Re: Theos-World Re: The 3 societies
May 06, 2005 11:37 AM
by Jerry Hejka-Ekins
Dear Perry,
Thank you for you well thought out comments.
This process of change I think needs to work from the ground up
rather than the other way around however a bit of support from up
above would be nice.
Yes, I think you are quite right. Changes do need to be made from the
ground up. Unfortunately, most of the TSA membership are "at large" and
neither know nor particularly care about what is going on at the Lodge
or the National level. For those who are active at the local levels,
TSA has a pattern of marginalizing the progressive individuals and small
groups. This had been very effective in preventing any meaningful
progressive trends from spreading across the membership. Remember, only
the National Headquarters has the membership list. They not only
control the rhetoric, but control the means of communication directly to
the membership. As for support from above: There have been progressive
Presidents. Over the last 42 years that I personally know of, there
have been two of them on the National level, and one progressive
International President. However, once they were out of office, the
more conservative forces moved in to erase their accomplishments.
Internet groups like this one offer a forum to debate and discuss
these inter-organizational and historical points freely.
I tend to think this will be a process that will need to be walked
gently through within the society rather than using a sledgehammer
which tends to leave people feeling defensive and antagonistic.
(rightly or wrongly)
The Internet is indeed a powerful force, and I suspect that we are only
beginning to recognize its impact. It greatest advantage is that it
allows a perfectly even playing field for communication. It's greatest
failing is that it allows a perfectly even playing field for
cyber-pathology. The Internet is not our savior. But, perhaps we will
learn to use it as a tool to save ourselves.
Jerry
Perry Coles wrote:
Hi All,
Sorry not replying individually but hopefully I can cover the some
general points in one post.
Thanks Nigel for your comments and as you are aware these are issues
that will need to be discussed and thought about long and hard as by
students and we hope at some time some kind of progress will be able
to be made.
The historical baggage that comes with any person and organization
is largely hidden until we scratch deeper.
The issues and points of view that have been put forward on this
forum have been quite upfront.
Some may not find this type of approach un-theosophical, I however
find it to be in keeping with the type of criticism that is needed
in order to stop any teacher or teaching from becoming either an
infallible Seer or holy writ that then becomes dogma.
This seems to be somewhat of a luxury in organizations as it is felt
they have to play things very diplomatically and try not to upset
their members too much.
As MKR pointed out the internet has now become a vehicle to
distribute and share this information and I agree with him that this
will make a large impact onto the actual organizations themselves.
Internet groups like this one offer a forum to debate and discuss
these inter-organizational and historical points freely.
I tend to think this will be a process that will need to be walked
gently through within the society rather than using a sledgehammer
which tends to leave people feeling defensive and antagonistic.
(rightly or wrongly)
I can't claim to know the solution to these problems however it
maybe we can sometimes throw the baby out with the bathwater.
The Adyar TS may not be perfect but for me I am glad such an
organization still exists and as it does I feel offer something
unique and rare in the world even with its seeming unwritten
policies on not allowing criticism of C.W Leadbeater's teachings in
its official publications.
The apparent reason for this is that so many members are supporters
and promoters of Leadbeater and it is perceived as encroaching on
their right to support and promote him.
I have never suggested this should be the case, I have simply asked
that the right to make a critical comparison of his teachings with
those of the Mahatma's and Blavatsky's be supported.
At this stage as far as I've been able to ascertain this type of
article would not be allowed to be published in its official
publications.
The other side is that the Adyar TS has branches all over the world
and most members support and promote non dogmatism freedom of
thought.
It offers libraries and bookshops of esoteric material.
It also offers opportunities for enquirers to get together and
discuss life's mysteries and most importantly it promotes the idea
of Brotherhood.
This process of change I think needs to work from the ground up
rather than the other way around however a bit of support from up
above would be nice.
I'd like to encourage any Adyar members on this group to put forward
their feelings and ideas on how these issues may be worked through
or do you feel it is a non issue?
Regards
Perry
--- In theos-talk@yahoogroups.com, "nhcareyta" <nhcareyta@y...>
wrote:
Dear Perry
Your summation of three Theosophical organisations is a
conciliatory
position given your many postings on your difficulties with
ongoing
censorship within the Adyar Society.
You write:
Adyar seems to have chosen to go more down the path of simply
focusing on the 3 objects generally.
and
Even if there is quite a lot of dis-function in some areas they
all
foster to a greater or lesser extent a spirit of inquiry...
Whilst as you suggest this is generally true, with the second
object
of the Adyar Society being "To encourage the study of comparative
religion, philosophy and science" there is still a great struggle
for
me to reconcile this admirable and essential statement of
principle
with its actual practice by that organisation's hierarchy which
you
have encountered and described.
Study by comparison includes sharing of perceptions and opinions
without fear or favour, both verbally and in print. As you have
shown
us, the Adyar Society hierarchy seems only to permit this in print
in
a highly selective manner. This "philosophical" selectivity, as
opposed to that needed to ensure decency and decorum, does not
support that organisation's "Freedom of Thought" statement nor, it
seems, their motto "There Is No Religion Higher Than Truth."
Whilst
their statement and motto may be viewed as ideals only, it is
disappointing the hierarchy have not appeared to follow Madame
Blavatsky's lead when she wrote and practiced "...Contrast alone
can
enable us to appreciate things at their right value; and unless a
judge compares notes and hears both sides he can hardly come to a
correct decision." H.P. Blavatsky. The Theosophist, July, 1881, p.
2
It is to be hoped that the Society's current and in my opinion,
hypocritical position will be courageously addressed in the near
future thereby potentially attracting and retaining an even
greater
number of sincere and honourable seekers such as yourself.
Very best wishes
Nigel
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