Theos-Talk Archives (November 2000 Message tt00085)

Peter,

I was wondering if these ideas are more or less in line with the idea of the
Silent Watcher, the MAHA-GURU, and so on with all levels of Adeptship:

It is this student's understanding, and correct me if I'm wrong and way off
base, that the teachings tell us that each of us can, in time, if we put in the
long and hard and steady effort, with no end to the process and no real top of
the heap to be reached in self-development, expand our consciousness to know
everything on every plane of this planet, and then expand it to even take in
all that here is to know of this solar system, and to expand it still to take
in all that there is to know within a cluster of solar systems, and then even
of a whole galaxy, and then a cluster of galaxis, and so on with no end in
sight. If this is possible to each unit (to each monad, to each soul), it would
mean that those relatively very highly evolved souls, who are ahead of any wave
of evolution, and those who may be the Chief, so to say, the MAHA-GURU, guiding
a particular one, or are in the hierarchal group that is, in all the levels
that can be thought of, and that actually exist, it would seem that it is all
just relative as far as the natural duties of wanting to stay on the scene to
assist all other souls in whatever stream of evolution one at any of these high
levels of self-development is at, rather than selfishly moving on so as to work
on improving oneself to evolve and reach even higher levels in the infinite
possibilities that can be attained.

It is quite inspiring if any and all of these high levels of self-development
are what any of us can actually shoot for and eventually reach and become, in
service to all of life, by following the Theosophical suggestions as to how to
go about it, as those who are way ahead of us have, by working and being in
tune with the natural cosmic rules of the road. It is Inspiring if those we
read about, who are at those various high levels (each always a relative top
level, of course), and who we are in awe of, and under whatever name is used to
describe them, were once at our relatively low levels that we are experiencing
at this point in time -- whatever that is for each of us.

Compiler
-------

Peter Merriott wrote:

> > Words can only cover so much Peter, but this is to me an
> > example of the genius of Madame Blavatskaya and we can
> > appreciate it in its own right.
>
> Yes, I agree with you, Art. The whole of the Secret Doctrine from which
> this passage comes is an example of the "genius" of HPB and the Mahatmas who
> together produced that work.
>
> I would also suggest that there are many dimensions and aspects to wonder at
> in the passage you qouted. I have no doubt each of us will see and respond
> to different facets of the truth that shines therein. The fact that words
> are limited need not prevent us from attempting to share our different
> understandings. Thus, I merely wondered what it was that had touched you
> and henced moved you to forward this passage to the list.
>
> To mention only a few:
>
> Some might wonder 'who' or 'what' is the "Initiator", the solitary Watcher,
> called the "GREAT SACRIFICE", the MAHA-GURU?
>
> Some might wonder might it means that ALL "the other less divine Teachers
> and instructors of mankind became.. the early guides of Humanity" under the
> direct and silent guidance of the MAHA-GURU.
>
> Who might these "early guides" be? They are called the "instructors",
> called "Sons of God", and are said to have laid the foundation stones of
> civilizations that stretch back into a past millions of years old. The time
> scale is immense compared to our usual view of evolution.
>
> Others might wonder that this solitary watcher who does not quit his post
> till the last day of the cycle, even though he has nought else to learn on
> 'earth' or in 'heaven', might somehow reflect one of the deepest laws in
> Nature, of which the later Buddhas of Compassion embody. For it is said in
> THE VOICE OF THE SILENCE:
>
> "The "Secret Way" leads also to Paranirvanic bliss -- but at the close of
> Kalpas without number; Nirvanas gained and lost from boundless pity and
> compassion for the world of deluded mortals."
>
> "Compassion is no attribute. It is the LAW of LAWS -- eternal Harmony,
> Alaya's SELF; a shoreless universal essence, the light of everlasting Right,
> an fitness of all things, the law of love eternal. The more thou dost
> become at one with it, thy being melted in its BEING, the more thy Soul
> unites with that which IS, the more thou wilt become COMPASSION ABSOLUTE."
>
> ... and the footnote to the above passage states:
>
> "This "compassion" must not be regarded in the same light as "God, the
> divine love" of the Theists. Compassion stands here as an abstract,
> impersonal law whose nature, being absolute Harmony, is thrown into
> confusion by discord, suffering and sin."
>
> There is much to truly wonder at; much for the soul to contemplate.
>
> ...Peter
>
> THE GREAT SACRIFICE
>
> He is the "Initiator", called the "GREAT SACRIFICE". For sitting at the
> threshold of LIGHT, he looks into it from within the circle of Darkness,
> which he will not cross; nor will he quit his post till the last day of this
> life-cycle. Why does the solitary Watcher remain at his self-chosen post?
> Why does he sit by the fountain of primeval Wisdom, of which he drinks no
> longer, as he had naught to learn which he does not know - aye, neither on
> this Earth, nor in its heaven? Because the lonely, sore-footed pilgrims on
> their way back to their home are never sure to the last moment of not losing
> their way in this limitless desert of illusion and matter called Earth-Life.
> Because he would fain show the way to that region of freedom and light, from
> which he is a voluntary exile himself, to every prisoner who has succeeded
> in liberating himself for the sake of mankind, though but a few Elect may
> profit by the GREAT SACRIFICE.
> It is under the direct, silent guidance of this MAHA - (great) - GURU
> that all the other less divine Teachers and instructors of mankind became,
> from the first awakening of human consciousness, the guides of early
> Humanity. It is through these "Sons of God" that infant humanity got its
> first notions of all the arts and sciences, as well as of spiritual
> knowledge; and it is they who have laid the first foundation-stone of those
> ancient civilizations that puzzle so sorely our modern generation of
> students and scholars.
>
> (from The Secret Doctrine, Vol. 1, Page 208)
>
> H. P. BLAVATSKY
>