Theos-Talk Archives (July 2004 Message tt00171)

July 13, 2004





Dear Eric::



Glad to meet you. You ask: "And is not the "Master" found within?"



You are quite right, The Inner Master is our own "Higher Self" the Atma.



On the Internet students meet. May I observe, and this may be redundant in
your case:



When we read contributions made on the list as E-mails, we are free to
question the sender or to make general comments asking for further
information (as you just did) or offering some well reasoned views one has
generated.



Some exchanges consider aspects of the history of the THEOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT.
They seem to have some differences of opinion. Theosophy is always
interested in securing the most accurate view of any subject considered.



In the meantime here is a synopsis of what THEOSOPHY deals with, as I have
learned it



Our present day knowledge of Theosophy is derived from the writings of Mme.
H. P. Blavatsky. She lived between 1831 and 1891. Her providing of
Theosophy as a philosophy, science and religious compend began around 1875.



In that year, historically, the Theosophical Society was launched to promote
and sustain three objects:



1. To form the nucleus of a Universal Brotherhood, without
distinction of race, color, or creed.



2. To promote the study of Aryan [Noble] and other Scriptures, of
the World's religion and sciences, and to vindicate the importance of old
Asiatic literature, namely of the Brahmanical, Buddhist, and Zoroastrian
philosophies, and



3. To investigate the hidden mysteries of nature under every aspect
possible, and the psychic and spiritual powers latent in man. [ KEY TO
THEOSOPHY, p. 39 ]





Today a number of fraternally affiliated yet, independent Theosophical
societies flourish and a United Lodge of Theosophists exists which offers
all students of whatever affiliation a free forum for the study of the
original literature of Theosophy and cooperative work. 



Theosophy in our modern World is primarily aimed to demonstrate the validity
of "Universal Brotherhood," a recognition of the "Family of Man.," and it
encourages cooperative work on an impartial, non-sectarian basis.



In 1877 Madame Blavatsky, published: ISIS UNVEILED. It was a sensation.
It went through many editions (reprints from the original plates until they
were worn out) in rapid succession. In this she reviewed the history of
Science and Theology in respect to Laws of Nature that were still not
generally known, which pertain to the invisible and hidden side of Nature.
In response to questions and further demands, she founded and edited, along
with Col. H. S. Olcott the magazines The THEOSOPHIST (India) in 1879, and
later LUCIFER (London) in 1887. In those many aspects of Theosophical
doctrines were discussed or amplified.



In 1888 she published The SECRET DOCTRINE. Another sensation. In this
book, she provided a survey (as a summary taken from the secret libraries
and records of the age-old College of Adepts) [see Isis, Vol. II, pp 98 -
103] of creation -- COSMOGENESIS, and of Man's evolution, not only as a
physical form, but psychologically and spiritually -- ANTHROPOGENESIS. [see
S D I 181 ]



In this she takes the reader through the metaphysics that form the basic
concept of Universal Evolution, [ S D I 13 -19] and with their help, she
explains how it is the Spiritual Essence which informs and energizes
"material forms" with intelligence and consciousness. Evolution, is
therefore considered to be three-fold. 



1. material in our bodies, 



2. psychologically in our desires and thoughts, and 



3. spiritually in our aspirations and virtuous urges.



In this she demonstrates the correctness of the view held by the ancient
Sage Patanjali : "The Universe exists for the Soul's experience." 



Theosophy, in brief, deals with the "causes" for our existence, and the
presence of the invisible Spiritual and psychological universe that
underlies, as energic Force, as the "causal motivation," that produces the
tangible physical realities of the visible Universe we are familiar with. 



It posits the concept that every atom of matter (a "monad" - described as
ATMA-BUDDHI - or SPIRIT and Wisdom) is alive, and is aware in its own way. 



As an "individuality" [not as a "persona" - a 'mask'] it is continuous, and
never "dies." It is, as a spiritual and immortal center of energy, a
"Force," which is the "cause" of its existence. Around it are aggregated
the various forms (7) which are called the "principles" of man and Nature.
[S D I 157-8; S D II 596] 



No event, no experience, is ever "lost," but all are indelibly impressed on
the living consciousness of these innumerable "Monads." These, when
condensed out of invisible matter (called the "astral"), make up the
material "forms" we deal with daily. The concept of "invisible" matter
("dark matter"?) is an old one to Theosophy.



