Theos-Talk Archives (November 1997 Message tt00341)

MK writes:
> When TS was launched, those who were behind her, have clearly stated that
> the primary objective of TS was to establish a nucleus of
> Brotherhood/Sistehood/Siblinghood and *not* to be a school training
> occultists for future Adeptship. This being the case, is it any surprise
> that HPB did not place much emphasis on the path of initiation or
practical
> practices.

 Wasn't a case of "do as I say, not do as I do". The contents of the S.D.
are a result of practical occultism, both by H.P.B. and the Adepts.
 Object No. 5 To investigate the powers innate in man. Does this mean we
just read about them?

Prior to the founding of the T.S. Mr.George Felt, H.B. of L. felt very
inclined towards a public demonstration of the existence of nature spirits,
using the magical sciences of old Egypt. The lecture was well recieved and
afterwards as reported in Old Diary Leaves by the Colonel: "the idea
occured to me that it would be a good thing to form a Society to pursue and
promote such occult research..." vol 1 pp 118-19

"from the Minute book" September 8th
"In consequence of a proposal of Col. Henry S. Olcott that a Society be
formed for the study and elucidation of Occultism, the Cabbala, etc....."
ibid 121-122

As an aside, H.P.B. uses the word " Theosophic" in an article in the
Spiritual Scientist July 1875 "the modern Theosophists, at whose head was
Paracelsus." Collected Writings vol 1 pp 106, 110.

K.H. writing to Hume was concerned "But a hot-bed of magic we never dreamt
of. Such an organisation... is unthinkable among Europeans; and it has
become next to impossible in India..." M.L. p207

I think the "Universal Brotherhood" bit was popped in later. After all who
were these people? They weren't philanthropists as far as I'm aware, but
occultists of one sort or another.

Robert Owen however was one the greatest philanthropists in history
(mentioned in People from the other World). He would have been a wonderful
founding member. He unfortunately died in 1858.

Fraternally,
Bruce