Theos-Talk Archives (June 1999 Message tt00087)

> << >  "In such a great work as this Movement no one should expect to find
his
>  >  associates all congenial, intuitive, prudent or courageous.  One of
the
>  >  first proofs of self-mastery is when one shows that he can be kind and
>  >  forbearing and genial with companions of the most dissimilar
characters
>  and
>  >  temperaments.  One of the strongest signs of retrogression when one
shows
>  >  that he expects others to like what he likes and act as he acts.  You
>  know
>  >  whom of you the cap fits."
>  >
>  >  Words to live by -- don't you think?
>  >  Nicholas
>
> Hi Nicholas,
>
> In essence I couldn't agree with you more, what you describe is the way
> things SHOULD work. The masters comments are all about the way things
OUGHT
> to work. However, what gets manifested on the physical plane is rampant
> ignorance of spiritual laws and the comforting safety of modern
"clique-ism."
> The clique not only "expects" its members to like what everyone else
likes,
> etc., but rewards them for it. As a matter of fact, individuals who are
> against that standard, often get punished for it.
> I am not talking about just teenage subculture groups here, but "in
groups"
> of every kind. Domestic, educational, social, occupational, political, all
> have their "good old boy" cliques. And the expectation IS that everyone
will
> act the same and like the same things. All wear the "same hat" as it were.
It
> leaves one wondering what M would be saying about today's forms of
increased
> retrogression.
>
> Louis

Although the conscience has a much harder time influencing we moderns who
live within, so often, the vicious vapors of "civilization" -- it still can
touch us.  It is very much an individual conscience and I think the Master
was speaking only of the personal response, not the group.   But it is a
very difficult task.  Don't we all like, even prefer, to associate with
"like-minded" folks?  Universal Brotherhood in practice means not always
avoiding the uncongenial and seeking the congenial associates -- which
implies much more richness and even quarreling within a group.

Another Adept quote (which I do not have in front of me) says something like
"we are expand our sympathies, not contract them" as the years roll by.

Nicholas


-- THEOSOPHY WORLD -- Theosophical Talk -- theos-talk@theosophy.com

Letters to the Editor, and discussion of theosophical ideas and
teachings. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message consisting of
"subscribe" or "unsubscribe" to theos-talk-request@theosophy.com.