Universal Brotherhood and
the Oneness of Humanity

This article is part of my ongoing series on Oneness and Group Consciousness.

There is in the world, and indeed even the Universe, a sacred principle that is a deep truth about who you are, and how things function.

Although this truth has been a part of every spiritual path explored over the history of human consciousness, it remains a principle with which humanity seems to have a struggle. That is the understanding of Brotherhood and of Unity.

In today’s climate of unrest understanding brotherhood and unity is even more important to everyone’s evolution.

The universal brotherhood of man is our most precious possession, what there is of it.
– Mark Twain

What is Brotherhood

The Oxford Dictionary defines it as an association, society, or community of people linked by a common interest, religion, or trade.

The simple meaning of the Universal Brotherhood of Mankind is the belief, feeling, or hope that all (wo)men should regard and treat one another as brothers and sisters.

On a higher level, according to theosophist E.A. Neresheimer,

In the process of evolution, humanity has differentiated from the great homogeneous ocean of consciousness in order that the soul may gain experience in matter; being now on the outer circle of manifestation, it appears to be apart, but it is destined in its natural course to return to the primal unity from whence it came.

The thread which has spun itself out from unity into differentiation connects each individual with the parent source, and through it with all else; and the innate qualities of the soul — Love, Sympathy, and Charity — are the manifestations thereof in man; these reside in the Heart.

According to the Esoteric Philosophy, the race has fortunately reached the outermost stage of realization of separateness, the time is at hand for the ascent on the return arc, the pendulum is swinging back and will bring with it an awakening towards spirituality. A psychic wave has already begun to sweep over the globe; in its course, it will rouse the latent spiritual faculties of mankind and develop intuition to a degree that will cause great changes in the Social Economy and produce a realization of our birthright, ‘The Universal Brotherhood of Man.’”

An understanding of this Universal Brotherhood of Mankind principle has been expressed and taught by every spiritual teacher and is an essential element in every spiritual path across many diverse cultures and religions practiced over thousands of years.

Helena Blavatsky talks about, in the Secret Doctrine Book 2 – Part 3, the Law of laws is the Law of Brotherhood — Alaya. Its unity extends beyond the human kingdom and enfolds bird and beast, shrub and tree, metal and stone, all the invisible elemental kingdoms of nature-spirits, and fairies, collective hosts of archangels, shining ones and devas, and the crown of them all — Perfected Man, Mahatmas, Buddhas, Dhyanis.

Within this principle is an understanding of how life works, and even more significantly, how we, as humankind, are created to work together.

The Principles of Brotherhood
Have Been Passed Down for Century’s

Sadly, the frequent failure of humanity to incorporate the principles of Brotherhood and the Oneness of Humanity into its interactions results in widespread sorrow and suffering. This is a condition that it is within the power of humanity to solve and resolve.

The failure to demonstrate the Brotherhood in human relationships and interactions leads to wars and holds back the kinds of international cooperation that could create abundance and prosperity across the world.

From the ancient days of the history of humanity throughout every world religion and spiritual practice, the concept of Brotherhood is integral, and our Unity and Oneness with one another is interwoven.

Within the concept of Brotherhood and understanding of the unity of all of humanity lies incredible power. That is why, throughout time, the principle of Brotherhood has been woven through every religion on earth. These enlightened beings formed the central religious teachings of a vast and diverse array of paths to right human relationships. They also focus on right human interactions, teach Brotherhood, and encourage an awareness of the Oneness of Humanity.

Over 5,000 years ago, this principle of Unity and Brotherhood was revealed by Arjuna on the battlefield as in the spiritual teachings of the Bhagavad Gita that guide the Hindi religion. This vital principle was demonstrated when Arjuna had the revelation “I can no longer war against myself.”

The importance of learning brotherhood is integral to the development of Buddhism as monks live and work together in monasteries throughout the world. In fact, the Brotherhood of Monks is the oldest religious brotherhood in the world; it was founded by the Buddha about 2,500 years ago and continues to exist to this day.

Certainly, Brotherhood is a central principle in Christianity when Jesus told his followers in Matthew: 24-41 “to the least of these my brethren.”

Brotherhood is not only based on faith, but it is also a part of that faith. The Prophet Mohamad said, “You cannot enter paradise unless you become a total believer, and you won’t become a total believer unless you love each other.“ Faith and community are inseparable in the faith community in Islam. Even an occasional reader of the Quran would note that it always addresses the Believers, not the Believer. All acts of worship that are declared pillars of Islam have a collective form that shows the importance of Brotherhood.

Likewise, there is the very ancient teaching of the code of Hammurabi that became a pillar of all lessons about ethics. This became known as the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.“

Without turning this article into a 100,000-page book on religious scholarship, I think it is right to say that within every world religion, brotherhood, and the Oneness of Humanity is integral to the teachings of the founding principles of that religion, along with the instructions of loving one another.

