Theos-Talk Archives (September 1999 Message tt00065)

In a message dated 9/5/99 6:44:19 PM, caduceus@dial.pipex.com writes:

<< And now we have some more sweeping generalisation with which to paint
students of HPB's works.  The recent one in this group has been that we are
all stuck in the past, followed by the 'implied' criticism from you that we
are all suffering from arrested development from the time HPB's guidance
ceased.  And the last one is that we are all copping out because we have the
temerity to believe that we might not become full blown Adepts in this life.
Oh dear!>>

My position, I believe, is entirely grounded in the works of HPB, and unlike 
Art, I have no doubts as to the centrality and continuing presence of HPB and 
her Masters in our work. If my "sweeping generalizations" don't apply in 
individual cases, of course one must ignore them.  But after more than a 
decade in "organized" Theosophical work, I feel the ability to make certain 
generalizations, yes.

As a response to Peter's comments (which at some points greatly exaggerate 
and make boffo my position) I will only say this: there is NO EXCUSE for not 
taking advantage of spiritual opportunities available in the present.  Dallas 
(with whom I do not disagree habitually nor on a whim, contra your ad 
hominem) would have us study NOTHING but HPB and the Masters until we have 
sucked every bit of marrow from the bones of their writings.  That is his 
path, and I present no obstacles to it.

The more obvious path, it seems to me -- based on the very model of HPB's 
teachings and life -- is to study printed works and live the ethical life 
UNDER THE GUIDANCE of a qualified teacher(s).  HPB did this, and her Teachers 
indicated They did this.  We must assume that the trend continues up to the 
ever-living-human-Banyan tree Watcher himself. 

As an additional stimulus to seeking out guidance, it should be noted that no 
where in Theosophical teachings are there any EXPLICIT instructions as to 
EXACTLY **HOW** TO MEDITATE.  I've spoken to a great number of Theosophists 
regarding this, mostly in ULT, and it is agreed -- we as a group have but a 
few loose ideas on how to meditate, what posture should be used, how to focus 
the mind (even though we are enjoined to meditate a half hour or more every 
day!).  And we have but a few meditation books (in rough translation) such as 
Patanjali's YOGA APHORISMS -- but not a single qualified teacher of that 
book.  No one I'm aware of would claim to have mastered that yogic tradition 
-- after 100 hundred years of practice.  Theosophy in the current century has 
produced NOT A SINGLE ADEPT (that we are aware of).  Are we to just hang on, 
hoping that after enough grasping in the dark, light will suddenly flash out 
from anove?

Yet we have before us eminently qualified teachers from many traditions now 
in the West, present largely (I believe) because of the very work of HPB and 
co. which opened the doors to them.  Buddhism, for example, was called by the 
Master the exoteric religion closest to the Wisdom tradtion; "coincidentally" 
it is the tradition with THE GREATEST FOCUS on meditation.  Tibetan Buddhism 
in particular has perfected dozens of meditative techniques for dealing with 
anger, greed, lust, attachment, fear, etc. etc. etc.  I feel it is foolish in 
the extreme to pass up this opportunity——the very fruits of Theosophical 
labor.  And it may not last forever.

We can read about "Eastern wisdom," or study with Eastern teachers.
We can read about yoga, or practice it under Satya Sai Baba (or others).
We can read about meditation, or sit at the feet of Namkhai Norbu (or others).
We can read about preparing for death, or study with Sogyal Rinpoche and the 
Rigpa Foundation (or others).

I cast absolutely NO ASPERSIONS on the works of HPB or her teachers.  Indeed, 
as Dallas points out, it is only because of that guidance that I turned from 
gross philosophical materialism in adolescence and learned what true 
devotion, true altruism, and true wisdom is.

But now, seeing those attributes personified in living teachers, I should 
confine myself to written works from our physically DEAD teacher?  As Dallas 
correctly observes (see, I've agreed with him twice in successive paragraphs 
!!!) caution is certainly advised.  There are many, many so-called teachers 
who would like our money, our allegiance, or even our souls.  So, through the 
LENS and GUIDE of the ORIGINAL theosophical teachers, we must guide our own 
development.

For those who do not want to pursue Adeptship directly, who do not want 
broader horizons, who do not want the guidance of living Masters, by all 
means, limit oneself to study groups where the blind lead the blind.  

But be warned -- in HPB's writings she said that the "sluggards" who had not 
advanced to a certain point by Dec. 31st, 1899, "will have to renounce every 
chance of advancement in their present incarnation -- until the year 1975."  
Whatever could she have meant by that?  

(And gee, here is is 1999, rapidly aproaching Dec. 31st.  Do you think the 
same cycle will obtain?)  

Rich

-- THEOSOPHY WORLD -- Theosophical Talk -- theos-talk@theosophy.com

Letters to the Editor, and discussion of theosophical ideas and
teachings. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message consisting of
"subscribe" or "unsubscribe" to theos-talk-request@theosophy.com.