Theos-Talk Archives (January 2003 Message tt00117)

Jan 8 2003

Dear Morten and Friends:

Again you are correct as far as I can see, and thanks for drawing
attention to those valuable quotations from The SECRET DOCTRINE.

Simply, what I was trying to say is that there is more than the
literal (or dead letter) method of reading. As you say there is
always the secret and the occult way. But that is what the student
has to decipher -- so as to secure the inner meaning. I am of the
opinion that a thorough knowledge of Theosophy provides us with a
frame-work to use for this.

If it is age-old and universal, then it certainly has had time to
develop the necessary codes of meaning that open up, when the pupil
has attained the necessary moral level at which his knowledge can not
be diffused if it is going to be harmful to others.

In the VOICE OF THE SILENCE the 2nd "Fragment" on the 2 Paths h p b
discourses on the Doctrine of the Eye ( Head learning) and the
Doctrine of the HEART ( or Soul Wisdom). I had that in mind.

Language and writing are used to convey meaning and designed perhaps
to have many more than one set of meanings.

I imagine that to decipher the 7 keys that Mme. H.P.Blavatsky speaks
of, the "disciple" has to furnish from within himself the necessary
knowledge.

Thanks again,

Dallas

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


From: Morten

Sent: Tuesday, January 07, 2003 4:43 AM

Subject:: on our toes What is THEOSOPHY


Hi Dallas and all of you,

Below are my views:

Thanks for answering.
I have cut the past emails except the latest to make this email short.

Well, your answer certainly made me wonder...

You said, "You are right, I did not want to raise that debate. It is
fruitless in any case."


And yet saying that you make an answer running two pages on the
printer.

Fruitless ? Nothing is fruitless, but maybe it yealds less fruit.

In spite of that, I do my best to answer you.

1. Unfamiliar with the idea of the "dead-letter" ?
Blavatsky used the term several times in īThe Secret Doctrine. And she
also
refers to what it is.


Reading by the dead-letter is - for instance - to read a sentence or a
book
using only one mode of reading, i.e. "the literal mode". But words -
and especially words of wisdom - often
has more than one meaning to them. (Which meanings one asks, - and the
answer could be, - that the use of you igmagination often tells you,
there
are often hints in the scriptures, and other issues).


When the theosophical student learns to think at more than just one
thing or
issue at a time while reading, - then, -reading without the
dead-letter
alone comes forward as a possibility. H. P. Blavatsky (HPB) knew that
and
used that idea a great deal.


The idea originates back in time. I have seen ancient scriptures from
the
Middle East referring to it, using almost the same words
"dead-letter". The
books of Idries Shah could lead you and the readers in the proper
direction
to that, if you are interested in it.


The Middle Eastern scholar Seyyed Hussein Nasr talks in one of his
books
about that the Arab language has for years had the knowledge and at
least
used 13 different modes of writing, and that 6 of these constitutes a
group.
There are also teachings on this using the words of sanskrit. Maybe B.
A.
Goswami could teach the readers a trick or two on that.

To quote HPB on what the dead-letter is:


(THE SECRET DOCTRINE, Vol. 1, Page 336.)
"There is more wisdom concealed under the exoteric fables of Puranas
and
Bible than in all the exoteric facts and science in the literature of
the
world, and more OCCULT true Science, than there is of exact knowledge
in all
the academies. Or, in plainer and stronger language, there is as much
esoteric wisdom in some portions of the exoteric Puranas and
Pentateuch, as
there is of nonsense and of designed childish fancy in it, when read
only in
the dead-letter murderous interpretations of great dogmatic religions,
and
especially of sects." (end-quotation)

2. Yes yes. But what is "the original teachings" ?
The Akasha (the non-physical spiritual library) ? The Vedas ? The
Secret
Doctrine ? Another Bible ? Or a great number of scriptures and symbols
etc...?


And do the ernest intellectual students know all the different modes
of
reading - including understanding fully the term "dead-letter" reading
(or
even sensing) ? I hope so, but I have to say, that I think not.

