IV

Spirituality and the common Man

In this vast creation, everyone is gifted with an individual perception. The heredity, the environment and the teachings inculcated, all combine to make one what he is. We cannot blame anyone for thinking differently in his own way. Everyone has his own temperament and his own way of thinking. They must differ and they do differ vehemently. There is no help for it. It is, on the other hand, the sign of sentient life. We must not therefore, on that account, cross swords with them. Even if in their ignorance they, at times, may talk ill of the Spiritual Teachings and use harsh words, they cannot help it. But that should not disturb the True Seekers after Truth. We must be polite and gentle and even humble in our conduct. Bandying of words does not help. We may try to remove misunderstandings if any, sweetly and gently, but not in an antagonistic spirit. It is advised that individual persons – including representatives, group leaders and other old and new initiates – should not enter into any sort of discussions or disputes with any religious bodies, circles, faiths or sects, etc. If any such bodies do enter into such things, they may be directed to refer to the Master for an appropriate reply. It would be better to turn aside rather than to break your own head in an attempt and injure the great cause for which we stand. God knows His purpose well and has diverse ways to fulfil the same, without you and me. So it will not pay to quarrel with our neighbours. It is said that those who try to live by the sword, perish by the sword. The entire Christian philosophy is summed up in two memorable precepts of Jesus Christ. 

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind; 

and 

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

St Matthew 22:37,40

And, 

Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you and persecute you, that you may be the children of your Father which is in Heaven: … Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect

St Matthew 5:44-45,48

and so said all other Masters Who came in the past. If we live up to these teachings, there could be no trouble at all. 

The royal monk, Ashoka, in one of his rock edicts tells us: 

He who reveres his own sect but disparages the sects of others, does great injury to his own for he lacks the essentials of a religion.