Theos-Talk Archives (May 2000 Message tt00253)

May 23 2000

 

 

Dear friends:

 

I wish to make it clear that I do not speak for ULT. 

 

The reason is that the ULT is an association of volunteers, who gather freely together to study the “Original Teachings of Theosophy as recorded in the writings of H.P.Blavatsky and Wm. Q. Judge.”  Consequently the “teachings” are advanced as important matters, and, personal opinions, names, etc… are avoided and are not considered.  The principle of anonymity is observed for the reason that the TEACHINGS are important and not the person.

 

No fees are charged, no “membership,” or “affiliation” is inquired into, nor is anyone asked for any personal details.  All meetings are free, and are open for the SOLE purpose stated: studying together.  The ULT has one other reason for existence and that is the keeping in print those “Original Teachings.”  Theosophy Company, Los Angeles does this.

 

Everything else is a “side issue.”  Individual associates (such as I am, and have been for the past 60 years) may hold any opinion that they desire or belong as members to any other organization, and there is no supervision of, or any interest in that.

 

To hold or to say that ULT has this or that belief, attitude, or makes some statement like: “this or that,” is not tenable under these circumstances.  The ULT welcomes anyone to its meetings and to participate in its work.  We may have among the associates those who have belonged or who may currently belong to Theosophical Societies, or other “Theosophical” bodies.

 

I think that it is only fair (as my own opinion) to say that the proof of anyone’s worth is in what they have written.  And in whatever actions that history documents they were in, or originated and sustained.  It is to be understood that the WHOLE of the life effort should be considered and not a selected segment, chosen for comment.  Those are for all to see.  But, when anyone desires to ascribe motives to such actions or writing, by any individual, then history ceases and speculation and opinion begin.

 

It is because of this secondary condition that sectarian and personal views arise.  THEY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THEOSOPHY as a philosophy.

 

The book that I recommend, because I have founded it to adhere very strictly to documents and historical records is THE THEOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT 1875 -- 1950.  It is not published by the Theosophy Company, but by Cunningham Press, Los Angeles in 1951.  It is carried on their catalogue as the most unsectarian and purely historical narrative available.  For history to be useful it ought to be confined to facts and documents and avoid interpretations -- over which contention inevitably arises because they are only conjectures and opinions.

 

After the death of HPB and WQJ students that made themselves responsible for continuing the work of Theosophy began to insert their opinions as a such a continuing part and it became fashionable to say that “if HPB (or Judge) were alive, they would say “so and so.”  Some also were pleased to find that HPB had made mistakes in quotations, in dates, in other matters of science, for instance, and thus demonstrated that their scholarship exceeded hers in this minor regard.  What became lost in the ensuing scuffles was the SCOPE of Theosophy which far exceeded any departmentalized studies or research.  That is UNIQUE to HPB as contemporary scholars admitted.

 

Thus the ULT has only one purpose:  the preservation of the ORIGINAL TEACHINGS.  And as a derivative: their continuing STUDY.

 

As for myself, I freely admit that I offer opinions which are my own, and those are offered specifically to those whose existence is unquestionable, and demonstrable over their written signatures and addresses.

 

Best wishes,

 

Dallas