Theos-Talk Archives (October 1997 Message tt00104)

Dear Peter:

With regard to your statement:

> HPB states in "Studies in Occultism" that true occultism or
> Theosophy is "the great renunciation of self" unconditionally and
> absolutely, in thought and in action (p.17).  Furthermore, the
> applicant has to choose absolutely between the life of the world
> and the life of occultism (p.22).
>
> Most of us are bound by wordly duties and few are in the enviable
> position of choosing absolutely between the two.  It is for most
> only possible to take a path of the "golden mean".  Being tied to
> the material
>
> world such as running a business (sometimes in boilerroom
> conditions!), raising a family etc how many can choose true
> chelaship and isolate our mind entirely from our body and its
> surroundings.
>
> It seems that if one is to be a true follower of Theosophy, there
> is no middle road.  Each one is on his/her own in following the
> spiritual path and must commit unequivably to the world of
> occultism.  Might that be the reason the teachings have failed to
> catch on among the large masses?

In many articles H.P.B.  and her co-worker, W.Q.J.  show that you
cannot become a chela without first completing duties to family
and the world at large.  The Masters have written that the T.S.
was not formed to become a school for Occultists.  However once
committed to the path of Occultism it is impossible to turn back
without grave consequences.  But that committment involves duties
to mankind, with greater powers to serve once the inner life
development is achieved.  What that committment involves is
delineated most clearly in the Esoteric Section of ~Blavatsky
Collected Writings~, Vol.  XII in the latter part of the book.

Your ~Studies in Occultism~ probably makes this clear.