Theos-Talk Archives (May 2005 Message tt00559)

Hallo Anand and all,

My views are:

Please do not confuse my physical writing with
my aim of compassion and wisdom.
Because physical or electronical writings
are quite often at risk of being misinterpreted.


I think something has been overlooked by some of you.
The below might be helpful to find out what it is.

I know I have mailed this before.
But it seems to me, that not everyone has understood
the content of the below, - yet.

- - - - - - -


One might in advance - Add, that one should not put ones fingers at any kind 
of literature
saying that it has greater importance than other kinds of literature.
Because what is important entirely depends upon the readers
or Seekers.
But, what one sort of freely and globally allow one selves to promote in 
bookshops is
a different story.

So all systems and no systems are what Theosophy supports
And all books and no books are what Theosophy supports.
But, that emphasis aught to be wise - when we are in a global
situation with online Internet bookshops and the like.


As HPB says in The Key to Theosophy:

"ENQUIRER. Which system do you prefer or follow, in that case, besides 
Buddhistic ethics?

THEOSOPHIST. None, and all. We hold to no religion, as to no philosophy in 
particular: we cull the good we find in each. But here, again, it must be 
stated that, like all other ancient systems, Theosophy is divided into 
Exoteric and Esoteric Sections. "

- - - - - - -



Sufi-schools Esoterical-schools
and Theosophy-schools




SUFI, ESOTERICAL and THEOSOPHICAL attitudes TOWARD RELIGIOUS and OTHER CULTS

1. True Sufis, Esoterists and Theosophists (in the following these three are 
mentioned as "Theosophists") -
are opposed to fanaticism and closed minds, believing that
these lead to oppression.

2. Many cults using the name "Sufi", "Theosophical" or "Esoterical" have 
arisen over the centuries.
They have caused harm to their followers, and have, at times, given
the word "Sufi", "Theosophical" and "Esoterical" an undesirable flavour.

3. For the above two reasons, initial Theosophists activity has, for
centuries, aimed at explaining the nature of real Theosophists aims and also
at clarifying the undesirable effect of what today are called
conditioning systems.

4. It has been observed by scholars and others that the Theosophists are
almost alone in having assessed and described the two undesirable
factors referred to above. In so doing, they may have paved the way
for contemporary knowledge on mind-manipulation. While others, for
example, were still thinking in terms of "the Devil is behind cults,"
the Theosophists have pointed out the causes of cults as being purely
psychological.

5. Among the characteristics of a "false or misguided path," the
Theosophists have noted the following features which help to identify it:

i) The claim that the organisation is the sole repository of truth,
or is the only "path";

ii) The mistaking of emotional for spiritual states;

iii) Separation of the followers of the group from the populace at large;

iv) Failure to do one's human duty to everyone, regardless of such
people's confessional position;

v) The emphasis upon hope and fear, and upon reward and punishment;

vi) Material richness of the organisation, and especially of its leaders;

vii) The uniqueness of a leader, asserting superhuman or other
qualities or responsibility;

viii) Secretiveness as of major importance ;

ix) Inability to laugh at things which appear funny to people outside
the "path";

x) Employment of stereotyped techniques and/or rituals and exercises,
not adapted according to the principles of "time, place and people";

xi) "Idolatry": which includes investing people, animals or things
with a special meaning;

xii) "Teachers" who are themselves ignorant.

6. Theosophists do not actually oppose such cults, since Theosophists are 
tolerant:
but they find it essential to describe them, in order to show the
differences between cults and Theosophy, and to help to prevent people
interested in Theosophy from forming or joining such organisations or
groups.



INDICATIONS OF AN AUTHENTIC THEOSOPHY SCHOOL

First, elimination: the school, its teachers and students should be
observed for signs of the features (item 5, above) which identify a
spurious school. Second, it should be noted that the following are
among the marks of an authentic Theosophy school:

1. It does not restrict attention to any specific literature or
teachings, but expects its students to have a good knowledge of a
wide range of literature, while at the same time specialising in
appropriately measured studies.

2. It will be able to explain and interpret past formulations of the
Theosophy Way, as contained in the whole range of Theosophy literature.

3. It will be able to explain the process of supersession of materials.

4. It will not be culture- or language-based. That is to say, it will
not need to bring in, except at times for illustration or analogy,
words or practices belonging to cultures and/or language other than
those of the people among whome the Theosophists are working.

5. It will not use outlandish clothes (robes) or words, etc.,
extraneous to the local culture.

6. It will not accept slogans or "sayings" from past teachers unless
they have an illustrative function.

7. It does not use intonations, movement, music, etc., as a
quasi-religious ceremony or as a spectacle, but has knowledge of such
things as parts of a comprehensive system of applying stimuli.

8. It will neither claim to have a mission to teach everyone, nor
will it enrol everyone. It will first make sure that the interested
person has enough information and experience to come to a decision
about Theosophists and Theosophy in an appropriate manner.

9. It will make clear the nature of the "instrumental function" of
ideas, techniques, etc., rather than regarding them as immutable,
sacrosanct, "traditional," and so on.

10. It will deal with everyone according to capacity and character,
being neither benevolent nor the reverse: for kindness and cruelty,
while effective and understood in ordinary relationships, operate as
part of a conditioning system within a teaching or group situation.

- - - - - - -


Just a few views.



from
M. Sufilight


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Anand Gholap" <AnandGholap@AnandGholap.org>
To: <theos-talk@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, May 20, 2005 5:14 AM
Subject: Theos-World Re:Those who study Blavatsky's writing become 
fundamentalists


> > > A usually religious movement or point of view characterized by a
> > > return to fundamental principles, by rigid adherence to those
> > > principles, and often by intolerance of other views and opposition
> > to secularism.
> > >
> ULT, Point Loma should criticize Blavatsky's writing in their
> publications. They should condemn her smoking, non-veg, short temper
> and bad English.
>
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links