What IS Nothing?

What is nothing?  This is a question that has bothered philosophers as far back as the ancient Greeks, where they debated the nature of the void. They had long discussions trying to determine whether nothing is something. 

While the philosophical facets of this question pose some interest, the question is also one that the scientific community has addressed. 

THE GATHAS – Yasna Haptanghaiti

Yasna Haptanghaiti, the Yasna of Seven Chapters (Yasna 35-41), also in the Gathic dialect, was perhaps composed by one or more of Zarathushtra’s close companions. They are short subtle songs of prayers.

The Haptañhâiti constitutes one seventh of the Gathas, the Gathas one third of the Yasna, and the Yasna one third of the Avesta. Therefore, in quantity, it is but 1/63 of the text. But in quality, the Zoroastrian Lore has given it the second highest position in the Avesta. It is next to the Five Songs of Zarathushtra, inside which it has been allotted a placid place.

However, in our modern scholastic age, it appears that so far it has been its quantity which has mattered more. It has been too thin to receive any serious attention—just a part of the monotonously animistic liturgy. And if at all, someone has paid some attention, it has not been for expounding its high position, but to describe its present characteristics, or on the contrary, to pin point it as the point of deviation from the course set by Zarathushtra.

My interest in it, casual first, curious later, and consecrated at present, has been rewarding—a sweet song translated into English and Persian. And my ‘Introduction’ fully justifies the position it enjoys. So slim, yet so serene!

Ali A. Jafarey Rawalpindi,

Pakistan 30th September, 1974

Song 1 (Yasna 35) 

ZARATHUSHTRA'S WORK: The Gathas - Song 17

BEST WISH

Song 17.1 (Yasna 53.1)

The best wish of mine, Zarathushtra Spitama, has been fulfilled, because the Wise Lord has, on account of my righteousness, granted me blessings, both mental and material, and a good life for ever. Those who hurt me, have also learned the words and deeds of the Good Conscience.              

After concluding his 16th Song with his loving veneration of all his companions, Zarathushtra now expresses his joy at the success of his mission. It is on account of his earnest and righteous way of promoting his Divine Mission that he finds his best wish has come true, the successful esablishing of the Good Religion. He earnestly ascribes his success to divine guidance; he feels happy and content in mind and body knowing he will enjoy a good life forever. He is alive, his very words are heard, and he sees that those who rose against him, hurt him, made him leave his relatives and hometown, and placed obstacles in his way to Vishtaspa’s court—where they then intrigued against him—have now learned the truth. They too have converted to the Good Religion.

Once the Truth is explained fully from a wholistic perspective, opposition fades and success is accomplished.

ZARATHUSHTRA'S WORK: The Gathas - Song 16

THE GOOD DOMINION OF CHOICE

Song 16.1 (Yasna 51.1)

The good dominion is to be chosen. It is the best dividend. In fact, it is devotion for the dedicated, who, Wise One, moves best within righteousness by his deeds. It is for this dominion that I am working for all of us now.              

A good government must be an elected one; this is one of the best gains one can have in this life. To serve a chosen government means to serve it best with devotion based on righteous deeds. It is for such a dominion, a governmental system, that Zarathushtra determined was best for us, mankind; as such, he founded the foremost democracy—mental and physical, spiritual and material.

Ideal truth and order in the world may be achieved through our good deeds and conscious efforts.

ZARATHUSHTRA'S WORK: The Gathas - Song 15

COMMUNION WITH GoOD

Song 15.1 (Yasna 50.1)

Does my soul seek any help?

Who has been found as a protector for my flock? Who for my men?

None, Wise Lord, except Your righteousness and best mind,

when truly invoked. 

How can one best help himself, his property, and his people? By using his best mind to concentrate and then have his very best thoughts translated into proper actions. That is what Mazda wishes.

In times of distress and hardship, righteousness and the good mind are our best friends.