The Law of One

When we speak of the One Life, this is not merely a poetic phrase or symbol. It refers to the fact that we are all essentially that one same Life, as expressed in the diversity of form that constitutes our being on many levels (cellular and spiritual.)

Because of our interconnectedness, every action (or lack thereof) has an effect on every other aspect of nature. Like a pebble, thrown into a body of water, our actions ripple out, beyond the spheres of our immediate influence.

When considered at a deeper level, Universal Brotherhood may be understood as being at the heart of humanity, because of how practical it is to us in all aspects of our lives, not only as individuals but also collectively, as humankind.

Despite teachings in the consciousness of humanity spanning back to what is known as the very cradle of civilization, as we look around the world today, we see constant violations of the principles of Brotherhood.

Sadly, the very basic truth that led to Arjuna’s decision of the battlefield to cease war when he realized that he could not harm another without harming himself is still valid.

As we consider everything that is happening in the world today, it is easy to see that Unity and Brotherhood is not the guiding focus of how we, as citizens of planet earth, interact with one another.

However, I would like us to take a moment to consider how the world could be if we allow this vital principle to effect policies and politics. As we do this, let us imagine how treating one another with an awareness of Oneness would change the world.

Why Karma Is Involved In Brotherhood

Within the profound principle of Brotherhood and Unity is an essential mystery of how the Law of Karma works.

The Law of Karma is often misunderstood because it is a force that expands beyond the perspective of individual life experience into the guidance of the purpose of your Soul to learn essential lessons that are incorporated into your consciousness at the level of your eternal or Soul consciousness.

The timeless and eternal aspect of life, as an adventure created to enable you to learn the lessons of Love and the lessons of right human relationships, make learning about Brotherhood and understanding the Oneness of Humanity essential.

It is the Law of Karma, over the vast expanse of time that proves the adage that, “you cannot harm another without harming yourself.” Karma can be simply stated as, “you get the lesson until you learn the lesson.”

I believe this is throughout eternity and exceeds your life experience which makes it difficult to see and to understand from a personality individual life experience which is limited to identifying with your current personality and ego. That stated, this does not mean the Law of Karma is not real, but that it operates beyond the scope of our current individuated understanding.

Karma answers the question so many of us have about why certain things and situations occur in life that may not make sense and seem beyond our control as the guiding principle of Karma is to give the lesson to the eternal consciousness that you ultimately are, until you learn the lesson. This is true, not only for you but for everyone with whom you interact and relate throughout your life.

You may want to be conscious of your thoughts and words, so they don’t create negative karma by your actions.

What You Can Do for Brotherhood and Unity

You can join in this planetary work and this world service by simply saying at 5 p.m., wherever you are, The Blessing of the New Group of World Servers.

The Blessing of the New Group of World Servers

May the power of the One Life
pour through the group of all true servers.

May the Love of the One Soul
characterize the lives of all who
seek to aid the Great Ones.

May we fulfill our part in the One work
through self-forgetfulness, harmlessness
and right speech.

– Serving Humanity (p461) by Alice A. Bailey

In this way, you can support the efforts for peace in our time and also be aware of our unity and brotherhood as the one humanity.

This blessing is offered in every country of the world, in the words of every culture. Each hour as it becomes five p.m. local time, the whole world joins in the effort to support and empower those who are working for the common good of the human family.

As this blessing goes around the world it is a demonstration and a viable manifestation of one world and one humanity’s consciousness that can bring us closer to the long-desired realization of brotherhood and unity.

You Can Make A Difference

I encourage you and invite you to join with your thoughts, your prayers, and your intentions in participating in this world-wide blessing that focusses on bringing the force of unity to manifestation for the greatest good of all.

I invite you to consider, in your actions and in your speech the principle of harmlessness.

I ask you to be an agent of goodwill in the world, demonstrating in your life and relationships, as well as where you can, the principles of brotherhood and sisterhood, harmlessness, and right speech as the underpinnings of right relationships in the world. In so doing you will be advancing the evolution of our collective consciousness.

Emerge, through the darkness of malice, into the bright light of Brotherhood that awaits you at the end of the tunnel. For indeed, it is often in times of greatest trial that the fires of nobility and virtue are kindled in the heart of humanity.

It falls to all of us – both as individuals and as a community – to work towards the achievement of this noble end. Transformation on an inner level will eventually result in transformation on a grander scale – and thus, As Above, So Below, As Within, So Without, as the Hermetic axiom goes. And this transformation may begin today, through the cultivation of the virtues of compassion, tolerance, and universal brotherhood.

Namaste,

Genevieve

The Blessing of Love on All that you Do!

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Last updated 6-14-2020

About the author:
Genevieve Gerard teaches Transformational Consciousness – from first awakening to enlightened Soul awareness. She helps you experience the joy that results from the spontaneous “touch of your soul.”

Universal Brotherhood and the Oneness of Humanity