Brotherhood

Wisdom Teachings
The Basics
The Kingdom of God

If someone has a well-organised life - a good financial basis, a good family, social recognition, a place in society with a good profession and job - this is certainly an outer expression of a well-organised personality. However, it is not a measure used by the Masters of Wisdom. Their measure is the extent to which we, with a competent and well-organised personality, are significant for the life around us. Our development cannot be measured by our own knowledge and competence. It is expressed through our growth in love for the surroundings and our fellow human beings and through the extent to which we are committed to the welfare of our surroundings.

According to the Masters of Wisdom, growth means the development from personality to loving impersonality. The Hierarchy is interested in personalities who have acquired knowledge and rhythm and who offer their abilities for the well-being of the surrounding life. They are seen as transmitters of Light. When we are lovingly impersonal, our personality becomes transparent. The divine gives us abilities, knowledge and the corresponding Light so that we can bring them into the environment. When we are focused only on ourselves, we personalise the Light that comes to us. We also personalise our knowledge and abilities. This is self-interest; we work for our own benefit.

In each incarnation we have new bodies, but the personalities remain the same for a long time. An initiate knows exactly how we will react under given circumstances. Our personalities make us different from each other. Until the personality becomes soft, adaptable and mouldable, aligned with the soul and transmitting the Light, we cannot enter into the brotherhood of souls. Our personality is slowly transformed when we take care of the concerns, suffering and needs of others and when we serve, regardless of whether it is comfortable or fun for us, whether we gain or lose something. We live the spirit of brotherhood and love by caring for other beings.

As we come closer to the Light, our disagreements diminish. We move from disagreement to agreement and friendship. There is no rejection in love, kindness and brotherhood. Kindness and friendship are keys to brotherhood and they bring joy. We need not look for joy, for he who is kind is full of joy. Maitreya suggests to us: “Develop universal friendship and kindness.”

Brotherhood is a much-used word. It is used more than it is practised and it is often used incorrectly. There is hardly any brotherhood between natural brothers, and for the groups brotherhood usually remains only a concept and an ideal that is far from being realised. As long as likes and dislikes persist in a group, there can be no brotherhood. With the following questions we can check whether we are fraternal in our group and whether we are suitable to be part of a brotherhood:

‘Do we criticise other members behind their backs? Are we consultative in relation to group activities? Do we let others understand our actions? Do we find fault with others or do we talk it out to eliminate mistakes and miscomprehensions? Do we doubt our fellow members? Do we have willingness to co-operate? Do we defend our fellow members and support them in the society at large?’

If we are not living up to expectations, it is advisable to consider how we can transform our attitudes rather than adapting the teachings of the Hierarchy for ourselves. The teachings are all interwoven. If we try to eliminate something we are uncomfortable with, the other teachings will also be eliminated. All the teachings are only one; they are only seemingly many. They are like pearls in a necklace; if we cut out one pearl, the other pearls will also fall off.

As members of a group, we are to strive for brotherhood and subordinate our personal views to the common good. Brotherhood is the highest state of a person who is cultivated in the true sense, and it is the most sublime aspect of Hierarchy. The Hierarchy stands behind us as a great strength when we strive for brotherhood and are willing to forget our Self in service.

The degree of our consciousness is measured by our ability to form a group, to hold it together and to lead a group activity in which a work of good will is realised. When a group is formed and a group work is conceived and together it is achieved, it is called ‘White Magic’. Through a collective work of the group members, the soul consciousness is better experienced. That is why today more and more relating to people is needed and gaining the understanding that the other is no other than the brother. This is brotherhood. If we do not feel a spirit of brotherhood even amidst a small group, how can we think of the brotherhood of humanity?

Human brotherhood arises when we feel: ‘I am a human being, you are a human being and we are all one’. It arises when we fraternise with everyone, without exception, and stand by other people. Those who fulfil this obligation are honoured in the subtle world. Human brotherhood or universal brotherhood is a reality when we witness the truth of the divinity inherent in the forms.

To live brotherhood in a group, we are to begin to function as souls, not as personalities. We are to become soul-infused personalities. The ability to connect as souls even within a group of 20, 30 or more people is crucial and as important as the knowledge required.

To produce right human relationships as a group, we need a sense of goodwill, vision of right relationships and a living organisation. The vision of the right group objectives and group relationships leads to the right organisation. It leads to connecting the group with other groups and to fusion to the greater whole. It doesn't matter whether we call it brotherhood or something else, it's about improving the common good.

Some people develop the feeling that a group is ‘their’ group. In this illusion, they extend their possessiveness to their group. This understanding needs to be enlarged through inclusion. There is only one group and it consists of all living beings. There is a common basis for all beings, the ‘Existence’, the ‘Brotherhood of all Beings’.

Brotherhood is a reality. It is a perception and a realisation that does not have to be brought about in any special way but happens to us. Existence and consciousness are the foundation of our existence. Existence is the Father; consciousness is the Mother. We all have the same Father and the same Mother. This is the foundation of the Universal Brotherhood, the Brotherhood of Beings. All beings are one, but the levels of awareness are different. Therefore, there are older and younger brothers in the brotherhood according to the level of consciousness.

Animals, plants and minerals are considered our younger brothers. We are to behave towards them as brothers, which means being mindful, taking care of them and not exploiting them to fulfil our desires. There are also older and younger people and this is decided by the level of consciousness. We should be especially compassionate towards those people who are younger in terms of their awareness.

The Masters of Wisdom and the Devas of the planetary, solar and cosmic planes are seen as the Elder Brothers. Towards them we take on the role of the younger brother who venerates them and shows them respect. Brotherhood is created by connecting with all, without exception, in a fraternal way. This is how we build right relationships with younger and older brothers.

To develop right relationships with humans, animals and plants, we can start with small things. When we turn our attention to our plants and give them water ourselves instead of commissioning others to do so, a lot of love develops within us. Conscious daily cooperation with all beings will lead us to fulfilment. In this state, we feel no difference in essence between one form of being and another.

This is the White Brotherhood, which aims for the common good in all their actions. Only the spirit of brotherhood makes contact with the White Brotherhood possible. What we do should be fair to all. This is called the One Law. It rules over all the laws of nature and over us when we maintain a state of balance and connection with the One Energy that lives within us all.

As truth seekers, the spiritual vision of what lies ahead awakens within us. We can recognise our brothers, the brothers in the making and also the new entrants. Our spiritual intuition will allow us to create thought forms and fill them up with spiritual will so that they continue to inspire over long years, even after our departure from the physical. Our creativity comes slowly in tune with the general plan of the White Brotherhood. ‘Hard and ceaseless is the work,’ says Master Djwhal Khul. With the third initiation we have learned to co-operate with the Plan of the Hierarchy.

Sources used: K.P. Kumar: The Teachings of Sanat Kumara. Dhanishta, Visakhapatnam, India (www.aquariusbookhouse.com)