Theos-Talk Archives (August 1998 Message tt00210)

Govert:

>Thank you, Bjorn, for translating the words of the Maha Chohan in
>everyday language, though it was quite clear to me in the first
>place. Maybe some quotes should be explained or re-read to convey
>the sense and depth of it.

W.Q. Judge was an example of a theosophical writer that put
important principles in plain language. It's something important,
something we're constantly reminded of the need for, as we see
how easily things are misunderstood or not grasped by people.

If the idea being communicated is simple, and there is no
other intent in the communication, plain language is, I think,
best. Graphic language, with metaphors or concrete figures of
speech have the greatest impact on readers.

We can say something clearly and lucidly, so that even difficult
ideas seem simple and understandable. Or we can try a different
tack and stop short of saying something, setting the stage for
the reader to take the final step and arrive at the idea by
themselves.

Apart from the value of the ideas, the importance of the
materials we're sharing or teaching, there may be an attempt
to take someone with one into a lofty, spiritual state of
mind. When doing this, the particular ideas being discussed
aren't as important as the aura, the radiance, the *suchness*
of the thought atmosphere that one is functioning in and
sharing with others. This has to do with the *space* that
one arrives at in ones inner work, when taking further steps
beyond the intellectual brain-mind study of the texts.

The ideas in the quote attributed to the Mahachohan seem
clear enough, and I think that few would disagree that
doing negative things are harmful and dissipate our energies.
Where there may be disagreement would be whether the colorful
manner of expression indicates, and draws people into a
higher state of mind, or if it is a pretense, lacking in
esotericism and not drawing one into a higher state.

One of the first steps on awakening new faculties, on
becoming something that one is not, is *faking it*. We
picture ourselves as being that which we want to be,
visualize and act in accord with the bigger and better
version of ourselves that we still fall far short of.
And we continue to saturate our awareness in that of
the *would be* until one day we find ourselves changed
and we've become that very thing.

Because of this power that our belief has, I don't think
that it's good to try to take away from someone something
that works for them, unless one is at the same time drawing
them into something better. So as regards the quote
attributed to the Mahachohan, ever if I question its
source and esoteric nature, I'd not take on challenging
it unless I had the time and energy to engage in a
constructive dialogue, and to offer or provide some
materials that I'd consider genuine at the same time.

For now, though, I'd just say that I personally question
its source, and say that the disagreement that some may
have with it is on its secondary message, on its poetic
or esoteric side, and not on the simpler idea, the
primary message, where it says that doing bad things
dissipate our energies.

-- Eldon