Theory of Impersonality

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The Meaning of Impersonality Work unselfishly for humanity...while striving to get rid of the strength of the personal idea. —W. Q. Judge To understand the true implication of impersonality one must know the difference between personality and impersonality. Man is a self-conscious being and "crown piece of evolution." Experiences gathered through the five senses gradually become a part of him. He does not look upon himself or others, even for a moment, in a detached manner, i.e., apart from the experiences. Ultimately, it gives rise to the feeling of separateness that forms and feeds his personality. We derive our sense of "I" from this personality, which comprises our feelings, ideas, thoughts, or bundle of our experiences in life. But this bundle of experiences is not the real "I" or the Ego, which we call the Individuality. One of the most difficult tasks for a student-aspirant is to get rid of the personal idea and its hold on himself. If he becomes a victim of its influence, it will ruin him. We find ourselves using the pronoun "I" several times in a day—what I said, did, felt, thought of my experiences, my habits, likes and dislikes, etc. Self-examination makes us aware of self-centredness. A plant growing in a dark room will slowly wither away without sunlight. Likewise, if the personality is not guided by the Higher Self, if the lower self does not take refuge and seek the help of its Divine Ego, it gets hardened. All aspects of selfishness and vice relate to the personal man. Hence, the sense of separateness that weans us from the rest has to be conquered. How does one become impersonal? Impersonality is necessary for the right performance of service to others—especially Theosophical service.The impersonal man is the man of duty, whose actions are regulated by moral fitness. He is essentially the man who is assidious and controls his heart. The

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