hermeticism

The Great Battle

by Nina Rudnikova (1935)

Everyone senses and vaguely recognizes that humanity is experiencing a unique and unprecedented period marked by a significant mental shift and a widespread cultural turning point. Long-standing values are deteriorating, and ideas that have persisted for centuries, serving as the foundations for cultures and states, are now exhausted and depleted. Unprecedented changes are emerging forcefully and, so far, chaotically, breaking down old connections.

An invisible storm threatens the roots of ancient cultures, potentially sweeping them away into the annals of history. This storm affects both the peoples of the West and the East, albeit in different forms but with similar intensity. Ideally, this shared experience would unite humanity through a common question: "What comes next?" However, in reality, the interests of different groups have never clashed so fiercely, and the world is gradually turning into a militarized zone.

Amidst this chaos, two opposing currents are becoming increasingly distinct, with two conflicting forces represented by individuals and groups vying more intensely than ever for humanity's future. The battleground encompasses every aspect of human life. Everyone witnesses the escalating struggle and is drawn to one side or the other based on their primary orientation.

There are two forces at play in the cosmos - centripetal and centrifugal. These are reflected in humans' mental worlds: a creative, progressive evolution that expands and develops consciousness and a destructive regression that narrows consciousness to rigid stupidity.

Narrow-mindedness, a hardened, lifeless heart, the parasitic absence of will, the depersonalization through lies of an artificially created "mass character", the devaluation of spiritual creativity and obsession with technological advancements, the mechanization of thought and religion, the denial and ridicule of emotions, disbelief, ignorance, and the toxic spread of pervasive doubt – these are the consequences of the actions of the destructive forces and their conscious, semi-conscious, and unconscious agents.

The outcomes of this dark work can be seen everywhere: in the lives of nations, in the psyche of people and individuals, in science and art, in politics, economics, religion, and society. The methods of this dark work primarily involve not just direct psychic and "magical" individual and group influences, which are undoubtedly widespread, but also the poisoning of the intellect with false ideas and the subsequent misdirection of the will, which has been corrupted by the poisoned intellect, into erroneous channels.

The fact that destructive forces are at work everywhere and that all the more or less cultured peoples of our planet suffer from the ailments of a poisoned intellect and a distorted will suggests the existence of some sort of alliance among those with dark intentions.

By their very nature, these destroyers oppose any form of unity. However, the coordination and readiness of their current onslaught are evident. This temporary unification exists because they fear the new stage humanity is approaching due to its centuries-long efforts toward individualization, initiative, and intellectual development. This psychological shift holds great significance, not only for earthly humanity but also as the awakening of conscious cosmic citizenship and cooperation. This means humanity can partially free itself from its dependence on Earth, stepping onto the threshold of infinite possibilities.

The enemies of evolution rise and fight against this transformation, attempting to prevent a bright future by corrupting the human intellect. As humanity moves beyond the confines of their influence, these adversaries face the prospect of losing their purpose and ultimately dying out. Conversely, if their united efforts confine human consciousness within the boundaries of Earth-bound intellect and limited personal differentiation, humanity will fail to cross the destined threshold. This would result in losing its significance and role in the cosmic brotherhood, and since there is no stasis, humanity would then regress, deteriorate, and ultimately perish.

The moment is critical, and underestimating its importance would be a grave mistake. At this critical juncture for humanity's fate, the forces of darkness stand united. Regrettably, the same cannot be said for those with a creative, evolutionary mindset. Instead of joining forces in a collective effort to learn from the past and hasten the arrival of a new phase of human development through the expansion of consciousness, many groups and individuals from various evolutionary schools and associations have unknowingly fallen under the subtle influence of their adversaries.

These enemies maliciously exacerbate divisions, fueling fanaticism and intolerance towards those with differing dogmatic beliefs. Unworthy competition, mutual distrust, and petty squabbles prevail instead of cooperation, mutual recognition, and united efforts. As deadlines approach, it is time for humanity to awaken, gain clarity, and break free from the web of hostile influences. Rather than arguing over differences, we should emphasize our shared goals and values that unite us in our collective pursuit of humanity's spiritual ideals, regardless of the specific affiliations one may have. This common purpose is encapsulated in the pursuit of truth and service to the Universal Good, no matter how it is expressed.

Synthesis is essential to achieve such unity. We must reconstruct our consciousness for synthetic work, embracing universal acceptance, agreement, and unification. Without synthesis, neither the search for truth nor the construction of the universal good is possible. Otherwise, the truth becomes subjective opinion, and the universal good is reduced to baseless, narrow utopias. It is crucial to remember that we are discussing creating a new universal culture grounded in the awareness of Cosmic Cooperation. Can such a culture be built without synthesis? Absolutely not!

What can assist in the transformation of consciousness, in discovering synthesis, and uniting during the crucial battle for the future that will determine victory? The adversaries have chosen the intellect as their weapon, for when left to itself, it embodies the differentiating principle that evil can exploit for dissolution.

