Theos-Talk Archives (November 1997 Message tt00343)

At 12:24 PM 11/20/97 +1100, you wrote:
>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

The fundamental issue of why the TS was started was very clearly elaborated
in a letter by Master KH, which is called the Maha Chohan letter which every
leader from HPB onwards to-date have considered to be the charter of TS.
This was in response to Sinnett's repeated advise to Master KH that they
should take a different direction.

If anyone is there who has not seen it, I can post it here.

my 0.015

mkr