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Re: Theos-World RE: Cayce's relevance to Theosophy/theosophy

Oct 11, 2004 01:50 PM
by Jerry Hejka-Ekins


Hello Dallas,

You say of my opinions concerning "The Masters Revealed" that:

This does not obviate the fact that in my opinion it is a fabrication -- a
construct designed to seem authoritative, and, in a way it will, like other
attempts, try to subvert the THEOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT.

I don't know whether "The Masters Revealed" was an attempt to, as you say, "subvert the THEOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT." Frankly, I see no merit whatsoever in that position. Based upon my forty years of observation and participation in the various Theosophical Organizations, I have sadly concluded that the pathologies that fester within these organizations have done more to subvert the TM than has any book (or a dozen books) that has been published on the subject. I would say that the Marion Meades, Bruce Campbells, and Paul Johnsons, are not attempting to subvert the TM, but rather, their books are, in a way merely reflects and/or stirs up the chaotic shadow sides of these Theosophical Organizations. I often hear from so-called "Theosophists" unwilling to acknowledge this shadow side, and answer with accusations that the Meades, and Campbells (and Tillets for the Adyar Society) are "enemies" of the Movement, or "black magicians" and other such nonsense. Until the people within these Theosophical organizations learn to recognize and own up to their organization's karma, and what part they may be contributing to it, this pattern of "us against them" is going to continue indefinitely.

Further, I would also differ with you in the opinion that The Masters Revealed is a "fabrication," if you mean by fabrication, that the author lied. I dialogued and debated with Paul Johnson, publicly, privately and in person when the book first came out, and while we agree to disagree on many points, I never once doubted that the author of TMR is genuinely convinced of his own arguments, absolutely sincere in his conclusions, and had no intentions to deceive anyone.
BTW, my own view (based upon my reading of Blavatsky and my own observations and experiences) is that the so-called Theosophical Movement is a cycle that manifests when the conditions are right and withdraws when the conditions are not. While, I am convinced that HPB and her teachers sought to bring the Theosophical Society into being in order to serve as a vehicle for the TM, that does not mean that the TM is necessarily still expressing itself through any of the Theosophical organizations, nor does it mean that it is not finding a better expression through other, unrelated organizational efforts.


You ask:
Have you, or has anyone asked anyone in the THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY in India to give an opinion? They may probably not, as the subject of the Mahatmas is sacred to every Indian. And not to be discussed with "strangers." But if there have been, answers I would welcome them.

We have a theosophical study group that has been meeting for about ten years. Two of the members were born and grew up in India, though they are not otherwise related to each other. Both are about 60 years of age. One was born in Karachi before it became a part of Pakistan. The other was born and grew up in Madras. The one born in Karachi grew up in a Theosophical family, the other, though she came from Madras, knew nothing of Theosophy until she joined our group. Both are "Hindus." We had talked many times about attitudes in India about the Masters. Both agree that the subject of the Masters is indeed considered sacred among those who believe in them, but both also agree that such a belief is not universal in India.

You write:

I don't care a fig for the academic opinion of these things as it has not
yet developed, even in a few that I can discern, the capacity to envisage
ultimates and the metaphysics of that brotherhood that is rooted in all of
us (as the immortal Monads -- the Eternal Pilgrims) without any exception.
And if it has, where are the bold ones who sacrifice their "positions" to
advance such views as these?

Yet, I recall reading in the Mahatma letters a statement from KH that "Science is our best ally." While I concur with you that "academic opinion" hasits shortcomings, is often flawed by human error, and compromised by political pressures, I also see that it has progressively led us to incredible insights into the nature of ourselves and of the universe. Even if all of those insights are somehow stated or encoded in the SD, the fact that we havediscovered these things for ourselves, make those discoveries all the morevaluable, and our understanding of them all the more genuine.
Are we to hang onto every word written by HPB and Judge, like fundamentalists who endlessly quote from their "sacred books" and strangle the life out of them by wrapping those discourses into some kind of a theology? IMO, HPB met for the SD to be a springboard to help us into our own investigationsand discoveries. I submit that while The Secret Doctrine is so titled, what HPB writes in that book is not "the Secret Doctrine." Rather, she is only hinting at and pointing towards it. The Secret Doctrine is not something to be found in books, but within, and through our own efforts. And I submit, that the scientific methodology we have developed, while it has its limits and flaws, is a useful and important tool when applied towards that discovery. For one thing, a methodological approach goes a long way to safeguard against the circular thinking and bogus arguments that so often appear in this and other discussion boards.

