Theos-Talk Archives (September 1999 Message tt00054)

Hi Art,

> Correct me if I've misread your words but do you not support
> imposing the writings of HPB is a necessary curricula for all
> theosophists or at least most of them in study groups or centers...

I have not been a member of the TS for a long time so I have no right to say
what it should or shouldn't do.  I am simply a life long student of
Theosophy and in particular of HPB and the Mahatmas.  I would certainly wish
to see the TS *encourage* a serious study of the works of its founders ie
HPB and the Masters, but there simply isn't any point trying to impose this
on any one.  It also goes against the whole spirit of Theosophy.

Each person needs to decide for themselves their own direction in this
respect and each should be free to speak up and extoll the virtues of their
own tradition.  If people wish to study Sankaracharya, Tarot, Tibetan
Buddhism, the Life of Jesus as their spiritual path this is not something
for others to judge or condemn.  What I do challenge is the ideas put
forward in this group that the works of HPB and the Mahatma are no longer
relevant and that those who study them are stuck in the past.   Is the aim
now to evolve a TS that encourages the "2nd Object" -  namely the study of
"Aryan and other scriptures of the World's religions... to vindicate the
importance of Asiatic literature"  but ridicules the study of HPB and
condemns such study as the likely cause of TS's decline?

> I think the writings of HPB have certainly been around enough in the past
> century... they are available on the internet,,, in print, so there has
> been plenty of exposure to them at least among the relatively
> small numbers of theosophists left on the planet.

The writings of all kinds of traditions have been around enough in the past
century and these are also found on the internet.  But that doesn't stop you
suggesting studying these.  So, simply in terms of circulation, what is the
distinction you are drawing between HPB's works and other traditions?

> Maybe Peter, I'm incorrect in this but I don't see lots of seeking souls
> clammering for the printed works of HPB or the Mahatma Letters.

I think you are right about this, just as it is probably correct to say we
don't see lots of people clammering to join a TS which has largely
disregarded the works of HPB and the Mahatmas for many many years. In fact
the numbers are ever reclining.  As I mentioned in my previous post, here in
the UK I do see a slow but steady increase in the demand for HPB's works.
This is evidenced at a commercial level in the increasing number of
bookshops that now continually stock her books.  I am also aware directly of
a growing number of people who take an interest and seek out HPB's works,
though most of them don't belong to the TS.  But what this means in terms of
serious application or the future of the Theosophical Movement only time
will tell.

> One point that I would like to add for your consideration.... and that is
> the very motto of the Theosophical Society itself: "There is no religion
> higher than truth."

I don't believe I have suggested anything that goes against this motto, Art.
I would suggest that those who feel truly inspired by those words and the
purpose for which the TS was created take the trouble to study the profound
works of its author and founders.

> Is it indeed truth that we uphold when we hold to the existence of these
> Masters?

I'm not sure I understand what you mean here, could you say more?

Best wishes

Peter


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