FORTY-ONE

損

SACRIFICE

CONCERNS: Sacrifice is the surrendering of that which is lower in order to augment, strengthen and develop that which is higher.

1. When we contribute our energy or resources to help others, there should be a mutual awareness of what is correct — dignity and a sense of responsibility —and a suspension of personal considerations.
2. Only those minimal actions to serve others which do not decrease our energy or resources are appropriate at this time.
3. A relationship among three people will tend to evolve into a relationship between two; a single person will tend to join up with another. Here we are prompted to look at our relationship to relationships.
4. When we recognize and take responsibility for our faults, we attract the support of others.
5. Having reduced or withdrawn from the control of our lower self, we are able to make contact with the higher, spiritual energies. This is of great benefit to all.
6. It is correct to use our gains for the benefit of others.

COMMENT: The word “sacrifice” means to make sacred; we make something sacred by offering it or surrendering it to the Higher World. If we are attached to something and it has mundane meaning —a possession, a relationship, our life, our position, a habit —we sacrifice it and thereby come into much greater possessions.  Sacrificing the lower impulse of anger, for example, will liberate the divine impulse of compassion.