From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Fri, 31 May 1996 00:00:00 -0700 From: "Nicholas Weeks" Subject: Character of Theosophy Theosophy in action was described by Helena Blavatsky in the following quote. May all contributors to Theosophy World keep these ideals in mind as we use those "living messengers" -- words. "The essence of Theosophy is the perfect harmonizing of the divine with the human in man, the adjustment of his god-like qualities and aspirations, and their sway over the terrestrial or animal passions in him. Kindness, absence of every ill feeling or selfishness, charity, good-will to all beings, and perfect justice to others as to one's self, are its chief features. He who teaches Theosophy preaches the gospel of good-will; and the converse of this is true also, -- he who preaches the gospel of good-will, teaches Theosophy." [BCW 9, 245] From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Fri, 14 Jun 1996 15:57:30 -0700 From: "Nicholas Weeks" Subject: Theosophy Core Library H.P. BLAVATSKY AND THEOSOPHY: RECOMMENDED READING A Core Library (All books are currently in print as of 5/96. Please e-mail or write to us for price and ordering information. We will gladly suggest a course of reading.) Compiled by Daniel H. Caldwell Issued by The Blavatsky Foundation P.O. Box 1844, Tucson, AZ 85702, U.S.A. blafoun@azstarnet.com "Helena Petrovna Blavatsky...[is]...the most insightful and comprehensive teacher of esoteric philosophy in modern times...." Shirley Nicholson. Ancient Wisdom, Modern Insight. 1985. "...Madame Blavatsky...stands out as the fountainhead of modern occult thought...." J. Gordon Melton, Jerome Clark and Aidan A. Kelly. New Age Almanac. 1991. "Helena Petrovna Blavatsky...is surely among the most original and perceptive minds of her time....[In her two major books]....lies...the first philosophy of psychic and spiritual evolution to appear in the modern West...." Theodore Roszak. The Unfinished Animal. 1975. "H.P. Blavatsky...is regarded by all modern theosophical movements as the most important theosophical writer and teacher of the modern era." Robert Ellwood, author of Religious and Spiritual Groups in Modern America, Alternative Altars and other works. ************************************************************ ____________________________________________________ Bookshelf 1: An Introduction to the Life and Influence of Madame Blavatsky (1) When Daylight Comes: Biography of Helena Petrovna Blavatsky. By Howard Murphet. (2) The Occult World of Madame Blavatsky: Reminiscences And Impressions by Those Who Knew Her. Compiled and edited by Daniel H. Caldwell (3) H.P. Blavatsky and "The Secret Doctrine": Commentaries on Her Contributions to World Thought. Edited by Virginia Hanson. (4) HPB: The Extraordinary Life and Influence of Helena Blavatsky, Founder of the Modern Theosophical Movement. By Sylvia Cranston. (5) The Real H.P. Blavatsky: A Study of Theosophy, and a Memoir of a Great Soul. By William Kingsland. Bookshelf 2: An Introduction to Theosophy (6) An Introduction to Esoteric Principles: A Study Guide. By William Doss McDavid. (7) Deity, Cosmos and Man: An Outline of Esoteric Science. By Geoffrey A. Farthing. (8) Ancient Wisdom---Modern Insight. By Shirley Nicholson. (9) The Divine Plan: Written in the Form of a Commentary on H.P. Blavatsky's "Secret Doctrine." By Geoffrey A. Barborka. Bookshelf 3: An Classical Introduction to Theosophy (10) An Invitation to "The Secret Doctrine." By H.P. Blavatsky. TUP. (11) The Occult World. By A.P. Sinnett. TPH edition. (12) Esoteric Buddhism. By A.P. Sinnett. Wizards Bookshelf edition. (13) The Key to Theosophy. By H.P. Blavatsky. With Glossary. TPH edition. (14) Spiritual Evolution: Articles by H.P. Blavatsky. TC (15) Teachers and Disciples: Articles by H.P. Blavatsky. TC (16) The Voice of The Silence: Being Chosen Fragments from the "Book of The Golden Precepts" for the Daily Use of Lanoos (Disciples) . Translated and Annotated by "H.P.B." TUP edition. (17) Reminiscences of H.P. Blavatsky and "The Secret Doctrine." By Countess Constance Wachtmeister and others. (18) An Abridgement of "The Secret Doctrine." By H.P. Blavatsky. Edited by Elizabeth Preston and Christmas Humphreys. (19) H.P. Blavatsky Teaches: An Anthology. Compiled by Michael Gomes. Bookshelf 4: Others Studies on Theosophy (20) An Inquiry into the Nature of Mind. By Adam Warcup. (21) Exploring the Great Beyond: A Survey of the Field of the Extraordinary. By Geoffrey A. Farthing. (22) When We Die: A Description of the After-Death States and Processes. By Geoffrey A. Farthing. PLP. (23) Reincarnation: A New Horizon in Science, Religion and Society. By Sylvia Cranston and Carey Williams. TUP. (24) Reincarnation, the Phoenix Fire Mystery: An East-West Dialogue on Death, and Rebirth from the Worlds of Religion, Science, Psychology, Philosophy, Art, and Literature, and from Great Thinkers of the Past and Present. Compiled and Edited by Joseph Head and S.L. Cranston. TUP. (25) Concentration and Meditation: A Manual of Mind Development. By Christmas Humphreys. (26) Esoteric Keys to the Christian Scriptures & Universal Mystery Language of Myth and Symbol. By Henry Travers Edge. PLP. (27) The Gnosis or Ancient Wisdom in the Christian Scriptures. By William Kingsland. (28) The Cosmic Womb: An Interpretation of Man's Relationship to the Infinite. By Arthur W. Osborn. (29) The Divine Plan by Geoffrey A. Barborka. (30) Man, The Measure of All Things: In the Stanzas of Dzyan. By Sri Krishna Prem and Sri Madhava Ashish. (31) Man, God and the Universe. By I.K. Taimni. (32) The Mathematics of the Cosmic Mind: A Study in Mathematical Symbolism. by L. Gordon Plummer. (33) Cyclic Evolution: A Theosophical View. By Adam Warcup. (34) Archaic History of the Human Race: As Recorded in "The Secret Doctrine" By H.P. Blavatsky. By Gertrude W. van Pelt. PLP. (35) The Peopling of the Earth. By Geoffrey A. Barborka. (36) The Story of Human Evolution. By Geoffrey A. Barborka. (37) The Dawning of the Theosophical Movement. By Michael Gomes. (38) H.P. Blavatsky, Tibet and Tulku. By Geoffrey A. Barborka. (39) The Hall of Magic Mirrors. By Victor A. Endersby. (40) Obituary: The "Hodgson Report " on Madame Blavatsky: Re-Examination Discredits the Major Charges Against H.P. Blavatsky. By Adlai W. Waterman. BF. (41) Theosophy: A Modern Revival of Ancient Wisdom. By Alvin Boyd Kuhn. (42) Masters and Men: The Human Story in The Mahatma Letters. By Virginia Hanson. (43) The Mahatmas and Their Letters. By Geoffrey A. Barborka. (44) The Readers Guide to "The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett." Compiled and Edited by George E. Linton and Virginia Hanson. Second edition. Bookshelf 5: A Selection of Writings by H.P. Blavatsky and the Mahatmas (45) Isis Unveiled. By H.P. Blavatsky. TC Facsimile of the Original Edition. 2 volumes bound in one volume. (46) Isis Unveiled. By H.P. Blavatsky. Edited by Boris de Zirkoff. TPH edition. 2 volumes. (47) The Secret Doctrine. By H.P. Blavatsky. TUP Facsimile of the Original Edition. 2 volumes. (48) Index to "The Secret Doctrine." TC. (49) The Secret Doctrine. By H.P. Blavatsky. Edited by Boris de Zirkoff. TPH edition. 3 volumes. Volume 3 is an index volume. (50) The Key to Theosophy. By H.P. Blavatsky. With Glossary. TUP edition. (51) The Voice of the Silence. By H.P. Blavatsky. TUP edition. Also available as a cassette. (52) The Voice of the Silence. By H.P. Blavatsky. With Historical Introduction and Index by Boris de Zirkoff. TPH edition. (53) Secret Doctrine Commentary, Stanzas I-IV: Transactions of the Blavatsky Lodge. By H.P. Blavatsky. TUP edition. (54) The Theosophical Glossary. By H.P. Blavatsky. TC edition. (55) "The Esoteric Instructions." By H.P. Blavatsky. TPH, Collected Writings, Vol. 12 (56) The Inner Group Teachings of H.P. Blavatsky. Second edition. PLP (57) Theosophical Articles. By H.P. Blavatsky. 3 volumes. TC. (58) A Modern Panarion: A Collection of Fugitive Fragments from the Pen of H.P. Blavatsky. TC (59) The Collected Writings. By H.P. Blavatsky. Compiled and Edited by By Boris de Zirkoff. 15 volumes. Vol. 14 is an index volume. TPH. (60) The New Testament Commentaries of H.P. Blavatsky. Compiled and Annotated by H.J. Spierenburg. PLP (61) The Vedanta Commentaries of H.P. Blavatsky. Compiled and Annotated by H.J. Spierenburg. PLP (62) H.P. Blavatsky on the Gnostics. Compiled and Annotated by H.J. Spierenburg. PLP (63) The Buddhism of H.P. Blavatsky. Compiled and annotated by H.J. Spierenburg. PLP (64) Glyphs and Symbols. By H.P. Blavatsky. CGP (65) The Letters of H.P. Blavatsky to A.P. Sinnett. Compiled by A. Trevor Barker. TUP (66) H.P.B. Speaks. 2 volumes. TPH. (67) From the Caves and Jungles of Hindostan. By H.P. Blavatsky. TPH (68) The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett. [In Chronological Sequence]. Arranged and edited by Vicente Hao Chin, Jr. [Fourth edition.] TPH Philippines. (69) The Mahatma Letters to A.P. Sinnett. Facsimile of 2nd Edition. Paparback. TUP. (70) Letters from the Masters of the Wisdom. 