Theos-Talk Archives (December 1997 Message tt00099)

>>Mark K:
>>I would argue that it is evolution that causes man, "ego" and any
>>apparent conflicts, not man himself. "Humanity" as a kingdom, with all
>>of the attendant 'difficulties' is part and parcel of the great plan. In
>>the course of normal human development, selfishness is supposed to
>>happen. Nobody is to be blamed for it.

>Nicholas W:
>However, according to the SD (vol. 2, 300-01, for example) the human life
>wave passed through the descending arc, where matter dominated spirit,
>many millions of years ago.

The first three globes in the scheme and their recapitulation in the
first three rounds of this present globe period are characterized as the
"descent." This fourth globe period and the present fourth round are
smack dab in the middle of the scheme, so it is still a pretty thorough
mix. Maybe we've rounded the corner, so to speak, and have started on
the long climb up, especially since we are now well into the fifth root
race and beginning to respond to ascending impulses, but by and large,
we are still very much in the thick. We are by no means, as a race, "out
of it yet." Maybe you don't share my opinion, that's OK with me.

>So selfishness now is very much a retrogressive energy. A rebel against Nature as HPB put it.

I disagree. It may be a current opposed to the goal and intent of
evolution, ultimately, but for the time being, it's in, through and all
around us if we are only honest with ourselves. It is Natural that it be
so. I want to stress the fact that I believe it is psychologically
healthier to understand the cause of "selfishness" and "ego,"
(theosophically speaking) etc., than to react with fear and
self-loathing against it.

>As for fault -- evolution & karma are just laws.  How we act, think and speak
>are the result of our previous actions, thoughts and speech. Our future
>spiritual evolution is conditional on how we live -- selflessly or not.

I'm not advocating selfishness, I'm just willing to try to understand
myself and other people, and look compassionately upon my relationships.

>The fault lies neither in the stars nor in evolution but ourselves.

How about this: "With all your getting, get understanding."

Mark
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