"Harmful magnetic conditions,
as the result of man's wrong handling of force, are the causes
of evil in the world around us, including the three sub-human
kingdoms. How can we, as individuals, change this? By the development
in ourselves of Harmlessness. Therefore, study yourself from this
angle. Study your daily conduct and words and thoughts so as to
make them utterly harmless. Set yourself to think those thoughts
about yourself and others which will be constructive and positive,
and hence harmless in their effects. Study your emotional effect
on others, so that by no mood, no depression, and no emotional
reaction can you harm a fellow-man. Remember in this connection,
violent spiritual aspiration and enthusiasm, misplaced or misdirected,
may quite easily harm a fellow-man, so look not only at your wrong
tendencies but at the use of your virtues.
If harmlessness is the keynote of
your life, you will do more to produce right harmonious conditions
in your personality than any amount of discipline along other
lines. The drastic purgation brought about by the attempt to be
harmless will go far to eliminate wrong states of consciousness
. . .
Therefore, I say to you at this
time, I -- an older and perhaps more experienced disciple and
worker in the great vineyard of the Lord -- practice harmlessness
with zest and understanding, for it is (if truly carried out)
the destroyer of all limitation. Harmfulness is based on selfishness,
and on an ego-centric attitude. It is the demonstration of forces
concentrated for self-enforcement, self-aggrandisement, and self-gratification.
Harmlessness is the expression of the life of the man who realises
himself to be everywhere, who lives consciously as a soul, whose
nature is love, whose method is inclusiveness, and to whom all
forms are alike, in that they veil and hide the light, and are
but externalisations of the One Infinite Being. This realisation,
let me remind you, will demonstrate in a true comprehension of
a brother's need, divorced from sentiment and expediency. It will
lead to that silence of the tongue that grows out of non-reference
to the separate self. It will produce that instantaneous response
to true need which characterises the Great Ones who (passing beneath
the outer appearance) see the inner cause which produces the conditions
noted in the outer life, and so, from that point of wisdom, true
help and guidance can be given. Harmlessness brings about in life
caution in judgement, reticence in speech, ability to refrain
from impulsive action, and the demonstration of a non-critical
spirit. So, free passage can be given to the forces of true love,
and to those spiritual energies which seem to vitalise the personality,
leading consequently to right action.
Let harmlessness, therefore, be
the keynote of your life." (A Treatise on White Magic,
p. 101/3)
"I tell you that the achieving
of harmlessness in the positive sense (not in the negative) means
the attainment of that step which leads definitely to the Portal
of Initiation. When first mentioned, it sounds of small moment,
and to bring the whole subject of initiation into such small account
that it becomes unimportant. But let him who so thinks practice
that positive harmlessness which works out in right thought (because
based on intelligent love), right speech (because governed by
self-control), and right action (because founded on an understanding
of the Law), and he will find that the attempt will call forth
all the resources of his being and take much time to achieve.
It is not the harmlessness that comes from weakness and sentimental
loving disposition, which dislikes trouble because it upsets the
settled harmony of life and leads to consequent discomfort. It
is not the harmlessness of the little evolved negative impotent
man or woman, who has not the power to hurt because possessing
so little equipment wherewith damage can be done.
It is the harmlessness that springs
from true understanding and control of the personality by the
soul, that leads inevitably to spiritual expression in every-day
life. It emanates from a capacity to enter into the consciousness
and to penetrate into the realisation of one's brother, and when
this has been accomplished -- all is forgiven and all is lost
sight of in the desire to aid and help." (A Treatise on
White Magic, p. 317/8)
"Let the 'Forces of Light' flow through, and the ranks of the world servers will be rapidly filled. Let the "Spirit of Peace" use the lower nature as instrument, and there will be peace and harmony within the personal field of service. Let the "Spirit of Goodwill" dominate our minds, and there will be no room for the spirit of criticism and the spreading of destructive discussion. It is for this reason and in order to develop a group of servers who can work along true and spiritual lines, that there must be increasing emphasis upon the need for Harmlessness". Harmlessness prepares the way for the inflow of life; harmlessness dissipates the obstructions to the free outpouring of love; harmlessness is the key to the release of the lower nature from the grip of the world illusion, and from the power of phenomenal existence." (Esoteric Psychology, Vol. II, p. 129)
"I have so emphatically impressed the need of harmlessness upon all of you, for it is the scientific method, par excellence, and esoterically speaking, of cleaning house, and of purifying the centres. Its practice clears the clogged channels and permits the entrance of the higher energies." (Esoteric Healing, p. 40)
"What I say concerning harmlessness?
It is not easy for me to show or prove to you the effectiveness
of the higher aspect, spiral or phase of harmlessness as employed
by the Hierarchy, under the direction of the Perfect One, the
Christ. The harmlessness with which I have earlier dealt, has
relation to the imperfections with which humanity is wrestling,
and is difficult for you to apply in and under all circumstances,
as well you know. The harmlessness to which I refer in connection
with you is not negative, or sweet, or kindly activity, as so
many believe; it is a state of mind and one which in no
way negates firm or even drastic action; it concerns motive and
involves the determination that the motive behind all activity
is goodwill. That motive might lead to positive and sometimes
disagreeable action or speech, but as harmlessness and goodwill
condition the mental approach, nothing can eventuate but good.
On a higher turn of the spiral,
the Hierarchy also employs harmlessness, but . . .(abstruse)."
(Esoteric Healing, p. 670)