Love a must for Happiness

The teachings in the Order of the Lily and the Eagle are based on two guidelines, the principle of wisdom and that of love. In other words, we believe that both these factors are a necessary prerequisite for the rebirth of humankind.

As regards wisdom no major objections arise for, strangely enough, people tend to believe that they have an inclination towards it. What might sounds strange to them is that love is also a necessary means and condition for the rebirth, evolution and happiness of the individual in particular and humankind as a whole.

They have come to believe that love, kindness and goodness are principles and ideas for philosophers, moralists and religious leaders and are not really necessary for the well-being of humanity. They have therefore adopted the attitude that goodness, kindness and love are not necessary in order to establish and found a happy and content society. They believe that wisdom is the first and only prerequisite and that they need only apply their wisdom to consider everything else good and godly but of rather secondary importance, not contributing greatly to the individual well-being and to the general happiness.

Our systems of education show that a huge amount of ink has been expended on the task of enriching our knowledge. This has indeed helped us learn a thousand and one things but has done little towards developing ourselves. It is enough to obtain a degree and to know the rules of our profession, but we never take character exams or take the time to develop our character in the same manner that we develop our learning abilities. Character is considered of secondary importance.

I refer to education to show that as regards wisdom, humankind has nothing to complain about. Much satisfactory work has been done in this field. As regards love, goodness and kindness, very little has been done.

As I have already mentioned, the Order of the Lily and the Eagle holds that both love and wisdom are equally necessary conditions for the well being and happiness of humankind. Love even more so, and the Order gives it greater importance and discusses it far more than wisdom.

But do we have any grounds to uphold that goodness, kindness and love are necessary prerequisites for our happiness? Can we present this in a different manner from that of the various moralists? We shall try.

Based on the immortal saying of Socrates, "Man know thyself", we in the Order are constantly engaged in the process of self-discovery. We realise that if a person does not study themselves, they are lost. A person should look within themselves to find out what they consist of, what laws govern them, what their needs are and what their capabilities and possibilities can be. Without this self-searching, all efforts will be in vain and all actions disorderly and left to pure chance. Of course, some effect will result from these efforts, but it will only contain very small and short term possibilities of refinement and improvement. Humankind needs fundamental and radical solutions in order to recover from the ills from which it is suffering.

Whatever the Order teaches and says is based on rationalism although its Teaching may differ from what is commonly accepted at present. In truth, what others may think or believe does not bother us unduly as it is a common phenomenon for new ideas to be initially rejected by the world in spite of the fact that throughout history, prevailing views have been regularly overturned.

However, here in the Order we are not characterised by fanaticism and are not conditioned by any particular set of fixed ideas. We are indifferent to who has voiced an opinion and who it belongs to. We accept only what our logic accepts. Through scrutiny that is uninfluenced by the opinions of others, we adopt ideas or opinions when we are sure that they are logical and conform with our own understanding. We then make them our own even if they are in conflict with common opinion. Because of this, the Order advocates a somewhat different approach.

Given what we have just said, how can we justify love as being a necessary guide-line? How may love be an absolute necessity to us as individuals and also be of use for the interests of Humanity?

In order to answer this and to understand it, I am compelled to make a digression. If we observe human activity for a time, we easily see that people are mostly governed by the senses^[1]. It follows that most people are generally ignorant of all truths apart from those which are gleaned through the senses. In other words for the majority of people, whatever is abstract and requires some thought or logic cannot be easily conceived. They understand and accept only what directly or indirectly touch the senses.

For example, we all know that we are governed by material laws and that by making good use of these laws we are able to control our environment. Additionally, we regard it as an indisputable duty to protect ourselves from the effects of these material laws for our own preservation. As a consequence, any member of society who interferes with and tries to subvert these laws is penalised and isolated for acting in a way that would harm the common good.

In other words, we have come to accept that whereas we are individuals and independent of one another, there are some factors which unite us that are either a common danger or a common good. So each individual member in society monitors the situation, either by trying to isolate anyone who would constitute a common danger or by acting with others for the common good. An apt example to clarify the above statement is that of public health.

