By Erica Georgiades

“And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves.”

— Matthew 21:12–13

The realisation of the profound significance of your thoughts, feelings and actions is the core of practical Theosophy. Whether it is a moment of inner peace you attain through meditation or the challenges you face in your daily life, every single aspect of your journey matters. Your very existence holds immense importance and has meaning. No experience is insignificant, and no aspect of yourself should be disregarded. Even the smallest events and most insignificant insights can have a profound impact on your spiritual awakening. Therefore, embrace the ups and downs, the challenges and joys, for they shape you into the authentic and genuine individual you are meant to be.

As long as you have to live within the constraints of a personality, there will be challenges. You will make mistakes, and that is okay; you may get irritated, and that is okay too. There is no template for spirituality. There is life, and there is you. There are the difficulties and the beauty that you encounter on your journey in this life. So do not burden yourself with trying to become what others expect you to be, do not listen to others when they belittle you in their arrogance because you do not fit their template, be authentic, be genuine, and do not conform to norms and crystallised ideas. Do not simply regurgitate the words of others, but seek your own understanding, for the path is your own self.

Practical Theosophy warns against repeating and relying on the words and teachings of others. While it is valuable to learn from others and draw inspiration from their wisdom, it is crucial not to simply echo their words without having a deep understanding and personal experience. Do not spend your life quoting and repeating what others have said and using it as a crutch. You are urged to break free from the chains of conformity and seek the sunlight amidst the shadows. Free yourself from the shackles that confine you to a limited perspective. Step out of the darkness of conformity and embrace the radiance of your own unique light. In doing so, you will realise the profound significance of every thought, every emotion, every aspect of your existence and how important you are, how special you are and what a magnificent being you are, as in Matthew 5:14-16:

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do you light a lamp and place it under a bowl. Instead, you put it on its stand, and it shines to everyone in the house. So let your light also shine before others,..”

The awakened individual, as understood in practical Theosophy, is not someone who conforms to external expectations or attempts to mirror a “spiritual” template. The truly awakened individual is one who lives authentically. Such individuals are prone to irritation, frustration and more, and they are not afraid to challenge nonsensical beliefs, seek truth and speak their minds. Therefore, do not be swayed by the judgements and criticism of those who try to squeeze you into their narrow spiritual template. Stay true to yourself, for it is in your authenticity that you will find true freedom. Do not fret about your imperfections or strive for unattainable perfection. Do your best to improve yourself, but with love, kindness and no pressure. Remember that even great spiritual beings like Jesus experienced moments of frustration. The awakened human being does not fit in a cookie-cutter mould shaped on imagined “spiritual” templates, but rather a free spirit who embraces its true self.

I have encountered numerous remarkable souls on my journey, and what set them apart was their acceptance of their flaws and their willingness to embrace their own unique path. They were not bound by the expectations imposed on them by others, but rather forged their own way forward. They empowered others instead of tearing them down. The lesson I learnt from them is to acknowledge the core essence that makes us unique. By doing so, we become aware of the deep meaning and purpose of our existence, while letting go of the chains that hold us back and open ourselves to the boundless possibilities that life has to offer. To achieve this, we need to free ourselves from the blueprints  imposed on us.

Blavatsky, for example, encouraged individuals to search for truth, to question established beliefs and to embrace their uniqueness. She pointed out, however, that real “truth” and “knowledge” cannot be acquired through intellectual pursuit or the mere study of books. Instead, real knowledge is only attained through enlightenment, while truth can never be known by a mind confined to the physical realm. Moreover,  Blavatsky’s life (also, Olcott, Hartmann, Besant and other pioneers of the Theosophical movement) was a testimony to the fact that we do not have to bow to the pressures of social expectations or try to conform to the “spiritual” templates of others. Instead, we need to awaken to our innate wisdom and embrace our responsibilities and choices.

Practical Theosophy thus involves an inner state of freedom serving as a powerful reminder that conformity and adopting  “spiritual” templates are not the path to self-realisation. Each of us is on a unique and extraordinary journey deserving of utmost honour and celebration. Such a journey is a sacred and profound expression of our unique selves. Therefore, we should trust our own insights and embrace the courage to walk the path that resonates with our souls.

European School of Theosophy (eustheosophy@gmail.com)