Theos-Talk Archives (May 2000 Message tt00384)

This is the direction I was going.It all seems gray to me.Is
enlightenment a finish line to cross?When does some one "become" an
initiate or a master?Who decides this?It seems more of a endless process
to me.Of corse there are those wiser and more intelligent who can ADVISE
but I'm sorry even masters can err I beleive.Using the scientific method
is all well and good but it was devised my men.So much is a matter of
interpretation and perspective.I agree there is the truth and
discovering it is theosophy.               your friend scotty
D.Caldwell/M.Graye wrote:
> 
> In 1889 H.P. Blavatsky wrote about "charlatanesque imitations of Occultism
> and Theosophy."  She wrote about "garbled" and "distorted" and "disfigured"
> and "falsified" versions of Theosophy.  She contrasted all of this with
> "pure  Esoteric Philosophy and knowledge."  See her words at the end of this
> email.
> 
> My questions to Todd Lorentz and all other readers of this email are:
> 
> Do you believe that there are such "garbled" and "distorted" presentations
> of Theosophy?
> 
> If so, can you give any examples of such "charlatanesque imitations" in the
> last 109 years?
> 
> How do you determine or distinguish the disfigured and falsifed versions of
> Thesophy from the "pure Esoteric Philosophy" and genuine Theosophy?
> 
> Do you believe that every person since 1891 who has claimed to be in contact
> with HPB's Masters and/or has claimed to be the new messenger of her Masters
> was IN FACT telling the truth?
> 
> Or could some of these persons' teachings and claims be nothing but
> "charlatanesque imitations of Occultism and Theosophy"?
> 
> How do you determine which claims and teachings are true?
> 
> And how do you determine which claims and teachings are really
> "charlatanesque imitations of Occultism and Theosophy"?
> 
> Does H.P. Blavatsky in her writings give students any guidelines and
> criteria by which such questions can be answered?
> 
> Below is HPB's warning.
> 
> Daniel
> 
> H.P.B. wrote in 1889:
> 
> "Before entering upon the first installment of the Instructions to be given
> to the Esoteric Section, it is necessary to call the special attention of
> its members to a new and rapidly growing DANGER which is threatening the
> Theosophical Society and the spread of the PURE  Esoteric Philosophy and
> knowledge in the U.S.A.
> 
> I allude to those CHARLATANESQUE IMITATIONS of Occultism and Theosophy of
> which the 'Call to the Awakened,' lately published in the Boston Esoteric,
> is the most glaring example.
> 
> The danger in this particular case is the greater because some men of real
> scientific attainments and knowledge seem to have been drawn into it, and
> thus give to it an appearance of real knowledge which may easily DECEIVE the
> unwary.
> 
> By PANDERING to the prejudices of people, and especially by adopting the
> FALSE ideas of a personal God and a personal, carnalized Saviour, as the
> groundwork of their teaching, the leaders of this 'swindle' (for such it is)
> are endeavoring to draw men to them and in particular to turn Theosophists
> from the TRUE path.  The H. B. of L., of shameful memory in England, has now
> found a worthy substitute in the Esoteric College in Boston founded by a
> 'Brahmin of Irish descent, thousands of years old; (Vide 'A Call from the
> Unseen,' etc.)
> 
> Stealing from us our esoteric Sanskrit terms, our facts --- which he
> DISFIGURES --- and even our motto, 'There is No Religion Higher than Truth,'
> this self-styled illuminator is sure to prepare thousands of enemies to
> Theosophy, when those 'awakened' by him will awaken to the sad truth of
> having been swindled by this 'Brahmin' & Co.  Let all Theosophists be warned
> in time by the Esotericists. . . .
> 
> A close examination will assuredly reveal the whole scheme as a mere device
> for money getting and selfish gratification, in which materials largely
> stolen, as said, from Theosophical writings are DISTORTED and FALSIFIED so
> as to be palmed off on the unwary as revelations of new and undreamed of
> truths.  But many will neither have the time nor the opportunity for such a
> thorough investigation; and before they become aware of the IMPOSTURE they
> may be led far from the Truth, as well as be despoiled of their property
> and, worse than that, of their health.
> 
> Under these circumstances, it is the duty of all members of the E. S. in
> America to do their utmost to unmask such movements, for nothing is more
> dangerous to Esoteric Truth than the GARBLED and DISTORTED versions
> disfigured to suit the prejudices and tastes of men in general. . . . . "
> Caps added.  http://sites.netscape.net/dhcblainfo/hpbes1extract.htm
> 
> -- THEOSOPHY WORLD -- Theosophical Talk -- theos-talk@theosophy.com
> 
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