Douglas Keene – USA
The author speaks in Adyar
In my March 2025 article for Theosophy Forward (“Unity in Times of Conflict-Part-1”) I wrote about the need for finding peace and harmony within a tumultuous and, at times, chaotic world. As mentioned, there is the need for unity, or as expressed in our first object “Universal Brotherhood”. I would like to take these thoughts a bit further.
If we view ourselves as separated it is a relatively short step to selfishness. Then we must prevail, and the fate of others is not a concern. It is survival of the fittest and we have a deep instinct to survive. However, if we see the world as interconnected, then compassion is a more natural extension. This can become a bit circular, both a vicious and virtuous cycle. The more we see ourselves as separate, the more we wish to self to dominate. The more it dominates, the more we see ourselves as separate. But the reverse is true as well. When we see humanity, and even all life, as united, connected and universal, the easier it is to develop compassion and selflessness, the easier it Is to see the commonality and therefore easier to reach out a helping hand.
One way to enter this circle of selflessness is to develop our compassion, even though it might not be complete in the beginning. Of what value is survival if we are entirely selfish, whether we win or lose. Do we not feel that we will ever bear the consequences of our decisions? How can we, as a society, allow the wealth dichotomy to worsen? How can the ultra-wealthy continue to take from the truly needy? If there is no equity, can there be justice? If there is no justice, can there be peace and tranquility? By developing kindness and compassion, we can develop, first in ourselves, and then in larger circles, a sense of unity, connectedness, and wholeness. When we feel part of the greater unity, we feel less competitive, we have less of a need to dominate. When we are treated humanely and inclusively, we are more likely to feel empathy for those around us. If we demonstrate that empathy, others will feel respected and heard. This can be contagious and can be replicated exponentially. We need to begin with ourselves and ask how we can be more compassionate to our neighbors, local, national, and global. A sense of greater unity will Inevitably follow.
The mission statement of the Theosophical Society was recrafted several years ago and presently reads “The mission of the Theosophical Society is to serve humanity by cultivating an ever-deepening understanding and realization of the Ageless Wisdom, spiritual Self-transformation, and the Unity of all Life”. As you can see, in this brief 28-word statement, the goal of “unity of all life” is prominent. The intention of the concept of unity is a bit different than that of common usage. You might say that there is unity among players of sports team. There may even be unity of the extended fan base for that team. There may be unity within a military unit, a business startup, or an academic institution. Here the sense of unity is more of common purpose and wholeness, with aligned goals and perhaps shared values. The term unity when used in the spiritual context refers to the fact that we are literally connected to the same substance and derived from the same source, despite our diversity in form and function. The differentiation between individuals can be immense and certainly striking when compared with other kingdoms of life, and yet, somewhere in that breath of life itself there is commonality. There is a divine, unseen link which we contain, known or unknown. Therefore, we are connected to all life, not only on this planet at this present time but extending throughout space and time, each an expression of the Universal Spirit. This unity can be conceived, and it can be felt. As we search for the spirit internally, it forms a bond with all that is external.
Annie Besant has suggested that we need to give up all our desires with the exception of compassion. This is a noble desire that comes from the higher parts of ourselves. This compassion must be selfless, although purity initially is not always possible. We can strive to bring purity into our lives in our day-to-day interactions and decisions. Purity of motive leads to purity of thoughts, purity of words and purity of actions, as outlined in the well-known Buddhist teachings of the Eightfold Path. We can keep these concepts in our mind when we meditate and throughout the day.
In time, we can purify ourselves and reach toward an ideal. We can see the unity we share in life. We can see the connections. We can see the wholeness.
Let us take this out into the world.
For “Unity in Times of Conflict-Part-1” Click HERE