The Problem of Evil
By Mark Stavish
[Originally posted in VOXHERMES in
2004.]
The problem of evil
is a perennial one for students of esotericism. Various philosophies
address the problem in different manners, but in synthesis, there
seems to be several distinct areas of overlap and agreement.
Gnosticism
addresses evil in two ways: relative and absolute. Matter and
material life are seen as undesirable, as they are prison houses of
the spirit. Like various schools of yoga and Buddhism, material life
is to be escaped from and is de facto ‘evil.’ Matter keeps
us from being free, unhindered, and spiritual beings without
temptations and passions. This is interesting in light of the idea
that the early angels united ‘with the daughters of men’ and
thereby created offspring of legend referred to as ‘giants’ in
the Old Testament. Clearly being ‘spiritual’ or without a
physical body isn’t enough when it comes to being ‘passionless,’
but this seems to escape most of the discussion in this area.
Qabala is among the
most balanced of the approaches in that it sees evil as relative, and
necessary. It is to be overcome without condemning the material
world.
In fact, in Qabala
and Alchemy material life is our life. It is where we are in
the here and now. We can think of earth as a school, a prison, a
blank slate, or as whatever we like. Even if we believe in life
having an evolutionary purpose and the influence of astrological
Signs and Ages to push humanity along, life has no meaning until we
give it meaning. All the guiding and directing in the cosmos is
worthless unless we commit ourselves to a cause, something greater
than ourselves, and work to express it, even if we may not live to
see it.
The great
cathedrals of Europe, temples of the ancients, and other places of
majesty and wonder were built by people who would never live to see
them completed. While for many of them it was just a job same as any
other, or forced labor as a slave or serf, many of the artisans and
professional builders employed took great pride in their work and saw
it for what it was – a monument to something greater than the
limits of earthly human life. Even in anonymity, their lives had, and
still do, great meaning as we worship, tour, or simply admire from a
distance, their labor, centuries after it was completed.
If you see material
existence as good or evil, this is a reflection of your inner life.
We hear often of the power of positive thinking, and the more cynical
among us, who are often the more intelligent as well, sneer and
either disregard it or simply pay lip service to the idea.
In truth, “Positive
Thinking” is in many ways a lie. However, the reason is not in the
idea, or theory, but the language used to transmit it. When we
conceptualize the idea of thinking, it is often relegated to the idea
of problem solving, and as such, rational and logical processes.
However, thinking is more than logic, or problem solving, it is our
worldview. Our thinking is the filter we use to process the world,
how it works, our place in it, and relationship to others.
The greatest power
in our ‘thinking process’ is not our ability to reason and use
logic, but our ability to feel. Our emotions are our greatest asset
in this area. If we ‘feel’ positively about life, then life
takes on a flavor, color, or experience that logic and reason cannot
transmit. Emotions are the driving force, the energy of the psyche,
of human consciousness. When talk of the “Power of Positive
Thinking” what is really being said is the “Power of Positive
Feeling.”
Studies have shown
that ‘optimists’ are more successful than ‘realists.’ This
fundamental fact explains why so many smart people are often so
under-achieving, under-paid, and under-fulfilled with their lives.
Modern educational
systems develop the rational and logical at the expense of the
emotional. Cynicism is encouraged and rewarded by the media, and
academia. Yet if we look closely at ‘realists’ we see that they
are essentially looking for an excuse not to act. They are afraid of
failure, of making a mistake, of essentially living, and also of
dying.
If you come to
accept your mortality, then fear drips away, and problems of success,
failure, even good and evil take on a more manageable perspective.
Accept this – you will die, so act, and act as if it is today, for
someday it will be.
This doesn’t mean
that we throw away our resources, or ignore reason and logic, but
instead, that after considering them, we still pick something and
dedicate ourselves to its realization.
If you would like
to be successful, and find meaning in your life, you must first
decide what is the single thing you want to accomplish. What do you
want to dedicate your limited, and numbered human days to promoting,
building, and embodying even if you do not live to see its fruition?
Second, turn off
your television. Get rig of cable, satellite TV, or whatever it is
that you plug into that drains your life force.
Third, meet and
collaborate with others who are seeking to build and promote their
lives, even if their projects are not esoteric or spiritual in
nature, so long as they are developing, encouraging, and
demonstrating the effectiveness of an ‘optimistic’ attitude.
Fourth, do not
discuss your plans with anyone who cannot directly assist you in
their fruition. Avoid nay sayers and similar ‘realists’ who will
tell you from their position of superiority, built upon a mountain of
failure and self-imposed fears and limitations, that what ever ‘It’
is, ‘it can’t be done.’
Fifth, read
biographies about the great men and women who have overcome all
obstacles to achieve their dreams. Even if the books are older, and
the stories slightly romanticized, read them anyhow. It is
inspiration and example that you are seeking to internalize and
emulate, not a ‘tell-all’ expose. A wonderful example of this
kind of inspirational biographical writing is Twelve Against the
Gods by William Bolitho.
Sixth, and finally,
give back, here and now. Generosity is a form of confidence in the
future, as well as gratitude for what you have. Give of your time,
knowledge, and material wealth. All three must be given for this to
work, because in doing so, you create a chain of events and habits,
that will cascade back onto you and reward you with opportunities
otherwise outside your reach. In your acts of generosity of time,
talent, and treasure, your true inner attitude, deepest held
feelings, are revealed. However, the time is now, and without
concern for your ‘personal reward’ that might come as a result of
your actions. Give, give generously, give wisely, give regularly, and
give impersonally.
In doing this, you create a better life for yourself, and a better
world for others in which evil has no place to hide or to grow.
This document may be cross-posted as long as the authorship and
copyright attribution remains intact.
The Inner Way – The Power of Prayer and Belief in Spiritual
Practice
