Forgotten Roots

by Karol Kolbusz

  Contrary to what some misinformed individuals tend to think, the doctrine of the four cyclic ages does not imply fatalism and passive submission to the cosmic laws. The popular sentiment that we can do nothing about the current situation is false. Kali Yuga, the age of greatest decay and degeneracy, is actually the perfect time for heroes. It is still possible to arrange our lives in such a way that the poisonous trends of modernity do not compromise our inner constitution. Attaining peace and common understanding in the Golden Age was effortless, but it is now that we are in most desperate need of exceptionally talented, courageous, and noble-hearted defenders of dharma. How can they successfully oppose modernity? First of all, such individuals must accept reality as it is, without false hopes and delusions. We have to realize that today, as we speak, things are going downhill. The truth about the modern world is bitter (many politicians are deliberately trying to hide it from us), but it is necessary to acknowledge it if we want to achieve something meaningful. Secondly, we need to acquire proper self-knowledge, identify our weaknesses and improve ourselves accordingly. How can we change the world if we don’t even know what kind of inner forces drive our actions? To begin making progress in this area, I would recommend studying ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, coupled with daily meditation. For example, the writings of the Stoics are good for self-improvement, while Plato’s dialogues can sharpen our intellect. Secondly, let us not forget about keeping our bodies in good shape and health. Thirdly, it is crucial to ground our lives in authentic spiritual tradition. Sadly, due to the effect of time and the destructive impact of Abrahamic religions, many beliefs of the ancient Indo-Europeans (especially in Europe) are now partially lost to us. However, thanks to the tireless efforts of scholars and archaeologists, every new year brings advancement in this field. We can practice spirituality not only by the means of widening our understanding of ancient scriptures, performing sacrifice and praying to the gods, but also through vigorous and mindful action in the world. Finding the practical application of the dharmic laws certainly appeals to the active mind of the European man, though we must remember not to neglect the equally important former aspect of spirituality. More information on these three steps can be found in the subsequent essays.

  Everyone must find their own path, as people have different talents and capabilities. My book is intended to act as a manual for those individuals who genuinely wish to make a real change in the world and who want to know how to defend themselves against the omnipresent corruption and decay. Although I humbly recognize that my work is certainly not an exhaustive study of the topics in question, it is written with the intention to inspire my readers to protest against the ongoing crisis of modernity by taking appropriate and decisive action.

  ***

  It was a gloomy November afternoon. Dark clouds hung over the bleak grey hills. An elderly Danish woman was raking fallen leaves in the garden behind her cottage. She wore a brown kerchief about her grey hair. A short walk down the road from her garden there was an apple orchard in which a young girl was picking up the autumnal windfalls lying on the cold, damp ground. The cool air flushed her small, graceful hands. A little while later, both the woman and the girl came back to the cottage. The apples from the orchard were used to make a warm fruit beverage. They sat by the windowsill, slowly sipping the comforting liquid warmth inside their glasses. And then the rain came, blurring the sombre scenery of leafless trees and empty fields. In spite of the ubiquitous gloom that fell upon the hills, a single patch of celestial blueness, peering timidly through the ocean of grey, brought a promise of spring and rebirth.

  Such is the nature of the eternal natural way reflected in our ancestral traditions. The concentrated efforts of those who wish to turn dharma upside down remain fruitless, for the ever-victorious Sun of Truth cannot be ultimately concealed, no matter how many times it is beclouded with lies, perversion, and devolution. It has always been and will ever be, so long as the world turns.

  ON ENTHUSIASM

  The Greeks have given us one of the most beautiful words of our language, the word "enthusiasm" – a God within. The grandeur of the acts of men are measured by the inspiration from which they spring. Happy is he who bears a God within.

  – Louis Pasteur

  It is so hard to find genuine joy and excitement in the modern world. Let us take an imaginary trip to a nearby city. What do we see? The streets are filled with numb, characterless faces that reflect neither sadness nor joy. In overcrowded trams and buses, people are coming home from joyless, purposeless jobs. If they ever feel enthusiasm, they feel an alienated form of it, ignited through the artificial joys of watching team sports, eating tasty food, shopping or waiting for a new season of their favourite TV show. It is often repeated that we live in exciting and colourful times, but what does this really mean? It means that we are continually bombarded and flooded with millions of useless, brain-muddling pieces of propaganda that appeal to the lowest instincts in man.

