Theos-Talk Archives (April 2002 Message tt00221)

Friday, April 19, 2002

Dear Larry and Friends:

Re: HYPOTHESIS

I wondered what this word actually meant. So I turned to the
Dictionary and after reading I wondered if we need to understand
how this word is used and what it implies. So I found:

Hypothesis says WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY, means (a Greek root): TO
PUT UNDER.

In other words "hypothesis" means: to "consider" To look for a
previous source or cause.

It does not have the force of proof, but seeks to discover a
proof -- and in the meantime, it tries to derive a possible
origin, or a line of probable succession that would explain some
observed present FACT. In other words it is imaginary, and may
be fanciful depending on opinion.

It then says: 1. a TENTATIVE theory or SUPPOSITION provisionally
adopted to EXPLAIN certain FACTS 2. Something assumed or
conceded for the purpose of argument. 3. Postulate. 4.
Assumption. 5. Supposition. 6. Assumed without PROOF. 7.
Deducing proof. 8. Accounting for some FACT.

Apparently it is not a proof in itself, but is an attempt to
explain the origin or cause of certain observed FACTS. It is
unstable. It changes as new facts are discovered. And it varies
with individuals, whose opinions and hobbies may cause them to
favor some explanation(s) over others. It then becomes the
source of many arguments. [It also gives rise to the personal
use of "Authority." Which is undesirable among those dedicated
to DISCOVERING what the truth is.] But rarely does it approach
the TRUTH that THE HISTORY OF OBSERVATIONS conducted over A VERY
LONG TIME GIVES ASSURANCE OF.

It is NOT knowledge. It is NOT wisdom. It is not CERTAINTY.

Here we have a problem. The theory or hypothesis is generated
when we DO NOT have a history of development to give FACTS THAT
ARE OBSERVED. Also we do NOT have an exact basis of relation
with the derived origin of other FACTS. It usually is generated
to account for the origin and derivation prior to present
EXISTENCE and observations of that existence as FACTS.

Hypothesis may be called an "educated guess." But it is
qualified as SHAKY, TENTATIVE, and without real PROOF.

Those who have acquired a certain eminence in the field of
education have a tendency to support the theories they learned,
or such hypotheses as are broadly accepted in their field, as
though they were truths carved in imperishable stone. Employing
their "authority" some then resist change in spite of new
observations or the finding of fresh artifacts that contradict
old ideas and theories. Often, young and aspiring scholars are
compelled to parrot effete ideas, and cast doubts at new evidence
that may reverse set concepts. We have found this most prevalent
in the fields of archaeology, paleontology, ancient literatures
and their interpretation.

In Theosophy we are not given theories or hypotheses. In fact H P
B states that Theosophy has only one answer for very question.
It is the record of the observations of immortal SAGES. Also it
can be proved and demonstrated by any one who starts with the
FUNDAMENTALS.

She declares that it is a report from the pages of recorded
History which the Lodge of Sages has preserved. Her writings
ISIS UNVEILED and The SECRET DOCTRINE, and many of her articles
give ample evidence of the validity of the fundamental laws and
rules of evolution and also of the wisdom and lore that the Lodge
of the Adepts has always preserved.

The THREE FUNDAMENTAL PROPOSITIONS of The SECRET DOCTRINE ( S D
I 14 - 19 ) are statements of fact. Logic, of a universal and
impartial type is then provided so that students may prove their
validity for themselves. All are invited t study and rest
Theosophy as originally recorded.


What are these FUNDAMENTALS?


1	DEITY - GOD -- SPIRIT UNIVERSAL

The UNIVERSE (or SPACE) is pervaded by subtle energies, the
immovable base for which is the ONE SPIRIT -- an aspect of the
ETERNAL BACKGROUND to which philosophy gives the designation:
THE ABSOLUTE. No speculations concerning this can ever approach
to the reality or the truth of its PRESENCE. In theological
terms this is OMNIPRESENCE -- "God" present everywhere without
any exceptions. The UNIVERSE is the embodiment of purposive LIFE
and this is ruled by LAW and LAWS which are immutable and
ever-active. It has also been called BE-NESS.