The "monads" are held, metaphysically, to be indissoluble compounds of two
"poles" of variance. These are held united by the bond of interactive
intelligence (Mind). They are "Spirit" (as perfection and wisdom), and
"Matter" (as limitation and ever shifting form) bonded together for eternity
as living units by the unitary consciousness that gives them their permanent
individuality, intelligence and immortality. Each of these three-fold Units
[which are, so to say, the essence of every molecule of matter] are said to
be, as a "Force," inextinguishable, deathless. 



Theosophy holds that it is these "Eternal Pilgrims" that form all the
components of evolution. These provide in a regulated manner, and through a
vast process of planned evolution, by rebirth and reincarnation, the
individual development of that increasing Intelligence that is innate to
each of them. [One might hazard - as you have -- the appellation of the
"inner Master" to these.] These increments and experience, lead to the
self-conscious individualization of a 'deathless' Intelligence. Expressed
in various ways, but essentially: "I AM I," it is held that evidence for
this lies in the existence of thinking, self-conscious humanity. "I think,
therefore I am," said Descartes.



But the progress of the vast army of thinking and individual Monads is held
to proceed, from the level of intelligence we might designate as the
"Man-Mind" to a perception of, and an understanding grasp of the entire
universe. [ "The Universe grows I." is one way of expressing this.] 



Since this enormous and diversified curriculum and course of learning would
be impossible to achieve in a single life-time, the process of
"reincarnation" is said to exist, both as a process and as a law of
development. It is averred that there is an ultimate goal of individual
perfection to be attained. This "ultimate goal" is expressed mystically, as
"Supreme Perfection," or "the Individual attainment of Universal Wisdom."
It is a concept that has long been held by ancient Brahmanism, Buddhism and
Zoroastrianism. Mystical Christianity and Islam are said to also recognize
this as a truth. At their root-source, all "religions" are one. 



It will be seen, on reflection, that these concepts provide, as an
interactive basis, the necessity for every choice or change at any level to
have an ethical / moral consequence. Ancient Hinduism speaks of this as
"karma" or, the effects that are consequent upon any act that results from
"choice." For it is held that the "Mind-Man" is a free agent, and his
decisions cause the progress of his own evolution, as well as that of the
whole Universe around him, to advance or slow down. [ It is for this reason
that Patanjali offered his observation quoted above. ] Karma, being
impersonal justice and universal harmony, provides for the exact return of
moral or any other impressions to whosoever generated any cause.



Our human physical forms are observed to become incapacitated and grow
incapable and obsolete over time. This leads to the dissolution we call
"death." But Theosophy posits that the experiences of a life-time, as
"memories, and their associated moral impressions" survive the death of the
physical form. They are the continuing basis for what is called
"character," and, of every increment of knowledge and wisdom. These
memory-impressions are said to be impacted in the imperishable spiritual
Monad. They reside in Buddhi, wisdom From this, the common, yet remote
Goal for all is posited as: Sublime and Universal Perfection for each
individual Monad.



With this in view, look at the following expressions abstracted from
Theosophical literature.



================





"Theosophy is Divine Knowledge, or Science, "Divine Wisdom" (Theo-Sophia)
-- the term is many thousand years old." 

KEY TO THEOSOPHY , p. 1. 





"Theosophy is synonymous with everlasting Truth." 

KEY TO THEOSOPHY, p. 302. 





"We have no two beliefs or hypotheses on the same subject." 

KEY TO THEOSOPHY , p. 72. 





"Theosophy is the substratum and basis of all the world-religions and
philosophies taught and practised by a few elect ever since man became a
thinking being." THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY p. 328.





"The "Wisdom Religion" is the inheritance of all the nations, the world
over." S D I xviii





"Theosophy [is].the one bond of unity which is so universal and
all-embracing that no man, as no speck -- from gods and mortals down to
animals, the blade of grass and atom -- can be outside of its light.
Therefore any organization or body of that name [Theosophical] must
necessarily be a Universal Brotherhood."

H P B: IS THEOSOPHY A RELIGION ? 

H P B Articles, (U L T), Vol. I, p 59, [ LUCIFER Nov. 1888.]





