Theos-Talk Archives (May 1996 Message tl00391)

Liesel:

>>The idea of "universal brotherhood", under whatever
>>sanitized words we want to call it, *is a doctrine*.

>Eldon, Annie Besant says it's a fact, and I think if one
>looks around with an intuitive eye, one comes to
>the conclusion that she's right on.

But it is a "fact" in the same sense as compassion and
the bodhisattva ideal is, as reincarnation and karma,
as the unity of life, as the other planes of existence,
as the nature and workings of consciousness are.

The doctrine of "Universal Brotherhood" is not any
different than that of, say, "karma". We can have an
empty slogan, lacking in understanding and practical
application in life, or we can have as deep an
understanding of it as any of the other doctrines or
mystery teachings.

I'd like to hear the how and why and what of "Universal
Brotherhood", here some of the thought and insight
into it by its strongest advocates. This would be
something more than soup kitchens, political slogans,
a scolding that we need better harmony and respect
among people, a reminder of the golden rule, etc.
It's not that any of these things is wrong or trivial,
but it should certainly be possible to bring to this
doctrine the same depth of understanding as we can
find with the other pivotal doctrines of life.

-- Eldon