Theos-Talk Archives (November 2006 Message tt00483)

Dr. Tillett,

I can appreciate your point of view.

I would call attention, for instance,  to the fact that HPB wrote quite a lot about her Esoteric School, mainly in the book "The Key to Theosophy".

Ideally speaking, there should be an optimum degree of equilibrium between openness and secrecy, balanced by Viveka, true discernment. 

Actually, you cannot always have the optimum degree of equilibrium. 

On the other hand, being made of human beings, an organization has to show their own limitations, the limitation of the human material of which they are made. 

This is true of every sector of the theosophical movement. 

Efficiency will be measured, in part, by the  ability to inspire people into the path of self-knowledge, while preserving in difficult times, the knowledge and teaching.

Each part or section of the movement does what it can.

[ Since I am interested in stimulating a wider and deeper respect for the 'esoteric tradition', perhaps I should read once more Leslie Price's article on "ES and Historians" (published in "Theosophical History" years ago ) and comment it here somehow. Anyway, I am trying to share a general, abstract viewpoint. ]


Regards,  Carlos.





De:theos-talk@yahoogroups.com

Para:theos-talk@yahoogroups.com

Cópia:

Data:Wed, 8 Nov 2006 20:33:10 +1100 (EST)

Assunto:Theos-World "Secret History"

> In the midst of all the discussion about why esoteric groups can and
> musn't disclose material about themselves, I received another volume
> published by an Anthroposophical publisher on the history of Steiner's
> esoteric school: "A History of the School of Spiritual Science. The First
> Class" by Johannes Kiersch (Temple Lodge, London, 2006) - a detailed
> history of what began as Steiner's branch of the Adyar ES and developed
> into his own school, complete with details of controversies and disputes
> and breaks, and full texts of original documents. This supplements "From
> the History and Contents of the First Section of the Esoteric School
> 1904-1914" (1998) and precedes a forthcoming history of Steiner's Masonic
> (or quasi-Masonic) group. All prepared with (apparent) support of the
> Anthroposophical Society and access to (and use of) materials in all
> relevant archives. None of the works thus published gives any indication
> of being a "true believer's" version of history, although clearly
> published by those who can be desrcibed as "true believers".
> 
> I am therefore led to wonder why groups deriving from Steiner seem able
> and willing to support, or even produce, scholarly studies of his esoteric
> activities, but TS groups appear incapable of rationally discussing their
> equivalent activities. Why can't Adyar, for example, publish a history of
> the ES, or the ULT produce an equivalent history of the DES? A history
> doesn't (necessarily) have to disclose secret teachings or signs and
> passwords.
> 
> I am impressed by the maturity and transparency shown by Steiner's
> contemporary disciples, and, even more, by the quality of scholarship (and
> translation) in the works I have seen thus far.
> 
> Dr Gregory Tillett
> 
> 
> 
> 
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