Group Synthesis, Part 8

Group Synthesis, Part 8
(E) No Purpose or a Harmful Purpose

There are three types of groups. Those with no discernable or a nebulous purpose, those with a harmful purpose and finally those with a truly beneficial purpose.

It might be argued that all groups have some purpose so let us clarify this differentiation. By purpose we are saying that it has to be more than a social club or one that is giving out nebulous ideals that go nowhere or cannot be understood.

For instance, some give out ideals using a fancy vocabulary that makes them sound to some as if they are really cutting edge in purpose but sometimes that is all there is. Fancy sounding phrases that say very little to those who pay attention and in the end accomplish little or nothing.

A significant number of new age groups have this problem with the language. Instead of presenting a greater light they present the illusion of greater light by introducing new phrases and words in substitute of old ones. Thus they can take a worn out Piscean message and seemingly present it as if it is something new, perhaps as something Aquarian.

Other groups see the true ideal for the new age and issue many ideas in fanciful language but offer no concrete steps to take to accomplish them.

If a seeker wishes to add his energy to a group to help to move us a step or two forward into the new age then he should avoid these nebulous groups which lack a well defined purpose. Why spend years of effort to accomplish nothing when you could make a difference if the group was actually working on concrete steps to be taken?

The second type of group is one that has a harmful purpose. And how do you recognize such a group?

Well, you’re not going to find them by looking for any confession. No one is going to come out and say: “We are the bad guys” or “We are working with the dark side.”

Indeed, they will vehemently promote the opposite of what they are and insist they are in the light with more repetition and insistence than do the true workers in the light. The true workers in the light demonstrate their true stand with their words and works; whereas, the false focus on words of deception that are not backed up by their works.

So, what are examples of groups with a harmful purpose? There are many but here are some examples.

(1) Lack of inclusiveness. Some reject those of the wrong race, political opinion, religious background, status etc.

(2) Messiah complex. They see their leader as a messiah and themselves as mini messiahs when there is nothing about them that stands out from the ordinary.

(3) They are the one and only group and members should shun those who do not recognize this.

(4) The leadership wants you to donate lots of money while they live lavish lives – apparently from the donations.

(5) Harmful teachings. There are many possibilities here. Those to be particularly shunned are those designed to produce guilt, a very destructive force that allows people to be controlled by outer authority. Many false end of the world teachings have disrupted lives. False promises of some easy and final salvation by accepting the group message is a popular one.

Each seeker must examined any potential group and discern any possible harmfulness incorporated and avoid them and move on.

All true seekers will seek out the third category of groups that have a beneficial purpose. These groups fall into three general categories.

(A) Teaching or study groups. In this case the group selects study materials and explores them as a group. The group overall is tied to no specific belief system but just presents the opportunity to learn from a specific author or set of teachings.

There are many groups like this on Facebook, and other places, and most are helpful. As long as they are inclusive and make no attempt to control (outside of a reasonable moderation) we can place them in a positive category.

(B) Meditation groups. Most of these groups have a positive purpose as most are not attempting to indoctrinate or control members but merely facilitate access to the inner self and some to spread light and love to the world.

There are potential problems with some. DK has given out several warnings. He particularly warns of wrong motive in meditation:

“Meditation is dangerous where there is wrong motive, such as desire for personal growth and for spiritual powers, for it produces, under these conditions only a strengthening of the shadows in the vale of illusion and brings to full growth the serpent of pride, lurking in the valley of selfish desire. Meditation is dangerous when the desire to serve is lacking. Service is another word for the utilisation of soul force for the good of the group. Where this impulse is lacking, energy may pour into the bodies, but—lacking use and finding no outlet—will tend to over-stimulate the centres, and produce conditions disastrous to the neophyte. Assimilation and elimination are laws of the soul life as well as of the physical life, and when this simple law is disregarded serious consequences will follow as inevitably as in the physical body.” A Treatise on White Magic, Page 205

In addition to this he warns that wrong use of breath in meditation can be dangerous to the student as well as premature stimulation of some centers or the premature raising of the Kundalini.

The student must therefore exercise wisdom even in being involved with seemingly harmless meditation groups.

The third type of positive group are those that go beyond examining teachings and meditations to embracing some purpose that will produce positive change in the world. Here the student must learn to weed out the harmful groups mentioned earlier and select one with pure intent and wisdom to accomplish something worthwhile.

This category of group is not for everyone for many just want to learn a few things and more on with their life. On the other hand advanced seekers want to serve and contribute to world progress and are looking for like-minded souls with which to join hands.

The best way for the disciple to make such a choice is by inner confirmation through the soul. Does your inner core vibrate positively when you examine the purpose of a particular group? If so, that is a good sign.

Dec 10, 2020

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 9 HERE, Part 10 HERE, Part 11 HERE, Part 12 HERE, Part 13 HERE