It was a warm, sunny, cloudless August afternoon in the most elite part of Hollywood, California. The place? The Bel Air Hotel on Sunset Boulevard. The playground of the ‘smart’ people and the meeting place of who’s who in Society.

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Being balanced is a big theme in the culture of wellbeing, lifestyle and self-help. We know we should be balanced, and that being unbalanced is bad – but what does being balanced actually mean?

Normal ideas of balance

“Balance” means different things to different people, and we are fed a constant stream of suggested answers by television, advertising, the media, friends, family and sometimes even random strangers. We are told what we “should” be; what a “successful” life looks like; what being a “good” person means; what we “need” to be happy.

This produces in our subconscious an idealized image of the archetype of the so-called “balanced” person. And many people – let’s call them “Mr and Mrs Normal” – to some degree or another, fit this “ideal”, or strive to, at least.

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The ancient Greek historian, Thucydides, declared that “the secret to happiness is freedom…” and many of us might agree with that.

The freedom to do and act as we choose when we choose and with whom we choose is probably high on everyone’s idea of happiness.

But Thucydides, esteemed for his intellect and judgment, went on to say: “…and the secret to freedom is courage.” This immediately puts a different spin on our common understanding of happiness. Generally, we tend to put courage and happiness in two entirely separate and even opposite categories, not related to one another at all. Courage suggests danger and difficulty, while happiness tends to imply a certain comfort and ease.

So what was Thucydides possibly thinking? One likely answer can be found in The Nine Freedoms, a spiritual teaching delivered by the cosmic orator Mars Sector 6. He begins this great metaphysical treatise on freedom by declaring that the first freedom will be bravery; and that without bravery no real benefit can ever come from any task we undertake.

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Stress, worry, expectations and ambitions are part of everyday life, and over time they take their toll – physically, mentally and emotionally.

They are not necessarily bad things, but that doesn’t make them any the less wearing on the heart, mind and body. However impractical or improbable it may be, haven’t you ever dreamt of just being alone in a little cottage by a lake – with no TV, no radio, no WiFi, no phone – just simple peace and quiet – to escape it all?

Detachment is something we all crave from time to time – perhaps without even realizing it. But real detachment, in a spiritual sense, isn’t about where you live, or even about how busy you are, it’s about your state of mind – and, paradoxically, it cannot work without the balance of the correct attachment.

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Selflessness lies at the heart of true happiness. In his booklet on this subject Dr. George King wisely stated:

You have heard many vague references to happiness coming from within. Well, we know that it must, but you have to plant it within. Strangely enough, you will not be able to plant it within while you enclose yourself in a tight little box of selfishness. You can only plant spiritual happiness within yourself by giving of yourself…

– The Importance of Commemoration and Spiritual Happiness

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One of the most regular communicators through Dr. George King as Primary Terrestrial Mental Channel was that all-knowing source: Mars Sector 8 – General Information. There was a very close link, possibly a bond, between Dr. King and this source who ranks extremely highly in our cosmic pantheon as a unique and absolutely essential giver of timeless wisdom, invaluable information and practical assistance.

His teachings are delivered in a distinctive manner, pulling no punches and, at times, supplying authoritative data on a range of matters which has changed metaphysics on this planet forever. He was the go-to source for exact analysis on particular aspects of truth and, it seems to me, that he was very in tune with Dr. King’s practical, almost down-to-earth approach rather than armchair theory.

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What really is kindness – and is kindness enough to change the world?

If you google “kindness” you will see the definition: “friendly, generous, considerate.” When I hear the word “kind”, I picture the smiling face of an honest person – let’s call him Bob – perhaps putting some change into a charity collection box, or picking up his neighbor’s kids from school. Someone who is giving, trustworthy and good-natured.

In other words, someone who goes out of their way to help others without wanting anything back in payment. But on a small scale.

If someone – let’s call him Patrick – sold a luxury property and moved into a small house, donating all the surplus money from the sale to a worthy charity – I wouldn’t use the word “kind”, I would say something like “outstandingly generous virtually to the point of sainthood.”

Bob is kind, but may not be anything like as generous as Patrick. And conversely Patrick may not be kind – at least not on a personal level. He may be stingy with Christmas presents and refuse to do even the simplest of favors for his closest friends and relatives. He may be unfriendly and far less pleasant to be around than Bob, but nevertheless he has demonstrated a degree of spirituality vastly outshining anything that Bob has ever dreamt of doing.

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Three little pigs lost in the forest – a parable

Once upon a time there were three little pigs – Bob, Patrick and Arthur. They were walking through a big forest and somehow they got separated. They had never been away from the farm before, and knew nothing about what to expect.

Before long Bob met a wolf. Having never seen a wolf before, he gave no thought as to whether or not it was dangerous, and walked up to it and sniffed its nose. The wolf was furious and bit Bob’s left ear.

Bob ran away, but soon came across another wolf. What did Bob do? Exactly the same – sniffed its nose. And this wolf bit his right ear.

Once again Bob ran away, but he soon came across yet another wolf. What did he do? Exactly the same – sniffed its nose. And this wolf bit his left ear again.

Patrick also met a wolf in the forest, and he did exactly what Bob had done – he walked up to it and sniffed its nose. The wolf was furious and bit Patrick’s left ear.

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Over 200 Spiritual workers from many different Faiths gather in service on Mount Baldy in Southern California for the World Peace Pilgrimage – now in its 8th consecutive year.

Change is in the air. 2016 has brought two significant and controversial political changes. Brexit in the U.K., and now a Trump victory in America.

Both votes were extremely close; in fact in America President-elect Trump actually lost the popular vote by nearly 2 million votes, but won the electoral votes.

In America, many, if not most States, cities, groups, and even families were mixed in who they supported.

Tensions remain very high in America. There is a very unsettled vibe across the land. The election has indeed raised a great deal of dust; shaken up the status quo.

From the perspective of the Teachings of The Aetherius Society, upheaval of the status quo should really be expected; in fact, the likelihood is that change, often drastic, will increase. We have been told we are living in the end times of the old order. Change must come.

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