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Re: Theos-World RE: HPB and after her -- some T S history

Dec 28, 2002 06:16 PM
by wry


Hi. Perhaps the kind of very small talk, political arguing, arguing in
general, nitpicking, looking back at little inconsequential details from the
past and analyzing them etc. is a result of the condition of the theosophy
movement at the present time. I have not seen anything quite like the
bickering on theosophy lists on any other lists I have been on that are of
about this size. Generally speaking, though not always, people can get along
and stay pretty focused. I am not saying that this is necessarily true, but
perhaps theosophy, as it was originally presented, is no longer
time-appropriate. Things have moved very fast in the last hundred plus
years. This is worthy of enquiry. I believe if Madame Blavatsky were alive,
she would redesign her whole teaching.

There is not enough real enquiry on here, though I have seen some. In any
case, learning needs to be set up so that it is a constant discovery. In
this way there is joy and not authority and dullness. With joyful learning,
there is the rapture of a constant opening and a constant dying. We will not
have time to worry about immortality. In my opinion this kind of talk of
immortality that some have been doing is not only a belief, but it is an
oxymoron, as it serves no function. In love, there is a constant dying to
the old. When everything is always new, it will be clean again, and many
people can be helped. This is my genuine opinion, and I am even afraid to
speak this on here, which is sad.

This message is not about you and your behavior, necessarily, but I use it
to link to, as it has brought again to my mind an interesting question,
which I have pondered many, many hours: the time-appropriateness of this
particular teaching in the form it is now being presented. Sincerely, Wry
----- Original Message -----
From: <dalval14@earthlink.net>
To: "AA-B-Study" <study@blavatsky.net>
Sent: Saturday, December 28, 2002 5:01 PM
Subject: Theos-World RE: HPB and after her -- some T S history


