Hazrat Inayat Khan here continues to explain the fifth aspect needed to address the problem of the day, which is the recognition that all of humanity is one single family. As noted in the previous post, the Master uses the language conventions of a century ago, speaking of ‘brotherhood,’ and ‘man’, while people now would doubtless employ more inclusive language. As it would require rather intrusive editing to bring his speech to this present-day standard, and as it should be clear that in his heart and spirit and intention he included all members of humanity in his address, the text remains as it was recorded.
Brotherhood is realized by the recognition of three ideals. One idea is that we are brothers because our Source is One – our Father is one. We are brothers because we are working on this earth hand in hand; conditions have brought us together. Our interests are common in their depth when we in this world are so linked together with one another. If we could only see it, then we would find that unhappiness of one individual has its effect in some way or other on all; and the happiness of one individual has its effect on all – more on those who are around him and a little less on those who are distant. Everyone pulled or pushed in life has an effect upon the whole of humanity. The pull is a pull on the whole humanity in proportion. If only humanity were to understand this living doctrine of metaphysics which has always been taught by the prophets, if only the scientists had been able to see, the world would have been quite different.
And the third idea which can realize brotherhood is that the goal is the same. Through whatever way we may reach, through heaven or hell, it is the only goal. It is not a settlement, but it is the final goal we have to reach. And therefore we have to meet again. This shows that in the beginning we are brothers because of the source, and we are brothers in the midst of it because we are living on earth, the interest of one depending on others; and in the end the goal of all is the same.
What keeps man ignorant of the ideal of brotherhood is the outward nature of creation, which is a dual nature, it is the idea of separation – “You are different from me. I am different from you.” Differences and distinctions in character, in ways of thinking, in the way of living, in all different forms are dividing men into different classes, different nations, different races, and then there are differences which exist between people in their way of looking at things and in their ideas. This impresses man with the thought, “I am a separate entity and in no way connected with another.” In spirit he is not aware. The only things he is conscious of are the outward ties, such as relationship or some partnership in business, or when they are collaborators in certain work, in learning at school – some circumstances like this make them feel they are connected with one another. But these outward actions do not awaken the spirit to the inward connection, which is stronger and closer and binds one soul to another.
All these outer connections make people think there is no inner connection. When an outer tie has been broken a person says, “I have nothing to do with that person.” A person thinks it is finished, but it is not finished. You have the person in you and that person has you in him. It is not finished. And if one could see the beginning, where it has begun, then he would never believe that it finishes. It is always there. It is only the outside links which man recognizes as a relation; the inward connection which binds every soul to one another, man does not understand.
What is necessary just now is not only brotherhood to be taught as morals, but brotherhood to be taught as spirit, as a spiritual ideal, as the mystery of the whole metaphysics and philosophy. In all ages prophets and sages and seers have realized this law, and yet there is much in life which works against it, which covers it from the eyes of man. Man’s sight is so limited that he sees no further than his eyes see, and he remains in an illusion, in a mist, not knowing with whom he is connected and from whom he is disconnected, only recognizing the outward little connections which seem to bind him here and there, yet not realizing that this whole manifestation is one whole mechanism working, wherein every soul fills his place, where every soul has its purpose to accomplish and where every soul stands in connection with all souls.
The more you look at the world from the mystical point of view, the more your outlook on life becomes keen, the more one finds that every person one meets, every person who goes your way in life, has something to do with you, and you have something to do with them. And it is this brotherhood which must be realized this truth of the whole universe, and by awaking the consciousness of this brotherhood in the world, the ideals of the spirit of brotherhood will come to manifestation.
To be continued…