Theos-Talk Archives (December 2002 Message tt00030)

Dec 28 2002

Dear T:

As I understand it these lists and "chat-groups" are formed to discuss
the philosophy of theosophy. Occasionally matters of event and
history arise. They are best resolved on documents and the statements
made originally by those concerned. Unfortunately, some correspondents
rely too much on memory, and not on facts that can be checked by any
one concerned. This causes confusion and debate that it quite
unnecessary.

Much as I dislike going into the "history of the T S," some things are
in plain sight. And while they have nothing to do with the validity
of THEOSOPHY, they are snags that draw attention away from the
PHILOSOPHY. As such they ought to be laid to rest and there let lie.

We have at least two very good histories that concern H P B (apart
from her own letters), and accounts made by others who lived around
her and were witnesses to various events, the first which I have
personally verified from documentary, primary sources is

The THEOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT (1875-1950) (300+ pages) & 6.00

Sylvia Cranston's biography THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE AND INFLUENCE OF
HELENA BLAVATSKY -- Tarcher/Putnam, New York, 1993 & 30.00 [
Recently the 9th printing in paper back has been issued, price about
$ 12.00.]

But, however interesting, they do not seem to teach anything except to
those who already know of the philosophy and of the inner planes of
being and of will force, that are active and visible at times. They
are distractions and obstructions for the average student or
researcher.

The horse riding accident I recall mention of, as H P B speaks of it
(see p. 30 of Sylvia Cranston's biography THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE AND
INFLUENCE OF HELENA BLAVATSKY -- Tarcher/Putnam, New York, 1993.) By
some "miracle" (Masters' help) she went through it unharmed. The
nature of any wounds then received, I never have seen mentioned or
described. I find that many people try to trivialize important things
by referring to events in the personal life of a teacher or messenger.
And they derive their own fanciful conclusions -- to the future
distraction of readers like you and me, who wonder, and then seek to
verify the facts.

You will find that sceptics accumulate around every great reformer
AFTER their death, and begin speculating about physical reasons for
their (the reader or pupil's) lack of understanding -- as though such
a deficiency (in their eyes only) was good reason to doubt anything
offered or taught. The two things are not congruent.

Some, truly inimical, depending on the prevailing like for "gossip,"
emphasize, or magnify such events and criticism, as though the dust,
thus blown, will be made to becloud and surround the subject -- and
these imaginings and theories project themselves into the mental
processes of others. Researchers like you and me, desire a clear view
of what was originally done or said. They call attention to small
details, and to "errors" which they say they have found, and set
themselves up as editors and authorities. Are we to believe them
without any checking ? Do they provide adequate references for their
views?

You will find that most of the "splits" and sectarianism in religious
"belief" (NOT KNOWLEDGE) arises because certain individuals (WHO DO
NOT STUDY THOROUGHLY) accept those authorities; and having done so,
they refuse to do the necessary individual study to verify (or not)
the views divergent from those of the original teacher. "Belief" is
the most dangerous of weapons used against the clear thinking of
individuals. When they accept they become slaves.

The Theosophical Society (not THEOSOPHY, as a philosophy), right after
H P B's death began to do this. Members began to drift into seperative
ranks of believers of this or that. The attempt at Unity was
gradually destroyed. You can see its dire effects today among those
who call themselves "theosophists." [ No one, except the Masters of
Wisdom, deserve that appellation.]

Mr. Judge (for whom H P B spoke in the highest terms) was the first
attacked. Thereafter a Man named Leadbeater (in England and at Adyar)
set himself up to make changes and develop Theosophy into several
areas, where it would meet with some approval from those who did not
study, but wanted a cozy nook of belief.

I say that any one who is familiar with H P B Theosophy will
immediately detect the divergences of Leadbeater "theosophy." But
there were those who though much of it, starting with Annie Besant.
She however, waited till Col. Olcott died in 1907 to bring this into
prominence.

Mr. Judge and the whole American THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY section was
"excommunicated" by Col. Olcott ( First President T S for LIFE) in
July 1995. Thus the T S in A. sailed its own ship and after Judge
died in March 1996, under various Presidents it developed its own
minor divergent views based on their perception of the original
teachings.

Emerging from this in 1909, was the UNITED LODGE OF THEOSOPHISTS -- it
rejected all novelty or belief, and emphasized (and still does) a
careful study of the ORIGINAL TEACHINGS of H P B. It pioneered the
reprinting of the original texts books either by a photographic
process, or by verbatim editions in carefully re-set type. It has a
high regard for the Judge writings not just because of H P B's
endorsement, but because of their inherent worth.

As an association, it has no membership as such. It is sustained by
"associates" -- volunteers who for the past 90 years have supported
it by donations of time, money and work. It places the direct
relationship of the inquirer / student to the Original Teachings of H
P B as the most important part of their learning experience. Each
such associate determines for themselves their own rate of progress.
Each takes entire responsibility for their own decisions.

In the final analysis, no opinion of any kind is worth the hot air, or
the printing used in publishing it.

New students have, each, to go through the laborious job of proving
for themselves the value of anything said or written. Only those who
desire, because of impatience (or laziness), a short-cut, and choose
the "authority" of another to rely on, find themselves cornered when
asked for the logic of their choices. They cannot defend themselves.
Reference to original sources strips them of any "hiding place," or
individual on which they can place blame for their own shortcomings.

Those who have studied, learned and satisfied themselves as to the
real value of THEOSOPHY, point to the original teachings, and are
able to show how Theosophy is a coherent and consecutive statement of
the actual observations made by a band of immortal SPIRITUALLY WISE
SAGES who have participated in the evolution of our Earth and Kosmos,
and who have recorded their observations of the laws (KARMA -- as it
operates everywhere). (S D I 272-3 )

There is nothing that increases or diminishes statements except their
own inherent worth. And this has to be individually proved by each
sincere and honest student for themselves.

Best wishes,

Dallas

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

-----Original Message-----
From: T
Sent: Saturday, December 28, 2002
To: dalval14@earthlink.net
Subject: HPB

Dear Dallas,

Wow! What an interesting conversation folks are
having on Theos. HPB would probably get a good laugh
out of this!

I think if you check through the books you all can
find some reference to her having a severe horseback
riding accident when she was a young woman that left
her in a position wherein (from there) intimate
relations where sadly just too painful to participate
in (as well as a couple of health concerns for which,
from time to time she self medicated) AND wasn't it
that high fever/illness that she had as a childe that
resulted in her most probably being sterile through
never truly finding out since the act of love making
ripped her up a bit.

Sincerely,
T