Theos-Talk Archives (November 2003 Message tt00148)

Should be IMMORTALITY



Thanks



Dal



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-----Original Message-----
From: dlux 
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2003 4:59 PM
To: dalval14@earthlink.net
Subject: Re: 128TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE THEOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT



hi Dallas



Happy birthday indeed.



I post this piece for consideration as perhaps the last word in spelt
wrongly.





"When, years ago, we first traveled over the East, exploring the
penetralia of its deserted sanctuaries, two saddening and ever-recurring
questions oppressed our thoughts: Where, who what is GOD ? Who ever
saw the IMMORTAL SPIRIT of man, so as to be able to assure himself of
man's immorality?



regards



dlux



----- Original Message ----- 

From: W. Dallas TenBreoeck <mailto:Earthlink.dalval14@earthlink.net> 

To: AA-Dal <mailto:dalval14@earthlink.net> 

Sent: Monday, November 17, 2003 6:36 PM

Subject: 128TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE THEOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT



Nov 17 2003





GREETINGS





Nov. 17 2003 marks the 128th anniversary of the modern THEOSOPHICAL
MOVEMENT 







Here are some thoughts on this subject. What is Theosophy?



If one studies and applies its theories and doctrines, what happens?



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







THEOSOPHY -- What Is It ?









Our present day knowledge of Theosophy is derived from the writings of
Mme. H. P. Blavatsky. She lived between 1831 and 1891. Her providing
of Theosophy as a philosophy, science and religious Compendium began
around 1875.



In that year, (1875) historically, the Theosophical Society was launched
to promote and sustain three objects:



1. To form the nucleus of a Universal Brotherhood, without
distinction of race, color, or creed.



2. To promote the study of Aryan [Noble] and other Scriptures,
of the World's religion and sciences, and to vindicate the importance of
old Asiatic literature, namely of the Brahmanical, Buddhist, and
Zoroastrian philosophies, and



3. To investigate the hidden mysteries of nature under every
aspect possible, and the psychic and spiritual powers latent in man. [
KEY TO THEOSOPHY, p. 39 ]





Today a number of fraternally affiliated yet, independent Theosophical
societies flourish and a United Lodge of Theosophists exists which
offers all students of whatever affiliation a free forum for the study
of the original literature of Theosophy and cooperative work. 



Theosophy in our modern World is primarily aimed to demonstrate the
validity of "Universal Brotherhood," a recognition of the "Family of
Man.," and encourages cooperative work on an impartial, non-sectarian
basis.



In 1877 Madame Blavatsky, published: ISIS UNVEILED. It was a
sensation. It went through many editions in rapid succession. In this
she reviewed the history of Science and Theology in respect to the
invisible and hidden side of Nature. In response to questions and
further demands, she founded and edited, along with Col. H. S. Olcott
the magazines The THEOSOPHIST (India) in 1879, and later LUCIFER
(London) in 1887. 



In 1888 she published The SECRET DOCTRINE . Another sensation. In this
book, she provided a survey (as a summary taken from the secret
libraries and records of the age-old College of Adepts) [see Isis, Vol.
II, pp 98 - 103] of creation -- COSMOGENESIS, and of Man's evolution,
not only as a physical form, but psychologically and spiritually --
ANTHROPOGENESIS. 



In this she takes the reader through the metaphysics that form the basic
concept of Universal Evolution, and with their help, she explains how it
is the Spiritual Essence which informs and energizes "material forms"
with intelligence and consciousness. Evolution, is therefore considered
to be three-fold. 



1. material in our bodies, 



2. psychologically in our desires and thoughts, and 



3. spiritually in our aspirations and virtuous urges.



In this she demonstrates the correctness of the view held by the ancient
Sage Patanjali : "The Universe exists for the Soul's experience." 



Theosophy, in brief, deals with the "causes" for our existence, and the
presence of the invisible Spiritual and psychological universe that
underlies, as energic Force, as the "causal motivation," that produces
the tangible physical realities of the visible Universe we are familiar
with. 



It posits the concept that every atom of matter (a "monad") is alive and
is aware in its own way. As an individuality it is continuous, and
never "dies." It has a spiritual, and immortal center of energy, a
"Force," which is the "cause" of its existence. No event, no
experience, is ever "lost," but all are indelibly impressed on the
living consciousness of these innumerable "Monads." These, when
condensed out of invisible matter, make up the material "forms" we deal
with daily. The concept of "invisible" matter ("dark matter") is an old
one to Theosophy.



