Theos-Talk Archives (February 1998 Message tt00200)

>From: "Brenda S Tucker" <brenda@theosophy.com>
>Date: Thursday, February 05, 1998 11:24 AM
>Subject: MAYA and Gnostic article


>
>>The problems with spin these spider like webs of maya or illusion is that
>>one can become trapped in them as a spider in a web ( another common
>>metaphor).  People also inject each other's lives with this maya in an
>>insect like manner.  I have a chip on my shoulder and I go around
poisoning
>>the atmosphere due to my unresolved neurotic knots or skandhas.
>
>You talk about people being destructive in both of your posts and I just
>would like to make a short comment concerning what you wrote and also what
>I have read in the recent issue of Theosophy World. An article by Rick
>Taylor points out to us that HPB ignores gnostic groups that are licentious
>and only focuses on elevating the status of the denegrated REAL gnostics,
>those who should have been applauded, but were criticized falsely by the
>Christians.
>
>1. First, I would like to say that what you, Keith, are claiming is MAYA,
>the I AM Temple refers to as our psychic atmosphere. They are decreeing
>constantly for the annihilation of all psychism, which to me represents
>False Thinking.
>
>2. Second, humans who are destructive are to be stopped, as you mention
>also in reference to Redfield's book.
>
>3. I think it's kind of curious that we are faced with this dilemma of "Who
>are we doing this for?" I don't like to see theosophy used as a method for
>a few people to become superior beings. I would much prefer to divide a
>group into us and them perhaps as if we are doing charitable work. For
>instance, the group Rick Taylor claims is never quoted by HPB do to their
>sex habits, seems slightly archaic to me because 1) Perhaps they didn't
>want to be quoted. Sometimes we don't quote from material that is TOO
>SACRED as well as that which is inappropriate. 2) Who are we doing this
>for?  When we determine that our meditations are falling on deaf ears, how
>do we know? If we could all use theosophy as our tool of outreach to those
>individuals who don't have as much as we do, wouldn't this be the ideal
>expression of love. We do our life styles and our meditations so that
>others who are less fortunate can benefit with our radiations or vibrations
>or whatever, but so that their lives can be blessed and sacred and
>beneficial ones and not so that we can elevate ourselves above any one
>group or another.
>
>Thanks for sharing.
>
>Brenda
>
>--Keith:  This is a very crucial topic for me right now.  Yes, am I trying
to achieve

1) personal satisfaction- animal and vegetable level
2) social approval - exoteric  goodness and social acceptablility
3) personal liberation
4) salvation and correction of the world process

Number 4 is relegated to the Nirmankayas, Messiahs and Masters, but the
higher worlds cry out for our participation and much as we cry out to them
to help us in our struggles on the path.  To what degree can we light a
flame from the divine fire and carry it to kindle others.  Some say they are
doing it and aren't.  Some want to and can't.  Some are and dont' know it.
Some know it - the gnostics!
Namaste
Keith