Theos-Talk Archives (December 2003 Message tt00146)

To all:

With reference to some of the recent correspondence about "new teachings" and 
other comments about the obsolescence of HPB's teachings and the taking of 
the SD as a "Bible" -- I thought it appropriate to send this old response to 
Katinka that somehow got lost in my mail waiting to send file. :-)

(My comment is below this quote of last paragraph from Katinka's message) 

>Just one more note, before I close. HPB said that what she gave out 
>was all that could be given out IN THIS CENTURY, as Dallas rightly 
>quotes her (I am not quoting verbatim here). (Un)fortunately, that 
>century has ended. HPB died in 1891, which makes it logical to think 
>that after 1991 there could be other teachings from the masters. So 
>HPB doesn't say she has the last word forever. And we are left 
>wondering who the heck came at the end of the previous century 
>(20th). Who is (or was) giving out those teachings that will last us 
>through this century? My guess is the Tibetan Buddhists or perhaps 
>Ken Wilber. But that's another issue. My point is: even by HPB's own 
>words we should be going beyond the Secret Doctrine by now. 

Yes, didn't HPB say we should write our own Secret Doctrine? And there are a 
few outspoken ones and, perhaps, many others who already have gone far beyond 
the Secret Doctrine in their understanding of the higher metaphysical and 
scientific truths behind both Cosmogenesis and the genesis of the solar system 
and Man, along with the rationale behind the concepts of both karma and 
reincarnation. We might say my ABC theory is one example of this.

Remember, the Secret Doctrine was not a religious or spiritual book, nor a 
manual of theosophical practice. Although it is a deep textbook as well as a 
primer designed to give us a clearer understanding of the fundamental forces and 
energies, as well as degrees of consciousness behind the metaphysics that 
determines the evolution of both the Cosmos and of Mankind. As strictly a 
reference book, which serves as an aid for obtaining an understanding of Cosmogenesis 
and Anthropogenesis, it was not concerned (other than being superficially 
implied as a consequence of the metaphysical teachings) with the ethical, moral, 
spiritual or heart doctrine teachings -- that are well covered in the Voice of 
the Silence and in many articles by HPB and her coworker, WQJ, among others. 
We also should be aware that almost all discoveries of modern science from 
relativity to quantum physics and the latest multidimensional superstring 
theories were also well covered, if not completely presaged in the Secret Doctrine. 


The problem is that the one's who speak out about this added knowledge of the 
metaphysics and its correlation's with modern science, that may serve as a 
proof of theosophy for ordinary people steeped in the current materialism and 
believing in physical science, or caught up in religious beliefs, are not really 
being heard by most theosophists, or anyone else... Since there are so many 
of us waiting for a charismatic leader or "messenger"such as HPB, or a new 
Christ or Buddha, to take them by the hand and open the doors to the deeper 
teachings for them. 

Actually, these so called "new" teachings would still have to be based on the 
fundamental truths that determine the laws, mental processes, and 
applications of will behind the higher magic that is the basis of Cosmogenesis and 
Anthropogenesis, including the involution of conscious and evolution of matter, 
described in the SD. 

All this was thoroughly explained symbolically by HPB -- along with many 
"blinds" and sidetracks... Since, such knowledge was intended solely for those 
who have passed the highest levels of initiations and have taken the Bodhisattva 
vow (even though it could be acquired by others capable of reading "in and 
around the words and between the lines").

So, who is there, as a fully avowed theosophist, ready to expose such deeper 
teachings to the common herd? People like Ken Wilber and others who write 
their so called spiritual books have also, only just barely penetrated the 
surface of the teachings in the SD, and have simply skimmed over its fundamental 
metaphysics -- that are essential to fully understand (so as to justify and 
recognize its necessity) and apply the practice of the Heart Doctrine. 

That superficiality is all well and good as far as they go, and for the 
acceptance of the audience they reach -- but what they teach is not entirely the 
further development or understanding of the metaphysical teachings in the SD 
that everyone searching for the deepest truths of who and what they are seems to 
expect. Without such knowledge, such practice can only be based on blind 
belief or trust in the charisma and personality of the teacher. How can that lead 
to a "Universal Brotherhood"? Didn't HPB say that it was necessary for 
everyone to understand the rationale behind reincarnation and karma before that 
could happen spontaneously in our hearts based on our own unshakable conviction 
in our minds. Isn't this what the Jnana yoga of Secret Doctrine study mediated 
by the practices outlined in the Voice, all about? 

Actually, there cannot be any new teachings of the Heart Doctrine. But, the 
complete Eye Doctrine that underlies and justifies it, is yet to be fully 
explained in both scientific and lay terms that both the scientists and the 
average people can understand and accept. When that would be accomplished, an 
understanding and belief in Karma and Reincarnation would become a reality for 
everyone... And, the application of the Heart Doctrine will follow automatically 
... Leading to a Universal Brotherhood of all Humanity in actuality, rather 
than in our dreams and hopes. How long that will take is anyone's guess. But, 
it certainly will depend on the credibility of the new messenger(s) and his/her 
or their message, and whether or not an unassailable "proof" of theosophy 
might suddenly appear out of the blue -- due to a momentous discovery as Earth 
shaking as relativity was at the beginning if this century. 