  The word “enthusiasm” originates from the ancient Greek énthous, which means “possessed or inspired by a god”. In the traditional world, nearly every act of artistic creativity drew inspiration from what is divine and sacred. The most beautiful and visually stimulating paintings and sculptures were directly inspired by religion and mythology (with very few exceptions). Whether we look at the majestic faces of Greek gods sculpted by Phidias, Emil Doepler's epic illustrations of Norse deities, or dream-like depictions of Aryan Hyperborea masterfully crafted by Vsevolod Ivanov, we can feel that these artists were guided by something higher and more powerful than themselves. Contrarily, what can we expect from art produced in a godless, utterly materialistic world? Ugliness; moral and aesthetic turpitude embodying the sheer, perpetual emptiness of the modern man. The soullessness of contemporary art cannot arouse real enthusiasm in our hearts, nor can it enhance our best qualities.

  What we need is not merely a new artistic current that would reflect these higher ideals, but a complete overthrow of the contemporary cultural order (or, rather, disorder), a revolution in the way that modern society functions. The key to restoring enthusiasm among our kinsmen lies in planting seeds of hope, depth, and beauty in every little thing we do. For example, the joy of boundless, romantic love sounds to modern ears more like an idealised emotional state from a fairy tale. As a matter of fact, there is nothing stopping us from reaching a state of near perfection in human relationships. People are scared of perfection to such an extent that they deny the possibility of attaining it. Let us cast aside the fear of failure. Let us stand up against the flooding waves of mediocrity and degeneracy. Let our goodness, excellence, and courage shine brightly with the strength of a thousand suns.

  Much wisdom can be found in ancient scriptures and books of the days gone by. J. R. R. Tolkien’s works can ignite motivation and hope in our daily struggles. Indeed, the fundamental issues we face today resemble the War of the Ring. Against all odds, the forces of Men, Dwarves, and Elves engage in a conflict with servants of the Red Eye and the White Hand. The situation seems quite hopeless but thanks to the extraordinary heroism of characters like Frodo, Gandalf, and Aragorn, the free peoples of Middle-earth eventually win the war and thrive afterwards. Many of you are likely already aware that Tolkien drew much of his inspiration from the mythologies and epic poems of the classical world. I would recommend everyone to read excerpts from such texts every morning and evening. Instead of vacantly gazing into the hypnotizing abyss of the television screen, let us seek daily advice in the Bhagavad Gita, The Republic, Hávamál or Enchiridion. Instead of aimlessly scrolling through our social media feed, let us meditate in silence for a while, in order to reconnect with the greatest possible source of enthusiasm.

  Bitterness and pessimism used to be almost exclusively associated with the elderly, who have experienced enough disappointments and horrors in their long lives. But today the lack of enthusiasm affects all age groups. It is prevalent even among the youngest of teenagers! There are multiple reasons for
this. For a very long time now we have been lacking both spiritual and political leaders. We have been lacking good and positive role models who could elevate our entire society with their firmness, unwavering courage, and moral uprightness. How can our youngest generation feel hopeful about anything, when the world is ruled by talentless, half-naked pop stars, inauthentic spiritual gurus, and unqualified, corrupt political leaders, who endlessly echo the hollow slogans of peace and equality? How can our children grow into mature and psychologically healthy adults if they are literally nursed by Hollywood and MTV? The poisonous influence of these (and many other) companies on young people’s development should not be underestimated. The mainstream media are filled to the brim with anti-traditionalist propaganda. Contemporary film directors’ obsession with creating characters of blunt, strong, independent women and passive, effeminate men is one example of how confusion regarding gender roles is planted in the minds of the young. There is much more to be said on the entertainment industry, but it would exceed the confines of this work to discuss those issues in detail.

