Theos-Talk Archives (April 2004 Message tt00617)

One thing important to keep in mind is that there are multiple channels of
discussion open at the same time on the mailing list. There are not only
multiple threads of discussion, but also different sets of people with
different things going on.



In one context, a few people are sitting around joking to each other,
speaking irreverently about things but generally enjoying humor and the
light side of things. For them, anything is fair game for additional
materials to laugh at.



In a second context, some are involved in intellectual discussions of
history, politics, or logic. For them, matters of fact and logic are
paramount -- or matters of rhetoric, debate, and winning points if their
emphasis is partisan.



In a third context, people may take a religious, contemplative, somber tone,
like one holds when viewing the stars on a clear night or in the presence of
a holy place or person. For them, matters of faith, spiritual practice, and
inner work are the most important.



In yet a fourth context, everyone may be seen as ignorant fools or raw
recruits for some other faith, organization, or belief system. For them, the
thing to do is to attack Theosophy and seduce or manipulate others into
joining their 'one true' church, political party, or self-help cult. (This
last example is the only one of a thread that is inappropriate on any
mailing list: attempts to disrupt the list for recruiting people for
something else or for the sheer pleasure of fighting with and harming
people. Someone with this type of behavior is called a "troll" and list
owners rarely tolerate such individuals.)



We might be participating in one "channel" or mode and find ourselves
inadvertently annoyed at what others are doing. Say we're in a serious study
and presenting something import and someone else comes along and makes fun
of it. Say we're discussing theosophical doctrines and someone else starts
attacking us and saying we're "devil worshipers" or some such nonsense. Or
say we're making a joke and someone else, in a different mood, takes severe
offense and lashes out at us.



On a mailing list, there are many different people with different frames of
mind and emotional states. One is feeling silly, playful. Another feels
serious, reverent, religious. A third is dwelling in a mystical space,
contemplating grand visions and grasping for words to describe them. We
cannot expect everyone to be sharing the same feelings and interests at the
same moment. It is best to do is to just express ourselves clearly, avoid
chiding others for being in a different state of mind, and selectively
interact with others who are currently on the same wavelength as we are.



-- Eldon











[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]