Theos-Talk Archives (January 2005 Message tt00002)

Dec 31 2004

Dear Friend Dee:

Let me offer you a kind of an introduction, and then let me ask you to visit


PHOENIX  ULT     at        www.phx-ult-lodge.org/


Books "on line" are accessible there.

Please open and start reading "The OCEAN OF THEOSOPHY" and see if it does
not make matters of understanding THEOSOPHY more simple.  

Each of us approaches THEOSOPHY with our own desires, interest and
education. The "Ocean" gives in about 180 pages an excellent over-view of
what THEOSOPHY states and how it is reasoned out.

OCEAN OF THEOSOPHY (Judge)

And

KEY TO THEOSOPHY (HPB) & GLOSSARY (H P B)
[Theosophy: Doctrines and the T S objects ]

This is a synopsis of THEOSOPHY and of the subjects covered in detail in the
SECRET DOCTRINE and ISIS UNVEILED.

Also, see:

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS AT AN INFORMAL "OCEAN "
CLASS (R C)

I found this helpful as it covers many of the questions I had, and was also
up to date and interesting on its own.

=========================================

They, at: -- PHOENIX ULT at www.phx-ult-lodge.org/

also offer "On line" texts for reading or downloading: --


KEY TO THEOSOPHY (HPB) & GLOSSARY (H P B)
[Theosophy and the T S ]
ISIS UNVEILED [Science & Theology reviewed]
SECRET DOCTRINE [From Ancient Records]
[Doctrines and Ancient History of Evolution]
TRANSACTIONS OF THE BLAVATSKY LODGE ( H P B )
[Studies in the 1st Vol. S D with HPB.]
THEOSOPHICAL GLOSSARY (HPB)
[Specialized & Technical words used]
VOICE OF THE SILENCE  
[Practical Occultism & THEOSOPHY]
        A MODERN PANARION  ( H P B )
[Early articles on Spiritualism, etc...]
FIVE YEARS OF THEOSOPHY
[Articles discussing Isis Unveiled topics.]
        The FRIENDLY PHILOSOPHER (Robert Crosbie)
[Letters and Lectures on THEOSOPHY and its use.]
        ETERNAL VERITIES  (Robert Crosbie)
[THEOSOPHY for children in Lesson form]
OCEAN OF THEOSOPHY (Judge)
[A Synopsis of the SECRET DOCTRINE ]
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS AT AN INFORMAL "OCEAN "
CLASS ( by R C)
        POINT OUT THE WAY [Answers to Questions at an 
"Ocean" Class ( by J G) ]
        ECHOES FROM THE ORIENT (Judge)
[Survey of THEOSOPHY, 60 pages]
        EPITOME OF THEOSOPHY (Judge)
[Brief survey of THEOSOPHY 30 pages]
       	PATANJALI'S YOGA SUTRAS (Judge)
[Study of Mind, thinking and emotions.]
        LETTERS THAT HAVE HELPED ME  ( W Q Judge )
[Practical THEOSOPHY discussed.]
        THEOSOPHICAL FORUM  --  
[Answers By  W Q Judge ]
BHAGAVAD GITA and  
BHAGAVAD GITA NOTES (Judge)
LIGHT ON THE PATH 
        THE DHAMMAPADA  ( Footfalls of the Law )  
[Teachings of Gautama Buddha.]
THE LIGHT OF ASIA  
[Life and teachings of Gautama Buddha.]
       	THE THEOSOPHICAL MOVEMENT ( 1875 - 1950)  
[Documentary History of modern THEOSOPHY]

-------------------------------------------------------

In the meanwhile let me say :


Welcome to Theosophy


In each one of us lies the same potentials. At root base we are "rays" of
the same ONE SPIRIT. We are all brothers. We are brothers to the Atoms, to
the grains of sand, to the grass, to the elephant and the ant. In each of
these resides a Monad (an organizing intelligence), and that contains as one
of its components a "Ray" of the UNIVERSAL SPIRIT.

This does away with all distinctions, and all concepts of difference,
isolation, superiority of religion or politics, anger, pleasure,
retaliation, difference, selfishness, etc... It unites us all into a living
universal BROTHERHOOD.  

It requires of us (as humans) the using of our ability to think about
fundamentals and to secure the ability to penetrate below effects to their
causes. For example. We all use electricity, but we do not know what it is.
It can be generated and channeled, but we still do not know WHAT IT IS.  

We all use FIRE, but, what is fire? We note the effect of fire (or its
lack) and we know how to burn things, or insulate them. We deal with our
own minds, but we do not know what the MIND is. Nor are we very good at
distinguishing a "DESIRE" from a thought. What, for instance is MOTIVE ? How
should we discuss "virtue?"

And that (Universal Brotherhood) is the first "Object" of the THEOSOPHICAL
MOVEMENT -- an ideal and an objective -- to live our lives and direct our
thoughts and deeds as if we were trying to form a nucleus of Universal
Brotherhood. This sounds vague, perhaps, because we have been educated to
think the territorial imperative, and an adversarial selfish and
self-protective approach was the way of life. If so, at the end of life
what gain can we show?  

Look back into history. Whose memories do we esteem? The butchers of men,
the oppressors and the conquerors, or those who try to make us see we belong
to a single family and are all brothers and sisters with something far more
powerful than a physical blood-brotherhood and kinship. Are religions and
philosophies built on the sayings of tyrants or of those who explained and
enjoined the practice of benevolence and the search for truth?

An understanding of the existence of the immortal MONAD in us, as in all
things demonstrates to our mind this concept and reinforces the sense of
tolerance.