2 volumes. Transcribed and edited by C. Jinarajadasa. TPH. Compiled 5/96 From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Thu, 20 Jun 1996 22:45:32 -0700 From: "Bee Brown" Subject: Are we in business? Hi, Is there anybody out there? I would like to say how much I enjoyed the first notes and articles and convey my appreciation to the people involved. I have printed out the Henry Edge article on Rights, Duties & Priviliges and was planning to read it at our Lodge meeting but my flubug may have postponed it for a couple of weeks. While sitting in our library waiting for potential customers, I have been reading some of the old mags The Theosophical Path of which we have a dozen or so from 1911 to 1926. I noticed that Henry Edge is quite a prolific writer to it in those days and I rather enjoy his articles. I don't personally have any problems with the old-fashioned styles of writing. Please keep the momentum going. Regards Bee Brown. From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 07:42:02 -0700 From: "Ann E Bermingham" <72723.2375@compuserve.com> Subject: I guess we're in business . . . Hi Bee, I enjoyed reading both the papers and articles, but my particular favorite was John Paul Rolston's "Looking to the Future". - Ann E. Bermingham From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 10:53:40 -0700 From: "Richard Taylor" Subject: Re: I guess we're in business . . . For my part, I am thrilled to have a fresh list with kind people to talk to about Theosophy. I have really high hopes for this board, and I hope that any disputes which MIGHT arise can be handled nobly. Rich Taylor From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 10:56:48 -0700 From: "Richard Taylor" Subject: Looking to the Future Ann -- You mentioned that your favorite article was the one from John Paul Polston, "Looking to the Future." I have heard through the grapevine that this article is causing a bit of a stir in ULT circles -- especially "updating" the language of the teachings for newcomers. What did you particularly enjoy about the article? It would be great to have a chat about this article or any others from the latest issue of THEOSOPHY WORLD. Rich From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 12:11:22 -0700 From: "Jerry Hejka-Ekins" Subject: Re: I guess we're in business >For my part, I am thrilled to have a fresh list with kind people >to talk to about Theosophy. I have really high hopes for this >board, and I hope that any disputes which MIGHT arise can be >handled nobly. >Rich Taylor For my part, I would like to see a constructive discussion concerning what we as theosophists can do to promote the TM. IMO, the Organizations range from limited to worthless in their ability to serve the TM in these times, and in some cases are damaging to it. I have made the following observations, and questions that I would appreciate comment upon: 1. We live in an age where authority and doctrine are looked upon with suspicion. Yet TS, TUP and ULT are all authoritative and doctrinaire each in their own way. How can this be changed? 2. We live in an age were social and economic divisions are growing more and more pronounced. The world needs a place where people may meet in *unconditional* fraternalization. I don't believe that the TS, TUP or ULT offer this. How can we address these problems? 3. We live in an age of impending crises, whether they be economic, ecological or social. I was pleased to see the five points club at the Los Angeles ULT, where the children were brought together in neighborhood service to plant trees, clean graffiti etc. My daughter was a part of this club, and she, now an adult, has positive memories about those activities and a very positive attitude concerning her path finder days with ULT. But this is the sole incident I have ever seen where a Theosophical Organization was truly active in service. What can be done to bring more of these kind of activities? 4. The one thing that Theosophical Organizations still do is publish Theosophical books and teach "Theosophy"--though the teachings differ from organization to organization. In observing the TS, TUP, and ULT over the past thirty years, I have noted that regardless of the organization, only a small minority really understand the core theosophical teachings of that organization. The rest either don't care about the teachings, or they depend upon others to understand the teachings for them. The teachings are supposed to be the bases upon which the respective organizations base their values. But if few understand the teachings, and the teachings vary among the organizations, where does that leave the effectiveness of the TM in the Organizations? What can be done to remedy this situation? To the best of my observations, the above questions and problems seem to lie at the core of the issues concerning the Theosophical Organizations. Obviously, the changes that would have to be made are extensive, and perhaps beyond what the Organizations are willing or motivated to address. Yet the TM must progress, and I feel that those of us who are more concerned with the success of the movement than the continuation of organizations that have lost touch with the times, some obligations here. Jerry Hejka-Ekins From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 14:48:28 -0700 From: "Nicholas Weeks" Subject: HT Edge & Life-atoms > I would like to say how much I enjoyed the first notes and > articles and convey my appreciation to the people involved. I > have printed out the Henry Edge article on Rights, Duties & > Priviliges and was planning to read it at our Lodge meeting but > my flubug may have postponed it for a couple of weeks. While > sitting in our library waiting for potential customers, I have > been reading some of the old mags The Theosophical Path of which > we have a dozen or so from 1911 to 1926. I noticed that Henry > Edge is quite a prolific writer to it in those days and I rather > enjoy his articles. I don't personally have any problems with > the old-fashioned styles of writing. Bee, Edge is one of my favorites too and may have been the most prolific writer in the Pt. Loma TS. Unfortunately there are no collected writings of HTE and only a few pamphlets of his in print. I have not studied your life atoms posting closely yet. But have you read anything about the Jain religion? They are perhaps the "experts" when it comes to life atoms. They believe that Karma is not just a law, but a form of matter. ~That Which Is~ -- a translation of the ~Tattvartha Sutra~ came out in 1994, published by HarperCollins San Francisco. It has 4 or 5 chapters on the stuff of karma, detailing how it affects humans and our efforts in spiritual living. Of course you probably have already read "Transmigration of the Life-atoms" in BCW 5. From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 15:03:11 -0700 From: "Rodolfo Don" Subject: I guess we're in business Subject: Theosophical Movement Jerry> >For my part, I would like to see a constructive discussion >concerning what we as theosophists can do to promote the TM. >IMO, the Organizations range from limited to worthless in their >ability to serve the TM in these times, and in some cases are >damaging to it. Before promoting & serving the TM, I would like to read what Jerry & the rest of list think are the keynotes of the TM today. How different are they from a century ago? What does the Brotherhood wish we aspiring helpers would do to foster the Theosophical Movement? From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 18:43:34 -0700 From: "Ann E Bermingham" <72723.2375@compuserve.com> Subject: RE : Looking to the Future RT: > You mentioned that your favorite article was the one from John > Paul Polston, "Looking to the Future." . . What did you > particularly enjoy about the article? I thought it was very straightforward and insightful. I would imagine the issue of "updating" the Victorian English of HPB's day is a thorny one. While it would be make the writings easier to read, one would have to careful not lose the original meaning. A hard task there, but impossible? JP Rolston mentions using modern media to communicate Theosphical information. In a time in which the Internet is becoming as valueable as the telephone (at least in my house), the Theosophical organizations who lag or refuse to take advantage of this or other means of electronic communication might find themselves looking a lot like dinosaurs in the near future. Next he mentions the insularity. IMHO, it seems the TS has built themselves a nice intellectual ivory tower that probably puts off many people and drives newcomers away. But I can also understand the desire to huddle up as a group and be suspicious of outsiders, especially when one's beliefs (or lack of them) has been under attack by various religious groups and the press. It's not an easy thing to take down the walls of protection when even HPB and those around her were so bitterly attacked by the media. I also agree with Rolston that the TS would do well to establish ties with other perennial traditions. Basically, what is being said is that Theosophists need to open up and start COMMUNICATING with the rest of the world. Yes, I enjoyed the article very much, but that's probably because I agreed with mostly everything Rolston said. - Ann E. Bermingham From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 19:14:29 -0700 From: "Nicholas Weeks" Subject: BCW? Nicholas>> >> Of course you probably have already read "Transmigration of the >> Life-atoms" in BCW 5. Bee> >Just now the meaning of BCW 5 eludes me. Sorry -- I should use the full title more often. ~HP Blavatsky Collected Writings~ compiled by Boris de Zirkoff -- 14 numbered volumes, plus vol. 15 the Index. From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Fri, 21 Jun 1996 19:20:11 -0700 From: "Bjorn Roxendal" Subject: Re: I guess we're in business Trying again >To the best of my observations, the above questions and problems >seem to lie at the core of the issues concerning the Theosophical >Organizations. Obviously, the changes that would have to be made >are extensive, and perhaps beyond what the Organizations are >willing or motivated to address. The organizations seem to be rather fossilized, although not without value for many of their members. The future is "up for grabs" and there is MUCH we can do, individually and in groups, based on the teachings and inspiration coming through Theosophical books, as well as many other sources. We need an "up and do it" approach. We are individually accountable and can't wait for this or that organization to come to life. >Yet the TM must progress, and I >feel that those of us who are more concerned with the success of >the movement than the continuation of organizations that have >lost touch with the times, some obligations here. Bjorn roxendal@alpinet.net From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Sat, 22 Jun 1996 14:11:33 -0700 From: "Jerry Hejka-Ekins" Subject: Re: Theosophical Movement Nicholas Weeks: >Before promoting & serving the TM, I would like to read what >Jerry & the rest of list think are the keynotes of the TM today. >How different are they from a century ago? What does the >Brotherhood wish we aspiring helpers would do to foster the >Theosophical Movement? JHE From my view, I see the TM as timeless, it is the changing cultures that make for opportunities, or lack of them, for the TM to manifest. HPB mentioned in IU classical Athens and nineteenth century American and Europe to be rare times when the TM was able to find expression. In the intro. to the SD, she gives a grand tour of instances where the AW teachings were withdrawn from the public. Today, we are living in very insidious times. The trend is to no longer view ethics as a standard connected to spiritual roots. When standards are established, they are more often than not based upon the expediency of the situation. I raise ethics here, because in spite of repeated objections from others on theos-l, I still believe that ethics are at the very heart of the TM and