Languages

The Art of Approach Art is a purposeful creative expression. The artist’s consciousness manifests one result out of many possibilities—stroke by stroke, note by note, line by line, moment by moment. If randomness is introduced, it is still part of the creative choice and becomes another tool. The creation is limited by his desire and his materials; and, he can give attention to just one piece of work at the time. It can be said that, in a similar way, circumstances of birth are the materials from which we begin creating our lives. Some of them can be modified, some are fixed, but they are all part of our toolbox for life. Race, religion, nationality, gender, social standing, physical and mental abilities: they are as they are, and judging them as insufficient in any way is a waste of time and energy that could be productively used. Out of similar beginnings, look at the variety of lives being lived. The materials we have to work with are worthless if they aren’t used as a base for approaching what we desire. Habits of thought give personal life its shape, color and flavor. In holding the belief that life is a series of random events happening to us, or giving power for change to external forces removes the incentive to manifest other, happier experiences. Distractions of daily life diffuse the energy that would transform life in short time, if it were focused. The laser-like coherence of commitment is essential to generate a more desirable future. The mind can only focus on one thing at the time. It must be taken from the quagmire of doubt to the solid basis of understanding Natural Law; then and only then will life be transformed. Transformation of life depends on an individual’s readiness to let go of suffering; otherwise, nothing changes. Nothing can change. Not many people have learned to see their life as a creative experience, yet, creativity is human nature; there is no way to opt out. Creativity is conscious when the choice is to approach; as a natural result, the experience of life becomes more stable. Creativity is unconscious when the choice is made to avoid; the experience of life remains chaotic. The only important question to begin with is whether creation is coming from single-pointed attention, or not. If it is not, focus is diffused, and suffering is inevitable. A tool for change is needed. The Attitudes of the Ishayas’ Teaching are tools for creation, and they are enlivened by the human choice to implement them. The collective consciousness holds profuse thoughts, judgments, feelings and beliefs—in short, attitudes—about life. The techniques from the Ishayas have the power to rescue the mind from it’s thousands of daily thoughts and redirect it toward what is desired. Any kind of thought may come, but—apart from mind-altering substances or mental disability—it is always possible to decide the type of thought that is entertained. Perceptions create experience; new attitudes applied to life bring new understanding. The perceived world is the inner world projected onto circumstances. Angry people meet a hostile world; fearful people, a threatening one; critical people, a judgmental one; loving people, an accepting one; stable people, a secure one, and so on. For most of humanity, negative feelings outnumber positive ones, for they flourish in the field of ignorance, when the mind is unaware of its true Nature and believes it is separated from its Source. Beliefs certainly influence perceptions, but they have no power to affect truth. There is only One creative Nature, expressing itself infinitely. While attention stays turned outward, toward the ever-shifting world, the outcome is invariable: disappointment. Joy lies in the eternal Stillness that is outside of time and space; yet, paradoxically, it can only be known Here and Now. A principal value of these techniques is their power to immediately bring focus directly to the present. As this new, productive habit of thought replaces the old, self-defeating ones, life is established in present experience. It is lived consciously; it is empowered. Thoughts use words; any positive thought is more powerful than a negative one because it is closer to universal truth. The Attitudes are thoughts, too, but thoughts of a special quality, because of their structure (see The Science of Ascension) and their content, which is aligned with natural law: appreciation, gratitude and love. Perceptions transform without strain as appreciation blossoms where the weeds of negative beliefs once grew. With changed perceptions, what is drawn into experience from the ocean of possibilities changes, too—naturally and without strain. Ability is enhanced through doing. Skill is perfected by practice. The Art of Approach can be simply expressed: It is the consistent, regular application of the techniques regardless of circumstances, regardless of subjective experience. No experience can weaken, slow or negate their power. No special setting is needed to for them to be effective; they are intended to be used in a natural context. What could be easier?