Theos-Talk Archives (July 2004 Message tt00220)

Thanks Katinka for your comments.
Perhaps you may have misunderstood what I was suggesting in my post.
I certainly was not suggesting that the theosophy of HPB is the only 
effective approach quite to the contrary infact what I said was, it 
is one approach and not for everyone.
Academic philosophy for example is one of the most rigoreous studies
you could undertake so I was not suggesting these disciplines be
dismissed rather they should be undertaken if that is where we're drawn.

One of the things that never ceases to amaze me in HPBs writings is
the varst amount of different perspectives and philosophies she draws
from and uses as comparison, so by default in the study of her
writings you are introduced to many different perspectives but that
dosen't in any sense mean we should stop there but we should extend
our studies in any number of disciplines and writings/writers.

I dont quite know what you mean by 'hardline theosophists'
perhaps you can clarify that for me.

To be sure not everyone in the west is "mentally lazy" but without a
doubt the "simplified" versions have great overwhelming appeal to
people because they don't tax the mind and rely on "clairvoyantly
verified" pronouncements, the danger being we simply sit with that and
then don't compare and continue the exploration whether that be
through HPBs writings, Zen, academic philosophy, science or
Callathumpianism.
I think its a great shame that the theosophical teachings arn't more
rigorously debated in lodges with comparison of the various different
versions as well as with say the 'exoteric' teachings of say Hinduism
or Buddhism and examine the similarities and the differences.


Perry



--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Katinka Hesselink" <mail@k...> wrote:
> Hi Perry,
> 
> That may be an aspect of the story. It is certainly true the Mahatmas
> and HPB sought and taught knowledge as well as wisdom. Knowledge is
> not all that popular, allthough Ken Wilber whose writings aren't easy
> either, is relatively very popular. And sometimes a difficult book
> just becomes a best-seller, seemingly out of nowhere. 
> 
> I'm not sure this laziness is typically western though. People in
> general would rather like their lives to be simple and 'normal',
> whatever that means. 
> 
> Still, to dismiss all modern spiritual paths as superficial goes too
> far for my taste. Zen and other buddhist paths are certainly not
> simple. They are real paths to spiritual attainment, I have no reason
> to doubt that. This means that they too must be difficult. It's just
> another kind of difficult. Unfortunately, if one immerses oneself in
> one path only it is a bit difficult to find the truth in other paths
> (this goes for hardline theosophists too, obviously) - and hence the
> division between people of different faiths is kept in tact.
> 
> Katinka
> --- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Perry Coles" <perrycoles@y...>
wrote:
> > Hello Katinka & Pedro
> > One of the common complaints about HPB and her writings is 
> > what many people see as over complexity.
> > It seems the trend to take the path of least resistance and accept 
> > the simplifications of many of the Occult concepts is what the 
> > western mind seems to want.
> > Maybe there is a methodology with the struggle involved in an open 
> > minded, critical and persistent study of these works of HPB - it can 
> > be quite an uncomfortable experience especially if we are seeking 
> > absolute and simplistic answers.
> > I would even go so far as to say it can be painful.
> > HPB takes you certain way down this tack then that one and people 
> > feel this is confusing and unnecessary.
> > The simplified latter versions of `theosophy' dotted every i
> > and crossed 
> > every t and made it all so `simple' which I would suggest
> > simply develops 
> > mindsets that are easily fooled and dogmatic that seek comfort over
> > truth.
> > The Secret doctrine on the other hand makes you work hard and keep 
> > on digging rather than accept easy answers for me its more a
> > methodology 
> > than a statement.
> > As HPB said in the beginning of the key to theosophy "to the
> > mentally 
> > lazy or obtuse, theosophy must always remain a riddle..." 
> > she emphasises mental effort and her writings demand that sort of 
> > commitment.
> > The trend of today wants easy quick enlightenment, psychic whistles 
> > and bangs or prescribed pathways the `sweet tongued voices of
> > illusion'.
> > The heart doctrine described in the Voice of the Silence shows its
> > better 
> > to be ignorant than to have head learning with no Soul Wisdom or 
> > compassion to guide it.
> > So its a razors edge and of course motive always comes into the
> > equation.
> > Perhaps the methodology in HPB and the Mahatmas writings is designed 
> > to stretch the mind so that the aspirant can go beyond it and the
> > Buddhic 
> > wisdom illumine the mind.
> > Its the path of the jnani but there are many roads up the mountain,
> > this methodology is just one approach and its not for everyone.
> > Many paths focus on personal illumination for self but the
> > theosophical path 
> > is that of self forgetfulness, to gain Nirvana but to renounce it.
> > 
> > Perry