Foreword
Freeing your mind past the ‘thinking’ stage and pressing on to the ‘being’ stage is the ultimate purpose of this unique book.
Probably there is no other like it. The spiritual philosophy of Albert Schweitzer is explored by the author in a series of letters she has addressed to the deceased genius.
Thus the premise of the book is unique along with its presentation. What would you say to the revered genius? Renate’s book really includes you in her conversations with the man for the ages.
Robert G. Chaney
March 12, 2003
Introduction
This story developed from one particular letter in my personal journal. Before writing this letter, I was deeply frustrated and stuck in a mode of just getting up and coping with life’s many daily challenges. The joy of life had somehow escaped me. I was tired of being a slave to crippling fears, which is often the cause of the symptoms of emotional pain and suffering. I started to ask, “Where do fears originate?’ There must be more to life than this! There must be some way I can overcome the effects of what seemed like a roller coaster ride of pleasure and pain. What is the secret to being happy? I had so many questions and decided it was time I started a dialogue with Dr. Albert Schweitzer, whom I had allowed to become my spiritual teacher.
I see myself as an average person who has always been curious and interested in learning. My early circumstances had not allowed me the privilege of a formal higher education. My best and most formative schooling, seen only in hindsight, has been life and the many experiences that were presented to me on my path.
My diplomas are the books I have written and the books I have read, understood and applied to my life. It is my deepest desire to be of help. This story may lead us to wake up to who we really are—souls, seeking experiences that will lead to recognition and growth on the path, leading us to a deeper awareness. Recognizing our own ignorance and fears, replacing them with love, reverence, tolerance, humility, faith, hope, gratitude and finding the courage to take responsibility for our experiences, is part of the process. This process will eventually lead us to self-mastery, to more freedom and independent thought, and finally, to a deeper understanding of our selves and others, through compassion and love.
While writing I recognized that ‘Know thyself’, is the message, the path, the way and the goal. It is the first step we will eventually take—it is also the beginning of understanding the Laws of Life. Looking outside for life’s answers by choosing glamour, excitement and material possessions had become less and less fulfilling for me. It kept me aimlessly running in circles. I discovered that until we make the decision to investigate the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of our own nature, many answers to this puzzle elude us. Often, this stage is preceded, by asking ourselves a few fundamental questions about life, including: “Is that all there is?” There is an inherent magic in asking ourselves these and other questions. Once the internal curiosity is aroused and a dialogue is established, the answers appear all by themselves, seemingly out of nowhere. Will more of us eventually gain the insight and courage needed to look at our selves and ask some questions?
An internal revelation occurred. Slowly at first—I began to see a process. My soul started to stir and my intuition gave me a glimpse of the meaning of the phrase, ‘the peace that passeth all understanding’.
When this inner peace is experienced even once, we start searching. We discover that all the tools are inside. As we tame our small ego and still our restless mind, we discover that we are more than our external personality. We are something far greater, far more beautiful and far more powerful. We are individual souls seeking experiences through which to grow and eventually obtain liberation. Only then do we begin to recognize the value of transcending our fears, our lower nature, our lower mind and our lower personal self. We begin to see that a large part of the secret of life is found first in self-observation, which eventually turns into self-realization. This includes the recognition of the value of wisdom, leading us to an internal transformation. I found that the spiritual aspect of our nature, our soul, is often neglected and misunderstood, and it is always trying to get our attention—to guide us. All we have to do is become still and listen!
As we allow our soul to become the driver of our physical vehicle, one moment at a time, we discover powers inherent and hidden in all of us.
The power to love.
The power to see with new eyes.
The power to be inspired.
The power to aspire.
The power to create.
The power to become more than we are presently aware of reveals itself as we open the door to a new level of ‘Being’. How often had I heard the words, ‘The teacher appears when the student is ready’, yet, not fully understood this phenomenon. The message is heard when the student is ready to hear the message, not a moment sooner and not a moment later.
The message has always been there as part of the Ageless Wisdom Teachings. It can be found in every religion, providing we look deep enough. It can be found in every mystery school, in every ancient myth and in every experience we encounter. It seems to be waiting for us to reach a certain level of dissatisfaction, discontent, disillusionment and disappointment. Until then, even if the message is shouted from the highest rooftops, we will not hear it.
The teachers are already there, waiting for us to find the courage to reach out and start to ask ourselves some of the more profound and deeper questions about life. All a teacher can be is an example, or a signpost on the path. The path must be understood and walked voluntarily by each student.
