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Growth Online > Knowledge Base > How Life Works > Achievement-Related Principles
Influence of the
Atmosphere, Society on Events, Attempts to Achieve
Consequences of Acts Dependent on Three Factors
What Determines the Outcome of an Event
-That outcome is determined by the
consciousness of the individual (conscious and subconscious),
the social conditions and atmosphere, and the cosmic intent.
E.g. if an individual seeks to rise in a negative atmosphere,
then the determining factor is which energies are stronger. If
the social negative is, then the individual will find it
difficult to rise.
-What determines is the sum total of the
energies.
The Character of Life and
Individual and Environmental Energies
Man succeeds when his own energies are greater than the forces that oppose
it.
Life continually responds to the sum total of energies in the atmosphere.
Life is a field of energy. Life's character then is a reflection of the
balance of energies -- individual and environmental.
Comparing Outcomes in Two Shakespeare Plays
Atmosphere to Accomplish
The Effect of the Atmosphere on Ability of Act to Succeed
Principles Relating to the Effect of the Atmosphere
-An individual's ability to accomplish is affected by the social
environment and atmosphere -- which includes the capacities,
energies, character, and circumstance of the social environment
and social institutions he is involved in.
-An opportunity
taken up in a positive atmosphere supports and enhances its
eventual outcome. It even circumvents negative blocks along the
road. When that environment, atmosphere is positive one is more
likely to accomplish; when negative, it is less likely.
-Internal positive
atmosphere supports success.
-When the atmosphere is negative, the initiative will fail,
unless the individual is able overcome the resistance of the
atmosphere.
-When there are deficiencies in the act that are greater than
the atmosphere, the act fails. When the capacities are stronger
than the atmosphere, then the act succeeds.
Expressing a Profound Idea Too Powerful for
the Atmosphere
Influence of Social Forces and Attracting Positive Life Response
Acts Success
The Social Atmosphere as Cause of Othello's Tragedy, and
Achieving in Life
When Social Forces Produce "Coincidences" on the Surface
Negative vs. Ferment Atmospheres
Positive and Negative Influence of Collective
Subconscious Social Will
When we interact
with the world we see it from our own perspective. At another
level there is often a broader purpose and unfolding taking
place. For example, both Romeo and Juliet looked at their lives
in terms of their attraction and passion. However they were far
less conscious of the unfolding of the conflict between two
social forces, the Montague and Capulet clans, and how their
lives were so intertwined in the greater conflict of these two
clans. After the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet unfolds the two
clans are in the end shocked into realization that their
disputes must be settled, otherwise more tragedies like Rome's
and Juliet's would take place.
The point here is that life often seems to be working out a
higher purpose than the individual participants may understand.
The undertow of currents can overwhelm our "small intentions."
It could even be argued that life itself is a conscious
force that is unfolding in the world and uses individuals for
its greater purpose. Therefore the outcome of initiatives is
driven by greater forces that have their own intention and
energy as they unfold in the world. In our own lives life's
higher purposes are also playing themselves out in some fashion.
There is a subconscious social will that is at play that works
through individual characters and events. For us to be aware of
these social forces at play can help us be more in tune with the
temper of our times and thereby help us achieve at a greater
level than if we were mere puppets in the social play that we
are always a part of.
The Pressing Social Forces
There may be a
social environment in which change and evolution is going on,
and therefore one may (or may not) be supported in one's
initiatives by the environment.
Role of
Positive Atmosphere in Pride and Prejudice
Opposition
When Moving to a Higher Level, Plane
Negative Influence to Block Progress
In the book Pride and Prejudice we can see an excellent
example of this phenomenon.
-The Bennet family is aspiring the marriage of their daughters
to a higher level of prosperity. Lydia is one of the daughters,
She is energetic and good-natured, but is wild, crude, and
unconstrained. Darcy and Bingley are the well to do suitors for
the Bennet daughters. However, the great good fortune coming to
the Bennet family through the approach of Bingley and Darcy is
undermined by Lydia's low behavior. She is the weak link in the
family through which disaster strikes and almost cancels great
good fortune. It is a response of the lower portion of the
family to the higher opportunity that has opened for the family.
The weakest link breaks when the strongest contemplates an
upward initiative at times of great opportunity.
-Eliza, the heroine of the story is one of the Bennet daughters.
She is on her way to a movement upward in her life through her
potential emerging connection with Darcy, the hero of the story.
however, along the way she gets involved with Wickham, a
handsome, yet treacherous man, whose treachery she is completely
blind to because of her physical attraction. Her involvement
with this individual at a time when she is beginning to move to
a higher level of accomplishment almost ruins her. (Her weakness
is not that she met a treacherous man that she didn't know
about; but that she got caught up in her desires and physical
attraction, an experience of weakness and falsehood common in
life. Ultimately, however her strength of character pulls her
through, and she overcomes this setback.)
