Theos-Talk Archives (June 2003 Message tt00104)

Friday, June 13, 2003

Re: Animals and Mankind -- How is the relation to be improved?


Dear Kathy and friends:


In my esteem all your observations are well made.

Let me put in some notes in the text of yours as below, and as a
quick way of answering some of your good points.

Best wishes,

Dallas
================



-----Original Message-----
From: Kathy B
Sent:	Friday, June 13, 2003 9:19 AM
To:
Subject:	Theosophy and Animal protection



Hello Dallas,

I am very interested in what Theosophy teaches about
the consciousness of animal life, since I am involved
with an animal rescue program and very concerned about
animal protection.


First, I would like to respond to
the remark that "initiates" are not to have pets.
This admonition is not just for initiates, but for
anyone who embarks on an all-consuming venture that
allows no time for the proper care of a pet. It would
be unwise and uncharitable for any one who is taking
vows of brahmacarya attempt the proper care of
another life at the same time. This would cause quite
a conflict and end in neglect of one's vows or the
dependent life.

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

DTB	Agreed. "Initiates and their 'disciples' are those who have
chosen to pursue the study of occultism. The keeping of "pet
animals" imposes on the animals some of the human thought and
feeling characteristics. The "occultist" avoids close contact
with animals (and even people) at certain stages of his
individual development, because of the sharing (by proximity) of
"animal magnetism." He is trying to regulate his own, he avoids
the extra burden of a close animal.

In Theosophy it is taught that we ought to let the animals
develop in their own way -- as nature would have them do, and not
suffer the imposition of (some) aspects of slavery on an
intelligence that is "for the moment" lower than that of the
humans' --though as you say,

Have you seen or read Brooks THE UNITY OF ALL LIFE ?

Theosophy teaches that the immortal MONAD ( Atma-Buddhi) is in
all things. It is the LIFE PRINCIPLE innate in all forms, from
smallest to largest, from a dust mote or a sub-atmic particle, to
a complex vast UNIVERSE. Size (physical) has nothing to do with
it, except, that we are accustomed to rating things by size,
time, power, direction and distance.

We also do not understand the meaning of "immortality" (the
Spirit -- Atma --- never dies), it garners experience from all
embodiments and is always learning about ITSELF. Difficult to
grasp. Yet it is this immortal Self which is both the pupil
(from those ahead of us), and the teacher of those that follow
it.

Also difficult to grasp is that the whole of NATURE is sensitive,
alive and eternal. We see a portion of that. Science is
gradually peeling back some of the coverings that have obscured
Nature's secret workings -- and in so doing it has discovered
vast and terrible forces -- some of which, when abused react and
make our lives and environment miserable. Too much inappropriate
learning is a curse.

In this is the difference between animals and men in terms of
consciousness, as the animal FEELS, and we THINK and try to
UNDERSTAND the CAUSES of things and events. Animals have not yet
as a class, developed the individual MIND as a tool for the Atma
that animates them to use. We were "animals" in the last
manvantara, but now, we have graduated to man's stage, and are
learning the ABC's of that new condition in responsibility

Have you read the OCEAN OF THEOSOPHY on this ? Very helpful.

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

We are told in the story of Gautama's life that he
felt the path he chose to follow required him to
forsake, not just animals, but his own wife and child.
This should not be interpreted as an ideal for
everyone, and it is certainly not admirable to abandon
one's family and justify the action by an imitation of
the Buddha.

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

DTB	Agreed. Buddha was a special case where his wife and child
were well cared for in his absence. Had he been actually needed
to support them he would not have 'abandoned" them. After
"Enlightenment" he returned and they apparently appreciated what
he had done and "followed" him. Not an ordinary case. Nor a
"sentimental" love.

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

Second, I think there has been a lot of research
during the last century that indicates that animals do
have much the same thinking patterns as humans, and
much that we thought was unique to humans, we now know
is shared with the animals. In fact, we now know that
some animals score higher on IQ tests than some
humans.

