RE: [bn-study] Re: HPB and Psychic Phenomena
Apr 28, 2004 01:58 AM
by Dallas TenBroeck
Tuesday, April 27, 2004
Dear Friends and G:
Perhaps the following might give a survey of the nature of THEOSOPHY and of
the work done in its literature and, specifically in the SECRET DOCTRINE
STUDY OF THE SECRET DOCTRINE
____________
Important Points to Remember:
1. Our Universe is a unity of units: Universal Brotherhood.
Each Human is the center of his own universe, and this
includes every other being.
2. All, from Star to Human to Atom, bathe in the same
potentials, and share in each other on the level of the
atomic and electro-magnetic the same "matter;" but
each expresses these in their own individual way.
3. All individual paths of life tend to converge on a common
"Goal." But for each this "goal" is individual and
inescapably cooperative with all the rest.
4. For this reason all events which involve many individuals,
inevitably show analogies in form and in circumstance.
>From these surges and ebbs arise many universal Cycles.
5. The Universe is observed to operate with perfect economy
under great and uniform laws of cause/effect. The
balance of these is a continuous harmony. Science
recognizes and records laws in all departments. Every
plan depends on them. Chance does not exist.
6. Karma expresses the balancing of all causes to their effects
In Nature, this operates uniformly and continuously.
Mankind, because of its independent Mind, and the power
of independent choice, carves his own "path of living."
Among men, Law is termed morality, and motive rules.
7. Because of their individuality [ the Mind-Soul ], humans
reincarnate, each in pursuit of its goal. As a whole,
this can be expressed as a harmony. This dynamic
harmony of units offers an accurate knowledge of
any and all aspects of the Universe, and of its count-
less components. No being can ever be totally killed
or annihilated. No one is totally isolated from others.
8. Such Wisdom, when acquired, requires a continuity of a life
of service to others; and of absolute personal
harmlessness to others. Karma is the law of moral balance.
9. Three Fundamental Ideas form the base of Nature's Theosophy
[ Theos-deity, Sophia-wisdom ] :
1. Deity is Universal Spirit. All beings share
equally in it. None can be "destroyed."
2. Law operates everywhere and causes manifestation
as well as individual reincarnation. The
components of all beings replace themselves
cyclically, and, universality is a fact.
9. Third Fundamental:
3. Progression in consciousness, and awareness is
universal. Many stages are recognized. The
individual being [ Monad, or "Life-atom" ] is
indestructible. The Goal of experience
[ evolution ] is Wisdom -- Knowledge of all
aspects of the Universe. This process
demands a study of one's own Self.
10. Life indestructible ever progresses towards Wisdom.
======================
What is Theosophy ?
_________
1. It is a study of universal Nature, and of one's self.
2. It studies the relations between these two. It views every
action from the view-point of motive, and therefore
regards the moral basis of every word or act as most
significant. Karma, as effect, arises from this alone.
3. It seeks verification of evidence advanced by the work and
perceptions of, not only one's self, but by others.
It constantly asks the questions: Why, When, How, Were
and to Whom ? It demands answers based only on truth
and fact, and treats all opinions with caution.
4. It is the recorded history of such observations--in all
departments of Nature. It is the basis of all
sciences, philosophies and religions. No one can lay
claim to "originality," since Nature contains all.
5. Verification demands that all observations, or theories be
carefully cross-checked by many others. Every living
being is engaged in this universal process. Each
being, beginning with the atom in which resides a basic
consciousness, retains a permanent record of all its
experiences. This is called knowledge or Wisdom.
6. Universal Nature, is composed of the visible and the
invisible aspects of life. Underlying the material physical
is the psychic-astral, and underlying that the "desire-
nature." Superior to the desire-nature is the Mind.
Behind the Mind is Discrimination-Wisdom. Finally,
the Real Man-the Higher Self--Monad exists, and it is
a "ray" of the One SPIRIT--the Undefinable ROOT of ALL.
