Theos-Talk Archives (August 2004 Message tt00474)

Katinka:

What constitutes practicing Theosophy? This is a whole area of discussion 
in itself. I would say that it is two things. (1) Something that results in 
a genuine change in oneself, making one a different, better person, more 
expressive of one's inner light. (2) Something that also leads one to more 
fully express that inner light in the world in both acts of sacrifice and 
compassion and acts of creativity -- both means of making the world a 
better place.

Mere discussion is useless *if* it is idle speculation, if one's heart and 
inner nature are not engaged, and one is merely playing word games. But a 
class, book, or conversation with a friend can go way deeper than that and 
be a high form of discovering great truths about life.

Likewise, extroverted action, involving external people and things, can be 
useless *if* it is mindless, rote, unmindful activity, if one's heart and 
inner nature are not engaged, and one is merely acting habitually. But a 
simple act of sharing something with a stranger can go way deeper than that 
and also be a high form of discovering great truths about life.

It really doesn't matter which direction we go -- inward or outward -- as 
long as we are finding our magic in life and bringing it out to the benefit 
of ourselves and others. (Note that beneficial actions are not, I think, 
measured in terms of how totally we sacrifice and do something to our own 
detriment, but rather in terms of the greatest good to everyone, ourselves 
included, without showing favoritism to us or others.)

For certain people at a particular phase of their lives, their greatest 
voyage of discovery may be in the world of ideas, and having books, 
magazines, study classes, and like-minded people to talk to is the greatest 
blessing. For others, it may be the worst possible waste of time, and they 
need to put thinking aside, garden, and simply hike and enjoy nature. Each 
of us has a particular need at the moment, and our needs are not always the 
same. What seems lifeless and a total waste of time to you or I may seem 
the greatest treasure to someone else with different growth needs.

Coming back to the idea of practicing Theosophy, I'd say that some people 
would consider the discussions that we are having as useless dialogue, but 
others would consider it the entryway into an important area of life that 
they greatly need. I consider it important to keep that door open for those 
whose inner drive takes them in that direction.

-- Eldon

At 12:59 AM 8/24/2004, you wrote:
> hi perry,
>
> i believe they want to focuss on what they consider to be important:
> practicing theosophy. I think they would consider the present
> discussion useless dialogue, for instance. Protecting the members
> might also be one of the motives, I agree.
>
> Katinka