There are a few things worth knowing concerning causes and solutions of most problems and difficulties that inevitably occur within groups.

First of all, a success of a group depends on the understanding and the right effort of its members. Thus, it can take quite some time until the right direction can be found, in order to gain a certain progress. One of our German proverbs expresses this very nicely: “a good thing requires time.”

The reason for repeated failings of newly formed or already existing groups are always the human interrelationships. The necessary consciousness that a solid foundation, which is essential for the future of a group, is built on functioning human interrelationships is seldom developed. It is simply impossible though that different people are able to successfully pursue a goal together, if they cannot cope with each other.
Good human interrelationships require honesty and are based on esteem, respect, acceptance and equality. It is therefore a duty for each FIGU member to honestly make an effort in achieving a right understanding for these basic preconditions. Otherwise clashing opinions end inevitably in squabbles and altercations among the members and have no chance to be transformed into neutral and mission-supporting solutions.

Not being able to feel equal to the other members and esteem, respect and accept their individuality does not only prevent an honest research for the right thing to do, but it results in power struggles for higher positions. This kind of development is always caused by interpersonal problems and leads to hierarchical structures, which allow imposing one’s personal will on the other members and achieving power over them. This is of course absolutely contrary to the non-hierarchical structure of a FIGU group and destructive in itself, wherefore it cannot be tolerated.
The members’ efforts shall be directed to willingly getting along with each other as well as with us, the FIGU Core Group in Switzerland, in order to support the mission by really working together.

The greatest challenge of a group is therefore the development of human interrelationships. As already mentioned, good human interrelationships are based on the right understanding of esteem, respect, acceptance and equality. It is utmost important that each member develops within himself the consciousness of being equal to all other members and treat them and himself accordingly. The basic work to achieve such a consciousness is developing sympathy for oneself, sympathy in the sense of a kindness or a liking for oneself and of feeling comfortable with oneself. That results in being interested in exploring oneself, so as to become acquainted with one’s own being and one’s strengths and weaknesses. Feeling sympathy for oneself has therefore nothing to do with making excuses for the rather uncomfortable things that one discovers by exploring oneself, but with registering them as a part of oneself. Only then is it possible to develop an understanding that supports one’s own acceptance and, at the same time, increases these sympathetic feelings, which are important so as to achieve the necessary patience and stamina for the processes of self-knowledge. One has to know oneself and feel sympathy for oneself, otherwise it is very hard to really recognize one’s positive and negative sides and accept them in a way that necessary changes can be accomplished.

The key to any development and its related changes lies within the human being himself, so one always has to start with oneself, but in an honest way because honesty supports one’s openness for the general process of learning and understanding.

Only through achieving sympathy for oneself, despite all one’s own imperfection and weaknesses, is it possible to develop true sympathy for other human beings. This development is necessary in order to gain insight into one’s fellowman’s individuality and in order to understand him and therefore being able to really esteem, accept and respect him.

It is an utmost important learning process to gain a right understanding of esteem, respect, acceptance and equality, which is not only advantageous for one’s personal development, but also for the success of a group.

Functioning human interrelationships within a group enable each member to contribute his individual effort to the mutual effort, for only then a mutual striving for the same goal can take place.

A unique opportunity to find the best possible support for these important learning processes is certainly offered by the Core Group, and also by other FIGU groups. Numerous confrontations of interpersonal and personal nature enable and support the transformation of the Spiritual Teaching into practice, by which the Spiritual Teaching can be practically experienced. Theoretical knowledge hasn’t any true value if there isn’t the appropriate confrontation which provides the necessary challenge to enliven the theory, experience it and turn it into true knowledge.

A development takes place only through the reciprocal action of positive and negative. These opposite poles keep everything in motion and provide the necessary preconditions, which enable the creation of something new. And exactly this reciprocal action takes place if one’s own studies are transformed into practice and therefore enlivened through working and fulfilling duties within a group.

It is an error to assume that because of all the work, the rules and the duties, which have to be fulfilled, one’s personal freedom is restricted and no time is left for one’s personal development. This wrong assumption should be thoroughly considered because advancing one’s own development can never be restrictive, on the contrary, for it increases one’s personal freedom and supports one’s self-knowledge and leads to self-confidence, self-security and independence. The greatest benefit though is that through all this the truth draws continually closer.