Theos-Talk Archives (February 2001 Message tt00173)

Saturday, February 24, 2001


Dear Martin:

I consider to be Theosophy the writings of anyone who tries to
tell the truth about things as they are.

As to the persons who have written on Theosophy in recent years,
I would apply the same touch-stone. One cannot discover the
HEART DOCTRINE by the words used or the time factor. Is what is
said in line with the ORIGINAL TEACHINGS?

Whether written before, during or after H.P.B., the words or
writings of anyone have value only if the are true -- I mean true
to the ORIGINAL TEACHINGS OF THEOSOPHY. And that needs as
definition impartiality, universality accuracy, verity and a
willingness to seek for those aspects of fact anywhere. We are
all in the same boat.

I said above we are being tested. I mean that our knowledge of
theosophy is being tested, as well as our application. Do not
misunderstand, I do not mean loyalty to any PERSON, but to the
ideas and ideals they deal with. Those are impersonal, and our
respect for anyone or their writing will entirely depend on their
accuracy, virtue and verity

You are asking me if I trust the writings of Proclus, Judge
(after H.P.B.'s death) and Plotinus. Two of these wrote in Greek
(which I do not know, and if I could read the originals I would
be able to give an opinion). But I have also observed before,
that translators throw in their own views when conveying what
they conceive to be accurate meaning from Greek to English -- so
I would treat them with care. Were the translators real students
of Theosophy also? -- I do not know.

As to Judge, you can read him side by side with H.P.B., and judge
for yourself. You do not need my opinion on that. But I will
say that his writings, taken as a whole show a very close
adherence to H.P.B.'s Theosophy and he made, as far as I can see,
no special claims. As far as I can see he made no special
claims, and there also, additionally, a number of documents by
H.P.B. showing her trust in him. But that is another question
and has little to do with your question or my possible reliance
on his writings.

It is quite true that about 2 to 3 years after H.P.B.'s death a
vast controversy arose between himself and Annie Besant. This
began in 1893/4 and it proceeded till his death in 1896. The
matter is public, and anyone can read all the documents relating
to that, and, additionally, the opinions of the participants and
contemporaries. This enables the research student to form his
own independent opinion. I am sure you have also done this. As
also I am sure you are thoroughly familiar with all H.P.B.'s
writings. I have said a number of times that I am not an adherent
to any Personality, not to any "faction." I claim to form my own
independent opinions and recommendations based on my individual
study and research testing of the original teachings of
theosophy. For that I go to H.P.B. (her original writings) and
the Mahatmas (as in Their letters to Mr. A. P. Sinnett).

In any case my opinion is of very little in value. Theosophy
proves itself and if anything. I would aver, it deserves to be
studied most carefully to see what that value might be.

After many years of study I have come to the opinion that nowhere
in our preset libraries exists anything that approaches H.P.B.'s
works. H.P.B.'S THEOSOPHY (is to me) the real touchstone we
have at hand, and she wrote in our current language. We do not
have to go to translators, commentators or interpreters. Those
intermediate opinions can be distractions. It is we who are
constantly being tested, as well as She, in and through her
writings.

Best wishes as always,

Dallas

PS	Incidentally I have answered a posting by B. Lindovsky today
which will interest you




-----Original Message-----
From: Martin Leiderman [mailto:martinle@mindspring.com]
Sent: Friday, February 23, 2001 11:34 PM
To: theos-talk@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: Theos-World Kundalini Siddhis and HPB

Dallas

Do you consider Theosophy the writings of the Neoplatonist like
Plotinus,
Proclus, etc?
Do you consider Pseudo-theosophy the writings of that WQ Judge
did after her
death?

Martin



dalval14@earthlink.net wrote:

> Dear Martin:
>
> As far as I can see no one is seeking any personal exaltation.
>
> Yes there are differences between ORIGINAL THEOSOPHY and
> Pseudo-theosophy which has arisen AFTER THE DEATH OF H.P.B.
>
> The problem is to distinguish between the two.




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