(Given from the Eiffel Tower)
Beloved Ones of God, friends to whom I speak, but see only with my soul, not with the physical eyes, you who listen to what I say by the medium of the new invention, radio, I speak to you heart to heart, on the most important subject, the problem of the day, the problem that stands before us to solve. We do not need to expect that it is the great temporal powers only who can solve the problem. No, you and I, however limited and humble in our lives, can wonder about this problem, can think of its solution, and can do in our small way what we can in order to bring about better times.
In spite of all the progress that has been made in modern civilization in all departments of life, such as commerce, industry, politics, and economics, the question remains: have we really progressed? If someone observes the superficiality of life, which people live today in the so-called civilized parts of the world, they shall certainly find that people today are far removed from nature, from the nature within and without. They have become exiles from the ideal state of life, as humankind’s father, Adam, was exiled from the Garden of Eden. The more laws are being made, the more crimes are committed; the more machines are prepared, the more work has increased and little is done. The more courts are made, the more cases occur; the more physicians, the more diseases. Avariciousness has come to the fore, so that whether with an aristocratic or democratic system justice seems to be absent. Education is becoming burdensome every day of the life of the new generation, who are the hope of the world. In order to accomplish something in the line of education, the youth, who have sacrificed the kingly time of childhood and the blossom of youth, have already aged. Even after that sacrifice they have little hope for their future life. There come a thousand things to discourage them in every walk of life, where they find competition. With every regard for the rights of woman that have been given in this age, woman’s responsibility in life is much more increased. She has to fight her battle in the open field, which naturally exhausts her energy and courage. And this causes her to lose her inherent fine nature, having to rub against the rough edges of life constantly.
There is prejudice and hatred and distrust that exists between nations, whether friends or foes. Every nation is absorbed in its own interest, regardless of the people in general. All this is reflected on the mentality of individuals, and has made life difficult for rich and poor both. People see material strife everywhere and they turn their head. Every ideal, every principle has to be sacrificed for it. There are institutions working to make conditions better, and yet among such institutions, the whole effort is being directed to make their own condition better. If A has got a loaf of bread, B wants to snatch it away from them, saying, “I am entitled to have it, as I stand for my right.” People with ideals, manners, or culture find life difficult to live. Those without these get along better, for they are more capable of battling in the present struggle of life. During these past years, humanity has proved to be its own enemy, and if it continues in the same way, humanity will prove to be its worst enemy.
The question arises, what may be done if conditions are such as they are. The answer is that everything that can be done to widen the outlook of humanity, to make people understand life better, to raise humanity to a greater ideal, to a higher ideal, to show people the practicality of an unselfish life, is worthwhile. There may be many movements working along this line, but there can never be enough workers, for it is a world-felt need. Every conscientious person must consider it their sacred duty to contribute in any and every way they can. The Sufi Movement, which is composed of members from all different sections of humanity, is endeavouring to bring about better conditions without interfering with anyone’s religion or custom; for devotion to God and humanity is the only object it has placed before itself. May this Movement reach far and wide, illuminating and making the whole humanity one brotherhood and sisterhood.
God bless you.
March 1924
CW 1924 Vol. I, pp. 175-178.
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