ZARATHUSHTRA'S WORK: The Gathas - Song 14

REMOVING OBSTRUCTIONS

Song 14.1 (Yasna 49.1)

Now, Wise One, Bendva* always obstructs me the most, I, who wish to satisfy the badly protected through righteousness. Come to me with good reward and support. I am seeking illumination for him through good mind.              

After declaring his plan, Zarathushtra turns to an arch enemy, *Bendva (Vedic Bandhu, a composer of the Rig Veda) who is the main obstruction in Zarathushtra’s way. Zarathushtra wants to attend, in a rightful way, to the people who face the dangers of opposition; they must be saved. He is praying for divine guidance and seeking solution through good mind.

The wrongful people in power will always obstruct genuine attempts to help the oppressed, but they can still be shown another way.

Birdsong

By Emma Langford      

The song 'Birdsong' by Emma Langford conveys a message of inner strength and self-love, symbolized by the metaphor of a bird soaring high above judgment and hate. The lyrics emphasize the resilience and independence of the individual, showcasing a determination to rise above challenges and remain true to oneself. 

It offers a glimpse of the consequences of the choice to judge others.  Many interpretations and perspectives may be applied.  Search for them. 

ZARATHUSHTRA'S WORK: The Gathas - Song 13

VICTORY OVER WRONG

Song 13.1 (Yasna 48.1)

If, after this, one conquers wrong through righteousness, because one reaches what is always said to be delusions by the false gods and their men, one shall, by these gains, increase in Your glorification, O Lord. 

If one, by the guidance of the progressive mentality, were to understand the true nature of delusions of fanciful gods fed to him by exploiters and, therefore, replace this wrong with righteousness, they would then get to the core of Truth. They would truly comprehend the Being and turn to Lord of Wisdom to glorify Him.

Those facts and truths which would improve the world, or save it from harm, are proclaimed to be delusions by those who benefit from the ignorance of humanity.

ZARATHUSHTRA'S WORK: The Gathas - Song 12

PROGRESSIVE MENTALITY

Song 12.1 (Yasna 47.1)

To him who, through progressive mentality, performs his duties best in thoughts, words, and deeds in accordance with righteousness, the Wise Lord grants wholeness and immortality through sovereignty and serenity.              

The progressive mentality is the creative and promotive faculty endowed in our mind by Mazda Ahura, the Super-Intellect Being. It makes us renovate and promote our environment, our world. One, who performs his duties in the best righteous manner, is granted wholeness, perfection, immortality, and eternity through their sovereignty, independence, serenity and tranquility.

The Progressive Mentality (Spenta Mainyu - Holy Spirit) leads to Perfection and Immortality.

ZARATHUSHTRA'S WORK: The Gathas - Song 11

FROM SUFFERING TO SUCCESS

Song 11.1 (Yasna 46.1)

To what land should I turn? Where should I turn to go? They hold me back from my folks and friends. Neither the community I follow pleases me, nor do the wrongful rulers of the land. How can I please You, Wise Lord? 

The opposition to Zarathushtra’s mission mounts. He is isolated from folks and friends; the community is hostile and so are the rulers of the land. The person who had prayed and asked “for support through progressive mentality [so that] I may perform all my actions, based as they are on the wisdom of good mind, precisely according to the laws of righteousness so that I please You and the soul of the Living World” (Song 1.1), now does not know what to do next. A frustrated Zarathushtra seeks guidance from God as where and how to go.

Those who fight for Truth and justice may find themselves cast away by society, reminding them of the necessity of their actions.

THE SCIENCE OF BEING By Ida B. Elliott

Preface:

The religion termed Divine Science is a Christian New Thought religious movement founded in the late 1880s. It has no direct connection to our Divine Science University but there are many similarities between what we each believe.

Divine Science, the religion, emphasizes the omnipresence of God as the foundational truth, teaching that God (understood as limitless Being, pure Spirit, perfect Life, Love, and Substance) is equally present everywhere and constitutes the All of everything.

The religious movement founded a Divine Science College in Denver in 1898 to train teachers, practitioners, and ministers. After the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and  the death of one of the founders, the movement’s center shifted to Denver (and later to Pueblo, Colorado) under the leadership of the other founder until her death in 1945.

