Theos-Talk Archives (August 2000 Message tt00016)

A month or more ago, there was discussion of whether pets were advisable for students of Theosophy. Sources for the "Authority" of the -No Pets under any circumstances- was, as in the case of half-remembered articles, was somewhat hazy.

 

In the meantime, I have come across an article that may be the basis for one of the opinions.

 

In BLAVATSKY COLLECTED WRITINGS, 1888, Volume IX, pages 155-162 is the article PRACTICAL OCCULTISM (Important to Students). (Published by the Theosophical Publishing House, Wheaton, & Madras, India.)

 

It was printed originally in LUCIFER Vol. II, No. 8, April 1888, pp. 150-154.

 

I don't know where this is available On-Line. HPB is making the distinction between the duties of the average Theosophist, and the aspiring Chela, who is regarded as a layman until the first initiation.

 

"It becomes neccessary, therefore, to state once for all:--"

 

"(a) The essential difference between theoretical and practical Occultism; or what is generally known as Theosophy on the one hand, and Occult science on the other, and:--

(b) The nature of the difficulties involved in the study of the later."

(italics mine -dwk-)

 

She says that most anyone with a good heart and good intents is a Theosophist. She devotes the remainder of the article to the difficutlies of the Chela in the Ashram.

 

"To give an approximate idea of the conditions under which alone the study of Divine Wisdom can be pursued with safety, that is without danger that Divine will give place to Black Magic, a page is given from the private rules with which every instructor in the East is furnished. "

 

She then gives 12 of 73 rules, with an explanation of each, and goes on to say that some of the others are so abtuse to be incomprehensible to the western student.

 

The first rule specifies that the place chosen for the instruction must not distract the mind, have colors arranged in a specific pattern, and not have any malignant influences hanging around in the air.

 

The number of students must be an odd number. The students are then observed in relationship with the other students.

 

"It is known that chelas otherwise promising and fit for the reception of truth, had to wait for years on account of their temper and the impossibility they felt to put themeslves in tune with their companions."

 

"8. A Lanoo (disciple) has to dread external living influence alone (magnetic emanations from living creatures). For this reason while at one with all, in his inner nature, he must take care to separate his outer (external) body from every foriegn influence: none must drink out of, or eat in his cup but himself. He must avoid bodily contact (i.e., being touched or touch) with human, as with animal being.

 

"[No pet animals are permitted and it is forbidden even to touch certain trees and plants. A disciple has to live, so to say, in his own atmosphere in order to individualize it for occult purposes.]"

 

"10. No animal food of whatever kind, nothing that has life in it, should be taken by the disciple..."

 

No wine and spirits, of course,

 

"[ Wine and Spirits are supposed to contain and preserve the bad magnetism of all the men who helped in their fabrication; the meat of each animal, to preserve the psychic characteristics of its kind.]"

 

There is more, of course -- a couple of pages.

 

It seems to me that the purposes of the rules about "no pets for any Theosophist" was incorrectly remembered a few months ago.

 

The article above specifies that you need to be a very high aspirant living with a Master in a specific community setting for the "No Pet" rule to apply, and does not really apply to the average Theosophist. It is interesting to me that the prohibition against meat has nothing to do with the killing of animals; the consideration is of the bad psychic influence it carries, and, I suppose, has no more moral implications than of touching another human being, such as, perhaps, your brother.

 

Dennis