Theos-Talk Archives (April 1999 Message tt00127)

In a message dated 4/12/99 4:17:00 PM, schuelergerald@optec-hq.optec.army.mil 
writes:

(LHM)
>>Since, if enlightenment takes "practices of previous 
>>lifetimes", as you now apparently admit, then, it's not really
>>"enlightenment  in ONE lifetime", is it?
>>LHM
>
>(Jerry)
>No, of course it isn't. What it really is, is enlightenment
>in THIS lifetime, assuming that we have already done
>all the required preparation in past lives. This is all I
>ever said. You and most other Theosophists all
>seem to want to wait until the next kalpa or the next
>Round, which is self-defeating for this lifetime right now.

Slippery.  You did say, with reference to the possibility that if Milarepa 
could do it anyone could be enlightened in "ONE lifetime".  That's what we 
were talking about--which you, in your inimitable style, now twist into a 
whole new direction.  But, still, even though Milarepa was a "special" case, 
how does one get enlightenment in this lifetime if he has not already been 
prepared for it in past lifetimes (where he mitigated ALL his past bad 
karma)?  Any theosophist knows how easy that could be to finish up in THIS 
lifetime--if wanted.  So, YOUR "one lifetime" enlightenment as opposed to 
most theosophist's belief that it could be obtained in as least seven 
lifetimes, was just a lot of childish baloney to provoke argument... Right?

So, what makes you think US theosophists want to wait for the next kalpa or 
round?  And, why do you so self-righteously imply that to be so bad?  Or, 
does that mean to also imply that you are finally admitting that you are NOT 
really a theosophist at all, and just interested in promoting Tantric and 
Crowley magick practices as the ONLY ways?  If so, then why are we 
theosophists listening to your off-the-wall and "wild" conclusions about 
theosophy in general, and about US theosophists personally?  As far as I 
know, there isn't a theosophist that doesn't believe enlightenment can be 
obtained in as few lives as it takes to arrive at the circumstances that can 
mitigate or harmonize all accumulated past karma. (And for each of us that 
can be very different and take more or less time to resolve.)  

So, the only thing 'US' *real* theosophist believe, as far as I know, is that 
karma is immutable and can't be avoided or escaped ultimately... Although, it 
can be harmonized, if bad, by setting up reverse causes.  Of course, the 
choice of why some theosophists are willing to wait until the next kalpa, 
root race, or round before accepting Nirvana, has nothing to do with 
"self-defeatism."  It is simply because "real" theosophists who fully accept 
the implications of the first object, generally, (if sometimes unknowingly) 
also take the "Bodhisattva vow."  I wonder if you really know what that means 
in terms of how long one must wait before attaining Nirvana?  Although, that 
doesn't mean one can't be "enlightened" long before that.  (Now, of course, I 
expect you to respond that that was what you meant all along.:~)  

I would say that rather than us theosophists being self defeatist, it is you 
Magickians that are self defeating--by misunderstanding the nature of cyclic 
action (or karma) and how it resonates to the highest principles--far above 
the level that can be reached by (magi)ck or I(magi)nation--that can only 
work up to the level of the lower manas or higher astral.  At least now "us" 
theosophists will have a better idea of where you are coming from, and can 
discount much of what you say about theosophy, us theosophists or HPB's, 
W.QJ's, and the Master's teachings.

LHM



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