Theos-Talk Archives (July 2004 Message tt00380)

In a message dated 07/25/04 2:17:13 PM, AnandGholap@AnandGholap.org writes:

>Dear Morten,
>You wrote exactly what I was thinking
>"The theosophical Teacher, in the first place, has to be someone who has
>experienced all the stages of the Path along which he will
>conduct his disciples. Outward observers are not capeable of
>commenting upon theosophy or The Wisdom Tradition They lack
>both the experience and the capacity to discriminate between
>real and degenerate forms. 'Who tastes, knows' is a theosophical saying.
>Equally, whoever does not taste, does not know. "
>This is the main reason why I always recommend only books of occultists
>who had direct experiences like HPB, AB, CWL, C.Jinarajadasa, I.K.Taimni
>etc.
>And I don't recommend books of mere intellectual interpreters and critics.
>Thanks Morten for writing the important point I was thinking for long time.
>Anand Gholap 

Have you considered that such "direct experience" of your accepted gurus, 
when it leads to presentations of theosophical metaphysics and religious 
practices that contradict each other, could have been either intentionally "cooked up" 
to confirm personal preconceptions, or is the product of external (astrally) 
projected, hypnotically induced, or internal (mentally/emotionally) generated 
illusions, delusions or hallucinations? 

Also, how are you to judge whether or not those who criticize the teachings 
of other self claimed theosophical teachers, or who write about theosophical 
science and metaphysics from an "intellectually interpretive" point of view, 
have not had direct or authentic intuitive experience, as or more valid than 
those you have accepted (blindly as it appears) as having had so? 

Since you profess to believe in "free and open inquiry" -- why do you censor 
(and advise others to avoid) the writings of such critics and interpreters 
(using "the language of this age" as advised by HPB)? 

At least, such theosophists who criticize other interpretations or make those 
of their own, as well as examine theosophical history from every point of 
view, are not trying to turn their claims or findings into a hierarchically ruled 
messianic religion -- which goes directly against the teachings of the 
Mahatmas and the Chohans who were their mentors. 

LHM