BEINSA DOUNO

METHODS
FOR SELF-IMPROVEMENT
 Beinsa Douno

METHODS FOR
SELF-
IMPROVEMENT
Collection of Lectures

BIALO BRATSTVO PUBLISHERS

SOFIA, 2011
 Compilation and translation
by Maria Braikova
Graphic design by Steve Eagle

Acknowledgments

This book is a result of the collective efforts

CONTENTS
of many people who helped in one way or
another for bringing it into reality. Home of the Human Soul .............................. 7
The Desired Peace ........................................22
The Purpose of Life ......................................40
Copyright © 2011 by Bialo Bratstvo Publishers
The Human Ideal ..........................................54
ISBN 978-954-744-157-6
Methods for Self-improvement .....................69
Biographical Information about
Printed in Sofia, Bulgaria the Master Beinsa Douno—
All rights reserved. Dates and Events ..........................................85

For more information about Beinsa Douno and Explanatory Note: The Generic “Man” .........93
available materials: visit the following Web sites:
http://www.beinsadouno.org
http://www.everabooks.com
 HOME OF THE
HUMAN SOUL
E veryone talks about their unattained ide-
al, yet they continue to strive toward it.
The child attends school in order to learn read-
ing and writing. Passing unnoticeably from one
grade to the next, the boy becomes a young man
and finishes the university. Then you will hear
him saying, “I finally achieved my ideal and
graduated from the university.” What has he
achieved? He has just learned the alphabet and
the usage of letters for making syllables, words,
and sentences. If a young man has finished a
8 9
musical academy, he would say, “I have reached everything has changed: you, the audience, and
my ideal by learning to sing and play an instru- the surroundings too. When you are hungry, you
ment.” What has he learned? The musical notes sing in one way; when you are full, you sing in
and their combinations. another way. When you are young, you sing in
Ask yourself, everyone of you, “What is the one way; when you are grown up, you sing in
ideal of my life?” If all people have an ideal, another way; and when you are old—you sing
why are they unhappy? Someone is not happy in a very different way. It is good to have diver-
with being short, so he strives to become taller sity in your life, otherwise you would have died
and that is his ideal in life. Why is he short? It untimely. The monotonous existence does not
is because he did not eat enough. Can a drop of bring Life, but debases it leading to premature
water make a river? Can a thread make a whole aging. Only the new brings Life.
rope? The tall person is not happy with his height Remember: as long as you live on Earth, you
as well, so he wants to become shorter. Why has should move in all directions: east, west, north,
he become tall? It is mostly because his nour- and south. If you build a house, which side will
ishment was plentiful. Has anyone experiment- you place the front door? The house facing north
ed to find out the number of spider web strands will be lit by the Sun from above where the Sun
needed to form a thick regular rope? Even if is; the house facing south will be lit from be-
one’s wish of being the desired height is ful- low; if the house is facing east, it will again be
filled, this person will be not satisfied either. lit from above; and lastly if it is facing west,
Why are people discontent? It is because it will be lit from below, too. In houses facing
they have a very monotonous life. Without be- east the Sun is always rising, and in those fac-
ing aware of it, they repeat things until getting ing west—the Sun is always setting. What do
quite bored at the end. Nature does not allow you prefer: the ever rising or the ever setting
any repetition whatsoever. As much as you Sun? If you should get your money back from
might repeat a song, you cannot sing it twice someone, you would prefer the Sun to shine in
in the same manner. Why? The reason is that order to find your debtor. But in case you owe
10 11
someone money, you would like the Sun to set misunderstandings. Therefore, the human be-
so that your creditor could not find you. ing lives in four houses simultaneously: in the
And so, regarding the four directions of the houses of one’s mind, heart, soul, and spirit. The
world, we have in mind the four stages, or in houses of all people differ from one another. If
other words, the four key points of conscious- you are in the physical world, you live in your
ness. The necessity of the moment dictates physical body. Going into the mental world you
which point to choose. How will you determine leave your physical body and enter the mental
the priority of each bounty: bread, water, air, or one. In this manner one moves in four bodies:
light? If you are hungry, you will want bread; physical, emotional or astral, mental, and caus-
if you are thirsty, you will choose water; if you al, in other words—one lives in the mind and
are suffocating, you will strive for air, and if heart, in the soul and spirit.
you are in darkness, you will need light. Which The four directions of the world represent
is the must for a person in a sinking ship? Life- the four homes in which people live. If you con-
vest. What does one need in the winter? To go nect these four points, you form a square. As
out, one needs warm clothes and shoes. the square is in constant motion, the four points
What is the difference between the four di- trace a circle. To move from one home to anoth-
rections of the world—or the four points of con- er is a natural process. You cannot remain at the
sciousness? East refers to the good conditions same point forever; neither can you keep your
of life; the Sun rises in the east to bring Life. wealth forever. Sometimes you will be rich,
West is related to the night, when the Moon is sometimes—poor. When passing through those
shining. East implies a sunlit-house; west—a varying conditions, you constantly bend down
moonlit house; north—a house placed on a vis- and rise again. If someone says that he does not
ible place; and south—a house placed on a well want to bend down, it shows that he does not
traveled road, where many people will stop by, understand life. If you are poor and you have
eat, and drink. Some of them will pay, while been hungry for a few days, when you see a
others will not, which may cause quarrels and golden coin in front of you, will you not bend
12 13
down to take it? You will certainly bend down, related to food and it is a symbol of the word
pick up the coin and then rise. Therefore, reach- of wisdom. Water along with the food or bread
ing for the coin on the ground means bending. passes through the mouth and goes to the stom-
Bending is appropriate, only when one attains ach. Thus bread and water go to the same place
something precious. Otherwise, to bend down and act together. Air is in relation with the nose
for a trifle makes no sense. What will happen, if and lungs: it passes through the nose and goes
two people see the golden coin at the same time? to the lungs. Light, on its turn, is related to the
They will both bend down: the first will grab eyes.
the one end of the coin and the second one—the People often get depressed; they feel indis-
other. As long as the coin has not been shared, posed and do not know how to help themselves.
both will stand close to each other. Dividing the They are surrounded by bounties, yet they do
coin, they will immediately move apart: the first not know how to make use of them. For such
will take one direction, the second—another, cases the Bulgarians have a proverb, “He is
continuing on their ways. Therefore, people are wading into water and he is walking thirsty.”
close to one another until they divide their life- Four elements can change the indisposition and
provided bounties. After distributing the goods transform it from negative into positive. These
among themselves, they move apart and follow are: light, air, water, and bread. When you know
their own paths. the reason for the indisposition, you can apply
How many are the blessings of Life? They are one of the four elements corresponding to the
mainly four: bread, water, air, and light. Which current situation. The reasons for one’s indispo-
one will you prefer at any given moment? If you sitions may vary—they could be hidden in the
are hungry, you will ask for bread; if you are physical, emotional, mental, or causal world.
thirsty, you will ask for water; if you lack air Imagine that you meet an elementary school
and suffocate, you will ask for air; and if you are teacher. You speak to him, but you feel that he is
in darkness, you will ask for light. Which part dissatisfied with something. What is the reason
of the human body is food related to? Mouth is for this discontent? He wants to get a higher po-
14 15
sition and become a high school teacher. What and then let him go free. Therefore, criticism is
is the difference between an elementary school useful only when it is coming from a wise, just,
teacher, high school teacher, and a professor? I and loving source.
think that the position of an elementary school People of today are not happy with their
teacher has an advantage in one particular as- life, because they cannot achieve their wish-
pect. Which is this aspect? It is the highest level es. Nevertheless, they should still be happy.
of trust of the students in the first grade. In the Why? It is because they have the opportunity to
middle school the students trust their teachers work more. By working and working, they will
much less. The trust of students in their teach- eventually have some achievements. In reality,
ers goes down even more in the high school; people become unhappy when the good things
whereas the university students often criticize in their life are not repeated. However, this is
their professors and argue with them. impossible. Nature does not like monotony and
What is the criticism like? It is like skin rub- repetition. You cannot sing a song in the same
bing. When you visit a public bath of Turkish way second and third time. If the first time you
type it is good for you to be “criticized,” in oth- have sung it well, the second time you will sing
er words, to have someone who will exfoliate it either better or worse as the situation and
your dead skin and remove the dirt from you. the moment will differ. For example, you can
However, after getting a good bath you are clean make bread if you have flour, water, and salt.
and you do not need blunt criticism anymore, If you are given flour, cheese, water, and salt
so if you are still criticized, this will cause you next time, you will not make bread again, but
pain. Nature also uses such “massages,” but she you will prepare banitsa1 instead. This is what
knows when and how to apply them. When she
meets someone who is not clean, she takes out
the exfoliating sponge and says, “Come to me,
1. A traditional Bulgarian baked pastry prepared by layering a
my child, I am going to clean you now—you crumbled feta cheese and other optional ingredients between
need this.” She massages and cleans him well, brushed with butter or vegetable oil filo pastry sheets.
16 17
you will usually do as you tend to avoid repeti- out.” As that one did not like remarks, he did
tions. Then, why should you be discontent with not acknowledge the fact as it is, but looked at
Life and Nature, when they do not allow you to himself and said, “I did this on purpose. So far I
repeat the same things over and over? have worn my vest with the face out, but today
You say that these are ordinary things. You I turned it with its back out to see how I would
are not suffering because you do not have bread look like.” His friend was a delicate person and
and banitsa, but because you have not fulfilled did not want to argue anymore, so he replied,
some great idea or sublime desire of yours. For “Yes, this can be a kind of research.” In reality,
example, someone might be unhappy, because he the first scientist put his vest on the wrong side
has not become knowledgeable. And yet, what by mistake as he was absent minded. As he did
is the essence of knowledge? Is someone with not think about any scientific experiments, his
a big mental baggage considered to be knowl- mind was preoccupied with finding some way
edgeable? He is telling how the world was cre- to pay his pending debt.
ated, how the plates of Earth were folded, how In one of the American universities there was
life came into existence, and so on. His head a very strict professor with whom the students
is full of theories, but after him comes another often joked in order to provoke him. One day
scientist who disputes his theories and creates they rearranged the wheels of his carriage plac-
new ones. Who of them is closer to the Truth? ing the front gears on the back and the back
Genuine scientist is the one who brings forth gears—on the front. When the professor mount-
the absolute and never-changing knowledge. ed his carriage, he noticed that something was
There were two scientists who often had sci- wrong, but did not want to look fool before the
entific discussions. One of them was very self- students and said, “My carriage was for a repair
respecting and did not allow to be criticized. the previous days and obviously the mechanic
One day, he unwittingly put his vest on with the had made some mistake.” He knew that the stu-
wrong side out. He met the second scientist who dents had done the prank, but did not want to
told him, “Dear colleague, your vest is inside acknowledge this.
18 19
Such displacements happen in everyone’s highest good. She does not promote or debase
life. When they are in the physical world, it is anyone, but places all and each of the living be-
easy to be corrected. However, displacements ings in their places. The one who comes to un-
in the spiritual world are difficult to be put right derstand her, waits for his time and enjoys his
and comprehended. That is the reason why peo- achievements. The one who does not understand
ple suffer, face difficulties, and fail to solve their her, suffers and faces a lot of difficulties. Nature
assignments. Someone may suffer because he looks at him and whispers: wait a bit more, your
is behind in his development and everyone has hour has not come yet. When a mother nourishes
gone ahead of him. In reality, he does not un- her children, which one will she give food first?
derstand the Law. If twenty strong people come The youngest because this infant needs only
to wrestle, who will begin first? The weakest little food. The little one will be satisfied with
will be first on the stage against another weak. just little milk or bread. When the older are con-
Afterward the stronger wrestlers will show and cerned, things get more complicated: you need
the strongest will go at the end. It means that to set a table with glasses, plates, to serve more
the strongest ones, or the heroes, remain behind bread, more food, and so on. The older ones eat
and they are the last. The true hero remains the more and are more pretentious. Which is better:
last, so that his strength could be tested. Nature to have a laid table before you or to eat without
acts in the same way. She lets the weak wrestlers a table like an infant or traveler? If you are in
go first to the stage and keeps the strong ones the mountains and you are hungry, will you be
for the final. Nature does not hurry, neither she looking for a table?
gives things the moment when someone wants You are travelers who visit the Earth for some
them. The strong person remains last, behind all studies. When you are aware of this, you will not
others. As he comprehends the Law, he awaits require to have a table in order to eat. Strive not
patiently his time to come. for the first place either. There are no leaders
And so, when you know all this, do not crit- while traveling. Having made just one step and
icize Nature. Whatever she does, it is for the the first position could become the last. What is
20 21
before you—that is the first position, what you is not clean, it is not hygienic to wear it. A good
have already passed—that is the last position. dress is that one, which has the qualities of all
Rejoice that you have walked a certain path and elements: of the solid matter like thickness, as
have acquired some experience in the process. well as the qualities of water, air, and light. For
And do not consider that the place you are at the same reason I say that every thought, ev-
present is not good as this is only for a moment. ery feeling, and every action should have four
Once you move a step forward a new, better qualities: the quality of bread—to satisfy hun-
place is waiting for you. The future usually ger; the quality of water—to quench thirst; the
brings something better, brighter, and greater. quality of air—to improve breathing and the
You need to have the appropriate knowledge to blood circulation; and the quality of light—to
be able to see the good side everywhere in life. illuminate even the most hidden places of the
If you have a long journey ahead, it is prefer- human body, to open your path, and to liberate
able to have with you saccharin instead of sug- you from delusions and contradictions. Every
ar. One kilogram of saccharin is equal to five food that does not have the qualities of solid,
hundred kilograms of sugar. However, sugar is liquid, air-like, and light-like matter [earth, wa-
more nutritious than saccharin. ter, air, and light] is not healthy.
People often strive for some exquisite things Choose healthy foods and strive for healthy
and great ideas without realizing that this is sac- thoughts, feelings, and actions.
charin, not sugar. A silk dress is beautiful, but Only the Luminous Path of Wisdom leads to
it is not appropriate for the winter. If you wear the Truth.
it in the winter, you will catch cold. A silk dress The true life is hidden in the Absolute Truth.
flows elegantly around the body, but it should
be put on in the summer. A dress which cannot
preserve the warmth of the body is not good for Lecture given by the Master Beinsa Douno,
August 27, 1943, Izgrev, Sofia.
your health; a dress which cannot preserve the
light is not good for your health either, and if it
 23
to realize later the falsity of this concept. The
spiritual workers of today are striving for the
world peace, so that new humankind and broth-
erhood among nations could be born and estab-
lished. These new human beings will be bear-
ers of love among all people and nations. As a
result all nations will live for one another as in
a family: big nations will be the big brothers,
and small nations—the little ones. They will
THE DESIRED all have peace and harmony among themselves.
This is the Will of God, Who is the Creator of
PEACE the Universe. You ask when this time will come.
It will come in the near future.