It is a fact that we are all interconnected by air. We know that air is absolutely necessary for each one of us to keep alive. We are also aware that this air is full of different types of germs that we breathe in with every breath we take.

By and large, most germs are not harmful, but some are a public danger. In this case, as members of a society, we take precautions to avoid harmful germs carried in the air, as well as limiting the spread of the disease they carry. In this way, we avoid dangerous illness or help prevent its transmission. Moreover, whenever we are ill we take care not of ourselves, but also of the health of our friends and our loved ones by protecting them as much as we can from the germs we are carrying.

We have been taught that we must respect the life of others because it is the right thing to do. Because it is derived from the truth, this idea is indisputable. Whoever intentionally tried to spread germs would be characterised as a public enemy.

Through the example of public health we have shown that we face a constant danger of virulent germs every time we breathe. This is because we have a connecting medium - the air - which allows this danger to spread. If air did not exist or if we did not have to breathe it, we would avoid infections transmitted through it. However, we know that this is not possible, as we have to breathe even though air remains a potential carrier of harmful germs. We therefore take precautionary measurers to minimise all possible dangers.

From the above we can say that even though we are separate individuals and superficially independent, when it comes to illness we conduct ourselves in a very logical manner because we understand that we are not completely independent. We are all interconnected materially by air. We have come to realise that humankind effectively makes up one body, since all its individual ‘bodies’ are interconnected through the link of air which is common to all.

Apart from the physical level, there are other planes which humankind has not even remotely explored yet. Examination and research will reveal that on those other levels, humankind is joined by another connecting link which exhibits similar characteristics to those of the air though it is not a material one. We may well discover that through this non-material connecting means, the danger we run is even greater than the one transmitted by air.

The Order of the Lily and the Eagle holds that a human being is more than just a physical entity. We not only have a body but also a soul and a spirit. Each individual is tri-component. We confirm the existence of these three components and ascribe to each one of them corresponding needs and virtues by studying their nature. For example, just as the body needs to be fed physically in order to sustain itself, so the soul and the spirit require 'food' that corresponds to their respective natures.

As regards the spirit, humankind has not been unjust to it. We have given it ‘food’ galore, irrespective of whether it was suitable or not. In any case, the spirit has not between ignored. We have completely neglected the third component. This is a serious matter, since it is from the soul that all our emotions spring (whether the soul is the source of all our emotions is a subject whose explanation must be postponed for the time being). The fact remains that we have neglected our soul completely. Now why we have done so is beyond all understanding, since individual experience shows us that a person feels more than they think. And it is these emotions which dictate and define their thoughts.

We know very well that our thinking is always influenced by our sentiments. When we are happy our thoughts are optimistic. When we are in love we see everything through rose tinted glasses and even the most difficult matter becomes easy. Again, when we are overwhelmed with rage, we act in ways that we often regret.

But surely our feelings are also greatly influence our thoughts? Strangely enough, although we have come to accept that our feelings influence our thinking, we have not examined our psychic state sufficiently to recognise the necessities and needs of our soul. We have not inquired whether by neglecting and frustrating the soul we are not led to a harmful state due to the imbalance and disharmony in our inner life. If we had taken the trouble to carry out a study of our own soul, such suffering would have been avoided.

What we have accept to begin with is that what we call the soul really exists. Without doubt, it does even though it may come under another name, such as ‘the subconscious’ or 'psyche'. The fact remains that we all know that we possess something from which our emotions spring.

How is it only humans possess what we call soul? If we examine the world around us, can we discover something similar in it?

When we look at a table for example, we see that it is formed of wood which appears to be solid. That is, it appears continuous in its form - this is an illusion. Various studies and experiments carried out by science have revealed that what we call matter is not something absolutely uniform and continuous. Matter is composed of a large number of atoms, which are held together in close proximity, but which remain apart and separate. We are unable to see this disjointed nature of matter because our eye does not have the power to do so. However, this example should awaken us to the fact that because we cannot see a particular thing - in this case the structure of matter - that it is wrong.

