Theos-Talk Archives (February 2000 Message tt00017)

Theosophy World Editor wrote:
> 
> The following message was posted to theos-talk, but due to
> some mistake of the majordomo mailing list program, did not
> go out.
> 
> >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>>
> 
> -- THEOSOPHY WORLD -- Theosophical Talk -- theos-talk@theosophy.com
> 
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    I'am neophyte ,I tend to agree with Mr.Rodak though.Intuition;gut
feeling;right knowledge?I can't articulate the certainity that one feels
when a correct and just decision is made;of course depending on each
situation similar decisions may have very different consequences.
Still after all is said and done we are all on the path to the great
outcome?;ofcourse there after probably lies another path.If so I'm
looking forward to it and perhaps accompaning you along the way.
          Sincerely,Scott Holloman

-- THEOSOPHY WORLD -- Theosophical Talk -- theos-talk@theosophy.com

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