Theos-Talk Archives (April 2001 Message tt00081)

Saturday, April 14, 2001


Dear Friends:

Re: some important Theosophical principles.


Of what value is it to divide modern Theosophical attitudes and
views by ascribing a succession of personal applications and
views? What people think and say (including myself) are at best
"opinions." What THEOSOPHY says, are principles that are
impersonal and useful for all.

If It true that this is done, then is this not because the
constitution of some of the Theosophical organizations, being
"democratic" (or otherwise) demands periodical "elections." At
such times one needs to inquire into one's conscience and ask if
any individual is worthy of an undefined loyalty? of our
personal "support." Are we taking responsibility, or are we
delegating (by
our apathy) that responsibility elsewhere? We alone are able to
answer this. In any case the Karma that ensues is ours.

But need anything be perpetuated? What are the real and
practical IDEALS of THEOSOPHY if it is to be continued by and by
our contemporaries, and if it is to continue to present to the
world the IDEALS that the Great Brothers -- the Masters of
Wisdom -- make available to us through H.P.B.'s writings ? Are
they indeed in line with, in tune with, the great harmony of
moral and metaphysical truths taught by all Patriarchs, Prophets,
Reformers and Sages of the past all over the World? Is there ONE
THEOSOPHY or are there many? Is WISDOM ONE, or do certain groups
claim sole possession of it? Considering the may views, what is
the best position for us to assume?

If one looks back in History one is able to see the traces of
such divergences in and among the early Christian sects and
heresies -- the Gnostics, Nestorians, Marcionites, Manicheans,
Valentians, Ophites, Ariyans, etc... And that was around 2000
years ago. Passing to other religious histories and groups, we
see comparable divisions and sectarianisms arising. All point
back to TRUTH and to a Reformer, but few hold it important to
know in detail what exactly happened in those times, near, or
remote. In the case of THEOSOPHY we still have readily available
all the original literature and the documents of history. Anyone
can study and verify those for themselves. Then they need not
rely on the say-so of others.

If we look at the presentation of the ETERNAL VERITIES by Jesus,
or by H.P.B., or by any other of the great Sages, prophets and
Rishis of past ages, [like Buddha, Krishna, Shankaracharya, Lao
Tze, Confucius, Pythagoras, Plato, Boehme, or Tsong Kha Pa] we
find that they were the same immutable and constructive,
all-embracing and IMPERSONAL IDEALS. They form an example of
universal Truth and its many practical applications.

But the TRUTH is always one and immutable, even if not completely
describable. Every individual is self-responsible for using and
applying it in himself and to himself.

No one and no Organization OWNS THE TRUTH. Truth is a matter of
individual perception. It is not "Out there." It is interior to
each of us in our immortal MONAD -- ATMA-BUDDHI.

What has the work of THEOSOPHY done in the past 125 years? Each
one ought to research this. It is a revelation of the way in
which Theosophical doctrines and ideals have been adopted in many
areas of daily and official life in the world. Our whole
thinking about ourselves and our universe, and the ultimate
physical constitution of "matter" has undergone a vast change.
But, let us get back to the main theme:

Hence no one but we ourselves, of our own choice and volition
elect to be a member or an associate of any organization. If we
do affiliate ourselves then, as I see it, it becomes our duty to
see that the IDEALS are carried out by us. We are not asked to
oversee the work of anyone else. Nor are we asked to judge them
and their way of living.

Our Brotherhood covers all aspects of individual work, and we
probably have more valuable time to spend on self-improvement
rather than any criticism of others. In any case KARMA takes
care of all results. Our respective motives cause it to act, no
on else oppresses us or compels us to live in any other way than
what we elect or accept.

To me, those IDEALS are important, and can be seen to be
self-proving.

It is the IDEALS (THEOSOPHY) that are important, and not the
"successorship" that is presumed to be of value to those who
consider themselves of some particular sectarian camp. An
organization may have a long "name" life, but are its continued
work and teachings the same as the ORIGINALS? Is it not to the
"membership" to decide on this?

Those who assume "leadership" and/or "responsibility" as
"officers," have a heavy burden of KARMA to carry: Theirs, and
that of such organizations as they elect to support and
perpetuate.

They are responsible to the World, and to millions of those who
are yet to be born, but who will succeed them in time. Will they
be blessed for their adherence to an IDEAL, for their
righteousness and rectitude or ---- ?

If Karma is correct, everyone will, in the future of this life or
of some succeeding one, meet the exact karmic results of such
choices and assistance as they offered or imposed. No one else
but their indwelling ATMA-BUDDHI will be able to judge of the
value of the present plane acting Mind, and its decisions.

Are we then, thinking of the importance of making FRIENDS in the
future ? Does not Theosophy support and promote BROTHERHOOD as a
primary objective? Then, every other "object" is subordinate to
that, and it is the responsibility of the members/associates to
see that they exemplify this in and for themselves first.

