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Dec 28, 1999 07:45 PM
by Jim Rodak
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----- Original Message -----
From: Jim Rodak
Subject: Research Paper: Third Object of T.S.A.
1. The following is submitted as an "open letter" article to be
posted on theos-talk.
Respectfully
yours: James L. (Jim) Rodak
Greetings My Fellow Theosophists:
I have been a member of the T.S.A for about four
years. For the past two years I have been conducting self-directed
research into the genesis and language of the Third Object.
The purpose of my research is to write a scholarly research paper on the
subject. I am not seeking remuneration in any form for my efforts. I
only seek more knowldege that I might be better informed and
enlightened, and enabled to share the knowledge gained with fellow Theosophists
and with those who might have an interest in the subject.
Of particular interest to me in this matter are
the words: "To investigate unexplained laws of Nature ...".
I have seriously pondered over these words since becoming a member of
the Society and often wondered: "What exactly did HPB, Olcott,
Judge and the other founding members of the Society have in mind/intend when
they approved and adopted that phraseology? What was their
purpose?
As many of you know, when the Society was formally
established and chartered, there was but one object, worded as follows:
"The objects of the Society are, to collect and diffuse a knowledge of
the laws which govern the universe." Being that both Olcott and
Judge were formally trained lawyers, I'm confident that they were deliberate in
their choice of the Object's language and what the "spirit and intent"
that the language adopted was to convey both to the informed member of
the Society and to the uninformed non-member. (Perhaps having both an
esoteric and exoteric meaning?)
To me, the words "unexplained laws of Nature"
appear to be contradictory - i.e., How can a
"law", by definition, be "unexplained"?
And the words "laws of Nature": What, exactly,
were the "laws of Nature" they were referring to:
Karma? Reincarnation? Clairvoyance? or, perhaps, phenomena
of some nature? And "investigate":
"Why? How? By what means? And for what purposes were
they going to conduct their investigations?
In my search of the Theosophical literature that I have
examined, I have yet to read a comprehensive, unambiguous discussion on and
/or explanation of this subject. At least not one that fully and
adequately satisfies my spiritual and intellectual curiosity.
Through this research project I am
confident that I will obtain a clearer understanding of what the founders
"spirit and intent" was when they decided on and adopted the language of
the Third Object. You can assist me in this endeavor by
contributing your knowledge, your opinions, and thoughts, your
references. Please provide complete citations for your references so that
I might do follow-up reviews.
In closing, I feel compelled to state that it is my
considered opinion that every serious member of the Society should have a clear,
unambiguous, unequivocal understanding of what each of the three Objects mean
and what they are intended to convey. The Objects are the mandated
fundamental tenets of the Society that each of us stated that we were "in
sympathy with" when we petitioned the Society for membership. It only
makes sense to me that we understand fully what we are "in sympathy with" as
members of our beloved Society.
Respectfully and fraternally yours: James L.
(Jim) Rodak < rodakjl@pcola.gulf.net
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