2.	CYCLES - PERIODICITY - LAW - KARMA

LAW rules everything; from the most enormous concept to the
smallest being we can imagine. Rules of coexistence, of
cooperation and of interaction not only exist on the physical
plane but on the far more subtle supportive planes of life that
underlie all phenomenal, material things and beings. The
material "thing" is evidence of a ruling CONSCIOUSNESS, and
individual INTELLIGENCE . The UNIVERSE is the embodiment of
purposive LIFE and this is ruled by LAW and LAWS which are
immutable and ever-active. Hence every being embodies meaning,
purpose and individual progress. Every being is evidence of a
ruling "Spirit" which guides and supports its individual
evolutionary advance. This law is called KARMA. It is
universal, collective, and personal. This has been called BEING.


3.	EVOLUTION as a UNIVERSAL FACT - REINCARNATION

The progress of the Universe and of every being in it is
regulated by those Laws and evinces a stately and determined
march towards a common goal, which might be called the GOAL OF
SUBLIME PERFECTION. The evidence of this progress is to be seen
in the cooperative and interactive condition of life in every
department of nature. All evolution starts, continues and ends
with the indestructible Universal Plan in the universal mind
(MAHAT). Each Universe is the reincarnation of an earlier
Universe and the evolutionary Master Plan is ever carried forward
intact.


IMMORTAL SOUL - CONSCIOUSNESS - INTELLIGENCE

All beings indicate an underlying intelligence, a CONSCIOUSNESS
that is unitary and peculiar to themselves. Theosophy declares a
Monad to be the basic building block of the Universe. It is
immortal and indestructible. On, and within it, is a perfect
record of all experiences it has undergone since first it was
individualized out of the "monadic Essence." (S D I 619 )
Every Monad is thus an immortal brother to every other Monad, and
they mirror, as a record, the knowledge and experiences acquired
by any one of them as a shared collective experience. This is
the basis for Karma as the law of justice and equity. It is also
the basis for Universal Brotherhood. And for this reason the
"Voice of Conscience" is forever identical in terms of advice and
substance for all individuals. It has been called BECOMING.


THE MONAD AS AN IMMORTAL Hence, a basic foundation

The evolutionary base for all progress inheres in the
indestructibility of the Monad. (S D I 628 to 634). A MONAD is
said to consist, in the universal scheme of evolution, of an
indissoluble and ever-conjoined pair of SPIRIT and MATTER (or
form). These. taken together, as a unit, provide the enormous
field of contrast that these polar opposites provide everywhere.
As a Unit, this pair represented allegorically as the Eternal
Father/Mother, paradoxically, are both the totality and the unity
of INTELLIGENT ENERGY. This Energy, or "Self" is that which ever
works through a necessary FORM. It is the assumed "form" (a kind
of mask, or personality) which gives it a "presence" for action
on this, or any plane of material manifested substance.


ONE RULING SPIRIT

Every being is evidence of a ruling "Spirit" which guides and
supports its individual evolutionary advance. It is the Power,
the Individualized Energy within or behind every atom, molecule,
cell, crystal or other structure or "form" of matter. It has
been allegorized as the inextinguishable flame of Life. A Life
present eternally in everything. It has been named Devine,
intelligent Electricity: Fohat.


FOHAT THE UNIVERSAL MIND AND INTELLIGENCE

This Fohat is the Individualized fire of spiritual Energy, and
serves as the link between SPIRIT (or energy) and MATTER (or
form). It is this immortal and evolving INTELLIGENCE -- the
independent and free Mind that forms the developing force that
necessitates evolution everywhere. It is the individualized
MIND. In evolution this triple unity called MONAD, is held to be
immortal and eternal. It does not "die." Hence the manifested
TRINITY of SPIRIT - MATTER - MIND is at the root of all living
beings, whether we classify them as minerals, elements, plants,
animals, or humans. The Mind-principle of Intelligence, as an
immortal unit (called by some the "Soul" or "Nous") demands a
triple evolutionary scheme (S D I 181-2 ). It is the
ever-reincarnating SOUL, or the true EGO that is the real Man.


7-FOLD NATURE and MAN

4.	The nature of the Universe and of every being in it is a
SEPTENARY. It is 7-fold. This will be found detailed in S D I
157, 200, II 596. Also in KEY TO THEOSOPHY (HPB) pp. 912,
175-6, 195-6. All evolution starts, continues and ends with the
universal plan in the universal mind (MAHAT).

