Category: 2016

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Group Synthesis, Part 13

January 2, 2021 Joseph Dewey

Group Synthesis, Part 13
Group Cooperation

DK told us that “Unselfish people are not rare. Unselfish groups are very rare.”

We could also say this about group cooperation. “Cooperation among individuals is not rare but it is very rare that established groups cooperate with each other.” It may be quite appropriate to compare it to attempting to herd cats.

One must keep in mind that there are two types of group cooperation. There is that which occurs on the subtle levels and then the objective. The subtle or inner levels cannot be measured by any standard means but DK indicates that it is more pervasive than the objective levels for that which materializes in the physical always first manifests in the spiritual realms.

He gives an interesting reason why there is cooperation on the inner planes:

“The basis of the possible success of such an effort (group cooperation) consists in the fact that within each group are always to be found members of the New Group of World Servers. Upon this fact we can count, and we can depend upon the strength of the inner integration, produced by these synthesizing “points of contact.” Esoteric Psychology, Vol 2, Page 727

All members of The New Group of World Servers have a reasonable spirit of cooperation, but not all members of spiritual groups are composed of them. There is always a percentage who focus more on personality issues and self-serving agendas than for the good of the whole.

Fortunately a large number of the The New Group of World Servers is not essential:

“This (inner group connection) becomes always possible where there are three members of the New Group of World Servers found in any one exoteric group; it then becomes “linked by a triple thread of golden light” to the New Group of World Servers, and can in some measure be used.” Esoteric Psychology, Vol 2, Pages 196-197

Those servers in each group who see beyond the lower issues must become the norm:

“Only as servers cooperate from the standpoint of an inner subjective linking can a united world be carried forward. … the inner relationships and cooperation Must be established and developed, in spite of the outer divergences of opinion.” Esoteric Psychology, Vol 2, Page 106

Whereas the outer group has resistance to cooperation because of the laggards, this resistance is bypassed by the The New Group of World Server members who telepathically connect with other groups on subtle planes. As these connections grow the pressure on the outer groups toward cooperation will grow until it finally reaches a critical mass and manifests.

This pressure has grown in the past few decades and as we enter the Aquarian Age it becomes only a matter of time before we see outer results. DK sets the standard:

“They will and should become a strong united body in the outer world. The test will then be to hold the inner clarity of vision and the inner subjective relationships and, at the same time, pursue the work in the world with united, intelligent effort and with success.” Esoteric Psychology, Vol 2, Page 660

Even though DK s tresses united goals and work he does not support the idea of all groups merging into one for he says: “A super-organisation which emphasises unity is the last thing to be desired; a multiplicity of living organisms held loosely together by cooperation, constant communication and possessing identity of goal and of purpose is what the world needs today.” Discipleship in the New Age, Vol 2, Page 458

The work of the Spiritual Hierarchy sets the example for us. Instead of being one large authoritarian supergroup they are composed of many small groups (ashrams) dedicated to different work according to ray quality but united in support of the One Great Work.

Spiritual groups must do the same:

“The groups are intended to work together eventually just as the various departments of a great organisation work effectively together as a unit. They must function smoothly and intelligently within themselves and also in their inter-relation with each other. This will become possible when the individual members in the groups and the individual groups of disciples lose sight of their own identities in an effort to make this hierarchical work possible.” Discipleship in the New Age, Vol 1, Pages 42-43

The basic plan then is that there be many spiritual groups but that they advance in consciousness so they instead of merely working as isolated units that they will unite on essential goals and activities that will benefit the world as well as themselves.

Here he gives a good first step for the Aquarian Age:

“Because where a group is involved and the members are very intelligent, through their questionings they could make much progress in learning to know and understand each other. Threads of intercourse could be set up which would link them more closely together.” Esoteric Healing, Page 306

Indeed, the sharing of group resources could be of great benefit to the spiritual community but most groups are very protective of their members and assists feeling that sharing may diminish their authority. Nevertheless DK gives this encouragement:

“The many who are working in isolated fashion in the various fields of human endeavour (political, religious, scientific and economic), must be brought into touch with each other, and thus made to realise their essential unity. … First, they must discover each other and be in touch with each other. Thus the sense of weakness and of futility will be offset. This is the first duty and task of the New Group of World Servers. … The men of good will in every country must be discovered, and all who respond to these ideals must be gathered together through mailing lists. Their cooperation must be sought and systematised.” Esoteric Psychology, Vol 2, Page 669

DK emphasized a number of times the importance of groups, not just getting in touch with each other, but actually sharing mailing lists. Going so far as to sharing such lists is almost unheard of among any type of groups. Membership roles are a closely guarded secret by most.

