Theos-Talk Archives (November 2001 Message tt00560)

Tuesday, November 27, 2001


Dear Hoku and Friends:

There seems to be a universal philosophy or perhaps we can call
it a statement of th laws and rules of evolution which
encompasses all the ancient philosophies and religions.

When several of these are traced back to the SOURCE teachings of
their founders they will be found to agree on the GENERAL AND
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES.

here are some of them:

I suggest you start with a simple text book like

The KEY TO THEOSOPHY (by H P B) (an Introduction to Theosophical
doctrines and the ethics of Theosophy as can be applied), or

Mr. Judge's The OCEAN OF THEOSOPHY, ( a summary of The SECRET
DOCTRINE ).

These are available for downloading from http://www.blavatsky.net

You can put a copy on your Hard disc, or you can buy one from
their "Bookshop."

As a Glossary of the unusual terms employed in Theosophy I would
recommend to you the THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY by H P B.

The study of history, geography, sciences etc... can come
later -- or better
still try to absorb something of them by using the Encyclopedia
when you
encounter an explanation in Theosophy that requires you to have
some
knowledge in those areas. Be patient, as your knowledge of
Theosophy
expands, you will find your other areas of knowledge expand also.
You have
to study in a gentle, firm and disciplined way.

Start slowly and gradually, seek only to grow as you are able to
digest the
principal ideas.

Try to study and grasp the basic ideas first.

Then as you expand your reading, observe as they serve you to
grasp more and more.


3 FUNDAMENTALS

1 SPACE is everywhere, AND CANNOT BE
MEASURED.

2. LAW is everywhere. It is always honest,
true, fair,
universal and impersonal

3. The EVOLUTION of all creatures and beings
start from
the same single SPIRITUAL BASIS. It makes them all "brothers."
Even the
material of all forms ( atoms, molecules ) are immortals and come
fro the
same one SOURCE: SPIRIT.


4 MAJOR BASIC IDEAS:

HERMES taught: "The stone becomes a plant. The plant becomes an
animal,
The animal becomes a Man ( a THINKER), and, a Thinker becomes a
GOD. Never
is anything made less or lowered again." All progress is forward
and upward
and eventually we learn and know everything.

4. REINCARNATION is the Process by which all
beings
progress. The forms constantly change. The SPIRIT that is
behind the
forms, and creates them, NEVER DIES.

5. Sleep is death. Death is sleep. The
CONSCIOUSNESS
always survives.

6. The LAW OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT is
through
BROTHERHOOD.

7. MAN'S DUTY IS TO HELP ALL OTHERS.

These are 7 of the principal points of Theosophical philosophy.
Think about
them. Try to see if they are true. Ask all the questions you
want.

I do hope this is of help,

Best wishes,

Dallas

========================



-----Original Message-----
From: wauxhail@aol.com [mailto:wauxhail@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, November 26, 2001 10:25 AM
To: theos-talk@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Theos-World A Starting Place

To Anyone Who Can Help:

I've been reading the posts and following the links provided, but
as
I am very new to Theosophy I can't seem to wrap my mind around
most
of it and would like to ask for some guidance from the group as
to
where is the best place to begin. There are so many books on the
subject but one can't read all of them at once and I do believe
in
order to be able to comprehend fully everything there must be a
preferred starting place. Although I am quite familiar with the
ancient philosophers, it's been awhile since I read their works
and
am afraid I've forgotten much of it; however, like languages, I
believe if I am guided to a beginning much of it will return to
me
piecemeal. So, please, if one of you would kindly suggest a few
good
books to get me rolling I would be most appreciative. Perhaps a
good "glossary" would be in order as well, as some of the terms
I've
read here are quite unfamiliar to me. I must admit I've not gone
through the entire message list because I thought that would be
rather useless until I had a substantial foundation.

Hoku