Theos-Talk Archives (April 1998 Message tt00447)

At 07:47 AM 4/22/1998 -0500, you wrote:
>Peter writes:
>It seems to me that a systematic revision of that attitude in TS is long
>overdue, as I imagine it stems from long ago when TS was in strong
>competition with the developing Spiritualist movement. I wonder if
>anyone can confirm this, or otherwise accurately identify it's source. I
>certainly believe it to be now irrelevant.
>
>I couldn't agree more. I feel that the spiritualism injunction really
>related to the spiritualist movement of the 19th century and the popular
>level of awareness (or lack thereof) of things occult. A survey such as
>the one Paul cited earlier would have had to explain the terms
>reincarnation and even astrology! Today, with the right cable/satellite TV
>system, a person can spend a day watching shows on the paranormal, ghosts,
>UFOs, Mysteries of the Pharohs, etc (not that I'm allowed control of the
>remote for that long...). This is just the "sleeping seeker". With
>Internet access, there's a myriad of other information out there (The other
>day I chanced upon Webring93, the practicing Crowley/OTO/magick
>ring--wow!). Books are only a phone call away. By the time a modern
>seeker contacts the Theosophical Society, they've already been exposed to a
>variety of ideas and philosophies. I don't feel that any seeker can take
>the spiritualist injunction seriously, unless they're comfortable with the
>"armchair occultist" label.
>
>Regarding the Summer convention: I live 45 minutes from Olcott and will be
>attending. If anyone on this list prefers camping, I have space available.
> I live in a lake community. It's not the backwoods, but it's a change of
>pace from Wheaton.
>
>Pam
>pgiese@snd.softfarm.com
>
>"Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let in the light..."
>>
>

Your observations are right on target. It is kind of you to offer camping
space for anyone coming to the Annual Meeting.

BTW, it would be nice if we can post real time updates here and at other
maillists as the Annual Meeting progresses.

mkr