7. The realm of force, power and energy underlies all forms.
8. Cycles and laws unify the diversities seen in nature and
reconcile all levels of awareness/consciousness.
9. A single Consciousness underlies each being, whether this
be called an "atom," a "human," a "planet," or a Star.
It operates in every level of perception (or conscious
ness) and records, as memory, all experiences.
10. Man's "Spirit" is one with the "Universal Spirit."
11. Students of Theosophy group together for mutual study, using
different designations down the years to name them-
selves. Their conjoint study is signalized by and
through the common objectives defined here, regardless
of the nomenclature they devised for recording or for
communication: Sages, Magi, Elder Brothers, Adepts,
Prophets, Philosophers, Gnostics, Mystagogues,
Platonists, Masons, Initiates, Masters of Wisdom, Builders,
Astrologers, Alchemists, Rosicrucians, Brothers of
Light and Fire, Fire Philosophers, Kabalists,
Pythagorians, Neo-Platonists, Analogeticists, Cathars,
Sufis,
Hermeticists, Transcendentalists, Healers, Theurgists,
Theosophers, Yogis...are some of the designations that
have been used in the past.
==========================
Program for Studying the Secret Doctrine
________________
Prior to the actual page by page study: --
Certain basic concepts and ideas ought to reside in
the memory of all students who approach the Secret
Doctrine.
The most important are accessed by a preliminary reading of
these few pages :
SD Vol. 1 Preface, . . .Vol. I - vii -
viii
Introductory . . I - xvii -
xlvii
Proem . . . 1 - 24
The actual Stanzas:. I - 26 - 34
Summing up . I - 269 - 299
Cyclic Evolution & Karma I - 634 -
647
SD Vol. 2 Preliminary Notes Vol.. 2 - 12
The actual Stanzas: Vol. 2 - 14 - 21
Reincarnation . 2 - 302 - 306
Conclusion . . 2 - 437 - 446
Conclusion . 2 - 794 - 798
In 1877 Isis Unveiled was published. It serves as a
compendium of evidence to psychic, philosophical and
spiritual events that antiquity as well as modernity have
recorded.
It offers a few basic concepts, to serve as a necessary
basis, prior to study of the Secret Doctrine. These
are assembled in The Ocean, and The Key to Theosophy.
They will also be found in the Bhagavad Gita, and The
Voice of the Silence, in the Dhammapada, and in
Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, as well as in other writings.
It should always be born in mind that ours is an
infinitely sensitive Universe. Every being in it is
indestructible in essence. All evolution tends to develop-
individual mind in Mankind. Evolution is continuous &
an eternal process. The Universe is ruled by just and
impersonal Laws which are immutable, educative and
protective in their ultimate fairness to all beings.
In 1888 The Secret Doctrine was issued. It records
information inclusive of that in Isis Unveiled, and
subsequent
information elicited, and printed in article form in
the early Theosophical magazines: The Theosophist,
Path, and Lucifer. It exposes the moral Universe.
The Stanzas of the Book of Dzyan (Wisdom) form the basis for
both The Secret Doctrine, and The Voice of the Silence,
hence both books should be studied together, as they
supplement each-other.
The Transactions of the Blavatsky Lodge is a book that
should be consulted for explanations made by HPB.
Studies in the Secret Doctrine, by B. P. Wadia is a book
that brings together valuable articles originally
printed in Theosophy, and The Theosophical Movement.
A small pamphlet Some Observations on the Study of the
Secret Doctrine by P. G. Bowen ought also be read.
The most ancient record of the statements, facts, and
observations that form the body of The Secret Doctrine
are in existence, fragmentarily, in ancient Indian
literature. To assist students who are unfamiliar
with Sanskrit, Tibetan, Pali, and other ancient
languages, it is advisable to employ The Theosophical
Glossary by HPB, as ancient terms of philosophy are
frequently used technically in the book. English does
not easily convey the refinements which those ancient
terms give. The acquiring of a vocabulary will make
easier the transfer of ideas, and if one studies
ancient texts, they will help in understanding them.
