Theos-Talk Archives (August 2005 Message tt00089)

8/11/2005 1:40 PM

Dear Ryan:

Re: "spiritual applications and disciplines"

Have a look at these:

 
THE APPLICATION OF THEOSOPHICAL THEORIES


The mistake is being made by a great many persons, among them being
Theosophists, of applying several of the doctrines current in Theosophical
literature, to only one or two phases of a question or to only one thing at
a time, limiting rules which have universal application to a few cases, when
in fact all those doctrines which have been current in the East for so long
a time should be universally applied. 

For instance, take the law of Karma. Some people say, "yes, we believe in
that," but they only apply it to human beings. They consider it only in its
relation to their own acts or to the acts of all men. 

Sometimes they fail to see that it has its effect not only on themselves and
their fellows, but as well on the greatest of Mahatmas. Those great Beings
are not exempt from it; in fact they are, so to say, more bound by it than
we are.

Although they are said to be above Karma, this is only to be taken to mean
that, having escaped from the wheel of Samsara (which means the wheel of
life and death, or rebirths), and in that sense are above Karma, at the same
time we will find them often unable to act in a given case. Why? If they
have transcended Karma, how can it be possible that in any instance they may
not break the law, or perform certain acts which to us seem to be proper at
just that juncture? Why can they not, say in the case of a chela who has
worked for them and for the cause, for years with the most exalted
unselfishness, interfere and save him from suddenly falling or being
overwhelmed by horrible misfortune; or interfere to help or direct a
movement? It is because they have become part of the great law of Karma
itself. It would be impossible for them to lift a finger.

Again, we know that at a certain period of progress, far above this
sublunary world, the adept reaches a point when he may, if he so chooses,
formulate a wish that he might be one of the Devas, one of that bright host
of beings of whose pleasure, glory and power we can have no idea. The mere
formulation of the wish is enough. At that moment he becomes one of the
Devas. He then for a period of time which in its extent is incalculable,
enjoys that condition--then what? Then he has to begin again low down in the
scale, in a mode and for a purpose which it would be useless to detail here,
because it could not be understood, and also because I am not able to put it
in any language with which I am conversant. In this, then, is not this
particular adept who thus fell, subject to the law of Karma?

There is in the Hindoo books a pretty story which illustrates this. A
certain man heard that every day a most beautiful woman rose up out of the
sea, and combed her hair. He resolved that he would go to see her. He went,
and she rose up as usual. He sprang into the sea behind her, and with her
went down to her abode. There he lived with her for a vast length of time.
One day she said she had to go away and stated that he must not touch a
picture which was on the wall, and then departed. In a few days, fired by
curiosity, he went to look at the picture; saw that it was an enameled one
of a most ravishingly beautiful person, and he put out his hand to touch it.
At that moment the foot of the figure suddenly enlarged, flew out from the
frame, and sent him back to the scenes of earth, where he met with only
sorrow and trouble.

The law of Karma must be applied to everything. Nothing is exempt from it.
It rules the vital molecule from plant up to Brahma himself. Apply it then
to the vegetable, animal and human kingdom alike.

Another law is that of Reincarnation. This is not to be confined only to the
souls and bodies of men. Why not use it for every branch of nature to which
it may be applicable? Not only are we, men and women, reincarnated; but also
every molecule of which our bodies are composed. 

In what way, then, can we connect this rule with all of our thoughts? Does
it apply there? It seems to me that it does, and with as much force as
anywhere. Each thought is of definite length. It does not last for over what
we may call an instant, but the time of its duration is in fact much
shorter. It springs into life and then it dies; but it is at once reborn in
the form of another thought. And thus the process goes on from moment to
moment, from hour to hour, from day to day. 

And each one of these reincarnated thoughts lives its life, some good, some
bad, some so terrible in their nature that if we could see them we would
shrink back in affright. Further than that, a number of these thoughts form
themselves into a certain idea, and it dies to be reincarnated in its time. 

Thus on rolls this vast flood. Will it overwhelm us? It may; it often does.
Let us then make our thoughts pure. 

Our thoughts are the matrix, the mine, the fountain, the source of all that
we are and of all that we may be.

WILLIAM Q. JUDGE	The Occult Word, May, 1886

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CAUTIONS IN PARAGRAPHS


Do not make statements that tend to mix up the Theosophical Society with any
religious belief, political theory, or social observance or non-observance.
Beware of the proposition that the rich or those in social life needing
theosophy as much as the humbler ranks should therefore have special efforts
made for them while they fail or refuse to openly help the Society with
their countenance and effort.

Do not be misled by the fancy that special effort to "convert" a scientific
celebrity will lead to any great benefit to the theosophical movement, or
sufficiently offset the time thereby lost from the general work among those
who are ready to listen.

Never cry down the efforts of a sincere member to disseminate theosophy
merely because it does not meet your standards of method or propriety.

Always discountenance any proposal to establish a censorship of either
literature or effort in theosophical ranks, for such a censorship is against
the broad and free platform on which the Society rests.

Suffer not yourself to be annoyed because scientific men claim as their new
and original discoveries that which theosophical literature has always
claimed: remember we are not in this movement for glory, but that men shall
know the truth regardless of where the credit for discovery is given.

Never forget that a theosophical Branch is for the study of theosophy, and
not for discussion upon outside topics.

Let not sentimentality make you fear to bring forward what you believe to be
theosophy, even though some persons threaten to leave the ranks because
their own fad seems endangered by the strength of your theory; but beware
you do not mistake self-assertion in yourself for the strength of your
theories.

Be not deluded by the idea that you can do great good by entering a church
society in which you do not believe. Theosophy is not benefited by being
thrown among those who declare they do not want it.

Beware of the person who offers to sell spiritual science in so many lessons
for a sum of money. Expositions by lectures in public of general
theosophical principles for an admission fee are proper, but courses of
lessons on magic arts, spiritual science, secrets of nature, and the like
are eternally improper, emanate from cupidity or undisciplined intellect,
and lead to nothing.

Be charitable enough to remember that the theosophist is human, and perhaps
has to struggle all the harder with our common failings just because he has
entered on the battle with the lower nature.

Do not fancy that because ours is called a brotherhood any exclusion of
woman is inferred. English is not the only language on earth, and in many
others the same terms describes both feminine and masculine. Theosophy does
not concern sex distinctions, and talks more of souls, which are sexless,
than it does of the bodies they inhabit.
Carefully avoid confounding Brahmanism with Buddhism, and the religions
flourishing outside India with those of that country. Buddhism not being the
religion of India, confusion of uttered sounds and knowledge results from
calling Hindus Buddhists.

Very carefully refrain from confusing Christianity with the religion of
Jesus. The latter is not the former, inasmuch as Christianity is split up
into over three hundred different sects, whereas Jesus had but one doctrine.
Pay the highest respect to the sermons of Jesus, from the remembrance of the
fact that in his discourses he but gave forth once again the old doctrine
taught to him by the ancient theosophists of whom he was a disciple.

Do not make the blunder of mistaking the glitter of our civilization for
true progress. Weigh fine houses, good clothes, mechanical devices, and
universal male suffrage against the poverty, misery, vice, crime, and
ignorance which go with the former, before you conclude what is the best
civilization.

Rodriguez Undiano	Path, July, 1893

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I hope these may prove to be helpful,

Dallas
 
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-----Original Message-----
From: Ryan Rocheleau
Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2005 7:37 PM
To: 
Subject: Re: Introduction

I'm kind of curious about what sort of day-to-day
spiritual practices Theosophists engage in...