Theos-Talk Archives (June 1999 Message tt00080)

June 24th 1999

 

Dear Doss:

 

I am in agreement with your views concerning the study of Theosophy. 

 

HPB does not claim "authority."   She claims to be a "messenger."  Specifically a messenger from the Great and Ancient Lodge of ADEPTS. 

 

In both ISIS and SD she disclaims any personal authority and gives the credit for the records she transmits to the Real Authors, the Mahatmas.

 

Since she was well aware that the Theosophical theories and hypotheses would be received with various degrees of incredulity from the academies, she was careful to make it clear that the information was in reality taken from the HISTORY that the Adepts and their disciples (chelas) had recorded down the ages.  All that she requested was "equal time" and open consideration of what Theosophy had to offer.

 

This suggests that THEOSOPHY is not a new fangled system of collated ideas drawn from many sources -- in fact if it were even that, then the marvel is of HPB's mind and capacity in drawing such a vast diversity together and showing how the many pieces hung together to form a seamless whole in the world of ideas and concepts.  In my experience and wide reading, there is no one who has written such a comprehensive view of our world, universe and the part that Mankind plays in that.

 

The immortality of man's Spirit/Soul and the "God-spirit" being present in every "life-atom" of our LIVING UNIVERSE are fundamental concepts.  Everything in Nature trends in its life-experience towards a higher degree of knowledge, wisdom, perfection.  Each life-cycle (incarnation) is like a separate day at school and all are drawn together by the uniting thread of the immortal, and eternal spiritual Self which is at their core.  In fact she shows how Theosophy traces the evolution of the "consciousness and intelligence" of the SPIRITUAL SOUL or Monad, through many forms -- from the atom to the human condition of independent free-will.

 

This sweep and concept is one that can be traced in every one of the great religions and philosophies of the world.  It is the record of their existence and of our participation, again and again, in those processes. 

 

Currently there is debate as to whether Theosophy has its roots in Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, etc...  It is understood that scholars who are deeply familiar with those systems and their development can trace similarities.  However HPB claims that all those were derived from the "Sanatana Dharma," the "Perennial Philosophy." which is a record of Life's development and history. 

 

As such it claims to be at the root and at the origin of all the great ancient religio-philosophical systems and provides a reason for their development as systems of practice leading to that kind of "initiation" which develops Wisdom in thought and mind as well as simultaneously the application of compassion and harmlessness in motive.

 

Thus, Theosophy is not exclusively religion, philosophy but also includes science -- s the power to investigate and record the workings of NATURE  (Life as a whole) in every stage and department of the world and our Universe.

 

The sweep of the ever-present immortal Life, through cycles of evolution lead at last to the "all-Knowingness" of the PERFECTED MAN.  The designation Mahatma (Great Soul) is one that includes all such self-developed men of superior knowledge and nature.  The SECRET DOCTRINE therefore speaks of those as the intelligent guides, and assistants that Nature employs to guide a fresh evolutionary effort, a "new Day" of evolutionary progress for all beings.

 

If this is grasped the minute details and studies of specialists, while respected, as continuing proof of the inclusive nature of Theosophy, is also shown to be but the outer covering, to be but one way to approach to the the interior mystery of man's own mind, and its almost infinite capacities. 

 

If this infinite capacity of the human mind to grow and to understand the most simple, as well as the most complex subjects is grasped, the more learned will continually encourage the learners to investigate and prove for themselves all avenues, however diverse, of information, tradition and lore.  And that is the always growing tip of the

self-enlightening Mind.  It always widens out to that which is permanent and universal, when given a chance to emerge from ignorance, doubt, skepticism and lethargy.

