Theos-Talk Archives (February 2000 Message tt00015)

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>From: LeonMaurer@aol.com
>Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2000 03:30:19 EST
>Subject: Re: Further Thoughts Re: "The Path" As I Perceive It
>
>Dear Jim,
>
>Thank you for sending me your thoughts on "The Path" and on "Spirituality."  
>(I hadn't seen it before, since I do not yet subscribe to bn-basic.)  Most of 
>my correspondence is with the scientific forums studying consciousness... 
>And, occasionally, I post on BN-study and theos-world -- either copies of my 
>science forum dialogues that have theosophical interest, or when I feel it 
>necessary to steer theosophists toward the more practical group efforts of 
>helping and teaching others (who are caught up in the insidious worlds of 
>Earth and Mankind destroying materialism) what they need to know to save 
>themselves and the planet from potential destruction... Which, I see as 
>inevitable, if they don't learn their true natures, mend their ways, and use 
>their latent spiritual and psychic powers in universal action to re-harmonize 
>the disturbed fields of consciousness (astral-kama-manas) of both the Earth 
>and the Human race as a whole.  
>
>Many of us, in the Movement, who understand the real purpose of the Masters 
>teachings, as given out by HPB for the benefit of all, know that if Humanity 
>as a whole doesn't catch up on the million years of evolution lost to us in 
>the past, the race may not survive the next hundred years.  So, there is much 
>more to theosophy, than the mere personal attainment of spirituality.  A 
>purely selfish goal by itself, and relatively meaningless for the ultimate 
>purpose of the "Movement" -- if that is all that one strives for and 
>considers to be the only "Path."
>
>As for over-stressing the use of book learning to gain spirituality, I am 
>entirely in agreement with you.  I also think that H. P. Blavatsky would also 
>agree, since she constantly stressed the necessity of following the "hearp 
>meditation alone... The practice for which she gave us in the "Voice of the 
>Silence" (and which W. Q. Judge gave us in his translation of the "Yoga 
>Aphorisms of Patanjali").  
>
>But, there is more to such meditative practice, beyond the mere finding of 
>one's spiritual center.  One must also become THAT Spiritual Self, and act 
>for and as the Self.  But, even that is only a part of the total means of 
>becoming a full fledged "Theosophist" (as well as an effective "agent" of the 
>Masters) who can ACT, intelligently, in the "true service of Humanity" -- and 
>thereby, become "better able to help and teach others."  (See; The 
>Declaration of the United Lodge of Theosophists.)  
>
>To become as, and to be able to act for "THAT," one must not only have the 
>power of knowledge (of "the synthesis of science, religion and philosophy") 
>along with a profound understanding of the three "Fundamental Principles" or 
>Propositions... But, one must also have the spiritual wisdom and intuitive 
>knowledge leading to an understanding of and the ability to utilize the 
>"unexplained laws of nature and the psychical powers latent in man" (3rd 
>Object of the Theosophical Movement)... 
>
>All this requires "self determined and self devised" study, along with 
>clearly directed meditation (concentration) on what is learned.  Thus, the 
>importance of combining, in such study, the meditational guide books such as 
>VOS and Patanjali, along with the "text" books such as the SD -- as well as 
>all the other tutorial literature and articles of HPB and WQJ.  Together, 
>they make up a complete, integrated course of study on the science, the 
>philosophy, and the religion (or yoga) of theosophy... No part of which can 
>stand alone.  The teachings of theosophy were not given out solely for the 
>attainment of one's personal enlightenment.  From the standpoint of the 'ends 
>in view' of the Theosophical Movement, that could be a useless and wasted 
>effort, to say the least -- if not done solely for the benefit of others.
>
>Therefore, besides gaining one's own "realization of the Self" (experiencing 
>the Spirit within) through simple introspective meditation while following 
>the "heart doctrine" path -- one must also (to be of ultimate use to the 
>'Movement'), simultaneously follow the practical "head doctrine" path -- both 
>of which are combined in the three "Objects of the Theosophical Movement."  
>i.e., 1) To form the nucleus of the Universal brotherhood of humanity... 2) 
>The study of ancient and modern religions, philosophies and sciences and... 
>3) The investigation of the unexplained laws of nature and the psychical 
>powers latent in man.    
>
>This requires careful study of and meditation on the 'Fundamental 
>Principles,' along with the scientific background behind the Cosmogenesis and 
>Anthropogenesis that is taught in the Secret Doctrine.  Such study leads the 
>"intuitive student" toward ferreting out the "mysteries" hidden "within and 
>around the words" and "between the lines" -- as he/she follows the Rajah yoga 
>path toward ultimately understanding the secret formulas and correlation of 
>forces laid out symbolically in the Book of Dzyan.
>
>As you say, when one achieves spiritual enlightenment, one intuitively will 
>know the right things to do that is ethical and moral in any situation.  But 
>theosophy goes much deeper than that.  Theosophy is concerned with those that 
>have not achieved such enlightenment.  And, when situations face one that 
>concern the welfare of other having many different and opposing degrees of 
>ignorance or false knowledge, one needs much more than good intentions in 
>finding what is the right action.  As the Buddha said, "Right action requires 
>right knowledge."  You can't save a drowning person if you can't swim.  And, 
>trying to help and teach those who are caught up in the ignorance of their 
>lower natures and who are suffering the bad karma of materialism, along with 
>the depredations brought upon themselves by the lower aspects of their seven 
>fold natures -- requires a great deal of theosophical knowledge (and wisdom). 
>  But Atma (Spirit) alone, in spite of its inherent wisdom, is helpless to act 
>effectively without the powers of Buddhi and higher Manas (intuition, memory, 
>and mind) -- where such knowledge is stored, and is available to us as a 
>guide to our actions.
