Theos-Talk Archives (February 1998 Message tt00177)

Feb 17    '98                        Dallas writes:

Dear Jerry:
 =20
Apparently we all have preferences.  But I would not call myself =
qualified to judge as to the relative excellence of any one presentation =
over another unless I had fully tested it.  Then of course I give =
references to back it up.  No one quibbles over the stature or nature of =
HPB.  She was pivotal.  WQj was her co-worker.  Testimonials from HPB =
are many and strong and can be easily adduced from the back pages of =
LETTERS THAT HAVE HELPED ME (ULT - Theosophy Company edition, p 276 et =
seq.)=20

Judge worked to introduce Theosophy to as many people who wanted it, =
right from the very beginning. HPB ( and the Masters) called him the =
"Resuscitator of Theosophy in America."  You can certainly say that the =
work of WQJ was to introduce Theosophy to the masses -- and he then =
pointed to HPB and to ISIS and the SD if they desired to proceed =
further.

He was of the opinion that Theosophy was essentially a matter of =
practice and the metaphysics and doctrines, while studied, ought to form =
the basis for explaining the practical side.  HPB offered the thesis =
consistently that if there was to be any progress in true occultism it =
was to be by the perfection of the moral channel in ones personal life.=20

As to his views on the "psychic side" of things being one-sided, I =
cannot say as you do not give me a basis to know how or why you say =
that.  Check what he says in the OCEAN chapters 4, 5,6, 7, and 16, 17 =
for continuity with what HPB says in the KEY as from pp. 52 - 60,  83 - =
226. (a longer reading)

But while you and many might call these "basic" or "preliminary" I find =
that most of us are not fully aware of the statements made there, so as =
to be able to use them without reference to the texts.  I know that I =
have to refer back to them constantly.  I also know from practical and a =
many-yeared experience that they are one of the best keys to =
understanding the S D. =20

If we don't have the logic of Theosophy firmly in mind, from the =
original Messengers, then we are not easily able to figure out the =
details of the doctrines and metaphysics that give still greater depth =
in understanding.

I like the idea that Nature (the Universe) contains all.  That we as =
self-conscious beings (minds) are linked inseparably to the ABSOLUTE .  =
We are a part of IT, and therefore have all the potentials within =
ourselves.  But we are learning to access them, and we need all the help =
we can secure, from our own minds, here and now, to every bit of help we =
can get from any source that is not prejudiced or self-interested. =20

Knowledge is the property of everyone.  Wisdom comes from experience in =
trying to apply that knowledge and in sharpening our memory so that we =
do not repeat errors. =20

I would place for my self an indefinite goal of ever-progressing, as, if =
I am immortal in essence (not in personality) then this immortal =
individual that takes on body after body is the one which grows, and =
when it reincarnates it takes less and less time for it to recapture the =
memory of past lives. (and I do not mean the name, form and works of =
those personalities, but, rather, the character, capacity, talents, and =
hopes).

I have tried to read de Puruker starting from the basis I have =
acquired from HPB and WQJ.  And I found that I was trying to disentangle his =
views from theirs.  I noticed the difference and it was to me, tedious.  =
Well, what else can I say ?  In some cases where his talks were reported =
he starts out telling his audience that they cannot possibly understand =
the metaphysics ... and frankly I dislike being talked down to.  If we =
are all immortals, then my "spirit and Buddhi" is no less than the =
highest of the Mahatmas.  The difference between my "lowly" position on =
the ladder and Theirs -- is that they have mastered their personality =
and I still have far to   do that for mine !  Such being the case I =
respect and revere Them -- all of them  -- and hope some day to be =
worthy of Their notice and assistance.  In the meantime, I try to help =
others.

What else can one do ?  One has to start from the position Karma has =
placed us in.

thanks for the response -- hope I have made myself clear.        Best =
wishes as always,

Dallas