Theos-Talk Archives (September 1999 Message tt00040)

Hi Art,

> and I appreciate your response which seems to tally with your
experiences...

Actually, what does tally with my experiences is that groups vary from time
to time and place to place and depending on who's in them either
facilitating, teaching or as members.  There are many approaches to running
groups, as you may know.  There are some really good groups and some really
bad ones, and a whole variety in between, regardless of whether they are
Theosophy groups or not.  It just doesn't make sense to make sweeping
generalisations and describe all Theosophy groups as "bookish and quaint",
to use your phrase.

> The lessons are similar to the ones they were bored to tears with in
school...

What lessons are you talking about, Art?  Is this your own experience of
studying or are you applying this to all the Theosophy study groups that go
on around the planet?

> Whats more if the inquirer has had learning disabilities and dyslexia...
the
> question: What have you read? Can be a real "put down" or viewed as a
> further count of their unworthiness.... Trust me on this one... I've  been
> running a small discussion group for only the past 3-4 mos. and
> it comes up more than we like to think..

Yes, it might do in some cases.  Trying to find out more about people does
require a little tact, doesn't it.  But I'm sure Theosophists around the
world probably have more than one question (ie "What have you read?") they
ask in their approach to newcomers.

> The other point Peter is that an encounter at a theosophy meeting may be
> the first and dreadfully only taste an inquirer has of what
> theosophy is...
> ergo they will judge us by our actions... all of us... and generalizations
> will be made... is this unfair? Maybe.

I'm not sure fairness is a good yardstick here.  What I understand you to be
saying is that, as Theosophists, we need to take some responsibility for the
'what' and 'how' we share of Theosophy with others.  I think you are
absolutely right on this.  Equally importantly, I also think the 'enquirer'
has to take responsibility for their own learning.  S/he is not a passive
victim dependent on us getting our presentation perfect.  I think the whole
matter is more complex than you portray it eg, one only has to reflect on
the stories of the aspirant who overcomes many obstacles to reach the temple
doors only to get them slammed in his/her face by the Teacher, as a test of
genuine determination for the 'truth'.  'Who' or 'what' our so called
'first' encounter with Theosophy may be is likely to be the outcome of our
own Karma and past efforts.  Is our desire for the truth so feeble that we
will be put off by personality of the the first few people we meet?

> I've heard so many times the argument... Don't judge Christianity by the
> Christians... Similarly, encounters at meetings should be the first
> encounter the seeker has with the Ancient Wisdom ergo it is so essential
> for them to see what theosophy is through us in more than superficial
study
> materials or books...

Well, I would disagree with you here, Art.  It would be a mistake to judge
the laws of Physics upon what kind of personality the science teacher has.
And I would say the same principle applies to the laws of Metaphysics.  If
we want to make an impression on 'newcomers'  perhaps it should be to let
them know that we are not perfect, that our understanding is limited and
like 'them' we struggle as best we can along the way towards the 'ideal'. We
are all in it together and it is this spirit we try to approach the Ancient
Wisom.

What is superficial study?  Are "The Secret Doctrine", "The Bhagavad Gita",
"The Upanishads" superficial?  The 'source' of the material obviously plays
a part but I wonder whether it relies more on our own quality of 'mind' us
as to whether we experience these great works as "superficial" or 'deep',
meaningless of profoundly meaning-full.

Best wishes,

Peter



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