The Decalogue of Wisdom, by Roberto Assagioli

We found this article of Assagioli in the Archive of the house which has been once his residence and nowadays the headquarters of the Institute of Psychosynthesis. We retained it useful to publish it, despite the outdated language, as an opportunity to reflect for all of us. It contains some teachings of high moral and ethical values, which may or may not be shared, but anyway put us in front of our individual responsibility about what to do with our lives. As Editors, we would appreciate to receive letters and comments about this article in order to open a constructive debate on major issues of contemporary man.

By Roberto Assagioli,  Original published by the Institute of Psychosynthesis Florence http://www.psicosintesi.it/pubblicazioni/rivista-psicosintesi/eng/n-13-april-2010

When you are overwhelmed by difficulties, when any serious problem is troubling you, when everything seems to be against your wishes and your aspirations, instead of bitching and blaming things, people or circumstances, please read carefully these ten Rules of Ancient Wisdom which show you the way out of your current difficulties and concerns.

1) Know yourself.

Become aware of who you really are, what hides your being and reason to live. The light that can enlighten you is inside, yourself seek it in your heart, in the most intimate and deep core of your life, then you will know that an eternal and immortal God lives there, a God which is yourself and at the same time is infinitely more wise and powerful than you are today. You are a Son, a manifestation of this Principle of Life that you can find in your heart and you give him your favorite name, sharing his Omnipresence, Omniscience and Omnipotence. The goal of your present existence is to express the infinite possibilities that are latent in your deepest being.

2) Search the Essence of everything you need or want in yourself.

Life is a constant manifestation “inside-out” and nothing avoids this law. Everything starts and develops in the unseen, before it became manifest in the visible world. For this, you must first find the essence and substance of what you want in yourself, recognize and acquire it in your inner consciousness, to be able to attract it in the outside world. Therefore, in this respect, you need to learn concentration, retreating as you can and isolating yourself from any outside influence, everywhere you can do it more easily. Set your mind on the higher thought you can conceive, your Ideal or Principle of Life that dwells in you, the Source and the Reality of all good. Think about what you want as “real” – something which is itself inseparable from your being, which already has been given to you by your own Omnipotence – so your task is simply the capacity to receive it, making yourself an appropriate channel for its expression. Thank the Source of Life that dwells in you, the Gratitude proves your Faith, strengthens your Hope and expresses your Love, opening the secret door of the treasures awaiting in the unseen world people who know how to receive them.

3) Love your neighbor as yourself.

Deceptively, we can believe to be separated from the Principle of Life, and from people, beings and things that surround us. But it is not. In fact, each of us is one with the One, and with all beings, people and things living and existing. If life is shown as a struggle is simply to learn the Law of Love, the only almighty and invincible force. Everyone should try to understand, to vibrate with sympathy and learn to love everybody all around us, even those who seem unworthy, which we consider as “enemies”. Then, the mask that hides the true, intimate nature under deceptive appearance will drop.

4) Be optimistic.

Joy and optimism must be the natural expression of inner Light that shines in us, as the Source of all good. Can this Light shine on your face and can nothing have the power to upset or shake you. Things have not value in themselves, the way we see and face them is worthy. In addition, our inner vision and attitude have a decisive influence on the circumstances and on the attitude of people around us, so it all depends, ultimately, by our own choice.

5) Strive to give.

Strive constantly to give, all the best you can give and offer. Do not say that you have nothing to give, because your endless inner Source will be expressed according to your love and your willingness to give. Never be too poor or selfish when giving or sharing with someone what you have, but learns to give freely, as an act of love, with nothing expected in return. Make your giving the safety valve that opens and shows you, from the inside-out, the infinite possibilities of good latent in your being, develop and make them useful, fruitful and fertile, all this makes you similar to the tree whose roots are close to the source, and continually thrives and bears fruit and whose leaves never dry up. Sometime, the unexpected solution to your problem may be in your giving, inspired by true love and free from any idea of interest and personal profit.

6) Think over your words.

In every word there is a latent principle that is the creative power of what is expressed by the word itself. This principle tends to shape, and continuously shapes, in its own image and likeness, the character, the attitude, the internal being and the external appearance of the speaking person, modeling the circumstances and attracting things that are similar or of the same nature. Therefore, assume the duty to reflect on what you are going to say, avoiding any expression which contains something you would not want seen in your life, or an opinion you would not like on yourself.

7) Monitor your thoughts.

Consider every thought as a reality you give the power to dominate, namely the power to manifest itself in external reality and to become visible. So, push away from you all thought of what you do not want, especially any malignant thought or idea towards anyone, all thoughts of sadness, hatred, resentment, revenge, despair, boredom, illness, poorness, failure, anxiety, hostility, or death. Let your mind be like a clear and sunny sky, or a precious garden where only the most beautiful and appreciated flowers and plants are grown.

8) Supervises your instincts.

Instincts are the foundation of the “temple” of your life and, by their nature, they support it and allow its elevation, alternatively they tend to destroy it by making you their slave. Be therefore temperate and sober in food and habits of physical life. Eat slowly. In order that your food can be the manufacturer of your “temple”, every particle must remain in your mouth until completely dissolved. Drink plenty of water, eats sparingly, avoiding alcohol, foods that come from death and suffering of animals and be moderate with drugs. Wash up every day, sleep enough but not more, learn to breathe slowly and deeply, and master your body. Do not get carried away by vice that degrades it or to passion that devours it and destroys the noblest tendencies. Love is something too sacred to be profaned.

9) Put your trust in the unseen.

Do not place your trust in external and material things. These can be lost and you will lose them if necessary to your spiritual development. Be aware that every manifest thing comes from the Un-manifest which is the Infinite and Inexhaustible Source, and materializes in your life according to what you are conscious of. You will never think to be alone or isolated, the Omnipotence of the Principle of Life dwelling in you is always with you and can never leave, provided just to absolutely, exclusively and unlimitedly trust in it. Only fear and uncertainty make you vulnerable.

10) Use your talents, keep quiet and work.

All you have or posses, physically as well as spiritually, was given you to make the best use you are capable. Use, therefore, the talents you have received – your faculty and your property – as well as you can for your own good, as well as for the good of those around you. Just under these conditions, they will multiply, on the contrary, hiding yourself you will loose them. Do not talk more than necessary, preventing any tactlessness on your personal or intimate things and about the confidences you have received; it is better not talk at all about yourself. Always remember that SILENCE is necessary for the best outcome of all what you undertake and that the most powerful forces and wills operate in the silence. Do not remain idle and inactive, waiting for a profit that would flee from you. There is always something you can usefully do for people around you. Do it with love, considering yourself as a servant of the Creative Intelligence that dwells in you, of which you are the expression and with which you have the privilege to work so that “your Glory” is evident. These rules must be completely followed. Any omission creates a more or less heavy consequence. If you follow them carefully and faithfully, your life and your business will take a new turn, and you will become a more and more perfect and appropriate “channel” for the manifestation of the infinite possibilities of Universal Life. Your personal life will be well far-oriented and guided with a firm hand on its route towards the harbor of Good, and a path of unlimited progress will open ahead of you.