P eace is needed in the modern world more

than any time before. Why? Peace pro-
vides conditions for the greatest achievements
Modern humankind is at the threshold of a
New epoch as the Solar system has already en-
tered the realm of the Divine Dawning. When
of culture. That is why humankind is on its way this time comes, there will be no conditions for
to secure peace. There are more enlightened peo- the existence of malevolent people. They will
ple today than any time before, who are aware perish one after another and the Earth will get
that peace is the first and foremost condition for rid of them.
the normal development of humankind. For this The new conditions that are coming will ad-
reason all conscious and advanced people make mit no malice. Moreover they will bring to its
efforts today for attaining peace. destruction. The darkness will raise its curtains
In the past times and civilizations the leaders and go somewhere else. The dark forces will
of humankind believed that the world could be take their capitals and will go to another place
set right only through war. Many of them began to establish their banks and offices. It is enough
24 25
to read the Scriptures to get convinced that the Therefore, when all nations, religions, and
New epoch is not far away. Today everyone countries leave off thinking they can set the
should have a mindful, conscious belief system. world right, then the Son of Man will manifest
How will you recognize the coming of the New Himself on Earth with His knowledge. Everyone
epoch? In the same way as you recognize the will see Him without any need for proof. Why
sunrise. Do you need to prove to someone that should you prove to someone that the Sun is
sunrise comes after the day break? By the time rising? Sunrise needs no proof. It is enough for
the Dawn of a new life breaks, the Sun has al- you to look through the window or go outside to
ready begun to rise. It is said in the Scriptures be convinced that the Sun is really rising.
that with the beginning of the New epoch on You should give preference to the new heart
Earth, the Sun will be darkened and the Moon in you, which is made of soft material and not
will not give its light—then the Son of Man will of stone like the present heart. The soft heart is
reveal His knowledge on Earth.1 We refer the woven by the fabric of compassion. Therefore,
words about darkening of the Sun to the time whoever has a merciful heart is a candidate for
when people will overcome their concept about the new humankind. The softness of heart is that
the domination of one nation over another by of the features characterizing the new human
force. By “the Moon will not give its light” we being—that of Love. It is said in the Scriptures,
understand coming of the time when religions “I shall take their hearts of stone and give them
and belief systems will stop trying to set the new hearts.”2 The hearts of stone will be used
world right. for paving the streets, while the soft hearts will