> Dec 28 2002
>
> Dear T:
>
> As I understand it these lists and "chat-groups" are formed to discuss
> the philosophy of theosophy. Occasionally matters of event and
> history arise. They are best resolved on documents and the statements
> made originally by those concerned. Unfortunately, some correspondents
> rely too much on memory, and not on facts that can be checked by any
> one concerned. This causes confusion and debate that it quite
> unnecessary.
>
> Much as I dislike going into the "history of the T S," some things are
> in plain sight. And while they have nothing to do with the validity
> of THEOSOPHY, they are snags that draw attention away from the
> PHILOSOPHY. As such they ought to be laid to rest and there let lie.
>
> We have at least two very good histories that concern H P B (apart
> from her own letters), and accounts made by others who lived around
> her and were witnesses to various events, the first which I have
> personally verified from documentary, primary sources is
>
> The THEOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT (1875-1950) (300+ pages) & 6.00
>
> Sylvia Cranston's biography THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE AND INFLUENCE OF
> HELENA BLAVATSKY -- Tarcher/Putnam, New York, 1993 & 30.00 [
> Recently the 9th printing in paper back has been issued, price about
> $ 12.00.]
>
> But, however interesting, they do not seem to teach anything except to
> those who already know of the philosophy and of the inner planes of
> being and of will force, that are active and visible at times. They
> are distractions and obstructions for the average student or
> researcher.
>
> The horse riding accident I recall mention of, as H P B speaks of it
> (see p. 30 of Sylvia Cranston's biography THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE AND
> INFLUENCE OF HELENA BLAVATSKY -- Tarcher/Putnam, New York, 1993.) By
> some "miracle" (Masters' help) she went through it unharmed. The
> nature of any wounds then received, I never have seen mentioned or
> described. I find that many people try to trivialize important things
> by referring to events in the personal life of a teacher or messenger.
> And they derive their own fanciful conclusions -- to the future
> distraction of readers like you and me, who wonder, and then seek to
> verify the facts.
>
> You will find that sceptics accumulate around every great reformer
> AFTER their death, and begin speculating about physical reasons for
> their (the reader or pupil's) lack of understanding -- as though such
> a deficiency (in their eyes only) was good reason to doubt anything
> offered or taught. The two things are not congruent.
>
> Some, truly inimical, depending on the prevailing like for "gossip,"
> emphasize, or magnify such events and criticism, as though the dust,
> thus blown, will be made to becloud and surround the subject -- and
> these imaginings and theories project themselves into the mental
> processes of others. Researchers like you and me, desire a clear view
> of what was originally done or said. They call attention to small
> details, and to "errors" which they say they have found, and set
> themselves up as editors and authorities. Are we to believe them
> without any checking ? Do they provide adequate references for their
> views?
>
> You will find that most of the "splits" and sectarianism in religious
> "belief" (NOT KNOWLEDGE) arises because certain individuals (WHO DO
> NOT STUDY THOROUGHLY) accept those authorities; and having done so,
> they refuse to do the necessary individual study to verify (or not)
> the views divergent from those of the original teacher. "Belief" is
> the most dangerous of weapons used against the clear thinking of
> individuals. When they accept they become slaves.
>
> The Theosophical Society (not THEOSOPHY, as a philosophy), right after
> H P B's death began to do this. Members began to drift into seperative
> ranks of believers of this or that. The attempt at Unity was
> gradually destroyed. You can see its dire effects today among those
> who call themselves "theosophists." [ No one, except the Masters of
> Wisdom, deserve that appellation.]
>
> Mr. Judge (for whom H P B spoke in the highest terms) was the first
> attacked. Thereafter a Man named Leadbeater (in England and at Adyar)
> set himself up to make changes and develop Theosophy into several
> areas, where it would meet with some approval from those who did not
> study, but wanted a cozy nook of belief.
>
> I say that any one who is familiar with H P B Theosophy will
> immediately detect the divergences of Leadbeater "theosophy." But
> there were those who though much of it, starting with Annie Besant.
> She however, waited till Col. Olcott died in 1907 to bring this into
> prominence.
>
> Mr. Judge and the whole American THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY section was
> "excommunicated" by Col. Olcott ( First President T S for LIFE) in
> July 1995. Thus the T S in A. sailed its own ship and after Judge
> died in March 1996, under various Presidents it developed its own
> minor divergent views based on their perception of the original
> teachings.
>
> Emerging from this in 1909, was the UNITED LODGE OF THEOSOPHISTS -- it
> rejected all novelty or belief, and emphasized (and still does) a
> careful study of the ORIGINAL TEACHINGS of H P B. It pioneered the
> reprinting of the original texts books either by a photographic
> process, or by verbatim editions in carefully re-set type. It has a
> high regard for the Judge writings not just because of H P B's
> endorsement, but because of their inherent worth.
>
> As an association, it has no membership as such. It is sustained by
> "associates" -- volunteers who for the past 90 years have supported
> it by donations of time, money and work. It places the direct
> relationship of the inquirer / student to the Original Teachings of H
> P B as the most important part of their learning experience. Each
> such associate determines for themselves their own rate of progress.
> Each takes entire responsibility for their own decisions.
>
> In the final analysis, no opinion of any kind is worth the hot air, or
> the printing used in publishing it.
>
> New students have, each, to go through the laborious job of proving
> for themselves the value of anything said or written. Only those who
> desire, because of impatience (or laziness), a short-cut, and choose
> the "authority" of another to rely on, find themselves cornered when
> asked for the logic of their choices. They cannot defend themselves.
> Reference to original sources strips them of any "hiding place," or
> individual on which they can place blame for their own shortcomings.
>
> Those who have studied, learned and satisfied themselves as to the
> real value of THEOSOPHY, point to the original teachings, and are
> able to show how Theosophy is a coherent and consecutive statement of
> the actual observations made by a band of immortal SPIRITUALLY WISE
> SAGES who have participated in the evolution of our Earth and Kosmos,
> and who have recorded their observations of the laws (KARMA -- as it
> operates everywhere). (S D I 272-3 )
>
> There is nothing that increases or diminishes statements except their
> own inherent worth. And this has to be individually proved by each
> sincere and honest student for themselves.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Dallas
>
> ===========================
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: T
> Sent: Saturday, December 28, 2002
> To: dalval14@earthlink.net
> Subject: HPB
>
> Dear Dallas,
>
> Wow! What an interesting conversation folks are
> having on Theos. HPB would probably get a good laugh
> out of this!
>
> I think if you check through the books you all can
> find some reference to her having a severe horseback
> riding accident when she was a young woman that left
> her in a position wherein (from there) intimate
> relations where sadly just too painful to participate
> in (as well as a couple of health concerns for which,
> from time to time she self medicated) AND wasn't it
> that high fever/illness that she had as a childe that
> resulted in her most probably being sterile through
> never truly finding out since the act of love making
> ripped her up a bit.
>
> Sincerely,
> T
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>



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