Theos-Talk Archives (May 2005 Message tt00431)

When I read this, I see in this case tobacco was applied as a medicine
for quieting nerves. Likewise alcohol can be a medicine if applied
wisely. But we humans tend to abuse everything we touch, and so we
smoke and drink and exercise our lust just for pleasure or to hammer
away grief and sorrow we brought upon ourselves.

I don't know whether there was a better solution in this particular
case or not, and I hope that poor lady was not converted into a
tobacco addict. And HPB (or her body, if you please) definitely was an
addict. And don't ask me why -- I just don't know. :-) But still,
IMHO, her writings are much less smoky than those of Leadbeater &
cetera.

And I've never seen any account of any of the Masters themselves
smoking tobacco. Have you? Please let me know if you have.



Sunday, May 15, 2005, 8:50:37 AM, MKR wrote:

> Obviously, smoking tobacco seems to have its place. Just read the following
> account of how Schmiechen painted the portrairs of the Masters. You can
> make up your own mind.

> MKR
> ===================================================

> As had been promised by the Mahatmas, Mr. Schmiechen, a young German artist
> then residing in London, was to paint their portraits. And, at the 
> appointed time, a number of Theosophists gathered at his studio. Chief
> among Mr. Schmiechen's guests at that first sitting was H. P. B. who
> occupied a seat facing a platform on which was his easel. Near him on the
> platform sat several persons, all of them women, with one exception. About
> the room were grouped a number of well-known people, all equally interested
> in the attempt to be made by Mr. Schmiechen. The most clearly defined
> memory of that gathering, always in the mind of the writer, is the picture
> of Madame Blavatsky placidly smoking cigarettes in her easy chair and two
> women on the platform who were smoking also. She had "ordered" one of these
> women to make a cigarette and smoke it, and the order was obeyed though
> with great hesitation, for it was a first attempt and even the mild 
> Egyptian tobacco used was expected to produce nausea. H. P. B. promised
> that no such result would follow, and encouraged by Mrs. Sinnett, who was
> also smoking, the cigarette was lighted. The result was a curious quieting
> of nerves, and, soon all interest was lost in the group of people about the
> room, and only the easel and the hand of the artist absorbed her attention.

> Strange to relate that though the amateur smoker considered herself an
> onlooker it was her voice which uttered the word "beginner," and the artist
> quickly began outlining a head. Soon the eyes of everyone present were upon
> him as he worked with extreme rapidity. While quiet reigned in the studio
> and all were eagerly interested in Mr. Schmiechen's work, the amateur
> smoker on the platform saw the figure of a man outline itself beside the
> easel and, while the artist with head bent over his work continued his
> outlining, it stood by him without a sign or motion. She leaned over to her
> friend and whispered: "It is the Master K. H.; he is being sketched. He is
> standing near Mr. Schmiechen."

> "Describe his looks and dress," called out H. P. B. And while those in the
> room were wondering over Madame Blavatsky's exclamation, the woman 
> addressed said: "He is about Mohini's height; slight of build; wonderful
> face full of light and animation; flowing curly black hair, over which is
> worn a soft cap. He is a symphony in greys and blues. His dress is that of
> a Hindu - though it is far finer and richer than any I have ever seen
> before - and there is fur trimming about his costume. It is his picture
> that is being made, and he himself is guiding the work."

> Mohini, whom all present regarded with love and respect as the gifted
> disciple of the revered Masters, had been walking slowly to and fro with
> his hands behind him, and seemed absorbed in thought. Few noticed his
> movements, for he was at the back part of the large apartment and his
> footsteps were noiseless. But the amateur smoker had followed his movements
> with earnest glances, for she was noting a similarity of form between the
> psychic figure of the Master and himself, and, as well, a striking 
> resemblance in their manner....................................

> At 08:17 AM 05/14/05 +0400, you wrote:

>>Saturday, May 14, 2005, 3:28:41 AM, Mark wrote:
>>
>> > But for someone who is a master and inherently perfect in a certain
>> > sense, would it actually matter? Nicotine is a stimulant; perhaps it
>> > helped Morya or Morya's vehicle in some fashion.
>>
>>Of course, everything is possible, but I've never seen an endorsement
>>of nicotine in any theosophical sources, and I saw a statement that M.
>>smoked a "special preparation with ozone", whatever that might mean,
>>and definitely NOT tobacco or any other narcotic stuff. But since that
>>statement doesn't come from a "canonical" source, I'd like to find
>>some other proof (or disproof) of it.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>Yahoo! Groups Links
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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Best regards,
Vladimir