1. See also Mark 13:24-25, “But in those days, after that tribu-
lation, the Sun will be darkened, and the Moon will not give 2. See also Ezekiel 36:26, “I will give you a new heart and put
its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of
heavens will be shaken.” your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”
26 27
remain to beat and show the world the greatness who reveals the noble features in human faces
and beauty of the Divine Life. For this day spe- is a true painter and the one who rectifies hu-
cifically the Scripture says that God will impart man errors is a sculptor. Hence, everyone who
His Spirit in the soft tender hearts of people and creates something valuable which ennobles, el-
all—both young and old—will come to know evates, and brings joy to others is in the right
Him. The human consciousness is gradually place. A mighty power is hidden in the word of
awakening in the same way as flower buds burst all writers, poets, scientists, and philosophers!
open in the spring in order to blossom and bear The word has a great power!
fruit. Once a young man fell in despair and de-
The great in people’s life is presented in the cided to commit suicide. He put a revolver in
awakening of their consciousness and removing his pocket and went to a forest in order to ful-
the difficulties and adversities they encounter fill his intention. However, a young woman had
now. There are thousands of things in life which followed him without his knowledge. At the
may disturb you, but also thousands of things moment when he was going to kill himself, she
which may please you. Whoever comprehends came to him and whispered a word into his ear.
the Great Divine Laws will be glad to meet a When the young man heard this word, he im-
good, intelligent, and learned person; to meet a mediately cast the revolver away and said, “I
poet, writer, musician, painter, farmer, stone-cut- am not going to commit suicide. I will live for
ter, and so on. Rejoice when you meet someone myself, my fellowmen, and humankind. Life is
working for the advancement of humankind. If meaningful and it is worth living!”
you do not truly understand what a certain per- Which is the word the young woman whis-
son represents, you behave slightingly, and say, pered to the young man? You know this word,
“This one is a farmer, that one is a stone-cutter.” no need for me to tell you. There are moments
The one who brings forth the abundance of the when only one word is sufficient to relieve
earth is a farmer; the one who makes use of the someone from his present grave situation. It is
qualities of the stones is a stone-cutter. The one not necessary to speak a lot to a person. One
28 29
word will do, if it is Divine. Then what is ut- will instantly overcome any obstacles coming
tered will come true. God said, “Let there be into his path. Thus he will set an example of
Light!”—and there was Light. During the six [manifesting] Divine Love. Wherever he goes
days of Creation, God said one Word daily, but all doors will be open for him. The person of
as these were Words of the Divine language, Love can increase at will not only his body
they had enormous Power. All said by God temperature, but also his inner light, making
came into existence. On the seventh day He said it a thousand times brighter than the solar one.
nothing as He was at rest. Such light will blind even the most numerous
It is time already for the unification of all and powerful army. People cannot imagine yet
people through their minds, hearts, and good- a light that is a thousand times brighter than the
will, so that to work together for the introduc- solar one. One can achieve anything with such
tion of peace. All—religious or not—should light. Whoever has warmth of ten thousand de-
embrace the idea of peace. It is said in the grees and light a thousand times brighter than
Scriptures, “But he who endures to the end shall the solar one can open the safes of all banks,
be saved,”3 or in other words, “He who wins the warm all frozen hearts, and remove all obsta-
battle for peace, will be saved.” cles, placed by the human egotism.
The religious people of today speak about Great warmth and light are coming into the
Love, but do not apply it. The person who has world. These are Divine forces, which will warm
Love within can increase and decrease his body and enlighten the human hearts and minds.
temperature by the degrees desired and at will. When the warmth and light of Love come into
Who can oppose someone with a body temper- the world, they will melt and burn out all ma-
ature of ten thousand degrees? Such a person levolent, criminal aspects of people, while the
good and righteous ones will remain; thus it
will be clear that one cannot mess about Love.
It is not allowed to play with Love. People of
3. See Mark 13:13. today are terrified by the idea of being submit-
30 31
ted to a temperature of ten thousand degrees. As a matter of fact, in the future people will
Yet what will be their state, when Christ comes eat from the fruits of Divine Love and attain
to Earth? Then the temperature will be much immortality. These fruits will be bearers of the
higher than ten thousand degrees. Christ says: New life. Wherever you go in the world, you
“Peace I leave with you!”4 It implies that Christ will meet representatives of the New life. They
is for peace too. He is for that peace which is can be recognized by the soft, pleasant light
based on Love and brotherhood among all na- coming from their eyes. We call them “brothers
tions, societies, and individuals on the face of and sisters of humanity,” bearers of the Divine.
Earth. Manifestations of brotherly and sisterly Christ is one of these new humans. He said, “I
love at present are nothing else but branches of did not come to do My will, but the will of the
the future Culture. This love is more elevated One Who had sent me. I came to bring peace to
than motherly love. It does not matter how great the world.”5 Before the coming of Christ Jews
motherly love could be, it still contains an ele- followed the Law of Moses to the letter. They
ment of egotism in it. Take for example the love slaughtered lambs, sheep, and oxen as a sacri-
of a tigress to its cubs. It is ready out of love for ficial offer to God. However, their life changed
them to kill at any moment any living creature completely with the coming of Christ. He de-
crossing their path. In this sense motherly love stroyed the old life in one stroke. The Jews
represents the roots of life, while brotherly and came to the awareness that good thoughts, feel-
sisterly love—its branches. ings, and deeds represent the true sacrifice.
Fruits on the Tree of Life represent Divine What is the essence of the new religion? Its
Love. They are result of the roots of motherly first creed states: I believe that the love of my
love and the branches of brotherly and sisterly mother and father represents roots of the Tree of
love. Great Life—the Life of Love. The second creed

4. See John 14:27. 5. See also John 12:44-50.

32 33
reads: I believe that the love of my sister and that he has forgiven him his debt in the name of
brother represents branches of the Tree of Great brotherhood, acknowledging him for his broth-
Life—the Life of Love. The third creed reads: er. When two persons fraternize, their debts fall
I believe that Divine Love represents fruits automatically away, their arguments cease and
of the Tree of Great Life. The outcome of my all misunderstandings disappear. I would like
mind and heart will be transformed into fruits people to argue only about one thing: who will
of Love. Whoever eats from these fruits will at- give more in order to help his brother. If you
tain immortality. Christ said, “Whoever eats My notice that your brother is very tired and cannot
flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life.”6 It lift the hoe anymore, you will take it from his
implies that whoever eats from the Tree of Life, hand and do the work instead. If you notice that
in other words, from the motherly-fatherly and your brother breaks down under the weight of
brotherly-sisterly love will bear life within. his burden, you will take the load from his back,
Now, becoming aware of the new creed in put it on your back and continue side by side,
essence, you should be brave and daring in ap- speaking friendly to each other. When you meet
plying it. Many people are looking forward to a brother in the street and realize that he is hun-
something new. The new is in the reconciliation gry, as he has not taken anything to eat for three
among people. The new reconciles all existing days, you will invite and treat him well at your
contradictions. How could the reconciliation home, feed him well, and invite him to come
among people be achieved? It is very simple. again. These are brotherly relationships.
Whoever has something to take, let him forgive People are waiting today for the second com-
the debt of his brother. Whoever has something ing of Christ on Earth, so that the world could
to give, let him be ready to pay his debt. When be set right. No, the world cannot be set right
he goes to pay his creditor, let the latter tell him from outside. Christ needs to come from within
each and every one of you. Only in this way
will the world be set right. If you place millions
6. See John 6:54. of iron shavings together, they will not unite
34 35
and become one. However, if you heat them up yet accessible to earthly people. One can go to
to a certain temperature, they will melt and fuse the Sun in a mental way, but not in reality. Do
with each other, forming one liquid substance. you know anything about the inhabitants of the
In this case the fire is that inner power which Sun and their life? Do you know anything about
solders the iron shavings making them form one their language? It is enough for us that we have
whole. Therefore, Christ needs to come into the the possibility of benefiting from the solar rays.
human hearts and minds as an inner power that If you want to heal yourself, expose your back
will unite them. Love is this inner power which to the early morning rays. If you want to attain
brings life to the human souls. People can work inner peace, expose your back to the setting Sun
and live in harmony only through Love. Those with your face turned to the east. Thus, you will
who do not understand Love are ready to criti- feel deep peace within yourself and will real-
cize it. ize that it is not worth to worry about trivial,
Now, when I am speaking about Love, I know petty things. The inhabitants of the Sun live in
the extent to which you can apply it. In fact, I great abundance, so they do not worry about
am aware which things are applicable today and anything. Their assignment is to send bounties
which are not. For example, modern people are all over the Solar system. They determine the
not able to go to the Sun no matter how much budget of its planets and living beings, includ-
they know about it and about the opportunities ing the entire humankind: all people, nations,
to visit it. Why? The physical characteristics of and countries.
the Sun are completely different from those on When I speak to you about the Sun, I do not
Earth. There is no way for the human beings to want you to take my word for it. I am not in-
go to the Sun in their present body. The aver- terested in whether you believe me or not. I am
age human body of sixty kilograms will weigh interested only in one thing: whether what I am
millions of kilograms on the Sun. How could telling you is one with the Truth or not. Believe
one move there with such an enormous mass? in what God has created. If you believe in His
There is a beautiful life on the Sun, but it is not creation of Heaven and Earth with all luminaries
36 37
and living beings, then you will believe in their And so, many are striving for Divine knowl-
Creator too. If one believes in these things, one edge which purpose is to teach you value your
should study both Heaven and Earth. You need inner sun, because through it your soul can learn
to examine the Sun, Moon, all stars in the sky and develop. If someone says that his soul is in
as astronomers and scientists do. People need to darkness, it is an indication that his inner sun
find their own inner suns first to be able to un- has ceased to shine. As long as the Sun shines,
derstand life on the Sun. Everyone has a small the human being thinks and feels right. If one’s
inner sun in the center of the brain. The size of inner sun ceases to shine, the human mind and
this sun is different for each individual, depend- heart will both darken with it. That is why in
ing on the size of the other inner planets. In fact, order to avoid darkening of the inner sun, one
it is through this inner sun that the soul acquires should lead a meaningful life. The malevolent
knowledge. The astronomic Sun and the planets life expressed in negative thoughts, feelings,
in the sky are similar to the inner sun and inner and deeds causes adversities which darken one’s
planets in humans: in terms of their rising, set- sky where the inner sun shines.
ting, and so on. If one’s inner sun ceases to rise, Many people—whether learned or ignorant—
the outer Sun also loses its meaning for this per- are not aware of the great influence of thoughts
son. It is a sign for the existence of a certain and feelings on the inner life, and consequent-
connection between the outer Sun and the inner ly on the human health. That is why they seek
sun. If this connection is interrupted, the person their happiness in a unnatural way. They want
will not possess any inner light. When both the to become rich, to marry a beautiful woman, to
inner sun and outer Sun shine, one has the op- acquire a lot of knowledge, without even sus-
portunity to perceive light. If one’s inner sun pecting that in this way they themselves pre-
stops shining, the person becomes blind as he is pare their misfortune. There is nothing wrong
deprived of the conditions to see and perceive in acquiring knowledge, power, beauty, wealth,
the Divine knowledge. but one should know how to use them. There is
a Turkish saying, “It is a blessing to see beauti-
38 39
ful things.” Indeed, the human beings strive for all his desires. All trials, difficulties, and suf-
beauty and its inspiration is quite natural, but ferings humankind is going through today will
not the attempts for appropriating beauty. Both become conditions to come to know God and
beauty and ugliness have their place in Nature the Great in the world. God will be with you
in the same way as light and darkness. Light in all your ways. Then you will say: “We are
reigns until the Sun shines. When the Sun sets, happy to live in an epoch when we can experi-
darkness comes. Yet stars cannot shine without ence and come to know God’s Love, when we
darkness. Therefore, darkness is necessary, so can become workers in His field.”
that virtues—the stars—may be revealed in the Rejoice and be happy to attain the ideals of
human life. your soul. It is up to you when you can attain
Now, when I am speaking about the Divine them even today. One Divine day is equal to a
in the world, some of you become discouraged thousand years. So, after a thousand years you
thinking they cannot attain it. God promised the can attain what you wish today. Conscious work
human beings to come and dwell in them, so is required of everyone! The Divine is already
that they would not be discouraged. The future on the threshold of your home. Open the doors
kingdom will be established from within, not of your hearts and minds to let the Divine light
from without. All God’s plans will be fulfilled and warmth in.
through the love of entire humankind. To achieve
this, workers are needed. All people of today Lecture given by the Master Beinsa Douno,
should work in this aspect and become bearers August 28, 1938, Izgrev, Sofia.
of the Divine ideas, so that when God enters
into their suns to be able to reveal Himself out-
wardly. A special mission is assigned to every
person—to be a bearer of Divine Love, Wisdom
and Light, of Divine Truth and Freedom in a
specific, unique way. Only thus one can achieve
 41
way, someone becomes perfect after attaining
Love, Wisdom, and Truth; and when possessing
Knowledge, Life, and Freedom. Some people
think that perfection means the end of further
development. This is not so. In reality, the per-
fect ones need to work the most. Serving oth-
ers, they see the level of their advancement and
what is still needed.
In the absolute meaning of the word, perfec-
tion does not exist on Earth. The perfect one has
THE PURPOSE opened up, but he says as Apostle Paul did that
we only know a part of the answer and yet we
OF LIFE like to philosophize upon it.
Perfecting oneself is not a mechanical
Reflection process. You say, “I want my eyes to open, I
want to become perfect.” This is quite pos-

