A Joint Enterprise

The Vice-President, Mr. Sidney A. Cook, has by his, remarks made inevitable a speech from me! He has referred to the good wishes of all the people: present here, and to the support I will have, as President, from the various members of the staff. Off course I esteem them greatly. It is but very natural and very right that when a person is called to a heavy responsibility, those who are around him and assist him in discharging it should give him of their goodwill and support.

But it is also natural to be grateful, and I am profoundly grateful to each and every one who joins in the atmosphere of this occasion. Some do so, I know, from afar in different parts of the world. It helps me to feel that whatever we may achieve will be achieved by us together.

I believe that everyone, however humble, must be enabled to have his part in matters which he can understand. There may be, for instance, a peon or messenger in a big and important business organization. Even he is capable of making suggestions in regard to some of the matters of that office, in the arrangement of furniture, for instance. True co-operation requires the help and assistance of each and every one in his measure, whether he has a post which is regarded as high or a post which is thought of as low. When the great city of the Manu was built in Central Asia the Manu, who was the Head of the whole enterprise, would pause sometimes in His rounds – so we read – to talk to a humble sweeper of the streets and enquire into his problems. There was an example of true equality – equality at heart – between the truly great, not merely persons ostensibly so, and others much humbler in knowledge, virtue and capacity.

We meet in a very beautiful place, under the famous Banyan Tree. As we look on every side we see trees, the amphitheatre, the river, the waves and the sea that lie beyond, and the clear open sky. There cannot be a more delightful spot for us to meet frequently and exchange counsel, as I hope we will do.

Differences of Fundamental Value

Mr. Cook referred to the fact that in the Theosophical Society, as in every other important organization, there are bound to be strong differences of opinion, different ways of looking at things, different temperaments. I always feel that these differences are not something to be apologetic about, to be explained away, but are of fundamental value. If there are two ways in which two people sincerely look at a thing, each way has something good, each opinion surely has some merit in it. If only we can put aside that opinionatedness with which each one of us is so afflicted, if we can keep ourselves open to others, we will be able to enter into their thoughts and standpoint, and we will find that all the differences are resolved by a certain silent process of absorbing them without any particular effort on our part. An integration takes place inwardly in some deep recess of our nature. We merely extend to the other person the benefit of our attention, our consideration of what he has to say, without any reserve; we try to understand him – which does not necessarily mean agree. We will find, then, that we have taken into ourselves what he has really to give, and also that all these different views are in some mysterious way mingled, so that what comes out is a view which seems to meet all just requirements.

The Vice-President spoke of the possibility of a grand harmony in the Society, which does not mean that we should do away with differences. Yes, do away with differences of personality, striving for position and honors, insistence on one’s own view because it is one’s view these are hindrances to real understanding and action. But any difference which is sincere, rooted in some deeply-felt principle, is a difference to be valued, accepted and made use of. Your view is theoretically as good as mine on any matter equally within our comprehension; mine is not necessarily superior, even if it prevails. But that is not the way people ordinarily look at differences of opinion, and that is why it is so difficult for people to work together.

I feel it is a very great training that is offered to us, to work together in spite of differences. If we can put aside our personal ambitions, our insistence on what we personally want irrespective of what others want, there will be no difficulty in coming to a beautiful understanding amongst ourselves. It does not matter what each thinks; the value in his view is something to be taken into consideration.

The Theosophical Society can be an organization in which there are many views, many standpoints, many philo­sophies even. It can be like a wonderful banyan tree, the main trunk of which is at Adyar, but which throws down rootlets and stems in different parts of the world, each representing a school of thought or a certain mode of activity. All of them would be from one tree, fed from the same parent-root, a tree under the shade of which those who are in I affliction and weary may rejoice to shelter for a while. Why should not our Society be like that banyan tree?

The Society is even already a unique organization. There are so many National Societies, each autonomous. Each Lodge, each member is autonomous – or should be. There is freedom for each and all, and there ought to be also a complete openness of mind. But how are these Sections and Lodges held together? Not by rules and con­stitution. What is to prevent their breaking away and declaring their independence, as did the various parts of Alexander’s empire after he passed away? The only thing that holds this world-wide organization is the life which flows through the Society and the response which members all over the world make in their freedom to the impact of that life. We cannot coerce any National Society to remain within the international organization, but they do so because they want to remain, are eager to do so, because they regard Adyar as the fountain of their inspiration. The future of the Society depends then on the continual and increasing flow of life from those exalted sources from which the life actually issues.