Theos-Talk Archives (June 1997 Message tt00080)

At 09:53 PM 24/06/97 -0400, you wrote:
>Is the Theosophical Encyclopaedia a joint venture of all theosophical groups,
>i.e., The Theosophical Society (Adyar), the United Lodge of Theosophists and
>The Theosophical Society (Pasadena) or is it under the sponsorship of just
>one organization? Just curious. Definitions may vary according to what
>"school" of the theosophy one belongs. For instance, the term SOLOR LOGOS may
>have no meaning for a ULT Theosophist. The ASTRAL BODY may mean the exactly
>that for a so-called "neo-theosophist", that is, a vehicle of consciousness
>for the Astral Plane. However, for a Blavatskyite the terms 'astral body"
>refers the Etheric Double. Geoffrey Farthing, for instance, is in the
>Blavatsky school and his classifications generally coincide with that of W.Q.
>Judge.
>
>LMHIII
>
>

Dear LMHIII  (You have my name but I am afraid that I do not have yours!)

I am afraid that I have little or no patience with the factionalism in
theosophical circles.  It hinders the work which, of all human endevours,
ought to generate loving cooperation between all participants in the TS
field. Theosophy and the TS is and still is 'work for the Masters of the
Wisdom'  and these come in many guises.  As I see it there is little
difference in posture between the so called Christian  sect that holds all
other sects to be anathema (a manifestly ridiculous stance) and the
theosophist who says that nothing is theosophy unless HPB wrote it.  HPB
disliked intellectual arrogance above all and swiflty deflated those who
paraded it!

I happen to be a Life Member of the TS Adyar (Australian Section).  We, the
editors of the TE, invited the cooperation of the Pasadena TS and the ULT.
Pasadana people have been most cooperative and submited excellent material
and Grace Knoche, Leader, has been very supportive.  I am afraid that the
ULT people have not been quite so helpful because of their lack of
administrative structure I suppose.  They did supply publicity material and
left if to us to assemble an article on their ULT.  None of the ULT people
have  been identified as contributors, although some might be so.

We will endevour to make this TE as useful a research tool as we possibly
can.  By the time it is finished it will have involved some 250 contributors
and about 10,000 hours of work by the editors.  I emphasise that we do not,
repeat not enquire about the allegiances of our contributors.

As for your thoughts about variations in meaning of terms between say HPB
and others, we adopt a standard academic posture. Where differences exist we
use such qualifying clauses as 'according to' 'it is suggested by' 'HPB
maintained' and so on.

Sincere regards

Philip S. Harris
General Editor,
Theosophical Encylopedia.