Paranoia or Secret Examination?
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Uninitiated opinion:
I don't see why any "serious" organizations would need to observe you like this - "by their fruits ye shall know them." Also, who's to say I choose to act in public anything like I would choose to act in a setting where I'm really unlikely to be observed? I personally am like this, and I would expect any order to get a very different opinion of me depending on the circumstances.
Also: the overflowingly positive response you got from this woman sounds off. What could an organization possibly learn about your potential from watching you wander around the mall? "Man, the way he walks is so powerful, he must be destined for greatness! He passed the walking test!"
My advice would be to always keep a skeptical mind, which you seem to be doing - although this includes being skeptical that this is all coincidence.
I just personally can't understand why you would need to be observed FBI-style and what an order would need to do that for.
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Always beware of those that would flatter your ego with implications of "specialness". They seldom have your best interests at heart.
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Strike that: Always trust those who would flatter your ego with implications of "specialness". They usually have your best interests at heart.
Regarding Reuss, he wasn't trying to flatter Crowley. He was worried about his 'trade secret' being made public.
Flattery is not the same as compliments. Flattery is over the top. It's out-of-proportion with the quality being praised.
For example, why would anyone be 'rapturously anticipating' the 'great things' someone else might accomplish one day? If I heard a parent say that about their kid, I'd think they were delusional (unless they had just showed me something really amazing the kid had done).
Most telling is the reaction we get from the statement. Do we feel suddenly important or special? In your case, you're asking yourself in what ways you've excelled, and you remembering helping someone. I'm not downplaying your capabilities or actions, but since when is one human helping another something that would trigger 'rapturous anticipation'? People help each other every day.
That doesn't mean that your friend is being disingenuous. She might just be melodramatic in her choice of words. I've just found (through experience) that often people use the flattery to ingratiate themselves to you, and then try to co-opt your will.
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Every man and woman is a star with infinite potential.
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As Paul says, "One star differeth from another star in glory". The infinite comes from knowing that it doesn't matter when we don't see ourselves as separate.
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""One star differeth from another star in glory""
You do not see dictating your potential and self worth based on the admiration of the people as a folly against the self?
There are stars in the universe that shine so bright they remain unseen.
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You have misunderstood what I said.
The Self has infinite potential, not the personailty. The folly is to direct affirmations of infinite potential to a person's ego or persona, or to receive them with these parts of our mind.
I think we both know that telling a 17-year-old person that they are being watched and have excelled (which directly states a comparison with other stars), further elaborating with effusive language about a person's divine potential is - even if the intent is innocent, which I personally doubt - an unwise move.
It's not a doubt on anyone's potential, or even a claim that people should eschew praise. It's certainly impressive that Blythe took [his] probationer oath at 17 - I personally think it's really cool!
My advice was just from what I've seen. Effusive flatterers are often people to watch out for. Anyone is welcome to take it or leave it.
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My bad, I once had a female friend named Blythe, so I just assumed.
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I've had a few instances over the last few months where someone I don't know contacts me online through a social networking site and tries to fish for information by asking if they could join my secret order or asking which 'soul tribe' I belong to. Each time there was some flattery involved. Each time I would instantly get a feeling there was some falsity about the contact or a hidden motive but I was polite and played along yet didn't really answer their question. Instead I would be vague or ask questions back.
I also signed an oath the previous year and the thought did cross my mind that I was being tested. Hopefully it wasn't a test, not because I didn't give the answers the tester was looking for but because If it was a test, I'd think whoever was doing doing the testing could be a LOT more subtle.
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@Blythe A. Blanche said
"In general, how would one distinguish between someone who flatters for the sake of harm or in the best interest of the individual?"
Look him straight into the eyes. On the internet, it's best to remain sceptical.Those watchers seem like figments of imagination.
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All the paranoia on this thread amuses me... so I will add to it!
There might be a conspiracy surrounding me...
People are always taking pictures of me. Mostly alleged "tourists" and one too many attractive women with just a shot or two left of film that they do not want to waste.These agents are constantly interrupting my mediation. Throwing objects at me, leaving gifts, interrupting with weird questions like "Are you meditating?" "Hey man, can I get a cigarette?" "Are you a ninja?" "How long did you have to meditate till you could walk on water?"
Above this sentence I was sincere but not serious.
[Now I am being serious]
I do not think it is about you finding a teacher,
or a teacher finding you
You have to find each other -
Why so serious?
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There's a great lesson to be learned in using humor, especially to dispel confusion.
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^^^^
Indeed. A single quip can unload a lifetime of fear and despair.
"The lively, chipper Gemini
Wipes a tear from every eye."As for those dudes at the mall: probably just foreigners who happened to sample the local crack. No need to worry. Unless you've been making bombs in your garage, or cooking large batches of LSD, you probably have little to fear.
As for your friend, I'll have to agree with Avshalom: smells fishy. (And not in a good way.)
As regards initiatory confusion: take as a model the members of the Temple of Thelema. From these brethren I've felt neither pressure nor obligation, yet they've always been at arm's reach, ready to assist. Such are the marks of a true initiatory system: no lust to proselytize!