Theos-Talk Archives (September 2003 Message tt00085)

Thursday, September 11, 2003

Re: "Impersonality and Anonymity"

Dear Katinka, and friends:

I have a strong feeling we are misunderstanding one another. Possibly
you do not know much of the UNITED LODGE OF THEOSOPHISTS -- its aims and
work. 

Its basis is in the DECLARATION (see below). 

In that light may I make some statements and queries, so that we may be
sure we understand one another ?


You write in part:

----------------------------------- quote

"To work impersonally probably means something very different from what
Dallas thinks it does. 

HPB was impersonal in the sense that she didn't just publish her own
thoughts and ideas and knowledge, but also that of people who opposed
her. 

She was impersonal in the sense that she did not take the opportunity to
make a decent pay (writing for a Russian magazine), because she had work
to do for the TS. 

But she was obviously not impersonal in the sense of being anonymous.
In fact, when one looks up the word anonymous in the Collected Writings
CD-rom one comes across many references where she complains that people
write to slander her, without telling her who they are. 

This kind of reminds me of the slander in some ULT publications, where
also a name is missing. The clearest quote I could find on HPB's policy
on anonymous letters is the following:

>> We have received several communications for publication, bearing on
the subjects discussed in the editorial of our last issue, "Let every
man prove his own work." A few brief remarks may be made, not in reply
to any of the letters-which, being anonymous, and containing no card
from the writers, cannot be published (nor are such noticed, as a
general rule)>> B: CW vol. 8, p. 295

HPB was courageous enough to stand for what she believed in and sign her
name to it, clearly realizing how dishonest it looks to not sign a name.


When there isn't a name, nobody can be held accountable. 

This is understandable in situations where religious freedom itself
still needs to be fought for, (as unfortunately in some places there
still isn't religious freedom), but in the US, where the ULT is largest,
this isn't exactly necessary. So what is left is the impression that the
ULT makes of cowardice its policy."

------------------------------- end quote


You make statements before you ask questions to first elicit accuracy in
meaning between us.

Let me try to make a few things clear.

ULT stands for UNITED LODGE OF THEOSOPHISTS. This name is said by its
sponsor, Mr. Robert Crosbie "to stand for certain principles and ideas."

1 ULT is an association of free independent individuals. It
exists for the study of THEOSOPHY. It sole basis is a document called
THE DECLARATION of the ULT.
Have your read and understood it ? (see below)

2 It has no leaders or spokespersons. It endorses nothing but
the "Original Teachings of Theosophy" -- books and articles written by
H. P. Blavatsky and Wm. Q. Judge. Their worth is inherent and innate in
them.

3 All that I write, I do on my own responsibility as an
individual. I do NOT represent the ULT.

4. Since you state that some ULT publications contain items of
anonymous slander, if you have any specimen or quotation, signed or
unsigned, endorsed or unendorsed by "ULT" that you have in mind, I, for
one, would be glad to see it or them. Kindly give full references as to
source, so all can verify them.

I am sure those who read this would like to see it (or those) also.
Otherwise your allegation is vague and, as such, has to remain
unfounded. 

But I cannot allow it to remain unchallenged and unprotested.

4 In the dictionary the word "impersonal" includes as part of
the definition the idea of "unspecified agency," "no personal reference
or connection." It is not given a negative connotation.

5 Anonymous means "no name given." It implies an unknown and
unavowed authorship or donorship. Any writing is made then to stand on
its own merit, and not on the "weight" of some author's name attached to
it.

6. ULT recommends a policy of anonymity for a single reason. To
avoid any "authority."

7. For this sole reason it endorses the study, and mastery, of
the "ORIGINAL TEACHINGS OF THEOSOPHY."

8 Slander in the dictionary (and calumny its synonym) is
defamation by the false accusation of a crime, maliciously reported, and
aimed at injuring the reputation of another

9. Cowardice implies a lack of courage to face facts, ignoble
timidity, lack of bravery, and a contemptible lack of courage, among
other definitions. 

10. It is my opinion that the existence and work of the ULT shows
continued courage against high odds. As an association it is composed
of individuals united solely by their love of, and desire to prove and
demonstrate the validity of the teachings of Theosophy. It endorses
reprints of the "Original Teachings." It offers when possible a forum
(oral or written) where those teachings may be discussed and
promulgated.

----------------------------
Copy:

UNITED LODGE OF THEOSOPHISTS 

DECLARATION: 

The policy of this Lodge is independent devotion to the cause of
Theosophy, without professing attachment to any Theosophical
organization. It is loyal to the great Founders of the Theosophical
Movement, but does not concern itself with dissensions or differences of
individual opinion. 

