mind.
The Standard of Love leads us to the door that shall be opened by the key the Divine Mother has placed in our hands: Renunciation. We learn to discern based on an understanding of the consequences that arise from how we use our energy. We learn to take responsibility for what we do with a life that is not governed by independent laws, but by the law of Renunciation—the law that leads us from the complex to the simple, from selfishness to participation, and from ignorance to union with the Divine Mother. There is always only one choice to be made: the wise use of energy.