Theos-Talk Archives (March 2005 Message tt00271)

Mar 17 2005

Dear Steve:

I think you are correct in your surmises. But it is a rule (I believe) that
in the area which is commonly referred to as "spiritual progress," everyone
is "on his own." This cannot be avoided as all progress is self-generated
and in continuity it has to be self-sustained. The general rule (as I see
it) of Nature's law (Karma) demands we each take responsibility for what we
think, say and do. No escapes -- and no hiding places exist ! We need to
view Nature (our environment) as a totally sensitive and reactive condition
-- and every being or component therein is a fellow immortal on their own
level and place in the whole.  

Simply put: we are all immortals and we are engaged in a learning program
that visualizes each "life" as a "day in School." We cannot escape our
environment, nor can we escape the fact we are immortals.  

The educational program (like it or not) is an eternal one, and involves
every being in the whole Earth as well as the Universe surrounding it. And
to make it even more extraordinary -- the universe has no known limits and
many dimensions. Hence we have an enormous curriculum to work through and
master. 

As time is not a factor in eternity, we have also that capacity to employ,
as we eventually learn everything. Karma (action and reaction) and duty
(dharma) cease at that stage and level to be mysteries, but are rather, the
evident stages of all progress. Past, present and future are then seen to
meld into each other, and the progress of every Monad is perceived to be
just and orderly. 

We all collaborate under Nature's great law of Karma, but we have to acquire
the individual self-perception and introspection that leads us to understand
the vast and intricate work of the program that each MONAD has always had
before it, and, which continues forward for all without any interruption. 

Man (Mind) is said to be a "Monad" that has reached the level of responsible
self-consciousness and has been given (by his "Elder Brothers" the "gift" of
the MIND. (S D II 69, 92, 79-80, 254-5, 272, 660) 

Joining any organization, or demanding (and receiving) the attention of a
"Master," grants no special opportunity -- we still have to work on our own
lower self.  

Associations and gurus provide some support and give perhaps a bi-focal
vision on our own psychic problems. It is the old story of the Higher and
the Lower Self -- and heir representatives as our dual mind -- both are IN
US. The "Path" we are all able to choose, and advance on, is identical --
It is lower-self-reform. 

But we need to take the idea of the immortal Monad to be true -- or else the
whole purpose of the fundamental concepts, the doctrines, the history of
evolution, and the logic of THEOSOPHY are of no value. If our modern
science conceives the "atom" to be an immortal, eternal energic particle,
then why not the mind as an "atom" that has acquired the faculty of total
vision and perception on all planes and levels? I would say that: No one
who is not self-readied (morally purified and made unselfish and virtuous in
all respects) can be given a "gift" of wisdom. If that were done, it would
be a violation of universal law. And that "wisdom" is universal and
securely locked away in the innermost recesses of our spiritual, divine
ESSENCE."

In other words, we, as aspirants (or would-be "chelas") are the keys that
unlock the wisdom that is already within us -- securely locked away in the
"principles" we call Atma, Buddhi and Manas. 

It is said that ATMA (Spirit - our HIGHER SELF) is a "ray" of the
all-pervasive UNIVERSAL ONE SELF. Buddhi is the accumulated experience (and
consequent "wisdom") we, as an immortal Monad, have acquired over aeons of
living life after life. And, Manas (the Higher Mind) is the intelligent,
self-conscious link between every other monad in the whole universe and
ourselves, as an independent Unit. 

Our lower "principles" are composed of vast hosts of such "other monads."
They continually come and go in terms of proximity to the "Unit Monad" that
is "US." And with them, comes our own Karma from our own past -- as living
choices. These are then called generally, the "skandhas," and they are, in
effect, the "unfinished business" of our continuing lives. 

We have as a "Buddhi-manasic" mind (The "Idealist"), to work to bring the
"Kama-manasic" (The "doubter" with isolating self-interests) section of our
own mind, up to that high motivational level, where it is incapable of
choosing evil or vice. (At least that is how I see it.)  

In other words it has to be shown logically that selfish, self-interested,
and therefore evil choices, ultimately bring to it more pain and suffering.
Once it grasps the value of self-discipline as a reliever of this seemingly
eternal sea of suffering and turmoil, it will begin to improve itself -- but
always it needs supervision -- it has been found that Intuition (the "voice"
of Buddhi-Manas) sharpens and warns ever more strongly as it is used for
self-improvement. We might say that this whole living program is covered by
the idea of "Universal Brotherhood." 

But yet, each has to work to verify these observations and work on
themselves.

Yes, the writings of the Mahatmas, of HPB, and of Judge and Crosbie provide
guide lines, instruction and support to all those wiling to study, and test
and adopt those aspects of information that lead to their own
self-improvement. 

Those who are satisfied with their own present condition will have little
incentive to change. We have to discover that which drives us to
improvement. But, do we want to improve?

Best wishes,

Dallas

================================
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Steven L
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 
To: 
Subject: Re: OCCULTISM and WILL -- MEDITATION --- THOUGHT

--- In theosophia "Steven L" wrote:
 
Dal-

Thanks for your presentations of the thoughts of William Quan 
Judge. Especially so, as we enter that period in March in which we 
consider his life and work. 

It is interesting that the Theosophical Movement is really split over the
meaning of his work. Obviously the ULT has not split within its rank of
students regarding Mr. Judge. I think this is so because his work is really
at the basis of the ULT, along with Robert Crosbie, and their Teacher and
most important human being, and to whom we owe all -- H. P. Blavatsky. 

So, Mr. Judge's writtings have an unusual and fine mixture of human empathy
and occult thought, which is quite different from the other two. This is as
it should be, if we are to have a pryamid of thought as the basis of ULT,
each facet of which reflecting a neccesary but different approach to the
Mahatmas thought. 

Aspects of the Theosophical Movement called "Society", have diffused their
energies in the process of allowing their focus to move from the three...so
that the writtings of WQJ have been lost sight of to that following. And,
therefore, 
they have not read his work with the continuity of the ULT Theosophist
making the foprmer poor judges of his work. Also because of the Societies
political and emotional allegiances they have actually attempted to slur
WQJ's name. But all of those who have open mindedly read his work will have
no illusions about his Heart. 

  
Steve