Theos-Talk Archives (April 2004 Message tt00506)

prmoliveira wrote:

> Vicious attacks and repeated character assassination of a man, who 
> didn't have the accusations against him conclusively proven, and of 
> his literary contribution which has helped thousands in every 
> continent, over a century, to come to a wider perception of life, 
> many of whom, including myself, proceeded to study the foundational 
> texts of Theosophy, stifles, imo, the very air in which the 
> theosophical spirit lives and breathes.
I feel this is an appropriate time to offer a few opinions on this matter.

I came to Theosophy in New Zealand, where the influence of CWL is
quite strong. I have read some of Gregory Tillett's work, and feel that
his scholarship is exhaustive and thorough, and on the whole probably
correct.

Pedro's point however is valid. Why perpetuate character attacks
which are nearly a hundred years old? I think most Adyar-centric
theosophists will acknowledge that Leadbeater had some issues,
and if they are honest, will approach his books with a sceptical mind.

What's more important in my view is the experience that each of us
has in our ever-developing understanding of Theosophy. Let's focus
on our own individual awakening, and the promulgation of theosophy
(as we understand it.)

Look around you. Are there opportunities in your life to help people?
Do theosophical principles aid us to understand questions of suffering,
global unrest, terrorism, environmental degradation and life's mysteries?
To that extent, they are useful. 
I number myself as a person who, if I had the privilege to meet CWL,
would still shake his hand, and discuss theosophy over a cup of tea.
I try not to let gossip (even the stale gossip hashed out in this group)
taint my appreciation of the efforts made by people like CWL, AB and
many others to popularize theosophy, which has largely become
mainstream this century (only without that label.)

Due to this popularization, much of the core message has been lost.
For example, an in depth reading of the Mahatma Letters will show
that the Adepts of the late 19th C. were extremely close to a position
of atheism, in the Buddhist sense, almost denying the existence of
a personal G-d. Is this a topic of interest for further discussion?
Let's leave the personalities at the door, and focus instead on a
brotherly (in a non-gender sense) discussion of theosophy -- which
is that this group is all about.
--
Paul Gillingwater