244. Problems Of Humanity - 01. FOREWORD - A. BAILEY

FOREWORD

The first edition of this book, published in 1947, contained chapters on seven basic problems of humanity written and published in pamphlet form between October, 1944, and December, 1946. They dealt essentially with conditions existing during and immediately after the war years of 1939 to 1945. In 1953 a second edition was published which omitted certain outdated material, notably the first chapter on the physical reconstruction of the world, thus reducing the subject matter of the book to six problems of continuing concern to a world slowly recovering from the drastic effects of total modern warfare.

In 1964 the book was again revised and published as a paperback edition. In the years since 1953 much progress had been made by humanity within the area of these six problems and many practical changes had occurred during that period which rendered parts of the original book again obsolete. In some cases also the nature of the problems has changed. For example, the problem of the children of the world still exists in most parts of the world but in a different form and under different conditions to those prevailing in the immediate post-war period, particularly in Europe. The problems of capital, labour and employment also differ today in an increasingly automated and computerised world. Change is occurring within many crystallized and reactionary areas of religious orthodoxy and separateness, creating new problems within the churches.

Similar comments can be made for all these problems, with the added fact that new problems are arising under present day conditions which are variations and extensions of the basic six discussed in this book. Therefore, when in 1967 we are again faced with the need to reprint the book we realise that there are two alternatives open: one, to revise and update the book which would to all intents and purposes cut the original text to the bone and graft on to the skeleton structure factual data and information supplied by other writers; or two, reprint the book as it stands, because its basic teaching on all these problems is still as sound, as dynamic and as necessary as it was when originally written. This second course is the one we have decided to follow.

It is important, however, that those who study the book are aware of its history so that the essential teaching can be recognised and absorbed and the irrelevant factors ignored. The spiritual principles to be applied to the problems of humanity as discussed in this book are valid today and remain largely ignored by the majority of mankind. The contribution of esoteric students in creating "the thoughtform of solution" to human problems in a world at crisis point is a vital and practical service.

Lucis Publishing Company, New York — 1967

FOREWORD

The first edition of this book, published in 1947, contained essays on the basic problems of humanity. These had originally been issued in pamphlet form between October 1944 and December 1946, and dealt essentially with conditions during and immediately after the War years of 1939-45.

In 1953 a second edition was published which omitted outdated material. A further revision was made for the third edition in 1964. Since then, the progress made by humanity has been such that the nature of the problems has changed to a marked degree. For example, problems relating to the world's children continue to exist but in different forms and under different conditions to those of the post-war period. The problems of capital, labour and employment have changed greatly in an increasingly automated and computerised world. Significant developments within the many branches of orthodox religion are presenting new problems within the world's faiths.

Similar comments can be made on all the problems considered. In addition, new problems are arising under present day conditions, although these can usefully be viewed as variations and extensions of the basic six problems discussed in this book.

So now, in 1993, when we need to reprint the book again, we have had to consider whether it would be better to cut the original text to the bone and graft on to the skeletal structure factual data and information supplied by other writers, or whether we should reprint the book as it stands. Because the basic teaching on all the problems is still as sound, as dynamic and as necessary as it was when originally written, we have decided to do the latter.

But it is important that those who study this book are aware of its history so that the essential teaching can be recognised and absorbed and the irrelevant factors ignored. The spiritual principles to be applied to the problems of humanity as discussed in this book are valid today and remain largely ignored by the majority of humanity. The contribution of esoteric students in creating "the thoughtform of solution" to human problems in a world at crisis point is a vital and practical service.

Lucis Publishing Company, New York, London — 1993