Theos-Talk Archives (October 1997 Message tt00248)

K. Paul Johnson:

> The exchange between Daniel and Andrew recalls some fundamental
> questions that go way beyond the Theosophical movement, and touch
> all religions and philosophies.  I'd like others to share
> thoughts on this problem.  (big snip) So my question for myself
> and you all is how, in such a forum as this, or the wider
> movement, how can we freely disagree about our ideas while
> remaining united in our ideals?

Look into my eyes KPJ, feel my energy enfolding you, let yourself
go with me into a state of security, peace and love and what we
will share and know transcends words.  There is no disagreement.

> What distinguishes constructive from destructive discourse among
> people who accept and reject the claims of HPB or CWL or AAB or
> Steiner?

There is no "destructive discourse", nor any "constructive
discourse".  What happens is that the physical "discourse" causes
the mental/emotional effort at bringing the spirit back into
stasis, which is love and peace.  This happens within each
individual.  Discourse is the vehicle by which the student may
practice as the teacher at the same time as vica versa.
Discourse is only one vehicle (and a damned exciting one too!)

> I hate to think that all the points of divergence have to be
> swept under the rug to preserve peace.  But that would be better
> than putting people down personally for holding different ideas
> than our own.

Having just read 169 posts (now that's dedication AND a belief
that you ALL have something important to say to me), my humble
comment remains that "it's all just words".  What really matters
is to achieve a permanent state of (what I can only call) ecstacy
in which ones brain and body literally expands and overflows with
a powerful feeling of connection, understanding, oneness,
humbleness, thankfulness, joy.  The truth (all knowing) is the
inescapable journey's end.  Individually we reach it many
different ways.  You cannot "put down" someone personally.  They
can only do that to themselves (and you to yourself if you need
to do it and feel the pain).

> PS-- Having made up in the past two days for two years of
> lurking, I'm willing to try Mark's suggestion of one post per
> day.

Write as much as you want.  Write, write, write.  Talk, talk,
talk.  Think, think, think.  Struggle with it.  Phrase it and
rephrase it.  As you do, the right person or circumstance will
manifest to keep you in the process.  It's what we do in these
bodies, until eventually we get past it and start to feel "it" in
the silence.  Then just when we think we are getting there, we
realize how far we still have to go.

I respond to your post because it was the one that grabbed my gut
this time.  I read and silently responded to all the others.
I've had a hard time these past couple of weeks dealing with the
increase in chaos afoot.  I've had little sleep, fighting battles
in the black otherworld and waking up exhausted, but knowing I'm
hanging in there.  It's been hard to keep the peace and light.
I've seen a crowd of sages , mentors and guides, standing back,
not giving me help.  Friends working on their spiritual path have
reported similar experiences.  It's like we are being tested as
to whether we are strong enough to do it alone before being
assimilated in the whole.  Stay with it.

Sorry to sound so "dictatorial/pompous".  I write it as it comes,
when it comes.

Annette.