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Ariadne/Chapter Thirteen: About Competitions

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Chapter Thirteen:
About Competitions

The next Olympics, in a four-year cycle, was approaching. These sporting events in Elis on the Peloponnese peninsula were becoming increasingly popular among the Greeks. The number of sports was growing both in variety and number of participant athletes.

This time, Pythagoras also allowed some of his disciples to prepare to take part in these festivities. Of course, this was not done simply for winners to achieve glory, but in order to make people more familiar with the philosophy of the Pythagoreans. These festivities included more than just sports, they also included many speeches and public discussions on a wide variety of topics — for the entertainment of a large public.

Some of Pythagoras’ disciples were invited to come to the School from other Greek cities where they now lived and worked. This was done so that all those who were going to take part in the Olympic contests could train together.

Not all the disciples of Pythagoras lived at the School all the time. For various reasons, some of them came only for a while and then returned to the places where they lived and continued to practice the knowledge received from Pythagoras.

Ariadne asked Ferenika to help with the reception of guests. Such a change of scenery was good for Ferenika. Her irrepressible energy boiled over again and found an outlet in the simple matters of taking care of the new arrivals and arranging everything necessary in the house. It was as if Ferenika was reborn by the simple words of gratitude from the guests who had arrived and by their enthusiastic looks.

And the arrival of Hamilcar was also anticipated!

The students of the School were looking forward to this; after all, many in the Pythagorean community had already heard at least something about the story of the first disciple of Pythagoras. News from Hamilcar about life in his little branch of the School in the city of Carthage came regularly. Yes, so far, he did not have many students, but he was up to the task, preserving and teaching the higher knowledge. Some of Hamilcar’s messages were even read aloud among the older students of the School, who also planned to create such oases of wisdom and purity in the future. Hamilcar’s experience was very useful to them.

Ariadne, as the hostess of a large house for receiving guests, was certainly happy about the opportunity to care for her new friends. It is important to note that the disciples of Pythagoras, who had never even met before, immediately treated one another as the closest and dearest friends. Both in the house of Ariadne and in the School, there was a stately atmosphere of celebration!

There was also talk about the forthcoming competitions. Pythagoras was asked questions, and he willingly answered his now very numerous listeners.

Usually, people gathered for such conversations in the open amphitheater, which had already been built. Due to the correct location and precise geometry of the structure, the acoustics were amazing! Everyone could hear every word, even if it was spoken quietly! All the speeches of Pythagoras were perceived as an immersion into the great Source of Knowledge and Inspiration. Each of his talks, even if they were devoted to mundane tasks, such as those related to the forthcoming competitions of athletes in the Olympics, elevated his listeners to the expanded state of refined consciousnesses. These talks connected all the tasks of the moment with the understanding of the Totality of the entire Creation.

… Everyone gathered and sat on the marble steps. A special silence fell, preparing souls for listening and understanding. Then, Pythagoras came in. His beautiful appearance, simple white clothes, regularity and smoothness of his movements, and the timbre of his voice — all of this immersed the disciples into a state in which they could listen as souls submerged into the huge consciousness of Divine Pythagoras, which embraced everyone invisibly.

One of the young students, who was about to compete in running and wrestling, asked:

“Tell us, Pythagoras: What is the right attitude toward glory, and should we strive to be the best, to be victorious?”

“The vain seek only glory, the proud seek only victory and are crushed by defeat. Both are obstacles on the spiritual Path. But you who have seen, even for a short time, the highest Glory of Those Souls Who have reached Godlikeness and now know about the true purpose of life of every soul on the Earth, should treat with calmness both victories and defeats.

“Let’s talk about this in more detail.

“The desire for superiority, for victory over others, is to some extent inherent in human nature. This is a manifestation of the natural laws of development of all creatures. A similar struggle for leadership can be seen in the life of different animal species. Sometimes, we can observe males fighting for the right to possess females. This is how the strongest of them gain an advantage and produce healthier and more survivable offspring.