H uman life will complete its development

on Earth when people attain perfection.
Just at hearing the word “perfection” some get
sible. However, “opening the eyes” in its true
meaning requires inner work. Jesus said to the
woman of Samaria, “God is Spirit, and those
immediately discouraged. Being perfect is a who worship Him must worship in Spirit and
very high ideal. How will you achieve it? It lies Truth.”1 The meaning of this is to have commu-
in your attitude. When is a house considered nion with God—nothing can be attained without
ready and finished? Only when it has been lime this communion. How will an ailing person get
washed on the outside and inside, and has been
duly cleaned, mopped, and furnished, so that
people can move in and live in it. In the same 1. See John 4:24.
42 43
well, if he is deprived of air? No matter what of humankind is far from it, but one day when
you tell him, there is no life without air. You people connect with God, they will become per-
may encourage him, recommend him books to fect.
read and study, yet he will not achieve anything God has been revealing Himself through hu-
as long as he is bedridden. His illness will con- mans, but He is not abiding in them yet. His
tinue to trouble him. He says, “I am ill, so I am promise is, “I shall abide in you and you will
not interested in the future.” First, he needs to become one with Me.”3 This implies perfection.
free himself of the illness that makes him suf- Today every person gets sometimes disheart-
fer. You have all experienced this. While you ened, discouraged. Why? It is because of un-
are suffering from some illness, you go through achieved perfection not only by the individual,
various states every day—and you change ev- but also by all humankind. People are intercon-
ery moment. This applies even for the most ad- nected as one whole. For this reason, they bear
vanced ones. The inner torment that is endured their joys and sufferings together. Therefore,
cannot be explained. Even angels are unable to one cannot experience joy alone. The joy of one
completely free themselves from suffering and is related to the joy of all. If someone in the fam-
from time to time are affected by it. Of course, ily—either mother, father, or child is ill, can the
that refers to the imperfect angels. others be joyful? They may pretend, but deep
Christ says, “Therefore you shall be per- inside they will feel anxious and worried. This
fect, just as your Father in Heaven is perfect.”2 is due to the anguish of all humankind. Fallen
Are humans capable of being perfect as God? spirits also turn to people and ask for help, thus
If left on their own, they can never be perfect. bringing great sufferings to them. Their thoughts
However, in oneness with God the human be- are received as by radio and make you sad. Will
ing can attain perfection. The contemporary life