This has somewhat changed though with the internet and the widespread presence of groups there. On Facebook, the largest host of group work, the member lists are easily accessible. Though leaders are still extra protective of their flock many of like interest can now get in touch with each other where in previous generations this was only a dream.

This extra power of group members to cross barriers and communicate has not led to an equal outreach of the groups themselves. This dismantling of barriers between groups is a work that the The New Group of World Servers will have to address in the coming generation.

When barriers are sufficiently weakened and greater interplay is set up then this goal set By DK may be realized:

“A central group, chosen from among them, should synthesise this work and coordinate it, whilst giving the widest latitude to individual servers and workers.” Esoteric Psychology, Vol 2, Page 669

As noted earlier he is against supergroups wielding authoritarian power but does look forward to the day when groups will be cooperative enough that they can come under the umbrella of a coordinate effort to accomplish a greater good that cannot be done by isolated units.

To read Part 1 go HERE , Part 2, HERE , Part 3 HERE, Part 4 HERE, Part 5 HERE, Part 6 HERE, Part 7 HERE, Part 8 HERE, Part 9 HERE, Part 10 HERE, Part 11 HERE, Part 12 HERE

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A Prime Ingredient of Goodwill

December 30, 2020 Joseph Dewey

A Prime Ingredient of Goodwill

We have recently introduced the Declaration of Goodwill and are in the process of fine tuning it before we promote it on a larger scale.

One of the main points emphasized that will help with goodwill is the elimination of using derogatory names thrown at each other, commonly called “name-calling.” This is emphasized because name calling is one of the prime causes of negative feelings of one person or group toward another. If this process can be significantly reduced then that alone could take us half way to reasonable goodwill.

First, let us clarify what is meant by negative name calling. Quite simply it is this: A name or description of another to which the person does not identify with and feels insulted at being called such. The name called has intention to insult and the sender is aware that the name will not be favorably accepted.

The most common of such names are liar, hypocrite, hater, racist, bigot, the N-word, homophobe… The list could go on, but the point is that few if any think the calling of these names is justified and have ill will, not goodwill, toward those who do use such names.

Just call a person a liar one time and there is a strong probability he or she will loath you for the rest of his life. You may think your accusation is correct, but the accused may see it as completely unjust and just plain mean.

Some may think we should not make a blanket rejection of name calling because there seems to be times when the person’s sin is so egregious that he deserves to be called a liar, hypocrite or whatever.

Here’s the problem with that idea. When most any person calls another a negative name he will just about always think he is justified and the guy deserves it. If we say a little is okay then the little will be turned into a lot because each person thinks his judgment is just fine. This is why negative name calling needs to be met with disapproval in all instances. There is no supreme judge as to what is justified and what is not.

Perhaps I can set the example here. Not once in my life have I resorted to name calling toward any individual far as I can remember. I have made it a policy to avoid such attacks and it has served me well.

Let us examine the most common word used in negative name calling which is probably “liar.”

The problem with this (and other name-calling) is that everyone has told some kind of lie sometime in their lives. This means you could call anyone a liar and be technically correct.

But when using the encompassing word liar in relation to an individual you are not just pointing to one or two isolated untruths, but you are categorizing the whole of the person as a liar, as if this is what he is and nothing he says should he trusted.

Maybe the lie was just a mistake, or maybe it was the first lie in years or maybe the attacker was the one mistaken and to be stereotyped as an all around liar s is always seen as an insult. Whether the person deserves it of not the attack always does more harm than good as far as the promotion of goodwill is concerned.

If you think then that another is telling a lie that needs corrected then what should you do? Should we just let the lie go unexposed and perhaps do much harm?

Of course not, but name calling is not the answer. I do not know how many times I have seen someone called a liar and I have been left to think, “I wonder what his lies were or if they are really lies.”

Just calling someone a liar or any other name does little to expose the real problem.

What then does reveal that which needs correction?

The answer (concerning a lie): A description of what is not true followed by that which is true.

For instance, suppose another says something like this: “I can’t stand that politician Bob Smith. Did you know he hates little puppies?”

