7rcTIX1xP

Advanced Course in Yogi Philosophy and Oriental Occultism250
The sense of separateness that causes us to feel as if we were made of
different material from our fellow men and women—that makes us feel selfrighteous—that
makes us thank God that we are different from, and better
than, other men—is error, and arises from the relative point of view. The
advanced occultist knows that we are all parts of the One Life—varying
only as we have unfolded so as to allow the higher parts of our nature to
manifest through us. The lowly brother is but as we were once, and he will
some day occupy the same position that we now do. And both he and we
will surely mount to still greater heights—and if he learns his lessons better
than do we, he may outstrip us in development. And besides this, we are
bound up with the lives of every other man and woman. We participate in
the conditions which contribute to their sin and shame. We allow to exist
in our civilization conditions and environments which contribute largely to
crime and misery. Every mouthful we eat—every garment we wear—every
dollar we earn—has had some connection with other people, and their lives
and ours are intermingled—we touch all mankind at thousands of points.
The law of cause and effect makes close companions of persons apparently
as far apart as the poles. What we call sin is often the result of ignorance
and misdirected energy—if we were in exactly the same position as those
who do wrong—with the same temperament, training, environment, and
opportunity—would we do so very much better than they? All life is on the
Path—we are all advancing slowly—often slipping back two feet for every
three we advance, but still registering a net advance of one foot. And all are
really trying to do the best they can, although often the appearances are
very much against them. None of us are so very good or perfect—then why
should we be so ready to condemn. Let us lend a helping hand whenever
we can, but let us not say, “I am holier than thou.” Let us remember the
precept of the great Master who warned us to cast the first stone only when
we were free from sin ourselves. Let us avoid the sense of separateness in
the relative sense, for it is a snare and a delusion, and the parent of nearly
all error.