Theos-Talk Archives (December 2003 Message tt00378)

Dec 27, 2003

Re Community morals and practical living as brothers and
sisters.


Dear Friend:

All communities that are based on, and where the associates or members
apply BROTHERHOOD as a basis for living together -- or, hopefully, the
rest of the world, are following in some way or another the THEOSOPHICAL
ideal.

It starts with our outlook towards life and ourselves as one who is
indissolubly a part of the world community -- not just humanity, but of
every being that lives and participates in interactive cooperative
support.  

This is not spelled out clearly in educational curricula. But, it
starts with the deathless, ever moving intelligence of the "atom," and
from there pursues a steady growing till the independence of a Mind" is
reached as an important "moment of choice" for each Individual thinker.


One ought to consider the growth of the mind as well as the changes in a
physical form as an index of change in intelligence and a growth of
communal responsibility -- as may be enclosed in the word-idea of
"brotherhood." 

Communities are made up of individuals. The Individual assists and
inevitably helps frame the community in all cases. Brotherhood is an
inner attitude of mind and of emotions controlled by the mind set on
acting and being an IMMORTAL -- temporarily resident in a mortal form
or body. 

If this sounds utopian, it is. The Universe shows more evidence of
cooperation than of competition in its many interlaced support systems.
But Brotherhood, even if it is the thrust of a universal law, cannot be
an imposition from "outside." It is always an inner attitude of
mind-intelligence, and is supervised solely by the inner person.
Example: What causes atoms to aggregate, form molecules, cells, and
other structures that may be used by some central intelligence for its,
and their mutual benefit ? What causes conflict pain and sorrow? 

Is there an actuality and a logic to "Karma" (the law of
cause/effect/cause) -- a progressive chain to be seen acting everywhere
in all relationships? How is this brought to an end? Are there steps
that can be taken (as in a community) to achieve this as volunteers
accrue to the embodiment of a common ideal? Is it possible that
"reincarnation" is a fact, and the "soul/spirit" in Man is an actual
fact? Can this be demonstrated? Finally is there evidence that there are
Men who embody IDEALS? 

Humanity is at a pass where for the time being there is a vast conflict
between those who sense the universal thrust of all life as a "giving of
ones' self," and the intense selfishness of those who seek to amass as
much of life's bounty as they can -- even if it means denial and
suffering to others. It is a moral affair and ought to be looked on as
such.

In The KEY TO THEOSOPHY H P B has much to say about this attitude as
both a practical and an ideal one for Theosophists to adopt. 

Does it mean reeducating the world? Not much. In fact all great
religions embody these ideals, but rarely explain them in detail. One
of the missions of Theosophy is to show these actually exist. It
encourages our seeking for, and then proving them to ourselves. 

Yes a community already exists, in fact it never goes away -- it is
humanity: the Family of Man. We join it the moment we extend our hand
of friendship to anyone else and say "Brother," or "Sister." But we
ought not expect a return in kind as an immediate response. It will
come, at its own time, but especially do we note the cases where a
"Need" is apparent, and succor and help are given without preliminaries.


Best wishes,

Dallas

==========================

-----Original Message-----
From: Susan G
Sent: Saturday, December 27, 2003 6:06 AM
To: study@blavatsky.net
Subject: Re: Theosophical Movement


broadly on the subject of the "Movement"

I wonder if anybody knows of any COMMUNITY of people run according to
the principles put forward in the Teachings?

I am interested in the establishment of such a community...and have not
long
returned from an experimental form of such a set up. While we work on
our
individual dynamics and harmonics, there is a very intertesting new area
of
group endeavour starting to emerge...something as yet I feel untried
other
than in the Himalayan Ashrams. Up until now most of us have not yet
reached
the appropriate level of individual integration to begin to participate
in a
group in fully individualised cooperative unity.....but the doors are
opening I feel.

Anybody interested?

May 2004 be full of evolutionary opportunity for aus all.

Susan

CUT