Theos-Talk Archives (March 1998 Message tt00074)

March 7th 1998

Dear Estrella:

I think that the whole world, and all its population represent a
vast Unit.  So "good," and "bad" are expressions of the opposites
in different points of view, and when carried into action can be
named again as opposites:  selfishness and unselfishness.  But
also, the individual 'points of view' are they not based on certain
universal and common laws and ideas -- some which are to be found
everywhere in the world ?

The "Unselfish point of view" is what everyone is expected to
behave when acting and thinking ideally.  It is IDEAL.  This is the
natural state of the Universe.  It is cooperative and friendly.

When, however, any "Self-centered ideas" arise in a person, then
there is a distortion, or a break in the evenness of feeling,
thought and action.  And, if this is carried to action in word or
act, then it can become evil as it may affect others in an
unfriendly, or aggressive manner.  Evil is always the result of
selfishness and a lack of proper and due care for others.  Evil is
breaking the "Golden Rule."  And therefore there is secrecy
connected with it, as very few desire that others should be aware
of their wrong doing.  And that is hypocrisy.

Secrecy in the matter of knowledge can be protective.  You do not
allow a child with a lighted candle to go into a gun-powder factory
!  To go there safely, there has to be a lot of safety knowledge to
be acquired before-hand.  So sometimes "secrecy" is only a way of
ensuring that the un-tutored are delayed until ready -- and, to
make ready, learning and teachings has to be acquired.

As I understand it, in theosophy, the application in daily life and
in all affairs of the rule of "brotherhood."  Those are to be first
acquired and must come as a pre-requisite.  In other words one has
to be entirely "harmless" to others at any time, and everywhere.
And that is for most of us a very difficult thing.  As I understand
it, reading and studying much, unless this is achieved one will
always be limited to some few ideas and teachings that are
relatively harmless.

One can imagine a lot, but most of the ideas and imaginings may be
very limited.  A robber may be very knowledgeable in engineering,
chemistry and physics, so that he can break open a safe by either
machine tools or by explosives.  The knowledge of how to use those
things is easily available.  But when they are used to take
something away from the rightful owner and put it dishonestly into
the hands of another, then that knowledge is abused and ought not
to be available to all who ask for it.  I use this as an
illustration of what I sense is a universal fact that all who live,
sense instinctively.

These are not new ideas, but are very old ones, I think.

Look at the way in which the various countries around the world
establish the "laws" under which they believe that all people,
their citizens, and their visitors, should act.  They embody the
"10 Commandments" of Jesus, in one way or another.  I could visit
you in Ensenada and not know either how to understand, read or
write Spanish, or know anything about the statutory Laws of Mexico,
and yet, if I behave in a decent manner, I will not get into
trouble with your laws or the people there.  So too, if and when
you visit us here, or go anywhere, if we behave as brothers and
friends, we will not get into trouble with the local "laws.".

I am trying to say that the general rule of common decency and
morality extends everywhere in all countries in the same way.  The
complexities of human law arise when clever people try to break
those rules and escape the just consequences by finding "escape
holes" in the written laws.

This does not make them better people, or more moral, it merely
means that they abuse their mind faculty to escape justice--for a
while.  They do not realize that Karma, the great and universal
law, always acts whether human law is able to work or not, and
whether one does evil deeds in secrecy, or openly.  There is quite
a lot written in theosophical literature  on this subject of
inescapable Karma, if you wish to find some of those statements, I
will be glad to send some of them to you that I have found.

Honesty, and knowledge, are always to be matters of discrimination.
And discretion is the sign of wisdom -- when things should be used
rightly, is it not ?  Hypocrisy is wrong from anyone or any source.

            I hope this is of some use,
                                                Best wishes,

Dallas