“Likewise, humans strive to be the best — for the sake of superiority over others. This is not a bad thing when it leads to development of the best qualities, when it is achieved by fair means, when it does not involve violence, and when it does not grossly violate rectitude.

“We ourselves would rather buy from a good potter or weaver, or choose the biggest and ripest fruits from a merchant. People are more likely to listen to a skilled musician and admire a good dancer.

“In fields such as the arts, the pursuit of superiority and excellence often accompany one another. And it is very important that we learn to distinguish between the two! The Path to Perfection allows for the simultaneous existence of many unique and varied manifestations, each of which delights! Here, for example, is the beauty of a wildflower — and of a garden rose. Each of these flowers is perfect in its own way and there is no need to compare them. Likewise, the unique beauty and gradual development of one soul on its path to the Highest Perfection does not detract from or need to compete with the beauty and development of another.

“Yes, soon we will be celebrating the winners of the Olympic Games.

“To win in such a contest, one has to combine the strength of the body and the strength of the soul.

“Such achievements are made up of innate ability, diligence, will, determination, focus, inspiration, and strength. And sporting events develop these qualities in a person, and not only the desire to win.

“But let us remember that striving to be leaders and to be all-around superior, can cause serious harm to others. This happens when a desire to dominate others and a desire to win at any price provokes the development of greed, envy, and hatred, and can lead to very mean deeds. This desire for superiority over others harms souls.

“Here is something else I would like to call your attention to: striving to the Highest Perfection on the spiritual Path should never degenerate into rivalry, into striving for first place, into measuring one’s successes by the success or failure of others! This leads to arrogance which can become a serious hindrance on the Path!

“One should not enjoy even feelings of self-satisfaction about one’s superiority in mastering sciences, or enjoy boasting about one’s knowledge or skills, or enjoy telling others stories about how one was chosen to master difficult meditations…

“Neither should any of us feel that we are superior to people who have not yet touched spiritual knowledge and have not chosen truly wise goals in their lives. It is very important to understand that everything has its time, as well as that there are stages of maturation of souls repeatedly incarnated in bodies, and their progress cannot be equal and rapid.

“I have heard such words from those who claim to know everything and boast of their knowledge: ‘They are fools, plebs, and do not understand what we know, what is obvious and so natural to a man of reason!’ I wouldn’t want my students to have such thoughts!

“Imagine what any of us looks like from the point of view of God, Who is omnipotent and possesses the totality of all Knowledge, to which we are only gaining access… Don’t you think that He might consider us fools? But no, He teaches us — with the greatest Love and Patience! And He gives us a measure of knowledge. He does not offer us that burden of knowledge which our minds cannot yet bear. This is an example of how we, too, should behave in our interactions with people whom we can only, as yet, share just a portion of our own insights.

“Also, I would like to remind you that even if the contribution of a young soul, who is just beginning its path of development and service, is not great — this contribution is still very valuable! It is always a Joy in the subtlest worlds! This is like the happiness of a father and a mother watching the first independent steps, the first smiles, or the first words of their child.

“Undeveloped persons often laugh at that which exists beyond their comprehension. Therefore, when participating in discussions at the Olympics, do not strive to give people more knowledge than they are prepared to receive! Instead, be in everything, winning or conceding, examples worthy of imitation and respect!”

… Diantha asked Pythagoras a question:

“Why aren’t women allowed to compete or even watch?”

“I hope that someday this injustice will be abolished! And I am firmly convinced that in the future the beautiful feminine will delight spectators not only in marble statues, but also in sports competitions!

“And today, dear beauties, we ourselves will start this! All who wish to do so may take part in a training run. Let there be joy and freedom for beauty, and for harmony! I will come to watch!”

… One of the newly arrived guests asked:

“Tell us, Pythagoras, what do you think: are the Olympic Games generally good? After all, they develop the very desire to be the best! Is this good?”