 

Best wishes, as always,

 

Dallas

 

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

Dallas
dalval@nwc.net 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-theos-talk@pippin.imagiware.com [mailto:owner-theos-talk@pippin.imagiware.com]On Behalf Of M K Ramadoss
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 1999 9:17 PM
To: theos-talk@theosophy.com
Subject: Theos-World theosophy

Dear Dallas: See my comments below. ...doss

At 04:33 AM 6/22/1999 -0700, W. Dallas TenBroeck wrote:
>June 22
>
>Dear Doss:
>
>Thanks for the endorsement. I am constantly amazed at the scholarship that
>shows itself among those who contribute to our exchanges.
>
>Now if some of that valuable time could be additionally placed on the study
>of Theosophy in order to find out if in itself it is cohesive and has
>validity, we might all profit greatly from such a study.

As a non scholar and novice, I found that a quick review of Isis and SD, convinced me that HPB presented a comprehensive "hypothesis" covering man(woman) and the universe. Until such time I find a better "hypothesis", I am quite happy and content to proceed with my life with HPB's "hypothesis" as a backdrop or foundation. It is hoped that personal experiences may confirm or deny parts of it. As every one knows, there are always going to be things that one may not be able to verify personally. HPB's herself has acknowledged it in her writings. So I would stay god speed in our studies.

>Is it possible to demonstrate independently of what HPB says in SD and Isis
>and her Articles that The Theosophy of those early eras generated Hinduism,
>Buddhism, etc... we would have a further demonstration and vindication of
>the actual and present value of Theosophy.

When we deal with the Great Religions, there are several problems. The first one, the language used in the early days when they were founded. The vocabulary may have had a totally different meaning than what we are used to -- even assuming we understand the language. I do not know how many of the religious material is written down in a tangible medium. I assume a vast majority may have never been written down - but orally communicated and handed down from generation to generation. Then you have the allegorical nature as well as other means used to conceal some of the fundamental doctrines or ideas because it would have been fatal for them to be communicated due to then existing political conditions. Then again as oral transmittal took place, there might have been attempts to *improve* or edit them which would have further corrupted unconscionably. So what we know now may by Nth hand material whose real original meaning would have been lost. In trying to reconcile them with what HPB has written, can be a formidable task -- unless there comes an Adept who has first hand knowledge and can confirm or deny that HPB has written. Even then, the Adept's word may not be accepted because he/she does not have a PhD from a top university or even Adept's life may be at risk. These days they may not stone or crucify but simply get shot -- guns are easy to get and quick to kill.

So, with all the above, I do not want to discourage anyone from trying. Let us try and see where we go and what we find.

mkr

>
>
>Dal
>
>Dallas
>dalval@nwc.net 
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-theos-talk@pippin.imagiware.com
>[mailto:owner-theos-talk@pippin.imagiware.com]On Behalf Of M K Ramadoss
>Sent: Monday, June 21, 1999 10:09 AM
>To: theos-talk@theosophy.com
>Subject: RE: Theos-World Response to Dallas == DID HPB GO TO TIBET?
>
>
>At 07:26 AM 6/21/1999 -0700, Dallas wrote:
>>June 21 1999
>>However, the stability of THEOSOPHY as a philosophy ought to stand as its
>>own vindication.
>>
>>I note that everyone of the so-called "critics" (from the days of HPB to
>the
>>present) is nibbling around the edges, but no one has so far demonstrated
>>that the CORE IDEAS and TEACHINGS are faulty as a whole.
>
>Dallas, you have hit the nail on its head. Before HPB presented the Core
>Ideas and Teachings to the world at large, except for a handful of people,
>world knew nothing about them and very difficult to find them either even
>if one wanted to find them. Introducing them 120 years back was a far more
>formidable task than it is today with the changed world culture and with
>the modern technological amenities. Some thing to think and meditate about.
>
>I agree that all of us who are beneficiaries of being exposed to the Core
>Ideas and Teachings should make it easier for the novices to focus on them.
>After all, in the final analysis we are dealing with our lives and if each
>one of us can benefit from the Core Ideas and Teachings, they are far more
>important than anything else. I may sound selfish; but if I cannot benefit
>from them, how do I hope they are going to help others.
>
>Keep up the good work.
>
>....doss
>
>
>
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