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

DTB	In the area of sensitivity to emotions and feelings . Yes
But not of reasoning of the more abstract kind, such as human can
learn and practice.

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

Third, there is no doubt that the animals have limited
awareness of the higher triad, but surely that is just
as true of many humans. All you need to do in order
to observe this fact is watch the evening news on
television. The suffering in the world all stems from
this lack of awareness, so we can be sure that the
condition is quite pervasive, for humans as well as
animals. It is really quite arrogant of humans to
view themselves so far above the animals, when their
actions don't say much to support their claim.

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

DTB	Theosophy teaches that the scale of consciousness marks a gap
between that of animals and mankind. The difference is between
INSTINCT and ratiocination or analytical and synthetic thinking.
In the absence of man no animal counts or answers HUMAN QUESTIONS
and PROBLEMS.

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

Fourth, I wonder if those who believe themselves
"initiates" and thus too elitist to care for animals
have also abandoned the other features in life
required of a Brahnacarya.

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

DTB	There are of course those who pretend to be Initiates and
those who ARE INITIATES -- The difference is that true INITIATES
would never let you know it. But like in the sciences there is
superficial ad deep knowledge about Nature's laws and actions --
as in chemistry, physics, astronautics, engineering, biology,
medicine, etc... They don't act "elitist." But those who hear
of them think they ought to do that. If a true INITIATE and they
advertise, they would loose the power to employ their knowledge.
That is what true OCCULTISM causes. It is the MORAL power of
SELFLESSNESS that is operative. They live to DO GOOD.

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

HPB spoke out against the slaughter houses, and
Gandhi said that we would never
put an end to war as long as the animals were
butchered, and any one who thinks that the production
of food from dead animals is not an atrocity should
spend just one day at the slaughter house. People
understand when they suffer such atrocities, and even
have museums to commemorate it, but nothing is said
about the 9 Billion animals that are slaughtered every
year, or the millions of other animals that are
tortured in science labs. This is the real holocaust.

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

DTB	I fully agree

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

Last, let me reply to the statement that animals
should be allowed their own evolution in order to make
progress. This is fine in a natural environment in
which humans have not poisoned the water and the air,
but given the crime that has been committed against
nature, it is now necessary to offer compassion to
those who can't help themselves and suffer because of
the abuses by humans.

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

DTB	Again agreed. But I see our problems also arise from the fact
that we continue to follow the selfish ways and methods of our
parents and those who live all around us. Have we the courage to
resist and go against the current? Can we explain to any one who
wants to know what is the logic of naturalism and vegetarianism ?

If we do not, then we fail to improve in the area where we are
effective. You are correct in castigating our society. The
whole thing is improper and upside down. But those who resist
are usually the victims and under-dogs -- at least economically
and not in moral terms.

The one item in our education we have not been taught is the rule
of nature that all is balanced and we give and take only when our
use is sufficient and not oppressive to others.

Where does true MORAL education begin unless it is based on the
Laws and facts of universal life ?

While metaphysics are hard stuff for the aspiring mind, they can
be learned by gradually extending it from area to area. Where to
start?

It has, I think, to be a combination of sentiment and intuition.
Sentiment is an urge to do right. Intuition and deep thought
(meditation) tells us WHY.

It is the WHY that alone will satisfy the urges and built-in
compassion. mercy and pity of the HEART. Have you any clues on
this factor?

Brotherhood is the answer. But its practice begins in our
lives -- and we cannot impose that on others. It has to be
spontaneous, and form the HEART.

Those are the teachings of Theosophy as I understand them.

SELF-REFORM comes first of all.

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

I live here in West Virginia, and one of my neighbors
told me a few years ago, "If we don't got compassion,
we don't got nothin'. I have a problem with the
grammar, but I agree with the sentiment.

Kathy

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

Thanks and,

Best wishes,

Dallas