sounds the unchanging and undying keynote. Therefore, I think today, as in the past, any activity that inspires people to act unselfishly for the betterment of humanity serves the TM. But since we live in a postmodern world that denies authority; the notion of an absolute truth; and a code of ethics based in the spiritual, we have to find new ways of doing this. Bjorn >The organizations seem to be rather fossilized, although not >without value for many of their members. The future is "up for >grabs" and there is MUCH we can do, individually and in groups, >based on the teachings and inspiration coming through >Theosophical books, as well as many other sources. We need an >"up and do it" approach. We are individually accountable and >can't wait for this or that organization to come to life. JHE Yes. Without the organizations to organize us, we have to organize ourselves. Jerry HE From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Sun, 23 Jun 1996 10:31:14 -0700 From: "Dara Eklund" Subject: Service Activities Dear Folks: Let's remember that all groups have service activities: the T.S. with it's Theosophical Order of Service which included over the years printing Books for the Blind (now T.B.A.B.); writing letters to prisoners [also done by T.S. Pasadena]; Care for the poor and new mothers; and especially work for Animal Rights and Ecology in recent years. There is a special journal issued from Paris (ed. by Diana Dunningham-Chapotin) which lists worthy activities of ALL organizations, not to mention individuals. T.A.C.O. promotes culture in the community, and periodic art exhibits are on display at the library center of T.S. Pasadena. Our teachings emphasize individual efforts a great deal because of their emphasis on motive. Often we do not know the motives inspiring noble deeds of unsung heroes. There is a member of two organizations in Colorado who helps "Youth at Risk," which takes great courage and talent. She has been involved in getting kids off the streets and into repairing old bikes which they then may use. A quieter type of service is accumulating book treasures for future use. As a librarian in a large public library system I often see the growing emphasis on popular novels and sensational media, as well as pulp fiction. This lends itself to the dark "insidious" times which Jerry mentioned in his last on the T.M. However, by building his Alexandria West treasure and making it accessible to all seekers for truth, is he not overcoming the authoritarianism of our organized Theosophical groups? The latter have tended to guard their archives; perhaps through unfortunate abuse by patrons; perhaps for honest fear that the controversial knowledge there could create further discord. The independent scattered libraries in remote areas of our country such as Cotopaxi Colorado, or in other parts of the world, have each a destiny in view of the trends ahead. They build to the dream of Plato regarding an academy of Universal Philosophy, when men's minds and hearts are ready for the Ideas which may rule the world. Are not those philosophic ideals those which the Brotherhood tries to reseed from time to time, whether recognized as the T.M. or not? From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Sun, 23 Jun 1996 10:47:13 -0700 From: "Dara Eklund" Subject: Re: Theosophical Movement Nicholas: > Before promoting & serving the TM, I would like to read what > Jerry & the rest of list think are the keynotes of the TM today. > How different are they from a century ago? What does the > Brotherhood wish we aspiring helpers would do to foster the > Theosophical Movement? Keynotes of the Theosophical Movement today could not vary that much from former eras, given the failure of most of us to live up to the ideals of: l. UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD 2. freedom from MATERIALISM 3. a BOLD declaration of Truth (as we see it) without fear of what society thinks of us, nor what it does for our reputation. 4. Altruistic Ethics 5. A reverence (or Duty) for all life. Rather a rough summary, but brought to mind by a very fine talk by Dr. Hiltner, yesterday on the Summer Solstice. He reminded us that "Evil" is imperfection and "Good" is relative perfection, quoting from the ~Mahatma Letters~ a passag that Discord is necessary as the ultimate balance or harmony. Running out of time..... Dara From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Sun, 23 Jun 1996 13:42:49 -0700 From: "Nicholas Weeks" Subject: Re: Theosophical Movement >Nicholas Weeks: >>I would like to read what >>Jerry & the rest of list think are the keynotes of the TM today. >>How different are they from a century ago? What does the >>Brotherhood wish we aspiring helpers would do to foster the >>Theosophical Movement? >JHE >[...] >Today, we are living in very insidious times. The trend is to no >longer view ethics as a standard connected to spiritual roots. >When standards are established, they are more often than not >based upon the expediency of the situation. I raise ethics here, >because in spite of repeated objections from others on theos-l, I >still believe that ethics are at the very heart of the TM and >sounds the unchanging and undying keynote. > >Therefore, I think today, as in the past, any activity that >inspires people to act unselfishly for the betterment of humanity >serves the TM. But since we live in a postmodern world that >denies authority; the notion of an absolute truth; and a code of >ethics based in the spiritual, we have to find new ways of doing >this. The keynotes of the Theosophical Movement as still the same today, but the priority of those of lesser importance may have changed. Some of the chief aims are: 1) "those which are likely to lead to the relief of human suffering under any or every form, moral as well as physical. And we believe the former to be far more important than the latter. Theosophy has to inculcate ethics; it has to purify the soul, if it would relieve the physical body..." [~Key to Theosophy~ 24] 2) Replacement of the theological God idea with a non-theistic Principle. 3) Teach "virtue for its own sake." 4) Promote spiritual self-reliance, not reliance on a "theological crutch". [See Mahatma Letter 10] Ethics & Virtue are still at the top of the list, but I do not see any particular need to reinvent the wheel in teaching them. True, many youngsters (both chronological & emotional ones) have trouble with the perception and the fact of authority, whether religious, secular or personal. But that is a reflection of the conceit & selfish esteem promoted by schools, media & some parents. Rather than adjust downwards the standards, I try to suggest they get rid of their prejudice & hangups with "authority". Yes, there are Papal figures & dogmatic teachings in all spiritual fields. But for every hitleresque "leader" or dogma (or wannabee) there are 10 immature, prideful students. Also ethics may be one of the least academic areas of thought. Unlike geometry, sociology or economics, ethics has always and will always, be taught at mother's knee in a family setting. It is also conveyed through whatever religion the child is exposed to, outside the home. So while the teaching of ethics in schools does occur it is (and again, always will be) the least influential source, compared to home & temple. In short, whatever "postmodern" thought means, I do not think it encompasses the world -- the Western academic world perhaps -- but not the world. Best, Nicholas From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Sun, 23 Jun 1996 14:41:06 -0700 From: "Bee Brown" Subject: Re: Looking to the Future Richtay@aol.com wrote: > > Ann -- > > You mentioned that your favorite article was the one from John > Paul Polston, "Looking to the Future." I have heard through the > grapevine that this article is causing a bit of a stir in ULT > circles -- especially "updating" the language of the teachings > for newcomers. > > What did you particularly enjoy about the article? It would be > great to have a chat about this article or any others from the > latest issue of THEOSOPHY WORLD. > > Rich I have given a lot of thought to the language aspect of Theosophy as it has been talked about a lot lately. I have reservations about it for a number of reasons. The main one is that the actual writings of the founders, and I, in particular am familiar with GdeP who I hold in great esteem, are the repositories of a greater esoteric content if one can read them in such a manner as to gain access to it. Please excuse me for using myself as an example but I only know how I experience this reading but I am surely not unique in reading this way. I have had such fun with GdeP over the last year as I read all books 'between the lines' or I suppose intuitively. I have done so for the last 20 years and get better at it all the time. By reading this way I use the words chosen by the writer to carry his inner knowledge and vision, as doorways to that inner world. If those words are changed or modernised they will no longer be doorways to that world and it will be like taking the handles off so that I can no longer open the door. The sanskrit terms I have to learn the meaning off and when that becomes part of my ideas plane then they stand for a whole meaning of their own that cannot be reposited into a modern word that already has it's own connotations.It is the same in the various disciplines at Universities. Anthropology, e.g, has it's own specific language and one has to learn that language to understand the concepts embedded in that language. As a first years student I once listened to some 3rd years discuss a paper they were studying and I actually understood very little of what they were saying and when they were asked to repeat it in English, they were unable to express the concepts with any accuracy. I finally got to grips with the meanings and ideas of the words obscuration and sishta as used by GdeP and their symbolic relationship to the story of Adam & Eve and the Garden and also the idea in our psyche of a Golden Age either been or to come. I was on a high for a couple of days because the vision it opened in my mental world was so grand and vast that I realised that I was a tiny speck in it all but a very necessary one and that the future spread before me way down the ages to come, so far that there was no end. This sort of meaning is not apparent in the words themselves. Most writers have not this depth of wisdom and experience but reading between the lines gives access to the thoughts they may have been unable to find