From the Contents of Esoteric Classes

70. EL, Kassel, 12-3,4-'10

Esoteric exercises are the technique of spiritual life. Maya = maha-a-ya = great-non-existence.

We've only become dwellers on earth through the influence of Lucifer and Ahriman; otherwise our egos would have remained in spiritual regions, and our bodies on the earth's surface would have been directed from those regions.

Even though Lucifer and Ahriman combat the direct working of the divine spirit, they're nevertheless wanted by the spirit, for it's only through such resistance that the ego becomes fully objective in the physical world. Without Ahriman we wouldn't see a plant's green as such, but only the spiritual being that's in the plant. A single plant is like a hair in the earth's body.

Our egoism only arises through Lucifer and Ahriman. It must live in us and come to full expression, for only in this way can all of life become fully developed physically. But we should be aware that every action of ours has a selfish coloration. Our sympathy drives us to help others, but we don't like to be sympathetic.

There's no point in the world space where there's no force.

Men's etheric brains vary more than leaves on a tree. The shining points in them are like a photo of the heavens that's full of stars.

The effect of atma, buddhi, and manas is elaborated in the human eye (as in the great seal on a one dollar bill, with buddhi on the left, manas on the right, and atma at the apex).

This symbol also works on us at night. There we should try to keep the chaotic impressions of the day as far away as possible.

We shouldn't chatter about theosophy while we're eating or at other everyday occasions. It should be a holy thing for us.