Theos-Talk Archives (August 2004 Message tt00336)

Aug 19 2004

Dear P C

Your life-adventures are most interesting. Many of us have had similar
experiences and similar responses from parents and friends.

It is when we begin to exercise our freedom to think, and also, trust the
great logic of NATURE (The Universe) that we inhabit and which supports us
all -- even the most trivial or minute entity as well as the greatest, that
we learn we are interdependent.

>From there it is but a step to ask: 

Why is all this complexity here?  

Who am I? What are my faculties and powers? Am I limited? Who would do
that?  

WHO KNOWS ABOUT THESE THINGS? 

Where are we all going? Is there any final GOAL for us? 

If you approach THEOSOPHY for views and answers, it is best to go to the
"original writings of HPB," and some of her immediate pupils, like Mr. W. Q.
Judge -- who was with her from 1875 when the THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY was
launched and ISIS UNVEILED was written. She vouched for him right to the end
of her life.

As for the history of the THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY -- it has been a varied one.
I too, am sorry that, as a body, or rather several bodies, it has gone off
in a direction other than that indicated in the SECRET DOCTRINE, the MAHATMA
LETTERS and HPB's many articles.

I would say, broadly, that no one ought to take any "organization" as
representative of "TRUTH."  

There is a group of strictly independent students of Theosophy called the
UNITED LODGE OF THEOSOPHISTS -- but it makes no claims and simply encourages
independent thought, and it adds the facility of being able to check one's
ideas and queries with other independent students. It is non-doctrinaire.
It has no "leaders" no Rules or By-Laws, and it recommends careful continued
independent study.

But I would say that independent study is the Key for all students
regardless of any affiliation they may have made for themselves. 

ISIS UNVEILED (1877) introduces the scope and the main tenets of THEOSOPHY 

The THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY (1891) makes a search for the strange ancient and
foreign terms easier. 

HPB's articles most written between 1879 and 1891 have been collected and
put into book form. 

They are important because they handle practical matters and queries
students developed after studying ISIS UNVEILED, and before (and after) the
SECRET DOCTRINE was published (1888)

The KEY TO THEOSOPHY written in 1889 (a year after the S D) gives in dialog
form the great tenets of THEOSOPHY and also shows the pattern the
THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY was to ideally follow. 

HPB published The VOICE OF THE SILENCE in 1889 -- it is an introduction to
the path of study and self-reform that every student of THEOSOPHY opens for
himself -- no "guides" or any "compulsion." Independent free-thought is
always encouraged. It is called the "Heart Doctrine." 

What are some of these great ideas and findings that are offered for
consideration and testing?

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

1	The immortality of the human Spirit, reincarnation. 

2	Karma -- as universal harmony and compensation.

3	The 7-fold nature of the Universe and man.

4	Mind and Thought, Immortality of the essential being.

5	Emotions, Desires and passions, -- what are they? Who rules in man?

6	Ethics and Morality, and vice and virtue, are seen to be expressions
of universal Laws.

7	The Universe is DEITY, and is ONE for all -- omnipresent, omniscient
and omnipotent. In other words, all beings live in "God." The Deity is
present in every being in their "heart." 

8	Law and laws rule every aspect of the Universe.

9	Evolution is open to all beings -- from the smallest "life-atom" to
the greatest Galaxy. Every being is essentially free-willed and independent
--within the limits of brotherhood and harmony.

10	The common and ultimate "goal" is perfection of all ones'
potentials. 
There are many "Great Souls" who have reached this goal and who remain with
mankind as "elder brothers, "teachers," "tutors," and "assistants." They
do not interfere with individual learning and self-induced progress. But
they can give advice and assistance if asked.
--------------

Those, and every other item of existence, are considered, these teachings
are based on information that an ancient Lodge of WISE MEN have collected,
tested, investigated and then maintained and sustained for millennia. (see 
S D I 272-3) 

All these are drawn together, and evidence for total evolution is advanced
and considered -- as an on-going process, whereby every living being
(including mankind) participates and no one is ever obliterated or "thrown
away."  

The physical forms die and are replaced in this total evolutionary process,
Each "life" is considered as a "day" in the great and universal "School of
Existence "-- a "school" in which all beings participate. Hence
"Brotherhood" is considered to be the best attitude to adopt in all
relationships. Since we all "meet again," isn't it better that we meet as
friends?

