Theos-Talk Archives (January 2003 Message tt00365)

Jan 15 2003

Dear Friends:

Please allow me to comment ?

This sounds to me like you propose to give up (for a while) your right
to consider and act reasonably and in control of your self, to some
other entity whose exact nature is unknown and unrevealed. Is that
wise ? Is it prudent ? Why would one ever do that ? That is no path
to self-realization, as far as I can see. What benefit is offered to
us if we should do this? Ancient legends and myths speak of incidents
where a curious aspirant, desirous of new experiences, or of receiving
power, offered his "soul" in payment for a moment of experience.
other than the normal all one. In all such cases the results are said
to be disastrous. I ask myself of what value is such a "soul?" And,
to whom ? If it is given away in payment, then, what happens to us ?

Nor does the ancient Lodge of Adepts, our Elder Brothers, ever teach
that. Read in MAHATMA LETTERS the passages that relate to the trials
of Mr. Stainton Moses, if you would gain an insight into these
matters. The story needs careful study.

Have you for instance, read Bulwer-Lytton's ZANONI or his other book A
STRANGE STORY. In these this subject, and the trials and progress of
a disciple is vividly depicted.

Surrendering one's self-control to another ? The Buddha would call
it: "other dependence." It is the opposite (if I understand this
correctly) of SELF-DEPENDENCE. The devotees of the White Lodge
invariably follow the Path of self-dependence -- dependence on the
HIGHER SELF, the ATMA within.

By "self" the INNER SPIRITUAL SELF -- ATMA-BUDDHI is meant. This is
not outside of us, but is an essential root part of our entire
conscious existence.

The process of initiation (as I gather information about it) consists
in a gradual but sure and controlled purification of the veils of
illusion that lie between our ordinary waking consciousness and that
which can be contacted only during sessions of SAMADHI or deep,
DREAMLESS SLEEP -- the "Ray of the ONE SPIRIT" within us. From such
experiences we "return" with a whole or a partial memory of a deep,
pure, universal vision -- be it light or sound, or a "presence," it
leaves its indelible stamp on our memory -- it say: Yes, there is a
SPIRITUAL ALL, and while I am a part of it, I yet retain my own
independence. In this, is it not reasonable to suppose that it is an
inspiration for the rest on one's life. Hence, we may conclude, that
it is not easily granted, and we must have (under Karma) have reached
an important crisis of judgment in this life, to be able to perceive
even a little of the magnificence.

But looking at the other side: As I understand it, the effect of
making ones' self passive is to cut off the influence of the inner
SPIRITUAL SELF from our personal embodied self (the brain-mind). It
may be for the rest of this incarnation. Never, one senses, will the
Majestic Vision appear in such a case.

No Teacher from the WHITE LODGE -- the Masters of Wisdom -- would
ever require of any disciple any kind of blind acceptance, or blind
faith. The teachings of Theosophy show this is an invariable method.
Self-discipline, moral rectitude, brotherhood, tolerance, yes, but no
slavery, no giving up one's intellectual mind-independence even for a
moment.

I would say further that no Master of Wisdom (who had any knowledge
of Karma) would ever approach any disciple that was not fully aware,
attentive and mentally alert from an ethical/moral point of view. A
knowledge of Karma and its workings is essential as a pre-requisite
for any true spiritual advance. The disciple must be in full control
of all his faculties. And of all things, he must know the full nature
and capacities of his "LOWER NATURE -- the 4 "principles" : Kama
(desires & passions), Prana (life positive and negative), Astral
(electro-magnetic lattice work and form), and Physical (molecular and
gross matter from) bodies.

The process of self-education is that which is spoken of, to such as
are capable of grasping the teachings of The SECRET DOCTRINE and perce
iving LAW that operates impartially and universally.

Let us ask: what might be, what is this "oath to the Abyss ?" What
is the Abyss? Is it wisdom or ignorance? Is it the universe in
harmonious evolution or is a wild, lawless, tossing chaos of matter
and energy ? Is it Light, or is the madness of flashing uncontrolled
energies and lights emanating from some real or imagined "unknown?"

If the UNIVERSE springs forth in its evolutionary karmic path from
SPIRIT, what can be "unknown?" If we are "ignorant," how did we get
that way? What are we? Are we immortals or painfully powerless
things ? Only logical thought will get us out of these dilemmas and
paradoxes. How do we obtain that certitude and power? By using what
we already have, of mental power, and extending it would seem tome to
be the most reasonable approach to learning. If we are able, now, to
have the dawn of thought about such things, then there is a source
form which they come and we ought to find that and learn to understand
it.

Next what do we want to learn that our Academies and Universities
cannot teach?

May we assume for a moment that H P B published ISIS UNVEILED and The
SECRET DOCTRINE in an effort to point out to thoughtful men among the
academicians of her days, the areas where their investigations might
profit from more and deeper work. Why was it important then to do
that? Perhaps because they were close to the foundation for future
scientific and artistic development, and the laws thereof, would be
easier to find and recognize. Why is this hint resisted?

There is a far distance between mystification and the clearing away of
the veils of non-knowledge. But the path to such clearing already
exists. H P B has given us indications concerning this. Are we
pursuing those? Is there something in us that resists following such
leads? If so, what is it ?

Are we still in search of a magical "something for nothing?" Or a
"forgiveness" for our errors and blunders in the past ?

What can we offer to a "god" or a "Magician" that they do not already
possess ?

Best wishes,

Dallas

PS Also read from a collection of H P B's articles, those that offer
a deeper grasp of RAJA YOGA or OCCULTISM.

Such articles have been made available to us through several
Theosophical Web-pages, including: http://www.blavatsky.net

These are all by H P B

THE THEOSOPHICAL MAHATMAS
PRACTICAL OCCULTISM
OCCULTISM vs, THE OCCULT ARTS
LODGES OF MAGIC
PSYCHIC AND NOETIC ACTION
THE SCIENCE OF MAGIC
THE SEARCH AFTER OCCULTISM
DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE TO EDITORS
DIALOGUE ON THE MYSTERIES OF THE AFTER LIFE
HYPNOTISM AND ITS RELATION TO OTHER MODES OF FASCINATION
WHAT OF PHENOMENA?
THOUGHTS ON ELEMENTALS
CHINESE SPIRITS

Mr. W. Q. Judge offers a series

CONVERSATIONS ON OCCULTISM

Some of which are currently being republished.

D

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-----Original Message-----
From: gschueler
Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2003 8:46 AM
To:
Subject: Re - Oath of the Abyss

<<<I tend to see variations on a theme of "seeing the Teacher as a
divine
incarnation" and "readiness" for such a Teacher: That is, one might
opt to
assign ones entire environment (as opposed to particular, chosen
"Guruic"
facet/s of it) a Teacher significance/potential/divinity, so that
within that
kind of opting one could, optionally, be expressing (as I tend to see
it)
"readiness" for that kind of Teacher.>>>

Mauri, this sounds a lot like the Oath of the Abyss that a magician
must take
at a certain point along their Path. One takes an oath that one will
view
everything that happens to them as if it were a direct intervention of
a
deity. Thus common everyday events become portends, and so on, and
daily life
becomes a profound learning experience.

Jerry S.