3. Theosophy is, as we know, of course NOT ONLY a REPORT. Theosophy is
the
Wisdom of the Gods, this is a living wisdom

The Wisdom of the Gods is also to be found in our nature. (To quote
HPB:
"Mr. Ralston Skinner, of Cincinnati, the author of "The
Hebrew-Egyptian
Mystery and the Source of Measures" has our thanks.") He knew about
that,
and HPB supports and introduces him ( THE SECRET DOCTRINE, Vol. 1,
Page 308)
:
"Nor would it be just to enter upon an esoteric reading of symbolism
without
giving due honour to one who has rendered it the greatest service in
this
century, by discovering the chief key to ancient Hebrew symbology,
interwoven strongly with metrology, one of the keys to the once
universal
mystery language. Mr. Ralston Skinner, of Cincinnati, the author of
"The
Hebrew-Egyptian Mystery and the Source of Measures" has our thanks. A
mystic
and a Kabalist by nature, he has laboured for many years in this
direction,
and his efforts were certainly crowned with great success. In his own
words:--

"The writer is quite certain that there was an ancient language which
modernly and up to this time appears to have been lost, the vestiges
of
which, however, abundantly exist. . . . The author discovered that
this
(integral ratio in numbers of diameter to circumference of a circle)
geometrical ratio was the very ancient, and probably the divine origin
of
linear measures. . . . It appears almost proven that the same system
of
geometry, numbers, ratio, and measures were known and made use of on
the
continent of North America, even prior to the knowledge of the same by
the
descending Semites. . . . ."

"The peculiarity of this language was that it could be contained in
another,
concealed and not to be perceived, save through the help of special
instruction; letters and syllabic signs possessing at the same time
the
powers or meaning of numbers, of geometrical shapes, pictures, or
ideographs
and symbols, the designed scope of which would be determinatively
helped out
by parables in the shape of narratives or parts of narratives; while
also it
could be set forth separately, independently, and variously, by
pictures, in
stone work, or in earth construction." "
(end quotation). The quotation was cut short by me to save space.

The teachings of the orhtodox dead-letter churches - are dead wisdom,
because there isn't in a certain sense any wisdom there, (or not much
anyway
in their minds).


But many of the old religious buildings contains information on
Theosophy,
the ancient wisdom of all ages...Some of them exists today. Even some
of the
Christian churches contains "the language of the birds" - the
alchemists or
"builders" language. The same goes for some of the Mosques of Islam -
using
the words to form pictures. And the God Vishnu in India is also often
pictured using this language. A language coinsiding with the use of
the 7
keys - and the mystery language of HPB's.


It is said, that these teachings of symbols contains much wisdom. The
teachers of the dead-letter doesn't understand this. These buildings
mention
by Skinner in the above exists many of them today ! Some of them even
in
America...! (according to HPB).

4. And let us also agree, that it could be wrong to NOT AT ALL
consider the
level of spiritual and good fruits made by personalities or
individuals like
the one I mentioned in my last email. I think it is important to
consider
the impact they have made each of them. Blavatsky is here one with
great
impact compared with others, not doubt there !


But I - certainly - agree it is their teaching which is most important
to
the new seekers of wisdom, and not the prejudice of the eyes or ears
etc...
Those who feel themselves to be in contact with some of the great
spirits of
wisdom, and who truely is so, will perhaps has a different opinion.
>:-)

5. I also always recommend the originals of HPB's scriptures. And one
is
welcome to correct me if I don't use them properly. But bud, While
emailing
here at Theos-Talk it is not always easy to quote HPB's use of
diagrams and
figures etc..., and that we will have to take into account. I think I
forgot
to mention that in my last email to you Dallas.


So the readers are herby recommended the original scriptures of HPB's
while
reading these emails on this issue (- which for some odd reason has
the
title: on our toes What is THEOSOPHY) >:-) Smile....

6. And this one is well-meant and addressed to the better-knowing
fariseaes,
who read this:


Maybe the ignorant reader, could be offered the suggestion, that there
is
today for those advanced enough, books, which uses more than the 3 or
4
keys - as done in the so very famous and good book by the name The
Secret
Doctrine. (SD vol. 2, page 797).


(And let us not forget, that 3 higher keys of the 7 keys are in the
hands of
the initiated. Well, HPB says this. And maybe she is right.)


I will recommend those who are skilled (and maybe very skilled) in the
Arab
language to read (not the supposed original, but ) the - true
original -
books of the true sufi Ibn El Arabi (the Alchemist Doctor Maximus),
and then
come and tell me, if they do not reach an even higher level than that
of
HPB's by the name The Secret Doctrine.