This is a story about a teacher and student relationship. It is a story about where this relationship has led me, and where it continues to lead me today. This is the essence of this personal journey, captured in my journal. A true teacher can inspire and become an ideal, leading by example only. This is not to be confused with the word idol, which is an empty lifeless symbol. A teacher is like an older brother who has walked and lived through life’s experiences. He understands our daily struggle—yet, he knows that he can’t do the needed work for us. He can only give us encouragement and support. A good teacher knows he can lead us to the water, but he can’t make us drink. A teacher helps us to help ourselves. A good teacher will not give us a fish if we are hungry, he will teach us how to fish.
For me, Dr. Albert Schweitzer exemplified all of these human qualities. He was a mystic with a highly developed sense of self. Yet, he was above all, what we would call a ‘practical’ man, a man ruled by reason and a keen intellect. He understood our struggle.
As we awaken, we begin to see that learning and growing are our own responsibilities. This recognition is a huge step towards our freedom and independent thinking. Looking at myself was the most painful and yet, the most liberating experience I encountered. Therein lies the paradox, the riddle we must solve.
I began to see that all growth is spiritual. The spark, the momentum, the energy—the life force—the will to live—is in everything and in everyone, and can be found in all of the kingdoms of nature. They are the mineral, plant, animal and the human kingdom. Are there still higher kingdoms? Isn’t it only our present limited perception and old conditioning which keeps us from recognizing the divine? If, ‘as above—so below’ is true, it stands to reason that there must be still Higher Kingdoms, higher dimensions and realms beyond the human, Kingdoms we are not as yet aware of. Do only enlightened beings or mystics get a glimpse of these Kingdoms, or will all of mankind eventually evolve, increasing our vibrations enough to allow entrance to these realms?
I believe that ‘Beings’ like Dr. Albert Schweitzer are sent to humanity from time to time, whose primary aim is to aid humanity in its evolution.
The following letters are a part of my personal journey, indicative of where I’ve been and how I got to where I am today, thanks to teachers like Dr. Albert Schweitzer.
The Truths inherent in ancient teachings are experienced relative to our growth, relative to the stages of an individual’s awareness along the evolutionary road of life. I see changing attitudes, leading to deeper perceptions all around me. I see it in some current movies, in the new resurgence of spiritual books and movements dedicated to finding the High Road, to elevating our human consciousness and to piercing the veil of ignorance. There is no right or wrong path, there is only the path.
Contemplation and self-reflection are the first step. This reflection must be experienced in the deepest recesses of each person’s heart. Everything in nature evolves and is governed by Universal Law. This Law governs all that exists in our manifested world, including nature, science, religion, space, mathematics, physics, philosophy and our physical body.
In our essence we are spiritual and only by going within do we discover this knowledge. Getting to know who we are, what our purpose is, and where we are going. This becomes the ‘quest’. This inner evolution commences once the search to know who we are has begun. It is the search for the beloved, our true self—our spiritual Self—our Real Self. Furthermore, our level of recognition, perception and understanding is relative to our soul growth. Yes Dr. Einstein, in the finite world we live in “it is all relative”! The first grade is not better than the ninth, both are needed to complete the curriculum. It is not better or worse, only different.
It’s as if a spark in my heart had been ignited and turned into a flame, becoming the light within showing me the way. The desire ‘to know’ has been awakened, becoming my light in the darkness. That’s when I discovered that I and humanity are one, comprised of individual spiritual beings on an evolutionary journey, having an individual and a collective earthly experience in order to grow and evolve. Through each painful experience a lesson is recognized. On some level we begin to sense the need for transformation, felt as the need for freedom, wholeness, self-reliance and liberation.
We are all interconnected on this journey and will ultimately recognize that we must first heal ourselves in order to experience an inner level of peace. Only then can we help and encourage others with our passion to know Truth.
I propose the idea, that soon more and more people will begin to understand this process and humanity will reach the point of ‘critical mass’ needed to change our collective consciousness. Until then, peace can only be obtained one person at a time and I know that the process starts with me right here—right now.
Publishing this material was not my reason for writing. Only after showing this journal to a friend and being encouraged to do so, did I take this step. My fears and shyness will have to take a back seat, as I have decided that it may help others, who just like me, may be struggling with certain painful issues in life. To help and share is my only motivation. If it resonates with something in your own heart, use it. Become a free thinker and please remember to allow your heart to decide what is right and true for yourself. What the heart will recognize, can’t be captured with words.
R. z T.
January 14, 2004