HUMAN EVOLUTION
[The following quotations are taken from The Notebooks of Paul Brunton
Volume 9, Category 13 “Human Experience”]
Compiled by Judy Strickland
Our minds and hearts today are struggling to understand the ongoing world events, the shifting of political powers and perspectives, and how to fulfill our role as good citizens and as people of goodwill.
As questers of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty, as students of Philosophical wisdom, we turn to spiritual teachers such as Paul Brunton who have left a legacy of inspired guidance. PB councils us in these times of mankind’s evolutionary challenges as follows:
No crisis which humanity has faced in the past is comparable with the present one either for spiritual gravity or physical consequences. [13:4.2] [Category 13: Chapter 4. #2]
“Crisis” is derived from the Greek word meaning “to decide.” I fitly used the term in the title of my last book [The Spiritual Crisis of Man–Ed.] because a decisive turning point had been reached in human history, forcing two alternative directions for an inescapable movement. [13:4.4]
The crisis which has been growing within humanity will open completely in this century. It is an inner crisis, and its meaning is that humanity can go no farther in its downward path into the lust of the senses and the intellect into the forgetfulness of its innermost divine soul, without the most dangerous consequences to its future, without losing the very thread of the possibility of one day recovering its spiritual memory. In today’s world there is such indifference to the things of the spirit, such moral lethargy, that the higher power is forcing us either to call a halt or to perish. [13:4.5]
The experiences which the human race has gathered during the past few hundred years have supplemented its knowledge, enriched its culture, and improved its environment. But they have done all this at a price. For they have increased its intellectual vanity, impoverished its religious feeling, and unbalanced its values. [13:4.83]
The effort to find balance and efficiency in honoring and administering equal rights and freedoms for all, globally, is so challenging that it seems humanly impossible. Only the spiritual reality present as the essential nature of man offers guidance.
The era of dynamic democracy is at hand. [13:4.94]
Because the social strata were too rigidly organized, because they did not permit the upward passage of worthy or gifted individuals, they provoked resentment and, in the end, rebellion. Democracy became the karma of aristocracy. [13:4.154]
In this democratic age we preach equality but continue to practise, if and when we can, the contrary. We can hardly do otherwise. Social distinctions appear because there are differences of economic background, of upbringing and ways of life, because refinement does not easily mix with vulgarity. If each is the end product of a series of reincarnations, the differences in nature and experience are certain to show themselves, giving rise to social differences. But this is no excuse for exploitation and snobbishness in the more fortunate levels of society, or for rancour and class hatred in the less fortunate ones. [13:4.155]
It is correct to say that one consequence of this evolutionary development will be the achievement of emotional harmony among mankind through mutual goodwill. But this is not the same as the achievement of intellectual unity, of perfect identity in view and attitude. This is impossible and unattainable. Each human ego has its own peculiarities, its own unique experience and its own psychological differences. No two are the same. Harmony as an ideal relation and ethical goal, yes, but unity as a necessary prerequisite of it, no! [13:4.247]
If the crisis can force enough people to acknowledge their own insufficiency, if it can bring them to recognize that the old ways of living have led to a dead end, and if it can arouse them to search for higher values as well as newer paths, it will be passed successfully. [13:4.215]
There is developing in the contemporary world an increasing sympathy with mystical attitudes and an increasing realization of the insufficiency of intellectual ones. [13:4.287]
Religions must rise and fall, change and die, because men’s beliefs must change with the changing times. This is why I see in the higher philosophy of Truth the only enduring hope for a peace on earth which will be unbreakable, and the only charger for goodwill towards men which will survive as long as this planet survives. [13:4.300]
How emotionally refreshing, how intellectually valuable, and how practically applicable are the certitude, the clarity, and the insight of philosophy at a time like ours of confusion and doubt, uncertainty and despair. [13:4.301]
Amid the confusions and dangers of today, this faith in a divine plan of the world can support us like a rock. [13:4.330]
However grave the events of contemporary history may appear, one may draw strength and courage in the knowledge that Infinite Intelligence is always behind them, directing things. [13:4.321]
PB has given us the following beautiful and inspiring prayer to support us daily in these times:
A Prayer For The World:
In this time of confusion and anxiety, of strife and trouble, it is our holy duty to remember our dependence on Thee, O real Governor of the world!
We realize that the darkness in the world today has come because so many have forgotten their dependence on Thee.
Those whose positions of power or influence have placed them in the nations’ councils need, in their grave responsibility, the help of Thy communion and the benefit of Thy guidance as never before, that they may not stray into error or weakness.
Therefore, we shall daily pray for them and for ourselves, in minutes of private worship or silent meditation, that all may regain the feeling of Thy presence. We shall constantly confess our shortcomings and faults, but we promise to strive to better and ennoble our lives. We shall endeavour to cast out all evil thinking and materialistic belief.
Our need of Thy mercy and grace is vast. Show us the way to win them, O Infinite Father of all beings, Whose love is our last resource. [13:4.306]