The "monads" are held, metaphysically, to be indissoluble compounds of
two "poles" of variance. These are held united by the bond of
interactive intelligence (Mind). They are "Spirit" (as perfection and
wisdom), and "Matter" (as limitation and ever shifting form) bonded
together for eternity as living units by the unitary consciousness that
gives them their permanent individuality and immortality. Each of these
three-fold Units are said to be, as a "Force," inextinguishable. 



Theosophy holds that it is these eternal "Pilgrims" that form all the
components of evolution. These provide in a regulated manner, and
through a vast process of planned evolution, the individual development
of that increasing Intelligence that is innate to each of them. These
increments and experience, lead to self-conscious individualization.
Expressed in various ways, but essentially: "I AM I" It is held that
evidence for this lies in the existence of humanity. "I think,
therefore I am," said Descartes.



But the progress of the vast army of thinking and individual Monads is
held to proceed, from the level of intelligence we might designate as
the "Man-Mind," to a perception of, and an understanding of the entire
universe. [ "The Universe grows I." is one way of expressing this.] 



Since this course of learning would be impossible to achieve in a single
life-time, the process of "reincarnation" is said to exist, both as a
process and as a law of development. It is averred that there is an
ultimate goal of individual perfection to be attained. This "ultimate
goal" is expressed mystically, as " Supreme Perfection," or "Universal
Wisdom." It is a concept that has long been held by ancient Brahmanism,
Buddhism and Zoroastrianism.



It will be seen, on reflection, that these concepts provide, the
interactive basis, that every choice or change at any level has ethical
/ moral consequences. Ancient Hinduism speaks of this as "karma" or,
the effects that are consequent upon any "choice." For it is held that
the "Mind-Man" is a free agent and his decisions cause the progress of
evolution for the whole Universe to advance or slow down. [ It is for
this reason that Patanjali offered his observation quoted above. ]
Karma provides for the exact return of moral and any other impressions
to whoever generated any cause.



Our human physical forms are observed to become incapacitated and grow
incapable and obsolete over time. This leads to the dissolution we call
"death." But Theosophy posits that the experiences of a life-time, as
"memories," survive the death of the physical form. They are the
continued basis for every increment of knowledge and wisdom. These
memory-impressions are said to be impacted in the imperishable spiritual
aspect of every Monad. From this, the remote Goal is posited as :
Sublime and Universal Perfection for each individual Monad.



With this in view, the reader is invited to look at the following
expressions abstracted from Theosophical literature.

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





"Theosophy is Divine Knowledge, or Science, "Divine Wisdom"
(Theo-Sophia) -- the term is many thousand years old." KEY TO
THEOSOPHY , p. 1. 





"Theosophy is synonymous with everlasting Truth." KEY TO THEOSOPHY, p.
302. 





"We have no two beliefs or hypotheses on the same subject." KEY TO
THEOSOPHY , p. 72. 





"Theosophy is the substratum and basis of all the world-religions and
philosophies taught and practised by a few elect ever since man became a
thinking being." The THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY p. 328.





"The "Wisdom Religion" is the inheritance of all the nations, the world
over." S D I xviii





"Theosophy [is].the one bond of unity which is so universal and
all-embracing that no man, as no speck -- from gods and mortals down to
animals, the blade of grass and atom -- can be outside of its light.
Therefore any organization or body of that name [Theosophical] must
necessarily be a Universal Brotherhood."

H P B: IS THEOSOPHY A RELIGION ? H P B Articles, (U L T),
Vol. I, p 59, 

[ LUCIFER Nov. 1888.]





THEOSOPHY IS NOT NEW





This suggests that THEOSOPHY is not a new fangled system of collated
ideas drawn from many sources. In fact, if it were even that, then the
marvel is of HPB's mind and capacity in drawing such a vast diversity
together and showing how the many pieces fit together to form a seamless
whole in the world of ideas and concepts. In our experience and wide
reading, there is no one who has written such a comprehensive view of
our world, universe and the important part that Mankind plays in that.






WHO WAS H. P. BLAVATSKY?







HPB does not claim "authority." She claims to be a "messenger."
Specifically a messenger from the Great and Ancient Lodge of ADEPTS. 



