Theos-Talk Archives (September 1998 Message tt00211)

Sept 14th 1998

Dear Ana-Maria:

Glad you have joined our list on Theosophical discussions.

Yes, when you look at what ideas are being exchanged it sounds very
scholarly.  However Theosophy as a philosophy of life and of practical
living, is a system of research and practice that covers all the aspects of
our lives.

If you want I can send you a catalog of practical books in both English and
in Spanish to your address.  Otherwise I would recommend that you visit the
following Internet Site where you will find a complete listing of
information about Theosophy, including a list of books, in both languages"

    INTERNET SITE is    http://www.Blavatsky net

To speak with the organizer send an Email to

                scribe@Blavatsky.net

Briefly:  Theosophy is an ancient system of philosophy that has been
investigating Nature, both visible and invisible with a view to discovering
the laws of inter-relation between all beings, whether they be atoms or
Universes, humans, or stones, plants or animals -- and the reason for their
presence here with us.

The whole Universe is considered and the scope of Theosophy is Universal.
Also included is the matter of "Where did we come from?  Why are we here ?
Where are we going individually and collectively ?"

Briefly, Theosophy considers the Universe, from the very smallest, to the
greatest of forms as a UNIT, a TOTALITY.  WE use in Theosophy the word
ABSOLUTE or ABSOLUTENESS to convey this idea.  We and everything else are a
part of IT.  Some call this unity "God."

Deity, or SPIRIT, unifies this as a Whole, and is therefore present in
essence in every least or greatest form, or body.  Deity is to be recognized
and worshiped silently in all beings that live.  Hence, respect to them and
their rights to live, is respect given to the Creation of the Universe by
that Universal POWER which we call "God."  The practical aspect of this is
moderation, patience, forgiveness and charity -- these are due to all who
are our brothers in spirit.

Every religion or philosophy in the world considers this to be important,
but they may express it in different ways, following the expressions
attributed to their Prophet, or originator.  In the Theosophical
consideration, we do not consider it true that mankind has any dominance
over the lower forms and intelligences, but, he has a continuing
responsibility to respect their rights, as creatures of, and in the ABSOLUTE
Mankind is considered to have the responsibility of assisting the
intelligence in those forms to develop, and not to destroy, torture or
enslave and destroy them.  This is the first practical aspect of
Theosophical ethics.

Laws and relationships unite all those who live, or act, or think and
desire -- "Consciousness and Intelligence" can be seen universally, but not
every aspect of that Intelligence is the same everywhere, just as a stone is
not a plant, but a plant represents the cohesiveness of the mineral, plus a
sensitivity of its own.  The next step is consciousness that is developed in
the animals -- who add to those two aspects of intelligence the power of
personal desire and of instinct, and of self-preservation.

Mankind represents the next step up the ladder of growth:  Mind, is  power
to think, to remember the past (in whole or in part), and to plan ahead for
the future.  The Mind faculty is included in the idea of SOUL.  Each human
is regarded as a Mind-Soul.

Each human has united in them the powers of the minerals, the plants, the
animals and is distinguished from the animals by the superior power of
THOUGHT -- its chief powers being the ability to reason from premises to
conclusions, to remember and to anticipate.  Mathematics, astronomy,
geometry, reasoning, logic and intuition, and the ability to take up and
consider opposing positions, and to resolve those by adopting the impersonal
principles of the Universe which it is able to perceive around it--these are
the signs of human development, and we can see it in progress all around us,
as also in ourselves..

Thus, the human potentials are comparable to that of a small mirror that is
able to reflect an image of any part of the Universe that it lives in.  All
the "powers" and "potentials" of that Universe are innate and can be
developed at will -- by employing the correct ethical laws of living by the
laws of Nature/Deity.

This endeavor to perceive these laws and facts, is the power that each human
Spirit/Soul has, and is now developing further in us as we live and make
choices.  This is the concept of UNIVERSAL EVOLUTION under the rule of
Universal Law, which is the primary study of Theosophy.  This is what we are
truly engaged in.

We have to employ our potentially deific powers so as to act like a "god"
would if it were incarnated on Earth.  This is the ideal that Jesus the
Christ presented.  And since we consider Wisdom to be ancient and universal,
we can trace the same teachings and ethics to be present in every one of the
world-religions, and to the teachings of all the true, ancient Prophets and
Teachers.

The practical aspect of Theosophy is considered by the primary writer of
Theosophical propositions.  She was named Helena P. Blavatsky.  We call her
"HPB" -- she wrote a basic and practical treatise in question and answer
form named THE KEY TO THEOSOPHY.  It is only 300 pages, and it discusses all
the points I outline above, as well as gives the keys to practical
application.  It would be well for you to secure a copy and read it.  It is
also translated into Spanish under the title of LA CLAVE DE LA THEOSOFIA.

