Theos-Talk Archives (June 2005 Message tt00447)

Hi All,
I sometimes wonder how useful the study of the intellectual concepts 
of theosophy really is.
It almost seems cliché to say that it's the application of knowledge 
that is important rather than just the gathering of intellectually 
stimulating information.

If the practice of altruism is the true theosophical way then it 
would seem that working in any particular altruistic cause or living 
altruistically in our 'ordinary' lives would be the true theosophical 
path to follow.

This has a deep ring of reality and truth to it to me, as so many 
people dedicate their lives altruistically in everyday events and 
issues and do it beautifully without ever having heard the word 
theosophy.

It's easy for someone to wax lyrical on inner planes or reincarnation 
or the nature of emptiness however the problems life presents us with 
are not always so easy to deal with.
Ethical issues arise that can have many different subtle implications 
and aspects to them.

Our externally drawn mind with its desires and wants seems to 
continually challenge and absorb us with all the many and various 
aspects of our own selfishness or sense of self importance that lye 
either blatant or veiled behind some veneer we may even at one time 
thought to have been virtuous but turns out to be the ego on a 
rampage.

One of the things I like in the theosophical worldview is that this 
is a long pilgrimage we are on and that karma will bring us the 
lessons we need to learn in due time.
Life brings us exactly what we give out.

Perhaps the theosophical ideas give us some kind of context or 
framework with which to live our lives and at the same time 
developing a less absolutist and non-dogmatic mindset, one that tries 
to work towards more unified and selfless relationships with others 
and the world around us.

Anyone who lives with an increasing awareness of interconnectedness 
and compassion can be said to be a theosophist.
This requires no membership fees or initiations and includes ALL, 
I think this is a freeing, empowering and beautiful conception and is 
true religion.

Perhaps the study of the theosophical principals is a way of getting 
the western mind to turn inwards and look at the inner rather than 
just the outer working of things.
Looking at a Cosmos with an inner ethical and compassionate core 
rather than simply a mechanical organism and maybe that is why these 
concepts are still important to study and offer to the world.

As our external scientific knowledge advances theosophy can help to 
offer perhaps a soul to the outer shell of materialistic philosophy. 
It's very possible with the advancement of some of the scientific 
knowledge we now have to either bring a new age of enlightenment or 
if left without any ethical context to go down the path of the 
Atlanteans into self destruction.

While studying academic theosophical concepts is not necessary to be 
a theosophist perhaps there is still a very important role these 
concepts can have to help spur on the intellectual and spiritual 
development of humanity at this point in time.

Cheers

Perry