words to express. Some writers are what I call word-smiths and arrange their words to speak for themselves and there is not much more to be gotten from them. But a good word-smith is a joy to read just for the way the words have been skilfully arranged. I would rather try to educate people to appreciate what an original writer has written than take responsibility of rewriting it to suit lazy minds. So much is lost in doing so unless it is specified loudly that it is a rewritten account and the original should be consulted when the rewrite has been read. Image reading Dickens rewritten in modern English!!!!!!! or the American Classics. They would lose their flavour and their representation of the times in which they were written. I guess that is why we call the Classics. Bee Brown From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Sun, 23 Jun 1996 14:43:48 -0700 From: "Bee Brown" Subject: Re: Theosophical Movement Jerry Hejka-Ekins wrote: > > Nicholas Weeks: > >Before promoting & serving the TM, I would like to read what > >Jerry & the rest of list think are the keynotes of the TM today. > >How different are they from a century ago? What does the > >Brotherhood wish we aspiring helpers would do to foster the > >Theosophical Movement? > > JHE > >From my view, I see the TM as timeless, it is the changing > cultures that make for opportunities, or lack of them, for the TM > to manifest. HPB mentioned in IU classical Athens and nineteenth > century American and Europe to be rare times when the TM was able > to find expression. In the intro. to the SD, she gives a grand > tour of instances where the AW teachings were withdrawn from the > public. > > Today, we are living in very insidious times. The trend is to no > longer view ethics as a standard connected to spiritual roots. > When standards are established, they are more often than not > based upon the expediency of the situation. I raise ethics here, > because in spite of repeated objections from others on theos-l, I > still believe that ethics are at the very heart of the TM and > sounds the unchanging and undying keynote. BB I agree also. A student doesn't get far on the path without an ethical code to guide him/her through lessons designed to test that very code to see how strongly the student has progressed in his/her understanding. We cannot gain the self-discipline we have to have if we decline to acknowledge authority and blow around in the wind directionless. I believe we develop ethics in the physical plane by initially subjecting ourselves to an authority that we believe in and following its dictates until we develop some ethical understanding and spiritual insights that give us the inner conviction called conscience. We are then in a position to look deeper into the authority structures around us and decide to give them a wide berth if their authority is not based on brotherhood. > Therefore, I think today, as in the past, any activity that > inspires people to act unselfishly for the betterment of humanity > serves the TM. But since we live in a postmodern world that > denies authority; the notion of an absolute truth; and a code of > ethics based in the spiritual, we have to find new ways of doing > this. BB Can we really compromise truth, ethics etc because the modern world is too preoccupied with material comforts to concern themselves with their own spiritual growth? In past ages it seems that when the world got too materialistic the Brotherhood withdrew the wisdom until such times that the world got so bogged down that souls living had no option but to see how bad it all was and then the wisdom was like a saving light in the darkness. That seems to be the way of human spiritual evolution at its present stage. If the TS waters down the wisdom given to it over 100 years ago to fit the temporary lack on interest in the modern world, what will be left for the seekers in another 50 years? The organizational structure of the TS may not be inspiring but it is still a repository for the books and the avenue to the wisdom give to it. I see big cracks in the New Age groups because so many entities of one sort or another have made predictions that the followers have grabbed at and many of them should have occurred by now so it strikes me that as the huge ground swell of new agers get disillusioned with their chanels and the quality of information then they need somewhere to turn where their present belief systems are not at odds with the spiritual teachings of a long standing wisdom tradition. We need to hang in with a visible image and an intact teaching from the Masters, not teachings that have been interpreted by modern minds, no matter how learned these minds may be. We need to be there with a building etc with Theosophy writ large upon it so that the whole town knows where we are if needed. We may not personally like the way the Lodge or organization conducts itself yet we need to support a visible Theosophy system. I can only speak from a provintial sort of outlook over here in NZ but our Lodge has weathered the latest change in spite of resistance to that change by the older members. Changes are instigated from within the organization and have to be worked at quietly and unnoticed until suddenly it becomes a fact and the members get very nervous about this when it is realised. Then comes the hard work of keeping one's cool and using as much diplomacy as one can muster. With patience the organization slowly changes to fit the new pattern laid down. Most members are passive imbibers on theosophy and if changes are not too noticable or abrupt they sort of slide into the changes because it is easier to do that, than make a fuss. > Bjorn > >The organizations seem to be rather fossilized, although not > >without value for many of their members. The future is "up for > >grabs" and there is MUCH we can do, individually and in groups, > >based on the teachings and inspiration coming through > >Theosophical books, as well as many other sources. We need an > >"up and do it" approach. We are individually accountable and > >can't wait for this or that organization to come to life. > > JHE > Yes. Without the organizations to organize us, we have to > organize ourselves. BB As mentioned above, people in general won't organize themselves. We can't as yet abandon structures for holding the wisdom even if only for future generations. To organise our Lodge has literally cost me 2 years of my life so far but I do it for the Brotherhood, not the members or myself. One more year and I hit the golf course again and leave the running of it to the rest of them. > Jerry HE Regards Bee Brown From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Sun, 23 Jun 1996 15:24:34 -0700 From: "Ann E Bermingham" <72723.2375@compuserve.com> Subject: Re: Looking to the Future BEE: > I was on a high for a couple of days because the vision it opened > in my mental world was so grand and vast that I realised that I > was a tiny speck in it all but a very necessary one and that the > future spread before me way down the ages to come, so far that > there was no end. This is one of the endless delights that I experience with Theosophical material. Also, this quote from an article in The American Theosophist made it clearer to me that it would be unwise to try to "translate" some material: "Within the context of The Secret Doctrine, we find many examples of layered means, allusions, and metaphors. For the casual reader, these literary tricks create an illusion of mystery. For the unprepared, they provide many points of discussion that lead them away from the simplicity of the work. In spite of the literary and philosohical tradiotion. HPB provides the dedicated student with the key to understanding Theosophy in a few terse words." -Fred H. Ayers But I also remember receiving an excellent booklet when I first became a member, that was done by an Australian group. It was simple, but well written. Perhaps introductory material needs to be written in modern language, paving the way for higher studies. - Ann E. Bermingham From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Sun, 23 Jun 1996 15:31:38 -0700 From: "Ann E Bermingham" <72723.2375@compuserve.com> Subject: Re: Theosophical Movement JHE: > Today, we are living in very insidious times. The trend is to no > longer view ethics as a standard connected to spiritual roots. > When standards are established, they are more often than not > based upon the expediency of the situation. I raise ethics here, > because in spite of repeated objections from others on theos-l, I > still believe that ethics are at the very heart of the TM and > sounds the unchanging and undying keynote. I haven't been able to get the word "insidious" out of my mind since I read this post. Looking it up, I was wondering exactly which definition you had in mind. 1. Working or spreading harmfully in a subtle or stealthy manner: insidious rumors; an insidious disease. 2. Intended to entrap; treacherous: insidious misinformation. 