Theos-Talk Archives (January 1999 Message tt00220)

In a message dated 1/4/99 10:58:46 PM, John wrote:

>> These Dugpas are the enemies of theosophy as well as of the Masters ..
>
>Rather a sad phrase.  I consider myself a theosophist or student of the
>wisdom tradition but would never call anyone an "enemy".   Certainly
>there are aspects  one can dislike about a personality or a soul can
>even get so totally lost in an incarnation that the personality almost
>completely takes over.... but always there is the hope that they will
>find their way eventually.
>
>We also need to recognise that there are lessons in everyone's path and
>therefore to judge anyone simply because of one life is unwise.  To gain
>true wisdom we often need to fall into the deepest crevices, slowly climb
>out to the mountain peak to only fall again.

One of those lessons is to recognize evil when one sees it in action, and to
take whatever means necessary to counteract it, as well as to protect others
of lesser wisdom or greater ignorance from potential or actual harm.

>All roads lead to Nirvana.

Not all?  I'm sure Hitler's road, and the path of most of his conscienceless
"Dugpa" Nazi killers didn't lead them to Nirvana.  Sure, some of us can sink
to low depths of ignorance, even do evil acts out of ignorance--and,
eventually recover through our own self determined and self devised efforts..
. .  But, are we to stand by while these ignorant ones harm others?

This is not to say we have to counter violence with violence. . .  But, it is
our duty to protect others from harm by their "enemies", so to speak, who now
should become our enemies. . .  And, although it may mean some form of self-
sacrifice, even to performing necessary acts of violence--to fight evil is not
something to be ashamed of.  An equal positive force or action to counteract
or neutralize a negative force or action, makes no change in the "karma" of
either actor.  There are many levels of action, and battles against evil acts,
whether done out of ignorance or not, can be faught with ideas and words as
well as with weapon's of war.

But, what about those whose evil actions are not done out of ignorance, and
whose sole aims are to deny the "Light" and attain the "Darkness", or to gain
all material things for themselves at the expense of others?  What's
redeemable in those who, for their own selfish purposes, slaughter millions
without a qualm or who have "intent" to harm others either mentally,
emotionally or physically?  It's never a matter of "judging" but a matter of
awareness of possibilities, and an understanding of the true nature of
reality--which must attain an equal balance between light and dark--with a
constant flux and reflux as one or the other takes over the field of action.

We are now at a point in history--a mini Kali Yuga which comes at the end of
every minor "age" (such as our present 2,000+ year sub cycle of the great
Solar cycle) where the dark forces are closing in as the cycle begins to
descend toward its negative phase . . . And, its always been the mission of
theosophists to stem this tide as best they know how.  Some pray, some warn,
some teach, and some are forced to fight, sword against sword if necessary,
those who's intent it is to harm others of lesser strength or knowledge.
That's the way of the present world--and theosophists have to make their
choices accordingly, as to which role they wish to play.  But, to ignore it,
or to seek one's own escape, are both roads that leads in the direction
opposite Nirvana.  What ultimately happens to the human race or the planet
itself in this cycle is the responsibility of each and all of us.

Arjuna, as told in the Bhagavad Gita, had to face all of that in his Kali Yug.
He was forced to examine the motives of both himself and his evil relatives
(who, by their own choices, became his enemies) and make his choice--based on
the knowledge and wisdom given him by Krishna--to overcome his despondency,
pick up his bow, and commence the battle.  He realized that his destroying of
the evil forces would be an act of mercy to protect all those that they would
harm.  This is the same battle that goes on within ourselves, as we face the
"enemy" of our lower desire nature whose aim is to destroy our higher self and
blind our conscience..  That enemy, too, has to be forcibly resisted if we are
to achieve Nirvana or true Self realization.  In fact, it must be "killed" out
completely, if we are not to fall off the mountain top again and again.
That's the "dweller on the threshold", who hides below our subtlest inner
awareness, and who must be finally overcome if we would cross over into the
bliss of eternal self knowledge.

Perhaps we ought to study what HPB said about the "Brothers of the Shadow"
(Black magicians whom she labeled as "Dugpas") and also about the "Wars in
Heaven"--and why they must be fought inevitably--even by the so called, "gods"
or "Masters"..

We also might read the Bhagavad Gita, keeping open to its, 3 times 6 levels of
metaphorical and metaphysical symbology, and see what Krishna has to say about
the duty of a Kshatria (warrior), and how he explains the true meaning of
karma.   HPB was such a warrior, and she vigorously fought--with words of
truth, admonitions, counter arguments, and warnings--all who would turn
theosophists from their path or try to lead them toward dangerous roads.
Those were HPB's and the Masters' enemies as well as the enemies of theosophy.
. . And, they all said so, and acted accordingly.

Some roads lead to separateness, desire for power and wealth, ultimate
selfishness and corrupton, and final annihilation of the Monad.  Those who
point in such directions are doing harm to both themselves and others.
Therefore, since, as Krishna pointed out, "inaction in a deed of mercy is
action in a deadly sin", those who Know and stand by doing nothing, are
themselves traveling a dangerous road.  There's no protection from those who
take the "left hand path", and who wish to take others with them, than to be
vigilant and to resist them at every turn.  It's also the duty of all
theosophists to protect, alert, or warn others when they see actions that
might lead to harm of others--whether such actions are intentional or not.

LHM