Marie Harkness – Ireland
The JOY of Service
It is important to have a clear understanding of what Theosophy actually is. What is Theosophy? It literally means Divine Wisdom, or Wisdom of the Gods. Radha Burnier, former International President (1980–2013) of the Theosophical Society (TS) stated:
Theosophy is not a kind of empty philosophy, or a new sect or religion, but has to do with learning about life and the realization of its beauty and its meaning. Those who work in this way . . . become a light radiating friendship and harmony, kindness and love in action towards all. If we study Theosophy and that does not lead to such a change in the quality of our relationships and our attitude, there is something missing in the way we understand Theosophy.
Annie Besant, another former International President said at a Convention lecture:
There is one thing which must be accepted by everyone who comes into the Theosophical Society and that is the existence of universal brotherhood as a law of Nature. To profess Brotherhood is a small part of our work. Every member of the Society should be doing his utmost to live universal brotherhood, to carry it out in his ordinary everyday life, not only to use it as a great Light, a light thrown on the road of right thinking, but also to realize that brotherhood must embody itself in brotherly activity, if it is to be worthy of its name.
To join the TS one only has to subscribe to the three objects which are:
♦ To form a nucleus of the Universal Brotherhood of Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, caste, or color.
♦ To encourage the study of Comparative Religion, Philosophy, and Science.
♦ To investigate the unexplained laws of Nature and the powers latent in humankind.
And accept the Mission statement added later:
♦ To serve humanity by cultivating an ever-deepening understanding and realization of the Ageless Wisdom, spiritual self-transformation, and the unity of all life.
The TS was started (Ancient Wisdom revised) in 1875. Under the watchful eye of the two main Masters overshadowing the Society since then — Master M. and Master KH — they brought together Madame H. P. Blavatsky (HPB) and Colonel H. S. Olcott, unalike in nature like ying and yang, worked very well together complementing one another. Olcott was more pragmatic whilst HPB was able to give full attention to the tomes she was instructed to write, often with inspiration from Higher sources.
Today all theosophists are expected to have an understanding of the terms “Karma” and “Reincarnation” — that one truly reaps what one sows and gets treated how one treats others, and what goes around comes around. All our actions are logged in the “Akashic Records”. Each theosophist through time realizes his/her own mission in life as it were, the reason for this earth life in general, and the golden opportunities available through belonging to the TS. Such a membership quickens one’s inner development through understanding, caring, and kindness to all others — to all streams of life, including animal and plant life. As one’s inner light through such service shines brighter and brighter, this draws the attention of the great Angelic Beings and the Masters of the Wisdom. No one appears on a white charger — but THEIR help, imparted wisdom and instruction comes from within — and one increasingly intuits what one has to do, the next step along the way. There comes in time an increased sense of knowing without analysis. One just KNOWS! “For when the disciple is ready, the Master is ready also.”
HPB once said, “A theosophist is as Theosophy does.” A theosophist worthy of the name grows daily in the sense of acceptance of what is, is non-judgmental; for example, the sun shines on all equally as it is in its nature to shine. The informed theosophist endeavours to live in the present moment, the past is gone, the future is ahead and unknown, but each present moment lived well makes beautiful memories and therefore there is no fear of the future. There develops in time an increasing understanding and compassion for others, of their frailties and behaviour, of realising this earth plane is a school of life.
It is the age of Kali Yuga, the most difficult of ages; yet to understand this and overcome means a swifter inner development, with higher help and encouragement. All humanity is at different levels of inner development and it is part of our task to gently encourage and be kindly to all who cross our path. It is believed that at a certain stage no words are necessary but one’s demeanour and one’s aura can work magic on others we communicate with. It is an ideal practice to see all others we meet at work, in shops, during the course of our daily lives, as Buddhas in the making. They all have that inner fire at their spiritual hearts; some are more clouded than others. It is believed that a kind word, help where needed, can rekindle that inner flame within each individual.
A theosophist does not retaliate even when wronged as he/she knows that there IS a Universal law and universal justice — all in good time. Where we witness wrongdoing, we are expected to decry the action but not the person — his or her Light may be temporarily obscured. In this way and practising as described, we are developing our compassion and understanding and during these efforts are partaking in a greater and higher service for humanity — for all realms of Nature.
