Theos-Talk Archives (August 1999 Message tt00071)

Dear mkr (and all),

You are quite right in what you say about the Key to Theosophy.   I would
also add that over the years of studying 'the Key' one begins to appreciate
the extraordinary depth that it covers especially if one returns to it
regularly and *actively* reflects on the substance contained therein.

It is also worth noting what H.P.B. says on the very first page of the
preface to this work:

"That it should succeed in making Theosophy intelligible without mental
effort on the part of the reader, would be too much to expect; but it is
hoped that the obscurity still left is of the thought not of the language,
is due to depth not to confusion.  To the mentally lazy or obtuse, Theosphy
must remain a riddle; for in the world mental as in the world spiritual each
man must progress by his own efforts.  The writer cannot do the reader's
thinking for him, nor would the latter be any the better off is such
vicarious thought were possible."

Speaking more generally and in response to comments in other recent posts, I
would say that the same principle can be applied to all that HPB wrote,
especially the Secret Doctrine.  Yes it is very hard work, and yes there may
be many times that we reflect on how to make use of what we find there in
our lives.  But let us keep in mind that the Master KH stated that the
Secret Doctrine was the triple production of Himself, Master M and HPB.  Now
I would suggest that we might seriously consider given them some credit for
knowing what they were doing when they produced this work between them.
Their goal, and the only aspiration They regarded as having any true value
was that of practical Universal Brotherhood.  To help us work towards that
great goal They 'unveiled' a number of the esoteric doctrines and Universal
Truths and presented them to us through works such as the SD, The Key, and
so on.

When we read such things as the Mahatma Letters and get a very brief glimpse
of the Adepts at work we realise that the They are extraordinarily busy,
constantly, in Their work.  Would They really have laboured so hard to
produce something like the Secret Doctrine and other works if these did not
have any long term relevance to genuine students of Theosophy?  Some people
suggest that HPB's works were just meant for Victorian times in the last
century and therefore we now need to 'move on'.  But I find it hard to
imagine that the Adept Fraternity that exists throughout every century,
indeed throughout every root race, would have such a short term view in
mind.  That the Adepts, including those even 'higher' than HPB's Masters,
had a long term plan in mind is evidenced in what the Master says with
regards the search for an agent and selection of HPB to help them in Their
work:

"After nearly a century of fruitless search, our chiefs had to avail
themselves of the only opportunity to send out a European body upon European
soil to serve as a connecting link between that country and our own."
(Mahatma Letter No 26, A.T. Barker Edition)

HPB was that "only oportunity" which is why the Master writes elsewhere that
while 'imperfect' HPB was the "best available" (ML No. 2)

So let's think about this - for nearly one hundred years before HPB was born
the Adept Fraternity had a plan in mind which, with HPB as Their direct
Agent, They brought into being at end of the last century.  So let us make
the most of the 'works' and 'Teachings' that were offered to us as a result
of that plan and intention to help humanity as a whole forward in its
spiritual development.

...Peter



ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
> The classic is still the Key to Theosophy by H P Blavatsky, one of the
> Founders of Theosophical Society .
>
> Nothing has excelled it so far. It is available on the Internet for free.
>
> It is written like the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) on Internet.
> Question and answer format.
> Coming from the "horse's" mouth!
>
> You can open any page and start reading the question and answers.
>
> Even I, am able to read and understand and enjoy.
>
> Everyone should give a try.
>
> mkr
>
>
>
> -- THEOSOPHY WORLD -- Theosophical Talk -- theos-talk@theosophy.com
>
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