Theos-Talk Archives (October 1997 Message tt00106)

Hi Annette--

> ...  then takes everything experienced in life and tries to
> explain it in terms of what he has read, forgetting to use that
> "instinct/spirituality/gut-feelings" that it seems we all have
> and will guide us if we open up and learn to listen.

Perhaps the danger of this kind of doctrinaire attitude is
directly proportional to the claims made in said literature about
its own authority.  On one hand, HPB continally asserted that her
writings should rest not at all on authority but entirely on
their reasonableness and verifiability.  On the other hand, by
attributing her inspiration to sources which have been perceived
as virtually omniscient and infallible (despite her own repeated
warnings against so perceiving them) she set up a situation in
which people would see her books also as omniscient and
infallible.

> The end result is no different than that of the more traditional
> organized religions, being - "this is the truth, you must believe
> it to reach enlightenment, and if you don't believe it and do it
> as it is written you are lost/not on the correct path".

and, at its worst, "therefore I am fully justified in feeling
hostile towards you and being aggressive to you."

> Hence no different than most Movements, with leaders setting the
> rules and protecting their turf to resist change and others
> allowing or supporting that process, until the process fails and
> the Movement changes, at which time most rationlize that the
> Movement could not have been based "in truth".

Precisely.  What is interesting about Theosophy's case is that
HPB predicted, in her letters to American conventions, all the
ills that would plague the movement.  Same warnings are found
near the end of the Key to Theosophy.  Also the 1900 letter to
Annie Besant, signed by K.H., makes yet the same warnings about
dogmatism and spiritual authority.  None of that seems to have
been more than a waste of time and energy on the part of the
writers.  Again, I condemn institutional mindsets and not all
individual Theosophists most of whom are vastly more openminded
and truthseeking than their organizations.

> I do find though that most of those people who are/were involved
> with Theosophy, at least what I have read on the Internet, are
> working diligently on what may be called "enlightenment" and so I
> keep coming back for more and find them refreshing and
> instructive.  As for "Movements", I think they are a great thing
> at the onset of one's quest, to feel less alone and to receive
> support in the early years when one is trying to make a change in
> one's self and lifestyle, rather like the family for the child.
> However, eventually one has to "write one's own script" and then
> the movement tends to become restrictive and frustrating.

100% agreement here.

> Much as I would like the warm feeling of being part of a group of
> like souls, I "know" I can only succeed if I stand alone, knowing
> and accepting in love not only myself but also all others.

I would just suggest here that there are places where you can be
part of a group of like souls yet also stand alone and not let
your thinking become "groupthink." A recent A.R.E.  ad said "our
only mission is helping you find yours." Also, individual
Theosophical local groups can be very diverse and openminded yet
warm and involving.  It's only at the top that the need to impose
uniform thoughts on the members and the world seems to prevail.
(Rather like the difference between the Vatican and the average
local Catholic church.)

Cheers,