Theos-Talk Archives (September 1998 Message tt00272)

Sept 23rd

Hi Linlee:

Nice to meet you.

WE are a group of question askers and truth seekers.

It is not data only that we look for and compare with what is commonly made
available to us through text-books, but we think about it and ask ourselves:
"Is it reasonable ?"  "Does it fit with facts already known ?"  "Is anything
being left out ?"

So we are constantly challenging ourselves and the information we get from
all around us, and especially from those who consider themselves
"authorities."

I you wonder what Theosophy is, then it is a way of thinking.

Some call it philosophy, and others call it metaphysics, or science, in any
case it encourages the independent faculty of each person to THINK and make
their own decisions.  Theosophy is not a religion, but it does form the
basis on which thoughtful persons can meet, discuss and arrive at an
increase in their own understanding about life and our place in the world.

It looks at the world around us as something that is ruled by many laws --
the LAWS OF NATURE -- and Science, and everyone who is living depends on
their accuracy and regularity, although many do not know all the details.

For instance, Theosophy draws our attention to the vast Universe in which
our World floats, and the fact that it lives in harmony with the rest of the
Solar system, and in turn that System lives in harmony with the Milky Way --
our Galaxy -- and the rest of that UNIVERSE.

It is said that GOD cannot be less than SPACE -- and as Space is universal,
so also is God -- or rather the vast powers and laws of Deity that keep
everything living harmoniously.

So we have the Universal Deific Principle -- and an aspect, a "ray" of that
is present in each one of us.  It is present in every smallest atom of life
as well as in the vast WHOLE.

Laws work everywhere.

The whole purpose of living is to learn.  Most people do not realize that
and think when they leave school or college that learning stops.  But it
does not.  We learn in business, we learn in and with our families and we
never stop learning until this body dies.

And that leads to the next great idea that Theosophy offers:  We are at the
very core of us where the Real "I" lives immortals.  ( If the Deity is
everywhere, then IT is also at the center of our own being, and is all
around us, in everything else.  So when this body dies the Real "I" rests
for a while and then is reborn to pick up the threads of learning and life
from the place where they were left -- just as every morning we pick up the
threads of our living every day.  As the Real Person inside, we are
immortals, but few think of that fact.

>From the idea of the universality of the deific principle  ( God is
everywhere ) is derived the idea of universal BROTHERHOOD.  WE are friends
to all creatures and all living things are friends to us in one way or
another.  WE al depend on air, water, food, and the proper functioning of
our bodies -- although we do not know all the details of how these things
work -- but, we are learning.

To make this simple, let me repeat:  Theosophy draws our attention to

1.    "God" is everywhere, IT is universal, and present in all living
things.

2.    LAW is everywhere and unites all living things into a great
brotherhood.

3.    All living things (atoms, men, worlds) are developing, living
together, learning in some way or another -- so experience and life never
stops.

4.    When we choose wrong we hurt the rest of our environment and other
people and Nature's laws react on the aggressor or the one who does hurt and
shows them sooner or later how and why they chose wrong -- we may then call
it suffering and pain, but, all such things are teaching/learning
experiences.  This is called the action of KARMA -- the Hindu word for LAW.

5.    Since we never die totally the Inner Spiritual person, the "I"
reincarnates  from time to time, and so Theosophy teaches REINCARNATION.

This is brief overview of what Theosophy talks about.

A good basic book to read is THE KEY TO THEOSOPHY by Mme. H. P. Blavatsky,
who is the first teacher of the system of philosophy that we call Theosophy.

Best whishes, and ask plenty of questions

Dallas

> From: "Girlseed (Linlee)" <girlseed@aol.com>
> Date: Tuesday, September 22, 1998 8:29 PM
> Subject: Hi everyone.

>My name is Linlee, I'm a 17 year old female learning about different
religions
>in an effort to find my own path.  Just wanted to say and introduce myself.
>
>Linlee