The work it has on hand and the end it keeps in view are too absorbing
and too lofty to leave it the time or inclination to take part in side
issues. That work and that end is the dissemination of the Fundamental
Principles of the Philosophy of Theosophy, and the exemplification in
practice of those principles, through a truer realization of the SELF; a
profounder conviction of Universal Brotherhood. 

It holds that the unassailable basis for union among Theosophists,
wherever and however situated, is "similarity of aim, purpose and
teaching," and therefore has neither Constitution, By-Laws nor Officers,
the sole bond between its Associates being that basis. And it aims to
disseminate this idea among Theosophists in the furtherance of Unity. 

It regards as Theosophists all who are engaged in the true service of
Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, condition or
organization, and 

It welcomes to its Association all those who are in accord with its
declared purposes and who desire to fit themselves, by study and
otherwise, to be the better able to help and teach others. 

"The true Theosophist belongs to no cult or sect, yet belongs to each
and all." 

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

The following is the form signed by Associates of the United Lodge of
Theosophists: 

Being in sympathy with the purposes of this Lodge, as set forth in its
"Declaration," I hereby record my desire to be enrolled as an Associate,
it being understood that such association calls for no obligation on my
part, other than that which 1, myself, determine. 

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

I include this to make is sure that what we are talking about is clear.

Best wishes, and I hope this clears the air.

Dallas TenBroeck
================================\


Also:

ON THE U L T 


A STUDENT'S THOUGHTS and STUDY 



"Theosophist is who Theosophy does." 

I was thinking about "The ULT Declaration." From the first it sets no
bonds. It makes us all volunteers. It recognizes that everyone is a
free chooser, always. 

We may therefore see that we are all united by the CAUSE of THEOSOPHY.
And, that is the only enduring primary CAUSELESS CAUSE. Theosophy as it
is before us is a doctrine that includes a statement concerning some of
the main and fundamental Laws in Nature, impersonal and universal.

Any attempt to set up a framework of criteria implies judgment. We, as
presently constituted lower minds (Kama Manas) cannot judge the karma
and the "path" of anyone but ourselves.

That Divine Light of the Universal Spirit - ATMA -- which surrounds us
and interpenetrates all beings, seems to lure, to draw us on, it is
perhaps indicated in the phrase: a high ideal--an exalted motive.

To me, the next step appears to be the developing of assurance in this
single concept: 

The Unity of ALL in all. We each share in all others.

It would then be clear that a "strong will, a total forgetting of self "
is the position to adopt. And, as a result we see that nothing has any
real power to oppress us. We have to recognize that opposition (and
oppression) comes from the operation of Karma, ours and that of the
cycle and race. Fear nothing that is in Nature and visible. Dread no
influence . you are at war with none. It is peace you are seeing,
therefore it is best that the good in everything is found.. This
brings peace." WQJ Articles, Vol. II 415-6


This leads to consider another proposition that Mr. Judge offers: 

"He who would live the life or find continued wisdom can only do so by
continued effort.[he] learns to look partially within the veil, or has
found in his own being something that is greater than his outer self." 
WQJ Articles, Vol. II, p. 410

What then might we say would indicate to us, our path, and our progress?
Is it not the ability to be impersonal concerning ourselves? Can we not
"stand apart?" What, for us, is the way in which we train our personal
selves (Kama Manas) to fit the pattern that Karma has in store for us?
Can we not sense this in : 

"Each and every one is here for a good and wise reason. If we find
partially the why, then.we should by intelligent contact with life seek
in it the farther elucidation of the problem. It is not the study of
ourselves so much, as the thought for others that opens the door. The
events of life and their causes lead to knowledge. They must be studied
when they are manifested in daily life." WQJ II 411

The great economy of Nature is a sensitivity that encompasses all
beings, and ourselves. It is living Karma. As such, It will always seek
to illuminate our personal Path, so that an understanding of its
purposes and our won become ever clearer. The process is continuous. We
need to develop the acuity of attention to see it in its impersonal
operation in and through our surroundings and the events of our own
life, as it is in all other things and objects. It is a force more
ancient and comprehensive than any "form," or set of forms.

We find Mr.. Judge also saying: 

"We are tried in wondrous ways, and in the seemingly unimportant affairs
of life . he must take and perform that which presents itself. take up
his labor as if there were no tomorrow . life is the outcome of the
Ever-Living . [it makes] life brighter, more joyous, better [for
others]." WQJ II 412-3

He adds: 

"The greatest of all truths lies frequently in plain sight, or veiled in
contraries . you own not one thing in this world . all you possess is
given to you only while you use it wisely . desire to do good with what
you have -- and do it. . Work in life and the Occult are similar; all
is the result of your own effort and will . you can only lift yourselves
by your own efforts. " WQJ II 414-5 

"Seek to realize the meaning of every event. Strive to find the Ever
Living and wait for more light."
WQJ II 415

For those who may hold a hope for exalted responsibilities, there is to
be remembered the simple fact that the atom in its place and the Sun in
its both perform necessary duties, and neither one nor the other is
"superior." One realizes, by this introspective consideration, that
'ambition' and self-regard form the basis for delay in true success. 