Now you are very familiar with Mr. Smith and you happen to know he is an animal lover. You may be tempted to call your friend a liar, but realize it will just alienate him so you say this: “I’m familiar with Bob and know he loves dogs so I am wondering where you came up with this idea. Do you have any evidence of this?”

Now instead of feeling insulted which results in more attack your friend is forced to examine his own thoughts and there is a chance he may realize his lie.

Confronting the attacker with truth is the best means of diffusion. Most anything is better than just categorizing another as a liar as if that is all he is all the time. Simply saying “I believe that statement is a lie or not true is better than calling the person a liar for you are dealing with the statement, instead of stereotyping the person. To describe the untruth and present the truth as mentioned earlier, however, is the best approach.

The much less destructive approach of analyzing the words of an attacker rather than attacking back can be used with any type of name calling. For instance, if you see hypocrisy instead of declaring the guy a hypocrite remind him that his specific action does not seem to be in harmony with what he claims to believe.

One of the problems in applying this principle correctly is we live in an age of high sensitivity and people are offended over many things that were just passed over a generation or two ago.

The older generation will often use words they think are harmless that offends the younger generation.

Words that are unintentionally offensive are not part of the main problem. Of course, if a person offends another with a certain word and is made aware that such word is offensive then, for the cause of goodwill, he should stop using that word in relation to that individual. For instance, a trans person may be born a “he” and desire to be called a “she”. If you learn that “he” is offensive then good manners should dictate that one stop using it in identifying this person.

Negative name calling designed to be insulting, that you know will be rejected by the person attacked is a much bigger obstacle to goodwill than the many unintentional offenses that happen in daily life. If we can eliminate the intentional insults and replaced them with civil dialog we can create a major step forward in establishing goodwill on this planet.

Dec 30, 2020

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Group Synthesis, Part 12

December 26, 2020January 9, 2021 Joseph Dewey

Group Synthesis, Part 12
The Goal of Ideal Groups

The master teacher Djwhal Khul (DK) has given out many teachings and suggestions concerning groups and group work. He asks this question:

“What should disciples in a Master’s group look for as evidence of successful group work?”

Then he answers:

“First and foremost, as you well know, group integrity and cohesion. Nothing can be done without this. The subjective linking of the disciples with each other in their own group, and the linking of the group with other groups occupied with special work within the Ashram and the emergence (as a result of this) of a group and an ashramic consciousness are vital objectives. It is hoped that this will also eventuate in a telepathic interplay which will bring potent results and successful outer work. From these activities will emerge a group circulation of energy which will be of service in world salvage. Discipleship in the New Age, Vol 1, Pages 15-16

So first the group must have “integrity and cohesion” for it to develop along constructive lines which will lead to telepathic interplay and a subjective linking to other group members and eventually other advanced groups.

Since integrity and cohesion lay the foundation to all advanced group work the disciple should indeed focus on what is meant here.

A group with these two ingredients would be one where the members are bonded together with enough unity, purpose and soul energy that no personality issues , attacks or disagreements can shatter its existence or alter its purpose. The bonding and agreement on higher levels is strong enough to withstand all the lower temptations that come to all groups.

This takes a group some time to achieve, as in the formation there are always rough edges to be worked out. The spiritual group that will be useful to the Hierarchy must have members that appreciate group integrity and cohesion more than their small personality issues. A love and acceptance of other group members through looking upon the soul is essential.

Strong group cohesion is essential but tricky to achieve for it involves the Principle of fusion concerning which DK says this:

“Identification with others, which is embryonic fusion, carried eventually to synthesis…” Discipleship in the New Age, Vol II Pg 661

“The underlying Principle of Fusion and of group endeavour is right and part of the divine plan; its implementation by grasping, greedy and ambitious men, or by deluded disciples, is terribly wrong and will lead to disaster. This disaster the Hierarchy is seeking to avert, but the Masters are handicapped (as usual) by the relatively few upon whom They can depend, and by the lack of understanding amongst the masses of well-intentioned people. These, through their ignorance rather than through their planned ill-doing, know not how to stem the tide of evil.” Discipleship in the New Age, Vol 2 Pages 353-4

So, group cohesion and fusion are necessary but they must be achieved by spiritual methods working with the free will and the souls of the individuals involved. If a group is directed by a powerful aspiring personality a forced unity can be achieved that will create problematic thoughtforms that create more harm than good.

True group integrity where focus is of the many on the oneness of spirit and soul is rare today but the numbers will grow as we work with Aquarian energies in the decades and centuries to come.

