Theos-Talk Archives (August 1999 Message tt00037)

Aug 23

Dear Art:

There is no question that the age of man and his development is a
matter for much controversy.

However it needs, in my esteem to be made as clear as possible.
And this is because it is difficult, for those who are not
trained in scientific thought and examination.

Our problem is that most of us rely on science for accuracy in
description and information.

Most of our Sciences have been relatively short lived and their
history is (as you say) one of controversy and opinion

They rely very heavily on hypotheses and theories -- and
unfortunately these are taught to must as though they were proven
truths.  Which they are NOT.  As we pass down our individual
corridors of life we begin to find is we are attentive that there
are gaps and holes that are not filled.

What we were taught as fact and truth is found to be a guess or
an assumption -- later to be used by new discoveries,
measurements, etc...

Personally I would respect Science far more if they invited us
into their investigative mode, and encouraged us all, from the
very beginning, to look into the facts of life that surround us
and for which they are devising, as time progresses, more and
more valuable instrumentation with which to test and record
observations.

I am adding to this first part of the essay some data culled from
the SECRET DOCTRINE, and from Science so that the History aspect
of the Secret Doctrine (comprising the 3 lines of evolution -- SD
I 181) may be compared with the estimates that Science has
devised based on material evidence alone.  It is interesting to
see how the Science in HPB's time made estimates of antiquity,
and how the latest dating techniques have altered those.

Thanks and best wishes.

There is no question that you are right is surmising that the
philosophy and ethics of Theosophy are most important and ought
to receive our attention.  In fact if you review the positing for
the past 2 or 3 years you will find hardly any which regard the
discoveries and theories of Science, and place them in comparison
with those of Theosophy.

I would also observe that there is a moral in connection with any
attempt to set right the ideas that emanate from Science, or any
other source, and which serve to teach the young.

We are either telling them the truth, or we are feeding them
guesses and lies.  I read in the paper even today, that
theological values concerning "creationism" (or rather the
sectarian interpretation of passages in the Bible -- which has
already gone through so many hands and minds that the original
meaning is quite obscured ) are to be considered by certain State
School Boards to be substituted for "evolutionism" on their
luckless charges.  Imagine how much is to be unlearned by those
who eventually are able to escape from such an influence.
"There are none so blind as those who will not see."

Best wishes.


Dallas

dalval@nwc.net 


-----Original Message-----
From: owner-theos-talk@pippin.imagiware.com
[mailto:owner-theos-talk@pippin.imagiware.com]On Behalf Of The
Clan
Sent: Monday, August 23, 1999 8:05 AM
To: theos-talk@theosophy.com
Subject: Re: Theos-World Part ONE. Lemuria, Atlantis, Geological
Catastrophes, Man'sEvolutionary Path


Thank you Dallas for your information regarding the ancient
history of the
human race and the lost continents, etc.

 I think people often get tied up in endless controversy over
these
matters... at least I have observed it happen on occasion and
wonder that
as theosophists we sometimes need to retrench or regroup about
possibly
more essential teachings so that our energies can be better
directed...
perhaps an assessment needs to be done to trim down what it is to
be truly
a theosophist and then start from there.

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

DALLAS:

I THOROUGHLY AGREE TO THIS ART.

WOULD YOU CALL THE FOLLOWING LIST A GOOD BASIS OF THEOSOPHICAL
PRINCIPLES?

----------------------

What is the impact of Theosophy on our minds and thinking?

1.  It gets rid of the idea of "sin."  The fear of "sin" makes
life miserable.

2.  It points to the fact that every thing we do (thought,
desire, speaking, listening, etc...) are choices.  We choose all
the time.

3.  Everyone of us frames his own destiny.


Comment:

Our future is largely the result of our present choices.  But
sometimes we are confronted with "accidents" and those may be the
fruit of our choices (and actions)  in a previous life -- come
back to haunt us, and for us to learn from now.  [ we are
immortals as "Souls/Minds," and it is the Soul-Mind  that is
learning all the time. ]

The only "sin" is the sin of being selfish;  of not giving
friendly consideration to others.

Theosophy affirms the MORAL EXISTENCE of the Real Living Nature
all around us.  Every act of ours brings about consequences and
these are "good" or "bad" -- painful or pleasant according to the
way we imprinted them with our desires (our MOTIVES).

So we have to watch the quality of our desires, and especially
our MOTIVES.  And we ought to do a lot of thinking before we act
(or 'react') impulsively

The moral motive (universalism) is always generated by a human
mind, a THOUGHT and its MOTIVE.