Countering a diseased intellect with a healthy one merely balances the odds but does not guarantee victory. Thus, the intellect will not ensure triumph in this great battle, where defeat equates to annihilation. The Heart, however, remains impervious to the enemy's influence, for where the power of the Heart resides, the specters of evil cannot enter. The Heart is inherently unifying and synthetic.

Moreover, the path to synthetic consciousness is found through the Heart's pursuit of unity rather than the brain's tendency to solidify self-determining differences. Without engaging the Heart, the intellect serves only to recognize, distinguish, classify, and create formulas. Essentially, it carries out cognitive differentiating tasks, manifesting as analytical thinking.

When guided by the synthetic Heart, the intellect generates not only abstract formulations that can be mentally manipulated but also produces living, effective ideas syntheses or ideals. These ideals serve as beacons for further evolutionary development, where thinking becomes creative and synthetic while retaining or enhancing cognitive abilities.

The Heart, not the brain, seeks unity and perceives it amidst apparent differences. The Heart, not the brain, strives for unity in the name of cooperation to create new spiritual values. The Heart, not the brain, anticipates the ultimate synthesis known as the truth and propels the mind in its search. The thoughts of the Heart, not the brain, lead to peace and wisdom.

In our era, marked by an overproduction of intellectual distinctions in all aspects of life, there is a pressing need for a wise synthesis of everything the mind has developed. In our time of extreme individualization, synthesizing the Heart is essential to unite in cooperation for the Universal Good. Otherwise, the intellect risks becoming a destructive force. The sorrow of modernity is that as people have developed their intellect, they have neglected the Heart, attempting to guide it with logic alone.

This limits the Heart's sympathies to a narrow range of phenomena preconceived by the intellect, such as adherence to specific doctrines or attachment to like-minded individuals, while excluding everything else. The synthetic Heart, independent of the intellect, is guided not by attachments but by love, which knows no distinctions, exceptions, or limitations. By its nature, love represents the highest form of synthesis, echoing the profound sentiment that God is love.

Love fosters all-acceptance, as the differences in methods of achievement generated by karma are insignificant. Love provides all-understanding, delving deeply into the lives of others and embracing all with joyful self-sacrifice. A loving heart bestows blessings upon everything that aspires to higher spiritual creation and offers practical assistance to those who stray.

The power of the Heart, which is life itself rather than an accumulation of knowledge, ultimately grants wisdom and strength. A robust heart, open to all-acceptance and unafraid of losing itself, helps prevent identification with particulars, freeing us from the constraints of limited formulations through synthesis.

Recognizing that there are infinite formulas in the cosmos, each one a living driving force rather than an empty abstraction, the Heart, through its synthetic embrace, truly safeguards us from dissolving entirely into any one of them and becoming "food for the gods", elevating us rule over them instead. By rescuing us from identifications, the all-affirming Heart carries us on the current of life into the world of the eternal Spirit, the unchanging and everlasting essence. We merge with and recognize it as our true selves in this world.

Only the Heart, which understands the secret of life, should guide both the mind and the will. Under this guidance, the mind will become synthetic, illuminating the path with the bright markers of living ideals for those who follow. The will, transformed by the Heart into a constant, intense aspiration, will ensure the unifying force remains strong.

"Switch the lamps, learn to think with your heart and feel with your head- then you will know the truth" is timeless wisdom passed down through the ages. By doing so, the Sword of intellect, which divides unity, is subordinated to the Cup of the Heart, which brings together. This will lead to the Wand of spiritual power, achieved by merging with the cosmic Spirit.

To awaken and develop the Heart is to begin living a genuine spiritual life, attaining immortality and an endless source of life-generating power. The Heart Principle, the key to the secrets of the One Eternal Life, will guide the new era of conscious cosmic cooperation. The life-giving, synthetic power of the Heart is the wellspring of all mental creativity. The highest mind must unite with the most expansive Heart; otherwise, it is merely an empty shadow, and its creations are illusions.

In ancient times, the Sun symbolized Synthesis. Those who fought for Truth and Universal Good were called children of the Sun. The symbol is fitting and accurate, as the life-giving Sun, the radiant Heart of our solar system, encompasses all possibilities manifested within the planetary system and its individual worlds. Let all who see themselves as children of the Sun, the seekers of truth and champions of Universal Good, join hands and strengthen their unity.

Let their wise hearts remind them that the constructs of the mind, dogmatic differences, and other divisions are insignificant, while their shared goal is vital. Let them comprehend that the arrival of the Heart book, the core of the Teaching, signifies the highest forces' involvement in the great battle to secure humanity's victory. However, assistance can only be given to those willing to accept the offered hand.

The awakened Heart is the finest weapon and shield in this battle, as those who have awakened their hearts identify with the flow of Eternal Life, unified and indestructible, which can neither be halted nor extinguished. No enemy can instill fear in them. Without the Heart's synthetic work, victory and new construction would be impossible; the Great Battle would be lost, leading to universal devastation.

Unite your hearts, all those scattered across the Earth - now is not the time for disputes and conflicts – and earn the right to conscious cosmic cooperation for yourselves and all of humanity, which you will guide through your personal example.