Theos-Talk Archives (October 2002 Message tt00054)

Oct 8 2002

Learning from Theosophy. Is it worthwhile considering?

Dear Gopi:


Is H P B an AUTHORITY?

In answer to your question (below) and in the light of my study of
Theosophy, I could not possibly say what H P B might answer or say to
us.

The only way in which we might approximate to her methods is, first,
reverentially study (as a Chela does the words of his chosen Guru) her
teachings and see if they can make sense to himself. You do that, I
do that, others also do that. But if we are wise we continually keep
an open mind, seeking the deeper the clearer vision. She leads us to
that. But we have to make the study of her writings a daily matter --
a joyous search.

Theosophy either makes "sense" or it is a convoluted and intricate
"non-sense." One thing for sure, its logic and doctrines end to be
studied to determine that. We do that each for themselves.

H P B claimed no more authority than a "messenger" does. Her
"Message" she said was from the GREAT LODGE OF THE ORIGINAL TEACHERS
OF MANKIND. [ Read ISIS UNVEILED II pp. 93-103 on this ]. These
she said were Perfected Men, once like us, but who, through dint of
strong effort made themselves rid of selfishness and ignorance. This
work was done by them in earlier periods of evolution. They survived
the great chasm (or "Abyss") of Pralaya -- or universal rest
(sometimes conceived to be a "nothingness") -- but actually, since
nothing is ever DESTROYED in the ultimate sense, such great
"Achievers" return, and assist ever-living NATURE to restore and
recreate an environment for the continuing of the evolutionary
process. All beings and forms are deemed to have intelligence and
this whatever its degree may be is never destroyed in this concept of
cosmogenesis. Our Universe and earth are reincarnations of earlier
universes and earths. Death of a form marks its dispersal for a
period of "rest," and then, when the Karmic cycle is ripe, it is
attracted back to a center to continue its pilgrimage.


NATURE PROVIDES A SELF-TEST METHOD

Theosophy does provide us with a testing method. It states that
fundamentally we are all ONE, we are united in the ONE SPIRITUAL
ESSENCE that pervades every remote part of the boundless universe.
Also, that we all bathe (also emanate) from (and in) the ABSOLUTE.
The ABSOLUTE can never be described by the "finite." It is unaffected
by manifestation or non-manifestation, and Spirit and Matter are its
primal emanations. Intertwined, they constitute the MONAD. SECRET
DOCTRINE I 174-5 footnote describes the Monad. It is an eternal, an
entity consisting (during the cycles of evolution) of the two
contrasts: Spirit and Matter; and, as a necessary third, the MIND,
which serves at all points as the INTELLIGENCE that links these
together. "Spirit" is Ideal Wisdom, and "Matter" provides all "forms"
on any plane of manifestation. These forms, themselves, are
constituted of "Monads of lesser experience." ]


MIND and INTELLIGENCE

If you ask where growth and change takes place, it is in and through
the MIND. Mind draws all together and is INTELLIGENCE. To indicate
the level at which any particular Monad has risen in its pilgrimage,
it may be given the designation "mineral monad," "vegetable monad,"
"animal monad," "human monad." The MIND in of the Divine Principles
(along with Atma and Buddhi). It is singular, but as a link between
the eternal and Immortal INDIVIDUALITY and the many "forms" it uses,
it has a "shadow" which is reflected on the periodical "form," or
PERSONALITY. In these terms, "we" are both Individuality and that
Personality. Our embodied, brain-mind is the highest aspect of the
"shadow." Of its own volition it seeks to improve and to know its
"parent-source". It seeks to alter its condition from "shadow" to
actual immortality and self-existence, as a brother living with a host
of brothers. As said in the BHAGAVAD GITA : "The fight is in the
mind."


INDIVIDUALITY assists the PERSONALITY

Above and behind the embodied mind (Kama-Manas) is the INDIVIDUALITY
(or Buddhi-Manas). It is BUDDHI-MANAS which is the "We" that finally
oversees, and 'directs' by recommendation (by intuition, or by the
'Voice of Conscience'). But such is the nature of the educational
system which the universe provides, that this BUDDHI MANAS, interior
to us, never imposes or rules.

It however continually asks the Lower Manas ( Kama-Manas) to reform
itself, because it is only in that way that any permanent improvement
or change in our nature and character can be achieved. It can only be
done through self-induced and self-devised ways and means. It seeks
to have the lower mind consider the fact that any choice to break
Nature's laws only recoils on it producing sorrow and suffering. It
constantly points to the immutability and justice of Nature's laws.
(The reaction of Nature is educative, not punitive, since it provides
us with the exact results of any force we may exert on an other -- and
we call its action: Karma.)

Basically, We are part of that single ONE UNIVERSAL MONAD. If that is
grasped, the many analytical differences and strangenesses disappear
in the concept of being a member of the same "One BROTHERHOOD." We,
then, as minds, seek to understand, not to criticize. We seek, as
Minds, to synthesize, to build, not to destroy by analysis alone.

"AUTHORITY"

Also, no one is an "authority." Perhaps one student may have studied
more, and with that knowledge he seeks to assist others who may even
know more than he does. An offer of one's findings is a part of the
effort to make clearer a single, unified doctrine. No one has a
patent on Truth.


The UNIVERSE (Nature) is our TEACHER.

In the eternal process of discovery we find that which the Universe
(also called NATURE, or PAN) has already laid down. The Universe
supports us all. It gives us our personal as well as Individual LIFE.
Its rule is benevolence, unity, harmony and support. It therefore
reacts to every impulse we place upon it. Those impulses affect an
alter the nature of the "Monads of lesser experience" that makeup our
"forms." On their return to us, they give us the distortion we
imposed on them earlier. We will have to overcome and rectify that.

We all are constantly learning from each other.

We can't help making personal statements since we all use a
"personality." (Personality being, theosophically, "Lower Manas --
or, Kama-Manas -- the combined Manas (mind) and Kama (desire)
principles.) Mind unites, Kama isolates. Kama is the principle to be
guided and controlled by the superior Manasic faculty.


The NOBLE WAY

We are, in this evolutionary School we call our Earth, eternal Monads
going to school so that we may learn all about our environment and our
own capacities and make-up. If we take that attitude we progress
towards righteousness and the Noble Way.

Best wishes,

Dallas.

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



-----Original Message-----
From: Gopi Chari [mailto:ekcvv@juno.com]
Sent: Tuesday, October 08, 2002 5:33 AM
To: study@blavatsky.net
Subject: [bn-study] RE: KARMA and MANKIND -- Where are they now? Time
will tell -- or not? Karma

Dear Dallas,

My mode of learning of Theosophy has been to read from HPB (I am no
where
an authority like you are, I am saying that sincerely, not
sarcastically
or to distract you), try my best to experience it directly and say
that
in a language I have experienced it. I check my best that it is not my
ego talking yet make it my personal statement.

What do you think or say about that approach and also please tell me
what
HPB would say.

Thank you

Gopi