Theos-Talk Archives (June 1996 Message tt00022)

>>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