Theos-Talk Archives (January 2000 Message tt00036)

Jan 11 2000

Dear Shersy:

I have thought about your question as to understanding Theosophy
as taught in the SD.

I would say that one ought to first acquaint themselves with the
basic concepts, and those can be found in the SD Itself.  There
exists a small pamphlet titled:  THE "SECRET DOCTRINE" AND ITS
STUDY.  By P. G.  Bowen -- one of HPB's direct students.  Talking
this study of the SD over with HPB he drew from her some valuable
ideas and put them into this pamphlet.

HPB recommended that we first consult the "Three Fundamental
Principles" which are in Vol. 1, pp 14 - 19.  They concern
themselves with :

1.  the Universality of DEITY -- that all beings are INCLUDED in
the One Essential "SPIRIT" -- which some name "GOD."  Broadly
this is frequently referred to as NATURE.  Every being in the
Universe is considered to be basically a "Ray" of this Spirit.
It is within, and not outside it.  It is often called the MONAD,
and in Man: THE HIGHER SELF.  And this includes as an operating
base the idea of the 2nd fundamental:

2.  LAW -- universal, impersonal, and always active.  The whole
Universe is sensitive and is aimed at an ever rising intelligence
which after many aeons culminates in human MIND.  The Human being
when endowed with the Mind becomes FREE to CHOOSE his or her own
way of life.  This entails the responsibility to choose his own
"path" of individual progress.  He becomes aware of the
difference between "good" and "evil."

This is because the Universe is basically a "moral universe."
Every being in it from atom to star has the same opportunities.
Each is an IMMORTAL and progress is eternal.  The difference
between good and evil is a knowledge of Law -- the many Laws of
Nature can be summarized in one word:  BROTHERHOOD.  Hence "good"
is a voluntary compliance and cooperation with Universal Law.
"Evil" is the deliberate breaking of those Laws.

Before any choice is made one discovers that the VOICE OF
CONSCIENCE -- which emanates from the HIGHER SELF (mentioned
above) -- speaks to us.  It does this because it is as ancient as
our Monad (it is a part of it) and has a record of our
experiences in the past.  It warns us if we are about to repeat
an error.

3.  The 3rd Fundamental is already mentioned.  It is the
Universal EVOLUTION in intelligence and capacity of all living
things.  There is no "dead" matter, or 'refuse" that gets swept
into a pile of forgotten things.  Every least speck of "matter"
is alive and animated by its own inherent MONAD.

The "Three Fundamentals" are in the section INTRODUCTORY  (Vol.
1).

Beginning on page 272 in Vol 1. is a SUMMING UP.  This ought to
be carefully read.

In the 2nd Vol. of SD read the PRELIMINARY NOTES and the
CONCLUSION at the end of the book.

If you consider the sequence of what HPB wrote (between 1877 and
1891) you will note that her books and articles serve as a
continuous link to learning and a growth in the understanding of
Theosophy.

1.  ISIS UNVEILED - 1877 -  (Dedicated to Members of the
Theosophical Society) introduces in a general way the subjects
that will be considered and gives a link through literature to
enable the reader to TRACE their ancient and modern usage.  The
invisible Universe is disclosed -- the astral.  The conflict of
various religious creeds is resolved by appealing to their
sources and origins.  these demonstrate the Similarity of
Teachings of all the ancient Prophets, Seers, Sages, and Sons of
God.

>From 1879 to 1888 HPB wrote numerous articles and notes in the
magazines THEOSOPHIST, India  (1879 on to 1891);  and then,
later, in LUCIFER (London, 1887-97).  These have been gathered
into a 3 Vol. set by the ULT, and by the TS into a 15 Vol. set
titled BALAVATSKY:  COLLECTED WRITINGS -- arranged
chronologically.

1888 saw the publishing of the SECRET DOCTRINE (Dedicated to "all
true Theosophists in every country, for they drew it forth and
for them it is recorded.")  This draws together the more secret
inner teachings of Theosophy or what is also called the HEART
DOCTRINE.  It covers the evolution of worlds and the evolution of
Man as a physical form as well as a developing Intelligence.
This Intelligence is show to be dual:  psychic and spiritual.