THEOSOPHY IS NOT NEW



This suggests that THEOSOPHY is not a new fangled system of collated ideas
drawn from many sources. In fact, if it were even that, then the marvel is
of HPB's mind and capacity in drawing such a vast diversity together and
showing how the many pieces fit together to form a seamless whole in the
world of ideas and concepts. In our experience and wide reading, there is
no one who has written such a comprehensive view of our world, universe and
the important part that Mankind plays in that.






WHO WAS H. P. BLAVATSKY?





HPB does not claim "authority." She claims to be a "messenger." And
repeatedly says she worked under the direction of members of the "Elder
Brothers of Humanity" -- these form the Ancient Lodge of ADEPTS. 




In both ISIS UNVEILED and The SECRET DOCTRINE she disclaims any personal
authority and gives the credit for the records she transmits to the Real
Authors, the Mahatmas (Great Souls). [ see certificate of authorship, by H
P B and the two Mahatmas, PATH, Vol. VIII, p. 1 ] 



Since she was well aware that Theosophical theories and hypotheses would be
received with various degrees of incredulity from the academies, she was
careful to make it clear that the information was in reality taken from the
HISTORY that the Adepts and their disciples (chelas) had recorded down the
ages. All that she requested was "equal time" and an open-minded
consideration of what Theosophy had to offer.



She wrote in ISIS UNVEILED :



"When, years ago, we first traveled over the East, exploring the penetralia
of its deserted sanctuaries, two saddening and ever-recurring questions
oppressed our thoughts: Where, who what is GOD ? Who ever saw the IMMORTAL
SPIRIT of man, so as to be able to assure himself of man's immorality?



It was while most anxious to solve those perplexing problems that we came
into contact with certain men, endowed with such mysterious powers and such
profound knowledge that we may truly designate them as the sages of the
Orient. To their instructions we lent a ready ear. They showed us that by
combining science with religion, the existence of God and immortality of
man's spirit may be demonstrated like a problem of Euclid. For the first
time we receive the assurance that the Oriental philosophy has room for no
other faith than an absolute and immovable faith in the omnipotence of man's
own immortal self. We were taught that this omnipotence comes from the
kinship of man's spirit with the Universal Soul--God ! The latter, they
said, can never be demonstrated but by the former. Man-spirit proves
God-spirit, as the one drop of water proves a source from which it must have
come.all the rest may be inferred.Blind faith would no longer be necessary,
he would have supplanted it by KNOWLEDGE..prove the soul of man by its
wondrous powers--you have proved God !" 

I U , Vol. I , p. vi



"The essence of Theosophy is the perfect harmonizing of the divine with the
human in man." H P B 

FIVE MESSAGES TO AMERICAN THEOSOPHISTS , p. 6.







WHAT DOES THEOSOPHY TEACH?



The immortality of man's Spirit/Soul and the "God-Spirit," are present in
every "life-atom" of our living universe. This the fundamental concept.
Everything in Nature may be seen to trend in its life-experience towards a
higher degree of knowledge, wisdom, perfection. 



Each life-cycle (incarnation) is like a separate day at school and all are
drawn together by the uniting thread of the immortal, and eternal spiritual
Self which is at their core, and unites them (us) all. She shows how
Theosophy traces the evolution of the "consciousness and intelligence" of
the SPIRITUAL SOUL or Monad, through many forms -- from the atom to the
human condition of independent free-will, and from there to the Adept, who
like a Professor, knows all that can be known. Their function is to teach,
protect and encourage humanity to learn as they have learned. 



This sweep and concept is one that can be traced in every one of the great
religions and philosophies of the world. It is the record of their
existence and of our participation, again and again, in those processes. 



Her main teachings can be reduced to the following propositions:



That Morals have a basis in Law and in fact.



That Moral law is Natural Law.



That Evolution makes for Righteousness.



That the "fundamental identity of all souls with the Oversoul" renders moral
contagion possible through the subtle psychic medium.



That the Spiritual Identity of all Being renders Universal brotherhood the
only possible path for the truth-seeking man." 

[ H P B Art., Vol. I p. 115. 

