Theos-Talk Archives (August 2000 Message tt00024)

I do not understand it in that fashion, merely that once
Self-consciousness (of the Buddhi and Atman) is obtained one does
not return to the limitations of personal and Kamic consciousness
which is that of the  animal kingdom.

>From the Self-consciousness stage of mind-manas-man the
evolutionary path moves upward and from our point of view becomes
Universal.  The Buddha or the Adept is a term used to indicate a
manasic consciousness that has widened to the universal
perceptions available in an ever widening and deepening field of
awareness.  This includes compassion, law, Karma, and
brotherhood, as I understand it.

This is of course a very abbreviated answer,

Dal

D. T. B.

-----Original Message-----
From: kymsmith@micron.net [mailto:kymsmith@micron.net]
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2000 12:18 AM
To: Theosophy Study List
Subject: Re: theos-l digest: August 21, 2000

Dallas wrote:

>There is an aphorism:  Once a man, always a man.
>
>This merely says that the human form is the one that is equipped
>with sensitive matter which will respond to the needs of a MIND.

The aphorism could also suggest that the evolution of "man" into
another
even "higher" form is NOT possible.  Could even suggest that once
born a
man, one needn't worry about ever being reincarnated into a
female.  'Tis
the problem with aphorisms - beauty is in the eyes of the
beholder.

>The animal "form" is no doubt composed of MONADS (as is the
human
>form) but the degree of sensitivity that has been acquired by
the
>dominant Monad (that which is gradually evolving into a "human"
>Monad (a mind-being) in the animal stage is not yet capable of
>that which one calls the "personal state of consciousness."

Many people who study and work closely with animals would
disagree with the
notion that an animal has no "personal state of consciousness."
In fact,
the more we learn about animals, the more obvious it is becoming
that
animals do indeed have a sense of individuality and personal
choice.  The
idea that animals work off of ONLY a 'group mindset' has been
disproven by
many recorded examples should someone care enough to study the
literature.
On the other hand, human behavior itself reflects that a 'group
mindset' is
still quite prominent.  Our social system is founded upon this
'group' idea
and need.

The only way to suppose that an entity has a sense of
"self-consciousness"
is through their behavior and expressed beliefs.  Animals
frequently
exhibit the behavior of "self-consciousness", but humans have yet
to absorb
the fact that once animals are taught how to speak the language
of humans
(making animals, of course, do most of the work), animals even
use the term
"me" in proper context.

This all boils down to the concept that unless other groups
follow tangible
human rules, then humanity can, and must, conclude that these
other groups
are somehow inferior.

To me, in the critical thinking arena, such an idea seem absurd.

>HPB provides us with information about this in her articles:

I am aware of HPB's ideas regarding animals.  And I view her
texts as I do
other texts, such as the Bible - meaning, they contain both
wisdom and
ignorance and are authored by individuals who were influenced,
not only by
spirituality, but by their times.  HPB was human.  Jesus was
human.  Buddha
was human.  You are human.  I am human.  And sometimes, humans
insist upon
ideas and things that, in the end, are just plain wrong.  One
sign of
intelligence is the ability to change one's mind - to rethink
ideas.
Therefore, I must wonder that if HPB were alive today and knew
what we now
know about animals whether she would still postulate the same
exact notions
or glean the same exact conclusions from the teachings of the
"Masters."

And I doubt she would be pleased to know that many Theosophists
decided
that most everything she stated in the 1800's must be true today.
The
greatest compliment to a teacher is for the student to eventually
exceed
and expand beyond the teacher.

Oh, by the way, I'm glad to hear you are feeling better despite
the fact
that sometimes you remind me of the complex experience of a grain
of sand
in my shoe.


Kym



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