In his first book,
The Reappearance of the Christ and the Masters of Wisdom, British artist Benjamin Creme stunned the world with his announcement that the Christ, as World Teacher for the coming age, is already among us--gradually emerging into full public recognition. And, further, that this great Spiritual Presence, known as Maitreya, is the same One expected by many religions, albeit it under different names. Along with a group of highly-evolved spiritual men who have long inspired humanity from behind the scenes, Maitreya is here to promote cooperation among the many ideological factions, galvanize world goodwill and sharing, and inspire sweeping political, social, economic and environmental reforms.
A student of the Ageless Wisdom teachings--first made available to the public in the late 1800s by H.P. Blavatsky and later by Alice A. Bailey--Benjamin Creme has traveled the world for more than 25 years further elucidating upon these teachings and alerting people to the imminency of this event, dubbed by one journalist as the biggest story in history. In the ten inspiring and provocative books which have emerged from this process, Creme paints an ever more detailed picture of humanity's destiny, both worldly and spiritually. We are talking about nothing less than the total transformation of every aspect of our lives, he says.
Cremes message is both profound and immensely practical. Each book covers a vast range of topics: from meditation and the growth of consciousness to political and economic change, from initiation and group work to ecology and world service. Compelling explanations are offered for the ever-increasing miraculous or unexplained phenomena such as weeping Madonnas, crosses of light, healing waters, crop circles and UFOs. Creme also clarifies misunderstandings about the antichrist and the 'last judgment'.
Benjamin Creme is chief editor of Share International, a monthly magazine read in over 70 countries, that addresses the changes that are both needed and actually occuring in every field of endeavor to bring about a more just and compassionate global society. He accepts no remuneration or royalties for his work.
The following selections are taken from the first chapter. Where noted, the excerpt is from the Master of Wisdom with whom Benjamin Creme has been associated for more than 40 years.
Chapter One discusses at length the opposing ways of approaching and dealing with life: co-operating or competing. It traces the competitive spirit back to the animal kingdom and shows its gradual replacement by co-operation as humanity advances. Many of the problems of the modern world are seen in this context, and co-operation is shown as the way, in line with our soul's intent, to solve them.
* More and more, men are beginning to understand the severity of the problems which face them today. On all fronts - political, economic and social - these problems multiply and cause much heartache and sad shaking of heads....The realization is dawning that mankind's life is in crisis and that something radical must be done before it is too late. (the Master --)
* Men must release themselves from the poison of competition, must realize it for the glamour which it is, and, seeing the Oneness of all men, embrace co-operation for the General Good. Only co-operation and justice will save men from a disaster of their own making; co-operation and justice alone will guarantee their future. (the Master --)
* Little by little, a new consciousness is awakening humanity to its inner needs. The old, competitive spirit dies hard, but nevertheless a new spirit of co-operation is likewise to be seen. This augurs well for the future for it is by co-operation alone that mankind will survive; by co-operation alone that the new civilization will be built; by co-operation only that men can know and demonstrate the inner truth of their divinity. (the Master --)
* The world is divided into two groups: those who are holding on to the old greedy and selfish nationalistic systems and who thus represent the reactionary forces of the world; and those who are opening to the new incoming energies of Aquarius, and who are looking for a way of brotherhood and co-operation, a realization of the interdependence that results from the fact that we are one humanity.
* The soul only knows right relationship. That is what it wants to produce on the physical plane. This of course is difficult since for long ages, and especially now through our modern political and economic structures, we have created a world whose essential nature is competition.
* America's soul aspect, the 2nd ray of Love/Wisdom, demonstrated most obviously with the Marshall Plan after the war. The Marshall Plan is the greatest achievement of America to date vis-à-vis the rest of the world.
* The spiritual crisis of humanity, (not knowing the meaning and purpose of our lives), is focused today through the political, and especially the economic, field, and can only be resolved there. That means that the soul aspect, the spiritual aspect, has to be given expression....We have to see what we are doing and change it.
* We have to see and accept the rights of every human being, from the youngest and lowest on the economic scale to the princes of power in the mansions of the developed world.
* Inculcating co-operation is the most needed thing but it is up to the parents to do it; that is where it ought to start.
* There is no such thing as 'healthy competition'. There is either co-operation or competition. Co-operation is pro-life, pro-evolution; competition is the reverse. It is the opposite of life; it is against evolution.
* Sharing the world's resources will restore sanity to the world. It will make life happier for most people. Some people in the beginning may feel loss through a simplification of life and loss of 'choice' but - under the influence of the Masters, and the spiritual and mental transformation, the loss of tension and stress, which will accrue from sharing - we will create a world in which people will appreciate life even more and find it beautiful.
* What makes karma a major problem for people is their inability to deal with it, to recognize their own responsibility for it, and to do something about it. Most people blame their problems on other people or on circumstances: it was their upbringing, the fact that their parents did not love them, or got divorced, or left them wanting, or that their husband left them, or did not leave them. All these experiences are shed onto someone else, but of course it is all to do with karma, our own responsibility.
* What holds us back in evolution is the karma which is always sitting on our shoulders and is not burnt away in the fire of service. Burn up the karma in the fire of service and you will go like a rocket to the top!
* If you continually look at your motives, and assess the true, underlying intention behind everything you say and do, you gradually become pure. You act spontaneously in the right way. You are not competitive.
* If there is no peace in the Middle East, there will never be peace in the world. So it is absolutely essential that they learn to compromise.
* The concept of a group around a leader who guides them and teaches them and leads them forward is an old Piscean concept. It is disappearing fast, or should be. In groups connected with the new Aquarian experience for humanity, every member of the group should be equal. There should be no leaders surrounded by lesser beings....As for leadership per se, it is an old and dying concept. How should the leader make his leadership effective in the group work? By disappearing as the leader.
