Higher Mental plane, and it cannot be realised or experienced in any state of consciousness below the level of that plane. There is a real and presently-existing Brotherhood, universal in its character, and every Master, Adept, Initiate, and Accepted Chela of the White Lodge is a member thereof. It is something intensely alive, glowing and real.

The “nucleus of a Universal Brotherhood,” meant that individuals were to train and fit themselves for the status of Chela-ship by living the life. Had they done this conscientiously, and with understanding, it would have resulted in a widening and extension of individual consciousness; their “centre” would have been transferred to the Higher Mental plane instead of remaining confined to the lower. Thus one and all would have been partakers in reality, in an actual and universal Brotherhood, and would have been able to contact at will, the One Life at the Higher level.

This nucleus would have steadily grown and expanded until, what is now spoken of as “Cosmic Consciousness,” if not actually general, would have ceased to be regarded as mysterious and unusual; for these two are one and the same thing. To achieve Universal Brotherhood is to transcend the limitations of the lower mind by attaining a certain degree of inward illumination. Be it remembered that it must be attained intelligently, and its relationship to the whole scheme of human evolution must be understood.

The misunderstanding of the truth of Universal Brotherhood does harm indirectly; it causes people to direct their efforts towards the attainment of a seventh sub-race ideal, one which cannot be realised now. They are thus prevented from striving to reach the goal that is immediately