Theos-Talk Archives (September 2004 Message tt00029)

Sept 1 2004

What is Theosophy?


Here are a few considerations:

1
If you wish to trace the descent of the record of the WISDOM RELIGION from
past eras, go to the great texts of those religions and philosophies, that
cherish and enshrine them. However remember that all translations carry the
bias of the translator - and to that extent they are "opinionated." By
consulting a number of translations some of these biases are removed. The
final decision and choice is always out own. 

2
For THEOSOPHY; Go to the original writings of HPB and the Masters. Read
and study that. Then you will at least be sure what the original teachers
for this era said.

3
If you want a diversity of views not necessarily THEOSOPHICAL, then read
other books.

4
If you want opinions about THEOSOPHY, then consult other writers, but DO NOT
call those opinion that they offer: "THEOSOPHY."


It is said that THEOSOPHY has no two answers to any question.


If one gets different or conflicting answers, whom to trust?


Who is trying to impress who? And Why?


How much can we rely on our own common sense, intuition and power of thought
and capacity to be strictly and impartially logical? 


Best wishes,

Dallas
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Morten N. Olesen [mailto:global-theosophy@a...] 
Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2004 6:59 AM
To: Theosophy Study List
Subject: Re: Pedro again on "ORIGINAL TEACHINGS"

Hallo Dallas and all,

My views are:

Since Theosophy is wisdom teaching, it must be perfectly true, that a -
great number of books and similar material - not containing literally the
(dead-letter) words "theosophy" or "theosophical" in them ALSO are valid
theosophical books and material.
And are there any theosophical book which does NOT have any fault in them?
Which ones have not?

So would it then be allright to have for instance
- Mein Kampf on the shelves?
- The New Testament?
- The Quran?
- Books by A. Crowley ?
- Books on how to build various weapons?
- Only 1st editions by Leadbeater?

---
And was and is the Original teachings always the right ones?
Is a 2nd edition not sometimes the best?
---
The question is where do we draw the line?
And Who draws the line?
Who makes the priorities of which books are put on the shelves? (The buyer
or the seller?)
And what line are being drawn by the majority of teachers - locally,
regionally or more globally?
And would this line not be different from group to group?

And is this not exactly the dilemma theosophy as the wisdom teachings as
such faces today, because there are so many branches of Theosophy?
---

The key is, that we can go on dicussing this line and where to draw it, and
under which circumstances.
Some will learn something by it, and some will find such debates disgusting
and a time waste. Others have different work to make a priority.

But a recent post from you said, that the teaching should promote altruism
and not psychic cravings. And I agree.

---

The next story by Mulla Nasrudin and the Professor might be helpful.


from
M. Sufilight

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "W.Dallas TenBroeck" <dalval14@e...>
To: "Theosophy Study List" <theos-l@l...>
Sent: Wednesday, September 01, 2004 2:04 PM
Subject: Re: Pedro again on "ORIGINAL TEACHINGS"


Sept 1 2004

Dear M and Friends:

As far as I can see:

No reading or study is forbidden in THEOSOPHY -- but if in the experience of
a student something ought to receive a caution, then it is given on that
basis -- as a friendly warning. No prohibitions are needed. Karma takes
care of all decisions anyone makes.

As to teachers. At present there are only student/teachers. We all study,
and as inquiries arise, they pass along the information they have obtained
by study from the "original Teachings of THEOSOPHY," or other sources.

Everything has to be independently considered by the readers and
questioners. It is the basic principles that need to be known and applied.
(see below)

I find that the knowledge of those "original Teachings" is slowly
increasing. That is a good sign for the continuity of THEOSOPHY

There are no "leaders or teachers" who can give definitive answers to
problems. There are fellow students that can respond with leads for the
enquirer to use for his further study.

But having studied the writings of the Teachers (HPB and the Masters) of
this time and era, some writers can provide references, quotations and basic
concepts which enable enquirers to work out their own solutions.

The questions asked below, have to be answered by each student
independently -- their own common sense and sense of logic assist.