  All things considered, the elites want us to live a life devoid of any meaning other than making money. Their long-term goal is to convince us that we are nothing more than soulless, random pieces of cosmic debris. This is the reason for an excessive promotion of the ideologies of the flesh and the matter. Contrary to what Marxists believe, the material body is only a small and least significant part of the complex, multi-dimensional constitution of man. The literal reduction of a person to flesh and bones is a modern aberration, non-existent in traditional societies. The ancient Scandinavian tradition can serve as a good illustration of the traditional point of view: it distinguishes between lyke (physical body), hamr (the astral body), hugr (mind), and öðr (soul). Similar distinctions existed in all ancient Indo-European cultures, with the Vedanta having the most sophisticated and profound explanation of human nature[3]. Furthermore, there was also a doctrine of transmigration of souls (metempsychosis), taught widely from Ireland to India. In Europe, Celtic druids and the Pythagoreans were strong adherents of these teachings. The belief in reincarnation was intricately connected with the law of karma, which stressed the impact of ethically or unethically motivated actions on the shape of our future lives. Though ancient Greeks and Romans didn't use the term karma, their literature (especially Greek tragedy plays such as Aeschylus' Oresteia) indicates sophisticated convictions about supra-human justice, guilt, and fate.

  Although life in all traditional cultures was not devoid of pain, death, and loss, it provided easily accessible tools and strategies for transforming our existence into something truly joyful and meaningful. The purpose of traditions, customs, and rituals (originating from above, and revealed to mankind by venerable sages) was to remind us of our divine part (öðr/atman) and to help us limit our toxic attachment to physical body and false ego – the main sources of misery, greed, lust, envy, and egocentrism. The coryphaei of progress have lied to us when they claimed that the death of religion will liberate mankind. The current state of affairs proves that the opposite is true. It is clear that people have never been unhappier than they are now, in this secular and highly materialistic society. In such a world, even complex diseases such as depression are perceived in purely physicalistic[4] terms. What was formerly characterized as a failure to answer positively to one of the most important philosophical questions (what is the meaning of my life?), coupled with an overwhelming sense of sadness and emptiness, is now just a chemical imbalance in the brain! Those who rule the world create artificial living conditions that induce nothing but misery, and then try to alleviate that unhappiness by offering us equally artificial remedies.

  We, radical traditionalists, believe that it is our sacred duty to thwart their insidious and baneful attempts at undermining the health and strength of our culture. Henceforth, we declare a metapolitical war against modern superficiality, hopelessness, and degeneracy. Let our brilliant, divine-inspired acts of beauty, honour, and courage break the thick, dark ice of the Kali Yuga. Let the Sun of Tradition slant upon the darkness of the modern world, just like the apricity of the winter sun brings warmth and hope to our slumbering hearts, deeply yearning for springtime.

  Aurë entuluva! Day shall come again!

  ON COMFORT

  Barbarism is the natural state of mankind. Civilization is unnatural. It is a whim of circumstance. And barbarism must always ultimately triumph.

  – Robert E. Howard

  A Swedish girl called Ida was reading a book at her desk. The mellow light of the lamp filled the room with a tranquil cosiness. The young lady was drinking a cup of coffee flavoured with a pinch of cinnamon and a spoon of honey. She was wearing a red, hand-knitted sweater made of wool. The pleasant warmth of her room contrasted sharply with the relentless downpour outside the window. The rain was pounding upon the roof like a hammer upon a nail. A moment later, Ida looked up from the book and gazed longingly at the water drops running down the window pane. Her cloudless blue eyes reflected a celestial softness and innocence. A strong sense of safety soothed her mind. Although Ida usually tolerated severe weather conditions very well, she was feeling thankful for having a warm and comfortable room to stay in.

  ***

  Had it not been for comfort, our species would not have survived. In the first years of our lives, we are protected and nurtured by motherly love. We share our daily experiences, joys, and worries with family members and friends, whose presence greatly shapes our thoughts and actions. We gather around the hearth to warm ourselves up in front of the flickering flames. We spare no effort to make our bedrooms as cosy as possible, in order to get restful sleep. In every national cuisine, we can find examples of so-called comfort food which is consumed to reduce stress and to enhance our mental well-being. The morning cup of coffee with its refreshing qualities is a crucial part of many people’s daily routine. In the summertime, air conditioning removes heat and moisture from inside houses. Umbrellas protect us from autumnal rains. During cold winter evenings, we put on warm sweaters, treat ourselves with hot drinks, and insulate our homes with carpets and curtains.