And then, we need to consider the honor of the organization which
has for duty the impersonal and urgent preservation and diffusion
of the WISDOM OF THE WORLD.

This wisdom is primarily and fundamentally within the active
guardianship of all of us. It is not handed over (by Nature's or
Karmic LAW) to any particular group or person. Karma always
works individually. If we err in judgment, Karma demands that we
eventually realize this. Our individual progress is assisted or
retarded by all of our own choices. We may believe that if we
take refuge in a majority vote or attitude, we absolve ourselves
of responsibility, but that is a fallacy, since we are still
responsible, even, and especially, if we decide to "do nothing."

"All roads lead to Rome," is an old saying. HPB in ISIS UNVEILED
and the S.D. has given us adequate information to show the value
of the ETERNAL VERITIES as IDEALS, and practically, as the great
LAWS of NATURE. They are general property, and the T.S. is
expected (and hoped) to follow and exemplify them publicly. If it
does not then it becomes a laughing stock.

In Theosophy we are given in greater detail than has been made
available before in plain language the meaning and the execution
of the great LAW OF KARMA in Nature. It is that which regulates
the interaction of all beings without any exceptions.

It points directly to universality, impersonality, virtue,
honesty, and mutual support as the basis for individual
progress -- progress that provides for individual diversity to be
included in a reasonable and lawful universal HARMONY. It points
to the spiritual nature innate in each person and, also, to the
identity of SOURCE (the ONE UNIVERSAL SPIRIT) from which each of
us as well as every life-unit in Nature is derived.

In the KEY TO THEOSOPHY, H.P.B. writes of the "four Golden Links
which should bind humanity into one family": -- Universal Unity
and Causation; Human Solidarity, the Law of Karma;
Re-incarnation." [ KEY, p. 231 ] The "How to --- ?" is left to
each individual who calls himself a "Theosophist."

Nowhere does she say, using "authority," that because "SO-AND-SO
said it," it is therefore true. In fact if we take the whole of
the literature she left us into account, we find that she decried
any kind of "personal authority" or any kind of sectariianship,
regardless of name or title assumed. If it is we, who now
believe it is essential to our "loyalty," to hold on to the
"name" of some person or other, it is we who are abridging the
great concept of total and individual responsibility and duty.

H.P.B. writes constantly of the value of impersonal principles
that are to be individually examined, and if found worthy,
applied personally. She constantly offers each aspirant the
ATMA -- the HIGHER SELF -- the Spiritual Person -- as his (or
her) interior and final REFUGE. And she adds: the ATMAN is
UNIVERSAL. That is the sole basis for Brotherhood that Theosophy
offers, and has always offered.

The main question for us and for any other is: Are we and they
PRACTICING UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD -- which is another name for
"THEOSOPHY ?" Are we and they doing a responsible and fault-free
job for all those -- our so many brothers and sisters -- who
trust them and respect them? Each has to answer that to
themselves, there is no vicarious shifting of blame or recompense
in this attitude.

Best wishes,

Dallas

PS:

If anyone desires to know how H.P.B. looked at the practical
management of Theosophical affairs they need only refer to her
articles:

A PUZZLE FROM ADYAR -- Lucifer, August 1889 -- BCW Vol. XI, p.
378,
ULT - H.P.B. Articles, vol. I, p 217

WHY I DO NOT RETURN TO INDIA -- Theosophist July 1929 -- BCW
Vol. XII p. 156,
ULT - H.P.B. Articles Vol. I, p. 106

SHE BEING DEAD YET SPEAKETH -- Path July 1892 -- ULT H.P.B.
Articles, Vol. 1, p. 115,
(Not included in BCW )

[All these are available on line through
http://www.blavatsky.net ]

============================


-----Original Message-----
From: Eldon B Tucker [mailto:eldon@theosophy.com]
Sent: Friday, April 13, 2001 11:27 AM
To: theos-talk@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: Theos-World TS(Adyar) - Election of President

Jerry:

Before we can decide for ourselves if she's been doing good
things these past 20 years, we might consider in what context
we'd ask the question.

There are several branches of theosophical thought, several
variants of Theosophy that are centered around certain key
theosophical figures. One is the Blavatsky/Judge/Mahatma-Letter
version. Another is the Besant/Leadbeater one. A third is
the Blavatsky/Judge/Crosbie. A fourth is
Blavatsky/Judge/Tingley/Purucker. And there are many more.

>	CUT

>From: <ramadoss@infohwy.com>
>To: <Ramadoss@infohwy.com>
>Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2001 8:08 PM
>Subject: Theos-World TS(Adyar) - Election of President
>
> > Today I received the ballot for the International President
of TS(Adyar).
> > Along with the ballot was a slip of paper with the bio of the
only
> > candidate, Mrs. Radha Burnier. It states...

CUT