Theos-Talk Archives (May 1998 Message tt00392)

May 21st 1998
                            Re:  Initiation
Dear Darren:

I tried to show you where you would find out what I had located
in Theosophical literature on the subject of Initiation.

If you think it is only a physical or a drug affair you make an
error.  It is not transporting the present consciousness into
some "altered state" at all.  Any group, or person, who offers to
do that is "nuts."  And for anyone to trust themselves to such a
proposal shows, to my mind a serous imbalance of the psychic
nature.  Desire or curiosity out-running the reason.

HPB in both ISIS UNVEILED and THE SECRET DOCTRINE gives many
references to Initiation as practiced in ancient civilizations,
India, Egypt, particularly.  It would be well to trace those
down.

It is rather (as I see it) a change in point of view, and with
one's consciousness fully awake and in full control.  But that is
of course for us.  What may be further "initiations" along deeper
paths of progress -- some ideas are hinted at in various places
in Theosophical literature, and that is where we are --
scratching at a few scattered ideas.

There is I see a tendency to be impatient at the supposed
reticence of the ancients in such matters.  It is valid.  Where
there is danger, it is wise to abstain.  In one place, I recall
HPB saying that it would be like giving a child in a gun-powder
factory a lighted candle. No single man can assail a moated
castle in daylight.  How much time must one work to prepare for a
successful assault ?  What knowledge and tools must one acquire ?
It is the same thing for any Science -- study and learning before
experimenting.  That is how I draw my conclusions on the subject.

Theosophy enjoins BROTHERHOOD as the first of its objects -- not
"Initiation."  If one has not mastered "harmlessness" and
"harmony" then how can one expect to penetrate to the Spiritual
levels ?

For those who are curious there are plenty of psychic traps --
yogas of various kinds, tantras, rites, ceremonial "magic,"
formulas and mantras -- and what is the final sum of all these
various practices and attempts -- a loss of capital.  Spiritual
wisdom is never acquired at the price of a "lesson" or some
"talisman."  Or of the handing over of ones life-direction into
the hands of a claimant to wisdom.  Impatience is marvelous to
behold.

Preparatory to that, one has to  become wiser in certain
directions than one is already, and as I read the subject, it is
along moral and ethical lines.  The quotations I offered for you
to review seem (to me) to indicate that.

I have no idea what you think that "Initiation" means.

As to the "ES" of the TS -- I personally have no idea of what it
is like now.

I have read in the history of the Theosophical Movement -- there
is a book by that name, by the way, which is based on T S
documents available publicly:  It is titled : THE THEOSOPHICAL
MOVEMENT -- 1875-1950, published by the Cunningham Press, Los
Angeles, 1952 -- and available at the United Lodge of
Theosophists, 245 West 33rd. St., Los Angeles, Ca., 90007,
SA  -- in that book the history of our recent Theosophical
Movement and the E S /T S is traced to 1950.  What may have
happened since, I do not know.

As I understand it the ES/T S was established by HPB in 1888 to
enable students to acquire a deeper understanding of theosophical
teachings and the practicing of Theosophy (such as she outlines
in THE KEY TO THEOSOPHY.

No one was going to be translated or transformed into anything
beyond what they could make of themselves, and by themselves.

There are indications that the ES has been abused.  That it ( and
the T S ) have been made into political bodies at the expense of
the membership.  If true, this is most unfortunate, and a
marvelous opportunity to benefit humanity has been diverted to
die on some sand-bank of time.  If you want an indication of this
dreadful situation, you need only read the current periodicals
that are issued by various Theosophical bodies, and contrast
their contents with the nature and vigor of articles in
THEOSOPHIST, LUCIFER, THE PATH, which were published under HPB
and W.Q.Judge (1879 - 1895).

The original establishment of the ES (as I read) had no such
objectives, nor were those admitted going to be directed or
"ordered" to do this or that.  The original  ES/T S was to learn
and apply Theosophy, and not to engage in any kind of politics
for office or authority over the members.

Since that has now been done, it is plain that the present T S
has vastly departed from its original objects for existence.  In
my esteem it has to alter itself back to the ethical position of
its origins before it will regain my personal respect.  I doubt
if the present officers and managers have the power to do this.
But, if they do, it will be a wonder indeed.and the World will
benefit.

The ancient "Book of the Dead" of the Egyptians gives you an Idea
of what the Mysteries of Egypt may have partially consisted in,
although I would conjecture that they would never have been
published so openly.  The Tibetan Cycle of Bardo is another
example.  Both need the light that Theosophy throws on them for
their meaning to become plain.  Theosophy alone at this present
time throws the light of clarity on ancient records.

My study of THE SECRET DOCTRINE shows me that there are many
"mysteries" that are solved, if one develops the patience to:  1.
define them for himself, and  2,  study and search.  No one can
do that for you.

Now this present answer may prove very unsatisfactory to you, and
I may have misunderstand your point and meaning.  If so please
come again and I will try to sharpen my response.

With best wishes to you,   Fraternally,        Dallas

> Date: Wednesday, May 20, 1998 8:52 PM
> From: "Darren Porter" <dport@ozemail.com.au>
> Subject: Re: Theosophical Doctrines (HPB)

>Dallas,
>
>But what does initaion actually involve? How does one experience
"the
>Mysteries (in) the passage from mortal life into finite death, a
nd
>(t)he experience of the disembodied Spirit and Soul in the world
>of subjectivity."
>Surely without initiation the deepest theosophical concepts must
remain a
>mystery? Does the ES offer initiation? Would it be legal under
US drug laws?
>
>At 04:47 AM 5/20/98 -0700, you wrote:
>>May 20th 1998
>>
>>INITIATION  --  is defined on p. 156 of THE THEOSOPHICAL
GLOSSARY
>>by HPB in part as follows:
>>
>>"From the same root as the Latin "initia," which means the
basic
>>or first principles of any Science.  The practice of initiation
>>or admission into the sacred Mysteries, taught by the
Hierophants
>>and learned priests of the Temples, is one of the most ancient
>>customs.  This was practiced in every old national religion.
In
>>Europe it was abolished with the fall of the last pagan temple.
>>There exists at present but one kind of initiation known to the
>>public, namely that into the Masonic rites.  Masonry, however,
>>has no more secrets to give out or conceal.  In the palmy days
of
>>old, the Mysteries according to the greatest Greek and Roman
>>philosophers, were the most sacred of all solemnities as well
as
>>the most beneficent, and greatly promoted virtue.  The
Mysteries
>>represented the passage from mortal life into finite death, and
>>the experiences of the disembodied Spirit and Soul in the world
>>of subjectivity."
>>
>>More references on this can be found in the GLOSSARY pp 154,
311,
>>SD I  109, 326 ;  SD II  229-30 308 378 380 415 462 494 499
555-9
>>564-5;
>>Modern Panarion :  p. 42 (to be made);  ISIS I  555-6 ;   II
319
>>364-5 564-5
>>See also:  SUFISM,  T. Glos. p. 311;
>>
>>I hope this proves of some help.            Dallas.
>>
>>From: "Darren Porter" <dport@ozemail.com.au>
>>Date: Tuesday, May 19, 1998 7:45 PM
>>Subject: Re: Theosophical Doctrines (HPB)
>>
>>
>>>>Dallas writes:
>>>>
>>>>                    HPB said to be initiated into "Tibetan
>>>>Buddhism."
>>>
>>>How do you define Initiation?
>>>
>>>Does the TS have initiation?
>>>