DK tells us that the Hierarchy sets the ideal for group fusion:

“The Hierarchy is a place of fusion of all souls upon the higher levels of the mental plane. Just in so far as a person comes under soul impression, then soul control and final identification with the soul, just so far does he move towards the centre of fusion. As your love for humanity increases and your interest in yourself decreases, so will you move towards that centre of light and love where the Masters stand in spiritual being.” Discipleship in the New Age, Vol 1 Page 681

DK emphasizes numerous times that groups useful to Christ and the Hierarchy do not have personal development as a main goal. The spiritual progress of the individual is his or her responsibility and needs to advance under the guidance of the seeker’s own soul.

He says this:

“It is not primarily the unfoldment of the intuition, or of the power to heal, or of telepathic efficiency which is of importance. That which counts with the Hierarchy as the Ashrams function is the establishing subjectively of such a potent group interplay and group relation that an emerging world unity can be seen in embryo. A joint power to be telepathic or a group capacity to intuit truth is of value and somewhat novel. It is the functioning of groups who have the ability to work as a unity, whose ideals are one, whose personalities are merged into one forward swing, whose rhythm is one and whose unity is so firmly established that naught can produce in the group the purely human characteristics of separation, of personal isolation and selfish seeking, that is new. Unselfish people are not rare. Unselfish groups are very rare. Pure detached devotion in a human being is not rare but to find it in a group is rare indeed. The submergence of personal interests in the good of the family or in that of another person is often to be found, for the beauty of the human heart has manifested itself down the ages. To find such an attitude in a group of people and to see such a point of view maintained with an unbroken rhythm and demonstrating spontaneously and naturally – this will be the glory of the New Age. Discipleship in the New Age, Vol 1, Pages 22-23

There is a key thought here on which the disciple should focus. Concerning the ideal he says that “the establishing subjectively of such a potent group interplay and group relation that an emerging world unity can be seen in embryo.”

DK then wants to see such unity and spiritual interplay among outer groups that they will set an example significant enough to be copied and followed by the world. Is there such a group today that sets such an example? Perhaps, but not one with much influence, but that will eventually change for DK adds this in t the same section:

There will (through this and analogous groups) be set in motion on earth a network of spiritual energies which will facilitate the regeneration of the world. The influence of these groups – when permanently established and potently working – will have a wider objective than just the elevation of humanity.”

Then he adds this:

“No group can be used in world service that is not working in perfect accord and this harmony must be attained as a group. It must be brought about, not through the process whereby people withdraw within themselves and thus inhibit that which upsets group equilibrium, but by the process of loving self-forgetfulness.” Discipleship in the New Age, Vol 1, Pages 194-5

Many times DK emphasizes that the individual members of a group accepted by the Hierarchy must take attention away from the lower individual self and focus on the group life.

“As long as your state of awareness lays emphasis upon the fact of your individuality, the group idea cannot take form as a group ideal. The sense of separativeness is still present.” Discipleship in the New Age, Vol 2, Page 94

“Where true identity is achieved, there is no sense of this and that; where the merging is complete, there is no recognition of individual activity within the group, because the will of the merged soul is identical with that of the group and automatic in its working; where true unity is present, the individual applicant becomes only a channel for the group will and activity, and this with no effort of his own but simply as a spontaneous reaction.” Rays and Initiations, Page 168

The advanced disciple has no fear of loss for the personal self for he realizes that focusing on the good of the whole also results in the greatest eventual good for the individual unites involved.

Jesus hinted at this principle when he said:

“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Matt 16:25

As far as group work today goes the individual who seeks to gain for self shall lose and miss out on the greater reward and life that can only realized through a focus on the good of the whole.

Dec 26, 2020

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Supporting Goodwill

December 23, 2020July 11, 2021 Joseph Dewey

Supporting Goodwill

As we announced few days ago we have launched a new group to promote the Declaration of Goodwill.