This definite and demonstrable scheme offered by THEOSOPHY is in
contrast to our modern Science which is full of theories and
hypotheses about the ORIGINS of FACTS which ARE OBSERVED by all,
but has no basis for observation of their actual development


THEOSOPHY As HISTORY

If one is to give credence to the antiquity claimed for Theosophy
( S D I 272-3 ) Then it is to be treated as a record of
OBSERVED HISTORY. (see S D I 267 top ).


HYPOTHESES - SPECULATIONS - FACTS

When written in 1888, The SECRET DOCTRINE, was presented then as
history. But, to accommodate EXISTING SPECULATIONS OF SCIENCE in
regard to:

1.	the origin and development of the EARTH, Solar system and
Kosmos,

2.	the origin and development of Man's INTELLIGENCE as something
quite separate from the body that he uses.

3.	the COOPERATIVE aspect of supportive, inter-related, but
disparate Nature,

4.	The fact that every material form or being in Nature evidently
exhibits an intelligence and interacts with other beings under
the qualifications of exact rules and laws. (As in chemistry,
physics biology, philosophy, and psychology.)

5.	That rules and laws for being, and the amalgamation of forms
in which Intelligence can reside is a FACT that everyone can
determine for themselves.

6.	That the rules of logic, mathematics and metaphysics are exact
and any one can learn and apply them.

7.	The there is a basic "building block" which serves as a point
of Energy and Planning that directs any form in material nature.
This center (or "building-black) is a form of electro-magnetic
substance on the planes of the "astral," "psychic" and
"spiritual" forces and energies, the exact nature of which is
still to be discovered and determined by our modern Science.

8.	The nature and purpose of the many starry bodies with
attendant planets, comets, asteroids and other forces (including
"dark matter" and "black holes") -- as Schools, comparable to our
own Earth, where Mind-beings, are undergoing similar experiences
in their respective forms.

It seems to me that the only way we can assure ourselves of the
value and usefulness of Theosophical doctrines and tenets lies in
careful., study so that we know what Theosophy teaches. All
along the way we need to keep our attention sharp and query every
proposition for accuracy and its coherence with other tenets and
statements.

Perhaps this can become the beginning of a special study.

Supposing we do as Christine has done with MATRIX, a joint study
and search for the definitions that theosophy offers on:

1.	DEITY - GOD - SPIRIT - UNIVERSALITY - IMPERSONALITY -
IMMORTALITY

2.	LAW - CYCLES - PERIODICITY - RETURN OF IMPRESSIONS AND
EVENTS - KARMA

3.	EVOLUTION -- of WORLDS and KOSMOS - OF MANKIND as
MIND-BEINGS
OF ALL EVOLUTION AS A UNIVERSAL PROCESS - REINCARNATION

4.	NATURE AND PURPOSE OF THE MONAD - ITS COMPOSITION

5.	UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD -- EVIDENCE OF COOPERATION AND
SUPPORTIVE INTERACTION

6	7 "PRINCIPLES" IN NATURE AND MAN (Already placed in MATRIX)

7.	GOAL FOR EVOLUTION -- FINAL ENTIRE WISDOM -- ADEPTS AND
MAHATMAS, BUDDHAS AND DHYANIS.

If these or some other groupings are adopted, perhaps we can
bring quotes or statements found in the original teachings of
theosophy and build up a fund of references which tend to prove
or disprove the doctrines and tenets along these lines.


Best wishes,

Dallas

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


-----Original Message-----
From: Larry F Kolts [mailto:llkingston2@juno.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2002 2:37 AM
To: study@blavatsky.net
Subject: [bn-study] Re: "WORD PUZZLES" ("HYPOTHESIS") (Part 15 of
29)

Louis wonders why there has been so few posts recently. Yes, it
just the
normal lull after we end an excellent discussion. Now John has
suggested
this article on Hypothesis, offering some new understandings for
Theosophists. Please read it if you haven't already and see what
comment
it brings.

Larry

On Tue, 16 Apr 2002 12:15:22 -0500 Compiler
compiler@wisdomworld.org writes:

I present this particular article in this very important and
enlightening 29-part "Word Puzzles" series to both newcomers and
long-time students of Theosophy for consideration (and probably a
bit
more so to the long-time students, as a reminder, and even as a
sort of wake-up call). Why? It will helpfully speak for itself:


CUT