abian Philosophy

We most often, and rightly, think of courage as some heroic act in time of need or crisis. Yet there is another kind of courage, the "everyday" kind. We do not often apply the word courage to a person’s faithfulness in providing for a family, caring for an elderly parent, or enduring the rigors (or boredom) of educating ourselves for a more rewarding place in society. However, persistence in trying to make this world a better place to live, for others and ourselves, is definitely a form of courage. This is most assuredly so when we have the courage to live our lives according to the higher values that we respect and admire. In philosophical language, this is bringing into manifestation the higher forms of awareness, which is ever the goal of the truly spiritual person.

Sabian philosophy teaches that those who "remain active in the world" are everyday heroes full of courage. Through persistence in this search for a life of higher values, we bring greater awareness into the world. In Sabian philosophy, a higher form of consciousness (awareness) is the goal of every soul.  We increase consciousness in ourselves and in the world at large whenever we become aware of the need of others and of our ability to be of service to them.

This approach to creative living is based on Ibn Gabirol’s Fountain of Life Book V, Chapter 18. Here the Teacher illustrates that higher forms penetrate lower forms in a hierarchy of emanations. This is similar, he says, to the sun whose rays penetrate the atmosphere to every extreme of the planet in unbroken continuity.  This "light of the sun" is an emanation from the highest consciousness that will penetrate all living forms if we will only participate in it by living a life of higher values (consciousness).

A practical application of the concept of courage would be to "remain active in the world" by occasionally turning off the TV and "be active," even if that is only by reading a thought provoking book.