Theos-Talk Archives (September 1999 Message tt00014)

Rich wrote:

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

Good question Rich! I was thinking of focusing on positive strengths that
as theosophists we can build on... The following could be some areas:

Some strengths we should be showing as theosophists...To me Theosophy
stands or falls on the openess to others... inquirers who first attend a
meeting... The openness and friendliness of the first contact is a
statement of our brotherhood/sisterhood and fraternal regard for other
beings, a kindness and compassion for all beings.

If we are outgoing, friendly, willing to listen to people first I think you
will see people responding... If we turn them off by suggesting they must
study a book we appear too intellectual to them and fail to connect., The
natural curiosity of people will lead them to the books anyway and
practical studies can then be suggested...

EGALITARIANISM:

 I dislike very much the need to prove oneself (tell about yourself and
what you've read or studied so we can put you the seeker in your place)
that goes on before one is accepted (if they are ever accepted!)... the
implication being that among theosophists there is this stuffy elitism and
lets look down the long nose at the world and other people...We must
studiously avoid putting people in cubbies where we think they belong and
offer the same  acceptance and love to all..once and for all...

UNIVERSALITY:

Another area of our strength is a willingness to appreciate knowledge and
wisdom no matter from what source as a helpful step to the spiritual
liberation and enlightenment of the race... this follows with the
acceptance we should be showing to incarnate beings...

If the ideas are the most essential message that is to be conveyed then
quote the Buddha, Sankara, the Sufi sages.. worry less about the outer form
and focus on the truth being conveyed... in this way the nexus of truth is
focused on rather than the garment. When this focus on truth occurs we are
also demonstrating our kinship with other traditions.

YOGA

To me the practise of Yoga is a lifestyle, a way of relating to self and
others.. it implies a humility and willingness to abase the self. Even our
eating habits and habiliments can convey a message that the world sorely
needs. People live the way they do not because they particularly like it or
because they made an intelligent choice. By our example an alternative life
style can be a silent teacher oe message even beyond words.


>
>SANKHYA, TIBETANISM, BUDDHISM, CHRISTIANITY, JUDAISM, TAOISM, ETC., THESE
>ARE ALL DERIVED FROM THEOSOPHY -- WHICH IS FAR MORE PRIMITIVE AS A
>PHILOSOPHICAL BASE FOR DESCRIBING THE PHILOSOPHICAL-RELIGIOUS SOURCE OF
>THEIR MORE RESTRICTED CONCLUSIONS. THEIR VERBIAGE HAS BEEN PROCESSED AGAIN
>AND AGAIN BY THEIR ADHERENTS, SO AS TO MAKE IT MORE PALATABLE TO THE MEN
>OF SUCCEEDING ERAS. JESUS' ARAMAIC WAS TRANSLATED INTO GREEK, THENCE INTO
>LATIN, AND FINALLY IN A VARIETY OF EDITIONS INTO ENGLISH.


lgregory@discover.net




















-- THEOSOPHY WORLD -- Theosophical Talk -- theos-talk@theosophy.com

Letters to the Editor, and discussion of theosophical ideas and
teachings. To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message consisting of
"subscribe" or "unsubscribe" to theos-talk-request@theosophy.com.