Einar Adalsteinsson – Iceland
The author
I got THE CELESTINE PROPHESY in its first months and I liked it so much that I started a five-week introductory course into its ways of Self Culture or Spiritual Path at the TS in Iceland. There were in all three courses, before I got back to my old track [of Mind Culture Courses], but I still include one evening (two hours) going into the main points.
Of course there is nothing new under the sun, concerning the perennial wisdom, but we need ever new approaches to it, not because of the wisdom, but because of our nature of mental stagnation in the forms -- any forms.
It is therefore of paramount importance that we can speak the 'truth' in a fresh way at all times. So if you find the book to be of help, then use it as a platform into further study -- you will find it repeated and corroborated in myriads of ways in the scriptures, but it is the "gut feeling" that matters. To feel it working within, and spreading from there to the outer life, is what make it worthwhile. And the book is good for that.
Regarding the discussion of spiritual powers, it is my view that one should approach discussing them cautiously, even at times saying nothing at all in public.
It is the 'show-off' that most often turns it into a circus, not because of the powers, but because of peoples' attitudes in general. You should always be aware that when showing of such extra sensory powers, most people have no way of corroborating what is said or done. It will unfortunately split people into believers and sceptics, and maybe a few neutral (sane?) minds, and the 'freak' will end up with a lot of adoring, albeit blind followers. (What a nice and comfortable feeling for any well inflated EGO!)
Then any faculty obtained naturally in the course of spiritual endeavor is a gift to be cherished and cultivated for any beneficial cause, relieving suffering, promoting understanding and unity.
But the real skills of spirituality, worth seeking all the time, by every means, are there laid out for us by the masters and sages of all times -- becoming more understanding, more loving, -- yes and more tolerant, (in a 'correct' way).
Note the golden rule of relationship: "You should never use or manipulate any person -- and more important -- you should never yield to the use or manipulation of any person whatsoever."
This is the first rule of Control Theory, the remedy of all so-called co-dependency, which is one of the most common diseases of modern (and ancient) relationships. This is a very difficult and complicated rule to apply, but it is the key to a personal freedom beyond imagination!
I would like to add some few words on service, help, charity and giving.
First of all: Giving is only 'real' giving if there is not a touch of craving for anything in return.
Secondly: Giving is also impossible if there is a craving from the receiver of the gift.
Please don't take these statements lightly. Ponder over them and see if they are really right or wrong.
In the light of these above statements we should look at the other "good deeds."
Help is only help if it is both given and received unconditionally. Help tends to become manipulation, according to the helpers limited view on the situation.
Charity is more often than not important for the "charitable" person and not at all for the receiver.
Service, in the real sense, is also a very subtle form of giving unconditionally from ones heart.
These are basics, but if we are aware of their importance in our relations to others and try to apply them wholeheartedly, we will eventually understand how wise they really are.
Horse-trading gifts and any other 'goods' in relationship are perfectly all right, if we stick to the above rules, set fair limits in our relationships, and practice the art of unconditional giving, whenever we have anything of worth to give.
It may be noted, in case you didn't know, that giving is the key ingredient in spiritual joy and happiness!
As usual I may sound like I know all this -- but I don't! Please take this for what it is, a feeble seeking for some light in the dark. Please don't dare to believe a word of what I just said on my say-so!
I have to leave you now, going this morning (the time is past four AM) out in the country, to spend a week alone in the family hut in the north of Iceland, trees all around, mountains to climb, company of the birds, the music of a lonely brook, the immense silence of the light arctic night -- just imagine -- heaven on earth, heaven within!
[Note from the editor: more on Einar Adalsteinsson, a remarkable Theosophist from Iceland (1941-1998), can be found here: http://www.theosophyforward.com/articles/theosophy/1602-einar-adalsteinsson-a-tribute]