Theos-Talk Archives (July 1996 Message tt00053)

Bee writes:

"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."

What comes to mind was a reply to CWL about how so many people
wait for "Orders" and that so much good work foes undone.  If we
always worry about the karma involved in the 'Work' (as the
process of dissemenation is commonly called in non-theosophical
circles) then there would never be any progress in the 'Work'.
Case in point: In India, the advanced souls (as they call
themselves, poor slobs) do not help 'our fellow man' because
"Good Karma" is just as binding as "Bad Karma." This is why
non-attachment is such an important doctorine in india, in some
sects.  I would pose this question: If you were to teach as much
as you can from your point of view, but note in every lesson that
you are presenting the information from your viewpoint, wouldn't
you in fact be repeating the process that A.P.Sinnett did when we
wrote "Esoteric Buddhism?"

And further, if you were to teach anything "Esoteric", what would
be the harm IF YOU KNOW THAT THAT INFORMATION DOES NOT HARM
YOURSELF OR OTHERS.  There's a good possibility that HPB had
attempted pranayama and determined that, in her case, it was
determental.  If not, perhaps some of her teachers taught this from
their experience.  We don't know.  But, how does one add to
knowedge if they never contribute.

Bee Writes:

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

Bee, we need people who are willing to WORK with the teachings,
not just READ them.  That's the problem.  How many people have
you met that are willing to dedicate their lives to Theosophy?
That is what is lacking today.  Think about this: if you were to
give up an exact amount of time to PROVE theosophy, the way Quan
Judge did, to the various new age groups, do you think you might
achieve any impact in your community by perhaps expanding
theosophical thinking within those circles? You won't make them
theosophists any more that HPB was able to make theosophists out
of the "Spiritists"(adjusting the word "Spiritualist" to fit
today's grammer.) but you Will have an impact.

Here's something to think about.  Everyone on Theos-L is talking
about "Core Teachings" and "T.S.  Yoga." THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY
DOES NOT HAVE A SANCTIONED YOGA PRACTICE SINCE IT WAS NOT A PART
OF THE THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, AND WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE! This does
not say that individual groups could not be formed that work with
Yoga, Psychic Developement, Etc.  It is simply not part of the
"Party Platform." Example: There were several groups formed which
did work with the third precept, one of them being the group at
ADAYR who contributed to the material referenced in "MAN, Whence,
How, and Whether" by Annie Besant.  But this was not officially
Theosophical, no matter what anyone says.  The leader of a group
sets the tone for the organization but does not change the
official position of said organization.  why couldn't you gather
a group of students and practice some development
"Experementally" under the condition that everyone knew that it
was not "Theosophy" but was going to be done under the pretense
of the third precept.  You might get some flack, but didn't old
HPB get enough of that during her lifetime?

Bee:

" 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."

Caution is never "to the wind", as they say.  I assume that these
friends are studying some form of Metaphysics, aren't they.
Perhaps if you could introduce theosophical concepts on the basis
of trying to learn a language to explain their concepts to your
theosophical "Heathen", then perhaps one or two might turn from
the fold and join you in theosophical chats as well.  You never
know what you might find as you peel the onion, do you?

James