Mr. Judge then says: 

".as you live your life each day with an uplifted purpose and unselfish
desire, each and every event will bear for you a deep significance--an
occult meaning--.so do you fit yourself for higher work."
WQJ II 416

As one advances and grows in wisdom, the practice of brotherhood and
compassion are epitomized as: 

"Be temperate in all things . he who has passed onward to a certain
point, finds that the hearts of men lie spread before him as an open
book . the motives of men are clear.but not selfishly [may he use such
knowledge]." WQJ II 417

In dealing with others, he suggests: 

"Urge no man to see as yourself.It is wiser to let the matter rest
without argument. No man is absolutely convinced by that ." WQJ
II 417 

"There is to be abandoned hope for the gratification of our passions,
our curiosities, our ambitions or desire for gain. There is another
Hope--the true; and he is a wise man who comes to the knowledge of it.
[It is] Sister to Patience, [and] they together are the Godmothers of
Right Living, and Two of the Ten who assist the Teacher [within -- the
HIGHER SELF]." WQJ II 417-8

Finally: ".[no man] is wise enough to sit as a judge upon the spiritual
development of any living being." WQJ II 413; and: ".evil is the
good gone astray." WQJ II 412

These simple statements is urge us to review, meditate on, and deeply
consider the practice of that self-effacing brotherhood which is always
harmless and true. 

It welcomes and permits all to practice their ideals; and is helpful in
showing us in advance so to say, the potential future of any of our
choices or decisions, then, offer them, so that another may make a
better choice. 

Hence, ever it encourages individual devotion and study, and the sharing
of such perceptions of the TRUE as one may acquire by impersonal,
good-willed perception. Those are always to be shared. 

To my way of seeing, This is what the ULT Declaration has placed before
us as our bond and our ideal -- we have to chose to understand it and to
practice brotherhood in all respects if we would be true "Theosophists."

Best wishes,

Dallas




-----Original Message-----
From: Katinka Hesselink [mailto:mail@katinkahesselink.net] 
Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2003 2:46 AM
To: theos-talk@yahoogroups.com
Subject:: Tony & Dallas on "Impersonality and Anonymity"

Hi all,

To work impersonally probably means something very different from 
what Dallas thinks it does. HPB was impersonal in the sense that she 
didn't just publish her own thoughts and ideas and knowledge, but 
also that of people who opposed her. She was impersonal in the sense 
that she did not take the opportunity to make a decent pay (writing 
for a Russian magazine), because she had work to do for the TS. But 
she was obviously not impersonal in the sense of being anonymous. In 
fact, when one looks up the word anonymous in the Collected Writings 
CD-rom one comes across many references where she complains that 
people write to slander her, without telling her who they are. This 
kind of reminds me of the slander in some ULT publications, where 
also a name is missing. The clearest quote I could find on HPB's 
policy on anonymous letters is the following:

>> We have received several communications for publication, bearing 
on the subjects discussed in the editorial of our last issue, "Let 
every man prove his own work." A few brief remarks may be made, not 
in reply to any of the letters-which, being anonymous, and containing 
no card from the writers, cannot be published (nor are such noticed, 
as a general rule)>>
CW vol. 8, p. 295

HPB was courageous enough to stand for what she believed in and sign 
her name to it, clearly realizing how dishonest it looks to not sign 
a name. When there isn't a name, nobody can be held accountable. This 
is understandable in situations where religious freedom itself still 
needs to be fought for, (as unfortunately in some places there still 
isn't religious freedom), but in the US, where the ULT is largest, 
this isn't exactly necessary. So what is left is the impression that 
the ULT makes of cowardice its policy. 

Katinka
--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Daniel H. Caldwell" 
<danielhcaldwell@y...> wrote:


> Tony,
> 
> You bring up a good point below. 
> 
> "Impersonality" and "anonymity" may be the policy 
> and method of the U.L.T. but it was NOT the policy 
> of the original Theosophical Society.
> 
> Madame Blavatsky apparently failed to understand
> what Dallas writes about because she added her
> own name to her major works as well as to most
> of her articles. !! :) Why didn't she issue
> her works anonymously?
> 
> Again, impersonality and anonymity may be the policy
> of "Theosophy" magazine (the major ULT organ) but
> it was not HPB's policy in editing her two magazines
> THE THEOSOPHIST and LUCIFER. She also invited and published
> contrary and diverse views in her magazines which apparently
> the ULT publication avoids.
> 
> Too bad HPB didn't live long enough to know about
> the ULT policy and practice.
> 
> Daniel
> 



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