From: SHE BEING DEAD YET SPEAKETH 



"True Theosophy is everything that aids or elevates mankind; and our chief
object is not so much to gratify individual aspirations, as to serve our
fellow men." PATH, Vol. IV, p., 96







THEOSOPHY THE ROOT OF ALL RELIGIONS



Currently there is debate as to whether Theosophy has its roots in Buddhism,
Hinduism, Jainism, etc... It is understood that scholars who are familiar
with those systems and their development can trace similarities. However
HPB claims that all those were derived from the "Sanatana Dharma," the
"Perennial Philosophy," which is the ancient and universal record of Life's
development and history. 



As such, it claims to be at the root and origin of all the great ancient
religio-philosophical systems and provides a reason for their development,
as systems of practice, leading to that kind of "initiation" which develops
Wisdom in thought and mind as well as, simultaneously, the application of
compassion and harmlessness in motive.



".the Wisdom-Religion was ever one, and being the last word of possible
human knowledge, was therefore, carefully preserved. It preceded by long
ages the Alexandrian Theosophists [ 1st Cent.] , reached the modern, and
will survive every other religion and philosophy."

KEY TO THEOSOPHY , p. 7.



Thus, Theosophy is not exclusively religion, or philosophy but also
includes science -- as the power to investigate and record the workings of
NATURE (Life as a whole) in every stage, visible or invisible, and in every
department of the world and our Universe. It is important to recognize that
Nature taken as a whole already provides us support and life, but we do not
yet know the full extent of this. We are discovering those laws and facts
which were already established since untold ages.



The sweep of the ever-present immortal Life, through cycles of evolution
lead each Monad at last to a "goal," the "all-Knowingness" of the PERFECTED
MAN. The designation Mahatma (Great Soul) is one that includes all such
self-developed men of superior knowledge and nature. 



The SECRET DOCTRINE therefore speaks of those as the intelligent guides
{Dhyan Chohans, and Dhyani Buddhas], and Self-conscious assistants that
Nature employs to recreate and supervise a fresh evolutionary effort, a "new
Day," of evolutionary progress for all beings.





IT ENCOURAGES INDEPENDENT INQUIRY



If this is grasped as a working and actual concept, the minute details and
studies of specialists, while respected, as continuing proof of the
inclusive nature of Theosophy, are also shown to be but the outer covering,
or, to be but some one way selected to approach to the interior mystery of
man's own immortal Mind, and of Nature's infinite capacities to assist that
Mind to grow. The process Nature employs is reincarnation. It is
reembodiment under the exacting Law of universal Karma.



If this infinite capacity of the human mind to grow and to understand the
most simple, as well as the most complex subjects is granted, the more
learned will continually encourage those who now are at various stages of
learning to investigate and prove for themselves all avenues, however
diverse, of information, tradition and lore. And that is the always growing
tip of the self-enlightening Mind. It always widens out to that which is
permanent and universal, when given a chance to emerge from ignorance,
doubt, skepticism and lethargy of authoritarianism.



"[THEOSOPHY] -- Its creed is Loyalty to Truth, and its ritual "To honor
every Truth by use." 



---------------------------------------------



I hope this proves helpful.



I am sure all of us are willing to answer questions anytime.



Best wishes,



Dallas



==================================

-----Original Message-----


From: Eric J
Sent: Friday, July 09, 2004 2:02 PM
To: 
Subject: [bn-study] Jerome Wheller's addendum to Geoffrey Farthing's
Manifesto Suppliment 



I'm new here; and just reviewed commentary (proposed Supplement-addendum)
regarding Geoffrey Farthing's Manifesto. To the point of your
statement-of-reply as referenced, to adapt to my understanding I relate your
description of "theosophy" as a verb, or path (a "Way") to reconcile, and
even promote, existence (universal as well as egocentric); however, it is
not to be a form of "crowd-control" or doctrinarian-rule as a
collective-venue of the Society. Never the less, in my limited connection
with the "Society" apparent conflict and authoritarianism arises as an old
stubbing-dogma inflected upon man in this state. However while often
realistic in the-moment for intent-in-purpose, "societies" have their own
revolving interruptive-agenda bowing to egotistical-reassurance. Moreover of
caution, the contemporary-definition of a "science" (being a
reformation/renaissance organizational-tool for forms of
disciplined-cognition) may well "couch" (or limit) the
realization/revelation of the both "cause" and "effect" attributed to the
inherent-nature of theosophy as a "collective-synthesis". And is not the
"Master" found within?





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