Here are the words from the master teacher Djwhal Khul that inspired this document:

“The main hierarchical need today (apart from its need for workers) is the forming everywhere of such groups as yours, the relating of group with group within the range of influence of that super group, the Hierarchy. Such groups are forming now in their thousands and are to be found in every land, and they will eventually blend and fuse together into one great movement of goodwill, which is spirit in actual expression. Aspirants everywhere, Arcane School students the world over, and my group of special workers such as yourself, must contact these groups, bringing them together on one point only, and that is Goodwill. Each group must necessarily be left free to proceed with its own destiny and mode of work. Unity is a necessary ideal and is the reverse side of Goodwill. Unitedly, when the right time comes, these groups must issue a great manifesto to the world – identical manifestos being issued in each country by all the groups who stand for world unity and goodwill. Thus they will make the word “goodwill” carry power throughout the planet, whilst the disciples and aspirants will, through their thought, make the word “unity” carry hidden power. Thus a vast band of men of goodwill will be working unitedly, yet independently, and there will be made available – in moments of world crisis – an organised, ready and world-wide public opinion of such strength and organisation that it cannot be ignored.” Discipleship in the New Age, Vol 2, Page 457

The plan is to first introduce the idea here and encourage all to endorse the Declaration by joining the Declaration of Goodwill group. Unlike creating some petition that you sign all you do to support the Declaration is to join the group. Your name on the membership means you support there basic idea of promoting goodwill to all in an attempt to be a healing force for the planet .

The second thing is to invite your friends of goodwill to support the Declaration by becoming a member. These can be people of any belief system

The third thing we will do is reach out to all other groups of goodwill and invite them to either join with us or issue a declaration of their own with a wording that is agreeable to them.

Then after enough momentum is gained we can unitedly influence public opinion and those in power in a positive rather than the current negative direction.

What is true goodwill? The answer should be obvious, but to many it is not.

Goodwill is not something limited to being friendly to those with whom you agree. That takes no power of “will.” It is easy to be friendly to those of your inner circle of friendly faces. The “will” part of goodwill is engaged when one extends the hand of friendship to those who are not in agreement and may even seem to be an enemy.

To extend goodwill one does not have to compromise beliefs or agree with those who oppose you. Instead, the greater the opposition to what you think is good the greater is the need for goodwill. If your neighbor has some political or religious beliefs you think are crazy, destructive or just plain wrong then that is where the opportunity resides.

Consider this. How much will the guy change if you approach him or her and let him know in no uncertain words that you think he is crazy? This will merely have the effect of him standing more firmly on his beliefs while dismissing yours.

But suppose you invite your neighbor over for a barbeque and instead of attacking his beliefs you seek for something in common first. Maybe you both like the same movies or football team and start talking about that.

Consider this: Now you have reached points of agreement in a spirit of goodwill do you think he will be more open to other things you might say that may differ from his beliefs?

Yes. Instead if picking your beliefs apart he will be more likely to seek points of agreement or at worst agree to disagree, but maintain a spirit of friendship. In other words, because of your goodwill he will not feel like throwing rocks through your windows.

Going to extremes is generally a destructive approach and this applies to goodwill. It would be an extreme to accuse others of violating the principle of goodwill merely because they disagree with us, but this is the area where goodwill needs to be applied. Where goodwill will be especially helpful will be in obvious infractions where such perpetrators need to be reminded of accomplishing their goals in constructive rather than destructive ways. Some actions that violate goodwill and need to be pointed out as such are:

(1) Any physical violence of one person or group against another that is not an act of self defense.

This is listed as number one for this is the most obvious act that violates goodwill

(2) Any statement that calls for physical violence against another human being.

(3) Name calling using words that are obviously negative and attacking. Examples of such words are hypocrite, liar, hater, bigot, stupid, racial and religious slurs and others.

The key is to not stereotype a person’s identity with an accusation. If you think the guy is lying, for instance, instead of just calling him a liar, as if that is all he is, instead, state back to him the words you think are not true and say something like:

“You said this (quote statement) but here is why I think this is not true.”

This approach does not create ill will as when you just categorize the guy as a “liar.”

The same applies to other attack words. The right approach can make the offender consider the error of his words where an attack approach will just cause him to plant his feet more firmly in his beliefs.

(4) Protesting or interrupting officials or people with who you disagree in their private homes, restaurants or places not designed for airing grievances.

(5) Anti protesting. This should be discouraged as when a group of protesters are met by anti protesters violence and increased ill will is often the result. Protesters should be encouraged to protest separately for their own cause and should be allowed to do so without interruption even though we may disagree. Protest later if you want but not the same time in the same place as your opposition. That’s just asking for trouble.

There is a large silent majority of people who favor good will over ill will and attack. Many feel their hands are tied and there is nothing they can do.

