Theos-Talk Archives (June 2005 Message tt00091)

The THEOSOPHICAL SOCIETY -- THREE OBJECTS
 
 
The Theosophical Movement -- reestablished in this cycle by HPB -- has three
objects, which are given equal weight. They are:
 
1. "To form the “nucleus” of a universal brotherhood of humanity" (NOT form
the universal brotherhood itself) 
 
2. "The study of ancient and modern religions, philosophies and sciences,
and the demonstration of the importance of such study" 
 
3. "The investigation of the unexplained laws of Nature and the psychical
powers latent in man" (NOT their practice)
 
For further information regarding and what they encompass, see: 
 
http://www.wisdomworld.org/additional/3-ObjectsOfTheosophicalMovement/TheObj
ects.html 
(join these two lines)
 
Fulfillment of the first object can only come about when each theosophist,
through their individual self determined and self devised study and effort,
attains Self realization. This implies the individual understands who they
are, where they came from, and where they are going (along with every other
human "being")... And, thereby, become capable of helping and teaching
others. This cannot come about by blind belief in another’s opinions or
assertions. But, does require a clear understanding of those aspects of
practical and theoretical knowledge covered by the second and third objects.

 
The goal is to clearly comprehend the true basis and nature of ultimate
reality, including, among other ideas and concepts, the manifested unity of
all beings, the essentiality of opposites, the triune and cyclic nature of
both individual and universal existence, and the fundamental unity of both
consciousness and form, spirit and matter, karma and reincarnation. This
“goal” is innate in every one as “Buddhi,” WISDOM that is universal, and is
everyone’s property. 
 
This comprehension can come about through deep study of all the arts and
sciences, both metaphysical and physical, and determining the linkages
between the two aspects (subjective and objective) of Life, based on the
metaphysical connections, relationships, and coenergetic linkages between
Spirit (or consciousness) and Matter (or form).  
 
This requires, in addition to such study, a full and complete understanding
of the Three Fundamental Principles of Theosophy (as outlined in the Proem
of the Secret Doctrine) plus the understanding of the Book of Dzyan's
Cosmogenesis and Anthropogenesis -- based on the commentaries explaining it
in the SECRET DOCTRINE . 
 
There are several practical methods by which this self realization and
knowledge may come about.  
 
One method, is to experience and know for ones’ self, the unity of self,
mind and body -- by introspective observation of ones own inner nature, and
merging one's consciousness into the universal consciousness... Thereby,
directly knowing, intuitively, the true nature of all existence. This
experience (of enlightenment) can come about though regular practice of deep
meditation, of Self study, reinforced by book learning and continued
questioning. 
 
There are many different techniques -- to suit each individual's personal
karma and position or circumstances in life -- by which such yoga can be
practiced and self realization achieved. Such methods of practice can be
taught, learned from a book, grasped intuitively, or instantaneously
achieved by the culmination of ones karmic path through a long series of
previous lifetimes... Although, there is no reason why this cannot occur in
one lifetime with proper study and practice and the use of an indomitable
will. In any event, the goals are the same: to attain Spiritual
Enlightenment..  
 
Since there is no single way by which everyone may achieve this
enlightenment, any advice given as to a method of meditative practice can
only be valid for the one who offers it, and for those on the same path.
Theosophy (in addition to The SECRET DOCTRINE ) offers several books, The
Voice of the Silence, and the Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali (supplemented by
the Dhammapada and the Tao Te Ching) as aids along this meditative path.  
 
These "studies of all the ancient and modern sciences, religions and
philosophies" lead not only to self realization and becoming oneself a
"nucleus of Universal Brotherhood"--but also, helps one understand the
"psychical powers latent in man." Therefore, the three objects must be
employed, and worked on, as an indivisible unity.  
 
Since, the way each one goes about synthesizing and fulfilling them, being
dependent on individual karma and self willed motive, such study and
practice must be left for each student to decide for themselves.  
 
Depending on individual needs during a particular stage of theosophical
study and training -- one student may require scientific and technical
knowledge, another may require a meditative practice --and a third, might
require knowledge of the ancient occult philosophies and so called magical
or alchemical processes. Whatever the need, the answers can only come about
by asking questions, whether openly, or to oneself, and searching diligently
for the answers in a true spirit of unprejudiced inquiry.  
 
Student/teachers, or those of greater knowledge who answer specific
questions from students at a lower level of knowledge, might be divided into
several groups -- using methods, focusing on each of these different aspects
of universal knowledge, particular to each individual teacher... With each
teacher fully cognizant of the teachings of the others, they interrelate to
form a consistent whole that conforms with the fundamental principles, and
can be referenced and confirmed in the Secret Doctrine and/or in other
similarly consistent books and articles by HPB and her devoted disciples.
 
So, we have to leave each of those self professed student/teachers who
actually do, or plan to use this forums as their "school of theosophy" --
speak for themselves. And, by their fruits, we will know them...And,
thereby, when their teachings are seen to be consistent with fundamental
principles, choose to follow what they teach and integrate it with what we
know -- with full cognizance of their limitations and the dangers,. Should
such teachings be taken without question, the dangerous path to blind belief
and credulity open.  
 
It follows, then, that each teacher, whether they agree or disagree with
another's teachings or methods, should also show respect for each other --
as a practical expression of Universal Brotherhood. It should also be
understood that theosophy, itself, is a holistic, synthetic teaching, and
not limited to magic, meditation, alchemy, astrology, science, yoga, or any 
other narrowly focused studies (although, they are all important to
understand the reality of 
the Whole.). 
 
Therefore, there's no reason why any "school of theosophy" shouldn't be
divided into separate "classes" based on the needs of individual students,
with different teachers emphasizing their own special knowledge -- one being
a yogi, another a scientist, another an alchemist, another a philosopher,
another a historian, another a researcher, another a compiler, etc., etc. --
while working together toward a common goal But that primary “Goal” has to
be understood, first as internal to each -- as WISDOM-Buddhi, and second,
for the rest of the world and universe as an expression of the ONE REALITY,
the eternal SPIRIT -- or, as ONE for ALL
 
Since the "basis" of theosophy is the accumulated wisdom of the ages --
which must be consistent with the Three Fundamental Principles (as
consolidated, synthesized, and explained in the Secret Doctrine) -- who is
to say whether or not one method, one teaching, or one path is better than
another -- so long as we all agree with those Principles and follow,
simultaneously, the Three Objects of the Theosophical Movement?
 
  
===================================
 Best wishes,


Dallas