Theos-Talk Archives (July 1996 Message tt00035)

Eldon writes;

> When Rodolfo speaks of a place to communicate, a common language,
> a common goal, and uses the word "lodge", I think of a place for
> theosophical workers, not exactly a Mystery School, but something
> more than a book-study club. This makes me think of one type of
> work that I think could arise out of the Theosophical Movement in
> the West. The founding of junior or quasi Mystery Schools, of
> genuine centers or groups for the spiritual that are rooted in the
> theosophical tradition. I'm not sure if this would be possible or
> how advanced such groups could get, but I think that it is a
> worthy goal, *in addition to the public work*, in addition to the
> work of disseminating the basic, bread-and-butter teachings into
> western thought.

Some good thoughts but who would run these 'Mystery Schools'? TS
over here is just small groups who would get into hot water if
one of their number began teaching esoteric stuff.  There is only
2 in our branch that I know of who have read SD and one of them
is me and I don't think I would like to take on the karma of
teaching something I don't quite understand myself.  A study
group is about what we can manage and then if it is too deep,
they all drift off.  Things may be different in USA but it
doesn't seem that different judging by the post I have been
reading over the last year.  I agree that the members set the
tone so how to change that can also be a problem.  I have ideas
but then I would need to impose them on the members which I don't
fancy doing.  I try to change some things little by little and
that is the best I can do.

> In the most basic public work, I could see new books being written
> that carry forward the work of HPB, that offer her basic ideas in
> new ways, adapted to and commenting on advances in western culture
> and science. But these materials are generally introductory, to
> attract the attention of the searching minds. These works don't
> have to use terms like "root races" and can take into account the
> prejudices and biases of modern thought. (No age is immune to
> prejudice and bias, although members of that age are usually
> unaware of their problems, thinking themselves modern, advanced,
> and free of problems.)

We need more than books.  We have a great little library of
around 1200 books but it just doesn't seem to be enough.

> And we are, as Bee says, pilgrims committed to serving mankind.
> Lodge work is one manner of service. It is important to share what
> we have, to give it to others. Sharing what we've learned of
> Theosophy through lodge work is one way to do this. But there is a
> vast treasury of the spirit awaiting us, a vast wealth of insight,
> experience, and joy in life that comes from taking additional
> steps in our lives, steps that go beyond our studies, by
> themselves, as an intellectual activity. So we come back to
> Rodolfo's point: we must first transform ourselves.
>
> We share what we have. That starts with the book learning. But it
> becomes much more, as we associate ourselves with the theosophical
> lineage, perhaps not so much by taking pledges and joining some
> organization, as by making a certain thought stream a permanent
> fixture in our lives. We establish a living connection with the
> lineage in a respectful, hand-shaking, reverent manner, and it
> becomes not so much an inner friend as a friendly face that the
> world takes on for us. Then it's not a "lonely business" because
> life itself is our friend, a friend that never leaves our side,
> and we're always busy at what we love to do.

Life is not lonely as you point out but the pilgrim is still out
on a limb because of the way he/she lives the teachings and
understands many more things.  I would share every little bit of
understanding I have but there isn't really many that want it.  I
have many neat friends but they are not interested in spiritual
things and if I don't watch it, a gap could easily develop where
I end up with TS friends only which I think would be a shame.  I
can live the teachings and hope it may have some effect on their
attitude.