Monday, September 10, 2001
Dear Andra Baylus:
There is a UNITED LODGE OF THEOSOPHISTS in Bethesda, Washington D
C
Their address is
4862 Cordell Ave., # A,
Bethesda, MD, 20814
I believe they can be contacted at: 301-656-3566 (voice mail)
They have a Web Page at http://www.ultdc.org/
I hope you will have no trouble contacting the I also believe
they have a Sunday talk/study class on Sunday mornings.
Welcome to the band of seekers for truth. We cover anything and
everything asking always for the causative WHY ? Our sole bond
is a deep belief in Universal brotherhood and we have no regard
for the usual definitions of race, creed, color, sex, wealth,
etc... All of us are regarded as SOULS - as Minds in search of a
"mirror" from which an understanding of one's self is to be
obtained, somehow. So all questions and comments are welcome.
We look on phenomena as evidence of an underlying cause, a
noumenon which has to harmonize with many other aspects of life.
Some of these causes and laws seem very complex and perhaps have
not yet been detected, explained or determined by Scientific
effort and exploration, but, we are convinced that the economy of
Nature demands order and reason in all things.
Some of the Sciences like chemistry, physics, biology,
engineering, astro-physics, and mathematics show evidence of
definite laws in operation. But when we begin to consider the
psychological and social sciences a great deal of speculation
arises because of the two entities resident in every human.
There is the rising intelligence that is summed up in instinct
and desire from the physical, bodily side, [usually called the
PERSONALITY -- mask = persona].
And, there is, in contrast, the descending voice of
"conscience," and of intuitive experience, from the Wisdom and
Mental side (a result of the accumulated experiences in past
lives). This is [usually called the INDIVIDUALITY -- including
a portion of the Universal Spirit, accumulated Wisdom of
experience, and, 3, the Mind, the power to think, plan,
remember, and review].
All seems to be contained in Nature, which appears to be an
infinitely sensitive agent that acts on all beings as an
"adjuster," and, does this harmonizing under laws which are
exact, inflexible, and fair
The main question then is WHY ? And this can include a personal
question: WHY AM I HERE? What am I supposed to be doing?
But let us go back in time to the beginning of the Theosophical
exposition, when Mme. Blavatsky was in India, and see what she
wrote then:
When the THEOSOPHIST (the first monthly magazine for
Theosophists) was first published in Oct. 1879 in Bombay ( Vol.
I, p. 5) one of the first articles by H P B was WHAT ARE THE
THEOSOPHISTS ? It is worth re-reading. [Reprints in H P B
Articles -- U L T -- Vol. I p. 48; and, BLAVATSKY: Collected
Works (TPH); it is also on-line at BLAVATSKY NET. ]
What does H P B say? (in summary)
" [Theosophists are] ... "students of natural law, of ancient
and modern philosophy, and...exact science." (p.
48)..."psychological sciences..." ( p. 49) ...
"examine Spiritualism" ( p. 49) ...
"the leading members of the THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY in India [ in
1879] are known to be very advanced students of occult
phenomena"... (p. 50) ...
"one of our many objects is to revive the work of Ammonius Saccas
[ see early pages of the KEY TO THEOSOPHY (HPB) ] and make
various nations remember that they are the children "of one
another." .... The Society as a body has no creed, as creeds
are, but the shells around spiritual knowledge; and Theosophy
is in its fruition, SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE ITSELF..." ( p. 50) ...
[Theosophists are seekers] "for the final truth as to the
ultimate essence of
things." (p. 51) ...
"...the religion of the Society is an algebraical equation in
which
so long as the sign = of equality is not omitted, each member is
allowed to substitute his own...idiosyncrasies ..." ( p. 50) ...
"all [Theosophists are] original thinkers and investigators"
p. 51) ...
"One need but worship the spirit of living nature, the invisible
Cause, which is ever yet manifesting itself in its incessant
results; the intangible, omnipotent, and omniscient Proteus"
(p. 51)...
" once that a student abandons the old and trodden highway of
routine, and enters upon the solitary path of independent
thought--Godward--he is a theosophist; an original thinker, a
seeker after the eternal truth with "an inspiration of his own"
to solve the universal problems." (p. 52).
Theosophy presents a view of our Universe, our Earth and
ourselves as related beings. As conscious and aware and states
(broadly) that every thing from the atom to the galaxy has the
same kind of internal mix, Also there seems to be an urge to
learn that is innate in all of us.
So far, our learning has largely concerned itself with the
limitations of our environment and the struggle of the many
scientific departments we know of, has been to discover what
Mother "Nature" has installed in place so as to harmonize the
many disparate and discordant entities that are assembled in and
around us. One who is cautious and attentive will have noticed
that the interactive nature of these is cooperative.
It [Theosophy] starts with the premise: "If it is here, then
there has to be a cause for its existence." So it looks into the
causes for our universe, earth, and ourselves. It soon perceives
and draws our attention to the great cyclic laws that seem to
constantly serve as the guides and friends of our search and of
our daily lives.
It is presumed that all of us are involved and subject to these
laws (just as Science points these out, in terms of mathematics,
astronomy, physics, chemistry, biology, sociology, philosophy,
and even religions, when those are viewed historically from their
origins, etc.). No, we are not "slaves," but as intelligent,
self-conscious and self-choosing beings, we have the right to ask
why, how, when, where, and "Why me ?".
Among humans, the mind and its faculty of thinking, seems
paramount. But there is a conflict with our independence and our
desire to do as and when we please. This frequently starts
conflicts with others.
The only thing that has kept me interested in Theosophy is the
fact that it explains so much that the commonly taught academic
subjects of philosophy, science and religion do not. It makes
the Earth, and the many situations we go through, more
reasonable.
But judge for yourself independently, as you proceed. Theosophy
does NOT proselyte. It offers an ancient system of knowledge,
history and with a precision that no other covers as well. You
will not be told what to do or how to do it.
As a system of informative practicality, you will find it places
propositions before you that are logical and asks you to
investigate and prove or disprove their validity. It does not
insist that any one method be used, but allows full freedom to
everyone -- something that they have already, and does not
pretend to abridge it.
It asks no more than an intelligent enthusiasm which leads the
enquirer on to studying Nature and her secret ways of cooperation
and her generosity in supporting all beings, even when she is
abused. Wisdom cannot be bought or sold, it is always free for
those who seek it -- but the search may prove long and arduous,
and yet, at the end of many years and even lives, it will bring a
view of the Universe that is unlimited and complete. Our
position of duty and of responsibility gradually becomes clear to
us -- but read below, and see if it is not also inspiring.
If you desire to inquire into Theosophy, then a very simple but
quite fundamental text (about 40 pages) titled AN EPITOME OF
THEOSOPHY by Wm. Q. Judge will give you an overview. The larger
text THE KEY TO THEOSOPHY by Mme. Blavatsky gives a historical as
well as a theoretical and practical synopsis of Theosophical
views and doctrines. (308 pages) The great Text-Book THE SECRET
DOCTRINE (BY Mme. Blavatsky) ought to be read after you
assimilate what is said in the KEY, or THE OCEAN OF THEOSOPHY by
Mr. W. Q. Judge. Those give a basis from which to understand the
depths and breadths that can be studied by all.
Best wishes,
Dallas
=========================================
Dear Theos-Talk,
There seem to be many talk groups there. I am interested in
joining a group that is associated with H P Blavatsky's
Theosophy. Also, I would like to know if there are any Theosophy
Societies in the Washington-Northern Virginia area. Thank you for
responding.
In God's Love,
Andra
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