Theos-Talk Archives (January 1998 Message tt00328)

About 15 years ago, I tried to join the ES but was rejected because I was a
Sai Baba devotee. The ES warden, who did the rejecting and who is now
deceased, said I couldn't join and at the same time be a member of another
"arcane school". I asked her if  Sai Baba was an "arcane school" and she said
yes. I then asked, "If I were a Hindu and had a guru, like Ramana Maharshi,
Ramakrishna or Sri Aurobindo, would that be considered being a member of an
arcane school?". Again, she said yes. I could see the conversation was going
nowhere so I had to return the application form and some other things that she
requested.

I had some ES supporters in my attempt to join and they were somewhat
chagrined and upset about what happened and they apologized to me. This was
unnecessary, however. I held no animosity towards this woman. She was an
80-year old, old-line theosophist whose spiritual parameters were limited to a
theosophical hierarchy of approved Masters and Adepts. So I just left it at
that.

I've always found that a Lodge with an ES chapter was always very vibrant and
faithful to the spread broadcast of theosophical teachings. An ES chapter
always seems to add a change in vibration for the better.

Lmhem111