Theos-Talk Archives (October 2006 Message tt00452)

Carlos,

Indeed it is important to live theosophy fully. The philosophy 
provides a model of a way of life, and the founders provided the 
example of how to live it. 

> It would be wrong to ignore the example given by HPB of using both 
> brain hemispheres and combining 'viveka', discernment, with devotion 
> and higher intuition. 

Is it possible that applying discernment in our daily lives has to do 
with our own behavior, not that of others? Clearly we need to notice 
what is going on around us. But we are told also not to judge. In so 
many situations in life when we see someone do something, for 
instance, that we think is wrong, we later find out there was another 
dimension to the situation that would suggest another evaluation. We 
are not omniscient We can speak of well-known bad guys, Hitler, 
Stalin, and yet, if we look from a historical perspective, we see 
that what those people did served another purpose in the bigger 
picture. If we believe in Karma, we know that what happens is what 
has to happen, the necessary restoration of balance after Nature's 
Law has been broken. The crux comes when we are trying to decide how 
to behave. Our discernment allows us to see what sort of behavior is 
in alignment with our ideals. It helps us to make decisions. If there 
were no shadows, there would be no light, at least on the material 
plane.
>  
> Her pedagogy is not limited to "high initiates".  It is public. It is
> for the public. It is available to each and all of us. 

Indeed it is, and we are extremely fortunate in that. But I do not 
know of anywhere in the writings of HPB, or in the example of her 
life, or in the writings or example of WQJ or any of the great 
teachers humanity has been privileged to receive, where it is stated 
that it is good to criticize anyone, one's fellow students in 
particular. In general the student is councilled to avoid unecessary 
talk about others in general. 
>  
> The Catholic priests (Liberal or otherwise) also say that the 
> universal brotherhood and other teachings are "impossible to live" --
>  hence they use rituals and other top-down structures to control the 
> masses.

I wonder about the advisability of criticizing institutions too. HPB 
had the advantage of instruction from the Masters, who are much wiser 
and much more aware than I am. She also had a job to do, guided by 
Their omniscience, to help break the stranglehold of organized 
religion on humanity. We may as well assume that job has been done. 
Why antagonize other seekers? If a student recognizes limitations in 
an institution, isn't it because he has been a part of such an 
institution and found the cracks for himself? Why not provide an 
example of something better for others who are still caught in the 
web? Why criticize them for their ignorance? Why not respect their 
search, as we want ours to be respected? 
> 
> Take care and make sure you do not say that "living Theosophy" 
> or "using both discernment and intuitiion" is but for high 
> initiates --  for thus starts hypocrisy which leads to priesthood.  

Saying such a thing would certainly serve no purpose. We have a 
tremendous opportunity, and a tremendous responsibility, in this 
potent cycle, to make the words of theosophical teachings a living 
reality in our daily lives. Every moment is pregnant with 
possibilities as we tread the path, endeavoring to be one with our 
ideals in every thought, word, and deed. And indeed, it is in the 
trying that the value lies. One successful effort is worth more than 
a thousand failures. lt is the sincere effort to do the right thing 
that connects us with the higher forces and makes us a part of the 
Light, instead of a part of the shadow. 
>  
> There is a false humbleness in saying --  "we are not high 
> initiates, we cannot compare ourselves with HPB;  therefore we do 
> not need to live Theosophy". 

Humility is an interesting study. Humility is not self-effacing 
necessarily. It is knowing who we are and why we are here and 
behaving accordingly with dignity and integrity. We don't know where 
we are in the hierarchy of humanity, but we always know that there 
are Those above and those below. We aspire to follow the example set 
by the "Elders," and we try to lend a helping hand to those who 
follow. It is an endless stream. Everyone has Those above in 
development and those below in development. We cannot evaluate 
anyone's status, but we can recognize that it is not a matter of 
worth. It is just a matter of consciousness. We don't expect children 
in kindergarten to understand calculus, but we don't consider them 
lesser than we are if they don't. (assuming we understand calculus, 
whatever that is :)
>  
> If one can't live Theosophy and can't combine diversity and unity,
> what's the use of Theosophy?  It is a facade for something 
> else? Is it a facade for some rite or  ritual in a " stone Temple"?

Perhaps it is useful here to mention the difference between 
personality and principle. Our faculty of discernment is well applied 
when focussed on principle, on the impersonal. It is not  so well 
applied when focussed on the personal. We are well advised to apply 
discernment to the behavior, but not to the person. We simply do not 
and cannot know the mystery of another human being. We all know this. 
Who really knows us? Only we have that job. And if we discern 
bahavior that does not fit with out ideals, what else can we feel but 
compassion for another one of our brother or sisters who may be 
creating future suffering for him or her self? There but for the 
Grace of God go I?
>  
> HPB wrote the only real temple is within one's heart and mind, and 
> outer  temples are but a lack of respect for the SACRED.  As she 
> wrote that, she was quoting the New Testament, I Corinthians. (See 
> Collected Writings, XI, pp.80-81.)

Yes, and isn't the  altar in theTemple within our own heart the best 
place to lay all the troubles, the problems, the fears, and the 
judgements, so they can be dealt with by Those who know how? Those 
who are in truth and reality our own Higher Selves?
>  
> 
> I  hope you have something to say abut the above ideas. 

I sure did!

Adelasie