Theos-Talk Archives (June 2004 Message tt00120)

June 18 2004

Dear S.

In Studying the SECRET DOCTRINE .

H P B says at the outset that it is "written for students of
"occultism."  

What is the "Occultism (secrecy) ?" Can we not say that it is plain
everywhere, but we have not stumbled on to it, because we have failed
to examine all our surroundings and our present condition with care
and detachment? 

Great Hermes, of yore, said: MAN KNOW THYSELF."  

Here are some of the more common "obstacles" we hear of:

Is this book The SECRET DOCTRINE a riddle? For some it seems an
impossibility. Do we really have to relearn our language? How to
begin?  

For some it is: "Too difficult." Because, perhaps, they have to
learn the technical language of ancient history, philosophy and the
sciences of the ancient nations.  

Some think that in our present hurly burly world this is wasted time.
They have to deal with the present, but, on reexamination, the goals
that most have been presented with, for this "present," are
indefinite and indistinct -- and all, as it seems, terminates for the
individual with the wall of oblivion we call "death." 

Suggestion:

Make it easy on yourself.  

First read The OCEAN OF THEOSOPHY by Judge. It epitomizes the
teachings of THEOSOPHY as are to be found expressed in greater detail
by HPB in The SECRET DOCTRINE .  

Thinking over the development of the way in which THEOSOPHY was
offered to us in those early days we find: 

As an introduction to studying the SECRET DOCTRINE we ought to recall
that first, ISIS UNVEILED was published. (1877)

If this is read we acquire a survey of much of the history and
philosophy that the R C Church spent over 1,000 years in trying to
obliterate. Theosophy is in effect a "bridge" between the present and
its ancient and forgotten sources. 

In reading ISIS UNVEILED we find it refers to many sources of
theogony, history, science and philosophy that are (to us) of an
"Eastern" character. [We should remember that Christianity and
Masonry are of an Eastern origin. Judaism traces its roots back to
Egypt, Assyria, Chaldea, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, and ultimately to
Vedic philosophy in India. ]

To help us, H P B worked at the end of her life on the compilation of
a THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY -- a very helpful book for the student who is
faced with statements referring to those ancient sources. Her friend
and "secretary" George Mead finished the book and has made it
available to us. It embodies items from the "Glossary" that HPB had
attached to the end of the 2nd edition of her: The KEY TO THEOSOPHY,
republished just before her death.

A study of the book ISIS UNVEILED, shows that it was followed by Mr.
Sinnett's (and others) correspondence with the Masters of Wisdom, and
many discussions with HPB and col. Olcott. 

Mr. Sinnett wrote ESOTERIC BUDDHISM and THE OCCULT WORLD.. These two
books popularized THEOSOPHY But they had errors in them due to his
way of understanding. HPB's The SECRET DOCTRINE corrected those. 

Mme. Blavatsky had from 1879 on, issued the magazine THEOSOPHIST.
Many articles therein discussed aspects of the philosophy disclosed in
ISIS UNVEILED and added to that, certain errors of understanding in
ESOTERIC BUDDHISM and THE OCCULT WORLD were looked into.

Later two more magazines began publication In America the PATH was
started in 1886. And, in London, in 1887, LUCIFER was started by HPB.
More discussions and further teachings were advanced.

This necessitated the writing of the SECRET DOCTRINE (1888) -- in
which two main things were placed in view and discussion thereon was
adjusted:

(1)	A history of the formation of the World, and 

>From those statements we secure a view of the great Laws that rule our
Cosmos with utmost care, impartiality and exactitude. Further, this
accounts for : Cycles, universal, individual and, individual and
distributive Karma, universal Reincarnation, The existence of the
deathless Spiritual Soul in all humans, and the Goal that evolution as
a whole is aspiring to and involved in forging. It is a Goal described
by some as UNIVERSAL PERFECTION for all beings.. 

It declares, and offers proof that the whole Universe, all Nature, is
DEIFIC. The "God Principle" is universal, and every human, as well as
every atom, is bathed in that essential glory. The Universe is GOD.
Nature is GOD. GOD is the same for all. 

On this, the practice of BROTHERHOOD, virtue and altruism are based.


(2)	a sketch of its Evolution is offered and explained.  

>From those statements based, on the ancient records of the BOOK OF
DZYAN (Wisdom) we secure an evolutionary theory that is seamless and
without gaps. [The "missing links" of Science are fully discussed.]


(3)	the Brotherhood of all Religions is described and
demonstrated. Universal symbology is unravelled and the Sciences of
antiquity are made plain.

UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD is declared to be a FACT IN NATURE.

HPB's The KEY TO THEOSOPHY (1889, 1891) gives us the main doctrines
of Karma and Reincarnation and shows how important a thorough
knowledge of the 7 "Principles" of Man's nature are -- as a matter of
practical knowledge in the practice of the "virtuous life." It
describes "Practical Theosophy" and "Practical Occultism" in detail. 

Let me also mention here: Her most important book, for those who are
inspired with idealism and altruism -- to make those qualities the
basis, and a part of their daily lives, -- is The VOICE OF THE
SILENCE . This touches the Heart-strings the inherent Wisdom and the
deepest thought power of every individual. It evokes, as a conscious
fact and Presence, the innate "God-principle" we all give shelter to
-- and most fail to sense IT THERE. It offers us the inspiration of
universality, and it inspires us with the powers of the all-seeing,
all-knowing God of True and Virtuous Life within. It is the Heart
Doctrine. Knowing that, we can work so as to become in thought, one
with the whole of humanity, and one with the Universe. This is
Brotherhood.

"Compassion is the Law of laws, Eternal Harmony. A shoreless
universal essence. The Law of everlasting right and the fitness of
all things The law of Love eternal." 

Best wishes,

Dallas
 
====================================================


-----Original Message-----
From: spow
Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 10:58 PM
To: study@blavatsky.net
Subject: Thank you

Thank you Dallas, Jeremy & everyone,

I decided to print off the answers to study at my leisure, just prior
to
leaving the house. I came back to 44 pages! Talk about "ask and ye
shall
receive!" I'm afraid I haven't been able to get to all of it yet. But
I am
working on it.

Thank you for the suggestions of the other readings, Dallas. I would
like
to get back in to studying the SD, but I was a little overwhelmed the
first
time. After spending a month on the first 5 pages, I decided to bite
the
bullet and just read, not try to understand every word and nuance. I
did
manage to make it through and even started to catch on to some of it,
but a
synopsis would be great.

Thanks again all.

S