3. Beguiling but harmful; alluring: insidious pleasures. - Ann E. Bermingham From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Sun, 23 Jun 1996 17:10:53 -0700 From: "Dr A M Bain" Subject: Re: Looking to the Future > But I also remember receiving an excellent booklet when I first > became a member, that was done by an Australian group. It was > simple, but well written. Perhaps introductory material needs to > be written in modern language, paving the way for higher studies. > > - Ann E. Bermingham Indeed it does. New members in the UK get such a booklet, though it is very doctrinal in itself, and some, I know, have been put off by this, inasmuch as it assumes that new members who sign up for the three objects will automatically want to study theosophical subjects before those enjoined by the second object. Alan From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 06:32:31 -0700 From: "Rodolfo Don" Subject: Re: Theosophical Movement >>Nicholas Weeks: >>>I would like to read what >>>Jerry & the rest of list think are the keynotes of the TM >>>today. How different are they from a century ago? What does the >>>Brotherhood wish we aspiring helpers would do to foster the >>>Theosophical Movement? > >>JHE >>[...] >>Today, we are living in very insidious times. The trend is to no >>longer view ethics as a standard connected to spiritual roots. >>When standards are established, they are more often than not >>based upon the expediency of the situation. I raise ethics here, >>because in spite of repeated objections from others on theos-l, I >>still believe that ethics are at the very heart of the TM and >>sounds the unchanging and undying keynote. >> >>Therefore, I think today, as in the past, any activity that >>inspires people to act unselfishly for the betterment of humanity >>serves the TM. But since we live in a postmodern world that >>denies authority; the notion of an absolute truth; and a code of >>ethics based in the spiritual, we have to find new ways of doing >>this. > > The keynotes of the Theosophical Movement as still the same > today, but the priority of those of lesser importance may have > changed. Some of the chief aims are: > > 1) "those which are likely to lead to the relief of human > suffering under any or every form, moral as well as physical. > And we believe the former to be far more important than the > latter. Theosophy has to inculcate ethics; it has to purify the > soul, if it would relieve the physical body..." [~Key to > Theosophy~ 24] > > 2) Replacement of the theological God idea with a non-theistic > Principle. > > 3) Teach "virtue for its own sake." > > 4) Promote spiritual self-reliance, not reliance on a > "theological crutch". [See Mahatma Letter 10] > > Ethics & Virtue are still at the top of the list, but I do not > see any particular need to reinvent the wheel in teaching them. > True, many youngsters (both chronological & emotional ones) have > trouble with the perception and the fact of authority, whether > religious, secular or personal. But that is a reflection of the > conceit & selfish esteem promoted by schools, media & some > parents. Rather than adjust downwards the standards, I try to > suggest they get rid of their prejudice & hangups with > "authority". Yes, there are Papal figures & dogmatic teachings > in all spiritual fields. But for every hitleresque "leader" or > dogma (or wannabee) there are 10 immature, prideful students. > Also ethics may be one of the least academic areas of thought. > Unlike geometry, sociology or economics, ethics has always and > will always, be taught at mother's knee in a family setting. It > is also conveyed through whatever religion the child is exposed > to, outside the home. So while the teaching of ethics in schools > does occur it is (and again, always will be) the least > influential source, compared to home & temple. In short, > whatever "postmodern" thought means, I do not think it > encompasses the world -- the Western academic world perhaps -- > but not the world. > > Best, Very interesting thread. To me ethics come from my higher nature and they represent what the beautiful quote from Henry T. Edge says. Thanks, Rudy From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 15:17:29 -0700 From: "Bee Brown" Subject: Re: Well Said! Nicholas Weeks wrote: > > This sort of meaning is not apparent in the words themselves. > > Most writers have not this depth of wisdom and experience but > > reading between the lines gives access to the thoughts they may > > have been unable to find words to express. Some writers are what > > I call word-smiths and arrange their words to speak for > > themselves and there is not much more to be gotten from them. > > But a good word-smith is a joy to read just for the way the words > > have been skilfully arranged. > > > > I would rather try to educate people to appreciate what an > > original writer has written than take responsibility of rewriting > > it to suit lazy minds. So much is lost in doing so unless it is > > specified loudly that it is a rewritten account and the original > > should be consulted when the rewrite has been read. Image > > reading Dickens rewritten in modern English!!!!!!! or the > > American Classics. They would lose their flavour and their > > representation of the times in which they were written. I guess > > that is why we call the Classics. > > Huzzah for Bee! Very important points -- especially not > "rewriting for lazy minds." Yesterday I watched a video by Joy Mills, in fact it is a set of 6, that was done at the annual Queens Birthday Weekend 3 day seminars that are held in Auckland. This one was 3 years ago and I couldn't go that time. The whole 3 days were called Guidelines for the Spiritual Life and the tape was The Pilgrim Path, Preparing for the Journey, tape 1. In it she brought up the concept that the world can be divided into two sorts, the Tourists and the Pilgrims. She then invited definitions of each from the audience and some interesting ideas were presented. Tourists come and look around and want to be entertained and expect to get their money's worth whereas a Pilgrim comes to seek a way and is focussed on that. There were many other examples but at the end she said that we should be careful not to turn our Lodges into Tourist Attractions in our zeal to share our wisdom. We need to preserve a place for the Pilgrim who's road is hard enough as it is. She hit a cord within me as I have been thinking along the Tourist Attraction notion to try to increase our membership but now maybe some real quality stuff for the Pilgrims already within our Lodge may be wiser and more profitable for us all. Interesting stuff. Bee Brown From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 17:27:35 -0700 From: "Jerry Hejka-Ekins" Subject: Re: Theosophical Movement JHE: >> Today, we are living in very insidious times. The trend is to >>no longer view ethics as a standard connected to spiritual >>roots. When standards are established, they are more often >>than not based upon the expediency of the situation. I raise >>ethics here, because in spite of repeated objections from >>others on theos-l, I still believe that ethics are at the very >>heart of the TM and sounds the unchanging and undying keynote. >I haven't been able to get the word "insidious" out of my mind >since I read this post. >Looking it up, I was wondering exactly which definition you had >in mind. >1. Working or spreading harmfully in a subtle or stealthy >manner: insidious rumors; an insidious disease. >2. Intended to entrap; treacherous: insidious >misinformation. >3. Beguiling but harmful; alluring: insidious pleasures. > >- Ann E. Bermingham All three From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 17:29:07 -0700 From: "Jerry Hejka-Ekins" Subject: Re: Theosophical Movement Bee Brown wrote: >We are then in a position to look deeper into the authority >structures around us and decide to give them a wide berth if >their authority is not based on brotherhood. What a utopia this world would be if people saw it this way and acted accordingly. On idea that keeps re-occurring in ethics is the notion that a greater good can be accomplished by acting for the benefit of the whole rather than for the self. >If the TS waters down the wisdom given to it over 100 years ago >to fit the temporary lack on interest in the modern world, what >will be left for the seekers in another 50 years? Rather than watering down, I think the teachings have become confused through the "revising" of terminology, and the suppression of ideas found in the original teachings (i.e. Blavatsky, Judge and Mahatma letters.) No wonder there is so little interest in what is offered today. Unlike the universal ideas found in 19th century theosophy, today's theosophy is a product of the 1920s and has little relevance for today. >As mentioned above, people in general won't organize themselves. >We can't as yet abandon structures for holding the wisdom even >if only for future generations. To organize our Lodge has >literally cost me 2 years of my life so far but I do it for the >Brotherhood, not the members or myself. One more year and I hit >the golf course again and leave the running of it to the rest >of them. We did the same for ten years, from 1980 to 1990. We Organized a Lodge according to our best beliefs of what a Lodge should be, without regard to what the TS wanted us to be. The Lodge was a center for people to study teaching on a deeper level then was offered anywhere else, and we worked closely with the Pasadena TS and ULT Organizations. In those ten years we produced a group of well informed and sophisticated students. But those students are also quite independent and are now making individual contributions of their own. Today, the Lodge is more or less back under the control of the TS party line and many of the original students have abandoned ship for opportunities that don't require swimming against the tide. But that is OK too. My lesson was learning to let go of what we invested ourselves into. From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 17:30:22 -0700 From: "Jerry Hejka-Ekins" Subject: Re: Theosophical Movement Nicholas writes: >Ethics & Virtue are still at the top of the list, but I do not >see any particular need to reinvent the wheel in teaching them. >True, many youngsters (both chronological & emotional ones) have >trouble with the perception and the fact of authority, whether >religious, secular or personal. But that is a reflection of the >conceit & selfish esteem promoted by schools, media & some >parents. Rather than adjust downwards the standards, I try to >suggest they get rid of their prejudice & hangups with >"authority". Yes, there are Papal figures & dogmatic teachings >in all spiritual fields. But for every hitleresque "leader" or >dogma (or wannabee) there are 10 immature, prideful students. >Also ethics may be one of the least academic areas of thought. >Unlike geometry, sociology or economics, ethics has always and >will always, be taught at mother's knee in a family setting. It >is also conveyed through whatever religion the child is exposed >to, outside the home. So while the teaching of ethics in schools >does occur it is (and again, always will be) the least >influential source, compared to home & temple. In short, >whatever "postmodern" thought means, I do not think it >encompasses the world -- the Western academic world perhaps -- >but not the world. Rather than "reinvent the wheel" in teaching ethics, a challenge I see among many theosophical students is the development of a complete unawareness of ethics as being at the heart of the TM. Without those ethics Theosophy as a philosophy is at best worthless, and at worst, a toll for bringing even greater misery to the world. So for a start, I hope to at least reintroduce the idea that ethics is part of Theosophy. The irony concerning the post modern movement is that it began as a reaction against those in political power who use our modernistic values and beliefs for their own selfish gain and for the subjugation of women and minorities. But it seems that it has