In both ISIS UNVEILED and The SECRET DOCTRINE she disclaims any
personal authority and gives the credit for the records she transmits to
the Real Authors, the Mahatmas. [ see certificate of authorship, by H P
B and the two Mahatmas, PATH, Vol. VIII, p. 1 ] 



Since she was well aware that Theosophical theories and hypotheses would
be received with various degrees of incredulity from the academies, she
was careful to make it clear that the information was in reality taken
from the HISTORY that the Adepts and their disciples (chelas) had
recorded down the ages. All that she requested was "equal time" and an
open-minded consideration of what Theosophy had to offer.



She wrote in ISIS UNVEILED :



"When, years ago, we first traveled over the East, exploring the
penetralia of its deserted sanctuaries, two saddening and ever-recurring
questions oppressed our thoughts: Where, who what is GOD ? Who ever
saw the IMMORTAL SPIRIT of man, so as to be able to assure himself of
man's IMMORTALITY?



It was while most anxious to solve those perplexing problems that we
came into contact with certain men, endowed with such mysterious powers
and such profound knowledge that we may truly designate them as the
sages of the Orient. To their instructions we lent a ready ear. They
showed us that by combining science with religion, the existence of God
and immortality of man's spirit may be demonstrated like a problem of
Euclid. For the first time we receive the assurance that the Oriental
philosophy has room for no other faith than an absolute and immovable
faith in the omnipotence of man's own immortal self. We were taught
that this omnipotence comes from the kinship of man's spirit with the
Universal Soul--God ! The latter, they said, can never be demonstrated
but by the former. Man-spirit proves God-spirit, as the one drop of
water proves a source from which it must have come.all the rest may be
inferred.Blind faith would no longer be necessary, he would have
supplanted it by KNOWLEDGE..prove the soul of man by its wondrous
powers--you have proved God !" I U , Vol. I , p. vi



"The essence of Theosophy is the perfect harmonizing of the divine with
the human in man."

H P B -- FIVE MESSAGES TO AMERICAN THEOSOPHISTS , p. 6.







WHAT DOES THEOSOPHY TEACH?





The immortality of man's Spirit/Soul and the "God-Spirit," being present
in every "life-atom" of our living universe are fundamental concepts.
Everything in Nature may be seen to trend in its life-experience towards
a higher degree of knowledge, wisdom, perfection. 



Each life-cycle (incarnation) is like a separate day at school and all
are drawn together by the uniting thread of the immortal, and eternal
spiritual Self which is at their core. In fact she shows how Theosophy
traces the evolution of the "consciousness and intelligence" of the
SPIRITUAL SOUL or Monad, through many forms -- from the atom to the
human condition of independent free-will.



This sweep and concept is one that can be traced in every one of the
great religions and philosophies of the world. It is the record of
their existence and of our participation, again and again, in those
processes. 





"Her main teachings can be reduced to the following propositions:



That Morals have a basis in Law and in fact.



That Moral law is Natural Law.



That Evolution makes for Righteousness.



That the "fundamental identity of all souls with the Oversoul" renders
moral contagion possible through the subtle psychic medium.



That the Spiritual Identity of all Being renders Universal brotherhood
the only possible path for the truth- seeking man." 

[ H P B Articles (U L T ) Vol. I p. 115. From: SHE
BEING DEAD YET SPEAKETH 

-- PATH, July 1892 ; Vol 7, p. 121 ]





"True Theosophy is everything that aids or elevates mankind; and our
chief object is not so much to gratify individual aspirations, as to
serve our fellow men." PATH, Vol. IV, p., 96







THEOSOPHY THE ROOT OF ALL RELIGIONS



Currently there is debate as to whether Theosophy has its roots in
Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, etc... It is understood that scholars who
are familiar with those systems and their development can trace
similarities. However HPB claims that all those were derived from the
"Sanatana Dharma," the "Perennial Philosophy." which is an ancient and
universal record of Life's development and history. 



As such, it claims to be at the root and at the origin of all the great
ancient religio-philosophical systems and provides a reason for their
development, as systems of practice, leading to that kind of
"initiation" which develops Wisdom in thought and mind as well as,
simultaneously, the application of compassion and harmlessness in
motive.



".the Wisdom-Religion was ever one, and being the last word of possible
human knowledge, was therefore, carefully preserved. It preceded by
long ages the Alexandrian Theosophists [ 1st Cent.] , reached the
modern, and will survive every other religion and philosophy." KEY TO
THEOSOPHY , p. 7.





Thus, Theosophy is not exclusively religion, or philosophy but also
includes science -- as the power to investigate and record the workings
of NATURE (Life as a whole) in every stage, visible or invisible, and
in every department of the world and our Universe.



