The Theosophical Forum – October 1946

DIVINE DISCONTENT — Alexandria McLean

Discontent might be called a generator of desire, and desire, in its highest aspect may be termed "Aspiration," and is an impetus to evolution. Discontent is closely allied with cycles. As a cycle nears completion — discontent manifests because the existing condition has served its purpose and no longer satisfies us.

G. de P. in Studies in Occult Philosophy reminds us, "You may remember reading in the old Hindu scriptures in the Veda: "Desire first arose in the bosom of IT," speaking of the universal, cosmic desire to be, to manifest. What kind of desire is that? It is atman-kama."

Discontent, like all else is seven-fold. In its highest aspect it may be considered "Divine," as it is an urge, almost at times audible; a challenge from the Divinity within us, to unfold and express the higher qualities. This Divine Discontent is also closely allied with the doctrine of Swabhava, for by the latent Divine Discontent in every "seed of the Spawn of Life" whether it be a galaxy, a man, or one grain of sand, comes the opportunity to unfold that which IS its highest, inmost aspect.

We have been told that analogy is the key to understanding, therefore let us think of such a well-known thing as an apple seed and consider what Divine Discontent does for the seed. Without the inherent urge within the seed (which to our consciousness may seem an "unconscious" urge) but which may truly be termed "Divine Discontent" — without this urge, the seed could never be more than a seed. But with this urge, the existing condition is transcended and the seed becomes a sapling. By that same "Divine Discontent," the sapling becomes a tree, the tree puts forth blossoms which become fruit, bearing seed.

And what of Karma, in relation to this Divine Discontent? It is an important constituent within the urge, for the quality and quantity of the urge is a result of action in past cycles. At the same time new Karma is in the making, for with the urge to change, the individual must discriminate and will the direction of his actions, hindering or helping in the unfoldment of the Divinity Within. This "Discontent" is a power, a great, vital force which we must direct, lest it disintegrate and make chaos of our seven-fold nature. We may indeed be thankful for this gift of the Gods, a spark of Divinity that by subtle and devious methods urges us onward-upward-inward.

Perhaps the greatest work of "Divine Discontent" is to lead us through purifying our desires to reach the desireless (for our self). Merging all personal longings in a great renunciation, we may finally be strong enough to walk the "Secret Way." As The Voice of the Silence phrases it, "Unveiled stands Truth and looks thee sternly in the face. She says: "Sweet are the fruits of Rest and Liberation for the sake of Self; but sweeter still the fruits of long and bitter duty. Aye, Renunciation for the sake of others, of suffering fellow men'."

And so — we may consider "Divine Discontent" as an urge to perfect expression — not for the joy of self, not to lead us to Nirvana, but that we may become ever more perfect instruments of Divinity, expressing the law of Love Eternal. "The more thou dost become at one with it, thy being melted in its BEING, the more thy Soul unites with that which IS, the more thou wilt become compassion absolute."

In A Buddhist Bible as edited and published by Dwight Goddard, we find in the section devoted to the Summary of Buddha's Dharma, under the heading, "The Ten Bodhisattva Stages" — the tenth stage, Dharmamarga is as follows. "In this highest state, the Bodhisattva becomes wholly identified with the Great Truth Cloud, and, like a cloud saturated with Truth and Compassion, he becomes Tathagata, his life perfectly integrated with the lives of all, and goes forth to sprinkle the rain of the Good Law by which the seed of enlightenment takes root in the minds of all sentient beings, and in the long last brings them to Buddhahood."

Is this our aim? Then let us heed the urge of "Divine Discontent. Let us rejoice, discriminate and will our every thought and action toward this Great Goal.



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