There is no "dead letter" or "literalism," and no "authorities" other than
ourselves, as we compare what we study with what we know.

The "Original teachings of THEOSOPHY" have to be treated as "guides."

Best wishes,

Dallas

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

Some basics:


3 FUNDAMENTALS

1 SPACE is everywhere, and cannot be measured. It is the UNIVERSE.

2. LAW is everywhere. It is always honest, true, fair, universal
and impersonal. It has many aspects and all are framed so as to support life
everywhere.

3. The EVOLUTION of all creatures and beings (including Mankind)
starts from the same single Spiritual Basis. It makes them all "brothers" in
fact, though their forms and beliefs may differ. Each follows his or her own
self-made path. In the end there is a Goal: it has been called SUPREME
PERFECTION -- also, ALL KNOWINGNESS (or WISDOM).

Even the material of all forms ( atoms, molecules, cells, etc. ) are
immortals and come from the same one SOURCE: SPIRIT.


4 MAJOR BASIC IDEAS:


HERMES taught: "A stone becomes a plant. A plant becomes an animal, An
animal becomes a Man ( a THINKER), and, a Thinker becomes a
GOD. Never is anything made less or lowered again." [The word "God" used
here means a Thinker who can understand everything in the Universe - a
Prophet or a Wise Man - is a "Son of 'God.'" Basically we ae all sons and
daughters of God -- the ONE UNIVERSAL SPIRIT -- ATMAN.

All progress is forward and upward and eventually we learn and know
everything.


1. REINCARNATION is the process by which all beings advance. The
forms constantly change. The Spirit that is within and behind the forms we
wear, and creates them, it NEVER DIES. We do NOT "die."

2. Sleep is death. Death is sleep. The CONSCIOUSNESS of each
individual always survives. The fear of "death" is abolished.

3. The Law Of Spiritual Development is through BROTHERHOOD. It is
mutual help and is always cooperative. It views Humanity and all beings as
a single family. Wisdom is the ability to understand law operating
everywhere in a moral and altruistic fashion

4. MAN'S (a Thinker) DUTY is to help all others.


Added all together, these are 7 of the principal points of Theosophical and
universal science, and in all true philosophies.

Think about them. Try to see if they are true. Ask all the questions you
want.

If you wish to study Theosophical propositions in greater detail, I suggest
you start with a simple text book like

The KEY TO THEOSOPHY (by H P B) (an Introduction to Theosophical
doctrines and the ethics of Theosophy to be applied - 300 pages), or

Mr. Judge's The OCEAN OF THEOSOPHY, ( a summary of The SECRET
DOCTRINE -- which is a book that covers the history of Cosmic evolution and
that of our Earth and humanity - as a host of spiritual beings all working
and living together for millions of years - 180 pages).

These are available for downloading from http://www.blavatsky.net and
http://www.ult-la.org .

==============================
-----Original Message-----
From: Morten
Sent: Tuesday, August 31, 2004 4:28 PM
To:
Subject: Re: Pedro on "ORIGINAL TEACHINGS"

Hallo all,

My views are:

May I drop a few words...?

The following always comes to my mind, when someone almost says, that one
shouldn't read certain books.

The Key to theosophy, section 2:

"We cull the good we find in each". I.e. each teaching system or thought
system.

A vital issue is the present day teachers within the various theosophical
groups.

The only thing I will say is: You shall know them on their fruits.

Do they support theosophical teaching or do they just say, that they do so?

Do they enhance the teaching or is it just old business as usual teaching?

Do they promote a main teaching which is misleading - theosophically
speaking?

Is their teaching something you just as well could have read in a book
yourselves?

Do they teach each person in a group individually? If not what are the
concequences of this?

-------

Let us remember, that the theosophical teachings always adapts themselves to
time, place, people and circumstances.

It is not the dead-letter of the teacher which are important, but the fruits
the teacher creates by the teaching.

The seekers suffers often from problems related to egotism. This the
teachers has to relate to.

CUT


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