Theos-Talk Archives (July 1997 Message tt00012)

Personally I find Besant/Leadbeater's teachings more "useful" as
far as providing me with inspiration and guidance on the path,
compared to the writings of HPB.  Of two things I am certain,
however; there is error in the writings of all these
representatives of the Brotherhood and there is truth also.
There is also of necessity the different "flavors", due to the
fact that every "messenger" has a different instrument, capable
of its certain responses and resonances with different chords of
the cosmic symphony.  There is no need to try to establish the
ultimate "truth" as far as what has been produced by various
theosophical writers.  Ultimately Truth can only be found within.
It is the same truth for everybody but the approach is
subjective, unique for each one of us.  The "teachings" of
theosophy are a road map that can help some of us find our way
home with less suffering and guide us towards more valuable
service - nothing to quarrel about.

Bjorn

> people outside ULT are somewhat uncritical to see all teachers as
> equally valid.

Let each one confirm the validity of the various teachers for himself.

> But their TEACHINGS are, in fact, quite different,

This should caution us to blindly trust authority, rather serve
as an inspiration to go within for confirmatioin of the truth.

> rather they are in flat contradiction.

Personally I would find a list of the major contracictions VERY
interesting, not to create controversy but as a subject for
contemplation.

> One of the most annoying things for me, truly something that
> ruins the movement, is a willingness to accept anything and
> everything as valid.  This is New Age namby-pambyism.

Couldn't agree more.

> If Annie Besant and William Q.  Judge teach two different things
> about Devachan, both CANNOT be literally right (though it is
> logically possible BOTH are wrong).

Both could also be partially right, which likely may be the case.

> On what basis may we work toward unity?

On the basis that we find inspiration and spiritual guidance in
theosoophical writings and in our vision of universal brotherhood
and desire to serve humanity.