Theos-Talk Archives (June 2003 Message tt00252)

Wednesday, June 25, 2003

Re: "Common sense" and "Openness"

Dear Friend:

You say:

Dallas wrote:
"Common sense" and "openness" are the characteristics of true
Knowledge and of WISDOM.

My answer:
I disagree with that. Can you please explain how you can equate
"Common sense" and "openness" with what you call "WISDOM" ? I
just don't get it. Maybe some other readers care to make a remark
on that.

Anyone ?

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

Dallas offers by way of answer:

There are many ways of answering questions.

Only one is exact, the rest have been modified in some way, and
therefore they are only "relatively" true..


This comment of mine can be classified with the 2nd variety -- an
opinion, to be considered ....


WISDOM (in my opinion) is the capacity to answer with exactitude.

Also, should there be some ambiguity , the answer ought to
include explanation, and perhaps some leads as to understanding
broader or deeper aspects. In all cases a WISE answer disclaims
any "authority."

It recognizes that the sole authority that guides anyone is the
INNER AUTHORITY of the SPIRITUAL SELF. (that is, the REAL MAN.
The physical body is not the REAL MAN but only a vehicle for IT.
The physical man is guided and directed and used by the
indwelling Causative Force: The Mind directed by the Inner
IMMORTAL SELF. That is, when the physical man is not so
distorted by bad living, and false choices in the past, that
such communication is almost impossible. The problem is to be
found in our desires and their selfishness.)

It is claimed in esotericism and occultism that this SPIRITUAL
SELF is universal -- hence a TRUE ANSWER would be: IT is
identical for all. IT is shared by all. The rest contain
opinions and hence are approximate "truths."

On our material plane, and dealing with the present brain-mind,
we all have to use the "common sense" aspect of approach, which
comes, perhaps, closest to this universal statement that common
innate WISDOM and TRUTH demand.

Again, the definition of "common sense" is left open to
individual interpretation -- but, the IDEA of such an universally
and impartially, as an acceptable answer, exists in most minds,
however poorly that may be defined.

As an example let's take the normal and accepted answer to the
question: 2 x 2 = ? almost all will say " 4 " And
superficially that is correct.

However, there are those who place different values on the
numerals or symbols chosen. Those are concealed, and perhaps,
known only to a few -- or by some group which is studying
concepts and using those special values. The answer so derived
and published would appear balderdash to the average reader. But
if one is familiar with the code chosen, it makes sense. [See,
In ISIS UNVEILED II pp. 393 to 397, and 348, 387- 391, you will
find an example of such a code.]

As a further example: try to interpret ordinary published
chemical formulae and equations without a well grounded knowledge
of chemical symbols, valency, and the polarity of
"attraction/repulsion."
This makes the superficial answers which any one can read,
"esoteric" or "occult." Uninterpretable without the key that a
WISDOM in chemistry would provide..

So it all comes down to how much does one know, and how much is
agreed on, in the sharing of secret or scientific codes, and the
use or non-use, of a jargon or language that serves as a
short-cut in time to those who are "adepts" in specific aspects
of philosophy, religion, and the sciences, arts, and crafts.

In other words (from what little has been written on this
subject) those who are untrained in such matters are held at bay
until such time as they qualify by study and the passing of
examinations.

The rumors one hears about "initiation" are also an example of
this.

In the case of the one and true WISDOM, (which I presume to be
the secrets of Nature) this is shown to be after it is thoroughly
studied and progressively revealed, but, only to those who prove
to be absolutely harmless, totally unselfish, and morally fit.
Nature as a whole is the Master MAGICIAN.

Nature (Deity incarnate in and through the whole Universe -- not
a "Personal God") sets these criteria, and makes them absolute
barriers. These are some of these doctrines: of the 7-fold
nature of the Universe and Man (see S D II 596, I 157), Karma,
Total Evolution, the immorality of the SPIRIT-SOUL, the
reincarnation process, the eternal cycles of life and death, and
continual change, the imperishable and inobliterable records of
Karma in the Akas, etc... are aspects of this wisdom interior to
Nature that far surpasses the materialistic discoveries of our
present day Science -- which takes into account (and still
fragmentarily, as it does not recognise the prevalence of the
Astral) only one of the 7 aspects..

The main point boils down to morality and ethics, since WISDOM is
often abused and made subservient to personal and evil methods
that are harmful to others, a knowledge of IT is only entrusted
to those "worthy" of it -- and this takes lives of study and
careful testing and application to ding good for others.
Persistence, devotion, discrimination and selflessness are the
primary requirements. These are pretty strict and demanding
requirements. There are NO SHORT-CUTS.

Of course if it were not possible to distort WISDOM and make
evil of it, by the perversion of man's nature from Noble
(Universal, impersonal, compassionate, unselfish...) to base
(selfish desires, emotions and passions...), there would be no
problem.

One of the crucial and essential parts of evolution is the
recognition and conviction of the BROTHERHOOD of all beings and
of all Mankind. This alone makes sin and evil impossible.

I hope this proves to be helpful,

Best wishes,

Dallas


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

-----Original Message-----
From: Mort
Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2003 10:49 AM
To:
Subject: "Wisdom, Openness," and "common sense" : When is
learning not Indoctrination ?


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

Hi Dallas and all of you,

I enjoyed your email. Thanks for that Dallas !

In general I agree a lot with its content.

But, but...

Dallas wrote:

"Common sense" and "openness" are the characteristics of true
Knowledge and of
WISDOM.

My Sufilight answer:

I disagree with that. Can you please explain how you
can equate "Common sense" and "openness" with what you call
"WISDOM" ?
I just don't get it. Maybe some other readers care to make a
remark on that.
Anyone ?


CUT