Theos-Talk Archives (September 1999 Message tt00033)

Sept 4th

Dear Doss:

First, thanks for reproducing those most valuable words from the
Mahatmas for us to consider.

As I read Theosophical Society history in the beginning the meetings
of the Lodges were "closed."  One had to be sponsored and then
initiated to become a "member."  At that time there was a ritual and
an introduction into the Lodge somewhat like the Masons.  Most of the
early members of the TS were in fact also masons.  Masonry had
apparently lost the impetus towards a deeper consideration of
esotericism.  Theosophy was an attempt to reintroduce that.

It took some years for the question of a ritual and entry procedure to
be dropped and then for TS meetings to be made "open to the public."

Later, when the idea of Co-Masonry was introduced as a part of the TS
sponsorship it was done because the original Masons did not allow
women to meet with men at the same meetings -- they had their own
"Orders" and "Meetings."

Grand Master Yarker recognized HPB for what she was and granted her
without any request a special Charter as "Mysterious Mason."

But that had nothing to do with Co-Masonry, which was an innovation of
the 1920s.

I believe the history of this is given in the book:

"THE THEOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT:  1875 -- 1950," which I believe sent to
you some months ago.

The book is based on the Documents of the TS and other documents
relating to individuals and events in the recent Theosophical
effort -- and it reflects its progress based on those solely.

Best wishes,

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: Thursday, September 02, 1999 9:57 PM
To: theos-talk@theosophy.com
Subject: RE: Theos-World What does Theosophy have that others don't?


At 07:20 PM 09/02/1999 -0700, W. Dallas TenBroeck wrote:
>
>I know this sounds awfully vague, but the aspirant to secret and
>occult wisdom using the hints that Theosophy offers, has to make
>himself into the "key" that will open the Gates of Gold.  He alone
can
>do this for himself.  The "Guru" may point the way, the adoptions
>depends on the student's ability to study and understand what he has
>been shown.  He alone determines his own fate.  The presence or
>absence of the Master" is not relevant

Well presented Dallas. A few days ago, I ran into the following
passage in
one of the letters from KH to APS which, I think clarifies the issue
very
very clearly.

Also what caught my attention is the comment on hocus pocus etc.

To be noted is that in the early days when the Founders were actively
communicating with the founders as well as other members of TS, there
was
no mention of the things such as the masonic ceremonies and churches
as
being necessary or conducive to spiritual enlightenment/ progress,
which
later became a fundamental (unwritten/unofficial) doctrine during the
days
of Besant and Leadbeater, and which has continued to this day.

===

The Occult Science is not one, in which secrets can be communicated of
a
sudden, by a written or even verbal communication. If so, all the
"Brothers" should have to do, would be to publish a Hand-book of the
art
which might be taught in schools as grammar is.

It is the common mistake of people that we willingly wrap ourselves
and our
powers in mystery -- that we wish to keep our knowledge to ourselves,
and
of our own will refuse -- "wantonly and deliberately" to communicate
it.
The truth is that till the neophyte attains to the condition necessary
for
that degree of Illumination to which, and for which, he is entitled
and
fitted, most if not all of the Secrets are incommunicable. The
receptivity
must be equal to the desire to instruct. The illumination must come
from
within.

Till then no hocus pocus of incantations, or mummery of appliances, no
metaphysical lectures or discussions, no self-imposed penance can give
it.

All these are but means to an end, and all we can do is to direct the
use
of such means as have been empirically found by the experience of ages
to
conduce to the required object. And this was and has been no secret
for
thousands of years..

Fasting, meditation, chastity of thought, word, and deed; silence for
certain periods of time to enable nature herself to speak to him who
comes
to her for information; government of the animal passions and
impulses;
utter unselfishness of intention, the use of certain incense and
fumigations for physiological purposes, have been published as the
means
since the days of Plato and Iamblichus in the West, and since the far
earlier times of our Indian Rishis.

(ML to APS; Letter #49)

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