Theos-Talk Archives (August 1998 Message tt00127)

Jake  wrote:
"We have the teachings of HPB, so the need to contact the an adept of
Blavatsky's lodge is no longer necessary to get teachings.   99.99% + of
people don't need to mee one except for selfish or pruient (sic) [purient?]
reasons."
     Jake, I think that you, and perhaps many others, have missed the whole
point of  Theosophy.   I suspect that many people believe that Theosophy is
merely a body of knowledge, to be studied, memorized and debated.  If that is
so, then adepts are unnecessary.  The knowledge becomes an end in itself, an
object of  worship even.
One should ask, why was the knowledge given?  What is the true pupose of that
part of the "ageless wisdom" that HPB gave us?
     Knowledge, even that contained in Theosophical books,  if read for the
sake of knowledge alone, is a sterile illusion, a dead end.  It serves no
purpose except for the miserly self-gratification of the knower.  It is mental
masturbation.  Knowledge is a tool, and is therefore useful only when it is
being used for some purpose.   Knowledge serves to educate, which is very
useful, but again, for what purpose?  Formerly esoteric knowledge, I suggest,
exists to evoke a response in one who seeks something that cannot be found
elsewhere.  It feeds a hunger, it is a clue that is missing in the riddle of
life.   Knowledge is the vital catalyst to the process of constant self-
transformation and rebirth for any thinking and acting person.
     Knowlege can also be an illusion, a trap.  If knowledge is seen as an end
rather than a process, it stifles action.  Knowledge thus  becomes the enemy
of  Truth.  Assurance of already having the answer always prevents further
seeking for the answer, and prevents the asking of  new questions.  Dogma
kills the quest.
     Consider the relationship between book knowledge and a live teacher in
such a field as medicine, lets say brain surgery.   Becoming a brain surgeon
is a process in which book knowledge plays a role, but hands on training by
one who has held a pulsing brain in his hands is vital.   Would you say that
because we have books on brain surgery that the practical residency training
under senior surgeons should be abolished?
     It is a funny thing about esoteric knowledge.  In the Mahatma Letters, we
are assured that knowledge is a multi-level thing, and that true esoteric
knowledge is both meaningless and so much madness to most people until one has
first purified and developed himself or herself so as to develop the spiritual
discernment to intuit the real truths behind the words.
     I suspect that HPB's teachings are useful as a guide book, as a tool to
those on the Path seeking something, but they are meaningul only to those who
have long since left the literal meaning of the words behind.  Their second
purpose is as a trap to the unwary who would study the words, and miss their
point, which is the process of growth.
     Why are the Master's necessary?  Have you ever tried to open your chakras
by using a mail order monograph?  That which is called Theosophy is, always
has been, and ever will be a process of  self-transformation, for which
experienced guidance is necessary.  It is no different for a doctor learning
brain surgery.  Books are useful, but you need an experienced guide beside you
when attempt to make use of  pratical use of this occult knowledge   I suggest
that is why contact with an adept [defined as one who is adept at, or has
mastered, certain skills]  will always be necessary.
     Of course, if one believes that Theosophical knowledge has no truly
useful purpose outside of academic circles and debating societies, then every
person's opinion is just as good as anothers.
      Brant Jackson