Theos-Talk Archives (October 2004 Message tt00127)

Hi All,
Just a couple of points on where Radhasoami and Theosophy seem to me
to be quite different.
One of the key teachings in the Radhasoami tradition is the idea of
the need to be initiated by a "perfect" living master or guru.
This master acts as a guide on the inner planes and leads the disciple
to Sach Khand
the realm of truth.
Without such a perfect living guru the aspirant is said to be unable
to find their way out of Kal or the "negative power" and find truth.

In Voice of the Silence we are told the Great Master is the Higher
Self rather than an external guru.
This to me is very freeing as it takes away the need for any
intermediary or saviour.

One of the big issues in the Radhasoami tradition has been the
auguring over who was the "true successor" to the previous guru.
People are told without being initiated by one of these "Perfect
Masters" they won't reach "Sach Khand".

This I feel enslaves and disempowers peoples minds rather than freeing
them.
One of the major differences with Sant Mat and theosophy is that in
theosophy we are the only ones who can free ourselves no Guru can do
it for us.
No mediator is necessary.
This to me gives theosophy credibility as it empowers to the individual.

Also it puts the emphasis on the Bodhisattva ideal of renouncing even
Nirvana for the sake of others rather than just seeking personal
"salvation".
The quotes below are from The Voice of the Silence and I think show
this Bodhisattva ideal very beautifully.


"The Shangna robe (22), 'tis true, can purchase light eternal. The
Shangna robe alone gives the Nirvana of destruction; it stops rebirth,
but, O Lanoo, it also kills -- compassion."


"Now bend thy head and listen well, O Bodhisattva -- Compassion speaks
and saith: "Can there be bliss when all that lives must suffer? Shalt
thou be saved and hear the whole world cry?" 


Perry




--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "kpauljohnson" <kpauljohnson@y...>
wrote:
> 
> Hey,
> 
> Thanks to Perry, Netemara, Leon, Steve, and John for all the good
> information and commentary on shabd yoga and attendant phenomena. 
> Here is an excerpt from a Cayce reading in which he addresses the
> purpose of meditation:
> 
> Thus an entity puts itself, through such an activity, into association
> or in conjunction with all it has *ever* been or may be. For, it
> loosens the physical consciousness to the universal consciousness.
> To allow self in a universal state to be controlled, or to be
> dominated, may become harmful.
> 
> But to know, to feel, to comprehend as to who or as to what is the
> directing influence when the self-consciousness has been released and
> the real ego allowed to rise to expression is to be in that state of
> universal consciousness-- which is indicated in this body here, Edgar
> Cayce, through which there is given this interpretation for [2475].
> 
> So, in analyzing all this-- first study the variations of what has
> been the body-temperament, in thought, in food. For, the
> body-physical becomes that which it assimilates from material nature.
> The body-mental becomes that it assimilates from both the
> physical-mental and the spiritual mental. The soul is *all* that the
> entity is, has been or may be.
> 
> Then, *who* and *what* would the entity have to direct self in such
> experiences? To be loosed without a governor, or a director, may
> easily become harmful. But, as we would give from here, let not such
> a director be that of an entity. Rather so surround self with the
> universal consciousness of the *Christ* as to be directed by that
> influence as may be committed to thee. Thus the entity may use
> constructively that which has been attained.
> 
> But to prevent physical harm, mental harm-- attune self in body, in
> mind, with that influence by which the entity seeks to be directed;
> not haphazardly, not by chance-- but as of old-- choose ye this day
> *whom* ye will serve; the living God within thee, by thee, through
> thee? or those influences of knowledge without wisdom, that would
> enslave or enpower thee with the material things which only gratify
> for the moment?
> 
> Reading 2474-1, Male, 44, 3/27/41