Perhaps there is something we can do if we gather together and let those who seek to disrupt the peace of society know that their approach is not acceptable, yet at the same time extending the hand of friendship to all.

Watch short video on Goodwill HERE

Support goodwill by joining The Declaration of Goodwill:

Read the Declaration HERE

Dec 23, 2020

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DECLARATION OF GOODWILL

December 23, 2020July 11, 2021 Joseph Dewey

DECLARATION OF GOODWILL

We, the people of goodwill from all nations, who desire to see the people of this planet progress in a state of peace, safety, and friendship, find it necessary to act and issue this Declaration of Goodwill.

Polarizing rhetoric, accompanied with vitriol and name-calling, from leaders, celebrities and media spawns tension among the masses and undermines goodwill and cooperation. Therefore, we, the silent majority and people of goodwill on this planet, have decided to take action and issue a call to correction. Such a correction is essential, for our leaders have power to take us into wars and conflict that could destroy our civilization.

We do not expect our leaders to be perfect or agree with us or each other on all matters, for that is beyond the present ability of most individuals. But there is one thing all can do that will pave the way to quieting the present conflict and opening the door to peace on earth.

We can all be civil to each other and send goodwill rather than the prevailing ill will we currently witness. Loving our neighbor as ourselves is at the core of the teachings of every great messenger of the past and we need to be reminded of this now, perhaps more than any time in our history.

The great majority of us who are not in power do not hate those who vote or think differently than ourselves, nor do we care about their race, sex, or status; we are willing to extend a hand of friendship and goodwill to all who will accept it. We do not call others hateful names or desire to hurt them, but seek harmlessness in all discourse and interaction. Name calling is out of the question for us and it should be for our leaders as well.

Many leaders and media personalities seem to think that personal attacks are justified, as it highlights how bad the “other guy” is in order to affect change; but negative tactics often beget negative rather than positive change. Calling our neighbors “haters” when they see themselves as loving people results in resentment and often fuels the emotions of the projected name calling. The attack thus brings forth the hate that was not previously there. Many leaders and media personalities understand this principle and use it to polarize and create false animosity where none should exist.

So much grief in the world can be avoided if our leaders would embrace the spirit of goodwill, as it is longed for in so many of us who silently watch these reckless attacks.

Therefore, we the people of goodwill call on leaders and media who fail to embrace a higher path to match the positive spirit of goodwill that exists in most of humanity, the common people.

The day of watching leaders bring us to the brink of destruction is over. Sending peace and goodwill is our charge as we seek to transform our societies throughout the world.

It is true we have problems to solve which require rigorous debate and uncomfortable discussions, but we cannot solve them by demonizing each other. If we look for the best in one another and give our neighbors the benefit of the doubt, we have a much better chance of solving problems and reaching agreement.

Therefore, we the people of goodwill can no longer silently stand by and watch angry persons of power set the world aflame. All those with influence must be held accountable and shamed from hateful speech and emotion toward goodwill and friendship for all.

We, therefore, will watch our leaders and others with influence and call them out when they violate the principle of goodwill. When such a violation occurs, we will write them letters, emails, make posts on social media, and communicate our displeasure in every peaceful means possible to make them aware of their destructive behavior.

On the other hand, when people of influence perform positive acts of goodwill that deserve recognition, we will go out of our way to praise and recognize them.

Leaders and people of influence include:

Political, spiritual and business leaders
Celebrities of any kind
Those in the media, especially writers
People of influence in social media and on the internet

Last of all, there are those of lesser influence among family, friends and associates who need to be reminded to be and remain civil.

The simple fact is this. We need to start with ourselves. If each of us does our part to extend goodwill and friendship to all, and encourage others to do the same, the world will be healed and we can safely enter into a new era of peace and goodwill.

Watch short video presentation HERE

Instead of signing some endorsement we invite you to endorse the idea by joining the Goodwill group. By joining you are saying you support the Declaration of Goodwill. After joining you are under no obligation for further participation though we hope all members will support Goodwill at every opportunity.

Support goodwill now by joining The Declaration of Goodwill

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JJ’s Amazon page HERE

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Group Synthesis, Part 11

December 19, 2020January 9, 2021 Joseph Dewey

Group Synthesis, Part 11
The Ideal Spiritual Group

There are, as we know, many spiritual groups out there with widely different goals and of various different qualities. We come to an important question?

What are the ideal qualities that would be most conducive in aiding seekers of light and truth?