In addition to this, those students who desire to preserve a
record of this study, could employ some means to record
their work. Perhaps a 3-ring binder would be useful.
Preliminary to each class it would be well if each student
reads in advance several pages of what will be
considered, so that familiarity will make study easier.
An excellent Index to the SD is available. The student will
find that it makes his base of understanding easier,
as all important subjects are referenced.
Isis Unveiled and an Index are also available for
correlative study.
=========================
It may be a good idea to read about 3 to 5 pages each meet-
ing, but not restrict ourselves to a fixed format,
since, probably, time will be spent in amplifying many
of the statements made. All advance research will be
much appreciated. Bring your questions. Try with the
help of the Theosophical Glossary and the Index to
cross reference and amplify statements we will read.
It is most important to understand that each student is
making his own approach to the subject-matter of the
S D. No one is an "authority;" but the consideration
of the study made, and the ideas advanced by others
will be found most helpful to all. "Windows of
opportunity" may thus be opened each for each other.
A Universal Law that operates in Nature and Man is called
"correspondence and analogy." This is because both Man
and nature are 7-fold: Spirit - Wisdom - Mind - Desire
- Vitality - Astral Body - Physical Body.
Mankind represents, as a whole the arena for the interaction of
two of the greatest forces that ever propel forward all
evolution:
Mind and Kama, (desire) engaged in free decision making.
"That which propels towards, and forces evolution, i.e., compels the
growth and development of Man towards perfection, is
(a) the Monad, or that which acts in it unconsciously through a
force inherent in itself; and
(b) the lower astral body or the personal Self.
The former, whether imprisoned in a vegetable or an animal body, is endowed
with, is indeed itself, that force. Owing to its identity with the
all-force, which, as said, is inherent in the Monad, it is all-potent on the
Arupa, or formless plane...the rays of the Sun, which contribute to the
growth of vegetation, do not select this or that plant to shine upon...So
with the Atman: unless the higher Self or ego gravitates towards its
Sun--the Monad--the lower Ego, or personal Self, will have the upper hand in
every case. For it is this Ego, with its fierce Selfishness and animal
desire to live a Senseless life (Tanha), which is "the maker of the
tabernacle," as Buddha calls it in the Dhammapada..." SD II
109-110
THE ANCIENT SOURCE
"The Secret Doctrine is the accumulated Wisdom of the Ages, and its
cosmogony alone is the most stupendous and elaborate sys tem...But such is
the mysterious power of Occult symbolism, that the facts which have actually
occupied countless generations of initiated seers and prophets to marshal,
to set down and explain, in the bewildering series of evolutionary progress,
are all recorded on a few pages of geometrical signs and glyphs.
The flashing gaze of those seers has penetrated into the very kernel of
matter, and recorded the soul of things there...the system in question is no
fancy of one or several isolated individuals...it is the uninterrupted
record covering thousands of generations of Seers whose respective
experiences were made to test and to verify the traditions passed orally by
one early race to another, of the teachings of higher and exalted beings,
who watched over the childhood of Humanity...
the Wise Men of the Fifth Race...saved and rescued from the last cataclysm
and shifting of continents, had passed their lives in learning, not
teaching...by checking, testing, and verifying in every department of nature
the traditions of old by the independent visions of great adepts; i.e., men
who have developed and perfected their physical, mental, psychic, and
spiritual organizations to the utmost possible degree.
No vision of one adept was accepted till it was checked and confirmed by the
visions--so obtained as to stand as independent evidence--of other adepts,
and by centuries of experience." SD I 272-273
================================================
Best wishes,
Dallas
============================================
-----Original Message-----
From: Gopi
Sent: Sunday, April 25, 2004 11:28 PM
To:
Subject: [bn-study] Re: HPB and Psychic Phenomena
Dear Dallas,
As we read her writings it is possible what she conveys. This revelation
depends on your concentration and knowing how accurate she is! So, there
is no need to question. See if you can see it for yourself!
Gopi
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