  Thanks to modern technological advancements, we can traverse great distances in cars, trains, and planes. The Internet allows us to communicate with people from all over the world. On-demand services make it possible to enjoy our favourite music and movies in the comfort of our beds whilst eating a delicious pizza delivered right to our door. Provided we have enough money, most of our whimsical desires and wild fantasies can be satisfied in the blink of an eye. Advanced security systems protect our properties against burglars and unwelcome guests. What would have been the reaction of an Iron Age Celtic chieftain if he had been informed that in the 21st century an average citizen is able to live in the lap of luxury? This luxury and material affluence would have been unimaginable even to the wealthiest kings and queens of the past.

  One example of how the yearning for an ever-increasing comfort level manifests itself in the modern world is our contemporaries’ obsession with cars. Walking is no longer fashionable. Walking is a waste of time, they say. Fewer and fewer children walk or cycle to school, most are driven there by their parents. The sight of faithful Christians going to church on foot in order to attend Sunday Mass can no longer be taken for granted. Even a short stroll to the nearby grocery store has been replaced by a shorter car ride. In every aspect of human life, we can see that the modern man has accepted to live under the reign of convenience out of his own volition.

  But do we really need so much comfort? What are the long-term consequences of living in maximum comfort? Can the complete absence of pain and discomfort make us happier? Growing number of lifestyle diseases (otherwise known as diseases of affluence) proves that we have forgotten about something important in our blind pursuit of materialistic happiness. The lack of exercise, too much stress, an unhealthy diet, and little or no exposure to non-artificial environments lower our natural immunity, thus increasing the risk of obesity, heart disease, ca
ncer, diabetes, and allergies.

  ***

  A great host of vapour ghosts occupied the steep slopes of the mountain, obscuring its naked, slumbering beauty. The loudness of unheard murmurings echoed throughout the glens and hills, altering their halcyon greenery into the uncanny presence of a burial mound.

  In the misty greyness of a late October afternoon, amidst heather enshrouded in dew, a dim figure could be seen in the distance. A hooded person trod through bare and quiet, yet sorrowful moorlands. The air was heavy with chill dampness, brought by the northern wind from the Orkney Islands. Although the wayfarer was wrapped up in a thick brat made of deerskin, he was shivering in a patchy drizzle, just like a prematurely buried man, who suddenly awakes from his cataleptic slumber in the middle of a cold winter night. The mysterious wanderer had blue checked trousers, fastened by an intricately decorated belt worn around the waist. The belt supported a sword scabbard. In his hand – a willow staff. So he marched on, in the growing semi-darkness of a dead Caledonian autumn.

  ***

  In Classical Antiquity, daily life was a struggle for survival. The scarcity of food, simpler living conditions, frequent wars, and the lack of sophisticated protection against serious illnesses and severe weather conditions, forced people to step out of their comfort zones. Most of the ancient Indo-European religions and philosophical systems encourage us to perceive discomfort and struggle as ideal opportunities for self-improvement and spiritual growth. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says to his devotee Arjuna that those who are deeply attached to bhog (gratification) and aiśhwarya (luxury), are blind to the divine aspect of life[5]. The Stoic philosophers stress the importance of pursuing voluntary discomfort and the delay of immediate gratification. We can only appreciate the comfort of a warm bed and hot shower after a few weeks spent on strenuous hiking, sleeping in the wilderness, and washing our body in chilly streams and lakes. Likewise, we will never recognize the full worth of drinking water, until we end up on a sun-scorched desert, where the only relief is a misleading mirage of an oasis. However, the key to the gates of wisdom lies neither in a life full of hedonistic pleasures nor in rigorously abstinent asceticism. What we should seek is a sense of balance, and the essence of balance is moderation in detachment. In the following paragraphs, I shall explain how we can find the golden mean between comfort and discomfort.