3. See also 1 John 4:12, “If we love one another, God abides
2. See Matthew 5:48. in us, and His Love has been perfected in us.”
44 45
you be calm, if you catch an SOS call from a will be easy for you to speculate. Back to the
sinking ship on your internal “radio”? You are story, the rescuers finally succeeded and saved
far from the ship, let’s say ten kilometers away; the first American who was on the rock.
but you hear the passengers’ cries and you can- Modern humankind is likewise on the top of
not help them. How will you feel then? a rock. If no rescuers come, the human race is
People of today are much like those two going to listen to the roar of the waterfall with-
Americans who faced a grave accident when out hope for salvation. You ask how the first
boating at Niagara Falls. They were drunk and American was saved. The rescuers threw a ca-
lost control over the boat. The boat hit a rock ble from the shore to the rock. Then they pulled
and smashed to pieces. One of the Americans the person to the shore and saved him.
climbed onto the rock which pointed at the two Do not hold that gloomy picture in your mind.
countries: Canada and USA. The second one Why? It is because the darkness comes when-
was swept by the current over the waterfalls. ever one is ill and suffering. The true Life is
There were people watching him from the shores where there is not the least darkness. However,
and although they wanted to help him, they diseases exist both in the physical and spiritual
did not know how to do it. They were search- worlds: the point is to heal yourself without any
ing for some way, but were afraid of drowning trace of the illness leaving a remnant on you.
themselves and that made them indecisive. The It is said in the Scriptures that whoever stands
situation got really terrible. The first American upright must be careful not to fall.
stood on the rock amidst the rumble and roar of
the water. He saw his friend being swept by the I ask why they did not save both Americans,
waves and being totally helpless. I ask: what but only one of them. You say that God can save
have these two Americans experienced? If you us all, if He wants to. That is true. God wants
have never been caught in similar situations, you the salvation of all, but not all can be saved. The
cannot really imagine the effect of the waves of second American was so drunk, that the rescu-
Life. If you are far away from the waterfall, it ers could not help him. The American who was
46 47
on the rock was soberer and held on until he of becoming literate. Otherwise, if after learn-
got help from the shore. Sometimes people get ing how to read and write, you give up further
so intoxicated that no one can save them from studies, that will hold up your development.
misfortune. They wander here and there blind- Continue to read and write. You must commu-
ly. One day someone disappears and cannot be nicate with your mother, your father, and with
found. What has happened? You will say: he has your friends, too. “But can I not continue with-
passed to the World beyond. We know where out this?”, you ask. No, it is not possible. When
he is—buried in the ground. His relatives and you can read and write masterfully, you will
friends say though that he has gone to Heaven. also lead a meaningful life. Beautiful handwrit-
It means that the visible person—the physical ing implies that you lead a pure, beautiful life
body—is in the ground, while the invisible one which reflects the written content. Therefore,
is in Heaven. what we write is the content of our lives. All
You say, “I do not want to live.” Why? It beautiful things we insert are saved in our inner
is because you do not understand the Laws of archives. Whatever is written on Earth follows
Life. The outcome is determined by people its author. Whatever you put down, create, and
themselves. One should not be forced, but live do remains with you. No one can deprive you
by a natural impulse and free will. That is the of your creations and achievements. Whatever
Will of God. That one will be saved who abso- you learn from others is helpful for your devel-
lutely observes God’s Will. Therefore, whoever opment. But only what you have achieved by
has a profound inner desire for salvation only yourself is truly important for you and makes
that person can succeed. Every mindful human you strong. Only in this way does one become
desire is an expression of God’s Will. God man- perfect and free.
ifests Himself through our desires, and the One Many people ask me various questions, but
Who awakens the desires in us is God. I do not always answer them. “Why should we
I have told you many things today, which trust God and love Him?”, you ask. I will not
you need to apply like the one who makes use answer you. Why? It is because the trust and
48 49
love for God is in the natural flow of things and possible? It is possible for the perfect one, but
does not need speaking out. When you love God, not for the imperfect one.
you will study. “I love my teacher, but I do not A young man was walking to a country wed-
want to study”, a student says. This cannot be. ding. On the route it started raining heavily.
You cannot love your teacher without studying. To avoid getting wet he stripped himself na-
If you love him, you will study his subject with ked. When he was about to enter the village, he
love. Learning cannot be replaced by love. Love dressed in the nearby forest and continued his
is love, but you should study. “I love this per- way. People in the village asked him how he
son.” If you love this person, you should study. could remain dry in the heavy rain. He replied,
Love and learning go hand in hand. True, when “I walked very fast, so fast that the rain did not
you love, you can learn; if you do not love, you reach me.” In reality, he had found a smart solu-
cannot learn. Learning is not possible without tion to this problem. But he hid the truth not to
love which leads to my conclusion: whoever admit that he walked naked. It is curious how he
does not study does not love. got the idea to take off his clothes and prevent
And so, Love for God is a great power for them of getting wet. Adam also became aware
achieving perfection. It is actually impossible of being naked, but only after his wrongdo-
to describe what Love is and what perfection ing. Therefore, one needs knowledge to avoid
is. Can you take a picture of the entire Earth? wrongdoings in the same way as the young man
This is as possible as the description of Love protected himself from the rain.
and perfection. If you can photograph the one What do people of today need? Growth and
hemisphere of Earth, the other one will be miss- development. This is the ideal of the human soul.
ing. However, there are Beings of such an ex- Perfection of the human being comes through
panded consciousness that they can embrace the spiritual growth and development. All who fol-
entire Earth. They see it simultaneously from lowed the path of the high ideal became per-
all sides and even penetrate into its core. Is this fect. Christ came to Earth to fulfill His mission.
Thus he attained true perfection. The one who
50 51
wants to become perfect should fulfill the mis- ask, the answer is one: suffering is inevitable.
sion which God has assigned to him. We have You may say that the devil makes an excep-
the example of Christ for a sublime service. tion. The devil suffers too—he also walks the
Christ said to His disciples, “I have food to eat path of suffering. Someone has broken his leg.
of which you do not know.”4 What is this food? Still, he needs to move forward. You say, “But
Doing God’s Will. Everyone should have such he cannot walk.” When his leg gets better, he
a powerful idea, serving as a focal point for his will continue on his way. The important thing
spiritual world and keeping his life in balance. is the correction of one’s errors. Someone says,
Such a sublime idea will really empower the “I do not feel well, I am nervous, I was born
human being. It is a foundation and fortress for like that.” Rejoice that you were born that way.
the human life. It makes one strong and unshak- How would you live, if you had no nerves? The
able. Without holding such an idea one sways in distinguishing feature between humans and ani-
life as a ship rocked by the waves which causes mals is the nervous system. “I am neurasthen-
seasickness. A medication against seasickness ic.” There is nothing better than this. “I have
was recently invented in Italy. Modern people become very sensitive.” But that is what makes
should not sway any more. you human. “I think a lot.” That is even better.
Now I introduce to you the path walked by “Where will all this end?” It is not your con-
the perfect ones. You will walk the same path cern—because God is the beginning, you are the
facing many contradictions which you should end. When you unite with God, this will be the
ignore. When you read about the life of Christ, end. It is just the beginning now. Therefore, the
Job, the prophets you see examples and ideas of human being should take the last place, in other
how to move forward. Why did Christ suffer? words, the end. Everyone should be the end, or
Why did Job suffer? Whatever questions you the Omega, while God is the Alpha, or the be-
ginning of things. You say, “But I do not want
to be at the rear.” The best thing is to be at the
rear, or to be the tail. The tail is that directs the
4. See John 4:32.
52 53
movement of the fish. The propeller that drives Christ says, “But the hour is coming, and now
the ship is at the back. Hence, the humankind is it is, when the true worshippers will worship
the end of things, and the human being is who the Father in Spirit and in Truth; for the Father
puts the Divine Ideas into action. is seeking such to worship Him.”5 And now, I
Apply this: serve God in Spirit and Truth and would like you to reflect all day long upon the
be perfect. You ask, “Can we be perfect?” It is idea of serving God in Spirit and Truth.
up to you. Where there is a beginning and end, The manifested Love of Spirit, the manifest-
there is perfection too. Where there is neither ed Wisdom of Spirit, and the manifested Truth
beginning nor end, perfection cannot be ex- of Spirit bring the full and abundant Life of
pected either. Since God has sent a soul to the God, of the One Eternal God of Life.
Earth, it is capable of becoming perfect. When
you become perfect, you will enter the World of Morning lecture by the Master Beinsa Douno,
Ascended souls. Your Advanced Brothers will April 30, 1933, Sofia, Izgrev.
recognize you there as being perfect. If you do
not become perfect, you will need to study for a
long time on Earth. You will descend to Earth,
and ascend to Heaven until you finally finish
your development. The Wheel of Incarnation
will turn and turn over until you attain per-
fection. Only through perfection you will free
yourself from this Wheel. In other words, you
will incarnate and be physically born until the
day of your perfection. The person who is tight-
ly attached to Earth will need to incarnate many
times until he finally begins to desire perfec-
tion. 5. See John 4:23.
 55
God is the third subject that is most impor-
tant, but typically misunderstood by human-
kind. This word translated in understandable
language represents the Love that brings life
and eternity to the human soul. For this reason
it is written in the Scriptures, “God is Love.”1
Therefore, the ideal of the human being is to un-
derstand oneself and the angels, in other words,
the luminous, pure thoughts; and lastly, to un-
derstand God—or Love. If one has understand-
THE HUMAN ing of these three subjects, that one will be able
to create a positive philosophy of life.
IDEAL People of today suffer from misunderstand-
ing and ignorance how to put things together. If
one cannot arrange things as they were created
T he earthly life has three important sub-
jects to consider. As we live on Earth,
the first and foremost is to understand the hu-
by Nature and God, that one will come into a
big inner conflict. It is like you set a fire in-
man beings, if we want to understand their life- side your house, but somewhere on the floor
style. and not in its proper place—the fireplace. What
The second important subject, which we will happen then? The entire house will catch
need to understand, are the angels. Translated fire and will burn—you will burn with it too.
in a common language they represent the hu-
man mind and thoughts. When we say “angel,”
we usually have in mind a luminous being. 1. See also 1 John 4:16, “And we have known and believed the
However, we will translate “angel” as a “lumi- Love that God has for us. God is Love, and he who abides in
nous thought.” Love abides in God, and God in him.”
56 57
In this respect, human feelings are like fire. If thought is quite useless. I live, I think, I feel,
people know how and where to direct what they so any external proof is needless. The thought
feel, it will bring them the greatest blessings in should be studied as a substantial condition. If
life. And vice versa, if they do not know this, a chemist wants to perform a chemical reac-
it will cause them the greatest sufferings and tion resulting in a certain compound, he should
sorrows. Right thinking is needed to guide hu- know the properties of the elements and the
man feelings in the right direction. That is why, laws that govern them. If he takes into consider-
thoughts and feelings are of the greatest and ation all this, the reaction and the combination
paramount importance for the human being. As of the elements will go correctly. Otherwise, the
for the angels, there is nothing more sublime chemist may cause a big explosion and create a
than purity—pure feelings and pure thoughts. calamity.
In the Divine World there is nothing greater In this respect Life represents a chemical
