Theos-Talk Archives (December 2004 Message tt00382)

Thoughts on Brotherhood & Truth, ideals of Theosophy : 

Brotherhood : Brotherhood is a term which represents a relationship.
This relationship consists of the communing of brothers. Compassion
is experienced within that relationship. Respect for one another also
is descriptive of brotherhood. Acceptance of one another even though
there be differences, whether it refers to the physical body, the culture,
ideals, or the perspectives of the individual. Brotherhood unifies, brings 
together individuals into an aspect of oneness. Who participates in 
brotherhood? Is it not one who practices the meaning of brotherhood
versus one who only voices the statement "I am a brother and you are
my brother."? The individual who condemns another, whether it be 
towards one's appearance, culture, perspectives, or personal discernment
is not seen as expressing brotherhood. The acceptance and allowance 
for another to think freely expresses brotherhood. One does not need to
agree with another to accept another. Brothers have discussions and
share thoughts. Argueing and attempting to impose one's way of thought
upon another is not a defining or action of brotherhood.
Question : Why would an Adept or Master reveal his/her identity and
participate in an organization that proclaims brotherhood but does not 
practice it? Why would an Adept or Master reveal more knowledge to
that organization? Does a child run before it walks? Walk before
crawling? Until one practices what one knows and is successful, would
not the next step remain unrevealed? What use is more knowledge to one
who can not assimulate and put forth what is already known?
Truth : Truth is realized through personal discernment. Truth is not 
realized by one imposing upon another. Imposing upon another, insulting
another, offending another are all methods of distancing another from 
the Truths one may express. Who would wish to distance another from
Truth? The sharing and discussions done through the aspect of brotherhood
promotes personal discernment of Truths. Truths through personal
discernment are realized by each individual in their own time. Why push 
another? 
Below is an excerpt from a writing called A Threefold Path To Wisdom.

Seek Truth - Search for that which is true. Not only the truth in which you 
see, but the truth that others see. This entails many perspectives. Use an 
eye that is open, an ear that is open. In keeping yours open, you will also be 
open to the eye and ear of others. This allows for a greater range of truth 
to be recognized. Speak truth. In seeing, hearing, and speaking truth, you 
will touch upon the truth in it's fulness. If one were to see a shirt that is 
seen to be blue, and another says it is not blue; seek to find the truth in the
other's statement. If you can not see it, do not say "What you say is false", 
but instead, say "I do not see the truth in what you say". The latter 
response is a truer statement. The other, who said the shirt is not blue, could 
be seeing a truth also. He could be colorblind. Or he could be thinking that 
the shirt is reflecting blue light, giving it a blue appearance, while in actuality, 
the shirt is every color but blue. Blue is the only color the shirt is not, for 
every color is absorbed into it except that which is reflected and taken in by
the eye. There is truth in all things. Only by seeking the truth in all things, 
can you see the truth in all things. This is the sincere seeker of truth.
Seek not for what is false, for then you will be a seeker of that which 
is false. Your focus will be in the opposite direction of truth. You will 
become a knower of falsehoods instead of a knower of truth. Falsehoods
will overshadow truth, instead of truth overshadowing falsehoods. 


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