Theos-Talk Archives (July 2001 Message tt00140)

Jerry S. well done...it is people like you, seeking honest answeres to
lifes questions...this is what keeps this forum going...What is he meaning
of life? george
----- Original Message -----
From: "Compiler" <compiler@wisdomworld.org>
To: "Theosophy Study List" <theos-l@list.vnet.net>
Cc: <study@blavatsky.net>; <theos-talk@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 15, 2001 7:07 PM
Subject: Theos-World Re: Why I Hate Exoteric Karma & Reincarnation


> Jerry, I didn't "challenge" you to anything, I simply suggested that you
read the "introductory" book of 166 articles in the sequence that it is
presented to newcomers.
>
> Anyway, here's the link to the "What is Reincarnation" article that, Jerry
"hates":
> http://www.wisdomworld.org/setting/whatis.html
>
> It's the 97th article on this Index page to the Introductory" setting the
stage book:
> http://www.wisdomworld.org/setting.html
>
> John DeSantis
> (Compiler)
> -------
>
> You may find a great deal of the Truth that you are searching for here:
>
> Wisdom World web site (Main Page):
> http://www.wisdomworld.org/index.html
>
> The page where "Additional" articles are steadily being added:
> http://www.wisdomworld.org/additional/index.html
>
> -------
>
> Gerald Schueler wrote:
>
> > I decided to Take up John deSantis' challenge to go to the web and look
up karma and reincarnation articles. The following is the very first thing I
read:
> >
> > "In Karma and Reincarnation, when studied and understood, will be found
the solution of all the mysteries of our own existence and of Nature, the
answer to every problem of life. " (THEOSOPHY, Vol. 16, No. 4, February,
1928 (Page 145; Size: 3K) WHAT IS REINCARNATION?)
> >
> > Oh Please!! This is an example of exactly the kind of stuff that will
kill the Theosophical Movement (and if this is Theosophy, then maybe it
should die anyway). I can just image some newage 6th-Root-Race seedling (so
to speak) reading this very sentence and casting Theosophy to the side
without a further look. I certainly would, if I didn't already know better.
> >
> > Speaking for myself alone here, I have studied karma and reincarnation
for over 35 years now. I firmly believe in both doctrines. I have yet to
find the solution to my existence, a single answer to the mystery of Nature,
nor answers to even most of the problems in my/this life. Others may have
obtained different results. Of course, I could just hunker down and keep
looking, but I think that the problem lies in the promise here - which is a
false one.
> >
> > To blame our problems in this life on actions we made in a past life
that we can't even remember does NOT help our current situation. To say that
karma is a universal eternal law is a terrible thing to tell people.
Remorseless, relentless, hopeless, - these are the nasty implications in
such a teaching that seems especially designed to frighten young children
and keep them in line.
> >
> > The article also talks about us learning lessons with each incarnation
and such, which I find truly repugnant and a flat insult to my intelligence.
Any expert will tell you that learning cannot come about when the punishment
or reward is late in coming - they have to follow soon after the action to
allow for our conscious ability to put the cause-effect relationship
together (this is equally true for people and for animals). Saying we suffer
now for something done in a past life is equivalent to saying that it is
God's will, or that it is Chaos, and there is no difference between these
"explanations" at all. Nor will this illogical and misguided idea ever help
me to solve the mystery of Nature. I am sorry ... losing control...
> >
> > A study of karma and reincarnation does, I agree, put the responsiblity
for our fate squarely onto our own shoulders, right where it should be, and
that is, I think, the entire meat of the doctrine of karma and
reincarnation.
> >
> > OK, now I start dodging the flaming responses to the above which are
sure to follow, but my conscience just won't let me sit by without
responding in some way, and the above is as tempered as I can get it. Sorry.
Nothing personal to you John, and I love your site. Theosophy needs more
writers with an esoteric flavor than this mindless exotericism - and ULT is
not the only TS I am addressing this criticism to. Maybe I should have
continued reading some other articles, but I couldn't talk myself into it
today. I will now go into hibernation for a few days as a defense mechanism
while, hopefully, the good folks who read this will think it over before
reacting ...
> >
> > Have a nice day,
> >
> > Jerry S.
> > --
> >
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