back fired. I sense a popular movement to use the new found freedoms inherent in post modern values for even further selfish ends. From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 17:31:20 -0700 From: "Jerry Hejka-Ekins" Subject: Re: Sercice Activities Nicholas Weeks writes: >Our teachings emphasize individual efforts a great deal because >of their emphasis on motive. Often we do not know the motives >inspiring noble deeds of unsung heroes. There is a member of >two organizations in Colorado who helps "Youth at Risk," which >takes great courage and talent. She has been involved in >getting kids off the streets and into repairing old bikes which >they then may use. I would like to hear more about these unsung heros doing individual efforts. I think it would be a service in itself if people were able to know more about specific efforts and how they were done. From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 18:44:01 -0700 From: "Ann E Bermingham" <72723.2375@compuserve.com> Subject: Insidious Times/The Daily Grind AEB: >>insidious >>1. Working or spreading harmfully in a subtle or stealthy >>manner: insidious rumors; an insidious disease. >>2. Intended to entrap; treacherous: insidious >>misinformation. >>3. Beguiling but harmful; alluring: insidious pleasures. JHE: >All three Aha! Are these the times in which such things as television sitcoms, violent movies, political party manipulation, lower astral indulgence, spamming mailing lists, slick advertising, creepy cults, psychic 900 numbers, big print books written by celebrities, legal and illegal drug addiction, sport hero worship, rampant materialism and fast/junk food entrap humanity in an abyss of illusion? Tied to the wheel of karma for what seems like infinity? No way out of the game??? - Ann E. Bermingham From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 18:50:38 -0700 From: "Ann E Bermingham" <72723.2375@compuserve.com> Subject: Ethics? JHE: > . . . So for a start, I hope to at least reintroduce >the idea that ethics is part of Theosophy. Being that ethics is a set of principles of right conduct, what would you consider those principles to be? Ann E. Bermingham From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 19:38:10 -0700 From: "Bee Brown" Subject: Re: Insidious Times/The Daily Grind Ann E. Bermingham wrote: > > AEB: > >>insidious > >>1. Working or spreading harmfully in a subtle or stealthy > >>manner: insidious rumors; an insidious disease. > >>2. Intended to entrap; treacherous: insidious > >>misinformation. > >>3. Beguiling but harmful; alluring: insidious pleasures. > > JHE: > >All three > > Aha! Are these the times in which such things as television > sitcoms, violent movies, political party manipulation, lower > astral indulgence, spamming mailing lists, slick advertising, > creepy cults, psychic 900 numbers, big print books written by > celebrities, legal and illegal drug addiction, sport hero > worship, rampant materialism and fast/junk food entrap humanity > in an abyss of illusion? Tied to the wheel of karma for what > seems like infinity? No way out of the game??? - Ann E. Bermingham I think that here is the need for detachment. It seem we need to develop that more now than ever because if the emotions don't get so involved, it is easier to recognise that it is our brothers who have lost their way, that are creating havoc trying to find their way back. I have to tell myself that all day long and I still lose it when it get really nasty out there. I comfort myself that I won't add to it if I can help it, by giving attention to it and thereby energy to continue it. If the opportunity comes my way to do something positive, I do, otherwise I let it go on by. Bee From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 19:43:27 -0700 From: "Dara Eklund" Subject: A Bee in her bonnet >>Hi, >>Is there anybody out there? Yes, I hear you and take joy in your freedom to see the Ideas behind the language style, Old-fashioned or New-fashioned! Besides Henry is on the leading "Edge" if you can accept a stale pun. There is a good biographical sketch on H.E. in ~B.C.W.~ Vol. XII in the Bio-bibliography on p. 737.... Dara Eklund From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 20:04:04 -0700 From: "Bee Brown" Subject: Re: A Bee in her bonnet Dara Eklund wrote: > > >>Hi, > >>Is there anybody out there? > > Yes, I hear you and take joy in your freedom to see the Ideas > behind the language style, Old-fashioned or New-fashioned! > Besides Henry is on the leading "Edge" if you can accept a stale > pun. There is a good biographical sketch on H.E. in ~B.C.W.~ > Vol. XII in the Bio-bibliography on p. 737.... > > Dara Eklund You certainly enjoy your puns :-) Is Henry still alive? I shouldn't think so as I first read him in a 1911 magazine. I have just received a Pt Loma book catalogue and I see that there is a book or two by him and about him. We are about to take delivery of the series of 12 books by GdeP on Esoteric Teachings and I am having a study group even if I am the only one in it. I seem to get a number of bees in my bonnet lately and wonder if they are afloat in the air. Bee floating Brown From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Mon, 24 Jun 1996 20:12:03 -0700 From: "Dara Eklund" Subject: Re: Service Activities Dara> >>Our teachings emphasize individual efforts a great deal because >>of their emphasis on motive. Often we do not know the motives >>inspiring noble deeds of unsung heroes. There is a member of >>two organizations in Colorado who helps "Youth at Risk," which >>takes great courage and talent. She has been involved in >>getting kids off the streets and into repairing old bikes which >>they then may use. Jerry: >I would like to hear more about these unsung heros doing >individual efforts. I think it would be a service in itself if >people were able to know more about specific efforts and how they >were done. Dara: Sorry folks, not only did my first message bounce, but in rewriting the letter "Service Activities" I must not have signed my letter. Nicholas will help me create a signature file. Funny, I never forget to sign off in regular E-Mail correspondence, but must get used to this new chat-type format. In my first letter (which bounced) I gave credit to Marty Lyman for the activities with Youth at Risk. Knowing Marty, I don't think she would mind sharing her experiences with you. Is Dick Slusser (her co-editor of ~The High Country Theosophist~) on this new list? He might be able to get Marty to relate more about the bicycle program she was involved in. Another Theosophist I knew tutored childen through the Dove Program in L.A. Schools. She was Gordon Plummer's sister, who did this volunteer work long after retiring from active work life, and before going into a nursing home a few years ago. As you may know Gordon Plummer himself visited countless schools, doing magic, science, and music presentations long after retirement age, and decades after the leaving Point Loma Community. At present a former assistant of Boris' is reading to children in our L.A. Public Library's Grandparents for Books program. All these people help in their own ways, great and small. Did not Judge write "It is the little things this work is done through," stressing this idea in countless ways. Dara From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 05:08:07 -0700 From: "Ann E Bermingham" <72723.2375@compuserve.com> Subject: Re: Insidious Times/The Daily Grind Bee: > I think that here is the need for detachment. It seem we need to > develop that more now than ever because if the emotions don't get > so involved, it is easier to recognise that it is our brothers > who have lost their way, that are creating havoc trying to find > their way back. . . Sort of accepting things as they are rather than how we'd like them to be. I've found astrology to be helpful in terms of looking at my own life path and others. It seems easier to show compassion once you get a clear picture of what is going on. IMHO, I feel that's one of values of deep study and intuitive thought. Ann E. Bermingham From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 08:09:27 -0700 From: "Dara Eklund" Subject: Re: A Bee in her bonnet Dear Friends: Didn't mean to imply Henry is still alive. He was among the few who met H.P.B. and wrote so many useful articles in his Point Loma Days. It was just a way of saying his words still touch the heart even today. Bee, I'm not usually known for a sense of humour; but my husband Nicholas is. Often when times seem hard, some of his beloved nonsense rubs off on me. Actually it takes much time to be a wordsmith for me, and perhaps it is wiser for me to place that time in writing articles. That way I can upload the article into Theos-papers, and not confuse readers, or give way to the temptation to set folks right when I see uninformed judgements being spread about. That way an article is like an arrow shot out to "where it lands, I know not where," but still take my medicine when reactions appear on Theos-t. "Silence is golden, Speech is silver." What then is the Internet? Ether? Keep catching those "Bees" aloft. Those 12 Esoteric booklets of G. de P. are marvelous to contemplate! Checking in from time to time. Dara From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 17:50:27 -0700 From: "Richard Taylor" Subject: Re: Theosophical Movement Jerry writes, "So for a start, I hope to at least reintroduce the idea that ethics is part of Theosophy." The very idea that such a position has to be REINTRODUCED speaks volumes about the (public) state of Theosophy today. How the Masters must our inability to follow simple, clear instructions. I agree completely with what Jerry has said about the universality of first-generation Theosophical presentations (HPB, Judge, the Mahatma Letters, a few others) and the watered-down, disfigured nature of "theosophical" productions from the 1910s and 1920s. When most people today hear the word Theosophy they think Annie Besant, Leadbeater and Krishnamurti, auras and chakras and out of body journeys. Shirley Maclaine and the "Shirley Maclaine Theosophical Society" haven't done much to firm up the public image. Jerry, what is that line in the Mahatma Letters, about "all of our knowledge would not be sufficient to reward one who worked unselfishly for humanity?" Something like that. Without ethics, there IS NO THEOSOPHY. It's my personal belief, but I feel it is perfectly defensible, that the entire extended teachings, philosophy, principles, cosmology, etc. were given out