Theos-Talk Archives (July 2001 Message tt00329)

At 06:57 AM 7/25/01 -0700, Eldon B Tucker wrote:
> In the past, it may have been necessary to belong to a national
> or international group in order for people to know if your group.
> That would get it listed in directories and get supporting lectures
> and materials from other members in the organization. Now, it's
> not as needed. Perhaps the model for the future would be to have
> completely autonomous groups. The groups would affiliate with
> zero-or-more national organizations, but not belong to any
> external organization. The groups would cooperate with theosophical
> societies to the extent there were shared interests, but would not
> be externally chartered or owned in any way. The groups would be
> as autonomous as individuals are, associating for the common
> purpose of promoting the philosophy, but maintaining complete
> freedom of action.
>
> -- Eldon
I have in the past expressed the opinion that the TS organizationational 
setup appropriate 100 years ago may have outlived its purpose and today no 
one needs to belong to any formal organizational structure. In the final 
analysis, it is the individual's effort in learning ancient wisdom and 
putting the understanding into practice is the path to better 
understanding. If anyone is expecting organization to lead one by the nose 
to wisdom, I think they are misguided and may be wasting precious time.

Here is something that HPB wrote which may be of interest at this juncture:

For the extension of the theosophical movement, a useful channel for the 
irrigation of the dry fields of contemporary thought with the water of 
life, Branches are needed everywhere; not mere groups of passive 
sympathisers, such as the slumbering army of churchgoers, [does it ring a 
bell?] whose eyes are shut while the "devil" sweeps the field; no, not 
such. Active, wide-awake, earnest, unselfish Branches are Deeded, whose 
members shall not be constantly unmasking their selfishness by asking "What 
will it profit us to join the Theosophical Society, and how much will it 
harm us?" but be putting to themselves the question "Can we not do 
substantial good to mankind by working in this good cause with all our 
hearts, our minds, and our strength?"
---

When she wrote the above, it was more than 100 years ago and it todays 
world when we can get in touch with others with similar interests without 
the intervention of a national or international body, we can ask the 
question again -

"Can we not do substantial good to mankind by working in this good cause 
with all our hearts, our minds, and our strength?"

Again we should remind ourselves that great achievers did not get the job 
done by being a part of an organization. Lord Buddha or Lord Jesus and 
others succeeded through simple self-effort not organizational effort. So I 
think the challenge to each one of us is to see what we can do and not to 
under estimate what one individual is capable of achieving.

mkr