Theos-Talk Archives (July 1996 Message tt00047)

Dara Eklund wrote:

> Dear Bee:
>
> Your motive to share every little bit of understanding is what's
> important.  It sends out a current of Thought, even if very few
> are drawn into it.  You probably remember that William Q.  Judge,
> addressed an empty room at first, which it time grew to the large
> Aryan, N.Y.  lodge.  In time his efforts allowed over 100 lodges
> to develop across the nation.  Did you ever read his article
> "Each Member a Center?" If not, I can try to type it out for you,
> and submit it to Theos.Papers.

Thank you for reminding me about that.  We have a no of his books
in the library but I do not recall reading the article you
mention.  I would enjoy to read it in Theos-papers if it isn't
too much trouble.

> I do not think we are equipped to start up Esoteric Groups, which
> were begun by Adepts for the purpose of preserving the Mysteries
> when they became corrupt.  We can, however, as individuals find a
> link with the Master within, and eventually be worthy to be a
> part of the Stream of teachings which those mystery schools
> preserved.

I think the Master within often gives a lot of ideas and notions
that we can follow up on and so do some little thing for them in
this physical world.  That idea keeps me smiling through when
obstacles are put in the way and it seems as if the effort isn't
worth it.

> Perhaps it would be wise to start your group with ~The Key to
> Theosophy~ or ~The Ocean of Theosophy.~ rather than jumping into
> the ~Secret Doctrine~ with new seekers.  Every book has its
> disciplines in one sense, and so may influence the way a group
> can work.  With the ~Secret Doctrine~ class we have (about seven
> regulars) we notice a value in pursuing the footnote references
> where possible.  The Wizard's Bookshelf series is in print today
> which helps to do so.  However, we also augment with references
> to current scientific journals.  For instance, Eldon shared ideas
> from ~Discover~ magazine (as seen via Electronic Journal?) and we
> were able to see how they dovetail with H.P.B.'s comments on the
> limited information of 19th Century Science.  Another student
> frequently refers to ~Science News~ which she subscribes to.  We
> have students from different affiliations, who bring in
> references from non-T.S.  sources.  I feel this is healthy and
> allows for the "mind-stretching" Eldon thinks desirable.

I agree and I am becoming increasingly interested in the writings
of Vitvan that I found via Martin Euser's web page.  These
writings have a great psychological content that slots in nicely
with what I already have learned from Theosophy, IMO anyway.  He
describes states on being that I recognise within myself but
never really quite knew what they were about and he carries them
to their conclusion, as far as that is possible.  I have only
just become acquainted with these writings so it is too early to
comment further.  There is also community avenues outside of the
Lodges that can be used.  We are looking into running courses
through a wing of our local Polytechnic next year.  Our
past-president is also on the lecture circuit here in NZ and a
drama and speech teacher so we have been chatting lately.  She
has done some courses there and feels that more people come to a
place of education than would come to the Lodge for the same
thing so it is worth a try.  I have a reluctant notion that I had
better get some speech lessons from her.  She has talked in a
variety of places and says that a talk in a place that can call
itself educational and is attached to an educational institution
brings a larger audience than when she talks in a Lodge.
Something to think about.

> Sorry I can't give more time to this valuable discussion,> Thank
> you for your input.

Much appreciated.

Bee