Best Wishes. Jerry


W.Dallas TenBroeck wrote:

Thursday, October 7, 2004

Dear Jerry:

All you say may be quite true.
This does not obviate the fact that in my opinion it is a fabrication -- a
construct designed to seem authoritative, and, in a way it will, like other
attempts, try to subvert the THEOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT.

None of those conclusions can be made to stick in India. Out here, far
away, we have little basis to compare or to criticize (other than the
literature -- the books and letters -- themselves). Have you, or has anyone
asked anyone in the THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY in India to give an opinion? They
may probably not, as the subject of the Mahatmas is sacred to every Indian.
And not to be discussed with "strangers." But if there have been, answersI
would welcome them.

In my opinion the subject of the Masters and Their Work is too noble, and
valuable for anyone to deride, or attempt to belittle it. It also demeans
Them, Their work and Their sacrifices -- and that, above all, I object to.

Anyone who reads the MAHATMA LETTERS with the piercing intelligence of a
devoted student will soon realize that what I say is quite accurate.
"There is no religion higher than TRUTH."
Yes, that was, and is the only "party-line."
THEOSOPHY stands for universality -- no parties, and the THEOSOPHICAL
SOCIETY was commenced to establish a nucleus of Universal Brotherhood, not
to destroy it, or stand passively by and let others do that. It is up to the
"members" (whether 'attached' or 'detached') to exercise their free-willed
independence and decide whether they will continue in passivity, or seize
the golden moment and discover for themselves what is the truth of things.
After all, why depend on anyone for unverified statements? In this case the
evidence lies before everyone: the MAHATMA LETTERS, the SECRET DOCTRINE,
and ISIS UNVEILED.

No compromise is possible between the arguments of the "Lower Mind," and
those of Buddhi-Manas - the vehicle of the divine, Spiritual Higher Self in
each of us. But who takes THEOSOPHY seriously?
Who has any respect for Those Immortal Slaves to Wisdom and to KARMA, who
cherish the title of "Servants of Humanity," and who, aeon after aeon, seek
patiently, by all legitimate means to get mankind to learn how to think,
and be accurate and honest in everyday life to their inner "God," the Higher
Self?

The very idea that there are eternal, immortal MONADS, who, like the very
atoms and sub-atoms of our "Science," exist, become intelligent, and over
the tremendous periods of time necessary, have achieved a perfection of
vision, and a comprehension of the most recondite aspects of the common
basic urge that unites and moves the entire Universe -- that is what the
Maters of Wisdom, and the Mahatmas stand for in my humble view. ThereforeI
protest.
Do our academicians, as a group, stand on their own integrity and
independence for that? Like most highly intelligent minds they are adepts at
focusing on their own specialties. But the whole is vaster. Tearing apart
statements made and evidence advanced is useful when dealing with false
notions. But to what end? To construct and build a better human bond of
brotherhood? Or, to destroy that?
Look around. It is the service of our World, solar-System and Universe to
us that keeps us alive with the vast currents of life-force and the
continual exchange of life-atoms -- something we do not yet know the laws
of. There is in all Nature to be seen a continual give and take without any
demand for reward or recognition. What kind of Overseers mange this? Do a
few individuals treading the ancient dust of the "Five Rivers" -- the
Punjab, do this? And they do not commonly speak Tamil or Telugu in the
Punjab!

That anyone dares to turn the Masters of Wisdom into trivial individuals of
perhaps unblemished but ordinary lives is ridiculous and demands protest.
The characters selected do not agree with the depictions made clear and
inherent in the MAHATMA LETTERS.

I don't care a fig for the academic opinion of these things as it has not
yet developed, even in a few that I can discern, the capacity to envisage
ultimates and the metaphysics of that brotherhood that is rooted in all of
us (as the immortal Monads -- the Eternal Pilgrims) without any exception.
And if it has, where are the bold ones who sacrifice their "positions" to
advance such views as these?
One may say that the writings of the Mahatmas (as in MAHATMA LETTERS), and
the works they claim to be partly authored by them and H. P. Blavatsky:
(ISIS UNVEILED and The SECRET DOCTRINE ) -- stand upon their own basis as
invulnerable monuments. And if this sounds too fulsome, then let it be
clearly understood that in years to come those monuments will continue to
stand, and will serve future generations to overcome all carping critics,
and attempts to demean them.

Best wishes, and always in friendship,

Dallas







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