Theos-Talk Archives (July 1998 Message tt00103)

Eldon wrote:
The fourth player in this drama <snip>

Thoa responds:
This is not a drama.  This is real life.  I see another mental analysis to
separate oneself from feeling anything for the situation again.

Eldon wrote:
As I read  some of the postings I wonder how much people really feel what
they write. It's fairly important to be consistent in what one
says and what one does in life. One's words and actions should be
in accord. How many who have eagerly advocated "give generously!"
have actually written a $500 or $1000 check to Alan?

Thoa wrote:
We wanted to remain anonymous with the exception of verbal support, but Mark
and I are under this category.  Does that mean we can advocate compassion more
than the person who really felt for Alan but have no money to help, but
consistently check to see how he's doing?  Well, then, let my typing rip!
Everyone should listen to me, now!   Everyone should go back and read all my
past posts, now that it carries more weight!  That Sainthood I purchased from
Alan is really working.  Am I more persuasive now?

Eldon wrote:
If one's generosity is limited to *encouraging others to give*, then it's
questionable. A compassion that calls on others to give while
giving nothing oneself is a fraud, a pretense. One should not hold
others to a higher standard than one holds oneself.

Thoa responds:
As I said above, does it make any difference in the giver's heart whether the
giver wrote a big check, or took other actions?  Supporting Alan in his plight
is as good as any other actions.

Eldon wrote:
<snip>
And we on the theosophical lists need to keep our mouths and hearts in
sync, only talking about compassion to the extent that we actually
practice it.

Thoa responds:
>From what I've seen of some posts,  I never want to hear anyone talking about
any abstract theosophical concepts of Oneness, interconnectedness, Truth, and
love ever again.  If you can so happily preach all of that but don't practice
it, or avoid practicing it by conceptualizing real life needs, then you are
all hypocrites.  It would be hard not to read future posts on theosophical
topics without snickering.  What's the use of loving concepts, Masters, or
HPB, et. al., if you can't even love your fellow wo/man.  Read my post to Paul
in how people avoid action by all sorts of different mechanics to justify
selfishness.

Eldon wrote:
(There are, though, different was of showing
compassion, one of which includes establishing an understanding, a
sympathy, a rapport, even when one is not in a position to take
appropriate action; taking the time to read about, dwell on, and
share one's insights on the problem is a form of helping, since
one could much more easily blow it away with the <DELETE> key.)

Thoa responds:
Yes, there are different ways of showing compassion.  However, passing
judgment and denying someone's assessment of his/her own needs is not one of
them.  All I can say is that some of the responses have been totally
unbelievable.  I had made the decision of not joining any theosophical
societies based on the mechanics and debacle I observed on the lists.  Now,
I'm not sure I want to hang around people who only live in the concepts, even
on a list.  Maybe this is what has happened to Theosophy.  And yes, I am
fuming.

Thoa :o(