as SUPPORTS for the basic teaching of brotherhood in practice and the amelioration of suffering, largely caused on this planet by selfishness and immorality. Rounds, races, etc, etc, fascinate me, and I find them useful in many ways, but I think they form only a philosophical framework whose centerpiece is "strenuous self-evolution toward altruism for the betterment of the whole." Lose the centerpiece, and the framework is, as Jerry says, at best useless and at worst frankly dangerous. Rich From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Tue, 25 Jun 1996 19:50:16 -0700 From: "Bjorn Roxendal" Subject: Re: Theosophical Movement At 05:50 PM 6/25/96 -0700, Richtay@aol.com wrote: > Without ethics, there IS NO THEOSOPHY. It's my personal belief, > but I feel it is perfectly defensible, that the entire extended > teachings, philosophy, principles, cosmology, etc. were given > out as SUPPORTS for the basic teaching of brotherhood in practice > and the amelioration of suffering, largely caused on this planet > by selfishness and immorality. > > Rounds, races, etc, etc, fascinate me, and I find them useful in > many ways, but I think they form only a philosophical framework > whose centerpiece is "strenuous self-evolution toward altruism > for the betterment of the whole." Lose the centerpiece, and the > framework is, as Jerry says, at best useless and at worst frankly > dangerous. For many theosophists gathering cosmologic information and pondering subtilities of karmic law, reincarnation etc seem to be the main purpose for studying T. This is made the ultimate goal and BECOMING and LIVING the teachings is taking the back seat, at best. An emphasis on ethics would turn this around. We all need "strenuous self-evolution toward altruism for the betterment of the whole" and if this was our main goal there would be less hairsplitting and more service affecting the present and future civilisation for the better. Mother Theresa is an example of a Chela who is living the path. There are many shining examples, and they all became what they are by unselfish service. Bjorn From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 00:18:34 -0700 From: "Jerry Hejka-Ekins" Subject: re: Ethics? AEB: >>>insidious >>>1. Working or spreading harmfully in a subtle or stealthy >>>manner: insidious rumors; an insidious disease. >>>2. Intended to entrap; treacherous: insidious >>>misinformation. >>>3. Beguiling but harmful; alluring: insidious pleasures. JHE: >>All three AEB >Aha! Are these the times in which such things as television >sitcoms, violent movies, political party manipulation, lower >astral indulgence, spamming mailing lists, slick advertising, >creepy cults, psychic 900 numbers, big print books written by >celebrities, legal and illegal drug addiction, sport hero >worship, rampant materialism and fast/junk food entrap humanity >in an abyss of illusion? Tied to the wheel of karma for what >seems like infinity? No way out of the game??? JHE There could be a ray of hope; with the events concerning OJ and Magic Johnson: "sport hero worship" might be on the way out :-) JHE: >> . . . So for a start, I hope to at least reintroduce >>the idea that ethics is part of Theosophy. AEB >Being that ethics is a set of principles of right conduct, what >would you consider those principles to be? JHE HPB wrote a whole book full of them. It is called THE VOICE OF THE SILENCE. Rather than "principles" they are sometimes called virtues. I think altruism is the most important of them to work toward. Jerry HE From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 11:23:42 -0700 From: "Jerry Hejka-Ekins" Subject: ethics: theosophical and neo theosophical Bjorn writes: >Mother Theresa is an example of a Chela who is living the path. >There are many shining examples, and they all became what they >are by unselfish service. Yes. I suspect that HPB if she were alive, would have called Mother Theresa a true and a great Theosophist--as she did the Priest Damien who served the lepers on Molikai. Jerry HE Richard Taylor writes: >The very idea that such a position has to be REINTRODUCED speaks >volumes about the (public) state of Theosophy today. Yes, the divergence of opinion even on this item amazes me. Some have responded to my mentioning of ethics, see it as an obvious part of Theosophy. Others have made comments such as ethics being a waste of time, or that there is no place for ethics in Theosophy. I have become curious as to how people who purport to be students of Theosophy had missed the ethical elements in it. I would like to hear from those who believe that ethics has no part in Theosophy. I would be interested in knowing specifically what they have read in the Theosophical literature that led them to this conclusion. >When most people today hear the word Theosophy they think Annie >Besant, Leadbeater and Krishnamurti, auras and chakras and out >of body journeys. Shirley Maclaine and the "Shirley Maclaine >Theosophical Society" haven't done much to firm up the public >image. There is an interesting irony here. Like HPB, Besant was also very interested in ethics and service. We can credit Besant with the founding of the TOS, for instance. Both HPB/Olcott and Besant were involved in establishing free schools, and Hindu ethics was one of the subjects in the Central Hindu College. But as time went on, the type of service and the values behind it changed. For instance, HPB was into giving direct assistance to those in need. If a famine occurred in a nearby village, HPB was there to make sure they had food. She was also interested in ethics as part of spiritual development. For instance, the book of rules for the ES instructions stressed rules of social behavior. For instance, no gossiping or passive aggressive behavior against your neighbor. There were originally no rules concerning smoking or meat eating. When Besant became the head of the ES, she began to change the rules so that the stress was not on social behavior, but on personal habits. For instance, to be a member of the ES, one had to be a vegetarian for at least six months, and smoking was not permitted. I think these changes in stress made a major difference in the ES and the kind of people it produces. Also, Besant began to move from social service to political involvement. This is something that HPB managed to keep the TS free from. Jerry HE From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 11:21:52 -0700 From: "Jerry Hejka-Ekins" Subject: Ethics Bjorn writes: >Mother Theresa is an example of a Chela who is living the path. >There are many shining examples, and they all became what they >are by unselfish service. Yes. I suspect that HPB if she were alive, would have called Mother Theresa a true and a great Theosophist--as she did the Priest Damien who served the lepers on Molikai. Jerry HE From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 19:36:12 -0700 From: "Dara Eklund" Subject: Re: Theosophical Movement Dear Rich: > The very idea that such a position has to be REINTRODUCED speaks > volumes about the (public) state of Theosophy today. Bravo! Well said. Judge constantly reminds us that the chief aim of the Theosophical Movement was to form a nucleus for the Brotherhood of Mankind. We note that the Teachers said "NUCLEUS"....and even in society at large we see that while it is still praised as an Ideal (Unity in Diversity...etc.) for the mass of men it has not been achieved. Is it any wonder then that so few Theosophists (human beings of all groups or any group) have achieved it? Until we live it as individuals the teachings will appear as empty even to those to whom we sing its praises. It is not enough just to say categorically that Ethics is important, such as the "Ethical Cultural Society" does. "Theosophy is as Theosophy Does" as we learned in Theosophy school as kids. Dara From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 02:01:47 -0700 From: "Bee Brown" Subject: Re: A Bee in her bonnet Dara Eklund wrote: > > Dear Friends: > > Didn't mean to imply Henry is still alive. He was among the few > who met H.P.B. and wrote so many useful articles in his Point > Loma Days. It was just a way of saying his words still touch the > heart even today. Bee, I'm not usually known for a sense of > humour; but my husband Nicholas is. Often when times seem hard, > some of his beloved nonsense rubs off on me. Actually it takes > much time to be a wordsmith for me, and perhaps it is wiser for > me to place that time in writing articles. That way I can upload > the article into Theos-papers, and not confuse readers, or give > way to the temptation to set folks right when I see uninformed > judgements being spread about. That way an article is like an > arrow shot out to "where it lands, I know not where," but still > take my medicine when reactions appear on Theos-t. I hope theos-t doesn't hand out 'medicine'. I have just rejected my medicine on theos-l and all I want is a pleasant place to talk to nice people about interesting things. We have a good start, we both like good ole Henry and GdeP. I have just finished his 3 vol of the Dialogues and I have prosmised myself to read them again as there is just so much in them that I couldn't fit it all in this time around. > "Silence is golden, Speech is silver." What then is the Internet? > Ether? Keep catching those "Bees" aloft. Those 12 Esoteric > booklets of G. de P. are marvelous to contemplate! > > I have begun checking the letter box as they will come care of my > address as we have letterbox difficulties at the Lodge. We have > only just discovered a place to put one as we are on a corner and > right on the footpath with no place for it. We have just had the > most lovely one made by the partner of one of our members and he > nailed it to the side of the building so now the post office can > lay off my vicepresident's ear as she works there sorting mail > and has been grumped at. Look forward to your articles > > Checking in from time to time. > > Dara Best wishes Bee From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 02:01:54 -0700 From: "Bee Brown" Subject: Re: Insidious Times/The Daily Grind Ann E. Bermingham wrote: > > Bee: > > I think that here is the need for detachment. It seem we need to > > develop that more now than ever because if the emotions don't get > > so involved, it is easier to recognise that it is our brothers > > who have lost their way, that are creating havoc trying to find > > their way back. . . > > Sort of accepting things as they are rather than how we'd like > them to be. I've