Am I My Brother's Keeper?

[kristina]

Those who have attained to high states of Illumination answer the question in this manner: "The greatest
responsibility that every human being has is to know how to help others to help themselves." I have been
taught by the Masters of Wisdom who inspire.
problems which many well-meaning aspirants have is in mistaking their own desire to be needed for the need
existing in another. For example, I can smother an individual with kindness and attention thinking that I am
expressing love and unselfishness; but my real and hidden motive may be the desire to have that individual
dependent upon me. Or, I may suffer from guilt complexes and overwhelm another with material gifts and
services only because again, I am unaware that this is my way of covering up a hidden antagonism. Where
these negative attachments exist between individuals there is usually an attempt to force upon the other, one's
own concept of helpfulness. In essence we are our BROTHER'S KEEPER if we truly recognize the unity of
all life and the preciousness of its individual expressions.
True love seeks ever to revere and protect the freedom of other human souls. It gives of itself with
discrimination and does not try to force itself upon another. It disciplines with mercy, yet does not expose
itself to the mass-mind prejudices. It fights injustice where Wisdom dictates and protects the helpless in such
ways as to develop self-sufficiency.

"Self Sufficiency"