Choosing Opportunities or the Canceling Opposite that
Rise through Our Aspiration
Bingley, Darcy, Collins and Wickham all arrived in Meryton at
about the same time and all met in the town at a particular
moment. What is the connection? The first two represent
opportunities for the Bennet family to rise. The last two
represent opportunities for it to level off or fall. Mrs.
Bennet, a lawyer's daughter, married a gentleman and was
elevated by the match. She has a similar aspiration for her
daughters. The moment Bingley responds to Jane, Collins arrives
and offers to marry her. The Bennet property is entailed to
Collins so marriage to him represents security for the family.
It is not a small achievement. It means the whole future is
secured. Collins' offer is an opportunity that would cancel out
all higher opportunities for the family. Had Jane married
Collins, Darcy could never have married Elizabeth. Mrs. Bennet
tells Collins Jane is spoke for, when in fact nothing has been
spoken. It is only her aspiration. She encourages Collins to
propose to Elizabeth, a foolish notion. When Collins is
rebuffed, he storms out of the house and proposes to Charlotte.
The Bennets lose the entail. It is a very great loss from their
point of view at a time when nothing is certain and five girls,
each with only '50 income, have to be married. From the
viewpoint of higher opportunity, Collins comes to cancel that
prospect. Had the family responded to the offer of security,
they would have forfeit high achievement. Note that when
Elizabeth refuses Collins, he becomes an unwitting instrument
for her marriage to Darcy, since it is through Collins that they
meet again at Rosings.
Similarly, Wickham comes as the negative complement of Darcy.
Darcy offers highest accomplishment. Wickham offers failure.
Elizabeth, who could not be persuaded to marry Collins for
financial security, is willing to marry Wickham for his charm
and handsome face. Life presents her the very thing she finds it
difficult to resist and it almost cancels out her higher
achievement. Fortunately, she has the rationality to accept
Darcy's explanation about Wickham and give him up in her mind
even if she cannot give up her vital attraction to him. That
preserves the higher opportunity. Note that when Elizabeth gives
up Wickham in her mind, he becomes an unwitting instrument for
her marriage to Darcy, since it is through his elopement that
the relationship between them is finally fulfilled. (MSS)
Overcoming Forces that Oppose Our Rise
If the wealthy and government try to help and
the poor don't change their attitude, or if the poor try to rise
above their misery with better attitudes, but the wealthy and
government don't care, there may not be enough energy for life
to respond in either's favor. If they work together, in harmony,
taking to the right positive attitudes and behaviors from their
side, even a little effort on their part will produce powerful,
unexpected, life response results.
One therefore has to examine the total energy
picture; i.e. all sides in the unfolding.
The contradictions between the two sides need
to be resolved through efforts of higher consciousness.
Threat of the Negative to the Positive Accomplishment to a
Higher Level
Reaching the Next Highest Positive Level
Rising Up in a Plane Meets with Resistance
Overcoming Dark Past Reemerging When Opportunity Arises
The Evil that Arises from Positive Physical
Initiatives, Conquests
Opposing Forces that Arise Against a
Great Good
There is an interesting phenomenon in
the world: When a great positive comes
forward, a great negative is released
that consciously or unconsciously tries
to destroy it. This is an idea taken
from 'The Book' by Garry Jacobs, a
startling modern epic novel in which an
AI system is developed by a group of
international consultants that can
overcome any problem in the world, which
negative forces try to co-opt and
destroy.
The intelligence in the AI software
system is based on the profound
knowledge contained in Sri Aurobindo's
'The Life Divine,' as well as all of the
new insights of Karmayogi and MSS. In
this 500 page adventure story, a company
is trying to bring the deepest truths of
life to solve the major social problems
in the world through an unprecedented AI
system; and yet forces seem to
spontaneously arise that seek to destroy
it. Fortunately, the creative and
evolving heroes use the wisdom contained
in 'The Book' to save the day, and the
future of life on earth.
It is interesting and ironic to note
that the opposition forces the
consultants to improve, perfect, and
protect the AI system based on The Book.
It is an indication that all negatives
are positive in disguise; are further
opportunities to improve ourselves and
the world around us.
In its introduction the novel states:
"This is not The Book. It is only a book
about The Book."
