PP 297537/00068
PO Box 627
Caringbah NSW 1495
Tel: (02) 9540 2391
Fax: (02) 9524 0025
www.sydneygoodwill.org.au

No 190 / October 2002

Dear Friends,

Perhaps the most prominent issue on the world stage at the moment is the debate over a pre-emptive attack on Iraq, instigated and led by the United States of America. In addition there are many other potential "theatres of war" around the world where the same basic issues are driving humanity's search for meaning, for clarity of purpose and its appropriate working out into action. A new and more intense clarity is emerging through these current world events and through their reflection in all contexts right out to each individual's chosen response to the daily requirements of life in the world.

The old governing dynamic of defence against (and conflict with) all that is seen as different from one's own view of things is gradually revealed as an incomplete and short term solution - not to mention expensive in terms of human beings, resources, and impact on our world habitat now and into the future. The new clarity that is bringing about this revelation is the human experience of life in its most complex sense represented in every diverse expression, not just exclusively or primarily in any one form. The old view of "an eye for an eye" or "a life for a life" may appear balanced from a limited perspective but it is only balanced if the motivating purpose is death and destruction rather than the expression of the Life of the world.

In this interdependent world nothing - absolutely nothing - exists in isolation. Everything we are and do, every motivation that moves us, every thought that occurs to us, every intention we hold affects the world and changes it. That change can be towards death and destruction or towards life and renewal. In such a living system we may appear to halt a disease by eliminating a symptom but unless the cause is understood it cannot be truly cured. The alleviation of the obvious effects does not address the illness and can even mask the true need of the system or the real issue of concern. Each party in these conflicts will readily present a "diagnosis" of their "cause". These can only be accurately assessed from the world perspective and not from any specific national or coalition of self-interest.

This world in whose perspective we exist is more than a geographical place in the universe, more than a physical manifestation. It carries a subtle identity and expresses a motivating idea that brings it into existence and into its unique relationship within its universe. As parts of that world we have a partial identity within it - we are part of something stupendous beyond our self-centred myopia, beyond a single "eye for an eye". The greater Life is the wellspring of who we are, of our true identity and, yes, we must resist that which would destroy that source and impose its little view over such majesty. However, the forces of destruction can be found working wherever exclusivity or superiority is touted by one part of our world over another. This becomes clear when we know that all parts are important to the operation of the system - all human beings, all lands, all kingdoms in nature no matter where they manifest on the planet. We would be poor custodians of the future if we "protected" a small part of the system at the expense of its totality.

Humanity is so "young" in its evolution that it finds it sometimes too tempting to turn away from the responsibility of a new understanding and instead to indulge escapism back to an earlier view where, from its current vantage point, it feels more "in control", more "safe", more protected by familiar knowledge. But the new perspective demands a new understanding; it demands the calling forth of new capacities and a transcending of the pain of their birth; it demands that we see in a different way and understand as clearly as possible this newer, greater world identity and our part in it. Our power is now such that we can destroy the whole with one ill-thought move.

And seeking escape from such a responsibility we can beguile ourselves by seeing events through the drama of conflict as presented by the media. In the past the media has purportedly provided factual information while subtly presenting a dramatic entertainment for those who normally face the reality of life and death issues in a virtual rather than actual mode. We have virtually been learning to see and relate in a more objective way to the greater world, we have been growing beyond the immediate, physical moment. Today there are more and still more "news" programmes and publications, more "in depth" analyses of situations, as we demand an understanding of the issues playing out so that we can overcome the debilitating effect of confusion. The Tibetan Master, Djwhal Khul, reminds us that "understanding is a revealing energy which permits (us) to achieve." While we may not want to face issues there is still that within us that drives us to know so that order is seen and hence manifested. Our role in the greater scheme drives us on.

As we crave meaning and seek that order which will ensure the living of our world we are understanding the Science of Redemption, which has also been spoken of as the art of spiritual living. We are steadily learning to redeem all the bodies through which we function. H. P. Blavatsky called this the art or science of relationship between the Life and the lives. Effective choice is made within this greater perspective and we direct world affairs according to the purpose of the world, incorporating ourselves and all others within it. The Tibetan, writing in the 1940's, spoke of humanity's point of growth at that time. We can project from that time into our present moment:

"The human being is influenced upon the path of evolution from above downwards; the initiate is directed from within upwards. It is this which formulates the underlying significance of the energy of free will and is something only truly possible through self-direction; this can be seen struggling for expression today in that great world disciple, Humanity".

At this moment of emergence from the Piscean Age, of devotion to authority and of idealism, to the inauguration of the new Aquarian Age, of life more abundant pouring directly through mankind, this new expression is essential. The Tibetan spoke to us of two key goals to assist towards a new age of spiritual living in the outer world.

"The material goal . . . is the defeat of all that infringes human free will and which keeps humanity in ignorance; it applies equally to any established system . . . which imposes its concepts and its will upon its adherents . . . . it is found in all systems of government, of education; it is found in the home and in the community. I refer not here to the laws which make group relations sound, possible and right. . . I refer to the imposition of the will of the few upon the total mass of the people."

"Your spiritual goal is the establishing of the Kingdom of God. . . . to prepare men's minds to accept the fact that the reappearance of the Christ is imminent. . . . You must tell them above all else that God is love, that the (spiritual) Hierarchy is love, and that Christ is coming because He loves humanity."

These are the practical goals we can live into actuality through our thought and understanding, our emotional response and our actions in the world. Every choice we make is an opportunity to make a difference. Even the choice to do nothing has an effect but only the choices made for the Life of the World have significance.