In ordinary times, when a new idea has to be introduced amongst a conservative people, it is best introduced by easy stages. Its advocates must seek out what is immediately practicable. But if many hindrances in the way of spiritual advance do exist, if progress must be proportioned to human receptivity, it is also true that we live in exceptional times and that a whole cycle of civilization is coming to an end. A new one is struggling to be born. Hence a definite speeding up of the tempo of progress will be right and successful just now, because it will be helped by karmic forces and evolutionary trends. Such a conjuncture of events and influences provides not only the opportunity to serve humanity spiritually as never before, it provides also the obligation to do so. We might have been quite content to wait for the vindication of the overwhelming rightness of philosophy, because events themselves have been contributing to our work for us. But they have been doing it slowly and cautiously, little step by little step. Now civilization's danger of collapse has come near enough to make us less patient. It is because we live in unprecedentedly troubled days that the light of philosophy is so needed. The more distressing the time in which we live, the more necessary is the quest for what will raise us above all distress. The critical changes and unprecedented events through which we are passing today call for a correct lead. It is an inescapable duty and sacred responsibility on the part of those who have the requisite knowledge to provide such a lead. The obligation to help the birth of a better world is both a moral and a practical one; it is now paramount. It is one of the philosopher's functions to reveal the true meaning of this world-experience, to explain the deeper causes of its chaos and turmoil, and to point the way toward a better life for mankind. His duty lies therefore not in making propaganda but in letting people become aware that the knowledge of truth does exist among men, that it is available for whoever seeks it earnestly enough. The gospel which humanity needs for the healing of its frightful malady already exists within its midst. But its existence is known only to a few.
-- Notebooks Category 13: Human Experience > Chapter 4 : World Crisis > # 273
