Altruism Vs Egotism
By Don Ray Crawford
INTRODUCTION:
H.P. Blavatsky, the co-founder of the International Theosophical Society, in her monumental writings states that if altruism was to replace the current egotism of our society civic evils and national problems would disappear overnight. The whole purpose of the Theosophical Society is to promote universal brotherhood. Its motto is: "There is no religion higher than truth." According to the tenets of the TS, the whole universe is a Whole, of which all manifested forms, including ourselves, is only a part; like the various waves that arise out of the ocean of wholeness.
DISCUSSION:
In stating her ideas regarding social reform, she emphasized that genuine changes cannot come about by the usually applied methods of legislation, special group goals, or by any other external (societal) means. Society can only change by changes wrought in individuals themselves, hopefully by being influenced by those few wiser thinkers among us. These changes must come from within by meditation or self-study, which can bring about self-actualization; the first step to truly knowing thyself, as the Oracles of the Delphi advocated centuries ago. The problems engendered in our society, which is by definition a collection of individuals, come from ignorance of our true being. Western religion teaches separateness, which is to the occultist, the "great illusion." It is this egotistical identity of each of us that brings about in our many relationships conflicts, confrontations, emotional upheavals, and selfish disregard for the welfare of others, stemming from ignorance and a failure to realize we are all connected and each soul is a part of the Over-soul, which holds us all together.
The same problems that exist between individuals also exist between nations, which share time and space on this little globe, earth, in our solar system. The sun shines on each of us equally. We all breathe the same atmospheric oxygen; all drenched by the same rain. And, in the eyes of God, each of us is equal, although we are not all equal in soul age or the level of consciousness achieved. Karma plays a role in our differences. But what western humanity needs to discover is that we each create our own futures by every thought, feeling and action we allow ourselves to experience. What is needed, and what comes from self-study, or what is sometimes called, wakefulness, is the realization we are the creators of every thought form we allow to enter into our heads; that our so-called, unsolvable problems are of our own making, and that it is just as easy, and far more relaxing, to love our neighbors than be in conflict with them. A sense of altruism is a far more realistic guide to right human relationships than is a sense of separation and egotism.
Karma results from the creation of disharmonies both within the self and between self and others. This contrasts dramatically with the aspects of our solar Logos, whose manifested forms are Love, Harmony, and Compassion. In order to work off past karma and avoid creating more karma, we need to learn to live in accordance with the Will of God, manifest and personify in our daily actions, Love, Harmony and Compassion for all other forms we share on this planet.
CONCLUSION:
Only by a change of individual attitude and overcoming our ignorance of who we are can we change society for the benefit of all living creatures. Self-knowledge helps us to realize and pass beyond who we think we are to the discovery of who we truly are. And, who we truly are, are sparks of the universal Divine flame of Life, Love and Harmony. It is only our sense of being separate beings, apart from the whole of all existence, that churns our daily efforts to want to be "somebody" in the eyes of society; that leads to undesirable ambitions for wealth and power over others, and to live the "good life" of material well-being, instead of the wiser choice to "live in spiritual being," and prepare ourselves for the real purpose of our existence on this planet. The only purpose of evolution, that medium through which the solar Logos manifests, is the continual and gradual expansion of our human consciousness and the overcoming of human ignorance and cease allowing ourselves to follow false beliefs which serve as guides for daily living. The Christ modeled for us the proper way to righteous living and "living in spiritual being." To live in Harmony, with Goodwill toward others, to Love all manifested forms, and have compassion for others, is the core of true altruism and what is considered "good." To create disharmonies, ill will toward others and engage in continual conflicts and dissensions is considered "evil. In other words, to abide by the Will of God and not our little wills, is to simply accept the inevitable and quit bucking against the flow of evolution. As it is written in Buddhism: "Evil swells the debt to pay; Good delivers and acquits; follow good, shun evil; hold sway over thyself; that is the way."
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