found astrology to be helpful in terms of > looking at my own life path and others. It seems easier to show > compassion once you get a clear picture of what is going on. > IMHO, I feel that's one of values of deep study and intuitive > thought. I am not sure that it is exactly accepting things the way they are but at least not making it worse for them by reacting in the wrong way. I don't always appreciate the havoc when it arrives in my life but the understanding I have gained from the teachings does mean I try to deal with it in the best way I know how. I find life interesting and no longer let it hassle me and somehow the havoc has more or less gone as I have stopped giving it focus. It was among the newagers that I really cottoned on to the idea that what I focus on is what I get and of course theosophy says the same. Have you read Rohit Mehta's book the Fullness of the Void? I am into it for the 2nd time and find it very illuminating. He reckons we live in a world, not of intrinsic significance but of projected significance and says also that the seeming void is the intrinsic significance of men and things. His concept of psychological significance being more necessary to humans than biological security is interesting. Nice talking to you Bee From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 20:21:24 -0700 From: "Eldon B Tucker" Subject: Re: Theosophical Movement (to Rich Taylor) Rich: [writing to Jerry H-E] >>So for a start, I hope to at least reintroduce >>the idea that ethics is part of Theosophy. > The very idea that such a position has to be REINTRODUCED speaks > volumes about the (public) state of Theosophy today. How the > Masters must our inability to follow simple, clear instructions. I think that there's a number of reasons why ethics have been avoided in the past. One is that people have studied some Eastern thought, with ideas like "rising above a notion of good and bad", and misunderstood them. Another is individualism carried too far, where someone does not want anyone telling them what or how to do things, including any commonly-agreed ethical rules. Yet a third reason is that ethics takes one from an arid intellectualism towards a heart-felt religious sense, and some people resist any movement in this direction. With ethics, we are dealing with ideas related to *process*, related to how we live our lives. With the theosophical doctrines, we are dealing with ideas related to *content*, related to what we carry insides our minds and hearts. Both are important. We cannot get by without both Theosophy as *process* and Theosophy as *content*. > I agree completely with what Jerry has said about the > universality of first-generation Theosophical presentations (HPB, > Judge, the Mahatma Letters, a few others) and the watered-down, > disfigured nature of "theosophical" productions from the 1910s > and 1920s. "Watered down" is ok, like the shoreline to a great ocean, with depths suitable to students of all backgrounds. What's not ok is "disfigured", which is something different. When there are major changes, and those changes are not consistent and clarifying, but rather are alterations that mislead -- then we have a problem. How do we know when this is happening? We must become and remain good students of the source literature, in order to have something to compare the later writers to. > When most people today hear the word Theosophy they think Annie > Besant, Leadbeater and Krishnamurti, auras and chakras and out of > body journeys. Shirley Maclaine and the "Shirley Maclaine > Theosophical Society" haven't done much to firm up the public > image. It's all a matter of who gets the most public exposure. If we want a different public image, we need to be better at presenting our understanding of the philosophy. > Without ethics, there IS NO THEOSOPHY. It's my personal belief, > but I feel it is perfectly defensible, that the entire extended > teachings, philosophy, principles, cosmology, etc. were given > out as SUPPORTS for the basic teaching of brotherhood in practice > and the amelioration of suffering, largely caused on this planet > by selfishness and immorality. I'd agree that ethics and dedication to the betterment of others is considerably important. The Bodhisattva Vow is a significant part of the Path, and is essential for one to move beyond being a good student of Theosophy, to becoming a good *practioner* of the philosophy. I would not, though, put the doctrines in the role of a tool or support. I would not consider them as secondary, but rather consider them as of equal stature and also essential in living the life. It's the combination of (a) what we *are* (related to the living Wisdom within) and (b) what we *do* (related to the practice of noble virtues in life) that makes us a genuine Student. > Rounds, races, etc, etc, fascinate me, and I find them useful in > many ways, but I think they form only a philosophical framework > whose centerpiece is "strenuous self-evolution toward altruism > for the betterment of the whole." Lose the centerpiece, and the > framework is, as Jerry says, at best useless and at worst frankly > dangerous. Both guidelines for reflection (the doctrines) and guidelines for living the life (the ethics) are important. Each provides a supporting framework for the other. Without either one, we become useless to the world, if not harmful to others. -- Eldon From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Fri, 28 Jun 1996 11:30:16 -0700 From: "Nicholas Weeks" Subject: Doing & Being Eldon> > I would not, though, put the doctrines in the role of a tool or > support. I would not consider them as secondary, but rather > consider them as of equal stature and also essential in living > the life. It's the combination of (a) what we *are* (related to > the living Wisdom within) and (b) what we *do* (related to the > practice of noble virtues in life) that makes us a genuine > Student. Both guidelines for reflection (the doctrines) and > guidelines for living the life (the ethics) are important. Each > provides a supporting framework for the other. Without either > one, we become useless to the world, if not harmful to others. The balance between, or the choice between, altruistic activity & altruistic thought or motive is an old puzzle. Perhaps one solution is to end the separation in ourselves between thought, being & action. Just as we wish for & work for Unity of all that lives, so we also must become a unity ourselves, with body, speech & mind all working from, or as, the same self-sacrificing Principle. Mohini M. Chatterji wrote "Morality and Pantheism" in 1883, an article found in BCW 5. Here are a couple of passages. Part of the first quote is found in SD 1, 644. "Inactivity of the physical body... does not indicate a condition of inactivity either on the astral or the spiritual plane of action. The human spirit is in its highest state of activity in samadhi, and not, as is generally supposed, in a dormant quiescent condition... A given amount of energy expended on the spiritual or astral plane is productive of far greater results than the same amount expended on the physical objective plane of existence." "...the initiatory training of a true Vedantin Raja Yogi must be nourishing of a sleepless and ardent desire of doing all in his power for the good of mankind on the ordinary physical plane, his activity being transferred, however, to the higher astral and spiritual planes as his development proceeds." This article is chock full of good notions. -- Nicholas From ???@??? Sun Jan 00 00:00:00 0000 Date: Thu, 4 Jul 1996 15:46:11 -0700 From: "Daniel H Caldwell" Subject: Comments on the Book of Dzyan The following was found on alt.horror.cthulhu. I thought students of Theosophy might find it of some interest. Daniel Caldwell > Re: Necronomicon/Book of Dzyan > > From maskull@usa.pipeline.com (Maskull) > Organization Pipeline > Date 4 Jul 1996 13:49:34 GMT > Newsgroups alt.horror.cthulhu > > The first person ever to mention the imaginary "Book of Dzyan" > was the founder of Theosophy, H. P. Blavatsky. She invented > "The Book of Dzyan" in order to give credibility to her massive > "The Secret Doctrine"(1888), about which L. Sprague de Camp says > the following: > > "This huge work is supposedly based upon "The Book of Dzyan", of > which her Mahatmas showed her a manuscript copy, written on > palm-leaf pages, in the trances in which she and they visited one > another. The book, we are told, was originally composed in > Atlantis in the forgotten Senzar language. "The Secret Doctrine" > consists of quotations from the "Dzyan" and Mme. Blavatsky's > lengthy commentaries thereon, interspread with passages of occult > gibberish and diatribes against "materialistic" science and > "dogmatic" religion. > > "The Secret Doctrine", I grieve to say, is neither so ancient, so > erudite, nor so authentic as it pretends to be. For when it > appeared, the learned but humorless old William Emette Coleman, > outraged by Madame Blavatsky's pretensions to Oriental learning, > undertook a complete exegesis of her works. He showed that her > main sources were H.H. Wilson's translation of the "Visnu > Purana"; Alexander Winchell's "World Life; or, Comparative > Geology"; Donnelly's "Atlantis"; and other contemporary > scientific and occult works, plagiarized without credit and used > in a blundering manner that showed but skin-deep acquaintance > with the subjects under discussion. She cribbed at least part of > her "Stanzas of Dzyan" from the "Hymn of Creation" in the old > Sanskrit "Rig-Veda", as a comparison of the two compositions will > readily show. Coleman promised a book that should expose all of > H.P.B.'s sources, including that of the word "Dzyan". > Unfortunately Coleman lost his library and notes in the San > Francisco earthquake [1906] and died three years later, his book > unwritten." > > ("Lost Continents: The Atlantis Theme in History, Science, and > Literature" (1954) ISBN 0-486-22668-9) > > I think there is no doubt that H.P.L. was familiar with the > teachings of Theosophy, and that they fueled his imagination. > They might also shed some light on his racism in that Theosophy > goes on at great length about various "Root Races". According to > their teachings, blacks are the degenerate remnant of Atlantis, > while Asians are devolved Lemurians. Jews are in passing > referred to as "an unnatural and abnormal link" to earlier races. > It was then the belief in occult circles that the various > European peoples would interbreed to produce the next "Root > Race".