Now that covers a lot, but it also fills in many gaps that modern science,
philosophy and speculation leave open. 

It views every human as an "Eternal Pilgrim." The Goal is the attainment
of complete knowledge and wisdom -- some have called it "individual
PERFECTION." It does not isolate anyone, but draws all together into an
actual brotherhood of mutual assistance.

Hope this is of help. Always come back with more questions and inquiries if
you wish. Glad to help.

Best wishes for you and your investigaions

Dallas
 

PS Here is what the U L T offers as an ideal basis for mutual study and
constructive work. 

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

 

UNITED LODGE OF THEOSOPHISTS 

DECLARATION: 

The policy of this Lodge is independent devotion to the cause of Theosophy,
without professing attachment to any Theosophical organization. It is loyal
to the great Founders of the Theosophical Movement, but does not concern
itself with dissensions or differences of individual opinion. 

The work it has on hand and the end it keeps in view are too absorbing and
too lofty to leave it the time or inclination to take part in side issues.
That work and that end is the dissemination of the Fundamental Principles of
the Philosophy of Theosophy, and the exemplification in practice of those
principles, through a truer realization of the SELF; a profounder conviction
of Universal Brotherhood. 

It holds that the unassailable basis for union among Theosophists, wherever
and however situated, is "similarity of aim, purpose and teaching," and
therefore has neither Constitution, By-Laws nor Officers, the sole bond
between its Associates being that basis. And it aims to disseminate this
idea among Theosophists in the furtherance of Unity. 

It regards as Theosophists all who are engaged in the true service of
Humanity, without distinction of race, creed, sex, condition or
organization, and 

It welcomes to its Association all those who are in accord with its declared
purposes and who desire to fit themselves, by study and otherwise, to be the
better able to help and teach others. 

"The true Theosophist belongs to no cult or sect, yet belongs to
each and all." 

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

The following is the form signed by Associates of the United Lodge of
Theosophists: 

"Being in sympathy with the purposes of this Lodge, as set forth in its
"Declaration," I hereby record my desire to be enrolled as an Associate, it
being understood that such association calls for no obligation on my part,
other than that which 1, myself, determine. "


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

-----Original Message-----
From: Perry Coles 
Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2004 1:39 AM
To: 
Subject: JWs and TS any difference?


Hi again some good discussion going on ..

Open minded questioners are a great threat to power it seems
My background was in the Jehovah's witnesses my parents converted 
when I was about 5 years old so the program was deeply entrenched in 
me from that early age.

I left the religion at the age of about 21 or 22 and as part of that 
experience saw all the games played the psychological avoidance and 
denial ect that went on in that religion.

What brought the walls crashing down for me was one single 
thought "what if all this wrong!"

That single powerful and completely devastating thought changed my 
life it was the most difficult thing I ever had to face (so far) and 
yet was liberating and opened me up to the deeper wonders of 
existence.

Even after all these years having been out of the JW's my parents 
still live in hope that I will return to the fold.
There was a book written by an ex-JW called "crisis of conscience : 
loyalty to God or to organization" by Raymond Franz.

Franz was a 3rd generation JW was a missionary and was on the 
governing body of the JWs.

At the age of 60 he had some major insights with regard to the JWs 
and there teachings and the misuse of organizational power.
After realizing things could never change he resigned and was ex-
communicated from that organization.

He and his wife had no money or retirement fund of there own no home 
but made a decision based on conscience.

This to me was such a courageous and noble action that it has always 
been a source of inspiration to me much like the way Krishnamurti 
told the "theosophists" to wake up and go away an leave me alone.

These type of acts to me say volumes and volumes more than all the 
seemingly impressive clairvoyant /psychic imaginings of said "seers".

I told my father about the Ray Franz book and asked if he'd read 
it ,he said something to me that burned into my memory and that 
was `Perry your mother and I have been in this religion for the past 
40 years and your telling us its all been wasted".

Its not an easy call to make all those years all those friends that 
reputation of being a "strong witness" 

What do you say? How do you respond?

The lesson has been a huge one for me, a life's work and association 
and you find out much of it, if not all of it was fantasy!

You can imagine my amazement to find the TS no different to the JWs 
once the rubber hit the road.

Platitudes are great but if they are not backed up by action..

There's no dharma higher than truth ..what an ask !

Perry