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

DALLAS

This leads me to offer a few simple ideas, which ought to be well
considered from time to time to see if they are fair and useful.
Also if they are generally true.


1.  GOD is absolutely everything.  DEITY is EVERYWHERE.  [ Not
located in just one place.]

The Deity is not separate from Nature, or from any one of us.
Therefore the closest place to God is within our own Soul and
Mind.


2.  LAW, that is true and fair and just runs absolutely
EVERYTHING.

Just as we are a part of God, so all Nature is a part of us.  It
gives us life, it flows in and out of us -- like air, water,
food, light and heat, all the time.  Nature and God are ONE.  If
we do good or evil, the effects follow us -- and the only way we
can escape the effects is to make as full a restitution as
possible to the one offended if we have done that.  If we have
difficult times, we can only blame ourselves, not "fate," or
"others."


3.  EVOLUTION is UNIVERSAL.

Every being and form is becoming wiser through experience.
 Example:  A stone becomes a lichen, then a plant and then a tree
bearing fruit.  The plant becomes an ameba, then an insect, and
develops more complex instincts in the higher animal forms.  This
is the evolution of the physical form and its intelligence:
instinct. ]

Inside the physical form is an "Intelligence."  We call that the
instinct to live, to survive, to love and protect the young, to
sacrifice one's life for others.  [ Example:  If we cut
ourselves, the blood that flows there does 2 things.  1.  It
fights invading germs (the white cells); and 2, it coagulates and
forms a healing scab (the platelets) -- that gradually close the
wound and prevent more blood from flowing;  and then gradually,
the intelligence in the body causes a scar and healing.  But the
individual "cells" which defend, and those that coagulate, they
die as units in their attempt to preserve the more important life
of the physical human body. ]


4.  Everything is CONSCIOUS.  Consciousness is immortal and
eternal.

A unit of consciousness is made up of three components:  1. a
Life-Center (a Ray of Deity);  2.  a bodily form (a field of
force in and around which physical atoms and molecules are drawn
and stick);  and, 3.  a mind and a feeling nature -- something
that notices change and is able to "learn."

These three are always together whether we are awake or asleep,
whether we are alive in our bodies, or dead and awaiting a new
birth.  They NEVER DIE.


5.  The whole of Nature -- our Universe and world -- are a
COOPERATIVE.

Without sharing and helping others in return,  we could not live
for a minute.  We need air, water, food, shelter, -- and these
are provided from outside, from other beings.  We are to offer
them some assistance in return.


6.  The "Astral Model Form" made of electricity and light is
"born" ahead of the physical body.

The physical atoms and molecules adhere to the electro-magnetic
ASTRAL FORM as it develops.  This process begins within the womb,
and then outside it when the being emerges and begins to learn
about living.  We are adding and changing our physical form
moment by moment, all the time, but, inside we are stable and the
Astral Form retains that shape.  That's why a rose is a Rose, and
not a Pear Tree.


7.  Humans, in addition to this astral stability, have a UNITY OF
MIND and CONSCIOUSNESS.  This is the SOUL, the MIND, the
IDENTITY.

This our REAL SELF.  It is IMMORTAL.  it cannot be killed, or
damned, or "sent to hell."  It is the reincarnating human
being -- a "ray of the Deity."  And, from it, and to it,
everything in life is directed.  It is the LEARNER inside of us.

All humans are ETERNAL PILGRIMS.  We learn and improve as we
live.  The most important factor in our living is that we can do
things physically, and think about them and their consequences
while we are doing them.  Actually, it is preferable to do that
thinking and deciding BEFORE we act.

================================
 DALLAS

If you like this, think about these things and try to put them
together.

You should try to see if they are true.  If you agree, then will
have acquired the fundamental ideas of Theosophy for your own
ready use in all situations.  These serve the VOICE OF CONSCIENCE
and reinforce it.  This VOICE is the Living Deity within us.  It
tries to warn and speak to us all the time, and specially, when
we make decisions.

It is a philosophy of life (a name need not be given to it) which
will be found to be useful everywhere.  But you have to test it
independently.  Use only that which you understand.

Some of this you already know very well.  Some aspects may seem
new, but they have to be checked to see if they are reasonable,
logical and universally applicable -- hence "true."

------------------------------------

ART
In saying this I don't mean to imply that the teachings of the
ancient
evolution of the human race are not important... they are! I just
feel that
as theosophists we need to focus on priorities or decide on
priorities that
need emphasis, - Art Gregory


lgregory@discover.net




















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