The religious movement of Divine Science is practical and experiential, aiming for a direct knowing of God and participation in bringing forth greater good.

This article, written by Ida B. Elliott in the early 1900s, is shared for educational purposes.

ZARATHUSHTRA'S WORK: The Gathas - Song 10

Each stanza of this song contains the translation in italics, a brief commentary, and a closing thought to ponder.  

Try reading on stanza each day and pondering upon its meaning.

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PROCLAMATION

Song 10.1 (Yasna 45.1)

Now, I shall proclaim, hear and listen,

you who have come from near and far as seekers.

Now, clearly bear these in mind.

Let not the evil teacher, the wrongful,

with his evil choice and perverted tongue, 

destroy life for a second time. 

Feeling fully confident about how to spread his message, Zarathushtra calls a conference. People flock in from far and near to hear him. As he addresses them, he wants to make one point clear: they should bear in mind that evil teachers have chosen evil and will thus use perverse language to seduce them back—a trick that would destroy their life, now being built on a new, fresh standard.

A wise person recognizes manipulative teachers and educates others on their deceitful nature.

Rising Above Negativity

 

As I was re-arranging and re-organizing my home office space, I discovered an early paper I had written and presented as part of a graduation presentation for a Mediumship course I had participated in many years ago.

What caught my attention was the title:  “RISING ABOVE NEGATIVITY”.   I remember now so clearly my teacher, Jovita, reiterating over and over to “rise above negativity”.

I could hear her words… yet the “how to” eluded me in the beginning.   I wondered “just exactly, how do you rise above negativity?   

And so I began my presentation from definition…. 

ZARATHUSHTRA'S WORK: The Gathas - Song 9

Each stanza of this song contains the translation in italics, a brief commentary, and a closing thought to ponder.  

Try reading on stanza each day and pondering upon its meaning.

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ANSWERING QUESTIONS

Song 9.1 (Yasna 44.1)

This I ask You, tell me truly, Lord. 

How shall I reverently pay [homage to You]?

Teach this to a friend like me, Wise One.

Let us all be given help, through loving righteousness,

so that it comes to us through good mind.

Enlightenment through meditating on questions that turn into answers.  In the first stanza, he asks as to how he should pay his reverence and homage to Ahura—“The Being”. He wants Wisdom to teach a friend like Zarathushtra; he wishes for help through the Universal Law which is made of “loving” rightousness, the help comes only when one uses his or her good mind. The answer he recieves is that this very stanza is the best loving homage one can pay. No rule for performing rituals, no directive for dramas.

Commune with Lord Wisdom by meditation and consult the Good Mind for the right answers.

ZARATHUSHTRA'S WORK: The Gathas - Song 8

Each stanza of this song contains the translation in italics, a brief commentary, and a closing thought to ponder.  

Try reading on stanza each day and pondering upon its meaning.

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REALIZING-SELF, NATURE, GOD

Song 8.1 (Yasna 43.1)

May the Wise, Ruling-at-will Lord

grant radiant happiness to the person

who radiates happiness to any other person at large.

I pray for steadfast strength and courage

in order to uphold righteousness.

Grant me through serenity

the blessings of a rich life of good mind. 

The Wise God rules at his will, a will that grants radiant happiness to whosoever gives radiating happiness to others without discrimination. All joining to create a healthy healthy and happy happy world. Zarathushtra wants steadfast strength and courage not for physical power but to serve righteousness. And he wants stability that produces a rich life based on good mind—a blessing to live, a life to spread happiness, a happiness that is shared by all.

True happiness radiates happiness onto others and enriches all lives.

Integrating Divine Senses to Activate New Potentials

 

As I contemplate the arrival of New Beginnings, a wave of excitement permeates my thoughts, and they become alive with anticipation and excitement!   I wonder… which new potentials I will choose.  

