Theos-Talk Archives (September 2004 Message tt00524)

--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "Daniel H. Caldwell" 
<danielhcaldwell@y...> wrote:


> "Let us say that the two of us agreed to write such
> an introduction."


Oh, I see. But why me? You know English is not my native language. 
Besides, which publishing company would seriously consider publishing 
an introductory book on Theosophy containing selected quotes, for 
example, from Besant and Leadbeater, which I would like to include? 
Theosophical University Press, Point Loma Publications, Theosophy 
Company? Not a chance. Quest Books, TPH? Maybe but not necessarily 
so. Then there is the karma of the caste I belong to. Why would you 
expose yourself and your established reputation as a published author 
and admired student of Theosophy by co-authoring a book on Theosophy, 
for Parabrahman's sake, with a priest!!! 

Incidentally, your post and its questions have created a bit of a 
domestic problem for me. Today being Sunday, after I come back from 
church I usually have to wrestle with full basket of ironing. It is 
my post-service karma yoga and it has now been delayed in order to 
answer your post!


> Let us say that [under certain circumstances] the two of us [MIGHT] 
> agree to write such an introduction to Theosophy.


In this case, I would really need a watertight contract. In the 
history of business relations between Brazil and the US, guess which 
part has had most considerable advantages? I would, of course, agree 
to use the alphabetical order on the cover, with your name coming 
first. Also, I would very much like the Foreword written jointly by 
Bart and Chuck, and the Afterword written by Steve Stubbs with his 
comments (and notes) on every single concept in the book. Then, of 
course, there is the question of the title. Here are some suggestions:

"Theosophy - A Negotiated Introductory View"

"Theosophical Gleanings: An Introduction to Theosophy by Authors with 
Different Leanings"

"A Dualistic View of Theosophical Monism"

"Walking Where Devas Fear to Thread: Bridging the Theosophical Divide"

"Introduction to Theosophy: A Splintered View"


> [In this hypothetical situation,] I write a draft chapter that 
reads 
> in part:
> 
> ====================================================
> 
> Our planet Earth forms part of a chain of septenary globes.
> But the other six globes are not on the same plane of
> objectivity as our physical earth or world. We cannot see these
> other globes because they are outside our physical
> means of perception.
> 
> ======================================================
> 
> 
> Another draft chapter contains the following statement:
> 
> ==========================================================
> 
> According to Theosophy, when most people die, there is no conscious
> existence for them in the Kamaloka (the psychic realm, the so-called
> astral world or plane). Most do not traverse the various planes of
> the astral realm in consciousness. For the majority of persons who
> die, they are not aware of either the physical world or the astral
> world. They remain unconscious until they awaken in their respective
> Devachanic states.
> 
> =========================================================
> 
> IF [in this hypothetical situation] I sent this material to you for 
> your input and feedback as the co-author of the book, how would you 
> respond to the above material?


1) I think it is irrelevant to include in an introductory book on 
Theosophy a discussion of the planetary chains. It would only confuse 
the newcomer to the subject. Also, if we value modern science's view 
on the evolution of the cosmos, the teaching on planetary chains, 
both in the SD and in subsequent works, does not seem to resonate 
with it at all.

2) I have no problem in accepting that there are degrees of 
unconsciousness after death, as mentioned. But I would never 
absolutise this point for the Perennial Philosophy, in its 
universality, attests to the fact that in several traditions, like 
the Bardo Todrol Chenmo (Tibetan Book of the Dead), the Egyptian Book 
of the Dead, the Kabbalah, the Hermetic Tradition, the Vedas, the 
Gnostic Gospels, the Christian Mystical tradition, the human 
consciousness that survives the transition of death undergoes several 
changes and transformations, with varying degrees of awareness. 


> Would those quotes from your 18829 posting really have any 
relevance 
> in trying to state some of the teachings of Theosophy in this 
> hypothetical book?? If so, how?


I think they would, Daniel, in the sense of acting as benchmarks 
towards an exposition of Theosophy that is free from dogmatism, that 
encourages the newcomer to it to seek answers for himself or herself, 
suggesting that perhaps the most important aspect of Theosophy is a 
living realisation that its core principles are indeed universal 
facts in Nature, thus avoiding encouraging a view of Theosophy "in 
which a narrow and stereotyped creed would take the place of the 
living and breathing spirit of Truth and an ever growing Knowledge."


Pedro