(1) The first, and what we may call the foundation ingredient, would be a purpose, most preferably a positive or benevolent one.

Without a specific purpose the group will drift and eventually disintegrate.

Groups with a purpose may be divided into a number of categories.

(A) A group dedicated to studying a specific set of teachings.

There are many groups like this on the internet and some meeting physically. They do not demand anything out of the ordinary from members but meet to encourage study and the sharing of information.

These can be useful for the seeker merely wanting to expand his knowledge in certain areas.

(B) In addition to educating members some add social interaction, gatherings, seminars etc.

Making friends and interacting with like-minded souls is a big draw for many.

(D) Groups with a goal to convert others to their belief system. This includes many churches as well as some alternative spiritual groups. Most people do not mind a gentle take-it-or-leave-it presentation of various groups, but many are turned off by heavy handed proselytizing and the our-way-or-the -highway approach.

(E) Groups with a goal to elevate the consciousness or spiritual quality of its members. These groups will present various goals of possible enlightenment for its members.

A longer list could be stated but overall successful groups will have several such ingredients as part of its purpose. For the wise seeker a most important ingredient is one that stimulates or aids the him or her forward on the path to greater light, truth, and liberation.

Once the seeker finds a group with a purpose in harmony with his ideal what should be the next important quality? High on the list should be:

(2) Freedom of Thought.

The wise spiritual seeker will avoid groups that seek to control its members and insist on rigid conformity or be ostracized.

A good test is for the seeker to participate in discussions and ask several questions that may challenge the perfection of the leader or group teachings.

When this happens, the response in many groups is this: The leaders as well as many members will frown on such a character and immediately start to squeeze him out of the group unless he conforms and quits asking difficult questions.

The ideal group will welcome challenging questions and seek to answer them. It is indeed a good sign when the seeker finds such an atmosphere as it indicates that there is no hidden agenda. There is nothing more stifling to true learning than to be restricted to conformist and limited doctrine.

Keep in mind that we are not encouraging a student to become a distraction and become a contrarian. A student who takes the class off topic or asks all kinds of nit picking questions is another matter. Extremes always create problems.

(3) Putting the Spiritual above the Material

The vast majority of spiritually related groups claim with their words to emphasize the spiritual, but many with their deeds say otherwise. Larger groups may reveal their deviation from the ideal by merely showing us where the money goes. Some leaders have a lavish lifestyle and the group may spend the money on elaborate structures rather than on the people or the spiritual work.

The Oregon cult of Bhagwan Rajneesh was a prime example of what not to do. He had 93 Rolls Royce automobiles and drove around in a different one every week. Not only was his focus strongly on money but also free sex.

It is also obvious to seekers that many of the churches are far too materialistic with some leaders also living lavish lifestyles and focusing on the carnal rather than the spiritual side of life.

Then you have many small alternative spiritual groups. Some are led by true servants who sacrifice materially to assist members; whereas, others are led by a guru trying to get rich as well as have lots of sex partners on the way – not to speak of feeding a big ego.

The ideal here, of course, is for the group and its leadership to be dedicated to spiritual above the material.

(4) The group should offer something of value to the individual, the group, the world, or all three.

The beginning seeker will seek self improvement. The more advanced will seek for the group good, union and interplay. As the pilgrim moves forward he or she will become more far-reaching in vision and seek the greatest good for the greatest number until a benefit for the whole world is embraced.

The individual must assess the level his learning and service is to embrace and find a group which will meet the need.

(5) The group’s teachings and goals must register as positive with the soul of the student.

None of us want to get caught up in teachings that will take us further into illusion. Each student therefore has a personal responsibility to check with his own soul and see how the group and its leaders register. The group will probably not be perfect, but it may be positive enough to take the student on his next step of the journey.

Here is a pertinent quote from DK:

“People may evince real desire to participate in the group life and to form part of the group activity, but their real difficulty will consist in bringing their personal life and vibration into conformity with the group life and rhythm. The narrow path which all disciples have to tread (and in the early stages these groups will consist primarily of those on the Probationary Path or the Path of Discipleship) requires obedience to certain instructions which have been handed down to us from the ancient past. These are followed willingly and with the eyes open, but no rigid adherence to the letter of the law is ever asked or expected. Flexibility within certain self-imposed limits is always needed, yet that flexibility must not be set in motion by any personality inertia or mental questioning.” Esoteric Psychology, Vol 2, Page 187

Dec 19, 2020