“I think they are good. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be preparing to take part. The mere rule of stopping all internecine wars for the duration of the Olympic Games is worth noting as a spiritual achievement of the human community.

“The beauty of naked and harmoniously developed bodies always arouses admiration. Multitudes gather to behold the celebration of the beauty and power of the body, in which there is the initial manifestations of the beauty and power of the soul.

“I praise inner beauty, considering the beauty of the soul immeasurably more valuable than outer beauty. We are now learning to unite the beauty, harmony and strength of the body — with the harmony and strength of the purified soul.

“The body is born, matures, grows old, and dies.

“The soul grows, blossoms, and gains wisdom and experience. It takes all this with it.

“What the body has acquired is temporary and perishable. What the soul has learned and gained is everlasting!

“By training the body, athletes achieve great success in lifting weights, in running fast, in throwing the discus. Such exercises multiply bodily strength. But in this process, a person’s mental qualities are also transformed, and the will and strength of the soul are increased.

“In the same way that one trains the muscles of the body, one can also train the mind in meditation.

“Enormous possibilities then unfold before the soul! Through such training, one can cultivate beauty, refinement, strength of the soul, the ability to see in non-material worlds, and the ability to hear the advice of the Divine Teachers!

“Willpower is a great instrument! But the intentions of the soul must be properly defined and aimed. They have to be in harmony with beautiful goals and the Divine Will!

“Only then will a person be given the Higher Power for the realization of necessary things. Such a Power comes from the Great Ocean of Wisdom, Power, and Universal Love. This Power merges with the will and power of the developed soul and serves only for the good of the Whole!”

… The listeners were in silence for a long time after the end of this talk. Pythagoras filled the space with a special state of Tranquility from which no one wanted to leave.

Later, after Pythagoras’ talk, while the participants of the race were getting ready, Ariadne came up to Konstantinos and asked:

“Konstantinos, are you planning to take part in the race?”

“No, let it be entertainment for our young people. I’m waiting for Hamilcar to arrive. He promised that after the Olympics he would give me a vessel to travel to the Euxine Sea and to explore those places — for the sake of creating a branch of the School, similar to the one Hamilcar himself created. My time has come!

“In Carthage, they build very sturdy vessels for long sea voyages. Hamilcar sails here in two vessels, both of which will be used to travel to Elis on the island of Peloponnesus for the participants in the Olympics. And afterwards, one of the vessels will be at my disposal, and Hamilcar and his disciples will return on the other.”

“Are you going away for good?”

“Yes, perhaps, I am. I agree that it is hard right now to imagine how to create everything in foreign lands, and how to live every day without seeing the Master… Of course, we will be able to communicate as souls without bodies, but this… — is a bit different.

“I don’t know how my path will turn out according to the Higher Will.

“By the way, see: Hamilcar, after so many years, now has the happiness of seeing Pythagoras again!”

“Who will go with you?”

“We have not discussed this yet… No one else in our group is ready to part with Pythagoras: they still have time to learn from personal communication with him…”

“But are you ready?”

“I hope so! I accepted the task, and I understand that it is important to carry it out right now.

“Those who have received initiation into the Highest Degree are no longer guided in life by even their purest desires; instead, they fulfill their duty before God and people. Pythagoras said that what we manage to create now will have significance and bear fruit in future ages. The places where we create branches of the School will become spiritual oases in difficult future eras of Earth’s history. But I cannot see that far into the future…

“And I shouldn’t try to see the future, but to create it!”

“Is Hamilcar planning to compete?”

“It is possible that he is carrying a quadriga for the chariot race. He is not a Greek, so he cannot compete in running or wrestling. But he could take part in the chariot race. For this, the quadriga must belong to a Greek; and so, it would be enough for him to name the owner as one of ours whose Greek origin is unquestionable.

“He even might choose not to compete himself. I understand that the Olympics now is only a pretext for his arrival, and his tasks are quite different.”