Truth has always suffered severely from those who twist and distort it for selfish ends. It also suffers from those who, however well-meaning, are unprepared or ill-prepared to serve.
That is why The Brother&Sisterhood has a few requirements, all of a spiritual nature, that members are expected to observe whenever they officially represent the USB in any capacity, and that others are asked to observe at USB events. What they do at other times is not for the USB to say.
These requirements reflect the ethics of the USB, are in harmony with noble teachings throughout the ages, and have had the blessing of USB spirit leaders and inspirers.
The requirements presented here are partial abstracts from the USB volume, Spiritual Light, provided for convenience; please consult the full originals whenever necessary. These requirements fall into two categories.
General Requirements and Recommendations
(Recommendations are clearly identified by the inclusion of that word; all others are requirements.)
Affiliation
The USB as an organization it is not, and cannot be, associated or linked with any other particular group or organization of any sort. We cannot emphasize this too strongly. (Members are free to affiliate with whomever they wish, but they may not link activities of the USB or its representatives to activities of other organizations.)
Worship
The USB discourages the worship of any thing or person, on either side of life. We should love one another. We should respect one another. We should help one another. But when it comes to worship, we should worship only God.
Simplicity and Humility
Simplicity and humility should mark the work of our movement in all its aspects—enlightenment, mediumship, and the laying on of hands [for healing].
Glorification
The USB does not glorify any individual. In its regular meeting places, if possible there should be no plaques or pictures of any individual, and no monuments of any sort to any individual.
Special “day”
No “day” may be set aside for any individual. Each day is a day for God only.
Titles
There may be no titles that separate USB workers from the great flow of humanity.
Attire
While performing work for the USB, members should not wear unusual or outlandish clothing, or attire that represents or suggests any particular belief, following, or anything else that separates people spiritually.
Politics
The USB is nonpolitical, and politics may not be discussed at any of its meetings. It will not in any way endorse or oppose the political ideas of any person or group of persons. (This is also an important legal requirement for the USB’s nonprofit status. Individuals in the USB may engage in politics to their heart’s content, but they must not attribute their political views or actions to the USB.)
Enlightening Others
Each one of us has the right to give a word of USB light to others. However, we should never continue unless there is some desire to hear more. We should never force our views on anyone.
Controversial Subjects
The USB takes no position on certain subjects which some consider controversial, such as vivisection, abortion, and vegetarianism, and such matters may not be discussed at its public meetings. (Of course, there is no limitation to what USB members may discuss among themselves, or with others, provided they do not claim to voice USB views on subjects on which it takes no stand, and so long as the discussions are friendly and harmonious.)
Financial Support
The USB must be supported entirely by freely and voluntarily given gifts. It does not solicit funds, contributions, or donations. (On the other hand, it is quite proper to stress the aims of the USB and the need for funds to carry on its work.)
As an Illumined Soul put it: “We realize… that… to do this work [of the USB] there must be financial support. But it shall come . . . freely, and will come from people’s hearts… That in itself will mean that the work can be done… with love.”
(After study of our nonprofit organization, the U. S. Treasury Department has recognized the USB as a tax-exempt organization described in Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. This means that contributions by U.S.A. taxpayers to the USB may generally be deducted when computing their taxable income.)
Charges for Admissions and Publications
The cost of admission to USB activities (except social events) and of USB publications and recordings are to be kept to a minimum (as agreed by a group or committee), but there may be no admission charge for USB services of worship. All such costs shall be subsidized as far as possible by voluntarily-given contributions and the services of volunteers.
No Membership Fees
The USB will never have membership fees or dues of any kind.
No Selling of Blessings
There may be nothing resembling the “selling of blessings.” So there may be no statement or implication, from the platform or anywhere else, that any contribution to the USB will be returned many times over, or that contributors will in any way be rewarded for what they give.
No “Fortune-Telling”
The USB does not permit anything resembling “fortune-telling.” From time to time guides may, from higher vantage points, see what appears on the horizon; but let us never forget that changes in our attitude and endeavors may, and often do, affect the picture.
“Laying On of Hands”
One form of healing is through the “laying on of hands.” Healers may lay on hands, with the hope that the power of Spirit may flow through them, but they are not permitted to massage or manipulate the body when they represent the USB.
No Excessive Praise
The USB disapproves of excessive praise of any individual. Kind reference to someone’s work, if merited, is one thing; excessive or insincere praise is another.
No Soliciting for Members
The USB does not try to persuade others to join its ranks. Members may suggest they consider it. But the USB prefers that others ask to join it, rather than it persuading them.
Requirements and Recommendations for Meetings
(Recommendations are clearly identified by the inclusion of that word; all others are requirements.)
Announcements
Whenever possible, advertisements or other announcements of USB meetings should include not only the name of the speaker, if any, but also the topic to be discussed.
