Theos-Talk Archives (June 2003 Message tt00053)

Sunday, June 08, 2003

Dear Diana and Friends:

Nice to hear from you. Enjoy that which we have been working at
for several years now.

Good, read, study, think and then ask -- a fine idea. In the
meantime here is a short over-view of what Theosophy deals with:

Might help. I Suggest you read OCEAN OF Theosophy (Judge) and
KEY TO THEOSOPHY (HPB) It always helps to know what others are
talking about if there are technical terms involved. Or ask.
They are available over Internet at www.blavatsky.net

Theosophy has a definite set of doctrines and tenets which on
close examination will be found to be the same as "common sense."
The only "difference: you will soon note, is that in Theosophy we
look for the CAUSES of things and are not always satisfied when
they are identified with a "word," or a "label."

If anything you could call the process of using Theosophy a
continual exercise is asking WHY, WHERE, HOW, WHEN and WHY .

Those who have been for some time in Theosophy have read and
studied these two relatively short books:

H. P. Blavatsky, the KEY TO THEOSOPHY (HPB) , and

W. Q. Judge, the OCEAN OF THEOSOPHY

both are "on line" and can be "downloaded" from
http://www.blavatsky.net -- The also have a bookshop and can
ship those to you if and when you desire to have copies with you
for further reference.

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 and grasp the basic ideas first.

Then as you expand your reading, observe as they serve you to
grasp more and more.


3 FUNDAMENTALS

1 SPACE is everywhere, AND CANNOT BE MEASURED.

2. LAW is everywhere. It is always honest, true, fair,
universal and impersonal

3. The EVOLUTION of all creatures and beings starts 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 SOURCE: SPIRIT.

This makes the entire Universe a UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD -- Spirit
and Soul are the basis for all things. Evolution and
self-progress are the methods that lead to "perfection.'


4 MAJOR BASIC IDEAS:

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. Never is anything made less or lowered again."
All progress is forward 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 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. Ask all the
questions you want.

As to Karma, belief or non-belief -- the whole of SCIENCE study
is based on one fact: And effect always follows a cause.
Science in investigating Nature in her many departments has found
that the LAWS of Nature are invariable and always operate. Water
boils and freezes at one temperature for each. Wind blows,
depending on changes in atmospheric pressure. Salt is always
salt and not gold or silver. How do these things happen. In Man,
why are we the way we are ? Why do we inquire into our make-up ?
Is psychology true?


I do hope this is of help,

Best wishes,

Dallas

--------------------------------------
PS

I also attach a brief essay which might be of help:

THEOSOPHY

"All of it can be demonstrated to wisdom...it is "a great body
of philosophical, scientific and ethical doctrine, forming the
basis and origin of all similar thought...known as the "Wisdom
Religion." It was "always taught by adepts or initiates, who
preserve it through all time."

These great Men, the flowers of the human race, form an ancient
brotherhood "concerned with the soul development of man," and
this includes every process of evolution on all planes. They
hold that humanity is capable of infinite perfection. This
brotherhood resides on Earth, but is generally unknown.

Mme. Blavatsky declared she was their "Messenger."

The Foundation teachings rest on the UNKNOWN principle concerning
which nothing is definable, yet it is the universal substratum of
all. It is, and is in ALL THINGS AND BEINGS....the whole universe
is alive and active in seven ways and on seven planes, all
cooperative and interactive. Spirit is its highest aspect in
manifestation. Matter is the pole opposite to Spirit, but has the
same origin.

The Spirit focalizes itself in those human beings who "permit it
to do so." "The refusal to permit it to do so is the cause of
all sin, suffering and sorrow"....

The perfectibility of the race constantly provides the
Brotherhood with new members, and as such they assist nature,
widen and deepen their consciousness and take on the
responsibilities of their influence for good in the government
of all... "This offers a sublime concept of aim, and purpose for
living. It agrees with the basic yearnings of the soul, and it
destroys pessimism and despair."

Man is a Conscious Spirit, and in him are conjoined Spirit,
Matter and Mind. His responsibility when he ascends to the human
stage is to assist "matter" in purifying itself, and become the
conscious vehicle of Spirit. To do this, man comes into "touch
with all planes of nature." The 7 principles of man as described,
show that the INDIVIDUALITY is a trinity, a thinker. It passes
from "house" to "house" by the process of reincarnation, and in
those embodiments it enjoys or suffers according to its deeds,
chosen in the past.

The spiritual man is immortal and has always existed.. In him is
embodied the law of cause and effect. He is Karma. In one life
he is known as a personality, but in the stretch of eternity he
is one individual, independent of name, form, or recollection."

"Each man's life and character are the outcome of his previous
lives and thoughts. Each is his own judge, his own
executioner...each, by his own life reaches his reward, rises to
the heights of knowledge...and power of good for all. Nothing is
left to chance, or partiality, but all is under the governance of
law....His own spirit is the essence of this LAW. Right ethics
are ever the same: Universal Brotherhood.


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

-----Original Message-----
From: Diana W
Sent: Sunday, June 08, 2003 9:19 AM
To:
Subject: Joining.

------------------------------------

Hello Group!

I just joined, and am looking forward to reading and interacting.
I have
only been aware of theosophy for about one year, but I really do
feel it,
enjoy it. I will just lurk here for now, and join in when the
time is
right...

d.w.


After all, we are not striving to reach a destination; the
journey itself is
our goal, and the path begins with a single step.


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