Theos-Talk Archives (May 2005 Message tt00679)

Morten,
E.L. Gardner claims to have known private correspondence between 
Besant and Leadbeater. And on that basis he is criticizing. We should 
not praise of criticize on the basis of letters which we don't have, 
what exact wording was there, context etc. I have seen many people 
criticizing on the basis of comments made by some third fool who did 
not know actual facts. That mistake should not be made by us. So I 
won't comment unless I have actual draft of letters from authentic 
source. 

I agree with Leadbeater's thoughts given in article by Radha Burnier. 
Indeed he tells very important points. 


> To make a few words on Alego's interesting words.
> 
> My take is for instance, that the Theosophical Society and other 
offshoots
> almost all of them lack a proper manifestation on the following 
issues:
> 
> a) A clearer stance on phallicism and ones relation to the Liberal 
Catholic 
> Church

What do you mean by phallicism ? I saw dictionary meaning of 
phallicism and TS has nothing to do with that. For TS LCC is like any 
other religious organization. And this stance is correct.

> b) A clearer stance on the present VITAL lack of
> literary outlets, or lack of emphasis if you like, - on cultural 
and 
> religious areas as the Middle East and Islam.

Theosophy may be spread through internet in these areas and that is 
happening. 

> But also areas as Africa and it spiritual historical heritage. And 
also The 
> South America and other places where
> we humans live and breathe.

I think TS will slowly have Theosophical lodges in areas mentioned. 
Much depends on social, economic, political conditions in any 
country. 

> c) A clearer stance on multicultural issues and racism.

There is clear stance- Brotherhood without distinction on the basis 
of race, culture etc.

> c) A clearer stance on what Blavatsky called the basis of 
theosophical 
> teaching -
> namely AtmaVidya - to which all other magical arts are inferior.

Blavatsky's writing has lot of problems. It should not be considered 
as standard. And any stance on that basis will destroy Theosophy. 
Look at what happened to Point Loma and ULT who follow Blavatsky. 
Hardly anybody outside America appreciate them. And those in 
America have became dogmatic and fundamentalists who fight all the 
time and express hatred. This is the effect of Blavatsky's writing.

Most of the important policies for Adyar TS were made by Annie Besant 
and they are right. Implementation may be done better.

> d) A clearer stance on how one is promoting the theosophical 
organisation
> while taking the above four - issues into account.
> That is, - for instance how to provide an online Internet Bookshop, 
which
> is showing the needed compassion in a now increasingly more and more
> global world or planet - on the physical level.

I think more Theosophical literature is being added on internet every 
year. And eventually most of it will be available.

> e) And also a restoration within theosophical circles of the 
emphasis given
> on allegorical teachings compared with the many non-allegorical
> outlets given by both Leadbeater and Besant.

Allegorical teaching creates lot of problems. Such presentation gives 
rise to lot of speculation as everybody is free to attach different 
meaning to allegories. That causes misunderstanding. 
Writings of Besant and Leadbeater which is plain and clear like any 
other science is best way of presenting Theosophy.

Anand Gholap