The Ideal Disciple

2009-7-7 03:19:00

Quoting DK [Djwhal Khul], Dan writes:

"'When love for all beings, irrespective of who they may be, is beginning to be a realized fact in the heart of a disciple, and yet nevertheless love for himself exists not, then comes the indication that he is nearing the Portal of Initiation, and may make the necessary preliminary pledges. [...] If he cares not for the suffering and pain of the lower self, if it is immaterial to him whether happiness comes his way or not, if the sole purpose of his life is to serve and save the world, and if his brother's need is for him of greater moment than his own, then is the fire of love irradiating his being, and the world can warm itself at his feet. This love has to be a practical, tested manifestation, and not just a theory, nor simply an impractical ideal and a pleasing sentiment.' (Alice A. Bailey, Initiation Human and Solar, Page 193)"

Dan:

"I think I understand the concept that DK is trying to get across here, but is anyone ever TRULY this altruistic? I think maybe a lot of people WANT to be like this but when the chips are ACTUALLY down, find themselves acting somewhat differently. What person of reason does something that he not only sees absolutely no benefit to self in but even detriment to self? Absolute altruism - seeking benefit to other in total disregard for self - as the above DK quote sounds, makes as little sense to me as does absolute selfishness. Does one ever act in total disregard for self?"

JJ:

That was a beautiful quote from DK, Dan. I sense that it was worded as it was to stress the ideal attitude of the disciple toward service, which is basically this:

If the need comes down to his personal desires or the greater good of humanity or the group, he will choose the group.

Does this mean that he has no thoughts of his personal destiny, personal satisfaction and individual joy?

No. It does not mean that at all as evidenced by the Tibetan himself who wrote:

"Joy settles within the heart But has winged its way from the secret place within the head. I am that bird of joy, Therefore, with joy I serve."

The disciple places service of the whole above service to the individual self because he realizes that this is the true path to joy. It is as Jesus said that only by losing our life can we find it. Even so, by placing individual happiness last can we be the first to become that bird of joy.

One could say that the disciple has the ultimate self interest in mind because service without thought for the lower self brings the greatest possible joy and happiness to the whole of the individual.

Even the Master himself realized this as stated in the scriptures:

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Heb 12:2)

So what was it that gave Jesus the power to endure the cross?

It was "the joy that was set before him."

Even Jesus himself did not relinquish self-desire without a struggle. In the Garden of Gethsemane when he realized the pain he would have to endure he pleaded with the Father, "if it be possible remove this cup."

Neither he or any other disciple goes through the Fourth Initiation without blinking and questioning, but in the end he expresses this toward higher will:

"Not my will, but thine be done."

DK indeed expressed the ideal, but even the ideal disciple does not move forward without thinking of self. What he will do is to always proceed toward the good of the whole, but sometimes after a serious internal cross examination of the sacrifices involved and questioning the necessity of the sacrifices along the way.

The disciple realizes that he is a valuable tool for the work itself and you do not throw away a thing of worth for something of little value. The sacrifice of the disciple should have a good chance of producing fruit of equal or greater value than the worth of the sacrifice itself.