Theos-Talk Archives (September 1999 Message tt00103)

Rich writes:

"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."

Daniel replies:

I really haven't seen anyone attempt to answer your question, Rich.  Did I
miss someone's reply?

I also think it would be insightful to get your own reply to this question.
HINT, HINT!!

I will attempt a brief ..

I believe I've read far and wide on spiritual, religious, metaphysical and
occult subjects.  I've read Aurobindo to Zolar.  I've studied the Kaballah
and Gnosticism and read Jung, Ken Wilbur, and works in spiritualism and
mediumship and psychical research from Myers & Podmore to Bailey, Prophet,
Seth and Oahaspe.  I tried to read works on yoga and Buddhism and dozens of
other subjects.  OBTW one of my favorite authors has been Aurobindo
especially his insights into the hidden side of the Vedas.        ETC ETC
ETC

I certainly don't think I'm an expert on any of these subjects and no doubt
there are many on this list who know alot more about these subjects than I
do.  But I've tried to survey whole traditions east and west, ancient and
modern.  And from this bird's eye view, I must admit that Blavatsky is one
of the few writers who covers in the 10,000 + pages of her writing vast
areas on all the subjects mentioned above.  AND EVEN MORE SUBJECTS THAT I
CAN'T LIST RIGHT NOW.

10 years ago or so---Joseph Campbell's books and videos became the "fad" and
"rage".  OBTW, mythology is one of my favorite subjects.  Yet more than 100
years ago HPB was writing about comparative mythology and symbology and it
appears to me her insights and knowledge certainly rival even a Joseph
Campbell.  And bear in mind, mythology is just one of the many subjects
dealt with in HPB's writings.

I know of no writer that comes close to doing what HPB has done in her
writings.  If there is such a writer, please someone let me know!!!!!

OBTW, there is a considerable amount of material in HPB's and the Mahatma's
writings on meditation, yoga and the
spiritual path.  No doubt, someone could compile in one volume all of this
relevant material.  It appears to me that there is a considerable amount of
guidance on these subjects in the Blavatsky and Mahatmic corpus.

Rich, have you found a Tibetan writer or lama who has written extensively on
the diverse subjects that HPB wrote about?

Maybe I am unduly impressed by this feat of HPB's but I think it almost
stands unparallel in the annals of religion and related subjects.

Art apparently is totally unimpressed with HPB's writings or with the
Mahatma Letters.  Yet the Mahatma Letters alone is a remarkable production
so full of knowledge, wisdom and yes guidance relevant even today as I write
these words.  More on this later in another email.

Am I'm missing out on something or is there new esoteric knowledge out there
that makes the HPB/Mahatmic productions look like a naive 101 beginners
textbook? ???

I believe that HPB's books and articles deserve careful study AND
contemplation.  That doesn't mean that what HPB wrote should be considered
as the final word on anything.  To study her works is not to suggest that
one shouldn't study what has been written on similar subjects by other
authors and writers.  But what's wrong with a deep and careful study of her
writings????  This I think is what Dallas is basically always advocating.

Last time I checked no one was holding a gun to anyone's head saying "Read
Blavatsky or die!"



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