than Love. Therefore, thoughts and feelings are compound consisting of many elements. If a
most important in the human world, Purity—in person knows how to combine the elements of
the Angelic World, and Love—in the Divine his life, how to combine the thoughts and feel-
World. ings, that person will be able to produce prop-
I say, no matter how important these things erly a chemical compound, in other words, to
are, modern people have not understood them create a meaningful harmonious life. And vice
yet, moreover they are still requiring proofs versa, if a person combines inwardly a desire
about the existence of God. If this issue is to be with a thought that are both unnatural, in other
proven, it loses its sense. Each attempt to prove words, from the combination of a human with
God’s existence represents a mechanical pro- an animal desire, an explosive compound is
cess. Does it make sense proving to me that I am formed, which might cause an explosion. In this
alive? I know already that. Does it make sense respect, one has not come yet to the rank of a
proving to me that I can think? I know already true human being. The true human being is to
that as well. Proving to me that I have life and be revealed from now on. People of today can-
58 59
not fully control themselves and still have many is this science, which cannot offer them a way
animal-based manifestations. All crimes today, of living a meaningful life? What good is this
from the smallest to the biggest ones, are com- type of science which cannot formulate the laws
mitted under the effect of these bestial elements of human thought nor explain the reasons for
in the lower human nature. the existence of good and evil? What are these
Now, by “man” or “human being” I refer to social sciences and social order which cannot
the total of all virtues. Whoever lacks some of guide people in their life program fulfillment?
these virtues has a bigger or smaller predomi- The life of people has become meaningless, be-
nance of the lower nature within oneself. When cause neither religion nor science were able to
I speak about the lower or animal nature in the give the rules needed for the human develop-
human being, I have in mind features from any ment. In reality, the Earth is covered by monu-
of the animals: tigers, bears, wolves, foxes, the ments mostly of dead people. Great Beings like
various herbivores, insects, and so on. What is Christ have visited the Earth. For two thousand
their life like? Life of mutual destruction—they years Christ has been present among people and
eat and swallow each other. However, there is He is still with them.
one exception among birds—the pigeons. Most You ask, “What is the purpose of suffering?”
of the pigeon species are pure vegetarians and There is a great purpose in suffering. Sufferers
feed only on grains. Meanwhile, the nightin- are heroes and become true human beings, while
gale that is an excellent singer is carnivorous non-sufferers remain ordinary people and noth-
and eats tens to hundreds of insects daily. The ing great is expected from them. Great people
nightingale is content of its situation especially go through big trials. Christ endured great suf-
when it can catch more insects. Yet, the little ferings, thus He left the world a sublime sacred
flies it feeds on do not think so. idea that will never perish. His idea did not pass
People of today boast of their religion, sci- away, neither did Christ. He was subjected to a
ence, and art. I ask: what is this religion that great trial: to be crucified and placed in a tomb,
cannot teach them to love one another? What but on the third day He resurrected. The exis-
60 61
tence of Christianity so far is due to the fact that Today all people want to be healthy, happy,
Christ is still living among people and will live fulfilling all their desires, and so on. All this
forever. If however, some disharmony comes can be achieved. How? By acquiring a healthy
up among Christians, the reason is that many body, kind heart, bright mind, and all virtues.
of those who consider themselves Christians do Without these attributes people are exposed to
not really believe that Christ has risen from the suffering. In this respect, sufferings are excep-
dead. They are assumed to be believers, but in tions in life. Why? It is because they should be
reality they are not. So, they are in the situation understood and applied well. That is why suf-
of those who are regarded as humans without fering increases the faith of wise people, while
being true human beings, so far. Indeed, you for the foolish ones, they are the greatest mis-
often meet people calling each other with the fortune that can befall on them in life. In the
names of some animals. For instance, one per- modern belief system one is born to die. What
son says to another, “You are a wolf, fox, bear, is the meaning of death? It is meaningful only
tiger, and so on.” When people want to express if one transitions after death to a better life than
that someone is foolish, they say, “He is just a the earthly one. The death of a righteous per-
sheep”. Many think that the sheep is a foolish son has its meaning. However, the death of a
animal, but this is not so. When I studied the wrongdoer is quite senseless. In the same way,
structure and shape of its head, I found it out to there is sense for a flower or fruit tree to blos-
be one of the intelligent mammals based on the som, but what is the meaning of a bomb to burst
measurements and scientific data. Those who open and explode? It is useful to start a fire in
study the physiognomy of animals will find the fireplace and cook a meal with it, but to
out that in regard of intelligence the elephant start it in the middle of the house and set all on
comes right after the human being, followed by fire—such a fire is senseless. Building temples
the sheep. One may ask however, where the true for worshippers and schools for children makes
human being is in reality. sense, but is there any sense in making bombs
and grenades with which people kill each other?
62 63
And after all this you say that God should set is the most important in respect to the Sun?
the world right! As soon as God created humans The sunlight and warmth that inspire luminous
and inscribed the Laws in their hearts to live by thoughts and noble feelings in the human being.
them, He had already set the world right. Even However, this same warmth and light awake in-
if people live thousands of years more, they will ferior feelings, instincts, and wishes in the wolf.
still divide themselves into learned and unedu- Behind the solar light and warmth there stands
cated, rich and poor, religious and non-believ- a Great Mighty Hand that is invisible to people.
ers. In reality, if they examine themselves care- You ask, “Where is this Hand?” It can be seen
fully, they will see that all of them are alike. as much as you can see the true human being.
Both the religious people and non-believers What you see externally and call “human be-
serve for money. It is not bad that their service ing” is only an expression of certain thoughts,
is for money. But striving for money, people fo- feelings, and actions. The human being is not
cus on being well-dressed and living luxurious- that which dies. The negative thoughts, feel-
ly, and forget their true purpose on Earth. When ings, and deeds are what passes away in the
people want to have nice clothes, they should human being. Sometimes they die, sometimes
strive to be dressed beautifully from within as they are uprooted like a tree.
well. Everyone can put on a beautiful luminous I say: as you are now in the process of creat-
inner garment. Luminous thoughts and noble ing your life, it is important for you to live with
feelings are one’s inner garments and no matter luminous thoughts and feelings, with noble and
where this one goes, people say, “Behold a true rightful actions. If you do not follow all this, you
human being!” Such a person brings the Divine will cause your misfortune yourselves. Creating
blessing to any home he visits: he heals the ill, the human life can be compared to the construc-
comforts the sorrowful, and nourishes the hun- tion of a ship. How is a ship built? For its good
gry. performance all technical rules and laws of
Now, what is the most important at sunrise? modern science must be put into action. Only
The Sun itself, in other words, its light. What in this way can the ship withstand all storms
64 65
and gales that can occur in the sea. If all these about a great country. However, the present sit-
technological rules and laws are not observed, uation of the countries is a token for misinter-
the ship with all passengers will be exposed to pretation of life.
great dangers. Many think that they have come to Earth to
In the same way, people of today are in the spend somehow their lives and then to depart.
world as in a stormy sea—and if their ship is not That is a wolf-like way of thinking. The wolf
well built, they will be exposed to great dangers. tries to come close to a livestock enclosure in
If their ship—the body—and their thoughts and order to steal a sheep and eat it, and that is all
feelings are not solid and stable, they could meet the wolf aims. If someone has the same think-
with great disasters. That is why the reasons for ing, what is the difference between such a per-
a shipwreck should be searched not only in the son and a wolf? Moreover, after eating a sheep,
ship performance, but also in its designers and the wolf could be chased and shot.
constructors. At the same time, when someone kills from
In the future when people reach a higher lev- ten to twenty people in the battlefield, he is im-
el of development, they will act according to mediately rewarded and pronounced a hero.
all rules and methods of the New teaching in So, afterward this person boasts with his kill-
order to create well-organized bodies for them- ing without batting an eyelid. Killing and de-
selves that are capable of receiving the Sublime stroying is a crime, not a science. Creating and
Divine thoughts and feelings. building—that is a science.
As it is necessary to follow certain rules and I say, modern people should think and live
laws for the human body creation, the same rightly—as God requires of them. Rightly
should be done during the election of ministers means living as brothers and sisters. Besides, it
and Parliament members of a country. These are is not necessary for all people to have the same
to be the most intelligent, selfless, and virtuous external features and same beliefs. Consider,
people of the nation. Only then we could speak for instance, the little child and the mature per-
66 67
son. They differ in appearance, but have some- mine the notion of “a human being.” The human
thing in common as human beings. The young being is a combination of virtues, not of crimes.
will eventually get old and the old could also When some negativity is rising up from within,
rejuvenate. The alchemists have done many ex- it is a sign that the person comes across certain
periments in this direction. An old person can negative traits inherited from many generations.
be placed in a special chemical device—retort Therefore, even today one should make many
and after passing through certain processes he efforts to remove the inherited negative features
would emerge entirely rejuvenated. One could and some animal-like manifestations until com-
become young not only by alchemy, but also by ing to the state of a true human being.
his thought. Many European scientists support And so, when one comes to reveal the con-
the theory that a human being can rejuvenate scious, mindful principle, that one will be strong
and revive his life by his thought. The sublime and free of all negative and inferior manifesta-
thought creates a pleasant atmosphere which tions from within. If a righteous person lives
attracts what is pleasant and beautiful in the in a mountain, for instance, the weather will be
Living nature and makes one capable of receiv- as he wishes: if he wants snow—it will snow;
ing it. Without sublime thought, one does not if he wants rain or sunshine—the weather will
know how to interact with the Sentient nature respond accordingly. However, when a wrong-
and encounters many problems and misfortunes doer lives in the mountain, the weather will not
as a result. Due to this some people have a bad follow his wishes, but will be as Nature dic-
behavior—it is a sign that they are bad only by tates—so, the wrongdoer needs to comply with
their will and actions, but not in their essence. the weather and not vise versa.
You often meet people who will not do even Many people when hiking in the mountains
what is for their own good because of their inner are afraid of rain because they think that they
disposition, and the so-called malevolent will. might catch a cold. You should know that the
The task of modern culture is to study the July rain in the mountains is a great blessing—
manifestations of human thoughts and deter- such a “bath” is equal to a hundred regular
68
baths. Each drop of rain in July is imbued with
beneficial electromagnetic forces.
Now, remember the following thought: hu-
man being is the greatest masterpiece of cre-
ation on Earth. Rejoice that you bear the name
“human being”! Strive to live up to this name!
One needs to be good; one needs to think, feel,
and act rightly! And then say to yourself, ev-
eryone of you, “My life must not bring harm to
others. If I want happiness for myself, I want
happiness for others too. My thought should be
METHODS
like God’s thought!” FOR SELF-
Now, I wish to all of you: be wise, goodheart-
ed, and happy. May your desires come true! And IMPROVEMENT
may you become new people from now on!
Only the Luminous Way of
Lecture by the Master Beinsa Douno, held on July Wisdom leads to the Truth.
12, 1931. The Truth holds Life within.