Before speaking of "Practical Theosophy" she gives the theoretical basis for
us to consider, as many Theosophical propositions are not well known,
although they are plainly evident to those who pay close attention to the
world around them, and concentrate on finding and demonstrating their
actuality.

I hope this gives you a survey of what basically interests us all -- even if
you do find that some of us are working on more scholarly aspects of the
Theosophical philosophy and its history.

Please let me have your address so I can send you the catalogs, or if you
prefer, contact "blavatsky.net" and secure the information from them.

Best wishes to you,

Dallas

====================================

We now have the UNIVERSAL SPIRIT incarnating as a "ray" of Itself.  And
around each such "ray" accumulates (by attraction) the forms of matter
(physical and other invisible bodies, such as the mind, the emotions and the
feelings, and the intense feeling of freedom and independence that we all
have) that are necessary for our individual and con-joined progress.

We all live together.  Nature ( or DEITY ) IS EVERYTHING.  We are a portion
of that Divinity.  We have an independence of our own which, when we
understand it, leads to cooperation and brotherhood, as all we do and are,
is constantly interactive with every other being, near or far.

For example:  Atoms coming together under the laws of attraction and
consubstantiality of intelligent purpose make up molecules;  and molecules,
in their turn are made up of atoms.  Cells are made up of the intelligent
molecules and there are, in our bodies millions of different kinds of cells,
each is filled with the idea of cooperating with the others, so that the
body, as a whole may live;  and we, the Spirit/Soul, can find a residence in
that form.
This great Law works universally and in the Orient it is called KARMA.

Thus, in Theosophy  the basic concept is that each human is a representative
of God-- as a Spirit/Soul -- and it is incarnated in a physical body.  This
idea gives everyone the opportunity to contact that aspect of Deity (or
God-SPIRIT) which resides in him or her -- as it resides in all others.
Theosophy therefore views each human being as an immortal Spirit/Soul, and
because of the omnipresence of the SPIRIT-God, each human is viewed as a
BROTHER-SOUL.  Every religion in the world has this one great idea at its
root, but may express it differently.

Since the Spirit/Soul cannot be destroyed and survives the death of the
physical body, the concept of REINCARNATION  (whereby the Spirit/Soul uses
many successive bodies for the purpose of growth and experience) is held to
be the main factor of growth for us as the human race.  We reincarnate
successively with those with whom we have had the deepest effect-- whether
this be love, or hate or any of the emotions that we experience in daily
life.

Each incarnation on this Earth may be viewed as a "day" in the great School
of Universal Evolution.  We grow wiser with experience and either raise or
lower all beings around us -- as we are inter-related








              Dallas TenBroeck
              dalval@nwc,net

> From: ana maria
> Sent: Monday, September 14, 1998 6:52 AM
> Subject: Re: Darren's last message

    Hi everybody,
    It's the first time I write to a mail list and I subscribe to one too. I
am writing from Barcelona and first of all I would just like to say hello to
everybody in the list. I subscribed last week and I have been receiving your
messages since then. Frankly, I had no idea what your discussions could be
about and I was just curious to see. I confess I felt a bit frustrated after
a few days as the tone, to me, seemed too centered on what Eldon mentions in
his paragraph.

    2. The propagation of the fundamental ideas/doctrines/practices
    of Theosophy is far more important than the typography of a
    page of classic theosophical literature, far more important than
    if the word "milliard" or "billion" is used in a particular edition.
    Are we more concerned in the spreading of the ideas, or to paying
    homage to certain artifacts, like printed books, that are but one
    way of embodying the ideas?


    Being myself more of the "practical" line, to call it some way, as
Theosophy interests me mostly as something to practice in daily life rather
than as a matter of study, (notwithstanding the importance of the study) I
was just waiting for a while before making the decision to continue on the
list or to drop off. Darren's message, although "tinted by some anger" made
me think  it might be worth, as not everybody seemed comfortable there,
sitting behind the screen and reading about the use of "milliard" or
"billion" in a particular edition. I don't know much about editions, in fact
very little, because I am mainly interested in knowing myself and that is,
to me, a lifelong endeavour. I have to confess, too, that my main interest
is not, either, the propagation of the fundamental doctrines of Theosophy. I
don't think there is much point in convincing anybody who does not show the
least interest in such themes. But I am very willing to talk about my
Theosophical approach when or if they ask me about it. And I am more than
pleased if their motivation is generated by some kind of acting from my
part. To me, practising Theosophy is more difficult than studying it.
    Excuse me for the length of the message and greetings from a silent (for
the moment) and interested reader of your list.
    Ana.