Ruth Atkins, Author at Fourth Way Today

Famous Quotations on Love

“We find rest in those we love, and we provide a resting place in ourselves for those who love us.” ~ Bernard of Clairvaux

by Ruth Atkins

Quotations on Schools and School Work

“‘Know thyself.’ These words, ascribed to Socrates, actually lie at the basis of many systems and schools far more ancient than the Socratic.” – George I. Gurdjieff “Schools have the privilege of making the effort in the right place. They create space for the deity within, one’s own presence.” – Robert Burton “When I met this […]

by Ruth Atkins

A Few Thoughts on Faith and Verification

When I was growing up, a friend once counseled me, “Beware of words that end in ‘-tion.’” We were both studying Latin and loved English. She became a filmmaker, and I a writer and teacher of music and literature. I have noticed in the word ‘verification’ a problem inherent in the endings that make nouns […]

by Ruth Atkins

Quotes on Illumination

The following quotes on illumination come from the Fourth Way and Sufi traditions, Indian, Chinese, and early Christian writers, among others. “Lumen de Lumine.” (Latin) “Light comes from Light.”) – Eusebius of Caesarea “Four thousand years before God created these bodies, He created the souls and kept them beside Himself and shed a light upon […]

by Ruth Atkins

Transformation of Bodies

In researching Fourth Way material related to the subject of transformation, I suddenly became aware of its obvious etymology: trans (across) form. When we refer to the process, though, we usually intend a greater significance: a change of state. In general, transformation refers to a change in form, appearance, or nature, while transmutation implies a change that involves the transformation of one […]

by Ruth Atkins

Still Waters Run Deep

Stillness manifests as an absence of motion, but there is another form of stillness that transcends and comprehends motionlessness.

by Ruth Atkins

Receiving and Reflecting the Light

We embody what is higher by being present. We can learn to hear if our hearts are in the temple or in the bazaar. When we identify for ourselves the flavor of those virtues–courage, prudence, humility and moderation–which Plato associates with the Ideal State, our work with others will be stronger: more direct and more compassionate as required.

by Ruth Atkins

Perspectives on the Idea of Balance

“If my devils are to leave me, I am afraid my angels will take flight as well.” – Rainer Maria Rilke This was the poet Rilke’s response to a proposal of psychoanalysis. At first glance, it appears to be a frightened and irrational claim. And yet it is based on an a concept of balance that […]

by Ruth Atkins

Names for Uncreated Light across Traditions

What are other names for “uncreated light” in the traditions of esoteric schools throughout history? This list may help.

by Ruth Atkins

To See Through One’s Eyes

We must learn to receive each moment with neither preference nor denial. In this way we may proceed not only away from our inner beasts, but toward our inner best. Step by step, we learn to walk out of imagination into the real world, and through it, into higher realms of reality.