Theos-Talk Archives (May 2003 Message tt00017)

Saturday, May 03, 2003

Re: “foot-rule” and Accuracy in
answering/translating

Dear Etzion:

As you guessed the phrase “foot-rules” is British, used in
schools, and means a ruler that is only 12 inches long. Most
students owned one as well as basic geometrical instrument sets,
compass, quadrant, etc…

I don’t recommend or use any “abridgment” of The SECRET DOCTRINE,
for the reason that any one who does that kind of “abridgment,”
inevitably adds or subtracts their views and prejudices from such
a work.

However, if properly marked and cautioned, at the outset, so the
reader cannot fail to notice, an “abbreviation” may prove to be
a stepping stone.

I think studying the KEY TO THEOSOPHY (HPB) ought to be a
preliminary to study of The SECRET DOCTRINE --

Even better, always read ISIS UNVEILED as a preface to The SECRET
DOCTRINE -- then one gets a basis for understanding the origins
of the THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY and what it was meant to do. The
SECRET DOCTRINE brings together the essence of the Eternal
Wisdom -- the “Accumulated Wisdom of the Ages.” ( S D I
272-3 -- “the Ancient Source”)

The same criticism can be applied to any one who writes
(including myself), or, attempts to answer a question on
Theosophical philosophy. They inject unwittingly a portion of
their limited understanding.

In my opinion it is far better to direct attention to some
original statement, from book or article by H P B -- so that
there is no question as to the source and the accuracy for any
proposed answer.

The questioner may have alternative sources on which he/she bases
their question -- this can be brought out so the whole picture is
developed and looked at together. Two heads are better than one,
any time. We, who are all students at some degree of remoteness
from H P B, ought to learn to “conference” far more than we do.
It will improve the accuracy of our comprehension and mutual
esteem. But we can reduce the “distance” from H P B by going
direct to her writings whenever possible.

Students could always be directed to the ORIGINAL EDITION. One
can say this because after her death several editions of The
SECRET DOCTRINE have been issued by groups of students who
constituted themselves “editors,” and who have changed, here and
there, what she wrote, often without indicating their changes If
one goes direct to the original, then they are put in DIRECT
contact with H P B, and her own wisdom (and that of the Masters)
as all three certified that they co-authored in writing the
ook -- no interpreters and no intermediaries.

Best wishes,

Dal

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

-----Original Message-----
From: Etzion
Sent: Friday, May 02, 2003 6:24 AM
To: study@blavatsky.net
Subject: [bn-study] question: the secret doctrine

In the abridgement of the Secret Doctrine, page 111, 18th row
from bottom:
"So long as there are foot-rules within the resources of Kosmos,
to apply to matter, so long will they be able to measure it three
ways and no more; ..."

What are *foot-rules*? I guess it is some British expression.
Thanks, Etzion

(Part one, Cosmic Evolution Stanza 7)
























Etzion Becker
P.O. Box 7398
Jerusalem, 91073
ISRAEL
www.3dsight.com/etzion/
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