Theos-Talk Archives (August 1998 Message tt00278)

Dal writes:
>Personally I have not adequately studied what de >Puruker has to say in
>commentary on HPB's S D .  I am therefore not well >qualified to argue for or
>against his views.  But I have found HPB's to be >consistent.  { What little
>of de Puruker's writings I have read have troubled me, >since in those steno
>reports of what he has given, he very often seems to >"talk down" to his
>audience, claiming that they neither have the erudition >nor the capacity to
>understand what he understands.   Also he says in so >many words that he will
>give them what he considers they will understand. >Personally I would not
>stand for anyone making such a claim to my face.  I am >annoyed by such an
>attitude as it neglects the fact that innate in each us is >precisely that
>"Sutratma" that is our individual link to the UNIVERSAL >SPIRIT, and
>therefore to the same sources of Knowledge as he and >everyone else has.  If
>our "Personalities" were not bound by the karma of our >past errors, we would
>be able to access the same source of Truth that is >ever-present around us
>all.  I instinctively withdraw from anyone who makes >personal claims.
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         Honestly said, and I find it a bit irritating also - BUT I think the context he has this attitude in is that he is also a student of those who understand more than him, and that also he is putting the credit or authority claim on the Grand Theosophical System, which he is also a humble student of.   His overall attitude is that he is involved as a servent in a holy endeavor in his place as transmitting the Teachings to those who know less than himself.  Respect due him is actually respect due the teachings, which he is giving.   
       Purucker's whole context is filled with a very Devotional undertone of being involved in a sacred trust and sacred undertaking.   I don't find this real appealing to my own kind of nature, but on principle can't object to it, and those with similar nature may find it fine.   It does get a little TOO much sometimes, and I think he errs in this direction - but what the heck do I know.....!  (and am more than glad to put up with it to get the Theosophy.)
     The whole thing on "not making personal claims" is, I think, based on the reality that any genuine spiritual stature is not based on any quality of the personality, but on the Higher Self.   The personality doesn't have any spiritual qualities,  anything spiritual comes from the Non-personal and Universal - so the personal can't claim any spiritual possessions at all.  Personality destroys spiritual qualities.
              -  Jake J.