Theos-Talk Archives (September 2004 Message tt00701)

Hello Paul
Thank you for your reply.

You wrote:

>I think it is all too easy to treat the Blavatsky/Mahatma literature
>in the same way Christian fundamentalists treat the Bible-- as if it
>were univocal rather than multivocal, as if it were full of
>authoritative final answers rather than full of mysteries.

Unfortunately so often true, especially so with certain other more 
simplified "theosophical" literature in complete abandonment of the 
principles of independent investigation and freedom of thought.

>Of course. Same with the Bible etc. But rereading to memorize a set
>of absolutely reliable answers from an absolutely authoritative 
source
>is two-dimensional, going around in circles rather than the spiral
>effect Joy Mills is discussing.

Absolute authority was utterly anathema to Blavatsky and her 
teachers. This shuts down the mind and breeds flocks and flocks of 
followers.

>I've read all of HPB's books repeatedly and recommend rereading 
them. But would also
>recommend reading a wide variety of other books in between.

And, might be added, alongside.

Kind regards
Nigel




--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "kpauljohnson" <kpauljohnson@y...> 
wrote:
> Dear Nigel,
> 
> Pardon the delay in response; I've been away at a retreat for public
> library directors, and something said there yesterday applies to 
this
> discussion. The workshop leader commented that most directors start
> out in reference librarian positions, in which the model is "one 
right
> answer from the most authoritative source"-- which ill prepares us 
for
> the complexities of management.
> 
> I think it is all too easy to treat the Blavatsky/Mahatma literature
> in the same way Christian fundamentalists treat the Bible-- as if it
> were univocal rather than multivocal, as if it were full of
> authoritative final answers rather than full of mysteries. You 
wrote:
> 
> > This may be true of some books, however people often report to me 
> > that re-reading the same book a couple of years after the 
previous 
> > occasion brings them greater understanding and deeper insight.
> 
> Absolutely true. After acquiring additional experience and
> information we can go back to the same book and read it from an
> entirely different POV. This is especially true if it's multivocal
> and complex as the Theosophical literature is. I've read all of 
HPB's
> books repeatedly and recommend rereading them. But would also
> recommend reading a wide variety of other books in between.
> snip 
> > From this, it would appear there may be more in the Secret 
Doctrine 
> > and Mahatma Letters at least than first meets the eye of 
knowledge; 
> > the heart of understanding perhaps?
> > Nigel
> Of course. Same with the Bible etc. But rereading to memorize a 
set
> of absolutely reliable answers from an absolutely authoritative 
source
> is two-dimensional, going around in circles rather than the spiral
> effect Joy Mills is discussing.
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Paul