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Re: Theos-World Re: Hi there, I'm Vince and I am new to the group

Mar 19, 2006 03:52 PM
by Jerry Hejka-Ekins


Dear Vincent,

I'm just trying to understand what I can about Theosophy, insofar as it is new to me. HPB's writings are so extensive in such large volumes that I'm honestly a little bit daunted as to where to begin, so I'm likely going to be relying on secondary abridgments for awhile.
I would be careful of abridgment if I were you. Some of them are not very well done. For a first book by Blavatsky, I would recommend "The Key to Theosophy" in its unabridged version. It is a great overview of her teachings. For new people, we always start with that book in our study groups.

Best
Jerry





Vincent wrote:

Steve-

I'm just trying to understand what I can about Theosophy, insofar as it is new to me. HPB's writings are so extensive in such large volumes that I'm honestly a little bit daunted as to where to begin, so I'm likely going to be relying on secondary abridgments for awhile. In other words, someone's probably going to have to teach it to me in the form of abridged quotes, before I get into extensive reading of the core volumes.

Christians claim that the Bible contains 'absolute truth', both inerrant and infallible. But this then leaves those portions of universal truth concerning which we lack a firm and total grasp. Namely 'occult' truth, or anything which has not been declared to be 'absolute truth' by the Christian community. Hence universal truth may potentially be subdivided into categories of 'absolute truth' and 'occult truth'. Of course, I don't believe that any of us really has a firm grasp on 'absolute truth' in the first place, insofar as our minds are mortal, and we commonly have errors somewhere in every belief that we hold, whether small or great. Hence so many different biblical interpretations among Christians.

--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, Steven Levey <sallev1@...> wrote:

Vince-
Your intution about the reason for the term "Secret" in The
Secret Doctrine is somewhat correct, but, it is also a bit to quick a judgement. I'm afraid you are going to have to study the thing, to get a really good idea about the use of her terms. However, in doing so, I found it wise to read HPB in a thorough way to begin to undestand her motivation. By this I mean, read The Key to Theosophy, and study The Voice of the Silence, as well, or something like that. Or, pick up one of her collected writtings of shorter articles, or the Panarion. Mostly all of these are available at the Public Library, but definately on-line or in Theosophy Lodges of different types.

Good Searching-Steve

Vincent Blazina <vblaz2004@...> wrote:
Perry:

Thanks for the welcome. The Jehovah's Witnesses that you refer
also seem to have some narrow biblical interpretations, much like Christian fundamentalists. I'm curious about what some of the similarities and differences are between the Bible and the Secret Doctrine. Why is the Secret Doctrine considered to be secret? Does this simply mean that it is occult (meaning hidden) in nature? My own biblical interpretations go very deep for me, and are anything but dry, although I view Christian fundamentalists as often shallow in their own biblical interpretations much of the time.

Vince

plcoles1 wrote:
Hello Vince, Welcome to theos-talk!
My background was in the Jehovah's Witnesses and so as a result
had what amounted to at
least 5 1/2 hours a week of meetings to attend, and NO questioning
what you were being
told.

The thing I've found with studying theosophy for someone who has
studied the Bible is
that theosophy and in particular the Secret Doctrine opens up many
interesting and
profound interpretations of passages in the Bible.

An interesting article written by H.P Blavatsky is `The Esoteric
character of the Gospels'

http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/hpb-sio/sio-eso2.htm
It's a good place to start as the Secret Doctrine can be a little
bit daunting to begin with.

After only hearing what was to me very empty and dry
interpretations of the Bible,
theosophy can help you to begin to get some kind of understanding
as to the deeper
meaning in the bible as well as what other great thinkers, sages
and philosophers from
various traditions have taught on these subjects which may help
you have some context
and reference point for your own experiences.
Very Best Wishes on your Spiritual journey and once again Welcome
to the theos-talk!

Regards

Perry

--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "vblaz20042004" wrote:

Hi there, I'm Vince and I am new to the group. I have recently
been
attending the Theosophical Society of Wheaton, Illinois for the
past
month, and have been enjoying the various teachings and
discussions
at that facility.

My life has been rich with metaphysical experiences, but the Christian Fundamentalist churches that I had previously attended
for
twenty years got very judgmental towards me when I might venture
to
reference them. I also began finding many inconsistencies with
the
way that many Christians were representing the Bible, and my questions about Christianity were often deemed dangerous to
people's
religious faith.

I am looking for a place in the Theosophical Society wherein I
may
potentially freely discuss metaphysical issues as they directly pertain to my life, with people who are more open to such discussions. I am very well read with the Bible, although my interpretations of it are more metaphysical versus orthodox.

I look forward to constuctive discussion with the people here,
and
would like to learn more about the Theosophical Society and it's perspectives, insofar as many of them are brand new to me.

Thank you,

Vince






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