In the past, I would set intentions by listing my desires, and then visualizing and feeling the qualities of each as I spoke affirmations to bring them into manifestation.  I continue this process, only now I include my Divine senses of Awareness, Imagination, Focus, Compassion, and Expression.       

ZARATHUSHTRA'S WORK: The Gathas - Song 7

Each stanza of this song contains the translation in italics, a brief commentary, and a closing thought to ponder.  

Try reading on stanza each day and pondering upon its meaning.

RENOVATION

Song 7.1 (Yasna 34.1)

The deed, the word, and the veneration 

by which I give immortality, righteousness,

and the motive for wholeness to the people,

are very much offered by us,

Wise Lord, to You. 

The message of Zarathushtra leads to mental veneration of the Divine. Words and deeds that give righteousness, and power to move towards wholeness, and immortality. This mental veneration, words and deeds are what Zarathushtra and his companions offer to Mazda Ahura.

No sacrifice, intoxicating substance, or other material offering is needed to please the Divine One. Only our good thoughts, words, and deeds should be offered to promote a good life.

ZARATHUSHTRA'S WORK: The Gathas - Song 6

Each stanza of this song contains the translation in italics, a brief commentary, and a closing thought to ponder.  

Try reading on stanza each day and pondering upon its meaning.

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DEVOTION TO DUTY

Song 6.1 (Yasna 33.1)

According to the Primal Principles of Life

the leader shall do full justice

to the wrongful and to the righteous,

as well as to the person

whose falsity is combined

with his probity. 

The leader, chosen by people, should be impartial. He should base his justice on the Primal Principles of Life and then deal with the wrongful, the righteous, and the person who is both. It is this impartiality that brings true justice and wins others over to righteousness.

We must choose impartial leaders who will judge ALL according to their behavior.

ZARATHUSHTRA'S WORK: The Gathas - Song 5

Each stanza of this song contains the translation in italics, a brief commentary, and a closing thought to ponder.  

Try reading on stanza each day and pondering upon its meaning.

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ABERRATION

Introduction: This song is an exposure of the fraud and aberration practiced by the priests and princes of the old Avestan religions. The worship of daevas, a listing of false gods, were the creation of a mentality of harm and deceit by the priestly profession. Superstitions direct a person away from Divine thinking. They can, however, become a good source of income for the cunning and unscrupulous, who continue to hoard what they can extract from simple people. 

These cunning persons are the ritualistic priests, called the karapan by Zarathushtra. The word actually means “arrangers of rituals”, but it also means “chatterers” and “mumblers” which they indeed were. They were the only priests that Zarathushtra knew of; in his Songs, he does not refer to any good priest. 

The karapans were not alone. There were also the rulers, turned into luxury lovers through the spoils they had accumulated. The two, having a common vested interest of exploiting the people, had joined hands to enrich themselves. They kept the people in darkness and ignorance through their increasing lust for wealth.  They had become tyrants, an action that earned them people’s hatred. However, they forgot that the Divine was watching them and a day would dawn when a thought-provoker would rise and lead the people out of their exploitation and darkness and to divine light. 

This was Zarathushtra's desire.

ZARATHUSHTRA'S WORK: The Gathas - Song 4

Each stanza of this song contains the translation in italics, a brief commentary, and a closing thought to ponder.  

Try reading on stanza each day and pondering upon its meaning.

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ON GUIDANCE

Contemplate deeply each stanza over the next week.

Song 4.1 (Yasna 31.1)

Keeping the two principles of Yours in mind,

we shall teach the hitherto unheard words 

to those who destroy the righteous world 

by their wrongful doctrines.  

No doubt, the two principles will prove the best for those 

who are devoted to the Wise One. 

With the two principles of Good and Evil in view, Zarathushtra and his companions embark on teaching an entirely new doctrine, never heard before. The teachings are particularly meant for those who prove destructive to the life based on righteousness. For those who are already on the right track, the two principles should prove highly useful.

The Zarathushtrian Doctrine is novel, it leads to progress by steps, and aims to guide the wrongful toward the Laws of Existence; it reaffirms that the ethical are on the right path.