The sweep of the ever-present immortal Life, through cycles of evolution
lead each Monad at last to a "goal," the "all-Knowingness" of the
PERFECTED MAN. The designation Mahatma (Great Soul) is one that
includes all such self-developed men of superior knowledge and nature. 



The SECRET DOCTRINE therefore speaks of those as the intelligent guides
{Dhyan Chohans, and Dhyani Buddhas], and Self-conscious assistants that
Nature employs to recreate and supervise a fresh evolutionary effort, a
"new Day," of evolutionary progress for all beings.





ENCOURAGES INDEPENDENT INQUIRY





If this is grasped, as a working and actual concept, the minute details
and studies of specialists, while respected, as continuing proof of the
inclusive nature of Theosophy, are also shown to be but the outer
covering, or, to be but some one way selected to approach to the
interior mystery of man's own immortal Mind, and of Nature's infinite
capacities to assist that Mind to grow. The process Nature employs is
reincarnation. It is reembodiment under the exacting Law of universal
Karma.



If this infinite capacity of the human mind to grow and to understand
the most simple, as well as the most complex subjects is granted, the
more learned will continually encourage those who now are at various
stages of learning to investigate and prove for themselves all avenues,
however diverse, of information, tradition and lore. And that is the
always growing tip of the self-enlightening Mind. It always widens out
to that which is permanent and universal, when given a chance to emerge
from ignorance, doubt, skepticism and lethargy of authoritarianism.



"[ THEOSOPHY ] Its creed is Loyalty to Truth, and its ritual "To honor
every Truth by use." K E Y 





"The true Theosophist is a philanthropist -- "not for himself, but for
the world he lives." This and philosophy, the right comprehension of
life and its mysteries will give the "missing basis" and show the right
path to purse." 

-- Mahatma K. H.





UNIVERSAL SCIENCE, RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY





In regard to the prevalence and diffusion of theosophy as a science and
a philosophical religion, it has been expressed :--





"Proofs of its diffusion, authentic records of its history, a complete
chain of documents, showing its character and presence in every land,
together with the teaching of all its great Adepts exists to this day in
the secret crypts of libraries belonging to the Occult Fraternity." S
D I xxxiv.





"The members of several esoteric schools.claim to have in their
possession the sum total of sacred and philosophical works in MSS and
type; all the works, in fact, that have ever been written, in whatever
language or character since the art of writing began; from the
ideographic hieroglyphics down to the alphabet of Cadmus and Devanagri."
S D I xxiii





"The work [ISIS UNVEILED ] now submitted to public judgment is the fruit
of a somewhat intimate acquaintance with Eastern adepts and study of
their science..It is an attempt to aid the student to detect the vital
principles which underlie the philosophical systems of old..We believe
in no Magic which transcends the scope and capacity of the human mind,
nor in "miracles." I U I p. i





"Our work, then, is a plea for the recognition of the hermetic
philosophy, the anciently universal Wisdom-Religion, as the only
possible key to the Absolute in science and theology." I U I p vii





"The SECRET DOCTRINE is not a treatise, or a series of vague theories,
but contains all that an be given out to the world in this century." S
D I xxxviii





"The aim of this work [ The SECRET DOCTRINE ] may be thus stated: --



1. To show that Nature is not "a fortuitous concurrence of atoms,"



2. and to assign to man his rightful place in the scheme of the
Universe;



3. to rescue from degradation the archaic truths which are the basis of
all religions;



4. and to uncover, to some extent, the fundamental unity from which all
spring



5. finally to show that the Occult side of Nature has never been
approached by the Science of modern civilization." S D I
viii







THE FUTURE





"The problem of true Theosophy and its great mission are, first, the
working out of clear unequivocal conceptions of ethic ideas and duties,
such as shall best and most fully satisfy the right and altruistic
feeling in men; and second, the modeling of these conceptions for
their adaptation into such forms of daily life, as shall offer a field
where they may be applied with most equitableness. Such is the common
work placed before all who are willing to act on these principles."
>From THE GREAT MASTER'S LETTER,

LUCIFER, January, 1888, Vol. I p. 344. U L T Pamphlet No. 22, p. 13





"Theosophy alone can gradually create a mankind as harmonious and as
simple-souled as Kosmos itself; but to effect this theosophists have to
act as such. [helping] to awaken the spirit in many a man" 

H P B Articles (U L T) , Vol. I, p. 105 -- THE TIDAL WAVE. [LUCIFER,
Nov. 1889.]



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