In 1889 HPB published the KEY TO THEOSOPHY.  It is just over 300
pages long and is dedicated by "H. P. B." to "all her pupils that
they may learn and teach in their turn."  In this HPB has taken a
series of questions asked by students down the years concerning
Theosophy and the Theosophical Society and made answers
available.  It is a most valuable introduction to Theosophy, and
ought to be first read.  Of special interest is the section on
Human Consciousness and Practical Theosophy.

In 1889 HPB also published the VOICE OF THE SILENCE (Dedicated to
the "Few.")  By this she meant those "few" who desired to put the
theory and doctrines offered as propositions by Theosophy into
practical use in their own living.

HPB died May 8th 1891 and was in the process of publishing the
THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY.  It was completed and published by her
secretary Mr. G.R.S.Mead.

If you desire a quick review:

An impersonal spiritual FORCE stands behind the whole of
Manifestation.  Our Universe is one a series of such
Manifestations.

We as Humans, alive today, are the latest of a series of
incarnations.

Every atom and every unit (MONAD) of the Universe, of our World,
and of ourselves is alive and is in essence a "perpetual motion
machine," an IMMORTAL being.

The Spirit/Soul/Mind (MONAD) never dies, but it uses many bodies
in succession.  That is Reincarnation.

The Universe runs in all places, times and for all people by a
series of universal and impersonal undeviating LAWS.  To break
Nature's laws invokes a response that is educative, impersonal
and exact;  and, may seem to be punitive -- this is called KARMA,
or, action and reaction.

The whole of Nature and every being in it from the MONAD to the
Galaxy is evolving in awareness, intelligence, consciousness.
The culmination, or perfection of these faculties is called
WISDOM,  Wisdom is the ability to know all the interacting and
cooperative LAWS of our world and being, and then put that
knowledge into practice through benevolence, tolerance,
generosity and BROTHERHOOD.  The more advanced students teach the
younger ones -- this is a cooperative duty.

The important thing to remember is that Theosophy is
non-sectarian, entirely scientific in work, and in the
examination of facts and events.  One might call it "a report on
the History of the World and Universe," since it offers us a
summary of the working (laws) of these surroundings of ours, and
also a statement of our position and potentials.

Finally it declares that Mankind represents the summit of all
evolution and the MIND is that power which enables us to envisage
both our "beginnings" and our potential "GOAL."   We are free,
but responsible to Nature as a whole.  Hence this is called a
"Moral Universe."

Our present trials are the result of our past choices.  Our
future is entirely in our own hands. We shape the nature of our
future progress and either accelerate or retard it.

I hope this may prove useful.  It at least gives you a scope to
think about.

Best wishes,

Dallas


-----Original Message-----
From: Shersy17@aol.com [mailto:Shersy17@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 11, 2000 5:13 AM
Subject: [bn-study] Re: "What are "neo-theosophists ?"


In a message dated 1/9/2000 12:54:38 PM, carmil1 writes:

<< I wonder if it would be possible to discuss the writings of H.
P.
Blavatsky with anyone. . . . I would be very interested in
hearing from anyone who would
share their understanding of theosophy as taught in the Secret
Doctrine.

thanks

Sherry

[RC: Thanks you your letter.  Actually I am trying to get this
discussion
back on tract where we do discuss HPB here.  . . .  snip  ]

	SNIP

==========	SENT EARLIER		===============


	MAGIC  and The Evolution of Religion


The Secret Doctrine teaches history, says H.P.B. in SD I  267
(top).

"The Secret Doctrine (or Wisdom-Religion) is not a series of
vague theories or treatises, but is all that can be given out in
this century.  It will be centuries before much more is given."
(SD I  xxxviii).

"Theosophy is not a belief or dogma formulated or invented by
man, but is a knowledge of the laws which govern the evolution of
the physical, astral, psychical and intellectual constituents of
nature and of man."  Mr. Judge in THE OCEAN OF THEOSOPHY ( p. 1 )

In the most early times Wisdom and Religion were synonymous.  In
the development of language, the word "maga," says the Secret
Doctrine, was used in Atlantis to signify the wise "priests of
the Sun" (SD II  322-3).  In ancient Persia the term was used by
the first Zarathustra (Zoroaster)  It is derived from the
Sanskrit: 'guru-istar' or "Star-wisdom teacher." Later it was
used to designate the Magi who were the "Sons of God"  (SD II
772), and  "magic" was the word used to denote their collective
wisdom.

