Theos-Talk Archives (August 2004 Message tt00523)

Aug 25 2004



Re: Free-will and Choice - a basis for living



Dear Friend:



To assist in making such a study - one finds: 



In studying THEOSOPHY one discovers a few basic concepts underlie the whole
system of living and evolutionary cohabitation - all beings of any level of
intelligence, or kind of form are involved in this universal process:



Briefly: 





1. The Universe is guided from within by a uniform base of spiritual
presence which one might call consciousness, awareness, perception. 



2 These are found to occur at various levels and can be catalogued
in many degrees and varieties.



3 It is posited that when EVOLUTION began a pair of opposed poles
of Nature emerged: SPIRIT (or the energy of continuous LIFE and purpose)
and MATTER (or the innumerable limitations of form). In other words, the
illimitable, un-nameable and undifferentiated split itself into innumerable
sensitive intelligent units. 



4 This action and "time of beginning" was determined by universal
Karma and is based on earlier periods of manifestation, when the same
assemblage of beings participated in an earlier age of progress and mutual
assistance. 



5 Although poles apart, these two basics (Spirit - Matter) are
united by the individual memories of an enormous assembly of experiences -
termed sometimes, "thought, mind, will, experience, memory, and emotion or
feeling."



6 It is posited that the manifested Universe is composed of
innumerable vibrant living points of Intelligence -- these, as units, may
be termed "Mind, etc,." 



7 THEOSOPHY uses the term "MONAD" for these triune units, each
consisting of (Spirit - Mind - Matter). Like the "atoms" of science they are
deemed to be immortal - eternal units in perpetual motion.



8 Over an immense period of time all Monads experience living
conditions provided by the earth, planets, worlds, suns, etc.. that fill the
vast Kosmos. Innately, they also keep a record of all they have been
through.



9 Our Earth is found to be peopled not only by physical "atoms"
(and their aggregates) but inherent and within them is a continuous and
universal record of those individual experiences. This expresses itself as
individualized intelligence.



10 Intelligence may be broadly divided into the known divisions of
mineral, vegetable, animal, human and super-human degrees. It is also
classified under thought, character, intelligence, emotional feelings, etc.



11 Intelligence is not entirely dependent on physical forms as there
is evidence that there are substances which are non-physical (thoughts,
feelings, ideas, aversions, attractions, etc.,) which may be said to occupy
the area of "psychology, and sensitivity." 



12 Man's character, mind and intelligence permits him to review,
probe and analyse all these many degrees of experience as exhibited in
various forms, substances, and species of living beings.



13. It is posited that man's intelligence is but a gateway to a
superior kind of knowledge. 



14 A "wisdom" that is based on the careful observation of the
cooperative and inter-active processes prevalent in the whole of Nature
(another word for the Universe or "Deity.") is a conclusion which is
evidenced by the periodical appearance of these wise men in the nature and
shape of great Prophets and Reformers. 



15 The existence of universal and eternal, impersonal laws, the fact
of individual immortality, leads impartial thought to consider that morals
and ethics are universal and based on these essential facts. 



16 In effect, the teachings of all great Men, Prophets, etc., reveal
upon careful study and comparison a community and an agreement on the
ethical and moral base of life and coexistence.



17 As a goal for all living beings to eventually achieve a phrase
has emerged: "the Goal of Sublime Perfection." 



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



Please read The KEY TO THEOSOPHY - by Mme. Blavatsky as great care is given
there to explain the rationale of Theosophical philosophy - compared to
modern notions and psychology.



Best wishes, 



Dallas



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



-----Original Message-----
From: Walter 
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 5:54 PM
To: 
Subject: [bn-study] Re: Free Will / choice



clipped 



I seem to recall in reading that there are various stages along the occult
path in which one should not or may not move forward until some standard of
thought or standpoint has been so thoroughly internalized that one cannot
make a given kind of mistake. If so then this kind of stricture represents
another complication to the simple view of total free will and choice.

When I have seen those passages I have thought of the example of "kicking a
baby" that was mentioned one time. Most of us simply could not kick a baby
even though we had the technical capacity to do so. We just could not. If
we suddenly found ourselves in an unexpected situation where our moving foot
might inadvertently hit a baby - we would try by all means to advert the
impact and rather risk stumbling and falling, even hurting ourselves, than
allow our foot to strike the baby.

So noting the example of the master and the example of the baby - there is a
sense in which we have the freedom to do a thing but there may
simultaneously be a sense in which we do not have the freedom to do it.

One could just as well take what I am calling strictures and occult
limitations and say in simplified form as the movie has Moses say "There is
no freedom without discipline." 


Reed





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





This idea of freedom and free will are of interest to me, particularly from
the perspective of a social activist. My understanding has largely been
shaped by the perspective of social science and science philosopher Roy
Bhaskar's transcendental or critical realism. Similar to the example Reed
gives above, there are some choices made for us or that we do not seem to
have. 

Bhaskar also suggests that there are limitations to the choices one makes
based upon the physical and social context within which we find ourselves.
One's choices are limited by social systems and institutions. Following
Marx, it is suggested that we make our own history but not out of the
conditions of our choosing. We are all born into roles and resources we did
not choose. People with greater capacities (e.g., knowledge, material
wealth, etc.) have more and different choices than those with less. Social,
political and economic freedom then is related to capacity. 

My question is where do these ideas fit in with theosophy. Do we in fact
make choices of our birth or conditions of reincarnation? As a person
evolves do they reach a point of having absolute free will? 

walter 






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