Theos-Talk Archives (November 1997 Message tt00405)

Nov 24th 1997

Dear MKR:
 Re: changes in "declared objects"

As far as I can see such changes in declared (written) policy as you
outline that issue from the T S or from any other organized body calling
itself (in whole or in part) "Theosophical" make the current confusion
worse confounded, as they depend on the lazyness of the average reader to
seek for the historical base and make comparisons.

In fact most of the changes and veerings of direction of the course of the
T Ses can be traced to someone formulating an alteration from the primary
statement: [ I take this from the "Key to Theosophy" by H.P.B. ]

"1.) TO FORM THE NUCLEUS OF A UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD OF HUMANITY without
distinction of race, color, or creed."

"2.) TO PROMOTE THE STUDY OF ARYAN AND OTHER SCRIPTURES, of the world's
religion and sciences, and to vindicate the importance of old Asiatic
literature, namely, of the Brahmanical, Buddhist, and Zoroastrian
philosophies."

"3.) TO INVESTIGATE THE HIDDEN MYSTERIES OF NATURE UNDER EVERY ASPECT
POSSIBLE, and the psychic and spiritual powers latent in man especially."
KEY TO THEOSPHY, p. 39

Even this is worded a little differently from early formulations made.

As a matter of fact it is important to consider what has happened since,
and if one desires to verify such changes, the course of change can be
easily studied from the documentary history titled:

 THE THEOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT -- 1875 - 1950
 Cunningham Press, Los Angeles

At this point it may be valuable to indicate that there is a group of
students of Theosophy which insist on studying the primary sources of
Theosophy -- as made available for our era and generation -- through the
Mahatma's "messenger" H.P.Blavatsky.

In 1909 the UNITED LODGE OF THEOSOPHISTS was started so as to provide
anyone, affiliated or independent, who desired to study what Theosophy is,
with the basic literature, and, to provide at those places where there was
a focus of such desire and need, with a free forum where those teachings,
concepts, and ideas could be discussed among sincere and honest seekers for
fact and truth.

The DECLARATION of the U.L.T. is the sole document which has served to
preserve and guide the course of this association. It reads:

 U. L. T. DECLARATION

"The policy of this Lodge is independent devotion to the cause of
Theosophy, without professing attachment to any Theosophical organization.
It is loyal to the great founders of the Theosophical Movement, but does
not concern itself with dissentions and differences of individual opinion.

The work it has on hand and the end it keeps in view are too absorbing and
too lofty to give it the time or inclination to take part in side issues.
That work and that end is the dissemination of the Fundmental Principles of
the Philosophy of Theosophy, and the exemplification in practice of those
principles through a truer realization of the SELF, a profounder conviction
of Universal Brotherhood.

It holds that the unassailable basis for union among all Theosophists,
wherever and however situatied is "similarity of aim, purpose and
teaching," and therefore has neither Constitution, By-Laws nor Officers,
the sole bond between its Associates being that basis. And it aims to
disseminate this ideas among Theosophists in the furtherance of Unity.

It regards as Theosophists all who are engaged in the true service of
Humnaity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, condition or
organization, and

It welcomes to its Association all those who are in accord with its
declared purposes and who desire to fit themselves, by study or otherwise,
to be the better able to help and teach others.

"The true Theosophist belings to no cult or sect, yet belongs to each and
all."

I quote this as it appears to me that it offers the widest possible area
for study and mutual assistance and is totally unrestrictive.

Even being an "associate" is not a requirement, as the ULT extends its
services to all who ask or desire to come and participate in its study
work. There are no fees, dues, or rules to be observed, other than those
which relate to the inner conscience of each individual and, which is based
on the concept that we are all parts of the UNIVERSAL SELF OF ALL
CREATURES.

innate wisdom, perfectability of all beings, immortality of the Spirit
(Reincarnation), human solidarity, and Universality is quite ridiculous.
It may suit those who desire to make of Theosophy a cult or a creed to do
that, but in so doing it removes the prime objective of Theosophy: to
encourage all human beings to think for themselves and to refuse to be
guided by others' opinions, however erudite. [ All those arguments are to
be found in the chapter that HPB translated from Dostoevsky's "The Brothers
Karmazov," which is titled THE GRAND INQUISITOR. ]

The qustion of modernity in langage as compared with th writing common in
the 19th Century constantly arises. But if one does not study the sources,
then one has no basis for making an evaluation as to accuracy of modern
presentations.

If, as an instance, we note today, that the present TS directors and
officers desire to change the emphasis of the declared work of the Society,
and take it for granted that the majority will not bother to review those
changes, comparing them with the original, we have an instance before us
of how a theocracy begins to work. It may be well intentioned, but it
treats the modern student as a malleable intelligence disposed to goodness,
but unwilling to seek for the rules of Nature that lead to understanding
how "goodness" is practiced.

These ideas and comments are solely my own and prompted by the points you
make, and which our friends here may also like to think about and discuss
further.
 Dallas TenBroeck

==

> From: "M K Ramadoss" <ramadoss@eden.com>
> Subject: Is TSA heading in the wrong direction?
> Date: Monday, November 24, 1997 9:44 AM
>
> Recently a Theosophist commented:
>
> "Just like sailors in the middle of the ocean check their compass to find
> out where
> < snip >