>
>Only deep study of the theosophical literature can give you this knowledge, 
>in order to be able to act correctly with the help of the wisdom gained by 
>realization of the Self -- (i.e., Being ONE with the light of the Divine 
>Source of all Wisdom which, in itself, cannot act without our gained 
>knowledge of this world and the way it works.)  Therefore, no matter how much 
>one has become spiritually aware, if one doesn't understand the insidious 
>power of our lower nature by studying it and its relationship to all seven of 
>our inner natures (and those of the Universe, "As above, so below") -- one 
>may never overcome it -- and, like the rest of the world, possibly remain the 
>victim of it.  
>
>So, to find out how all our inner natures function and interrelate -- it's 
>essential that one reads and studies all the theosophical books (or listen to 
>all the teachers who can explain it).  As this is done, linkages will be made 
>with whatever we learned and did along these lines in our past lives, and our 
>intuition will open the doors to the ancient knowledge of the Adepts -- who 
>fully understand, and can utilize, the unexplained laws of nature and the 
>psychical powers latent in man.  That's the real purpose of the 'Theosophical 
>Movement' and its underlying teachings, as written down by HPB, as well as by 
>many others in the ancient and modern religious, scientific and philosophical 
>literature that she points us to. 
>
>So, I admire the intuitive way you have understood and explained the natural 
>way to arrive at a realization of the spirit, and also your recognition of 
>the need for further study and meditation on the teachings. (which could very 
>well indicates a prior life as a theosophical initiate, or Chela).  It stands 
>to reason, that if one is to devote one's life to be "better able to help and 
>teach others," what better way to empower such efforts than by being "in 
>love" with the Supreme spirit -- of which we each, as the individual rays of 
>its divine energy, are an integral partner.
>
>I hope this helps.
>
>Leon Maurer
>
>http://www.tellworld.com/Astro.Biological.Coenergetics/
>http://members.aol.com/uniwldarts/uniworld.artisans.guild/chakrafield.html
>
>--------------------------------
>In a message dated 2/5/0 2:41:14 AM, rodakjl@pcola.gulf.net writes:
> >
> > Dear Leon -
> >
> >     I recently posted this on the BN-basic as my personal thoughts  re: "The
> > Path."  Perhaps you read it.  I had hoped that it would have generated. some
> > feedback, esp. since I was taking a less "bookish" approach to explaining
> > how I, personally,  perceived the subject.
> >
> >       I have come to respect your
> > observations and comments re: theosophical matters and would welcome
> > your thoughts/critique re: my writeup -- whenever you get a chance.
> > I look forward to your reply.
> >                                                 V/R,   Jim Rodak
>
> >>Greetings:
>
>I have pondered over the many thoughtful submissions re: "the path"
>and "spirituality" that have recently appeared on this wonderful,
>educational, theosophical website.  However, I must confess that
>sometimes I get a sense from reading some of the comments that there are 
>respondents who, with genuine  sincerity,  believe that answers to their 
>questions re: "the path"and "spirituality" can be found in some book, from 
>dialogue,  and/or by conducting their lives in some special way.  I do not 
>discount the importance of what can be found in theosophical texts, from
>discussions from well-informed theosophical brethren, or in living a noble, 
>moral lifestyle but, in my opinion, there is a lot of introspection and 
>"pondering" that the Pilgrim has to do in concert with readings, discussions
>and living.  Some of my "personal ponderings" re: this matter follow.
>
>I sincerely believe that "The Path" is, in reality, our true. Self, fully 
>manifested: an "emanation from the Divine" - if you will - that is an 
>integral aspect of our physical being.  However, in the process of living 
>life, many mortals choose to ignore their Divine nature and acquiesce to 
>a life of self-centerdness, sensualism, and acquisitiveness.  The Divine 
>within then becomes silent: deaf ears having been turned to its still, quiet 
>voice, the purpose of which is to guide us toward that which is ethically and 
>morally and, yes, spiritually right.
>
>It is also my opinion that we all have the innate ability, freedom and power 
>to choose the right course of action in any situation that mortal life 
>presents 
>us with.  Our Divine nature will, if given the chance, speak to us of "the 
>right 
>thing to do" if only we will take the time to listen intently and simply ask 
>our 
>true Self, "What is the correct moral and ethical decision that I must make 
>in 
>this situation?"  The answer will be made patently clear if we are sincere in 
>our invocation.  We must then act, without compromise, reservation or 
>equivocation.  It is in the listening to and acting upon that inner voice - 
>our 
>true Self - that we become enlightened as to our Divine nature and purpose in 
>life, and that our true Self advances toward, and ultimately returns, whence 
>it 
>came.
>
>You will then recognize that you are unified with the Presence, the Invisible 
>Cause, and have that "intuitive sense of knowing" that you are on the Path.  
>I liken it to "being in love."  I have never known anyone to have really 
>captured 
>"the feeling" of being "in love."  It is an elusive, indescribable feeling 
>that 
>escapes being articulated, either in writing or in speach.  But there is no 
>doubt that when you've "found it", that what you "feel," is "it." So often 
>"it" 
>is prefaced with the words, "Well, it's like **********."  I believe that is 
>the way "being on the path" or "experiencing spirituality" is.  We can say 
>that "[It] is like **********." but, in reality, only by having that 
>"intuitive 
>sense of knowing" in the depths of our being will we sense that "we've 
>arrived."  There is no magic checklist, in my view, that will indicate that 
>you have finally "arrived" on "the path" or "found spirituality."  But you'll 
>know and sense it when it happens, when you've found "it."
>
>These are some personal ponderings that I wanted to share with my 
>fellow Pilgrims.  
>
>I look forward to your comments and thoughts.
>
>Most Respectfully,    Jim Rodak>> 


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