Theos-Talk Archives (September 1999 Message tt00008)

In a message dated 9/2/99 1:03:06 AM, lgregory@discover.net writes:

<< The Terma tradition I think
could be transferred to the finding of the Nag Hammadi Scrolls, the Dead
Sea Scrolls and the recent Kheroshti script scrolls in Afganistan. As to
the Masters and the transmission or channeling of material to HPB and Alice
Bailey as well as Madame Roerich and others, I think it has been not a true
Terma Tradition (my opinion) but a discrediting of truth in some ways... it
sought to fill the gaps as Dallas would say, but it has caused controversy
and is not in my opinion as verifiable as legitimate discoveries being made
in central asia and elsewhere >>

Yes, Art -- then we agree completely.  And I also think you make a good point 
in the previous email to Dallas about modern saints.  Theosophy does seem to 
have become frozen at around 1890.  But yet we like to claim that Masters are 
active all the time.  So this seems like a contradiction.  Without HPB and 
Judge to speak for us, many seem quite frightened to point to modern 
Theosophical efforts when then proceed outside our lodges.

I agree that the work of Besant, Leadbeater, Bailey, Roerich and others, 
while perhaps helpful in some way, has been more "altering" of Theosophy, and 
not "renewing" like true Termas.  The damage done by such schisms is well 
nigh incalculable, though quite predictable (even predicted by HPB herself in 
her own writings).

But we must not be afraid to see our Masters' work in the present world.  
Many will agree with me, I think, when I point out that Sri Aurobindu, 
Paramahansa Yogananda, Satya Sai Baba, Mohandas Gandhi, the current Dalai 
Lama and many others have come out of India (to name just one location) who 
are almost certainly doing some aspects of Masters' work.  I think we should 
not hesitate to join forces with such personages, their followers and their 
organizations, and see how we can help humanity jointly.

I am very disappointed to find that, in the main, Theosophy this century has 
tended to be insular, pretending to have the truth, the whole truth, and 
nothing but -- and waiting for the world-weary to show up on its doorsteps.  
The problems is: there are a great many doorsteps to show up on, and it is 
becoming more and more difficult to make the case that Theosophy stands head 
and shoulders above the rest!  

So I ask the group, what does Theosophy have to offer that no readily 
accesible spiritual group today has?  I would be very interested to hear 
replies.

Rich

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