S cholars, and especially those occupied

with geometry, deal with geometrical
figures and bodies. Meanwhile, ordinary and
uneducated people do the same in everyday life,
only that they are not able to give definitions
to these figures. For instance, who, whether
70 71
learned or ignorant, is not familiar with the cir- Eternal and Unfailing Light. In reality, that is
cle? Does a farmer’s treshing field not represent the Light, which is true and genuine, as it never
a circle itself? changes or fails. In this sense, we call “real” that
However, it is not so important to be ac- which is everlasting. How real are human feel-
quainted with the properties of the circle as a ings, beliefs, and decisions? For example, today
figure, as it is to know how to apply it. Many you are cheerful, the next day you are sorrowful.
have knowledge about coal and its origin, but Which is real: your joy or your sorrow? Today
this knowledge is worthless if they cannot use you believe that there is a God, the next day
it as fuel. Many are familiar with the proper- you do not think so. Which of your two views
ties of water, but it will be much better if they is true? Today you decide to take an exam, the
can transform the aquatic energy into electricity next day you change your mind. Which of these
and light. The more transformations a particular two intentions are you going to fulfill? Reality
type of energy undergoes, the better it gets for is everywhere and nowhere. Reality is neither
humans. For example, we benefit from the sun- sustained nor denied. Whoever has good sight
shine due to the transformation of solar energy and sees well will recognize the Sun. But the
into light. You may say that the sunlight comes Sun cannot be recognized by those who cannot
directly, without being transformed from its see, which is quite normal. The blind people do
source which is a celestial body. Go to the Sun not acknowledge the Sun, because they cannot
to see what it is in reality and then make your see it and no relation is formed to it. Reality be-
comments. In fact, the light we receive with our comes knowledgeable by its manifestations. If
eyes does not come from the physical Sun that it does not reveal itself to us, it will remain un-
we see. Really and truly, the physical Sun emits known. What idea could we have of the Sun, if
certain energy that is transformed several times it does not reveal itself to us? We see the Sun as
until perceived as light. Light is produced by a physical body and as a result, we perceive its
the higher consciousness, so, behind the physi- light and warmth. That is why we say that the
cal Sun, there is another “Sun,” emitting the Sun is real for us. Thus we call “real” anything
that we can feel, think, and speak about. It is
72 73
unusual for someone to accept something which the ground and will eventually become food for
is only thinkable as real. Not that it is unusual, a person, bird, or animal. If maiden’s soft, ca-
but people are simply not aware that thoughts ressing hands take it from the ground, the apple
create forms in the same way as feelings and will be happy. But when it goes among the girl’s
actions do. Forms can be physical as well as strong, hard teeth, the apple will wonder at the
mental and emotional—corresponding to the change: how it is possible for someone with
respective worlds and distinguished by the dif- such soft hands to have such hard teeth at one
ferent density of their matter. Physical forms and the same time. As spiritual students, you
are the densest, emotional are less dense, and are required to obtain a clear idea of how all is
mental are the least dense. To a clairvoyant the arranged, and you should apply your knowledge
mental and emotional forms are as real as the and abilities as methods for self-improvement.
physical ones. To a seer, life is uninterrupted With this consideration, you should not be puz-
and wholesome in all its forms and manifesta- zled why a girl may have soft hands, but hard
tions. But to those who do not see clearly, life teeth—just put every single thing in its place.
seems to be interrupted and consists, as they When someone is in prison, sentenced to
say, of different ages as different phases of life, death, his younger sister needs to go to the ruler
which have no points of contact. They will tell [pasha—in Turkish] who has passed the sentence
you that what was in youth was quite differ- and appeal for her brother’s liberation. Which
ent from adulthood and disparate from old age. method is advisable in this case: the soft hands
Actually, life is wholesome and uninterrupted. or the hard teeth? Definitely, the soft hands are
As a child you depend on your mother’s care, better. If the young woman wants to appeal for
as a grown-up you separate from your parents, her brother’s life, she should be wise enough
and finally, when you become an adult, you live to apply the softest and kindest attitude toward
entirely on your own. However, these are dif- the person in charge. If the ruler appreciates her
ferent phases of one process that is in progress. kind and tender approach, he may pardon her
As long as the apple is green, it is on the branch brother. But if the sister uses the other meth-
of the apple tree; but after ripening, it falls on
74 75
od—the method of hard teeth, instead of attain- both give and both receive. When one gives,
ing a pardon for her brother, she will quicken the other pays in return. The first, for example,
his death. So, it is much better to apply the soft is a merchant who offers high quality goods;
and tender approach toward someone who has the other is a buyer who pays for the purchases
a heart of stone. In conclusion, the above men- regularly and generously. The roles then switch:
tioned forces are equal, but they are acting in the first buys and the second sells. Therefore,
opposite directions. What will happen to a body to be able to maintain good relationships, you
exposed to the effect of two equal, but opposite should pay off your old bills and correct your
forces: the heart of stone and the kind attitude? past mistakes. The old is like a thorn in your
The answer is that this body will remain immo- foot. It is small, but nevertheless, you need a
bile. In other words, the young woman’s brother needle to pick it out. You need to gather your
will remain alive and healthy as the sentence courage and probe with the needle until the torn
will not be applied to him. is removed. If you do not do this, you need to
Every young woman who succeeds to release wait for about ten days, so that the thorn may
her brother from prison is beautiful and wise; soften and go out by itself. Regardless of which
in other words, she has knowledge and power way of treatment you prefer, with or without a
to apply her methods. Beauty represents the needle, the thorn must come out. People of to-
Truth in human beings. The ruler cannot with- day are afraid to strike their inner balance. For
stand the young woman’s knowledge, power, example, someone has a negative opinion of his
and truth; that is why he yields. The woman has neighbor, but he is afraid to find out why. It is
softly touched his heart of stone and as a result, awful to keep negative thoughts about anyone
he will discharge her brother. No one can resist in your mind. Moreover, you should consider
Truth. Love is where the Truth is. Where Love the objectivity of your opinion: is it based on
reigns, there the relationships are as they should real facts or not? If untrue views accumulate in
be. Where there is Love, the exchange between your consciousness, they will bring you adver-
two beings is genuine and harmonious: they sity and suffering. Negative thoughts will make
you nervous and indisposed. To avoid negative
76 77
thinking, you should make efforts toward your should be careful to avoid unconscious touch-
self-improvement and also learn from experi- ing of the different parts and centers on your
ence. head. If you act on some center needlessly, you
What do you understand by “self-improve- can cause yourself great harm. But if you treat
ment? It means unassisted nourishment. On the a given spot on your head with knowledge and
path of self-improvement you need to try many when necessary, you can improve your health.
ways in order to find out the method which is This knowledge can be used for self-improve-
appropriate for you. In this way you will work ment. As spiritual students, you need to consid-
out the right feelings and thoughts, which will er the sacredness of your body. Each time you
create your own experience. Thoughts, which treat it, you should remember that it is a part
are attained through personal experience, are of the Great cosmos. Therefore, it is through
genuinely precious. For example, you real- your body that you have a relationship with the
ize that to become a scientist one must apply Cosmos. That is why every disharmony caused
persistence and diligence; to become a singer, somewhere in your body introduces a discord
one needs a properly developed larynx, love for in the entire Cosmos. For this reason, it is bet-
singing, and a good teacher. To be truly beauti- ter sometimes not to touch certain body centers,
ful, one must be in touch with lovely images and because unintentionally you could produce a
inspiring people. To become smart, one needs to whole “explosion” in yourself. Only the initi-
be in connection with the thoughts of Sublime ated know when and how to treat their body
Beings. To attain the Great Love, one needs to centers properly. The control of body language
come into communion with God. Divine Love will help you to avoid such unconscious inner
is received through the crown chakra at the up- “explosions.” So, it is good to avoid any un-
per part of the head. On the other hand, physical aware and chaotic movements striving for con-
love passes through the back side of the head. scious and thoughtful ones. In this respect, self-
In general, each brain center is related to cer- improvement is achieved through conscious
tain forces of Nature. When you know this, you living. Self-improvement implies to make your
78 79

movements conscious and give way to your in- personal ability. A person may have one or
ner wisdom. another physical make-up, but by conscious
Let’s say you are observing a young woman work and self-improvement, the negative fea-
making some movements under an apple tree. tures and planetary aspects can be overcome,
If she bends down and then straightens up with- while the positive ones are strengthened. The
out doing any useful work, you will say that her crabapple can be grafted in such a way as to
movements are not conscious and meaningful. bear good fruit. Similarly, the mindful person
But if with each movement, she picks apples can be grafted with what is good and valuable.
and places them in a basket, her movements are Many say that their living conditions are bad;
conscious and they are also approved by the that they cannot manifest their goodness, and so
apple tree. Even when the young woman eats on. These are only mental beliefs typical for an
some of the apples, the apple tree does not re- ignorant person. Whoever is knowledgeable is
gret it. The apples would be sorry only if the also responsible to keep on working, practicing,
woman eats them with the seeds, as they are applying, and gradually improving the self. It is
bearing new life. The apples expect their seeds not easy, but neither it is impossible. Through
to be sown, so that to grow up again. Good re- intensive conscious practice you can overcome
lationships with plants and animals are a sign your weaknesses and strengthen your innate
of good relationships with people and also with good. It is hard to tame an elephant, but it is not
God. Only in this way are favorable conditions impossible. Things can get scary when it gets
created for the manifestation and further devel- angry. When this happens, the trainer pushes
opment of the good that is invested in human the elephant to the ground and rolls it over a
beings. few times. Getting up, the elephant will become
as meek as a lamb. Sentient nature treats hu-
As soldiers exercise physically to become
mans in the same way. While someone is stand-
stronger, so every person should exercise in
ing upright on his legs, he is brave and decisive.
doing good. Exercises and efforts are needed
But when he is thrown on the ground and rolled
for the development of each body center and
over and over, he gets tamed and humbled. Thus
80 81
Life serves Nature. When someone is head- yourself you can change your old ways of living
strong and stubborn, Life pushes him down on and enter a new life, where things are set right.
the ground and rolls him over few times. When Someone gets angry and thinks that the appro-
this person gets up, he has already learned a les- priate way to change oneself and others is by
son and he would probably think before getting showing power and control. In fact, nothing can
angry again. Nature applies the same methods be achieved through anger and violence. There
to stubborn, headstrong, and unruly people as is only one kind of anger that could be help-
to animals. Even the most vicious dog can be ful: only when and if it comes from the power
tamed, if caught and twirled around and around of the Divine source. If the Divine is not tak-
by its tail. However, Sentient nature can apply ing part in your actions, you will easily fail. A
on people some other methods as well. She can man was walking through the forest when a big
display her own advanced methods to them and bear appeared in the distance. He took a thick
leave them to self-improve. Those who apply stick and said angrily, “May it dare come to
her methods will have good results. There are me!” Nevertheless, the bear was approaching
specific methods for the development of any slowly and calmly toward him. Seeing this, the
living species—fishes, birds, mammals, and man threw his stick aside and quickly climbed
so on. Similarly, there are specific methods for the nearby tree. What did he do with his anger?
the education and self-improvement of every- First he did get angry with the bear and took
one—either learned or ignorant. As a whole, a stick to stand against it, but then he quickly
if someone wants to apply proper methods for changed his mind and backed up. Certainly, you
self-improvement, he needs to apply the meth- have some reason to be cross and angry with
ods of sages and saints, who have drawn their a bear coming toward you, but if you decide
knowledge from Sentient nature. Observe their to fight it, you should comply with your deci-
life and see their routines: how they go to bed sion. Therefore, if you have a certain thought,
and get up, how they wash themselves and which you can use against evil, do not throw it
dress, how they pray and work. By improving aside, but make use of it. Because if you throw
82 83
it aside, it shows that you are a weak person. mic law, or in other words, under unfavorable
Always sustain the view that what is imbued in limiting conditions. Under these conditions he
you is meaningful, that Life is meaningful, and will complain of his destiny, get discouraged,
that you can use the methods of Nature for your and will not be able to develop properly.
self-improvement. The insufficiency of true As students of the Sublime life you need to
knowledge should not bother you, but if you do exclude the word “discouragement.” You should
not make efforts to acquire it—that is what can- know that even under the most difficult circum-
not be excused. All people suffer, because they stances you can evolve spiritually. The human
do not utilize the conditions they have. You may being is changeable in body, yet steadfast and
say, “But we make errors.” It is not an excuse stable in spirit. Give priority to the Spirit in you
either. If you have errors, you need to correct in order to avoid mistakes. Ceasing to trans-
them. The Scriptures say that you will give ac- gress, the wrongdoer extends his life. And vice
count for every empty word.1 Every empty word versa, if a righteous person begins to transgress,
is a debt which you must pay together with in- his life is shortened. Do not think that you are
terest. If you have collected a debt in the morn- king’s sons who have come to Earth for plea-
ing, review your accounts during the day, and sure. You all need to work both for yourselves
arrange it all, so that when the night falls, it will and for your fellowmen. Work is one of the im-
find you to be with paid debts, without any due portant methods for self-improvement. If you
interest. The unpaid debts are nothing else, but do not work willingly, you will be ordered to do
the karma that everyone is afraid of. That one it, but then you will get different results. True
who does not pay his debts will fall under kar- work implies working out of Love and without
any force. If you work in this way, you will re-
joice at the results achieved. If someone works
without Love, the results will be a disaster.
1. See also Ephesians 5:6, “Let no one deceive you with empty Whoever studies with Love rejoices in success.
words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those Only such a person can become learned.
who are disobedient.”
84
Apply Love as a method for your self-im-
provement and you can develop even the small-
est of gifts imparted to you. Love excludes any
kind of discouragement. No matter how many
times you may fall down, you can stand up
again. No matter that you have lost your prop-
erty or your health, you can gain it anew. The
person of Love can lose something only tem-
porarily, but he is going to regain it. There are
only gains and achievements in Love.
As spiritual students, hold an optimistic view BIOGRAPHICAL
of life. Whatever befalls you, accept it with joy.
Address your difficulties consciously to be able INFORMATION
to discover the precious gifts hidden in them.
Every trial and sorrow will bring you certain
ABOUT
blessings. Use the blessings, which joys and
sorrows bring to your life. See the manifesta-
THE MASTER
tions of Great Divine Love, Wisdom, and Truth
in all that is. This is the right method to apply
BEINSA DOUNO—
for your self-improvement.