Again, when we look at a person, we generally see them as a collective whole. However, we all know that a person is made up of organs which in turn are made up of cells which are made up of molecules, atoms, quantum particles and so on. All these separate parts collectively produce the form that we call a human being. We accept all this without any argument or doubt.

But we should now ask: How is it possible that these individual particles which make up the various organs, micro-organisms and cells of the body do not come apart; especially since the particles themselves are separate items with space between them? What holds the physical form of a person together?

To solve this problem scientists have been compelled to make the assumption that there must be a connecting link or force which holds the cells together. In other words, there is a force of attraction which holds the individual particles together. Further, to prevent this force of attraction from causing matter to implode in on itself, a force of repulsion is also necessary. So science has shown that there are two forces, one of attraction and one of repulsion. These two forces are more or less of equal intensity and their purpose are to keep the particles or atoms equidistant from one another. In this way the ‘form’ in matter is maintained.

Without these two opposing forces acting within matter, all material bodies would undergo a continual random falling apart and coming together. Nothing would remain constant and matter would be condemned to a continuous state of fluidity.

In the past, a large number of scientists accepted the concept of an ether, whose function was the transmission of these forces. This ether was all pervasive, as it filled not only the space between the particles which make up a human body, but also the space between the planets and stars. Ether allowed us to understand how forces were transmitted through a vacuum between atoms on a small scale and planets on a large scale .

Through various experiments science was unable to detect ether and so another explanation was devised to resolve the problem of action at a distance. This was done by the introduction of various forms of 'Field Theory'. We have all seen the patterns that iron fillings make when they are sprinkled on top of a piece of paper lying over a magnet. On seeing such patterns, we say that the magnetic field or the lines of force are revealed. So the concept of ether was replaced by that of the field in which various forces, electrical, magnetic and gravitational act.

We may think that  science has found a different explanation for the transmission of force by introducing the 'field'. However, it is obvious that science has simply resolved the difficulty by dropping the word ‘ether’ and replacing it with ‘a field’. Scientists expected ether to exhibit material characteristics and when they were unable to show its existence, they assumed that ether did not exist.

We all know that the Earth attracts all the surrounding bodies to its centre, otherwise all the people of the world would float away into space. We know that there is a void between us and the Moon and yet the Moon is held in its orbit around the Earth. But surely if there were a true void, the law of gravity would not be able to function. So there must be some other factor which allows these forces to act at a distance.

On the macro scale - planets - and on the micro scale - atoms - there appears to be a void between the various parts that make up both systems. The forces of attraction and repulsion are obviously at work, otherwise matter would start to spontaneously implode or disintegrate. We also understand that these forces must have a medium through which they can act. Now whether we call this medium ‘ether’ or ‘a field’, makes little difference as long as we appreciate that such a medium must exist.

How does the earth remain constant, at the same distance from the Sun? Again, how does the Earth maintain the Moon in orbit around it, even while itself orbits the Sun? Some say that it is the law of gravity which maintains the form of the Universe and the orbits of the stars. But we know that the law of gravity could not work without the existence of ether. Without ether, the force of gravity could not act and the form of the Universe - the stars, suns and planetary satellites - would not be maintained.

Now, what was the purpose of the preceding discussion? We identified that on the material level we have at least one thing which binds humankind together - the air. We have also shown in the simplest possible manner that there is another medium, called ether, which connects us all, as it allows the transmission of force over a distance. This medium has the characteristics of being very light, pure and fine. It is so fine that science has been unable to detect it. It cannot be measured or seen but, given what we have said above, we accept that it exists.

One characteristic of ether is that it penetrates and passes through everything, from the subatomic scale all the way up to the level of the stars. Furthermore, it surrounds or bathes everything whether it be animate or inanimate. It is everywhere. So every human being is surrounded and penetrated by ether on both the atomic and the cellular scale.

We can define matter from the properties it possesses. Just as air connects us physically, ether connects us in a different way. Air has the characteristic of being a gas of the material plane. Germs also are of the material plane. Because air and germs are of the same nature, air is able to carry or propagate germs. Ether in contrast is unable to transmit germs simply because it is not of the same nature. So ether does not act on the level of the body, but it does on the level of the soul.