In some of the sanskrit scriptures the use of more than 3 or 4 keys
comes to
my mind. But they are in the hands of the initiates. I have the
knowledge,
that they exist. (Why Kashmere comes to my mind, I don't know).
Well I have at least offered something. But it is not recommended that
all
now start learning Arab or Sanskrit because of my offer. Because that
is
most certain not the best solution for every reader here at
Theos-Talk.
Well, that is just my humble view.

7. If Theosophy is more than "Theosophy", then why not add the
teachings
of - for instance - Idries Shah or Mother Teresa and say of them that
they
are to, some theosophical seekers, - usefull addings of teaching
although
they are not what one could call core theosophical teaching.


Although I personally think that Idries Shah enhances the theachings
of
Theosophy - on the by HPB not mentioned area of the Middle East. An
area
which she stated, that she did'nt do much on, because only few
scriptures
was translated to european languages at her time of writing The Secret
Doctrine (1888).

8. The New Age has made progress yes. And that scares me a little.
Because
it was as I understand from a letter made by HPB to Judge, exactly why
Theosophy was created. It should stand as a buffer or even opposition
towards all this --- kind Sorcery stuff which a great part of what
today is
called the New Age are dabbling with or copying Simon the Mages
with...
And I do somewhat understand - the strong reactions from some readers
here
at Theos-Talk, which strongly rejects - certain groups - which dare
call
themselves Theosophical

Excuse me for being critical, but the time is critical: For instance -
some
(not all) Bailey-groups are not helping Theosophy very much these
days. As a
former member I should know at least something about it. The problem
as I
see it with the Bailey-groups are that they foreget the importance of
the 7
keys - as mentioned earliere in emails as well as this one.


More so, they are inclined to be politically involved - in a negative
(theosophical-christian-like) manner, which are not giving
humanitarian
justice towards The Middle East, a former 'great' society with a
blossoming
science. A society which today by ignorant westerners are overlooked,
because its teachings are veiled in religious teaching, allegories
etc.. and
even sufi-teaching, which the ignorants do not understand.


Some of the Bailey-groups lean to heavily towards New Age. Well only
some of
them.

The below should clarify:


To quote HPB - ( Letter 1 -1888, Second Annual Convention - April
22-23; - A
letter to W.Q. Judge to read to the Convention summoned for April
22d).

"It must be remembered that the Society was not founded as a nursery
for
forcing a supply of Occultists -- as a factory for the manufactory of
Adepts. It was intended to stem the current of materialism, and also
that of
spiritualistic phenomenalism and the worship of the Dead. It had to
guide
the spiritual awakening that has now begun, and not to pander to
psychic
cravings which are but another form of materialism. For by
"materialism" is
meant not only an anti-philosophical negation of pure spirit, and,
even
more, materialism in conduct and action -- brutality, hypocrisy, and,
above
all, selfishness -- but also the fruits of a disbelief in all but
material
things, a disbelief which has increased enormously during the last
century,
and which has led many, after a denial of all existence other than
that in
matter, into a blind belief in the materialization of Spirit.

The tendency of modern civilization is a reaction towards animalism,
towards
a development of those qualities which conduce to the success in life
of man
as an animal in the struggle for animal existence. Theosophy seeks to
develop the human nature in man in addition to the animal, and at the
sacrifice of the superfluous animality which modern life and
materialistic
teachings have developed to a degree which is abnormal for the human
being
at this stage of his progress.

Men cannot all be Occultists, but they can all be Theosophists. Many
who
have never heard of the Society are Theosophists without knowing it
themselves; for the essence of Theosophy is the perfect harmonizing of
the
divine with the human in man, the adjustment of his god-like qualities
and
aspirations, and their sway over the terrestrial or animal passions in
him.
Kindness, absence of every ill feeling or selfishness, charity,
goodwill to
all beings, and perfect justice to others as to oneself, are its chief
features. He who teaches Theosophy preaches the gospel of goodwill;
and the
converse of this is true also -- he who preaches the gospel of
goodwill,
teaches Theosophy. "
http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/hpb-am/hpb-am1.htm



I doubt wheather Dallas will answer on this, because he Thinks it is
fruitless.

And let us remember, that this above are only views, and no more than
that.
Feel free to comment or do your best...

from
M. Sufilight with peace on earth...and a smile...