Only the Revealed Divine Love, Wisdom, and

Truth will bring a full and abundant life.

Lecture held by the Master Beinsa Douno to

the Youth Esoteric Class, February 6, 1931, Sofia,
Izgrev.
86 87
August 1888: Peter Deunov left for the Unit-
ed States and enrolled at Drew Theological
Methodist Seminary in Madison, New Jersey.
October 15, 1890: He finishes a preparatory
course in theology at Drew Seminary, Madison,
Dates and Events New Jersey.
1891–1893: Peter Deunov attended the Fac-
ulty of Theology in the University of Boston
1864: Peter Konstantinov Deunov was born as a full time student. He graduated on June 7,
on the 11th of July (29th of June by the Julian 1893 with the graduation thesis “The Migration
calendar—Saint Peter’s day) in the village of of the Teutonic Tribes and their Conversion to
Hadurcha (present day Nikolaevka), near the Christianity.”
Black Sea in the district of Varna. He was the
third child in the family of the Orthodox priest February 3, 1894: He completed a one year
Konstantin Deunovski and Dobra Georgieva. course in medicine at the University of Boston.
1872: Peter Deunov entered the Elementary 1895–1900: Peter Deunov returned to Bulgar-
school in Nikolaevka. ia, but refused to become a Methodist preacher
or an Orthodox priest in Varna. He spent time
1878-1883: He studied and obtained his sec- in seclusion and meditation, in prayer and pro-
ondary degree in the all-male school in Varna. found inner work.
1886: Peter Deunov graduated from the 1896: He published the book “Science and
American Theological School in Svishtov. Education” in which he analyzed the human
1887–1888: He was a teacher in the village path in the world drama and coming of the New
of Hotantsa, Ruse district. culture.
88 89
1897: On March 7, at the age of 33, in the vil- fia (1926-1941), the Rila Mountains, and Mount
lage of Tetovo, Ruse district, Peter Deunov had Vitosha.
a mystical experience that divulged his spiri-
tual mission together with his spiritual name— 1901-1912: The Master traveled across Bul-
Beinsa Douno. The same year he published his garia to hold lectures and performing phreno-
mystic booklet Hio-Eli-Meli-Mesail. This year logical research studies of the Bulgarian char-
was the turning point in his life—the beginning acter.
of his work as a spiritual Teacher. 1904: He settled in Sofia, at 66 Opalchenska
1898: The Master gave the talk “An Appeal Street, where he began to deliver his Word in
to My People—Bulgarian Sons of the Slavonic the form of talks.
Family” before the members of the Charitable 1912: Beinsa Douno worked on the Bible in
Society “Mother” in Varna as a message for so- the village of Arbanasi, near Veliko Tarnovo and
cial and spiritual self-determination. completed “The Testament of the Color Rays of
1899: Peter Deunov wrote “The Ten Testi- Light” which was published in September the
monials of the Lord” and “God’s Promise.” same year.

1900: The Master summoned his first three 1914: He began to give regular Sunday lec-
disciples: Penyo Kirov, Todor Stoimenov, and tures to the general public in Sofia. These lec-
Dr. Georgi Mirkovich to a meeting in Varna in tures were recorded in short-hand by his ste-
July. It was the First Gathering of the Brother- nographer disciples. Later, they were decoded,
hood of Light which he called meeting of the edited, and published in the series of lectures
Chain. “Power and Life”, which presented the funda-
mental principles of the New teaching.
1900-1942: Annual gatherings were held,
usually in August, at different places: Varna 1917-1932: Beinsa Douno held a Special
(1900-1908), Veliko Tarnovo (1909-1925), So- spiritual course for married women in Sofia.
90 91
1917-1918: During the First World War he Spiritual School there became a tradition for the
was interned in Varna under the pretext that his followers from Bulgaria and abroad. Nowadays
teaching was weakening the spirit of the sol- they take place every year in August with thou-
diers at the front. The followers of the New sands of participants.
teaching increased in number after the war and
reached approximately forty thousand people in September 21, 1930: The Master began a
the late 1930s. new series of the Teaching called the Sunday
Morning Lectures, which continued up to April
February 24, 1922: The School of the Uni- 1944.
versal Brotherhood of Light was opened in So-
fia with two classes for spiritual students: the 1934: He presented Paneurhythmy (The Cos-
General Esoteric Class and the Special (Youth) mic Rhythm of Life)—a series of 28 exercises
Esoteric Class. The Master delivered his lec- containing music, lyrics, and movements. Later
tures before the two classes twice a week in the on, he added two more parts: “The Rays of the
course of 22 years until December 1944. Sun” and “The Pentagram”. The Paneurhythmy
was finally completed in 1942.
1927: A settlement called Izgrev (Sunrise)
was established near Sofia (today a residential 1944: Beinsa Douno with a group of disci-
area of the city) as an intentional spiritual cen- ples spent the hardest months during the Sec-
ter for Beinsa Douno’s followers. The Master ond World War (January 11, 1944-October 19,
settled permanently there, where he lectured on 1944) in the village of Marchaevo, near Sofia,
various subjects in a hall specially built for this in the house of Temelko Gyorev. This house is
purpose. preserved and functioning now as a museum.

1929: The first summer camp was carried December 20, 1944: The Master delivered
out at the Seven Lakes in the Rila Mountains. his lecture “The Last Word” to the General Eso-
The gatherings at the Rila Mountains and the teric Class.
92
December 27, 1944: The Master ended his
earthly path in Sofia. By the ordinance of a spe-
cial permission he was laid to rest in the Izgrev
quarter. This sacred place is now turned into a
beautiful garden which is open daily to the pub-
lic.
The Master Beinsa Douno has left an invalu-
able spiritual heritage contained in his numer-
ous talks and lectures; prayers, formulas, and
songs; physical and breathing exercises; spiritu-
al methods and practices for personal and group
Explanatory Note
work, for self-improvement and conscious liv-
ing.
The Generic “Man”
I n previous publications the following sen-
tence: “Man—a term used to denote an in-
dividual (male or female) of the human race”
was included to explain the use of this word
throughout. However, recent comments on the
sexist language led to the decision to elaborate
much more on the subject of the use of the ge-
neric “man,” “he,” and “his” in this book.
In the Bulgarian language, there are different
words for a human being. Chovek is used for
Homo sapiens regardless of gender, mazh—for a
male and zhena—for a female. When Peter Deu-
94 95
nov became the Enlightened spiritual teacher on: “The traditional approach has been to use
Beinsa Douno and spoke the Word of Wisdom, the masculine pronouns he and him to cover all
he often used chovek to address any human people, male and female alike.”
being; and because this word is in the mascu- In a similar line of thinking, we decided to in-
line form, it led to the use of gender specific clude this note as an explanation in the hope that
words like toy (he) and negov (his) throughout the readers will focus on the meaning and depth
his lectures in case of substitutions. However, of the Message brought by the Master Beinsa
in English the word “man” is used with both Douno, rather than being distracted by the form
meanings: as a generic term for Homo sapiens of some words. We replaced in many places,
and as a term denoting an adult male. This has where appropriate, man with person, someone,
led to many controversial discussions regarding one, individual, but this was not always pos-
how to avoid the use of a word which could be sible to do without changing the meaning of the
considered sexist by some readers. Our purpose Word spoken by the Master. Therefore, except
is to keep the language as close as possible to where we specifically describe a female person,
the original, but at the same time to make clear the generic masculine pronoun is mainly used
what is the exact meaning in order to avoid con- throughout the book to include both sexes. In
fusion. a similar manner: “Brothers of Light” refers to
In Garner’s Modern American Usage, Uni- Beings of sublime consciousness and “Brother-
versity Press, Oxford, 2003, Bryan A. Garner hood,” to Fellowship of brothers and sisters in
writes on page 717, “But does avoiding sex- a spiritual community or to people living in a
ism mean resorting to awkward devices such fraternal way in love and harmony.
as he/she? Surely not, because that too would
distract many readers. What you should strive
for instead—f you want readers to focus on your
ideas and not on the political subtext—is a style
that does not even hint at the issue.” And further
 BEINSA DOUNO
Methods
for Self-improvement

First edition

Compilation and translation by Maria Braikova

Graphic design by Steve Eagle

Bialo Bratstvo Publishers

1113 Sofia, 24 j.k. Izgrev
Gen. Shterio Atanasov Str. #6
tel. (+359/02) 9634313; 8668955

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