Theos-Talk Archives (May 1996 Message tl00397)

Eldon; You have raised some very fundamental and important questions. As a
start, may be each one of us can respond by stating what Universal
Brotherhood means to them and how it relates in a practical way to the
upliftment of our fellow humans. Out of this exchange of ideas may come a
better understanding of the multi-faceted aspects of Universal Brotherhood.
I completely agree that none of the ideas can be enforced on anybody using
any external means. Each one of us have to understand what it means to us
and implement it every minute of our daily life.

        ...doss




At 11:28 PM 5/6/96 -0400, you wrote:
>Doss:
>
>[writing to JRC]
>
>>It does not take a genius or learned pundit to open their eyes
>> and see what is going on around the world. There is continual
>>wars of all kinds going on. People kill other people for politics,
>>religion, nationalism, you name it. Look at all the refugees all
>>over the world. Look also at the exploitation that goes in various
>>facets of all our lives. Greed and corruption and exploitation of
>>those who really need to be protected and cared for by those who
>>are with more knowledge etc.
>
>You're right and stating the obvious when you mention the
>warfare, greed, corruption, and exploitation that exists in
>the world. And the world would be a better place if we could
>help to eliminate them. But you avoid the question of what
>is the doctrine of "Universal Brotherhood" and how does it
>fit in with the other theosophical doctrines. And also avoided
>is the question of how *all* the doctrines apply to making
>the world a better place.
>
>We need peace, self-control in our needs, honesty, and a
>willingness to treat people fairly. These and many other
>moral, ethical qualities are needed if our world is to
>improve. But the ability to understand and practice ethics
>is something that arises *from within*, and not imposed
>externally by some social or political program. The need
>to externally impose some minimal socially-acceptable
>behavior is only needed for criminals, misfits, the mentally
>ill, or people otherwise unable to make the grade and be
>an ordinary, contributing member of society.
>
>>An ounce of application of Universal Brotherhood will go a
>>long way.
>
>A better term would be "a conscious practice of the
>bodhisattva vow would go a long way." We're expected
>to rise above our selfish natures and to be of benefit
>to other sentient beings.
>
>>Can one person solve all world's problems. Certainly
>>not. Can each one of us do something about it in our
>>own lives. Yes we can. If more and more of us
>>become sensitive to these issues with Universal Brotherhood
>>as the backbone, then gradually we can exponentially affect
>>all those with whom we come into contact in our daily life
>>as well as not be involved in any activity which
>>is hurtful from the point of Universal Brotherhood.
>
>I agree with all you've said here. But since there are
>many ideas and implications behind the doctrine of "Universal
>Brotherhood", like compassion, service to others, harmlessness,
>etc., we need to explore what it is, and not remain
>satisfied to let it remain an inarticulate keyword or phrase.
>
>>Am I crying in the wilderness? May be? If we do not recognize
>>the idea of Universal Brotherhood, then what are our goals
>>and how are they going to affect other living beings?
>
>You're not crying in the wilderness. But you may feel more
>alone than you need to be, if you fail to recognize the
>same approach to bettering the world carried on by others
>under a different banner.
>
>>This is a question each one of us can ask and try to find
>>an answer.
>
>It comes back to a very basic question: How can I be of the
>best benefit to life, to all sentient beings? Some people
>may find it appropriate to study, meditate, and deal with
>small numbers of people they meet in their day-to-day lives.
>Others may feel drawn to grander plans that grab the attention
>of millions of people. Which is better? Neither -- any
>approach that is true to one's best judgment and conscience
>is equally appropriate and good to the world. We need, I
>think, to leave behind that narrowness of mind that would
>say: "Here is my way to make the world better, and if you
>won't follow it and do as I say, you are a bad person,
>selfish, and lacking in compassion for others!" Instead,
>we need greater sensitivity to our own inner calling.
>
>-- Eldon
>
>