GOODWILL IS LOVE IN ACTION
World affairs have today reached the point where selfishness, competition, greed and separativeness are being increasingly recognised by a growing mass of men and women of goodwill as attributes which are harmful to the continuing survival and well-being of humanity. And yet these values continue to control world affairs.
Confronted with massed political and economic power and conditions which seem out of their control, people of goodwill ask themselves, “What can one person do ?” The fact is that the mobilised and focused power of goodwill demonstrating in the individual lives of millions of men and women can and will alter the course of world affairs.
Goodwill is an energy which, when activated in the individual, manifests as a practical way of life. It is not an impractical sentiment or ideal. Goodwill is love in action.
The practical application of goodwill in a life of service to the one humanity includes: the development of an intelligent approach to world affairs through study; enlightening the mind through reflection and meditation upon world affairs; and a consequent life of service based upon the fruits of one’s study and creative thinking.
When the mass of men and women of goodwill are aroused and they are practically using the energy of goodwill in their lives, a new and decisive factor will emerge in world affairs.There is already evidence of this taking place. The power of their united efforts and focused public opinion will become the controlling factor leading to the upliftment of the human condition, thereby preparing the way for the reappearance of the Christ.
TWO IMPORTANT FACTS
Focused, determined, enlightened public opinion is the most potent force in the world.
Focused, enlightened public opinion has no equal, but has been little used. Mass psychology, exploited down the ages, has been applied for selfish and evil ends. People are still easily influenced, but their negative receptivity can be as easily turned to good ends as bad. Let us seek to influence them in the direction of right human relations. Planned direction, plus a wisely outlined programme positively geared towards right human relations, can be major factors in the creation of a sound and intelligent public opinion.
Humanity is made up of individuals, and each of us, as an individual, is a definite and integral part of the whole.
That which each of us, as an individual, can contribute is important to the whole. In order for this contribution to be of maximum effectiveness, there are four first steps which are important preliminaries to be taken by the person who wants to work wisely, usefully and intuitively for the future.
FOUR FIRST STEPS
The development of a sense of individual responsibility.
Men and women are recognising the interrelatedness of life and the oneness of humanity. With recognition of the fact of the one humanity, one simultaneously recognises one’s integral relation to the whole of humanity and one’s consequent responsibility.
The development of the spirit of goodwill in the individual himself, and its evocation in others.
The recognition of responsibility includes assuming responsibility for one’s speech and actions. One seeks to cultivate within oneself the spirit of goodwill and to evoke its latent expression in others.
The expression of real love, in service.
Being motivated by goodwill, one expresses real love, love in service, love in action. This demonstrates as a life of service to the one humanity.
The reorganising of the life so as to get the utmost out of each day.
A life of service requires the reorganising of the daily life and the cultivation of new habits where old habits of living impede one’s service. Circumstances and environment offer no true obstacle to the spiritual way of life.
The suggestions which follow are designed to give practical direction to all those who have goodwill in their hearts, and who because of it want to do their share in bringing stability and peace to the world – a peace based on surer values than in the past, upon sounder planning, upon the growth of the spirit of understanding and co-operation. These values are strong enough to break down barriers, and to build a new world structure equal to the intelligent demands and needs of all humanity. This simple practical programme can be used by individuals, or developed for group use. It is flexible, and adaptable to any circumstances.
A NINE POINT PROGRAMME
1.Study and reflect upon the many proposals made by world leaders and thinkers on world rehabilitation.
Cultivate an intelligent opinion based on goodwill and on what you, as a result of study, believe should be done.
Discuss the ideas in your home, among your friends and in your environment without fear or favour. Regard such discussions as a service, and know that your interest and enthusiasm cannot fail to have an effect.
2.If possible, gather people together to discuss and study current problems and future needs. Co-operate with those who are already doing so. Look upon this group study as a contribution towards enlightening public opinion. It is a method of building up a reservoir of thought power useful to those whose task is to rebuild. If only two people co-operate with you, the effort will not be lost, for you will be helping to change the content of world thought.
3.Extend your interest to many countries by trying to understand the diverse problems of those countries. Foster your contact with people in other lands by directed thought and by communication. A great network of relationships will be then established which will unite the world into one harmonious and understanding whole, built on right human relationships.
