theos-talk.com

[MASTER INDEX] [DATE INDEX] [THREAD INDEX] [SUBJECT INDEX] [AUTHOR INDEX]

[Date Prev] [Date Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next]

Theosophical libraries

May 10, 2005 04:40 PM
by Jerry Hejka-Ekins


Dear Nigel, Perry and all

Perry writes:

Another question maybe is it anybodies role to disallow any information or writer from being in a theosophical library even if that information is known to be questionable?

I think there are two questions implied here. 1) Whether or not an item is appropriate for a Theosophical library 2) Whether it is practical to include a certain item in a Theosophical library. The first question concerns one's view of what constitutes Theosophy. The second, is a matter of space.
Personally, if you showed me a random issue of Penthouse magazine, I would probably find something in it which is (I believe) Theosophically relevant. But, the reality of the matter is that every library has space limitations. Therefore, specialty library collections, as a matter of practicality, has to set limits and priorities based upon their overall understanding of what Theosophy is.
Jerry






Perry Coles wrote:

Hi Nigel and all,
The points you raise are very valid ones in my opinion and of course depending on which way the balance leans in our own assessment of things.

Working in a library myself, it is not my responsibility or role to censor what goes into a library.

Although faculty staff decide what books are needed for a particular unit.
Our Education subject area contains books that would contain information no longer appropriate to be used in schools however they still have historical value.

How people use and process information is their own responsibility and work.

In the University library I work at we have a small selection of theosophical works.
These include the Secret doctrine, Isis unveiled, key to theosophy and also some other theosophical writers like CW Leadbeater, A Beasnt , I.K Taimni Shirley Nicholson, I.S Cooper, Robert Ellwood..... as well as some critical works like 'Madame Blavatsky's baboon'.

For me the principle holds the same for a theosophical library.

Another question maybe is it anybodies role to disallow any information or writer from being in a theosophical library even if that information is known to be questionable?

I would say no, as the information has at very least historical value.
If it is questionable and people still choose to believe it, that is their choice.

A protestant Christian may say a catholic catechism is not true Christianity for example.

In the end it's up to the reader to decide for themselves.
In democracies we can debate and critique any writer, opinion or claim made.
And this to me is the key to maintaining that dogma, superstition or claimed authority are kept in check.
This is my main issue.

I am sure our discussions on this will continue for years to come, it is a shame that these types of discussions are seen as being negative by some but as I am sure you'd agree they are essential in maintaining free and open enquiry and strike to the core of what freedom of thought really is.

Regards

Perry



--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "nhcareyta" <nhcareyta@y...> wrote:


--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Perry Coles" <perrycoles@y...> wrote:


Hi Nigel,
It's a difficult question and as you know one that can be viewed

in

different ways.

For me at this stage in my reasoning the Society is going to

attract

people into its doors who are on a search for knowledge of a more expansive and hopefully mind opening kind.

The TS libraries and book shops tend to cover the A - Z of occult

and

esoteric material, from the most perhaps naïve and even

fraudulent

channeled information to the other end of the spectrum with very

deep

and profound writings from various different traditions.

TS lodges hold lectures on various esoteric subjects some of

which

to

me is not suitable or relevant to a theosophical lodge, none the

less

most of the subjects are related to the 3 objects in some way.

Most of the members I've come across in the TS seem to me to be genuine truth seekers and support freedom of speech and the

concept

of brotherhood.

While I do not support Leadbeater or his pronouncements, I do

support

members rights to study these works in a TS branch if they so

choose

to do so.

I personally believe Leadbeater teachings needs to be seriously compared, challenged and critiqued by students and hope this

happens

more and more as time goes by and I hope that this will happen at some point in the official publications.( this maybe a "forlorn

hope")


These are some reasons why I have now come to think the Society

is

still worth supporting even with all its problems.

Best wishes
Perry


Dear Perry
"Difficult question" indeed, as we have ourselves discovered over

the

last few years of discussion.
It raises issues of relativism, absolutism and pragmatism, to say nothing of dogmatism!
When you write "of a more expansive and hopefully mind opening

kind"

does this mean expanding and opening up to anything and everything

as

actually occurs? Were Theosophical centres really intended to be clearing houses for all manner of subjects? Were they to be places where "perhaps naïve and even fraudulent channeled information"

were

to be promoted through libraries and lectures? And were they to be places merely of relativism and political pragmatism?
Given the Mahatmas', Chohan's and HPB's oft repeated statements

this

was certainly not the intention behind their efforts. Not that they were necessarily the final and absolute word on Truth but they were the real founders of the "modern" Theosophical movement and they

did

adopt the motto as their desired and directional ethic.
For me Theosophy is a body of profound teachings intended to help explain a moral imperative which might hopefully assist humanity as

a

whole towards a more considerate, selfless and harmonious way of

life

in an atmosphere of complete freedom of thought.
Too often for me this ideal of "freedom" has been misinterpreted

and

has been used as an excuse to turn Theosophical centres into playgrounds for the current new age flavour of the month,

stimulating

kama/manas in its innumerable self-gratifying guises. Moreover, from my perspective, it has been used to permit circumstances and "teachings" to go unchallenged to the extent that the Adyar TS now finds itself in a political minefield, forced to defend the indefensible and unable to extricate itself, even if it

so

chose, for fear of offending and losing thousands of "true

believers."



From my perspective, were the Adyar TS to rename itself as "The
Eclectic Spiritual Development Society" it would fulfil that

mandate

to perfection. There are many well intentioned and compassionate members in the various Lodges and Branches throughout the world who work tirelessly for the good of all beings. But there are many

other

organisations whose role it is to do just this.
For me the TS was entrusted with a different dharma which might indeed one day lead its members and all humanity towards supporting these other organisations, without losing its original raison

d'etre,

that of building "a new continent of thought" based in mindful, conscious awareness of the great mysteries of life.
Very best wishes
Nigel






Yahoo! Groups Links













[Back to Top]


Theosophy World: Dedicated to the Theosophical Philosophy and its Practical Application