Welcome to our talkative company -- many fine minds and many opinions. We
seek those ideas that are useful and common-sense, and which balance our
daily realities with what humor we can muster in view of the fact that we
are, in fact, all, brother (and sister) immortals in essence. We cannot
"get rid of each-other,” now, or in the future. 

The "theosophical world" is a wide one. Tolerance of each other's beliefs is
basic to all, or we could not talk to each other. We can be at the same
time sympathetic and trenchant when an idea seems inaccurate. So we have
all to be resilient.

What we do have in common is a basic desire to find and use that which is
true and useful. If we find that someone seems to have developed a tangent,
or a bias, one or other of us is very likely to challenge it (not the
person, but the idea) in tones "loud and clear." This can often be quite
abrasive to one's pet ideas or beliefs. At that time we ought to sit and
examine them, and then return with questions that bring out the meaning (as
we may have misunderstood) of what the other says.

Our greatest barrier has been, and is, largely: language and
thought-images, as we have all developed personal uses for words, and our
ideas seem to be, different in value. This can always be adjusted but, it
takes time and patience.

In some cases the "history," or the "traditions" of the theosophical group
in which we have developed seems to separate those groups, but, a study of
the developing history of the Theosophical Movement (documents and events)
reconciles such differences. But, that is reviewing the past, and, is only
valuable to explain some trends we each carry and show.  

The more we know, the broader the base of study and consideration, the more
stable is Theosophy found to be as a philosophy that considers all aspects
of nature, of life, and of development. In its consideration of human
psychology alone it outstrips and adjusts many aspects of Modern clinical
Psychology, -- I offer this as one instance. In another realm it is found
to delve into the sources of all faiths, sects and religions with a view to
seeking their common origins and thus reconciling them all--adding to the
understanding that leads to true tolerance.  

In the original Theosophical literature written by Mme. Blavatsky you will
find wide ranging concepts of knowledge reviewed. Some statements conflict
with Science, as she claims that ancient science shows a broader base than
that which is yet developed as our Science investigates Nature in many
departments. After all: Science seeks for those facts and laws that are
already existent in the complexities and relationships existing already in
Nature as a whole.

There is much more, as for instance, the concept of universal evolution --a
progress which involves every single living thing, and binds all together
into a vast "brotherhood," from the "atom" to the "World," to the Universe
as a Whole. It looks into the origins of intelligence in life and being,
and it considers their middle course in which we now find ourselves, and
finally it considers the eventual reincarnation of all this marvelous
complexity as a continuity which never ceases to be.  

Hence immortality for the spirit/soul of each human, as of all "life-atoms
(Monads)" is a given. The Universe is run by Laws which are complex but
simple in their operations: each action, be it a thought or an impulse
leaves an indelible impression of its surroundings, beginning with our
selves, and thus we predispose ourselves to the personal nature which we
have.  

The power of the will, based on individual intelligence and consciousness
allows each of us to choose his own future by decisions which are his, or
her, own. Thus universal evolution. This independence is said to be a
proof of the immortal Individuality, of the Spirit/Soul of each person.  

It is an idea at least worth considering, as included in its purview is the
concept that each is individually responsible for such choices and acts as
they do, and this responsibility is inescapable (Karma) because of the
universal equity and justice that rules every aspect of Nature. There are
no "miracles," nor will "prayer" cause our making of the essential and
necessary restitution (or benefit) to vanish.  

You observe that much seems theoretical and there is less in the nature of
"practical" matters discussed. This may be so, but the "theoretical," if
correct can lead to the practical, which is in the hands and subject to the
will/decisions of each person in the place where he/she lives and works.  

For all of us, one primary duty exists: to learn what Theosophy teaches.
The applications then are obvious. A knowledge of such
theoretical/practical information can best be acquired by a careful reading
of Mme. Blavatsky's THE KEY TO THEOSOPHY (300 pages). This book offers a
good basis to secure information on all aspects of basic theosophical theory
and its practical application, as she devotes over 100 pages to both
subjects.

I am sure that you know most of this and I am only writing because you say
you are a new-comer to this our smorgasbord of thoughts and ideas.

“IDEAS RULE THE WORLD”

Let then discover true ones together.


Dallas
 
=====================================

-----Original Message-----
From: dee1387 
Sent: Friday, December 31, 2004 6:37 AM
To: 
Subject: Newbie here


Hello Theos-Talk,

My friends call me Dee, living in Fayetteville, NC. I'm 31 years 
old and I had lost myself somewhere and I have been on a mission to 
discover me for the past year. A few months ago I discovered - or 
finally come to terms - that one of the reasons that I'm having 
trouble with discovering myself is that I have a form of 
depression. But for the past year or so I've been conducting my 
search from a spiritual perspective - and a lot of therapy sessions.
In the past year I purchased several books such as, different 
versions of the Bible, the Septuagint, the Gnostic Bible, books on 
paganism, I Ching, The Idiot's Guide to World Religions, meditation, 
etc. Every time I went into the book store, there was this one 
particular 2 book volume set that, for some reason, I was drawn to 
it. I had no idea what it was or what it was about. Finally, one 
day after several trips to the book store, and having some sort a 
compelling feeling towards the books every time I walked down that 
isle, I purchased the set , The Secret Doctrine. I read the 
introduction and part of the first chapter. That's how I discovered 
that there is such a thing as Theosophy. I had a difficult time 
understanding what H.P.B. was saying, a lot of terms were foreign to 
me so I went back to the store and bought Isis Unveiled, hoping that 
will clue me in to what every thing is about. 
So here I am, joined a group in hopes of learning more about 
Theosophy and maybe find some folks in my area that might be 
interested in meeting up some time.



Have a Happy New Year,
Dee