Theos-Talk Archives (January 1999 Message tt00334)

Daniel wrote:

> >
> >But the question to ask is whether what Rich is encouraging is REALLY "a
> >distraction from the true message of Theosophy."  It could be a distraction but
> >again maybe it is not.
> >
> >Concerning the naturalist Quatrefages:  Since HPB mentions and quotes from his
> >works on dozens of pages in the Secret Doctrine, why is it a distraction or
> waste
> >of time
> to try to gain *some* background information on this scientist and his
> >work?  I would suggest that knowing something about this scientist and his
> theories
> >might help the student understand (mentally/and-or/intuitionally) more
> fully what
> >Madame Blavatsky is writing about.  Is this so bad????????

Tony replied:

>
> There is nothing bad about it.  It just seems upsidedown.

Daniel comments:
Maybe it is upsidedown.  But exactly what do you mean by that word?  Can you put
into words for this forum what you are actually "getting at"?  Furthermore, how are
suggesting that one should pursue it "rightsideup".


Daniel wrote:

>
> >Another example out of 10,000:  thoughout many of HPB's writings, starting with
> >ISIS UNVEILED, we find references to Norse mythology, Odin, Thor, etc.  If the
> >reader knows little or nothing about this Norse (Germanic) literature, then
> I would
> >think that many of HPB's comments and insights might go right over the
> student's
> >head.  Simply acquainting oneself with the basic knowledge about Norse
> mythology
> >might help one to understand HPB's text better.  Is this a distraction from the
> >true message of Theosophy?

Tony replied:

> Interestingly, we are at opposite ends again Daniel.  It can be helpful.
> Why not look at it the other way round?
> Because of THEOSOPHY and HPB, we are now able to understand the basics of
> Norse mythology.
> Hopefully you agree with this too?

Daniel comments:

Well, I don't know if I agree because I'm not really sure I understand what you are
conveying in your above statement.  I can reread and reread what HPB says about
Norse mythology but unless I know the basic stories, themes, gods, etc. of this
mythology, I will probably not be in a good position to understand what HPB is
conveying in her commentary on this subject.  In other words, HPB does not narrate
all of Norse mythology and then comment on it.  She offers comments, very
insightful, etc., but unless I know enough about Norse mythology in and of itself,
many of her comments will go right over my head.

Okay, I'm at my "end".  Please tell me what is at your end?  I have no idea what is
over there at your end.  I would hope you would attempt to describe your view.  I
must say that in many respects your comments and your views appear more enigmatic to
me than what HPB and the Mahatmas have written!!!

I certainly agree with the statement that HPB's writings can help us to understand
the inner meaning of Norse mythology.


Daniel wrote:

> >I personally like to read what HPB writes and I try to understand what she is
> >getting at.  But many times I have to educate myself in this or that subject in
> >order to appreciate what HPB is writing about.  I believe this is part of
> what Rich
> >was trying to convey.

Tony replied:

>
> That is your approach, and that is fine, but there other ways too.

I'm sure there are other ways.  But I am trying to understand what ONE  of those
other ways are which you mention but as far as I know have not outlined and
described.

And let me say that I am not describing YOUR way as a "distraction".  I believe it
was you who suggested that Rich's approach was possibly a "distraction".    And you
seemed to imply even more by the following words:

"The outer man, the inner (Astral?) man, and the inner spiritual man.   Which do you
feel may be leading you to 'Accompanying notes to last century's people and ideas,
as well as technical terms in other languages'?"

If you are even faintly suggesting that Rich's approach is that of the "outer man"
and that your approach is that of "the inner spiritual man", then would you please
for Rich's benefit as well as for others on this list, please, please describe your
approach?? Others might actually benefit.