To Be Restrained, To Be
Liberal, To
Be Merciful, This Eliminates
Selfishness
Steven H. Levy
Steven H. Levy
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William Q. Judge (1851-1896)
“It is not thought that Utopia can be
established in a day; but through the
spreading of the idea of Universal Brotherhood,
the truth in all things may be discovered.”
(WQJ)
Regardless of one’s
race, creed, sex, condition, or affiliation, Theosophical or otherwise, a
Theosophist is engaged in the true service of humanity. What is the true service
of humanity?
Fortunately, we do not have to rely on any external
authority to know what is the right service of humanity. Such reliance would
only result in dissention and differences of individual opinion.
The best sources of inspiration may emerge in the
study of Theosophical teachings and literature. A fine example of a Theosophist
engaged in the true service of humanity is to be found in the life and work of
William Q. Judge (W.Q.J.).
In her first message to the American Theosophists in 1888,
H. P. Blavatsky credits the existence for the Theosophical Society in America
chiefly, if not entirely, on the sustained efforts of W.Q.J., and suggests that
the policy followed would be an admirable example for all. She wrote:
“Theosophy has lately taken a new start in America
which marks the commencement of a new Cycle in the affairs of the Society in
the West. And the policy you are now following is admirably adapted to give
scope for the widest expansion of the movement, and to establish on a firm basis
an organization which, while promoting feelings of fraternal sympathy, social
unity, and solidarity, will leave ample room for individual freedom and
exertion in the common cause - that of helping mankind.” [1]
The policy followed by W.Q.J., that would establish
the keynote for Theosophical work in America, was sounded in his editorial in
the first issue of “Path”, published in 1886. The magazine’s founders, he said
-
“…Have resolved to try on the one hand to point out to
their fellows a Path in which they have found hope for man, and on the other to
investigate all systems of ethics and philosophy claiming to lead directly to
such a path, regardless of the possibility that the highway may, after all, be
in another direction from the one in which they are looking. From their present
standpoint it appears to them that the true path lies in the way pointed out by
our Aryan forefathers, philosophers, and sages, whose light is still shining
brightly, albeit that this is now Kali Yuga, or the age of darkness ....”
And W.Q.J. added:
“The very first step in true mysticism and true
occultism is to try to apprehend the meaning of Universal Brotherhood, without
which the very highest progress in the practice of magic turns to ashes in the
mouth ....”
“We appeal, therefore, to all who wish to raise
themselves and their fellow creatures - man and beast - out of the thoughtless
jog trot of selfish everyday life. It is not thought that Utopia can be
established in a day; but through the spreading of the idea of Universal
Brotherhood, the truth in all things may be discovered. Certainly, if we all
say that it is useless, that such highly-strung, sentimental notions cannot
obtain currency, nothing will ever be done. A beginning must be made, and it
has been, by the Theosophical Society. Although philanthropic institutions and
schemes are constantly being brought forward by good and noble men and women,
vice, selfishness, brutality, and the resulting misery, seem to grow no less.
Riches are accumulating in the hands of the few, while the poor are ground
harder every day as they increase in number. Prisons, asylums for the outcast
and the magdalen, can be filled much faster than it is possible to erect them.
All this points unerringly to the existence of a vital error somewhere. It
shows that merely healing the outside by hanging a murderer or providing
asylums and prisons will never reduce the number of criminals nor the hordes of
children born and growing up in hot-beds of vice. What is wanted is true
knowledge of the spiritual condition of man, his aim and destiny. This is
offered to a reasonable certainty in the Aryan literature, and those who must
begin the reform are those who are so fortunate as to be placed in the world
where they can see and think out the problems all are endeavoring to so he,
even if they know that the great day may not come until after their death. Such
a study leads us to accept the utterance of Prajapati to his sons: ‘Be
restrained, be liberal, be merciful’; it is the death of selfishness.” [2]
What can we learn from this editorial by W.Q.J about
the true service of humanity?
The true service is to offer a path of hope to
humanity. If philanthropic efforts and greater distribution of wealth were the
answer, there would not exist today so much selfishness, vice, brutality and
suffering. All these noble plans have failed because they intend to improve the
outer condition of humanity. However, hope is an attitude of mind that is based
on faith, will, and knowledge, all of which are qualities of the inner man.
Although that path of hope may be most clearly pointed out to some in eastern
philosophical and religious literature, the true servant of humanity
investigates all systems of ethics and philosophy that claim to offer hope to
mankind.
The truths in all religions and philosophies that
offer light and hope for humanity are those that reveal the fact and meaning of
universal brotherhood. Faith in the progress of the human condition and the
will to work for a brighter future are dependent on knowledge that we are not
isolated and alone. Universal brotherhood means that the effort of the
individual influences the welfare of others and the progress of others lifts
the individual by degrees through the fact of our unity and interdependence.
Hope is not a sentimental feeling. It is recognition and conviction that
universal brotherhood is a fundamental law of nature.
What needs to be gathered from all philosophies and
religions are those truths that provide a better understanding of the spiritual
condition of man. This is the key to self-knowledge and a truer realization of
the Self. Once a human being understands that he is essentially a spiritual
being, one’s purpose and destiny become clear. The clearer our vision of the
future, the more hope and aspiration one has to reach the end in view.
NOTES:
[1]
“Five Messages”, H. P. Blavatsky, Theosophy Company, Los Angeles, First
Message, 1888. The book is available in PDF at our associated websites.
[2]
“Theosophical Articles”, W. Q. Judge, Theosophy Co., Los Angeles, Vol. II, pp. 569-572.
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The above text was first
published in the March 2012 edition of “The
Aquarian Theosophist”.
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In September 2016, after a careful analysis of the state of the
esoteric movement worldwide, a group of students decided to form the Independent Lodge of Theosophists,
whose priorities include the building of a better future in the different
dimensions of life.
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E-Theosophy e-group offers a regular study of the classic, intercultural
theosophy taught by Helena P. Blavatsky (photo).
Those who want to join E-Theosophy
e-group at YahooGroups can do that by visiting https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/E-Theosophy/info.
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