Theos-Talk Archives (August 2001 Message tt00076)

--- In theos-talk@y..., ramadoss@i... wrote:
There are several points I wish to mention. 
Traditionally before the advent of Internet, there was no 
communication between various denomination of theosophy. 

sherab:
Is this really true? I find this hard to believe.

ramadoss:
Even now this is the case with most of dyed in the wool
organizational followers. After the advent of Internet, 
at least many of the ordinary students of theosophy are 
freely discussing matters, which at sometimes may be seen 
as discord.

sherab:
Dyed in the wool follower or ordinary student what is important is 
that people are talking about theosophy. Hooray for the talkers and 
hooray for the internet. If nothings else the internet has proved to 
be aqua regia on the borderlines of authority everywhere. The result 
is permeable boundaries.

ramadoss:
All the written material is simply a description of the reality which 
cannot be explained or put down in so many words. When we have first 
hand knowledge of the reality, then there would be no discord or 
disagreement.

sherab:
Your characterization of the written material leaves out a huge 
component of the teachings and that is the ethical precepts by which 
the teachings are put into practice. It is an enormous point that 
should not be overlooked.

ramadoss:
Vigorous interest in theosophy is to be welcomed. We do not want "a
slumbering army of churchgoers" (as HPB put it) belonging to one set 
of beliefs or the other but dedicated students whose main aim is to 
search for truth and not to look for being politically correct within 
one organization or the other for whatever reason - position, power, 
favors, spiritual advancement - either in this life or hopefully in a 
future life.

sherab:
There is a metaphysical dynamic between a "student" of the mysteries 
that who sincerely puts forth effort into practice causes to call 
forth the "teacher" who appears in front of the student. When enough 
sincere students call forth enough teachers and the need is great 
then schools will form. That is happening right now. The slumbering 
are beginning to stir.

ramadoss:
The membership on these maillists is still minuscule; those who post 
most message are just a handful. If only many of those silent 
participants take time to post questions or opinions, it is likely to 
generate enthusiasm and vigorous exchange of ideas.

sherab:
It isn't hard to see why when a tender inquiring mind appears with 
question and comment they are bludgeoned over the head with collected 
works of HPB and similar obfuscated answers they soon learn to go 
elsewhere. Is it any wonder that Buddhist teachings are being so well 
received these days?

ramadoss:
My .02

sherab:
and my .02 that equals .04