Theos-Talk Archives (August 2004 Message tt00256)

Aug 15 2004


Re Studying Theosophy:


Dear and Friends, and M--- :


"Theosophist is who Theosophy does." {an old adage}


The designation "Theosophist" in its most accurate sense is one which
applies only to the Masters of Wisdom -- who KNOW it fully, and invariably
apply it in all They say and do..

All of us are " STUDENTS OF THEOSOPHY."

If individually, we don't study the ORIGINAL LITERATURE, by which I mean
H P B's writings as ORIGINALLY written, we really have little to base
ourselves on.  

We have original reprints of ISIS UNVEILED, The SECRET DOCTRINE, The KEY
TO THEOSOPHY, The VOICE OF THE SILENCE, and all her known articles, and most
of her letters.   

Taken all together it is a treasure house; and if we mine it, we will
acquire an ability to grasp how THEOSOPHY is in reality a report, most
carefully presented, so as to explain all the many mysterious workings of
our world and universe -- and, also, our own personal psychology, and, more
wonderful and useful -- the nature of our inner BEING.] 

Many authors have tried to interpret HPB's works -- and some do better than
others. Most fail because of individual notions and slants of view. If we
have a knowledge that we have consolidated as to what THEOSOPHY is (at least
its basic concepts and logic) we will have difficulty discovering precisely
what these second, and third, and later generations of writers on Theosophy,
are saying -- how much of what they offer is really true to the ORIGINAL
THEOSOPHY. And, how much is their own set of opinions and guesses. 

The real problem arises then: how many who read such material are led
astray? How many have learned to develop independence of thought? How can
anyone get back to the ORIGINAL TEACHINGS ?

[Consider the search for, and the study of original Biblical and Christian,
Gnostic, Hebrew, Jewish, and other contemporaneous texts. [Like the Nag
Hemadri scrolls, the Dead Sea scrolls, and others. ] Jesus wrote nothing and
all we have are a series (differing in many respects one from the rest) of
reports from his close students: the "Apostles, etc..." On this a Church (or
rather a series of Churches) have been built in the past 2,000 + years.
Since belief and faith in priestly interpretations (ask no questions!! --
don't be a "heretic") has been insisted on, most of the "flock" has been
discouraged from THINKING about the biblical accounts, and STUDYING them.
Consolidation of original text meanings are now sought for. Why has the
"Old Testament" been attached to the "Teachings of Jesus -- the Son of God
?" Who studies Jesus's actual words and injunctions, -- as in the "Sermon
on the Mount," and, more important still: Who applies them?]

In the history of the current movement represented by THEOSOPHY, hardly 125
years have elapsed since HPB wrote. The spread of opinions and guesses is
already vast. Why not consolidate and focus on WHAT THE MASTERS HAVE TAUGHT
through their "Messenger" HPB ? Now that is a very simple task, relatively.
We still have in print the ORIGINAL MESSAGE. Why not use it?

So to simplify, and make at least one aim clear, let me offer:


Why not acquire at least a thorough knowledge of what she has taught in the 

The KEY TO THEOSOPHY 

In those 300 + pages is enough material to give us a "nodding" acquaintance
with what THEOSOPHY teaches. Further, embedded in it is the "logic" of the
'science' and the 'philosophy' of our world and The Universe -- its most
intricate workings are exposed in outline, and from those we can derive
individual and personal applications. But, we have to learn, question, test,
and study them -- there is no special value to a "belief" in THEOSOPHY -- it
has to be known. Our effort is to study it. Then with the comparison
through conference with friends we learn what is reasonable. And, from
there, we can proceed ever deeper into the practical life of a true
scientist-student. 

Otherwise, along with many hundreds of "friends of Theosophy," our notions
will remain shallow and wispy -- nebulous -- and continually altering
notions and opinions -- with little or no sound foundation.

Consider these main divisions:


We may be "friends of THEOSOPHY," 
or, intrigued by "immortality of the soul/Spirit of Man," 
or, "reincarnation," 
or, the "unity of the Universe," 
or, "Karma as a universal and invariable law;" 
or, the "Theosophical view of the evolutionary process,"
or, cycles of manvantara and Pralaya,"
or, the "Great Souls, the Mahatmas," and their school of discipline,
chelaship, 
or, the "Path to Perfection," [spoken of by Krishna in the BHAGAVAD GITA ];
or, the "Four Noble Truths," [ taught by the Buddha].
or, the "Esoteric character of the Gospels," and so on.


All these are subjects for discussion, suggested and covered by the "THREE
OBJECTS" of the THEOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT. [see p. 39, The KEY TO THEOSOPHY] --
here it is quoted: 


"ENQUIRER. What are the objects of the "Theosophical Society"? 
 
THEOSOPHIST. They are three, and have been so from the beginning. 

(1.) To form the nucleus of a Universal Brotherhood of Humanity without
distinction of race, colour, or creed. 

(2.) To promote the study of Aryan 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. 

(3.) To investigate the hidden mysteries of Nature under every aspect
possible, and the psychic and spiritual powers latent in man especially.
These are, broadly stated, the three chief objects of the Theosophical
Society. " Key, p. 39


If we are going to study and learn, then we ought to know what THEOSOPHY
says on these subjects.

Let us each ask ourselves as to how serous we are in getting at the truth of
these concepts. We can wander for years with vague ideas, but how can we
ever assure ourselves of their value, actuality, or use and practical worth?

Can THEOSOPHY get us anywhere?

Best wishes.

Dallas

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