In the course of the last 10,000 years (since the deluge that
signalized the submersion of Poseidonis, the last significant
island-mass of great Atlantis, (9,566 BC -- SD II 406, 444fn,
ISIS I 589-94)  and the formation in central Asia of the Gobi
desert),  tribes that emigrated from India into the areas now
known as Afghanistan, Iran, and the "Near East" carried with them
aspects of this knowledge.  (SD I  319,  444-5,   II   200,
470-1)

We can trace its existence in the teachings and  traditions of
the 14 Zoroasters of ancient Persia, the last, (600 BC) being a
contemporary of Gautama the Buddha, Lao-tse and Pythagoras. (SD
II  6fn, 241, 266, 470-1, SD  I  319).  The fabled wisdom of the
Druids in Europe and Britain, was a part of the universal "magic"
that was the common  property of all races and all nations in the
history of the world. (SD II  756)  So to was the wisdom of the
ancient Maya and Inca civilizations. (SD II 34-5fn, 50fn,  SD I
267fn, 390, 745, also HPB's article A LAND OF MYSTERY,
"Theosophist,"  1880, March/August)

One of the marks of that knowledge is the establishment of
astronomical observatories -- which can be found all around the
world on every continent (SD I 646, 659-68,  II  534-5, 620-1,
699)   The ancient Greeks traced their ancestry to the
Pelasgians -- Atlantean refugees and settlers fleeing from that
last great cataclysm. (SD II  345 745-6).  Cyclopean buildings,
temples, forts, cities, and other monuments are evidence of the
vast ancient achievements which cannot be wholly denied.
Another lies in the use of terracing mountains and the diverting
of rivers over the land as they emerge from mountains in Asia,
China, India, Burma, Thailand, Philippines, Peru, Equador, Egypt,
Mesopotamia, Persia, Afghanistan, etc.  All are irrigation
projects of extreme antiquity.

Ancient Egypt and its many monuments can only be accounted for as
proof of the establishment there of an early Atlantean colony (SD
II  344, 431-2, 436, 743, 750).  The universal representation of
the Zodiac on archaic monuments and temples shows that those same
"ancients" (who were ourselves in earlier incarnations) had a
knowledge of mathematics, astronomy, calculus, physical science,
chemistry, engineering, architecture, hydrodynamics and
astro-physics -- and, some of these sciences we have been
refining, verifying and using in the past 70 years. (SD I
647-50,  II  66, 332, 431-2, 435-6, 620-1, 750)  In ISIS
UNVEILED, HPB has devoted many pages to displaying the evidence
of Egyptian wisdom and its practical use.  (ISIS  I  518 - 574.)

We have been playing "catch-up" after a very great period of
almost 1500 years of obscurity, and ignorance, in the West, while
those sciences were still well-known and practiced in China and
India.  There are manuscripts available to prove this.  (ISIS I
593-628)  It is now found that Theological craft, in Europe and
elsewhere,  made itself responsible for this state of affairs.
Since the Renaissance in Europe, beginning in the 16th Century,
the increasing freedom in study of the laws inherent in Nature
has brought about our present technological excellence.  We might
call this "Western occultism."

The Perennial Philosophy -- the Secret Doctrine of the Wise --
has always taught that the whole Universe, every aspect of it,
from the smallest atom up into the most universal of forms, is
alive, conscious and participates cooperatively,  to the level of
its inherent consciousness in the great thrust of complex and
universal Evolution.  Every least being is to be considered a
living being, a "spark" of the Original ONE LIFE.  In
Theosophical terms, it is a "Monad."  (Atma-Buddhi or
SPIRIT-WISDOM).  It/they, everything, is conscious. (SD I  274,
628-33).  The form used by any one of these can be dispersed, but
it is impossible to kill the ever-living Spirit-Soul.

SNIP


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