4.Behind the world pattern and structure stands the Originator, its Planner, its motivating Energy its central Will, its living Creator, its God. Seek by inner orientation (whether by prayer or meditation) to reach that central Will and point of Life, thus blending yourself with the sensed divine objective, identifying your will with the Divine Will.
5.Find out and study the methods, techniques and objectives of the various groups and organisations concerned with world reconstruction. You may not agree with all of them, or with their plans or modes or working, but all are needed. Keep a record of such groups, their leaders, objectives and programmes. Establish helpful and friendly relations with them to the best of your ability.
6.Find two other people to work with you. There is a unique potency in this triple relationship. It reflects the triangle of the Trinity, as three people of like mind form a goodwill triangle of light and spiritual interplay. Each of the two who co-operate with you can, in their turn do the same, and thus a great network of goodwill can spread throughout the world. Through it the Forces of Light will be able to work and you, in your place, will have helped.
7.Find the men and women of goodwill in your environment. Be “spiritually aggressive” in this matter and go out to discover them. When you have found them, then be interested in what they are doing; also endeavour to have them co-operate with you in your lines of activity. Keep a register of names and addresses of these people, adding also their capacities and functions, thus building up a mailing list. You will then be aware of a group which can be depended upon to work in a spirit of goodwill for world reconstruction.
8.Give much thought, planning and consideration to the problem of the children of every country. It is the most important opportunity for the men and women of goodwill, for from the children of today come the leaders of tomorrow. On these the future of the world depends. From the church, from the home, from the school and the playground arise the influences which have most effect upon the child. What can you do to see that these influences are of the highest and most constructive type available, to build in the foundational concepts of goodwill and right human relationships?
9.Begin now to lay aside small sums of money which can be spared and can accumulate for the work. This sacrificial saving will enable each to assume his or her share in the work without placing an undue load on others.
These are practical suggestions that can be carried out at once. The process is one not only of self education but of the stimulation of all whom we can reach. It can be summarised as follows:
a.The channelling of thought and energy into right lines so that good motive and wise action can bring in the desired era of right human relations and eventual peace.
b.Stimulating those whose apathy and lack of vision impede progress.
It will demand intelligent study, consideration of methods, and the discovery of people of similar views whose co-operation can be depended upon. The outline of the future world structure can already be seen. In this work of building for the new age everyone can share. To this task we are called.
To assist man and women of goodwill, World Goodwill provides several resources and services in which we invite you to participate.
The Problems of Humanity Study Course
To contribute effectively to humanity’s transition into the new civilisation and new consciousness, men and women of goodwill require a deepened understanding of the basic problems underlying the present world crisis. The Problems of Humanity Study Course is intended to help provide this understanding through a course of study and meditation on six world problems of the present period of transition.
The course includes these seven study sets:
Set 1.Introductory Set
Set 2.The Psychological Renewal of the Nations
Set 3.Children, Youth and Education
Set 4.Capital, Labour and Employment
Set 5.Racial Minorities
Set 6.Churches and Organised Religion
Set 7.International Unity.
Designed for group or individual use, each study set contains materials for reading and study, guidelines for a reflective meditation, and questions for consideration and discussion. The course is offered without charge
To complement one’s outer life of service, one may wish to serve through one’s inner life. Recent scientific discoveries are confirming the ancient dictum “energy follows thought”. It then follows that since goodwill is an energy, it can be scientifically strengthened, increased and mobilised through the power of thought.
The Goodwill Meditation Group is an international group of people of goodwill who, linking in thought each week, meditate to increase the goodwill that is in humanity. The Goodwill Meditation Group booklet is available to interested persons upon request.
Triangles is, like World Goodwill, an independent service activity of Lucis Trust. A triangle is a group of three people who unite mentally each day using the Great Invocation to invoke the power of light and goodwill. The network of Triangles throughout the world provides a channel for the circulation of constructive thought and a means for the transformation of the spiritual climate of the planet through the distribution of spiritual energy and the raising of the level of human consciousness. Those interested in participating in this world service are invited to write for further information to Triangles, at the same address as that listed for World Goodwill on the back cover.
Other publications
To help men and women to be intelligent servers, World Goodwill publishes assorted literature, available upon request:
World Goodwill Newsletter, a regular bulletin containing current articles and information relating to world affairs, commentary, and information about World Goodwill activity programmes.
World Goodwill Commentary, a series of occasional commentaries examining in depth current world problems.
World Goodwill pamphlets, discussing the application of new age principles to various areas of human life.
