Theos-Talk Archives (December 2001 Message tt00550)

Sunday, December 30, 2001


Dear Friends:


The year 2001, by now, familiar to us all, draws to change . A
new "infant" in Time soon awakes.


One of the recurrent questions we have seen arise in the past
seasons has been:

IS H P B AN :AUTHORITY?"


Here are some thoughts based on what she has said concerning her
mission and concerning THEOSOPHY which she brought as a "Message"
from the Mahatmas:

Best wishes for the coming seasonal change

Dallas

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HPB AS AN "AUTHORITY"


HPB does not claim "authority." She claims to be a "messenger."
Specifically a messenger from the Great and Ancient Lodge of
ADEPTS.

In both ISIS UNVEILED and The SECRET DOCTRINE she disclaims any
personal authority and gives the credit for the records she
transmits to the real authors, the Mahatmas.

Since she was well aware that the Theosophical theories and
hypotheses would be received with various degrees of incredulity
from the academies, she was careful to make it clear that the
information was in reality taken from the HISTORY that the Adepts
and their disciples (chelas) had recorded down the ages. All
that she requested was "equal time" and open consideration of
what Theosophy had to offer. [ S D I 272 - 300 ]

This suggests that THEOSOPHY is not a new fangled system of
collated ideas drawn from many sources -- in fact if it were even
that, then the marvel is of HPB's mind. And, her capacity in
drawing such a vast diversity together and showing how the many
pieces hung together to form a seamless whole in the world of
ideas and concepts. In many student's experience and wide
reading, there is no one who has written such a comprehensive
view of our world, the organization of the universe, on the
spiritual, intellectual and psychological basis, and the part
that Mankind plays in that.

The immortality of man's Spirit / Soul and the "God-spirit" (the
Universal DEIFIC ESSENCE), being present in every "life-atom" of
our LIVING UNIVERSE, are fundamental concepts.

Everything in Nature trends in its life-experience towards a
higher degree of knowledge, wisdom, and perfection. Each
life-cycle (incarnation) is like a separate day at school and all
are drawn together by the uniting thread of the immortal, and
eternal spiritual Self which is at their core. In fact she shows
how Theosophy traces the evolution of the "consciousness and
intelligence" of the SPIRITUAL SOUL or Monad, through many
forms -- from the atom to the human condition of independent
free-will.

"As below, so above" -- said the wise and ancient Hermes.

The Atom and the Universe correspond in structure, movement and
objectives. They are integrated into one vast brotherhood of
sensitive and inter-protective laws. The great and the "small"
are mutually dependent. "Spirit" cannot exist without "matter."
Eternal Mind -- is the witness to all progress and life.

This sweep and concept is one that can be traced in every one of
the great religions and philosophies of the world. It is the
record of their existence, of their common source, and of our
participation, again and again, in those processes.

Currently there is debate as to whether Theosophy has its roots
in Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, etc... And the place of Judaism,
Kabala, Islam and Sufism is debated and considered in many ways.
The question is always asked: 'Does knowledge, wisdom, and
action have limits?" The Universe stands as evidence that they
not only do, b out that the inter-relationship which permits
diversified "life," is as ancient as Science and philosophy are
able to trace.

It is understood that scholars who are deeply familiar with those
systems and their development, can trace the evidence and the
pathways of the development of similarities in observation and
thought. However, HPB claims on behalf of the great and ancient
Lodge of Adepts, that all those were derived from the "Sanatana
Dharma," the "Perennial Philosophy." which is a record of Life's
development and history which they have observed and left records
of.. [ ISIS UNVEILED Vol. 2, pp 98-105. ] Modern "Theosophy"
the Wisdom of the Deity ] claims to expose the outlines of this
system and traces these facts everywhere in the world, and in the
records of history on all continents.

As such Theosophy claims to be at the root and at the origin of
all the great ancient religio-philosophical systems and provides
a reason for their development as systems of practice leading to
that kind of "initiation" which develops Wisdom in thought and
mind as well as simultaneously the application of compassion and
harmlessness in motive.

Thus, Theosophy, is not exclusively religion, or philosophy but
also includes science -- it is the power to investigate and
record the workings of NATURE (Life as a Whole) in every stage
and department of the world and our Universe.

The sweep of the ever-present immortal Life, through cycles of
evolution lead at last to the "all-Knowingness" of the PERFECTED
MAN. The designation "Mahatma" (Great Soul) is one that includes
all such self-developed men of superior knowledge and nature. It
is held that every single "monad" in our world, and our Universe
is destined to eventually enter the human stage of "freedom to
think." From there on, as we, humans can, the power to develop
further is placed squarely in our hands. The current test of
humanity is? will it dare to assume the responsibility? Will it
follow Hermes' other injunction: " Man, Know Thyself."

The SECRET DOCTRINE therefore speaks of those great Initiates,
the "Fathers" and the "Guardians" of wisdom, as the intelligent
guides, and assistants that Nature employs to assist every fresh
evolutionary effort, a "new Day" of intelligent development and
progress -- open without exceptions to all beings. But the
responsibility for self-illumination rests always as before on
the individual who seizes the inspirations and advances beneath
the "light of daring" which he carries within himself. Theosophy
claims each human is a spiritual being. Further, that Spirit is
deathless.

If this is grasped, the minute details and studies of
specialists, while respected, as continuing proof of the
inclusive nature of Theosophy, is also shown to be but the outer
covering, to be but one way to approach to the interior mystery
of man's own mind, and its almost infinite capacities. Within
the superficial "Eye" Doctrine is always the resident energizing
and life-giving "Doctrine of the SPIRITUAL "Heart."

If this infinite capacity of the human mind to grow and to
understand the most simple, as well as the most complex subjects
is grasped, the more learned will continually encourage their
fellow "learners" to investigate and prove for themselves all
avenues, however diverse, of information, tradition and lore.
And that is the always growing tip of the self-enlightening Mind.
It always widens out to that which is permanent and universal,
when given a chance to emerge from ignorance, doubt, skepticism
and lethargy.

Theosophy shows us that the real energizers are OURSELVES.

We have to become: "Lights unto ourselves."

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