Theos-Talk Archives (December 1997 Message tt00122)

Dear Sophia:
In response to Doss's comment you wrote:
> If one takes payment for the "good works" being done in publicity, that
> is probably most of the good karma being reaped then and there.
> One has to do what one has to do because it is a DUTY, what HPB calls
> being "Due to Humanity,"  if it is due, it is a debt, one does not go
> around annoucing one has paid ones debts.  On pays them, a gets on with
> the job.

I appreciate what you are saying but think it's only part of the
"picture".  I don't think that Doss was advocating that list members
"toot their horns" or feed their egos by telling about their good works,
I think he envisioned a method of celebrating the success of Theosophy
by list members sharing how it works in their everyday lives.

Definitely I'm unhappy with this feeling of "doing one's duty and
getting on with the job" as it feels very much like a 19th Century
thing, an enslaving thing, and one of the things I personally emigrated
away from.  I can't see it as being a 21st Century thing that calls
people to dream and to practice.

I'd like to tell you that one of the key things that catapulted me into
releasing my spirituality was telling myself and anyone else who would
listen at the time that I felt very strongly that I had paid my debts,
had helped others along the way, until I was darn near exhausted.  Of
course, once I felt and said it, I moved to the next stage of knowing I
was wrong and started again with more feeling.

I think Doss has a good idea, as reading what others have done always
seems to plant a seed that I can do it too.  We are surrounded by so
much negativity and fear most days, any positive feedback is a real joy.
Bet you could tell us some good ones, Sophia.
Love and Light
annette