Order of the Star in the East
Manual
International Self-preparation Group
The Purpose of the Group
The Order of the Star in the East is now entering
upon quite a new phase. Since the Star Day of December 28th, 1925, the
Order has come definitely into closer touch with the mighty force of spirituality
which is behind our movement.
When the World teacher is with us, humanity
will be divided into two classes, those who will follow rapidly along the
mighty Path which the Teacher will point out, and those who will idle away
the precious years in the slow waters of normal evolution. This division
of the people has occurred whenever a mighty Teacher has appeared in the
world. When the Lord Buddha was with us. His power and His teachings divided
India into two such classes. When Christ appeared in Palestine, there were
two such divisions of the Jews. It is but a natural classification, and
when the World Teacher is with us once more, this will occur again.
Even within the Order itself there will be
such a differentiation. Hence the members must NOW decide which path they
will follow. For those who will follow the swift and exacting path, we have
established an International Self-Preparation Group, the purpose of which
is to prepare the members to understand the teachings of the Lord and to
cooperate with Him. Above all, this Group exists for the sole purpose of
training the members to put into practise the teachings that we have already
at our disposal.
Now I want to emphasise one very important
point concerning the Group. It is our intention that it should be, throughout
the world, a magnificent success, worthy of our ideals, and an instrument
suitable for the Teacher to use. To assure ourselves of this, I ask the
members in all sincerity, not to join the Self-Preparation Group
unless they desire earnestly and honestly to help and co-operate
with those who "mean business". I would therefore earnestly beg them not
to make the Group futile and ineffective.
The Group is but one among the many ways of
preparing the world for the Teacher. Hence there is NO compulsion whatsoever
for any member of the Order to join it. The Star is so wide in its attitude
and its outlook, that it can embrace all kinds of activities and be friendly
towards them all. So members who do not like the Group and its underlying
principles, can work along other and equally important channels that will
be used by the Teacher. Hence no member should adopt an intolerant attitude
towards any of his fellowmembers who may be working along different lines.
I would beg those who want to become members,
to make up their minds BEFORE they join the Group and NOT AFTER. We want
to have in the Group only those who have decided, at all costs, to follow
the swift and exacting Path. I want to point out that those who join the
Group bear a great responsibility and this responsibility always abides with
them, for on each one of the members depends our success and our usefulness.
So, friends, I would urge on you all the great importance of the Group; please
do not join merely out of curiosity, for we mean business. The work is
of the utmost importance and as individuals, with our troublesome personalities,
we are of no consequence in the eyes of the Master. With this fact made
absolutely clear to ourselves, let us proceed; and we should not forget
this truth at any time, however high or low our condition may be.
I am quite convinced that the blessing of
the Teacher abides always with those who make a sincere and honest attempt.
The great Being is the absolute judge and HE judges according to the service
and the love we extend towards humanity.
J. Krishnamurti