Theos-Talk Archives (December 2002 Message tt00005)

The question has been asked as to why Theosophy spends time studying the
Seven Root Races of Globe D in the 4th Round. Why was this material
written in the first place? What is it's relevence for our time? 

One might just as well ask what is the purpose of the entire SECRET
DOCTRINE as the discussion of the Root Races is just one component of a
much larger work which deals with similar matters.

1-First, keep in mind that the SD was written as the title page suggests
as "the synthesis of science, religion, and philosophy." This is a much
deeper continuation of the work done in ISIS UNVEILED. In both works, the
assertions of religion and science are examined and answered according to
the understandings of the ancient wisdom of the secret doctrine. But it
is more than a simple "putting down" of religion and science. Rather, as
a synthesis, SD goes between the lines to show the hidden meanings in
many world religious teachings and also to fill in the gaps and
straighten out the theories of science. It also attempts to show that
rather than the purely mechanical evolution that science has theorized.
evolution is in fact "directed" by higher powers and thus has a spiritual
goal rather than a random life of its own. On the other hand, the various
"creationist" myths of religion are shown for what the really are and
harmonized with the teachings of science. To this end, SD first needs to
outline in detail what teaching are, including the subject of the Root
Races and then compares/contrasts them to the teachings of religion and
science. 

2-As Dallas has pointed out in another place, these teachings about
ancient races are not just some historical meanderings for intellectual
perusal. these teachings are ABOUT US! WE each lived countless
incarnations in each of these Root Races. So it shows what our own
progress has been, outlines what the future holds and thus places our
lives in an eternal perspective. Knowing this, and coming to believe it,
helps one get a grip on why we are here and what is expected of us. We
are NOT some creature fashioned by the whim of some personal god to exist
for his/her pleasure to end up around some eternal throne spending
eternity in adulation! Neither are we just some chance of nature, the
result of random co-mingling of molecules and the chance evolution to
what we are now only to be one day rendered extinct and of no consequence
but only a flash in the cosmic randomess that is our universe. We are
each an eternal monad, ever progressing, ever evolving, taking back steps
now and then ,faltering perhaps, but overall continuing on an eternal
course which is charted, directed and sure. This earthly flesh will
indeed wither and die but the monad continues and incarnates again and
again, progressing spiritually towards higher forms and experiences. 

HPB writes that this is not for everyone at this time. Most scoff at all
this and view it as nonsense (even a number on this list) But this is
understandable and expected. She writes in the last paragraph of the SD
introduction vol I: xlvi "The errors of the day must be explained and
swept away, yet it is more than probable--and in the present case it
amounts to certitude--that once more the testimony of long ages and of
history will fail to inpress anyone but the very intuitional--which is
equal to saying the very few. But in this as in all cases, the TRUE and
the FAITHFUL may console themselves by presenting the sceptical modern
Sadducee with the mathematical proff and memorial of his obdurate
abstinacy and bigotry."

So this is what it's about. You might be interested to know that on the
list I moderate (BN-study) one of the things I am currently doing is a
study of those very Root Races, extecting from the SD what we know about
each and preparing a chart which will at a glance compare and contrast
them. Certainly not for everyone! earlier in the year we went through the
Bibical Book of Genesis and cited the relevant SD quote which explain the
hidden meaning to those passages. Again, an exercize for the few. But ant
interested are invited to share with us. (I owe you one Eldon)

Hope this offers some understanding

Larry 

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