Theos-Talk Archives (April 2003 Message tt00020)

Tuesday, April 08, 2003


Dear Friend S R:


Do be encouraged. We all started as you have.

Here are a few suggestions:

>From my experience, I would suggest you start with a simple text book
like

The KEY TO THEOSOPHY (HPB) or

Mr. Judge's The OCEAN OF THEOSOPHY .

These are available for downloading from	http://www.blavatsky.net

You can put a copy on your Hard Disc.

Read and think about it and be really critical -- but before asking
questions I suggest the whole book (which is short) be read -- as some
arguments and questions are answered in the text.

There are of course new words which need definition. some will be
found in The THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY (HPB) and this is also available on
line from http://www.phx-ult-lodge.org/

The study of history, geography, sciences etc... can come later -- or
better still, try to absorb something of them by using the
Encyclopedia when you encounter an explanation in Theosophy that
requires you to have some knowledge in those areas.

Be patient, as your knowledge of Theosophy expands, you will find your
other areas of knowledge expand also. You have to study in a gentle,
firm and disciplined way.

Start slowly and gradually, seek only to grow as you are able to
digest the principal ideas.

Try to study, think about, discuss with yourself and others, and
grasp the basic ideas first. Then as you
expand your reading, observe as they will be found to serve you to
grasp more and more.

Theosophy will be found to fill many of the gaps in modern scientific
and philosophical thought. But do not expect it to confirm some of
the tenets and dogmas of any modern religion. This is because
Theosophy has always existed and is, in historical terms, the BASIS of
all these now diverse religions and areas of thought. Its like the
roots and main trunk of a tree -- of Knowledge. The branches we see
today are derived from this central base.

Look at these ( from The SECRET DOCTRINE, Vol. I, pp 14 -19 )


3 FUNDAMENTALS

1 SPACE is everywhere, AND CANNOT BE MEASURED.
All things that live are in this ONE SPACE.

2. LAW is everywhere. It is always honest, true,
fair, universal and impersonal. It is the basis whereby everything
alive is coordinated to everything else. It is the basis whereby LIFE
supports all things, whether they are aware of this support or not.
In any case we are now made aware of it, and it becomes an item for
study. Cooperation and generosity always are superior to selfishness
and isolation.

3. The EVOLUTION of all creatures and beings start
from the same single SPIRITUAL BASIS. It makes them all "brothers."
Even the material of all forms ( atoms, molecules ) are immortals and
come from the same one substantial SOURCE: SPIRIT -- and its 7
planes of manifested differentiation.

4 MAJOR BASIC IDEAS mark the continuation of this scientific thinking.

HERMES taught: "The stone becomes a plant. The Plant becomes an
animal, The Animal becomes a Man ( a THINKER), and, a Thinker becomes
a GOD. [That is a knower of the UNIVERSE and of all its LAWS.] Never
is anything made less or lowered again in terms of intelligence. All
progress is forward, and from inside outward -- and upward -- and
eventually we learn and know everything.

4. REINCARNATION is the Process by which all
beings progress. The forms constantly change. The SPIRIT/Soul of
Man, that is behind the forms, and creates them, NEVER DIES.

5. Sleep is death. Death is sleep. The
CONSCIOUSNESS always survives.

6. The LAW OF SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT is through
BROTHERHOOD.

7. MAN'S DUTY IS TO HELP ALL OTHERS.

These are 7 of the principal points of Theosophical philosophy. Think
about them.

Try to see if they are true common sense, and reasonable.

Ask all the questions you want.


Best wishes,


Dallas





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

-----Original Message-----
From: stephen reasoner [mailto:swr566@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2003 9:29 AM
To: theos-talk@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Theos-World (unknown)

Thank you for allowing me to share with Theos-talk for the very first
time Iam pleased about this. To start all things off correctly someone
please share with me that they would be willing to communicate with me
by saying a warm hello and welcome.After that I will have a better
feel for this.Again thank you for this oppurtunity.Most sincerly Steve
Reasoner St.Louis,Mo