Meeting places
Whenever possible, public USB meetings should be held at places where there are no things that represent or suggest any particular person, group, belief, following, or anything else that separates people spiritually. (The USB does not condemn such things, but as a universal organization it cannot endorse, or appear to endorse, anything that tends to separate people spiritually.)
Conduct
For meetings of The Brother&Sisterhood there are no rituals, rites, or prescribed ceremonies. Apart from an opening and closing prayer—which could well begin and end any aspect of our work—there are no rules for conducting such meetings.
Whenever possible, a public USB meeting should provide enlightenment, mediumship, and healing, not necessarily in that order.
Standing
Those attending USB meetings need not be required to stand at any time.
Reciting the USB Principles
Whether or not the USB principles should be read or recited at USB public meetings (preferably in unison by those who care to recite them) is up to those who preside.
The USB recommends one or the other, executed in a varied manner, at its meetings that are open to the public, particularly when newcomers are present.
Prayer
It is the right and privilege of members of any USB group to choose the prayers they would say aloud, the prayers they feel would make for greater harmony and greater attunement within the group—always provided that they reveal no worship of anyone but God. The USB has no set prayers, and those present are free to join or not join in prayers to be offered.
The USB recommends a minute of silent prayer, with each person praying to the God of his or her own understanding.
Collections
Collection boxes may be left at suitable places at meetings, so that people may, if they wish, deposit contributions. But the passing of collection boxes or plates is not permitted.
Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs
The use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs is not allowed at USB gatherings if evidence of Survival [of physical death] and communication with spirit people is desired or expected.
Music
Any music at USB meetings should be joyous in nature and universal in appeal; songs or music that suggests any particular belief system should be avoided.
The USB discourages any song or hymn that glorifies anyone but God.
Platform Workers
The USB has important requirements that platform workers who identify themselves as USB mediums and/or USB speakers are expected to observe at all times, and that other visiting mediums and speakers are asked to observe at USB events.
The wish to serve is not enough. Preparation and discipline are essential. Mediums usually need years of development to become competent; and they can prepare for service by aspiring to be a completely open channel for the spirit world, and by being truly spiritual (and therefore humble and self-effacing). Speakers (and writers) who are not controlled by highly advanced spirits need to have studied their subjects. Platform workers owe it not only to their audience on earth, but to their spirit co-workers as well, to prepare for any work they do.
The USB’s policy on mediums and speakers is this: Better no medium at all, than one whose work is so feeble and unconvincing as to create doubt in the newcomer of the truth of Survival and the reality of communion with spirit people. Better no speaker at all, than one who is poorly prepared, or who speaks fluently but says little.
Speakers and Writers
The Law of Attraction is such that the caliber of the spirit guides and controls that one attracts depends at least in part on the degree in which one prepares.
It is the duty of USB speakers to prepare what they are to say at our meetings, so that they can say it clearly, simply, and coherently. Speakers and writers are asked to be sincere, and to remember that truth, like all things beautiful, is simple.
Mediums
Good mediumship, on and off the platform, is of course essential to provide convincing proof that life continues, that there is no death to the spirit, that love knows no barriers, and that there is communion with those who have passed on to the other side of life.
The strict requirements for mediums who represent the USB at any time exist only because a few mediums have used their mediumship for ignoble purposes in the past.
And because, unfortunately, mediumship is often so poor as to drive away the searcher, who may never return, it is USB policy to have no medium on the platform rather than a poor one. There is only one exception: a fully satisfactory medium may be preceded by a “beginner,” provided that someone makes it clear that the beginner is attempting to serve, and that they ask the audience to be patient and understanding.
Mediums need to always remember their responsibility to truth; that they are the “telephone” over which the message comes, and not the message itself.
They must never attempt to give messages when they are not “moved by the spirit.” In such cases, they should acknowledge the fact, frankly. And most important of all, they must never ascribe to the spirit world, or imply as coming from the spirit world, what does not come from the spirit world.
Any mediums who consciously permit their lips to give advice, from themselves or spirit people, that they know is unsound, unwise, misleading, or likely to cause acute distress, incur a great debt.
To serve on a high level, mediums need to be humble, to be completely open-minded, to place spiritual progress above personal desires, and to put aside all personal opinions and prejudices. They need to shun personal glory and power, jealousy, envy, bitterness, orthodox views and practices, and form and ceremony at a meeting.
Payments to and Promotion of Platform Workers
Platform workers from out of town should normally be reimbursed for necessary expenses. They should not normally be paid for their platform work, because the USB is a volunteer organization. Platform workers may not advertise themselves at USB events, but their introducer should mention where they are from, what organization (if any) they belong to, and should provide other (e.g., contact) information later only to individuals requesting it. Organizers should make these requirements known well in advance.