Theos-Talk Archives (October 2004 Message tt00182)

This (let's call it "geneticology":-) seems to fall into the same category as 
phrenology, iridology, astrology, chiromancy, psychoanalysis, etc. -- some of 
which became so popular around the time of HPB. 

As for being scientific disciplines, however, in that that each profess to 
scientifically explain all the inner workings of the human psyche -- while there 
may be some valid correlations with respect to particular traits (like 
neurologists can find "correlation's of consciousness" in the cellular structures of 
the brain) -- I don't think any of these so called "sciences" come anywhere 
near to giving us a true picture of the inner workings of the mind or 
consciousness, or the linkages between them and the body. As for proof of the actual 
validity of any of them, it appears that the jury is still out... And, I 
suspect, will be for some time to come. </:-)> 

It's interesting that geneticist's still haven't been able to correlate shape 
or form of the human body or any of its organs and supporting structures with 
the DNA or any particular gene or genes within it. This should be of much 
greater interest to theosophists... Since, as Arthur Conan Doyle said (in the 
mouth of Sherlock Holmes) -- "Eliminate all the other factors, and the one which 
remains must be the truth."

LHM 


In a message dated 10/07/04 1:30:41 PM, kpauljohnson@y... writes:

>
>Hey,
>
>
>
>I just started this new book by Dean Hamer. The basic contention is 
>that he has identified a particular gene involved in regulating 
>specific neurotransmitters, monoamines. These "appear to influence 
>spirituality by altering consciousness." Spirituality is measurable 
>as the dimension "self-transcendence" on a Temperament and Character 
>Inventory created by psychiatrist Robert Cloninger. Theosophists 
>should like the fact that it measures on seven dimensions. The 
>trait as measured by this test is heritable, according to the book, 
>and therefore there is a genetic factor determining degree of 
>spirituality.
>
> Here's a link:
>
>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0385500580/002-4780924-4598457?
v=glance
>
>At first glance the thesis is appealing; I note in family history 
>that one line in particular seems to be especially oriented to 
>spirituality. Can't help wondering how different cultures vary and 
>whether the USA's hyperreligiosity could be a partly genetic trait.
>
>Paul
>
>
>
>PS-- One way this is related to THEOSOPHY is that HPB in her 
>
>esoteric instructions says that the chakras are really all inside 
>
>the brain