Theos-Talk Archives (April 2004 Message tt00149)

--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, Mauri <mhart@i...> wrote:
> 
> Seems to me that most people seem to be 
> interested in some forms of religion 
> more than in spirituality (in basic 
> terms, seems to me), so no wonder they 
> might tend to find organizations like 
> the Cayce-based ARE (Association for 
> Research and Enlightenment?) to be more 
> appealing than Theosophy (though seems 
> to me that some students of Theosophy 
> might tend to wonder about the nature of 
> the "enlightnement" as it might be 
> defined by ARE). 

I doubt that there would be much difference between ARE members and 
Theosophists on attitudes toward religion vs. spirituality. The 
conflict I mentioned before was between Christian and universalist 
factions and the latter won decisively. Unfortunately the fired 
Christian executives then sued the organization and the settlement 
imposed (AFAIK) a gag order on discussing the conflict. So the 
membership was kept in the dark about the terrible infighting that 
had gone on for a couple of years. Even though my "side" had won, 
the board's lack of accountability to the membership for its 
disastrous mistakes was the last straw for me. (They also put in CT 
Cayce as an interim CEO saying they'd search for a new one, and then 
decided he'd be permanent, but never explained their actions to the 
members-- all very secretive.)

Wilber's ascender/descender distinction seems better to explain the 
differences between ARE and Theosophy. Cayce's focus is much less 
otherworldly and more practical.

Cheers,

Paul