Theos-Talk Archives (January 2003 Message tt00094)

Nicholas, 
 
The Neo-theosophy had its roots in two places that I know of: 1) In
Subba Row’s Esoteric Teachings to CWL and others and, 2) through the
London Lodge Inner Group, which CWL was a member, and where Sinnett and
company were getting Mahatmic teachings through a medium. These
teachings began to become main stream in the Theosophical Journals after
Besant’s involvement with the London Lodge and CWL beginning in 1894.
The Maitreya teaching was originally tied to Krishnamurti, the supposed
vehicle for the Maitreya/Christ return. Besant, in an ES talk in 1909
or 10, presented the earliest (that I’m aware of) full description of
what later became credited as the Bailey hierarchy—Maitreya and all.
This was published in The Link (a London ES journal) and in the American
EST Bulletin in 1910, I think, but no later than this. Also in January
1912, CWL and AB were called by the Maitreya to prepare Krishnamurti and
Jinarajadasa for their second initiation. The boys were taken to
Taormina in Sicily for the training. Much of the material in Masters
and the Path comes from these early events. The account of this 1912
initiation begins on pg. 298 in my 2nd edition (1927). You might also
look at Joseph Ross’ book on the Taormina stay. There is a lot of
material made public there for the first time.  
 
According to her Autobiography, (If my memory serves me correctly)
Bailey’s first contact with Theosophy was through the Pacific Grove
Lodge around 1912. She moved to Krotona Hollywood a year or two
thereafter where she joined the ES, and gained access to the material
concerning the inner government and initiations, which was only
circulated through the ES at that time. However, you will find hints of
it in the Theosophist. Bailey states in her Autobiography that she
began taking psychic dictation from “the Tibetan” around 1917 or 18 and
left Krotona shortly afterwards (I’m recalling from her Autobiography
that I read years ago, so my memory may not exactly match her dates, but
they should be close). Initiation Human and Solar was published in
1922—her first book—I think. I read it some years ago, and found it
very faithful to the ES teachings as they were presented from 1910-1918.

 
I hope this is helpful. 
 
--j
 
 
 
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Nick Weeks [mailto:nick.weeks@worldnet.att.net] 
Sent: Monday, January 06, 2003 11:00 AM
To: Theos Talk
Subject: Theos-World Pseudo-theosophy of AAB & CWL
 
Having less time now than when I wrote Theosophy's Shadow some years
ago, I still will try, from time to time, to respond to some criticisms
of the article.
 
I am not sure what Lindsay means by "It" being the "other way around".
He is apparently just quoting the Fibetan via Bailey about CWL's use of
the first Fibetan book Initiation. It is irrelevant whether Leadbeater
borrowed from that book in 1925 or not. My point was that the return of
Maitreya and other elements of pseudo-theosophy were brought forth from
the fount of CWL during the Esoteric Section teachings around 1910(?).
(Hopefully Tillett or Hejka-Ekins or some other historian will nail down
this timeframe more accurately) This was long before Bailey started
channelling in 1918. The Adyar TS, during AAB's early membership, was
steeped in CWL's teachings, so it is obvious that the words AAB's "books
are rooted in the pseudo-theosophy pioneered by CW Leadbeater" are
accurate.
 
Below is a snippet from
http://www.esotericastrologer.org/AABHPBHR.htm#TSNW which has Lindsay's
comments on Theosophy's Shadow.
 
I will eventually wade through his remarks and respond to some of them.
Perhaps I will plump up the article with another rewrite someday.
Fare Thee Well,
 
Nicholas 
 
************
NW:
Her books are rooted in the pseudo-theosophy pioneered by CW Leadbeater.
For example, one of CWL's favorite revelations was the return to earth
of "Maitreya" the Christ. Bailey accepted this fantasy. 
Phillip Lindsay (PL): It is actually the other way around. Leadbeater
used some of AAB's original material from books such as Intiation, Human
and Solar and took the credit for it in his book The Masters and the
Path.
 
**********
 
 
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
 
 
 
 
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ 
 


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]