Theos-Talk Archives (September 1999 Message tt00152)

At 04:10 AM 09/14/1999 EDT, you wrote:
>This is addressed to everyone who reads it, to whom the shoe might fit.  
>
>In a message dated 9/4/99 12:27:30 PM, ramadoss@eden.com writes:
>
>>> At 07:42 AM 9/4/1999 -0700, lgregory@discover.net wrote:
>>>The concept of lodges is such a foreign one to me and yet it played a large
>>>role in the early formation os the TS... Secrecy... the membership being
>>>carefully selected and screened... the elitism involved... I think we have
>>>a lot to be grateful for that it is less a factor today than it was in the
>>>past. As a structure or institution a lodge would be male dominated and
>>>hierarchical ...the very attributes most despised today.- Art
>>
>>I hope you are right.
>>
>>During the days of Besant, she had openly stated that all the members of
>>the GC were members of the ES of which she was the head. 
>>
>>Any one wants to add?
>
>I wonder if either of these pontificators (judging from all their 
>correspondence on this and similar subjects) have ever been an "associated" 
>with the United Lodge of Theosophists?  If not, then maybe they ought to
find 
>out how theosophists can study and work together, while being totally 
>independent of any organizational affiliations, and without any prejudicial 
>limitations.  Maybe they also ought to carefully read its Declaration and 
>find out how such a Lodge works without any formal hierarchy, and carries
out 
>its business and its study classes, including "private" teachings (available 
>to those who can find out for themselves who the knowledgeable teachers are) 
>of correct meditational practices leading to enlightenment, along with the 
>Siddhis, by the way, as well as the direct linkages of theosophy with the 
>advanced, modern and "postmodern" physical sciences.  Such teachers do not 
>advertise.  Such teachings, slso, must be tailored for the needs of each 
>individual acolite. Remember the old Hermetic admonition to prospective 
>Adepts and Masters when they begin their search for spiritual knowledge -- 
>"to dare, to try, and to remain silent"?  
>>>>>clip<<<<<

Thanks for the  response. 

I recall there was a comment in one of the letters that real knowledge has
to be illumined from within and no amount of hocus pocus or gimmicks is
going to do it. As such I am waiting, especially because I feel that there
is some truth to Krishnamurti's statement that Truth is a Pathless Land.

As for TS(Adyar), the membership and leadership in branches may have
specific bias towards Besant or Leadbeater or some other leader's view of
theosophy, I found that as far as the individual beliefs are concerned
there was and is tolerance from the ordinary membership and it has helped
and encouraged me to have an independent view of things. It may be one of
the reasons why the membership is the largest amoung the various TSs.

Personally speaking while I hold the view of not throwing pearls before
swine, I have of late avoided joining anything "secret" or exclusive or
selective. It is quite possible that the moment you join any of these, then
the question of conformity arises which restricts freedom of thinking and
acting.

mkr


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