Theos-Talk Archives (July 2004 Message tt00450)

July 30 2004

Dear A S:

I looked through several of your recent posts. Permit me to say:

Thanks, agreed -- Why not: "Forward to Blavatsky?" 

Who reads and studies and understands what she is telling us? To do that
has more value that spraying unsubstantiated personal opinions, I think. 

Claims and authority are (for me) equal to a lot of hot air and wasted time.


Let the actual quotations carry their own value clearly, they don't need
interpreters.  

If quotes (and sources) are offered, we at least know that study was done
and thought has been placed on the subjects. Now, what is their value to us
as students? Are they of benefit? Do they offer us practical advice?

If there is anything valuable and substantial that adds to our knowledge of
the living present then let's have it.

None of us can redo the past. I do not wish to downplay in any way the
sincerity and loyalty to those who, earlier were of assistance, to those who
have come to Theosophy by any channel, but now they are near or in it, what
is to be done by them? 

I am sorry but the stories Mr. CWL, (and others) produced do not impress me
one bit. How are the great truths of Theosophy benefited by personal
narratives?

The whole THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY seems to have swerved there. It is a great
pity, yet in the freedom to follow or not to follow, lies a great lesson all
can benefit from, even today. 

I far prefer the free inter-dependence of fellow seekers who are associates
and are not bound by lip-service to any "membership rules" that can be
secretly flouted when unobserved. Such things are serious matters of
integrity and honesty, and ought to be respected first by ourselves and our
conscience, and then, by all. "Labels" are advertising, and mean either the
truth or nothing. 

I find that studying the "original texts" by HPB and others who were her
direct pupils (such as Mr. W Q Judge) are most useful in devising ways to
practice Theosophy in daily life. Their writings "prove themselves." Anyone
can see that if they but read and study for themselves. 

Show me any science that does not continually rely on their FUNDAMENTALS. 

Why does this craze for "novelty" persist -- who gets to really KNOW
anything?

Best wishes,

Dallas
 

PS By the way:

ISIS UNVEILED when published sold out in a week and it was reprinted until
the plates wore out. I 1925 it was reprinted photographically and to my
knowledge many thousands of copies have been sold -- it has not been
"out-of-print" since then.

If you are interested in what HPB wrote on "Esoteric Philosophy" there are a
number of her articles that embrace the subject -- would you like a list ?

I thoroughly agree with Emerson's estimate of the BHAGAVAD BHAGAVAD GITA.
There is much to be learned from it.

Are you familiar with the YOGA APHORISM of PATANJALI? They relate to the
discipline of the mind and controlling its ability to be attentive? Do you
have a copy?

I must say I resent reading HPB being called "an apprentice" - who dares
say that about her? One need only read what the Masters have written about
her -- are you interested? I can send those quotes I have collected.


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

-----Original Message-----
From: A S
Sent: Friday, July 30, 2004 1:40 PM
To: 
Subject: Back to Blavatsky


A S 

What, exactly is wrong with the "back to Blavatsky" movement?  


She is our source and security from "neo-Theosophist" wanderings, and CWL's
glorification of masturbation as the correct way to approach the Masters. 


I'll be d----- if I will forsake HPB for the imaginations of
"neo-Theosophists" of any stripe. I'll admit that I am somewhat intoxicated
(I love American bourbon), but I am still not convinced that AB and CWL had
any more to do with our spirituality than those who sought to find our
foundation on the founder, Herself.  


Please forgive me for my blatant message (post), but I love the "old lady"
more than anyone can imagine. She was a user of hashish and yet taught us
all that we needed to know in this cycle. Please correct me if I am wrong, 

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

DTB	You are wrong about that calumny as no viable proof of her using
"hashish" was ever substantiated. I can give references to that dating back
to the reporter who wrote that tongue-in-cheek article. 

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

A S	but "back to Blavatsky" seems to be the way back to the Masters and
to real knowledge. I will sober up later, but I mean what I say. "In vino
veritas". HPB is unparalleled in Theosophical or any history. May the gods
help us if we reject her in favor of "neo-Theosophy" or other such
perversions. Sincerely,

Andrew W. Smith, M.A.(English),F.T.S.
Master Sergeant, USA/USAF (Ret.)
www.theosociety.org<http://www.theosociety.org/>

Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind. -- Emerson,
"Self-Reliance"