The Teaching of the Order associates and identifies ether with the Universal Psyche as it carries and is responsible for carrying emotions through and to the farthest extremes of space. If we can remain objective when considering the above, then all other thoughts which are in contradiction to them will have to be rejected. This is true even if these views and ideas run contrary to the views of the majority.

Since the soul exists and is the means of communication or transmission on the emotional level; since I have a body and know that the spirit cannot communicate with the body except via the soul, I am compelled to say that the soul is the connecting link, not only between body and spirit, but also between beings, great or small, near or far.

In order to extend our understanding we may ask further questions. I know that when I am ill, I may become a danger for those around me through the transmission of air born bacteria air that connects me to them. Based on that, when I have negative feelings do I harm myself?

The fact that I harm myself is in no doubt. When we are seized with rage, we do things which we regret. Also, when we are filled with envy and hate, our actions bear the marks of envy and hatred. When we are overcome in this way, we are not at peace with ourselves and constantly feed the flames of these negative feelings to our own detriment. But do we harm only ourselves? Could it be that negative feelings are like harmful germs that are transmitted through the ether? We can now easily answer this question.

Negative feelings do not stay with us, but leave us through the Universal Soul. To understand this, we may draw an analogy with an example of personal cleanliness. If we are swimming in the sea or in a swimming pool and we have not washed or cleansed ourselves properly, or are not free from illness, it is likely that we will pass an infection on to another person who is in the water with us. In the same way, all our feelings, good or bad, leave our bodies and are carried by etheric vibrations and have the potential to superficially or seriously influence those around us.

So we can see that germs can be transmitted through the air and in a similar fashion, the ‘germs’ of negative feelings can be transmitted through the Universal Soul. In doing so, they can emotionally harm our fellow human beings. Perhaps, the only difference is that of degree, in that with germs I may die but from negative feelings I do not.

Indeed this seems to be the case because we may die from typhus, but not from hate. However, though this may seem true, it is in fact a delusion. Just as germs can cause a physical death, since their action causes a deterioration in the body, so harmful feelings have a similar effect by deteriorating our psychic life.

Both germs and negative feelings are constrained and act at their particular level. Germs act on the physical level, whilst negative feelings are focused on the level of emotions or the soul. Both use the means available to them at their particular level so as to break up and destroy the material and emotional life of a human being.

We are all well aware of how to protect ourselves physically from any danger to our health. We do so by taking the appropriate precautions and measures to protect ourselves from dangerous agents which are carried in the water and air. In the same way it is possible to protect ourselves from harmful feelings carried by the Universal Soul.

It is irrational to think that our soul does not play any role in our life and that we can progress only with brains and belly. Since we know that our soul governs our actions, we must not neglect it. Negative feelings are transmitted through ether and influence others^[2]. It follows that we are continuously on the receiving end of negative feelings from others. We also add our own negative feelings to the emotional input and this has a detrimental effect on us.

In the case of an epidemic we are forced to set rules of good public health, such as the disinfecting of residences when they are found to harbour harmful germs^[3]. We should also have parallel rules of good public morality regarding negative feelings. We should keep our ‘place of residence clean’ by purifying our psychic environment for the protection of our soul. By protecting ourselves in this way, we help maintain our soul impregnable, clean and pure. This will allow us to judge situations with a clearer mind, uninfluenced by base feelings.

In conclusion, given what we have said about negative feelings, we should cultivate goodness, love and positive feelings. This is not a matter of ‘professional morality’ but one of true self interest, for the health of our psychic state.

Without individual psychic good health, we cannot maintain a happy and good world. Nor can we create a good world based purely on our stomachs, since good nutrition is not enough by itself to bring happiness. Through application, our minds will discern the particular wounds from which we are suffering. If we maintain purity, objectivity and independence of mind, free from baser feelings such as selfishness and hatred, and if we cultivate goodness - that ever uniting factor - then and only then shall we be able to attain our own happiness and that of the whole world.

May all those who agree and accept the above engrave with honest intent in both their hearts and minds that:

TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER IS TO THE BENEFIT OF ALL HUMANITY