It seems that P. R. Sarkar wanted people to work towards the spirit of Friendly Cooperation. Discrimination comes about by our incorrect thinking and these types of thinking need to be abolished. Present society has normalized domination, selfishness and destruction. However, these are not natural or inevitable. By fostering Friendly Cooperation, we can advance our cultural evolution and achieve emancipation for all.

In ‘Rahr: The Cradle of Civilization’ Sarkar writes:

“This world of ours is made up of good and bad. And the good and the bad things are done not so much by nature as by human beings. The good things that humans have the capacity for are friendliness, intimacy, love, sweet amiability – both internal and external – sitting together to eat and to talk, trying to feel the joys and sorrows of others, and so on. And of the bad things that humans do, the first and foremost is the exploitation of one human by another. This exploitation occurs sometimes in the religious sphere, sometimes in the social sphere, sometimes in the mental sphere and sometimes in the economic sphere.”[1]

Strong social cohesion hinges on morality and adherence to rules. Morality often paves the way for spirituality, which, through a Neohumanist lens, can offer deeper understanding of these concepts. So Friendly Cooperation is an extended version or evolution of what we previously understood as only coordinated cooperation. It is a process of cooperation through the mind and service. Sometimes ‘friendly’ is to the fore and it is developed by giving a more important role to the mental relation and friendship. Sometimes ‘cooperation’ is most important and Friendly Cooperation is developed more by service. This spiritual service develops into friendship and also spiritual friendship develops through service. Both sides support it. At its core, sacrifice, which involves letting go of ego, is often a key ingredient in nurturing such friendships.

What does it mean to be a good friend? Friends are reassuring, honest and trustworthy. They are genuinely interested in our troubles, treat us gently and offer support. They help us feel understood and guide us to think and expand our vision.  They enable us to share our weaknesses and difficulties. They love us and help us to love ourselves.  There is no sense of possession, control or dominance.  Just as a slave cannot be a friend of a master; a master cannot be a friend of a slave. If there is competition and someone thinks that they have to pull another person down then there is no Friendly Competition. In contrast to individualism, importance is given to togetherness, fellowship, feeling compassion for and acting for the good of others.

[1] Sarkar, P.R. Rahr: The Cradle of Civilization, Ch. 31. (Kolkata: Ananda Marga Pracaraka Samgha)