[ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 ] guidelines , ideas , and techniques for sharing with others in the field . Astrology as a whole has improved because of this .
Without successful astrologers , this organization would have no vitality . We may have ideas , but the ideas lack substance until they have been put to the test and they work . The backbone ( Saturn ) of any professional organization is the working professional who , on a daily basis , proves or disproves every idea and method that the organization espouses .
Astrology , as a path of knowledge or Gyana yoga ( Mercury ) helps us understand the relative value of our various desires . Deep introspection or meditation helps us go through a pattern of evaluation and develop a plan . But we still have to translate our ideas and ideals into action in order to make spiritual progress . In today ’ s world , the soul can emerge from the limitations of the personality only when our mind , feelings , and behavior all grow organically . This is analogous to how all parts of our body normally develop at the same pace .
Different parts of the personality are brought into play by different forms of yoga and all of them are important in the life of the spiritual aspirant . In Gyana yoga ( Mercury ) the mind is central focus , in Bhakti yoga ( Venus ) the heart is primarily functioning , and in Karma yoga ( Mars ) we have our behavior aimed at selfless service as the focus of our attention . And in order to keep developing in consciousness , all parts of the personality have to develop . 2
Through the years many of us have been driven to serve the needs of the professional astrology community through our dedication to OPA ; this is one useful expression of Karma yoga . But , just being driven by a sense of duty to do the right thing does not supply sufficient motivation to push us into service . In the final analysis , it is only love which can supply the motive power to lift us up to the level of service where we are able to put our own petty interests aside in order to express the attitude of the genuine bodhisattva ; when we do this we are on the way to really helping in the grander picture of raising consciousness on the planet . We start with our own organization ; it is through helping others that we are finally able to be lifted out of our own limited lives . As my Spiritual Master , Meher Baba has said , “ Real happiness lies in making others happy .”
Astrology can not really be used effectively in our own lives as astrologers unless it touches the core of our being . Astrology reveals the meaning of life and gives us an intelligent pattern of living ; dictating our thoughts , feelings , and actions . As a spiritual path , astrology ultimately leads us toward the goal of life .
There is a dichotomy between our personal life and our public life . Taking actions meant to maximize the fulfillment of our desires is positive in our personal lives , i . e . we work for things that we want . But , what about our public life ? Does the same set of assumptions apply to decisions in our public life that we have in our personal lives ? No . When you are an elected public official serving for a community of people , you have a new karmic responsibility to put the needs of the group that you represent before your own personal wants .
With a few notable exceptions , OPA has benefited many times by having a group of people on the board that have been able to put their own needs aside while conducting the business of the organization ... does this mean that all was peace and harmony ? No ; well intentioned astrologers can have sincere disagreements of vision , tactics , and methods . But , when we all share the underlying motivation , to put the needs of the organization first , something beautiful happens . OPA has grown and prospered only because our mission is clear and the people have been able to put their own egos behind them and work together for the common good ... this is what keeps us vibrant , relevant , and visionary .
In the early days , the organization was relatively safe from parasitic mischief . Famous and not so famous astrologers came and looked at what OPA was doing ... sometimes they even got involved for a while . But , when it became obvious that the organization was going to require time , money , and energy and was not going to be available for personal plunder , they went on . The organization was going to require a lot and was not going to give back very much in the way of material gain or personal prestige . There was nothing to feed one ’ s vanity ; OPA only presented an opportunity to serve the higher needs of the field of astrology . And , for many of us , this was more than enough .
So , what are the choices that have to be made to keep our organization healthy ? A healthy organization is built on the shoulders of healthy astrologers . This means that we need to be working toward success in our own individual practices ; the basic thrust of our work together has to be for our collective good .
The purpose of the organization ( our conferences , publications , retreats , and now certification program ) is so that astrologers would have a method , a systematic manner to help each other to be better astrologers . Only by each of us developing as astrologers can the organization improve so we can live out our destiny to aid in the raising of consciousness on the planet .
So how is it possi- [ CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 ] o P A ❥ The o rganization for Professional Astrology 6 T h e C A r e e r A s T r o l o g e r s P r i n g 2 0 1 2