As said earlier it has occurred to me to point out, as a reminder that we are presently living through the Age of Kali Yuga, the Iron Age, said to be the most difficult time to make inner progress with all the material distractions. We have now entered the Age of Aquarius, not only a new century but a new millennium. This is the age of the higher mind under a particular Master, and the focus is on raising of consciousness for all beings on planet Earth. As theosophists we have the golden opportunity to work at a totally different level making use of our developing “mind power”.
We are all too aware of the present litter problem facing many countries at this time such as the plastic menace and so on, and the harm done to animals and sea life as a result. But few have realized that there is a much greater toxic litter problem and infinitely more dangerous. This is on the lower mental plane, closest to earth. All the angry, resentful, warlike, revengeful, and negative thoughts gather there and unfortunately find a home. They influence all those entertaining such thoughts, those of similar natures, thus strengthening the force of such thoughts, particularly during periods of national and worldwide unrest and warring between nations. That said, all noble, striving, understanding, and compassionate thoughts sent out into the ether find a home in and influence those with aspiring natures.
Thus such Light workers (let us call them that) are receiving higher help and higher thought, and greatly help those open, ready to receive, and with aspiring natures. The effect of such positive and higher thoughts serve to uplift all in the neighborhood and beyond. That mainly is the golden opportunity given to all theosophists — to help counteract the negative with positive, loving thoughts. An easy statement to remember when projecting our thoughts is: “Send out blessings, not arrows!” If one advancing person can make such a difference, just imagine the uplifting and positive effect of the combined higher thought of a number of members!
So you can appreciate that altruistic work as theosophists is at different levels. The more such work is put into practice, the greater the chance of attracting the Masters’ help and receiving timely inspiration, intuitive thoughts, as and when needed. They frequently add their contribution, support, and force to such work. Also one’s inner development makes more significant progress. Master KH mentioned that one’s inner development is much greater than one can imagine in earth-plane consciousness:
Your spiritual progress is far greater than you know or can realize, and you do well to believe that such development is in itself more important than its realization by your physical plane consciousness.
This is a tremendous service at another level, and greatly helps override and negate, through higher and combined strength, the unruly, vindictive, selfish, and warlike thoughts on the lower mental plane. Our efforts often are and can be influenced by the Highest Supreme Light filtered through the Masters of Compassion. Often such teachings and wisdom received is osmosed as it were into our brains during quiet time, meditation, or during sleep. We can also request that this may happen.
Theosophists striving to live their best life as each sees it, and somewhat aware of what has been discussed, are in a sense living at a higher level. As mentioned before, many such altruistic thoughts are reinforced by higher beings, thus making them much more effective. We must also keep remembering that all THOUGHTS MANIFEST. Omraam Aivanhov has advised us:
Connect with the Highest. Gradually you become so rich, so strong, that you will be able to help thousands of beings in the world — just through the “power of thought” — for borders are no barrier to waves.
Such higher noble service aligns one with the Highest Beings and knowing this encourages one along this Path and fills each participant with an innate joy, knowing we are aligning ourselves with all that is noble and are able to assist all sentient beings on this planet. As one progresses in this way, the increasing inner Light radiates outwards blessing all and greatly helps uplift areas where negative, depressive thoughts and darkness prevails.
A quotation from Light on the Path:
For within you is the light of the world — the only light that can be shed upon the Path. If you are unable to perceive it within you, it is useless to look for it elsewhere. It is beyond you, because when you reach it you have lost yourself. It is unattainable, because it forever recedes. You will enter the light, but you will never touch the Flame.
From The Voice of the Silence:
Alas! when thou hast become like the fixed star in the highest heaven, that bright celestial orb must shine from out the spatial depths for all — save for itself; give light to all, but take from none.
Annie Besant, has written:
As service becomes our habitual attitude to everyone we meet, we shall gradually find that everyone is profoundly interesting and that the giving of service is the greatest joy in life.
And the final word from Rabindranath Tagore:
I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.
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This article was also published in The Theosophist, VOL. 145 NO. 10 JULY 2024
The Theosophist is the official organ of the International President, founded by H. P. Blavatsky on 1 Oct. 1879.
To read the JULY 2024 issue click HERE