Theos-Talk Archives (June 2004 Message tt00150)

June 20 2004

Dear Gerry:

Why not adopt the view that "Theosophist is who theosophy does." The
title is inapplicable in any other context. Hence we who study
THEOSOPHY call ourselves "students."

After examining it in many aspects for some 60 years I would say: It
is not speculative nor a system of belief. It provides information,
knowledge and suggests virtue as a imperative practice. It does not
seek adherents. Hey who desire to know something of our world in
depth, seek that which it offers.

It is history and philosophy.

The history is well covered in ISIS UNVEILED and the SECRET DOCTRINE
and sundry articles by HPB such as A LAND OF MYSTERY.

The philosophy is clear, direct and supports / defends itself.

The prime import of Theosophy is: If it is found correct then it is
worth living by.

Here are some thoughts to consider:

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, as a cohesive whole 
because we have failed to examine all our surroundings and our 
present condition with care and detachment? Anything that is true
is part of THEOSOPHY . It is all-inclusive.

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


Some think that in our present hurly burly world this general and
Particular kind of study is wasted time, for them. They assume 
that 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." 

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." 

I am sure there is much in the above that appears "authoritative,"
But I hope that is philosophical and historical aspects may be found
reasonable.

Best wishes,

Dallas
 
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-----Original Message-----
From: Gerald S
Sent: Saturday, June 19, 2004 11:15 AM
To: 
Subject: Theosophical Chelas and Pathworking


Several years ago on this list, we had some volatile discussions about
the
division of Theosophists into two camps. Theosophists were divided
into the
sheep and the wolves. Both labels were prejorative and neither camp
liked
them. At the time I was trying to develop compassion, and the label
"wolf"
was not complimentary. But the division itself was very much real, and
exists today and will likely exist into the future. One group, Group
1,
views Theosophy as a set of teachings, called "core teachings" or
"original
teachings" and views it the duty of Theosophists to read and study and
preserve these teachings. The other group, Group 2, views Theosophy as
a
process or Path. 

My own view here is that a newbie enters the Theosophical fold as a
member
of Group 1 and then slowly progresses to Group 2. Group 2 is thus a
far
smaller group than Group 1, and its members are older. Since BN and
Theos-talk consists almost exclusive of Group 1 people, and since the
vast
majority of Theosophical literature being printed was geared to Group
1
people, I thought that it would be nice to establish Theos-l as a
place for
Group 2 people. 

Group 2 Theosophists are those who view Theosophy as a Path. There aer
four
main stages or steps to this Path as follows:

Stage 1. Development of ethics and morals
Stage 2. Development of compassion for others and selflessness for
oneself
Stage 3. Reading and studying the exoteric literature to gain
intellectual
knowledge
Stage 4. Using whatever techniques one wants to experience the globes
and
pathways of our Earth planetary chain to gain experiential
knowledge

Looking at the above list, Group1 is also working on the first three
stages, and so the only real difference between the two groups/camps
is
Stage 4. 

Group 1 views Stage 4 as magic or psychism and fears to TRY it. Group
2
views Stage 4 as neccessary for Chelas on a Theosphical Path and so
Group 2
people tend to consider themselves as Chelas, and by today's
Theosophical
definition, they are. The traditional definition of Chela is a student
under the tuteledge of a Guru and in a very formal Guru-Chela
relationship.
Today such relationships no longer apply, nor are they needed. Today a
Chela is anyone consciously treading a Path, and the term pertains
especially to a Theosophical Path. In this sense, Group 2
Theosophists are
Chelas.

With this in mind, one of the duties of the Theosophical Chela is
Stage 4,
the gaining of experiential knowledge. Experiential knowledge of the
cosmic
planes and their globes and pathways is obtained through what is
called
pathworking. CUT