Theos-Talk Archives (August 2001 Message tt00211)

At 12:26 PM 8/21/01 -0700, Eldon B Tucker wrote:
> It's natural to expect a group to have its websites
> and published literature to be consistent with
> the established approach of the group's. There
> would be limits to how much individual deviation
> or innovation would be tolerated.
> >>>>clip<<<<<<
In the past, after the HPB days, things seemed to have taken a rigorous 
turn. During Annie Besant's days, when Mahatma Gandhi launched his peaceful 
non-cooperation movement, one saw her influence on the members in India who 
believed in faithful unquestioned obedience refrained from taking part in 
Indian Independence movement and it is possible that all this was done 
using subtle techniques. Some historian who may be able to tell us whether 
this trend continued. So there could be zero tolerance on some aspects and 
of course the official reaction could be marginalizing such individuals.

> I see the future of the movement being towards
> more independent, autonomous work by individuals
> out of their own creativity. One reason the
> theosophical groups exist is to help people find
> their own way, to become self-directed in their
> efforts, taking the initiative to do good in the
> world. This is the opposite of obedient sheep
> that never stray from the flock, that bleat in
> unison, show up faithfully adding to the organizational
> member count -- but never find that source of
> creative energy, an energy that demands that it
> be expressed in life.
On one hand, this behaviour of the "faithful" could be one of the reasons 
you never find any of the long time organizationally tied members are never 
seen in any of the discussions on the Internet forums including this maillist.

It is the independent, autonomous individuals fired up with the enthusiasm 
could be key to re-vitalization of modern Theosophical Movement and 
Internet could be one of the important tools that is going to help.

mkr