Making a Progress Beyond our Endowment Attracts What We Are
Missing
Attempting to Rise Beyond our Endowment
Attracts What We Are Missing
Making a Progress Beyond our Endowment
Attracts What We Are Missing
Society Tries to Destroy an Individual's Progress
Hamlet Represents
Something New to Society, But They Feel Threatened
This gap is a weakness which invites a challenge. The challenge
comes from Norway as war. But the vitality of Denmark embodied
in Old Hamlet is strong and the result of the threat is an
expansion of Denmark's sovereignty over a far greater area. In
life, a new emergence usually brings with it an upset, accident
or temporary difficulty. But where the basis is firm and the new
element positive, the net result is an expansion and progress.
In this case Hamlet's birth marks the rise of Denmark as a
greater international power. (MSS)
Social Forces Working to Destroy Hamlet's Mental Progress
Social Forces that Support and Oppose Hamlet's Evolutionary
Advance
Also See the Role
of the Pioneer Individual in Society
Man Moves Up When He Renounces the Methods of the Lower Level
Struggle for Man Unless He Moves to the Next Level
Success of One's
Initiatives
Consequences of Acts Dependent on Three Factors
Untitled
(Example) A consultant was asked to investigate the development
of tool to allow for online student training evaluations. He
worked on it for months without ever clarifying with his
superior the pay he would receive as well as the timeframe
on the project. Ultimately the project failed completely, and
the consultant wasted months of his time.
The Right and Wrong in Attitude and Acts
Failure to Influence
Life When One Goes Out of One's Plane
A person can be
effective when he tries something in his own plane. But if you
try something at a higher plane it won't work. E.g. Mrs. Bennett
in Pride and Prejudice tries to influence Mr. Bingley who is in
a higher sphere, and her plans do not work.
Ultimately what accomplishes is authority whatever the context
is.
A
Principle of Life
(Example) A man
tries to create a higher sense of moral authority in the
community. He is in fact a man who is lacking in some of those
areas of morality himself. His initiative to bring about moral
authority ultimately fails.
(Example) A man
tries to create a higher sense of moral authority in the
community. The community has actually transcended his
morality with an openness to new ideas that the individual
cannot fathom. His initiative to bring about moral authority
fails.
A
Principle of Life
A
Principle of Life
(Example) A manager of a training company wanted to have her
instructors do training on a new software program Many happily
agreed to it, and received basic knowledge on the program from
the training company. After a number of months the training by
the instructors went very well for the training company's
clients, and even led to additional profitable training on
related new products.
A
Principle of Life
(Example) X's efforts to marry her daughter Y to Z for social
purposes meet with resistance and ultimately fail. X seeks to
capitalize on the mutual pledge of her sister and herself that
their children should marry, a practice whose value is passing
out of existence. The light in Y's eyes that X feels is enough
to overcome the best-laid plans of the older generation to
perpetuate itself in the old style.
A
Principle of Life
(Example) A man
tries to break up the marriage of his child, and succeeds for a
time. After a change of heart he decides that his decision was
very foolish and he tries to patch things up.. The success of
his initiative to change will only occur if he has sufficient
vigor to do so and if he gains to agreement of the parties who
were initially involved.
A Principle of Life
Initiative
undertaken with those who are negative, will destroy it.
A consultant depends on the actions and initiative of a superior. As a
result nothing gets done. He then reverses and requests her
involvement, and then there is a sudden result, where before
there was little action.
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Power of Non-Initiating
Summary of Causes of Success or Failure of an Individual's
Initiative
-Initiatives do not succeed when taken in pursuit of
opportunities that exceed the endowments of the individual
initiator based on motives of ambition, greed, desire or excess
energy unsupported by personal capacity. It is not the greedy
motive that fails, but the motive that overreaches personal
capacity.
-Initiatives fail when taken outside one's field of influence,
authority or control.
-Initiatives from lower levels of life do not have power for
accomplishment at higher levels of life.
-Initiatives by those in a higher plane of life (i.e. with
greater wealth, status or power) toward those in a lower plane
tend to be readily and richly fulfilled, provided the lower is a
willing recipient and does not raise obstacles or resistance to
receiving. This principle acts in the same manner as water
flowing downhill.
-Within the same plane, initiatives generate results with lesser
or greater difficulty. They meet with resistance in the measure
the initiatives involve an upward movement within the plane or
require energy and capacity beyond the endowments of the
individuals involved. The difficulty is in proportion to the
distance.
-Initiatives may receive unexpected support from life when they
are aligned with new movements that are gaining momentum.
Initiatives may meet with unexpected resistance when they are
aligned with movements that are passing out of existence.
-Initiatives succeed
when taken with sufficient energy and capacity to reverse
previous actions that failed as the result of an inappropriate
attitude or behavior. (MSS)
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Non-Initiation; Life Comes to You
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Capacities
of an Individual that Enable Achievement
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