Theos-Talk Archives (July 2001 Message tt00377)

Mic: You are right. In the past, when there were no e-maillists, theosophists
belonging to each organization were isolated from those belonging to others.
Even now that is generally the case with those who are in any official or
important capacity (exoterically or esoterically) as well as those who have a
vested interest of one kind or other or currying favor with those who have
the discretion or authority to dispense favors and is generally demonstrated
in most of the organizationally oriented theosophists. This is also
exemplified from most of them avoiding internet related e-mail
activities/participation.

After more than 100 years of TS organizations, it is Internet/e-maillists
that has started broking the organizational barriers. In these maillists
those belonging to one organization or the other or none, participate as
friends and discuss vigorously their agreements and disagreements. Such
interaction bodes well for the future of theosophy. A transition is being
slowly made, in my opinion, from what HPB called "slumbering army of
churchgoers" to active independent inquirers fired up by enthusiasm. Those
who participate in these lists and belong to one organization or the other
have to be very daring and not looking for favors and willing to be not
Politically Correct within their organizations. This progression of
interaction is going to speed up as the next generation which is brought up
in the Internet culture will take to it like fish to water.

So in the meanwhile, any newbee is welcome to ask any question or post any
views and there are many in this forum who will vigorously support the
efforts of anyone and everyone who takes time to participate.

mkr

Mic Forster wrote:

> Dear John,
>
> As a new comer I completely agree with what you are
> saying. When I joined this group I had the expectation
> that I would be joining something where truly
> Theosophical topics would be discussed in earnest. Yet
> after receiving the first round of emails I quickly

> learnt that this was not that sort of group. Although
> open to Theosophical discussion, the majority of
> thoughts I have received so far have been on the
> different Theosophical societies, and the differences
> between individuals in the Theosophical movement. It
> appears that even such enlightened souls, as we would
> like to claim to be, cannot even over come the basic
> human urge of "us versus them". It is true when you
> say "that a true seeker will not be deterred". As a
> new comer to all those other new comers out there:
> ignore the politics, if you have a question simply ask
> and it will be answered.

>
> mic
>

> --- John Beers <johnb@quickinfo.net> wrote:
> > I fully agree that we should have a private
> > forum to discuss our
> > differences. Any public group should be a wholesome
> > place for newcomers.
> > It could be explained to a newcomer that Theosophy
> > has developed along
> > different lines, and that he can have discussions
> > here with Theosophists of
> > those groups.

> > It may be true that a true seeker will not be
> > deterred, but he might
> > settle for a lesser path than any of ours.
> >