Theos-Talk Archives (August 2004 Message tt00422)

Paul:

As long as any theosophical group has an organization where the model is 
hierarchical, with the leadership considering themselves the smart ones at 
the top with the right and necessity of training the lessor-trained general 
membership, there'll be closed systems. Such a group may effectively train 
its membership with a particular metaphysics, but there will be little room 
for growth and change. Granted, the body of theosophical doctrines deserve 
their place as a valid system of thought worthy of study and preservation, 
but to move beyond that from an academic study to an organization dedicated 
to revitalizing the spiritual life of the globe is a huge step.

Having many different theosophical groups is a good thing. Some can 
preserve and promote certain bodies of theosophical doctrines, seeing that 
the ideas are preserved and go forward into future generations. Other 
theosophical groups would be useful as well. These would be more along the 
line of a quest society, where the excitement for discovery and enthusiasm 
for life were promoted, where the emphasis was in setting people on their 
own quest. Such a group may not retain a persistent membership, since once 
someone's inner light has been set aflame, that individual is somewhat 
self-directed, and is more in need of opportunities to grow by doing things 
for the world than in need of sitting at the feet of a guru. (Although, of 
course, such a learning opportunity is not necessarily precluded for 
individuals when the time is right.)

Any of us is a Theosophist (or theosophist) by self-proclamation, and not 
by having a membership diploma granted us by some theosophical group 
claiming some line of succession back to HPB's original efforts. And we 
have a theosophical group if we choose to form one, regardless of the 
acknowledgement or approval of people in a position of authority in this or 
that theosophical group. And with the advent of the Internet, we can 
explore our ideas, have our groups, network with others, and work for 
whatever creative projects we like, without needing anyone's permission. 
Our only authority comes from deep within, and it tells us if we're true to 
our personal agenda, coming from our Higher Selves, if we're on course for 
our self-created purpose in life or not.

-- Eldon

At 06:13 AM 8/21/2004, you wrote [to Katinka]:


> Perry is right, I think, in giving up on the Adyar TS. But that is
> a tough call in light of the fact that the majority of members are
> far more theosophical in the true sense than the leadership is or
> has any interest in being. Does the Society have any chance of
> becoming what it was intended? I don't see any, but hope for you
> members' sake it can happen someday.