Loyalty & Brotherhood
The Crux of the Contemporary Rendition of the Aforementioned
Broad are the strokes of the brush with which many a man will paint the borders of his inner circle. Today there are men few and far between, nigh rare, who can point to those standing next to them, and with utter surety, say that they would lay their life down for that man. Standing shoulder to shoulder, with a brother, blood or not, is a rare sight in contemporary society. Friendships based on vacuous displays of inebriation and shallow connections are a common theme today. Those who would be there in the hardest of times rarely rear their heads. In truth, if a man can count the number of true friends he has, on one hand, he is lucky. I am not simply referring to those you think you are close with. I mean those who would take a bullet for you. It is rare, and friendships today are fleeting. Friends who claim to have your best interest in mind, who claim that they will be there for you, but in the darkest hour, are no where to be found. This is one of the male plights of today's society. Selfless love to your brothers, that is what makes brotherhood.
One of the reasons that these bonds never form, and fellowship is never hewn, is due to the fact that most friendships today solely revolve around frivolous recreational activities. Whether that consists of long nights of intoxication, picture taking at “cool bars” and chasing women. Or any number of non-character building activities. We as men have a choice, whether to pursue virtue or vice. For the most part, gone are the days when men forged relationships with their fellow man, through arduous tasks and seemingly impossible feats of will and strength. Everything men do today with their comrades is easy and delves into the indulgences of life. It is nihilism and narcissism. They do not follow their birthright of the slaying of the proverbial dragon. In other words, their endless pursuits of carefree frivolity leads these relationships to break at the drop of a hat when the going gets tough.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” - Proverbs 27:17
Whether being forged in the fires of battle, or the tumultuous and unpredictable ventures of exploration. The bond between men used to be crafted through the extreme heating of the ore of brotherhood and was followed by the pounding of the blacksmith's hammer upon that newly formed camaraderie. Back into the white hot crucible from whence they began, and back onto the anvil again, until a companionship so solid was formed, or death took them. This is what created bonds so strong, that only the reaper would put a pause to them, until they met again in the afterlife.
“Iron, when heated and pounded, becomes a fine sword. Likewise, our true strength and potential cannot be forged without hardships.” - Daisaku Ikeda
A man needs solid relations with his brothers. These men surrounding him, being in his presence and he in theirs, allows them to better themselves and bring back to their families, a wiser, more capable man. Whether in pursuits of a physical, mental or spiritual nature, if you are surrounding yourself with men who consistently partake in only the vapid, “fun” parts of life, what use and utility do you bring back to your loved ones.
Why do so many men gravitate towards the seedy underbelly of society? Whether that be the cosa nostra, the bratva, or any other criminal enterprise. These organizations harbour and imitate the feeling of brotherhood. These organizations, however ill contrived their intentions and endeavours are, can facilitate a feeling of belonging to other men. Of course, the type of man that is attracted to this, tends to be broken and lost, and tends to be seeking meaning under every rock he overturns. However, even in contemporary media, we as men see these criminal enterprises, and they invoke a visceral reaction of understanding. Understanding of the concept and feeling of belonging to a group of men that are focused on a common goal. Take for instance the very popular show Peaky Blinders. We all know what they are doing is immoral and does not follow along our moral beliefs. However, something deeper in us, empathizes with the plight of a group of men, banded together, fighting for a purpose they believe is just. It invokes that visceral feeling deep within us that cries out for belonging to something bigger than ourselves, that yearning for brotherhood.
“Brotherhood is the very price and condition of man’s survival.” - Carlos P. Romulo
The solution to this pandemic of the modern age, is to seek out not those who appeal to the more carefree temptations of life, but to focus on those who are willing to embark on the most laborious and demanding pursuits with you. Ask yourself this, what do I spend time doing with this person when we see eachother. Is it constructive or destructive? Do you put yourselves to the test, seeking out weaknesses and iron out the kinks in each other's composition? Do you discuss grandiose ideas, and venture into the deeper meanings of this life? Seek out virtue and shrug off the temptation of vices. For vices weaken you inside and out, while virtues build character. Character which you may pass down to the next generation.
“Brotherhood means laying down your life for somebody, really willing to sacrifice yourself for somebody else.” - Tim Hetherington
The path of vice and frivolity is the path most trodden, but the way forward, is one of discomfort and toil. Take for instance, vigorous training of the body. Many shy away from these pursuits. Bit those who delve deep and pursue, let us say, a marathon, and do this in the company of their brothers. They tend to fair better than those who attempt these feats alone. There is a synergistic quality that fills the air when you are struggling alongside your brethren. Somehow, a laughter percolates through the misery and the suffering becomes not only bearable, but almost elating. There is this electric feeling, when you are going through hell, but you are surrounded by those closest to you. Men, a hundred years ago, pinned down by enemy fire, their friends, brothers surrounding them. Sheer and utter unfettered chaos abound on all sides. Somehow, they begin to laugh hysterically, despite the crumbling of everything around them and the incredibly high probability of death. This then, is brotherhood. The absolute levity that is gained in the toughest of situations through this sacred bond. This is brotherhood.
Welcome weary traveller. The road I take it, was long and fraught with peril. Here you may rest your head.
- Project Lazarus