In any event, I think that this "new message" has already been given out, in 
part, to some of us who, through their own self devised and self determined 
efforts, have come in touch with the Master within. ... And it's now up to those 
individuals to come together, consolidate that message, and find the means to 
present and spread broadcast it to the rest of the world -- in a manner that 
will be credible to every level of consciousness and intelligence -- without 
the necessity for a charismatic "leader" or "new messenger" in the flesh 
appearing that that they are induced to follow.

Leon


In a message dated 09/11/03 6:23:40 AM, mail@katinkahesselink.net writes:

<<Hi Daniel,


OK, I'll pick up the stick/ take up the challenge. For me the only 

source-teaching is the teaching of the inner Voice of the Silence 

[not the book]. Everything else (including HPB, Buddha, Krishnamurti, 

Besant, Purucker, Judge etc.) is secondary. This isn't to say that I 

don't think HPB's work is very important. Personally I am quite 

inspired by her work and my own thoughts on many subjects are more 

based on what she wrote than on anything else. 


I think the disagreeement and the differences of opinion start 

because we confuse the TS (or the theosophical organisations) with 

theosophy. 

Blavatsky said all kinds of things about 'theosophy' and 'ancient 

wisdom' etc. And personally I take all that quite seriously. But that 

does not mean that I think every member of the TS is best served 

studying only that. In fact, the TS doesn't have its three objects 

for nothing. Those objects don't state: study only HPB. They don't 

state: study theosophy. They state (not verbatim): compare and study 

religion, philosophy and science and come up with your own 

understanding of truth. 


Still if our aim in life is wisdom, how can one ignore the fact that 

other writers than HPB have also written very inspiring things? How 

can one ignore the fact that HPB herself published stuff from widely 

varying perspectives? Why do some people think she wanted that 

eclecticism gone after her death? 


Theosophy is eternal wisdom. But the TS isn't a school of theosophy. 

The ES was that (what it is now, I don't know). The TS was a platform 

for people of widely different backgrounds and races to mingle, share 

thoughts, and grow in wisdom. As well as a place that showed the 

world that people from different religious and social backgrounds 

could get along and 'be merry'. Though of course they could fight 

very well also, but that was and is nothing new. 


One of the reasons at least why the TS was NOT a school of theosophy 

is that the masters were wise enough to realize that some 

preliminaries needed to be present in order for people to actually 

benefit from those teachings. One of those preliminaries was that one 

can't just teach people something, one has to deal with what they've 

already learnt. People learn wisdom best by facing up to what they 

are, including conditionings, including religious teachings 

previously received. And in order to do that well, there has to be a 

non-judgemental (=safe) place. The TS was meant to be that safe 

place. If the TS were to say: the doctrine of reincarnation is 

mandatory, in HPB's explanation of it, then it would no longer have 

that safe place.


The ULT does something slightly more nuanced, IMO. It says on the one 

hand: find out for yourself. It says on the other hand: HPB and Judge 

is where you should start. But that is not a free search. A free 

search starts anywhere the researcher feels it's right to search. 

Whether that be a new translation of the Yoga Sutras, a new book on 

Dzog Chen (have you all noticed how many of those there are?), or 

studying the Voice of the Silence, for instance (the latter is one of 

my favourites). 


HPB DID say that what she wrote was 'theosophy'. What she adamantly 

refused to say was: this is the only thing you should study. Now 

there are some people who are talented enough to be able to study 

both HPB and various other traditions. For most of us though, this is 

just too hard. The ULT position would be: well, start with HPB and 

then see how that fits into other things. The TS-Adyar position is: 

start anywhere you want, just be sure to practice it, and learn from 

others along the way. Personally, I think the second position is 

better for mankind as a whole, because it means that there is 

actually a group where one is welcome, whatever one studies, as long 

as brotherhood is felt to be important. 


Just one more note, before I close. HPB said that what she gave out 

was all that could be given out IN THIS CENTURY, as Dallas rightly 

quotes her (I am not quoting verbatim here). (Un)fortunately, that 

century has ended. HPB died in 1891, which makes it logical to think 

that after 1991 there could be other teachings from the masters. So 

HPB doesn't say she has the last word forever. And we are left 

wondering who the heck came at the end of the previous century 

(20th). Who is (or was) giving out those teachings that will last us 

through this century? My guess is the Tibetan Buddhists or perhaps 

Ken Wilber. But that's another issue. My point is: even by HPB's own 

words we should be going beyond the Secret Doctrine by now. 


Katinka Hesselink>>